Kelp: the oceanic plant with skin, health, and thyroid benefits When you think of kelp, you probably think of slimy green seaweed. Maybe you imagine it grazing your leg in the ocean and sending chills down your spine.
Aloe Cadabra – each tube is carefully filled over 95% Full of Organic Aloe Vera to moisturize and sooth.
Moisturize
Lubricate
Replenish
You’re likely here because you care what you put on your body. So, the question of just what the best lubricant ingredients are has probably crossed your mind. We know it’s crossed ours! We’ve recently discovered a great website from the non-profit Environmental Working Group: www.cosmeticsdatabase.org.
The website ranks the toxicity of products and ingredients and tells you what the potential dangers are of the ingredients in any formula. We encourage you to check it out and see just how “clean,” your lubricant is. Better yet, take a look at the toxicity of all of your cosmetics and skin care products. It’s a great independent source of information that can help you make great decisions and ensure the things you put on your body are As Natural As Nature, just like Aloe Cadabra (When we ran Aloe Cadabra through, we got the lowest toxicity rating of any lubricant we know of!). And, you might just be surprised to find that something you thought was all natural may not be so as much as you’d hoped!
Here’s to your health and knowing just what you’re putting in your body.
To be continued…
Common antioxidant found to slow down usual signs of aging in the skin People have long searched far and wide for a natural way to keep the skin looking young, and now it seems scientists have finally found it in the form of a common antioxidant.
The antioxidant, methylene blue, helps the skin retain more water and increases its thickness thus reducing lines and wrinkles. According to scientists at the University of Maryland, the improvements provided by the antioxidant could be permanent. Methylene blue products are safe, inexpensive, and can readily be found on the market. READ MORE
Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Although not exactly a popular topic of discussion, vaginal dryness is an issue most women face at some point in their lives. Because of this, most people don’t realize just how common this problem is (yeah, it actually impacts about 95% of all women) or the joy that can be found working with your body to resolve the issue while maximizing your personal enjoyment when it appears.
Causes of vaginal dryness are fairly common and range from the following:
· Stress / Emotions
· Menopause
· Natural changes in hormone levels
· Chemotherapy
· Childbirth
· Allergies
So here’s the inside skinny. Our bodies function better with regular sexual activity. It keeps our juices flowing both literally and metaphorically. Studies show that natural lubrication keeps our organs in strong working order. But, as stated above, our emotional health is just as important. Making a connection with our partner on a deeper level enhances the sexual experience while helping to lessen our stress levels and strengthen our relationships is just as key. Time spent talking, sharing, and reminding each other of why you enjoy being together in the first place strengthens your bond, and enhances your intimacy. As it leads to sexual intimacy, your body’s natural juices will begin to flow. Of course, using a favorite organic personal lubricant from our fabulous Aloe Cadabra lineup helps enhance pleasure while aiding in the healing process.
When it comes to stressors in life, it doesn’t take much to picture the causes. Whether your stressors are caused by career, family, finances, or some other unlisted issues, it’s important to remember that you are in control and make a change. Take time to breathe, exercise, or relax with people you enjoy. Laugh. Have fun. But whatever you do, when stress starts to impact your mind and body, make a change. It will have an enormous impact on stress induced vaginal dryness, not to mention improve the rest of your life.
So what does this have to do with dryness? A healthy vagina’s made up of many layers of cells, stays lubricated with clear fluid, which keeps the vagina healthy, elastic and is noticeable when aroused. The amount of lubrication that occurs is affected by different factors such as the above list, along with low estrogen, fatigue, medications, pregnancy, drying and chemically based soaps.
Vaginal Dryness causes symptoms ranging from irritation, itching and burning, avoidance of sexual intercourse, lack of libido, and thinning and drying of the vaginal wall. Many women even believe that sex drive/libido go away during menopause. Reality is, studies have shown that’s not necessarily accurate. In fact, 80% of women report symptoms of vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause.
Here are a few basic options for dealing with vaginal dryness:
1. Drink plenty of water to ensure hydration. Eat a balanced diet and take nutritional supplements as needed.
2. Be careful about using harsh chemicals, soaps, douches and other products containing allergens, dyes and fragrances. They mess with your pH balance. Common chemicals to avoid are petroleum, silicone, propylene glycol, glycerin, chlorhexidine, phenoxyethanol and parabens.
3. Don’t forget the importance of sex. Natural lubrication may take a bit longer, but it is still there.
4. Use an organic personal lubricant. You want to read the labels and be AWARE of what you put in there! A lot of “Natural” ingredients are toxic, drying and well just not what you want on your most delicate parts.
At the end of the day, vaginal dryness is normal. There’s no shame in it, just a lack of discussion and understanding. In fact, it’s highly treatable in the most pleasurable of ways! All it takes is a little attention.
The French Lavender didn’t stand a chance, but Crunchy Betty knew that the full-sized bottles of Natural and Tahitian Vanilla were meant to be passed along. In her words:
With trembling fingers, I tore into the huge package and immediately opened the french lavender. It smells like running through the English countryside, the gentle wind tousling your hair as you throw it back and smile at the Orlando-Bloom-esque man who’s frolicking behind you carrying a bouquet of flowers and an engagement ring.
But, sorry. You can’t win that one. I opened it. It’s mine.
And I keep looking longingly at the other two boxes full of aloe goodness, but I know in my heart that the universe wants me to pass on the love.
Now, I can’t give you a full monte review here, because I haven’t used the Aloe Cadabra in it’s, um, marketed use. As you know, Fiance’s out of town and … yeah.
However! I will tell you that this stuff is AWESOME as a hand softener. I use it a couple of times a day – just slather it on – and my hands don’t only smell divine, but they’re super soft.
And it worked wonders that one time a few days ago when I forgot that the backs of hands and broilers ne’re should meet. I had a huge burn that is now completely healed (four days later), and I gotta thank Aloe Cadabra for that magic.
I can only dream of the other kinds of magic it could bring.
Oh, Orlando.
Those two bottles have moved on, but keep an eye on Betty for natural beauty recipes, home remedies, and life humor…and who knows what else she’ll give away! (Plus you can still participate in the sharing of first-kiss stories if you want to!)
