“Getting Crafty”!

What better present could you give a loved one than the gift of health? These favourite ideas of ours should provide plenty of inspiration for that special person in your life.

 1. Tea Gift Selection 

Tea is delicious, healthy, and perfect for anytime of the year. Both green and black teas are packed with antioxidants, and green tea is known to aid in weight loss. Did you know that tea can also assist you with cleaning tasks around your home? (See our blog on Green Tea).

2. A healthy Cookbook / Cleaning book 

How many times have you heard or even said to yourself that eating healthy is boring? Convince your friends and family of the benefits of delicious and nutritious food by purchasing them a cookbook that proves the benefits of a clean wholesome diet. And how it can assist in not only maintaining a healthy body and mind, but also make you look and feel fabulous. Want to try something new? Our book “Beginning a life less toxic” home detox will guide you through an easy to implement series of processes, recipes and ideas that will assist in removing toxins and chemicals from your families lives. Available to order on our website now.

3. Fitness or Yoga Classes 

Buy a gift certificate for classes at a local studio, or arrange a private session with an experienced instructor. It’s a great way to get out of the house while having fun, meeting new people and getting in shape!

4. Water Bottle 

A good reusable glass water bottle is a fabulous gift. It will keep your water cold and easily accessible to help keep you feeling your absolute best while you exercise or travel.

5. Eating Local 

Help your friends or family members take advantage of the changing abundance of produce from season to season with a membership to a local farmers charity fund. Or see if the local farmers’ market in their area will let you purchase a gift certificate or credits.

6. Healthy house plant

Plants look great and make your home more liveable while removing pollutants from the air by absorbing them through their leaves and roots. You can find some more facts about air pollution in our latest blog about Indoor Air pollution. 

 

 

 

“Natural beauty is the best beauty”!

Why waste money on expensive face masks when you can easily make your own at home? Not only will you save money, you will help the environment and avoid exposing your skin to hundreds of toxins found in commercial skin care products. A win, win situation all round!  Many of the ingredients for theses deliciously fresh organic face masks you will no doubt already have on hand, either in your kitchen or fridge.  We hope you enjoy our top picks as much as we do, and don’t forget!  If you don’t use all of the mixture, just get a spoon and dig in for a healthy snack. 💚

1. Hydrating mask – for dry skin 
Avocados in the form of face masks are a natural and chemical-free way to nourish skin. They are the ideal base for a mask if you have dry, red, itchy, or rough skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 very ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of honey
1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil

Directions:
Mash the avocado in a small bowl until it’s smooth before blending in the honey and coconut oil. Apply the mask to your face and neck and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse your face afterwards with warm water and pat dry. The antioxidants in the avocado will help to detoxify your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your face hydrated, supple and plump.

2. Balancing mask – for oily skin
Caring for oily skin is all about balance. Get it under control with this natural organic banana mask. It contains Vitamin A, B and E which evens out the skin and helps to delay the ageing process. The Potassium in the bananas smooths out dry skin by moisturising and hydrating the skins cells.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1/2 orange (juiced)
2 tablespoons of honey

Directions:
Mash a ripe banana with the orange juice and honey and carefully apply the mask to your face and neck. Leave to work its magic for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. If you have time, massage your face with ice cubes afterwards which helps to tight the skin and close any open pores. This delectable mask will have your face glowing and radiant in no time!

3. On the spot mask – for acne and pimples

If you’re suffering from spots, pimples and scarring, fear not! You are not alone. Believe me we have all been there at some stage and know it is no fun to live with – Why not ease your symptoms with this antibacterial soothing face mask.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of honey
1 – 2 drops of essential tea tree oil

Directions:
Mix both ingredients together and apply to your face and affected areas. Don’t use any more tea tree oil than is recommended, as too much tea tree oil can burn your skin. Always dilute essential oils with other a carrier oil or other ingredients before applying to the skin. This powerful mask will help to deep clean your skin and the antibacterial properties will stop any further infection.

4. Minimise pores mask – for oily/combination skin
Pores are minute holes in the skin through which sweat and oil pass. Each pore has a tiny sebaceous gland at its root which produce sebum, the skin’s natural lubricating oil. This mask is perfect for cleansing the pores and closing them, leaving behind a smooth fresh appearance.

Ingredients:
2 Egg White
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
optional: oatmeal

Directions:
Mix the egg white and lemon juice together until it resembles a thick paste and then add the honey. Apply the mask with a soft brush or spoon to your face. Allow the mask to dry and tighten for 15 minutes before removing it with cold water. For a gentle exfoliation add a little oatmeal to the mixture before applying.

5. Anti ageing mask – for mature skin

You can’t stop the signs of ageing but you can delay them for as long as possible! This face mask may help to reduce some of the tell-tale signs like age spots, sun damage and fine lines. The green tea in this mask has incredible health benefits. Plus it contains potent antioxidants which can help to protect the skin against the damage of UV rays.

Ingredients:
1cup of brewed green tea
1 teaspoon yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

Mix the yogurt with the lemon juice and add a couple of teaspoons of green tea. Apply the mixture to your face and leave for 15 – 20 minutes. The yogurt helps to reduce blemishes, sunburn and discolouration of the skin, whilst the lemon juice acts as a deep cleanser. Wash the mask off with the remaining green tea and gently pat dry.

As powerful as these flavoursome face masks are, we all know that ‘prevention is better than cure’! Healthy skin is an expression of what is actually going on inside our bodies as well as outside. Therefore to deal with skin conditions effectively you must treat your body kindly and holistically. Drink plenty of water, cut down on dairy, load up on green juices and vegetables, limit your sugar, alcohol and caffeine intake to achieve healthy glowing skin from the inside out!