Accepting Responsibility Brings Happiness!

"Birds sing after a storm, why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them? - Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy


We can choose how we feel, and the actions we take, every day.  We can choose to feel sad or happy, fearful or content, unsure or confident.  We make choices in every moment, whether consciously or unconsciously.  We can learn to be more conscious about choosing our mood and empower ourselves in the process.

We truly begin to mature emotionally and mentally when we can accept full responsibility for our actions, our thinking and emotions.  This may not seem like a simple task, but it is definitely possible, and it beomes easier with practice.  When we accept responsibility, we begin to feel more personally empowered.  How wonderful to find out that the ability to change our attitude to one of gratitude, to have a feeling of contentment and well-being  are all within our power!

When we accept responsibility for our emotions, thinking and actions, we need no longer be "victims" of whatever life brings on a given day.  We are able to seek and find the positive in any situation.  Even difficult situations contain within them valuable insight into our thinking and behavior, if we can be open-minded to new opportunities are being presented to us. 

The responses we choose to have to these situations- or opportunities- determine our emotional outlook.  We are then empowered by being aware of the choices we make.  We will feel more in control of our outlook on life.  This renewed sense of self-confidence will in turn generate more feelings of happiness and excitement about the life we choose to have!

Heal Your Relationships- Make Conscious Choices

"Most of us, as a result of conditioning, have repetitious and predictable responses to the stimuli in our environment.  Our reactions seem to be automatically triggered by people and circumstances, and we forget that these are still choices that we are making in every moment of our existence.  We are simply making these choices unconsciously...."  

"There is only one choice, out of the infinity of choices available in every second, that will create happiness for you as well as for those around you.... it will result in a form of behavior that is called 'spontaneous right action'...the right action at the right moment.  It's the right response to every situation as it happens....that nourishes you and everyone else who is influenced by that action." - Dr. Deepak Chopra  

Many of us have experienced feeling embarrassed or surprised by having an "automatic" reaction to something someone in our lives has said or done.  Hearing our friends or loved ones say something like, "I couldn't believe it, I knew that was the wrong thing to say (or do) when I was saying (or doing) it, but it just flew right out of my mouth!"  We often seem to believe that we simply cannot control some of our reactions to people, places and situations that arise in our daily interactions.  

Fortunately, there is a simple process  that we can learn that will bring these "unconscious" reactions of ours more to the level of our conscious thought.  That process is known as "pausing."  Simply pausing for a moment when we are conscious of feeling uncomfortable in any conversation or interaction with those around us, is actually very empowering!  

Stepping back for a moment, taking a breath and thinking about whether or not if what we want to say or do next will bring happiness to us and to those involved gives us back our power.  Pausing will actually give us the time we need to ask in our hearts, "What is the next right thing to do, or say, in this situation?  Will it bring happiness to the situation, or will it do harm?"  Our hearts will always provide the correct answers.

Taking a moment to pause, take a breath and ask our hearts for guidance is a simple discipline that we can practice the next time we find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation.  The more we practice this form of empowerment, the more we will remember to do it in all of our daily interactions with those we love and encounter in our world.  The more we are able to think and choose how to "respond" rather than "react" to others, the more we will actually take responsibility for our own behavior. 
 
This profound change in our thinking can only help to improve and heal our relationships with those around us.  It will make our lives happier, as well.  Try practicing "pausing," rather than reacting, as often as you remember to in your day for one week, and see how much better you will feel about yourself and your relationships! 

Anti-Aging Skin Care Bonuses of Organic Palm Oil- Part II

In Part I of this Blog Post, we talked about how toctrienols have been proven to be very effective in preventing aging and damage from free radicals.  In addition, the natural amounts of Vitamin E in Organic Palm Oil is very high.  Recent studies in Malaysia have shown it to be a strong and effective treatment for common skin complaints like acne, eczema and dermatitis. 

Vitamin E is also a powerful anti-oxidant, and is used in many natural skin care products for that reason.  It easily destroys free radicals generated in the environment.  Some of these free radicals include those made by pesticides, UV radiation, traffic fumes and pollution.

 

Surprisingly, and more than likely, the most powerful benefit of using Organic Palm Oil in skin care is that toctrienols have been found to be effective in prevention of skin cancers!  Skin lipids can be damaged or oxidized by ozone exposure, which then can cause free-radicals to be generated in our skin. Organic Palm oil not only fights free-radicals, it can also prevent them from occuring in the first place.  

Research has shown that Oxidation of lipids in the skin causing free-radicals is an underlying cause of many skin diseases, including skin cancers.  According to Dr. Betty Kamen, PhD, toctrienols have been proven to be 40-60 times more effective than common tocopherols in preventing lipid pre-oxidation, and so also that more powerful in preventing skin cancers.

All these positive botanical health benefits for your skin aside, Organic Palm oil is simply a great  moisturizer that gives you smoother skin, and also fights visible signs of aging! It's very simple to incorporate into daily skin care- as simple as using an organic soap or moisturizer that contains it.  Choosing all these powerful, natural, organic skin care bonuses can't help but benefit your skin!

Wholesome Beauty Recipes- Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!

Prep. Time:  About 20 minutes 

  

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  How true this is! We want to help everyone give their natural, organic beauty, and their inner organic skin healing ability a big boost! -and help to improve overall health.  So, we are happy to share with you free Organic Whole Food Recipes several times weekly on this Blog.  Please Share with all you love and care about!
 
Organic Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Use All-Organic Ingredients:

4  Sweet Potates, peeled and quartered
1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 tsp grated Ginger
1/2 cup no-salt-added or low sodium Vegetable broth
1 tsp Curry powder, or to taste
a pinch Red Pepper flakes, or to taste
1 bunch Mustard Greens, chopped
1 1/2 cups diced Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups cooked Chick Peas or 1 (15 oz) can no-salt or low-sodium Chick Peas, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup Soy, Hemp or Almond milk

Preparation:

Boil the organic sweet potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.  Drain well.

While potatoes are cooking, heat 1-2 TBS vegetable broth in a large saute pan.  Add onion and saute until tender, about 3 mins.  Mix in garlic, ginger, vegetable broth, curry powder, red pepper flakes and mustard greens and cook, stirring occasionally until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and garbanzo beans and cook an additional 5 minutes.  


 
Mash the Sweet Potatoes, adding in the hemp, soy or almond milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Serve Mustard Greens & Chick Peas Saute' with Mashed Sweet Potatoes.  Enjoy!

Serves: 4

Benefits of Organic Bergamot Essential Oil

Organic Bergamot Essential Oil is pressed from the fruit of a small, tropical citrus tree that is found in the Mediterranean.  This member of the citrus family has been highly regarded throughout history for the aromatic essential oil pressed from its rind.  Recent and past studies of the phytochemicals found in organic Bergamot oil have revealed the many skin healing benefits it contains.  This oil has not only a very sweet fragrance, but a number of healing properties as well. 

Bergamot Essential Oil has wonderful stimulating and anti-depressant  qualities.  It delivers a sense of freshness, happiness and feeling energized by improving the circulation.  The oil also stimulates hormone secretion, and so helps to balance the metabolism.  The bio-flavonoids present in Bergamot Essential Oil have the effect of being calming, of relaxing and reducing stress, tension and anxiety, and the sleeplessness, hypertension that are associated with stress.

Certain bio-chemicals in organic Oil of Bergamot are also antibiotic and anti-microbial.  These discourage replication of germs, viruses and fungi and so effectively prevent skin infections.  When used regularly in daily moisturizing and skin care, the oil continues to protect the skin from infections and helps it to maintains its natural glow and healthy tone.   Continued use of organic Bergamot essential oil in skin care products will also promote healing of dry and cracked skin.

Wholesome Beauty Recipes- Organic Blueberry Banana Cobbler

         

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  We want to help everyone boost their natural, organic beauty, their inner organic skin healing and to improve overall health!  
So, we're happy to share with you free Organic Whole Food Recipes on this Blog.  Please also share with all you love and care about!


Prep. Time: 10 minutes





Use All-Organic Ingredients:

1 Banana, sliced
1 Cup Fresh or frozen Blueberries
1/4 Cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 Tbs dried Currants
1/8 tsp Vanilla
2 Tbs chopped Raw Almonds
2 Tbs unsweetened, shredded Coconut
1/4 tsp Cinnamon

Preparation:

 
Mix banana, berries, oats, currants and vanilla in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 1 minute if using fresh blueberries, or 2 minutes if using frozen. Remove dish from microwave; top with almonds, coconut and cinnamon and microwave for additional 1 minute.  Serve warm.  Enjoy!

 
Serves: 2

Anti-aging & Skin Care Bonuses of Organic Palm Oil- Part I

Organic Palm oil is one of nature's purest and strongest anti-aging ingredients.  It is most commonly used in organic body care soaps and shampoos because it easily removes dirt and oil from skin and hair. This botanical oil also contains a refatting agent that replenishes skin and hair's natural oils.  It is also used in organic skin care products specifically for its wonderful anti-aging properties, as well as for its ability to moisturize.  

 

One of the most nourishing and beneficial anti-aging properties contained in organic Palm Oil is its innate beta carotene.  This powerful antioxidant attacks free radicals that lead to aging of the skin by destroying healthy skin cells.  Additionally, organic Palm Oil is a bonus source of Vitamins A, C, and E, which also contain strong free-radical-fighting properties.

Perhaps the finest anti-aging component of organic Palm Oil is its rare toctrienols, members of the Vitamin E family.  The most commonly found type of Vitamin E, tocopherol, is well known for its benefits in treating many common skin ailments. Vitamin E is a another strong antioxidant  that aids in fighting free radicals that damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles.
 
Interestingly, Dr. Betty Kamen, PhD, aserts that toctrienols are a more powerful antioxidant compared to tocopherols.  These anti-aging miracle workers have been proven to be measurably more effective in preventing damage from free radicals and the effects of aging that follow. When Palm Oil is used topically in organic skin care cleansers, soaps, moisturizers and other products, its toctrienols penetrate the skin's layers deeply to speed healing and protection.

More Anti-aging Bonuses of this fantastic, organic botanical oil to come in Part II! (:

We Need Your Help For School Children in Haiti!

GetWholesomeBeauty.com and Cosmetiques Laudun™ are Partnering in an effort to help raise much-needed funds for the "Fleur de Vie," ("Flower of Life") 501C3 Not-For-Profit Organization, Back to School Program - 

Please Help Us Support Children Going

Back to School in Haiti!

 

 "Fleur de Vie"  

501C3 Not-For-Profit Organization 

Back to School Program-

"Replanting Our Roots for a Brighter Future!"

 

The 100%  PROMISE!

"We Promise that 100% of All Funds Raised On-line From Purchases of "Honey Bee" Honey & Oats Soap Will Go Directly to Education Programs in Haiti, 0% Towards Overhead or Profit!" - With your Donation, "Fleur de Vie" Program Will Help More Children in Haiti Return to School and also receive the School Supplies they need.

 

To Participate and Place Your Donation Order, Please Go To: 

  https://www.opensky.com/thelaudun 

   

     

Thank You So Much for Your Loving Support, and We Look Forward

 to Connecting with You on  

OpenSky! 

All the Best, 

COSMETIQUES LAUDUN™ and GetWholesomeBeauty.com

Choose Happiness to Naturally Heal Skin & Body

"Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.  He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery." - Anne Frank


Choosing to feel happy and grateful about the many good things we can see in our daily lives releases many different brain chemicals that generate a profound sense of well-being in our minds and bodies.  Happiness is also truly contagious!  Folks who always appear to be "up" and bubbly are fun to be with and really create happiness in others around them.

What a great avocation- to choose to create happiness in ourselves and the lives of others!  It certainly is easier if we can remember that we are never truly left alone to solve any problem that comes up in our day.  Reminding ourselves of this can reduce the anxiety we sometimes feel that blocks happiness.  We can choose to remember that "Spirit" is always with us, always available, and can help us to relax and decide on the best course of action for any situation we encounter in our day.  With this knowledge, we can choose to go about our day feeling happy, rather than stressed, angry or depressed.

If we make feeling good, happy & up a regular daily practice, it will have a pronounced positive effect on our mental, emotional, spiritual and phycial health.  Many scientific studies have shown the inherent connection between feeling "good" or happy and improved physical health.  It seems that a "happy" mind and body are a healthy body and mind, too.  Feeling happy every day is a great way to heal your skin, too, because this powerful emotion also releases chemicals in the brain that work to heal the skin and other organs, too.

Try spending some time powerfully focusing on feeling happy and on what you are grateful for every day.   Research shows that just 10  minutes daily of this kind of mental practice can substantially lower blood pressure, boost mental focus and clarity and even boost the immune system.  Try this for a week or two, and notice how much better you will feel and how much more energy you will have.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil in Organic Skin Care-Part II

 

Recently, we've been discussing the many anti-aging benefits of choosing to use Virgin Coconut Oil in daily organic skin care.  It's been found in recent studies that an ideal anti-aging facial or body moisturizer will contain an organic, botanical oil that will soften skin, as well as protect it from free-radical damage, promote skin healing and of course help us look younger.  Pure Virgin Coconut Oil fits that description!  

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a smart choice to get the best anti-aging ingredients for body moisturizers and cremes, cleansers, soaps and body care today.  As we mentioned in Part I of this Blog, it does a great job of preventing destructive free-radicals from forming in skin.  This wonderful gift from Nature is rich in natural anti-oxidants that, when used as part of a daily skin care plan, continue to fight new free radical attack.  The oil also has many additional health benefits for the body when taken internally or used in the preparation of food, because it's also an immune system-strengthening powerhouse!

The intoxicating scent of pure, organic Coconuts is best preserved in their oil when it's pressed through a non-chemical process known as the "DME Method" (see previous and future Blog posts for more information.) So the fragrance makes it delightful to the senses, and regular use of Virgin Coconut Oil helps to maintain the strength and elasticity of the connective tissues in the skin.  This added benefit discourages formation of deep lines and wrinkles and loss of skin firmness!

Fragrant, Pure Virgin Coconut Oil has even been shown to beautifully restore damaged or diseased skin.  It is  easily used on the face and body in its pure essential oil form, or as a strong, proven anti-aging component in organic facial and skin moisturizers, body butters, body scrubs and soaps and more.  Why not get rid of age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness and tone with a healing botanical oil that has both a lovely natural feel and exotic fragrance? We do, and we love it!

Are We Culturally Biased Against Organic Skin Care?

 
Recently I've been having conversations with friends who actually use organic skin care products, about people's perceptions when it comes to choosing whether or not to purchase these products.  A number of interesting possible "roadblocks" came up in our discussions, that I think are worthy of some discussion on this Blog.  Of particular note among these conversation topics, was the theory that Americans may be somewhat culturally "biased" towards purchasing organic body care. 

According to what several people have mentioned, there seems to be a pervading "westernized" idea in American culture that organic skin care and body care products that are or are not manufactured in this country, according to the FDA's standards, may not be "clean" or pure.  Additionally, people seem to believe that purchasing and using Organic products that don't fall under the FDA's watchful eye, could be risky, because these products could potentially contain some kind of harmful contaminants that could cause illness or injury. 

Well, I really had a good laugh over this, probably because I may have wrongly assumed that Americans are long over this kind of thinking.  The truth is, anyone who does a bit of research on the internet today will find that this is simply not true.   Most organic products are grown according to USDA Certified Organic standards, which are actually very strict standards, when compared to those followed by the FDA.  In addition, it is worth purchasing organic products grown and produced in European and other nations, whose government standards for "organic" are even stricter than our own, due to the purity of these products. 

A great rule of thumb to always follow when considering different organic products currently available in stores, is to look for the USDA Certified Organic seal (shown below.)  These skin care and body care products are guaranteed to be pure and free of any possible contaminants.  



 I'll be publishing more soon on this Blog about other possible roadblocks to purchasing organic skin care and beauty products that are truly healthy and healing for everyone.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil in Organic Skin Care-Part I

One of perhaps the most annoying signs of aging is when brown, freckle-like spots or "liver spots" start showing up, especially on facial skin and hands.  Unfortunately, these "age spots" mean that free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats), or lipofuscin, has already occured in skin.  It is well-documented that the main cause of age spots is oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein in the skin, due to free radical "attack."  The skin cells can't rid themselves of the discoloration caused by lipofuscin, and it continues to accumulate over time, causing the brown or "age spots."  

 

The good news is it's absolutely possible to prevent further skin aging and to even reduce the appearance of these age spots with using a moisturizing, free-radical-fighting botanical oil in daily organic skin care. We've been talking about the many virtues of Natural Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for quite some time on this Blog.  One of it's best healing qualities is that it's strong in fighting against free radicals, because it is unrefined and hasn't been stripped of its innate antioxidant-rich properties through a chemical refining process.  Most folks don't realize that commonly-purchased "natural" skin care products are made with refined vegetable oils- all the natural, botanical antioxidants have been stripped out of them, and so they are very likely to actually generate free-radicals both in and outside the body. 

 

Remember, whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into the skin cells and bloodstream in 23 seconds.  Using products that contain refined oils in fact causes skin to age faster. These "natural" products might feel like they bring temporary relief, but they actually accelerate the aging of the skin, production of age spots and can even promote skin cancer due to the free radicals produced by these  refined oils.   Fortunately there are many organic facial moisturizers, body lotions, body butters, organic body cleansers and soaps available to choose from today that are made with unrefined botanical oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil, that are rich in natural, free-radical-fighting anti-oxidants. 
- Check back for more Anti-aging Secrets of this miraculous organic skin care oil in our next Blog! (:  

Healing Skin Care Benefits of Organic Lemongrass Oil

Organic Lemongrass, or Melissa, is an herb easily recognized by its tall fronds of leaves and strong lemon-citrusy scent and is indigenous to Sri Lanka and India.   Applying this healing botanical to the skin can help alleviate common skin disorders and problems, such as bacterial infections and even large pores.  In addition, organic lemongrass is even used an excellent mosquito repellent. 
 

Inherent anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties give organic Lemongrass the ability to discourage bacterial or microbial growth on the skin.  The essential oil reduces the occurence of skin infections as well as alleviates skin irritations, like folliculitis and cellulitis, that are caused by bacterial infections.  

Lemongrass oil is also fungicidal, as it clears fungus infections on the skin. 

This healing essential oil from nature's bounty has been gifted with unique antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial /antiseptic chemical qualities that allow it to also be a very effective astringent.   Facial skin toners, cleansers and soaps containing organic lemongrass oil do a great job of firming and tightening the skin.  When used as an astringent/toner, this lively-scented oil is very effective in minimizing skin pores, while it forms a protective barrier of hard tissue under the skin that guards it against daily free radical exposure.

 

Astringent herbs and oils constrict the skin, contract pores, provide skin-firming, limit the secretions of oil in the skin and help to clear and fight the recurrence of acne.  Astringents/ facial toners are meant to cleanse, stimulate and remove excess oil from the skin, leaving it feeling toned and fresh.   Organic Lemongrass essential oil makes an excellent, healing addition to toners and soaps, due to its natural astringent and antiseptic qualities.  

This lovely, lemony-scented organic essential oil is also well-known for its aromatherapeutic qualities to calm and relieve stress, and this is very important in healing the skin and body as a whole!  Stress is a large contributor to decreased effectiveness of the immune system, and disease.  Adding organic lemongrass essential oil to your daily skin care regimen or bath is an easy, enjoyable way to increase the healing in your skin care.