My Rebirth

My heart is heavy.  A friend sent an email about a woman, Diane*, whom I met last year.  She just passed from breast cancer.  I hardly new her.  Met her a few times at Komen events and she was always smiling.  She had an amazing amount of positive energy radiating from her, the type of person you just wanted to chill with.  The news of her passing, or any person with cancer passing, puts a heavy weight on my heart.  I think about the struggles she had to endure, her kids' heartaches, and the hole her husband must feel.      

Diane and I hugging it out with Baby M before the Race.

I am a 15 month survivor.  At times, it still shocks me that I "got it".  Thankfully, I was a fortunate case; but don't think for one day that I don't question whether I will have a recurrence.  Cancer has wrapped it's deathly arms around me once, who knows if it will come back for seconds.  I know it is pointless to think like that and truthfully, I don't dwell.  I am too busy with my screaming kids, laundry, dirty casa, baby-doll Husband, and trying not to forget what day it is or what is happening in the week (writing things down would be waaaay to easy).  By the way, I am grateful that that is the extent of my worries at present. 

Trust me.

I try to be as healthy and fit as I can but really, I kinda was before cancer.  Hearing about Diane brings me back to why I started this blog to begin with.  I started it  as a rebirth, to try to change my life and my families so that we try to eliminate as many toxins as we can from our lifestyle.  It is something I can actively do and have control of--a way to protect myself.  It is not just trying to be "green" or super healthy, but it also a big F U to the many companies and corporations that feed, strive, and get rich off making us sick.  Who do they think they are? 

What causes cancer and why some people get it and others don't is a ginormous mystery.  I am not pretending to have it figured out but I know what doesn't help breast cancer:     

Parabens- used as preservatives in many, many cosmetic products

BPA- found in plastic and canned goods

Pesticides- sprayed on fruit and veggies

More in this ah-mazing video.  Watch it.

So along with this journey, finding cosmetic/beauty products was a biggie for me.  To people that know me, it is no surprise that I am a product whore.  Whore I say!  I can't get enough and I will spend every cent of my money to buy more products that make me happy.  I am on a continuous prowl for the best eco/green/natural beauty/skin/soul glowing products and I hoard with no shame.

In this quest, I have learned a great deal about organic, natural companies. 

1.  Many greenwash.  They say they are healthy but they trick you and use not so healthy ingredients.  For example, I bought a self-tanner from Sun not too long ago on the internet that said it was paraben free.  When I got it, I look on the back under ingredients and there are three different parabens listed.  Really!?!?  On the front of the bottle it said PARABEN FREE!

2.  Many are fabulous but have a hard time growing because it can be difficult to get the purist ingredients at mass quantities that keep within their shelf life (remember, we don't want nasty preservatives like parabens).  This makes it hard for a little company to supply at many boutiques, Whole Foods, etc.

3.  Many are useless.  Plain and simple.  They don't work.

4.  Many have started because of loved ones with cancer, diseases, or sickness.  Why does it take people or those close to us to get sick for us to examine our environment?  I don't know if I ever would have switched if I hadn't gotten cancer.    

So what it comes down to is who do I trust and how do I get the purist green product that works? 

I first heard about alex+von from another natural cosmetic company.  They sent an email about the benefits of working for this new and upcoming company, alex+von.  I was immediately intrigued.  It is funny because I was currently in discussion with The Husband about wanting to find a company or brand I can get behind and try to help grow and share.  It was kismet, clearly. 

Anyway I can feed my addiction with companies I believe in, I am game.  alex+von is my dealer and supplier (I write laughingly, Husband has complete opposite reaction).  It is a company that represents organic, natural, eco brands.  Consultants have the choice to represent one line or as many as they would like.  Ahhhhh freedom! It is perfect partnership for smaller companies as well and a great way for them to get their product info out.

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting the ladies behind alex+von.  They wanted me to come and test new makeup brands they were thinking of signing.  Oh my gawd was I excited.  Giddy to be exact.  My passion, eco makeup smooshed with meeting brilliant ground breaking ladies was galactic.  Meeting them just made me more ecstatic about this growing company that I am so stoked to be a part of.       

Now, I can't divulge in any secrets.  I am a master secret holder (not in the slightest) but I am professional.  Nuff said. 

What I can tell you is that they just signed with Original Moxie, a fierce, amazing natural company that specializes in hair products.  We will sell shampoo, conditioners, and styling products.  Being the product whore that I am, I ordered every sample I could when I heard about the possible partnership.  I wouldn't be exaggerating when I say that their products are like pixie dust to a fairy.  I am incredibly impressed thus far.  My whole family now uses it and it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside knowing I have some styling products I feel good about putting in my mane and my boys hair. 

More to come with Original Moxie.  alex+von is still trying to work out a few things with them.  I will let you know when they are up and running on my website.

Right now my focus in on 100% Pure and Suki.  These companies couldn't be more different except that they both strive to be as natural and pure as possible. 

Inspired by her garden, product developer Susie Wang created 100% Pure Cosmetics to complement her healthy lifestyle. Made with pigments from fruits and vegetables along with natural food-grade ingredients, 100% Pure marries all-natural ingredients with high-end cosmetic formulas to create beauty products in a class of its own. 100% Pure develops highly concentrated formulas without the use of synthetic or toxic ingredients, water, thickeners, or other fillers. 100% Pure products are never tested on animals and it is the company's mission to help and save animals.

100% Pure cosmetics are the first and only company colored from antioxidant rich fruit and vegetable pigments.  While other color cosmetics are colored with either synthetic dyes or minerals, 100% Pure uses fruit and vegetable pigments.  All the antioxidants and vitamins are in the pigments so you will be applying the healthy nutrients of the fruits directly on your skin.

100% Pure makes products that compliments your everyday routine and helps maintain and enhance your skin.  Pure offers an amazingly huge variety of bath and body products in many tantalizing scents. 

On a side note, the newest reports on lead in major name brand lipsticks is no bueno.  Just another reason to be extra cautious of what we put on.  I love that 100% Pure has only fruit and vegetable pigmented makeup.  The colors are beautiful and the makeup is stunning.

Suki is the other dope line I love to sell.  According to Suki, "there clinically-proven natural solutions® is the first & only synthetic-free cosmetical solution that integrates advanced technology with clinically proven results. Each product is tested to work in unison with your skin, delivering a clear, youthful & healthy complexion. There "evolutionary skin care science™" philosophy grew from Suki's mission to develop a completely new way of formulating skin care - immersing high potency natural cosmeceuticals in synthetic-free bases. There product integrity is backed up by Suki's organic innovation lab™ & held to the highest standards in manufacturing, ingredients, packaging & shipping - all with a positive impact on the environment & quality of life in mind."

Because Suki uses the highest, purist ingredients possible the price point is higher.  All of the products are in beautiful glass containers.  Suki is a fabulous line that is proven to work. 

Everyone falls into two categories.  

Nourishing 

• for dry and/or mature skin
• uses hydrators, vitamins, and antioxidants
• to strengthen and protect skin's integrity

 Balancing

•  for oily and/or problematic skin (acne, rosacea, eczema)
• uses anti-inflammatory, bacteria-fighting and resurfacing
• agents to bring skin back to health

Another reason I love Suki is because of their involvement in Breast Cancer Action.  They are a safe cosmetic company that gives back to such an important cause.  Read more here.

My collection of 100% Pure and Suki have grown so much.  I love to share my passion and these fab products.  If you are interested in hanging out with some great peeps and learning more about 100% Pure and Suki at an open house -or- if you want to host an informal fun get together and reap some of the hosting benefits then email me livinthegreenblogg@aol.com and I can hook you up.  I have parties coming up that need your fabulousness.

As my gift to you, my dear readers, I would love to giveaway two of my favorite products.  The oh-so-famous-bestseller 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream and the Organic Chocolate Body Scrub. Divine! 

Who doesn't love a Coffee Mocha in the am?

Giveaway ends on March 8, 2012 at 12:01 am est.

I have Rafflecopter to help out.  Just log in with Facebook or email and it will guide you from there.

Simple.

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Shop at www.livinthegreenboutique.com 

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Peace.

 *Name was changed in respect for her family.

Labor of Love: Pomegranate

Every time I split open a pomegranate, I am amazed at the perfect beauty that is concealed within.  The leathery skin with its mild red tones gives way to nature's bling.  Tiny, beautiful jewel like seeds hiding beneath sheets waiting to be discovered, waiting to burst with sweet tart juice.   

They have always had a special place in my heart.  As a child, I remember standing on a chair at my parents sink eating each and every ruby seed in the pomegranate.  It was pure happiness for me.  Well, maybe not pure happiness- there were constant, friendly reminders that the fruit has a wicked stain and I was essentially shackled to the kitchen sink until I finished.  I always finished satisfied, belly swollen with the delicious juice I worked so hard to imbibe, and my fingers stained to prove it. 

When I was living in San Francisco with The Husband, during the months of November, I would eat a pomegranate for dessert nightly.  It was kind of a ritual.  I would slice it open into quarters, and since I was no longer under my folks' watchful eyes, I would grab three old towels and the roll of paper towels and head for the couch.  I was, however, always met with my Husband rolling his eyes as I  gushed for the umteenth time about how it is the perfect fruit and how each seed is like an explosion of sweetness.  I never understood why he just didn't get it.

My home rocks for countless reasons, but one of them is the most luscious pomegranate tree sitting in my backyard.  It is a source of my joy and a reminder of the sweet and sourness that the last year has brought.  During this week, one year ago, I was told I had cancer.  I remember like it was yesterday and many of the emotions are still lingering. 

Last year, I remember looking out at the tree and being able to relate with it.  I saw the weight of pomegranates barring down the branches, and felt a similar sense of heaviness inside of myself.

As the weeks passed, I was pissed I couldn't fully enjoy the fruit that was overflowing from my tree, that I wasn't well enough to pick them with my kiddos, and that I couldn't share the deliciousness with my family.  I was thankful for my Mom and Mother-in-law to each share a special moment with the kids during this time.  I remember watching my mom, who was practically living with us (thankfully!), pick the fruits with E and I remember my mother-in-law splitting them open with the boys and watching the joy in their faces as they gobbled the seeds up.

Last weekend, I was thankful and happy to tackle that tree armed with my kids, a John Deer tractor, a stepladder, and scissors.  E helped spot the fruit and he and X both helped load'em up in the tractor.  We had quite the pile.

   

 

All that was left to do was sit down, enjoy, and start our own rituals.  Although, X and the Husband abstained...this year.  Even baby M had a few seeds!

Why you should dig in?

- They have a very high concentration of antioxidants.  Nearly 3 times the antioxidant levels of any other fruit.

- They can help lower high blood pressure and can help reduce bad cholesterol.

- The fruit is very good at promoting anti-aging properties. Whoo Hoo!

- Phytochemicals in pomegranate seeds and juice can help the body fight against some cancers.  The juice has shown positive results against prostate and breast cancer.  

According to Leo Galland, "The anticancer effects of pomegranate juice are related to its potential ability to induce cancer cells to self-destruct, a process called apoptosis. Laboratory research studies suggest that pomegranate juice may help induce apoptosis of human breast, prostate and colon cancer cells by activating genes and enzymes that regulate apoptosis."

- They are an awesome source of vitamin C, A, fiber, and potassium.

The Pomegranate Bath

The easiest way to clean a pomegranate is to cut it open, put it in a deep bowl of water and split it into quarters.  Then just break and pick away the seeds.  The white pith will rise to the top while the seeds drop to the bottom.  This is so simple and it doesn't stain your hands.

Recipes

Sprinkle seeds in cereal, oatmeal, or salad. 

Add 1 cup of pomegranate to 2 cups of vanilla yogurt and a banana with a dash of apple juice for a delish smoothie.

or serve a rockin' side dish to your Thanksgiving meal...

Barley and Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds        Adapted From: Eating Well

serves 6, 3/4 cup each | Active Time: 20 min | Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup wild rice, rinsed

1/2 cup pearl barley

3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup pine nuts

1 cup pomegranate seeds (1 large fruit)

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

goat cheese

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened.  Add wild rice and barley; stir for a few seconds.  Add broth and bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until light golden and fragrant, 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

3. Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and the toasted pine nuts to the pilaf; fluff with a fork.  Sprinkle with goat cheese.  Serve hot.

*You can also add mushrooms or kale to this. 

**You have to try this.  So yummy!!!!

Another use for Pomegranates?  Skin care!

Because of the antioxidant properties in pomegranates, they are amazing on the skin!  They are said to promote the regeneration of cells in the epidermis and dermis.  In some labs, it has even reduced skin tumors caused from skin cancer. 

These are a few of my favorite Pomegranate 100% Pure products:

Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20  

I love the Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration from 100% Pure.  It is a light weight, anti-aging facial moisturizer with SPF20 to protect your skin against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.  In addition to sun protection, it is concentrated with antioxidants to protect against environmental damage such as pollution, radiation, smoke, smog, car exhaust, etc. 

Click here to order!-Pomegranate Antioxidant SPF 20

 

Pomegranate Body Scrub

I can't say enough about 100% Pures' body scrubs.  They exfoliate and leave your skin literally glowing.  I love to use the scrub and then shave.  You don't even need any shaving cream or soap.  It will make for the smoothest shave.  It deeply nourishes and hydrates for healthy, glowing skin!

Click here to order! -Pomegranate Body Scrub

Pomegranate Nourishing Body Cream

After the body scrub, hydrate your body more with the Pomegranate Nourishing Body Cream but don't eat it!  It smells sweet and delish.  It is concentrated with potent anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, skin softening fruit oils, and moisturizing cocoa and avocado butters.

Click here to order! -Nourishing Body Cream

 

 100% Pure Pomegranate Lip Butter

With an ultra-moisturizing base of organic avocado and shea and cocoa butters leave lips nourished, silky, soft and delightfully infused with natural fruit and berry pigments.  I keep this in my purse and it gives my lips a nice pomegranate stain.  Love it!

Click here to order! -Lip Butter

Now is a great time to try 100% Pure with alex+von. 

*Until 10pm tonight (11/10/11) we are offering 20% off all scrubs and face scrubs!

* If you purchase over $100 you get Fruit Pigmented Lip Butters 3 piece set ($39 value)!  Makes a great gift idea or split up into stocking stuffers! (while supplies last)

*If you spend over $150 you get 10% off! 

*Free shipping on all order over $50!

Time to stock up for the holidays and treat yourself.

E's drawing of a pomegranate! 

Pomegranate: absolutely appropriate that it is the symbol of life, health, and fertility!             

And The Winner Is....

First, I want to thank everyone that participated!  I loved reading your fav jewelry and health advice.  So without further ado....the winner of my first giveaway for a Stella and Dot tribute bracelet is....

I am especially glad that E picked Pat's name out of his soldier bucket because she happens to be a survivor herself. 

Congratulations Pat, I couldn't be happier you won. 

It's crazy that a health scare is what it takes for many of us to wake up and change our diets and live healthier ways.

Also, I just had my first open house with alex+von selling 100% Pure at my Theas' house. 

It was a huge success.  I loved meeting new friends and sharing these new products which I have become so passionate about.  I couldn't be more pleased with ladies wanting to make healthier choices when it comes to skincare and beauty products.  So chic and modern!