by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, DIY, Green Beauty, Hair, Skincare
Any of you who know me know that I’m completely obsessed with all things DIY Beauty. If it’s cheaper, easier, and can be found in the grocery aisle – I’ve tried it! I am constantly on the hunt for Do-It-Yourself beauty tips and tricks that are 100% natural, easy, and way cheaper than the store-brought equivalent. Using one parts apple cider vinegar and water as a natural facial toner? Check. Lemon juice as an acne-fighting facial mask? Check. Manuka Honey for pretty much… everything? Check!
But I’ve found a new way to golden skin and happy hair! It’s the Jojoba Oil ( only $3!) from The Busy Bee Store over on Etsy – an all natural and organic skin-care go-to for all your natural skin and haircare needs!
Legend has it that the Native Americans used jojoba oil for a variety of purposes, ranging from hair conditioners, to skin lubricants to even making coffee-like beverages!
Though this botanical liquid extract is commonly referred to as “oil,” jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax ester that is very similar to the properties of human skin oil (sebum).
Translation: putting jojoba oil on your face, especially if you are prone to oily to combination skin, means that you can “trick” your human skin into producing less oil, thus reducing your face’s shiny appearance without extra layers of make-up that can further aggravate your sensitive skin.
In addition to helping your face with oil control, jojoba oil can also be used for your hair and the rest of the body!
What is it good for? Pretty much everything. You can use jojoba oil for the following skin and hair care needs:
- Massage oil
- Dried Cuticle Treatment
- A Shaving Prepper
- After-sun moisturizer
- Stretch mark treatment
- Sebum substitute
- As a way to remove hair product residue
- Cleanser
- Treating acne and cold sores
- Scalp and hair moisturizer
- Hair detangler
The zinc, B-vitamins, silica and copper in jojoba oil help the skin on your face stay supple and healthy.
One of my favorite ways to use it is as a Jojoba & Avocado Face Mask.
- I combine one half ripe Avocado with a teaspoon of the Jojoba Oil.
- Apply over the Face and Neck. Let sit for 10 mins.
- Wash it off with warm water!
Super easy & I’m really happy to share this organic skincare & haircare love with you!
I’ll let Michelle Phan tell you what to do with Jojoba Oil & your hair…. 😉
Thank you very much.
Love & Light
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An Exclusive Look Into … THE WAKE UP EP!
by Tara Mackey | Around the World, Beauty, Blogroll, DIY, Green Beauty, My Organic Life, My Photography, Skincare
What You’ll Need:
1. Cotton Balls
2. One Love Organics Brand New Day (or a Probiotic Capsule)
3. Cold, Plain Greek Yogurt
We all have long days after which we’d love to just wind down in a hot bath, cucumber slices over our eyes as some relaxing music plays in the background, a good, deep cleanser going to work on our pores, so that we just lay back and relax.
Well, now you can do so quickly & inexpensively, with ingredients from your own kitchen!
To make this mask, simply mix a tablespoon of One Love Organics Brand New Day, or split open the probiotic capsule and mix it into 3 or 4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt in a small bowl or dish. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to your face in an even layer. Let the mask set for 10 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
Note: If you do not have a probiotic capsule, or an organic exfoliant, this mask is still very effective even if it’s only Greek yogurt!
Also if you are lactose intolerant you might want to try a simple Ice Facial instead!
My skin feels so soft, fresh and silky after I do this mask. I always notice a major reduction in redness, smooth skin and no irritation after washing it off! It also relaxes me and puts me in a much better place to face the day (or night!) with an elevated mood!
Are you going to give this DIY a try?
If you have a personal beauty recipe that you’d like to see, or if you’ve tried any of my DIY tutorials, feel free to share!
Love & Light
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, DIY, Happiness, Health, Mental Health, My Organic Life, My Photography
Holistic Health is a concept in personal and medical upholding that all aspects of people’s needs – including psychological, physical and social – should be taken into account and seen as a whole. One of the fundamental elements in engaging in holistic health practices is to take an objective look at our present habits as they relate to diet, exercise, sleep, and overall outlook. These four elements comprise an overall foundation that can lead to optimum health or to disease (DIS – EASE), depending on the various habits we have developed over time. If we look clearly at our past and present choices, regardless of what our health concerns are, there are a ton of overlooked natural ways to treat and even cure aches, pain, disease, and bad diet habits!
Oil Pulling
One Google search on Oil Pulling and I can step off this podium. The positive results from Westerners about this Ayurvedic technique is literally unlike any I’ve ever seen.
Using Grapeseed, Olive, or Coconut oil, the technique of Oil Pulling involves swishing it around in your mouth for 5-20 minutes a day. That’s IT! And the results are remarkable! It has been shown to not only treat, but reverse gum disease, halitosis, gingivitis, cavities and even heal teeth in need of root canals! Though, it can’t fully reverse damage already done if you are in need of a gum grafting procedure, and even though people have found the technique of Oil Pulling to be effective for their oral health, it may not have the same effect on others. You can’t afford to wait until your gum disease gets better, as it may not. This is the time that you should think about seeking out some gum disease treatment by a dentist in your area so that this can get treated as soon as possible. It may be worth trying this technique first, as you never know it might work. One of my friends has even used oil pulling as a way of prolonging the results of a teeth whitening treatment. She had her teeth whitened by a Dentist in windsor and is so much happier with how white her smile is that she wants her teeth to stay as white as possible for a long time.
While you are oil pulling, do not swallow or spit out the oil. Be prepared – the thick texture can take some time getting used to!
It’s important to not swallow the post-pulled oil because the oil pulling process pulls all sorts of toxins and nasty stuff out of your body through your tongue and into the oil. When you spit out the oil, it will be foamy and white: the bacteria and toxins the oil pulling has just gotten out of your body.
Coconut is a familiar taste for many people.
(You can find my DIY Coconut Oil post here!)
It has a cooler energy than sesame oil, so it’s good for people who tend to have a warmer constitution or condition of heat. Some people have reported that coconut oil is more strongly detoxifying, so it’s best to be cautious and go slowly. It is recommended that organic, unrefined, cold pressed oils with the life force of the core substances in that oil are intact. Use the best quality you can get -unrefined, cold-pressed, which will not contain chemical residues.
Composting
My favorite part about my garden is that it feeds itself. I’ve been composting since Day 1 – everything from garden work leftovers to my own leftovers have gotten thrown into my compost since my first plants were seedlings. I have, in turn, used this composted soil to plant the rest of my garden, which I then weed, eat, compost, and on and on! Flies and other pests of nuisance are also attracted to the compost and away from the munchie noms that are my precious garden. It’s truly the most remarkable process, and I have saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars on soil, nutrient enhancers, pest control and more!
Castor Oil “Baths”
Many of us have aches from sitting at a desk, gardening, stretching, or day to day activities that result in pain. Tobacco, alcohol and hard to digest foods can cause immense inflammation in your body. By massaging Castor Oil into the achey joints, using slow, circular motions, and then taking a warm shower or warm bath, you can prevent this and treat it at the same time! Because the oil bath brings out heat and inflammation in the body, you will feel very relaxed after an oil bath. Do this during the day and use it to relax, like a Spa day for yourself!
Taking Your Vitamins
Taking at LEAST a daily multivitamin is so important. Significantly reduced concentrations of vitamins and minerals in today’s produce can be attributed to the fact that the majority of the foods we eat today are mass produced and no longer grown on local or community farms. Food processing and refining is also responsible for measurable nutrient losses that increase our need to supplement with a daily multiple. With such nutrient deficient food, you need Insurance! I recommend a comprehensive antioxidant and multivitamin for women and men as the basic foundation. Once you begin this habit, you can add other vitamins and minerals as you come to know what your body needs.
I mean it when I say that the only pills I put in my body right now are Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements, and that my body KNOWS when I’ve missed them! Figuring out what works for you to feel balanced and to be able to listen to your body in order to take charge of your own health is imperative no matter what your role in life is.
A Positive Outlook
No, seriously. Focusing on the positive is one of the key factors in a healthy lifestyle. Staying present, grateful, and having the ability to be centered and clear are all part and parcel of this. Many practices, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help get you on the road to understanding yourself and your environment, and get you back on track. It’s NEVER too late to start! Optimism is cumulative and is one of the most important elements in creating and maintaining a holistic health practice that will endure.
Speaking of a positive outlook, one of my favorite all natural brands, Delizioso Skincare is having a $100 Giveaway! You can Enter now over on the Facebook!
Good luck!
Thank you very much.
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, DIY, Health, My Organic Life, My Photography, Recipes
Okay, I have a serious fruit addiction. I’ll buy 3 cartons of berries and 2 days later I’m explaining to Frank (my go-to check out guy) that I just needed 3 more. Luckily, the market has been having sales on fruit lately, so my little heart is practically bursting. The first lovely thing that I like to make with my berries is a banging
Parfait
All you need is granola, yogurt, and any kind of berries, and you’re good to go! They’re actually SO simple to make you’re going to be mad you’ve been handing Starbucks your $6 for these every morning.
Personal Pizza’s have been my go-to since college, and they’re super simple to make from scratch or to throw in the oven for 18 mins while you finish that Game of Thrones episode. I prefer Amy’s brand pizza’s, since they’re Organic, Natural & GMO-Free, but I made that baby from scratch ^^
Avocado on Toast is becoming one of my favorite snacks. You can just open the Avocado and spread it onto a piece of toast like butter, then add your favorite veggie, or hot sauce, and you’re good to go! I swear I made about 50 of these the first day I tried it. :X
Salad is intuitive and can be boring, but hear me out. I make the most integrated salads you can imagine, and I throw my fruits and nuts into just about every one. If you’re having a hard time getting your greens or fruits in – I’d start here. I will make a salad out of ANYTHING – this ^^ is Garden Lettuce, Apples, Cucumbers, Berries, Nuts, and a Salmon that I made, cut up and threw in there for protein. I also love Avocado’s, and Olive Oil or Grapeseed Oil makes a great dressing!
I completely forgot how much I like Whipped Cream. Now that Lucerne makes a Gluten-free one, I had to try it! So, I’ve found my new healthy mid-afternoon snack: Strawberries & Whipped Cream! I know Whipped Cream isn’t the healthiest option in the Universe, but if you have as much as you’d need with a handful of berries, I think you’ll be okay. 🙂 Everything in moderation!
Yep, you guessed it – more berries! I told you I had a problem! 😀
This is my new absolute favorite snack – Pudding Parfait: Rice Pudding, Plain Greek Yogurt, Chia seeds, berries & Chocolate Pudding on top. Now, I’m not talking about Jello Pudding. The berries make it anti-oxidant & Kozy Shack is gluten free if you want to go the healthy route.
Happy Snacking!
Thank you very much.
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, DIY, My Organic Life, My Photography, Recipes
Kale is my new best friend. I grow a few heads of Kale in my garden: they’re hardy and wonderful, grow year round, and are easy to maintain.
In recent years, researchers have discovered that kale is rich in calcium, lutein, iron, beta-carotene, and Vitamins A, C, and K. A single serving of Kale provides 192 percent of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin A, which can act as a preventative against lung diseases. Research in Australia found that a diet high in beta-carotene foods like kale can decrease the chances of skin cancer.
I created a very easy, simple recipe for Kale Chips, which are absolutely delicious! It’s a shame to me that they are selling these at stores for $8 a pop when they are SO easy to make at home! Not only that, I made two different kinds, and I’ll share them both with you! They flew off the plate!
Ingredients: 1 Bunch of Kale
Sea Salt
Olive/Grapeseed Oil
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
2. Some people remove the ribs from the kale, but I like them and find them nutritious, personally.
Rub Olive Oil & Salt into Kale.
Zesty Recipe:
Add Cheese & Pepper
3. Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 20 minutes. Serve as finger food. Watch them disappear!
Enjoy! If you liked this recipe, you may also enjoy my recipe for The Best Bay Tacos!
Have a Safe & Healthy weekend!
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Love & Light
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by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, DIY, Garden, My Organic Life, My Photography, Product Reviews, Skincare
House Plants
The #1 thing you’ll notice upon just pulling up to my house is that I have… sort of a plant problem. If there are not 15 things potted on the front porch, there are plants hanging from the ceiling of the porch or planted in the garden, my workspace, studio, bathroom and bedroom all have at least one plant, and there are at least two by the kitchen sink. When you breathe, your body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This opposite pattern of gas use makes plants and people natural partners. Adding plants to interior spaces can increase oxygen levels. It’s also been proven to uplift moods, purify the air, sharpen your focus and improve your mental health!
Re-evaluating the plastics & glass we throw away – even if we recycle – is always the first step. A ton of things make great planters, and a lot of plants even grow upside down very well!
If you think you don’t have room for a plant, consider these upside down methods, a terrarium, a venus fly trap or a hanging planter!
I’m cloning a bunch of peas outside (super successfully I might add!) in recycled Kombucha bottles, I planted some corn in an old egg container and every time I get strawberries, I’m super excited to plant new strawberries in the old container!
Clone Your Food
Using your trimmings, seeds or sprouting veggies for clones is a great way to perpetuate growth and nourish yourself! You can stick the trimmings of most plants (and various parts of others, depending on if it’s a fruit or veggie) in a glass of water and they will sprout roots, peas, or both within a few weeks! It’s remarkable, fun and easy!
Filter Your Water
It’s already pretty clear that we take our water for granted. The developed world has water on demand. Just turn a knob and presto! Running water. But this might not be the case for much longer, because in the United States, some neighboring states are beginning to sue one another over access to shared water resources, and aging infrastructures are struggling under the ever growing demand for abundant, clean water. Simply paying attention to how you use water can help you conserve this precious resource, too. For example, you can save water by shaving in the sink rather than the shower. And when you turn on your shower, place a 5-gallon bucket beneath the stream while you wait for the water to heat up, rather than simply allowing it to run down the drain. For instance, my laundry water drains straight to my garden via a duct. In the same case of the bath water, you can use this gray water in your garden.
It’s also important to make sure that you have clean, filtered water to drink. The 35-year-old federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose what scientists say are serious health risks – and still be legal.
Research your home town and see for yourself!
Aromatherapy
Where it’s this amazing Aromatherapy Flax Seed Pillow from Aquarian Bath (when I say amazing, I mean AMAZING), incense, soy candles from Hip E Chick, or my own little concoction, I really like to make sure that the house smells like something wonderful at all times. Aromatherapy is an exploration of creativity as well as technical knowledge. Creative expression comes from knowing the characteristics of oils and envisioning new combinations of scents. The scientific aspect of aromatherapy comes from knowing the subtle differences in essential oils that are attributable to thousands of aroma chemicals, and how these chemical constituents affect the human body. Some of my favorite scents for relaxation & calming are Vanilla, Lavender, Rose, Sage & Jasmine.
Remind Yourself
There’s nothing I like more than a nice little reminder of who I am and what I’m trying to do with my life to start my day. Otherwise, you can get really caught up in things like finishing coffee before rush hour or answering e-mails before you’ve even brushed your teeth that the whole day gets hectic. Having nice little reminders like this in the house, by my workspace, in the bathroom, in the kitchen – wherever I will read it – is not only affirming, but I think rather lovely. 🙂
Rescue Some Real Books
I think you all know by now that I’m totally mad about books…I left about two rooms full of boxes in New York when I moved, and have since been re-amassing a small (… by my standards…) collection of rescued and thrifted books! There are books absolutely everywhere in my home… every room, on the porch, on the couch. I’m tripping over them. But I always say if I’m going to have a problem… it may as well be an immense thirst for knowledge. 😉
I’ve always wanted to have a small bathroom library so that I could pull whatever I wanted during meditation & bath times, and my dreams are slowly but surely coming true! I might even decide to shop small bathroom vanities, so I could have more storage space in the bathroom for toileteries, as well as a space to store reading material. This way, none of the books will get wet and I will have something to help me relax on stressful days. I can’t say enough about the pleasure that reading brings me.
Re-Learn the Clean
I don’t know about you, but my sensory memory of cleaning the house is riddled with toxic smells and choking on chemicals. I recently approached Hip e Chick about their all-natural cleaning products & hand soap, as well as all natural bathroom lotion for guests! As someone who has to clean the house pretty much consistently because my dog sheds & I take baths every day, I am SUPER impressed & truly very happy with these natural alternatives to cleaning my sink, stove, counters, bath & other sensitive places my body goes.
Create A Sanctuary
Whether it’s soap shaped like rose petals, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, dream catchers, vintage photos, or rocks in the sink, I always try to add a little touch of love to my home.
Finding ways to express yourself creatively is the nicest part of having your own place! Doing things that you’ve “always wanted to do” since you were a kid with your space is so, so rewarding!
Have fun ORGANIC-izing your space!
If you have any suggestions or comments on how you go green, feel free to leave them!
A big thank you to Hip E Chick & Aquarian Bath for their help on this post!
You May Also Like:
Hip E Chick
Treat Yourself: Aquarian Bath
Herbs to Cure Your Life
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