JENNA LOBOS

According to The Environmental Working Group Survey, the average women uses 12 personal care and cosmetic products each day, resulting in the exposure to 160 different ingredients. Several beauty products on the shelf today are filled with chemicals that have been linked to cancer and can cause hormonal imbalance, acne, thyroid problems, birth defects, damage to liver and kidneys. Synthetic products may give you the immediate results you are looking for, but it is important to consider the long term health risks you may be exchanging for short term solutions. Switching to a more positive aspect of wanting to look and feel beautiful, let’s talk about what organic skincare can offer you and why you should consider making the switch!

What are the benefits of Organic Skin Care?

*Safe to use. By avoiding toxic synthetic chemicals you are automatically on the front side of the health spectrum and therefore avoiding any possible future risks.

* Gentle on the Skin. If you are someone who has sensitive skin, you’ll find that organic skin care products can improve the condition of your skin by adding life to your skin with natural ingredients rather then stripping your skin with harsh chemicals.

* Nourish skin naturally. Keeping things simple with natural ingredients can keep your skin clean and radiant looking, protecting your skin from any substances that the body cannot process.

Wanna know how to take care of your skin?

Here Are The Top Organic Skin Care Tips:

1. As a rule of thumb, when reading label, look for the words: “Organic”, “Paraben Free”, and “Certified Organic”.

2. Pay Close attention to labels and learn to identify problematic ingredients, for example parabens, phthalates, or propylene/butylen glycol all which have been linked to hormone disruption, liver/kidney damage, allergies and dermatitis. If an ingredient is hard to pronounce or the list is a mile long, chances are the product is filled with harmful synthetics.

3. Shop at your local health food stores for organic skin care or search the web by entering the key words listed in tip one.

4., Avoid petroleum by-products, such as “mineral oil” or “paraffin”, which can be contaminated with carcinogens. They clog the pores and make it difficult for your body to eliminate waste and toxins.

5. Choose products that include essential oils rather than fragrance, which can trigger allergic reactions to the skin and have been shown to cause liver and kidney damage.

6. As always, health begins internally. Get plenty of rest, drink filtered water and stay joyful in your organic lifestyle!

So here in lies a question, what if rather then search for treatments to “fix” your face or body, such as costly surgeries or expensive face treatments, you simply return to self care in a more natural way. Can the aging process be graceful and one with ease? Can you embrace every wrinkle, knowing that it comes with great wisdom? The choice of course is yours, that is the freedom and beauty of it all. Whatever your choice is, know that you are unique and beautiful in your own way, enhance your natural beauty and go out there and shine!!

To your Health and Beauty,

Jenna

www.beautymarkorganics.com

http://www.biskd.com/

(Source: jennalobos.com, http)

One of my favorite homemade drinks is what I call the “Aloe Vera Pick me up” This drink is a great replacement for coffee, before a workout or a mid afternoon drink. This drink contains natural soothing relief for digestion, aids in circulation and also gives you a little boost!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup Aloe Vera Juice (You can use water or coconut water instead of Aloe Vera Juice)

* 1 Lemon (Squeezed)

* 1 tsp. Honey (optional Stevia or Agave Nector)

* 1 tsp. Cayenne  Pepper

* 1/4 cup Ginger (optional)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients and serve immediately. Add ice if you want more of a frothy drink.

Healing properties found in this drink- 

Aloe Vera-

Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12 Some of the 20 minerals found in Aloe Vera include: calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese.Poor digestion is related to many diseases. Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion. Aloe helps with either constipation or diarrhea, helping to regulate your elimination cycles in whatever way you need.  It’s been a great remedy for people with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux. Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria and in our gut keeping your healthy intestinal flora in balance. Due to aloe’s high water content (over 99% water) it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin!

Lemon-

Antiviral, antibacterial and have immune boosting powers. Lemons contain strong anti inflammatory properties. Lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser, helping to rid excess water weight and toxins from  your body. (*TIP- 1/2 lemon and hot water is a great way to alkaline your body first thing in the morning)

Honey-

The best choice would be raw honey which has not been pasteurized or filtered. Honey increases calcium absorption, Works as a natural and gentle laxative, aids constipation, Provides instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar.

Cayenne Pepper-

Cayenne pepper has a wide variety of detoxification benefits for the body. cayenne pepper produces internal heat that causes you to sweat. Since body toxins are often eliminated from the body through the sweating mechanism, this simple effect allows for significant detoxification. Cayenne Pepper will also help stimulate blood circulation, lymphatic circulation and digestive movements. This increased circulation further helps to remove toxins from the body, while supplying essential nutrients to the body’s cells, tissues and organs.

(Source: organic.org, healthkeepers magazine)

As Spring time approaches, I always feel like life starts moving a bit faster, its time to turn our inward reflection from the past year outward with new beginnings. If you are like most people, there has been some big changes that have taken place over the past year and now is a time for letting go of whatever is still lingering to keep moving forward to new and bright places within yourself.  As we enter the busy spring time, it is important to be mindful of taking time for rest. Trust me, I am the first one to admit that sometimes I want to move at lightning speed, impatience gets the best of me and on many days it can feel like there is not enough time to fit it all in.  I have learned the hard way of doing and pushing rather then being. These days, I know that when I slow down, allowing life to happen,  Openness, possibility and opportunity is at the forefront and everyday is much more enjoyable and ahhhh peaceful!!! When we allow our bodies to slow down, we begin to hear our voice and true desires that want to get out into the world. Above all our bodies become stronger and healthier! 

The first sign that our body needs to slow down usually happens with the adrenal glands, any lack of energy, depression, emotional difficulties are common among adrenal fatigue. Asthma may also be a physical sign of adrenal weakness. Other then rest: eliminate caffeine, stress or learn how to effectively deal with stress. Yoga and meditation are a wonderful way to slow the mind and body down, just 5 to 10 minutes a day of silence can have an amazing benefit for your mind, body and spirit. Some of the best foods for nourishing the adrenal glands are, beets, beet juice or goji berries. 

Here is  my Go To Kale Salad with Pecans, Goji Berries or Beets:

Ingredients:

* 3 cups Kale

* 1 cup pecans

* 1/2 cup goji berries or beets (or both)

* 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil

* 1/4 cup onion

* 1 to 2 garlic cloves

Directions:

In a saute frying pan, stirfry the kale and garlic until tender and soft.
Place in a big salad bowl add the goji berries, beets and onion toss all together and serve!

Here some options you can add to your yummy salad:

*Hemp Seeds

*Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts or nut of your choice

*Raisins

*Carrots

*Celery

*Avocado

With your salad and in your life, make it light, enjoy the taste and most importantly have fun!!

What do you do to stay centered and calm in your life?

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

For more health and beauty recipes and tips: Click here and LIKE our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BeautyMarkOrganics

(Source: beautymarkorganics.com, jennalobos.com )

This blog post was inspired by many things in my life right now, a sense of peace and contentment has finally integrated within me, something I have been longing for quite sometime now. I will always be hungry for more knowledge and learning about myself and others, I have this curious quality that I was born with, always questioning life on all levels and always fascinated to know how others think, but right now as I write to you I feel so relaxed knowing that the beauty of life is present, right here, right now!  So here in lies the question, What is your definition of beauty? A beautiful life?  What beautiful creation is just itching to pour out of you?

Beauty has been a topic for millions of years, the definition by society has changed throughout history. It has been wide hips, red lips, short curly hair, long natural hair, flapper dresses, pin up suits… you name it. Beauty will always be different and changing, and your unique definition is what makes it beautiful. Honor your definition, honor your gifts and talents, honor yourself and allow your beauty to shine through!!

A quick reminder, from me to you to shine this year, the time is now!!

Have you ever gone against the grain to break out of a pattern that no longer defined you?? I would love to hear about it!!

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com, beautymarkorganics.com )

Finding time for self care is so important, not only for your physical body, but for your emotional state of mind. When I was still in my old career as a mortgage representative, I had no idea what self care or down time was. I was on the go all the time and my idea of self love was going to a spinning class or running 5 miles, which was adding more stress to my body then eliminating it! Today I have completely changed myself from the inside out. Here are 10 simple tips that I have learned over the years of transformation that you can include in your daily routine or pick one that you like and stick with it for a couple of weeks. Small shifts turn into long lasting habits if you are willing and ready to start! There are no rules to this, but the more you give love to yourself, the more love can pour into your life! It all starts with YOU!! You have the power to transform your body and life and feel great in your skin today!

                                               

1. Start your day with a glass of warm water and lemon. This will alkalize your body for the day and hydrate you first thing in the morning.

2. Drink plenty of liquids during the day with the exception of Sugary drinks. This includes: sweetened tea and sports drinks ( Try giving up all sweeteners for a week or two) This is one that should be a practice every 3 months or at the start of a new season.

3. Try to avoid eating when you are rushed or with unpleasant company. This WILL affect the way your food is digested and assimilated in your body.

4. Do something you love everyday. This may be as simple as a walk, talking to a friend that makes you smile or a nice bubble bath.

5. Start the habit of body brushing, this helps with the lymphatic system, removing dead skin and great for circulation. You can use this on your face as well, great for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. If you are unfamiliar with this, reference the LEGS article on this blog.

6. Get plenty of protein. If you are vegan, vegetarian or Raw food eater.
PEA, HEMP or RICE protein is best to add to your menu.

7. One of the BEST natural stress relievers is BACH FLOWERS. Visit your local health food store and purchase a BACH FLOWER of your choice. Basic Choice: RESCUE REMEDY.

8. Walk. Add walking to your weekly routine, walk with the right food , while you swing the left hand in front of you and vise versa. Some people might call this the “Crawling method” of walking. This will balance both sides of the body, masculine and feminine.

9. Listen to music, the vibration of music is good for your soul! (As long as its soothing)

10. Indulge in some Dark Chocolate. This should be at least 85% to 100% pure Cocoa. Excellent for stimulating “love” chemicals in your brain.( An Amazing Raw Chocolate Recipe is located on Page 1 of this blog)

If you would like more of these tips, visit jennalobos.com and get your FREE 31 TIP guide to more energy and vitality in your life and body today!!

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com, beautymarkorganics.com )

I did not plan to go on a sugar and caffeine hiatus but 14 days ago as I was sipping on green tea I had this thought float through my head. “Jenna why dont you give up caffeine and artificial sweetner for a little while” There are some thoughts that you want to ignore or even tell them to go away but I knew this was one I needed to listen to and take action about. So after enjoying that cup of tea I started my mini vacation from caffeine and any kind of artificial sweetner. My daily eating habits are very healthy, (although I do love me some wine and dark chocolate now and then)  I suppose I was feeling myself drifting toward the stronger teas and my intake was increasing, what ever it was that nudged me to make a small shift, I listened! For those of you that have struggled with giving up caffeine or sugar, here are my top 3 tips to help you start letting go!!

1. Go at your own pace: Where ever you are it is perfect, perhaps you just need to cut down or limit yourself to one cup of coffee or one piece of something sweet per day or switch from coffee to tea. Its not a race or a competition, its about being honest with yourself and finding what works best for you, remember to ask yourself the reason Why you feel giving up caffeine and sugar will benefit you. More energy? Clarity? Weight Loss?  If you are ready to give it up cold turkey, great. Increase your water and fresh juice intake to help your body process the changes you are making. For morning coffee drinkers, a great replacement is hot water with lemon, It is a great way to alkalize your body in the morning and it will help to replace the ritual of drinking something hot when you rise.

2. Listen to your body: For the first couple of days you will probably experience a headache or feel more tired, try to get as much rest as possible. This is a time to pamper yourself in ways you might not do so normally, take a hot bath, get a massage, take walks, listen to soothing music, read a great book, rent a comedy (laughter is always a great healer) Pay attention to the small ways the body tells you what it needs. The one thing that will happen once you eliminate anything artificial is your body calms down, it starts to get back to its natural rythms and cycles, so it will tell you what it needs if you are willing to listen.

3. Reflect Childhood: As a kid you didnt need caffeine to have energy or play, you just enjoyed your day and explored the newness that everyday brought to you. Adults forget about this as we get conditioned over time with busy schedules and other peoples ideas and thoughts about how life is or should be. With this mini reset that you are giving yourself, reflect back and remember that you do have all the energy you need to get through a day without any artificial stuff in your body which includes caffeine or sugar. Perhaps this is a time to take up that hobby that you have been wanting to try or just enjoy life a little more at a slower pace.

What I have learned as I sit here writing to you on day 14 without caffeine or sugar is that I have more clarity and focus, I fall to sleep easily at night and I rise with more energy in the morning. My daily tasks have become easier as I feel I dont procrastinate, rather I just tackle them as they come my way. My mind is more peaceful without the normal racing thoughts but most importantly I can share what I have learned with you!!
For now, I am enjoying my mini vacation and I hope you will join me if you feel this calling out at you!!

Have you ever given up coffee or something you know your body didnt like anymore?? I would love to hear how you handled the shift!

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com,beautymarkorganics.com)

Are any of you considering botox and second guessing if this is the right choice for you? Or do you wish it would of never entered the beauty scene because then there would be no option but to stick to the good ol fashion ways to keep your skin plump and youthful? I am a firm believer in whatever makes YOU feel your best, is the right choice for YOU. When you are struggling with any decisions in life, whether it be a beauty choice or something that will affect the direction of your life, it is sometimes best to hear other people’s opinions, take what you want and leave the rest. Being grounded in who you are and making decisions based on what feels best in your body will lead you to a fulfilling life. When challenges arise (and they will) do your best to solve them with honesty and good intentions! For those of you who are looking for natural alternatives to botox, here are 4 helpful ways, plus one of my favorite homemade masks!

1. Hydration: The elixir of youth and the simple pure essence of what makes up approximately 70 percent of each of us- Water, the importance of
staying hydrated to keep wrinkles at bay is crucial. Hydration keeps the skin plump and supple and it allows nutrients to flow  to new forming skin.
With ample moisture from keeping hydrated the elastin and collagen in the dermis layer of your skin (which is skin beneath the top layer of skin and where wrinkles begin)
keeping ample moisture to this area of the skin allows for a look of vitality. Add more fruits and vegetables which are primarily all liquid.
Drinking water is one of the most inexpensive and natural ways to keep your skin youthful, if you are not fond of plain water, you can squeeze a lime,lemon or orange to add
some zest. Ample fluid intake helps the digestion system moving smoothly, which helps eliminate unnecessary internal toxins, preventing them to show up on your face.

2. Moisturize: Retaining moisture is key to preventing rapid increase in wrinkles and fine lines. Be mindful of drying soaps or cleansers that are used on your face, switch
to milk or cream cleansers. Oils such as, jojoba oil, carrot seed oil, almond oil and coconut oil are highly recognized for regenerating and revitalizing the skin and can be used as your
only facial moisturizer or as a first layer and then followed by a lotion or cream. In the evening when our bodies are naturally in a state of restoration, it is best to allow the skin to
breathe and produce its natural oils, A recommendation is to cleanse the face with a milk based product as the only thing needed for your evening routine with all of the layering of lotions
added to the face as a morning routine.

3. External Brushing: Brushing your face with a medium-soft natural fiber brush helps to stimulate your sebaceous glands which are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete and oily waxy matter, therefore
aiding in the natural moisture in the skin. These glands can be found throughout the body, but one of the area’s where they are located in abundance is on the face. Face brushing can help to remove the top
layer of dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and silky. Face brushing increases blood flow and circulation which can often leave you with a rosier complexion. It also allows oils and lotions to seep into the skin
easier. When exfoliating your face, gently brush in an upward fashion starting from the neck up.

4. Facial exercises and massage:  Begin practicing facial exercises, as they can tone and strengthen the muscles in your face which can help to prevent sagging skin and promote tightness.
Think of this just like you would exercise for toning muscles on your body, when not put to use they become week and limp. A couple of easy face exercises that can be performed everyday are 1.) scrunching up your face and then relaxing. 2.) Placing your fingertips on the muscles on your cheekbones or forehead, holding and then moving your face up and down. The key is to add resistance to the muscles, again just like you would your arms or legs while doing a weight routine.  Another option is to give yourself facial massages, simply massage
your face in a circular motion for about 5 to 10 minutes in the morning, doing this can again bring fresh blood into your face stimulating cell growth, facial massage can also release tension leaving
you feeling relaxed which is a must when it comes to keeping the lines minimized on the face.
—

Egg and Lemon Face Mask

This egg and lemon face mask is the perfect wrinkle preventer, skin lightener and egg mask for oily skin.

Directions

Mix lemon juice and egg.

Apply mixture to face.

Leave on for 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm water.

Moisturize after with a small amount of coconut oil.

Be True to You!

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com, beautymarkorganics.com )

Happy New Year!! I feel like I cant stop saying that! I am in such a great place this year, filled with an overflowing feeling of gratitude knowing that I am on purpose. I did not always feel this way, I have had plenty of self doubt and feelings of uncertainty which led to inner negative emotions that primarily were stored in my liver. The liver is where we hold anger, the gallbladder holds resentment. It is  extremely important to flush these emotions out of the body, physically and mentally. For those of you who feel like you may need to cleanse, here is one of my favorite recipes that helps flush the liver.

Liver Flush Salad: This is a 5 to 7 Day Carrot Salad. This is an effective liver flush, which benefits all parts of the body. Eat with (Or As) your evening meal for seven straight days each month.

Ingredients:

* 1 Cup finely shredded carrots

* 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (cold pressed, virgin)

* 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (from a real fresh lemon)

* Raisins, ripe pineapple, apples or dates can be added (Optional)

Directions:

Mix Ingredients together and serve

Where are you storing your negative emotions and what action can you take to help move them out of your body?

To your Health and Beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com)

In my morning meditation a couple of days ago, I had a vision of a butterfly, I didn’t think much about it but there it was in my thoughts. I decided to look up the significance of the butterfly (more on that in a bit). That night here is what poured out of my head on to my note pad in which I keep close by these days.

I am a butterfly, I accept my changes, I fly gracefully through life showing all of my colors. I have learned through my transformation in such a short period of time that I am in faith, that I am supported and loved, therefore I am without fear and shame. I trust that by showing my true colors I will show others that it is OK to show there’s.

The significance of the butterfly which we can all learn from; The butterfly is a symbol of transformation its impressive transformation takes place in a very short time span (about a month). From egg to Larvae (caterpillar) to pupa (the cocoon) and from cocoon the butterfly emerges in its unfurling glory. Consider the massive amount of energy this tiny creature expends. Imagine the whole of life changing to such an extreme that you are unrecognizable at the end of the transformation. The butterfly accepts and embraces the changes of its environment and body casually without resistance or useless fretting. It then asks us to do the same as it fly’s through nature showing its beauty.

I have taken a couple of days to ponder on how the thought of the butterfly is perfect timing right now and how it is a reminder for me to keep expressing my truth. I am committed this year to writing, meditation, listening to my body and taking leaps of faith into the unknown which has taught me to become trusting of myself.

So how would you like to transform this year? How can you show your true colors? How can you gracefully guide through life? What inner shifts can you make to be happier and ultimately feel free? Where can you take risks to help you step out of the comfort zone that is no longer linked to pleasure but has turned into pain? Who are you in your heart of hearts?

My New Year’s message to you is start your transformation now. Take tiny steps out of old habits and into newness. Everyday is a new day to create the body and life you have always dreamed of, one that reflects your true self, one that is free, happy and peaceful! 

What are you committed to this year?

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com, beautymarkorganics.com )

I once had a mentor tell me “life doesn’t have to be this hard” She saw the sadness and desperation in my eyes of wanting a life filled with happiness, love and ease. At the time I was 15 to 20 pounds heavier in weight, even though people did not consider me to be overweight, I was very uncomfortable in my skin, my face was breaking out regularly and my natural positive attitude was having to be “kept up” with coffee and addictive exercise. What I now know is that I had accumulated “stuff” that didn’t serve me, and my body was physically showing the signs in a big way. The “weight” was an armor that was trying to protect me from the stressful job and unhealthy relationship that I was in and ultimately keeping me in hiding from my true self. So why would anybody want to hide from themselves and hang on to heaviness ie: “weight” we might ask? I believe there are many reasons, but one big one is “Fear”, fear of taking a risk, fear of being who you know in your heart you are meant to be but perhaps your family will not accept you, fear of leaving that relationship that is hurtful yet safe and secure. All of these reasons and more keep us holding onto “things” in our life that eventually manifest in “weighty” issues. We try to mask this by eating and drinking in excess or in my case exercising. Its all the same, out of balance and unhealthy. (For the record, I still exercise but now my intention is to feel and connect with my body versus to numb it.) Our bodies are a part of our minds we are not separate, we are whole, so what ever your thoughts are, what ever you choose to believe is true for you, it is and always will be. So if you choose to believe that the “weight” is inherited because everyone else in your family is “heavy”, then that is your reality. The good news is, if you choose to think differently, you will see your reality change! It is scary to let the armor go and allow people in to see your true self, it is vulnerable and can be lonely at times. People in your life might not like this “new” person that you are becoming, they may have to leave your life or perhaps that are unsupportive emotionally by encouraging you to have that drink or eat that extra plate of food. They might make negative comments about your new lifestyle. All of this takes you being strong in your beliefs in what you know is good for you. It may take you to begin a whole new relationship with yourself, one of uncharted territory. You may discover you want to begin a whole new life path simply by letting go of the weight which is a mirror to keeping your heart and life heavy and hard. This new path takes guts and courage which I encourage you to take because it is worth the challenge, you are worth it, because “Life doesn’t have to be this hard”!

If weight loss is part of your goals for 2013, what can you “Let Go” of to help with the intention of feeling lighter and more “AT EASE” in your body in life today? There is nothing like the present to start!I would love to hear your comments or stories!

To your health and beauty!

Jenna

(Source: jennalobos.com)