All About Apricot Kernel Oil!

Over the past year I have been trying out as many different oils as I can get my hands on! One that I keep going back to is Apricot Kernel Oil. Not only do I find it moisturizing and light but it is also very affordable!

Apricot kernel oil is derived from the seed (or kernel) of the apricot fruit. The apricot tree is said to have originated in Armenia (it's scientific name is Prunus Armeniaca meaning Armenian Plum) although others believe it was first found in China or India. What we do know however is that it has been widely popular throughout the ages, there are stories and accounts of this tree all over Asia and Europe and more recently Africa, North and South America and Australia. Today, the top exporters of apricots include Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Italy.

The fruit has long been used both fresh and dried in a variety of ways such as drinks, desserts and medicinal purposes. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine they are known for being able to cure many ailments including coughs, asthma and even tumours! Dried Apricots are one of my favourite snacks and perfect for taking on a hike! The seeds from apricots grown in central Asia and the Mediterranean are so incredibly sweet that they began using them in place of almonds. It is commonly used in cooking but also has amazing properties that benefit your skin!


Reasons why I love Apricot Kernel Oil:
- Very light, easily soaks in to your skin leaving it without that oily feeling.
- Rich in Essential Fatty Acids which soften the skin and improve it's texture.
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is said to be great for soothing skin conditions such as eczema or keratosis pilaris.
- Contains vitamin E which is an antioxidant and vitamin A which normalizes and repairs the skin.

I am currently using it for:
- Massage
- Face Oil
- Body Oil
- Carrier Oil
- Skin Scrub (with sugar!)
- Hair Treatment

Do you use Apricot Kernel Oil? Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

** I purchase my Apricot Kernal Oil through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

Five Easy Ways To Green Up Your Cleaning Routine!

This was one of the first things I fully switched over on my path to living a more natural life. You use these products daily, they end up covering your entire house, you may even have children or pets that crawl or play on the floor. Typical cleaners contain many harmful ingredients and chemicals that are just unnecessary! Did you know that manufacturers are not required (by law) to list the ingredients? That's pretty scary! By switching over to more natural products not only will you save money but you will be playing a part in keeping our water clean and forests beautiful.

1. Make your own cleaners.

There are hundreds of different recipes out there but honestly these are the ones that I find myself making over and over again!:

Dishes:
castille soap - That's it!

Glass Cleaner:
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
* Mix and use a lint free cloth for streak free windows, mirrors and stainless.

All-Purpose Cleaner
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
1 tsp liquid castille soap
1 tsp baking soda
20 drops of your favourite essential oil (I like to mix it up! Some of my favourites are orange, lemon and lavender)
* I also use this for carpet stains! Be sure to test a small area first.

Daily Shower and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 part vinegar
1 part water
20 drops tea tree essential oil

Refresh Carpets/Rugs
1 cup Baking Soda (Depending on size)
10 drops of your favourite essential oil
Mix well, sprinkle all over rug or carpet, leave for at least 30 minutes and vacuum.

Heavy Duty Cleaner
 For heavy duty cleaning such as the oven (I do not like using the self-clean function!) I simply sprinkle baking soda all over and then spray it with my all-purpose cleaner then let it sit for about 30 minutes. Wipe away with vinegar you'll be amazed at how well it works!

2. Purchase natural detergents/cleaners.

In addition to making your own cleaners there are also many great brands these days! Some of the ones I recommend and use are:

- Seventh Generation
- Method
- The Honest Company
- Mrs. Meyers

3. Replace Paper Towel with reusable cloths or rags.

You can simply use old shirts and towels cut into squares or purchase micro fiber cloths, they work way better than your old school paper towel! If you do use paper towel, please find one that is made from recycled materials (Both Seventh Generation and Cascades offer options.)!

4. Use Steam!

This is my favourite way to deep clean my floor! I spot clean using my all purpose cleaner throughout the week and then twice a week I steam them using my Shark Floor Steamer. It eliminates up to 99.99% of germs and bacteria without the use of ANY chemicals! If you've never used one I highly suggest adding one to your wish list! Be sure to look for one that comes with reusable microfiber pads!

5. Clean often!

If you find that you are needing heavy duty, foaming or chemical action it could be because you need to clean more often. By cleaning daily you cut down on tough grime, allergens and the time it takes! I clean one or two rooms daily in addition to a few small tasks which has worked really well! I find that my home is always clean with this routine. If you want an in depth post on my cleaning routine let me know!

How do you keep your home clean? What are some of your favourite cleaners or recipes? Leave them in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

The Effects of Chlorine and How To Protect Yourself While Swimming

Hello!

Over the past few months I've added swimming twice a week to my cardio routine as the apartment I moved to has an indoor pool! I had forgotten how much I absolutely love being in the water but unfortunately not the effect it has on my hair and skin! While I will always prefer swimming outdoors I live in Canada and for most months out of the year that just isn't possible!

Chlorine is often added to water to reduce the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. While this is great for keeping a pool clean it can start to eat away at the natural oils covering and protecting our skin and hair thus making them susceptible to dryness and damage. The chlorine can eventually break the bonds of our hair making it brittle and even react with the pigments in our hair, essentially bleaching it down to the "natural" colour of keratin itself. In addition it can cause irritation and redness to our eyes.

Now this is no reason to give up on swimming! In my opinion swimming is one of the best forms of cardio there is, giving you a full body workout without strain on the joints and burning mega calories!

Here are 5 simple ways I protect myself while swimming!

1. Rinse off  with a cool shower before entering the pool - We want to remove any sweat, deodorant, soap etc... that is on our skin as the chlorine can react with the proteins found in these organic compounds and create gases that can cause a rash, this will also help to keep the pool clean meaning less chemicals used in the first place. Another reason is that our skin and hair will act like a sponge and absorb this "clean" water and saturate it before it has the chance to absorb the chlorinated pool water. Remember that cold water closes hair cuticles and hot water opens them so keep your shower cool!

2. Put coconut oil on your hair and skin - This will act as a barrier to keep the natural oils protecting our skin and hair from being eaten away by the chlorine thus keeping our skin hydrated and hair strong.

3. Wear swimming goggles - If I'm swimming laps I have these bad boys on to protect my eyes, it saves me from having red, itchy eyes and from rubbing them non-stop in the pool!

4. Wear a swimming cap - Again, if I'm swimming laps not only does this improve my time ;) but it makes a huge difference in the damage done to my hair. While water does still seep into my cap it is not nearly as saturated and still protected by my shower and coconut oil. With these three things I have successfully kept my hair pink and healthy!

5. Have a shower after your swim - This is a no brainer! Rinse away all the chlorine before it has a chance to (further) soak into your skin and hair.

Is there anything else you do to keep your hair and skin looking and feeling nice while swimming regularly? If so, let me know in the comments below!

Peace and Happiness,

Jules

DIY Light and Nourishing Face Oil

Hey Everyone!

I have tried quite a few face oils over the past few years but have found them to be expensive! Since then I decided to make my own and have been loving it! This is my go to face moisturizer! One of the reasons I love this oil is that it has an Aloe Vera base, many of the less expensive face oils I have tried have a water base. You can read about all the benefits of Aloe Vera in my previous post!

This small jar lasts me about two weeks, I use it both morning and night on my face and neck.

You can add or subtract the Aloe Vera based on your skin type. My skin type is combination but if yours is oily you may want to add more Aloe Vera, or less if yours is dry.


What You Will Need:

- Small jar (Mine is an old lip scrub jar from Lush!)
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Your favourite Essential Oils, I am currently using Tea Tree Oil and Rosehip Oil.


How To:


1. Pour 4 parts Aloe Vera, 2 parts Apricot Kernal Oil and 1 part Jojoba Oil in your jar.

2. Drop in 5 drops each of your favourite Essential Oils.

3. Shake your jar to mix all the contents.

It's as easy as that! Now apply to clean and toned skin both morning and night! Because of the Aloe Vera it does not take long to sink into your skin and you can apply your makeup directly on top in a matter of minutes. Make sure you shake your jar between each use, as there is no emulsifier the oils and aloe will separate
.

Let me know if you try out this Face Oil and which Essential Oils you chose!


Peace & Happiness,

Jules

** I purchased all of my oils through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

All About Aloe Vera!

I have loved Aloe Vera for so many years but have only most recently discovered it has so many amazing benefits!

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Aloe Vera has long been known as a miracle worker, used to heals wounds, burns and skin irritations for thousands of years. This plant hails from Africa but can now be found all over the world in warm and dry climates or sunny windowsills.

Although I love to use Aloe Vera straight from the plant, I recently moved and had to give my dear plant to a friend. Until I  find another I've been purchasing bottled Aloe Vera Gel, not to be mistaken with Aloe Vera Juice (which also has amazing internal benefits!). The brand I've been using is Lily of the Desert, not only are their products organic, they also use minimal preservation ingredients.

Reasons why I love Aloe Vera:

- It is an anti-inflammatory, which means it helps to reduce swelling and any redness. 

- Contains an incredible amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene which all help to keep your skin moisturized and firm.
- It is alkalizing and helps to restore the natural ph balance of your skin.
- It has a 96% water content making it a great moisturizer.
- It includes saponins, which means that it is capable of cleansing and has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

I am currently using it for: 

- After Sun Gel, also perfect for when you've been a little too sun happy (sunburn)!

- As a base in many of my DIY lotions, creams and potions. 

- As a face primer (before makeup!)

- To soothe any skin irritations (rashes/burns/wounds). 

- As an aftershave gel (My husband also loves this!)

- Stretch mark reducer

- An Astringent (After washing my face before moisturizer/oil).
- Muscle and Joint Pain Reliever
- Reduce the look of Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin)
- Bug bite itch relief

I am thinking about trying this out as a hair cleanser. Has anyone done this? Let me know your favourite uses for Aloe Vera in the comments below!

** I purchase my Aloe Vera through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

All About Jojoba Oil!

As I've previously mentioned, I am on the path to an all natural life. I've been immersing myself in books, blogs and You Tube trying to learn all I can about living clean. It is a slow but steady process and I am thoroughly loving every minute of it.

The most important things to look for when purchasing any type of oil is to find one that is pure, organic, cold pressed and unrefined. You want to ensure that all the nutritional benefits have remained intact. Companies that I have tried and trust are Desert Essence, NOW, Nutiva and Aura Cacia.

In my studies, one oil that kept coming up was Jojoba [Hoh-Hoh-Bah] and after using it for almost 6 months I can definitely see why it's popular!

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Jojoba oil is produced from the seed of the Jojoba plant, this shrub is native to the deserts of Arizona and Mexico although it is now produced globally.  Jojoba oil is most similar to our natural sebum thus making it a great moisturizer as it can easily be absorbed by our skin.

Reasons why I love Jojoba Oil:

- It is rich in vitamin E which is an antioxidant thus making it excellent for anti aging
- Is antimicrobial which is great for acne and fighting other bacteria on our skin
- It is a very light oil both in viscosity and scent
- Is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not block your pores
- It is an anti-inflammatory which is perfect for reducing redness and swelling of blemishes.

I am currently using it for:

- Face massage
- Cuticles
- Décolletage moisturizer
- Carrier Oil (with essentials oils such as Tea Tree Oil and Lavender)
- Light hair serum (On the ends of 2nd and 3rd day hair)

There are countless uses for Jojoba Oil, if you have any other suggestions be sure to leave them in the comments below!

** I purchase my Jojoba Oil through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)