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Category Archives: health & wellness

Staying Healthy (and Sane) in Quarantine

21 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, health & wellness, Motherhood, Product Reviews, Shopping

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CBD, CBD bath bombs, hand sanitizer, kids toothbrushes, natural hand sanitizer, Quarantine, Resilience CBD, toothbrushes, Youth Manual Toothbrush, Zoey Naturals

Sharing a few things that have helped keep our bodies & minds healthy during quarantine. Every little thing helps right now! Germ-free toothbrushes, natural hand sanitizer & some CBD to keep Mama clam…the best offense is a good defense.

CBD that helps you heal: Resilience CBD goes beyond healing and recovery from pain or anxiety; the products are also created to allow you to crush your goals. Whether it is the sports cream that helps an athlete to run longer or train harder for a marathon, or the oil that gives you peace of mind in knowing that you will be a better, happier mom in the morning after getting a great night of sleep, Resilience CBD designs their products to enhance your life.

Resilience CBD offers a variety of CBD products that address different needs for healing and performance while providing different methods for each need. Their bath bombs are my favorite! First, the Revive Bath Bomb with blends of CBD, Dead Sea salts, citrus, lemon, and spearmint essential oils to create a mineral-rich bath that uplifts, soothes, and energizes. The second is the Recover Bath Bomb, which combines CBD, menthol, Dead Sea salts, eucalyptus, and spearmint essential oils to create a mineral-rich bath that helps sore and achy muscles to recover after your toughest days.

Long-lasting Antimicrobial Toothbrushes: Have you ever noticed kid toothbrushes don’t last near as long as their adult counterparts? I’m convinced most toothbrush manufacturers create the kids version with lesser-quality bristles. I was replacing them all the time! Happy to share I’ve found a high-quality children’s toothbrush! The Youth Manual Toothbrush by Dr. Plotka’s has features that set them apart from the rest:

–Naturally Antimicrobial* Bristles – Embedded silver naturally eliminates 99.9% of bacteria that grows on the bristles between brushing sessions.
Flossing Bristles™ – Dual-layered bristle structure provides superior cleaning: the longer, thinner bristles – thin as a human hair – reach deep into grooves, under the gumline and between teeth to brush away food and plaque other brushes miss while the thicker bristles ensure complete cleaning of gum and teeth.
–Soft Long-Lasting Polyester Bristles – Get up to one extra month of use thanks to polyester bristles which bend better than the nylon bristles found in most other brushes on the market! (The ADA recommends changing your toothbrush every 3 months. Doctor Plotka’s brush will last about 4!)
–Dentist Developed – Dr. Ronald Plotka designed this innovative toothbrush as part of his thriving 40+ year Boston-based dental practice.

Hand Sanitizer That’s Natural: Tired of harsh hand sanitizer that dries out your skin? Zoey-Naturals is a new line of skin care products safe for the delicate skin of babies and children. Their English Garden Hand Sanitizer effectively kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. It has been formulated without harsh chemicals and deeply cleanses without water. The convenient spray delivery allows you to spray your child’s hands (and yours) as well as surfaces you wish to clean. –Just spray hands thoroughly and allow to dry without wiping.

Natural Defense for Sick Season

02 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Everyday Joie, health & wellness, Motherhood, Product Reviews, Shopping

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Cold & Flu Season, homeopathic, Natural Defense, natural ingredients, natural products, PATCH bandages, Power C, Sick Season, Vitafusion, Vitamin C

Ugh, we are still in winter and fighting off flu season! And with the global spread of Coronavirus looming over our minds, it’s more important than ever for us to get a proactive game plan regarding our health. Simple measures like washing hands, covering coughs, sneezing into your elbow, refraining from touching your face, and boosting your immune system BEFORE sickness sets in are easy enough to do and strong enough to help slow the spread of illness. Here are a few of my favorite natural-ingredient defenses this flu season:

Hyland’s: Hyland’s natural homeopathic products are winter must-haves for babies & kids! Help your little ones this cold season with the trusted brand for safe and gentle medicines. Their proprietary formulas are developed by pharmacists using natural active ingredients that are strong in relieving symptoms, but gentle in the way they work. With so few options available to parents for comforting little ones, Hyland’s makes it easy for parents to find a safe solution that’s just right for their child’s age and ailment so the whole family can get the rest they need.

If I medicate my children, I always try the homeopathic treatment option first.

PATCH Bandages: Applying an adhesive bandage is a quick & easy way to cover cuts from dirt and bacteria. Plus, kids love them — they’re like stickers! PATCH is the first product to be released from Nutricare, an environmentally conscious and solutions-focused brand from Australia. Their dedication to creating natural solutions to common health care items is empowering consumers to make healthier choices for their families and the world.

PATCH bandages are made from 100% organic bamboo fiber, free of plastics, latex, silicone, and harmful toxins and 100% compostable.

Highly rated on Amazon, PATCH is gaining traction with folks swapping out the old standby for the new generation of eco-friendly wound care. These are amazing for on the go and my kids love adorable Aussie panda prints!

The Power of Vitamin C: The onset of sniffle season is my family’s signal to power up our vitamin C intake. We go for gummies because the kids can’t swallow pills yet and they think they are getting a little sweet treat. America’s #1 gummy vitamin brand, Vitafusion, makes “Power C” gummies that taste so yummy while providing an excellent source of immune supporting vitamin C – as much as 10 tangerines!

Vitafusion Power C gummies contain NO high-fructose corn syrup, NO artificial sweeteners, NO gluten, NO dairy and NO synthetic (FD&C) dyes

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

02 Thursday May 2019

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, health & wellness, Life[style], Motherhood, Product Reviews, Shopping

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Cannaisseur Brands, Care Skincare, CBD Essentials, CBD oil, Clean Beauty, Gifts for Mom, Mer|Sea, Mother's Day, Saltier Splash Coaster Candle, scented candles

Here’s a roundup of three gift ideas for Mother’s Day… I personally use and love each of them!

Clean Beauty: This Spring, Care Skincare launched The Everything Multi-Level Moisturizer. This multi-functional formula nourishes, hydrates and repairs the skin, providing the benefits of a serum in the comfort of a cream. Key ingredients in The Everything Multi-Level Moisturizer include: Hyaluronic Acid, collagen peptides, fermented black tea, turmeric, Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Care. products are developed by a team of world-class experts who formulate highly effective skincare that addresses the skin’s most important needs in a straightforward, simple way. They sell directly to consumers, avoiding retail markups and costs. The most expensive thing about Care Skincare products is each best-in-class formula, crafted with high quality ingredients. All products in the Care Skincare line were developed by a team of world-class experts using high quality ingredients that strictly adhere to the brand’s clearly communicated standards for “Clean Beauty.”

Coastal Coaster: It’s May — time to get ready for warm weather and sunshine! What better way to do so than updating your living space to set this bright and breezy mood? Sometimes it’s the smallest details that have the biggest impact. Take in the scents of summer with candles by Mer|Sea. Their #1 bestselling Saltaire Splash Coaster Candle delivers a spicy mineral aroma reminiscent of the salty air. In addition to scenting your living space with a cool and scented aroma, the candle comes with a stunning polished agate coaster adding a natural element to any room.

CBD starter kit: Cannaisseur Brands is re-launching its topically applied terpene-rich CBD Essentials product line with new branding, logo and packaging. The brand was founded by CBD industry expert and advocate Aryn Sieber, who consults with physicians and patients nationwide on the responsible use and medicinal benefits of cannabis. Sieber became a sought-after professional leader in the industry after using cannabis during his own battle with Stage IV cancer. CBD Essentials topically applied products are lab-formulated, third-party tested, and batch numbered to ensure quality and consistency. All CBD Essentials products feature Sieber’s award-winning flower and meet the federal requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill, which mandates that all CBD-infused products are derived from dried Cannabis Sativa L. plant material that contain less than 0.3 percent THC to be legal in the United States.

I’ve blogged about CBD products before, but if you’re new to the concept, here’s a great summary: CBD is non-psychoactive. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells in the human body that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Ligands or bonding molecules for these receptor proteins include endocannabinoids which are naturally produced in the body. Terpenes refer to a class of compounds found in nearly every plant species including cannabis. They have been shown to influence many biological activities—including reduction of inflammation, reduced sensitivity to pain, and reduced anxiety. Terpenes and cannabinoids share a common biochemical precursor, giving them the ability to bind with different biological substances in the body, including receptors and enzymes.

Real-world testing has shown CBD to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and to act as an antibacterial, antitumoral and antimicrobial. Studies also have shown that CBD can balance oil production in the skin. Furthermore, because the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is critically responsible for the life cycle of basal skin cells, some treatments encourage the ECS with topically applied CBD in an effort to help regulate the production of healthy skin. (It is important to note that therapeutic statements for CBD products are not yet evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)




Wake, Pray, Slay with these morning-routine helpers

12 Tuesday Feb 2019

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, Everyday Joie, Fitness, health & wellness, Product Reviews, Shopping, Snacks

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Afterglow Ampoule, Astaxanthin, Beautytap, breakfast bars, CBD, CBD-infused honey, cold shower, Dang Bar, Ed Mylett, Grassroots Harvest, keto, morning routine, serum

In addition to making a commitment to certain lifestyle changes like regular workouts, going back to work, and guided mediation (which I wrote all about in my latest for Austin Moms Blog), I am also trying to be intentional about my morning routine in particular. I skip an alarm altogether and sleep as long as possible –until about 7 a.m.– when woken by my baby boy. –I’m starting to see that I really should to start waking up around 6 to get my day going the right way! Ugh. But until then, at the suggestion of motivational speaker Ed Mylett, one thing crazy thing I’ve started doing is taking a cold shower in the mornings. Actually, it’s just 30 seconds of cold water at the end, but he says it activates your body and helps you feel alive. –I’ve been doing it for about a week now and I can attest that it works — definitely an effective wake up call! Here are some other new additions to my morning routine:

  1. Glow-Giving Serum: Beautytap, the premier destination for Korean beauty education, advice, content, community, and premium luxury beauty products, has just unveiled Afterglow Ampoule, the first release from its luxury product line: AZN Labs. The “Seoul” of this line was designed with three core concepts in mind: ingredients, science, and effectiveness. Afterglow Ampoule represents the perfect combination of J-Beauty & K-Beauty, thanks to the use of traditional floral ingredients found in the best K-beauty products, and the careful use of Astaxanthin, a vibrant red keto-carotenoid naturally created in rainwater microalgae and containing 6,000% the potency of Vitamin C. Astaxanthin is traditionally used in Japanese beauty products for its anti-aging properties.AZN Labs
  2. Local honey with CBD: Grassroots Harvest, an Austin-based company that makes all kinds of high-end CBD products, sent me their newest offering: honey infused with CBD! Grassroots Harvest offers high-quality, sustainably sourced solutions that are crafted in small batches.  This little honey pot contains of 100% organic hemp-derived CBD and raw Central Texas honey. For anyone in the area, I love the added bonus of it being local honey, too! #allergies –Adding this as the sweetener to my morning coffee gives me an anxiety-free start to the day.Grassroots Harvest
  3. Breakfast Bars that are actually good: Ideally, the convenience of a grab-n-go breakfast bar would be perfect for my busy mornings. But here’s the catch: I just can’t choke ’em down — I don’t like most of them on the market. These new bars by Dang Foods are different: not too sweet, not too crumbly, not a candy bar in disguise. Dang Bars are low carb, Keto-approved, and plant-based. With cocoa butter, coconut, almond butter and chia seeds, this low carb bar fits the ideal macros for the Keto diet: 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% net carbs. Now, I’m not personally following the Keto diet but can definitely appreciate the healthful aspects of it. I am happy to have found a bar that is actually tasty & satisfying as an on-the-go breakfast solution.Dang breakfast bars

Feel Refreshed in the New Year

26 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Austin, Texas, Beauty, Fitness, Hair Game, health & wellness, Product Reviews, Shopping

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bath bombs, CBD, CBD Living, Elemis, Facials, Ideal Image, Kamedis, New Year, new year's resolutions

I do love the fresh start that a new year brings. Besides the mental & emotional refocus, I (like so many) set a resolution that targets my physical self. My motivation? We have the opportunity to go to Hawaii not once, but twice this summer. I want to feel fab in my bathing suit and feel as healthy as ever on the beach. My New Year’s mantra? Three words: Peace, Happiness, Energy. Here are some products helping me get there:

Hi-tech facials: I’m a big fan of facials because they are so relaxing & peaceful AND you come out glowing & hydrated! It’s like a two-for-one: you get the chance to unwind while your skin is being cared for and treated. In Austin, Ideal Image‘s new Parmer location offers professional-grade facials using customized Elemis skincare products. I recently tried one out and the tools they used were so hi-tech! Really, I felt like their technology is at the forefront of the latest & greatest offerings within the ‘beauty’ category. Everything from ultrasonic devices, LED light therapy, and crazy-unique masks were utilized to help what I wanted to address with my skin. Here is a pic of me with one of the interesting masks on…the ingredients for it had to be mixed right before use and turned into a sort-of semi-solid foam on my face…wild! These facials and Elemis products are only available at the new location, 6301 W. Parmer Lane Unit #507, Austin, TX 78729.facial

CDB products: I’ve been intrigued by the uses & benefits to CBD oil for several months now and am excited to see more & more products including it! I’ve tried some sublingual drops but am really eager to try out these bath bombs by CBD Living. They contain 60 mg of nano-CBD, are vegan-friendly and use only natural fragrances for that post-workout soak. For sore muscles & body aches, the Freeze roll-on includes 120 mg of full-spectrum nano-CBD, as well as cooling menthol and tea tree oil for immediate soothing and extended pain relief. cbd living

Scalp Soothers: This time of year, my scalp can get itchy…actually, not just my scalp but my skin all over gets itchy. I think it’s a combination of winter dryness and our tap water where we live. Apparently the water here has one of the highest levels of Chloramine in it. For some, that can cause itchy skin after a shower. This line of products has helped. After two decades of research and development and eight years of success overseas – Kamedis (pronounced KaMEDis) has brought back its clinically proven, dermatologist-endorsed botanical skin care products to the U.S.dandruff therapy shampoo

What is your New Year’s Resolution? Any products or mantras helping you reach your goals? Please share!

Results from the 60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge + a free gift for readers!

06 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, health & wellness, Product Reviews, Shopping

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60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge, Acne Scars, Anjum Hanafi, dry patches, fine lines, flaky skin, free gift, gift with purchase, Intensive Renewing Serum, R + F, Rodan + Fields, skin dullness, skincare

We have come to the conclusion of my 60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge with Anjum Hanafi, Independent Consultant at Rodan + Fields. And I must say, I have an appreciation for my skin unlike never before. Before I tried these products, I was at war with my face: constantly fighting off breakouts, dullness, oil production, dry flaky patches, and appearance of fine lines. Due to a variety of factors (hormone changes, lack of sleep, lifestyle change, and just from general aging) I never knew what face I’d wake up to in the morning. Plus, the unpredictability of it all was aggravating my postpartum anxiety! Now, through this skin care regime, I feel like I’m working WITH my skin, feeding it what it needs, and creating a harmony of hydration and health. There are few surprises these days and I’m grateful for that.

R + FOk, regarding my issues I was hoping to address:

  • Dullness: Completely gone. I feel I’m rocking a healthy glow once more and there is a nice color in my cheeks. Even on nights where the baby wakes up THREE TIMES (and once for the toddler, too!) I don’t experience that showing up in my face the next morning.
  • Flakiness/Dry patches: Completely gone. The surface texture has totally evened out and I’m back to my regular homeostasis of normal-to-oily skin. The combination of oily in some places and super dry in others was confusing to me (I didn’t know what to put on my face!) and it’s nice to just reach for one go-to product that handles it all.
  • Old acne scars: Fading. Both the subtle pockmarks and not-so-subtle dark spots are continuing to even-out.
  • Fine lines: When I turned 33, I got my first wrinkle. My tall forehead wrinkles up with certain expressions and one of the lines finally just stayed there. However, –and I can’t believe it– but the roller smooths out that one pesky line. If this continues to work, I’ll keep to my personal promise of putting off the Botox until age 40.

Intensive Renewing SerumAdditionally, one product comes in the kit I received but wasn’t used in the challenge. I’m breastfeeding & it’s not recommended, so I had to hold off. BUT, it is amazing and award-winning and deserves a mention: R+F’s all new re-vamped Intensive Renewing Serum is all the rage — even featured in the April ’18 edition of Oprah’s O Magazine! The highest concentration of Vitamin A available on the market without a prescription, this powerful tiny daily-dose blue capsule packs a punch. Many Vitamin A serums on the market are too much for sensitive skin but this product is specifically formulated for even the most sensitive skin and works to visibly firm, smooth and revitalize the skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and the individual capsules ensure the product says fresh at every application.

Best part– my neighbor Anjum is running a special just for Blog Joie de Vivre readers: Get a FREE gift with any $80+ purchase! Y’all can choose from their Body Moisturizer, Foaming Sunless Tanner or Body Sunscreen. Here’s a simple & quick one-minute skin questionnaire with direct recommendations from the dermatologists…just fill it out as your first step and she’ll arrange your free exclusive gift.

60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge

01 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, health & wellness, Product Reviews, Shopping

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge, Acne Scars, Active Hydration Serum, Anjum, Dullness, Micro-Exfoliating Roller, microneedling, Rodan + Fields, skincare

Any reader of this blog knows I’m an avid tester of the latest skincare products. I absolutely love to try out new serums, creams, & cleansers and then share my reviews with y’all. My neighbor Anjum knows this, too, and suggested I give Rodan + Fields a try. She is a huge advocate of this line and sells it with great success. She prompted me to use certain personalized products and commit to them for 2 months — or, the 60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge. Because even with all the fun products that are sent to me for review, I still don’t exactly “love” my skin.
Acne ScarsThrough this challenge, we’re hoping to tackle a couple of issues I’m currently dealing with: acne scars and dullness. –Anyone in the same boat? I’m in my mid-thirties and finally the pimples I’ve dealt with my whole life are starting to subside. BUT, I’m left with subtle scarring, or slight pockmarks that show up at the right angle & in some lights. More noticeably, I have scarring that manifests as dark spots…those fade over time, but we’re talking MONTHS. My dermatologist told me the scarring could be addressed by a series of microneedling services. (Since I’m breastfeeding, there’s a lot of products and procedures I need to steer clear of for now.) Microneedling is safe, but the price tag is scary! The packages at my dermatologist’s office started around $800. Luckily R + F makes a roller than is basically the same idea but can be used on yourself in the convenience of your own home.R + F RollerThe AMP MD Roller, Rodan + Fields micro-exfoliating roller, is designed to help the skin heal itself. As the micro-needles move across your skin (don’t worry, they don’t hurt!), signals are sent to the brain to “SEND COLLAGEN!” Collagen is what heals our wounds and gives our skin strength & elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. The micro-needles also create channels in our skin allowing any skincare products applied after to be absorbed quicker & deeper, creating results for a firmer tone, smoother texture, and a reduced appearance of lines & wrinkles!

The second skincare issue I’m hoping to rectify is dullness. This could be just a case of life with a newborn and general postpartum skin changes. I just feel like my skin is lacking luminosity. –I guess once you have that ‘pregnancy glow’ and then proceed to see it fade, you want it back, haha! Now, I haven’t been able to keep up with my facials over the last few months, so I know a contributing factor here is the lack of regular exfoliation. But Anjum tells me hydration is a major component in dealing with skin dullness. Again, since I’m breastfeeding she had to stick within certain ingredient boundaries but we found something that should work fabulously for me in their Active Hydration Serum.R + F AHSActive Hydration Serum (AHS) is a hydrating, oil-free serum that increases the hydration level in our skin. Often times, we apply moisturizer to our skin, thinking this will help with hydration. Moisturizers, in fact, only seal in EXISTING hydration — they do NOT add hydration to the skin! As we age, our level of skin hydration decreases, causing our skin to look dull and (dare I say it) droopy. AHS adds hydration into the skin, and when your skin is hydrated, it looks more vibrant, glowing, and smooth! AHS is formulated to benefit all skin types.

So, here begins Day 1 of our 60-Day Love Your Skin Challenge! I’ll keep ya posted during the journey and share my progress. –Interested in joining me? –Want to FINALLY love your skin? Check out the products here and reach out to Anjum on Instagram or Facebook. She’s always available to answer any skincare questions or recommend the right products.

Healthy Eating Helpers

19 Monday Mar 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Dining, Fitness, health & wellness, Life[style], Product Reviews, Snacks

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energy drinks, gluten free, health food, healthy eating, Hydrive Energy Water, lentil pasta, Modern Table, Munk Pack, Protein Cookies

With Spring Break behind us and Summer just around the corner, it’s time for me to start thinking about eating healthy again. I’ll admit: during my pregnancy, I threw caution to the wind and ate absolutely whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I joke that my 8-pound, 12-ounce babe emerged from the womb 40% larger than his older sister did because he was so bloated on all my ice cream sandwiches and breakfast tacos. Now that I’m 6-weeks postpartum and have established a breastfeeding routine, I think it’s safe to reign it in again. I am actually really interested in health food trends and new grocery store options in this area are fascinating to me! Here are a few products new to the health food aisles that I’m trying this month:

Protein-packed Pastas:  Lentil PastaHave you tried lentil-based pasta yet? –It’s so yummy! Recently, Modern Table reformulated its entire product line. Now, each variety of nourishing noodles features dramatically improved pasta texture achieved through a blend of lentils, rice and peas containing all nine essential amino acids for long-lasting energy, good digestion and improved muscle health. Ready in 15 mins or less, they’re particularly convenient for me right now…it’s tough to cook a warm meal with a new baby in the family! Plus, all pastas are non-GMO, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free.

Supercharged Water:Hydrive Energy WaterHydrive Energy Water is a new refreshing zero-calorie energy drink that’s perfect for exercise hydration. The formulas are light & flavorful with caffeine and added B vitamins. Hydrive comes in six flavors including Black Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Triple Berry, Citrus Burst, Kiwi Melon and Grape Fusion. My favorite one is the Citrus Burst — it tastes like a Creamsicle! As a former Diet Coke-addict turned 100% soda-free, my hubs has really enjoyed trying out this new option to rehydrate & recharge his workouts. Hydrive is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger & QuikTrip for around $1.89 a bottle.

Gluten-free (& Guilt-free!) Cookies:Protein CookieNow this is what I like to hear when it comes to cookies:  health food brand Munk Pack has launched Protein Cookies, featuring 18 grams of plant-protein per cookie. Even better, they are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, a good source of fiber, and available in four delicious flavors, including:  Coconut White Chocolate Macadamia, Double Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin Spice. Even better, these ready-to-eat Protein Cookies have no soy, no dairy, no cholesterol and no sugar alcohols. –Convenient, on-the-go nutrition full of better-for-you fuel!

 

 

New Year’s Beauty Refresh

28 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, Hair Game, health & wellness, Life[style], Pregnancy, Product Reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized

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Apple Cider Vinegar, dental care, Doctor Plotka's, Essential Rinse, Face Masks, Mouth Watchers, Quenching Mineral Mask, Scalp Toner, toothbrushes, Vichy

New year, new leaf. Taking a minute this month to clean out my medicine cabinet and refresh my regular routines. This is the perfect time to replace or clean brushes (makeup, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, etc.), exfoliate that dead wintery skin with a mask & new hydrating products, and revive hair with a good healthy cleanse. Here are some new products I’m trying as part of my New Year’s beauty routine refresh:

Face Masks:  Get radiant, younger-looking skin from Vichy’s Mineral Face Masks born from earth, water and rock. Whether used alone or for multi-masking, these face masks are empowered by natural minerals such as Bentonite Clay to leave your skin feeling fresh and purified. VichyRight now, I especially love the Quenching Mineral Mask by Vichy (pictured on the left). A deeply hydrating mineralizing face mask, it contains Vitamin B3 to soothe and replenish the skin with 24-HR hydration. It immediately hydrates, soothes and strengthens skin with 10% concentration of Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water (which is rich in 15 minerals that help skin resist everyday aggressors for strong, healthy skin.)

New Toothbrush:  After my last teeth cleaning when I was tenderly informed of a condition called Pregnancy Gingivitis (hint hint?), I know it’s time to get back on track and make dental care a top priority. Doctor Plotka’s is the leading toothbrush for better health because it contains antimicrobial bristles infused with silver! I first heard about the health benefits of silver from my interview with designer Rebecca Minkoff and have been intrigued by its uses ever since. Not only are the bristles antimicrobial, but they mimic flossing and are long-lasting. Time to toss out our current brushes and try these for fresh & healthy teeth in the new year.Doctor Plotka's

Toner for your Scalp:  Although a day on the slopes, a walk in the rare peek of sunshine, or basking in the low-humidity air can make for perfect winter days, they also make a dry mess out of your hair & scalp. That’s why I’m trying out something I’ve never used before: a purifying scalp and hair toner. –Have you heard about girls who “wash” their hair in Apple Cider Vinegar? Well, Essential Rinse is a new product along those lines…but the formula smells great and has that lower pH, which will clarify and purify the hair instantly. Apparently it’s very easy to use: after cleansing with shampoo, massage the product into wet hair & scalp, distributing evenly with your fingers before rinsing thoroughly with water.Essential Rinse

 

Prepping for a New You in the New Year

23 Saturday Dec 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Fitness, health & wellness, Holidays, Pregnancy, Product Reviews, Shopping, Snacks

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Arivale, Beat Your Genes, Mamaste, New Year, New Year's Resolution, New You, Protein Bar, Salty Unicorn, thinkThin, Weight loss, yoga, yoga gear

As we’re in the thick of holiday parties & Christmas cooking, who else is thinking about dietary & fitness changes they’ll make in 2018? I’m making a conscious choice to indulge now, because 1.) I’m pregnant and giving myself permission to enjoy whatever I want and 2.) it’s the holiday season — my approach is not to restrain myself completely but enjoy all the sweets & dips in moderation. However, I am already feeling that need to get back into a more disciplined lifestyle after the holiday season winds down. Plus, in anticipation of the birth of my son, I know prioritizing healthy eating/sleeping/exercise is huge in postpartum recovery. Here are some things I’m prepping with:

A Data-Driven Approach:  Need a last minute gift idea? Hook your loved ones up with an Arivale Weight Loss kit, offered now through Christmas at a deep discounted price for a healthy 2018. Arivale, a scientific approach to personal health & wellness helps manage holiday weight battles and seasonal stressors with discounts on one of its most popular programs. The Arivale Weight Loss program is $19 each through December 25*. This is 80% off the list price of $99. Both programs come with one coaching call with a Registered Dietician to help you translate your data into action.Stocking Stuffers

  • Beat Your Genes – Weight Loss ($19)
    • Find out if you are genetically predisposed to be sensitive to carbs or saturated fat
    • Should you be eating a lower carbohydrate diet or a lower fat diet?
    • Discover what the optimal diet might be for you
    • Visit www.helix.com/shop/arivale-beat-your-genes to purchase

*Offer ends at December 25, 2017 at 12:00 am PST.

Local Yoga Gear: I’ve found a new mom-friendly yoga apparel brand that I love! Based out of New Braunfels, TX, Salty Unicorn Brand is a unique apparel line that focuses on Moms, Yoga and Texas and is proud to announce it’s new line of Texas yoga tanks and tees just in time for the holiday season. The company prides itself on crafting unique one-of-a-kind Texas and Mom-centric yoga goodies. Salty Unicorn has been producing shirts for moms since 2016, and after seeing the impact made through the Mamaste: the mom in me honors the mom in you campaign, the company decided to foster that same community connection through another unifier, Texas.Salty Unicorn

Protein in my purse: Have y’all tried thinkThin bars? I’m really picky about my protein bars (I gag on most of them!) but these are so yummy and high in protein content! Right now, they’ve brought back their seasonal flavor offerings for a limited time, including top-seller Pumpkin Spice, with notes of pumpkin spice, cinnamon & white chocolate. Alongside the fan-favorite flavor, they’re also offering Dark Chocolate Peppermint. Each seasonally inspired Protein & Fiber Bar provides 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in an individually wrapped 150-calorie bar. thinkThin

 

 

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