Eyelids puffy, itchy, red“No clue!" to the doc I said.“I use good oils on my skinNatural soaps from head to chinI cannot figure out the cause,My skin routine ? There are no flaws.” Doc queried through a thoughtful pose“Nail Polish maybe?  Hands ? Toes?”My puzzlement gave way to shock“It’s my eyelids, not my nails, doc?”I flashed my claws, gold and pink"It’s my eyelids, Doc, that itch and blink." “Connections happen.” A knowing smileI, the uncomprehending child.“Nail polish is for-mal-de-hyde.A nasty bit they often hideFrom the nails, through the skinA journey hidden deep within.” A…

The redness of rosacea.  What does one do? There is no cure, only treatments that a dermatologist can help to advise. The chemicals may be calming, but in the end, not always that helpful.However, while natural skin care makes absolutely no claims as to the treatment of rosacea, this does not mean that a good healthy regime cannot make a difference. Wikipedia defines Rosacea: A long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and vessels. Often the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. If you suffer from rosacea…

February, you are not always a sunny month here in the north. We need the sun on our skin.  Let’s join the airport lineups to sunny destinations and be a chameleon.  Lose the mittens, scarves and winter boots.  Stuff them into the luggage side pockets …quickly, before your luggage is whisked to the bowels of the plane. Don the sunglasses, the sandals and the Hawaiian shirt. Inventory for the hundredth time the passports, the camera and scuba fins jutting from carry-ons. Adjust the sunhat.  Revel in the buzz about the resort destination, weather reports. …

Dandruff and  dusty flakesMistake of wearing black todayStop scratching pleaseWhile others stare, I look away I try to brush away the crimeA useless gesture, nothing gainedShampoos guaranteeing successYet the flakes flow uncontained "Wash your hair with real soap”Grandma whispers in my ear“Rinse well and treat your scalp To good-ole Apple Cider Vinegar” I wash and clean and rinseWith the ESP shampoo delightI massage my scalp caringlyAnd relish in vinegar overnight “It works”, I shout to all who careI proudly don my black todayA remedy that really rocksDandruff gone, itch at bay "I…

Did you know? Oats are seriously one of the best foods for your heartConsuming oats helps in Diabetes 2Biotin for the hair and nails is highest in oatsThe beta-glucans in oats helps improve our immune system And the list goes on. Western movies, called ‘oaters’, originated from the fact that the cowboys fed oats to their horses. Lucky Broncos. Oats were one of the earliest crops ever harvested by humans and were known in China over 7000 years ago. Ancient Greeks made an oatmeal porridge and we should be doing that too. Several times a week.  If you have not had oats…

Recently we received a wonderful testimonial from Jaclyn on instagram.  With permission of course, we are sharing it here. “My grinch dreams have come true :) This clay neem face mask from Earthtobody, plus a whole foods, plant based diet is how I got relatively clear skin. I still have a minor breakout when I’m on my period but other than that I seem to have no signs of those evil pimples. I used to get acne on my back and chest and in the t-zone on my face. If I eat anything with refined sugar or oil I will still break out. Before transitioning to a plant based diet I used to…

Our 'Alberta' Butter is actually called Sheamu Butter but I like to refer it as The 'Alberta' Butter. As soon as you step off the plane out there you can feel it. The dry air can suck all of your moisture from your skin in less than an hour. Being from Montreal we don’t have that issue, maybe more so in the winter. But not like out west. All year long your skin is just dry! The Sheamu Butter is the way to go. From head to toe, scalp to feet. Even my growing belly soaked it up, lasting throughout my entire pregnancy. The amazing benefits of real shea butter from Africa (fair trade) to the…

Setting: A Friday evening.  Circle Craft Show, Vancouver A young man enters the booth. The palm of his left hand is red, raw, open and bleeding.  I have seen severely eczema-like damaged skin but nothing as extreme as this.  Painful. His right hand was not a mirror image, as sometimes is a norm, but it, too, looked sensitive. In a quiet manner, he explains, “I came to Canada from India 4 years ago. I know diet and climate change can have an effect on us, but I cannot seem to get my skin under control.  Especially this hand, and especially in the winter.  Nothing seems…