by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Wellness
When I was a kid my mom always used to rub vapor rub on my chest at the very first sign of a cold. The distinctive, effervescent scent and feel has been something I’ve longed for in a natural form for far too long. She always did keep me healthy and kept my cold’s at bay, but over time I’ve learned that most conventional vapor rub’s contain petroleum, petrolatatum, parabens, mineral oil or all of the above as their most active ingredients! No way! I’ll skip putting petroleum on my skin – thank you!
If you don’t follow me on instagram or Periscope [whacha waiting for, friend? =)] you might not know – I just had surgery. Oral and nasal surgery, in fact. Without anesthetic. Yup. I’m nuts. It was Ouch. Many, many days of uncomfortable. And that story belongs in a totally different post. 😉
I’ve spent most of my days right here lately, waiting for this whole thing to pass.
After just a few nights of sleeping on the side of my face that wasn’t five times it’s normal size, I was waking up to super stuffy nostrils as well as a raspy voice. Oh no, I realized, I was getting sick! Having someone (and their medieval torture devices known as medical instruments) in your nasal cavity will do that to you. But I already had my solution! I immediately reached for my Maty’s.
Maty’s All Natural Vapor Rub and Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup couldn’t have come into my life at a better time!
Maty’s Vapor Rub is a natural, petroleum free, non sticky and made of absolutely effective herbs, essential oils and butters to treat colds, coughs and even aches and pains! I love the beautiful synergy of medicinal herbs like eucalyptus, wintergreen (my favorite!) and peppermint, as well as sunflower oil, shea butter, and healing castor oil. I apply it directly under and into my nose and can feel 100% safe about the super simple ingredients. It also works immediately, which I love! If you have dryness or nasal issues brought on by allergies, cold dry weather, or a cold you will want to give this a try! I use it on my chest at night to keep the cold at bay and it worked in just a night to clear my symptoms up completely. Pro Tip: Use this on achey muscles as well for immediate relief!
I also grabbed the Maty’s All Natural Organic Cough Syrup. This powerhouse’s ingredients also impress me immensely. Check them out:
Most cough syrup causes drowsiness and sometimes even irritability. Not this time!
Maty’s worked right off the bat to combat my scratchy throat and stopped my irritation and the cough I really didn’t want! It also doesn’t taste like nasty cough syrup. Although I am a pro at taking healthy-tasting tonics, I can imagine you can chase this with your favorite beverage (a tea is perfect if you’re fighting a cold) if you really need to. I love the side effect free qualities!
Just a few days of using my Maty’ products and I am cold-free, healthy and so happy to share my experience!
I hope they help you, too.
with love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Product Reviews
I often get asked what my favorite, go-to natural makeup choices are. While I’ve recently set up a store to answer what brands and boutiques are my personal preference for their purity and luxury beauty products, I want to share which particular items I actually use to create my daily look. This post will link you right over to these faves of mine – and how I keep a flawless face on the daily (even in this ridiculous end of summer heat!)
Head on over to my Glowing and Glamorous makeup tutorial to see how I create this look!
Use code organiclife at checkout for 15%-20% off many of these items! (more…)
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Discounts, Fashion, Green Beauty, Product Reviews
It’s been roughly three and a half years since I fully committed to my wellness journey, and truthfully, the very last thing to convert was my closet. Why?
Well, partially because I’m sentimental.
Partially because I love thrifting (another amazing way to save and recycle clothing).
And partially because organic, fair trade clothes tend to be more expensive. I had a hard time justifying it.
Synergy was one of the first affordable clothing companies I ever found, and I am so happy to bring you a discount code just for readers of The Organic Life!
Why organic material?
- Cotton accounts for nearly 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used throughout the world, although is it grown on only 3% of the total cultivated area. The poisoning due to chemical insecticides and pesticides is so acute that thousands of poor farmers in developing countries end up losing their lives. Growing cotton organically means no pesticides or insecticides were used.
- Much like producing conventional coffee crops, conventional cotton production often leads to poisoning, causing various health problems for cotton farmers. Organic cotton production, on the other hand, ensures a healthy life for the farmers and their families.
- Organic cotton is softer, more durable and causes fewer allergies than conventional cotton
- Here are some more benefits from organic.net:
To help you out on your personal organic fashion journey, I’ve teamed up today with Synergy Organic Clothing. They produce sustainable, organic clothing in conjunction with 150 female workers in Nepal, who are paid living wages and given yearly bonuses. This clothing is incredibly made, expertly crafted and super comfy!
Get 20% off today with code TaraMackey20 at checkout!
This code applies to any clothing in the store.
Excludes accessories, jewelry or miscellaneous items.
Dress: Synergy Clothing
Flower Crown: Flower Children Only
Necklace: Padma Design
Bracelets: Pura Vida Bracelets
Makeup: The Tara Collection
With love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Happiness, Tara TV, Videos
Happy Motivation Monday!
No matter where we’re at in life, there is almost always something – however small – that is blocking our way. That “thing” normally stems from a fear. A fear of the unknown, a fear of failure, or even a fear of success! Sometimes it comes in the form of resentment, stress, anxiety or sadness. Many of us recognize that we often manifest our fears, but we still don’t know how to stop them!
Today, I talk about releasing your fears. And no – it’s not in a mindful meditation, a mantra or even a sweet little quip! But it is simple, global and highly effective.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IymLj8DVZ8A&w=560&h=315]
I hope you liked this week’s video. Feel free to participate in the discussion below! I love to hear from you!
With love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Tara TV, YouTube
When I started this journey just over four years ago, I admit the big one: I didn’t know diddly squat about health. I mean, it was crazy! I had studied it (majoring in Biology), I had learned it (with a concentration in Genetics and a job at Cornell by the age of 22), and I had glowing reviews in my classes and at work for it. I pridefully took home the best test scores and got every little scientific certificate I could find (Lab Tech? Nurses Aid? Medical Tech? Sure! Why not?!) But I never applied what I had learned about health to real life. I didn’t get it. I didn’t know how to BE healthy. I didn’t know how to truly care about my health, or anyone else’s.
I am only slightly embarrassed to admit that I know waaaayyyy more about the inner and outer workings of the human body now than I did just a few years ago, when I was a working scientist.
I honestly didn’t know anything back then other than what I had learned in school, at work or in a text book. And I knew something else even more deeply: I did not want to rely on prescription medication for any of my pain, depression, moodiness, anxiety or arthritis anymore. It had been too long (over a decade) with tons of pills and no results, and I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. But I faced one huge roadblock: the one answer every doctor had ever given me was drugs. Period.
No one ever told me to do any of the other amazing, incredible things that have helped shape, change and propel my life so very much in the days and years since. Healthy practices I may not be alive without! The ability to share my answers and ideas on life with you means everything to me. Last week I asked for your beauty, health and wellness questions and you sure came through! I was so happy to answer them this week!
I hope you enjoy this video. It’s unscripted, unrehearsed and completely from the heart.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRTInI5_7M&w=560&h=315]
With love,
Tara
