Bellapierre Mineral Eye Shadows, I'm Obsessed!!

Ok, I know I just wrote about Jane Iredale Eye shadows, but I newly found this awesome eye shadow during a random trip to the mall. You know those people standing at the kiosks in the mall that try to sell you things you don't really want or need? Well, that's actually how I stumbled upon this all natural mineral makeup and realized that these shadows are beautiful, all natural, versatile and affordable!

You can use them lightly to add a little color for a daytime look, layer on color for a more dramatic effect, or use a special eye liner brush- which they sell, dip it in water and mix the water with a shimmery eye shadow and use it as a liner for a more dramatic fun look (my favorite). They have a variety of colors to choose from  and you can experiment with different shades and  update your look. If you want a bunch of colors, they also sell stacks so you can get more variety.

Check out the website to find out more info. If you can buy them at a store the price is better, 3 for $30.

Bellapierre Eye Shadows

Silky Smooth Skin with Homemade Salt Scrub

Sea salt is awesome. It purifies, detoxifies, heals skin, washes away negative energy and adds good quality minerals to your body through the skin. It can also help you to feel more physically and emotionally cleansed in comparison to washing your body with a good ol' bar soap.

Using a great salt scrub once a week on my feet and body helps me to feel all of those wonderful things, especially when I have had a stressful week and am ready for some serious pampering and preening.

I like to make my own natural body care products when I can because it's fun, it's inexpensive and I know exactly what is in my salt scrub- no harmful chemicals, just all natural goodness! I also like to get creative with the scrubs by trying different essential oil combinations and using different dried herbs and things for color and added fun.

Homemade Salt Scrub

Fine sea salt 

Light vegetable oil (like sunflower, safflower or canola)

Essential oil (I like lavender and vanilla right now, but in the summer I like peppermint- it's cooling and tingly!)

Optional: dried herbs or plants for added color and interest 

Glass jar (I like to reuse a jar that I have from something in my kitchen, like a miso jar or an old salsa jar)

Put salt in a bowl and pour oil generously onto the salt. Mix the salt with the oil and add generous drops of essential oils. Mix together again until it smells great and is fully incorporated. Spoon the mixture into a jar. Seal tightly and it's ready to use. Enjoy your new silky smooth skin!

Note: Do the salt scrub a day or later after you have shaved, because your skin might be sensitive and become irritated from the salt. 

Another note: Do not use salt scrub on areas with sensitive skin. Salt scrub can be used on feet, hands, legs, arms, and back.

Can't Stop Thinking and Need Sleep? Try Foot Soak.

Having trouble sleeping because you think too much? Well, this used to be a common problem for me, until I tried this easy and relaxing foot soak. Soaking my feet for 20 minutes in the evening, right before I was about to go to sleep worked wonders!

1. Use a bathtub or a small tub you can put your feet into
2. Fill the tub with hot water, as hot as your feet can stand
3. Add sea salt and/or lavender essential oil
4. Sit down and let your feet soak in the tub while you relax with the wonderful aroma of lavender and read your favorite book or magazine

Putting your feet in hot water for a while helps to bring the energy in your head - doing all that thinking - down to your feet, so your mind will relax. It also helps to improve circulation and helps your feet feel warm and toasty in bed, so you can relax and feel comfortable. Using a relaxing essential oil also helps your mind and body unwind and get ready for resting. The sea salt helps to draw toxins out from your body through your skin. Try it out for a week and see what happens. This remedy really helped me sleep more deeply. Enjoy!

Heal Faster and Feel Great with Healing Sessions

We all know sleeping enough, eating well and exercise are the basics for being healthy, but sometimes we also need complimentary wellness treatments to help us function at our best and stimulate deeper healing. Some people consider bodywork or massage to be a special "treat" once in a while, but when you really experience the benefits of regular bodywork, you can see how it can play a key role in your overall well-being.

After being out of the country for an extended amount of time, I realize I had forgotten about the importance of getting regular healing treatments. In previous years I had the pleasure of working at a natural health facility where people practiced shiatsu massage and craniosacral therapy, so I often had regular treatments. I experienced what life was like when my body was really healthy - it was blissful! Since I have been back, I received a free Reiki healing session from a friend, and realized what I had been missing for so long! Getting this treatment was a reminder to myself that regular bodywork and energy healing sessions are important to me and my well-being.

Bodywork and other types of healing treatments can help your body heal faster, release tension, help you deal with stress, help your organs function better and help you resist disease.

Some types of treatments I like are:

• Shiatsu Massage
• Reiki Energy Healing
• Acupuncture (my favorite!)
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Deep Tissue Massage

On another note, often times these kinds of treatments can be very expensive. Even so, you don't have to sacrifice these services! Get creative and find ways to make it happen.

Some ways to get affordable treatments are:

1. Ask friends and family members in your area if they know anyone good, then ask the practitioner for a package deal at a reduced rate.
2. Meet people through your local natural food store - often times stores have health events and bulletin boards with posting of healers. Find out if healers need someone to practice on and get a free massage or reiki.
3. Find people through local Meetup groups. You can find people with similar interests who regularly get together and talk about health, give classes or practice healing on each other. If there isn't a group in your area, then start your own.
4. Trade with a healer or practitioner. See what you can offer for a treatment. Maybe you are a great cook, awesome dog walker, or excellent personal shopper.
5. Find a local massage or acupuncture school and get treatments at reduced rates. I have done this in the past and have been very happy with the results, and my wallet's been happy too. Here is a place I have gone to in Arizona: PIHMA Clinic Website

Gorgeous Natural Eye Shadows

Feeding our bodies good quality organic natural foods is important, but so is using natural products in our homes and on our skin. So much of what we put on our skin gets absorbed through our pores and goes straight into our bloodstream! So, I like to find products that work well, smell good, and of course, are good for me and the planet.

One of my favorite all natural cosmetic products is Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadows. I love how they have so many different colors and are made up of minerals, so I know they are natural. I also like how they are pressed instead of loose, because often when I use loose shadows, it can be harder to control the powder and color can end up all over your face, instead of just where you want it. Also, the Jane Iredale brand is constantly coming up with inventive products and colors, so you can try out new things often. Just be sure to read the ingredients list on all products because not all of their products are 100% natural.

Check out their website for more information and to find a retailer near you:

Jane Iredale Website