All-Natural Facials
A few of my goals are to clean up my act when it comes to health and beauty products. I’d be lying if I didn’t say the change hasn’t been without “bumps” as my skin adjusts to new routines. Living in a dry climate with combination skin presents challenges – keeping skin hydrated, the oil factor under control and being in the age of life where I’m ready to start fighting off those tiny little lines creeping in calls for reinforcement on a few fronts. One of the biggest factors in keeping skin healthy and glowing is our diets, with further proof that we are what we eat, right down to our DNA. I’m not perfect when it comes to my diet, but I do my best to inject plenty of greens in my day with the goal to be more mindful of noticing what’s working and what isn’t serving the ultimate goal of healthy, clear skin.
Below are my favorite whole-food based facials used to balance and keep my skin in check (and don’t forget the daily SPF, k?):
Hydrating: Pumpkin & Honey
- 2 T Pumpkin Puree
- 1/2 t Raw Honey
- 1 T Olive Oil
Method: Mix ingredients together. Apply to face and neck; leave it to set for 10 minutes; rinse with warm water.
Acne Healing: Honey & Yogurt
- 1 T Brewer’s Yeast
- 1/2 Cup Yogurt
- 1 T Raw Honey
Method: Add the yeast to yogurt and stir well, then put in the refrigerator overnight. Add the honey and mix well. Apply the mask heavily and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with luke water and then splash with cold water.
Refreshing: Cucumber & Oatmeal
- 1/2 Cucumber (peeled)
- 2 Slices of Cucumber (for your eyes)
- 2 T Rolled Oats
- A few Sprigs of Parsley
- 1T mashed Avocado
Method: Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender. Add additional cucumber or oatmeal to achieve desired texture. For a super cooling treat, refrigerate the mask for a few minutes beforehand. Kick back, chill out with the facial mask smoothed on face and neck. Place the slices of cucumber on your eyes for soothing and cooling. Leave on for 15-30 minutes (Source).
Soothing: Tumeric & Yogurt
- 2 T plain yogurt
- 1/2 t dry turmeric powder
- 2 t raw honey
Method: Mix ingredients in a small bowl. After cleansing, spread the mask on your face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse and enjoy brighter, healthier skin (Source).
Toning: Strawberries & Egg Whites
- 1 Egg White
- 1/2 Cup Strawberries
- 1 T Starch
- Filtered Water as needed – to play with the consistency
Method : Mix all the ingredients in the blender and apply on the face. Wash your face with luke water. If you adjusted the consistency, you peel the mask with your hands as a mask of your face shape.
Who You Know
Doing everything in life by yourself … lame! Getting by with a little help from your friends … the way to LIVE! You may have noticed the guest posts sprinkled in the WELL blog the last few weeks. I’ve had a lot of fun connecting with other creative souls in every profession, from fellow coaches and designers to event planners and photographers. I meet amazing people through events like Creative Mornings and Creative Connection and, of course, through this site. A “world of thanks” to my friends (get the picture above?!). Life is infinitely better when shared with those you know vs. going it alone… and on that note:
WIN 4 small group coaching sessions! You + Your Friends = Meeting & Exceeding Your Goals! 
If you’re in Los Angeles, we’ll meet-up! You don’t have to be here – we’ll use Skype or Google+ Hangout for our coaching sessions. DO THIS by next Wednesday for your chance to win some one-on-one time! (1) Share 1 health-related goal in the comments below AND (2) “Like” WELL in L.A. on Facebook (3) bonus points if you tweet @WELLinLA with the hashtag #WellCoaching. We get rolling with 4 life-shifting coaching sessions, beginning the third week of October!
Excited to share that I have an upcoming guest post on CrazySexyLife! In the interim, check out the original posts by WELL and guests, as well as finding my guest posts in and around the inter-webs.
Samantha Honey-Pollock, Autumnal Equinox
Lizzie Metcalf, Lemonade Sessions
Guest Post on Emily Levenson, Be Well with Kale
Guest Post on Angels by the Sea, Get Your Vitamin L!
Want to write for WELL? I have a vacation on the horizon and would love to hear from potential guest contributors. Share a story, your journey or anything you feel would inspire other people. Email erin (@) wellinla.com. Include a fun subject line if you’re feeling creative ;)!
Cooking School
I spent the weekend cooking up non-food related schemes, but the seeds to get cooking are in the works! I recently spent time at a gorgeous cooking school in Santa Monica that offers classes and fare for every palate. The space is beautiful, open and faces a busy gourmet food court. All the right settings to be inspired, take a few lessons and get cooking in your kitchen. And in the springtime I will be one of the instructors in this beautiful space, teaching juicing and blending skills to people in a post-yoga state of bliss. 2012 has wonderful things in store!
The best – when sharing the news of my ventures into culinary-instruction my other half began singing … “Hey Good Lookin’… Whatcha Got Cookin’?” as we danced around our kitchen. Sharing a few photos now, with many more images, videos & stories to come. Find a cooking school near you – brush up on your skills or learn something new. Additionally, many local grocery stores, colleges and even health and wellness coaches offer free to very reasonably priced classes and courses. The benefactors of your new skill sets will surely thank you for making cooking classes part of your wellness adventure!
Share: What is the first dish you ever learned to make?
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