Reinvigorate your skin and your senses with this foaming, cleansing body scrub. Gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin with powdered bamboo and walnut shell. Sea algae extracts, herbal extracts and almond proteins are used to lift away impurities while leaving skin supple and moist. Precious essential oils revitalize the skin, encourage new cell production and impart a light, refreshing scent.

Enter Ecochic for 20% off this summer essential.

http://jaimeearl.com/products/bamboo-lemongrass-body-polish

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The Challenge:
Log on to http://www.jaimeearl.com/ and choose the skincare kit that best suits your skin type, we have carefully chosen kits that include everything you need to experience the awe-inspiring difference that natural and organic solutions can have on your skin

Each kit contains a cleanser that is just right for your skin type, a tonic, a nourishing eye contour gel, and a balancing facial oil. It’s $85 worth or products, but in honor of Earth Hour we have priced the kits at just $30 .

Use the products for the 22 days and see for yourself the difference. We are sure you will be the envy of all your friends and family.

Then, let us know how much you are enjoying the organic difference:

Comment on our Facebook Fan Page, we are confident you will want to share your results, or…even better yet, take a before and after picture and share that with us (pictures are not necessary to win). http://www.facebook.com/Jaimeearl

On May 1, 2010 we will choose 3 of our challenge participants to receive full size kits
Are you ready to put your best skin forward? Order your kits today, and experience for yourself the goodness and difference of using organic products on your skin. Then, on Earth Day, you will be the envy of all your friends,and secure in the knowledge that you’ve experienced the goodness that comes from the earth without doing any damage. We can’t wait to hear your story!

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A raw food diet is based in unprocessed whole foods (fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, grains and legumes) that aren’t cooked above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw foodists believe that cooking foods destroys beneficial natural enzymes that aid in digestion and absorption. A vegan diet is free of all animal products and byproducts (eggs, butter, milk, gelatin, etc). The key to both diets is variety; it’s important to eat a wide range of raw and vegan foods for optimum nutrition.

Both vegans and raw foodists report dramatic changes in their skin after switching to these plant-based diets. However, it is true that skin conditions can temporarily worsen following a switch to a plant-based diet; this is a result of the body eliminating toxins. But followers of both diets have reported fewer blackheads, less/more even oil production, smoother, clearer, brighter skin and better elasticity or skin tone.

Skin Benefits:

Acidity/Alkalinity

Many skin problems, from eczema to acne to rashes, result from imbalances in the body. One of the most common imbalances, which can be easily controlled through our dietary choices, is pH. The pH scale ranges from 1 (acid) to 14 (alkaline), with the body’s ideal pH of 7.35 being slightly acidic. Because much of the average American falls in the acidic range (animal meats, white bread, butter, cheese, coffee, alcohol), most of us exist with off-balance pH, a cause of a host of skin problems. Both raw and vegan diets transform skin by protecting and restoring our internal acid/alkaline balance. To do this alkaline foods (vegetables- especially greens-, millet, spelt, quinoa, and olive oil) are needed. After restoring our optimal pH, many skin problems simply disappear.

Digestion

Digestion is unexpectedly important to radiant skin. A diet high in fiber, including raw or vegan, makes for a well-functioning digestive tract. And when your digestive system is in top shape, the body is able to absorb nutrients better so the skin receives regular nutrition and adequate moisture. You’ll absolutely see the glow!

Raw foodists go a step further than vegans to advance digestion by eating only uncooked foods that still have their natural enzymes. The theory is that by requiring less enzymes of the body, raw foodists are freeing up enzymes to function elsewhere- with assimilation, and elimination. Others claim that the body produces its own digestive enzymes, making it unnecessary to worry about maintaining the enzymes in raw food. In either case, raw foods are simply amazing for fiber content. You might imagine that raw foods could be hard on the digestive tract, but processed foods actually make the body work even harder in digesting and eliminating additives and ingredients that aren’t whole foods.

Skin Vitamins

It’s difficult to name a vitamin that’s not a ‘skin vitamin’ in some way! But a few vitamins, like A, C, E, zinc and sulfur, are closely associated with gorgeous skin- and they’re all found in raw food and vegan diets. Vitamin A (in carrots and sweet potatoes) is a beauty powerhouse- it strengthens protective tissue, counteracts dryness, increases circulation and minimizes wrinkles and sebum production. Vitamin C (in strawberries, kiwi and red peppers) is a collagen-forming antioxidant that protects against damaging sun rays. Vitamin E (in avocados, olives) works in tandem with vitamin A to keep skin tissue healthy. Zinc (in beans and grains) is healing and oil-regulating. And sulfur (in asparagus, broccoli, watercress and kale) is a mineral that’s essential for collagen production.

It’s important to note that, while cooking vegetables makes some important skin nutrients, like beta carotene, easier to absorb, it can also reduce nutrient content. Many raw foodists claim that uncooked foods contain twice the vitamins, minerals and protein.

Jolene Hart

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Up to 125 million people have some form of psoriasis. Males and females are equally affected and it can show up at any time during your lifespan. It is most commonly diagnosed between ages 15-35. There is research showing that genes do play a part in the disease and that a person is born genetically predisposed to having psoriasis.

The question of psoriasis versus eczema shows that these separate skin issues seem to be mutually exclusive to a point, though not always. For people with psoriasis, the amount having contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis seems to be lower than with the general public. A suggested reason is that the immune system issue believed to play a part in psoriasis is not the same as that in eczema.

Look for these signs:

*lesions with well-defined borders

*red patches with silvery scales that flake off easily

*nails that are pitted, have deep ridges or are thickened

* a crust on the scalp

*take note of stiff or swollen joints

In part 3 of our psoriasis series we will at treatments and coping.

Wishing you the Best,

Laura

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Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease that causes rapid skin cell reproduction. It commonly associated with red, scaly patches on the skin. The inflamed patches are called psoriatic plaques. They often have a whitish or silver appearance and are common on the skin of the elbows and knees.

Psoriasis is also known to cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. This can cause common arthritis symptoms including stiffness, pain and lack of movement. The joints in the hands and feet are frequently affected, and inflammation, swelling and pain in larger joints, including the knees, hips and spine can also occur. In addition, tendons may be affected by the inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis.

When fingernails and toenails are affected by psoriasis it is called psoriatic nail dystrophy. Psoriasis of the nails can be mistaken for other conditions including chronic infection or inflammation of the nail bed. In toenails, psoriasis can often look like a chronic fungal infection.

When it comes to sources that can trigger psoriasis, many things are documented. Immune disorders, genetics, stress and even the weather are factors. Did you know that cold, dry weather can often set off a psoriasis flare-up, while warmer, damp, sunny weather seems to improve psoriasis symptoms? Diet plays a big part in the control of psoriasis too, and research shows that antioxidants, omega 3’s and foods rich in copper are beneficial. A person who eats mostly fruits and vegetables and has a low percentage of animal proteins in their diet has a better chance of lessening their psoriasis flare-ups.

In our next post we will look at who gets psoriasis and what to look for.

Wishing you the Best,

Laura

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~Basil is a restorative essential oil, general stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, antibiotic, skin tonic, that stimulates blood flow, decongests veins and pulmonary arteries, and is good for hypertension and varicose veins.

~Cedarwood is cleansing, tonic, regenerative, that dries oily or blemished skin, topically works as a natural astringent which softens skin. It is a lymphatic tonic, aids in the removal of body fat, indicated for retention of fluid in the tissue and cellulite. It is useful for detoxification because it stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage.

~Cypress increases circulation, reduces varicose veins and fluid retention, cellulite. It is an astringent that is restorative and reduces excess sweating and overly oily complexions.

~Grapefruit reduces fluid retention; tones congested skin, tightens skin, and detoxifies. It is an astringent for oily congested skin, reduces cellulite, increases circulation, stimulates lymphatic system detoxification, and regulates body weight with regular use.

~Juniper reduces fluid retention, toxicity, and premenstrual bloating. It is a diuretic, expectorant, anti-parasitic and has tonic effect. Increases circulation and reduces fluid retention. Pick-me-up and counters tiredness and reduces anxiety. It decongest the venial system is a circulatory stimulant, cleans blood and aids in reducing toxin accumulation, especially uric acid.

~Lemon is a general tonic, reduces infections, detoxification, reduces general fatigue, obesity, balances sebum. Stimulates immune system, promotes weight loss, and reduces cellulite. Strengthens epidermis function, aids epidermal circulation, gland stimulant and purification. Stimulates connective tissue, elastin and collagen.

~Orange is a diuretic, helps eliminate toxins, and is a disinfectant and general body tonic. Reduces water retention, strengthens epidermis, increases circulation, cell hydration, and supports cell regeneration. Increases fluid circulation and general detoxification.

~Rosemary helps eliminate toxins, improves poor circulation, reduces cellulite and is a general tonic. It is especially good for muscles and nerves.

Now that you know which oils help can assist you with certain issues, next time we’ll learn more about methods of applying them to give you the best results.

Wishing you the Best,

Laura

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Kayla Fioravanti, ARC Registered & Certified Aromatherapist and Co-founder & Chief Cosmetic Formulator for Essential Wholesale (www.essentialwholesale.com).

Kayla tells me that aromatherapy is the single most effective spa therapy for detoxification of the body, due to the nature of essential oils making aromatherapy the perfect aid for detoxification.

Let’s learn about How Essential Oils Go to Work in the Body:

In aromatherapy, molecules of essential oils applied to the skin pass through the skin’s epidermis and are carried away by the capillary blood circulating in the dermis. The molecules of essential oils are then taken into the lymphatic and extracellular fluids. From there the therapeutic components of the essential oils are broken down and used by various regions of the body. In order to understand how this works simply look at other therapies that are topically applied and absorbed through the skin, such as the nicotine patch, birth control patch and motion sickness patches.

Skin is our largest elimination organ. Most essential oils that are absorbed into the skin can be detected in exhaled air within 20-60 minutes. Essential oils are eliminated from our bodies within 20 minutes to 26 hours through our saliva, urine, feces or sweat in a healthy adult. Essential Oils work as rubbish collectors, attaching themselves to toxins, free-radicals, cell debris, heavy metals, renegade cells, fungi, bacteria, viruses or other debris and taking them to the body’s exits for disposal. Because of this, in an unhealthy adult, it can take up to 26 hours for the essential oils to pass through the body. The human body takes the most vital properties of essential oils and uses them to bring itself into balance and is left in a healthier state without side effects. After the essential oils perform healing they are metabolized and eliminated with the bodies other waste.

Next time Kayla shares the best essential oils for detoxing and their respective properties.

Wishing you the Best,

Laura

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