Natural Supplements to Support Acne & Hormone Balance

In today's daily norm, it’s unfortunately way too easy to get caught up in the cycle of constantly being on the go. Just like our morning coffees, we often search outside of our homes to find the perfect beauty fix. We feel the need to book appointments (that we often rush to and from) in order to get that temporary beauty fix that we all need from time to time. But what if I told you that some of the best long term beauty hacks are located inside your own home? Try out these 10 at home beauty tips and tricks to truly bring out the YOU in bea(you)tiful: 1. Make time for yourself and your coffee Whether this means getting up a little earlier or skipping your morning scroll through social media, rushed mornings are stressful and will not only drain your emotions, but also your overall beauty. 2. Meditate I'm sure we’ve all heard the of it and are familiar with the typical excuses of whypeople deter from doing it. You don’t have to be spiritual, nor a professional nor carve out too much time from your day to do it. Just give yourself some time to breathe. Breathing increases the oxygen flow within your body, which in turn rejuvenates your skin, slowing down the process of aging. 3. Start your day with warm lemon water Life gave us lemons, so why not make use of all their vitamins? This combination helps to replenish and balance our skin cells, leaving them firmer and tighter. Essentially, it’s the best way to achieve the appearance of plump, rejuvenated skin and a healthy glow! 4. Invest in a silk pillow case Yes, you deserve it! Combined with a cup of Organika’s Serenity, not only will your body thank you for the 5-star sleep experience, but you’ll also find your hair to be less frizzy, and your skin to appear smoother. Thanks to the smooth texture, silk doesn’t absorb any moisture from your skin, leaving it more hydrated (& making your bedtime serum more effective). 5. Don’t underestimate the power of chamomile Not only does it make for a nice moment of calm before bed, but it also works as a great de-puffer! Place a few damp teabags in the fridge overnight and apply them to your eyes in the mornings to sooth out puffiness. 6. Practice Posture Did you know that the way you hold yourself can actually make you appear more beautiful? Good posture helps to keep our joints aligned, reducing aches andfatigue, and also lengthens our appearances. While its easier said than done, there are plenty of quick and easy posture workouts to follow at home, online! 7. Scalp massages We put our heads and minds through a lot in a day, the least we can do is show them some love in return. This can be done while stuck in traffic or while waiting foryour morning brew. A little bit will go a long way and I promise that your hair will thank you in inches for the increased circulation and blood flow you give it. 8. Smile! Call me cheesy, but your smile will forever be your prettiest asset. I am not here to tell you to hop on the influencer bandwagon and get one of those blue light whitening tools. However, I will advocate that you show off your smile more. While it is true that a whiter smile can enhance your appearance, adding a teaspoon of activated charcoal powder with water until it turns into a paste and brushing for a couple minutes prior to your normal routine will do just the trick. Now you can show off those pearly whites! :) 9. Unplug It's easy to get caught up in the cycle of always being online, but the best you can do is be mindful of your screen time before bed. Give yourself at least 30 minutes of off time before you sleep. The next best piece of advice is to invest in a pair of blue light glasses. 10. Practice Positivity Last but not least, and my favourite beauty tip of all times - the ultimate PP: Practice Positivity! As silly as it sounds, standing in front of the mirror and appreciating yourself will have a stronger impact on you than your 10 am facial appointment. I promise. Wishing you all a beautiful and healthy stay at home!

For centuries, we’ve relied on topical products to enhance beauty — but in more recent years we’ve bridged the gap between topical and ingestible beauty products. 2019 was a big year for the topic of gut-brain-skin connection — and for good reason. Research has shown time and time again that your skin is a major indication of what’s going on in your gut. As more research comes out showing that what you put IN your body shows up on the OUTSIDE, more ingestible beauty products are hitting the shelves. We’ve seen companies come out with beautiful potions and elixirs aiding with healthy, glowing skin. It’s a magical time for those wanting a little extra help with their skin! But what exactly are ingestible beauty products? What other lifestyle factors can ensure glowing skin? Don’t worry beautiful, I've got you covered! What is ingestible beauty? Ingestible beauty is the term used for products that have a focus on ingredients that aid in cell regeneration and gut health; they’re packed with magical things like ashwagandha, schisandra berries, collagen, and goji extract, to name a few ingredients. They’re not topical, but instead are taken orally so that they make their way to the gut for absorption and utilization in the body. Oh, what an exciting time to be alive! I’m fully supportive of these products as long as: they have good quality ingredients they’re used in conjunction with a holistic diet full of whole, unrefined foods they’re used in conjunction with mindful lifestyle practices they don’t break the bank Enter Organika, a family-owned and operated Canadian company dedicated to natural supplements. Their new venture includes ingestible beauty drops, and in my opinion, they really cover all the above points. The Detox Drops include chlorophyll, a known detoxifying agent that works as a cleansing tonic in the body. It’s high in antioxidants and a natural internal deodorizer — which in my books is super cool! The BEAU-T Drops contain trace minerals and fulvic acids, which aid in the transportation of other vitamins and minerals in the body. Simply add these ingestible beauty drops to your daily dose of water— they're super effortless to include in your day-to-day routine. I personally love adding a few drops to my morning lemon water and sipping while I get ready to tackle the day; it really makes me feel like I’m giving my body that extra love and attention it needs. And speaking of extra love and attention, I make sure to include a few mindful lifestyle choices to support my hardworking body. After all, our bodies serve us unconditionally — so let’s show them unconditional love back! Redefine beauty. Focus on your internal workings rather than your external appearance. Your body is more than just a simple vessel; it’s incredibly resilient and giving. Treat is with respect and honour and appreciate all that it does for you — because let’s be honest, it takes a lot of abuse. *sigh* Hone in on self-love practices. If self-care were a book, self-love would be the encyclopedia. It’s really the basis of life; the foundation on which we build happy, healthy lives and more importantly, strong relationships with ourselves and others. Self-love isn’t a one size fits all approach. It’s incredibly unique to each individual — but overall it’s all about mindful holistic practices that nurture the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies. These can range anywhere from daily meditation to committing to non-negotiables. Slow down and honour the signs your body gives you. Listen to what your body is telling you. Learn to be in tune. If you’re exhausted and your body is craving sleep, cancel that gym session and go to bed early. If your stomach is growling and you have intense hunger pangs, finish what you’re doing and give it fuel ASAP. Give your body what it wants when you have the choice, otherwise it won’t give you a choice later on down the road. Be gentle on your body. I always tell my clients that I’d much rather they do 15 minutes of consistent daily movement than sporadic HIIT sessions. This allows for gentle, mindful breathing, and also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) VS. the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response). Be slow, be gentle. Stick to a diet full of whole, unrefined foods - but treat yourself once in a while. Try to predominantly eat items that are as close to their natural state as possible, but don’t be afraid to treat yourself once in a while. Your trillions of cells need raw fuel for optimal function, but your soul needs a little love too. Eat that donut from time to time and wholeheartedly enjoy it! The worst thing you can do is eat something while feeling guilty about it. Please remember to be gentle with yourself. This is a lot of information, it's easy to get overwhelmed. So please, if you can take ONE takeaway from this blog post, it is to honour your body and start slow. Try out one or two of the above points and see whether they feel authentic to you. Adjust as you go, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need a helping hand to guide you. I’m here. xo

Keep skin healthy with sun safety tips this summer Summer is in full swing, which means you’re likely spending more time outside. That makes sun safety for healthy skin a must! Being out in the sunshine is great. It makes beach days, and picnics in the park all the more worthwhile. The sun also does a lot of great things for our bodies. It keeps us warm, and promotes the production of vitamin D3 on the surface of our skin. Vitamin D3 is an essential vitamin for the health of our bones and teeth, helping with the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. Being out in the sun also enhances our mood and makes us feel happier and more alert. Too much sun however, can be a bad thing. The sun releases ultra violet radiation in the form of UVA and UVB rays. These rays are the culprits behind the skin damage and sunburns that may increase the risk of skin cancer over time. Getting sunburnt can also lead to early signs of aging. A sunburn damages the skin at a cellular level which overtime with repeated sun damage can lead to dry, wrinkled and leathery skin. Your skin however does do its best to protect itself. The skin contains a chemical called melanin, that reacts with the UV rays of the sun. Melanin is found in different colours and concentrations in the skin of different people to act has a natural barrier to protect against burning. Melanin levels increase with sun exposure to darken the skin for protection. Light tanning however doesn’t negate the risk of sun damage. With various levels of melanin found in different people, it’s hard to determine if the tan developed is safe and free from sun damage. To ensure the best sun protection, taking precautionary measures when you’re outdoors can help prevent a sunburn and keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Sun Safety Tips for Healthy Skin 1. Pick the right time Avoid soaking up the sun when the UV rays are strongest, typically between 10am and 3pm. 2. Seek the shade Opt for shadier areas to lounge, be it under the protection of a tree, or bring an umbrella to shade yourself from direct exposure. 3. Dress for the occasion Wearing a wide brim hat and long sleeves when possible can help to shield you from the sun. While sunglasses, help to filter the UV rays to protect your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts. 4. Use Sunscreen Using sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent a sunburn. It filters and blocks UV rays to reduce the risk of sun damage from prolonged exposure to sun. Sunscreen should be applied generously, and re-applied as recommended on the label. Make sure to look for water resistant and sweat resistant for active summer days. We love Organika® Coenzyme Q10 Sunscreen lotion as a natural skin-healthy option for sun safety. With SPF 25, it provides broad spectrum protection to filter and screen UVA and UVB rays. It’s also both water and sweat resistant to prevent sunburns no matter what you’re doing. References: http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/safety_tips.html http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/what-is-a-risk-factor/sun-and-uvr-exposure/sun-protection/?region=on http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/sun-sol/index-eng.php http://www.dermatology.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sunscreen_eng-2011.pdf http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_An_Overview_ofYour_Skin/hic_protecting_yourself_from_sun_damage What’s your favourite way to have fun in the sun?