Disclaimer: I AM NOT POSING AS A DOCTOR- everything on this site is my opinion or my interpretation of someone else's opinion based on literature that can be found in bookstores or on the internet. Please feel free to do your own research and verify everything before taking any action at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your healthcare physician first, if you have one. Any claims made on this site are from my personal experience, and are to be accepted as hearsay. Any names, trademarks, products, manufacturers, authors, doctors, all other professionals, officials, stores, websites, brands and anything else under licensed patent, registered trademark, corporation or LLC are placed here under the intent to entertain my viewers and no libel is intended nor implied. Whew! Now that's out of the way...
Cracking the code on everyday ingredients
So, you've decided to switch to a more healthy, eco friendly lifestyle? CONGRATULATIONS! How's that working out for you? If you're anything like I was when I started then your head is spinning... Chances are you have no time to read the trillions of books out there that offer great information on how to read and interpret labels. While there is a great deal of info on the internet about which brands to choose, I bet you feel the suspicious pressure one site may place on you to buy one particular item. How can you be sure that your source isn't being paid to suggest products to you? Well, my eco concious friends, I am here to assist!
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS SITE
Unbiased information- I am an ordinary girl who was searching for the truth like you. If I EVER sponsor, site, or give any special attention to a particular brand, rest assure it is something I have research and use myself! Feel free to use your own discretion.
Breakdown of all ingredients- Every product we dissect together will have the ingredients listed and I will explain what these ingredients really are in laments terms-promise!
Free holistic advice- I AM NOT A DOCTOR- I have just read a ton of books about natural ways to treat ailments, supposed cures and remedies. Take it as my gracious attempt to save the world one natural tip at a time!
WORDS TO LIVE BY: IF YOU CAN'T PRONOUNCE IT- DON'T EAT IT!
Tip of the day: Stay away from products that contain sodium lauryl sulfates- usually soaps, shampoos,dish and laundry detergents, even lotions and bubble bath. Do not put this on your skin. What is it? A highly toxic chemical soaping agent. What are my alternative options? Sodium tallowate, coconut oil and african palm kernel oil. All vegetable derived soaping agents! Where do I find products with these ingredients? Usually at the local whole foods or natural markets. Also try ethnic stores. HMMM.... other cultures know this stuff how come Americans typically do not??????
JUST IN!
Even though cellulite can be found on men and women of many different sizes, one thing holds true- its full of stored fat and toxins! Here's a trick I learned from Dr. Deepak Chopra's wonderful book called THE PERFECT WEIGHT. Every morning upon wakening, your body is most ready to excrete stored fat and toxins. Take advantage of this by massaging the areas vigorously in an up and down motion with sesame oil. Then shower as usual. Sesame oil has always been known for its detoxifying properties so go ahead and saturate your whole body! Also, (tidbit) use it as a mouth rinse once or twice a month for fifteen minutes to pull impurities from the tonsils and glands! ENJOY
reality check: the act of counting calories, depriving yourself of certain comfort foods, and eating undesirable foods raises stress levels in the body encouraging it to produce abnormal amounts of cortisol putting the body on alert. For protection your brain instructs the body to produce more fat! (to insulate and dilute the affected area -usually the belly...) Still wondering why you're not losing weight on your diet? Truth is, you can eat ANYTHING you want (in moderation) just choose Certified Organic foods instead of regular chemically laden foods. The extra cravings and added weight, most times, is due to the toxic overload and your body's defense mechanism!!!!!!
Let's Talk Hair- A leading cause for hair loss is improper diet! The number one cause for hair damage is using the wrong products. The number one cause of scalp problems is improper ventilation! WHAT ZEN? Yes I'm talking about not encouraging the pores to breath. And in some cases, even discouraging this process. How do I do that? Well most people do it EVERY SINGLE DAY! There's a couple ingredients in your daily hair products that are having adverse affects on the integrity of your hair. Think about this: We live in a world that is polluted. We eat chemicals every day, we don't drink the right kind of water (see my blog "water water...") , we expose ourselves to cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, acid rain, we shower with fecal matter, chlorine, and pharmaceuticals, and a host of other toxins. It is imperative that we allow our body to detox. And the good news is, it will do just that ON ITS OWN. Leave your hair alone! Refrain from adding too many different products especially ones containing petrolatum, petroleum and glycerin (unless vegetable derived) These are all a disguise for ALCOHOL! Some products even come out and say SD Alcohol. Now why would it maked sense to put alcohol in your hair and then turn around and put moisturizer or conditioner in it? JUST THINK PEOPLE! Manufacturer's logic: If our customers put alcohol in their hair then it will dry out and turn brittle and then they will need to purchase our other products that contain "natural" oils in them to get it to shine again... and it goes on and on PULL THE VAIL OFF PLEASE. What are my alternatives? Save money and your hair by using products that contain no alcohol-only essential oils like jojoba for conditioning, tea tree for dandruff, rosemary and chamomile for itching, grapefruit seed for oily hair.....etc. Stick to 2 or three products MAX. Also, only choose products with 5 or less ingredients-you just don't need a whole lot! I'm doing a lecture on this please bear with me it will be posted at a later date entitled "YOU ARE WHAT YOUR HAIR EATS"
A cosmetologist, and self made health advisor, reading labels and deciphering intimidating chemicals was nothing new for Zen. Over the past 5 years she has made a profession out of advising friends, relatives and colleagues to eat healthier, treat their skin and hair better and live an overall eco-concious life. Zen has researched and given many lectures about the toxins found in the air, in our water supply, in our food and most all the products we come in contact with on a regular basis. It is her continuing passion to educate and convert skeptics into believers that we still have time to save the environment and our well-being. Come join her on a quest to obtain and share the truth about what we are made of and how we got this way. For most of us it all starts at the supermarket!