Welcome back! And welcome if You are new here xoxo
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How are all of You, I hope You are all right? Hope You are enjoying this beautiful weather to the max? Today I wanted to share with You what products I have at work – all natural of course š
I don’t know what about You, but I love me a good lip balm, that’s one of the things I can’t live without. If You asked me to take three essentials to take to the deserted island, lip balm would be one of them. I wrote this post on my top favourites – all I ask of them is to be natural and actually stay on my lips for more than five minutes. Hurraw is one of my long standing loves, so I always have to have one or three on me at all times. One time I actually forgot to take it, I ran to the nearest pharmacy and asked if they have any natural lip balms. The only one available was Burt’s Bees one, so I grabbed it applied as soon as I returned to my job. Long story short not only I lost my lunch time, I also burned my lips – it contained peppermint, something I only realized once I applied it. Because I’d opened it, I couldn’t return it either. Lesson learned. Lesson learned.
I notice this brand disappearing from a lot of places I used to get it from, so I’ll link iHerb. You don’t have to get it from there if You don’t want to. Let me know other shops that sell it so I could check them out too.
Oscillo is more of a winter essential, but I always have a vial of this homeopathic remedy for flu symptoms. RhinAllergy is my natural answer to antihistamines. Homeopathy is a natural route and it does not have side effects, so I prefer this.
I love love love essential oils in any shape or form (see post below) and for work I take them in two forms, roller (to use on the body) and sprays. Because I cannot tolerate synthetic perfumes used there, I try to air it out and spray essential oil sprays as soon as I come in. They are proven to kill germs in the air even as low as 0.02% dilutions. In Covid heyday I also diffused essential oils in portable diffuser on my desk, but I since stopped. Got too many funny looks.
I feel these are a part of our daily lives by now. I wash my hands regularly during the day. Of course mine has to be natural,Ā I do not not touch the “regular” one at all. The stuff at work is not natural, so I carry a travel size of DrBronner’s or Vermont Soap. I am not crazy about hand sanitizers, never used them religiously, but I’ll use them if there is no other options. I like Evolve Organic Beauty and Pure Anada ones, they both do not dry the hands and are made with pure essential oils.
hand cream
Because that’s what You do when You are over 40 š My favourites are Pure Anada & Evolve Organic Beauty Timeless Renewal Hand Cream. I love them dearly, although I miss Kiss The Moon LOVE Night Cream For Hands one too, I used to get it from Love Lula, which is no more.. (sob!)
Vitamin C is the foundation of healthy life and I love these little handy sachets that are so easy to carry around. Once again, I used to get them from Love Lula, now I get them from iHerb. They are widely available from the health stores, so check around.
These are just in case I or anyone else need it. These really come in handy in winters. Now that it is summer, it is more of a candy moment things. Better than sugary sweets, or at least that’s what I tell myself š
I won’t reveal which one for personal reasons, but if You use crystals at home, why not take them to work too? I get mine from Live In The Light, which is one of my favourite online stores.
This is the only make up product I carry to work. When I put my make up in the morning, I expect it to last all day and give me no issues. The make up that I am using does exactly that. I simply adore this brand’s Duet Perfecting Concealer for full coverage and lasting power, but since it does last, I do not carry it for touch ups. Hynt Beauty Lipsticks last for the majority of the day too, once they go after a lunch or something, they leave a nice stain on the lips. So it is a case of not needing it to carry it, it is a case of wanting to carry it. The Pinkibelle shade is my Holy Grail pinky nude shade that I’ve been looking for for so many years. Plus it has a flip top lid at the end of the tube – with a mirror and a balm, so it is a great conversation piece too.
So that’s what I have on the desk with me at work. I hope this post was interesting or useful? Let me know if You have any questions about any of the products. What are Your work must haves? Please share, I would love to know.
That’s all for today, thanks for reading!
Sending LOVE & LIGHT,
Renata.
Green Life In Dublin – natural & organic products + lifeGreen Life In Dublin – green beauty & eco lifestyle blog
Welcome back! And welcome if You are new here xoxo
Natural & Organic Fall 21 Favourites – Green Life In Dublin
Hope life is treating You well? Time for the Fall/ Autumn favourites again! I have some good stuff to show You, even if they are repeats over and over. They are favourites for a reason, am I right or am I right?
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
Natural & Organic March 21 Empties – Green Life In Dublin
Empties. Love finishing products down to the last drop, but not posting about them for some reason. But! You guys love them & have asked me to continue to post them –Ā this is for You. I love being of service to my readers & if You find value in these posts, I will keep them up. This year I am also adding totals, both in quantity of products & value – although I am not to sure I want to face them š
How are You guys, I hope You are well! I get asked over and over again what are products on iHerb I recommend, so this post is for You guys. By the way, watch the sales, because you can get deals so sweet You won’t be able to resist – on top of their low prices to begin with. My code CDI1500 will give You additional savings if it is Your first order.
Welcome back! And welcome if You are new here xoxo
Natural % Organic Fall Favourites – Collab with Natural Beauty Sisters
It is that time of the year again – favourites time, that’s it š I filmed a Youtube video (not without some challenges) and as I do not like to leave things unfinished, I made a matching blog post too.
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
What’s in my bag – collaboration with Natural Beauty Sisters
How are You, I hope You are well? Another day, another Youtube video from me, this time What’s In My Bag one š It seems like I hit the ground running with Youtube after so many years of being afraid to put myself out there – if you are an introvert, you know what I mean. Many thanks for all the warmth and support from all of You – You know who You are ?
Welcome back! And welcome if you are new here xoxo
Natural and organic medicine cabinet
First and foremost, let me just start by saying I am not the health professional in any shape or form, I am not advising You to do or to buy anything I am mentioning here - and I won't be responsible for what You will do with this information. Consult with Your doctor or Your health practitioner before starting taking anything new. I am simply sharing what I use myself and what's working for me.
Now that we got boring-but-necessary disclaimer out of the way, shall we look into natural and holistic remedies I apply to support mine and my family’s health during the sickness season? Besides the obvious things like being outside, sports, healthy diet and such, we still get sick from time to time, because, well, there’s no barriers for bacteria and viruses to fly around? The remedies I am showing You here are tried and tested by me and my family for the last ten years or so, with the exception of OreganolP73, which I discovered about four years ago and won’t be without for as long as I will continue to live. Or god-forbid Big Pharma decides to outlaw like we have seen with so many natural remedies before.
For immune system support
Ginger. I take it in tea, with lemon and honey a couple of times a day. Some people also add Cayenne pepper and garlic, but that’s not for me. If you take this at the very beginning of the cold, there is a good chance you will nip the cold in the bud and not get sick at all? Put on your woolen socks and go to bed to sweat it all out. Organic and fresh is the best, but powder works too. Check iHerb.
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Garlic/ginger/turmeric paste – I use it in copious amounts in my cooking, doubling the doses if I am already sick. I have a post on it here.
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Organic Lemons – I don’t think I need to explain this š
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Cold SeasonĀ /ImmunityĀ and such teas in high quantities if I can. CheckĀ my tea collection on my iHerb page for more. I also count organic matcha tea as superfood and try to get it as much as my budget allows, as well as turmeric latte & mushroom latte – you can add all kinds of herbs and adaptogens to it. I am big on superfood drinks & always get something nice from Dutch Health Store & Live In The Light store.
Thieves/Organic defence/tea tree/lemon EOs in a diffuser. Or spray bottle. Also don’t forget to open a window. I do think Living Libations essential oils are the best on the planet, so I highly recommend getting at least one. I also use Pure Anada, Soil orĀ Medicine Flower. You know when some companies are shouting that their brand is the only one therapeutic grade or the only one certified organic brand in the world? Not true! Whatever brand you will choose, make sure to do your homework first, you want to make sure the essential oils are organic (to make sure you are not using concentrated pesticides) and therapeutic or food grade (to make sure there are no harsh solvents/ chemicals in it).Ā For years I used Esta Aroma Diffuser from NYR, but due to the high humidity and mold problems in the house I am now saving up have two nebulizing (waterless) diffusers from Living Libations.(review). I also make dilutions into roll ons to carry around.
Probiotics. Vital in my opinion, especially if you already have compromised immune system, leaky gut and digestive problems like I do. If you will take away just one thing from this post, please do yourself a favour and start taking care of yourself with daily probiotics. Look for as many different strains as possible and you want billions, not millions per capsule. This is one area where you can’t save, I am sorry, but cheap brands just won’t cut it – they will not be strong enough to make a difference or just won’t survive the acidity of the stomach fluid. Did you see the reports that GMO foods kill all the bacteria in our gut? This is non negotiable in my two cents, but you do you boo. If you are healthy and fit as a horse, eating organic only everything, you might not need them?
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Medicinal Mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps are supposed to stimulate the immune system in the long run. I swear by cordyceps, because that’s what I’ve seen working on my kids, reishi is new addition. It is so much more bitter that they won’t go near it, so I am taking it all on my own. I also recommendĀ Shaman Shack Herbs and Na’avi Organics from Dutch Health Store – don’t you love their logo “The Best Or Nothing”?Ā I die š
Up vitamin C – lemon tea with honey, maybe take extra – I love Ener C, or get liposomal vitamin C. That is supposed to be miles better and highly absorbable, as it bypassed digestive system and goes straight to the cells, but I will admit I am yet to get it due to high cost. By the way, do research on optimum vitamins and mineral levels versus RDA and your life will be forever changed. Just check out DrAxe and nutritionist Patrick Holford books – when it comes to vitamin C, Patrick Holford recommends 3grams of it EVERY HOUR (as opposed to 50mg daily RDA) when you are sick! Mind blowing.
Vitamin D – turns out this sunshine vitamin is crucial for us, it is not only a vitamin but also a hormone needed for more than 300 body functions daily! Again, the optimal dose is far more than recommended daily allowance told to us. Research for Yourself and You will be blown away. It is said to work better with K2, so I go for Better You brand – it is a pleasant tasting spray, absorbed straight into the mouth. Perfect for kids, who won’t take tablets, perfect for me, with impaired liver.
Zinc – this is something that is new to me, as I haven’t taken it separately up until last year maybe. Since I learned of it’s ability to fight viruses, I stocked up on Solgar Flavo Zinc, but it tastes chalky and upsets my stomach. I am open to suggestions for good brands.
Elderberry. Proved to both protect and support your immune system and fight whatever is attacking you, shortening illness by four days! Four days people! So whether you gather it yourself & make it into syrups, get dried berries to make it into teas & syrups, get Sambucol or other brand’s good stuff, just make sure to get it into you. I stock up onĀ Sambucol. There are other good brands out there too. Get gummies for the kids, they love them!
Manuka honey.Ā If you havenāt heard of it, Manuka Honey is the most unique and powerful form of honey on the planet. Ā Itās exclusive to New Zealand, created by bees who pollinate the Manuka Bush. But what makes Manuka that much better than your average honey? Ā Itās all in the nutrient composition. Manuka honey is known as āactiveā honey; it has natural antibacterial qualities and proven health benefits. Itās made by bees foraging from the New Zealand Manuka (tea tree) bush. Look for the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating on the jar ā the higher the rating, the greater the antibacterial activity. Scientists say it can help ease ulcers and an upset stomach, prevent gum disease, boost your immunity by fighting bacterial infections, and ease skin conditions. Raw honey has a multitude of beneficial nutrients: Amino acids, B-Vitamins, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Zinc to be exact. Ā ButĀ in Manuka honey, the density of these nutrients is over four times greater than your average honey, so your body is getting a powerful dose of enzymes that fight inflammation and bacteria and boost your immune system.Ā
For the skin, a good UMF rating means your skin will receive incredible benefits - the anti-inflammatory quality of Manuka honey is proven to improve skin texture and tone. But that's for another post :) See here for my 12 DIY Masks with manuka honey.
If you don’t want to shell out for manuka honey, please feel free to use raw local honey (preferably organic) as your next best bet. Just please do your research on different types of honeys first and then decide. Honey in the teddy shaped plastic jar? Not the best thing for your skin, as it is not only heat treated, it is mixed honey too. Meaning it is only slightly better than sugar, and it is not what you want at all.
Epsom salt/ Magnesium salt bath. Sweat. Go to bed and wrap up. You will rise like a new person.
Garlic. Organic. Crush and leave for 10 mins to activate allicin.
Also don’t forget frequent hand washes and cleaning all the germy surfaces, including door handles.Ā Don’t use those nasty antibacterial soaps, they are so full of harmful chemicals that smarter countries are banning them already. If you are a germophobe, add a few drops of tea tree oil into your natural hand soap, it will do the trick. If you use antibacterial gel, useĀ Green People organic hand sanitiser. Or go full Gwyneth and use Colloidal Silver instead.
Homeopathic remedies. I myself useĀ OscillococcinumĀ &Ā Coryzalia by Boiron but you might try different ones, as the thing with homeopathic remedies is that there are no āgeneral recommendationsā what works for me might not work for you. If l have a cold (if you know yourself well enough, you know the difference. For me aching bones is a surefire way to tell the difference) I take the latter two, if I know it is a flu (or if I don’t get better after 3 days) I take Oscillococcinum, and maybe combine it with Oreganol if I am sick for more than 4-5 days and I am not getting better.
Lots of rest and sleep if you can? I know I am guilty of not slowing down because of the flu/cold, because like many of us women I tend to feel that I still have to take care of everyone and everything, but the truth is that by doing so you (I) are only prolonging the time of disease! So tell everyone to share the chores for a few days and get that deserved rest! Just think of what men do when they get sick? At the first sigh of unwell they are dying, not lifting a finger and demanding all kind of stuff every five minutes, right? Totally double standards! Shall we do the same?
Essential Oils Sprays To Clean The Air
Opening the windows is one of the ways to clean the air, but essential oils packed sprays also helps. Be cautious not to overdo it and never spray directly onto someone. I love and use Saint ComeĀ (sadly production stopped due to Covid) , there’s also ViroGuard by Medicine Flower, butĀ suggestions and recommendations are welcome! You can also DIY it with “five thieves” type of essential oils. If you want a post on that, be sure to let me know and I will be happy to do it for you.
during sickness
OreganolP73Ā – I have already written about thisĀ hereĀ andĀ here, but basically it is nature’s miracle – it is a natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal stuff that is amazingly also antioxidant! Too good to be true? Well, in this case it is not, and if you only will take one thing out of this post, this is it! Not easy to find in the stores, you might have to get online.
You can also tryĀ Grapefruit Seed Extract, andĀ Olive Leaf Extract as other forms of natural antibiotics. Both extracts taste vile, not going to lie, so maybe look into capsules?
Linden tea. This helps to break a sweat faster. Add honey (manukaĀ is best, but any natural honey will do). Don’t add to boiling hot tea as not to kill those healing nutrients.
Camomile teaĀ these two go hand in hand, their main job is to make you sweat and thus get rid of disease faster.
More rest.Ā More sleep.
Pick and choose any remedies mentioned above. Garlic & fire cider might be awesome but hard to swallow, so maybe up lemon tea and manuka?
Neals Yard Remedies Cough Syrup – good times pre-Brexit
for cough
For coughs, my best bet is used to be NYR Thyme Syrup (because Brexit), so now I getĀ Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa – Sore Throat Syrup –Ā funny name, alright, but it is Chinese herbs & honey cough syrup from iHerb. Ā There are loads of homemade remedies out there too, but I haven’t been successful with them. If you have tried and tested recipe, please let me know in the comments? Also Iāve just read that fresh pineapple juice should be better than anything for cough, has anyone tried it?
For sore throats, try Himalayan salt gargles. Maybe adding some thyme and or Oreganol.
What are your tips and tricks, would you share with me? I am always willing to learn new natural things š The more natural remedies we will know, the better for all of us.
Thatās all for now. Please like and share this or any of my other posts on social media, it really helps to get the green beauty word out ā and you will forever have my gratitude!
Lots of Love,
Renata.
Green Life In Dublin, green beauty and lifestyle blog
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Resources - books, naturopathic doctors and websites.Ā I highly encourage You to do your own research too.
