Pit Butter

So some peeps get a "reaction" to natural deodorants. Nothing like a pit rash to start your day off right :( Many reason why it is or could be happening. BUT DONT GIVE UP! Please read on and try below.The wellness mama did a most excellent post and couldn't of explained or typed it better myself.

Why Armpit Detox?

It occurred to me as I sat researching the sebaceous glands one night with a bentonite clay face mask on that perhaps my face mask was the answer to the armpit question as well.

After all, I’d used bentonite clay to detox my hair before (and use it in my shampoo now) and in natural detox baths and it worked incredibly well… perhaps it would speed up the adjustment period to natural deodorant as well.

Why detox your armpits at all? Why not just keep using regular deodorant and avoid the whole problem? Glad you asked…

Conventional deodorants and anti-perspirants contain a variety of chemicals and additives. It takes something un-natural to block the body’s natural ability to sweat, and the chemical list in some deodorants is impressive:

• Aluminum– some evidence links aluminum to cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors often also found in plastic that can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility (especially in med)
• Propylene glycol– common name: antifreeze. It is a hotly debated additive in personal care products but the Environmental Working Group reports that it carries a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies.
• Formaldehyde-  a known carcinogen… guess it kills the germs though.
• Parabens- Another hormone disruptor and parabens have been found in biopsied tissue with breast cancer
• Antibacterial Substances- I talked about these before but they are endocrine disruptors and can negatively affect the immune system

Why is this a big deal? Ever gotten sick and had a lump in your neck or armpit? That is a lymph node and they are a major part of your immune system. Putting endocrine disruption chemicals directly on top of them is a great way to screw up your hormones and suppress immune function.

The skin is the body’s largest organ and what touches our skin can easily enter our bloodstream. With skyrocketing rates of breast cancer, it would seem prudent to avoid these chemicals until further research is done.

A great advantage to doing an armpit detox, besides that it helps speed up the natural deodorant adjustment period, is that it might help pull some of these chemicals out of the skin and tissue of the armpits. This can be especially helpful after years of conventional deodorant use.

Does it Work?

I tried it personally and had several friends who hadn’t yet made the switch to natural deodorant try it as well and then switch. Here are the results:

• We all noticed less odor, even without wearing any deo afterward
• Nobody who tried the detox noticed a rash when using the natural deodorant
• All but one person said they noticed less sweat
• Everyone said they would recommend it to a friend

Completely un-scientific trial but practically applicable and the results seem promising!

How to Detox Your Arm Pits

Don’t you love when something is so easy that it almost doesn’t need instructions?

You might already have the ingredients on hand. You’ll just need bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar and water.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons of water (to get right consistency)

Instructions

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal!) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until about the consistency of sour cream.
2. Spread in an even layer over the armpits and allow to sit for 5-20 minutes. I suggest starting slowly and working up to a longer period of time once you see how your body adjust. If it hurts at all, remove immediately.
3. This may cause some redness as it will increase blood-flow to the area, but it will go away quickly.
4. Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth.
5. Repeat daily or as needed until under-arm odor goes away and natural deodorant is non-irritating.

Notes

I’ve found that I don’t even need the baking soda in my natural deodorant after doing this.

Additional Things to Try

If you are still struggling with odor or have itching or lumps in your armpits, consider dry brushing, which is said to help improve lymph circulation.

Also, make sure to drink a lot of water any time you stimulate lymph flow (dry brushing, massage, detox, etc) to help flush the body and avoid getting dehydrated.

http://wellnessmama.com/25432/detox-your-armpits/

Battlehorn

Looking for an easy read that will keep your mind going?? A collection of little stories that somehow roll together. Get at it.

Charcoal beauty trends

Charcoal seems to be the it beauty trend as of late. From teeth whitening to skin health. Here's a few products and more in depth info. I'm loving it. Try it and tell me your thoughts.




Why Activated Charcoal Is Hot

Sometimes, in order to get clean, you have to get a little dirty. This is a concept that humanity has known for thousands of years with our long history of mud baths.

But it’s not just about mud anymore. Most recently, the trendy new get-dirty-to-get-clean ingredient is activated charcoal, which has been making its way into skin- and hair-care products, says international brand expert Patrice N. Le Maire.

“In particular, young women – Millennials – have been appreciating the benefits of activated charcoal within the past year or two,” he says. “Now we’re starting to see the ingredient gain ground for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, as well as men with an active lifestyle, who stand to benefit from a deep and thorough cleansing.” 

Activated coal has even made its way into toothpaste. Le Maire, president of Eurochoc Swiss Imports, has most recently partnered with Europe’s Curaprox, (www.curaprox.com), which offers cutting-edge dental wellness products, one of which is called Black Is White. The toothpaste has co-opted activated coal and, as with other beautifying products, is starting to gain ground among the same demographics of the United States.

Le Maire explains why activated charcoal in toothpaste has been a beneficial selling point among Millennials and others.  

• It’s natural in two important ways. The activated charcoal whitening toothpaste removes discoloration using activated carbon without abrading or bleaching. Black Is White, which can be used as any other toothpaste, has no SLS, no triclosan and no bleaching agents.

“Many younger folks enjoy the all-natural ingredient; we’ve raised a generation of people who do not like too much artificiality in their products,” he says. “And, they do not like to come off artificial, either. After about a week or two of use, the activated charcoal helps your teeth look a natural white – the color of baby’s teeth – and not the super-bright, artificial white offered by bleaching products, which can damage one’s enamel.”

• Activated charcoal in toothpaste is a novelty for the DIY generation. To a significant extent, Millennials have had a different upbringing from older generations, and they’re motivated by novel and natural systems of getting the job done. 

“Many Millennials were brought up in a do-it-yourself mentality,” Le Maire says. “They were the first generation to be raised with access to the internet, a treasure trove of information that explains to people exactly how things work, enabling them to experiment with raw ingredients. Millennials, and many others who enjoy outside-the-box thinking, have learned to appreciate the raw elements of products they use.”

• You can keep your teeth-staining habits. A few decades ago, Americans weren’t the connoisseurs of coffee and wine they are today. The thought of paying more than a dollar or two for a coffee was unheard of. 

“Being from France, I didn’t used to have the same kind of access to quality coffee, wine and other food when I’d come to America in the 1980s,” Le Maire says. “That has changed, as we have seen. But these treats come with a price – stained teeth. As many of us know in Europe, however, brushing with activated coal helps to keep your teeth a natural white.”     

About Patrice N. Le Maire 

Patrice N. Le Maire is the founder and president of Eurochoc Swiss Imports, which focuses on finding, selecting, importing and marketing the finest of Swiss premium care quality brands. He has decades of experience working with major global brands, including as marketing director of Procter & Gamble and as president of The Hershey Company’s international division. Le Maire’s latest project offers to the United States the elite, cutting-edge oral health products from Curaprox (www.curaprox.com), a brand of Curaden AG, which is headquartered in Kriens, near Lucerne in Switzerland. Working with dental professionals in teaching, research and practice since 1972, Curaprox has been developing oral health tools that are as gentle and effective as possible.  

Life Journey

If you looking for a very interesting read from time to time and tired of all the insta-famous crowd. Check this blog out. She's a SUPER babe. Makes me want to adopt so much more. 

https://wordylittlebirdie.wordpress.com/about/

Schiller number 1!

Had the pleasure of working on with Schiller on video's and promo for his "Future" album. It just hit the number one spot in Germany! So fun getting to flex my hair and make up skills with successful people. 

http://www.usamediarights.com/blog/2016/3/4/maggie-szabo-with-song-on-no-1-album-in-germany

Two book reviews

SO I finally had some down time to get some serious reading in over Thanksgiving. Driving almost 10 hours one way to Tucson and back. Thank god I had some reading to do! I read "Hunger makes Me a Modern Girl" and attempted to read "Girl in a Band". Carrie Brownstien from my beloved Sleater Kinney killed it. She's funny, hipster, and interesting. All things you would expect from this Portlandia creator.  Ms. Kim Gordon on the other hand! I hate to say anything bad about anyone... but in all honesty.  She's the epitome of a self involved and self important Los Angeles artist. I found it annoying and boring. I didn't even finish it. I only got half way threw it because I was stuck in a car with no relief, just hoping it would get better. My man friend read both and loved both. Maybe it was my inner turmoil of PNW vs SoCal. Someone else please read it and let me know your thoughts! 

CHILL AXE and color

This is the best thing since sliced bread I swear! Adult coloring books! You know what everyone is getting for gifts! AND one for myself stat.