The Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera is one of nature's miracle plants.   It is commonly known to help the skin and a well-known ingredient found in lotions and gels.  It keeps the skin soft and moisturized, helps rashes and is also used as an aide to help soothe sunburns. 

It was documented that Cleopatra applied aloe gel onto her skin to protect it from the sun.  Aloe vera's benefits have been around for decades.  An amazing fact about aloe is that it can also be consumed!  It may sound a little strange guzzling on aloe vera but you will be surprised how good it actually tastes in a juice form! 

Drinking aloe vera juice has many advantages for your health inside and out.  Here are a few reasons why you should consume at least a glass a day.   

1.  Improves bowel movement & digestion
Drinking aloe vera juice may improve bowel regularity.  It also helps decrease the amount of bacteria in the digestive tract and intestines.

2.  Maintain your energy level and weight with aloe vera.Sometimes the intake of certain food can cause exhaustion and fatigue.  Drinking aloe vera juice cleanses your digestive system which helps maintain your energy and body mass.

3. Helps boost the immune system
Aloe vera supplies a full range of anti-oxidants to fight free radicals within our body.

4. A natural and nutritional supplement
Aloe vera carries a huge amount of nutrients.  Drinking it is enough to absorb all the nutrients that you need for your body.  It is more easily absorbed and it tastes good too.

5.  Keeps skin looking youthful.
The nutrients in aloe vera not only helps the skin externally but it also helps the skin internally.  Consuming aloe vera daily helps provide nutrients on the inside.  Drinking aloe on a regular basis can help repair the elasticity of the skin.
6. Regulate your mentrual cycle.
Sometimes stress or overexertion can effect the cycle of your period.  It has been well known in India that drinking aloe vera can help keep your mentral cycle regular.

Aloe vera juices are being sold in almost every natural grocery store including Trader Joes however they are most commonly sold in Asian markets.  I prefer mines chilled but it is also just as good at room temperature.
 
Cheers to you and to our health. ENJOY!   

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How Jen Stays Slim and Stress Free

Most of you know by now what a rockin body Jennifer Aniston has and in recent years she's admitted it's soley due to her change in her work out routine and adding yoga to the mix. 

So how does she do it?  She does cardio and yoga 3 at least times per week and eats balanced, healthy meals.  Mandy Ingber, Jen's yoga trainer and good friend says she has Jen begin her workout with a 20 minute cardio session prior to her yoga workout and then they she leads Jen into five yoga sun salutations to get her in touch with her breath and helps stretch and strengthen her muscles from head to toe.

To get you started, try Sacred Yoga Practice with Rainbeau Mars - Vinyasa Flow: Beginners or if your more of an experienced yogi looking for a challenge, try Sacred Yoga Practice with Rainbeau Mars - Vinyasa Flow: Pure Tranquility.


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Best Chemical Free Mascaras

There's nothing like a little mascara to make a girl feel beautiful.  Unfortunately, most people don’t know that many mascaras 

contain very dangerous chemicals.  If you go to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database and search for Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, (my old favorite with the pink and green tube), you'll find it contains quaternium-15, which is linked to allergies, irritation and formaldehyde contamination, and triethanolamine, linked to immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity and nitrosamine contamination. 

I don't know about you but I'm not comfortable with putting those toxic chemicals near my eyes!  Athough toxic mascaras have pretty packaging and might perform well, your better off safe then sorry by switching to a brand that is low on the toxic chemicals and contains all natural ingredients.  Here's The Natural Beauty & Health Blog's top picks for natural mascara.  If you found a natural mascara that works well and not listed below, please leave us a comment.

Top Pick!  Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara
Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara is formulated with conditioning algae extracts, instead of water, and cellulose fibers for thickness.  This mascara doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, doesn't clump or smudge and thickens lashes as it conditions them.  It also provides you with the highest quality brush for even application and separation of lashes.  Remember ladies, too much mascara can be aging!

2nd Pick!  Lavera Volume Mascara
Lavera Volume Mascara adds lasting volume & length to lashes for beautiful, bright eyes! Nourishing extracts of Organic Jojoba & Wild Rose Oils deeply hydrate allowing flake-free volume throughout the whole day. This pure, paraben-free and heavy-metal-free formula rinses off with a mild cleanser and is ideal even for very sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

3rd Pick!  Honeybee Gardens Mascara
Honeybee Gardens Mascara Truly Natural is a truly natural mascara!  The silky, lash-defining mascara is totally weightless yet provides all day color. The smooth light-as-a-feather base boasts zero clumping due to the absence of clay in the superior lash-conditioning formula.  So you can happily bat your eyes and flutter your lashes without flaking and smudging. Perhaps best of all is that this botanically-enriched mascara is paraben free. Water-resistant and work-out proof!  Who could ask for more?!

4th Pick! Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara
Organic Wear Mascara is 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, genetically modified organisms, synthetic colors, fragrances and dyes.  It's cruelty free, ophthalmologist approved and won't clump, smudge or flake.  It's also the first Ever Ecocert® certified organic line of makeup in the US.

These mascaras don’t cost any more than department store brands and they're not dangerous.  So isn't it time to make the switch?!  The reason I love chemical free mascaras is because they condition your lashes and never burn your eyes if the mascara happens to get in your eyes while applying.  They are also perfect for contact lens wearers :)


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Get the Glow

Do you want to look naturally luminous and glowing, without using toxic, chemicals in drug or department store make-up?  Well, now you can with Josie Maran's organic, toxic-free cosmetic line.  So what's the former supermodel's secret to her beautiful, glowing skin?  Her own organic, eco-friendly make-up line and Argan oil!  Her secret ingredient in most of her cosmetics is Argan oil which will give you that beautiful luminous, dewy skin. 

She swears by the exotic fruit oil and uses it daily.  I've tried her organic argan oil as well as her mascara and lipglosses and their all fabulous!  I highly recommend her line to anyone who wants high quality, chemical-free make-up.  Here are some of my favorite products from her line to get you started on that beautiful glow! 

Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer $38

A lightweight tinted moisturizer, sheer foundation, and sunscreen, all in one.  Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer glides on smoothly, leaving you with perfect, even-toned coverage, and a radiant, healthy glow. This moisturizer's powerful SPF 30 protects the skin from sun damage by blocking both UVA and UVB rays, while natural, organic ingredients nourish the skin. The formula includes Josie's signature ingredient, 100% pure organic Argan oil, which replenishes and repairs skin cells.

Josie Maran Finger Paints $36.00
This is a multi-use palette containing four feather-light shimmers that bring soft-glowing color to eyes, cheeks, and lips.  Ingredients include organic jojoba seed oil (to soften the skin) and organic shea butter (to protect the skin).  This is a gorgeous multi-use palette in shades specifically chosen to flatter every skin tone. It has just the right assortment of colors for the whole face in one compact, and the shades blend flawlessly for easy application. It contains Josie's signature ingredient, 100% pure organic Argan oil, which replenishes and repairs skin cells.




Josie Maran Lip Gloss $18
Josie Maran Lip Gloss comes in sheer, easy-to-wear shades that highlight your natural lip color with a sophisticated touch of shimmer.  Best of all, this non-sticky, long-wearing formula is full of natural, organic, and paraben-free!  Natural ingredients include Argan oil, nourishing coconut cream (to moisturize the lips) and jojoba oil (to soften the lips).  It comes in 5 juicy shades and can be worn alone or on top of your favorite lipstick to achieve that perfect shine!

Josie Maran Mascara $22

This mascara conditions and lengthens lashes for a voluminous effect with no clumps, smears or flakes.  This mascara is an everyday must-have that contains organic Argan oil (to replenish and repair lashes) and organic jojoba oil (reconditions hair follicles) to strengthen and condition as it lengthens and defines. Colors come in brown and black.

You can view more Josie Maran products here.

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Sebbag Essentials Hair & Body Serum

Recently, I had the opportunity to try celebrity hair stylist, Eric Sebbag's all natural hair and body beauty serum.  After using it everyday for over a month now, I'm very impressed!  I've tried several organic Argan oils but Sebbag Essentials Beauty Hair & Body serum is definietely one of the best quality Argan oils available.  It really gives my hair and skin a beautiful, dewy glow!

More about the beauty serum from Eric: "The ancient ritual of Argan Oil Hair Serum, grown in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, has been adopted by my family for over three generations. It is used to replenish and re-moisturize your hair, as well as your skin. Excellent for treating all hair and skin types, and can also be used for styling hair."

It's infused with all natural, 100% pure ingredients like Argan oil, Orange Blossom oil, (which gives it a light, fresh, citrus smell), Extra Virgin Olive oil and Avocado oil. 

Best of all, you can use it everyday, twice a day and it won't break out even the most sensitive or oily skin types.  I have oily, sensitive skin and I haven't had any bouts with breakouts or irritation whatsoever.  You'll really notice the difference using Sebbag Essentials after just the first time!

How to use: For hair, all you need is two or more drops of Sebbag Essentials daily on damp hair for conditioning, and rehydrating.  Then use one drop of Sebbag Essentials for styling, on dry, finished hair. Blow dry again to enhance shine.  For all skin types, use two or more drops of Sebbag Essentials daily, immediately after showering or bathing, to replenish and rehydrate skin. 

Sabbag Essentials Hair & Body serum is a must have all natural, multi-purpose beauty serum and I think you'll love it just as much as I do.  To learn more or get yours, please visit Eric Sebbag's website at  http://www.sebbagessentials.com./


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