This weekend has been incredible here in Cornwall. I am blessed to have a Balcony and an incredible view of the Sea and the beautiful St Michaels Mount Marazion

I started to wear my Sandals a month ago here and fortunately I have smooth, soft heels, feet and toes Praise is given 100% for my smooth feet to Live Native “Fresh Feet” I Love, love,love this product.

97% Organic ingredients, Filleted Raw Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, this product is a must have for tired, hard skin feet. After just 3 days you will see the difference So for those gorgeous summer feet and toes go along to Live Native and treat your feet to Fresh Feet

Having now been working in the “Cosemtics Industry” for 2 years I have to say I am pleased and shocked with the amount of products on the market…

I am pleased that there are Organic/Natural Cosmetics more available to the Consumer, as it is vitally important for Women and Men to be informed on the Toxic Ingredients in the products they use daily.

I am however (after 3years of researching in this Mind Field know as “Cosmetics”) a bit concerned at just how many products are out there……Why? I hear you ask……Well think of the manpower, the packaging that is proving not only hard to recycle in this country but in the world, why do we need more? Well I feel unfortunately the market has become flooded,saturated and a bit erm Hypocritical when it comes to Organic and Natural.

when I was looking for products for my site, it was unbelievable what was out there, some great and some were still claiming Organic and or Natural but not, some more concerned with the pretty packaging which we all know as Women does dictate our purchase but unnecessary, some ridiculously overpriced, some flown half way round the world to get here!, some wonderful but so Environmental and focusing on the message people are not interested, some just into it for the £££’s…………………..then you have the competition for websites to sell and come to there site, I got into it as in the Highlands was not available and naive to think an on-line business would open up for Scotland!! Also naive at the fierce competition & sites back biting at sites selling at less!?

I guess I have found out that largely the Organic Natural Beauty market has become just the same as the Toxic Beauty environment we were trying to get away from in the first place!

In an age where we are obsessed with Beauty outwards, and that largely the Cosmetics industry relies on Fear  (Women predominately) I am saddened by some of the people out there manufacturing…. and selling…

Am I alone? Please tell me what you feel

Bismuth Oxychloride as described in the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia :

Bismuth (pronounced /?b?zm??/, BIZ-m?th) is a chemical element that has the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. This trivalent poor metal chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Bismuth is heavy and brittle; it has a silvery white color with a pink tinge owing to the surface oxide. Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic of all metals, and only mercury has a lower thermal conductivity. It is generally considered to be the last naturally occurring stable, non-radioactive element on the periodic table, although it is actually slightly radioactive, with an extremely long half-life.

Bismuth compounds are used in cosmetics, medicines, and in medical procedures. As the toxicity of lead has become more apparent in recent years, alloy uses for bismuth metal as a replacement for lead have become an increasing part of bismuth’s commercial importance.

How interesting?… bismuth oxychloride often causes itching, rashes and mild to severe cystic acne. This is extremely unfortunate since many women are attracted to mineral cosmetics due to their reputation for being good for sensitive skin.

If you choose a mineral cosmetic that includes bismuth oxychloride it may cause additional irritation. If you have had a reaction to mineral cosmetics in the past it is likely because of the bismuth oxychloride in the product.

It is considered a Nano particle which is considered like Talc, to get into the bloodstream and cause major problems in the system…………………………Remember what Asbestos does? it is linked to be very, very much the same thing

Given the choice would you really use something you thought could have a detrimental affect on your body? I am interested as many,many Make-up companies use this to fill out there products and also is a cheap additive.  We need to be asking more questions

WHAT DO YOU FEEL, Please let us know

Dangerous, Skin Cancer, Allergies, we have all seen the pictures and horrible stories of hair falling out, skin falling off, scarring for life and even death!! So what is the truth?

Lets take a look at how hair colouring works.  The pigment that gives your hair its colour resides just under the outer protective layer (cuticle) in the inner structure known as the cortex, these small pieces of pigment show through the cuticle and give you your hair colour.  In order to change the colour you need to do one or a combination of three things:

• Remove the pigment – bleaching which lightens and/or breaks down the pigment so it can be washed away
• Add new pigment into the hair structure
• Coat or stain the outer cuticle layer

The first two have longer or more permanent results, whilst the last one is largely temporary.

The first effect is achieved by bleaching, this does not introduce any pigment into the hair, only removes it.  Bleach should not be confused with Peroxide – Peroxide is required to make bleach and all permanent colour work (more later)

The second is often referred too as Permanent, Quasi Permanent, Tone on Tone and in some cases Semi Permanent.

The third group are often coloured mousse or coloured setting products, and crazy colours fall into this category.

A chance to ask all of your hair questions …

Get some down to earth honest advice from an experienced hairdresser with over 41 years in the industry.

Over coloured, bleached, how to choose a style, face shape, the right products, styling at home, aftercare, growing your hair, dry hair, greasy hair, split ends.   You can’t always get what you want …….. can you?

Why Living Skin Foods?

A few years ago my partner Ian and I created ‘Live Native’, a company producing skin care made from only pure and fresh living ingredients.

Ian and I both follow the principles of a raw vegan lifestyle, so the simplest answer to the question ‘Why Living Skin Foods?’ is to be consistent with these principles. Knowing that our skin absorbs 60% or more of what we put on it (after all, what good is a moisturiser or an anti-oxidant rich serum if it doesn’t supply your skin with assimilable nutrients?) you can see how we view skincare products as ‘food’ as they nourish the skin and body in much the same way.  As our diet is vegan and raw, so too should be our skincare.  Five years ago, when this issue arose for me in particular, raw skin care was simply not available.  So I created my own, drawing on my experience as a homoeopath and nutritional advisor, to develop a range of noticeably smoothing and revitalizing living skin care products.

That’s the short answer. The long one is somewhat more technical!

Heat Destroys

Heating food alters the molecular structure of its living components. Our simple definition of ‘living’ is a substance whose inherent enzymes remain active. Enzymes are the ‘sparks’ of life (literally seen as a ball of electricity when viewed through an electron microscope). They are responsible for every action that takes place in every living cell – the catalysts of life. We know of their role in the digestion of food, but are less familiar with the fact that enzymes are essential for changing the focal point of our gaze, bridging synapses for each original thought, releasing energy within all cells and a multitude of other functions without which life would cease. It is well known that our body’s enzyme stores deplete with age, and are lowest in those who suffer chronic disease. Active enzymes are essential not only for health but also life.

Enzymes are just one component of food destroyed by heating. Proteins become denatured, vitamins are destroyed, minerals are rendered unavailable and phytochemicals are lost. And that’s not all – heating also creates some very undesirable chemicals! Heating carbohydrates gives rise to carcinogenic acrylamide, unsaturated oils can form trans fats, protein bonds resist enzyme action while damaging and ageing free-radicals abound. In the quest for beautiful and healthy skin these compounds are not our friends!

Energy Boosting

The philosophy behind our pure, fresh and living Skin Foods is simply to retain as much of the inherent energetic integrity, vitality and enzymatic life found in every raw ingredient we use in our products. Once raw-blended together, Live Native moisturisers provide a clean and readily absorbing source of food for the cells in your skin. Made to a healthy recipe, they are rich with enzymes, nutrients and energy to cleanse, repair and build new collagen whilst protecting against everyday environmental stress.

Living Proof

Our philosophy certainly seems to be borne out in practice. We are delighted that the people who use our Skin Foods finally seem to have found a brand that works for their skin. Many of our customers have sensitive skin while others have used our Skin Foods to speed healing of burns and post-operative scar tissue; to provide soothing relief in cases of eczema and psoriasis and to rid themselves of acne, athlete’s foot and even cold sores! Customers tell us that our raw Skin Foods appear to work more effectively than their ‘cooked’ heated counterparts, and a number have reported receiving many compliments on the improved appearance of their skin since they began to use Live Native.

(Skin) Diet & Lifestyle

Of course we mustn’t forget that the foundation of good health and beautiful skin is a fresh and nutritious organic diet, plentiful exercise and a good night’s sleep. We believe that feeding your skin with the same care as you would feed your body is indeed a recipe for success. It is our aim to produce a range of beautifully fragrant moisturising Skin Foods, remedial balms, and life loving Home Spa products made from a cold-pressed blend of living tropical oils, mineral rich botanicals and premium quality essential oils.  Our Skin Foods are designed to balance, harmonise and stimulate your skin’s natural healthy glow by simply using nature’s living store of active nutrients, therapeutic enzymes and healing antioxidants.

Plenty of Choice

Our Live Native range is growing rapidly.  From launching with seven moisturisers and balms last year, we now have a complete range of Essential Woman cleanser, mist toner, moisturiser and enzyme-active deodorant – all with the heavenly scent of frangipani and rose.  Our Every Body Every Day moisturiser suits men and women, as do our Fresh Feet and Deep Hair Repair treatments.  We have plenty more new products on the way and we are greatly encouraged by growing consumer demand that we have the right recipe to suit their lifestyle.  Of course you don’t have to be vegan or follow a raw food diet to enjoy Live Native: our range is a luxurious, sensual treat for everybody.  But it’s fair to say, for those increasing numbers of people who embrace an organic, vegetarian, vegan and/or raw lifestyle, living skin foods are a natural complement to living ‘body’ foods.

Please take a look at Live Native products on http://goorganicnow.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page&id=11

This Article was written by Vicky Ewbank Live Native

Consumers watch adverts that promise glass like shine and full luxurious hair full of body – plastic silicone and hair extensions …… smoke and mirrors, plastic fantastic.

Hair is made up of approximately 80% fibrous protein and 13% moisture, an internal glue made from a mixture of phospholipids and fatty acids, which grows from small pockets in the skin.  To strengthen or smooth each hair fibre requires a material that either adheres to the outside surface, or enters into the hair structure and attaches itself to the inner protein structure.

To understand how modern hair products developed to become the bewildering array of choice that we have today, we have to look back at the changes that took place in the late 50’s.

Developments in the cosmetics and personal care market were largely a general split between the European and American markets, and the “natural” or Plastics technologies.

Wide ranging developments in the creation of new plastic technology lead to the attitude of, “we can make it, so what can we use it in?” and at that time the cosmetics market was wide open for the creation of new products to match the new fashions in hair styling.

Cosmetic chemists were able to develop products to “style or set” the hair and products that “conditioned, smoothed or softened”

In the USA, chemists were creating products that utilised animal proteins made from waste animal products taken from the food industry, such as feathers, bone and meat waste – processed down into animal proteins small enough to be absorbed into the hair.  The opposite was the use of plastics created to act like proteins in and on the hair.

The advantages of plastics were the cost and the processing methods.  Using animal proteins required a much more vigorous clean process than that of plastics which makes it  a more expensive product.

Of course public attitudes changed during the 70’s and 80’s leading to a general distaste of products with animal ingredients – from a performance point of view these products were incredibly effective because animal proteins are very close in nature to hair.

The alternative plastic technology was “created” to mimic proteins and be engineered to perform in a targeted manner.  So what is the problem with using plastic?

Over time it has become apparent that plastics in hair work in the same way as plastics in any situation, they can become brittle or unstable under certain conditions.  Imagine that hair has been “filled” with plastic and then has extreme heat applied to it, ie straighteners  that heat up to temperatures of over 200 degrees… not hard to see a possible problem.  After applying that temperature which “melts” the inner structure, it then cools down to become a more brittle structure.  The result – weakened hair.

The most obvious point is that hair is a natural

Up close and scary - your split ends

material, whilst plastic is not! and can only emulate the properties of hair fibre.  Hairdressers have found, to their cost, the long term problems associated with the use of silicones to create shine and glass like gloss on hair!  Over time it builds up to create a barrier to colouring products and/or cause heaviness or dullness.

Because of these inherent difficulties manufacturers are experimenting with silk and wheat proteins and ingredients from oils, or plant extracts.   Of course to pander to today’s demanding consumers these natural ingredients get processed and mixed with man made chemicals to improve their performance.

This Post was written by Ron Fairfield Organic Hair stylist

Organic? what does it mean?

I don’t know about you, but I find the term “ORGANIC” confusing, what does it mean?

As far back as I can remember my grandparents would grow their own vegetables & salads.  My Grandfather never used any chemicals or pesticides, just good old fashioned, love and attention to turning and caring for the soil in his greenhouse and garden, and the “Old fashioned” way of using  rotting vegetables (which he never had, but got from next door as we ate everything!!). He did tell me once when I had a Vine with Grapes, to feed it dead birds that the Cat would catch Yuk!! Vines liked them….

Organic, to me, means naturally grown ingredients in ALL produce, from our food, our hair care, and our face creams.  In the past 40 years women have increased what they want to put on their body, faces and hair.  As my husband told me, “women used to go to the hairdressers to have their hair done once a week, as their hair was set”.  Today “Fashion” dictates what we should be doing, and demanding, which has lead to the over use of products and chemicals, over washing and over colouring just to, “get the look”

All of this comes at a price!!! With the increasing demand the cosmetics industry has escalated to £5bn a year and rising!!! Did you know that Women use on average 15 products a day?

So what is Organic meaning to women? Well it shows in the dictionary that it is used more in Food related wording than that of Cosmetics.

I researched a lot about Organic before I launched Go Organic Now.  The catalyst was my Husbands Salon in Findhorn Village, Scotland.  We spent a lot of time looking for Organic/ethically traded, coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and wine.  I had followed as much as I could afford an Organic lifestyle free of chemicals largely in food, the way I had been taught growing up.  I had also lived in a Commune co-operative in the Borders learning a lot about the added ingredients in foods, where the produce came from and the motives of the companies.

It was at that point that I suggested to my Husband we should go “Organic” in the Salon.

I could not use regular hair dyes or shampoos etc. and knew (being an Energy Healer) that a lot of toxins in the body were largely coming from processed foods and products.  I spent a lot of time researching and investigating web sites to see what others were selling and what “Organic” was, I was shocked.  Websites and shops, Health shops, and organic outlets were selling “Organic” products that contained ingredients listed as “Toxic”…

I made some mistakes along the journey, I bought products that turned out to have ingredients listed that were plainly NOT organic, and were considered by many as toxic! So off the shelf they came, and we stared again!!! And  will continue to do this, if a product or distributor is not what it seams.

We settled on Organics Hair colour system for professional hairdressers, which although not completely organic was the closest available and as a company have a transparent ingredients policy and strong ethical and recycling standards.

Researching, I realised there are many Organic and Natural websites, but none of them are REALLY being honest about ingredients.  For many companies it is very tempting, to jump on the “Organic” band wagon but with everything in life, intention is everything.  If the main driving intention is profit, then who can blame companies for following the letter of the law and cutting corners.  This only serves to confuse the consumer, when terms like, “Organic, Pure, Natural” are used to describe a product which may only be partially “Organic, Pure, or Natural”

The aim of Go Organic Now is to remove confusion and apply strict criteria so that customers can be certain that a product is what it says it is.

For me this is not the WHOLE story.  Because manufacturers, (especially those from outside of the UK), often sell through distributers, the attitude and trading practices of the distributer may leave a lot to be desired.  Many on-line businesses choose to turn a blind eye to this; I do not, to me attitude and ethicality are as important as the product.

Ayurveda, an Ancient System for Healing

Ayurveda originated more than 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is the oldest system of Healing, for Mind, Body, Soul. The name derives from two root words Ayus, which means life and Veda, which means knowledge/Science; therefore in English Ayurveda is “Life Knowledge” or “Life Science”….

I have always been fascinated by what we are, who we are and where we come from. On the Physical level we are made up of water, H2O, with cells consisting of 65-90% water by weight. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that most of a human body’s mass is oxygen. Carbon, the basic unit for organic molecules, comes in second. 99% of the mass of the human body is made up of just six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus.
Now I am not about to do a Science talk on this but it is relevant on the basis of understanding how are bodies function, with Food, Drink, Emotions, Mind, and our Soul…

Ayurveda is the Heart of our intimate connection with self and to the Elements of Nature and how they can help us achieve a Physical and Spiritual balance in ALL aspects of our lives.It is for this reason I started my training as a “Professional Healer”, or as I would prefer “Natural Intuitive” some 15 years ago (wow, did not realise it was that long ago). Healing is not solely about having a treatment, taking a medication, or someone tell you about yourself. It is about Responsibility for yourself and learning what that means for you as an individual.

After years of reading, Meditation, Healing and Soul searching I have come to Ayurveda as this Science is where it all began. There are many variations on Teaching Ayurveda, however the principals stem from 3 different body Types Tridosha for now I shall explain the Tridosha and any other information on a more in depth nature can be either found in the books on Goorganicnow website or e-mail me and we can discuss or contact me on Twitter or Facebook

We have 5 basic elements; Ether, Air, Fire, Water an Earth

These manifest in the body as 3 Basic principles in Ayurveda called Tridosha. They are: Pitta, Vata, Kapha
The elements of Water and Earth =Kapha
The Elements of Fire and Water = Pitta
The Elements of Air and Ether = Vata

These are the basic, you then go on to have vata-pitta, pitta-kapha, vata-kapha, vata—pitta-kapha. Each dependent on subtle variations that depend on the percentage of vata,kapha,pitta elements within your constitution.

You are born with a basic Genetic constitution that is made up from the DNA and the Elements of your parents, their parents, parents and so on….However the combination of the elements does alter and manifest in response to your environment. Which in Healing I would call dis-ease within the physical, mental and emotional body and can cause physical, mental and emotional problems.

So you see it is ALL important, where you live, how you live, what you eat, how and where you eat, what you put on your body as well as what you put in your body.

To read more on this Ayurveda the Science of self healing by Dr.Vasant Lad it is a good introduction on the principals of Ayurveda. It is also a good way of understand what and who we are and how and why it is important to look within and identify how we can help change ourselves which in turn will help others