Category: Fall

5 Days of Holiday Gifts…Gift 2: Protect your largest organ…

Gift #2: Amber Bath Bathing Essentials

I have always had dry skin. I was one of those lucky people who had cracked, bleeding fingers, and was basically in pain during the winter months of the year.  Picking the nursing profession was probably a poor choice in hindsight, but I battled through it with every hand lotion I could find, and even used to sleep in gloves hoping to provide some improvement before my next shift.  Then came pregnancies, breastfeeding, moving to a more arid climate, and my skin took a terrible turn for the worst.  The doctor actually told me my skin was “allergic to pregnancy.” Yep, super sexy.

But this all changed 2 years ago, when I had a chance meeting at Whole Foods with someone who would save me from this life long battle. I met the owner and creator of Amber Bath, a Colorado based product made of pure “therapeutic ingredients,” and nothing but the “best essential oils.” It is made-by-hand in small batches, with 100% natural ingredients. The owner Elizabeth, suggested a few products that would help my (at the time pregnant) ailing skin.

I have recommended these products to so many people, gave them as gifts to teachers, moms, sibling, etc., because it has been the only thing I have ever found to work. The feedback I received has been very positive from everyone, so I am definitely not alone in my belief in this brand.

Although there are many amazing products, I am going to tell you about my two favorite.  The first is called the Shea Shower Frappe. This product is so unique, and I have never found anything like it.  You keep it in the shower, and use it after washing and rinsing (while the warm water is still running), or immediately after turning the water off. This is all due to the fact that the product itself does not contain water, so it uses what is left on your body. The Shea butter is thick, and it becomes smooth as it combines with the water and warmth of your skin.  For me, it absorbs immediately, and my skin doesn’t dry out from those long, hot showers I take in the winter months.  Additionally, due to my laziness, I don’t have to stand and freeze, while I decide whether I should put lotion on, or just get dressed since no one is going to see my skin for the next 6 months anyway; it is done immediately before I can change my mind.

And now to the salves, which are the holy grail of my hand health. These salves, made by Amber Bath, consist of bees wax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil, along with all natural essential oils. Not only does it help your skin, the ingredients provide some aromatherapy as well! Additionally, one of the things I love the most about this salve is the fact that it can be used not only on your hands, but also on elbows, heels, and get this…your lips! So much of my body craves moisture, and I have loved buying one product that can do so much. It is thick in consistency, but for me, it all gets sucked up and absorbed and instantly smooths (in case you were wondering, it is also not too thick for the lips).  By morning, my body feels so much better, and my hands have transformed back to health.  I have had cracked fingers every winter since I can remember, but since I have found this product and use it consistently every night, I have not had a single crack in my skin. Not an exaggeration!

Don’t worry, I am not going to pull a Dr. Oz on you, and recommend every product out there that is said to be a “superfood,” or the “next big thing” in healthy living.  I have been on this journey for roughly 11 years, and I have tried many, many things. I am only going to recommend products that I have extensively used, definitely work, and in relation to how your body functions…things that makes sense.  I am writing this blog because I am super passionate about making peoples’ life better, and making it realistic and achievable by all.  Health is not generational, racial, ageist, or sexist…it is about finding a quality life, and treating yourself well. Keep up the good work.

Strong mind. Strong heart. Strong body.

Val

Smell that cool air?!?!

If you have seen me anywhere recently, you would likely witness me soaking up each and every minute of the changing scenery, and letting the smell of decaying leaves fill my lungs. Why?!? I am trying to taste, smell, and feel fall. I also may be trying to see if I can smell the snow…which in Colorado, could come any day now. But back to my body’s attempt to totally absorb the feelings of fall… To me, fall brings the greatest feelings of change.  It is back-to-school, back to routine, and time to reassess the direction we are heading in the coming year. I personally love change.  In fact, I thrive off of it.  So for me, this is a time of personal growth.  I feel so refreshed when I tackle a project around the house and try to get our lives more organized, but I also love the feeling of looking for new foods to entice my interests.

We love going to restaurants, and living in a city like Denver, we have become spoiled.  “Fast food” restaurants have been replaced by foods with fresh, local, ingredients. The menus are often seasonal, as they present fruits and vegetables that are, get this…grown in season! There is so much “Colorado pride,” and with that is pride in the food grown here, supporting local farmers and our home economy.

I am not going to preach anything about GMO’s, organic, or make anyone feel guilty if they just cringe at the site of a vegetable (Hey, if you ate a fruit or vegetable today, and drank a good amount of water, way to go).  What I have found through the years is that everyone needs to change how they appreciate food. Food should be an experience.  Each bite should entice the senses.  If you are consuming something without flavor or substance…it is probably not real and lacks nutrition! Why monotonously consume a bag of chips while you sit in front of the television.  If you are craving something like that, have a few, enjoy them, appreciate it for what it is, and move on. Find foods that bring flavor and interest to your palate. That doesn’t mean it needs to be full of spices, sauces, or additives, it merely needs to be full of foods! Every meal I make, I throw in as many grains and vegetables I can. In fact, most of my cooking revolves around healthy oils, some flavor packed spices, and himalayan pink salt…simple as that.

I have taught my girls to see, taste, and recognize what is in their meals, instead of try to mask or hide it.  They get flavors from the actual ingredients. Believe me, they don’t love everything, and my two-year-old may spit out a thing or two.  But my five-year-old asks for her sandwiches in her lunch to have tomato and spinach on them. Her favorites “sides” right now are fresh cucumber, and she even loves salad. This took a lot of time, but eventually her palate formed into something open and welcoming to new tastes and flavors.  It took a lot of effort and persistence, by giving her everything and anything, but it was worth it. To me this is proof that if a child can learn to love “healthy” and fresh foods, an adult can too.

So my challenge now is not to present an idea that you need to go out and buy every weird fruit and vegetable in the grocery store. It is to take a meal you enjoy, and fill it with good things. I am definitely not a Martha Stewart, or a domesticated goddess.  If you came to my house, I would not be baking, nor making homemade holiday decorations. I will not open a page that includes ‘Pinterest.com’ in the web address. I never know what I am making for dinner until 5pm, and it is a rush to the pantry for ideas.  I just stock my fridge and pantry with GOOD food. Real food.  My reasoning behind gravitating towards natural and preferably organic items is that I like fresh food, and I want my food to taste like it should.  For example, we eat frozen pizza often, and I am proud of it. Many meals of my week include various formulations of veggie burgers and french fries, pasta, and quinoa.  However, I take those meals and add lots of healthy fillers. I basically prefer my meals to have the basis of someone who is a vegetarian or vegan, but every once in awhile, I throw in some meat (In fact, some of my favorite restaurants are vegetarian or vegan).  My gluten free frozen pizza night, includes throwing toppings of fresh avocado, and spinach or kale on top. Then we eat it with our hands like a pizza sandwich.  It is so delicious and more filling. My veggie burgers are topped with any vegetable I have left in the fridge. Either fresh, or sautéed on the stove with oil.  I often prepare my french fries fresh from potatoes, mixed with olive oil and an assortment of spices (Almost all taste great. So don’t shy away! Paprika and turmeric add a great kick), and pink himalayan salt. When the fries are fresh out of the oven, I often toss them with fresh parmesan cheese.  The pasta I commonly make is created with a base of many variations of vegetables.  If the girl’s don’t like it, at least they tasted it, and in the future may grow to love it. Additionally, I am always roasting vegetables.  It is difficult and often expensive to constantly be running to the grocery store to stock up on fresh vegetables, so I keep many variations of frozen ingredients in our freezer. As I walk down the grocery aisle, I fill my cart with frozen veggies of every shape and color, so no matter what I make, I probably have something that will work. It is also cheaper than the produce aisle, and the vegetables are frozen at the peak of freshness and maturity, therefore maintaining the nutrition and flavor. Often times I just toss them with oil and salt, and put them in the oven until crispy.  It is delicious, and makes any vegetable taste more appetizing…most of the time…

This simple change is just to create awareness with what you are eating. Make it an unforgettable experience. Fill it with color, tastes, and flavors. Love food. Enjoy it. Make it about living. Smell that air?!?! It is time to make a change.

Strong mind. Strong heart. Strong body.

Val