Natural Perspective

Halloween, Frightfully Crazy Custom Favors & more

2011-10-20T06:10:00.000-05:00

Interplanetary Couture

Emily Caswell is the Expert on Concocting Lip Balms- Margarita favors, Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Sangria, Irish Creme Lip balms!! She invents her drink flavors using wax, butter, and oil all in the name of Lip Balm Couture. And what you get are "Balm buzzes". Website

This fine lady, who shares my love of creepy crawlies, vampires & grisly things, runs a One-stop Shop for Personalized Thank-yous. Baby Showers, wedding Showers, Bachelorette, Birthday even Divorce Showers!

Take a look at some of her Just-fright-for-Halloween Customizations

So herrrre’s... Emily!

So, really, who Are you?
I was recently introduced by an old friend as "fun, interesting, well-read, cultured, crass, potty-mouthed...(with a) crippling addiction to chocolate and proper grammar." I'm not sure about the interesting or cultured part, but I do know that he forgot to add "aliens" to my addictions list. Crass and potty-mouthed are pretty true, but I try to keep it fun and appropriate in public.

You are custom-friendly – not just lipbalms & lotions- also cards, tulle,- Bath gel favors! And I utterly love your labels.

What made your head spin into all of this?

My degree is in biology and my first (and only) "real" job was in a biotech lab, where I manufactured vaccine. I left to pursue an interest in design, starting a graphic and web design business that I could grow from home. Eight years (and two kids) later, I started creating designs for my own products instead of other businesses'. I set up a home "lab" and started with lip balms personalized for weddings, since several of my previous clients had been in the wedding industry. Things have just grown from there. I think having my own wedding canceled at the last minute (speaking of scary, grisly stories!) has motivated me to help make other events perfect.

Other customizables include Moisturisers, Sugar Scrubs, Mini Pedicure Sets and lots of other goodies.

Falling Leaves, Bridal Shower

What’s cooking for Halloween?

How did you know I've been busy with my cauldron?!

This fall I've brought back some of our popular Limited Edition lip balm flavors from last year, including Caramel Corn and Ginger Pear, as well as old favorites like Jack-o-lantern and Candy Corn.

Our Pumpkin Pie moisturizers are also back, and a new Ginger Pear fragrance that's to DIE for (just what you need on Halloween!).

Crazy customization, did you say?

What would be one crazy customization?

I get some really fun requests for customization, but this was one of my all-time favorites.

People don't believe it, but yes, this was for a real baby shower! (Just might need to go watch "The Omen" again now.)

What is Pink lady?

Pink Lady is our line of products with a cause.

We introduced them several years ago and they're available year-round, but definitely most popular during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
For every Pink Lady balm, favor, or moisturizer sold, we donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
We also create a Limited Edition Pink Ribbon balm every year that's only available in October.
This year's flavor is Pink Kisses, a cherry-vanilla balm that also benefits Susan G. Komen.

What is your motto in life?

When I was a kid, my grandmother had a little plaque on her wall that said, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." I'm inspired by lots of other mantras and mottos, but I think this one made the biggest impression on me. There's a lot of emphasis on being important, but I find that the people I remember and appreciate the most are just plain nice. Whatever else I am, I want to be that, too.

Share an anecdote about your products?

Some of my favorite stories are customer comments.
Recently someone told me I was her "new best friend."
Last spring a mom-of-the-groom said she'd "love me forever" if I would email a proof to her (something I do for everyone, but I let her feel special!).
My favorite, though, would have to be the planner who ordered some favor samples for a bride she was working with. The bride explained that she did NOT want "throwaway" wedding favors. The planner called me afterward to say they were a hit: the bride tried the balm and said, "No one throws THESE favors!"

So, for your next small (or big) event, hop over to Emily's and get personalized, unique favors that you'd hate to throw away!

Lip Balm Couture is available at http://www.gcdspa.com/
Blog address http://www.gcdspa.blogspot.com/
FB page http://www.facebook.com/GCDSpa
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/GCDSpa

More Halloween customizations

Blood Orange Custom Lip Balm 1

Blood Orange custom Lippie 2

Review: Adventures of Solomon Spider: Children's Book, by Aliyah Khan, the Poetess

2011-10-15T01:31:00.000-05:00

My friend and Poetess, the lovely Aliyah Khan waxes lyrical on Facebook- reading her is like listening to a bell:

"hello happiness, hello today
Goodbye grief, goodbye yesterday.
hey clouds, hold up, I need a ride
I'm on my way, I'm done with the tide.
You're just a blur on my canvas of Life,
... Which I'll paint over with my palate knife.
My sunny days are about to begin
I'm soaring up, I'm taking wing."

This Children's Book she wrote is absolutely enthralling for a child to read by herself or a great read-aloud with an adult. It also has potential for lots of follow-up activities to get those wheels spinning in your little tot's head.

Scroll down to see a preview which she has kindly offered to share.

Buy this book- Support our Poetess!

US Store:

http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000273315

UK Store:

http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000273315

Links to purchase:

US Store:

http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000273315

UK Store:

http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000273315

A natural Serum for Hyper Pigmentation or dark patches around eyes (100% non chemical)

2011-09-05T03:38:00.004-05:00

Dark patches reduced both in area and in intensity. Cleaner & Clearer skin.

A friend of mine was talking to me about his mom "Can you do something for her pigmentation? Its been around quite a few years, and every year the dark patches grow larger."

He told me that it was probably something hereditary coz his mom's siblings had them too, and he expects to be getting them as he gets older.

It seemed to be something that "whitening" creams don't seem to work for and once affected, gets worse progressively. Most affected areas are dark patches around the eye & cheekbones, forehead where sun exposure is maximum.

I began a documented treatment as with our other serums.
I treated her with a combination of skin healing, therapeutic carrier and essential oils, tweaked with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal oils, lighter oils, heavier oils to see what would make a difference to these patches of melanin overdose -hyper-pigmentation.
Eventually, as I tweaked the complementary oils, I hit upon a combination that seemed to clear the patches much quicker.

The time between picture 1 and picture 2 was only 4-5 weeks. But the time between picture 2 & 3 was only about 2 weeks.
By the 3rd picture, skin texture was visibly healthier.

Choice of the complementary oils made a major difference to the time of recovery. The quicker benefits with Pomegranate oil when working in synergy, with its large number of antioxidants, made me wonder if it was simply the large number of free radicals (say, in high pollution areas) contributed largely to this problem.

This is one happy mum

"I've had these dark patches especially around the eyes , and right now, I really like the way my skin looks and feels soft and nourished", Mum says, "Everytime I look in the mirror, I see it getting better and better. Thanks a lot"

A few more users were surprised by the results and so this becomes our newest serum "Pigmentation Solution" to acknowledge moms & aunts & uncles & all the older people who make us feel special.
If you're buying a gift, this would sure make someone affected by it smile.

This 100% natural cream does not use any synthetic chemicals, is water-free, petroleum free, fragrance & color-free. It includes Apricot Kernel oil, Avocado fruit oil, Pomegranate seed oil, Beeswax, Niaouli, Myrrh essential oils and always made with love.

Indian Pricing:
4g Mini, lasting upto 4 weeks of use INR 500
45g Jar, INR 2000
Courier charges INR 50.

US & Worldwide:
Soon available on website www.HolisticSerums.com
For enquiries email care121@gmail.com

India website www.HolisticSerums.in, call Esther Jo 8008792720 for availability
Online purchase option will be shortly available.

Lessons in a Garden: Weeding for Life

2011-04-21T01:07:00.001-05:00

A couple of days ago, there was quite a bit of rain.
I was waiting for this, and before the ground got rock hard again (Indian summer!), I got down on my hands and knees and began to weed.
As I struggled to pull out the nasties suffocating the flower bed, I thought of the "weeds" in my head.

People who give advice or "good seed" sometimes leave seeds of weeds mixed in. Leave them be, and they'll be rampant all over your head.

As I weeded, I learnt me a few life lessons.

1. The ground needs to be moist
If your ground is hard, you can't pull them out. You can't be fixed in your thoughts, or fixated on your feelings. When something happens to put you in a flexible mindset, you're ready to pull it off. Sometimes, it can be a chance meeting with a friend, or something you read, or something you're doing.
I do it best when I'm "organizing" or clearing things up, even if its just my computer.

2. Locate your weeds
Weeds overgrow your plants- if you aren't really careful, you could pull out the plants that you bought, planted, nurtured, even saw some flowers on. Be careful to put aside the positive uplifting words that even mean, spiteful people give away. Don't pull out your relationships, only the things in them that pull you down.

3. Pulling weeds takes force.You cannot remove negative, rooted thoughts without spending time, energy, and pressure. Expect some mind-churning - this isn't a cakewalk.

4. Weeds Network at a shallow level
Have you ever seen a weed, all by itself, digging down into the bedrock? NO! Weeds need other weeds to network. 1 thought of 1 person, connected to what another person said, and before you know it, the things you're reaching for, can hardly be seen.

5. Bugs live under Weeds.
If you thought the weeds were the worst part? I had ants bite my toes and hands before I scooted for protective gear. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal- the weeds were hardly there a few weeks. Until you start pulling out their negative words, people dont turn back and bite you.

6. Sometimes you can't do it all at the first try.
Some roots are too hard, or you've used up all energy, or legs hurt- whatever it is that stops you.Go back and pull that negative thoughts/words again when you're feeling better.

Don't give up- there's a whole garden waiting for your touch.
And if you didn't get it- Weeding is Power.

Easter Special Offers! Check out our Sprin/Summer Top Sellers

2011-04-20T11:40:00.000-05:00

Our Easter Special - Discounts on the Top Sellers of Spring/Summer. Now through Sunday
We have lots of new things coming up on our site.Subscribe to our Newsletter to learn of the latest Specials and new Releases and changes.

Mother's Day Specials Next!

Natural Hairgrow Serum

Flagship Product, BestSeller promotes a healthy scalp thereby reducing hairloss, promotes length and Regrowth of hair. Provides non-dye darkening to grey hair
This Serum is a combination of natural oils picked for their properties of strengthening hair and scalp.
They include Centella or Gotu kala (Brahmi) used by the Indians for rejuvenating scalp and Indian Gooseberry (Amla) for its grey hair darkening properties. Camellia Oil, used by the Geisha for luxurious hair and other oils
.
> See Case Studies for Alopecia in Women, Male Pattern baldness
> See How-to Video for grey-hair darkening
> See 100% natural ingredients

This is the largest discount on this serum this year. Buy now & Save!

1 bottle (0.5 Fl Oz)
$19.99
(3-4 months)
Sale $14.99

2 bottles (1oz total qty)
$34.99
Sale $28.99

Return Buyer Best Value
4 Fl Oz (= 8 bottles)
Save 25% Only Now $99.99

Trial 5ml
Sale $6.99
1-2 weeks

Tummy Tucker Xtra

Original blend of oils which firm sagging, hanging, flabby stomach Skin (not fat). For post-delivery or post-weightloss use. May also be used along with a weightloss regimen to prevent sagging. Get bikini-ready! Safe during nursing. Not for use in pregnancy. Read More

Testimonials:
"I had a little extra skin that would hang over my pants after I had my baby and since using the Tummy Tuck Extra it is all gone, my stomach is flat again!! I absolutely love it! " Andrea G, Canada

" bought the Tummy Tucker Extract because I got on a diet and was affraid to get sagging loose skin and I am happy to say I have lost 5 inches around my tummy area and I have no loose skin it is firming up as I am loosing the weight and inches, I am very happy with your product I use it daily a little goes a long way I used it along with the slimming scrub (Now Trimming Mask)." Lina C

2 oz $55.99
Sale $49.99

1oz $29.99
Sale $26.99

1/2oz $15.99
Sale $13.99

sample $7.99
Sale $6.99

Trimming Mask

Works like a Body Wrap. Instantly reduces inches on large flabby areas by toning & tightening. Useful to jumpstart Cellulite & Tummy Tucker treatments. While Tummy Tucker Xtra is for sagging skin, the Trimming Mask works on fat- mainly in Cellulite areas and fat deposit areas. Users have found help in the areas of large fat deposits- tummy,"lovehandles", upper hips, upper thighs, fatty pad in outer thigh and arms, upper shoulder & back areas. After using this mask, Body sculpting exercises may show improved results. Most of our Body Serums show improvements in results when used in conjunction with focused exercise.

Read More

A combination of Clays, Ayurvedic ingredients + Aromatherapy oils like Orange & Rosemary to revitalize tissues. Intensely detoxifying. Not for use during pregnancy & nursing.

3oz $49.99
2 uses
Sale $44.99

1.5oz $37.99
Single use
Sale $33.99

3oz size will give about 2 uses to legs, hips, tummy and arms for plus-average sized person. 1.5 oz ) may give 2 uses to 2 areas or 1 use overall. Now all you have to do is get that tight dress out of the closet.

How to Use Mix dry Trimming Mask Powder in a bowl. Add enough warm water to make a thick, pliable paste and mix thoroughly with spatula for 3-4 minutes for uniform mixing and to break down salts.
Add the Trimming Mask Oil to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
Apply as soon as possible as a thin layer to upper legs, hips, love handles, upper arms, tummy. Apply as a layer, do NOT rub into skin. Do not apply on broken/inflamed skin
Wait for 10-15 minutes or until it dries thoroughly. Slight tingling of skin is normal
Wash off with mild soap and warm water to remove residues.
If there is left over, cover and pop in the refrigerator, Use within 1 week.
There may be a noticeable change immediately and noticeable till next 8-12 hours. The oils will help in detoxifying and flushing for the next 3 days, so it is important to drink lots of water, juices, soups and healthy foods to aid the body through the detox process. Maximum results were generally seen by users in 3 days.

Do not use when pregnant, nursing, have any medical conditions or ill health.

Ingredients of Trimming Clay Mask: Dead Sea Mud, Illite (French Green Clay), Bentonite, (Pink) Kaolin, Kaolin (Moroccan Red), Dead Sea Salts, Activated Charcoal, Caffeine Extract, Laminaria (Kelp) granules
Ingredients of Activating Trimming Oil: Cranberry Seed oil, essential oils of Manuka, Cyperus, Grapefruit, Rosemary , Orange & Turmeric oil

Take Control- Figure out your Healthy Filling Snack. Fruit & Nut Evening Snack

2011-04-04T07:34:00.001-05:00

Mid-evening.
Hunger growls like a bear.
And before I reach for the calorific, indulgent snack- I think about those Signature Levis, on the top of my shelf, which I cant wear yet.

So I plan my snack.
I don't know where I read this- but here goes:
"A combination of fruits and nuts create an explosive mixture which gives a feeling of fullness" far above 2 packs of potato chips.

This is just a dinner-in-2-hours snack. And if you do it right, you may also cut a bit of carbs off the dinner plate and have a bit more energy too!

So what makes a healthy snack, that:
Fills you, keeps you mentally alert till the big meal, and lets you get in a 15-min exercise stint in a half hour?

Fibre, Protein, healthy fat and minimal carbs.
1 small serving of Fresh Fruit + Dried fruit or nuts + a cereal/toast, Pure & simple

The operative word is Small

So, say, 1/3rd of an apple, - diced, with the peel OR 3-4 strawberries OR a few blueberries or blackberries
or a 1/4 of an orange/ tangerine etc plus
2-3 thinly sliced almonds or pistachio or walnuts
plus 4-5 raisins or a couple sliced dates, fresh or dried
2-3 tbsp of Muesli

Fully dried Figs, A big Thumbsup!

And you're good to go!

Somedays, like today, while I'm writing this post, and can't be bothered to do all that- I'm good with 2 dried figs and a huge glass of water, the fillingness is awesome. You may be able to find these fully-dried Flat figs in the Ethnic or arabic aisle. I' m not too fond of the semi-dried squishy ones which still retain shape & moisture- I haven't found them to be as filling, but hey, they'll do in a pinch. Think of the Fibre, calcium, iron and sugars in these babies :)

You could also
arrange a few slices of apple on a slice of lightly-buttered whole grain toast, a pat of peanut butter or almond butter or cashew butter, sprinkle some raisins/ or dates or pomegranate seeds for sweetness

Semi-dried

Happy Snacking.
Going to go squeeze in those jeans and try to stretch them again...

Homeopathy for You - A Cure/ Control for Arthritis, Osteo, Rheumatoid and more

2011-03-28T09:41:00.002-05:00

Arthritis- there's help!
Pic: Gettyimages.com

About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with Osteo Arthritis in my knees and ankles-
The doc in Texas, said, matter-of-factly- "There is no cure for arthritis, just different ways of controlling it as it gets worser", put me on 2 daily doses of Aleve with an optional 3rd dose.

1 knee cap was at 30% erosion, the others lesser.
I couldn't climb steps if I was off the Aleve, I could wear only flat, support footwear. Knee supports, ankle supports let me walk on.
The worst thing was not being able to pick up my 3 yr old daughter for more than 2 minutes at a time, and the 1 yr old for 5 mins.

Researching that regular use of pain killers disrupt the stomach lining, and with my inclination to natural healing methods, I tried several natural alternatives for pain.

As I fought to gain control, I found relief with daily supplements of Turmeric/ Trevinol / Collagen Type 2/ Horsetail Extract- losing weight, working out with weights, swimming, getting into a regular exercise routine.
Some of them are in my posts here - all of these alternatives are available online and offline.
http://activenaturals.blogspot.com/2009/01/arthritis-natural-alternatives-to-aleve.html
http://activenaturals.blogspot.com/2009/01/collagen-to-reverse-arthritis-heart.html
http://activenaturals.blogspot.com/2008/12/slow-metabolism-eat-turmeric-lower.html
http://activenaturals.blogspot.com/2009/10/trevinol-for-arthritis-pain-aleve.html

I made a Thai Bone Pain Relief synergy specifically for knee joint pains, which let me sleep through many nights. I kept a bottle on to my nightstand, and would apply a little 5 minutes before getting up and it would increase my mobility.

All this was in the US.

Since coming to India, 2 years ago, the Rheumatologist said I had a combination of Osteo (wear n tear) & RA (hereditary). He put me on Glucosamine & Calcium supplements and a set of round-the-clock painkillers.

At the end of 2 months of treatment, with the rheumatologist, telling me that the medications would gradually increase, I began looking for a natural way of healing the body, in the same way we made our serums.

I've looked at different natural medications including Ayureved & Unani but the most beneficial has been Homeopathy and I wanted to put a word in for this, this was by far the most convenient and effective one.

Homeopathy medication
Pic: Gettyimages.com

In India, the homeopath doctor is responsible for giving a custom-mixed medication based on individual symptoms and an individual diagnosis, not just joint pain. I don't know any specific names.
I tried 3 different Homeopaths, (1 even did an accupressure diagnosis), + 3 different off-the-shelf homeopathy products, all gave mild relief till I found this doc who "specialized" in Joint pains.

He looked at the reports from the rheumatologist and gave me
medication that Reduced the next day's morning stiffness by 20% and over the week got gradually better every day. The fatigue and frustration associated with RA reduced slowly and I was much more alert.

In a couple of months I was well enough to increase the exercise routine I was on and got steadily better.

In about 8-9 months, I stopped medication completely and was reasonably pain-free in joints.
I bought myself new high-heeled shoes that I could wear with no discomfort for a couple of hours.

In about 3-4 months off it, however, with an increased exercise routine, stiffness in the morning returned, so I'm back on it, in a milder dose. I do take Trevinol sporadically, especially after a tough exercise session and
spot uses of Pain Relief Synergy.

At this point, I can pick up both my kids, now 5+ & 3+ and this is by far, the greatest achievement of all. I thank God for helping me find the right medication for my problem.

Homeopathy is not very well known in the West, unlike in India, where at least half of the population will try it out for different issues, especially those that medical science has no cures for.

This is my plug for it, as there is no scientific basis for Homeopathy, and there are so many that scoff at it.
I hope that those of you suffering from RA or actually, any other debilitating kind of disease will give it a shot and be helped by it.
I have heard of users with Fibromyalgia, autism, intestinal problems, and even mild cases of diabetes to be controlled with it.

The only thing, is to find the right doctor that can prescribe according to your symptoms and this may take a little bit of time.

If there's anyone else who've benefited from Homeopathy, especially one of the online practitioners, please leave a comment.

Women, what does it takes to be an Achiever? March 8

2011-03-08T03:23:00.003-06:00

A few years ago, while I was at a Doctor's visit, he asked me what I did.
I gave a very self-effacing, non-achieving answer "Housewife".

He pounced on my mood, and said didn't that mean I was keeping home, cooking, shopping and care-giving to 2 pre-schoolers ( apart from 100 or so odds & ends.).
He said, that was the work of 4 different people at least!

My eyes popped open! I was astounded by my "work"!

Celebrate your achievements

That day I realized I was an Achiever in his book.

And I started writing it in mine.

Over the next year,

I began planning to do the things I thought I had no time to do: restarting an exercise routine, making time for online support groups and a half dozen other small things in very cold StLouis.

So, what if I cooked 2 dishes instead of 3 or had a messier house? I was empowering myself, working on me.
I found the focus and drive which had faded away, from the sheer physical exertion of being strength and comfort to 2 preschoolers.
I went on to start over a new business with products I had been making for myself.

My life has never been the same since that Doctor visit.
I needed that person's perspective to validate myself, to pick myself up.

And I give it to you today.
Standing up as a woman, Valuing what you are doing, right now, is what it takes to make you an Achiever.

Men, do a favor to the women in your life: your wife, your mother, your family, your friends.
Take a few minutes to appreciate the work which cannot be translated into Economics, but which has the greatest value of all- that of Love.
Have a blessed day.

Discovering a Skin Solver -Burn & Acne Scars, Before-After Pics

2011-01-22T12:08:00.001-06:00

2 kind clients graciously share their pics and experience with Rose Creme.

Client 1

This client got burnt a year ago.

While deep frying Indian delicacies, the oil in the dish caught fire. With smoke alarms blaring, all she could think of was getting the dish out to the patio. By the time she ran to the door with it, the space of a few seconds, the steam from it caused 1st & 2nd degree burns. Thankfully, the oil did not splatter!

After 1 year, it seemed the scar wasnt healing any further. As she was 4 weeks in town, she asked me for something to increase the rate of healing.

The only thing I could think of, out of all our serums, was Rose Anti-Wrinkle Nite Creme, (with Rose Otto).
My premise was that, since it helped improve appearance of wrinkles, in the upper dermal layers, it would also help improve scars in the upper layers.

This picture above is about 4-5 days of using the creme, our 4g sample size, applied twice daily, and fading had already begun by the time I took the pic.

But the after pic made me very pleased with the results!

After 4 weeks

The After pic was taken the last day in town- about 4 weeks later.

The only retouching I did was to get skin color as close to each other in before & after pics.

Even taking into account, the higher brightness, it is possible to notice that

1. the deep brown of scar has faded to a dark pinkish, brown, much closer to skin tone, which is why it looks less apparent in pic.

2. the clear patches between the scars have grown in area - or scars have reduced in area.
3. Skin is glossier, nourished and supple. Feeling of dryness associated with the burn reduced

Client 2

About 10 days into above, after seeing the visibly fast results, a friend of this client, asked to check the same Rose Creme for stubborn Acne scars.

Before- 2 years of treatment at various clinics

For 2+ years, she has gone through various treatments for face & back scarring, giving each a few months- Kaya's skin clinic, dermabrasion, chemical peels, Homeopathy, various scrubs & treaments.

She was not happy with the little results she got.

Yesterday, exactly 3 weeks since she started, she shared her After pic.

This is a positive midway result.

After 3 weeks

If observed closely, taking the difference in brightness into consideration.

1. Intensity of individual scars is lower, dark color has faded to a much lighter color.

2. Clear patches between the scars have increased in area. Tinier scars are no longer there.

3. Overall impression of atleast 25% reduction

4. Smoother, suppler, glossier, healthier skin.

For this client, I custom-made an Acne Scrub, intensifying our deep cleansing Detox Scrub with added ingredients of sulphur-rich spirulina and other herbal ingredients. This was received favorably and showed good results in a single use, after which this After pic was taken.

I'll be sure to upload the next time she shares.

The Serum: Rose Anti-Wrinkle Nite Creme

1oz (3-4 months for face )

Rose Anti-Wrinkle Nite Creme is part of our Handmade, preservative-free, chemical-free serums, made with 100% natural ingredients.
Color-free & fragrance-free, this product is well liked by sensitive skin individuals.

It is enhanced with Turkish Rose Otto and is our 2nd bestseller, after Natural Hairgrow.

Available in Full & Trial sizes.

US & International shipping at
http://www.holisticserums.com/carenew/face.shtml

in India
http://www.holisticserums.in/carenew/allnatural_rosenitecreme.php

Sample Size 4g (2-3 weeks of use for face)

Orange Cake with Orange Zest and Orange Juice with Cream Cheese Frosting

2010-12-26T12:29:00.001-06:00

Epicurious recipe\
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Carrot-Orange-Cake-with-Cream-Cheese-Frosting-904

4 Forks, the highest rating.

My lower-sugar version of this Christmas' Orange Cake is at the bottom.

Cake

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups finely grated peeled carrots
1 cup raisins

Frosting:

2 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

6 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

For cake:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly butter 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Line bottom with waxed paper; butter paper. Using electric mixer, beat oil and both sugars in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange juice and peel. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt into large bowl; add to sugar mixture and beat to blend. Stir in carrots and raisins.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool cake 15 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack. Remove waxed paper and cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.)

For Frosting:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until light. Beat in orange juice and 2 teaspoons orange peel. Add sugar; beat until smooth. Refrigerate until thick enough to spread, about 30 minutes.

Using serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into 2 equal layers. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 1 1/2 cups frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in thick decorative swirls over top and side of cake. (Carrot cake can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.) Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

My lower-sugar version of Christmas Orange Cake:
Reduce sugar to 1/2
Reduce oil by 1/3- Sometimes I substitute 50% of the oil with buttermilk/yoghurt/curd/applesauce - yes, I've made it several times!

Orange zest of 1 whole orange, and fresh orange juice from 2 oranges.

I didnt have carrots this time, but- with them, will give a nice orange color, and make the cake dense and moist.

No frosting- instead I top with small chunks of white chocolate.
If doing the frosting, cut down the sugar, its way too sweet.
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Enjoy!!

Immanuel- The Sign of the Lord. When can you Ask for a sign.

2010-12-25T11:56:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The birth of Emmanuel, is a sign. To what?

History-
In the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, 2 armies marched against it- Kings of Aram & Israel. They warred against it, but couldn't overpower it.

At this double trouble, "the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind."

And the Lord sends a message to Ahaz saying, “‘It will not take place, it will not happen" 7:6

And He goes on to say something stupendous: "ASK ME A SIGN" - A physical manifestation- in the depths or in the heights 7:10

And Ahaz replies, foolishly, or perhaps, faithlessly , "I will not ask"

Before He says, ask for a sign, He speaks to Ahaz saying in 7:9 - If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”

In the distortion of his mind, Ahaz may be thinking not putting God to the test, may make him honorable.

But it is open rebellion to the word of God, sent directly to him.

So the Lord, Himself, volunteers a sign, a timeless sign : the Sign of Immanuel.

A sign that Ahaz would not see in his lifetime.

A sign is not to the unbeliever.

A sign is to strengthen belief & faith, for the believer to stand in the battle ahead.

When I first met Christ, I would think, if God gave a sign, so many atheists would believe.

And when I spoke to people about Christ, I would say, ask for something you need, I'll pray for it, and you can believe in Him, then.

But when I grew up, I put away childish things. I found the way God moves.

A sign, a miracle, is for the believer (and sometimes to an unbeliever actively seeking God).

The revelation of God is restricted.

The sign of the Lord is restricted.

Ahaz would never see it.

The critical, and the faithless, and the openly rebellious would never see it.

Is there no sign for them, then? Yes, the sign of Jonah: (Matt 12:39)

Destruction is set for those who do evil, but the privilege of Restoration is available if they fear the wrath of God and repent.

To the unbeliever, the sign is that of the wrath of God, of destruction, of hellfire.

But to us, those who believe, the spirit born children of God, miracles and signs, will follow. This is the word of Jesus. And what He says is true.

Several stories & several situations are spoken about in the Bible, when the miraculous is sought for and got (Seek and find principle)
Based on this story, I believe valid situation arises to seek and find a sign.
1. Ask God for a sign, when warfare against you is doubled up, more than you can handle.
2. Ask God for a sign when you hear Him sending a message through a messenger (like now) - God has already started moving.
3. Ask God for a sign when fear besets you and faith falters.

Have a miraculous Christmas.

Anti-Aging Beauty Mask- Look instantly youthful- Pics from Holistic Serums

2010-12-22T11:53:00.000-06:00

The Beauty Secret Masque from HolisticSerums

is a unique Anti-aging Mask which will make you look instantly youthful- well.. after 25-30 mins.
Made with special ingredients: Ayurvedic Aswagandha, mineral -rich Dead Sea Mud, detoxifying Activated Charcoal, anti-oxidant -rich Pomegranate Peel, enzyme-rich Bee Pollen & Honey and other goodies

Holistic Serums are Anti-aging Serums & Cremes with 100% natural ingredients. Free of color, fragrance, preservatives, synthetic chemicals & water.

This mask gives incredible results even in a single use as the pic shows.

Notice the firming of the cheeks and around the lips, smoothing of wrinkled furrows on the neck and a youthful looking glow on the face. Mild anti-tan activity is also seen.
Since it is detoxifying, skin feels cleaner and fresher, smoother and suppler.
Effect of this firming & tightening of skin remains for about 1 week.
This is not a lightening product.

How to use: Mix a small amount of mask with a few drops of water, or any floral water- Orange Blossom hydrosol is my favorite. Make it a thin, almost watery, paste. Apply on Face, Neck, Hands & Feet and any wrinkled areas. Wash off after 30 minutes for smooth, youthful skin.


Flower bowl with Mask at the Trade Show- a Big Hit because of the instant results!

Sample jar (blackish) is behind the 3 off-white creams.

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Trial size (below) comes with a mini-brush for application.
Gives 5-6 uses for Face. Great as a pre-Party mask.

Color of the Mask is brown-black and has a thick texture.

Below is the 1oz size Jar, which can give 25-30 uses for Face. US & International Buy Here

Beauty Secret Masque is part of our Anti-Aging Sampler Kit - A great way to sample our Anti-aging Bestsellers

If in India, See here

Trade Show, India Line, Spa Fit 2010

2010-12-16T03:47:00.001-06:00

At my first Trade Show, in Hyderabad, India. Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hi-tech City

Holistic Serums USA Hair regrowth & Anti-aging SerumsLooking for agents, resellers, distributors in India

100% Natural Serum Bottles

3 US Top Sellers : Natural Hairgrow Serum, Orchid FaceLift Serum
& Tummy Tucker Xtra


Natural Hairgrow, Orchid Face Lift Serum, Hairgrow+AntiDandruff, Tummy Tucker Xtra

TRY-ME Platter was a big hit!
Atleast 40 people tried one of the following
Rose Anti-Wrinkle, Coffee Anti-wrinkle, Active Stretchmarks Reducer
& the top hit- Beauty Secret Masque in the bowl
Brightening Soap, not in pic, also did good

Full Sizes of above
Also seen: Lip Rejuvenator Pen for firmer, smoother, youthfully fuller lips

Ran out of the 50-odd brochures & Business cards I got with me.
Put together a quick powerpoint presentation.
Called Dad to get some more from home- a 60 min drive for a 75-yr old!
People came back in the seminar's other breaks to check if the brochures & cards had arrived. There was a lot of interest.

If you're in India & interested in reselling, distributing, email care121@gmail.com with India in subject line.

For outright purchase, products ship internationally from USA : www.HolisticSerums.com

India Line: www.HolisticSerums.in

Importance of Chanukah to a Christian - Look to your Root.

2010-12-01T04:29:00.005-06:00

Jewish Roots : Chanuka or Hanukkah

I've never read the story of Chanukah, and was amazed at the rich symbolizm in it.

God says, look to your root (to Abraham & Sarah who bore you) - and this has all the making of a root.

President Bush lighting the Menorah with the middle candle which is lit first. Every night, a candle is lighted.
The middle candle is called Shamash meaning "Helper" or "Servant", which are names used for the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the Lighter & Light of our lives.
-----------------------

The following is an modified version by Pr. Larry Huch. See full article here until available.

Chanukah (meaning Dedication) celebrates the Miracle of Deliverance and Supernatural Provision for God's people, 150+ years before Jesus was born.
The armies of Alexander the Great plundered Israel and later, Antiochus, defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. In this persecution, a Jewish priest named Mattathias and his sons – led a successful rebellion, and cast out the invaders.

Then they prepared cleanse and re-dedicate the Temple to God and light
the Menorah, the light that was supposed to burn perpetually, symbolizing the presence and power of God dwelling with His people continually. .
But there was a serious problem: a lack of oil to light the menorah. This special oil, only to be prepared by the priests, took 7 days to prepare.

They had enough consecrated oil for a single day and began the 7 day- long process of preparing fresh oil. But in the meantime, as an act of faith, they went ahead and lit the menorah … to release the presence of God again in the Temple.
The next day, to their amazement, the menorah was still burning.
It burned the next day, and the next, and the next … it burned continuously, for eight full days – when they finally had a fresh supply of consecrated oil!

God had superceded the laws of physics!

----------------------------

What is of value to us, is that Jesus celebrated Chanukah. John 10, the Feast of Dedication.
Jesus, the Light of the World, has come to Jerusalem for the Festival of Lights. where He plainly states- I and My Father are One.

Because Chanukah, is a picture of God’s power and presence among His people, Jesus shows us an incredible opportunity for the Release of Miracles into your life

Why should you celebrate this special season? So that you can discover a new dimension of God's divine presence, His promise of miracle provision in your life!

Chanukah is also a time for special tzedakahs – acts of righteous charity and good deeds.
Today I ask you to continue the tradition of tzedakah at Chanukah with a special gift of support for our ministry.

-----------------------------------

Modified from Pastor Larry Huch's web message. See full article here until available.

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In view of his request, we have decided that 10% of sales of our special Christmas Edition: EverLast Creme for Luminous, Youthful Skin go to his ministry.

EverLast is a limited edition, 100% natural cream, made with 23K Gold, Myrrh & Frankincense.
In celebration of Christmas, this new "Creme for Luminous, Youthful Skin" will be available Dec 1- Dec 25 and when I read this message, the timing seemed to fit right into Pastor Larry's message!

We made this cream to celebrate the rich Spiritual symbolism of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. Read about it here.
Available in Gift Packages of 1, 5 & 10. Buy here.

--------------------

Please share your insight on the message

Blessings in Christ.
Esther Jo

CYBER Saturday 2 Monday Sale at www.HolisticSerums.com!

2010-11-27T13:47:00.003-06:00

CYBER Saturday 2 Monday Sale!

Now on!

27-29 November only.

10-25% off our exclusive, potent Serums for Hair Regrowth , Face Lift & Wrinkle Serums

Body Firming & Rejuvenating Serums.

We are launching a new line starting Dec 1, and are clearing up inventory.

Check it out now

www.HolisticSerums.com

23K Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh Rejuvenating Serum, ltd.ed.

2010-11-12T06:35:00.006-06:00

A celebration of Christmas, our newly launched, ltd.ed.EverLast Creme.

A rich, rejuvenating creme, with 23K Gold, Precious oils of Frankincense & Myrrh- a gift anyone would love

Read below:

Symbolism of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh & Physical benefits.

EverLast Creme: for Luminous, Youthful Skin.
Gift packages of 1, 5 and 10. Avl Dec 1 -25, 2010
10% of sales donated to Ps. Larry Huch's ministry as a "tzedakah", an act of charity at Chanukah. Read about what he says about symbolistm to a Christian

Sizes

1oz Pot, double walled sophisticated white Acrylic Jar, in a Designer Gold Organza Bag. Spatula. $44.99
Need more gifts? try our mini jars in gift packs of 5 & 10.
4g square, acrylic jars, Individual bags & spatulas. These look really nice!
Gift packs of 5 $39.99
Gift packs of 10 $59.99

BUY NOW

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Symbolism: Gold, Myrrh & Frankincense

The Magi, Wise men & Kings, in homage to the King of Kings offered to Him rare & precious gifts

Gold, precious Metal, symbolic of Kingship, representative of God on earth.
In some ancient cultures, gold was to be used only by royalty and it was a mark of grandeur and the king was god on earth. It was, and is, the most precious metal in trade.
We have a rich God, all the gold and silver, all the cattle on a thousand hills are His.

Frankincense, a fragrant Incense, symbol of Priesthood, separation to God.
Priests were separated from the common people-Levites, Nazarites- no regular tasks (or regular life). He had access to God at set times and places.
But our High Priest is touched by our infirmities, bore our human frailness, He is not separated from our everyday lives and now He transcends time and place, life and death.

Myrrh, an Embalming oil, symbolic of Death, when everyone who can, prepares to meet God
Myrrh was used to prepare dead bodies. Why? no one really knows. Read about embalming
Jesus was born to die. For me, my sin- which separate me from God.
At His death, the veil of the temple was torn off the Holy of Holies. Everyone who will walk in boldly to the throne of grace, has access to God- we are Priests now, a Royal Priesthood at that!

But there is no symbol for resurrection- for this is not for mortals!
By His Resurrection, death has been conquered, and swallowed up in Victory!
So, as a saved child of God, the sway that death holds over men, is not upon us.
He puts within us, for those who ask, the seal of the Spirit, the symbol of Resurrection and when the Holy Spirit indwells, this mortal body earnestly groans for the day- when the corruptible will put on incorruptibility and these eyes will see the face of the Fairest of ten thousand.

Selah.

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These three elements, also show beneficial properties to the body and have a long history of use for their rejuvenating effects.

Physical benefits of the 3 elements

Research reveals Gold to have anti-bacterial properties, helps transport oxygen molecules into the skin, influences cellular functions, providing new energy levels.
It also shows that it helps revitalise skin, reverse oxidation damage, making the skin more firm, resilient and youthful.
It also helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, thus facilitating the removal of toxins, purifying the skin and improving functions of regeneration.
Gold, finds mention in Ayurveda, where contact is deemed beneficial for the skin, blood circulation, and heartbeat, as well as to be ingested for increased vitality and vigor.

Frankincense is anti-septic and anti-inflammatory, soothing many skin conditions and keeping infections at bay. A powerful therapeutic agent, burnt as a resin, so that the escaping volatile oil, would prevent respiratory disease.

Myrrh highly regarded as a valuable beauty aid in the Bible. Queen Esther's beauty treatments before meeting the King included a treatment with oil of Myrrh for 6 months.
------------------------

These 3 elements, and other precious ingredients go into Everlast Creme including Organic Nilotica Shea, Organic Beeswax, Raspberry Seed Oil, Shea Oil and other natural goodness to Firm and smooth Mature, wrinkled skin and keep it Supple.

It will replenish the natural oils lost by winter's chills and dehydrating effects of heating. Dry, leathery skin will be a thing of the past.

A tiny tiny dab is enough to cover the face & neck.

Use 1 edge of the spatula to pick up a small amount of cream.
Since these are water-free creams, they are equivalent and more than the 4-6oz bottles of moisturisers which contain water as the major portion.

4g pots last upto 3-4 weeks and will fade wrinkles and give a glow. 1oz pot will last atleast 3-4 months.

Our recommendation?
Give yourself the Gift of Youthful Skin
---------------------------------------------
Available December 1 to December 25, 2010

Limited Edition, Available till stock lasts. Order early.

1oz pot, in a Gold Organza Designer gift bag

$44.99

4g pots, mini spatula,individual organza gift bags
5-pack $39.99 & 10-pack $59.99

BUY IT HERE

-----------------------

About Holistic Serums

We make exclusive, Hand-made, preservative-free, water-free Serums & Creme Concentrates with 100% natural ingredients.
Fragrance-free, Color-free and providing phenomenal skin benefits.

Our ingredients are based on Aromatherapy, Ayurved, Unani, Herbal traditions as well as the latest researched cosmeceutical discoveries like Orchid & Pomegranate oils.

We balance long-term beneficial ingredients with fast-acting short-term helpful ones to make Potent, unbeliavably good serums.
.We trust you and your friends will enjoy them.

Benefits of Bath Salts -YouTube DIY Himalayan Pink & Peppermint

2010-10-21T00:14:00.001-05:00

Ooh this is good- simply had to post.
Making your own Bath salts with Himalayan Pink Salts, scented with triple distilled Peppermint.
Watch the video here
http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/10/kitchen-chemistry-.html

Bath Salts are excellent to refresh body and mind.
Here are some reasons for you to indulge.

Bath salts offer a lot of benefits- its not just tossing some scented salt in your bath.
Warning - never put salt if skin has cuts or bruises on it, sting like nobody's business.

How to Use Bath Salts
Draw a hot bath, just at tolerance level. Add 2-3 scoops of bath salt, and take a 20-min soak.

Benefits For the BODY

Bath salts relieve sore, achy muscles and joints, and reduce pain from sports injuries, stimulate circulation, relax muscle spasms and excellent for relief to achy tired feet, for foot ailments such as corns and calluses.

Bath salts may help remove excess oil and Detoxify skin and body. With the added oils, they will help to not dry out skin.
For dry, cracked skin and for itching and irritation due to dryness, bath salts are said to be helpful. Many suffering from Eczema & Psoriasis find Epsom Salts & non-fragranced Salts helpful.
See Surestop to Eczema Synergy

Benefits For the MIND

Bath salts, with essential oils are stress-busting and elevate emotions, make you more able to face the challenges ahead.
And at night, washing away the day's turmoil helps in a restful state of mind.

Essential oils must be used in careful doses
My fave Picker-Ups: Choose a couple of
Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Grapefruit, Orange, RoseMary & Basil (very tiny amount)

To Destress for the Day, I'd select
Lavender, Geranium, Chamomile, Patchouli.

For Achy Feet and legs
Peppermint, Juniper, Cypress, Rosemary, Fennel and my favorites Nutmeg, Black Pepper.

Homemade Pizza with Mushrooms, Bell Pepper, Mozarella & pizza base

2010-10-12T04:06:00.001-05:00

When I woke up this morning, I was on a mission.
To make myself a new winter cream with all those coming-of-age butters- Shea, Pistachio, and some aging oils Walnut, Apricot and dashes of EOs- to smooth skin, keep me warm and up metabolism.

As I slathered myself smooth, I began to want more work... serves me right for overdoing the Turmeric- (read about Turmeric & upping metabolism here)

So, I sliced & diced Onions, peppers, Mushrooms

sauteed them all with liberal lashings of extra Virgin olive Oil, salted and peppered them. Cut slices of Mozzarella

Whipped Pizza sauce over pre-heated Pizza base

Piled the veggies - Red onions, baskets of mushrooms, Red & Yellow Peppers

Cheese slices on top - This is the other mini - Wait is that enough cheese?

Looks better now

Forgot the Rosemary, lift the cheese, sprinkle it in. And into the oven we go.....

Voila...

Whats life without a microwave..

Cut & Eaten in the next 10 minutes by Me n my family..

Feels like I'm in a Jason Statham movie- boy, that dude moves...

The end.
Maybe part 2 will come up later.

Favorite customer of 2009 -Natural Acne Serum & WashTestimonial

2010-10-06T05:25:00.003-05:00

Lisa H, California, Our favorite customer of 2009!
Shares her experience with 100% Natural Acne Control Serum, Acne Old Scars Serum and Acne Wash

Raja gives 5 Stars for Acne Old Scars Serum on our page on Facebook

Here are parts of Lisa's email.

Week 1
" I am very happy with your products... I do not have any new blemishes and the texture (soft and smooth) of my face is improving! That is half the battle... however I am dying to not wear foundation so hopefully the scars will fade too!"

Week 2
I don't think I've had a new pimple in over 2 weeks and my scars do seem to be lightening plus the overall feel of my skin is improved. And this is mainly from the acne wash (which I now love!) and the acne blend and acne scars.
Mom .. tried some of my acne wash and loves it... she's gonna switch over from proactiv.
realized that for the first time in 10 years, I was out (somewhere other than errands!) without any foundation on! And in pictures my skin looked great.

Week 3
"I can't even tell you how much I love it - over the years I've tried proactiv, oral antibiotics, prescription topical creams, etc. and I get the best results from your natural wash. I never had severe acne but at least 3-5 blemishes all the time! Many thanks,"
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Purchase 100% natural, chemical free, Acne products at www.HolisticSerums.com
In India, at www.HolisticSerums.in

Congress: Equal laws to US Citizens & Senators -incl Healthcare Reform!

2010-09-22T04:07:00.001-05:00

Did you know that members of Congress specifically exempted themselves from laws they have passed (such as fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) - and the latest was to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform ...
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This was emailed to me by a friend. Please take a couple minutes to read it and pass it on! People need to know- and act.

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The Time Has Indeed Come! Governors of 35 states have already filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention. This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on. An idea whose time has come! For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest was to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform ... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. A Constitutional Convention - this is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come. And, with the advent of modern communication, the process can be moved along with incredible speed. There is talk out there that the "government" doesn't care what the people think. That is irrelevant. It is incumbent on the population to address elected officials to the wrongs afflicted against the populace...you and me. Think about this... The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure. I'm asking each addressee to forward this Email to a minimum of twenty people on their Address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ." We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes. ****************************************************************** Congressional Reform Act of 2010 1. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below.. A. Two Six-year Senate terms B. Six Two-year House terms C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms 2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. 3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. 4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work. If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, just delete.

Shared by

Britton Bell, founder and owner
www.Brittons-Unique-Boutique.com

SCENTsitives ™

Rosh Hashanah -Sep 10 2010- Symbolism of the Lion in Jeremiah

2010-09-09T15:40:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year!
Shana Tovah!

Rosh Hashanah- Judaic New Year starts on September 10 2010. The Year of the Lion ending the Year of the Eagle.

This has special significance to me.
A few years ago, I had revelation knowledge of anti-aging products to start our business on a prayer: "God renew my youth like the Eagle"

Molting Eagle

But the year of the Eagle is ended. The eagle symbolism-its molting process, which allows it to get new plumage- new strength & beauty- the metaphor of renewed youth.

So what does this Lion symbolize?
I had already heard symbolism of becoming lions that devour prey, but I wondered still.
As I pondered this and read my Bible, something I heard about lions, slipped through my mind and stuck there.
It sprang to mind because I met a couple last weekend with whom I had discussed a message on Lions from the Jordan, 9-10 years ago.
----------------
# Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of the Jordan against the habitation of the strong;"

# Jeremiah 50:44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of the Jordan unto the habitation of the strong;"

Lions from the swelling of the Jordan?

In Spring, when the snows of Mount Hermon melt, the Jordan, overflows its banks and swells into the surrounding (dry) floodplain. This floodplain is full of thick brush, where only wild beasts, notably Lions live.
These angry lions, forced out of their habitation, as they come out of the water, hunt in the neighboring areas for a short time, till the waters subside.

Jeremiah alone has this imagery in the Bible, because of the life he led - it was almost like he lived among men like lions, who tried to rend him: physical suffering, prison, living in a well-
the whole of the book is trouble and agony, physical, emotional.
---------
The other place it comes up is when talking about the mighty men of David, his choice soldiers.

1 Chronicles 12

   ¹⁴These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
   ¹⁵These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

Men who went fighting when Lions went hunting.
---------------------------------
Back to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.
The Lord has a hard answer when he complains of the wicked taking root and making the land to mourn:

" 12:5"If thou hast run with the footmen and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trusted, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of the Jordan?"

Whatever Jeremiah was complaining about, He said, it is as if he was fighting with the foot soldiers. What will you do with the mounted soldiers, He asks.
And what will you do in the swelling of the Jordan- when the lions come?
------------------------
Lions hunting - Worst of the worst troubles.Spiritually,
It seems like your safety is breached, hedge seems cut off. What could not be imagined before has come against you. It is as if you cannot escape the lion- and it will surely put you to death.

The imagery is so powerful that a dream of a lion (there is a specific phrase in telugu: simha swapnam) is an interpretation of a sign of death in your close circle.
1 lady I knew dreamt of a lion and her husband died in the following weeks- this was the most recent, less than a month ago- but I have heard of many dreams of lions interpreted as death, a few in retrospect.

----------------------
But there is something remarkable here.

In Joshua, an incident happens when the Jordan was swelling.

Joshua says, "we're crossing the Jordan- priests, start moving with the Ark."

Joshua 3:15
And as.. feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

   ¹⁶That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho."

The Jordan's overflowing waters stopped in 2 heaps And the people crossed over!

The priests stopped the Jordan - when it was swelling!

It is remarkable because Christian symbolism interprets passing the Jordan as associated with crossing over from Death to Life

Not only did they pass over, they took 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan- as a memorial.

   ³and command ye them, saying, `Take you hence out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones; and ye shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where ye shall lodge this night.'"

⁶that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, `What mean ye by these stones?'

   ⁷then ye shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD: when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever."

Priests are the elite worshipers of God. Only they had the right to bear the Ark of the Covenant. Anyone who touches the Ark would be stoned to death. In the case of Hophni & Phinehas, they were struck down by God.
Priests are consecrated, separated, to God. They are not the singers- the people who get up in church to sing and praise God- yes, God has a place for Singers, but they arent Priests.
Priests are ordered to not do any regular work, their only work being the mediators between God and men. Not just singing, for these elite, their whole lives are worship to God.

Through the new covenant of Jesus, God names us "royal priesthood".

All of us, related to Jesus by covenant, are priests. To us is given the responsibility of bearing the Ark, the presence of the Living God.

They took orders from Joshua- he give the directions - they obeyed.
Be obedient to spiritual authority over you. Many people think worshiping God is everything. And now we see that, even consecration to God is not everything. To cross over the Jordan, you need obedience.

Pick up the Ark of the Covenant. It takes physical work, to bring in the presence of God.
-------------------
Dont be afraid of the Lions that seem like they are all but tearing you limb from limb.

Maybe you are seeing in your life that death is imminent, but the devil has always been and always will be a big fat liar

If you are a worshiper of Jesus, bearing the burden God has placed on you, obedient to the man of God in your life, I say this to you
God is about to cross you over the Jordan, passing from Death to Life.

Plan on making your memorials, picked from the middle of Jordan,
God is going to do something to tell your children about.

"The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book (of Life)..." Rev 5.5 (Thank you, Kathy)
Judgement Day, the Lion of Judah will open our lives up to public display - He only has prevailed, because to open this book, He had to give up His life to overcome (sin and) death.

Jesus said, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

--

On Rosh Hashanah, the Shofar is blown.

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound (of the shofar) they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.Psalm 89:15

The Shofar (rams horn trumpet) is blown on several occasions- celebrations, war, and during the leading of the Israelites through the wilderness.

Listen to the Rosh Hashanah Shofar sound

The clip below isnt a Rosh Hashanah sound, but is extremely beautiful, it has added reverb and effects for a mountaintop effect.

HyperPigmentation- Risks of Whitening Creams ingredients. Natural Lightening Products

2010-09-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

Every one knows someone who's used a Whitening product.
Although this is a controversial topic, closely intertwined with effects on identity, self-image, race, and worse, there is a purely cosmetic appeal to it.

Uneven pigmentation affects most people, regardless of ethnic background or skin color. Skin is either lighter or darker than normal- blotchy, uneven areas, patches of brown to gray discoloration or freckling.
Hyperpigmentation occurs because of too much or too little melanin, which creates the color of skin, eyes, and hair shades.

Ingredients of whitening creams come with their associated risks.

Mercury, toxic, banned in most countries (Europe 1976)(USA 1990) because it accumulates on skin and it can have the opposite results long term.

Hydroquinone shown to cause leukemia in mice and other animals. Although banned in 2001 by EU, it shows up in bootleg creams in the developing world. OTC drugs in the US contain less than 2% hydroquinone.

Alternative lighteners use natural sources of hydroquinone like Bearberry extract, Mulberry extract which contain arbutin, which can inhibit melanin production

Vitamin A, or Retin-A which causes skin-thinning & increased sun-sensitivity

Kojic acid, a byproduct of rice fermentation, has current controversial research as being carcinogenic.

Vitamin C has studies that say it helps brighten the skin tone, however this is in concentrations over 5%, which is unlikely to be available in cosmetics.

Use only natural ingredients, and no synthetic chemicals. They dont cause whitening, but remove tanning, and excess deposits of melanin on skin due to environmental exposure, pollution. Results are clear, eventoned and lightened skin.

Orchid Light & Lift Face Serum

This light, smoothing serum can be used under makeup or alone. It is non-comedogenic & hypo-allergenic. Regular use will show clear, radiant skin which is smooth and nourished and lighter. Use a few drops and cover face, neck and hands. Natural lightening Ingredients: Bergamot, Bearberry, Orchid, Seabuckthorn berry oils
Lightening Wash Top Pick
This smoothing, semi solid, granular wash with Dead sea mud washes out darkeness on upper layers of skin due to exposure to environment. Skin is left smooth, clear and lighter. Especially useful for hands, face, arms and legs which have frequent exposure. Results may last for 1-2 weeks and especially beneficial to lighten very dark skin tones.

90% Natural ingredients which include Activated Charcoal to draw impurities trapped in skin, Dead Sea mud which imparts Minerals & enzymes. Ultra moisturizing Shea helps skin to be not dried out- further moisturizing may not be needed.
Natural granules of mud act as a gentle scrub.

This is a detox wash which lightens by clearing first layer of skin and drawing impurities from deeper layers, no melanin –blockers are used. Naturally scented with essential oils.

Application:

Take a small amount and apply like a mask, can be mixed with a few drops of water. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, and wash off with cool water.

Lightening Ingredients: Dead Sea Mud, chamomile, shea, bearberry extract.

Light Pen for Dark Circles New

Dark Circles need to be treated for both symptom & cause: 1. Visible darkness and 2. Underlying cause.
This dual treatment Serum lightens intensely overnight with oils of Eye Bright.

Oxygen rich Orchid Extract addresses underlying causes of reduced oxygen supply and nutrients, Meadowfoam seed & Pomegranate seed oils nourish the delicate under eye area so that the dark circles do not return quickly. Skin is healthier,with stronger texture.

Preferably use overnight to look fresh by morning. Even application for a few hours will be helpful.

This Eye Pen has a sponge tip for ease of application to eye-area. Naturally colored with Seabuckthorn oil.

Lightening Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, Pomegranate oil, Orchid ext, Bearberry & Mulberry Extracts

Because dark circles are temporary, the lightening benefits of this serum are also temporary, use only when needed.

The Beauty Secret Masque for hyper pigmentation is a unique blend of ingredients from Ayurveda which leaves skin Firmer, Youthful looking, Lighter and leaves a glow.
Take a very tiny amount, about 1 tsp, mix with warm water and apply a thin watery paste.
This is a very healing mask and can give the benefits of monthly facials while imparting enzymes, minerals that are present in Dead Sea Clay.
Most products available on www.HolisticSerums.com or www.HolisticSerums.in

Email care121@gmail.com for enquiries.

Hair Damage Repair. Why Silicones & Anti Frizz Serums are BAD & whats Good for Perms & Rebonding.

2010-08-22T06:36:00.010-05:00

A couple of years ago, I did the most thoughtless thing of my life- I permed my hair! I got geat big curls in my black, wavy hair & it was oh! such a lovely sight.
Till my hair started to drop off and became Unmanageable! a word only the chemically treated can fathom.
.
Dry as grass, rough, horrendous frizz, Ugh.
I slapped on half a dozen Anti-Frizz products - John Frieda, Clairol, Silk Drops, Dove, etc. and thought they'd work.
What they did was to make my hair temporarily manageable, but the next day or week, depending on the product, it became slightly to far worse.
Every morning I got up and moaned. I cut off some hair, used hair masks, got Nexxus, shampoo & conditioner, and while it became marginally better, it wasnt for long.
I was spending hours, leave alone $$ on my hair.

Paul mitchell's Gallon Detangler

Then I started to research.
1. Why is my hair rough, dry. frizzy, unmanageable
2. Why dont the Antifrizz serums help for more than a few hours?
3. What can I do now.

1) Well Answer to 1 was simple.
Rough, Dry, unmanageable means I had Damaged hair.
Which means, because of the structure changes due to rebonding chemicals, not just hair was fragile & brittle, but there was a loss of scalp's natural oil, Sebum.
Sebum, coats the hair, and the reason that hair is manageable & shiny.

2) Antifrizz serums & Detanglers , why werent they working?Now this was an eye-opener.

All products that say they make hair manageable or shiny are basically Silicones or Cones.

Silicones mask hair damage by coating the hair, making hair appear healthier and shinier.
This coating prevents moisture reaching hair, making it more brittle, and build up over time when it will cause extensive breakage.
I read that Hairstylists have sometimes actually scraped off silicones wax off people's hair with scissors

Anti-frizz serums actually create MORE frizz -else, who's gonna buy 'em?

See Also Anti-Frizz Natural Oil Serum for softening hair with each use.

Then I found out theres a whole "cone-free" revolution where these ladies all decide on not using products with silicones. Ever.
And that includes many many hair products including shampoos and conditioners.

Silicones in Indian Market

If you already use products with Silicones- Antifrizz serums, Shampoos & Conditioners which say shiny, healthy hair, detanglers- just like me- they have to be removed with a Clarifying shampoo, & condition intensively

Indian products with silicones?
Difficult to point out, as ingredients are not listed - but anything that says rub in for smooth hair - Pantenes Hair Repair n Care & Livon.
Steer clear of them if you dont want to damage your hair

Now, the important bit.
3) Restore hair to optimum health which means no more Silicones on my labels. ( Dimethicone & Cyclomethicone, the cone products!)

As far as the perm was concerned, the only way out was to make hair grow out faster, and keep cutting. Wait it out atleast a couple years, while nourishing with our Natural Damaged Hair Serum

Natural Damaged Hair Serum addreses 4 thing:s:
1. loss of sebum, 2. dryness of hair, 3.roughness (cuticle damage) & 4.hairloss in clumps (boohoo)

Jojoba, Avocado & Macadamia

A mix of natural oils that mimic natural sebum, like Macadamia & Jojoba . For dryness & roughness, in went nourishing, penetrating oils like Avocado & oils for giving a silkiness like Abyssinian. For hairloss, added therapeutic essential oils + Natural Hairgrow (our flagship product for reduced hair loss, increased growth. See Pictures & Reviews here from Indian users).

I would apply the mix to my hair and scalp, leave it on overnight and wash it off with a mild shampoo + a heavy, heavy conditioner - or if I wasnt going out, not wash it off at all & reapply in a couple days. This went on for about 2 weeks.

Recovery
In each use, I noticed a difference.Hair was less brittle & rough.
By 4 uses, I saw reduced Hairloss, reduced dryness, roughness, and the frizz was somewhat better, so much more behaved, I knew I was on the path to recovery
.
I kept clear of Anti-frizz serums, except on occasion, & made sure to wash them out, Steered away from the pool, and used a scarf. My hair became healthy and grew longer quicker as it was well nourished.

The thrice weekly routine continued for a couple months, and a few months later, I could cut off most of the (now) straightened out perm and hair was glossy & smooth.

I now use minimal products, brush with a paddle brush 2X for 3 mins a day to redistribute oils and do a warm oil treatment with Hair Repair once a month.
To lighten my highlights, I use Damaged Hair- Blond Tint with Chamomile
and to darken, I use Damaged Hair Brunette Tint with Rosemary.

They work kinda similar to John Frieda's Blond & Brunette shampoos/conditioners but they are not synthetic Dyes, so the tints are not exact, they will lighten or darken the highlights you have.

The natural color of the Serum is pale yellow, unlike the above products which are colored with dyes, and is nourishing to scalp and smoothing hair by coating them with natural oils.

Buy Our Serums

Damaged Hair Blond Tint & Brunette Tint are available in USA.www.HolisticSerums.com
Hair Smoothing Serum , Hair Regrowth Serums and anti-aging serums are available in India on www.HolisticSerums.in

I would love to hear opinions on your experience with Perms, Rebonding, Straightening, Anti-frizz serums & other cone products. Let me know!
See Also Anti-Frizz Natural Oil Serum for softening hair.

Want to Reduce Rheumatoid? Drink more alcohol! New Research

2010-07-28T14:11:00.003-05:00

Ooh, I absolutely had to post this.
A new study has found that drinking alcohol may reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

This is the first time that this effect has been shown in humans (so I'm guessing rabbits & mice showed it too.). The study also showed that alcohol consumption reduces the risk of developing the disease.

The study which compared 873 patients with RA and 1004 people without RA (the control group), included a detailed questionnaire, x-rays, blood tests, physical examination of joints.

The researchers, led by Gerry Wilson, Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, UK), asked the two groups how frequently they had drunk alcohol in the month preceding their inclusion in the study.

First author,Dr James Maxwell, consultant rheumatologist at the Rotherham Foundation NHS Trust, said: "We found that patients who had drunk alcohol most frequently had symptoms that were less severe than those who had never drunk alcohol or only drunk it infrequently.
X-rays showed there was less damage to joints, blood tests showed lower levels of inflammation, and there was less joint pain, swelling and disability.
This is the first time that a dose dependent inverse association between frequency of alcohol consumption and severity of RA has been shown in humans."

Maxwell and his colleagues also found that non-drinkers were four times more likely to develop RA than people who drank alcohol on more than ten days a month.

"This finding agrees with the results from previous studies that have shown a decreased susceptibility to developing RA among alcohol drinkers," said Maxwell.

Writing in their paper, the study authors concluded: "While there are a number of limitations to the methodology of this study, the results do suggest that the consumption of alcohol may modify RA, influencing both risk and severity."

The study has been published online in the journal Rheumatology & is excerpted from DC

I am linking this to Mommy needs a Cocktail, because well, I think its terribly funny.

Why PMS = More Chocolate & How to not let it sabotage Weight Loss Goals

2010-07-07T03:57:00.002-05:00

Its that time of the month, again!
And the quantity of chocolate I gobble up from my kids stores' makes me wonder about my self control.

I dunno if anyone ever wanted a scientific reason for something so badly as I did-

SO HERE IT IS

This is what the doctor calls PMS-C, a type of PMS characterized by cravings for sweets, increased appetite, fatigue, headaches, and hypoglycemic episodes that may lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or- in severe cases- fainting.

It is suggested that those suffering from PMS-C respond to hormonal fluctuations that affect blood sugar, making cells more insulin-sensitive leading to blood sugar crashes that trigger cravings to candy and potato chips.

However, after you stuff your face with Ho Ho’s, your insulin levels spike, causing your blood sugar to drop yet again. And so the cycle closes.

One reason could be magnesium, needed to help insulin bind to cell receptors. Magnesium deficiency may worsen chocolate cravings because chocolate contains magnesium.
Doc says that supplementing with 300-400 mg of magnesium may help. Evening primrose oil, chaste tree berry, and natural progesterone may also alleviate PMS symptoms.

For those of us with long-term weight loss goals, much of our ambitions are sabotaged by our own bodies - we're up (or lowering weight steadily & feeling great) and then down (stuffing it & feeling bad) on a rather rythmic & regular basis. But theres help.

To avoid weight gain during the second half of your menstrual cycle, resist the urge to indulge in sweets and carbs and stabilize your blood sugar with low glycemic index foods that don’t bump up your insulin levels much.

Healthy choices include lean proteins (fish, chicken breast, eggs), veggies, and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, or barley. For even more effective blood sugar stabilization, drink green vegetable juice.
Keep healthy snacks, such as almonds, olives, or carrot sticks, on hand to combat cravings.

This kind of diet will knock out most of your cravings, so that, even if PMS hunger leads you to consume more food, you should still be on track for your weight loss goals.

Personally, every time, I stick to reasonably good eating choices in those days, I reward myself with a piece of indulgent chocolate for dessert.

Pic from Divine Fairtrade chocolate on Flickr

First Monthly Newsletter. 20% Discount & Sample Offer

2010-06-15T05:40:00.004-05:00

Newsletter Issue 1
Dear Readers,

We are excited to be starting our First BiMonthly Newletter.
I know a lot of people do monthlies, and some even weeklies, but, trust us, thats all we have time for.
But we do have a lot of things to share, a special discount, and informative articles.

We're celebrating Someone SPECIAL!

Our CEO, Ruth Rose, has a birthday coming up on June 17
To commemorate the occasion, we have a new 100% natural product, Ruth's Renewing Rub - a smoothing, moisturing all-over Body Polisher with Ayurvedic ingredients to leave clarified, eventoned & younger looking skin. A free sample to purchases on or before the 17th.

Also, Special Discount till the 17th- 20% on purchases above $50.

In this Bimonthly issue,
[] For the first time, we share the Story behind the Serums

[] Article on Controlling Cravings with Essential Oils

[] Many evangelists brought us out with a positive attitude when we faced tough times. Evangelist of the month : Joel O'Steen, the "Favor" man.

Health : blogposts
[] Non-allergenic eczema soap : Savon de Marseilles
[] Moms: Reducing belly fat with The Coconut Colon Cleanse

We hope you like what you read.
In the following months, we have a lots of happenings including, new products, giveaways & special offers.
Connect with us on our Fan page on Facebook.
Talk to us, read user reviews, know first about discounts and special offers.
Tell us what you liked or disliked about our stuff. 140 connections, looking for 300

Or just talk to us, We'd love to hear from you, our very special customers.

Warm Regards,

Esther Jo & Ruth Rose

-----------------------------------------------

Story of the Serums

Many of our customers call our Serums “Miracles”, the “Fountain of Youth” and say they made them look 10 years younger. One of our clients was kind enough to share her unbelievable personal photos. Thank you, L Duke.

It started with a Prayer.
Weeks after my son was born, in St. Louis, Missouri, I stood before the mirror and took a good, hard look at myself.
My hair & face & body looked so old, it was terrifying.
I looked 10 years older than my age – and my already dipping self esteem dipped to an all-time low.

As I shared with God my anguish & fears, a verse from the Bible leapt up and stuck into my mind, showing it from an angle I had never seen it from.
Faith rose up like a wall.

*“God, Renew my Youth”, I prayed, or rather, it would be more precise to say, the entirety of my being screamed it out. I stopped thinking about it “spiritually” - I had a physical need. And that word became real.

(* “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” Ps. 103)

In the days that followed, using only the oils & extracts in my apartment, I saw a transformation in me:
1. I had hairloss & a receding hairline that regrew,
2. After losing 20+ pounds, my face, which had lost much of its structure became firm and clear. I had a glow that I had only seen after some very expensive facials.
3. Body became firmer & younger looking, stretchmarks were fading, cellulite was being smoothed.
Yes, I was in a really, really bad way.

But how did it happen?
It started with something else.

My background
Over the years, I worked as a Civil Engineer, Graphic, Multimedia & Instructional Designer. One of my passions included Aromatherapy & herbal remedies.
I would make healing synergies for myself, friends with Acne & skin problems, mom’s Rheumatic pains & any other things that people asked for help with. I was very much aware of the healing power of natural oils.

When my daughter, was born with eczema, I was frustrated with the relentless suffering.
The only available temporary relief was from corticosteroids. But, not only do steroids have terrible side effects, they push the eczema into the body making future outbreaks worse, finally needing stronger steroids. It is a Catch 22 situation.

When I saw that some extracts brought from India reduced an outbreak for a few days, I determined to find a natural cure for her eczema.

I researched properties of natural oils - like their content of essential fatty acids aiding immunity development, etc. Any natural ingredient, from any place on earth, if there were studies or info that it helped with eczema, if it was for sale, I would get it and use it.

When I finally found a cure, it was relief beyond words that I could put something on her, and the eczema would die down in the next few days.

When we saw how helpful it was to her and to several friends, both children and adults, we wanted to make it available to others and put it up for sale online.
It is called Surestop to Eczema. Through many months, we've modified it to fit a wide variety of needs. It is a hypoallergenic, USDA Organic synergy available in 4 strengths. About 60% users say they have relief.
This is our labor of love.

After inventing Surestop, I was left with an enormous stash of natural extracts & oils.
They were too expensive to throw out, so, about a year later, after my prayer, I opened my cupboards and began to use them on myself.
And that’s when the transformation happened.

The natural oils & extracts gave phenomenal rejuvenating benefits to hair, skin & body. Many OTC products I had bought over the years for my 20-yr old stretchmarks & cellulite came nowhere close to these!

With the help of Ruth, a Quality Chemist & Computer Analyst, we started our home business, with our handmade creations, calling them Holistic Serums- Holistic because “whole” oils are used and Serums because of the “high active ingredient concentrations.”
Read post on Serums vs treatment lotions

Our Serums were created because God allowed a difficult situation to discover the power of desperate prayer.
----------------------------------------

Controlling Cravings with Essential Oils - a short Study.

Caldwell [Caldwell, N. 2001. & Associates Effects of ylang ylang on cravings of women with substance abuse] explored the effects of ylang ylang in a small, controlled study of 10 women suffering from cravings following withdrawal of substance abuse. All women were taking orthodox medication.

Each participant put 2 drops of oil on a cotton square which was put in the pillowcase for seven nights. The participants were also asked to put 2-3 drops of oil on a cotton handkerchief and to carry it for seven days, and smell it when a craving is experienced. The participants were asked to record the number of cravings, their intensity, and any other comments.

The results showed the number of cravings went down.
However, ylang ylang did not prevent the cravings completely. 80% of this very small experimental group believed “smelling the oil relieved the stress and anxiety of that moment.” Caldwell notes that ylang ylang’s positive effect might be enhanced by using a diffuser at night.

--------------------------

Apart from this study, there is anecdotal information on treating alcohol and substance abuse with essential oils which include essential oils of Clary Sage, Marjoram & Spikenard in addition to Ylang Ylang in similar method as above.
1 treatment even suggests using a few drops of the blend as patches on a bandaid !

1 thing to remember when Clary Sage is in the picture is to avoid alcohol, as the combination can cause nightmares- in the words of John Gerard's herbal, "Clary Sage when mixed with Wine causeth madnesse"

Maybe this treatment would also work with Food Cravings?
If anyone is interested to try it out, we'd be happy to make you some.

-------------------------------

Evangelist of the month : Joel O'Steen

The man of Favor, whose theme is preaching on being a victor, not a victim.
Joel, who was never confident to step into his father's shoes, had issues with stammering and public speaking, went on to become the Pastor of the Lakewood Church, a converted basketball stadium and speaking God's favor to the largest congregation in North America.

Hearing His messages from start to finish is like a breath of God, completely capable of causing a personality change. No wonder, his books are on the Best-selling List!
Watch a current broadcast

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Video to show Natural non-dye alternative for Gray Hair: Natural Hairgrow Serum

2010-06-03T07:01:00.003-05:00

Natural Hairgrow Serum is a 100% natural oil combo of 20+ oils, selected from various cultures, which are respected for their properties of promoting a healthy scalp and hair.
While it also shows hair regrowth & reduction in hairloss, this property of turning gray hair to its original color is interesting. See also Hair Regrowth Progression Pics for alopecia & male pattern baldness.
Scroll down for the same video for slow-internet connection.

This Serum when applied to gray hair turns it to a darker gray immediately and over a few applications restores to original color. Periodic maintenance is necessary, based on user. Upto 3-4 times in a month applied to white hair only.

This is the lower quality version for those who have trouble viewing the above file.

Hair doesnt grow dark from the roots but only on surface.

For Regrowth progression pics with Natural Hairgrow Serum go to this post

US & International www.HolisticSerums.com
India : www.HolisticSerums.in

Absinthe- the Bohemian Drink, the Green Fairy, the Forbidden Drink

2010-04-27T09:36:00.008-05:00

Researching unusual Herbs, I stumbled on Absinthe!

Absinthe, the Green Fairy (la Fee Verte), that mysterious spirit rumored to drive artists mad, said to be the inspiration for Degas and Manet, van Gogh and Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde!

Many artists featured absinthe in their works, even adding it to their paints!

Twice as strong as whisky and vodka , the flavor is said to be similar to anise-flavored liqueurs, with the light bitterness and complexity of multiple herbs. Its unusual glowing chartreuse green color is derived from chlorophyll.

Bitter in taste, adding sugar is an important part of the Absinthe preparation ritual.

The traditional way is to put a cube of sugar on a slotted spoon across the edge of a tall glass and gently pour Absinthe over it.
Afterwards, fresh water is poured slowly over the sugar, till it dissolves. Stirring the mixture with a spoon changes the color from green to a cloudy white!

This preparation is considered an important part of the experience of drinking absinthe, so much so that it has become ritualized, complete with special slotted absinthe spoons and other accoutrements!

"Let me be mad..mad with madness of Absinthe, the wildest most luxurious madness in the world." - Marie Corelli

Firsthand experience Chris had some in Sao Paulo, and calls it a huge sweet licorice drink with too little absinthe. While he doesnt recall anything else, he's heard tales about other people getting high on absinthe. Seemed it was just too sweet for his taste! thank you, Chris, for sharing.

Anyone else?

Due to the outrageous actions of Jean Lanfray, presumable under its influence, Absinthe was banned in France and the U. S. in the 1900s. "Fake" absinthes, without thujone & absinthinium, but using other artemisia herbs are available as well as this Absinthe making Kit pointed out by Chris.

The Herb
Invented in Switzerland, 1797, as an Elixir, this spirit is named after the Herb Artemisia absinthium, or Wormwood, long believed to be a hallucinogenic and includes Anise & Fennel, the elating Cardamom & another hallucinogenic Angelica.

It is thought that the Latin “Absinthium” comes from the Ancient Greek for “unenjoyable” or “without sweetness”, referring to wormwood’s bitter taste.

Since ancient times wormwood use is documented for easing labor pains, poisoning from toadstools and hemlock.

While the precise origin of absinthe is unclear, medical use of wormwood dates to ancient Egypt and mentioned as early as circa 1550 BC.
Wormwood extracts and wine-soaked wormwood leaves were used as remedies by the ancient Greeks.
To stimulate digestion and as a cardiac stimulant, but mainly taken as a tonic.

--------------

My current love is another Artemisia herb, artemisa pallens, Davana, said to be the most beautiful scent on a man, changing scent on the wearer, making it one of those truly individual fragrance.

This very rare essential oil has a strong complex fruity note along with green notes & a hint of woody notes.
The closest I have smelt it, is aftelier's Fig, but it isnt as sweet, and has a rich complexity of green notes.

The smell of the actual plant is very beautiful and it is one of the rare herbs that keeps its fragrance even after being dried for several days.

I've also made a natural EDP with it called Male Delicious in combination with Rock Rose (Rose of Sharon) & Benzoin.
Infusing Davana seems to be going well for the first time. I have a few drops on the inside of my wrist- the intial fruity, delicious notes dry down to complex herbal notes & finally left with dry, woody tones that linger some 25 minutes.
I plan to try blending it with citrus notes & the ethereal Pink Lotus, the central note of Mystique - since I have some amount to experiment with.

If Davana was used to flavor a liquor, I can imagine how awesome it'd be, based on its scent alone! No wonder absinthe drove people mad!

--

Read Monica's beautiful poem inspired by Absinthe Perfume , and a review on the poem- inspiring Perfume. A must read .... and a must have.

Ode to the Green Fairy

La Fee Vert is knocking at my door again

She must not know who I am ...

Monica's perfume reviews and other poetic writings on skincare
Blog http://perfumepharmer.com/organic-perfume-skincare-remedies/

& Poetic products
http://www.skyebotanicals.com/
-----------------------------------------------------

AbsintheDragonfly (Amanda) has an excellent, excellent post on Absinthe, where she is aging her Absinthe Perfume for consumption!
http://esscentualalchemy.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/absinthe-oh-green-goddess/

And right at the bottom is an Absinthe recipe

See her Wonderful Perfumes
http://www.artfire.com/users/AbsintheDragonfly
---
Anyone else wants to share info on Absinthe, please comment or write to me!

Make Your Own Safe, Natural and Healthy Toothpastes and Cleansers

2010-04-24T06:09:00.000-05:00

Make Your Own Safe, Natural and Healthy Toothpastes and Cleansers

Virtually all commercial toothpastes contain one or both of two problematic ingredients: fluoride and glycerin. Fluoride, a mining by-product, is one of the bigger scams perpetrated on an unwitting public. Instead of being beneficial it actually damages teeth. Glycerin coats the enamel and prevents natural re-mineralization of teeth. The solution in avoiding those two items may be making your own tooth paste or tooth cleanser at home.

Here are some recipes you can make at home which contain neither fluoride or glycerin:

Old Fashioned Tooth Powder

Ingredients:

2 tbsp dried lemon or orange rind
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tsp salt

Directions:

Grind the rinds in a food processor until they become a fine powder. Add baking soda and salt then process for a few more seconds until you have a fine powder. Store in an airtight container. Dip moistened toothbrush into the mixture and brush as usual.

Mix ingredients to make a paste, dip toothbrush into the mix and then brush as usual.

Basic Toothpaste

Ingredients:

1 Tsp of the above Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
1/4 Tsp Hydrogen peroxide

Directions:

Mix into a paste and brush as usual.

Vanilla, Geranium and Honey Toothpaste

Ingredients:

1/2 ounce powdered chalk
3 ounces powdered orris root
4 teaspoons of tincture of vanilla
15 drops oil of rose geranium
Raw honey, enough to make a paste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix until you have the consistency you want. Scoop the paste onto brush. Store the paste in an airtight container.

Simple Mint Toothpaste

Ingredients:

Bicarbonate of soda
Salt
Water
Bentonite clay powder
Peppermint oil

Directions:

Mix 3 parts bicarbonate of soda with one part salt. Add 3 tsp of bentonite clay for every 1/4 cup of this mixture, and then add enough water to make a thick paste. Add a few drops of peppermint oil for better taste.

Herbal Mint Toothpaste Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 tsp peppermint oil
1/4 tsp spearmint
1/4 cup arrowroot
1/4 cup powdered orrisroot
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground sage

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water until paste is desired thickness/consistency. Store at room temperature in a tightly covered jar.

Substitute 1/2 tsp each of oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves for peppermint/spearmint if desired.

Refreshing Super Mint Toothpaste

Ingredients:

6 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 teaspoon sea salt
4 teaspoons bentonite clay powder
15 drops peppermint

Directions:

Mix thoroughly until you get the toothpaste consistency you desire. If desired, add a few drops of peppermint or wintergreen.

Strawberry Tooth Cleanser

Ingredients:

1 tsp of the above Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
1 tbsp crushed ripe strawberries

Directions:

Mix strawberries and powder into a paste and brush as usual.

Basic Tooth Cleanser

Ingredients:

Hydrogen peroxide (a few drops)
Baking soda

Directions:

Make a paste by combining the two ingredients. You can also gently rub this paste along your gums twice a week for maximum benefit.

Lemon and Cloves Herbal Tooth Cleanser

Ingredients:

Small amount of finely powdered sage
1 ounce of finely powdered myrrh
1 pound powdered arrow root
3 ounces powdered orris root
15 drops oil of lemon
8 drops oil of cloves
10 drops oil of bergamot
10 drops of coconut oil (you may have to warm slightly to melt)

Directions:

Mix the powdered ingredients first and then add and mix the oils into the mixture.

Notes:

Supercharge any of the above recipes by adding tea tree oil or plant derived mineral powder (or both).

When you use items which contain lemon, rinse your mouth and teeth thoroughly afterward to prevent damage to teeth enamel.

Handmade Stone containers for Natural Perfumes

2010-04-13T07:42:00.002-05:00

I'm infusing oils for a reason. They are going to be part of Solid Natural Perfumes-

I already got handmade containers for them!

These 2 are polished soapstone inlaid with semi-precious (or atleast more precious) stone work. Hinged. The one to the left can contain about 2-3 oz of perfume.

The one on the right may contain 8oz.

This kind of stone inlay work is made famous by similar work in the interiors of the Taj Mahal.

These containers are also made by artisans from the same area

This pretty one is also handmade and embellished. The metal is an alloy of many base metals together. I'm going to check how it suits the high concentration of absolutes and essential oils I'm going to put in it.\

The one that stayed in the shop
These boxes are "bidri" Silver filigree work on a base metal.
This small heart shaped one can carry maybe a 1/2 to 1 oz.
About 15$, too much for a little package, I thought.
Maybe once I start perfuming I'll change my mind.

Infusing Roses & Davana

2010-04-13T07:19:00.001-05:00

This technique of Infusing flowers is from an old book. It is very straightforward- the only thing it takes a bit of patience & time-say about 4-5 weeks.
If you have the Roses for it, you should definitely find the time!

I start with about 40-50 blooms of fragrant Roses, washed and drained, as early in the morning as possible. Rosa centifolia is the commonest available in India- of that, the lighter pink variety which is more fragrant is the one I chose.

I lay them in a metal platter of oil - virgin coconut- blooms facing down, and pour enough oil to wet the petals and a thin layer of oil over the surface.

Cover with a thin sheet of cotton, place it in the sun for 2 weeks. At daily temperatures of 103-106 degrees, its a cinch.

Changed the flowers by draining & filtering out the oil through 3 squares of cotton. Thought it'd be easier to pick them out, but the stalks were dried up and sting like thorns- yowtch..

Redo from start. This time with only the petals & no stings.. At 1 week, it looks like this.

2-3 more weeks in the sun, this fragrant moss greenish oil is obtained. Success with a sweet smell.

This simply stunning yield of "Infused Rose Oil" is unlike anything I could compare with-
with marked floral undertones mixed with spicy-herbal ones, The coconutty tones do not detract from it, but make it more sensual (Think Monoi de Tiare not coconut).
It feels like a lighter fragrant oil, less honey-like than the damask Absolutes & Otto, and varies from the Egyptian & Moroccan ones. For some reason I cannot put my finger on, it reminds me of Carnation absolute

For the longest time, I've wanted to trying my hand infusing Davana, described as the most gorgeous male fragrance ever.

I've used this rare, difficult to work with- essential oil to form the heart notes of one of my perfumes called Male Delicious, its fruityness further enhanced on a bed of benzoin and Rock Rose and forever fell in love with Davana.

Artemisia pallens which is described as a Heart note with a Fruity (apricot) odour of hay and licorice.

Davana, I believe is in the same species as Wormwood & other fragrant plants of the Artemisia family but with its distinct smell. Tisserand lists it as non-toxic and very midly irritating.

The smell of Davana essential oil , I could say, is like a combination of Oakmoss & Honey absolutes.

The smell of this infusion, for now, is mossy & green. Updates will follow- it could very well be a disaster!

Jasmine Tea for Mom n Me (and Rose Tea)

2010-04-12T05:45:00.010-05:00

Jasmine Tea & Rose Tea !
These indulgent drinks arouse the senses of touch, taste and scent and are a pleasure to be enjoyed.

Ok, this isnt the conventional way to make Jasmine Tea but its delicious n energizing besides smelling awesome!
and to top it all, the Jasmine are plucked fresh from the backyard.

This Jasmine is a sambac, or Night Jasmine, a rare double-petalled variety at that. Its blooms open early in the morning and its heady fragrance is incredible.

This morning these beauties are headed into Tea.
Black Tea!
Green tea, which is normally used to make Jasmine Tea & served as such in Chinese restaurants, does not have a wide following in India.

So, 2 cups water, 2 tbsp Tea or about 1/2 the quantity to make regular black tea only so as to not overpower the Jasmine

Boil tea with 1 cup milk or more.

Drop in the Jasmine.
Turn the burner off, cover with a lid for 5 minutes.

If the Jasmine is boiled, much of its fragrance is lost

Garnish with a couple of blooms to heighten the fragrance. Serve immediately.

Sit back, Relax
Close your eyes , smell the fragrance and sip it slowly.

And is it really aphrodisiac?

Couldnt say for sure, but I find it relaxes me from yesterdays tensions and makes me warm & forgiving. Surely thats aphrodisiacal?

----------
Rose Tea
-----------

Every once in a while, a flower seller comes by on his (bi)cycle with bags of flowers attached to it. Since I'm trying my hand at infusing them, (another post), I have fragrant roses at hand.

These are Rosa centifolia, the lighter colored variety which are more fragrant than the deeper pink ones.

Taking a couple handfuls of the washed and draining petals, I put them in a pot of merrily boiling water with black tea already added.

Turn off burner, cover with lid, wait 5 minutes.
After 5-6 minutes, the petals are near the consistency of cream and I love eating a couple of them along with my tea.
Add a touch of milk or drink without.

Tea is ready.

Sit back, smell the aroma of fresh roses & sip slowly.

Rose Tea unlike sedative Jasmine, makes for a happy, playful & carefree mood.

Treat your senses!
Try them sometime!

Favoritest Customer of 2010!

2010-01-20T08:49:00.005-06:00

Its Official! L Duke is Our Favoritest Customer of 2010

She gives us feedback, sends suggestions, links and so much more. The pics she sent a few days ago were the icing on the cake- We love you Lynn!

Scroll down to see what she says and uses.

What packs so much punch?

1. Orchid Facelift Serum
It will firm, smooth and lift overblown contours of face, especially useful during or after a weight loss process when skin sagging happens. Works in days. This is what our clients call "Fountain of Youth" We like to say it works like a Botox-in-a-bottle.

Uneven skin tone is clarified and gives an even tone
.
Also works for anti-tanning- tanned skin is evened and lightened noticeably, skin literally glows.
Indian Version of Orchid incorporates Intense Lightening effect but slower lifting effect
Read the Vegan Beauty Review on Orchid "knock 10 years off"
Read about Exploring Orchid- about precious ingredient: Orchid.

MRP Rs. 2750 for 50ml bottle
Call Jyothi, Hyderabad for availability - 9440142923

2. Rose Anti-Wrinkle Rejuvenating Nite Creme to smooth out wrinkles, improve skin texture, give clarity and even-ness in days. 2nd on out Private label requests.

Uses precious Rose Otto, worth in weight is more than Gold.
Excellent rejuvenating properties. A must-have for anyone above 30 to keep that youthful glow.
1 jar lasts 3-4 months with regular use.

MRP Rs. 2750 for 30g Jar
Call Jyothi, Hyderabad for availability - 9440142923

Scroll down to see which other products she loves

We put together a bunch of Lynn's email:

"All your products are exceptional and leaves my face feeling... "real"... not covered over with chemicals...but feeling like a real face with real soft skin --
and acne wash is super amazing too!... i need to order some more of that...i've developed adult acne this year and never ever had any trouble...but get it on my check and forhead ...so i want to do that acne wash daily to see how that helps...the Drs had me on daily antiboitics ...which does get rid of it...but i hate being on it daily..
(Pics sent by Lynn - not edited except for some extra contrast/brightness)

i.. use the pigmitation (pigmentation) scrub daily to work on my age spots and sun spots on my face...
- my face felt SOOOO good afterward...clean like i've never felt my skin!!

.. mom tried your products and she's in LOVE with them too!...the mask she (Mom) did the clay mask (Bee Pollen Pomegranate Scrub/Mask) last night and her face is still glowing today!

i love the night cream (Rose Nite Creme)...i wake up feeling moisturizered and refreshed..i had been using that already and sometimes use that in the AM...just a small amount

The cold relief helped me breathe within 5 minutes my passages cleared up in my nose...(temporarily)..i have super bad allergies and stuffy draining nose daily ...they have me on daily meds for allergies which i don't take much ...only when i get tired of not being able to breathe...i dont like daily medication that well...

thank you for producing such great products that actually work on our skin!!

I am so EXCITED you picked me as the 2010 Customer! FUN!!
wonderful on all the awesome products ...

i loveddddd the face wash product..t!!!

L.Duke, NC US

What L Duke has been getting from us

Orchid Anti-aging Serum - Our botox-in-a-bottle - it is a Firming , lifting Serum to knock 10 years off (repeat)

Rejuvenating Rose Anti-wrinkle Nite Creme to reduce wrinkles & folds (repeat) This is the one we most private label after Natural Hairgrow.

Rose Eye Wrinkle Eraser to reduce eye wrinkles by 40%

Lip Restorer to reduce lip wrinkles, lighten lip color,make firmer, fuller, smoother.

Bestselling Natural Hairgrow to reduce hairfall, promote regrowth

Pomegranate Bee Pollen Mask to clarify, give a glow and detoxify (repeat)- this is an awesome mask, full of antioxidants and enzymes. Excellent for sensitive mature skin.

Thanks for sharing, Lynn!

Surestop to Eczema -First Testimonial of 2010

2010-01-16T07:11:00.003-06:00

“My daughter had a patch of eczema on her leg which would not heal.

The doctors gave me various creams and I tried all manner of remedies but none worked. I did not want to use a steroid cream so opted for SureStop as a ‘last resort’. I wish I had discovered it sooner as the eczema has almost completely gone only three weeks since I started using it. I would recommend it to anyone!”

Lucy, Hampshire, UK.

Thank you Lucy! See What more Lucy says on Facebook

other customer reviews | more reviews

Link to Pics, Video, Testimonials for Anti-aging & Hair Regrowth Serums

About Surestop to Eczema
Surestop to eczema is a 100% natural, 95%+ USDA Organic topical treatment for Eczema for Babies & Adults

Synergy uses a combination of precious healing oils Manuka, Sandalwood & others to improve the immune system, thereby helping the body combat the conditions

60% + success rate to relieve itchiness and provide relief to mild-moderate cases of eczema -may replace & reduce steroid use in many cases.

Users range from 2month old babies to 70+ yr olds.
The very young show the quickest improvement as their immune systems are under development and Surestop gives a jumpstart to dampened immune systems.

Available in 3 strengths, Regular, Medium & Strong.

Papaya for Diabetics, Constipation, Warts, Heart Disease, Rheumatism, Weightloss, Celiac disease & more

2009-12-09T19:49:00.004-06:00

Pic of a fresh, ripe, Sweet & Soft Papaya from my backyard.

The Papaya is literally a miracle fruit - its enzymes & vitamins benefit the body in a hundred different ways.

I. It has digestive enzymes which prevent constipation.
When one of my babies, at 6m, went through a bout of severe constipation, I was recommended by an Indian doctor to give papaya thrice a day for natural enzymes which I did and found a great improvement.

Papain, a vegetable pepsin, digests food in acid, alkaline & neutral mediums.

Even celiac disease patients, who cannot tolerate wheat protein gliandin, can tolerate it if treated with papain. See also Surestop to Eczema testimonial

Nearly 80% of American beer is treated with papain, to digest precipitable protein fragments for beer to remain clear on cooling.
Papain is also used for degumming (or digesting the gum) in natural silk. Most of the papain imported in the U.S. is used for meat-tenderizers and chewing gums.

Papaya Seeds are a vermifuge - clearing the digestive system of worms (seeds),

Papaya also digests cholesterol: Hardened cholesterol is the main cause for plaque buildup in the arteries and thus a regular diet of papaya will reduce risk of heart disease and promote health.

It is high in potassium and thus good for reducing bloodpressure

It is hypoglycemic.
Personal anecdote- My mother who takes insulin twice a day used to get low blood sugar levels on days she ate papaya. She now reduces her insulin shot by 6-12 units (reg. dose is 20-30 units twice daily) on days when she eats ripe papaya, depending on quantity.
On days when she can eat papaya 3-4 times a day, she can control sugar levels with pills or about 6-8 units insulin.

Javanese believe that eating papaya prevents rheumatism and it has been seen that dietary papaya reduces urine acidity in humans - uric acid buildup in joints is one of the main symptoms of rheumatism.

At 32kcal/100gm its great for weightloss and present in many diets, and is placed first among fruits for Vit C, A, Riboflavin, Calcium, thiamine. iron, niacin & fibre

Fruit and seed extracts have pronounced bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherischia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella flexneri (Emeruwa, 1982).

The juice from the leaves are supposed to reduce warts & freckles

NOTE : important
Papaya must not be used in pregnancy or those considering it. It is not only supposed to be contraceptive, both in the male & female, it also causes uterine contractions and is termed an abortifacient.
It is however recommended after birth for increased milk production & its beneficial enzymes.

-------------------
See our Serums for Hair loss, anti-aging, stretchmarks, pigmentation, lightening , firming and more.
Serums for Top to Toe, 100% natural ingredients, preservative free, visible results, trial sizes.
US & International www.HolisticSerums.com
India www.HolisticSerums.in
--------------------

2 Papaya plants from my backyard , 1 gives long, not -too sweet fruit, the other gives short round dense & sweet fruit. They do not taste bland or slightly sweet like the Mexican variety in supermarkets!

Add caption

Bananas for Stress, IBS, Acidity, Anaemia, Stroke, Blood Pressure, Overweight, SAD, Quitting smoking

2009-11-20T15:56:00.000-06:00

Thank you Lord, for the Bananas!

Bananas in my backyard - about 5-6 cm in length. sweet & yummy- nothing like fruit ripened on the tree- sorry herb, yes its banana herb!
1 ripened hand in the middle of the bunch shows where the oldest fruit are.
Benefits
Nutritionally,

Impressive potassium content: One large banana, about 9 inches in length, packs 602 mg of potassium, 140 calories, 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. For those reducing sodium, it has a mere 2 mgs of sodium & 36 grams of carbs.

Vitamins and minerals are abundant in the banana, offering 123 I.U. of vitamin A for the large size. A full range of B vitamins are present with .07 mg of Thiamine, .15 mg of Riboflavin, .82 mg Niacin, .88 mg vitamin B6, and 29 mcg of Folic Acid. There are even 13.8 mg of vitamin C. On the mineral scale Calcium counts in at 9.2 mg, Magnesium 44.1 mg, with trace amounts of iron and zinc.

Fascinating facts…

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
I can vouch for this during my pregnancy, I would eat a banana every night just so I can get some sleep without the heartburn.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

Below 8 degrees Celsius bananas will decay from the inside, they will not ripen but turn black, so…
… never store bananas in the refrigerator!

But if you have over ripe bananas, peel them, pop them in a freezer bag & store in the freezer. They'll be ready to use whenever you have the time to make banana bread, cake etc.

Recipe for Banana Fritters- Kids love 'em:

Mash ripe bananas, beat in eggs, add 2 pinches of salt, dash of cinnamon, tsp vanilla ext, all-purpose flour (roughly equal amount to banana), a tbsp sugar - more if bananas arent very sweet.
Mix to make a consistency to drop through a spoon.
Heat cooking oil, drop in spoonfuls, fry until golden-brown on both sides.
Let cool & Enjoy!

Holistic Serums launched in India -Product Pics & Info

2009-11-12T20:53:00.002-06:00

Some of our Select Serums have been launched in India. Handmade in USA, with 100% natural ingredient, preservative & chemical free.
Catch us at the Eco-friendly Expo , Chennai- October 2009
Highlighting

The amazing Pigmentation Mask- based on ayurvedic ingredients + other incredible ones including Dead Sea clay, activated charcoal, aswagandha, honey, beepollen and 20+ ayurvedic ingredients.
In a single application, face is clarified, blotchy areas reduced.
Many times, different parts of the face are different in color, this mask helps to make skin tone even, even age spots (or liver spots) show a tiny bit of browning (need 3-4 applications to notice change). Skin is firmer, and glowing. Application recommended 2-4 times monthly.

Lineup of Rose Night Rejuvenating Cream, Pigmentation Mask, Stretchmarks Cream & Orchid Creme.

Lip Restorer to rejuvenate dried, dehydrated, wrinkled lips.

Lips are firmer, smoother, moister & lighter in color.
This is a unique serum and anyone who uses it is surprised by the phenomenal benefits.
Factors like aging, environmental, even lip sticks and lip products strip natural oils of the lips. This is why over time of a day, we tend to moisten lips & prefer moisture based lipsticks. This Restorer will stop you reaching for lip balms by restoring back the moisture in your lips, and giving back lighter colored lips, which are smoother & less wrinkled. If you have always wanted to wear light colored lipsticks, but your darker colored lips dont allow for it, this may be able to help you.

Price Range of Serums
1200-4000 INR
Website http://www.holisticserums.in/

India enquiries, email us directly at Care121@gmail.com
For pricing & availability
Chennai: Anita Badani 9840-104480
Hyderabad: Jyothi 9440142923

Natural Hairgrow, our flagship product, to renew the scalp and increase hair growth, Regrowth, darken grey hair to original natural color, and give volume.
See Pics for alopecia & male pattern baldness
See Video for gray hair darkening

Sample 5ml & 50ml (1.7 Fl Oz) sizes.
50ml size would last approx 5-6 months when applied to scalp, not hair. Regrowth is noticeable around 2 months.

Lash Lengthener: to enhance length of eyelashes.

See Review at TheLuxurySpot

Acne Scars Serum with Rose Otto for hard-to heal, old acneic scars.
We've combined it with acne controlling ingredients about which many users have said it works better than Proactiv.
Additional benefit of "zero" chemicals, now find that in an acne product!.
Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic. Real benefits.

Winners of Giveaway Lash Lengthener

2009-11-09T20:05:00.001-06:00

Thanks for the tremendous response!

We are accepting entries all the way to the final selection day, Nov 11

Winners will be notified by email and on this post

We have 3 more entries for our "Thanksgiving to Christmas" Giveaways, all from our natural line of products..

So... come on back for more!

How to use Natural Hairgrow Serum to darken Grey Hair naturally

2009-10-26T06:06:00.006-05:00

Below is a video to show darkening of gray hair with 100% Natural Hairgrow Serum.

What is it? Natural Hairgrow Serum, a Rejuvenating topical treatment, promotes hair regrowth and an interesting side-effect is that it helps regain natural hair color to hair gone grey.

It is not a dye, and no color residue is seen on fingers.

This Hair Serum also promotes hair regrowth & lengthens hair-
The major portion of our clients are African-American and use it to grow natural hair longer, when removing braids, Between relaxer applications to soften.

It also increases density and gives body to Black hair which tends to be sparse and grows slowly. Because of this, a 5ml trial size- a 2 week application- is enough to see a difference in length. Buy a Trial Size for $9.99 here

Video to actually show grey hair darkening as it happens. These videos have NOT been edited to add any color. This almost immediate effect is seen after 5-6 applications are done.

If there is a problem viewing this, you can see the low-quality file
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEvkvdT4sxw

Both are available with Youtube user name- HolisticSerums

Gives noticeable results for grey hair darkening in 2-3 uses.

Purchasing

US & International www.HolisticSerums.com
India www.HolisticSerums.in

This Hair Tonic which includes oils used by the Geisha for luxurious hair- Japanese Camellia Oil. Other oils include South-american Abysinnian & Ylang ylang, Hawaiain Kukui Nut, & many Indian Ayurvedic oils like Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Gotu kola, Motia Rosha as well as essential oils of Rosemary & Lavender.

It is a Hair Tonic, made with 100% natural oils, which improves health of scalp and hair and provides a change in appearance- it does not change the hair /scalp in anyway.

Hair Regrowth Progression photos blogpost

for Alopoecia & Male Pattern Baldness.

How to Use

To regain hair's natural color, Hairgrow Serum needs to be applied to grey hair along its length, and not just scalp.

Hair darkening to original color is a progression and will take some time- Grey hair, turns a darker grey in a few uses until it gets back original color. Effectively used for Blonde, Redhead & Black hair.

Use 1-2 times weekly. Recommended to use for about 2-3 months for most cases, after which maintenance of 2-3 times a month may be necessary. It is subjective.

Best Results
1. Hair should be dye-free for 1-2 weeks or more- until it is at natural color
Synthetic Hair Dyes bond to hair & hence use of our Serum may not show benefits when using along with dye.
If it is too drastic, it is possible to apply Serum as grey roots grow out- use everyday or even twice a day for a few days to roots, cover with cap, bandana, etc.
As rest of any old dye fades out of hair Serum can be used to gradually replenish color.

Natural Hairdyes like Henna & Indigo are a little tricky, they have a conditioning effect and stay longer in hair in trace amounts, rather than being washed out like synthetic dyes.
Use of Hair Serum may take a longer time & lesser darkening benefits may be seen until all of the henna is gone from hair - it is however good to remember that when applied to hennaed hair, the darkening effect slowly replaces the reddish color of henna.

Please see that most dyes like Black Henna , etc are synthetic, not natural dyes. Always check ingredient list.
Use of Natural Hairgrow Serum does not make roots come out dark, only the hair it is applied to becomes dark , healthy & more vital.

Giveaway for Eyelash Lengthener Oct 20-Nov8

2009-10-20T20:06:00.006-05:00

4 Giveaway Contests until Christmas! HO HO HO all the way..

Bookmark this blog, and keep looking back. Many of our new Releases are looking for good homes and soon-to-be dewy faces!
Giveaway contest #1:

Through Oct 20- Nov 05, (extended to Nov 8) we have a new Giveaway contest for our Star Product Lash Lengthener. ($59) , a 100% Natural combination of oils.

We have Three (3) to giveaway!

This natural oil combo uses a chemotype of camellia oil , used by the geisha for longer & luxurious hair.

Most users see a change in appearance in 2-4 weeks of use, users who are African-american may take a slightly longer time.

See Ashley's lovely Review at The Luxury Spot Ooh la la lashes
Sunny of the Vegan Beauty Review had this to say about Lash Lengthener, Orchid Firming Serum & Natural Hairgrow

How it works-
Very simply.
Just like using natural oils like meadowfoam or tamanu, show a change in appearance of the skin, using these oils show a change of appearance in hair.
We dont modify the oils in any way, they are a totally holistic combo. No chemical preservatives, no chemicals at all.

Will it work for you
100% of test users have results, 1 case of sensitivity reported. (1 in 87)

See this post for more info, including how other eyelash lengtheners work, how long the effects last & more.

Simply email me, Esther at care121@gmail.com with Sub: Giveaway -Lash Lengthener

Submissions must reach by Nov 5. (Extended to Nov 8)

Instead of Nov 8, Sunday, check your mailbox on Nov 11, Wednesday! Thats it.
We have 3 to giveaway, so you have a great chance of getting one ;)

International interest: If you are outside the US, and want to throw your hat in, you need to send us shipping through paypal.

making Great Navigation in Blogger -dont let your posts go unread

2009-10-19T02:10:00.004-05:00

Being a User Interface Designer a few years of my life, and spending umpteen hours figuring out how to prettify this blog, I have enough info to qualify for a new category of posts,viz., Bells & Whistles :Design

Lets start with good navigation - blogger doesnt support categories, so this isnt as easy as it sounds.

My leftbar navigation highlights: 1.Navigability 2. Readability & 3. User friendliness

All (main) posts are categorized, have informative post titles (mostly), it gives direction (start here) so readers can find where to go for info of their interest in about 30 seconds - after which really, who has the time...

My design, per se, inclines towards cleaner pages & clear cut navigation, rather than fantastic design- which is an awesome user experience on its own.

First thing I found was that blogger doesnt support category based navigation unlike others out there- say type-pad & wordpress.

Now I probably should have been looking for this before the 50-odd posts, but I was taking my time getting my feet wet in this whole new social networking thingamajig here - so now, after making valid and substantial contributions to the blogosphere, I have time to design.

If you are just starting out a blog, this is a great post for you, and if you already have been blogging, theres no time like now to get organized. If you have 500-odd posts, you should go away from here real fast, else look at this in a way to highlight pages of interest.

When I have my 500-odd posts, I will create new navigation methods, and you can come back here- if you dont have 5000 by then..

Pros

Having good navigability means that useful info doesnt get unread, as it gets deeper into the blog - & all that time and effort you put in it doesnt feel like it is going down the drain.

cons

Time consuming, labor consuming, manual brick-laying work. Consider switching your mouse buttons if your index finger gets tired & wobbly- if you have 50 posts.

Ok, to make a left bar navigation like mine

1. divide your blog into categories by the kind of info you like to post about - writing on paper is probably more labor-efficient, unlike the way I do - so put it on paper.

2. Go to the Layouts>page elements

3 Open a new tab, tab2, or new window, on Posting>Edit Posts . Preferably set number to view all your posts.

That way you can see the titles of your existing posts & their url

4 Tab 1, click on add a gadget, select List

Add items to reflect your categories. This is going to be your menu -you can name it as you like it. But let naming happen at the end of it all, I'll tell you why.

5. Repeat Step 4 for all your categories

6. Populate your category lists. open each list, apart from menu, and add item by copying titles of your posts into the text box (from Tab 2) - its a bit tricky till you get the hang of it, it could just be better to type sometimes. Dont click "add item" yet

7. Click on the link at the right of add item textbox, copy shortcut(rightclick) on view post in tab 2

This makes the whole post a link.

8.Edit the item .Select some part of text to make as link and make sure that stays within the tags "a href" "/a" tags - see my categories. This is great for readability.

Part of making a (or an) usable interface is its capacity to be readable

9. Separate the list items visually. Save and see. Items are center aligned & kinda clumped together.

Add a symbol before the "a href" tag. This will make it left aligned & create organised & visual separation.

I've used "|" - you could try ::, :,*,~, or even number them

10. Edit order by clicking up & down arrows next to list items. Set items of more interest or more visitors to top & others lower down.

11. You can add ideas for upcoming posts as items without links. They are easier to remember that way, than saving titles as drafts that I've never gotten to writing about.

12. Think up a one-liner, even if it aint too smart, it'll be original - preferably in line with your blog's theme- mine is on Health & Wholeness in general - so Happy Blogs navigate & Healthy blogs navigate , blogs do it with navigation , etc popped out of my mind..

Do your stuff in photoshop or an online photo editing software without the ads & signups like pixlr
And voila, you have some eye-candy as well

Tips

Remember, each new post you write, must also be added into atleast 1 category

Feel free to skip posts that are a bit iffy. Or make a note to rewrite them & republish later- and then include them into your navigation.

Have a misc category if you have to- but dont dump more than 10 posts into it.

And of course, if all this is too much work for you, I could do it for you, or a part - considering I already know the trouble to go through ;) - but only you know your posts, and the value you put on them- so really, you need to be doing it.

Good luck & post your comments here - and if you've used these tips, please send a link so I can see & suggest more things.

Trevinol- Heart, health, arthritis defense

2009-10-18T13:16:00.002-05:00

My number one painreliever for arthritis, that I trust to not irritate my stomach lining, even if it didnt include the other benefits is Trevinol. Pain relief occurs within 20 minutes, and am able to go about almost normally after the debilitating effects of getting up in the morning!

I started it many months ago, and now, I only use it sporadically- as I am also taking other supplements, I mostly use it when strength training throws my joints out of whack or if I've had a particularly stressful day.

Here is info from their website http://www.trevinol.com/

After wading through all the jargon, here are the phenomenal highlights- for heart & body health:

TREVINOL ES™, Fibrin Defense , all natural Proprietary Blend of systemic enzymes, including Serrapeptase, Nattokinase, Bromelain, proteolytic enzymes and vital antioxidants.
For those already affected by heart disease, fibrinolytic enzymes have shown the ability to emulsify plaque within the arteries, remove scar tissue, and lower LDL cholesterol.

Nattokinase has been clinically shown to remove arterial blockages over 50% faster than the body's natural fibrinolytic enzyme known as plasmin.
Formulated by Landis Revin to protect from the damage caused by fibrin buildup. promote cardiovascular well-being, joint health, boost immune strength and reduce inflammation and scar tissue.

Fibrin is a particular substance formed in the human body & may be responsible for scar tissue, thrombus formation, arthritic and inflammatory conditions along with associated pain. It is generally removed by enzymes to attack the excess fibrin buildup.

can substantially lower C-Reactive protein levels (CRP), a recognized inflammation marker linked to heart disease. C-Reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver that is associated with acute inflammation, read arthritis, atherosclerosis- in which plaque accumulates within the walls of the arteries, reducing blood flow and inceasing the risk of stroke.

high levels of C-Reactive Protein in the blood were accociated with a 79% higher risk of heart disease in men and women over a period of 8 years.

Many professionals now feel that high CRP levels may even be a better predictor of heart attacks than cholesterol levels. According to researchers directing the Framingham Heart Study, a study of over 7,900 men and confirmed that aggressively treating cardiovascular disease risk factors can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and add 10 years to your life.

restore the enzymes and antioxidants that are depleted from the body as we age.
helps balance the body's natural chemistry to improve general wellness and guard against toxins and impurities in the blood.*The ingredients were studied for over 25 years and are recommended by healthcare professionals worldwide.

advanced broad spectrum enzyme blend, is 100% vegetarian.

digestive enzymes that enable the body to digest fats, proteins, sugars, and carbohydrates. These digestive enzymes are designed to work in the blood removing waste material and converting undigested food particles into useable energy.

Awesome Clues: Beneficial Foods for the Heart, Diabetes, Ovaries, Weightloss, Brain & other body parts

2009-10-18T10:47:00.004-05:00

God left great clues to figure out what foods help what part of our bodies! Say , what?

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

Avocados , Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - and they look just like these organs.

Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.
Olives also assist the health and function of the ovaries

And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility..

Oranges , Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. : The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart.
Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Related Products

Keeping an open mind- and eyes, makes us wonder if these are related too!

Orchids - with their long-lasting blooms preserve youthful appearance.
See our Botox-in-a- bottle Orchid Firming Serum with Cymbidium grandiflorum extract -Quite a few of our users called it the Fountain of youth.

The Rose, the quintessential symbol of beauty and love through the ages, in various cultures.
Valued at 3 times that of real gold, it is used in the most exclusive products, renowned for retaining youth.
See Rose Nite Rejuvenator and Rose Eye Wrinkle Eraser with Rose Otto, essential oil from Turkish Damask Roses, the finest Rose oil in the world.

How a Small Business Owner motivates & challenges herself - Interview: Allison Kontur, BathBodySupply

2009-09-29T07:43:00.007-05:00

How to Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning - the Devil says! "Oh Crap, She's Up"

This is one of Allison Kontur's favorite quotes- and she is just that, a bundle of energy, moving things around, whipping up recipes for soups and soaps, 50 messages a day on facebook, twittering away, reading about the Mayans (yes!) and..
still taking the time to have a personal word to say, and not just one day -like moi- but on a regular day-to-day basis.

Allison runs Smell No Evil, Ltd. , a Wholesale Supplier of Cosmetic-Grade Raw Materials and Bulk Base Products. She is a bundle of energy, wit and je ne sais quoi..

I am in awe of her skills - she calls herself a "multi-tasking fiend" - she sure hit on her own personal success formulae - or just maybe she made up her own "Elixir of Time" and has 36 hours a day....

Today she has been running in the "windy, rainy, cold, grey...." day & she is also kicking off our new blog category " What makes her Tick & What makes her Click" dedicated to Small Business Owners who have made it big

I ask her:

1.) What motivates you to keep pushing yourself, to do something new?
Being your own "boss" has a lot of perks! The greatest perk for me is personal freedom. For me, personal freedom is the ability to set my own schedule, to travel, spending time with my family without having to clear it with my "boss", etc. It is all about "choice". Having the freedom to make choices that are not influenced by a "boss" or by my "job" is very liberating.

In the same token, too much freedom can be a bad thing if you don't have good time-management skills. I challenge myself daily by setting goals and working to meet them. When I've consistently accomplished my goals over a period of time (say every 4-6 weeks or so) I like to reward myself with dinner out or a great piece of jewelry or a trip to the spa as incentive.

2.) Many of us, small biz owners, get stuck in the daily rut & find little time for themselves to pursue areas of interest- what would you say to us?

Challenge yourself to learn something new every single day. I used to keep a "Word of the Day" calendar on my desk to enhance my vocabulary. I love to research, so I spend at least 30 minutes each day researching something of interest. It might be a new skincare ingredient or maybe a formulation question for a client or something as simple as a new recipe for dinner or a new wine I'm itching to try! I read as much as possible, blogs, magazines, news articles, industry websites and so on. 30 minutes is a small amount of time, look at it as the time you would waste watching a meaningless sitcom.

Exercise your body as well as your mind! I run nearly every day and for a long time ran the same trail. It got so boring and monotonous that I almost quit running! Instead, I started changing up the trails I was running and the distance I would run each day and now it's more of an adventure that I get to have every morning. I like to apply that mentality to my work as well to keep things interesting.

3.) You being a chemist may prompt you to find new combinations- but you must really love what you are doing to whip up awesome new recipes for lotions, soaps, and that amazing-sounding lip buff!
Any anecdote to share how this interest sparked off ?

At an early age, my mom taught me to cook and that was the beginning of my chemistry background.
In grade school, my science fair project was a lesson in natural vs. synthetic colorants. It went all the way to the state science fair and won the highest rating they offered.

I guess you could say my fascination with formulating began early! I formally studied nutrition which involved a lot of science classes. Chemistry classes were the most intriguing (and confusing) classes I ever took, but I loved putting things together and marveling at the outcome.

I absolutely love what I do because formulating skincare products is both fascinating and intriguing. It's not "work" to me, because it feels like playing! Some of the brightest minds in business have made this same statement and I'll repeat it because it is valuable, "Find something you love to do and learn how to make money doing it".

4, As a supplier, how early do you need to start a project plan?
For instance, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up, so when would you start planning for them- & what kind of work would it entail so that biz like us can be ready ourselves.

As a general rule, our project plan for purchasing is 6 months out. That gives us time to work with samples of any raw materials we are bringing in, testing is performed, pricing/availability is determined and warehouse space prepared.

Some things may be planned a year or longer in advance depending on a number of factors including cashflow, available warehouse space, or what I like to refer to as "epiphanies" which is just a fancy term for "I thought up this cool thing and need to put it on paper to figure out how to fit it into the long-range plan".

5. What do you think is going to be hot for fall/winter this year, or spring/summer in 2010- does anything particular come to mind - so we can all be ready for it.

I think the basics are going to be popular this fall.
The cosmetics industry provides affordable splurges for consumers who are feeling a little beaten-up by the economy.

The "lipstick indicator" comes to mind, in that a woman may not spend $100 to have her hair done, but she will spend $30-$40 on a great perfume, lipstick or foundation because the price is right and the emotional outcome is almost equal. We like to smell, feel and look good. When I don't have a lot of cash in my pocket and I'm looking to treat myself, I'm headed either to the cosmetics counter or a candy store! What lasts longer, a new lipstick or a chocolate truffle?

6 Last, but most important, do you feel the economy is taking a turn for the better ?

Depressed economic times have a tendency to make people cut back and pay via cash rather than credit. I read an article this morning that indicated this type of spending is preceded by a lot of forethought. Consumers will be researching more, shopping price and looking for incentives. I am noticing minor adjustments that indicate some sectors are stabilizing.

Ultimately, I feel that we are in the right business at the right place at the right time. As long as people continue to want to feel good, there will be a place for the cosmetics industry!

Allison B. Kontur
Smell No Evil, Ltd.
www.BathBodySupply.com
http://www.smellnoevil.net/

Follow Allison on Twitter Blog FaceBook Fan Page

Thank you for sharing with us, Allison, you are really motivational.

Please comment and add any more questions for Allison here ;)

Sunny Subramanian's VeganBeautyReview on 3 of our Serums

2009-09-27T03:39:00.006-05:00

Fantastic review for our Anti aging Serums Knock off some years with Holistic Serums
Thank you, Sunny, Really appreciated.

Many thanks, to you too, Aliyah for the comments you shared

Excerpts:

On Orchid Anti-Aging Serum (Now Orchid Facelift Serum)... restore elasticity and work against wrinkles, sagging jowls and laugh lines. I use this serum before I go to bed and I can feel a difference in my skin’s texture when I wake up. My skin feels conditioned and super smooth. I’m a big fan..

On Natural Hairgrow Serum ..I feel a change in my ..scalp .. after only my first application... previous post... hair issues.. falling out, brittle and dry...serum ingredients..used by Indians and Geishas..I’m usually really skeptical about wonder products, but my hair was litterally transformed. It went from fragile, dry and hard to manage to smooth and strong. My hair is as healthy as it was in my youth and I’m soooooo stoked! Many of these serums are available in sample sizes..

Eyelash Lengthener .. allows regular mascara to go on smoothly after application. As far as results go, I feel a subtle difference. My lashes do seem a bit fuller... satisfied with what I’ve seen so far.
followup review on our Facebook Fanpage

"I know these photos speak for themselves but I would like to personally say that these Holistic Serums are amazing! I especially love the eyelash lengthener! I definitely noticed a difference after using this product for only a week! These products are vegan, completely natural and effective! "

Non-allergenic Eczema Soap- Savon de marseilles Traditional Olive Oil Soap

2009-09-20T15:35:00.019-05:00

If you're here, then you're familiar with the amount of frustration that eczema brings in.
That formed the basis for my search for the perfect non-Allergenic soap, when my daughter was diagnosed with eczema at 8 weeks.
Although she had it birth, we thought it was dry skin she'd grow out of- but she didnt, and until our natural remedy, Surestop to Eczema gave hope, it was tough going.

After much research, and switching to 100% cotton, fragrance free cleaners & soaps, and all those things modified for food, and around the house, she still had outbursts every single time she had a bath.

I could not find any soap in stores, that wouldnt aggravate it. Eventually, after going through Aveeno, Cetaphil, Dove, Johnson & Johnson, Castille, Olive oil and a Dozen others for months, I stumbled on a soap that I knew nothing about in a store selling cotton diapers. (they dont sell it any longer)
I began to read up on it and I was impressed enough to order it and it
DID NOT PRODUCE ANY ECZEMA OUTBURST.

Savon de marseilles Olive Oil & Sea Salt soap! Eureka!

Since I found very little info online, which is very sad, I wanted to document all its benefits, so you'd be helped by it.

About Savon de Marseilles (soap of marseilles)
With a high concentration of olive/palm oils, about 70%, it is made through an amazing Manufacture process -see pics - the Maitre de Savon (soapmaster) takes two weeks to make Marseille Soap with a delicate mixture of olive and vegetable oils, alkaline ash from sea plants (sea flora) and Mediterranean Sea salted water are heated for ten days in antique cauldrons.

In 1688, the current monarch declared that only soaps produced following specific ancient methods, and with the purest ingredients, shall bear the Stamp “Savon de Marseille"

It came to me as a big soap square cube, light olive greenish in color with the words 72% oil(huile d'olive) on one side, the weight of the soap in grammes (300,400, 600 & 1000) and Savon de marseille stamped on the other sides.

Pic is of a 400g palm oil white soap cube, the green one was done to death ;)
I cut it into 4-5 pieces that I can grasp in my hand- "SA" is on the slightly used block and "ON" can just be seen on the block I've used little above a month.
Its too big to hold comfortably- or even uncomfortably, for that matter- so you just need to cut it. But its really hard, as soaps go, so this is how to cut it:

Microwave 10 seconds at a time, and cut with a heavy knife when its just a bit warm- too much heat will cause the soap to bubble & froth into a humongous mass and swell up 6-8 times its size.
While it can still be used as soap, it'll have an irregular, bubbled up shape, and definitely wont fit into your hand.

Overall, it lasts easily for 6-8 months, even more and the handmade savon is a great investment compared to anything else you could buy as eczema soap.
I havent used the factory versions, which look prettier, they are well cut- or the liquid savon de marseilles soap, but I'm guessing they wont last as long- please let me know if I'm wrong - or right.

The Lavender variety however, did cause some very mild outbursts, so I stuck to the Green (Olive) and White (maybe Palm/olive oil or only palm, the seller couldnt say).
Purple one in pic above, below the white. The white powdery coating is actually sea salt deposit and it is part of the soaps benefits. In use, it has a mild lavender smell, that doesnt stay on the skin but gives a pleasing experience, not drying at all, but I wouldnt call it extra moisturising for winter use.

FYI, scents that stay on the skin are synthetic in nature, special chemicals called PHTHALATES are added to make them bond to skin- which is the reason that synthetic fragrances irritate.

------------------------------------------------------------

MORE USES

Marseilles soap is great for stains, 1 tip I read was to soak any stain overnight and wash off next day -I've used it to wash stains instantly -just never tried on any that have dried and set.

I prefer to use it for anything I hand-launder- gentle, residue-free, and cleans well. Especially socks.

(Bio Kleen for laundry also did a tremendous job of keeping flares at bay.
Currently All Free & Clear & Tide Clear do a good job. Dreft didnt work for me. I can also use some ecofriendly dryer sheets from Walmart.
Any tips for those who deal with eczema? please leave comments.)

It makes an excellent shaving soap- being pure, natural, moisturising and loads of lather- see the shaveblog -its the guy that came on TV for shaving technique ;)
Scroll down to the olive oil soap

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Buying the savon (soap)

I got mine from http://www.touchofeurope.net/ - search for "marseille" only. This was the most economical price online
Heres where I got the 400gm, nearly 1lb cube - $8.99 for each or $25 for Lavender, White Palm & Green Olive varieties

Heres a really yummy sounding soap Rose-petal Marseilles soap - you can probably find it still under ebay seller frenchmaison

Another soap that I tried after this was Aleppo, Olive oil soap from Syria or Lebanon, with an intricate manufacture process that naturally infuses Laurel berry leaves. See here
I found it tucked away into a small corner of an Asian supermarket in Irving, with no wrapper & something inscrutable written on it- the only reason I knew what it probably was- because I had already done considerable research on it. I probably paid $3.49

I found this to be just as mild and residue-free. In times when I find her scratching her legs, I revert back to this soap or the Marseilles from commercial smelly liquid soaps like Aveeno/ Johnson & Johnson (convenience!) that she has tolerated since Surestop.

Pic of my aleppo soap right - Have used it about 20 times, & you can see hardly an appreciable dent

I would think the Greek papoutsanis soap may also show similar benefits - I know theres some village or other in Florida which stocks it.

Laurel oil , from Bay leaf , which forms Aleppo's healing claims for eczema forms part of our own hypoallergenic, 95% Organic, remedy for Eczema, Surestop to Eczema .

See Surestop Testimonial post & reviews on Fan Page on Facebook

This synergistic blend uses skin healing and immunity developing natural oils from various cultures like Seabuckthorn from Russia, India, Manuka from Australia. It has 100% natural ingredients, with no chemicals, preservatives, fragrances- is nut-free & ingredients are all hypo-allergenic.
See full list of ingredients and important FAQ

Our remedies use ingredients from Ayurveda, Aromatherapy & herbal medicines. This is what makes them substantially more effective than others.

US & International buyers may see our website http://www.holisticserums.com/ and Indian website is http://www.holisticserums.in/

What our customers Say

2009-09-07T10:28:00.011-05:00

Here are some of the email we have recently received- We have had amazing raves from our wonderful customers!

"
thank you for producing such great products that actually work on our skin!! you are a blessing to us women!! "

A P says,
"I liked the hair growth product very much and will ..order it again. I use virgin coconut oil on the baby daily and the exzema jelly when we're out and about. Thanks again, you're making great products."

JS says
"I must tell you, I'm really surprised at the results this (Orchid) serum has had on my skin! I received a free sample 5 days ago and what a difference! I've been having minor acne breakouts and the serum cleared it right up. I honestly was using it just for the heck of it because I don't have any wrinkles or saggy skin. It was free so I thought well, it couldn't hurt. Then my pimples started clearing up and even my husband said my skin was glowing. It's a big deal when he compliments me on my skin!"

KW, "I cant believe how long it takes to use one little bottle (of Orchid Serum).It sure only takes one little drop or two for the whole entire face."

"
I notice when I apply the ActiveStretchmark Reducer that it gives my skin this very warm sensation a few minutes after applying it. I kinda like it, actually. I feel like it's actively healing my marks."

"I had to look at your website, after seeing how good (my daughter's)Brittny's strechmarks looked. I cant wait to get the stuff I ordered, and there will be many more from the both of us!
I wanted to ask you if you had any magazines or anything? If so i would LOVE one!!
Thank you!!"
Alison

LD says, "i loveddddd the face wash product...tried it last night!!! All your products are exceptional and leaves my face feeling... "real"... not covered over with chemicals...but feeling like a real face with real soft skin!!

i think all women should have that pomegranate clay face mask

love the night cream...i wake up feeling moisturizered and refreshed..i had been using that already and sometimes use that in the AM...just a small amount"

T& M from Japan

"We've just started using the Orchid Serum and my
>> wife who has such sensitive skin that she's
>> rejected more products than i care to keep track of,
>> says this product is the best.
"

ciara says
"The hair grow serum is fantastic, it has really made a difference in such a short space of time"

L, PA

The cold relief helped me breathe within 5 minutes my passages cleared up in my nose...but when i woke up it was back stuffy..i have super bad allergies and stuffy draining nose daily

Must READ! Ebay Sellers! How to get Paypal to successfully return money refunded to fraudulent buyers!

2009-09-06T19:33:00.005-05:00

This story I got in my mail was sufficiently unusual and pleasant about-
I've heard too many, and a couple of personal experiences with slimy buyers getting back their money from paypal and refusing to send back goods..

It is from www.qualityshippingsupplies.com and you'll probably find it there somewhere

Extract

. Our labels work perfect in 99.9% of our customers' applications, but occasionally we run across someone who they will not work for. Almost always it is an equipment problem, not a label problem, but we always offer a full money back guarantee...after all, the customer is always right, even when they are not!

Recently we had someone buy 1500 of our labels and contact us saying they were not working, that the ink was not drying on them. I'll add that the customer was pretty rude and crude when he was telling me what I could do with my crappy labels!

Now normally when someone contacts me with a problem and has a friendly congenial tone we go out of our way to help them. When someone sends me a nasty email instead of taking a civil tone my reaction will depend on my mood that day...sometimes I'll give as good as I get, other times I will be nice...luckily for this guy, today I was in a good mood.

My reply email, in a nutshell, was that we were sorry he was having a problem and was wondering if he could check a few things for me. I explained to him that on the rare occasions we have heard of similar things happening it was usually linked to ink cartridge problems. Could he perform a print head cleaning and see if that was the problem? Of course that was way too much to ask of him and he demanded a refund. I told him no problem, send the labels back and he will get a full refund.

I didn't hear anything back for 3 or 4 days until all of a sudden a PayPal dispute popped up and he was demanding a full refund and didn't want to return the product. Realizing this was a losing situation I elevated the dispute to a claim checking the section that said he would get a full refund upon returning the product. Since that is PayPal's policy they told him that was what he had to do.

PayPal notified me the next day that the buyer had shipped the item back to me and to look for it. Now, here is where it gets fun....we got the item back 10 days later via media mail and surprise, surprise:

1. Only 500 of the 1500 labels were returned, even thought he told PayPal he was returning all 1500.

2. He shipped it Media Mail which is a big No No with the post office, blank labels definitely do not qualify.

3. Low and behold, it was one of our labels he used to print the postage...and it looked perfect...apparantly there was no ink drying problem on that one!

.. I immediately called PayPal and told them the situation, hoping to avoid their immediate refund policy that they seem so fond of.

Unfortunately, PayPal had already refunded the buyer's money so I had to file an appeal over the phone. When I got back in the office the next day I had my email from PayPal telling me I had to get a police incident report stating that what was returned was not what the customer said they returned.

My local police were ever so unhelpful and told me they don't get involved in those kind of civil disputes. Ever undaunted I went to my local post office and got my postmaster to write a letter explaining that she examined the package and only 500 labels were present...also that my normal packages weight 16lbs and his own postage label showed this one sent back at under 6lbs. Figuring I had all the information PayPal needed I happily faxed off my appeal.

Two days later I received an email from PayPal that my appeal had been denied because I did not get a police report!

In my ever calm mood I called PayPal up to explain once again that the police would not make a report. The super intelligent customer service person I talked to explained to me that "of course the police would file a report...that was their job and they do it all the time". I then explained to the customer service person that if she thought she knew the officers job and duties better than he did I would provide her with his phone number so she could call him and tell him he was derelict in his duty! Obviously that was not to her liking but she put me on hold to see if there was anything else that could be done.

After listening to elevator music for almost 15 minutes a new voice came on the phone informing me that she was a supervisor and that indeed the information the first customer service person gave me was accurate...I would need a police report. I then informed the supervisor that would be no problem...I now knew how to get a police report. I asked the supervisor for her full name, address, phone number and any other information she could provide. She asked me what I needed that for and I explained I was going to need it when I contacted the police to file a report of mail fraud on the buyer and name her as an accessory after the fact! There were a few seconds of stunned silence and then she asked if she could put me on hold again....of course you can I said.

Wonder of all wonders she was back within 30 seconds...and she had a solution for me...they would email me an affidavit. All I needed to do was fill it out, get it verified by a notary public and fax it it....I did that Friday and low and behold, today I got my money back!

Moral of the story...if you are right, don't give up!

Hair Regrowth Serum -Photographic evidence of progression

2009-09-06T19:23:00.025-05:00

Natural Hairgrow Serum,Our Flagship product, is a rejuvenating tonic to improve scalp health thereby, reduce hair loss, regrowth in bald patches, alopecia, male-pattern baldness, receding hairlines and the unique effect of non-dye darkening of gray hair See How-to Video.

This Serum has been shipped to 20+ countries, and people of many nationalities/ hair types/ hair color give positive feedback

This documents Case Studies for Alopecia in women and advanced Male Pattern Baldness

What it is
A unique combination of ingredients from Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, TCM & Herbals.
Includes Japanese, South American and Indian natural oils, oils used by the Geisha for long and luxurious hair. This 100% natural oil-based treatment, handmade in USA, is now available in India in Limited quantity at www.HolisticSerums.in (Scroll down for order info)

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See other reviews : Vegan Beauty Review

How Natural Hairgrow Serum works:

It simply uses the natural properties of the oils which provide nutrients to hair follicles, thus stimulating them. It also may help clearing buildup which could clog pores.

Hair has a growth and dormant stage, when the hair follicles stop growing. After some time, when they finish their life-they fall off. The serum facilitates the growth stage by activating the dormant hair follicles

How to Use:
Apply 2-3 times a week, preferably overnight. Take a few precious drops and make contact with all areas of scalp. There is no need to massage in or apply to hair- so that the bottle stays longer, upto 6+ months.
2 people can use it, with care, for 3-4 months.
A few of our clients have preferred to use it daily, in slightly larger quantities for more rapid results. This is beneficial to jumpstart regrowth, for the first bottle. Once optimal hair regrowth has been reached, the Serum may be used when hairloss is visible again.

Natural Hairgrow Serum with Dandruff Control benefits is now available

1. Female Alopecia : Treatment Complete

Saritha (name changed), a lady over 40, came to me with the complaint that excessive pollution has caused a lot of hairloss. Driving a 2-wheeler in Hyderabad's traffic, took its toll on the scalp & hair, much before time.
Her thick, long hair had become thinner, and there was an embarassing patch on the top of the head for the last 3-4 years. Since she had thick hair, it could still be covered up reasonably well. Her hair lacked bounce and was not growing well since she had cut it.
She started to use Natural Hairgrow Serum on her scalp, and as she was fond of massaging and oiling till the ends of her long hair, she mixed it with some coconut oil and applied it 1-2 times weekly as she found it beneficial.
She used 2 30ml bottles (for scalp and hair) in 2 months time, and was happy that she regained the natural hairline and it had reduced regular hairloss. Hair also increased in length, and had added bounce and looked visibly healthy. It was also helpful to reduce gray hair

Case2. Advanced Male-pattern baldness : Treatment Ongoing

Sam, 60+years of age, had hair loss that started several years ago. There was pronounced bald scalp at the back, and a receding front hairline.
Due to the length of time that baldness started, over 30 years ago, I could not say that the patch would be fully covered, but that there would be a reasonable amount of recovery possible. Also that the baldness would not continue to increase, but may take a reasonable amount of time.
For this, he was agreeable, and he started on a 2-3 times weekly application of a few drops of the hair serum. Since there was no hair, the 30ml bottle he started on lasted over a year. These pics are after 6months.

(We currently sell a 50ml bottle in India, not a 30ml. In the US, 15ml (0.5 floz), as it does not seem to be sufficient
Before- After pics (Feb - Aug 2009) in 6months , back view & side view
See later Pics below.

Male, 60+, hair density is not captureable on camera from back view. More visible from the side view.

Baldness started over 20 years ago, which would indicate slow levels of recovery. Other cases of recently receding hairlines, small patches, improved in 3-4 months. This case study is a long-term one.

Skin over scalp was smooth when first applied indicating no open pores, Now, Skin over bald portions of scalp is uneven & rough indicating open pores

New pictures will be updated regularly at bottom.

October 09

Regrowth can be seen by looking, but difficult to capture on camera because of low density of hair.

You can see that the back picture shows a smaller circular patch than pics above it, and the side picture shows more hair

February 2010 pics

3 months of not using- slower regrowth, but regrowth did not stop.

Started on 2nd bottle of Natural Hairgrow (30ml).

Natural Hairgrow Serum vs Rogaine/Minoxidol for malepattern baldness and Propecia for Alopecia, etc.

1) Hair Regrowth is faster
Most hair products require atleast 1-3 months before noticeable change. Natural Hairgrow showed results in as little as 2 weeks and in 4-5 uses in some.

2) Some give "baby hair regrowth" soft, downy hair or vellus is regrown. With Natural Hairgrow, hair is of normal thickness as surrounding hair.

3) Products like Rogaine consist mostly of chemicals Natural Hairgrow is 100% natural oil combination- no synthetic chemicals, additives, fragrances, preservatives, etc.

4)Promotes Longer hair- noticeable in 3-4 uses, even if hair has not been growing for a long time.

5) Regains natural color of hair (not from roots, only on surface- See Video. It is not a dye & leaves no color residue on hands.

6) Reduces hairfall or hair loss, due to varying factors- environmental, hereditary, product buildup, perms, rebonding, coloring, etc

7) Is there a guarantee? No, like all other products. However, it is worth noting that 100% of users showed atleast 2 benefits.

8) Will more hair be lost if I stop use? No, more hair will not be lost.
However, hairloss will go back to its original stage based on age factor, etc. Periodic maintenance of 1-2 times monthly is recommended after attaining improving conditions, based on each individual.

See India website for all available serums

For purchase, Contact Jyothi in Hyderabad, 9440142923 or email care121@gmail.com

Trial Size 5ml (appx 2-3 wk use for scalp) Rs.550
Full Size 50ml (App 6-8 months) Rs.3500

1 full size is enough for most cases unless it is an extreme case like above.

Natural Hairgrow + Dandruff 50ml Rs.3750

Introductory discount now available.

US / International Sales Trial, 0.5 Fl Oz & 4 Fl Oz sizes available

Currently only Offline Ordering is available in India.
Personal pickup, DD or account transfer. See details on website

Before- After, LDuke,customer

Other Handmade Serums available in India :
anti-aging serums pics >

Beauty Secret Masque for instant Firming & Whitening
Lip Restorer to lighten, smooth and moisten lips

Rose AntiWrinkle Nite Creme

STAR product Lash Lengthening Serum

Product Review- Natural Hairgrow Serum- Grows Hair, Reduces Bald Patches, Darkens grey Hair

2009-04-13T14:18:00.005-05:00

Our Bestseller Natural Hairgrow Serum, has been recently launched in India, available as part of hair restoring and hair darkening treatments.

Dye-free and Chemical-free, it is now gaining popularity in India for its ability to darken grey hair, whereas here, in the US, it is used for help in reducing hairloss, closing of small/recent bald patches due to braids, etc. and for lengthening hair, especially by people of African & Asian races.

It acts as a Hair tonic- application to silver/grey hair causes almost immediate darkening to a very small but noticeable degree. This darkening does not wash out and with subsequent applications, hair is naturally darkened to original color.

Case Study 1 : Sensational!

Mrs.Joshua, 76 yrs old, F, unable to apply dyes for grey hair because of problems with hypertension when hairdyes were previously applied. About 50% of visible hair is grey-white, multiple bald patches in head 1-4 inches in diameter which were present for ovr 10 yrs
She has been using the Serum sporadically over a period of 6months, applying to hair & scalp, 1-2 times in a fortnight, 30-60 mins before washing hair. Total applications about 12-14

Results:
After 6months, Hair is 90% Dark Black, 10% grey remaining around edges of face, Closure of all patches, most 60-70% closed, a few 90%. Scalp in the remaining bald patches which used to be smooth like an eggshell, now grainy with opening of pores. Hair is vital and nourished when previously it had lost bounce and vitality.
Length of hair increased by 7-8 inches, previously hair had not been growing over many years. Regular Hairloss reduced by 70-80%

Our most avid customers are her neighbours and friends who have seen this sensational results!
Pictures will be uploaded in a few days

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Case Study 2
Saudamini P, 62, 90% of visible silver-grey hair, due to minor surgery, unsafe to apply hairdye.
Applied Hairserum all over hair, visible immediate results in haircolor change by about 20-30% changed to light-dark grey, so that visible grey hair seemed to be 70-80% grey.
Subsequent applications showed increased darkening which did not wash out.

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Maintenance may generally be required at about 1-2 applications in 1-2 months after about 5-10 applications depending on user.

The Serum is also available separately at a cost of Rs.1500 for a 30ml (1 FL oz) bottle.
It will give about 15 applications to massage scalp, as it is thicker, a little goes a long way. This is enough to reduce hairloss, and improve receding lines & patches.
For grey hair, it depends on length of hair, but 1 bottle may be enough for short mens hair.
A 5ml Trial size is also available at a cost of Rs.350/

Email care121@gmail.com with subject India for inquiries.

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Due to the essential oils in it, we do not recommend use for facial hair. Eyelashes & Brows may be effectively strengthened and lengthened with Lash Lengthener which shows results in -4-6 weeks and has good reviews on ebay and theluxuryspot.com

Skinny on the Tummy- Multipronged approach for a trimmer belly

2009-03-17T08:42:00.006-05:00

Heres a quickie on getting a trim Tummy, a most desirable object for most Moms- guess we really value it after the kids cause havoc :)

Heres the Skinny on the Stomach:

It is composed of multiple layers of Fat, Muscle & Skin

So trying to get a trimmer belly includes exercise, diet + all the help you can get

Exercise
Core exercises will strengthen the inner muscles and the back, and in time will help trim the external muscles set.

A good exercise regimen needs to include exercises for upper abs & lower abs - best results come with a combination of rotation motion along with crunch type exercises

Look at Pilates, heavyhands etc

If you havent been a mom, crunches really show results. If you are among regular moms, and havent sprung back into shape like Heidi Klum & Julia Roberts, results are there but not seen with crnches- thre are cases where doing just crunches without strenghening the core muscles actually makes the situation far worse- and makes a much sloppier belly.

Someties it is possible to have trim muscles which cant be seen because of the layers of fat covering it. So diet & aerobic activity is necessary to remove that fat, slowly and surely.

Exercise also burns Fat- but not all tummy fat can be reduced with it- mainly because of inefficient exercise.
Also to exercise the Tummy efficiently , a strong back is mandatory- so first you need to do that.
Cheat- Get a good Back support belt and exercise tummy only when wearing it The money spent on a good one will pay dividends that dont come from a gym!

Diet -
Eat foods that increase metabolism on a daily basis- there is interesting research on Grapefruit, which I hope to post on later.

Coconut, Turmeric (see other posts) and many others will help metabolize the fats which the Stomach likes to store close to itself :)

The fat in an individual’s body and placement depends on hormones such as insulin, testosterone, and estrogen. The one thing to remember about fat is that, once puberty is over, what fat you have is what fat you have forever. Your fat cells only multiply if you reach 200% of what your body weight should be, which, luckily most of us don't ever do. However, fat cells can expand enormously. Each and every one of them can get bigger as your body stores more fat in them.

Anything that can cause your insulin to spike can lead to more fat storage. Not just Candy and sugar, Bread, potatoes, carrots, corn—anything which has a high glycemic index—can increase fat storage. Excess intake of these items can cause excess fat.

Skin
It is the part of the abdomen you can see. It can look depressing if it has lost its ability to spring back after being stretched out.

Skin is constantly replenishing itself. The top layer of skin is called the epidermis.
Below the epidermis is the dermis, with oil glands, nerves, capillaries, and sweat glands and the much desired collagen and elastin, which give skin its springiness. Without collagen and elastin, skin feelslike crepe paper and would have no give to it. We tend to lose elastin and collagen as we age, which is why skin gets thinner and looser as we get older. Healthy younger skin is able to stretch out and then spring back to its original shape. We loose some of this elasticity as we age.

If your skin is stretched out, hangs loosely, and has not bounced back within several months after a weight loss or pregnancy, it is not going to bounce back. Loose, excess skin is called redundant skin, but not everyone has it if his or her abdomen is saggy. If you have a significant fat layer on your abdomen or if the muscles and fascia of the abdomen have loosened, you may think you have excess skin, but you don't. If you don't have excess fat on your abdomen and your muscles are relatively tight, you could still have excess skin.

Products:
2 of our Body Rejuvenators are helful for a shapely tummy.

Trimming Mask- which works similar to a body wrap- There is an immediate to 3-day change in emulsifying and flushing out fats & toxins.

Completely natural, with ingredients like Kelp, Dead Sea Salts, Caffeine, Turmeric, Grapfruit Essential oil + others help to streamline and reduce fat noticeably.

Our unique Tummy Tucker Serum, helps increase collagen & elastin contend & reduce this skin to give a neat silhouette.
Read our great ebay feedback!

Exercises
These are kind of modified from Heavyhands which is by far my favorite exercise to reduce fat on the tummy/ lovehandles and surrounding areas.

1. Lie down, Fold one knee up, put the other foot over hte folded knee.
Twist to crunch towards the foot with arms at about 30 degree angle.
Once you've got the position correclty, pick up your weights (I use 1.5lb, use cans, etc- less is better until you know how strong your back/tummy is)
Crunch 5-10 times each side.

2. Lie down and cycle feet and corresponding arm (not altrnate arm).
When you move left foot inwards, move weighted left hand like a bicep curl- when you move left foot down, move arm back to a straight position without setting it down.
Same for the opposite arm
Remember to be slow- so its not the momentum carrying the weight but your muscles.
Do only a few for the first 3 days. Dont ovredo it until you know your capacity- very important for thoes with lower back issues or sagging tummy muscles.

If you dont have a strong back/tummy or have any kinds of problems, do this on;y with a backsupport belt or about 8-12 inches thick belt

After ending- remmeber to do stretching exercises for the tummy- there is something called a Pelvic wave which is like a wave motion starting from the bottom of pelvis, going backward through the hips and ending in a wave motion through stomach.
Extremely relaxing for belly and back .

Helpful if you do some kind of leg exercises before tummy exercises in order to warm up the tummy muscles

Menopause beneficial foods Checklist

2009-01-29T18:08:00.004-06:00

Foods that help relieve side effects of menopause -From Dr.colbert's site -link from post title

1. Consume soy products on a daily basis, including soymilk, tofu, tempeh, Miso soup, and roasted soy nuts.
2. Decrease consumption of meats and dairy products. Instead, choose small portions of free-range, extra lean meats—they contain fewer hormones.

3. Eat cruciferous vegetables daily or every other day. These include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.

4. Decrease your intake of saturated, hydrogenated, and polyunsaturated fats, and increase your consumption of monounsaturated fat, such as extra-virgin olive oil, almonds, avocados, etc.

5. Participate in regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, gliding, etc. This helps decrease the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

Corneal Molding: Correcting Your Vision Overnight

2009-01-22T10:12:00.006-06:00

What is Accelerated Orthokeratology or Corneal Molding?

It is a contact lens program designed to reduce or eliminate myopia (near-sightedness) and astigmatism (irregular eye surface).
This procedure utilizes a special contact lens (corneal mold) to gently and safely change the surface of the eye in order to naturally improve vision.

How long does Accelerated Orthokeratology take?

It depends on the severity of the problem.
Some people are able to see 20/20 after wearing the corneal molds overnight.
For most people the best vision will occur after 2-6 weeks.

What are the benefits of Accelerated Orthokeratology?

Better vision without help from glasses or contact lenses within days to weeks;
Free of risks associated with laser surgery (see next section);
Occupational vision demands may be met for careers such as pilots, policemen, firemen or any job that requires better visual acuity;
Helps prevent progression of near-sightedness in children (see “What about using Ortho-K in children?”).

How does Ortho-k compare with Laser vision surgery?

Ortho-K is not a surgical procedure. Since there is no cutting or burning of tissue, there is no possibility of scarring to the cornea (outer surface of the eye). Scar tissue with resulting decreased night vision is a possible side effect of laser surgery;
Ortho-K is reversible which means a maintenance regimen is needed to maintain the new shape of the cornea;
Ortho-K costs less than laser surgery by about half;
There is no post-operative discomfort as can be the case with surgery.

Tips -Lowering High Blood Pressure Naturally is Essential

2009-01-22T09:54:00.002-06:00

By lowering your blood pressure naturally, you can improve many other aspects of your health.

Prescription medications are good at times, but for health issues such as hypertension and high cholesterol, sometimes natural remedies work best.
Why? Because they treat the underlying cause of your condition, and prescription drugs don't.

Most drugs the doctor prescribes aere synthetic, and can harm liver and other organs. They also cause many unpleasant side effects in many people. That is why learning how to lower your blood pressure using natural methods is best!

A few tips:

1. Drink lots of water!
Drinking half of your body weight in ounces every day helps flush toxins from your body and reduce blood pressure. Example: If you weight 140 pounds, drink 70 ounces of water. This is equivalent to 8 1/2 cups.

2. Eat healthy foods.
You already know you should do this, but adding certain foods to your diet such as bananas and other foods loaded with potassium is essential. Cut out the salt with salt substitutes , potassium iodide actually aids to reduce BP

3. Exercise moderately.
You don't really have to follow a prescribed plan, just exercise until it makes you feel better. You can tell the difference in how you feel, and you will know how much exercise it takes to work for you.

4. Reduce stress -
This is a BIG one. Stress is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure. Reduce stress by meditation, deep breathing, and getting plenty of sleep. If you can eliminate the source of your stress, doing so is a good idea.
Take a weekly destress bath, have some esential oil synergies at hand to destress, play with the kids, do a jigsaw!

These are just a sampling of steps to take when lowering blood pressure naturally.
There are hundreds of other things you can do, and when combined these actions will lower your readings dramatically in short time.
Share your own here

Collagen to reverse Arthritis, heart Disease - Glucosamine Chondroitin alternative

2009-01-05T15:53:00.003-06:00

I am taking Collagen type II on a regular basis.

Pain in my knees used to be unbearable, but after starting on that specific Collagen, there has been a pain reduction about 40-50%, putting it in the bearable range. I use other pain alternatives, in previous posts - this post is about my research on Collagen type 2, still in the "to be tested further league of nutritional medicine supplements"
I find it completely invaluable

This is excerpted from
http://www.springboard4health.com/books_online/collagen/collagen_typeII.html

According to the latest statistics, 50 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis, common symptoms of severe pain, loss of range of motion, and a diminished quality of life.

The author of "Jaws for Life, the Story of Shark Cartilage." writes:

When people suffer from arthritis, there is a selective destruction of collagen type II in the joint cartilage itself. Scientists know that this particular component of cartilage is being attacked by white blood cells and somehow this activates the immune system in the rheumatoid arthritic patient to develop antibodies to collagen type II. This then sets up an immune response to all of the cartilage that is degenerating in the body. Thus, both wrists hurt, both knees hurt, the hips, the back, etc. In osteoarthritis, we have a wear and tear type of destruction of the cartilage with the release of soluble collagen type II, but without the immune response

There are 14 different kinds of collagen , but the primary collagen, the most predominant one, the most medicinal collagen, is collagen type II. If derived from chicken cartilage, it has greatest number of anti-inflammatory and joint supporting proteoglycans, include glucosamine sulfate which has over 30 years of studies indicating it actually helps rebuild cartilage in arthritis joints.
It also contains a high concentration of chondroitin sulfate A, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and also supports the joint tissue. These two components are in highest concentration in chickens compared to any other cartilage source.
In addition, collagen type II also contains a powerful, newly discovered antioxidant proteoglycan called cartilage matrix glycoprotein (CMGP), which can help reduce the oxidative damage to the joint. In addition to these new discoveries, there are other ingredients in collagen type II that make it more effective than just taking glucosamine or chondroitin by themselves.

Another advantage of collagen type II over cartilage is that it is much more absorbable, Researchers demonstrated about 8% absorption of ground cartilage, whereas the components of collagen type II are at 70 to 90 percent.
This means considerably less collagen type II has to be taken in comparison to cartilage. Most people have to take 9 to 12 grams of cartilage in order to get a response, whereas with collagen type II as little as two grams, and more commonly three to four grams, are quite sufficient.

When a person who has arthritis begins to take collagen type II, they should wait of a period of four to eight weeks before they make a decision as to whether or not the product is working. It takes this length of time in most people to get significant results. I have seen some individuals eliminate pain within one week, but this is the exception, not the rule. Collagen type II is available in 500 mg. capsules. It should be taken in divided doses throughout the day - 20 minutes before eating, preferably with a small amount of orange juice as this improves absorption. In lieu of the fact that there are no side effects with collagen type II, this would seem to be the product of choice when suffering from any form of arthritic condition.