I'm all up in my feelings today about who I'm suppose to love! So, here we go!

Who Must We Love?

When Jesus affirmed the command to love your neighbor as yourself, he specified that “your neighbor” includes even Samaritans. That may not mean much to us, but according to the Jewish mindset of that day, Samaritans were the lowest of the low.

They were of an ethnicity mixed with the heathen. They followed a different cannon of Scripture. They combined idolatry with the worship of Yahweh. And they were frequently composed of criminals and refugees.

Following Jesus means that we must truly love even the most wicked sinners imaginable.

But what does it really mean to love? There are a lot of wrong ideas out there.

An Emotion?

Love is often portrayed as an emotion. We tend to think of it as a feeling of good will toward other people.

Acceptance?

Another common thought is the idea that love means acceptance, tolerance, or avoiding offence.

According to this view, loving everyone means that we just accept them as they are. We dare not bring up any sins in their lives, because that would be unloving. We certainly dare not tell them that they need a savior, because that could offend those who believe otherwise.

Jesus Defines Love

Thankfully, we are not left to guess about what it means to love one another.

Jesus said,  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34 NIV)

Our love is to be modeled after Jesus’ love. We are to love one another in the same way that he loved us.

True Love

True love is the deliberate decision to put the needs of others before your own, and it results in sacrificial action.

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. (1 John 3:17–18, HCSB)

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (James 2:15–16, ESV)

It All Comes Down to This

For almost every action we take, we have a choice. We can walk by the flesh, or we can walk by the Spirit.

If we walk by the flesh, we will act selfishly—seeking our own good.

If we walk by the Spirit, we will act in love—seeking the good of others.

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16, NASB)

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

 

One Month into Those New Year's Resolutions....How's It Going?

We’ve made it through the first month of 2018, and quite possibly by now, many people have already started having trouble keeping their New Year Resolution. Many are also over the idea of “new year, new me,". New Year’s resolutions are certainly good ways to help you identify your goals for the next year as well as things you wish to change about yourself. However, ideas like “new year, new me” are ones that often require a lot of change, sometimes too much. Large, drastic changes are difficult to make and can easily cause you to give up. 

Yet just because you may have set unrealistic goals for yourself or have not been able to keep your realistic goals over the past month does not mean that you cannot reevaluate those resolutions right now. Unexpected situations arise during life. Situations that you cannot plan for on January 1, when you are writing down your New Year’s resolutions. These unexpected occurrences may require you to alter or completely forget about your resolutions. However, this does not mean you have to wait until next year to begin new resolutions or to make changes to your lifestyle. At any point during the year, you can evaluate yourself. You can look at your strengths and weaknesses, your daily and weekly routine, and your good and bad habits. By evaluating these aspects of your life, you can pinpoint things you wish to continue doing and things you wish to start or stop doing. The important thing is to make sure that these are realistic and attainable goals, not unrealistic and lofty goals.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

New Year! New YOU!

The start of a brand new year is a great time to review your daily habits and look for better answers to your old routines. How you take care of yourself is one area to look at, including the way you take care of your skin. If you’ve been stuck in the same skin care rut for a while now, it’s time to update your products and routines to take advantage of new breakthroughs and trends in skin care. Here are some cutting-edge ideas for better skin care in the New Year.

ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS FOR YOUNGER WOMEN

These are not exactly new on the market, but they are becoming more important to younger women. The more that skin accumulates damage, the less able it is to recover its youthful softness and beauty. Younger women are becoming aware that it’s never too soon to start taking care of their skin to enjoy many years of healthy, beautiful skin and complexions. Some products are being marketed as anti-aging products for younger women, but many good-quality basic skin care products will also help young women preserve their healthy glow as they grow older.

USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC AND NATURAL PRODUCTS

The idea of buying organic products is stretching beyond food. Organic and natural skin care products are a growing sector of the skin care market. If it’s good for your body to avoid consuming extra chemicals in the food you eat, it stands to reason it’s also good to avoid putting extra chemicals on your skin—especially when you consider that the skin is the largest organ in the body and easily absorbs elements from the environment. The labeling and certification standards for organic skin care products are lagging behind standards for food products, which makes choosing truly organic products trickier. Some companies are pursuing independent certification of their products as organic, and you can also check labels to avoid products with overly complicated ingredient lists and formulations.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE SKIN CARE

Similar to the recognition that organic skin care products are just as healthy as organic food products, consumers are becoming more aware that what they eat and how they take care of their bodies has a big influence on their skin health. Basically, what’s happening inside a body often affects the outward appearance. Simple changes like wearing sunscreen are great for having healthy skin, and getting regular exercise also helps skin to be clear and healthy. Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and possibly taking multivitamin supplements, are also great choices to have beautiful, healthy skin, as well as a beautiful, healthy body.

Ulmer Dermatology

10 Ways To Take Charge of Your Health!

 

1. Schedule a Yearly Checkup 

Your heart is in your hands. Each year on your birthday, schedule a checkup to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your healthcare professional's recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed.

2. Get Physical

Step, march or jog in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favorite TV shows. Increase your activity by five minutes each week until you're getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week.

3. Drink More Water

Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. It'll keep you hydrated and the bottle's weight will strengthen your arms.

4. Eat USDA Certified Organic Healthy Foods

Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that's what you see first. If you grab healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, healthy choices will become a habit.

Also, look for the American Heart Association red and white heart-check mark. This easy, reliable grocery shopping tool helps you identify foods that can be part of a sensible eating plan. 
 

5. Control Cholesterol

Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol. To help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, such as lean chicken or turkey (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains.

6. Cut Down on Salt

To help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt intake. It may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium caseinate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium citrate.

7. Quit Smoking

Try this four-step way to kick your habit:

• On Day 1, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke by half
• On Day 3, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again
• And on Day 5, cut your smoking in half again
• On your Quit Day... quit!

8. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you'll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that's steady and painless.

9. Stay Positive

If you get off your exercise schedule, have a cigarette, or eat a fattening meal, immediately get back on track toward re-establishing a healthy lifestyle.

10. Give Yourself Credit

To maintain momentum with exercising, losing weight, or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy.

11. Be sure to use USDA Certified Organic Skin Care Products (Bonus)

Organic products are simply better for your skin. It has the same results as when you are eating USDA Certified Organic foods...but for your skin.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

Why I don't like wearing makeup!

I know I know. "Zondra, you don't like wearing makeup?" NO"! LOL!  I knew I needed to share it with you. We’re at a point in time where wearing or not wearing makeup is suddenly controversial. If a woman loves to wear a lot of makeup, there is a group of other women screaming, “You don’t need makeup to be beautiful!” If a woman wears no makeup, there is a group out there saying, “You’re a woman! Put on some makeup! It’s almost like you can’t win. 

I don't particularly like wearing makeup. Not because I don't believe that I look absolutely gorgeous when I wear it. I don't like wearing makeup because of the hassle! It's simply too much work for me. I love having beautiful skin. This is one of the reasons I started Blu Skin Care. USDA Certified Organic products are absolutely the solution to fabulous skin. Not only are they nutritious for your skin, they can help fight the effects of aging. It's a win win situation.

But just because I don't like wearing makeup doesn’t mean I judge the people who do. To me, makeup is a choice. Want to wear it? Great! Don’t want to wear it? Great! Only want to wear a little or wear it sometimes? Okay! Who cares? I think we make way too big of a deal out of it. Do I think it’s sad that some girls only feel good with makeup on? Well....No, not really. Different things make people feel good about themselves, and who says it can’t be makeup?

With that being said, I’m interested in hearing why you choose not to wear makeup, because I’m so used to hearing why they do want to wear it.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

5 Skin Care Tips For For Healthier Looking Skin!

Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect Your Skin From The Sun!

A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

• Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
• Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

3. Treat your skin gently (Use only USDA Certified Organic Skin Care)

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

• Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
• Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

Mayo Clinic

Which Essential Oils Are The Best For Skin Care?

Essential oils have wonderful benefits for the skin.

The following ten essential oils help remedy a number of skin conditions — from acne to aging, dryness to oiliness. And when combined with the right carrier oils (be sure to see the important essential oil guidelines at the end of the post), you will see absolutely amazing results.

The top 10 essential oils for skincare:

1.) CARROT SEED ESSENTIAL OIL

It has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. It not only works to help smooth skin, but assists with cell regeneration. For this reason, it can help to fade scars and improve the tone of aging skin. It’s also rich in antioxidants, helping to neutralize inflammation and wrinkles causing free radicals.

2.) FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL

This is a fantastic oil for all skin types. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin, making it great for acne-prone skin. It is also a natural toner, decreasing the appearance of pores and evening skin-tone. It encourages new cell growth, helping to tighten skin and reduce wrinkles and the appearance of scars. It also helps soothe chapped, dry skin.

3.) GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL

This oil helps regulate oil production and reduces acne breakouts. It also helps improve skin elasticity and tighten skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It also promotes blood circulation to the areas where it is applied, helping to heal bruises, broken capillaries, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, ringworm, and other skin conditions. 

4.) LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

This one helps you to relax and your body adapt to stress. It helps regenerate skin cells so it's great for mature skin, sun spots, and scarring. Another great oil for all skin types and needs.

5.) MYRRH ESSENTIAL OIL

This oil greatly benefits aging skin. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help improve skin tone, firmness, and skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Myrrh can also help heal sun damage, chapped skin, rashes, and eczema.

6.) NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL

This oil is great for oily, sensitive, and mature skin. It helps to smooth fine lines and tone sagging skin. This rejuvenating oil contains a natural chemical called citral, which helps regenerate cells. For this reason, it is said to be very good at preventing and healing stretch marks, as well. Its antiseptic properties also balance oil production and shrink the appearance of pores without drying skin.

7.) PATCHOULI ESSENTIAL OIL

This oil is particularly great for aging skin. It promotes new cell growth and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Because it also has antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, it can also benefit skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne.

8.) ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL

It's especially great for dry or aging skin. Researchers have found that it contains several therapeutic compounds known to promote healing, especially antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. As a result, rose essential oil helps refine skin texture and tone, and can be helpful with managing skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis. Interestingly, one study even found that just inhaling rose essential oil inhibits water loss in the skin!

9.) TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL

It is one of the more well-known essential oils for acne-prone skin. Its antibacterial properties help ward off acne-causing bacteria and assist wound healing. It also helps to regulate oil production, which can decrease the severity and incidence of breakouts.

10.) YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL

It  helps to control oil production and minimize breakouts. It also helps regenerate skin cells, smoothing fine lines and improving skin elasticity. Another great essential oil for every skin type.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

Some important essential oil guidelines to remember:

Essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil to a maximum of 5%. Since 1 ml is 20 drops, for every 1 ml of carrier oil, you would add 1 drop of Essential Oil. And since 1 oz is 29 mL, for every 1 oz of carrier oil, you would add no more than 29 drops of essential oils. Opinions on proper dilution ratios vary, and some people believe even a 5% dilution to be too strong. So you may want to add even less, such as 15 drops of essential oils per oz of carrier oil, which would be a 2.5% dillution. This depends on your unique skin and how it responds to the higher dillution rate (such as if you experience any irritation).

Why I prefer Goat's Milk For Organic Skin Care!

You may have noticed an ingredient in some of your skincare products that have them smelling scrumptious? Yes, I'm talking about goat’s milk!

Goat’s milk is rich in essential fatty acids and triglycerides. The essential fatty acids have a unique PH similar to humans, so it is less irritating and more easily absorbed by our skin. These fatty acids and triglycerides are super moisturizing.

Goat’s milk is also loaded with precious skin minerals like selenium that is in turn loaded with vitamins, particularly vitamin A, the most important vitamin for the skin. As with other milks, goat’s milk contains lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It assists in gently sloughing off dead skin cells and helping to hydrate and brighten the skin.

Goat’s milk has unique nourishing properties that make it the perfect ingredient to add to anything which touches your skin, from your shaving cream to your moisturizer. It is both an anti-aging wonder and a lifesaver for dry and sensitive skin. That's why I didn't hesitate to add it to our USDA Certified Organic Oat-Flax Facial Cleanser. It's a win-win for all skin types.

Have you tried USDA Certified Organic Honey as a natural skin care remedy for Vitiligo?

Honey – Natural Home Remedy for Vitiligo

Vitiligo are chalk-white spots, streaks, and patches of skin and hair where normal pigmentation has been lost due to destruction of the melanocytes, or pigment cells. Once the melanocytes are destroyed, no more melanin, or pigment, is made in these areas.

Honey is one of the most accessible, simple and effective home remedies for vitiligo.  Anyone who suffers from this skin condition should make use of this natural home remedy to get healthy and smooth skin. There are 2 methods to use honey as a natural remedy for vitiligo, but experts recommend that you should apply both of them at the same time for the best results. 

The first way is that you should take 1 or more tablespoons of honey every day. You need to remember that you should use organic honey rather than processed honey because it contains a larger amount of minerals and vitamins. The second one is that you can use honey as a topical medication. You can apply honey on the affected parts of your body and leave it on between 30 minutes – 1 hour. Medical experts encourage people to rinse it off of the body only with warm water because if you use soap, it will remove the necessary nutrients from the skin and leave your skin irritated and dry.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

History of Bananas and USDA Certified Organic Skin Care!

Banana History

Bananas are the fruit of Musa acuminata. Acuminata means long-pointed or tapering, not referring to the fruit, but to the flowers giving birth to the fruit.

Antonius Musa was the personal physician to Roman emperor Octavius Augustus, and it was he who was credited for promoting cultivation of the exotic African fruit from 63 to 14 B.C.

Portugese sailors brought bananas to Europe from West Africa in the early fifteenth century.

Its Guinean name banema, which became banana in English, was first found in print in the seventeenth century.

The original banana has been cultivated and used since ancient times, even pre-dating the cultivation of rice. While the banana thrived in Africa, its origins are said to be of East Asia and Oceania.

The banana was carried by sailors to the Canary Islands and the West Indies, finally making it to North America with Spanish missionary Friar Tomas de Berlanga.

Sweet bananas are mutants

These historical bananas were not the sweet yellow banana we know today, but the red and green cooking variety, now usually referred to as plantains to distinguish them from the sweet type.

The yellow sweet banana is a mutant strain of the cooking banana, discovered in 1836 by Jamaican Jean Francois Poujot, who found one of the banana trees on his plantation was bearing yellow fruit rather than green or red.

Upon tasting the new discovery, he found it to be sweet in its raw state, without the need for cooking. He quickly began cultivating this sweet variety.

Soon they were being imported from the Caribbean to New Orleans, Boston, and New York, and were considered such an exotic treat, they were eaten on a plate using a knife and fork.

Sweet bananas were all the rage at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, selling for a hefty ten cents each.

Courtesy of: The Spruce

Is Chia Seed Oil any good for skin care?

I'm hearing nothing but amazing things about Chia Seed Oil. I hear that it smells good as well as plumps and brightens the skin. Yep, it got my attention....real quick!

According to a published reporter quoting Adam Friedman, an associate professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. “Chia seed oil is chock-full of important saturated fatty acids, which are both integral to maintaining healthy skin cell membranes and warding off the harmful effects of free radicals".

Another 2010 study notes that chia seed oil is the richest botanical source of 18:3 n-3 fatty acid currently known. This is great news because Omega-3's have a reputation for being a powerful anti-inflammatory when applied topically.

It’s really hydrating, which makes it an ideal moisturizer. Bottom line? Chia seed oil can as part of your natural or organic skin care regimen. It will help your skin fight irritation, dehydration, and even banish blemishes. You can look for it in skin-care ingredient lists by its Latin name, Salvia Hispanica. Be sure to buy USDA Certified Organic Chia Seed Oil whenever possible.

Cha Cha Cha Chia!!!!!

USDA Certified Organic Essential Oils for your health!

Did you know that some essential oil scents can actually improve your health? Essential oils can also help you relax or sleep, or improve your skin or digestion — their benefits go well beyond a pleasant smell.

Essential oils can have a healing effect mentally, physically, and emotionally.  You can apply them directly onto your skin, inhale or use through a diffuser.

Technically, essential oils aren’t oils at all, as they lack fatty acids. Rather, they’re highly concentrated plant components. It can take a lot of plant to get out a small amount of essential oil. For example it takes 4,000 pounds of Bulgarian roses to get one pound of oil. 

There are some general tips for using essential oils that apply regardless of the type. Look for a high-quality therapeutic-grade oil: pure, medicinal, and steam distilled. Never apply the oils directly to your skin, as their high concentration can cause a reaction or irritation. Instead, essential oils should be diluted with water or a carrier oil like jojoba or almond. And with a few exceptions, do not ingest essential oils. And always talk to your doctor about health concerns, especially if they represent sudden changes in your well-being.

Is USDA Certified Organic Flaxseed Good For Your Skin?

YES!!! Flaxseed is a plant-based food composed mainly of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that is known for providing a multitude of health benefits..including skin care.

Flaxseed is known for being very high in the anti-inflammatory index. This means that skin irritation, tissue inflammation and redness may be minimized. In addition, skin rashes may be reduced. Chronic conditions such as rosacea, acne, dermatitis and psoriasis may be lessened. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for increasing the speed at which skin wounds heal.

The essential fatty acids found in flaxseeds help keep your skin hydrated and smooth in appearance. Flaxseed is also known for increasing your body's natural oil production. The fatty acids are necessary for keeping your skin soft. 

Is Sodium Bicarbnate/Baking Soda a good exfoliant as part of your organic skin care?

Let's put this age old question finally to rest. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it renews itself on a regular basis. As old skin cells die and flake off, new ones grow to replace them.

Exfoliation simply helps this process along; by removing the dead cells from the surface of the skin it helps the new, healthy ones appear at the surface. A good exfoliant has to be effective enough to remove the old cells but not so harsh that it damages the newer growth underneath.

Although there are many different exfoliants on the market they fall into two broad categories:

• Chemical exfoliants such as Alpha Hydroxy Acid that work by burning away the top layers of skin.
• Physical exfoliants (like brushes or scrubs) that are designed to remove the skin cells from the top layer by physically scraping them off.

Baking soda falls under the category of physical exfoliants. It works by physically removing the top layer through the abrasive action of the particles within the baking soda mix. What makes it especially effective is that it is a fine, yet hard powder, making it highly effective at removing the dead skin cells without causing excessive irritation.

How To Use Baking Soda for Your Skin:

Baking soda is so versatile that you can use it as either a daily cleanser, as an exfoliator or even as a face mask.

Although many people swear by the use of baking soda for skin care on their faces and claim that using it makes their skin look younger, there are also other people who report that they have suffered side effects from this popular home remedy. Before using baking soda for your skin, please make sure to talk to your dermatologist. 

Baking Soda Face Wash

Baking soda can be used as a facial cleanser to remove dead skin cells, oil or dirt from the skin. This helps to unclog pores and prevent skin conditions such as acne.

To make a baking soda face wash simply take some non-gmo baking soda and place it in the palm of your hand. Add lukewarm water and mix to form a paste. Generally a ratio of two parts baking soda to one part water works best but experiment to find a consistency that works for you.

Dampen your face with lukewarm water and then gently, using your fingertips apply the baking soda paste all over your face before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water and then patting dry.

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

Why is USDA Certified Organic oatmeal good for your skin?

Oatmeal is one of the best natural treatments for all skin types. Plain USDA Certified Organic Rolled Oats, can be used to make a gentle and very effective natural skin cleanser, exfoliant and soothing facial mask.

An excellent multi-purpose skin care treatment, oatmeal helps to relieve dryness, restoring natural moisture balance to aid in healing minor irritations due to the many causes and sources of skin sensitivities.

Minor irritations can be caused by your skin being sensitive to the ingredients in skin care products, exposure to chemicals found in household cleaning supplies or excessive scrubbing. Cleansing the face with oatmeal can help to soothe those irritations. 

Oatmeal Facial Cleanser & Scrub: Pour a small amount of ground USDA Certified Organic oatmeal into the palm of your hand. Add a little distilled water (tap water is ok too) to make a paste. Massage onto face and neck for :30 seconds. Rinse with warm distilled water (tap water is ok too). Follow up with a toner and moisturizer. 

 

I'm using the word "Hate" and "Egypt" in the same sentence! SMH!

I know hate is a very strong word, but it's the only word that I can think of as my eyes gaze on the remote Abu Simbel Temples and my feet touches the hot sandy desert. I'm "hating" the fact that I hadn't visited this great country of Egypt sooner. What was I thinking?

It's Ramadan 2016. The scenery is breath-taking. I can't get enough of watching the little children dressed in their abaya garbs chasing donkeys and cows around with a stick simply hoping to get the animals to behave. My eyes are fixed on watching several pre-teens kicking up dust playing soccer in the middle of the road. Mind you, it's 3 am. LOL!  Cars fly by, oblivious of what's going on around them. Drivers scurrying to get from place to place. 

I take in a deep breath. Trying to take it all in. I can't help but reminisce about my nine day excursion traveling through Egypt. I feel so proud! The natives holler "Nubian" as my niece, La Tonya and I nervously run across the street. There's nothing like the feeling of being away from home but feeling like you're "at home". 

Right now,  I'm sitting in the window seat of a train heading back to Cairo.  La Tonya and I spent five days visiting all of the goodies Cairo has to offer. For instance we road a donkey and camel in the desert sun to The Pyramids of Giza. We visited the Saqqara Burial Grounds, The Great Sphinx of Giza and of course the world's famous Egyptian Museum. We spent one day visiting the White and Black Deserts and the remaining three days cruising in luxury aboard a five star cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan along the Nile River. We stopped at various historical places in between.

My niece La Tonya at the Cairo Citadel

Date: Monday, June 13th, 2016

As I reminisce, La Tonya sleeps soundly as the train quietly makes stops from town to town. We're saddled up for a very long ride. It's fourteen hours from Aswan to Cairo.  That's where we will board our flight back to the states. It's bitter sweet. Although, we don't want to go home, we are excited to be able to share our experiences. 

I didn't know what to expect when La Tonya and I booked the trip. Oh yeah, I knew about the antiquities of the country.  We knew about the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and the museum. Who didn't? What I wasn't expecting is to feel like I just stepped back into time. It was 1279 BC. A time when King Ramesses's the 2nd ruled. Or approximately 1273 BC...that time when Moses was placed in a papyrus basket along the Nile River by his mother to escape the pharaoh's death sentence against Israelite baby boys. Scholars believe the area of the Nile where this happened was between Cairo and Giza. I was there!

I fixed my eyes on the River Nile (that's what the native calls it). I'm unable to truly grasp that this really is that place I learned about in bible study. I would whip out my bible and re-read Genesis over and over. Reading Genesis will never be the same because I was there. 

I also "hated" that I was ignorant most of my life about who the Egyptians really were. Like many, I figured they where lighter skinned or white people inhabiting the land. Well, it had to be right? Why would I doubt it because that's what I saw at the movies, on TV and what I learned in History class. Man was I wrong...so very very wrong.

It feels good to look truth right in the eye. The monuments don't know how to lie. The truth was always there, I just had to look for it. The etchings of ancient Egyptians in the granite structures and walls tells a fascinating story. You can clearly see the full lips, nose and high cheek bones. Features of a black culture. It's funny because Nubians (black people) to this very day still inhabit the land. They live off of an island near the coast of Aswan. I was too frightened to take a boat ride over because they handle crocodiles. And yes, I wasn't trying to be up close and personal with a crocodile. LOL!

Furthermore, King Ramesses II was important to me because of his significance in scripture. Although it's not for certain, it's believed he was the pharaoh that Moses petitioned to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

To see the King's temples and to learn of his wives (arguably 35 wives and 130 children) were mind blowing. I wasn't prepared to hear that his favorite wife was a black Nubian woman by the name of Queen Nefertari. He loved her so much that he built a temple just for her. The temples of Abu Simbel were built with complete life sized images of her. He even built statues of her in his temple...features that don't appear anywhere else in antiquity. I learned that she was proud of her black skin, earrings and nubian features. She boasted and wouldn't think about changing it. Kudos to this Nubian Queen.

I got a kick out of seeing Ramesses the 2nd mummy at the Egyptian Museum and his tomb. Mind blowing is an understatement. The vivid colors on the walls of his tomb still holds its stain and the hieroglyphics are etched deep within the stone echoing its hairy past.

I'm fascinated at the style of mummification that held these bodies together for thousands of years...a feature that can't be duplicated today. I think of the vastness of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Saqqara and the various tombs scattered throughout the Valley of the Kings. I'm speechless!

But last but not least is the boy King that went by the name of Tutankhamen. To see his solid gold death mask that weighs an astonishing 24 pounds. Whew! To see the vast jewels found in his small but elegant tomb. But to see his mummy will take your breath away. To look at a 3000 year old boy's body and still see his teeth, toes and head is just fascinating. I'm looking at a kid that ruled Egypt for only a few years. Although he wasn't as great a ruler as King Ramesses II, he still holds his own with what he offers to modern civilization. 

As a Christian, I don't agree with King Ramesses II worshipping style and the building of over 100 temples to multiple Gods. But, you have to admit they were intellectual geniuses. No one can figure out how the pyramids where built or how the bodies were mummified to last so long. This makes me proud! To know that I'm part of a culture of people that were so darn smart and offered something to the world no other civilization could.

Finally, I think about my "brothers and sisters" of Egypt. These are my people. I'm in deep thought about how they're living right now. It's a poor country. They live in mud brick homes, their teeth aren't healthy and they are forced to work in the desert heat in order to survive. I see how they get around. Some have beat up cars, many ride donkeys or horses while others walk.

Many only dream of visiting another country. The locals contend that getting a visa is very difficult because of the politics of the country. I then compare their living to my living in Los Angeles. I am able to chase my dreams as an actress and am blessed to own a USDA certified organic skin care company.

I think of my complaining about what I don't have instead of focusing on what I do have. Visiting Egypt makes me grateful to live in a country where I can practice my religion without a threat of being gunned down. If I'm hungry, I know a great group of Christians who would feed me. For the most part, I can be lazy and not risk a catastrophe.

Many around the world aren't afforded these luxuries...especially in Egypt! Although there's so much more I can write about, I'll leave it be. You have  to visit the country for yourself to truly get a feel of what I'm saying.

The moral of this story? America wake up!  Black people, be grateful for who you are and be thankful for what you got. We take so much for granted. Remember, Egypt was once a powerful nation and ruled the world. Now, it's a third world country! Meditate on that!

Z

Memorial Day Celebrations & Organic and All Natural Skin Care!

Memorial Day 2016 will be celebrated on Monday, May 30th. Festivities usually equal picnics, parades and other warm weather activities. To get your skin ready for these outdoor events, you need products that protect and rejuvenate the complexion. 

Before you expose your complexion to the sun during Memorial Day celebrations, apply a sunscreen to defend against burns and signs of aging. 

One of the best parts about spring and summer skin care is the lightweight, sheer formulas that are a breeze to apply. Blu Skin Care's USDA Certified "Organic Whipped Coconut-Green Tea Moisturizer" contains coconut oil which contain properties that may help protect the skin from sun damage. The product is hydrating. When you use this lightweight moisturizer, you won’t have to worry about your makeup running and smudging in the warm weather.  

After a long winter, your complexion needs a pick-me-up to create a youthful and healthy appearance. Use products with plenty of vitamin C. This helps fade signs of aging, creates a more even tone and improves collagen production. 

One of the tell-tale signs of too much sun exposure is dark spots. To fade this damage and create a healthy complexion that is perfect for spring and summer, use Blu Skin Care's USDA Certified Organic "Oat-Flax Facial Cleanser".  This product contains oatmeal and flaxseed which are known to reduce pigment and inflammation to fade dark spots and sun damage for flawless summer skin. 

Which products are essential for your Memorial Day weekend? 

Summer is right around the corner. Are you ready?

For most of us, Summer-time usually means sun, shorts, sandals and bathing suits. But with beach hair and shorter hemlines comes the dangers of a higher risk of skin cancer and the aging process. Sun exposure is essentially, subjecting yourself to sun damage – but in the same note, avoiding the outdoors altogether is both impractical and nearly impossible. Taking preventative measures is crucial in keeping your skin in tip-top condition for the ultimate skin-baring season.

Understanding the Dangers of Overexposure 

Sun exposure isn’t necessarily bad – it is a key source of Vitamin D. As with all good things, however, keep exposure in moderation. The ideal maximum is 20 minutes before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. Anything over is considered overexposure, and any exposure during midday – when the sun is at its harshest – should be limited (if not altogether avoided). Sun rays at this time of day are 10% UVB and 90% UVA: a combination that can cause melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. 

UVA vs. UVB Rays: What’s the difference? 

Rays used to be nondescript and UV protection was generalized. More recent and in depth research has shown that there are two kinds of UV rays: - UVA and UVB – rendering standard sunscreens inadequate. Do look for sun blocks that offer protection from both types. 

UVA Rays 

On average, most people have already been exposed to large amounts of UVA rays throughout their lifetimes. Though less intense than UVB rays, UVA rays are 30–50 times more prevalent and are present during all hours of daylight – even on the cloudiest of days – making it necessary to incorporate SPF protection into your everyday routine. 

Wrinkles and sunspots are largely caused by these rays. Able to penetrate glass and deep into the skin, these rays speed up the aging process and contribute to – if not initiate – the development of skin cancers below the surface. 

UVB Rays 

UVB rays cause sun burns and reddening. While UVA rays penetrate beyond the superficial layers, UVB rays damage the skin’s surface layers. Its intensity differs by time of day, locale, forecast, and season, but still holds potential in causing sun damage. These are the rays responsible for change in darkness of skin pigmentation, age spots, and the more common tumors that may ultimately evolve into cancer. 

Sun Damage and Aging 

Signs associated with aging - wrinkles, freckles, skin thinning, sunspots (also known as age spots), uneven pigmentation – are the aftermath of sun damage. Ninety-percent of wrinkles are caused by the sun, and while intentional overexposure (tanning, sunbathing) is incredibly harmful, two-thirds of all sun damage is surprisingly incidental (walking the dog, jogging or driving). 

With that being said sunscreen is not limited to the poolside or beach – it should be applied on a daily basis. Opt for moisturizers and body lotions with SPF, and if possible, always choose a higher SPF for your face. Don’t forget your hands especially when driving. Hands are an instant giveaway to your true age, so invest in a hand cream that offers SPF protection. 

Summer Skin Tips 

In addition to following these tips, dress to protect. Lightweight, cotton cover-ups along with a cap or broad-brimmed hat will act as shields from harmful UV rays. 

Apply USDA Certified Organic sunscreen religiously. It’s a surefire way of protecting your skin. Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes prior to allow time for the product to absorb into the skin; re-apply every few hours or as needed. Look for sunscreens that offer protection for both UVA and UVB rays – keep in mind that a high SPF number is no longer enough.

• Wash morning and night with a usda certified organic facial wash. 
• USDA Certified Organic Moisturize with SPF. Applying moisturizer with SPF is essential regardless of the season. With the onset of warmer weather, however, consider switching your current moisturizer for another with higher SPF and lighter formulation to prevent sun spots, freckles, and early signs of aging.
• Don’t skimp on eye creams and lip protection. Sun exposure will gradually thin skin and cause wrinkles. Protect the delicate areas of your face with appropriate creams and balms. Continue to use an eye cream, but if your usual cream feels too heavy for summer, replace your current product with a lighter formulation or use only at night. Apply and liberally re-apply a lip balm with SPF.
• Protect your hands and feet too. Your neck, chest, and hands are an instant giveaway to your true age. After moisturizing your face  bring it down to your neck as well. Be sure to apply sunscreen to your chest area as it is one of the areas of your body more susceptible to sunburn. Invest in a hand cream that offers SPF protection, and apply it at least 20 minutes before driving – keep in mind that two-thirds of all sun damage is purely incidental. 
• Also, with summer comes open-toed shoes and sandals, so be sure to exfoliate, moisturize, and protect exposed feet as well. Take into account that sunscreen will rub off faster than it would from the rest of your body from rubbing against the straps of your shoes and abrasive sand. Thus, it is recommended to re-apply more frequently to prevent burnt feet. 
• Boost your block with antioxidants. Skincare products containing antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and green tea can help reverse sun damage.
• Keep hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. If you’re on the go, try bringing a bottle and a container of fresh fruit on the go to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.
• Exfoliate. Exfoliate according to your skin type.

Cellulite! UGH!

I don't know about you, but I did everything imaginable to try and get rid of those tiny little dimples on my thighs. No matter how skinny I got, they never really went away. I'm so glad that I educated myself and now can exhale. lol There are a lot of nasty rumors out there claiming that you can get rid of cellulite. LIES, LIES all LIES! As I perused through the internet, I ran across this tid bit of information:

Reality: “No cellulite fix is permanent,” says Howard Sobel, a dermatologist in New York City. Some treatments might minimize the look of cellulite, such as creams that contain aminophylline (which helps break down fat cells) and massaging devices that iron out fat cells somewhat so that they don’t appear as pronounced. But these remedies last, at best, a few months. “Even liposuction, which removes excess deep-fat deposits, doesn’t necessarily improve the surface of the skin to the degree where the dimpled effect is invisible,” says Sobel. There is, however, a ray of hope: Cellulaze, a laser treatment that cuts the little vertical bands under the skin that are attributed to the dimpling effect and smooths them out. The treatment recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cellulite long-term, says Barry DiBernardo, a plastic surgeon in Montclair, New Jersey, and the lead clinical investigator of the FDA trials of Cellulaze. But it doesn’t come cheap. The cost can run from $3,000 to $8,000 for the one session that you’ll need. 

Hum, I don't think it's worth it. Ha! I think I'll just stick with the few dimples that I have. LOL As long as I stick to a nutritious diet, organic and all natural skin care, exercise, get plenty of rest and stay prayed up...I'll be just fine! 

Don't forget to check out our amazing line of USDA Certified Organic Skin Care products at www.bluskincare.info.

Z

Rituals For Maintaining Perfect Skin using Organic and All Natural Skin Care!

Getting perfect skin isn't hard. You just have to take care of yourself. Remember to stick with USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC OR NATURAL SKIN CARE/PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS to receive maximum results.

1. Get enough sleep

Staying up until the wee hours of the morning will results in a tired and worn out look for the skin. In addition to dark circles under your eyes, you’ll also notice that your skin breaks out more.

Make sure you're getting a minimum of  8 hours of sleep EVERY night. If possible make sure you are sleeping during the hours of 10pm-6am, because according to doctors, you'll get the most healing effect. Going to bed early and waking up early is one of the best ways to see a noticeable improvement in your skin.

2. Work-Out

Getting daily exercise to the point of sweating is good for a number of reasons, and of particular interest is how it benefits the skin. Unfortunately for many of us exercise has become something that we do only sporadically, or perhaps not at all.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it is capable of absorbing and storing toxins that can make your skin look tired and ragged. A daily sweat helps to release these toxins and gives your skin a new and improved look. Not only that but you’ll just feel better and have more energy as long as you don’t work yourself too much. Your workout should be just enough to get you sweating while still leaving something in the tank to finish the rest of your day. 

By exercising every day you’re oxygenating the blood and improving blood flow throughout the entire body, which improves the shape of skin cells and helps them function at their best.

3. Use an Organic or All-Natural Cleanser

Keeping your skin clean is essential, but if you’re using a cleanser that is made up mostly of chemicals you’re doing your skin a disservice. Consider that most cleansers will use different acids and other chemicals in an attempt to “clean” your skin and instead end up causing breakouts and damaging your skin in the process.

While cleanser shopping, look for products that contain organic ingredients, and make sure you recognize and can pronounce any other ingredients that aren’t organic. Also consider the soap that you’re using for the rest of your body, and make sure that it does not contain ingredients you wouldn’t want on your body, because that’s where they end up.

Getting your skin clean is paramount to perfect skin, and using an organic or all-natural cleanser means you’re getting rid of the problem without causing another one.

4. Use an Organic or All-Natural Toner

A toner helps to soothe your skin and therefore you wouldn’t want to use a store bought toner that is not made with organic or natural ingredients. Go with one that is made with natural fruit and vegetable extracts that will nourish your skin instead of wearing it out.

Avoid toners with harsh chemicals in them that are meant to be used as an astringent. Often they will leave behind redness or dry out your skin, working against you and causing you to use other products to try to cover up the redness or handle the dryness.

A toner provides the essential go-between for a cleanser and a moisturizer, and can be the key to flawless looking skin if you use the right kind. Don’t be afraid of using a good quality toner, even if you’ve been scared off by low-grade toners.

5. Use an All-Natural Moisturizer

If you’ve gone moisturizer shopping you’re probably aware that a vast majority of moisturizers have a lot of ingredients in them that you can’t pronounce. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s most assuredly a chemical, and doesn’t belong on your face.

Remember, your moisturizer should pamper your skin, so look for ingredients that have a calming and moisturizing effect. Each ingredient should serve a purpose and even better should be something that you could eat. The skin is very absorbent, so when you’re rubbing moisturizer all over your body you don’t want that moisturizer to contain things that are harmful to you.

Depending on the type of moisturizer it will either add moisture to your skin, help protect the moisture that’s already there, or both. When the skin is properly moisturized it looks its best and has that special glow to it that you’re after.

6. Drink Enough Water

Being in a dehydrated state is a surefire way to limit how good your skin can look and feel. Aside from making you more energetic and helping your entire body feel better, staying hydrated will provide your skin with the moisture it needs to look and feel its best.

While there’s some debate over how much water you should drink each day to stay hydrated, the best calculation we’ve seen is to take your body weight, divide it in half and drink that number of ounces of water each day. As an added bonus, when you drink more water you help get rid of excess water weight, which will give you a slimmer look and make you feel better all over.

Keeping your body hydrated helps to keep skin supple and smooth. Dry body, dry skin, so be sure that you’re getting your recommended daily water. If you’ve been dehydrated for a long time, increase your water intake gradually to give your body time to adjust to the changes.

7. Use a Face Mask

Don’t save face masks for a once-a-week thing, they should be used daily because your skin has different needs each day and masks can address them.

The best way to treat your skin using a mask is to have a list of face masks to choose from so you’ll be ready for anything. These one-ingredient face masks use all-natural ingredients that you can eat, but that provide plenty of benefits to your skin. Pick the one that goes with the problem you’re experiencing with your skin and you’ll notice a difference overnight.

There are different masks you can make depending on what you skin needs that day. There are hydrating masks, masks that can lessen redness, and others that can help even skin tone. Use them each day so that you’re always giving your skin what it needs.