La Bella of the week, Danielle Conway.

Our "Bella" this week is a veterinary student in the Midwest that loves animals, beauty and adventure.  Danielle Conway is a busy gal that quotes one of our favorite writers of all time, Mark Twain, which makes her pretty awesome in our book. 

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Danielle Conway: Danielle Conway. An east coast girl in the midwest, trying to chase down a dream.
LBF: Where do you live?

DC: Madison, Wisconsin.

LBF: What is your occupation?

DC: Veterinary Student.
Im especially passionate about integrative medicine and species appropriate nutrition.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

DC: Pisces... but does it fit me?

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

DC: I'm a huge nerd! What little free time I have that I'm not studying is spent with my husband and or my eclectic menagerie of animals. Some of my favorite activities include rock climbing, hiking, skiing, yoga, canoeing, visiting our awesome local tea shop or going on local artist gallery tours. I also spend a lot of time researching and learning about integrative veterinary care and nutrition because its not part of our curriculum.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

DC: I've really had a hankering to visit Australia, because it is a gorgeous place and there is a famous veterinary herbalist that I want to learn from based in Australia. Or I would globe trot with my best friend who has taken a year to travel the world.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

DC: Everything! I have a wonderful husband, loving family and friends and I'm chasing down a dream. I am incredibly blessed!

LBF: What made you try organic products?

DC: I believe in sustainability and trying to leave this world a slightly better place by whatever small means possible.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

DC: Well I'm chronically sleep deprived during the semester. And if you shadowed me during a
crazy exam week or during finals, hygiene is definitely the first to go, showering becomes a
luxury. Yup vet students are a dirty bunch :)

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island
without?

DC: At a minimum dental floss, deodorant and coconut oil! When I'm stressed out a little concealer, mascara and RMS beauty highlighting balm does wonders! When I have time Im a huge beauty product junkie, some brands I'm currently loving are RMS, Vapor, 100% pure, Alima pure and Terra Firma.


LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

DC: Studying

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

DC: This quote suits me best: "She was not quite what you would call refined.
She was not quite what you would call unrefined.
She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."
- Mark Twain: Following the Equator

Danielle and Hans

We like a woman who can save a puppy, climb a mountain and whose goal  is to meet a famous veterinary Australian herbal nutritionist.  You. Go. Girl!  Good luck with your studies, get sleep when you can and make the world a better place. We know you can do it.

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

It's been so busy over here in the LBF studio lately! I'm definitely not complaining, but I've barely had time to menu plan or grocery shop, let alone cook dinner. Thank goodness for some of the frozen dinners at Trader Joe's. I'm not a big fan of frozen meals, but they have some decent choices, and sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's got to do.


Not being able to justify another frozen meal for dinner, I was trying to think of something quick, easy, and tasty. Then my husband remembered a pasta recipe I tried a few months back that he really liked. I found the recipe from a blog called Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It's really satisfying and quite delicious with the flavors of roasted asparagus and balsamic reduction. Of course, I had to put my own little spin on it by adding toasted pine nuts; I think that nutty flavor makes it something a little more special, and as an added bonus, pine nuts are high in B vitamins and vitamin E.

Asparagus has to be one of my favorite vegetables. It's great for your body, especially your skin. It's loaded with antioxidants, vitamin B6, thiamin, vitamin C, folic acid, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, sulfur, vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese,  and potassium. It also contains silica, which promotoes healthy hair, nails and a glowing complexion.
  
Because the recipe calls for cheese and butter, it is not veganr. I suppose you can use a vegan butter substitute, such as Earth Balance, and a vegan Parmesan substitute. If anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out.

Penne with Balsamic Butter and Roasted Asparagus

INGREDIENTS
1 pound fresh asparagus spears cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt and more salt to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup balsamic vinegar (I added another 1/8 cup)
1and 1/4 teaspoon light or dark brown sugar
1 pound penne pasta, mostaccioli, or zitit
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces (I use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe)
 2-3 tablespoon pine nuts
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the asparagus on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and 1/4 tsp of the salt and black pepper. Roast until tender and just starting to brown in spots about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the asparagus roasts, put the the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the pinenuts until golden, tossing frequently. Start your pasta water.

Put the vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the vinegar is reduced to about 3 tablespoons, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar and some freshly ground black pepper.

Cook the penne according to directions on the package. Put a  ladle or two of the pasta water in a bowl. Drain the pasta water and immediately return it to the pot, do not drain it for to long. Stir in the butter and vinegar mixture. Toss until pasta is coated, adding  a bit of the pasta water to help coat. Add in the asparagus, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and the salt to taste.

I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe. I'm so glad I found this on Mel's blog! Stay tuned for next week's Meatless Monday recipe.

 

                                                                                                        En Bonne Sante,

                                                                                                                     Karen

                                                            

La Bella of the week, Heather Hamilton of Zoe Organics

This week's "La Bella" is the CEO and founder of Zoe Organics, (a clean and natural product line made with loving care for Mom and baby) Heather Hamilton.  Heather is an entrepreneur and formulates all of her lovely products herself.  She is also a mutual lover of all things Spanish.  Just look at her skin, she beams organic beauty!

Heather Hamilton

La Bella Figura:  Who are you?


Heather Hamilton:  Wife, mother, entrepreneur with fire in my belly for the inspiration that often comes in the wee hours of the morning.


LBF:  Where do you live?

HH:  In a beautiful little community just north of the Napa Valley, in Northern California.


LBF:  What is your occupation?

HH:  Founder/CEO of Zoe Organics


LBF:  What is your astrological sign?

HH: Pisces

LBF:  What do you do for fun and recreation?

HH:  I love to run. Especially when I have a few hours early in the morning to run by myself. These days you will most likely see me running with a child or two in a jogging stroller - but that's fun too! I was blessed to have spent a lot of time growing up in the great outdoors; camping, hiking, skiing, cycling, etc., so these activities are amongst my favorites, even if I don't get to do them as often as I'd like.


LBF:  If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

HH:  Ha! This changes weekly - but I spent my freshman year of college in Spain and have always wanted to take my husband back for a romantic trek through some of my favorite Spanish cities. There is so much to love! The people, food, music, history, breathtaking countryside...and the language - I'm not fluent, but I should be!


LBF:  What do you enjoy most about your life?

HH:  My family. I have an incredibly loving, brilliant husband to whom I have been married to for nearly 10 years. We have been blessed with 3 gorgeous, vibrant children who challenge us, love us unconditionally, and make us better people. I can't talk about family without mentioning my parents; who taught me how to love and who fostered my passion and dreams. They are still encouraging and supporting these dreams!

I also love that I wake up every morning excited about my work. They say you are doing what you are supposed to do when it doesn't feel like work. I can honestly say that (apart from bookkeeping) Zoe Organics is energizing to me! And I love the flexibility that comes with being a mompreneur.


LBF:  What made you try organic products?

HH:  Probably the most common reason out there - motherhood. I have always been conscientious about nutrition, but it wasn't until I had my first child, in 2006, that I began to scrutinize everything that I put on or into my son. Research dug up some ugly facts about mainstream cosmetics and it was only a matter of time before I was making my own.


LBF:  If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we
find out about you?

HH:  Hahaha...most work days, I simply shower and put on yoga pants and my favorite tee or hoodie. I have the "luxury" of working from my home office and product studio, so if I'm not going out, I stay as comfortable and low maintenance as possible!


LBF:  What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

HH:  Oh, this is a great question! I could care less about make-up (especially on a desert island), so my staples would include; lip balm (something with shea or cocoa butter) body butter or a face & body balm. Of course, I have a long list of my favorite plant ingredients, but that's probably a different question. :)


LBF:  What will you be doing this weekend?

HH:  Oh, my husband and I were just talking about it this morning. I will be making product. Lot's and lot's of it!


LBF:  Sum up a motto that best describes you:

HH:  The last Christmas we spent with my late sister-in-law, Suzanne Hamilton, she gave me a ring with the french inscription "il faut vivre et non pas seulement exister". The English translation is "one must live and not just exist". This is a reminder to me that life is most certainly a gift. I am learning to focus my energy on the things that matter most, be willing to take risks and let go of the things I cannot control.

Thank you Heather for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be our featured Bella this week.  You are a rockstar and your kids are just adorable!  Keep that fire in your belly burning and keep creating those wonderful products for Mom and baby.  We hope you all make it to a beautiful Spanish vacation soon. 

Check out Zoe Organics at www.zoe-organics.com  

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

Awhile back I received an email from Tasting Table that was a letter from Mario Batali  about a movement called Meatless Monday's. It was the first I'd heard about Meatless Mondays and as a vegetarian I was thrilled to see it endorsed from someone as famous and carnivorous as Batali.

I'm not one of those vegetarians that are hyper sensitive about meat, would I love it if the whole world went veggie? Of course, but as much as I really care about the plight of animals I also recognize that eating habits are a deeply personal and cultural thing. I'm overjoyed that so many people are embracing this movement. It's great that people are recognizing that you can eat satisfying veggie meals and that reducing your meat intake by one day makes a HUGE difference not only for your body but also for our planet.

I thought it would be fun to share some of our  favorite meatless recipes with you each week. Sometimes our recipes will be vegan and sometimes just plain old vegetarian.

This week is all about getting dinner on the table quick! Here at La Bella Figura we are very busy gals and sometimes dinner needs to get on the table fast.

Cannellini Hummus Pita Sandwich

 This recipe is strictly no cooking and only requires a food processor. The best part of this recipe is that you can tweak it to your hearts desire. Swap the raw garlic for 2 -3 cloves of roasted garlic, add Tabasco, or  spices such as cumin or sumac. If you have the time to grill thinly sliced eggplant that works great in here as well. The sky's the limit!

For the Hummus: 

1 garlic clove chopped

2 cups of cannellini beans soaked and cooked according to package 

   or 1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed

1-2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (fresh really does make all the difference)

2-3 tbsp olive oil or culinary Argan oil

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you want the heat)

1/8 tsp paprika

1/3 cup loosely packed fresh parsley

salt to taste

For the Sandwich:

1 and 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves 

1/2 zucchini or a cucumber thinly sliced

thinly sliced red onions (as many as you like)

thinly sliced tomatoes

4 pita breads (whole wheat or white)

Add all hummus ingredients except the parsley to the food processor, process for about 2 minutes until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse to chop. Add salt and mix.

Spread hummus on inside of pita breads, top with zucchini, spinach, tomatoes and onions.

Serve with carrots, sweet potato fries, or chips.

Hope you enjoy this fast and easy recipe! Stay tuned for next week's Meatless Monday recipe.

                                                             En bonne santé,

                                                                                                 Karen 

 

*Note: To ensure this recipe is vegan, check the ingredients in your pita bread. While most pita's are made with just flour and water some companies will use egg.

Being A Green Houseguest

I recently went to Austin, Texas to visit some friends who were generous enough to host me in their beautiful home.  I was provided my own bedroom with a television, reading chaise by a window, private bathroom and to my surprise and delight, organic shampoo and conditioner, natural shower gel and a soy based scented candle!  Now, these friends know very well that I'm a natural and organic freak so I wasn't surprised, but it did remind me of the many times I've been a houseguest and had forgotten to bring my own apothecary.   What did I do?  Well, I'll tell you that in a million years I would never demand or request anyone housing me to buy natural and organic products just for me.  That would be rude and beyond demanding and I my Mama didn't raise a brat.  I can and have dealt with using whatever was on hand.  However, I just avoid the whole thing by keeping recycled 1 oz. containers full of soap, argan oil, body wash, and shampoo.  It's also very useful to keep those sample packets that you receive from cosmetic products.  Those saved my life on a trip to Belize when I was so allergic to the super perfumey soap,  (I couldn't even tolerate it being in the shower with me!).

These days (even when staying at luxury hotels or resorts, they need to get green desperately) I bring my own loot and a little extra for my hosts.  In addition to the awareness I have about the chemicals and toxins in conventional cosmetics I also suffer from allergies to many fragrances.  I'm the gal that begins to sneeze up a storm when I pass the perfume department giving dirty looks to the lady "innocently" spraying me.  Chemical fragrances really disagree with me and my skin has broken out in hives more than once while spritzing myself.  Now that I know better, I also know that I should bring my own toiletries while visiting others and staying in their homes.  It's less awkward and more eco friendly than asking for directions to the local Whole Foods to buy travel sized products. 

I have often been asked about my natural products by a curious host and have even been able to convert a few friends to clean products.  I sometimes leave the extras to those interested.  I also send a small basket of organic soaps, body wash, toothpaste and candles as a sweet thank you gift.  It's a great way to introduce the clean living philosophy without being so preachy.   

I've compiled a couple of products that you can easily buy at your local natural food and wellness store.  Perhaps the next time you are making your way to Thanksgiving at your Aunt's house in Arizona you'll remember to pack your own goodies and bring some extra for her.  She'll be likely to invite you for a long weekend again in anticipation of the gorgeous organic products you'll deliver right to her house!  AND she's your Aunt so you want her to use healthy green products that she'll love.  Right?

A colorful display of olive oil based soaps

My hostess basket favorites:

Pacifica Mediterranean Fig Soy Candle

John Masters Organic Bare Unscented Shampoo

Weleda Calendula Toothpaste

California Baby Tea Tree And Lavender Body Wash

La Bella Figura La Curacio Lip Treatment

Solay Wellness Stress Relief Bath Soak With Himalayan Salt

Post by Victoria

La Bella of the week, Clara Montes.

Our pick of the week, Clara Montes is a friend of ours and a beauty snob. Clara is a Brazilian living and working in the States that brings back great products for us to try on her trips to Rio.  She is a witty and sassy chick and quite the Einstein to boot.

Who are you? 

Clara, just a simple girl living in complicated times.

Where do you live?

My body is in Chicago, my heart is always in Rio.

What is your occupation?

An economist and professor.

What is your astrological sign?

I'm a fish! Hahahahahahaha!

What do you do for fun and recreation?

These days not much because I'm in a classroom most of the time and when I'm not I'm in front of a computer.  Summers are different for me.  I travel and go visit friends all over.  Like all Brazilians I love being outside and at the beach.  I boogie board and surf.  I also like to cliff dive!  It's crazy and a little dangerous, but very thrilling.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

Good question.  I probably would go to Japan.  I have always been fascinated with Japanese culture.  I would love to learn a little Japanese first.

What do you enjoy most about your life?

My independence.  Growing up we did not have much money and we were limited.  Having a job and a little money means I get to be independent and have a little freedom. 

What made you try organic products?

You!  I'm kidding because in Brazil we use coconuts in everything. We drink the water in the morning to hydrate, use the oil in our hair and on our skin.  Almost everything you can buy on the street is very fresh and natural.  My Mother used to make us natural "lipstick" with acai juice and coconut oil because we couldn't afford makeup.  Who knew that I would revert back to natural products because it's better for you.  My Mom should have been the Brazilian Estee Lauder.  I will also try any good organic shampoo. I have about 15 bottles of shampoo in the shower.

If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

A lot of embarrassing things.  I don't sleep much, I don't exercise much and I drink a lot of coffee.  I try to wash my face every night, but sometimes I forget if I'm working late.

What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

I guess a comb for my hair because I hate tangles,  shampoo, toothpaste, a good moisturizer and a mirror to look at myself and use to attract attention from a plane.  I would go crazy on a desert island. 

                                               What will you be doing this weekend?

Writing, cleaning my apartment and making soup.  If I ever get to leave my apartment I would love to take my friend Victoria out to a new wine bar here in Hyde Park.  One day, I hope.

                                              Sum up a motto that best describes you:

Antes pouco do que nada.  It means, half a loaf is better than none.  I always remember that when I think I haven't accomplished enough or want more.

 

Thank you so much for a fun interview Clara.  We wonder what kind of soup you'll be making and where you'll go cliff diving next!  Thanks for the tip of mixing coconut oil with acai berries, sounds like an experiment for LBF. We'll be sure to send you text messages to remind you to wash your face.                                                                                                                               

La "Bella" of the week: Organic beauty, Brittney Scott

We are asking beauty lover Brittney Scott a couple of questions about her likes and her beauty routine. Brittney is a La Bella Figura fan and has a very fun and friendly vibe about her, much like the State in which she lives.\

Who are you?

Brittney Scott, a 25-year-old, La Bella Figura fan! ;o)

Where do you live?

Henderson, Nevada. It's a suburb of Las Vegas.

What is your occupation?

I work as the Client Services Representative for a Vegas-based production company. I get to interact with clients, meet amazing people, and watch great productions develop from the idea stages to
completion. It's a fun job! Plus, my boss has become one of my closest
friends. Huge plus.

What is your astrological sign?

I'm a Virgo! September 10th.

What do you do for fun and recreation?

Wine and mojitos! Does that count? I love hanging out with girlfriends over wine and chatting -with LOTS of laughter- for hours. It's the best inexpensive fun a girl can have- and it's good for the soul! Other than that, I love traveling -which in my life means short weekend trips, when it happens-, anything outdoors, bike rides, hiking with my dogs, and enjoying a soy latte while reading a good book. Those are a few of my most favorite things.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

That's a toughy-I'd have to say Positano, Italy. It's this amazing hillside village on the coast. The photographs I've seen of it are incredible. If you Googled an image of Positano you'd see the hillside covered in the most colorful assortment of buildings, shops, homes, etc. It's gorgeous. Capital One lets you customize the background image of your card and mine is a photo of Positano. I'll visit there one day!

What do you enjoy most about your life?

Everything! Honestly. I have a great life. I feel like I'm never stressed- and if I am, the feeling subsides quickly. I'm always reminding myself how thankful I am for the people and things I have in my life. I have an amazing family and wonderful friends who are truly the greatest set of people I've ever met in my life. I'm a lucky girl.

What made you try organic beauty products?

That's a good question. For a little while now I've been very interested in learning about all things natural and organic related. It's a fascinating topic for me. I love the idea of doing things for the environment and ourselves that is all-natural and most importantly good for you! Anybody who has used or eaten organic for any period of time knows how much better you feel while doing so. It just gives you a natural high. It makes you feel better as a person! I love it. I believe we should use organic products in all areas of our lives and we'd be pleasantly surprised.

If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out
about you?

Oh gosh! Hmmm... that could be A LOT of things! I am going to go
with the fact that I can't not pick anything. I'm horrible about it. Whether
it be blemishes, scabs, or any sort of bump on my skin. I can't keep my
hands away! My biggest skin issue is that I can't stop touching it. I make
bets with myself in my head to try to get myself to stop. haha! It's a work
in progress.

What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a
desert island without?

First, I'm going to say your Bohemia Verde hair
elixir. And I'm not just saying that! It truly reduces my hair regimen time
by a ton (ask any of my friends how long it usually takes me to do my hair) and allows me to wear my hair more naturally. It's wash, apply BV, air dry,
and go! It's amazing. Other than that, I'd definitely need a toothbrush,
toothpaste, cleanser, face moisturizer -Tesoro is great!-, some lip
moisturizer and toilet paper (does that count?). There are other things that
would be nice to have, but those would be the most important.

When you were little what celebrity or icon did you most want to grow up to be like?

This is embarrassing, but Britney Spears. I didn't want to be
like her, I wanted to be her. So much that I changed my name from Brittney with two t's to Britney.
Only within the last couple years did I start using my original spelling
again. My friends still make fun of me for it!

What will you be doing this weekend?

On Friday morning I leave for Denver to visit my beautiful sister who is attending college there! She's my best friend and I only get to see her every so often, so I'm excited. We're going to the Jason Aldean concert downtown Friday night, which we got amazing front seats for, and then the rest of the weekend we'll spend exploring Denver and Boulder. I'm looking forward most to going to the Farmer's Markets in the mornings! It will be a fun girl's weekend.

Sum up a motto that best describes you:

"Be as you are." I feel in this day and age everyone is so caught up trying to be like someone else. We were all made and meant to be different so I'm constantly reminding myself to embrace and appreciate my own self -quirks and all- and to stay true to who I am. If anything, that's one thing that I've grown to be good at- being myself.



We think Brittney is absolutely adorable and we love her candor and admission to being a Britney fan! Don't you wish you could hang out with her and her sister at the Jason Aldean concert this weekend? We couldn't agree more with her choice of destination in travel.

Have fun Brittney and we want to see your lovely pictures when you make it to Positano!

xo La Bella Figura

Beauty, wine and chocolate!

Last night Chicagoans were able to experience a real luxurious collaboration between us and Vosges Haut Chocolat. Vosges is a Chicago based exotic chocolate company that has paved the way for gourmet chocolate in America and has done one hell of a job at that! Both Karen and I are huge Vosges girls. My favorite is the Barcelona bar and Barcelona almonds, as a matter of fact I can easily polish off a box of the almonds in one sitting.

La Bella Figura offered samples of our best sellers to people that came in to the boutique to experience this unique beauty event and came across many curious folks who wanted to learn about the benefits of going natural in their beauty routine. It was very exciting for Karen and I to talk about our handcrafted brand, based in the same city where a pioneer like Vosges is from. I have followed Vosges and their CEO/creator Katrina Markoff, who is an exemplary business person and a mentor to small businesses. Katrina had vision for her creations and was not quiet when she pounded on the big doors of Neiman Marcus. Eventually, someone else with vision tried her magnificent chocolate delights and took her seriously. Since then she has made many decisions to keep her company from having that mass produced, over exposed type of vibe and continues to build her company with compassion and fire. We love that about Vosges and want to express our gratitude in allowing us to make our own roar at her Lincoln Park boutique. She has a great staff and we want to give them a shout out also for keeping a smile on their faces and the chocolate coming last night as the crowd lingered.

It was a beautiful October evening with a huge Hunter's moon bursting in through the glass windows and all I could think of was another piece of chocolate.

Victoria

I am having trouble letting go of summer, as I always do.  Labor Day has come and gone and the fashionistas are already toting their new Fall sweaters, boots and triple wrapped scarves while I am still slipping in and out of my Havainas and refusing to pull out the sweaters. It's not because I favor Summer over Fall either. Mostly, it has to do with the long, cold winters only a Midwesterner can truly appreciate. Besides the fact that one can expect to get stranded on Lake Shore Drive in a blizzard or go on without seeing your friends until the first flower blooms in Spring, it's the hell a Midwestern winter can wreak on your hair, skin and nails! Lucky for you  I am writing this article because I'm going to school you on how to become skin intelligent and have the best looking skin you can!

I receive many emails a day from people asking for help about their skin.  Many of them are so confused as to what is happening to them and how to fix problems both new and chronic.  Some people want a miracle, a cure, even a magic potion to erase wrinkles, age spots and of course zap those unwanted blemishes forever.  Many are so frustrated or confused by company claims and product promises.  Everyone wants beautiful skin and they want it now, fast, instantly!  Now, I am not a Dermatologist or an Esthetician even, just a seasoned woman that has had her share of skin issues.  I've never suffered from chronic acne or eczema or anything else that many people I know have, so generally I've been pretty lucky.  I did have a rather bizarre bout of small white little pimples that cropped all over my neck and would not go away one very trying period when I was the most stressed I had ever been. (Thank goodness for turtlenecks).  I immediately went to a Dermatologist and I have to say she really was one of the most influential people that have helped to change my life. She didn't promise me a magic potion, instead she wanted to get to the "root" of the problem and prevent it from happening again.

She asked me quite a few questions about what was going on in my life, what I was eating, if I exercised, was I laughing everyday, did I incorporate music and dance into my life?  I was ready to bolt out of her office thinking, "how will a joke make these zits go away crazy lady?"  She just smiled and very kindly explained that she believed I was too stressed and most possibly depressed. She went on to inform me when a person is constantly stressed it raises a hormone called cortisol that can have a negative effect on the body.  Chronic stress causes fluctuation in cortisol until the body is so confused it changes chemistry in your brain which also leads to bouts of depression.  Suddenly, you can't quite get back to your brain's normal levels of serotonin or keep cortisol in control and it will cause physiological symptoms such as headaches, achy muscles, and skin disorders!  

My Doctor thought it would be beneficial to me to try a few natural remedies (in addition to some temporary hormone therapy and anti depressants) to get my body, brain and skin back on track.  For those of you that may be suffering some of the same symptoms it may be helpful to discuss this with your Doctor before changing your diet or eliminating any types of food from your diet.

1. Eat plenty of Omegas.  Wild Alaskan Salmon is full of brain rich essential fatty acids, which have been known to regenerate nerve cells and help increase serotonin levels.

2.  Cleanse your body of toxins.  For me, I had been indulging in foods that I knew were bad for me.  Having been told early on that I was gluten sensitive and that I also did not process corn well, I should have known that these foods were causing toxin buildup in my body.  I had to eliminate certain foods for a while and then introduce back into my diet slowly and in whole grain form.  I also began to take probiotics and enzymes and I swear I was suddenly feeling better and tolerating many foods better as well. Some folks suffer true food allergies and do better completely cutting their allergen culprits out.  To this day, I won't go near popcorn and I think my body is better for it.  I can however, still enjoy the smell.

3.  Laugh. Dance. Create.  Sometimes, when we are wrapped up in our 9-5 (or 7-7) jobs we forget to take care of the essence of ourselves.  My true essence has always been a creative outlet (I have painted my entire life) and someplace in fantastic discovery. Working day in and day out without time for friends or family or to catch up with people over dinner is not a good day at all.  Getting home to eat a quick meal in front of the television isn't healthy or social either. Answering emails, phone calls or texts after a long day's work is sometimes necessary, but doesn't allow one much time for real human contact.  Call a friend, sister or better yet invite them over and prepare a salad or listen to good music together.  You can tell your sister she can come over for a few hours and then you need to get some quality shut eye.  If you have a spouse, partner or cat, make time to talk about the good parts of their day also.  Sometimes listening to the person you love is enough to make your heart swell.

4.  Exercise.  Take time to move your body.  Allow blood to circulate, get your heart pumping and move your ass!  If you're scared of sit ups or the treadmill, fear not.  Get out some samba CD's and dance like a fool until you are laughing and breaking a sweat.  Your body needs to move and it will stimulate certain brain chemicals that will make you feel better.  If you're the romantic type tell your partner that an evening walk after sunset will put you in the mood and viola..you'll have an instant exercise buddy!

 5.  Clean up your cosmetic arsenal.  Slowly, but surely and little by little clean up your act and go back to nature for your best skin.  Eliminating toxins, petrochemicals, parabens, phtalates, lead and mercury from your face cleanser, toothpaste, lipstick and favorite body wash will also allow your skin to breathe and release the toxin buildup.  Often times all of these harsh chemicals are the cause if not the actual culprit to our skin disorders.  Before I knew better I had allergic reactions to foundation and would go into a sneezing fit after application.  It took years before I made the connection and transitioned to organic makeup.  Some of the harsh chemicals in face cleansers can actually be the cause of chronic dry skin.  They strip skin of natural oils or cause sebum production to over react and produce oily skin.  Having a natural PH balance that is leveled is your skin's way of letting you know everything is okay and you are healthy.  Your skin is an organ and like other organs in your body when it's healthy you feel well, when it's not you'll know. 

I hope some of what I learned helps others to know there are things one can do to fight acne or other skin issues naturally.  Running to the drugstore to purchase harsh acne aids does not solve the problem.  First, one must understand why the problem is occurring and then prevent it from happening again.  Using natural products full of nutrients, vitamins and pure antioxidants are most beneficial to every skin type and every person. 

Happy Skin Awareness Month!

Victoria

Natural beauty expert Siobhan O'Connor reveiws Découverte on No More Dirty Looks.

Product Review: La Bella Figura Decouverte Eye Repair Serum [UPDATED WITH A LINK]

Posted by Siobhan on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 · 7 Comments

Every so often, we get an email about a natural beauty line that sends our special authenticity detector off the charts.

You know when you can just tell that someone a) is the real deal, and b) would be really fun to have dinner with? Well, when Karen King from Chicago emailed us about her new organic skincare line La Bella Figura, that’s what happened. We wrote her back and asked what she thought her stand-out product was, which is when she told us about her Decouverte Eye Repair Serum.
Plagued with hereditary dark undereye circles—not to mention the occasional not-enough-sleep and too-many-cocktails nights—Karen says she was on a mission to find natural ingredients that would be great for her eyes. “In our research we discovered barbary fig seed oil. I was very interested in the composition of this oil with its very high linoleic acid content and because it contains Vitamin K, which helps stop leaky capillaries, one of the main reason for dark circles. However, I was very skeptical because it is very hard to get, time consuming to produce, and therefore very costly.”

Well, after experimenting on her own mug, she found barbary fig seed oil to be so great that she made an eye serum for the rest of us.

Now, to be honest, I’ve never had much of an undereye-circle issue but I totally have smile lines around my eyes (doesn’t bother me) and in the last few months I have thought the skin under my eyes might feel thinner and as a result, a little darker (bothers me a bit). Also, there are the puffy-eye days. We all have them thanks to things like salty food, booze and tears, and they suck.
I’m happy to report that La Bella Figura eye serum noticeably reduces inflammation on puffy-eye days, hydrates the lines around my eyes, and, yes, the skin under my eyes feels somehow thicker and looks less dark. It’s true! Even if I feel bad recommending a product that costs $115.
Now, am I sleeping better than I did last month? I don’t know, I think so? But the point is, it’s hard to know what’s what—but that’s always the case with beauty products.

There are no silver bullets, lifestyle accounts for a lot, so do our genes, and so does diet, but products certainly can and do work, in their way. I’m going to say this is one of those products.

Here are the ingredients:
100% Pure Organic Argan (Argania Spinosa) Kernel Oil, Organic Opuntia Ficus Indica (Barbary Fig) Seed Oil, Organic Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Wild-crafted Lycopersicion Esculentum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Wild-crafted Coffea Arabica (Coffee Bean) Oil, Wild-crafted Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto) Flower Oil, Organic Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Flower Oil, Organic Helichrysum Italicum Oil, Organic Cymbopogon Martinii Motia (Palmarosa) Oil, Organic Lavandulia Augustifolia (Lavender) Oil.
Also, check out her charming, candid blog here.