Gluten Free Coconut Flour Carrot Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Gluten Free Coconut Flour Carrot Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Effective Basics

Here are a couple of the best general basic cleansers.  Sometimes when starting off it can be difficult to understand your skin, difficult to figure out what is causing your skin issue.  In this case I always go back to the basics.  Starting with cleanser.  On a profession level a consult is done so there is some other specific advice that is given based on each individual.

So back to cleanser....If  a rough cleanser is being used usually you will have to go safe for a while.  Safe as in using Cetaphil.  Many people wonder why this is recommended so often.  This is due to the fact that it will not disrupt the skin.  Cetaphil keeps everything neutral and doesn't get in the way of anything else that is being used to treat and improve your skin. This is not designed to change anything in the skin.  Just to balance things and keep it neutral.  Maybe you have oily skin and are over stripping it this can cause more oiliness.  Try Cetaphil for a while to balance things out.



The other that I really like a lot is CeraVe.  It is designed to strengthen the skins barrier.  This is #1 for anyone that claims they have sensitive skin.  Living in Florida I find myself recommending this a lot.  One reason is because people here have a lot of sun damage and this may have thinned the skin and made it sensitive.  Also people here love the very expensive high grade retinols, this too ends up thinning and promoting sensitive skin.  There are alternatives to these retinol products that work wonders.  Also a great sunblock goes a long way. Click photo for some detailed information as to how it works

None of these have a fruity smell, color, or an exotic ingredient.  Those fruity smells and colors may contribute to your damaged skin.

Your not Cleansing Pots and Pans

I say this because there are so many people that cleans their skin like it doesn't need to be cared for.  Like it's armor.  Yes when it come to skin care many people act as if they are washing pots and pans.  Scrubbing, Rubbing, Harsh Chemicals, Rough Textures.  None of this is necessary, Please stop, it has never worked out well for anyone.  This will effect texture, oil production, fine lines will become deep lines, skin sensitivities will develop, loss of elasticity.


Some people take better care cleansing their car and clothes then the skin.  They make sure they have the correct washing powder that will prolong the paint or fabric and ensure that it will make things soft or shiny.  Hey you invested hard work and time in order to get those nice things right.  Well you have to live with your skin forever.  You see it everyday and so do others.  So great care should be taken with it as well.


As you take a step back and learn ways to be gental and learn natural solutions to great skin, pay attention to what you are doing.  Pay attention to how your skin reacts to things.  Natural or Organic does not mean your skin will not have a reaction, you may have an allergy or your skin may need to adjust.  Natural or Organic does not mean you can be a little more rough or over use, many times if the product is formulated correctly, they are more potent and you may need to use less or use less often.  Maintain and care for yourself the same way you would your new car.  So that it looks good longer and you don't have to spend more time and money to repair it later.

What's in my Cabinet

Double Duty - Things you may have at home you can use on your skin.  When it comes to wellness having  some good base products that you use inside can also help outside.

I like a little DIY skincare every now and then.  DIY skincare ingredients are very helpful when trying to maintain healthy skin, when you can't make it to your professional treatment, when you don't want to pay for products that have more filler ingredients then performance ingredients.  I believe in going straight to the source when you can.
I don't want people to be in a state of mind to believe these are going to cure your skin of any problems you may have, but it can sooth or improve it.  Reason is because you may have been using the wrong things before, had allergic reactions to other ingredients in the products, or just not getting the right dosage of the helpful ingredients.

One helpful ingredient is Manuka Honey.  It is known in New Zealand as the "Wonder Honey" of the Tea Tree.  Does it have to be Manuka Honey? No.  It does have to be Organic or Raw Honey.  Anything that isn't Raw or Organic has been processed and stripped of the benefits your looking for.  Manuka is the one I like the best due to it's potency.  In general Honey is a great humectant for dry skin, a great antibacterial, and great for inflammation.  I even use it on breakouts as a spot treatment.


Make a Mask = this is great for all skin types, dry, and acne can really benefit.  Add a 1/4 juice of a lemon for brightening the skin

1tsp of Manuka Honey - antibacterial, humectant
2 tbsp Plain Organic Greek Yogurt - probiotics, enzymes, softness
allow to sit for 15-20min

This is a good base and there are so many things you can add and variations.  Target what you are trying to treat.  Already have a mask you enjoy, just add a 1/2 tsp of honey to it.  I add things to my products to enhance them when I need that extra boost. 

Toners, Do You Need Them?

I get asked this question a lot.  Usually within the conversation they mention that the person at the make-up counter told them they needed a toner.  For years toners have been needed to balance the pH of the skin due to the use of the harsh ingredients in your cleansers.  Those ingredients throw of the pH and then you need to re-adjust.  The other idea is that toners help remove the remaining dirt, make-up, and oils.  Well all I have to say is if you need to do ANY of this you need to change your cleanser.  A harsh cleanser can damage the skin and cause an imbalance.  If the cleanser is not removing dirt, oil, and make-up the way it should then why waste the money and additional time.

We are far to busy to add extra steps to our routine.  I don’t mind a toner that has a performance ingredient.  Maybe an acne line that uses a toner that has some salicylic or some herbal ingredients to sooth and calm.  Hydrating toner for extreme dry skin.  Also very oily skin may need a little extra help. Other then that if you feel you really need to get additional dirt and oil Witch Hazel for all general use or Rosewater for dry skin and it is also good with killing bacteria these will do the trick.  Many of the toners contain Witch Hazel anyways, along with alcohol and other harsh ingredients that do nothing to assist with better skin health.  So just go straight to the source and leave out the other unnecessary ingredients.  I deal mostly with professional products verses over the counter.  I understand not everyone can afford to buy an entire profession kit, and they don't even always need to, but investing in a good cleanser goes a long way.

Improve your Aging Skin Now

Many women have waited to improve aging skin, or have not been using effective products.  If your skin is showing signs of aging over the counter products will not do it.  They can help maintain, but not improve.  Fine lines will turn into deeper lines, Loss of firmness will turn into sagging when left untreated.  It will cost far more to improve the skin from deep wrinkles and sagging skin then it will to prevent, upkeep, and to reverse some of the beginning signs.  I see it all the time where a client comes to me and says, well I just didn't take care of my skin, but now I don’t like how it looks and would like to fix it...Give me Good Skin.  Fortunately I have options that are natural and effective.  Options that will not damage the skin we are trying to repair.  While also provide nutrients and vitamins to give the skin a healthy look and texture.  We work on maintaining the health of our internal organs through vitamins and mineral.  Many times we forget about the external one that people see everyday.  We try to mask our flaws with makeup rather then correcting or improving them.  I love when I have clients that say they can finally go without makeup or very little makeup.  Makeup is not the answer to flawless skin.  Plus great skin will allow for the makeup to sit and look better.  Since you are not using as much it will also last longer.

Great Black Bean Burger Video

Awesome I enjoy alternate ways to cook foods and I enjoy black beans.  I enjoy meat as well, but I don't eat it all the time and a good alternate is much needed & great for the body.