by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Giveaway, Green Beauty, Product Reviews
It was 2011, and I had just come off a series of prescribed medications –heavy pain killers, barely on the market mood stabilizers, super strong anxiety medication and more – that I had been downing daily for almost ten years. My body was totally freaking out. It went through all the same symptoms of any other drug withdrawal – sweats, break outs, hormonal confusion, nausea and vomiting. Sexy, huh?
So how did I get my life back?
I get e-mails weekly from some of you who’ve done everything – you’ve cleaned up your diet, you’ve got off all your drugs, you’ve even quit caffeine (and omg, I’m so proud of you! I mean really? I wish I could throw each and every one of you a party!) But you’re still not seeing clear, radiant skin. Or you still feel sick. Or worse – you’re doing everything right but you still have super bad stomach issues that just won’t go away.
I feel you, love.
By the time I turned to probiotics, my skin was a mess and my gut had been fighting the biggest uphill battle of my entire life. After flirting with the idea that vitamins might really have the power to change my life, probiotics finally sold me on supplements. There are over 500 different kinds of bacteria in your GI tract alone! So even if you don’t have any gut or skin issues (you lucky unicorn you!), for regular maintenance, I recommend that everyone take at least one probiotic a day. They’re one of the only ways to get your whole body healthy in one big swoop! Within a week of taking these bad boys, my skin was legitimately clearing up, my nausea subsided and throwing up (which had been daily) was at a minimum, if it ever happened at all.
Not all probiotics are created equal. Over the years I have tried many. So, so very many. Some have packed a powerful punch and some, even while touting having 12 or 20 different strains of pre and probiotics, have left me feeling worse than before I took them. LIFE = Probiotics are my go-to because it’s one of the very best. LIFE = is formulated to help support and replenish natural healthy bacteria levels in the body. By combining multiple probiotic strains, a more effective formula is created. Each different strain thrives in separate parts of the digestive tract and offers different benefits – together they create a more holistic solution. LIFE= Probiotic strains have natural acid bio-resistance enabling them to withstand low stomach pH and thrive upon arrival in the intestinal tract.
But you don’t have to just down a pill to get great results from LIFE = probiotics! Probies sure do clear your skin and heal your gut, but with the right kind of prep in some organic fruits and herbs, you are well on your way to clear, bright skin and a natural detox! Here’s a recipe I’ve been using a lot lately that’s been helping my skin get that summer glow as well as completely kicking my nausea to the curb!
TIME | 4 hours ( Prep: 10min )
YIELD | 64oz ( 2 quarts )
DIRECTIONS | Place 4 cups thinly sliced pineapple (about 1 1/4 pounds), 5 sprigs mint (lightly crushed) and 8 round slices ginger (smashed) in a pitcher. For still infused water, add 2 quarts of water. For sparkling water, add 1 quart of seltzer during prep and a second quart just before serving. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours to allow the ingredients to infuse. Stir well and strain, discarding the solids (but save them for your morning smoothies).
When adding Life Equals® Probiotic or Life Equals® Focus & Energy, gently twist open two capsules per 12oz glass, pour probiotic into your liquid and stir until dissolved.
For serving, add fresh pineapple, mint and ginger for garnish and plenty of ice. The infused water will keep refrigerated for up to 2 days. To lightly crush herbs, place them in the palm of your hand and lightly rub your hands together.
Today, enter “ORGANICLIFE” at checkout for 10% off your one time order.
Or “ORGANICLIFE75” FOR 75% OFF MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTIONS!
Woo hoo! You’re good to go!
I’ve teamed up with LIFE = to giveaway 2 bottles of probiotics to two different winners! I am so excited to share this incredible brand with two amazing individuals!
Good luck, my loves! And happy detoxing! <3
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Discounts, Fashion, Fitness, Give Back, Giveaway, Green Beauty, Health, TARA Collection, Tara Perfume
Hey loves! Happy Earth Day!
Thought I’d bring you some awesome sales that popped up this week! I’ve definitely filled my proverbial internet-cart’s today, and I encourage you to get your shopping on for Momma – or the new, spring you! 🙂
– The Detox Market is having an Earth Day sale! Take 15% off your entire order!
– Lux & Eco, Delizioso Skincare and I are doing a giveaway for the Tara Perfume, Adorned Blushing Mousse & Glow Body Oil. It’s super easy to Enter and the products are $133 value!
– Reebok is having an awesome sale for 2 days only! You can get ZQuick Dash running shoes (for Men, Women, and Kids) for only $39.99 with code QUICKDEAL! They’re my absolute favorites!
– Looking for some great gift ideas for Mother’s Day and graduation? Then be sure to check out the sweeping selection of sale items at Adidas.com! Soccer cleats, training pants, or workout tee? You can check each one off your list because Adidas has them all on sale!
– Life Equals has brand new vitamins and some awesome new probiotics. Get 25% off your one time order with coupon code ORGANICLIFE or 75% off your monthly subscription with coupon code ORGANICLIFE75.
Hope your Earth Day was wonderful! I had a beautiful day in nature… you can keep up over on instagram.
With love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Discounts, Give Back, Happiness, Health, Mental Health, My Organic Life, Product Reviews, Videos, YouTube
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fuPrvSEabY&w=560&h=315]
Currently I take around 35 different kinds of supplements and tinctures per day, only some of which I’ve previously touched on in my blog.
These herbs range in everything from supplements for anti-aging, to cancer prevention, to ones for my skin, hair, and nails, to supplements for my energy level, anxieties, stress, and better rest. These natural herbs are sometimes for specific ailments, which range from moderate to severe joint and muscle pain from scoliosis and rheumatoid arthritis to stressful situations like big meetings or a long journey. Without taking these supplements, it would be (and for a long time, had been!) absolutely impossible for me to do yoga, exercise, hike, surf, swim or participate in many of the daily activities that I truly enjoy now.
When I tell people that I take 35 supplements per day, I always get the same question, “ Isn’t that expensive?”
It sure is! Although I give myself a cap per month on my supplements, it’s always nice (but often times really hard) to find good deals on things that I take a lot of – like amino acids, collagen, fish oil, and A-D vitamins.
So when Life Equals reached out to me to be their Brand Ambassador, I couldn’t have been more excited. Not only does Life Equals provide different kinds of vitamins and supplements at an affordable price, they wanted to help me bring home that message to you with EXTRA discounts on one time and monthly purchases, just for reading!
Life Equals is also a One For One Wellness Company, meaning that for every vitamin you buy, Life Equals donates a multivitamin to children who need it in 44 countries and 33 states in the USA. I absolutely love this aspect of giving back, which you rarely find in the vitamin world.
Today I’d like to take a minute to focus on Life Equals Focus & Energy blend of essential herbs, amino acids and B vitamins. The Organic Life & Life Equals have collaborated on a short video that details more about how Focus & Energy can help your life, improve your body on your journey, and help you achieve your goals, as well as provided you with a coupon code for a one time or monthly purchase of any Life Equals vitamins!
For a One Time Purchase on ANY Life Equals product, enter coupon code ORGANICLIFE for a 10% discount at checkout.
For a Monthly Subscription on ANY Life Equals product, which is perfect for someone like me who takes my vitamins every day and knows I will always need to stock up, we’ve provided you guys with a whopping 75% discount for your first month!! Yep. You read that right. Use coupon code ORGANICLIFE75 at checkout and watch those $ signs disappear. After the first month, you will receive your favorite Life Equals Vitamins every month with 15% off + Free Shipping! This is a no commitment – pause or cancel anytime service.
Not only are you providing vitamins for children in need with your purchase, you’re donating to the best cause of all: your self and your health. Check out the short version of the video below and head over to Life Equals site to get your ticket to a healthier life today.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55CP3VJ4fJQ&w=560&h=315]
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, Health, My Organic Life, Skincare
If there’s one thing I don’t miss every morning, that I rely on for complete body balance, and that I never fail to pack while I’m traveling, it’s my vitamins! You may scoff, but I haven’t gotten so much as the sniffles in years, and I’ve seen things like skin irritation, hair thinning, acne, inflammation and wrinkles reversed on many others (and myself!) just by an increase in supplements like daily vitamins!
Eating well is important of course – a proper diet and exercise is unlike anything else to combat aging and to give you supple, glowing skin! Unfortunately, the body delivers only a certain percentage of vitamins to your skin, no matter how much you ingest. Plus, there’s no way to send them straight to your open pores or brown spots!
In doing this, you’re giving yourself a running head start, and ensuring that your body is getting itself on the right path to healthy, happy skin! Here are a few vitamins that you can start with:
Vitamin A ( for Curing Acne/Wrinkles )
Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes and skin. It exists naturally in liver, butter and eggs; and its precursor, beta-carotene, is in colorful vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. In order for the skin to benefit from Vitamin A, the body converts it to retinoic acid. If your skin has been feeling scaly and dry, then there’s a possibility that you might be lacking in Vitamin A. Individuals who are suffering from acne are also encouraged to take plenty of Vitamin A.
Natural Sources: eggs, leafy greens, milk, carrots, pumpkins, liver and more.
Vitamin B Complex ( for added hydration/reduced redness )
B Vitamins should also be added to your diet if you wish to achieve healthy skin. Vitamin B1, for instance, boosts circulation in the body and gives your skin a certain glow. If you’re a woman taking birth control pills then you are at risk of Vitamin B1 deficiency. Egg yolks, nuts and raisins are great sources of Vitamin B1. Niacin of Vitamin B3 helps your skin receive plenty of oxygen, which prevents development of acne among other benefits.
Natural Sources: Niacin-rich foods include tomatoes, broccoli and carrots.
Vitamin C (For Spots/ Anti-Aging)
Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients, experts say. It may not be the cure for the common cold (though it’s thought to help prevent more serious complications). But the benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage — free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage.
Natural Sources: guava, grapefruit, sweet red pepper, green pepper, strawberries, papaya, sweet potato, kale, mango, pineapple, cauliflower, tomato juice, kiwi
Vitamin E (for Moisture/UV/Defense)
One of my favorites! Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are caused by a number of factors such as smoking, pollution and sun exposure. Free radicals are one of the major causes of premature skin aging. As a result, Vitamin E can be an important anti-aging nutrient. Any time you see a wrinkle forming or lack some sunshine, pop some vitamin E!
Natural Sources: spinach, chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, cayenne pepper, almonds, asparagus, and bell peppers.
Vitamin K ( For Young, Bright Eyes)
If you have “tired eyes” you may be lacking in Vitamin K! Dark green leafy vegetables and fermented foods are high in Vitamin K. While you probably have enough vitamin K to provide for normal blood clotting, you most likely do not consume enough vitamin K to allow for optimum skin (or bone!) health. People apply vitamin K to the skin to remove spider veins, scars, or stretch marks, and taking it internally can also help these things! It is also used topically to treat rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness and pimples on the face. After surgery, Vitamin K is used to speed up skin healing and reduce bruising and swelling.
Natural Sources: Vitamin K is a vitamin found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, scallions, basil, sage, paprika, asparagus, and cabbage.
Happy Living!
Thank you very much.
Love & Light
ૐ
An Exclusive Look Into … THE WAKE UP EP!
