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Is Your Skincare Toxic? What About Natural Alterneratives?

by Low Fat Vegan Chef Veronica on June 18, 2013

Is Your Skincare Toxic?

 

When it’s hot in the summer, The LAST thing you want in this kind
of heat is some sticky sweaty moisturizer melting off your face and
irritating your skin. But you also want to protect it by staying out
of direct sunlight for long periods of time to prevent burning.

Luckily for me, I have some AMAZING skin care products to treat my
skin while dealing with this heat after coming from the dry dry
climate of the Rocky Mountains where the humidity level is next
to nothing. Frequent climate changes can wreak havoc on your skin
when going from humid to dry weather all the time.

I have grown up in the dry climate of Calgary, AB where all of the
moisture seems to have been sucked dry from the air. My skin has
always tended to be dry and flakey in this climate and feel rather
uncomfortable. Going without chapstick for a day is just not possible
either in that climate.

I’m sure I’m not alone here in my quest to find the best skin care
products to protect, hydrate and improve my skin tone. I have bought
and tried almost every product line of cleansers, moisturizers, toners,
scrubs, masks etc. And what did I get from this? The same results.
Often dry, irritated itchy skin with a huge pile of bottles and
containers filling up my bathroom drawers and medicine cabinets.

Most products are a total WASTE of money. And what’s more
they’re actually very TOXIC to you as well.Your skin is your
body’s largest organ and it both absorbs and excretes water,
oils and toxins from your body and your environment. It’s why
hormone and nicotine patches work “so well” to deliver drugs
right to your blood stream. Many beauticians and companies
selling beauty products want to tell you that their products
are safe and that you cannot possibly absorb any of the chemicals
present in their products directly into your body.

But they are WRONG.

Dead WRONG.
I used to actually sell beauty products with an MLM named
brand company. It’s one of the biggest direct sales beauty
product companies in the world. You probably have an idea
who I’m talking about… “Think Pink” and you’ll be up
to speed.I noticed at first my skin seemed to not react to these
products and thought it was getting smoother and more
refined, but 6 months later I noticed that I seemed to be
REALLY allergic to something. Patches of skin began to
flake and turn red and peel, especially on my lips. So I
started looking at the ingredients of my products and I was
in shock at what I saw.

PETROLEUM as a main ingredient for my lip balm, hand cream
AND face cream. I was now certain that I was allergic to
this and it was definitely not something my body needed to
come in contact with.

I started googling some of my other beauty products and came
accross this website: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. What a
help this was! Now I could simply type in the brand and name
of my products and it would give me a break down of the
ingredients and how safe or toxic they were. You can also
search through all of their products to find which ones are
the safest and read customer reviews on them.

I immediately emailed my company’s head office to talk to
them about this shocking discovery, surely they should know
that most of their products were rating high on the toxicity
scale.

The answer I received really sealed my fate at this company.
“We know about that website and do not endorse its
findings. Skin care products are not absorbed into the skin
past the top layer and are therefore not toxic or dangerous
to use. I hope this helps.”

No it certainly did not help! Immediately after I decided to
quit the company, stop using all products, and send back my
unused inventory. I could not continue to sell products to
my family and customers that were irritating and toxic and
most likely HARMFUL to their health with continued daily
use.

So I began searching again at the health food store this
time, for new products to replace my old ones. But I kept
seeing the same kinds of chemicals on products being labeled
“natural” or “organic”. As far as I’m concerned if I
cannot understand an ingredient on a label I should not be
eating it or wearing it!

Dissappointed, I settled for some plain 100% shea butter and
a high thread count soft washcloth, which helped a little,
waiting for a product like to really stand out to me.

Top 12 Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo, Makeup and Skin Care Products

Then I met Annmarie Gianni in 2009, while at an Expo in
California along with her husband Kevin Gianni from the
Renegade Health Show. She had brought samples of a new skin
care line she was developing. She had me smell them at first
and asked what I thought. One smelled like honey and
coconut! Mmm. Then she smiled as said, “Guess what? It’s
actually edible too!”

Even Kevin, her husband started telling me how much he loved
using the facial scrub and daily moisturizer. He actually
enjoyed pampering his skin!

I asked her to tell me when these products would be
available for sale because I definitely wanted to purchase
the whole line.

Well, guess what? It’s all available now. For you, for me,
for your loved ones, for everyone!

I have tried Annmarie’s skin care and even tested it in
multiple climates. Whether I’m in hot tropical
climates or dry arrid climates like the mid west, these
products stand the test.

-They’re practically edible
-Great for all skin types
-Using small amounts goes a long way
-Have no hidden preservatives or toxins (they disclose every
ingredient, unlike most companies)
-Feel great
-And smell absolutely delicious

It’s hard for me to pick just one as my absolute favorite.
I love using the daily cleanser, the toning mist, the anti
aging serum, the facial scrub, the coconut body/face oil and
the honey coconut mask.

So my suggestion to you would be to just get it all! It will
seriously improve your skin and rekindle your love for
pampering yourself, all in a safe and natural way.

If the whole package is not for you, then I would at the
VERY least get the cleanser, toner, anti aging serum and the
honey coconut mask. You cannot miss out on that one. You
will love giving yourself facials every week. (and your
partner will love you for smelling so delicious all the time
too!)

Remember to go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to check out
your current skin care line to see just how “natural” it
is, and if you could be doing better.

To order Annmarie’s AMAZING Skin Care, click the image

below:

$10 Sample Kits with FREE shipping ANYWHERE in the world!

 

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10 Tips For Eating Out Raw At Restaurants

by Low Fat Vegan Chef Veronica on June 18, 2013

 
Depending where you live, you might be more or less able to continue your raw eating habits when dining out with friends and family.

Just because you are a raw foodist, it does not mean that you have to eat all of your meals alone or at home (unless you want to). Some people in your life might even be put off with the fact that you no longer socialize the way they do. Although you are living a healthier (and hopefully happier) life than some of your friends with unhealthy eating habits, there’s no reason to make an outcast of yourself.

Many times your friends and family just don’t understand, they think it’s too hard to stop eating the foods they grew up with and have come to love. They think what you are doing is hard work, unsatisfying, isolating etc.

Well, why not show them they are wrong? You’re still the same person, you just have a more informed view on food and health. So find a compromise and demystify these negative attitudes they have about raw food being “rabbit food” and “not people food”.

With vegan and vegetarian restaurants popping up all over the world, it’s no longer unheard of, and vegan diets are gaining ground.

Now, you might not have access to a raw food restaurant full of imitation SAD comfort food dishes, but here are some tips on how you can still socialize and eat out once in a while.

 

10 Tips for Eating Raw at a Regular Restaurant

 
1. Call the restaurant ahead of time to see if they can accommodate any special raw meal request, many restaurants have a large supply of vegetables and in season fruits. A larger restaurant or chain might accommodate you better as small vegan restaurants often have less produce and offer primarily cooked meat replacement dishes.

2. Find a restaurant that has an all you can eat salad bar or buffet style restaurant with a salad bar.

3. Order a fresh fruit smoothie or juice to start (if available), or bring your own in a travel container.

4. Let your waiter know of you dietary needs and ensure they understand what uncooked, and vegan food means.

5. Ask your waiter for suggestions of salads or appetizers on the menu that can be modified. Also ask about any cold soups available that are made with raw ingredients.

6. Bring your own low fat salad dressing. Restaurant dressings are riddled with preservatives and excitotoxins. The standard olive oil and balsamic vinegar might be ok once in a while, but know that any oil served in a clear glass container becomes rancid when exposed to light and is not very fresh.

7. Ask if the restaurant has fresh avocado or seeds for your salad, or bring your own.

8. Ask the waiter to talk to the kitchen to see what raw fruits and vegetables they have available and be creative to make a dish not on the menu. A lot of restaurants serve fruit cups for breakfast, so check if they have any left.

9. If your friends want to order an appetizer and you’d like to eat with them, bring your own raw hummus and ask the waiter to cut fresh carrot and cucumber slices for *chips* so everyone can try it.

10. If you’re feeling tempted by desserts at the end of your meal, bring some dates and have a few to satisfy your sweet tooth (if you haven’t eaten enough fruit before the meal).

If you have access to a raw food restaurant, or perhaps have some friends that are interested or used to this type of fare, here are some tips for eating out at a raw food restaurant and not compromising your taste buds or digestion.

10 Tips for Eating Out at a Gourmet Raw Food Restaurant:

 
1. Check out Happy Cow or yelp.com for restaurants in your area.

2. Look at the restaurant menu in advance (either in person or online) and analyze the menu for healthier options. Most raw restaurants base all entrees around oil and nuts and can be very hard to digest.

3. Order a fresh juice or smoothie to start (or several if they are tiny!).

4. Talk to the waiter to find out what dishes can be made without added oils or salt (if you’re concerned).

5. Order a salad or salad roll for an appetizer and don’t mix oils, nuts/seeds, or avocado in the same meal, choose 1 type of fat (for best digestion and low fat lifestyle).

6. Try to fill up mostly on fruit and salad before ordering a tempting dinner entree.

7. Look for dishes that contain vegetables or fruits for the base of the meal instead of flax crackers or nut breads. Or ask for a hummus or dip to come out with carrot and cucumber slices instead of the bread and crackers.

8. Plan ahead of time to use this meal as your higher fat meal to balance out your overall fat intake for the week. i.e Try having a no fat day the day before or after this treat day.

9. Share an entree item with a friend if you just want a taste and not the whole heavy meal.

10. Ideally, say no to dessert, (or at least no to the pie crust portion or nut “cheesecake”). Ask if they have raw sorbet or banana ice-cream instead for a healthier treat.

If you keep in mind your overall health goals and observe your energy and digestion after having a higher fat meal or treat you will be better in tune with your body’s needs. Maybe you have no problem digesting raw gourmet meals, maybe only once in a while. Try to give your body a break after these days and stick to fruit meals, juices and smoothies to get enough hydration and fiber back into your body after a dehydrated gourmet treat.

You can eat out with friends and family and have fun being social, but make sure you select food that you will be glad you ate (as a treat) and not regret afterwards. Keep your experience positive and stick to your healthy lifestyle.

It will be worth it in the end.

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The Fruitarian Restaurant: A Decadent Fantasy on Rarotonga, The Cook Islands

June 17, 2013
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A friend of mine just came back from a trip to an exotic island in the Pacific called Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and was raving about this “amazing” restaurant he had discovered there. It’s called “The Frutarian”, and truly, it’s the most amazing place I have ever heard of. Apparently the owners have been [...]

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Eating Raw, Vegan and Vegetarian in Miami, Florida

June 16, 2013
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  Eating Raw, Vegan and Vegetarian in Miami and Southern Florida by Veronica Grace Back In April 2010 I spent 10 lovely days in Miami, Florida. What a treat it was to have a little mini vacation from my “tropical paradise” I was living in at the time in Costa Rica. I have to say [...]

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Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Banff, Canada

June 14, 2013
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Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Banff, Canada by Veronica Grace (originally written in 2010 for an old blog) The mountain town of Banff, Canada is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. The Rocky Mountains surround you from every side, the smell of crisp mountain air and the abundance of the glacier lakes and [...]

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Win A Copy Of Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead DVD

June 11, 2013
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(Watch trailer above) I have some awesome prize packs to share with you today! It comes from the team behind Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (the movie). Synopsis: Joe Coss is a man who was fed up with being overweight and feeling terrible. He knew there was something really wrong with feeling this way. He [...]

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Fat Free Vegan Greek Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe

June 9, 2013
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So I have done A LOT of travelling in the past 3 years (visiting over 30 countries around the world), and Greece was one of my favorite places I visited. (And Greek rice stuffed peppers were a favorite I found) Greece was pretty incredible and unexpected as I had never seen anything other than photos [...]

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Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Greece – Athens, Mykonos, Naxos, Rhodes, Crete and Delphi

June 9, 2013
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Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Greece and the Greek Islands by Veronica Grace (originally written in 2010 for an older blog) Majority of photos included copyrighted by Veronica Grace Temple of Haphaestus in Athens – Veronica Grace A Travelogue on my adventures of eating vegan in Greece back in August and September 2010. Greece is [...]

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Soy-Free Vegan Tropical Acai Berry Bowl Recipe

June 9, 2013
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Whipping up acai bowl recipes are pretty easy. I like to use whatever fresh and frozen fruits I had on hand. This one is similar to my Acai Banana Berry Bowl Recipe , but it’s perfect for summer with fresh mango and berries. Acai bowls can be topped with your favorite fruits, but I know some of [...]

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Vida Vegan Con 2013 Details and Swag – Portland, Oregon

May 29, 2013
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I had a crazy busy week traveling to and from Portland, Oregon (from Calgary, AB) for Vida Vegan Convention 2013. It was the second ever Vida Vegan Convention and was hosted by Vegan bloggers Jess Scone, Janessa Philemon-Kerp, and Michele Truty (all local Portlanders). I met the ladies last year at IFBC (International Food Blogger Conference) in [...]

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