Marvelous Girl Has Moved!

Posts Tagged ‘natural

 

This is a great offer for those of you who have wanted to try organic cereal but didn’t know if you would like it.  We know a lot of people are starting off the new year by eating healthier.  So why not try a free sample from Barbara’s Bakery?  Click here.

About Barbara’s Bakery:  Barbara’s Bakery is commitmented to creating the best-tasting organic and natural products free of artificial preservatives, ingredients, hydrogenated oils, and refined white sugar.

To follow Marvelous Girl on Twitter, click here.

best mineral powderI used to be a big fan of Bare Escentuals mineral powder because of its easy application and great coverage.  But, then I began to experience dryness (even though I have oily skin) and more lines around the eye area.  After speaking with beauty specialists I learned that  the product was known to exacerbated  the look of pores and wrinkles!  — terrible for the middle-aged women the company was targeting.

So what now?  I loved the coverage of a mineral powder but didn’t want the chalky look of Bare Escentuals.  I wasn’t ready to completely give up, so I decided to try Sheer Cover – which you may have seen on infomercials.  To my surprise the product was great.  It eliminated shine and had great coverage, but didn’t dehydrate the skin.  In fact, the intro kit even included an SPF-15, anti-aging moisturizer to be worn underneath the power.

Apparently Sheer Cover blends with your skin’s natural oils for perfect coverage.  The product is 100 percent natural, infused with skin soothing botanicals, natural sun protection and anti-oxidant green tea to help protect your skin from the visible signs of premature aging.

If you too are committed to your mineral powder but need more hydration, try Sheer Cover ($29.95).  You may just be converted.  To learn more and/or purchase the product, click here.

Allay pain reliefDid you know in a lifetime, many women take up to 20,000 doses of ibuprofen or similar drugs to ease the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps?  Over the years the drugs become more potent and more effective, but at what cost?

Well now there’s a safer and more effective ways to treat common problems like menstrual pain without the use of drugs.  The Allay Patch is soft, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable sleeve containing a microchip technology that when—under clothes, against the skin—delivers an electromagnetic therapy that reduces inflammation, pain, and discomfort.
 
In a clinical study, use of the Patch resulted in a 73% reduction of menstrual pain.

“The idea of wearing a patch to help my menstrual cramps initially seemed far-fetched.  How could something on the outside work on the inside?  To my surprise, I had the most comfortable week that I have had in months.”—Ronda, Columbus IN

The Allay Period Relief Patch is now available for purchase from Allay Online Marketing.  For more information, visit www.allaypatch.com

vinegar natural cleanerDid you know that vinegar is one of the greatest natural cleaning solutions?  This multipurpose cleaner is completely non-toxic and will not harm your family or pets whatsoever – plus it’s cheaper than conventional cleaners like Windex and Lysol! 
 
All you need to do is mix an equal amount of water and apply it to the surface you wish to clean. Use it in your kitchen to clean draws, sinks, cabinets, countertops or appliances.

For stubborn stains, just get some baking soda and mix it with a little bit of water. This is a very inexpensive natural cleaning solution that can be used in almost any situation to clean and deodorize.
 
For stubborn bathroom stains, get a simple lemon, cut it in half and mix it with baking soda. For a natural cleaning solution for furniture, mix the lemon with olive oil.
 
Remember that chemicals can cause damage to the environment when washed down into our rivers and waterways.  By using natural products, like vinegar, you will not only save money but you will help the environment as well.

Photo by gokoroko

Photo by gokoroko

Are you looking for a low-cost way to naturally color Easter eggs?  According to © Diane Laney Fitzpatrick   you can use ingredients from your back yard and kitchen pantry to decorate eggs this season.

Natural Egg Dyes

  1. 1.  Place eggs in a single layer in a large pot. Add water until eggs are covered and water is about ½-inch over the tops of the eggs. Add 2 teaspoons white vinegar to the pot unless you’re using onion skins. Don’t mix onion skins and vinegar.
  2. Add the natural dye material (see list below). If the dye ingredient is to be boiled first, boil it in a small amount of water and add the substance, water and all, to the pot.
  3. Bring the pot to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  5. If you’re happy with the color, remove the eggs from the pot. If you want a more vivid color, remove the eggs and strain the dye through a coffee filter. Put the filtered dye liquid and the eggs in a jar or back in the pan and let sit overnight. If you want your eggs to have a speckled effect, don’t strain the dye before letting sit overnight.
  6. The next morning, carefully remove the eggs from the water. (The vinegar will have weakened the eggshells. When they air dry they’ll harden again.)
  7. Let air dry.
  8. For a glossy look, rub some cooking oil on the eggs with a paper towel.

To get colors, use these natural ingredients:

  • Lavender – Purple grape juice or violet blossoms plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Blue Violet – Red onion skins (boiled)
  • Blue – Blueberries or red cabbage leaves (boiled)
  • Green – Spinach leaves
  • Yellowish Green – Yellow Delicious apple peels (boiled)
  • Yellow – Lemon peel, orange peel, carrot tops, ground cumin or ground turmeric
  • Brown – Strong black coffee or black walnut shells
  • Orange – Yellow onion skins (boiled)
  • Pink – Cranberries, raspberries or beets

The amounts of the dye materials will depend on how vivid you want the color. For pale, pastel colors, add a small amount. For more vibrant colors with onion skins, use 2 cups; with spices use 4 tablespoons; for the others, use your own judgment.

Decorating with onion skins
Wrap the outer skin of an onion around a hard-boiled egg, overlapping to cover the entire egg. Hold the onion skins in place with rubber bands. Hard boil the egg. When unwrapped, the egg will have the color and design of the onion skin.

Read egg coloring tips visit – http://holiday-kids-crafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/coloring_eggs_with_natural_dyes#ixzz0CI55kLK9

 

Photo by admin

Photo by admin

Getting that beautiful color can be so damaging to your hair and the environment.  According to new research by Japanese chemists, an alternative to hydrogen peroxide is around the corner…and adds a whole new meaning to the word GREEN.

The new discovery is an enzyme from a fungus called Basidiomycete ceriporiopsis that can remove dark pigment from hair.  At the moment it needs a little help from peroxide to do its job, but quantity should be much less than standard bleaching (i.e. less harsh on the hair).

It may take a while before reaching consumers, but this fungus is definitely among us.

 

Photo by FreeStockPhoto.com

Photo by FreeStockPhoto.com

For millions of Americans now in hot pursuit of super foods that improve health and longevity, the latest research results on strawberries are right on time. A new study published in the scientific journal, Metabolism, found that antioxidants in strawberries help lower “bad” cholesterol.

The study, conducted by David J.A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, backs existing evidence that touts strawberries as one of the world’s most nutrient-rich foods. It showed that the antioxidant power in strawberries can improve and maintain the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering diets. High cholesterol is known to contribute to heart disease which is the leading cause of death for women and men.

Antioxidants Review

Antioxidants are the body’s internal heroes that go to battle with harmful “free radicals” known to contribute to diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. According to a US Department of Agriculture study, strawberries rank third when compared to the top fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Ultimate “Super Fruit

The good news from this study adds to the growing body of research that supports the importance of strawberries as a “super fruit.” California strawberries are grown and available year-round in supermarkets across the country. Below are a few more reasons to say yes to the red berries:

  • Strawberries contain a powerful mix of antioxidants which are critical to warding off chronic diseases and promoting optimum health.
  • They are low in sugar, containing only eight grams per serving. One serving, about eight strawberries (or one cup), has only 50 calories.
  • An excellent source of vitamin C, one serving of strawberries provides more vitamin C than an orange!
Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream - $18.00

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream - $18.00

The other day I tried Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Cream and now I’m hooked for life!  It’s light, absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated without feeling greasy.  

Whether your skin is dry, or oily like mine, this day cream will give you a marvelous glow.  The best part is that it includes royal jelly, which is packed with nutrients:

– 17 amino acids

– Vitamins A,C,D and K

– Multiple B vitamins

– Bee pollen

I’m looking forward to trying the night cream.  I’ll be sure to keep all you marvelous girls posted!

Tastybaby - 100% certified organic baby food

Tastybaby - 100% certified organic baby food

Every parent wants their baby to have the best start.  That’s why two Malibu moms, Liane Weintraub and Shannan Swanson, started a certified organic food line called Tastybaby.

 

Tastybaby products are frozen, unlike jarred baby foods which are generally more processed.  Packaged in biodegradable cardboard, the products have quirky names like “Squash ‘Em” and “Life’s A Peach.”

 

These products  are available at Whole Foods, Kroger, D’agostino, Bristol Farms, The Food Emporium and more.   Tastybaby products are $5.99 for a 10.5 oz-ounce three pack.
Photo by blazys
Photo by blazys

If you’re an expecting mother, you may want to incorporate more beets into your diet.  Packed with Folic Acid, which is essential for normal tissue growth, beets can lower the risk of spinal bifida and neural tube defects in your newborn. 

Here’s a yummy summer recipe using beets:
Grate Beet and Apple Salad by VeganMania
2 fresh beets
2 medium apples
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp sweetener
2 tbsp light oil
toasted sunflower seeds
Grate both the beets and apples coarsely.  Toss in the lemon juice, oil and sugar.  Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.
Serves 2.