Meet Astara:

An all-natural skin care brand I am becoming utterly obsessed with.  The below blurb on their website fully explains my infatuation with Astara’s line.

“Astara was founded on the belief that the human body is a beautiful, self-healing organism if given the proper nourishment and environment. Eating an enzyme-rich diet of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, seaweeds and sprouted seeds has proven to have a profound effect on health. We at Astara Skin Care believe that optimum health and beauty can be achieved by the intake of raw, chemical-free, enzyme-rich foods, which detoxify and rejuvenate the body and its skin at its most essential level.

Astara believes this paradigm applies also to skin care. The skin, as the largest organ in the body, is a true reflection of overall health. In order to bring the skin’s healing properties to maximum performance and radiance, Astara Skin Care products provide essential, life-giving energy to the cells, using powerful, raw ingredients from elements of nature around the world. As a result, each natural ingredient is carefully chosen to support the skin’s healing process. Our products nourish the skin through the use of natural ingredients including flower essences, antioxidants and botanical extracts.

We understand that heating the life-giving ingredients above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) destroys their very necessary enzymes and oxygen, which are vital for optimum health. The latest research clearly suggests that the cooked and processed foods we eat have no vital healing energy, leading to illness, chronic disease and premature death. Because we believe in the value and integrity of our life-giving nutrients, our active ingredients are never heated above 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius). Therefore our products maintain the power to heal deeply, to regenerate cells, and to assist the skin in attaining optimum health and a more youthful appearance.”

I recently began using their Blue Flame Anti-Bacterial Purifying Toner and their Blue Flame Oil Free Moisturizer.  My face has instantly felt cleaner, tighter and softer.  I have also been using their Blue Flame Purification Mask for almost a year now.  It’s enriched with Tea Tree Oil, a mega bacteria killer and healer.  I use it almost every night before bed and swear by it.  Majorly celebrity endorsed as well:  http://www.astaraskincare.com/the-buzz/celebrities

The product will be a bit hard to find at your local store, but their site offers a really easy locator by address to learn where you can purchase.

(Source: astaraskincare.com)

You are looking for a last minute gift and that classic CANDLE comes to mind.  These are the cleanest burning candles on the market.  With a blend of soy and essential oils, you will be doing your friends a favor by hopefully replacing that toxic burning candle they currently have in their apartment.  Look at you being all creative and generous at once!  Oh, they smell divine as well.

Why soy wax is just better:

• Soy wax candles emit little soot, and no petro-carbon soot.
• They burn up to 30% to 50% longer than paraffin candles.
• Pricing of soy wax candles is comparable to paraffin candles.
• Soy wax candles burn cleaner than 100% beeswax candles.
• Soybeans are a renewable resource and entirely biodegradable..
• Soy wax is water soluble, and cleans up easily with soap and water.
• Irie wax meets Vegan criteria and is Kosher certified..
• Irie soy wax contains no GMO materials – an exceptional trait considering the prevalence of GMO soybeans in the marketplace!
• Their soy wax is also free of pesticides and herbicide residue according to third party testing
• Soy wax supports American Farmers.

link to purchase, here: http://www.iriestar.com/soy_candles.html

(Source: iriestar.com)

Selecting the right tooth care is crucial.  For one, no one wants to risk dazzling white and healthy teeth for anything.  But, toothpaste, mouthwash, whitener…all that good stuff goes directly into the mouth, and twice a day!!  That’s why selecting non-toxic and safe dental products can really make a difference.

Many commercial brand toothpastes include the following: sodium fluoride (used in rat poison), propylene glycol (used in anti-freeze solutions for cars, airplanes and boats),  sodium laurel sulfate (used as engine degreasers and car soap), Polyethylene (which is just plain PLASTIC), and Blue Lake, FD & C Lake, (petroleum-derived dyes and known carcinogens….used in your toothpastes to give them color).  

Here’s what I use…and LOVE. 

• CORAL WHITE TOOTHPASTE: a no fluoride, no preservatives, no lauryl sulfate, no gluten, synthetic color and flavor free formula.  Helps to balance the pH in the mouth, build tooth enamel, whitens teeth and freshens breath. http://www.vitacost.com/coral-llc-coral-white-toothpaste-mint
• WHITE 2 NITE: A whitening gel applied with small paint pen. Made out of all natural herbs and extracts with no artificial flavors or colors.  Within a few days of using this, I noticed whiter teeth!  I use it before bed a few times a week for maintenance. http://www.white2nite.com/
• PERIOWASH: All natural, alcohol-free, lauryl sulfate free mouth wash.  Made with organic herbs, along with folic acid, oregano, cinnamon, and clove to support tissue and gum health.                                                          http://www.naturesanswer.com/p-810-periowash-winter-mint-16-oz.aspx

So fresh and so clean, clean. And so white and so natural and so safe.

If equipped with the right resources, we are able to make better decisions for ourselves, as well as take hold of our power as a consumer and actually create change.  

Hello, EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.  Tap this into your Bookmarks Bar now.

The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to “use the power of information to protect human health and the environment”.  Skin Deep Cosmetics Database was created in 2004 to divulge skincare ingredients and safety precautions otherwise unregulated and unlisted on cosmetics packaging.  It now includes about 70 thousand different products within their searchable database, rating brands and ingredients based on their levels of safety and/or toxicity.  Leave-in conditioner…Toothpaste…Lip Liner….even baby products… it’s extensive, and totally user-friendly.  The site sees over 1 million visitors per month.

Before you go plowing through all of the ingredients in your bathroom cabinet (you know you want to…) explore the site and focus on 1-2 personal care products you would be willing to update to something cleaner.  The site can be overwhelming, and there’s no way to control everything we touch.  But little edits to your daily routine will reap great benefits; not only for your body, but will support responsible brands who have chosen to edit the toxic chemicals out of their products. 

                                             http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

One of my favorite products I am using right now is Epicurean’s Probiotic face cream.

This product is meant to balance the good bacteria on your skin while killing off the bad and purging the congestion that causes bad breakouts.  This stuff is a-mazing.  It creates a mild exfoliation when applied, which feels fresh and energizing.  I have also noticed how much it helps heal old breakouts and smoothed my skin DAYS after I began using.  What else scores this product some mad props?  Its ingredients are all natural, and include include key probiotics, which are what work to restore healthy flora on the face.  

Key Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomila Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract,      Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber Fruit) Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment

This brand carries a ton of other amazing, chemical-free product that I would highly recommend.  Yes, a bit pricy, but oh yes worth it.

See other raving reviews and purchase here: http://www.amazon.com/Epicuren-Acidophilus-Probiotic-Facial-Cream/product-reviews/B000ULF98W

I just purchased this Gilt City SF coupon for a $30 Organic Spray Tan!!  Checked out the ingredients and reviews and looks pretty legit.  She’s located on Post St. in Union Square.  

Ohh long ago are the days of my tanning beds and chemical-infused spray tans, but lets be honest, I REALLY miss that glow.  I will write a review once I try it out!

http://www.giltcity.com/san-francisco/scbe?ifs=mailing_id%3D678156%26link_type%3Dscbe%26edid%3DCWMZUOP-3ZD13-Y8HLS0-HEV2T-BJUS0-v1&OEID=678156-scbe-SAN%20FRANCISCO%20D%20List%204%20Female%201&ET=weekly&ECT=standard&EPT=body&ECA=text