Smile Therapy

Smiling is contagious...

Organic meets beauty..lips edition!

After my recent discovery that Burt's Bees chapstick has ingredients that take the natural oils out of your lips, essentially drying them even more so you have to keep reapplying...I became very skeptical of lip care these days! A few months ago I wrote this post about Aquaphor, and I still think it treats your lips the best. However, sometimes we need some color in that area, without losing the moisturizing components. ILIA Pure Lip Care is an organic and ethically sustainable lip care company, using certified organic bioactive botanicals that nourish and rejuvenate the lips. This company sells lipstick in array of beautiful colors; my personal favorite is their "shell shock" shade! What I love most about ILIA is the combination  of some of the most essential oils and vitamins used. Organic ingredients such as Jojoba oil, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, and the natural antioxidants of Pomegranate are used in the products and help protect lips against daily exposure to free radicals - free radicals cause faster aging, no one wants to look older than they are! They also add an uplifting scent, using oils of Jasmine and Orange Blossom. Last but not least, the lipstick case is made with recycled aluminum, filled with 85% organic ingredients - perfect for eco friendly buyers. All in all, this is a highly recommended product! So if you are in a chapped-lips rut, or just want to try out a new brand of lipstick, ILIA should be your next stop.

Enjoy!

photo via ilia blog

Summer Detox

In the bedroom: If people would buy different sheets, they might not need sleeping pills. Polyester-cotton blends and permanent press linens have a finish that releases formaldehyde, which can irritate the throat and eyes—not helpful for peaceful sleep. Use untreated cotton sheets; avoid wrinkles by taking them out of the dryer right away.

In the living room: Pressed-wood products are another source of formaldehyde which is linked to myeloid leukemia in factory workers. Let pieces air out in a room with doors shut and windows open, or shop for used pieces—they've already aired out.

In the closet: The dry-cleaning fluid perchloroethylene (PERC) can cause headaches and liver and kidney damage.  If you dry-clean, keep clothes bagged while driving home so you don't pollute your car, then toss bags and air clothes outside or in an apartment stairwell for an hour

On the floor: Your Swiffer isn't organic, but it can reduce toxins. Chemicals can piggyback on dust. So dust surfaces and floors weekly, take off your shoes and wipe pets' paws at the door (so no one tracks in chemicals), and change filters in your central-air system at least once a year. Then breathe easy.
While grocery shopping: You can consume nearly 80 percent fewer pesticides by eating organic versions of the 12 most contaminated items, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) concludes. The worst pesticidal products are apples, followed by celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, imported nectarines, imported grapes, bell peppers, potatoes, domestic blueberries, lettuce and kale.

In your body: Lemons: Adding fresh lemon juice to water, juices, dressings, fruits and veggies is a fantastic way to add flavor without calories, chemicals, additives and add tons of nutrients. We all know that lemons are high in Vitamin C, which helps bind to heavy metals and help our colon working efficiently! 

Parsley: This fantastically healthy internal detoxifier is easy to add as a garnish to any dish! From salads, soups, stews, lamb, BBQ’s or pureed green monsters! Parsley is known for detoxifying the blood stream, and is beneficial for the lungs, colon, liver, kidney and spleen. It contains vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll. 

Garlic: 1/2 clove of garlic a day has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol. The active compound Allicin, is effective at killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and parasites. Garlic contains many sulphur compounds, vitamin C and flavonoids which combat free radical damage!

Beets: Beets are the ultimate blood detoxifier. These sweet red veggies are extremely effective for liver detoxification. They help with digestion, and stimulate the kidney and lymphatic systems. They are rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium,calcium, fibre, phytochemicals and antioxidants! 

On your body: Treat your skin gently. Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle!Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water. Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers. Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

Hope everyone is enjoying these warm sunny days! 

xox

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