Tag: products

An Influencer's Perspective on Clean Beauty

An Influencer’s Perspective on Clean Beauty: And Her Top Products

February 6, 2022 2 Comments

Guest Post by Lauren Miller Clean Beauty products changed my life. Here’s my perspective and my top recommended products… I was treated to the dreamiest facial last week and the esthetician told me that I had great skin elasticity and wonderful skin tone with no hyperpigmentation. Good thing I was already laying down or I probably would have fallen over, because I have never in my life  heard a compliment so good, especially from a professional! I walked out of there glowing both on the outside, and the inside. You see, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, my skin was something that I always struggled with. I had acne most of my life. I still remember being called “sideburns” in the 7th grade because my acne was so bad.  At 24, I was diagnosed with PCOS and that is when my low-tox journey began. I started learning about ingredients in both food, and in the products I was using. I started managing my hormones by seeing functional medicine practitioners and nutrition specialists, and swapping my skincare and makeup for clean beauty products.  It wasn’t an easy switch for me. I’ve been wearing makeup since 7th grade and grew up in the generation that used alcohol as a toner and didn’t think my face was clean unless I used harsh, beaded cleansers that smelled like strawberries. Intense acne treatment was prescribed left and right, but it was not an option for me– especially once I learned about the side effects, impact on hormones, and ingredients. Man, did I have a lot to learn—and still do.  Why The Beauty Industry Needs A Revamp: While on this journey, I learned that the beauty industry is one of the most unregulated industries. It literally allows toxic chemicals and endocrine disruptors to be used in the products that we use on a daily basis. The United States only bans 30 ingredients in cosmetics, compared to Europe who bans 1300. Clearly, this isn’t okay- we all deserve better. Enter: Beautycounter. A company whose mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. Beautycounter bans over 1800 harmful or questionable ingredients in their products. Beautycounter products are ethically sourced and USA made. They are sustainable, a certified B-Corp, Leaping Bunny certified, and high-performing. Beautycounter triple screens every ingredient to test for heavy metal contamination and toxicity. The best part? They are a company that advocates to change beauty laws at both the state and federal level in the United States and Canada.  We are exposed to hundreds of toxic ingredients from our personal care and beauty products daily. Women use an average of 12 products a day, exposing themselves to 168 different chemicals before walking out the door in the morning, while men are exposed to an average of 85 from their products (Environmental Working Group, 2015). Currently, there’s an overwhelming burden of hormone-altering cosmetics for teen girls. I’m so grateful the idea of “clean” is starting to trend more and more. I have been able to squash my own notion that “clean” doesn’t perform because I have completely transformed my skin with clean products. Trust me, I am far from perfect, but this was without a doubt a change I needed to make. Here are my Top 5 Must-Have Beautycounter products: Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel: Hands-down the product that has probably transformed my skin the most, getting rid of dullness and welcoming the “glow”. It’s a leave-on multi-acid AHA/BHA peel that improves skin texture and boosts clarity without over-drying or irritation. Countertime Collection: This collection is designed to visibly firm, brighten, and plump the skin. Hello, aging gracefully! Beautycounter coined the “Retinatural Complex” by combining two of the most powerhouse plant-based ingredients: Bakuchiol and Swiss Alpine Rose. Bakuchiol has been shown to provide skincare results that are comparable to retinol, without the harmful side effects. Swiss Alpine Rose boosts the skin’s antioxidant defense. It’s truly never too early to set your skin up for aging well! All-Bright C Serum: If the fact that this smells like a golden-milk latte isn’t enough, then the results will be! Vitamin C is all the craze now, but the problem is that most Vitamin C serums are made with unstable forms. With an ultra-potent 10% blend of two forms of Vitamin C, this serum instantly brightens, helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots, while turmeric and camu-camu protect against new ones and environmental stressors. Combine with the Resurfacing Peel, and you have a game-changing duo.  Skin-Twin Featherweight Foundation: I never thought it was possible to find a foundation that was clean, and also covered well without making my skin look “cakey”. But this breathable, buildable formula packed with hyaluronic acid not only does the makeup job, but it provides skincare while wearing it to visibly plump the skin. It’s weightless, long-wearing, provides hydration, and comes in 18 beautiful shades.  Countersun Daily Sheer Defense (SPF 25): Yes, it’s reef-friendly! It’s formulated with non-nano zinc oxide to protect against UVA, UVB, and HEV blue light rays while leaving no chalky whitecase. It’s lightweight, and packed with antioxidants to protect the skin from pollution, while also supporting the skin’s moisture barrier. >>Click Here to Shop Lauren’s Clean Beauty Recommendations<< Clean Beauty is a GAME CHANGER It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. Transforming your skin starts on the inside, followed by good skincare. You no longer have to sacrifice quality to get the results you want with clean products. So eat the nourishing foods, drink all the water, and start swapping your products if you haven’t already. Little by little you can reduce your toxic load, while also taking care of your skin.  For a great free resource, check out the Environmental Working Group. It’s easy and does the research for you. Want a personalized skincare and clean beauty consultation? Reach out to me on Instagram!   Related: The Hormone Healing Diet Clean Beauty New Customer Offer: Did you know NEW Beautycounter customers get

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How to Host a Perfect Hot Chocolate Bar

December 22, 2021 No Comments

What’s a Hot Chocolate Bar Party? Just that! A holiday get-together with a perfect Hot Chocolate Bar and all the fixings. We did this for a low-key Christmas gathering in 2021, and it was the best sweet spread. Allllllllll that sugar? Well, not necessarily. Traditional hot chocolate mixes are loaded with sugar (and preservatives). I put out LMNT Chocolate Salt and LMNT Mint Chocolate as a stand-in, and everyone LOVED IT. These little packets have a ton of flavor – and are, of course, #saltyaf. A boost of electrolytes PLUS healthy hot chocolate? Win-win. Bonus: Since we saved up our sugar bank, we had more fun with tons of mix-ins and sweet sides. Related: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Relationship with Food Now that we’ve got the hot chocolate part down, let’s talk about making it all come together. Hot Chocolate Bar: Marshmallows The key: variety of textures and options! Marshmallows are a given. Some people like the classic mini-marshmallows, but a standout were Hammond’s Gourmet Coconut Marshmallows. Other options included Hammond’s Vanilla Bean Marshmallows and novelty star-shaped marshmallows. Hot Chocolate Bar: Mix-ins In addition to marshmallows, I like to have other options for mixing into hot chocolate. Peppermint candies are nice, Candy Cane stir sticks, and even a few extra hunks of dark chocolate for a reallllly rich blend. All the Goodies Cookies! Brownies! Chocolate Bark! I found these super cute Gingerbread Men at a local bakery in Hopewell, Virginia. They tasted as good as they look. We also had classic Milano-style cookies, Chocolate Lace cookies, Peppermint Brownies, and Chocolate Chip Cookies. My ‘filler items’ were chocolate covered almonds and chocolate bark pieces. Fill your Hot Chocolate Bar with special treats that you and your guests will love. This is a perfect chance to showcase a variety of holiday cookies or family traditions. HOT CHOCOLATE BAR EXECUTION Making it all come together is surprisingly simple. The hot chocolate bar can be set up in advance for a low-stress holiday gathering. Once you have your mix-ins and treats arranged, find some festive holiday mugs. For those who prefer milk in their hot chocolate, keep a pot of milk at a very low simmer on the stovetop. Use a ladle to fill mugs or add just a splash. If you don’t have a fancy hot water dispenser, a kettle of hot water on the stove will work as well. The most handy tool of the night was a handheld mixer for quick stirring of the LMNT. The hot chocolate bar proved to be an easy, festive holiday favorite that we’ll repeat for years to come! LMNT Mint Chocolate: Limited Time Only I’ve talked previously about LMNT Electrolytes in the context of hydration. The Mint Chocolate has nearly taken the lead as my TOP flavor of all time (ok, Chocolate Salt is still number one though). It’s only here for a limited time!! The ingredients are amazing: Salt, Cocoa Powder, Magnesium, Potassium, Natural Chocolate Flavor, Natural Mint Flavor, and Stevia Leaf Extract. << THAT I can stand behind. Try LMNT for yourself here. Then come back and let me know your favorite flavor! Add Electrolytes and stay on top of your hydration! Think LMNT is too salty? You can find other tasty electrolytes at Thrive Market! You May Also Like: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Mindset with Food What Is the Carnivore Diet? Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Signs of Dehydration

Signs of Dehydration: How Much Water Should You Drink?

December 13, 2021 1 Comment

Dehydration is defined as losing more fluids than you’re taking in. Aka: Net Water Loss from the body.  Simple. However, we don’t always have an accurate gauge of water LOSS and it can be challenging to stay on top of water intake.  The effect of dehydration is a state called hypohydration: hypo, meaning “under”, hydration. Mild hypohydration can be a 1% water loss or less. Let’s think about how we lose water: Sweating due to heat, exercise, or physiological stress Urination (which can be in excess with kidney dysfunction, diuretics, hyperglycemia, or other conditions) GI Tract via diarrhea or vomiting  Respiratory Tract, exacerbated with asthma, COPD, apnea, and heavy breathing Related: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Relationship with Food However, our fluid balancing system is highly evolved (and quite precise).  Thirst is a key modulator here. When our blood volume drops too low, our hypothalamus (the brain’s master regulating gland) receives a warning. The hypothalamus gives us the sensation of thirst, while at the same time stimulating the pituitary gland to release a hormone called Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH). This hormone tells our body to hold onto water, making your kidney slow down and decreasing urination. Simultaneously, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is at work, another trio of hormones promoting fluid and sodium retention.  SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION These are the key warning signs of dehydration, indicating you are in a hypohydrated state. They can all manifest differently in people and conditions. Note that a combination of many (or all) indicates severe dehydration. Thirst – With our advanced fluid balancing system at work, it makes sense that THIRST is an early sign of mild or moderate dehydration. If you are in-tune with this, simply drinking to thirst should keep you in a hydrated state.  Urine Output – Since urinary output drops when you are dehydrated, this can be a secondary sign of low water status. Further, checking the color of your urine can help determine hydration status. Dark, amber colored urine indicates a hypohydrated state.  Dry Skin and Lips – There are certainly other factors at play with skin (zinc, Vitamin A, Fatty Acids), so this is only a secondary marker of dehydration when correlated with other signs.  Fatigue/Headache/Brain Fog – Again, these things can easily be attributed to other causes BUT the reality is that when you are dehydrated you’re likely to experience some degree of malaise/fatigue, a headache, and mood or cognition changes. One study showed mild dehydration resulted in more errors on a cognitive test. (Similar to that of someone drunk!) Low Blood Pressure – Most of your blood volume is water. When you lose water, your blood volume decreases, which decreases blood pressure. This is seen in more severe cases of dehydration.  Nausea/Dizziness – Related to blood pressure, when your blood volume drops less blood reaches the brain. The early warning sign of this is lightheadedness when going from sitting to standing. It can also manifest as low-level vertigo or nausea.  HOW TO STAY HYDRATED Given our evolved fluid-balancing system it should be simple: Drink to Thirst.  However, often when we are in a dehydrated state we also need to replenish electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Drinking plain water when already depleted makes this imbalance worse. The symptoms of hyponatremia (low blood sodium) mimic and worsen those of dehydration.  A better strategy? Add Electrolytes.  In order to stay in a well-hydrated state, a good baseline is half your body weight in ounces per day. Set daily reminders to make sure you’re getting in enough fluid. SOME of that water should have electrolytes and LMNT is the perfect ratio of sodium:potassium:magnesium. PLUS it tastes delicious.  I recommend one packet a day combined with plenty of pure, filtered water. Worried about too much sodium? Check out this post.  My favorite way to #staysalty is to add Watermelon Salt LMNT to my Yeti and sip it throughout the day. On chilly mornings, I’ll make a Hot Chocolate Salt as a special treat.  Try LMNT for yourself here. Then come back and let me know your favorite flavor! Add Electrolytes and stay on top of your hydration! Think LMNT is too salty? You can find other tasty electrolytes at Thrive Market! You May Also Like: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Mindset with Food What Is the Carnivore Diet? Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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