Category Archives: Ingredients

Essential Oils 101

Essential Oils Definition: any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy.

Essential oils have been around for centuries upon centuries, but in the last couple months the essential oil craze has been picking up steam again. More than a perfume/fragrance, essential oils are concentrated aromatherapy liquids than have been taken from plants, flowers, trees and nuts. Essential oils are not necessarily cheap, but a lot of preparation that goes into the process of making. However, learning how to properly use essential oils can be beneficial to your mind and body.

Here are a few of my favorite essential oils:

  • Lavender– Can be used for calming, soothing, for boosting the immune system, or as an antiviral.
  • Lemon – Can be used for detoxifying, dry skin prevention and uplifting ones spirit. A little secret, put a couple of drops in your daily water intake for a hint of health and flavor.
  • Peppermint– Can be used as an anti-fungal or an anti-inflammatory. Can also aid in digestion and increased energy levels.
  • Orange– Can be used to decrease stress and increase focus.
  • Grapefruit – Can be used to decrease stress and suppress one appetite.
  • Lime – Can help reduce acne and aid in those who have respiratory issues.

 ** Keep in mind that some essential oils are not safe in certain amounts or can be unsafe used certain ways (i.e. ingested or topical). Carefully read labels and do your research. Also, essential oils that are to be used for health related problems should ONLY be handled by a trained aromatherapist. **  

Get to know Avocado-for Health and Beauty

This is the season for avocado, and they are now so easily available. It adds such a delicious taste to food and showers you with health and beauty benefits. I believe our diet helps how our skin looks and feel so by choosing food with high nutritional value we benefit both ways!

Avocado is a versatile fruit, that  is delicious in guacamole , soups, salad, and smoothies and it is also used in beauty treatments for deep moisturizing. Avocado it self, or avocado oil and butters are used for skin care, face and hair masque to nourish the skin with vitamins A and E.

Eating Avocado is a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and folate.

Avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free

Avocado does contains mono-unsaturated fat, that is the heart healthy kind fat so enjoy it in moderation.

I came across this interesting link  that said “Adding Avocados to Salads Aids Absorption of Nutrients” http://tinyurl.com/24cvsh3

In a short study it was suggest that:  Adding avocado to salsa increased lycopene and beta-carotene absorption higher, than the average amount of these nutrients absorbed from avocado-free salsa. Since avocados contain a large variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, as well as heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat, eating a little avocado along with carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruits is an excellent way to improve your body’s ability to absorb carotenoids while also receiving other nutritional-and taste-benefits.

Avocados contain antioxidants and eating a healthy amount of antioxidants is vital for great skin. It will help with free radicals that cause cell damage and help prevent premature skin aging. It is also rich in oils that rejuvenate the skin, help with  the frazzled hair and reduces the eye puffiness. Continue reading