Healthy Glowing Skin Presented by Dr. Brazos Minchew

~Keeping Skin Healthy & Glowing~

"I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?" – Jean Kerr

Beautiful outside, beautiful inside?
Who doesn't want beautiful skin – especially as we age? Our outside layer of skin often reflects the health of our internal organs, as we discussed in the Weekly Wellness Report on "Liver Spots."

For instance, skin hydration relies on glucosamine just as joint hydration relies on glucosamine. So, dry skin likely means dry joints. Skin that is easily torn and damaged indicates rapid aging, which likely indicates rapid aging of our circulatory system. Furthermore, skin that is easily burned by the sun may indicate that our essential fatty acid (EFA) and antioxidant reserves are low which means other tissues that rely on antioxidants and EFA for protection may also be at risk.

Therefore, beautiful skin is a good indicator of healthy reserves of critical nutrients.

Inside first...
As we age, we are likely to experience skin that wrinkles and becomes blotchy. It may start to get pigment spots and become easy to injure. There are many products and procedures you can use to help your skin from the outside and those are important. But more important is nourishing the skin from the inside.

Skin has a base of healthy fats. Most of the external emollients we use on our skin are some form of fat. However, humans are not designed to take in fats very efficiently through the skin. The best way to have a healthy base for your skin is to take OmegaPrime essential fatty acids. Two per day is good, but for skin health, more is better!

From the outside...
There is a huge industry that provides cleansers, peels and emollients for the outside of your skin. Use of skin treatments is important only after you have been nourished from the inside. Then your skin will have beauty long after the makeup has been removed. Dr. Libby's Vital C Powdered Crystals are perfect for your weekly beautiful skin routine. Try this natural deep moisturizer treatment and skin exfoliant:

1. Add 1/4 teaspoon of Vital C Crystals to your daily skin moisturizer and mix thoroughly.
2. Liberally apply the cream to your face and neck, massaging gently.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Wash off completely with warm water; follow with a splash of cold water to close your pores.

Your skin should have a lovely glow!

Sunlight and Vitamin D
The skyrocketing incidence of diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers definitely say that we are not getting enough Vitamin D. The increase in insomnia and seasonal depression tells us that we are not getting enough early morning sun.

We need more sunlight. Now, how do we make it safe?

1. Recognize the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the high ultra-violet intensity that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of over-exposure.
2. Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the evening with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the evening than at midday, though more than in the morning. This will have a less dramatic effect than morning sun but will still provide you with many of the same benefits.
3. Never expose your skin to midday sun for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.
4. Certain nutrients work well to protect against sun damage:

1. Essential fatty acids interact with Vitamin D in your skin to create a bulwark of protection against harmful radiation.
2. Vitamin C quenches smoldering fires of oxidative stress once they have begun.
3. Antioxidants, such as green tea (Energy Now!) and those found in berries (Adaptogen 10 Plus) can help protect against DNA damage from radiation.

All these are excellent strategies for dealing with the stress of too much sun.

What about sunscreen?
The discussion about sunscreen is full of heated rhetoric. The first thing I will say about using sunscreen is that it is completely up to you: it's your choice! I would also point out that people have lived outdoors for thousands of years without serious risk from sun exposure. The increase in skin cancer risk came about as a "perfect storm" of severely polluted air, a low antioxidant/nutrient diet and the 40-year tanning craze that followed World War II.

The truth is that more people die of cancer related to Vitamin D deficiency than of skin cancer caused by sunburn. Again, get some morning and evening sunshine for good health, never get a sunburn and keep your skin covered when you are exposed to midday sun. Beyond these recommendations, do what seems reasonable to you!

Total health
The health of our skin can tell us much about the health of our entire body. We naturally desire that "healthy glow" and beautiful skin. And that makes sense, doesn't it? We have a tool to assess our internal health immediately at our disposal: our skin. All we have to do is learn to listen to the message of healthy skin!

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Take Control of Your Health For healthy skin: Eat healthy fats and take OmegaPrime to help form the foundation Take Joint Complex for healthy collagen Drink plenty of water Eat an antioxidant-rich diet Take a specific antioxidant, such as Adaptogen 10 Plus or Energy Now! Use topical antioxidants frequently Get appropriate sunshine – never burn! Get your sun exposure early in the day Alternately, get your sun exposure in the evening Wear long pants and long sleeves during midday Wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears Take EFAs, Vitamin C and antioxidants for maximum protection!

Learn more!

• Protect Your Skin
• Skin Self-Exam
• Vitamin D and Your Health

Visit trivita.com/13380527 for more info on the supplements for healthy, glowing skin!

Gardening: My New Hobby!

     I am all about some fresh off the vine tomatoes and fresh produce, but I have decided to tackle my fears of gardening and try this out! I paid a visit to one of my favorite local stores, The Bradford Farm store in Davidson! I love that homey place! I was provided with the information I need to get started and supplies to keep my produce organically grown!

So, I purchased...

• 1 Head of Red Sails

• 6 Hot House Cucumber Plants

• 3 Better Boy Tomato Plants

• 2 Bags of Organically Raised Mushroom Compost

• 2 Bags of Organically Raised Cow Poo (ha)

• 2 Bags of Organic Potting Soil

• 1 Bag of Organic Tomato Fertilizer

• 1 Bottle of Seaweed and Fish Puree (smells like caviar)

Total: $53.70

What I hope to gain from this experience is to learn to garden successfully and be able to grow the garden larger hopefully in the fall!

Red Sails

Ok, I bought this to practice for the fallLettuce in general is a great way to get nutrients! According to the American Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, foods rich in vitamin A and C (antioxidants) offer protection against some forms of cancer. Along with other phytochemical, antioxidants reduce the risk of cancer of the respiratory system and intestinal tract. Lettuce, except iceberg, is also a moderately good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron and copper. The spine and ribs provide dietary fiber, while vitamins and minerals are concentrated in the delicate leaf portion.

Better Boy Tomatoes

Tomatoes are amazing! Very low in calories and fats; but rich source of dietary fiber, minerals,

vitamins; recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. The antioxidants present in tomatoes are found to be protective against many cancers including colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers! Phytochemicals present in tomatoes like Lycopene and carotenoids have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals. Red varieties of tomatoes are especially rich in the most powerful flavonoid antioxidant lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays and from prostate cancer.

This veggie contains very good levels of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as alpha and beta carotenes, xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision! Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. They are good source of antioxidant vitamin-C; consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. Fresh tomato is very rich in potassium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. They are also good source of folate, iron, calcium, manganese and other minerals. In short, eat your veggies!

Hot House Cucumbers

Technically I think cukes are a fruit due to their seeds, but are typically paired with vegetables. Cucumbers have a cooling effect that can soothe and bring relief for itchy or puffy eyes! Cucumbers reduce inflammation! Also, cucumber juice can provide relief from heartburn, acid stomach, gastritis and even ulcer! Consuming cukes also aid in cases of eczema, arthritis, and gout. The combination of lettuce, spinach, and carrots with cucumbers can make your hair grow faster! For rheumatic conditions, the combo of carrot juice and cucumber juice can aid in better health! Being rich in minerals, cukes help with strengthening nails and prevent splitting. 

Happy Gardening My Friends! So far & so good! It is easier than you may think!

Nopalea Challenge: Day 10

Hey, my family and friends! This superfruit has really made my life easier! Who all can stand life being a little easier? Man, it is SOOO exciting! So, this challenge lasted 10 days for me; it is up to you since you take 3-6 ounces a day. I took basically 3oz. for 10 days!

Sonoran Bloom Nopalea has made such a difference when I workout! My knees no longer hurt; I feel like I can go all day! It is soo refreshing to be able to run at the gym and not feel like I need to prop my knees up afterwards... finally, my mind won't beat up my body for not being able to keep up!

Also, Sonoran Bloom has improved my skin! I feel so great! Clear skin is always exciting! I used to get headaches on a weekly basis... after a month on Nopalea... no headaches for me! I will stay on Sonoran Bloom for life!

If you have any kind of inflammation in your body, Sonoran Bloom can really make a difference! If you are interested in experiencing wellness, you can visit www.sonoranbloom.com/13380527 or e-mail me @ kelkins@elkinsgroup.com! Look forward to hearing your success story!

Skin Care Series, Part 5

So, I hope that you hold your head high when looking for your skin care products! You can't be fooled! You know how to read a label and what will harm your skin. I hope you can take the tips I shared and put them to use! I hope to hear good reports in the next few months as you notice a healthier looking you!

Here are more ingredients that can really give you healthier skin!

Sea Buckthorn Oil- Hippopae rhamnoides meaning "tree that makes the horse shine" got its name from before the 12th century. It cured weak, sick horses, and later was found to be a berry all about skin rejuvenation. It is one incredible shrub providing over 100 nutrients including linolenic acid (fatty acid), vitamin A, vitamin E, carotene, flavonoids, polyphenols (condensed tannins), and traces of iron, copper, magnesium, and selenium. This combination neutralizes free radicals.

Cupuacu Butter- Amazon originated, this tree comes from the chocolate family! Love it already? It is similar to that of cocoa butter. This absorbs water extremely well. This can replace linolin in skin care products. It prevents signs of aging and is rich in sterols (cell membrane in plants). It also provides protection to over-exposure to UV rays.

Acai Berry- Let's just get one thing straight. It's pronounced ah-sah-ee. Okay, I just had to

clarify. This is named the #1 Super Food in the World. This has the highest measure of antioxidants hundreds of points higher than cranberries. These berries grow on palms in the Amazon Reserve. They are naturally wild, and they have quality fatty acids, vitamins, B1, B2, B3, C, and E. The berry also is rich in minerals like phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and essential fatty acids. This is so great. When you drink it, to reap the full benefits make sure it was cold-pressed for maximum nutrition.

Pomegranate Extract- This is a super food as well. Great for your skin and hair, this is rich in antioxidants. Using this or eating more of this can decrease stress levels and increase your intake of polyphenols and anthocyanidins (pigment that gives dark fruit their color).

Soap Bark- An evergreen karite tree known for its medicinal purposes. It reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and even improves the capillary circulatory and that improves tissue re-oxygenation.

Lemon Oil- This is known for being a natural astringent and anti-irritant. It balances overactive sebaceous glands that lead to oily, blemished skin. When used in hair care products, it adds

shine. When used in hand care, it treats brittle nails. When used in skin are, it clears and enlivens the complexion.

I really have enjoyed learning more about skin care! I am so glad we are in this together! Let me know about your finds in choosing your skin care products, and don't forget to check the make-ups websites out and read the labels.

You are in charge of your skin, and in this case, no one is going to look out for you like you look out for yourself! I look forward to doing more series in the future!

Skin Care Series, Part 4

I apologize for the delay in finishing the series. There were some family emergencies I needed to tend to. Thank you for staying tuned! Welcome to Skin Care Series Part 4!

As I said previously, I ordered Dr. Mercola's Certified Organic Body Butter Sweet Orange in place of my synthetic and chemical-filled body butter I was using before. I finished it out though I had one last hoorah before I tossed it in the trash. Already I am discovering what I thought was the feeling of true moisturizing before was simply petroleum sitting on the surface of my skin. So sad! 

Good news, this body butter I have now feels so different on my skin. It may sound silly, but I'm shocked at the difference of feeling moisturized. I feel rejuvenated, and I sound like a commercial. Ha! First, we must define the terms so we can all read through the ingredients without pulling out a dictionary every 3 seconds. Here are some ingredients I had to look up to understand their meaning.

Defining The Terms:

• Bioflavonoids- Powerful antioxidants

• Hesperidin- Crystalline Glycoside (found in orange peel)

• Apigenin- Type of Bioflavonoid (found in plants)

• Luteolin- Found in the Brazilian plant, Wedelia Paludosa is aids in disease prevention by having anti-inflammatory properties

• Quercetin- Phytochemical (found in apples and red onions) is a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory

• Phytosterols- Plant-derived nutrients that help lower cholesterol, increase immune system against cancer, improve urinary tract, and creates protective skin barrier 

• Squalene- Can be found in plants, vegetable oils, shark liver, and even humans produce it; it is a natural aid in cholesterol, a natural steroid hormone, and rich in vitamin D

• CoQ10- Strengthens heart, circulatory system, balances glucose levels, and improves energy

Here are the ingredients in my NEW Dr. Mercola's Certified Organic Body Butter:

Sweet Orange Oil- (India) A herb used for its essential oil. Rich in vitamin C. It also contains bioflavenoids like hesperidin that work in conjunction with vitamin C complimenting the antioxidant effects. All attributes of the orange is used. The peel contains phtonutrients like limonene which also provides antioxidants. This oil is so nutritious for your skin that it is used across the board for his skin care line.

Organic Shea Butter- (West Central Africa) This is an all-natural vitamin A cream. It is grown wild without the use of pesticides. It contains UVB protections as well as soothes the skin. It also can restore skin's natural elasticity. It allows your skin to absorb moisture from the air letting it stay softer longer. As a skin conditioner, it is high in unsaponifiables (type of fat).

Organic Cocoa Butter- Deriving from the cocoa bean, this also is a natural and ultimate moisturizer. It increases hydration, decreases skin roughness and scaling, supports UV damage control, improves blood flow, and vessel function. It allows skin to breathe while also putting up a thin barrier on the skin to seal moisture. It melts at body temperature allowing easy absorption. Also used in aromatherapy, cocoa butter has relaxing properties allowing you to relieve stress. It also known to boost your immune system!

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil- The ideal way to rejuvenate your skin! It protects against formation of damaging free radicals, and is also used to protect skin from blemishes, signs of aging, and overexposure to sun. It also strengthens skin's connective tissue. It removes your outer dead skin to make your skin smoother. It also penetrates to strengthen the deep tissues of the skin.

Organic Jojoba Oil- (Sonora Desert) This is a wax from a cold-pressed shrub called Simmondsia Chinensis. U.S. Native Americans use this to speed the process of healing and minimize scarring. It is very similar to the sebum your skin produces. It retains moisture and keeps skin's sebum producing which begins decreasing at age 20. For dry skin, it rapidly jump starts the sebum to produce more, and for oily skin, it slows down the sebum to give more balance to your skin giving it a silky feel. It also is nutritious in vitamin E, B-complex, Silicon, Chromium, Copper, Zinc, and Iodine. Its antioxidant properties give the body butter a long shelf life.

Organic Murumuru Butter- (Amazon Basins, Brazil) A wild plant that is extremely tough to harvest has prickly black spines all over the plant! It hydrates and

 moisturizes while allowing your body to retain water by creating a protective film. It also works to repair your skin's lipid barrier. It is rich in oleic acid which aids moisture retention. This is fairly traded and allows income for the region creating economic independence.

Organic Ride Bran Extract- This is where 65% of this grain's nutrients are. It contains over 100 known antioxidants. They are one of the best ways to consume vitamin E complex, vitamin B complex, and gamma-oryzanol (only found in rice bran). Rice bran also has phytonutrients like phytosterols, CoQ10, and IP6. It has also is known for binding oil and water together. For skin care purposes, it also promotes collagen formation, treats dry skin, has smooth spread ability, and a natural peroxide.

Organic Palm Oil- A nutrient dense oil containing antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A, tocotrienols (potent vitamin E). Vitamin E is the major soluble antioxidant in your skin. It also contains phytonutrients like phytosterols, squalene, CoQ10, and carotenoids. It is a renewable source that is also biodegradable and emits no carbon dioxide in the air.

Organic Aloe Vera Juice- The mot nutrition-packed and biologically-alive liquid on the entire planet. It has over 130 biologically alive compounds, 34 amino acids, and

 has an average pH balance of 4.55. It dates back to use in the days of Cleopatra. It soothes, supports immune system function, produces collagen and elastic, contains a powerhouse of minerals, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, folic acid and niacin, and it is an amino acid building block.

These are the top eight ingredients in the my NEW body butter! The other ingredients are:

• Purified Water

• Denatured Grain Alcohol- "Denatured" makes it undrinkable.

• Beeswax- This is a wax very similar to your own skin wax.

• Organic Soy Lecithin

• Xantham Gum

I am trying to choose early on what will aid my skin in maximum beauty. I am learning ingredients and sharing with you, my friend! Some other ingredients that are so amazing for your skin will be continued in Part 5. I want to break it up because it is so much information. I do not want you to feel overwhelmed. I am excited to learn what all is available and happy that you care for yourself as much as I do! Yay us!

Skin Care Series, Part 3

So, I hope everyone has been all the more conscience about washing their beautiful faces every night! It's like the easiest, one thing we can do! I myself am starting to get dry skin just because I feel so very convicted, and I refuse to use my petroleum lotion! My skin is something I never want to skimp on. I have been blessed with soft skin, and I intend to keep it that way! I feel like we all have great God-given features that we can appreciate about ourselves, in a healthy non-vain way. 

I have to say my body butter is costing more now because I am in the process of ordering the unscented organic body butter made by Dr. Mercola. I am excited, and I will let you know how I like it! 

Let's finish up this Skin Care Series with what we still need to know about skin care and cosmetics. You now know what to avoid. Now, I am going to tell you what to look for and why!

Nourishing Your Skin:

• Whether we are willing to opt for the organic body butter or not, we all want healthy looking skin! 

• It is ideal to use products that pride themselves on using natural ingredients. 

• Some brands to check out are: Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees (I use currently),

 Dr. Mercola's Skin Care (I am purchasing), Physicians Formula (what I use), Saffron Rouge, Just Natural, Organic Wear (what I use), and much more. These are the most budget-friendly and bang for your buck.

Reminder: Look for the natural ingredients! Look for things you can pronounce and spell. 

Alcohol is a bad example of what I just said. Although we can spell it, we don't want that. It strips your skin's natural mantle. It also makes you more susceptible to bacteria. So, other than alcohol, look for ingredients you can pronounce. 

If you've recently been making lifestyle changes to better yourself- inside and out i.e. joining the gym, choosing more fruits and vegetables then you can consider this a lifestyle change for your skin. It may take some patience. I find myself some evenings forcing myself to wash my face. It takes 5 minutes! It's just creating a habit requires a little bit of patience at first. Not to worry, a few months from now, you'll be so glad you have made this choice to work towards a better, healthier skin!

Why Is Organic Important?

• It's important to use ingredients that help maintain healthy skin whenever possible instead of harmful chemicals. You choose healthy alternatives for you and your family, and now you have healthy alternatives for your skin as well.

Defining The Terms:

• "Certified Organic"- Agriculture products that are grown and processed per the USDA's national organic standards. It also has been certified through  by USDA accredited state and private certification organizations.

This does have red tape to go through whereas all other skin care lines and cosmetics do not. So, of course there is a price tag that comes with the label.

When you see this label, it should mean to you: it has a specific set of standards set by the USDA, extensive paperwork has been filled out, agents review the paper work to oversee eligibility, inspectors conduct on-site inspections without notification, and check for compliance in organic farming. This is what you're paying for when purchasing "certified organic".

I was going to include a list of natural or certified organic ingredients that have a hundred reasons why you should choose them over the synthetics most of us use. However, this is getting a little long, and I don't want be overwhelming with information. So, Part 4 will include ingredients you want to have in your skin care and cosmetics! So, stay tuned! To be continued!

Skin Care Series, Part 2

Now more than ever we have to be cautious about what we eat, come in contact with, and even what we rub onto our skin. Frankly, it can be overwhelming! That's a reason I have created a blog. A blog full of facts, facts about how to better yourself inside and out! I want to create a website that is easy to get to, easy to read, and always factual.

I can attest that our family as a whole has been making much better food choices that past 2 or 3 years. We eat salads with nearly every meal. We always have fruit and vegetables on hand. We also typically have quality juices and so on. My point is, is that we have been changing eating habits. I think it's important to make lifestyle decisions slowly and purposefully. The whole topic of skin care is a newer passionate topic. Again, I did not start washing my face with organic skin care. After years of slowly making lifestyle changes, I am to my next upcoming change, using certified organic skin care and make-up. So, as we can continue onto Part 2, please know that any improvement is success!

Why Does The Beauty Industry Use These Hazardous Chemicals?

• Harsh chemicals are cheap. (ex. alcohol, bleach)

• Readily available (made in masses)

• Easy to dilute

Hurry! Run! Get your lotion and make-up to check!

This is not suppose to be depressing. After I saw that my favorite Bath & Body Works body butter had 5 of these ingredients... It was sort of sad. I will stick to spraying the body mist on my clothes.

If you choose to keep your skin care contrary to the chart above or choose to improve your skin in other ways. Here are some tips!

Achieving Healthy Skin:

Raw foods- These have the highest nutrient value rather than cooking. When cooking, use low fat methods such as steaming, roasting, baking, sauteing.

Omega-s fatty acids(list of foods in Part 1)- Not only will this give that healthy skin glow but gives your brain those healthy fats it needs to function.

Exercise- Perspiration lets toxins exit the body leaving your body detoxed.

My hairdresser was telling me the other day how important it is to put product on your hair while it's still wet. The product holds to the hair, and so when you are coming in contact with pollution, outside grime, and poor air quality, the grime grabs onto the product, not your hair. Your skin works the same way.

Take 5 minutes in the morning and evening to wash your face and neck! This will aid in maintaining that youthful glow. Along with whatever changes you make to your skin care and cosmetics.

Again, being more health conscience does not always require you forking out money. Here are ten ways to get active about skin care!

10 Ways To Better Skin!

• Use Warm Water- Hot water may potentially age your skin faster. Tap water is chlorinated. Chlorine cause oxidative damage. When chlorine is mixed with with hot water the rate of chemical reactions increase. So avoid hot baths as soothing as it may be. Hot water is not healthy for the skin.

• Use Safe & Gentle Skin Care Products- Use organic when possible. Your skin absorbs it all. Do not compromise your health or the health of your skin.

• Remove Your Make-up- Removing all the dirt and grime that you encountered will keep you glowing. By leaving the grime on your face, keeps toxins on your face longer.

• Sleep On Your Back- Gravity pulls on your face all day. At night, give your face a break. Sleeping on your stomach adds puffiness to your face.

• No Smoking- Even smokers will tell you it ages your skin and produces free radical production, sign of aging.

• Use Sunscreen- Even sunscreen should be checked against the hazardous skin care ingredients. Sunscreen has it's own harmful chemicals. Choose ocean potion or a natural sunscreen. Most have extremely harsh chemicals.

• Apply Skin Care with Warm Water- A warm face helps achieve maximum absorption to your products.

• Never Pull On Your Skin- Pulling or rubbing stretches the skin. Tapping for a few minutes to absorb is what is considered the correct way to apply products.

• Don't Expect Overnight Changes- People will probably notice before you do the changes in your skin. Do not grow weary, you are succeeding every night you choose to wash your face. Every little bit counts!

These are practical ways to improve your skin. Slowly consider if this is something you want to improve on. I encourage you to research it for yourself. Dr. Mercola has so much information. Look at other products.

Part 3 will include the nourishing botanicals that we need to look for when choosing skin care products, the benefits of organic, the beauty of keeping it natural, understanding plant oils' functions, and introduce new plants on the market that we can now get in skin care. Coming Soon!

Skin Care Series, Part 1

I am beginning a mini series of posts on one of my favorite topics to learn about, our skin!

Everyone's skin looks different based on so many factors. I am a nut about using absolutely no synthetic chemicals on my face and based on the information I want to share I should be! I never really though too much about body butter, shea butter, cocoa butter all being paired with harmful chemicals as well. The labels are mis-reading and that is why I am sharing. There are some things I eat and use that are sooo good to taste, and I really would just like to turn my health-conscience head the other way! However, I feel the urge to no longer turn my head on the ingredients in my body lotion.

I receive a e-newsletter from Dr. Mercola a couple times a week. He has a health center that focuses on optimal wellness. He presents facts about everything... I mean EVERYTHING! He has lots of videos paired with about every article he posts. Check him out for yourself!

Skin Facts:

• Skin is the largest organ and the thinnest.

• Skin is only 1/10 of an inch.

• Skin is highly permeable, allowing what you apply to your skin entering into your bloodstream.

• Skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it.

Now, knowing that we can move onto what's next. I am always lathering my skin in lotion. I keep it by my bed, in the bathroom (of course), and in my purse. I also have some at work and in the car. Dry skin drives me crazy! So, here are some ways to keep us from getting the that dreaded dry skin.

Here are 5 Ways to Alleviate Dry Skin...

1. Drink more water! For those tea drinkers, drink up on your high anti-oxidant green tea! When we are cold or at least it's cold outside, we tend to drink less. Try drinking water without ice. You drink more without realizing it. I always order water without ice even in the summer. If you are willing to try green tea but do not know what to buy, look for certified organic. It has a richer flavor. This will keep you from adding extra sugar and cream.

2. Even though potato soup sounds good almost any day in the winter, adding more raw foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids will be hydrating to your skin from the inside out! These foods ar

e also anti-aging foods. Refer to the list at the bottom. Better yet ask me for recipes that include these foods as well.

3. Take time for yourself in a warm bath, not hot. A quality bath salt can soften your skin with exfoliation. When choosing bath salts, you can refer to the list that will be posted on harsh chem

icals in skin care and cosmetics.

4. Wear gloves! Hey, it's a reason to go get those you were looking at the other day! Just kidding. Bundling up will protect your skin from the climate changes getting in and out of your car.

5. Here is the biggie! Moisturize daily with a non-clogging organic body lotion such as coconut oil or body butter. These nourish without clogging, as many toxin-moisturizers do! 

Questions that are probably rising, why organic? My lotion doesn't clog my pores, so is it good? A list of chemicals that can be found in your non-organic moisturizers is coming up next. Stay tuned!

My thinking sometimes is if it's expensive, it must have some good stuff in it! Seriously, I think that way sometimes. I have to remember even if it has a leaf on it, says phrases I like to hear, has my favorite colors, smells nice, and so on this doesn't mean they are looking out for me! Why not?

The beauty industry answers to no one! The FDA has not rules or regulations that the beauty industry has to abide by including mandatory testing. This creates loopholes which is why we must...

Define The Terms...

• "For Professional Use Only"- This allows cosmetic companies to not post the harmful chemicals on

 the label.

• "Hypoallergenic"- No testing is necessary to claim this is safe for sensitive skin. There are no regulations to claim such a statement.

• "Harmful Chemicals"- Unless the chemicals are put there intentionally, there is no requirement to say there are harmful toxins in the skin care or cosmetics.

This is all so frustrating. Like we needed one more thing to think about, right? In order to live healthier and better, we have to take care of ourselves literally. We have to educate ourselves. We opt to put great food in our body, so why is it not important what we put on our body? Dr Mercola says, "We shouldn't put anything on our body, that we wouldn't eat." Ponder that. Taking care of ourselves takes work, it's not easy. Nothing worth having ever is easy.

Beauty Industry Facts:

• In the U.S. alone, the industry makes $50 billion a year... off of us!

• They budget $2 million for advertising.

• Women who wear make-up daily absorb 5 pound of toxins a year.

The beauty industry is motivated by their profits. Can you blame them? $50 billion!

There's more to come! We will talk about toxins, skin care/cosmetic ingredients, how to get healthy skin, and a 5 min. fix. Coming Next!

List of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flaxseed

Walnuts

Salmon

Soy beans

Halibut

Shrimp

Tofu

Scallops

Winter Squash