Did You know about Moringa?

Belles and Beaus, 

This week I decided to write about a NEW and incredibly nutrient rich natural resource, Moringa.

Moringa is one of the richest sources of essential nutrients often lacking in people's diets. Experts agree that the long-term solution to malnutrition is the use of foods rich in the essential nutrients often lacking in people's diets (treeoflife.org). Modern scientific research is proving that Moringa leaves are one of the richest sources of such nutrients. 

Find Moringa in Yamerra's NEW Rejuvenating Hair and Body Oil

Yamerra has a BRAND NEW product, Yamerra's Rejuvenating Green Tea Hair and Body Oil, exclusive for the holidays too! Have you tried it? It is highly moisturizing and enrichening with fresh nutrients and herbs such as She butter oil, rosemary, green tea, lemongrass and olive oil. It is a little over eight full ounces (8oz) of luxurious Hair and Body Oil for $49.00. It has a shelf life of 2 years, and long lasting enough to use for about 12-15 weeks and comes with a FREE oil dropper to make sure none of it goes to waste in over application or spillage.

See Yamerra's Green Tea Hair and Body Oil circled in Yellow at our Soho location: 684 Broadway, NY 10012 Th-Su 11a-8p.

Please Stop By to Snag a Jar Soon, it makes for such an Eco-friendly treat for self or loved ones:

Yamerra

684 Broadway & Great Jones

NY NY 10012

Th-Su 11a-8p

The ground Moringa leaves in the product are full of essential disease-preventing nutrients:
 

• Vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases.
• Vitamin C, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu.
• Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Potassium, essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
• Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.

 Moringa leaves compared to common foods

Values per 100gm. edible portion

Nutrient		Moringa Leaves		Other Foods
Vitamin A		6780 mcg		Carrots: 1890 mcg
Vitamin C		220 mg		Oranges: 30 mg
Calcium		440 mg		Cow's milk: 120 mg
Potassium		259 mg		Bananas: 88 mg
Protein		6.7 gm		Cow's milk: 3.2 gm

from Nutritive Value of Indian Foods,
by C. Gopalan, et al.

Shop. Fight. Support: Let's Fight against Breast Cancer.

Friends,

In two weeks, Yamerra and Diosa will be collaborating to raise awareness and funds to support the fight against Breast Cancer. Join Us! YAMERRA and DIOSA will host you, Eco-Conscious friends, in the fight against breast cancer at Yamerra's Mini Boutique in Soho.

Home of Yamerra @ 12 Lions Studio

Come out and enjoy hand massages, and check out our Eco-friendly offerings while you are at it!

Find Eco-friendly Diosa Nail Polish at Yamerra Boutique in Soho: 684 Broadway, NY 10012

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 14th 2012

PAMPER TIME: 4:30-8.00p 

WHERE: Yamerra

                12 Lions Studio 

                684 Broadway, 

                NY 10012

SAVE $4.00 when you Spend $40 to Receive:

A FREE Hand Massage

2 Yamerra Eco-Luxe Minis of your choice

A Manicure with Nail Art  by Kelly B of I_Nailed_it with Toxic Free Eco-Friendly Diosa Nail Poish

 ($20 of your proceeds will go towards supporting the fight for Breast Cancer).

Regular for 2 Eco luxe minis: $24

Regular for Diosa Manicure: $20

FREE HAND MASSAGE by Yamerra: *Priceless*

Come out and support the Fight Against Breast Cancer (Proceeds will go to: TBA Foundation).

Did you Know the Health + Beauty Benefits of Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk is highly nutrient rich and something you might want to consider adding to your diet for its health benefits.

Until recently, coconut milk (not to be confused with coconut water, which is found when you break open a coconut; the milk comes from the white “meat” of the coconut) was considered too high in saturated fat and therefore bad for you. More research has proven that coconut milk not only consists of of minerals such as  Potassium, selenium, zinc, magnesium,  vitamins like B12, but it can actually help you lose weight if that’s your goal.

That creamy coconut milk...? Lap it up! it's so nutritious for you!

Beauty Benefits of coconut milk: Coconut milk contains copper (the mineral, not the metal!) which improves skin’s elasticity. It acts as a natural anti-aging agent.

Stress-Reliver: A healthy amount of magnesium in coconut milk will relax your nerves. Feel free to pour yourself a cold glass of this tropical, highly rejuvenating drink instead.

Coconut Milk L.o.V.e for Hair: Boost hair growth with Coconut! Creamy coconut milk is loaded with proteins that are essential for hair growth, plus it contains fatty acids that make your hair shiny (especially in winter when our hair tends to be more brittle).

Try:
Warm up 1/2 cup-1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
Slowly pour the milk through your hair and scalp

With the pads of your fingertips, gently massage your scalp making small, circular motions
Let it sit for 15 minutes
Then shampoo and condition as usual

Coconut milk is an extremely healthy and undervalued drink that’s actually not just nutrient, but also tasty and refreshing! You can even throw it in the blender with some strawberries, pineapples, and ice (for the naughty folks: toss some rum in there, too) for an even more delicious elixir.

Fall Beauty Treats for the Skin

Happy Fall to you dear reader!

We are discussing healthy and delicious fall treats that help maintain skin radiance... Food certainly takes center stage this time of year, but if you’re looking to curb your calories but still want to indulge your senses (and your skin), here are my Fall and Holiday beauty product picks!

I loveeeeee Pumpkin-anything...

More than a culinary treat, pumpkin contains good-for-your skin antioxidants and exfoliating enzymes that protect skin from damage, smooth rough texture and keep pores clear. We recommend a DIY fresh Pumpkin and honey mask that really helps to restore damaged skin, especially with the Vitamin E found in Honey,  your skin will look fabulous for the holidays!

What you'll need: 1-2oz of freshly blended pumpkin and 2 teaspoons of honey. Mix in a bowl and apply to face and neck. Leave for 12-15 minutes and rinse with luke warm water.

Collect Pumpkin pulp, blend, add honey then apply to face and neck.  Image from charlestonmag.com

Maple…YES!!!!!!!!

Not just for pancakes or waffles, there’s something about the scent of maple that conjures up images of the leaves changing colors in New England—and this sweet treat is rich in antioxidants as well. If you want the sensory experience without the waistline-expanding calories, try a highly nutrient Maple and oats facial mask at home.

What you'll need: 1-2oz of fresh dry oats, 2 teaspoons of fresh maple, 1 egg (egg white only). Mix and apply to face and neck. Leave fore 12-15 minutes. Rinse throughly with luke warm to cool water.

Cranberry sauce...Anyone?

Cranberries are delicious and healthy, a great source of antioxidants, which is good news for your skin. The antioxidants found in cranberry sauce  help keep your skin looking and feeling great, which often becomes a problem this time of year. Have cranberry sauce in moderation.

Enjoy fresh cranberry sauce, anti-oxidants found in the fruit help rejuvenate the skin! Image from twopeasintheirpod.com

Yummm, apple cider…

When you reach for that mug of apple cider, did you ever think your hair would like to get in on the action? Try a DIY fresh deep cleansing and conditioning treatment for your hair. Add a touch of fresh apple cider to some olive oil and apply to dry hair. Make sure to massage into scalp. Wear a shower cap for about  15 mins, and then rinse. The blend washes away product buildup, while conditioning and softening the hair.  

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How to Strengthen Your Immune System and Your Nails, at the same time!

Beauties, 

The major benefit of eating yogurt (all year round) is that it acts to prevent illnesses and infections and helps to improve the health of the gastro intestinal system. Yogurt acts as a regular supply of probiotics - the good bacteria or live cultures found in yogurt, helps keep the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria in your intestines, which helps the body function properly, boosts the immune system and prevents diseases.

"And your nails...?" You ask... How does it help my nails? Grab a yogurt for breakfast or a snack – the calcium will help build strong and beautiful nails! 

Live healthily, sustainably... Ultra Fashionably! 

Xo- Yamerra

BEAUTY RX: Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies

Darlings, 

I just found an incredibly pleasurable way to brighten, whiten my teeth... This should be especially fun for all my berry lovers out there. The secret to this inexpensive home whitening method is malic acid, which acts as an astringent to remove surface discoloration. Mixed with baking soda, strawberries become a natural tooth-cleanser, buffing away stains from coffee, wine and dark sodas. While it’s no replacement for a bleaching treatment at your dentist’s office, it is a fast, inexpensive way to brighten your smile. I would recommend this method of teeth whitening only once a week as the acid could damage the enamel on your teeth

DIY TEETH WHITENING: Find simple instructions below for a delicious, homemade teeth-whitening recipe…

• Crush 2-3 strawberries

• Mix with a bit of baking soda
• Spread mixture across teeth with a toothbrush; leave for 5 minutes; rinse
• Repeat once a week for best results

Rediscover Healthy ways to Embolden Your Skin

BEAUTY RX: 

Rediscover healthier ways to boost skin radiance. We found that Beta-Carotene, the “precursor” to Vitamin A, can improve skin quality, making it brighter, supple and more radiant! We recommend snacking on some carrots between meals for radiant skin.

A glass of carrot juice a day, brightens the skin to greater heights of radiance

I enjoy juiced carrots... I highly vote for a glass of freshly pressed carrots. Not only does it help increase radiance, and reduce dullness of the skin, it helps to improve your eyesight as well.

You can also treat your skin to Yamerra's Natural Facial Serum: It is highly nutrient and some of its ingredients include: carrot oil, tons of vitamin E, Shea butter, evening primrose, fennel extracts (a great anti-aging emollient). It helps increase your natural glow, restoring balance from the inside, out. Yamerra's Natural Facial Serum can be used day or night, as a hydrator and moisturizer and then at night as a firming serum.

 

EATING HEALTHY = GREAT SKIN!

Love, 

Yamerra

Fashion Fest with YAMERRA @ 12 Lions Studio

Darlings,

I am so happy to invite you to the home of Yamerra, 12 Lions Studio in Soho, NYC. Yamerra will be welcoming the Fall and celebrating Fashion in style. We invite you to join us and celebrate at 12 Lions Studio. There will be much laughter to share, wine to be drank, and one-of-a-kind gift items to snag!

Yamerra will be offering a FREE MYSTERY GIFT to the first 25 shoppers! Don't be late, this gift is all natural, and oh-so-luxurious!

Where: 

Yamerra @ 12 Lions Studio

684 Broadway, 

Corner of Great Jones and Broadway, 

NY NY 10012

How to acheive Luscious Hair with Natural Home Remedies

You can identify healthy hair by the way it moves, so breathe new life into broken hair with Yamerra's Conditioning Hair Mask. Designed to increase the movement of damaged hair, Yamerra's Shea Butter Conditioning Hair Mask is rich in premium Shea butter, water, olive oil, rosemary, jojoba oil, rosemary and high levels of vitamin E. It is an innovative conditioning agent which reduces friction and increases alignment between hair strands for the freedom of movement that only healthy hair enjoys.

Yamerra's Nutrient Rich Shea Conditioning Hair Mask, at EDRIS SALON, NY.

Where can you find Yamerra's Conditioning Hair Mask?

Yamerra
12 Lions Studio,
684 Broadway NYC
(Corner of Broadway and Great Jones)

We also would like to recommend other Homemade Hair Aids:

You can save money and get good results from these homemade, hair care products:

• Treat damaged hair with with olive oil and egg yolk. Massage olive oil into hair. Then beat the yolk of 1 egg and massage it into hair, working from the scalp to the tip of the hair. Leave on for 10 minutes, then shampoo as usual. Do this once a week for a month for hair that is and feels healthier.
• Condition your hair by applying mayonnaise liberally before shampooing. Apply to dry hair and let sit for 1/2 hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual. 
• Another great ingredient to boost radiance and health in the hair is fresh Avocado. The avocado, mixed with egg yolk makes for a nutrient-rich deep conditioning treatment for dry and broken hair.
• Make sure that if you blow dry your hair after washing, you do not wring out all the water with a towel before doing so. Using a blow dryer that's too hot tends to dry out the hair and causes breaking.

Let us know if any of our recommendations work for you! We want to know that you are doing well.

Kangalicious Diaries in New York: Day Seven

Today is the final Day of Vivacious Kanga Diaries. I am using my Kanga as a hobo-bag. I went to pick up some breakfast fruit, my Kanga bag was super helpful. I tied the shorter ends, that are opposite to each other, and put the tied ends over my shoulder to make the hobo. So easy! I love that the Kanga, vibrant and colorful, can be so functional! Yamerra's guide features seven different ways to use your Kanga. There are many more! If you do not own a Kanga and want one, or are looking for a really one-of-a-kind gift, you can pick one up at:

Yamerra
12 Lions Studio,
684 Broadway NYC
(Corner of Broadway and Great Jones)

The Kanga makes for a user-friendly and sustainable accessory for use all year round, a Yamerra Treasure!  I will definitely be back in the Summer with Kangalicious Diaries in New York so tune in when it gets hot outside... All I will want to wear is the light-weight cotton fabric, can't wait! See pictures of my Kanga Hobo below.

Day Seven: The Kanga as a Hobo Bag

The knots I tied are on my shoulder. The Kanga bag also closes and hold your belonging securely with one more knot in the middle. Grab the two long ends and make a small knot.

Kangalicious Diaries in New York: Day Six

If you are just tuning into the Vivacious Kanga Diaries, welcome! Check out Day One through five, truly not to be missed. I am wearing a six year old Kanga today, look how vibrant the color still is...? A primary characteristic of the multi-use organic cotton fabric is that it gets softer and more beautiful with time. This Kanga is a Bodacious and vibrant one of red, green and yellow textiles on it.

For my fashionistas out there, this is a "Balance Line Kanga Dress". This is a very comfortable yet ultra chic and fashionable look that can be worn in the day time or for cocktails or a night out. I tied the corners on the short sides of the Kanga around my torso, then folded it and tied it again around my waist. As you can see from images below its tied twice again down the front to create the perfect "Balance Line". Check out pictures below...What do you think?

Where can you pick up a Kanga?
Yamerra
12 Lions Studio,
684 Broadway NYC
(Corner of Broadway and Great Jones)

Day Six: The Kanga as a Balance Line Dress

There are three knots on the Center Front to make the "Balance Line"

Kangas are sooo much fun, they make a great light-weight accessory all year round!

Kangalicious Diaries in New York: Day Five

Wow! Day Five of the Vivacious Kanga Diaries. I am wearing my mum's Kanga today (I borrowed it indefinitely, ha) as an over sized bolero. The fabric is stunning in orange and black with the intricate textiles on it. I've had this Kanga for years! Look how vibrant the color still is... Truly a Yamerra Treasure.

This is a very relaxed and fashionable look that anyone can pull off with a little black dress and a Kanga in their favorite colors. I tied the corners on the short sides of the Kanga and threw the "bolero" over my little black dress. My hands go through the new holes created on the left and right of the Kanga. You will also see images where I looped a belt around my waist to help hold the fabric in place. Check out pictures below...What do you think?

Where can you pick up a Kanga?
Yamerra
12 Lions Studio,
684 Broadway NYC
(Corner of Broadway and Great Jones)

Day Four: The Kanga Bolero and that little black dress

Be creative with your Kanga, pair it with your favorite little black dress... Great look for a breezy evening out

Kangalicious Diaries in New York: Day Three

So we are at Day Three of the "How to rock your Kanga" Guide! Sooo excited! You think to yourself, "what else can I do with the vibrant rectangular organic cotton fabric?" We say there's so much more!

Today, I decided to wear another Kanga, blue-black and stunning (from my grandma), as a skirt. I wrapped it around my waist, belted it, and tied the bottom corners into a bow at the bottom to give the skirt a shape. What do you think? This is an over-the-knee style that is cute enough to wear to work in the summer. See images below of me in my blue-black, work/ after work ensemble:

Where can you pick up a Kanga and start trying out your own ideas?

Yamerra
12 Lions Studio,
684 Broadway NYC
(Corner of Broadway and Great Jones)

Day 3: The Kanga as a Skirt 

 

The Kanga is wrapped around the waist, belted, then tied at the bottom, close to the knee

Yamerra Opens its First Mini Store @ 12 LIONS STUDIO NYC

As featured in The Daily News New York, 12 LIONS STUDIO is a luxury Artisan House featuring the finest local designers in the city. As the NY Daily News describes, 12 Lions Studio, is a new retail space for local artisans who don’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront from which to sell their creations. Read more in the NY Daily News here.

The well-lit, exquisitely designed studio features the Eco-Luxury skin and hair care brand YAMERRA, high-end accessories and jewelry by Eva Shaw Designs, Oh-so-soft naturally dyed hand-woven raw silk scarfs and original illustrations woven into clothing for adults and children by Juli Raja. Skunk Funk; a luxury clothing line among 9 other excellently crafted goods by skilled independent designer products can be found.

New York Daily News: *Correction: YAMERRA'S closed headquarters and studios are located in Chinatown, LES, NYC

12 LIONS STUDIO is open all year round, from Thursdays through Sundays, from 11am-8pm. Join us to check out the latest HOT Artisan Shops in New York. Experience (affordable) Luxury Shopping at its finest.


WHERE: 684 Broadway, NY NY 10012 (Corner of Great Jones and Broadway)

A Well Kept Secret...Until Now

Yamerra is opening an ultra fab mini store in NOHO this year! YES. The light-filled loft space, close to the NYU Campus, and surrounded by fashion stores and great food, will be hosting about 20 independent designers and the most fashionable things in NY! You must come and check it out we open March 15th.

 

                               The Tanzanian Kanga. Photo By Daniel Virella
Our store will be an organic mix of all things Yamerra and some of our favorite things from all over the world. We will feature Yamerra's nutrient-rich products for men and women, ultra fashionable hand-made Eco-Luxury jewelry pieces, Exclusive Tanzanian Kanagas; a lightweight cotton rectangular fabric with endless uses, vivaciously colorful and engraved with a Swahili Proverb (to die for in the summer!!!!) and much more! You must come out and check it out soon!

STORE OPENING: March 15th, 2012
WHERE: 
12 LIONS STUDIO
684 Broadway, Corner of Broadway and Great Jones, NYC