Yoga is a practice that has been in existence since 3000 B.C., and the focus of the discipline is uniting the body and the mind. People who practice yoga (yogis) firmly believe that the mind and the body are one entity, and the practice of yoga works to connect the two parts and bring you into a higher awareness of your being.
If you have never done yoga before, you shouldn’t be intimidated. A good way to start your practice would be at home. There are a variety of DVD’s available that provide the same level of instruction as a class, but in the comfort and safety of your living room. It is crucial to remember that each yoga practice is individual to the person doing it, therefore you go at your own pace and own level.

Three Reasons You Should Consider Practicing Yoga:

1. Flexibility: The yoga poses are designed to safely stretch your muscles while releasing the lactic acid that causes soreness. It also increases the range of motion in your joints, which leads to a more mobile and fluid body. What is really interesting about yoga is that each pose has a purpose. When you perform hip opening moves, you are also massaging your internal organs, stimulating them to function better.
2. Strength: There are a variety of poses within yoga that are designed to build upper and lower body strength, while strengthening the core. This is especially crucial as people age. Maintaining strength is key in preventing injury and sustaining a flexible body.
3. Posture: As your flexibility and strength improve, you will find your posture naturally aligning itself too. Yoga leads to a stronger body awareness, so you will be more likely to notice when you are slouching or slumping.

If your gym doesn’t provide yoga classes, look into purchasing some DVD’s. It’s a great way to keep up with your practice if you don’t already have easy access to a group class or are low on funds.

Antioxidants have become a regular part of my beauty routine. Anytime I even think about free radicals rampaging my skin, I get angry. I do not want to look older than I already am! Does the word “haggard” cause you to inwardly cringe? I think it does that to most women. What a horrible descriptive word to use on someone!
So I do my best to avoid that. It’s common knowledge that green tea and blueberries are antioxidant powerhouses. But let me give you another tip you may not have heard of – grape seed oil.

Grape seed oil is a powerful tool for your face, and it has been used for centuries by the ancient Greeks and the Egyptians. They recognized its healing properties long ago, and because of their discoveries we can now follow in their footsteps. The oil’s antioxidant compounds protect the skin from premature aging. We all know the dangers of sun damage and how it causes aging, as well as unsightly wrinkles. Here is where grape seed oil benefits are two fold: it not only protects your skin from aging but also protects it from the sun itself. So it’s like you get 2 benefits at the same time – an SPF that simultaneously combats that haggard look. Sign me up!
This oil also has high levels of Vitamin E, which works to alleviate acne and stretch marks. The reason this has such proven results is because this oil contains regenerative and restructuring properties that seek out damaged tissue and restore skin moisture. It can also work as a natural astringent that will tone and firm your skin. Consistent use will smooth your skin, creating a healed and firm complexion.
Who knew you could get all of these benefits out of something obscure in the grocery store? Has anyone tried using this before?

There is a new love in my life, and her name is Coco

Doing some of my carrier oil research led me to stumble upon the wonders of coconut oil. Coconut oil is good for all kinds of things, from hair and skin care, to cooking, to preventing diseases. It’s good for the teeth, bones, liver and kidney and is effective in treating certain infections, due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Do I feel a 5 uses post coming on?!?

So, when I was getting my vitamins at the supplement/health food store last week, I decided to see what all the coconut hype is about. The first thing I tried it on was my skin.

The first thing I noticed when I dug a chunk out to use was the scent. It has a pleasantly delicate scent of coconut, that is almost non-existent, making it ideal as a carrier for other fragrances.

I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of it. Coconut oil has a lip-balmish consistency, but is not sticky at all. It is solid that melts at body temperature – it feels cool as it melts, but warms up to an oil worthy of any massage. It’s not too greasy, but hydrates skin immediately.

Next, I tried it on my little girl’s VERY curly hair. Of course, I melted it first. This can be done with your hands, like I did (‘cuz it feels so great!), or just put the jar in some warm water.

Not only did it make her hair super shiny, but it worked almost like a pomade. I even gave her ringlets! Naturally, I wouldn’t use it on straight or thin hair, and it should be used sparingly, at least until you get the feel for how it works in your hair.

Other things  that are awesome about coconut oil:

• It has a long shelf-life
• You can mix your favorite essential oils into it when it’s melted
• It makes a GREAT lip  balm – even all by it’s lonesome

I will definitely be coming back with more uses for this awesome carrier oil and more. There’s just so much…

Do you use coconut oil for anything around your home? Let me know – I’m ready!

Twitter surfing this afternoon has once again caused a sharp pain in my side.  Essence Magazine is holding an event today and it appears that Johnson and Johnson is a sponsor of some sort.  There’s a series of tweets under the #jbaby trend that have gotten me completely riled up in under 2.2 seconds.  There’s a speaker who has “educated” the women there on the benefits of incorporating baby oil and baby oil gel into their skin care and every day beauty regimen.

Somebody please catch me before I faint! Baby oil? For your face? Your hair and nails?! OMG please make them stop! Ok, ok, sorry let me calm down and give you some useful information instead of my angry ranting.

Quick facts you need to know about mineral oil RIGHT NOW:

1. Petroleum based – Mineral oil is a byproduct of petroleum, the same petroleum from which gasoline is produced.  As a byproduct it is of little value to oil refineries.
2. Inexpensive – Because mineral oil is petroleum byproduct it is significantly cheaper than oils based from naturally occurring elements (olive, safflower, almond, etc).  This makes its use much more appealing to larger manufactures whose bottom line more financially motivated than wellness motivated.  There is a plethora of other alternatives to mineral oil these companies could opt to use.  Please note the key work in that sentence is alternatives, not in addition to (See my thoughts on the use of Additional elements instead of Alternative elements)
3. Skin barrier – Mineral oil is not absorbed by the skin, it simply sits on top of it creating a sealant.  While sealing in moisture is of the utmost importance, preventing oxygen and other naturally occurring beneficial elements from reaching your skin is a surefire way to develop dry skin, wrinkles, acne, and even rashes.  You skin needs to breathe.

Mineral oil does serve it’s purpose in relation to use in and on the body.  It’s beneficial in the birth process to help ease the baby out of the birth canal, can be used as a means of cleaning your ears, and has in the past been used as a laxative (Wikipedia)  However, it’s use in skin and hair care products is certainly not in the best interest of your body’s needs.
Will using mineral oil kill you? Nope it won’t.  Will it impact your overall health? Depends on your viewpoint on your health.  If aging gracefully is of little importance to you, by all means, mineral oil is a great option for you. If persistent dry skin is a way of life that doesn’t bother you, feel free to continue your use of baby oil to achieve that “shiny” look you love. If brittle hair helps you achieve your fabulous look, then you are all set.
As long as you are making an informed decision on what you’re putting on your body, I stand back with my hands up and get out of your way.  Be informed, be educated, and decide based on what you know, not just what’s marketed to you. Please read your labels.