What Exactly Are You Putting on Your Skin?

May 28, 2011

What's In Your Goal Setting Tool Box?

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Goal setting can be thought of like setting up a "tool box for success." In this toolbox we add goals for ourselves, rather than resolutions. This tool box is then utilized, to assist in achieving our goals. Goals differ from resolutions, which many people "resolve" to do, but often find difficult to complete or follow through on for any length of time.

An example of setting a goal: I will begin walking two miles, four days a week, beginning this Sunday. Verses a similar set, resolution: I want (resolve) to start walking to improve my health.

Both appear similar, but a goal has an intended purpose, a concrete objective with a measurable end result, to be achieved within a determined time frame. A resolution is a bit more vague, often nothing more than a decision to do something.

Goals are memorable, achievable and encompass important aspects of your life. By their very nature, goals tend to be positive and achievement oriented. To assist in making them more actionable, it helps to write each goal down and the benefit you'll derive from reaching that goal. Keep your written goals in a visible place, as a constant reminder of what you are working toward.

In order to maximize our goal getting, we also need in our "toolbox for success," a healthy mind and body for maximum performance. All aspects of our lives must be attended to and considered when planning and setting goals.

Take time to select at least one goal for your body, mind, spirit, finances and social life. If you are so compelled, share your goals with others for extra support. Of course, don't overwhelm yourself with all of these at once, but have a plan set for all aspects of your life. Our toolbox needs more than just one type of goal in order to be well working for success.

It's also important to avoid focusing on any negatives. Instead, put your energy and emphasis on the positive instead. Like attracts like, thus positive attracts positive.

By adding these goal setting steps into your life, you will be adding to your "toolbox for success" and they will build upon each other while you fill your toolbox with positive reinforcement and tools to assist you in reaching them. People in your life will most often be willing to help you reach your goals, once they know about them. So, share away!

Remember to reward yourself for the small stepping stones of success along the way. Each goal should consist of smaller steps significant enough to gain recognition, while remaining within reach for the allotted time set to achieve them.

By filling your "toolbox for success" with goals instead of resolutions, you will be able to transform your wishes into reality one step at a time.

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March 29, 2011

Are You Using Natural Laundry Soap? If Not, Why You Should Be

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It may surprise you to learn commercial laundry detergent and household cleansers are not required to list their ingredients, and most do not. I invite you to go inspect your container of laundry “soap,” be it liquid or powder, and look for a list of ingredients. Most likely, you will not find one. At best, you may see, “Does not contain sulfites.” So what’s in that laundry soap you’re using?

It’s hard to know for sure, since disclosure is not required. What we do know is the cleansers in laundry detergent are harsh. They often are the same main ingredients found in the liquid car wash you buy to wash your car. This is also, a main ingredient in many mass produced body washes! These harsh cleansers are also not easily broken down in the environment, and are not environmentally friendly!

I like to provide my Holistic Diva readers with alternatives. So I invited my friend Michelle, from Pegasus Soaps, to write a guest post about her wonderful, natural, environmentally friendly laundry soap. I’d like to add, I use this very soap for my family. Our clothes are clean, incredibly soft and smell so fresh. An anti-static dryer sheet isn’t even needed if you’d rather pass on adding one.

Natural Laundry Soap_MichelleWhy choose Pegasus Soaps handmade laundry soap? Well, our eco friendly laundry soap helps with the environment and also saves your money from being wasted from traditional, expensive, heavily perfumed laundry soap. All the work is done for you. I grate the soap very fine and carefully blend it with borax and washing soda to a nice fine powder so it is can easily absorb in the wash.

I will be adding sodium percarbonate to our laundry soaps, which is a dry powdered form of hydrogen peroxide. This will help brighten your colored clothes and brighten your whites without using chlorine bleach.  Not to be confused store bought Oxy Clean, which also has sodium percarbonate. Oxy Clean however, also has other ingredients, which may not be environmentally friendly. Sodium Percarbonate itself, is very environmentally friendly, and  it has been used on just about anything including decks, patio furniture, buildings etc.

I have noticed most people prefer their clothes to smell good rather than be clean. Our laundry soap is not heavily perfumed, so you get more clean verses having your clothes smell pretty. Pegasus laundry soaps do not produce suds. Most expensive commercial laundry soaps create suds and consumers are lead to believe if you don’t see suds, it means the laundry soap is cheap and inferior at cleaning, and this is far from the truth. Our laundry soaps are made with our handmade cold or hot process soaps, designed specifically to clean, and nothing else. We only use the finest vegetables oils. We never use animal fats in our soaps.

This natural process alone, makes our soap ideal for those with chemical sensitivities, sensitive skin, eczema, rashes, etc. as the chemicals which would further irritate these conditions, are not present in our all natural formula. Many who suffer from these conditions, find improvement and relief, with this one simple step – eliminate chemical, store bought laundry detergent, and go natural.  Natural Laundry Soap_up close

Personally, I have been using my laundry soap exclusively for almost a year. I enjoy no longer having to buy  laundry soap from the stores, and my clothes come out nice and clean and really soft, especially my towels. I love how they feel when they are fresh from the dryer. No need again to buy expensive  dryer sheets, or fabric softeners. Our laundry soap does this for you, all in  one.

Homemade laundry detergent is a better option to commercial laundry detergent. There will be an adjustment period in the beginning, as you to wean yourself from store bought detergents, like myself. However, your clothes and your skin will be better off, without the added chemicals and additives found in commercial detergent, and your clothes will last longer.

Enjoy,

Michelle

I invite you to visit Michelle’s shop, Pegasus Soaps to view her line of natural laundry soap, which are available in a variety of fresh scents, and include a free scoop in every bag. Her shop is also filled lovely hot and cold processed soaps (which are divine), sachets, natural deodorant, and an assortment of bath and body products.



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October 22, 2010

Do You Need Holistic Skincare and Do You Practice It?

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LPjar_cream
Holistic skin care is an all-round approach to healthy skin obtained with proper nourishment and care. Read on to find out more...

Holistic Skin Care

Have you wondered how you could get a radiant glow on your skin? Holistic skincare is one approach to achieving beautiful, radiant skin. Holistic skincare is an approach which takes a total view of the health and nutrition of the skin. Here are the elements of holistic skin care:

Holistic Skin Care: Nourishing the Skin

Holistic skincare focuses on nourishing the skin by maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. What you eat always reflects on your skin, hence the, "you are what you eat" holds true.
  • Holistic skincare focuses on consuming healthy foods which will provide adequate nutrition for the body and  result in healthy, beautiful skin.
  • Maintaining a healthy diet means including all essential nutritional elements including: Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, proteins, healthy fats and oils, and all essential minerals.
  • We are all aware of the ills of consuming junk foods, such as highly processed foods, fried or fatty foods, and low nutritional value foods, verses sticking to a healthy diet rich in nutrients. A diet rich in nutrients is good for skin health as well as our body's health.
  • It's also important to include an array of fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rich in antioxidants. Also, be sure to include whole grains and food rich in proteins.
  • Avoid those deep fried foods, or food containing excessive amounts of cheese, butter or fats, as these foods often trigger breakouts, due to the fact these foods cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation will then often be, reflected on the skin.
  • However it is important to have a minimum intake of healthy oils like olive, flax, walnut, etc. since a small quantity of good fats in the diet is essential for healthy, well-nourished skin.

Holistic Skin Care: Taking Care of Your Skin

In addition to the above, proper skin maintenance is imperative. Avoid the use of harsh chemical based beauty products. Use milder products or ones that have herbal and botanical ingredients.
  • The first step to proper skin care is to use products suited for your skin type. Analyze whether you have dry, oily or a combination skin, and look for products formulated for your skin's specific needs.
  • Always keep your skin clean by using a gentle face cleanser or a face wash. Make it a point to use an effective exfoliating treatment a few times per week, to remove the dead skin layer, thus resulting in softer, younger looking skin.
  • All skin types benefit from using a toner after cleansing and exfoliation. Toners return the skin to its natural pH balance and helps to reduce and close the pores.
  • Rose water, (and alcohol-free toners with a high percentage of rose water) are ideal toners for all skin types. Rose water based toners are gentle, natural and will leave your skin fresh and supple. Other wonderful options are toners containing orange, chamomile, sandalwood or comfy hydrosols.

Holistic Skin Care: Keeping the Skin Hydrated

Keeping the skin well hydrated is a must for healthy skin. Holistic skin care stresses providing sufficient fluids to the body to keep it healthy. The key to achieving this is to include plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content.
  • Juices may also be added into your diet. Prime juices are those coming from freshly juiced fruits and vegetables. However, the easiest solution is to drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day.
  • Drinking ample amounts of water facilitates overall body detoxification and prevents accumulation of harmful toxins in the body. When insufficient fluids are consumed, the skin will become flaccid, dry, flaky, show more obvious fine lines and wrinkles, and may even have a grayish hue.

Holistic Skin Care: Exercising for Healthy Skin

Exercising is a must for healthy looking skin! There is no way around it, and everyone should be partaking in some form of exercise most days of the week. Exercising is also good for overall functioning of all organs of the body, and hence, is an absolute must.
  • Everyone is well aware exercising improves cardiovascular health, but it also increases the intake and absorption of oxygen in the blood. This brings circulating blood to the skin, which helps to tone the skin.
  • In addition, exercising is one of the best ways to aid the body in releasing toxins and waste products  through sweating. People who exercise have youthful, fresh looking skin, which in turn, reflects their good health.
  • Exercising helps to burn excess fat and calories, which is good for the heart and in turn, good for blood circulation. Exercise can include anything walking, running, cycling, swimming, weight training, aerobics, yoga, or any other physical fitness activity you will enjoy.
Holistic skincare really then, comes down to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Included in this advice is of course, don't smoke. Smoking damages the skin and causes premature aging of the skin. It also causes the skin to dull and gray - not very attractive or vibrant looking! If you do smoke, try to quit.

Embracing healthy living will help to keep you looking younger, more fit, and ... healthy. This is what holistic skincare is all about. Remembering to take care of the whole you.


If you’d like more information on what holistic skincare ingredients to look for in your products, visit my guest post on Modern Hippie Magazine to read: My Top 7 Favorite Natural Skin Care Ingredients.


In addition, we invite you to visit our Facebook page and become a fan. Post comments, ask questions, request a product formulation you'd like to see, etc. We have our BEAUTY TIPS & BEAUTY BEAT series, in which we share information on ingredients, beauty recipes you can make at home, helpful tips, post product updates, host giveaways just for fans and it's a way for us to easily stay in touch. We're looking forward to meeting up with you on Facebook!

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September 26, 2010

Enter essensu's Facebook Fan Giveaway!

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essensu holistic skincare is having a GIVEAWAY just for their Facebook fans in appreciation for all their support. You have the opportunity to win an 8 ounce bottle of Blueberry Smoothie Moisturizing Body Wash and a Jumbo Bath Pouf. You won't be disappointed with this great, fresh scent.


It smells just like fresh blueberries with a hint of cream added. Yummy! We're also including a jumbo bath pouf you can use in the shower or bath. Retail Value for the set: $17.00. This would also make a great gift for someone special.

 Blueberry Smoothie Body Wash by essensu



So how can you enter to win? By completing one or more of the actions below. Multiple entries are permitted, so check out how to get all your opportunities in to win. When does the giveaway end? TBA. The giveaway will run through the end of September however, to give everyone time to get their entries in. So, keep em coming! Giveaway will end sometime during the first week of October, and we will announce the date as it gets closer. For now, it's a surprise! But don't delay. Get your entries in now. Good luck!


GET ONE ENTRY: Post about our giveaway on your Facebook page (either business or personal or do both). Go to essensu's Facebook Fan page Discussion Tab. Here you'll find a Discussion titled FAN GIVEAWAY. This is where you post the link to your Facebook page (url) where you posted about our giveaway. This will earn you one entry.


GET TWO ENTRIES: If your friends also want to post our giveaway on their Facebook page, they will earn an entry when they become a fan, and post their link under the Discussions Tab. Also, ask your friends to go back to your page and grab your Facebook link (the url), so they can post it, along with their link, to get you another entry. They must be posted together. Your friends in turn, can ask their friends to do the same, and they will get a second entry.


THIRD ENTRY: Post our giveaway on Twitter and get another chance to Win. Post a link to the tweet in the Discussions Tab, along with your Facebook url or Facebook handle (name). (Some people have slightly different twitter names - we just want credit to go to the right person).


We have a suggested post for twitter, if you'd care to use it:
Facebook Fan Giveaway by @essensu skincare. Go to their Discussions Tab & find out how to win a Body Wash & Bath Pouf. http://bit.ly/dpI0y4


FOURTH ENTRY: Become a follower of our Blog, The Holistic Diva. If you are already a follower, terrific. Either way, post under the Discussion Tab that you are a follower, and earn another entry.


FIFTH ENTRY: If you are feeling really ambitious, feel free to look around our in our shops on: Artfire or Etsy and post an item and it's link under the Discussions Tab that you like.


SIXTH ENTRY: If you want to blog about our giveaway, you will earn 5 EXTRA chances to WIN! Leave the link to your blog post under the Discussions Tab.


** All entries must be submitted as individual entries on the Discussions Tab, except where it's noted to post them together.


Winners will be chosen by a random generator and announced on our Facebook Fan page. The winner will also be contacted by us for a delivery address.

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July 11, 2010

Essensu Holistic Skincare Chosen as a Featured Trend

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One of essensu's holistic skincare body creams, was recently featured in Trendhunter Magazine.


Our product was chosen due to the incredible buzz created by one of our customers, who wrote a testimonial and posted before and after pictures on her blog. You can read about her AMAZING results after this cream on her face for four months, at Fo-Shizzle Design Studios.

We thought we would share her before and after photos here as well. Our cream is packed with goodness, which nourishes and re-hydrates even the driest skin.


 

The photo on the left was taken in January, 2010. The photo on the right was taken in June, 2010, four months later. She used the cream on her face and eye area twice a day, morning and night. Her testimonial was completely unsolicited and sent to us after she posted it on her blog.

We are delighted to have a customer have such wonderful results upon using one of our products!

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