AngelRox

My sister is getting married this June in NYC at The Botanical Gardens.
She isn't doing a formal "wedding party" with bridesmaids all dressed alike.
She is letting us wear what we want - as long as it's a bright, jewel tone.

As I've browsed for appropriate attire, I found AngelRox.

AngelRox is a line of "wrap" style garments with true conscience. The "wraps" are convertible, able to be manipulated into different styles - making one garment into an entire wardrobe of options.

"Crafted with joy in Brooklyn, NY from stretch jersey in three fiber variations depending on color. all fabrics are cellulose (plant based) fibers made from reconstituted wood pulp thus sharing the natural comfort properties of cotton but with superior drape, flow and suitability for special occasions. these fibers include bamboo (made from the pulp of bamboo trees), rayon (made from other trees) or modal (derived from beechwood). we source all fabrics within the US and as locally as we possibly can to save on fuel consumption in production." (from http://roxisugar.blogspot.com)

There is an entire post on styling the bride and wedding party in AngelRox wraps.
This is so brilliant and beautiful. What a gift to give the bride and wedding party a garment option with such flexibility and a meaningful cause! You must click here to see the post, some ideas for an AngelRox wedding and to purchase: http://roxisuger.blogspot.com/2010/03/natural-bride.html

AngelRox also offers great "wrap" tops that would be the perfect apres yoga garment, soft tee shirts adorned with wings, comfy cotton briefs and more!

Or click here to see the entire collection on their flash site: http://angelrox.com

(image from: roxisugar.blogspot.com)

John Masters Organics

On my quest to find products that are organic, natural and created without the use of SLS, Parabens and Petroleum products, I couldn't forget about hair styling products. Remember that what you place on your hair migrates onto your skin and can therefore be absorbed systemically.

This is a tricky product arena, as many of us are used to high performance products loaded with synthetic ingredients.
Add to that a mane of curly hair and we have a challenge!

Well, challenge met and expectations exceeded by John Masters Organics.

John Masters is a visionary East Coast hair stylist who opened the first "clean air" salon in the world in 1994. John Masters Organics is the accompanying paraben-free, organic hair care and skin care line.

I inquired with the company about hair styling products that would be safe to use on my sensitized skin, but that would perform exceptionally and tame my curls.

John Masters Organics responded with a package that included the first product John Masters created - The Dry Hair Nourishment and Defrizzer along with a bevy of other samples.

The Dry Hair Nourishment and Defrizzer comes in a glass dropper bottle. Only two or three drops are needed for an entire head of hair. A vibrant marigold color, this ""100% certified organic plant and essential oil blend" has an exquisite aroma and light texture.
Amazingly, this oil based product leaves no greasy residue - just shiny, moisturized, controlled hair.
I have been using two drops after towel drying my hair and then applying my new addiction, the Sweet Orange and Silk Protein Styling gel.

I simply put a nickel sized amount of the gel into my palms and apply to my curls in a scrunching motion. My curls dry silky and separated with modern texture.
Notice, I mentioned nothing about crunchy.

I actually hesitated to use this product at first because it brought up memorizes of crispy, shellacked ringlets. Not with this product!! Not at all!
I mean, who ever heard of a non-crunchy gel? Well, you have now! Plus, there are none of the crackly by products like flaky white chunks.
I don't know how they did it, but I want John Masters to keep on doing it. I will keep the Sweet Orange and Silk Protein Styling gel on hand by the gallon.
Oh - and it smells divine as well.

Learn more about the entire John Masters Hair and Skin Care line and purchase here:
http://www.johnmasters.com/

(image from johnmasters.com)

Smart Bran Cereal

Always looking for my fiber fix, I noticed two boxes of Nature's Path Organic Smart Bran Cereal on the front table at my local food coop.

The words, "organic" and "bran" caught my eye.

Upon examining the label I was tickled to find that a 2/3 cup serving has 90 calories, 1 g of fat, 3 g of protein and a fiberlicious 13 g of fiber!

I have found the perfect replacement for a very popular high fiber cereal I was eating that was nowhere near organic and to my horror - contains aspartame! Ewwww. For real - I thought that ended with Tab!

Back to Smart Bran ... it is delicious and wonderfully textured. The cereal is shaped in tiny little, crunchy nuggets perfect for topping yogurt, salads or straight out of the box.

Learn more and purchase Smart Bran here: http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold-cereals/smartbran-cereal

(image from: naturespath.com)

Oldie Sunday - Cod Liver Oil

As Spring comes into full effect, you are sure to be getting more serious about your fitness regime. Be sure to support you body with Essential Fatty Acids like those in Cod Liver Oil:
http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2009/12/cod-liver-oil.html

Week in Review Mar 22 to 26, 2010

Swap you coffee for Yerba Mate: http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2010/03/yerba-mate_22.html

All natural shampoo/conditioner option: http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2010/03/griffin-remedy_23.html

Sportswearable Art: http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2010/03/kehinde-wiley-for-puma.html

Give jogging a whirl: http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2010/03/yes-you-can-jog.html

Don't fret, this too shall pass: http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2010/03/law-of-impermanence.html

The Law of Impermanence

My dear friend and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Shanalee Gallagher recently completed a ten day Vipassana Meditation course.

It consisted of ten days of silence, meditation, two vegan, gluten free meals a day and a ton of self realization.

One of the huge themes and lessons she took from this retreat was how The Law of Impermanence applies to life.

The Law of Impermanence is one of the three Universal Laws that the Buddha taught and states that all phenomena are subject to constant change, to rise and fall, and no permanent states, either physical or animate, exists.

Heavy.

This law can be applied in so many ways, giving so many lessons, ultimately bringing a peace that definitely influences feeling and looking damn good!

For me, this law is a reminder to not constantly try to manipulate my circumstances and rather to let things be so that things can just change naturally.

It is also thematic of non-attachment whether to the physical or emotional.

So what if you can't do headstand in yoga class yet ... that will eventually change.
Who cares if you are developing crows feet around your eyes, that is a beautiful marker of time passage, wisdom and your body changing.
Why worry if you didn't get that job you thought you really wanted; know that things are constantly changing and something else will come your way.

I am finding great comfort, resolve and perseverance within this Law.

Apply The Law of Impermanence to your life and watch the damn goodness follow.

(image from: dreamstime.com)

Yes - you can jog!

I have encountered so many personal training clients over the years who tell me they "could never run" or "don't like to run" or "my lungs hurt when I run."

Nonsense! As long as there is no true physical contraindication to jogging, anyone can shuffle along. Perhaps you don't look like a marathoner or a track star while you are doing it, but there is a systematic way to find your running groove.

Embrace your personal running style!

1.If you are serious about starting to jog, invest in a good pair of shoes that are specifically engineered for running. Preferably, go to a running specialty store and get fitted for a pair that is perfect for you.

2. Load up your Ipod with your favorite tunes to keep you going.

3. Make sure you have comfortable, breathable clothing that won't chafe or irritate you.

4. Formulate a plan. Don't just go out there and try to run 6 miles your first day.
Build slowly and sensibly. Here is my favorite way:

- Dedicate 30 minutes to your "jogging" adventure (This is considering you have some sort of cardiovascular base - if not, you start with FIVE minutes and build to 30 minutes week by week - adding five additional minutes each week)

- Try to find a soft surface like a trail or blacktop rather than concrete

- Think of the run in 5 minute segments

- Segment 1 - Try to shuffle/jog for up to one minute
Then walk for four minutes

- Segment 2 - repeat Segment 1 and so on for six segments until 30 minutes is up.

- STRETCH AFTERWARDS

- REPEAT this workout twice more on non-consecutive days for one to two weeks

- After one to two weeks, if the one minute is easily attainable during all six segments, add up to another minute in each segment. So, you are jogging for two minutes, walking for three minutes ... repeating for 30 minutes.

- Keep progressing every one to two weeks, adding another minute until ... VOILA!! You are shuffling along for thirty minutes!!

Be sure to fuel up before your runs and afterwards, stretch, ice and take Epsom salt baths as needed and treat yourself to a massage when you achieve whatever time you have set for your running goal.

(image from: acclaimimages.com)