Review: DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo & Masque Intensive Hair Repair

 

I have been using the DermOrganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo and Masque for about two months. These DermOrganic products are Cruelty Free & Vegan, are 70% organic and are both made with Argan Oil. They are sulfate free and are safe for color treated hair and for use everyday.

First off, I love that they are pump bottles. It makes it super convenient to store and use in the shower. However, when you are nearing the end, it may be a little difficult to get the last little amount out.

The shampoo has a very light, clean scent. It foams up really well, which for a natural shampoo is not usually the case. The shampoo cleans really well and does not cause any build-up. What is super important for me is that the shampoo is really gentle on the skin and does not dry out my scalp. I use about 6-7 pumps to cleanse my entire head. Like I said, I have been using this for two months and I still have around half of the 12 oz bottle left. 

I have tried quite a few natural conditioners and was never really a fan of the thin consistency that most of them have. This one is really thick and coats my hair great. It also has a yummy apple scent. I use this everyday and I love how smooth and manageable it makes my hair. It claims to repair damage. I feel like it prevents damage more than repairing it. Overall, I think this is a great conditioner. I would definitely repurchase both the shampoo and conditioner!

I buy mine at Drugstore.com, they are both $15.

Ingredients to Avoid in Skin and Body Care Products

Thinking about switching to a greener lifestyle or just curious about what's in the products you put on your body everyday? I've compiled a list of ingredients to look out for and reasons to avoid them. 
The items listed below should be absent from the ingredients list on products if you are looking to clean up your routine.

Parabens

What they are:

Chemicals used to prevent growth on microbes. They are frequently identified on labels as ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Why you should avoid them:

They have been linked to cancer and have been known to disrupt hormone production  and can lead to breast cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Sulfates

What they are:

Chemicals that are responsible for producing lather including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Why you should avoid them:

When absorbed into the skin in large quantities, the chemical can mimic estrogen leading to problems with PMS and menopause as well as breast cancer.

Synthetic Fragrances and Dyes

What they are:

Scents and coloring agents that are not made from natural ingredients.

Why you should avoid them:

They may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions especially on sensitive skin.

Petrochemicals

What they are:

Chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas. They can be recognized under the names of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, benzene, phenol and acetone.

Why you should avoid them:

Some can cause skin irritants while others such as benzene are carcinogenic, which means they are possibly cancer causing in high doses.

Phthalates

What they are:

Chemicals that help products absorb into the skin and are known as dibutylphthalate or butyl ester.

Why you should avoid them:

They may cause severe skin irritation.

GMOs

What they are:

Genetically modified organisms which could include natural products that have been genetically altered. The only way to be sure your product is made without GMOs is if the ingredients have been organic-certified.

Why you should avoid them:

Genetically modified crops can have traces of pesticides, insecticides or hormones that can be absorbed when product is applied topically.

Triclosan

What they are:

Often used to kill bacteria on skin and is found in face washes.

Why you should avoid them:

Research has shown that they alter hormones in animals, may contribute to antibiotic resistant germs and may be harmful to the immune system.

Goodebox May 2014

As you may have read in a previous blog post of mine, I made the switch to all natural beauty products this year. This included me canceling my Birchbox subscription and opting for a natural alternative beauty subscription box. After researching for a while I decided to sign up for Goodebox. It is a little more pricey than Birchbox, it is $18 a month (Birchbox is $10) but I know that natural products are generally more expensive so I was willing to go a little higher.
This is only my second Goodebox, so I am still getting a feel for the brand and deciding if it is worth the $18. What I do love about this box is that I do get a lot of products that I can take on the go, like the individually wrapped makeup wipes I received in this box. I also love that they offer a coupon code for almost all products in the box, generally for 15-20% off.

 Here is a look at what I got this month.

Blum Naturals - Daily Cleansing Towelettes (10 individually wrapped)

Beauty Without Cruelty- Sweet Lavender Hand & Body Lotion

Goddess Garden- Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Primal Pit Paste- Natural Deodorant ....How funny does this sound?? It smells really great and I actually tried making something similar at home. I think this will be good to have in my purse for emergencies

Seventh Generation- Hydrating Boost Serum

Waxelene - Petroleum Jelly Alternative

Healthy, Vegetarian Recipe: Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash. Spasta. Squashta. 

Whatever you want to call it, it's amazing and guilt free!  I make the "spaghetti" for this dish on Sunday and put it in the fridge to use all week. It is super easy to prepare and use to make quick, healthy dinners. Here is a guide to preparing the squash and a few recipes I like to make.

To Make Spaghetti Squash

You need:

• Spaghetti Squash
• Baking Sheet
• Aluminum Foil
• Large knife to cut through the squash
• Spoon, Fork
• Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cover one baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut the spaghetti squash in half length wise. Scoop out the seeds like you would a pumpkin. Drizzle olive oil on the inside halves and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place the halves on the sheet with the inside facing down. Bake for 35-45 minutes.
Once baked, let it sit for a few minutes until it is cool enough to handle. Then flip over the halves and use your fork to rake the squash. The squash will start to come apart and resemble spaghetti.
Store in a container in the fridge until you are ready to use.

Recipe #1 
Spaghetti Squash Marinara with Onion, Mushroom, Spinach & Goat Cheese
 In a pan heat some oil (I like to use coconut or olive oil) and saute some mushrooms and onions. You can even add a little chopped garlic. When the onion and mushrooms are soft, add your desired amount of spinach. I like to add 2-3 large handfuls. Then add in your spaghetti squash and stir until heated. Remove from heat and add crumbled goat cheese. Stir. In a sauce pan, heat marinara sauce, or any other sauce you'd like and add it on top.

Recipe # 2
Spaghetti Squash Primavera
  In a pan heat some oil (I like to use coconut or olive oil) and saute fresh, chopped garlic. Add to the pan several grape tomatoes, whole or halved width wise. Add a few handfuls of spinach. Once the tomatoes and spinach have wilted a bit add the spaghetti squash and heat until warm. Finish with grated Parmesan.