Eco Home - Remove Toxins & Odors With Buddha Fresh Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier!

Hey guys! I know I feature a lot (like A LOT) of natural skincare and make-up products here on my blog, and as much as I enjoy and love sharing that with you, I also want to start featuring some green and eco-friendly home products as well!

Over the years since going green, my hubs and I have worked hard to remove as many toxins from our lives as possible. Cleaning up our grooming products and diets were the easy part. Finding truly clean (and affordable of course...we're kind of budget restricted at the moment) household products, particularly air fresheners (oh, my fave brand why do you have to be so toxic!?!) have been a wee bit of a challenge.

So, I was pretty stoked to hear about an upcoming product called "Buddha Fresh", an eco-friendly air freshener that is made out of 100% natural Bamboo charcoal! 

Photo Courtesy of Buddha Fresh

This natural alternative to chemical air fresheners not only takes care of odors you don't want, but it is biodegradable, non-toxic and lasts up to two years! Oh, and it's pretty affordable too! Sweeeeet!!

Read on to find out more....

"It all started when we were traveling through South East Asia. We instantly fell in love with the culture and how laid back all the people were. One of the most interesting things we discovered was how resourceful everyone was and that they had natural remedies and solutions for pretty much any everyday problem. One thing that we kept seeing being used everywhere, which they’re fortunate to have plenty of in South East Asia, was Bamboo. It is one of the most self sustaining and fastest growing plants on the planet and it is used for many things such as building materials, clothes, and even soap! 

That's how we discovered Bamboo Charcoal and how it was a natural way to absorb odors and prevent mold and mildew. It’s also chemical free and non-toxic. We knew right then that we had to try some and were absolutely amazed at how well it worked. Most air fresheners we all use today release dangerous chemicals that can cause serious health problems and only mask the odors instead of eliminating them. We couldn't wait to introduce it to our friends." ~The Buddha Fresh Family

So, what makes this product so awesome and why do I (and you) need it? Let's break it down:

• Eco-friendly  - Buddha Fresh bags are made up of all natural bamboo charcoal (the actual bag is made from Jute fibers) and are 100% recyclable.

• Eliminates Odors - Bamboo charcoal actually absorbs and eliminates unwanted odors rather than masking bad smells with sprays that emit harmful chemicals and toxins.

• Made for an Active Lifestyle - Buddha Fresh bags are great for yoga studios or your gym bag.

More uses are demonstrated here:

Photo courtesy of Buddha Fresh

There is also this lovely little infographic comparing Buddha Fresh to conventional air fresheners..

Photo courtesy of Buddha Fresh

You can find out more about this product by going here and following them on Facebook and
Instagram.


What are your thoughts on Buddha Fresh? What is your favorite non-toxic air purifier?


Peace & love,
Sabrina xo

Guest Post - Five Tips To Get Fit & Be Healthy Without Going To A Gym Or Giving Up Your Indulgences!

Hey guys! Today, I want to share another guest post with you. This one focuses on healthy living and a few ways to get fit without a gym membership or strict dieting! While I know that we Americans can't always walk to work (depending on where we live) or have quick access to the countryside (though that would be heaven for me!), these are still some great tips for busy peeps or for anyone who just wants to recharge a bit and be healthier (I for one definitely need to implement #4 into my life!!).



Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xo

Guest Post: Five Tips To Get Fit & Be Healthy Without Going To A Gym Or Giving Up Your Indulgences!

Do you like sweating in the gym and running for miles every day, or are you more into a pint of beer, burger, fries, pizza, and a cuban cigar from time to time? Eating tasty food while watching tv sounds good, but you’re not happy about the fact that all those pleasures have become visible around your waist? There’s no reason to despair because, whether you believe it or not, there is a way out of that vicious cycle. Check out these 5 suggestions on how to be healthy even when you’re not ready to give up all of your “sweet sins”:

1.       Eat, drink, and work while walking

Well, yes, it’s not really possible to walk with a computer in your hands, but even when your work requires being around a PC all the time, you can steal a moment or two to stretch your legs. Take a short break from work and get up every half an hour or so in order to improve your circulation. Instead of having your lunch in the restaurant, simply eat and walk.  Apart from saving you time, this idea is a great way to get rid of unwanted kilograms, since some studies showed that people who walk while eating are less susceptible to obesity.

2.       Walk with ankle weights

Although this may look like a scene from the life of a prisoner, you’ll be surprised how fast this method melts excess fat and burns calories. Every walk (or biking ) performed with ankle weights is equivalent to doing it 5 minutes more, which is why you’ll lose the weight faster. This will save you time as well because you will be working out while going to and from work without spending more time at the gym.

3.       Eat quality food

You don’t have to become a healthy food fanatic, but eating a burger and a fries every day is one of the worst things you can do to your body. There is a good reason it is called junk food, you know.  Instead, opt for a week in the countryside and you’ll see a fast improvement. A diet of fresh milk and cheese (for those that can't tolerate cow's milk, try goat's milk - it's a bit easier on the digestion than cow's milk and has many health benefits), organic meats and vegetables coming straight from the garden or Farmer's Market will do wonders for your digestion and weight. 

4.       Save a half an hour for mental rest

In the modern era in which we live, a number of people gain weight because of stress and lack of sleep. If you think your team’s debacle is worth your eaten nails – think again. You will not be rewarded for worrying, but your stomach and nerves will never forget all those hours you spent eating your heart out. Take some time off here and there, and allow yourself at least half an hour of peace and quiet every day – you will feel much better.

5.       Drink more tea

Teas are  real miracle workers for your health – nettle, mint, marigold, cranberry, aronia (kind of chokeberry), they all taste good and have great benefits as well. Mix them with raw honey and a teaspoon of propolis, and you will boost your immune system in no time!

It is fascinating just how some of these forgotten or lesser known plants can be easily rediscovered. Another great example is nigella sativa, also known as black cumin. This magnificent plant is under research for its healing potential to fight cancer or metabolic syndrome. Perhaps, the future of modern medicine can be found all around us - in nature. Make plants a significant part of your life and forget about illnesses!

These simple changes are just some of the ways that you can still enjoy all the things you like, be in great shape and stay healthy. :-)


About the Author:

Daniel Rogers, a freelance writer originally from Poland, feels inspired while thinking about ways to enrich his life with healthy habits. He has been writing short stories as long as he can remember. Recently, he has decided to redirect his passion into a job and he didn't regret it. If you find his pieces interesting you can follow him on Facebook.

Maple Holistics Shampoo & Conditioner Review + A Give Away! ~CLOSED~

Trying to find a natural shampoo and conditioner that not only works well for my color treated hair, but that is also affordable has more often than not proven to be quite a challenge. Usually the ones that work best are way out of my price range and the ones I can afford leave my hair feeling dry or greasy. Overall, it's been frustrating to say the least!

When Maple Holistics reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying out some of their products, I happily agreed.

*PR Samples. Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

Maple Holistics has one goal in mind - to provide natural, high quality products that will enhance hygiene, health and daily living. They develop and manufacture all of their own products, utilizing a holistic approach to ensure each and every product delivers the most therapeutic benefits.

All of their products are made in the US, are cruelty free, Paraben free, and vegan friendly. Their shampoos and conditioners are Sulfate and Silicone free and are safe for color treated hair.

I was sent their Winter Blend Shampoo and Conditioner to try and here are my thoughts:

1) Winter Blend Shampoo - Even though this was created for the Winter season, this shampoo will work wonders all year round. Containing five different mint varieties including Wild Mint, Bergamot Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint and Eucalyptus Mint, as well as Botanical Keratin and Jojoba Oil, this shampoo will leave your scalp feeling cool and refreshed and your hair soft and shiny. I found that I only needed a small amount of product - maybe a quarter size - and this lathered up really well. And it rinses clean without leaving my hair feeling dry. My hair smelled minty fresh and stayed clean for days before I needed to wash again (I generally go 2-3 days, but with this can stretch it to 4)!

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

2) Winter Blend Conditioner - Combining 18 different silk amino acids, as well as the same mint blend as the shampoo, this silky, rich conditioner keeps hair soft and tangle free without leaving a greasy film that some moisturizing conditioners can leave. Like the shampoo, I only needed a small amount for my long hair to achieve super conditioned locks! Again, the scent is pleasing, uplifting and lasting!

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

I would definitely repurchase these when I run out and would love to try some of their other shampoos and conditioners as well!

You can purchase both here on their Amazon store.

Maple Holistics is also hosting a #summerofgiveaways campaign and will be giving away a set of their Argan Oil Shampoo and Silk 18 Conditioner to one lucky winner! To enter, just follow the instructions below. Winner will be announced on August 17th. Contest is open internationally. Good luck to all who enter! :-D


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xx


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****Congrats to Danielle Floyd for being selected as the winner of this giveaway! And thank you to all who entered!!*******


*Products were sent to me for review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own

PiperWai Deodorant - My New Favorite Natural Deodorant!

Since switching to natural deodorants, I've had a somewhat hard time finding one that truly holds up, that doesn't stain my underarms or my clothes, doesn't smell weird and above all, doesn't leave me a sweaty, smelly mess when it's hot/humid out or after working out.

Enter PiperWai Natural Deodorant! What makes this deodorant different than others I have tried is that it is the first creme deodorant to use Activated Charcoal, which absorbs 1,000x its weight in moisture, ensuring there will be no more sweat stains on your clothes! WOOT! It also contains ph-balancing Magnesium Hydroxide (aka Milk of Magnesia) as well as anti-microbial essential oils to help keep odor causing bacteria at bay. If that's not enough to just make you swoon over this, then how about skin conditioning ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and pure Vitamin E oil?

*PR Sample. Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

 So, how did this "miracle stink stopper in a jar" come to be? Here's the 411...

After having had enough of toxic conventional deodorants, co-founder Jess decided to create her own. Once she finally decided on a formula she liked, she had her life long friend and co-founder Sarah test it out. Using humid South America as a testing place, they found that this deodorant held up like a champ! Thus, PiperWai was born!

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

My experience with PiperWai:

I started using this deodorant right when the Summer weather shifted from cool and rainy to hot, humid and 90 degrees (gotta love good old Western NY!). The first thing I noticed was the clean, fresh scent. The second thing I noticed was how moisturizing it was when I applied it and that it rubbed in clear despite the dark grey color. It also did not irritate my skin, even after shaving!

Finally, and happily, I noticed that I still smelled fresh at the end of the day and even into the next morning - even after working out! Also, my underarms and my clothes stayed dry no matter how bad the heat!

I'm so excited to have finally found a natural deodorant that works as well, if not better, as the toxic conventional brands!

Price - $11.99
Ingredients - Cassava (Tapioca) Starch, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Magnesium Hydroxide, Butryospermum parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Rosewater, Witch Hazel, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Sodium Bicarbonate, Activated Carbon (Charcoal), Proprietary Blend of 11 Essential Oils

You can purchase PiperWai Deodorant here. 



Have you ever tried PiperWai Deodorant? What are your thoughts? Let me know below!


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Product was generously sent to me for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
**Post contains Affiliate Links

Flower Power - Siddha Flower Essences Review + A Giveaway! ~CLOSED~

I've mentioned a few times that I have been dealing with some health problems (and I hope to do a full post on that at some time in the future), so I am always looking for and researching natural ways to alleviate whatever is ailing me. Even if I was all for modern medical remedies, I'm one of those people who just reacts badly for the most part to chemical drugs. So, to avoid experiencing worse issues from medicine side effects, I prefer to go the holistic route.

When Siddha Flower Essences contacted me to try out some of their products, and after browsing their website, I was only too happy to oblige! These homeopathic remedies are energy based and work to balance out your body's natural electromagnetic fields so that your nervous system can operate more efficiently which will help you to experience better overall wellness. To get the more "science-y" explanation, go here.

*PR Samples. Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

Siddha Product Philosophy:

"According to Chinese Medicine, there are both internal and external causes of disease. The external causes include: trauma, infection, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle choices, a harsh working or living environment to name a few.

We also have internal causes of disease and it is said that when it comes to maintaining your longevity, addressing the internal factors is even more important than addressing the external factors.  In this context, longevity is not how long you live…it is how long you maintain your youthfulness.

The internal causes of disease are sometimes know as the 5 Thieves because they rob us of our energy and our youth.  These 5 Thieves are: anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, and over-stimulation. Included are all of the variations of these five which means any afflictive emotion that accumulates within the nervous system and degrades organ function over time.

Siddha Flower Essences are here to help you resolve the internal causes of disease. This is how flower essences and homeopathics work. By resolving stress in the nervous system the body has a better change to heal itself on all levels."

Since anxiety, stress, and sadness/depression are issues I deal with constantly, it's easy to see why I was so interested in trying these products out!

Here is what I selected to try:

1) Muscles & Joints - Originally developed for martial arts to enhance athletic flow, this remedy is the one that I use the most and have noticed the most benefit from. I struggle continually with back issues and now that I am making more of an effort to work out and be more active, this has been my constant companion to ease any muscle pain. I also like to use this when I am sitting at my computer for long periods to alleviate any stiffness. Since this product wakes up the body's "inner doctor" and encourages movement, it is stressed that this is not to be taken if you live a sedentary lifestyle, as doing so can cause the body minor anxiety. This can be used internally as well as externally.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

•  Pains in back or extremities

•  Inflammation of joints

•  Swelling around tendons and joints

•  Pain in limbs

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Comfrey*, Dandelion*, Four Leaf Clover*, Natural Flavor, Pear*, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Red Ginger*, Rose of Sharon*, Scarlet Fritillary*, Sour Grass*, Strawberry*

*flower essence

2) Emotional Detox - Everyone has those days when you just wish you could hit the "reset" button and recharge yourself. This is the perfect product to help your body do that. To be taken before bed, this helps to "erase" the emotional charge of the previous day and help you wake up feeling more refreshed and less stressed. This contains California Poppy, which is a natural sleep aid and helps to reduce stress and anxiety and won't cause dependency. This was another favorite and one I will probably repurchase once I run out!

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

• Melancholy

• Irritability

• Lethargy

• Mental fatigue

• Worry

• Physical, mental or emotional shock

Price - $21.95

Active Ingredients - see here

Inactive Ingredients - Avocado*, California Poppy*, Cedar*, Cereus Jusberti*, Dutchman’s Breeches*, Figwort*, Flame of the Forest*, Garlic*, Jacob’s Ladder*, Lily of the Valley*, Natural Flavor, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Swamp Onion*, Wintergreen*

* flower essence

3) Heart - Created for heavy intellectuals who are "too much in their head and not enough in their heart", this product helps to bring balance to the heart, and create a sense of relaxation and openness in the mind. This has been helping me deal with some anxiety and heartache over the past few weeks.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

• Anxiety in heart

• Indecision

• Melancholy

• Uncertainty about ambitions

• Soft pulse

• Weakness of will

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Bleeding Heart*, Milkmaids*, Natural Flavor, Phlox*, Pink Powder Puff*, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Quinoa*, Rhubarb*, Rosa Castilian*, Rosa Macrophylla*, Rosa Primula*, Silversword*, Washington Lily*, Yellow Star Thistle*

*flower essence

4) Youthful Skin - One of the annoying things plaguing me lately has been a hormone imbalance (thankfully not menopause related..hopefully I won't be dealing with that for awhile!), and my poor skin has been taking a beating because of it! With ingredients like Calendula, Aloe Vera and Jojoba, Youthful Skin is a wonderful remedy that helps to speed the healing of any breakouts and soothe any itching or irritation. I love to use this as my morning facial mist and throughout the day as needed.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

•  Unhealthy looking skin

•  Mild acne and pimples

•  Dry skin

•  Scars

•  Itchy skin

•  Eczema

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Purified and Structured Water, Natural Flavor, Polylysine, Aloe Eru*, Aloe Vera*, Cacao*, Calendula*, Comfrey*, Dandelion*, Fireweed*, Horsetail*, Jojoba*, Lotus*, Luffa*, Orange*, Petunia*, Spice Bush*, Sunflower*, Sycamore*


For some tips on how to achieve the best results from Siddha's products, go here. 

Now, for the best part! Siddha Flower Essences would like to give away 3 products to one lucky reader! All you have to do to enter is to list in the comments section below which 3 products you would like to try and why. A winner will be chosen randomly on August 14th. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck! :-)

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were generously provided for a review, as usual, all thoughts, experiences, opinions are my own.

Pure Daily Essentials Review

Pure Daily Essentials is a small, home-based business located in Langley, British Columbia that is dedicated to providing all natural skincare products using ethical ingredients.

All of their products are hand made in small batches and are made fresh to order. They are free from toxic chemicals, parabens and other "nasties", are eco-friendly and are cruelty free.

I was first made aware of this little Canadian gem, from fellow green blogger, Stephanie Edmonds of She's So Eco, and after reading up on them, I knew I had to feature them on my blog!

*PR Samples

Here is what I tried:

1) Lather Bar "Patchouli" - While I am not a fan at all of the scent of Patchouli, I am a fan of what it does for my skin - Patchouli essential oil is one of the best for soothing and nourishing dry or damaged skin. This soap produces a creamy lather that rinses completely clean, while leaving your skin oh so soft and supple afterwards. The scent is subtle and doesn't linger for very long either, which I was pretty happy about!

Price - $6.95
Ingredients - *Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, *Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aqua, Sodium Hydroxide, *Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, *Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil *Certified Organic


2) Anti-Odor Bar "Lemongrass" - I've tried many natural deodorants, and though this one is quite good, I found that the more hot and humid the weather, the stronger of a formula I need in order to stay "stink free". Sadly, this just didn't hold up for me. That being said, this is still a great non-toxic option to try. I am going to try this again once the weather cools down a bit to see how it works for me. Who knows, this may end up being my go-to Fall/Winter deodorant! What I really am loving about this is the bright citrus-y fragrance to this deodorant and the way it goes on smoothly, leaving my underarms feeling very moisturized!

Price - $14.95
Ingredients - Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract, Cera alba (Beeswax), Cymbopogon citrates (Lemongrass) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract. 


3) Ageless Eyes - This rich, ultra hydrating eye cream was my favorite of the products I tried! With nourishing ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cocoa Seed Butter and Castor Oil, your under eyes will feel so pampered! Since it is so rich, I have been only using this at night, and waking up to refreshed looking, even less lined peepers! Love this! :-)

Price - $30.95
Ingredients - Aqua, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Cera alba (Beeswax), Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, mel mellis (Honey), Ricinus communis (Caster) seed oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) oil, Cymbopogon martinii var motia (Palmarosa) oil, Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil, Santalum album (Sandalwood) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Glycerin, Sodium borate, Xanthan gum, d-alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E). 


All in all, I was quite impressed with this brand, and would love to try more of their products in the future!

Have you tried anything from Pure Daily Essentials? If you have, what are your favorite products? Let me know!


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were generously sent for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Guest Post: Argan Oil Benefits For Skin, Hair & Body!

Hey loves! So, it's been a while since I had a guest post appear on my blog, and today I am happy to have this little gem written by Australian author, Amy Mia Goldsmith to share with you! You can check out more of her work here!

This post is all about one of my fave oils, and the many ways you can use it!

So, without further ado, let's talk Argan Oil!


Guest Post: Argan Oil Benefits for Skin, Hair & Body!

Keeping your skin youthful, fresh and smooth and your hair healthy and strong is essential when looking to achieve a well-kempt look. Still, industrial creams and lotions usually contain harmful ingredients and can often do more harm than good to your hair and skin in the long run. For adequate skin, hair and body nourishment, try Argan oil: extracted from Argan tree kernels, this fragrant liquid is rich in vitamins A and E and linoleic and Omega-6 fatty acids crucial for skin and hair growth, strong structure and healthy look. Here’s a short list of Argan oil benefits, so if you’re not already using it, you’d better start ASAP! ;-)

1. Argan oil as skin moisturizer

Thanks to the beneficial properties of its superior nutrients, argan oil is probably the best organic moisturizer available on the skincare market. Easy to absorb and 100% non-irritating even when applied to the eye area, Argan oil will provide all fatty acids, vitamin E and other critical nutrients your skin needs to stay smooth, soft and well hydrated. Gently rub a few drops of Argan oil onto your face, neck and the rest of the body and let your skin soak it in.

2. Argan oil as hair conditioner

Well-known among hair stylists for its outstanding benefits, argan oil will make your mane silkier and shinier. When used as a hair conditioner, Argan oil can remedy split ends and coarse hair, so your hair will stay attractive and healthy longer than with most regular artificial conditioners and balsams. On top of that, Argan oil can also be used as a leave-in hair styling agent to improve the look and condition of dry, fly-away or frizzy hair – simply pour a few drops onto your palm, rub your hands and comb your hair with the fingers to add an extra dash of shine.

3. Argan oil anti-aging and wrinkle removal properties

In addition to its moisturizing properties, Argan oil is also an extremely efficient remedy for wrinkles and aging-related skin conditions. Due to the rich antioxidant content, Argan oil helps boost elasticity and volume of the skin and eliminate wrinkles in your facial area. When using the oil as an anti-aging product, apply a couple of drops to your neck and face and rub them in gently before bedtime.

4. Argan oil as lip balm and moisturizer

When exposed to extremely hot, dry or cold air, lips can get cracked, sore and dehydrated. That’s where Argan oil can come in handy: an organic skin care product that will make sure your lips stay soft, silky and plump, Argan oil will soak in fast upon application and unlike most lip balms, it’ll leave no greasy or cakey residue. Simply tap a drop or two of Argan oil onto your lips, remove excess oil and get ready for the supplest kisses ever!

5. Argan oil as remedy for dry skin and scalp

If you’re prone to dry, itchy or flaky patches on your skin and scalp, Argan oil will provide adequate hydration and accelerate healing of damaged skin. Thanks to vitamin E, antioxidants and Omega-6 fatty acids, this versatile oil helps soothe irritation, minimize inflammation and prompt healing of cracked, flaky or sore skin. To accelerate healing and eliminate dryness of the skin, apply small quantities of Argan oil to the problematic areas and massage gently.

If you want one skincare product that has it all, look no further than Argan oil. Soothing, moisturizing and 100% organic, Argan oil is a one-stop solution to a range of skin, hair and scalp conditions so make sure you get a bottle ASAP! 

About the Author

Amy Mia Goldsmith is an Aussie literature student who loves to read and has been writing novels and short stories as long as she can remember. Amy is a regular contributor at High Style Life. She is currently studying and working in a bookstore. Her passion is beauty and organic makeup and she loves to spend her free time hiking and of course – make up shopping! You can contact Amy on her Facebook page.

How do you like to use Argan Oil? Any ways different than what Amy mentioned? What are your favorite brands of Argan Oil? Let me know! 

Thank you again to Amy for being so kind to contribute to my blog! :-) xx

Peace & Love,

Sabrina xo

The Choosy Chick Is Just Awesome! Plus Get a Gift Card With Dr. Alkaitis!

By now, I'm pretty sure most of you have either heard of, shopped at or reviewed products from The Choosy Chick website.

If you haven't heard of them or done any of the above, allow me to introduce you! :-)

"The Choosy Chick was created out of a personal quest to find safe and effective health and beauty care products. Like many of you, we were shocked to learn that the products we had been using everyday on ourselves and children contained ingredients considered to be harmful."

Founded by Margot White and her husband Joe, The Choosy Chick is an amazing "one stop shop" that focuses on safe and effective beauty products. Margot and Joe are dedicated to educating consumers on how to make the most informed decisions on what products and ingredients are harmful to them and their families and which ones are not. Learn more about them here. 

Since I always strive to find and use the cleanest, most eco-friendly products I can, it's no surprise that when Margot contacted me to see if I wanted to try some of their products that I was only too happy to oblige! 

Here are the goodies I received:

*PR Samples

1) Acure Argan Cell Stimulating Body Wash - (sample) - I've been a fan of everything I have tried from Acure, and this body wash is no exception. As moisturizing as it is cleansing, this body wash was a true delight to use. The scent was pleasant and uplifting and my skin felt baby soft after showering. The sample only lasted me for a couple of showers, so I definitely think I may need to get the full size soon! $9.99

2) 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream - (sample) - I absolutely love this eye cream! It has a thick, rich texture that is ultra hydrating, without feeling greasy. I only needed the teeniest amount, but my under eye area was immediately looking smoother and brighter. With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients, this eye cream is a real treat for your peepers! $21

3) Graham Gardens Soaps in Peppermint Cream & Lemongrass - (samples) - Both smelled delicious (peppermint with hints of vanilla and citrus-y lemongrass) and moisturized well. Being samples, they don't really last that long, but what use I got out of them, I was impressed. Made using a time honored cold process soap making method and utilizing natural oils that are pure, as well as healing, these soaps are a true skin treat. And for $5, it's definitely worth checking out the full size! 

4) Evolvh Shampoo & Conditioner - (travel size) - I've tried a dozen or so different natural hair brands in the hopes of finding one that works with my long, thick, color treated hair. I think at long last my search may be at an end! I am in love with this shampoo and conditioner! From the sexy, musky-floral-y scent to the rich, moisturizing lather to the silky, detangling conditioner, I loved every little thing! My hair felt clean and hydrated and with only needing a very little amount to get the job done, my hair actually stayed clean and smelled beautiful for 3-4 days after washing! $23.99-$24.99

5) Badger Spf 30 Tinted Sunscreen - (full size) - I recently included this in a post on my current favorite Summer products (read it here), and I am still liking this. It offers a little bit of color with not a lot of coverage and lasts all day. I will say that I probably need a more matte formulation for my oily skin, especially on really humid days. That being said, this is still a really great tinted spf moisturizer with extremely clean ingredients and it makes me want to try out more of Badger's products. $15.99

6) 100% Pure Healthy Skin Foundation - (full size) - This was another product I featured in my Summer faves post (see here) and since then I have gotten to know it a bit better. I was sent the shade "White Peach" which is suitable for light complexions with more yellow/neutral undertones. Although I have a balance of both pink and yellow in my skin, this shade works really well for me. It is also really great for oily complexions as it dries to a powdery matte finish. It offers more of a medium coverage, so concealer and powder may be needed if you have anything you don't want to show through. Also, the coverage is buildable, so use less than you think you may need or you can end up with a cakey, masky mess (as I learned the hard way)! I definitely need to get myself a Beauty Blender STAT! Overall, I really like how this foundation is working for me and I definitely recommend it to my fellow oily skinned gals out there! $35

7) Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream - (sample) - This is my very first time trying a product by Josh Rosebrook so I was super excited to see this in my box of goodies (ok, so I did a happy dance around my kitchen) and I was definitely not disappointed! This is both a moisturizer and an spf, though I had to remind myself that this was a sunscreen product as it was so light, and absorbed so quickly without any greasiness or white cast whatsoever! Other things to love about this is that it contains non-nano zinc oxide as well as organic, skin beautifying plant ingredients!  I am definitely hooked!! $85


Now for a special deal going on right now...

Special Offer!  Spend $75.00 on any Dr. Alkaitis product or combination of products and get a Choosy Chick Gift Card valued at $20.00!  All gift cards are emailed to customers upon order fulfillment and may be applied to future orders at The Choosy Chick.   No code needed; offer will be presented at checkout.  Gift cards may also be passed on to someone else if desired via print or email.  No expiration dates on gift cards.  Available while supplies last.  Not to be combined with any other offer or promotional code.

Photo Courtesy of The Choosy Chick

If you've never tried any products from Dr. Alkaitis, but have wanted to, now is your chance! This was one of the brands I used faithfully when I first switched to green beauty and it is still one of my favorites (love, love, love the Soothing Gel)! :-)

Have you checked out The Choosy Chick yet? What brands/products would you love to try?

The Choosy Chick ships worldwide, and they offer free shipping in the US on orders over $75.00 and Free Shipping to Canada on orders over $150.00.

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo


*Post contains affiliate links

*Products were generously sent to me for review - all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Saving Face With Enessa Organic Skincare Part 2!

Hey guys! So, a few posts back I shared with you my experience using some products from Enessa Organic Skincare (read post here), and today I want to share a few more that I have since tried!

Since my last post, my skin has calmed down quite a bit (knock on wood!), and I think part of the reason is using the right ingredients and the right skincare.

The very kind and lovely, Michelle Ornstein from Enessa, graciously sent me a few more of her amazing products to try out and today I want to share my thoughts on them!

Let's dive right in to the goods, shall we?

1) Moringa Balance Elixir - This is probably one of the best oil blends I have ever put on my face! What makes it so special is the use of Moringa Seed Oil - a nutrient rich oil high in free radical fighting antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamins A & C. It also penetrates deeply into skin without leaving a greasy residue, which I love. In addition to the Moringa Oil, this also contains Golden Jojoba, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Black Cumin and Tamanu (a personal fave!) to round out its nourishing and healing benefits. This elixir leaves my skin so soft, and feeling so pampered, I seriously want a vat of it to bathe in! I also noticed my skin looking a bit brighter and less red in the mornings! Woot!

Price - $59.95 for 1oz
Ingredients -  Moringa Oil**, Golden Jojoba*, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Tamanu Oil*, Non-GMO Vitamin E, Proprietary blend of Essential Oils.
*Certified Organic, **Organically grown

2) Seaweed Nourishing Gel Cypress - This light gel moisturizer hydrates as well as a cream, but without the heavy feel on your skin. It contains cell regenerating Tamanu Oil, Soothing Oat Beta Glucan and antibacterial and antiseptic essential oils like Neem, Lavender and Cajeput. This is a perfect moisturizer for oily skin, as well as for the Summer, as it is light, yet nourishing and won't break you out! Definitely one of my new favorite moisturizers...ever!

Price - $44.95 for 1.75oz
Ingredients - Aloe Vera Juice*, Golden Jojoba*, Tamanu Oil*, Rosehip Oil*, Avocado Oil*, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Vegetable Glycerin*, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Kelp Extract, Rosemary CO2 Extract*, Sodium Levulinate, Olive Leaf Extract*, Green Tea Extract*, Coconut Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sclerotium Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Panthenol, Sodium Anisate, Oat Beta Glucan, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Non-GMO Vitamin E, Proprietary blend of essential oils.
*Certified Organic ** Wild Harvested

3) Rescue Blemish Control - Whereas the "Clove Acne Control" serum is perfect for getting rid of painful cystic acne (read more here), the "Rescue Blemish Control" is great for taking care of acne that has made its way above the surface of the skin. It is a very potent blend of antibacterial essential oils such as Tea Tree, Manuka, Lavender, Neem and Cajeput to name a few, and can also be used on insect bites, skin warts and skin tags. I found this to be slightly more drying than the Clove oil, probably due to the essential oils used, but I did not experience any irritation or excessive dryness. I did notice that any small blemishes I had seemed to disappear overnight when I used this!

Price - $38.95 for 1/2 oz
Ingredients - Certified Golden Jojoba, Neem Oil, Essential oils of Tee Tree,Manuka, Cajeput, Organic Lavender, Juniper, Organic Eucalyptus, Cypress, and others.



Have you tried anything by Enessa Organic Skincare yet? What are your favorites? Let me know!


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were generously sent to me for a review, however, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Sun Love With Block Island Organics!

If you've been following my blog, you know what a sunscreen fanatic I am! Rain or shine, indoors or out, you can be sure I am wearing some form of spf!

Since the Summer season brings sunscreen out front and center, and since I am always on the hunt for different natural sunscreen products, I was beyond thrilled when Block Island Organics contacted me to review their product!

What I love about this brand is that they are dedicated to not only creating safe and effective products, but also to educating consumers as well as being completely transparent with their ingredients. You can learn more here.

What I tried:

Sunscreen, Shades and a Non-GMO Beer - perfect companions on a hot Summer day! ;-)

Natural Mineral Sunscreen Spf 30 - There are always certain things that I look for in a sunscreen. It has to be lightweight, non-greasy, leave no white cast, go on easily and absorb quickly, be cruelty free, eco-friendly and of course contain zero harmful ingredients that can break me out! I know that seems like a tall order, and I'm not always successful in finding a product that meets all of my criteria, but I think I may have in this product!

Though the texture may seem a bit on the thick side at first, it really does feel light on the skin when applied. It blends easily and absorbs quickly, leaving a nice, matte finish, so it is a perfect primer for my oily skin! It contains Zinc Oxide as the UV filter, which also has antibacterial properties, making it great for acne prone skin. Other skin loving ingredients include Aloe Vera Gel, Shea Butter, Glycerin and Jojoba Oil.

Other reasons to love this:

• HEALTHY - Organic and natural ingredients - zinc only (safest & best UV filter)


• EFFECTIVE - SPF 30 & broad spectrum protection decreases the risk of skin cancer & aging


• SAFE - Gluten & nano free, vegan formula, eco-friendly (no ingredients shown to harm reefs)


• EASY APPLICATION - Ultra lightweight and non-greasy formula, can be worn under makeup


• TRUST - No parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, dyes, fragrance. Made in USA

Price - $19.99 for 100ml

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 22%. 

Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera Gel) Juice*, Aqua (Deionized Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Gluconolactone, Glycerin*, Lecithin*, Octyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Zemea Propanediol. (*Certified Organic)

*Learn more about their ingredients here.



Have you tried Block Island Organics Sunscreen? What are some of your favorite sun products to use in the Summer? Let me know below! 

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Product was generously sent to me for review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Current Favorite Summer Make-Up Essentials!

Hey loves! I don't know about you, but I'm super excited it's Summer! Even though my favorite season will always be Autumn, I still look forward to this time of year!

One of the things I really look forward to about the warm weather months, besides finally being able to break out my sundresses, shorts and sandals (and also not having to wear a coat or jacket everyday), and all the delish recipes this time of year inspires, is wearing lighter and sometimes brighter make-up colors. It all depends on my mood and of course how my skin is behaving at the time (don't want to be dealing with clogged pores and nasty break outs!).

Today, I want to share some of my current favorites - some I have used for years (Jane Iredale) and some I have only used for a very short while (Badger, 100% Pure), but I love them all the same! And so far, no skin issues from using any of these! :-D

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

1) Gabriel Cosmetics "Bungalow Lip Gloss" - The perfect bright pink lip gloss! Highly pigmented so a little goes a very long way! I usually add a shimmery gloss over this as it is more of a matte texture.

2) Badger Tinted Sunscreen in SPF 30 - I've only used this a few times, but so far my skin has not had any issues. Full review to come soon.

3) Jane Iredale Pressed Base -  Jane Iredale was the first natural make-up I used when I switched over to green beauty 8 years ago . I love the clean ingredients, the coverage (this covers everything for me!), the color match (Amber is my perfect shade) and the fact that it lasts forever and doesn't ever break me out!

4) Zuzu Luxe Color Correcting Primer (Anti-Redness) - I love to use this on days when my skin is looking particularly red and blotchy. A little bit blended out with a beauty blender and no more red! This also smooths out the skin and of course, the ingredients are clean and don't break me out!

5) Delizioso Tara Adorned Blushing Mousse - This lovely pink blush can be used on lips as well as cheeks, is made with nourishing and healthy ingredients, like Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil and Argan Oil to name a few and the vanilla scent is beyond delish!

6) Ecobrow in "Penelope" - If you're looking for a cleaner, more eco-friendly dupe of Anastasia Beverly Hills "Dipbrow", this is your product! Paraben free, 100% natural, mineral based color that lasts all day! For someone like me whose brows are not only sparse and thin, but uneven as well, this has been my eyebrow saving grace!

7) Dermaviduals Cover & Conceal - This is a product I use even on days when I don't wear any other make-up. It contains mineral pigments and a slew of ingredients perfect for healing acne, such as Bisabolol (an anti-inflammatory) and zinc oxide (which is antiseptic) as well as Jojoba Oil. The olive green shade neutralizes any redness perfectly.

8) Gabriel Cosmetics Mascara in "Jet Black" - I never thought I would find a mascara that I like better than my beloved Organic Wear, but this one is my new go-to. My lashes have never looked longer, there is no caking or flaking and the mascara lasts without streaking down my face by the end of the day! I've also noticed that my lashes don't fall out like they used to...not sure if this mascara has helped with that or something in my diet..but hey, not complaining!

9) Delizioso Tara California Bronzing Mousse - This lovely creme bronzer smells like vanilla cake batter, is a gorgeous, highly pigmented golden bronze color, blends beautifully and can be used on cheeks, lips and eyes. This is one of my favorite multi-tasking products!

10) Dermaviduals Tinted Day Cream - My absolute favorite tinted moisturizer..ever! There's soooo much to say about this product, and I plan on doing a full review of this brand in the future, but for now, let me just say that this offers the best coverage of any product I've yet tried, matches my skin so well it's hard to tell I am even wearing make-up and contains lots of wonderful ingredients like Castor Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides and even Peptides for some anti-aging benefits and lasts all day, even in the worst humidity! Love, love, love this! :-) <3

11) 100% Pure Healthy Skin Foundation in "White Peach" - This is my first foray into using their make-up and so far I am pretty impressed! I love that this foundation not only delivers a matte finish, but the color matches my skin extremely well (something that has proven time and again to be a challenge). I've only used this a few times, so I can't really say yet how my skin likes it, but so far so good!

12) Kari Gran Tinted Lip Whip - I love this for days when I just want a touch of  color. See full review here.

13) Coola Suncare SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint - I love to use this as my primer with spf. It doesn't provide a lot of coverage so I still need to wear a liquid or powder foundation over it. See full review here.

What are your current Summer make-up essentials? Anything on this list catching your eye? Let me know below!

Peace & Love,

Sabrina xo



*Post contains affiliate links

Getting My Fitness & Nutrition Groove On With The Skinny Confidential's Bombshell Body Guide!

Hey loves! So, one of the things I have been trying to make more of an effort doing lately is to exercise more regularly and to be more mindful of what I'm eating - not always easy for either (thanks to back issues and intense hormonal cravings), but once I set my mind to do something, I'm not easily deterred!

I'll be honest, I've tried other fitness and nutrition guides over the years, some were meh and one I loved, but almost all of the exercises were just not a good fit for my back issues and the recipes on some of the plans were either boring, extremely restrictive or required lots of crazy and expensive ingredients that I just didn't want to be bothered with! I don't want to diet, I want a healthier lifestyle!

Enter the TSC Bombshell Body Guide!

Created by one of my favorite bloggers ever, Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential and fitness and health guru Jamie McFadden, this guide seems like it was designed for people like me - busy, dealing with injury or chronic pain, not wanting to spend lots of time prepping or cooking meals, but still wants results while enjoying yummy foods!

The guide is a 28 week fitness and nutrition program that consists of 27 minute workouts that you do 3 days a week and includes some of the most amazing, easy to make, addictively delish recipes you'll ever find (obsessed with the chia seed jam)!

I'll admit, I was a bit nervous about the exercise portion, especially since I was taking this on right when my back had gone out in the worst possible way! BUT, I braved it anyways as soon as I was able to stay off the couch. I focused on the exercises I knew I could do (lunges, planks, arms) and before I knew it, I was able to do more! This is a big freaking deal for me! Just when I thought I was going to have to pack it in and give up, I dug in my heels and kept going..and found myself getting stronger! Which of course, made me want to keep doing them and trying more of the exercises!

The best part, is that you don't need fancy equipment, just two 3-5 pound weights and a bench or a chair, so you can do these exercises in your living room while you are watching tv! I love that Lauryn's instructions for the exercises are so easy to follow that even if you have never exercised in your life, you can pick these up right quick! They're also effective and I mean you see results faaaasssst! I also love that you only need to do them for 27 minutes, 3 days a week - so even if you are uber busy, there is still time enough to do them..I mean come on, it's the amount of time it takes to watch a sitcom!

As for the nutrition portion, what I love is that I really didn't need to modify my eating habits much at all. Like Lauryn, I try and eat as clean as possible, opting for organic, whole foods over processed garbage. Of course, I do still like my glass of wine with dinner, chips and salsa to snack on and dark chocolate for dessert and on this plan, you can have that..in moderation. It's about balance, not deprivation, which is what I want! There's also a 7 day meal plan, a 3 day juice cleanse, and a weekly food journal, meal and calorie tracker as well as a grocery list you can print out to help make things even easier! And don't worry if you don't see many recipes geared towards vegetarians or vegans, these recipes can easily be adjusted to suit those preferences!

Another plus of this plan is that it is affordable! You can get all the deets here.

And it's completely downloadable too, so you can take it with you and do it where ever you go! :-)

I can't stress enough how much the TSC Bombshell Body Guide has helped me - I've struggled with chronic pain from back issues for ever and am currently dealing with some other nasty health problems, so I haven't really lost much weight (if at all, though I have lost some inches..yay!), but I feel myself getting stronger, having less pain, and recovering quicker and for me that is enough to jump for joy over! You definitely need to check this out! Like STAT! :-)

Make sure to check out Lauryn's awesome blog, and you can follow her here:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

How do you get your fitness groove on? Any favorite healthy recipes you'd like to share? Sound off below! 


Peace & Love,

Sabrina xo



*Plan was sent to me to test and review, all thoughts, opinions and experience are 100% my own. Post contains affiliate links.