DIY All Natural Bronzer

The sun is finally shining here in Toronto and the weather is getting hot (it’s about time!).

That means I’m pulling out my summer clothes, throwing my hair up and getting my summer beauty essentials ready. This means using a little bit of bronzer. 

I don’t normally wear bronzer throughout the year (unless I’m off to a video shoot and have a fabulous make up artist apply it for me), but in the summer time, it’s the perfect time to add a little extra glow and colour to my cheeks. 

But… as you know, I’m quite particular with my beauty care products and I won’t just settle for any product. It’s got to be clean, natural, free of parabens, fragrances and EDC (endocrine disrupting chemicals). 

Remember, what goes ON the skin goes IN, and although our bodies are very miraculous and smart and can filter through toxins and not 100% of everything gets into the skin, A LOT of it does and A LOT of it is dangerous, carcinogenic and can have a negative impact on our health and hormones

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There was a time when I bought all my beauty care and skin care products from the drug store. As a young girl I could spend hours looking through all the makeup, glosses, hair products, scrubs and everything in between. 

Be sure to check out the safety of your beauty care products on the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Skin Deep database.

In my CleanBeautyU online program, I’ve recorded 10 simple DIY beauty care recipe videos. I’ll be teaching you how to make your own anti-aging facial oil, scrubs, whitening toothpastes, mouthwash, face masks, hair masks and so much more! Plus, you’ll have access to 6 CleanBeautyU Modules where I dive into all things gut health, detoxification, facial care, body care, hair care and dental health so you know EXACTLY what to do to heal your most pressing skin issues! Click here to learn more about this amazing program. 

In the meantime, get yourself in the kitchen and grab these “baking” essentials to make this simple and chemical free DIY All Natural Bronzer. 

Here are the highlight ingredients of this DIY Bronzer recipe:

Cinnamon – provides a gorgeous glow
Cacao – the real star of the show, this ingredient adds depth and darkness to your bronzer. Use as much or as little, depending on the shade that is right for you
Nutmeg – this ingredient is optional, but is does give the bronzer a really nice sun-kissed colour
Arrowroot, tapioca or powdered sugar – helps to lighten the bronzer overall. Use more or less depending on the colour that is right for you. 

DIY All Natural Bronzer
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Ingredients
  1. 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
  2. 1 tsp cacao powder
  3. 1 tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
  4. 2 tsp arrowroot or tapicoa powder (or use organic powdered sugar)
Instructions
  1. Adjust the levels of ingredients to your shade and mix together in a small bowl.
  2. Be sure to break up any clumps until it’s smooth.
  3. Place the powder into a clean, empty compact and pack it in firmly.
  4. Use an all natural bristle blush brush, swipe on your bronzer and viola!
Notes
  1. *Note - use the best, most natural (organic preferably) ingredients when making this bronzer. The 2 most important ingredients are the cinnamon and cacao powder (or cocoa powder), which will give your skin that gorgeous glow. If you don't have arrowroot or tapioca on hand, powdered sugar will work too!
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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My 2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Got a super health conscious and nutrition obsessed foodie on your Christmas list this year?

I’m sure we all have someone on our list that is difficult to buy for. Especially if they happen to be someone that is concerned about what they eat, they body care they use and is only interested in paleo-vegan-quality-type recipe books. 

Trust me, even the people I know really well (um, like my boyfriend), I still have a hard time shopping for!! Christmas shopping can be a hard task and I’m all for getting people gifts that will add value to their lives and are health conscious options. Hope the options below inspire your gift giving:

  1. Living Libations – The Seabuckthorn Best Skin Ever is my favourite skin care oil, ever! It’s my everything! Nadine Artemis, the beauty behind this incredible line, sources out the best oils and everything is super high quality and beyond natural. From skin care, to dental care, non toxic perfumes and men’s products, you will love everything about this company from the moment you infuse your skin and senses. 
  2. Pure + Simple – I just had to include another skin care line, because let’s face it, women love skin care and want their skin to be vibrant and healthy. Plus, who want’s chemicals, toxins and hormone disruptors seeping in through their skin? Not me! Pure + Simple has incredible all natural toners, cleaners, skin oils, makeup and suncare products. Plus, they have some amazing gift packs available this time of year. 
  3. Grovemade – Using natural woods and a ton of heart and love, Grovemade crafts beautiful products. We’re talking, iPhone cases, laptop cases, computer stands, lamps, cool desk accessories and one very awesome watch! If you have a techie in your life that is glued to their iPhone or laptop all day, these amazing gifts may be right up their alley. 
  4. Salty Kisses & Hippie Floss Oil – my very own line of all natural and holistic dental products. Of course these are all natural and toxin free; I wouldn’t have it any other way. From whitening teeth, to reducing tooth sensitivity, strengthening gums and preventing cavities, I promise you’ll love these products from the very moment you use them. I often hear from customers that after their very first use, they feel like they just left the dentists chair. Yup.. you’re teeth will feel that clean!
  5. Chocolate – I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate. Two brands I love are Giddy Yoyo and Sacred Chocolate. Both contain only the best, most natural ingredients used in their raw state. These make for great stocking stuffers and being that there are so many incredible flavours to choose from, I guarantee there’s a flavour for everyone. 
  6. Undiet Cookbook – the best part about this shopping guide is that I know the people behind most of the companies I’ve listed and my dear friend Meghan Telpner, is the amazing women behind this delicious book. You can grab your copy on Amazon.ca or in the U.S. on Amazon.com. It’s full of over 130 of the most amazing plant based recipes and will satisfy the vegan or paleo foodie in your life. 
     
  7. eCookbooks & Health Guides – If you’re more of techie and enjoy reading your books off your iPad (which is great for travelling), you can grab many of my ebooks on my shop page. From simple detoxes, to healthy holiday desserts and living the Qualitarian Life, you’ll find lots of great info about health, wellness, weight loss and of course, delicious and gluten free recipes. 
  8. Essential Oils – I diffuse oils in my house daily as well as use them on my skin and to clean the house. Oh! I even use them to do laundry! Ok, so, I use them often! From incredible quality oils, to diffusers and xmas gift sets, doTerra has an amazing selection to choose from. P.S. If there’s one oil you buy for your skin, make it Frankincense. It’s healing, nourishing, and full of anti-aging nutrients. 
  9. Animals – Yes, I mean real live furry cute animals. With so many animals needing homes, Christmas is the perfect time to adopt a pet and give an animal a loving home forever. Head on over to your nearest animal shelter or humane society with your family and adopt a pet today! 
  10. Health – YES!! Nothing better than giving the gift of health! I have gift certificates available for my services and my Metabolic Weight Loss Program. If you’re looking to help a friend or family member get healthy in the new year and get back into their skinny jeans, send me an email at samanthagladish@gmail.com and we can arrange to send you a gift certificate.

Aside from these amazing ideas and gift options, there are much more simpler gifts you can choose to give, such as, cooking your partner a nice meal, baking homemade granola and packaging it mason jars with cute bows, heading out to go ice skating with your family with some homemade hot chocolate in hand or donating to a family in need or your favourite charity. 

Either way, I hope your gift giving and holiday shopping doesn’t stress you out too much! Have other companies and gift giving ideas you’d like to share? Post in the comments below and let me know 🙂 

Happy Shopping!

 

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All Natural Lip Balm Recipes You Can Make At Home!

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I don’t know about you, but as soon as the cold weather hits, my lips get a little drier. 

Switching from air conditioning to heat, not getting enough sun (ie. vitamin D) and not drinking enough fluids are just some reasons why you may be suffering with dry lips that are cracking and don’t have that oh-so-smooth look.

Oh! and did you know that your generic (drug store brand) lip balm could be making your dry lips worse! Yes, its true! With fragrances, mineral oils and nasty chemical preservatives, most lip balms just don’t provide the right ingredients and nourishment that your lips really need. 

Enter my Do-it-Yourself Lip Balm recipes that are super easy to make and contain no chemical anything! They provide essential fats that help to soothe dry and irritated lips, and protect them from the dry and cold weather. 

You’ll have kissable lips in no time. Plus, you’ll smell super yummy 🙂

Time to get crafty…

Citrusy Lip Balm

Ingredients:

1 tsp apricot kernel oil
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp beeswax
Lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit essential oil.

Directions:

  • Choose the oil you like, you will only need a few drops, about 2 drops.
  • Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over medium-low heat.
  • Add the apricot and coconut oil to the pot.
  • Stir the whole time to maintain a smooth consistency.
  • Remove from heat, keep stirring and let it cool down.
  • Add your essential oil of choice and stir a bit more.
  • Pour into a plastic container or jar and store in a cool place.
  • You can experiment with using more beeswax so that the balm will stay more solid at room temperature.

Chocolate Mint Lip Balm

Ingredients:

2 Tbs beeswax
3 Tbs cacao butter
3 Tbs shea butter
1/4 tsp pure Vitamin E
2-4 drops of peppermint essential oil

Directions:

  • Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over medium-low and remove from heat while constantly stirring to keep smooth consistency.
  • In another bowl, melt the cacao and shea butter in a double boiler.
  • Mix the melted beeswax, shea and cacao butter together.
  • When the mixture is consistent, add Vitamin E and stir a bit longer.
  • Finally, add the peppermint oil, stir and pour into a lip balm container.
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Chocolate Avocado Pudding (the best guilt free dessert!)

Yes… you heard right, I said chocolate AVOCADO pudding!

Who woulda thought right?!

I swear this creamy dreamy treat tastes so divine, you’d have NO idea that it contains avocado. It takes minutes to make and doubles as an icing for cakes or cupcakes.

As a bonus, this pudding can be used as a face mask! It might sound crazy, but the avocado and coconut oil are incredibly moisturizing for the skin and honey is an incredible humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This makes honey a natural fit in a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners.

The cacao contains tons of antioxidants which helps fighting aging and wrinkles, so all around, this pudding can do many things and will probably become your new favourite dessert and beauty care product. 

As a bonus, chocolate (cacao powder) is one of the richest sources of magnesium, which helps to manage pms cramps, tight and sore muscles and is a great relaxing mineral. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. And may I point out… when I first started dating my boyfriend Gaetan, I whipped up this dessert for him one night and can I just say… he fell even more in love with me! It’s true that a way to a mans heart is through his stomach 🙂 

Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Serves 2
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. Half an avocado
  2. 2-3 tbsp raw cacao powder
  3. 2 tbsp raw honey
  4. 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until well combined. All done! You can double or triple this recipe to use as a frosting on cupcakes.
  2. Top with your favourite nuts and seeds, berries, bananas or shredded coconut.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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