You go to a spa and get a facial and it’s a great experience. But let’s face it (no pun intended) it not only can get expensive, but it gets time consuming. Or maybe you would love to get a professional facial but it just doesn’t fit your budget? Well guess what? You can actually get great results at home in less time – and definitely for less money. I know – it’s great to get that full experience, but why not stretch the visits out a bit by doing your own at-home facials in between? All you need are a few products and a little bit of uninterrupted time (I know – not always easy, but it is so worth it!).

I know I have the Garden Girl 1 minute routine that is very quick and easy, but I thought it would be fun to also show you the steps that students of Esthetics learn to cleanse your face. This is how the facial professionals are taught as taken directly from the Milady’s Standard Esthetics Fundamentals textbook (with edits to make it “at home” appropriate). Clearly – this is the long version, so it might not work for everyone. This is definitely not what you would do for your morning and evening routine for sure but it’s fun once in awhile! I have also included the other steps (in a condensed format) that give you a full facial. Lastly, I linked Garden Girl product recommendations for each step – and don’t forget, we have customizable kits that give you a set of 3, 4 or 5 products for a 10-20% discount.

Don’t have the time for this full on facial? Skip the drawn out instructions and stick to the basics of cleansing, toning, protecting and moisturizing and you can be done in a minute or two (see the Garden Girl 1 Minute Face Care Routine).

Either way – have fun, and get into the habit of keeping a good routine. Your skin will thank you (and you will definitely notice a difference!).

AT HOME FACIAL – JUST LIKE A PRO!

1) Prepare. Prepare your space by getting all products out, and place a towel nearby. Pull your hair back with a headband or a clip. Product recommendations:
Garden Girl Terry Spa Headband

2) Cleanse.

a) Remove about 1/2 teaspoon of cleanser from the container. Place it in the palm of your hand and then apply a small amount to your fingertips.

b) Starting at the neck and with a sweeping movement, use both hands to spread the cleanser upward and outward on the chin, jaws, cheeks and temples. Spread the cleanser down the nose and along its sides and bridge.

c) Make small, circular movements with the fingertips around the nostrils and sides of the nose. Continue with upward-sweeping movements between the brows and across the forehead to the temples.

d) Apply more cleanser to the neck and chest with long even strokes. Cleanse the area in small, circular motions from teh center of the chest and neck moving upward. Try to use both hands at the same time on each side when apply or removing product.

e) Visually divide the face into left and right halves from the center. Continue moving upward with circular motions on the face from the chin and cheeks, and up toward the forehead using both hands, one on each side.

f) Starting at the center of the forehead, continue with the circular pattern out to the temples. Move the fingertips lightly in a circle around the eyes to the temples and then back to the center of the forehead.

g) Remove the cleanser. Professionals

Product Recommendations:

Oasis for Faces – dry skin face wash

You’re Fresh – face wash for normal/combination skin

At Long Last – glycolic acid face wash for oily/problematic skin

NEW! (sneak peek – coming soon) Milk No Cookies – gentle milk cleanser

Now, to complete your facial, there are a few more steps:

3) Exfoliate. For this you would use either a gel-type exfoliator or a scrub. It’s your choice – essentially they do the same thing in the end – just two different styles. If you have acne and have many blemishes, then a gel-type is a better choice so you are not irritating the blemishes. You should exfoliate 1 to 3 times per week – on the low end for sensitive skin and on the higher end for problematic/acneic skin.

For a gel-type exfoliator (product recommendation: Break Free fruit acid gel), you simply apply the gel on the freshly cleansed skin and leave it on for about 2 minutes (for sensitive skin leave on for 1 minute). The gel contains fruit acids that remove dead skin cells and clears pores resulting in smoother, clearer skin.

For a scrub-type exfoliator (product recommendation: Starting Over microderm scrub), you apply the scrub to freshly cleansed skin using small, circular motions. Scrub around the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Use very gentle motions and don’t scrub too hard. For dry or sensitive skin, it’s best to use on wet skin, for normal/oily skin it can just be damp.

4) Steam. At the spa they would use a steam machine but at home just get a clean face cloth, wet it then put it in the microwave for 15 seconds or so, then carefully (don’t burn yourself by getting it too hot!) place it over your face. You could also pour boiling water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oil to the bowl, then cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl, making a tent with the towel over the bowl. Stay there for 2 to 3 minutes while the steam does its work. Both methods will open your pores and get you ready for a detoxifying masque.

5) Apply a treatment masque. Apply the masque in long, slow stroke from the center of the face, moving outward to the sides. Proceed to jawline and apply the masque on the face from the center outward. Avoid the eye area. Allow the masque to remain on the face for approximately 7-10 minutes. Remove the masque with wet cotton pads or a wet, clean face cloth.

Product recommendation:
Cookies + Cream detoxifying masque for all skin types

6) Tone . Apply toner by spritzing directly onto skin. You may leave it to absorb or remove it with a cotton ball.

Product recommendations:
Even Stephen toner for normal/combination/oily skin
Soothing Harmony toner for dry/mature skin

7) Treat. Apply eye cream and/or serum appropriate for your personal needs and skin type. Anything used around the eye area should be applied gently as that skin is thinner and more fragile than the rest of your face. Use the ring finger and gently tap the product around the eye rather than rubbing it.

Product recommendations:
Eye Can’t Believe It eye, lip and neck cream (New and Improved!)
Double Duty eye cream for puffy eyes and dark circles
Like Magic anti-aging serum with peptide complex
NEW! (sneak peek – coming soon) Super Hero serum with CoQ10, retinol, antioxidants and more
NEW! (sneak peek – coming soon) Clearly It serum for oily skin

8 ) Moisturize. Moisturizer should be applied in long strokes in an outward direction. Try to avoid tugging on skin. Apply to the neck in long, upward strokes. If you have oily/problematic skin and have applied a full-face serum like Clearly It, you do not have to apply another moisturizer unless your skin seems dehydrated. After the moisturizer has been applied, apply a sunscreen as well for protection from the sun (even on cold or cloudy days) – particularly if you have exfoliated or used any products with retinol.

Product recommendations:
No Worries anti-wrinkle cream for sensitive skin
Nature Nurture anti-wrinkle cream for normal/oily/combination skin
Bright Idea skin brightening cream for all skin types
NEW! (sneak peek – coming soon): QuenchCoat anti-wrinkle cream for dry or mature skin

New and Improved always reminds me of laundry detergent from the 70s. They were always touting “new and improved” – but I don’t see that as much anymore? I think now it’s because they have so many different versions of each brand so instead making a product “improved” they just make a new product. But sometimes, New and Improved is the perfect solution.

Which brings me to Eye Can’t Believe It eye cream. I contemplated adding the new formulation as a totally new eye cream and keeping the old version but here’s the thing: I just have had too many issues with the old version to justify keeping it at all. While it worked really well, it has not had the shelf life that it should so I keep having to dump too much of it way too soon. So I set out to find a different product that was not only as good – but better than the existing one. So I’m thrilled to be able to offer the new, totally reformulated Eye Can’t Believe It!

Here’s why it’s not just new but totally improved. The new formula:

• Has both DMAE (in the previous formula) as well as MSM (which is a new addition) – both of which help to make skin firmer and tighter
• Has boosted up anti-oxidant levels with Organic Roobois Tea extract, Organic Pomegranate extract, Vitamin E, Vitamin C ester, and Alpha Lipoic Acid which all fight and repair free radical damage to the skin, helping it look younger and be healthier
• Helps not only to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, but also helps to repair damage and reduce the appearance of wrinkles with the combination of Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Black Willowbark extract, and Vitamin E
• Can be used not just around eyes, but also on the neck and is even excellent for around the lips
• Is preserved using a new but fully tested organic preservative system
• Is formulated using 88% organic ingredients
• Is free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products, phthalates and formaldehyde

You can read more about it by clicking here (sorry – the photo is out of date – working on that!). And email me if you have any questions. I do have a few bottles of the old formula in case someone would still like it – just email me and I’ll let you know how to order them.

In one of the zillions of email newsletters that I subscribe to, someone had posted a black bean soup recipe that caught my eye. It stuck in my head and the other day I decided to try to make it (from memory – which is always risky for me…). But thankfully the version I ended up creating was really good – and incredibly easy. So I thought I’d share it in case you are looking for something fun to try – with the big bonus that it’s incredibly healthy (as long as you watch the sodium).

Here it is:

Easiest Black Bean Soup Ever
Serves: 3-4

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can refried beans (I used Trader Joe’s Black Bean Refried Beans)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small/medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small jalapenos, sliced thin (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1-2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin*
• 1 teaspoon chili powder*
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper*
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika*
• Dash of ground black pepper
• Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
• Shredded lowfat cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese

*all seasonings can be adjusted to your own taste

Heat olive oil in a 2 quart saucepan. Saute onions, jalapenos and garlic (don’t brown) until soft. Add black beans, refried beans, tomato paste and spices. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender (or transferring to food processor in batches), blend soup to desired consistency (I like mine pretty smooth but some people prefer more texture). Add more broth as necessary to make as thin as you like.

To serve: Pour in a bowl, add a dollop of Greek yogurt (or lowfat sour cream) and sprinkle with cheese.

It is so easy and perfect for the cooler weather. And it’s definitely something you could play around with – you could add frozen corn, a can of chopped tomatoes, canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, other spices, etc.

Enjoy!

Well I finally just did it. I joined a CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it’s a great way for local farm to get support and funding. And it’s an amazing way to eat fresh, high quality produce grown locally.

The CSA that I joined is brand new, and if you’re local and looking to join one last minute (like I did!) – they are still accepting members – and will prorate their fee for the weeks you have missed. The farm is The Dover Farm in Dover, MA. It’s run by a great guy name Bryan Austin. And they just added a Brookline pickup for those of you in Brookline/JP.Definitely give them a call (or an email) and check them out!

I am actually splitting the share with a friend, who is also doing it for the first time. I was a little afraid of getting in over my head with too many vegetables and having stuff go to waste – so splitting the share is perfect.  I’m really looking forward to seeing what we get each week. The first week we had:

Turnips
Radishes
Red Russian Kale
Spinach
Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Garlic Scapes
and Dandelion Greens

I’ll be honest. The dandelion greens were not my favorite. I spoke with a friend who is a chef (at La Morra in Brookline - a fantastic restaurant, by the way). He said slicing them thinly and adding a vinegary vinaigrette is a great way to eat them. I still couldn’t quite handle them. I threw a few into my sauteed spinach/kale/swiss chard and they were OK but otherwise, I think I haven’t acquired a taste for them.

But all the rest has been amazing. Love the garlic scapes – I’d never used them before. Fun! And it’s great to know that I’m supporting a farm AND eating incredible, pesticide free, organic produce. Can’t wait to see what this week brings!

The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) recently aired an incredibly powerful program called The Disappearing Male that you can now watch on the web. And I’ll tell you, it’s an amazing, informative and startling video. I can’t recommend it enough. If you have been skeptical about the impact that some chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A can have on our health and our bodies, this will open your eyes. Wide. And if you are already a “believer” – this will just solidify your beliefs.

The CBC promoted the program this way:

“The Disappearing Male is about one of the most important, and least publicized, issues facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system.

The last few decades have seen steady and dramatic increases in the incidence of boys and young men suffering from genital deformities, low sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular cancer.

Some researchers say that declining male fertility rates could be the first sign of extinction.

At the same time, boys are now far more at risk of suffering from ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia.

The Disappearing Male takes a close and disturbing look at what many doctors and researchers now suspect are responsible for many of these problems: a class of common chemicals that are ubiquitous in our world.”

Here are some of the startling facts they explore -

• There are more than 20 heavily industrialized nations where the birth of baby boys has declined every year for the past 30 years – amounting to 3 million fewer baby boys.
• The number of boys born with penis abnormalities and genital defects has increased by 200% in the past two decades.
• Boys have a higher incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, Tourett’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and dyslexia.
• Boys are four times as likely to be autistic.
• The average sperm count of a North American college student today is less than half of what it was 50 years ago.
• The quality of sperm is declining. Eighty-five per cent of the sperm produced by a healthy male is DNA-damaged.
• Damaged sperm have been linked to a 300% increase in testicular cancer – a form of cancer that affects young men in their 20s and 30s.
• The chemical industry has developed more than 90,000 man-made chemicals in the last sixty years. Eighty-five percent of them have never undergone testing for their impact on the human body.

As someone who tries to stay on top of the toxin research and news, I found this to be very powerful and informative. (BTW – I listened to it while I did work on my computer and would periodically watch bits of it. The voice-over is really all you need!). Check it out, and please let me know what you think.

I was very excited to receive a package from VB Cosmetics recently. They sent me a bunch of products for me to review – including the Dazzle Dry Nail Care 3 piece Kit “for the on the go lifestyle”. They also sent one of their new spring nail colors “Sheer Elegance”. The reason I was excited is that I have been searching for a nail polish that I can feel safe using – and that actually works! Some of the “green” nail polishes just don’t stay on and they peel right off. The Dazzle Dry products claim to be a “dramatically innovational vegan nail polish system” that contains “no harmful chemicals; Toulene, Phthalate, Camphor and Formaldehyde-Free.” It’s also “Nitrocellulose Free” (admittedly, I had to investigate why that’s important – turns out nitrocellulose yellows the polish). Sounded intriguing to say the least!

Let me start by saying this – anyone that knows me knows I am not a “manicure” kind of person. Anytime I have paid to have my nails done (which, by the way, I can count on the normally-unlaquered fingers of my hand), I have screwed it up immediately. I notoriously chip or scratch or mess them up by the time I drive away from the salon. Not to mention the fact that I am pretty rough on my hands – typing, packing boxes, filling bottles etc. Nail polish just doesn’t stand a chance.

That said, I AM a big fan of having my toes show a little flair! I still don’t really have time to do the pedicure thing at a salon very often, but I do the “at home” version. Of course, scrubbing my feet smooth with Garden Girl’s Pucker Up sugar scrub, using the Foot Smoother and then applying Zippity Do Dah peppermint foot cream (I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a product plug!).

So initially, I figured I’d give this polish a try on my piggies – which need a fresh coat. That is, until I had an unheard of – and incredibly frustrating – TWO hours on the phone with Dell tech support on Wednesday morning. (Long story that doesn’t end well, so I’ll just leave it at that for now…). So I decided that since I was going to be tethered to my computer while some guy in another nation took over controlling my laptop (again, for TWO hours), I would use the time wisely. I broke open the Dazzle Dry kit.

I will say, coming from someone with limited time available for activities like polishing my nails, the kit was a bit overwhelming at first. The 3 piece kit includes a Nail Prep (that cleans and preps nails), a Base Coat and a Top Coat. I noticed immediately when I opened the kit that the Base Coat was thick and cloudy. Turns out, in cooler temperatures it can become a gel, but it is easily fixed by placing the jar in a bowl of hot water.

So while my “friend” still poked around on my laptop (unsuccessfully, I might add – do you sense my frustration?), I dutifully went through the full steps – Prep, Base Coat, Laquer and Top Coat for my left hand. Then, I wondered if I left out the “prep” if it would still work – so I did the right hand without the first step.

My thoughts? It was surprisingly easy and the results are amazingly strong – for both hands. I’m on day 2+ with only minor minor tiny chips on the tips of a couple of fingers. Mind you – I have been doing a lot of box-packing, bottle-filling and typing over these two days. So I’d say that’s pretty good – they still look glossy and are holding up well.

My only issue is that I was slightly confused regarding the top coat – I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to wait for the lacquer layer to dry first? I don’t think I was? So I found it hard to put the top coat on without sometimes squishing the lacquer layer. I’m guessing more skilled nail types will have that process down to a science, however. Also – I’m not a huge fan of the particular color they sent but that’s just personal preference.

But all in all, I’m quite pleased with this product line. The nails look shiny and are holding up very well. They dried in just over 5 minutes total so I was able to start doing things fairly quickly. I will note that when I applied the lacquer alone without the base coat or top coat, it peeled pretty quickly so I’m thinking that all of the steps are key to help the polish adhere. That said, I would want to use all the steps anyway so the nails look their best.

Oh – and I should also mention that the polishes help to strengthen nails with Vitamin B5, Collagen and Calcium – plus they have a UV screen to help protect the colors. And Dazzle Dry is made in the USA.

So if you’re looking for a great eco-friendly nail polish, definitely check out Dazzle Dry!

For the past few years, instead of buying extravagant gifts that we don’t need, my husband and I have picked one thing that we wanted to have that is useful but fun. I know, not that romantic, but we are trying our best to keep things simple (which doesn’t always work…) Anyway, this year we decided to get the SodaStream Seltzer machine. We drink a lot of seltzer around here – we aren’t big soda drinkers. So my husband had seen this machine (or a similar one) at our friend’s house (thanks Lisa!!) and thought it would be a great thing for us to have.

Here’s the deal. This “machine” doesn’t use any electricity. The seltzer is made from tap water. The bottles are BPA-free and reusable so we don’t add as much to landfills. The power comes from CO2 canisters that make 60 to 110 liters of seltzer. Canisters are refilled when they are done. We add natural flavorings (no sugar or artificial sweeteners) to make berry, lemon-lime or orange seltzer. Cool, huh?

We are LOVING it. I think we spent around $150 for a huge kit that included 3 canisters of CO2, the natural seltzer flavors, 4 bottles and the “machine” (which is sleek enough to keep on the counter). Plus we bought one extra canister. Oh – and it came with a sampler of soda flavors (but not a big fan of those – filled with artificial flavors and sweeteners, but my oldest son can’t WAIT to make them!). The whole kit will make something close to 300 liters. Not bad!

So if you are a big seltzer drinker – or if you’d like to easily make your own soda – definitely check this out! Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint!

Yesterday I picked my share of a 1/4 steer of local grass fed beef from a small local farm. My sister was the coordinator of this adventure and when she mentioned it to me I told her we definitely wanted in. I was very curious about what we’d get – how much would it be, how would it be packaged, would we have to do any of our own cuts, how would it taste etc. So when I went to my sister’s to get it, I was surprised at how “normal” it all was.

The farm from which we bought the beef, Berry Hill Farm of Sherborn, MA, raises the cows on their property and feed them a very healthy grass diet. They send it to an FDA approved facility. Then what we get is actually pretty “old school”. It comes to us frozen in packages wrapped in freezer wrap and labeled clearly with the cut. We got ground beef, a sirloin steak, a little tenderloin, some stew beef, some stir-fry beef, a pot roast, and a couple of small steaks.

So cool! Tonight we cooked our sirloin steak. Grass fed beef is definitely different from what you get at the supermarket. It tastes a little more “natural” – or at least that’s the only way I can think of putting it. But that’s not in a bad way. It was delicious! It’s funny – we aren’t big meat eaters in general. We stick to a lot of meatless meals or poultry. So this will be a lot of beef for us – but once I started to research, I understood the benefits of this type of beef.

Grass fed beef:

• has less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories
• has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid” or CLA
• has been raised on feed of grass. Commercial beef are typically raised on genetically modified grain and soy, and are often given ‘filler’ feed that is cheap and plentiful including municipal garbage, stale pastry, chicken feathers, and candy. Eew. For real.

There’s a great site that is a terrific resource: www.eatwild.com. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of getting local beef (or poultry, eggs, etc) this site can connect you with resources in your area. It also has some great information on the benefits of eating locally grown meat and poultry. There’s also a great article from Mother Earth News that speaks to the benefits of grass fed beef.

This month’s Natural Products Marketplace magazine features an article Anti-Aging Naturally in which Garden Girl is quoted. The article touches on how many people are turning to natural products to fight the signs of aging.

“Getting older—gray hair, wrinkles, sagging skin—is avoided like the plague; and, if you show any signs of aging you are sent off to leper island where peels, Botox, surgical lifts and paper-bags-over-the-head are mandatory before catching a ferry back to the main island, where everyone is shiny, supple-skinned and radiantly young.
Our culture is overrun with vanity and is, perhaps, narcissistically obsessed with youth.

“We have become a society that is obsessed with image,” said Kristin Miller, owner/founder of Garden Girl Skin Care. “I think this is driven by a combination of the influence of fashion magazines and paparazzi-hounded celebrities coupled with significant advances in anti-aging techniques from dermatologists and plastic surgeons.”
But these more expensive options are often a luxury, and the average consumer is looking for less expensive, over-the-counter (OTC) options. Miller added: “It is becoming easier to have treatments and procedures that can alter your looks and make you appear younger—just like the celebrities. But for many, this is not an option, either due to the high cost of the treatments or simply because they are not interested in taking such drastic measures. Therefore, the OTC options for anti-aging products have become more important.”

Read the full article!

I have to admit – I’m almost attached to my blackberry. I love it – it helps me stay connected to my various “lives” all in one place. And it lets me be more flexible – I don’t have to stay tethered to my laptop. So when I read that EWG (as you know, a group that I greatly admire) published an analysis of cell phones and the radiation that they emit, I quickly clicked through and started scanning the list for my Blackberry Curve. Oh boy. Kinda wish I didn’t. It didn’t rank well at all – particularly the one from Verizon (which is the one that I have). Why is the Verizon one worse than the Sprint or AT&T Curve? Who knows.

Anyway – this is pretty bad news in general about cell phones. I guess it’s not surprising – deep down we all knew there would be something wrong with cell phones and our health, right? Well – the deal is, you should keep your cell phone away from your body when talking (yes – that means getting a headset if you don’t already have one). Bluetooth headsets are also known to emit radiation (albeit at significantly lower levels) – so if you use one, take it off when you aren’t using it.

But it doesn’t mean we need to stop using them – we just need to be more careful about how we use them.

Check out the article at EWG.org – and definitely find your phone on the list. Maybe you’ll be lucky and have one of the ones that isn’t so bad!