Product Reviews

ADVOCARE COFFECCINO I tried this product for the first time 1 week ago.  I was out of my regular coffee and my husband had been using AdvoCare coffeccino, so I decided to give it a try. PRO's
  • It taste very good, it has a chocolate flavor but is not extremely sweet.
  • It is frothy on top like a cappuccino.
  • It is very easy to make, just heat up water add it to a cup and enjoy.
  • It can be drank hot or cold (iced).
  • It helps enhance mental focus and alertness.
  • It helps manage appetite in conjunction with diet and exercise.
  • It provides key B-vitamins and amino acids.
  • It supports your body's natural energy production.
CON's
  • The price is a bit high at $38.95 a box, but if you sign up as a distributor you get an instant 20% off with the potential for 40% off (the more you spend the higher the discount). And it is still cheaper than Starbucks :)
  • It does have 80 calories a cup, but when I added in the milk/cream and sugar to my regular coffee the calories equal...
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How to choose the best natural skincare products.

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With so many companies making natural skincare products now, how do you choose.  I think we all want the same thing, a good quality natural product at an affordable price.  But where do you start?  I found myself feeling overwhelmed in the natural food store's bath and body isle.  When did all these brands hit the shelves? I used to make my own, that way I was sure I was getting the most natural product, I still make several products myself but I want to be able to purchase some when I don't have the time or ingredients to make my own.  My first priority when purchasing a natural product is INGREDIENTS!  I read the ingredients first, some times that very small print is difficult to see, but this is a must!  The shorter the list the better. My favorite new toothpaste is Earthpaste because the ingredients are literally only 5 things; purified water, Redmond clay, xylitol, salt and essential oils....
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Hydrosols, Natures Best Perfume!

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When I first started using essential oils I often heard the term hydrosol and had no idea what exactly that was.  Wanting to be well informed, I set out to research hydrosols. In my quest to learn more, this is what I found. Hydrosols are created the same way as essential oils, however the end result is quite different. Plants are distilled in a process that forces steam through the plant under pressure. The pressurized steam breaks open the plant's cells, which releases its oil content. The steam and the oil molecules pass through a cooling condenser, which turns the steam back to water. The water is collected in a Florentine flask, and the oil generally floats on the surface. The oil is the essential oil and this water is the hydrosol. The hydrosol  contains the water-soluble parts of the plant and can have wonderful therapeutic benefits.  Hydrosols contain all of the essence of the plant in eve...
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Natural skincare~know the labeling regulations!

In your quest to develop a new natural skincare line, the first thing you MUST do is read the FDA labeling regulations.  Too often people are not informed about this before selling these products to the public. There is a fine line between a cosmetic and a drug when making claims of curing or preventing a disease.  Be aware that promoting a product with claims that it treats or prevents disease or otherwise affects the structure or any function of the body may cause the product to be considered a drug.  The labeling for cosmetics is pretty easy to follow and does not require that your product pass FDA approval. The cosmetic requirements are mostly related to what is included on the label and the size of the print. However, once a claim is made, for example, repairs wrinkles, you have now entered the area of a drug.  The requirements for a drug are much more stringent and must be approved by the FDA first.  So be careful in the statements made promoting  your products.  Even...
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Why Jojoba Oil is so beneficial

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The word oil tends to have a negative connotation when it comes to skin care, due to the fear of break outs!  However, not all oils are created equally. Some oils can have amazing benefits for the skin and my personal favorite is Jojoba oil.  Jojoba oil is expeller pressed from the Jojoba bean producing a waxy substance that mimics collagen. Jojoba Oil acts as;
  •  an anti-bacterial
  •  an anti-inflammatory
  •  a moisturizer
  • And as an acne treatment.
What makes jojoba oil so great is its similarity to the oil that our own skin produces, called sebum. This means that our skin knows exactly how to deal with it, absorbing it quickly and easily, and using it to create a powerful barrier against moisture loss.  Jojoba oil also has a natural SPF of 4 giving you some sun protection in addition to the moisturizing benefits. Jojoba oil is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and has been us...
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Essential Oil Storage Ideas

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Storing essential oils can be challenging at times because oils need to be stored in a cool, dark place and kept away from children and animals. Along with the fact that the oils come in glass containers also posses the problem of accidental spillage or breakage. I search many places, mostly online trying to find the best storage ideas for essential oils. There are many places that sell wooden boxes that hold many oils.  I love these boxes however, they do get pricey.  I have also found wooden shelves (ie.. spice shelves) that look beautiful when displaying the oils, however, these could cause exposure to light and heat. In my quest I came up with a great alternative.  I purchased plastic storage containers from Target called Caboodles. (see picture)  These boxes are large enough to store many oils, I fit 27 bottles in one.  The oil sizes range from 5 ml to 15 ml. The containers are the perfe...
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Recipe of the Week

PEPPERMINT FOAMING HAND SOAP Ingredients; You will need an 8 oz foaming hand soap bottle, (preferred PET plastic or glass). Fill the bottle to about 2  inches from the top with purified water, add 2 tbsp of liquid castile soap, add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Put on top and shake up. I like to add a water proof label, you can purchase and design these online. Enjoy~
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Natural Skincare Recipes

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Room Freshener This works great in a small bathroom. To begin you will need the following;
  •  An 8 oz. glass Mason jar.
  • 1/2 cup of baking soda
  • 20-30 drops of essential oils of your choosing. (I chose spearmint & lime.)
Mix the ingredients well in a bowl and then spoon into your jar, fill about 3/4 full. Use either tulle, burlap or a lightweight piece of fabric. Cut the fabric to fit over the top of the jar ( you can use scallop scissors for the edges to make it pretty) and then screw the ring back on to hold it in place.  Whenever you feel the scent is fading just shake the jar a little or add a few more drops of essential oils. Enjoy~   NATURAL MULTI- PURPOSE CLEANER
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