Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Wilted Kale & Garlic Maple Aioli

I'm going to begin this post with this, I love tacos. I absolutely love them. They're quick, they're filling, they're so versatile and they're downright delicious. Especially when you've got this amazing vegan garlic maple aioli to put on them. This sauce alone could make anything taste good. It's definitely a classic go-to in my kitchen.
Okay, "Here's the deal, Sparky." I'm not going to play around like I'm on top of things all the time. We get a farm box every other week and sometimes we don't get to everything right away. So sometimes we have a case of weird-wilty-fridge-kale. Nothing wrong with this.
Don't panic. Keep it together, man! This is the hippie lovin' life. This is the real deal. You are certified Hilzey-cool, now. This recipe is perfect for that wilted green you haven't gotten around to using!

This particular dish is gluten-free as well as vegan, but that's a given. I hope this inspires you to have weekly taco night in your home. Or even have some friends over for dinner! Tacos all around! They will be licking their fingers and their plates and asking (strangely with large eyes not making contact) if you "have any more tortillas..." while they raid your kitchen for more aioli, greens and that spicy beautiful cauliflower. The recipe doubles easily, so don't worry about it so much. Okay, now. Okay. Let's get weird!


Prep: 15 minutes ||  Serves: 2  || Total time: 35 minutes

What you'll need:
1 small cauliflower head or about 1 cup cauliflower broken or cut into tiny florets
1-2 teaspoon chipotle powder
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp liquid aminos (should be a staple in your kitchen)
1 bunch kale, about 2 cups finely chopped (stems and all, that's right... them are healthy for you!)
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
4 corn tortillas
2 Tbsp vegenaise or vegan mayo
1/4-1/2 pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp raw coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar
garlic powder
sea salt
extra virgin olive oil
micro greens or lettuce
Daiya or nondairy cheese for topping (optional)



- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Break or cut cauliflower into tiny florets and place in a glass or ceramic bowl.
Drizzle 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the cauliflower. Sprinkle on chipotle powder, anywhere from 1-2 teaspoons depending on how spicy you'd like. As well as 1/4 tsp sea salt. Stir together.
*I used 2 heaping teaspoons because I really enjoy the contrast between the spicy roasted cauliflower, earthy greens and black beans and sweet dressing. 
When your oven is ready, place the bowl uncovered in the oven (you'll get beautiful caramelization on florets this way) and bake for about 20 minutes.

- In a large pan, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion, precut kale and liquid aminos.
Sautee on medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until onions turn translucent and kale looks wilted and deepens in green color. *You can use any type of green you have on hand for these tacos. Collards, mustard greens, variations of kale, whatever you want. Just get into it.
At this point, add 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp raw coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar, black beans, and 1 Tbsp water to skillet.
Stir, cover, and turn to low heat. Leave it alone for a bit. You're done here.


Garlic maple aioli:
2 Tbsp veganaise or vegan mayo
1/4-1/2 tsp pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp lemon juice

- Whisk all ingredients together and set aside.


- At this point you can probably take out your cauliflower to let cool. Try one floret. It should be crispy but allover quite soft, not crunchy.
- Place your corn tortillas directly onto the oven rack at 400 degrees. I like to do them for about 2-3 minutes on each side so they warm and brown a bit, but aren't too hard.
- Take out your tortillas when they're the way you like them. You'll know. Don't think too much about it.

Now it's time to plate! Lay down aioli first, then plate your greens, onion and bean mixture. Then your gorgeous chipotle cauliflower!
Top with Daiya cheese and micro greens or lettuce.
*For added health and omegas, you could add avocado, crushed walnuts, hemp seeds or sunflower seeds! 




- Hilzey

Baked Vegan Falafel Wrap with Micro-Greens and Pro-biotic Pickles

Some days, my desire to eat Mediterranean is just too irresistible. I think it's my inner Lebanese (if only I had that hair, though. Seriously). However, I don't always have the supplies on hand to create a perfectly classic Middle Eastern meal. I can, however, count on making something like this filling, quick, cost-friendly and simple wrap. I generally have all of these supplies on hand, too. Putting a few staples in your home like tahini, chick peas, parsley (perhaps a plant) and falafel mix will do you a world of good!
This recipe will hopefully give you ideas for a flavorful, fast and healthful lunch. The wonderful thing about something like this is you could prepare it earlier in the day (leaving out the greens and any toppings that might dampen the wrap) and bring them in a separate container, adding them when you're ready to eat.

Okay, let's get started already. I hate long, weird, pointless intros. (wishing I had great hair flip) Let's go!


Hummus
2 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup tahini paste, or more if you prefer!
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp sumac, or more if you prefer!
1 Tbsp purified water
1 tsp salt

- Food process or blend all ingredients until you get a smooth, even consistency. You may need to add another Tablespoon or lemon juice or water if you like your hummus ultra smooth and classically Middle Eastern.
*right now this hummus is not too tahini-heavy, and not too sumac-heavy. It's a delicate balance of all ingredients. So make it as is, and tweak if you wish. 



Quick no-grain fresh tabbouleh 
1/2 cup tomatoes
1/2 cup parsley
1/2 cucumber
2 Tbsp lemon juice

- Dice tomatoes, parsley and cucumber. Add lemon juice and let chill in the fridge until you're ready to plate.
*If you want to spend a little more time here on this no-grain fresh tabbouleh and have a cauliflower laying around, cut the cauliflower into small florets (about 1-2 cups) and pop them into the food processor. Pulse manually until they resemble a small grain. Mix into the no-grain tabbouleh and sprinkle with sea salt. 



Falafel 
Falafel mix (you can find this at basically any store, we bought ours at a health food market)
1 cup falafel mix
1 cup water

- Mix falafel and water, let sit for 30 minutes (important).
Roll into small balls, pat to flatten a bit and then place on baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 450 degrees.
*You may fry these in a pan, also. Just fill with a few Tablespoons of oil, crank up the stove top heat to high and get weird with it!






Nutrient dense topping options: (health up your wrap!)
pickled red onion 
pickled radish
pro-biotic pickles (I use Bubbies brand) 
micro-greens
sprouts
avocado
hemp seeds
julienned assorted colored peppers


- I opted to use micro-greens from our farm box in this wrap with Bubbies pickles (for brightness) to balance out the earthy falafel. Any of the toppings listed above would go brilliantly, particularly the pickled onion.
- You're ready to plate everything. There is no rhyme or reason to this... just make it look like you want it to look! I'm just here to give you ideas and basics. I do suggest laying out the wrap and putting hummus down first to hold everything together! But congratulations, you've made yourself some lunch. "Four gold stars for you. I was testing you, you passed."

-Hilzey

What I Simply Cannot Live Without!

I've gotten a couple requests from friends about products I simply cannot live without! Most of the things I'm about to share with you, are kind-life products. Meaning, they are from the earth and contain no animal ingredients or bi-products, nor do they test on animals. And a few are actually food-grade! One of my favorite products used to remove eye makeup is extra virgin olive oil!
However, no product is going to work as efficiently or as effectively as it could if you are not healthy from within! I'm a huge health advocate. We must take care of our bodies while they are here on earth!
As most of you know, I am vegan so that also translates into what products I use, not only what foods I choose to eat. I feel that by using products from the earth, we are more connected to what we are using.

Before, and especially after being trained at The Aveda Institute by Douglas J, I am strong believer in energy. We know that all things have energy, and I feel by using organic (when we can) and by using things that are kind (not only to us, but to our furry friends, and workers harvesting) we take on that energy ourselves. Not only are we what we eat, we are the standard in which we choose to live by.

Blessings dear souls, and here are some products I use on a daily basis! These are also products and items that I  always replenish.


Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
I am one of those crazy people who takes a shot of this every morning to jump start my metabolism. It's packed with amino acids and I don't actually mind the bracingly acidic taste. It's also very purifying and detoxifying to the liver, the kidneys, and the intestines. You may make a tea out of it as well, with lemon and agave. It surprisingly not terrible. But you probably aren't going to believe me, seeing as how I voiced earlier how I take a shot of it plain... Also, you can make a great skin toner with it too! Regardless, start using it in your diet! I promise you'll notice drastic changes.

Organic Coconut Oil
I use this in the evenings after I cleanse my face! I also eat some... super rich in omega 3 fatty acids! Wake up with your skin looking plump, youthful and refreshed!

Nutiva Hemp Oil

This is something I just recently started using. Extremely rich in Omega 3. Contains 1.7% gamma-linolenic acid, which is the polyunsaturated fatty acid which stimulates hair growth and nail growth which improves skin and reduces inflammation. Hemp seed is safe to take on it's own, and easier to digest than Flax seed oil! 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Removes makeup... also, I'll often slather some on my face before I hop in the shower! The steam from the shower helps penetrate the antioxidant rich oil into the skin. I'll leave it there through the shower, then as I'm about to get out, I'll give my face a quick rinse and massage the excess into the skin.

MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Cleanser
Words cannot even describe how much I love this cleanser, and anything by MyChelle in general. I don't know how they do it, but they do it kindly! This cleanser is great for all skin types... it uses different fruit acids to exfoliate the skin while cleansing.

Nature's Gate Mandarin Orange and Pachouli Shampoo

I was never a huge fan of pachouli, but the mandarin in this makes it work! It smells super yummy and adds so much volume! I follow with the Mandarin Orange and Pachouli Conditioner! 

Tom's of Maine Toothpaste
Favorite toothpaste of all-time!

Tom's of Maine Antiperspirant Deodorant
Vegan, and effective!

Trader Joe's Face & Body Sunscreen

I am extremely breakout prone, and I can use this daily on my face. It has never caused my skin to act up. It seems to refresh, (haha) and hydrate as well as protect from the sun! Most days I can skip moisturizer and go straight to this after cleansing! Sometimes less is more!

Natures Gate Lavender Body Lotion

Gives just the right amount of hydration and moisture. Fresh earthly lavender scent that as it wears turns more fresh and clean than floral. Soothes with Vitamin E and calms with Organic lavender. 

Hugo Naturals Grapefruit Body Wash

All time favorite! Leaves skin hydrated! Super fresh and clean and kind! Not too strong of a grapefruit scent and it's natural smelling. No synthetics here! 

Tarte Lip Stains

Favorite colors in 'Fiery' and 'Moody'... Layer them and create my favorite lip color!

Arcona Eye Dew

For day time! Anti-aging formula. Hyaluronic acid used as a humectant to bring hydration to the skin, packed with essential fatty acids, increases elasticity. Heals and soothes with blueberry and Vitamin E. Awesome product!

Kiss My Face Sunless Tanner
I use this on my face and neck about every four or five days. Gives a subtle amount of color that it definitely build-able. It works fantastic for the body as well, I just prefer my face and neck to have a bit of a glow. It also helps hide and cover up some of my scars I have from when my skin was really bad... ingredients are super natural and has walnut extract.

Try any of these products and let me know what you think of them! I'd be very interested to see if you love them as much as I do! Cheers friends! I hope this was interesting and or helpful in future kind purchases!

xxx Jess.

The Little Things;

Why is it that even when so much has been done, when so much has been said, when so much have been figure out or changed; we still focus on the little things?

In this case, I'm talking about those things that are under our skin. Literally. Go figure!

To share a little piece of my story with you, I have battled horrific breakouts since I was a sophomore in High School. Any of you who know this part of my story, you know that my parents took me to Dermatologist where I was simply put on an anti-biotic for 6 years. Something I eventually became immune to. So, I decided to go to Esthiology school to figure this whole 'skin' thing out for myself. Now that I've got my breakouts under control (for the most part) I am now focused on my hyperpigmentation I have from all of the places I have had breakouts. I have little pink colored scars on both sides of my face below my cheeks but above my jawline that I live with but am currently treating.

If you have hyperpigmentation from the sun, from acne or other mild skin issues, this blog is going to give you some options of what you can do to diminish the appearance of them. Remember, these things are not a quick-fix. They take treatment, as well as preventative care.

What the heck is hyperpigmentation? Let's break it down:

• hyper (excessive)
• pigment (color) or in this case, melanin within the skin.

It may be caused by sun damage, acne or other various forms of skin injuries that essentially lead to inflammation.

When excess melanin is produced within the skin, this little wonder of nasty pigmentation occurs. It can be spread over a large area or it can be focal but it is able to affect all areas of the body.
Melanin is produced by melanocytes at the lower layer of the epidermis; which is called the basal layer or stratum germinativum. You can read about understanding your skin and it's different layers here.

As I'm sure most of you know, our melanin is the pigment responsible for producing color within bodies. Thankfully, in most cases we can protect ourselves from hyperpigmentation and we now have the tools and resources to be able to treat it.


Basic treatment options: 

• Skin lightening/brightening serums (the most effective from a line) However, to see best results, most skin-care lines work synergistically within the skin so to see best results: use the entire line. I am biased because I work with Decleor, but in working with it first hand myself and on my clients, I know that the Aroma White C line is extremely effective. 
• Enzyme Peels
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion (which, in most cases I find myself hesitant to suggest them to people of a number of different skin types) 
• Look for products with vitamin C is going to brighten the skin and lighten unwanted pigmentation. 
• Exfoliate, often. In doing so we are shedding off those top outermost layers of our epidermis. As our skin from the bottom moves up, our spots lighten because we're essentially sloughing them off. Dermal scars take some more work, some more products, some more time and sometimes need advanced treatment options. 

Advanced treatment options: (for more serious cases)
There are two types of laser light therapy used to treat hyperpigmentation:

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): which emit multiple wavelengths of light. Usually more effective when used over areas with a wider range of discoloration. 
• Lasers: which emit a single wavelength. Usually more effective in treating specific scars, age spots and sun spots. Scabbing is more prominent after these treatments. 

Both of these treatment options use the same basic principle to treat unwanted pigment. When undergoing either of these treatments, be sure to do your own research in where you go and who you might see.



Preventative care options:

• The number one thing I will recommend for people of all skin types is not a cleanser, or a serum, or an exfoliator; but a good SPF. UV light stimulates melanocyte activity within the epidermis which leads to what we commonly call a sun-spot. That little sun-spot (aside from not looking so cute) can put you at risk for causes serious damage. Did you know malignant melanoma causes 75% of deaths related to skin cancer? 160,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed yearly. While it is more common in women than men, we should all be slathering ourselves with sunscreen. Remember when sunscreen wasn't 'cool'? Well, it is now! We have the information, we have the tools! Utilize them. Don't be a sunny (a sun dummy), protect yourself. 
• Consuming different foods that are high in vitamin C, vitamin A and getting in your essential omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids will decrease your chances of breakouts and increase the natural moisture level in your skin which can aid in the healing process within the skin. It also keeps the inflammation level at bay.
• Eating cooked tomato products can act as a natural SPF. Because cooked tomatoes contain licopene.

Our scars make us who we are. Whether those are physical, emotional or emotional scars. We learn from them and we grow from them. Also, know that I love you just the way you are and if there's someone out there who can relate to you and what you might be going through with these things, believe me when I say that it's me. But naturally, I want to help you be your best you and that is why I share this information in the first place.

If I can help in any other way, or if you have any further questions- feel free to comment, email, or tweet at me. Feedback is also appreciated. Blessings to you, friends. xxx

-Jessica.

WHAT IS ACNE?!

WHAT IS ACNE?! 


Acne is the number one subject I get questions about in regard to our skin. Unfortunately, I wish I could tell everyone what one thing it is and what one thing will cure it. There are several different types of acne, and several different causes. Since our bodies are all so different, unfortunately and fortunately so is our acne.




Since I am well aware that acne is a sore subject, after suffering with it for years and with still suffering from it today, let's start with a fun fact about it.


"Acne" comes from the Greek word 'akme' meaning "point" or "spot". It was originally mispelt with an 'n' and not an 'm' in 1835.


Acne is generally known as an inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands. These glands are connected to the pores via follicles which are small canals all throughout our skin. Sebum, an oily liquid that our skin naturally produces carries dead skin cells through these follicles to the surface of our skin. A small vellus hair grows through the follicle and out of the skin. Ordinary pustules and papules grow when these follicles become blocked or clogged.


Although common acne and even more severe acne affects both men and women, young men generally suffer from acne longer most likely due to more testosterone.


What causes acne?
Hormones play a huge contributor in acne. During puberty boys and girls produce high levels of androgens, the male sex hormones that include testosterone. Testosterone signals the body to make more sebum (which as we know is the natural oil and waxy secretion that helps the skin retain moisture.)


Bacteria plays another factor in acne. For those of us who don't wash our face before we go to bed... shame on us!  Each square centimeter of our skin averages about 100,000 bacteria. Not all of that bacteria is bad. Some microbes live on our skin and protect us against harmful agents like free-radicals. 


In our digestive system, there are many different species of friendly bacteria which take part in an important and rather inseparable way. These bacteria are vital to the metabolism of food, the production of enzymes and vitamins. They also aid in the demolition of disease causing microorganisms including fungi and the regulation of our intestine acid. When our body does not contain enough good bacteria, it can be a cause of acne.                               
HEALTHY SKIN is slightly moist, slightly acidic and smooth. 




Hormones. Common acne in teenagers starts with an increase in hormone production. During puberty, both boys and girls produce high levels of androgens, the male sex hormones that include testosterone. Testosterone signals the body to make more sebum, a waxy substance that helps the skin retain moisture.


Bacteria. Excess sebum clogs the openings to hair follicles -- especially those on the face, neck, chest, and back. Bacteria grow in these clogged follicles. This makes blackheads or whiteheads form on the skin's surface -- a condition called non-inflammatory acne. Sometimes the follicle wall breaks under the pressure of this buildup. When this happens, sebum leaks into nearby tissues and forms a pustule -- this is called inflammatory acne. This can create cysts. Ruptured cysts can leave temporary or permanent scars.


Did you know that when our breakouts are on different parts of our faces it means different things?
I found this face chart online. With it's given information, I added my own colored lines to tell you a bit more about the sections. It's the closest thing I can find to what I know.

Starting from the bottom up. When we break out in the 'red zone', it's generally due to hormones.
When we break out in the 'blue zone', it's generally due to an allergy we may have to a food or substance we're consuming. When we break out in the 'yellow zone', it is usually from an overactive sebaceous gland, or too much of our skins natural sebum. When we break out in the purple zone, it's difficult to exactly pinpoint this, but it could be from oil, as well as a hair product we may be using, or it is where we break out when we're using an antibiotic our body doesn't like, or when we're coming off of an antibiotic. Or, for females when our skin doesn't like a certain type of face makeup! When we breakout on our forehead, it is generally from sweat... especially when we're physically active or when we live in warm climates. 


Remember, our skin is a window to our body's health. When we go back to Chinese skin analysis each part of the face is connected to an organ. When we look at where we're seeing these problems, we can try to target what's going on within our bodies. Yes, we should treat our skin topically, but we should be healthy from within, as well.








The best ways to easily keep our skin in control:


1. Drink lots of water to flush out toxins in our bodies.
2. Load ourselves with antioxidants. Green tea, cranberries... ect.
3. Take a PROBIOTIC! (this is huge I promise you will notice a difference within days.)
4. Eat plenty of raw foods and eat organic if possible.
5. Cleanse our skin as gently as possible, twice a day. (If you're a female who wears makeup, cleanse twice. Once with a more milky/creamy cleanser to remove makeup. The second cleanse, to really deeply cleanse the skin.)
6. Exfoliate twice a week.
7. (This is optional) Keep glycemic foods and dairy to a low... there have also been studies that link gluten to acne. Experiment with your body and listen to what it's telling you. If you're going to consume dairy, don't consume it on an empty stomach. Also make sure it's not the last thing you eat before you sleep.
8. RELAX. Keep stress to a minimum. We live in a world of stress... and our skin does not need it.






Love to you and your face.
Eat some raw foods for me!


-Jessica.

The Most Invasive DIY Yet!

Hello! I hope you've been enjoying your holiday season thus far. I know I have been! And that is why I have not been blogging as regularly as I would like to have been. It's really no excuse... but what can I say... the Esthetician has been enjoying herself!

Today, I have a very simple, but glorious post. I am about to share one of my biggest beauty secrets with you! (Just in time for those Christmas parties you may have to attend.) I had gotten a few messages/comments in regard to my skin "glowing". This is one of my secret how-to's!

I'm not sure about you, but I'm all about DIY's, or 'do-it-yourself' for the gentleman reader who may not already know. This is perfect for everyone, not just my lady readers! Not only is this exfoliating, but it is also deeply nourishing and hydrating... perfect for the cold winter months ahead.





Without further delay, let's get to it!

You're going to need two things;
Organic Raw Oats (I buy mine at Harvest Health)
Powdered Organic Goats Milk (I buy mine at Harvest Health)


(also, you're going to need a spoon, a storage bag or container, a blender... and a pair of hands!) 


In a blender or food processor, blend together 1/2 cup of each. (If you want serious left-overs, use 1 cup!)


After removing all your face makeup with a gentle cream cleanser, (best cleansing how-to here!) re-dampen your face with lukewarm water. Take a heaping tablespoon of your glorious mixture and put it in your non-dominant palm. With your dominant hand, turn on the faucet, and gently begin to flick bits of water into your hand. You don't want too much! You're trying to form a paste, not a soup! After you've got a good consistency, rub the mixture between both of your hands, and onto your face. It should look clumpier in certain areas and smooth in others.

At this point, you can use the mixture as an exfoliant, rubbing it in and then rinsing away immediately, or you can do what I do and let the entire mixture dry and harden on your face (like a masque). I leave mine on for 10-15 minutes. Around 5, you are going to feel your face start to burn, especially if you use any type of Vitamin C, Retin-A, Vitamin A; exfoliating cremes daily.


Why is your face going to start to burn?
Goats Milk is a lactic acid. Lactic acid is a form of an alpha-hydroxy acid. AHA's eat away at dead skin cells. Lactic acid is a colorless, organic acid compound derived from the sugars in milk. It is fairly gentle on the skin, yet it is aggressive enough to see and feel the results with the use. It has extremely hydrating properties and works well on all skin types. Lactic acid has been seen to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, stimulate our skins natural collagen production and also leave our skin with a natural glow.


Why oats? Oats are an amazing natural beauty enhancer. They soothe and nourish the skin while reducing inflammation. Inflammation is one of the number one causes of premature aging. Because of oats texture, they make for an outstanding exfoliant. They are hypo-allergenic. They soften the skin, and have been clinically proven to help heal dry, itchy skin. For those with sensitive skin, oats are perfect! Oats can help soothe insect bites, dry skin, mild burns, eczema, and irritated skin.



After you've left it on for a maximum of 15-20 minutes, rinse it off. Massage gently and splashing your face with lukewarm water! I always do a few splashes of ice cold water, too. (but that's because I'm crazy)


Your face should feel refreshed, nourished, slightly moisturized, exfoliated and clean.
Your skin should look dramatically different, glowing as-if from within.


Throughout scripture, milk and honey symbolize the gracious nature of God, the abundance of His blessing.

So I hope this leaves you informed and I hope this helps with maybe some stubborn breakouts or strange skin issues that you may be having!

And may you feel abundantly blessed, because you are! Love to your skin, and love to you!

-Jessica.

Maintaining pH

Skin pH is an important part of our skins health. pH, or potential hydrogen is the measure of acidity and alkalinity.

A slightly acidic balance of our skin is healthy. Skin should be balanced at 5.5.




Our skin has an acid mantle that buffers our skin from the wind and environmental factors, keeps bacterial infections at bay, reduces our likeliness to breakout, protects our skin from drying, delays wrinkling and other various signs of aging.

Our acid mantle is formed by the combination of the natural oil we secrete (sebum), our sweat and beneficial bacteria that live on our skin. Together they form a healthy surface of the skin that is slightly acidic.

When our acid mantle is "lost" it simply means we are not taking notice to our natural pH balance of our skin. When we strip our skin by ways of over-washing, harsh chemicals, detergents and alkaline soaps our skin is more susceptible to free-radicals.

Think of your skin briefly as a school dance. Great right? Now, think of free radicals like angry boys at the school dance without a date. On the surface of our skin we have all these happy atoms that have mates that are dancing around to crazy cool tunes. The free radicals are angry because they don't have a mate to dance with, so they go in and steal the other guy's girls to dance with. Thus, resulting in more angry atoms... thus resulting in damage. But how is this damaging?
Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA or the cell membrane. (Everything is connected, I am telling you! Our bodies are walking miracles!) Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system... antioxidants! And not just our own, but antioxidants we can put on our skin!

Commercial soaps and harsh cleansers tend to be highly alkaline and often have free alkalis still in them that react with our skins sebum to strip away it's acid mantle. What? Did I just imply that some sebum is good?! I did! Our sebum protects our skin from environmental factors and nourishes our skin. The result in these cleansers and products with free alkalis still in them is drier skin that ages more quickly and is less able to withstand infection. Skin care products containing alcohol can also shift pH away from it's natural balance.

Toning our skin is a fast way to bring our skin back to 5.5 pH balanced.


Maintaining pH doesn't seem so complicated, right? It actually might seem quite unimportant and stupid. At least, that's what I thought when I was in Esthiologly school. I was all, PSH! BIG DEAL.

But... the health of the outermost part of your skin is one of the secret keys to achieving better than normal skin. To glowing skin. When you are protecting your skin with antioxidants, washing your skin with proper nutrients, restoring your acid mantle with the proper toner, moisturizing with the proper ingredients... you are actually changing the life of your skin, not just the appearance. So much we want to see something work 'now', I'm guilty of it too. And when you maintain your pH you may not even see very much of a difference, especially if you aren't prone to break-outs. But, it is a small but very important step for health not just physical beauty.



Cheers to that! Now toast a cup of green tea (full of antioxidants) to yourself, and your skin! And just for me, rub that tea bag all over your face after you finish your drink.
Love to you,
Jessica.