August 15, 2013
These are the FIRST hair care products in Phytocéane’s Marine Spa Collection. Both products are super gentle, helping to protect the scalp from redness and irritation thanks to a complex of seaside plants that cause B-endorphin release. Vegetal extracts effectively cleanse and condition leaving hair soft, smooth and strengthened. Smell is divine. Groomed LA thumbs up. $38
Products can be found in select Phytocéane spas and online: www.lespausa.com.
August 12, 2013
I was thrilled to revisit The Organic Pharmacy on Beverly Drive, since having checked it out years ago. Wow, have I been missing out! Walk in and you're immediately intoxicated by a wave of heavenly scents. These organic oils and concoctions are so pure and delicious the smell literally stopped me in my tracks for a serious "oh my goddddddd" moment that lasted a good two minutes.
The facial treatment list is founded upon their principles: organic, natural, high potency, pure, homeopathic.
I had a fantastic signature facial from the manager Kerry Wall, a sublimely talented aesthetician and all around organic skin guru who has been with The Organic Pharmacy for ten years.
Their facial treatments have been designed to use massage techniques, lymphatic drainage and acupressure massage to support the skin’s ability to heal itself. Lymphatic drainage reduces puffiness an the high potency organic ingredients enable the skin to repair and regenerate. Masks, extractions, massage – my skin was exquisite aftewards. GLOWING.
A few highlights from the Organic Pharmacy Philosophy, From Founder, Margo Marrone
Whilst studying homeopathy I became aware of Organic and what it meant. Shocked that I had been unaware of the level of poisonous pesticides used in our food and the questionable ingredients used in cosmetics, I decided to use my herbal, homeopathic and pharmaceutical knowledge to create a shopping haven free from chemicals found in other stores, a place where expert knowledge on well being, herbs and homeopathic remedies were readily available. My principles were very simple, the best organic ingredients, honest expert advice, quality service, incredibly effective products and a caring environment. I took the idea to my husband Franco whose design skills and vision turned The Organic Pharmacy into a modern day health and beauty centre.
Our first store opened in 2002 on Chelsea’s trendy Kings Road and very soon we had complete synergy with our customers many of whom are still with us today. More London stores followed and in 2008 we opened our first store in Los Angeles. We still stick with our strong principles and pride ourselves on the passion that we share for quality, efficacy and above all a dedication to you.
To this end we strive to give you as much information as possible. Whether you suffer from breast cancer, skin allergies and sensitivities or you want to optimise your skin and health, an informed, honest choice is your right, we encourage all our customers to ask as many questions as they need to and we are there to support you every step of the way.
Our aim is to bring you the best products, advice and treatments free from all the toxic ingredients commonly found in mainstream cosmetics and health products. From our herbal and homeopathic dispensary we custom blend herbs and homeopathic remedies to suit your needs. Expert advice from our qualified professional team means you are able to fulfill all your health and beauty needs.
We believe that through informed choice, you the consumer should be empowered by knowledge so that you can decide what products to buy. We hope that we have shown the world it is possible to choose an organic product that is beautiful to look at, luxurious to use and more effective than its synthetic counterparts without compromising your health or beauty.
Pure, real, organic products don't mess around. This is the real thing, peeps.
August 6, 2013
Juice cleanse? Check
Kundalini Yoga? Check.
Cross fit? Check.
Paleta Home delivery meals? Check.
Lunch at the latest vegan Raw Foodie restaurant? Check.
Personal Guru, Psychic, Astrologer? Check.
We Angeleno's have cornered the market on our quest to be 100% toxin, stress and excess-weight free. We juice, cleanse, meditate, exercise, seek spiritual counsel or hit AA meetings around the clock.
So what's left to get excited about? What's left to tap into?
I was doing Raw Foods when people were just getting hip to Vegetarianism. VEGETARIANISM! At one point in the 90's, I ate nothing but fruit. (Wish I was joking).
In my now highly normalized, balanced mid-life as a mom of two nothing is off limits. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs and my biggest addiction is Splenda. Still, I find myself missing out on the benefits of my younger, more die-hard days of rigorous health consciousness.
Breakfast for this mom on the go is a Think Thin Bar and dinner is finishing what's left on my kids' plates. I need a boost but have no patience, time or tolerance for restricting or depriving. My body is not exactly a wonderland, my brain is on overdrive and there is no luxury of time for an hour and a half yoga class.
The gods of my mid-life, been there, done that existence hath spoken to me.
The ultimate detox, relax, recharge, lose weight, improve overall, well, overall everything is here. And holy shit, it's right on Larchmont! My happy place!!
ENTER: Shape House an Urban Sweat Lodge.
Get ready to let go, lose weight, clear your skin, get a better night's rest and sweat your ass off, all of this, inside an Infrared blanket.
Sohpie Chiche owner and founder, but if you ask me, the most amazing, inspired guru among us (check out her TED talks and her amazing website LIFE BY ME) explains:
"We take the body to 158 degrees if you can handle it we push a little harder..if it’s too much we back off.”
The 55 minute session goes like this: You put on cozy sweats and socks, are led to a private curtained off room, get snuggled on a massage-like table in the super womb blanket, given Alkaline water, a remote control to choose from the best stuff ever to watch or listen to (HBO, TED Talks, Netflix, Hulu, Music, etc) or simply close your eyes as the toxins, water and shitty karma drips out of every single pore. Keep 'em open and watch the amazing changing light (color therapy?!) play against the walls as you heat, heat, heat up.
The machine heats up your body while your body is trying to cool you down and that effort alone can burn anywhere from 800-1200 calories.
What comes out of your body is 96 % water the rest is toxins and a bunch of psychic bullshit you've been holding onto in my unscientific opinion.
What is Infrared Heat?
Far Infrared, aka FIR or Infrared, is similar to the heat that comes from the sun. You can’t see it, but you can feel its heat. But Infrared light/heat is very different than ultraviolet light (UV) which causes sunburn and damage to your skin. Infrared heat is within the same frequency as your own body heat. It is healthy, natural and a safe therapy. Infrared light allows uniform deep heat penetration that is highly effective as a source of healing.
Far Infrared is a part of the natural light spectrum just beyond visible light. You can’t see this band of light, but you can feel it in the form of radiant heat. The heat you feel from the sun, for example, is infrared energy. Don’t confuse it, however, with ultraviolet light (UV), which causes sunburn and damage to your skin. Infrared heat is healthy, natural and a safe therapy for all living things.
Infrared energy produces a uniform deep heat penetration without the usual sensation of feeling hot. This is achieved by using a specific Infrared band of energy peaking at around 9.4 micons; a level designed to penetrate beyond the skin (where heat is most acutely felt) to a depth where fat resides. As this subcutaneous fat begins to heat, your body begins to thermo-regulate itself by producing sweat.
And in the process of sweating, the multiple benefits are achieved… detoxing, skin conditioning, cardio fitness, relaxation, weight loss, and emotional health.
more about the sciences of:
weight loss detoxing skin fitness life and wellbeing stress reduction
Shape House, 434 North Larchmont Boulevard, at Rosewood Avenue, Larchmont (323-467-3000 orshapehousela.com), $45 per session.
http://www.shapehousela.com
Twitter: @shapehousela
Facebook: ShapeHouse
check them out on YELP!
see what Daily Candy has to say!
August 1, 2013
oil, oil, oil!
I can never get enough. EVER. The dry SoCal heat keeps my skin in a perpetual state of just a tad bit dry as all hell.
Enter the game changer: PANGEA ORGANICS.
BODY OIL
Italian White Sage & Geranium, Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom $24
100% Silky. Rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), skin-beneficial vitamins and incredible essential oil aromas, this body oil is the perfect remedy for dry skin and tense muscles. Five organic, food-grade oils comprise the base of this nutritive blend offering superior glide for massage and luxurious hydration for the body. These precious, cold-pressed oils absorb deeply and efficiently to deliver healthy, silky smooth skin.
Don't forget: Italian White Sage & Geranium, Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom
BALANCING OIL
Balancing act. We’re all looking for a little more balance in our lives. It’s the key to being at our best. Same holds true for our skin. It’s in this spirit that we created this Balancing Oil—a truly unique combination of exquisite essential oils and beautiful base oils derived from whole, organic, cold-pressed vegetables, seeds and nuts. Rich in naturally occurring antioxidants, essential fatty acids (EFA’s) and vitamins, it nourishes, protects and combats the signs of pre-mature aging. Beneficial for all skin types and a MUST for dry to mature skin, this Balancing Oil works hard to penetrate the skin, preserve intrinsic moisture and combine with your natural oils (sebum) to bring your skin into sweet harmony.
Himalayan Geranium & Pomegranate $50
Available at www.pangeaorganics.com
HOW CAN YOU NOT FEEL GOOD USING PRODUCT LIKE THIS?
Practices
Buying Pangea products does more than make your body feel good. It means you're supporting sustainable agriculture and culture. Everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. In other words, good for you. Good for everybody.
Pangea products are (and always will be):
You're already beautiful. We're just here to help cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin.
We believe that taking great care of your skin means understanding what you put on it. Especially since most of what goes on your body makes its way into your body. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
So we've created bodycare that doesn't just smell nice. It is nice.
Herbs transform the earth's nutrients into a form that our bodies can utilize. We then utilize these whole, living plant essences in our products so you can benefit from their vitamins, minerals, and essential oils in the purest way possible.
Our mission is to make body and skincare that is good for you and your body. That's why we choose to use only plant-based ingredients that nurture you and your skin.
Now, sometimes you hear people say "organic body and skin care means poor performance." Well, whoever said that wasn't
talking about Pangea. We put the same effort into making products that work as we do into making products that are organic.
So you can always trust that your Pangea products will perform as great as they feel.
What we choose to consume today directly impacts how we, and future generations, will live tomorrow. Choosing to buy Pangea means you, too, are positively impacting the future.
You only have one body, and we only have one planet. We promise to do all that we can to take care of both.
July 31, 2013
need a little nutrition wake up call that's super easy? check out these tips!
To read the full list of 10 ways to power up nutrition, please visit: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/secrets-make-food-healthier-without-even-trying/.