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

Beauty Essentials for Girls On-The-Go

I have been on four planes in the last five days. While this is all very exciting (I love traveling), my skin and hair take a beating if I do not give them a little extra T.L.C.

My top beauty rituals and DIY ways to remaining radiant, with luscious locks include:

Hydrating: Drinking water ALWAYS does the trick! Whether you find yourself in a high altitude climates like in Mexico City, or in hot and humid climates on Montreal, drinking water keeps the skin and hair in good form.  Drinking water while flying long distances especially helps the skin to rejuvenate and keeps dryness at bay. Embolden that glow to skin level by staying hydrated on the go.

Consistently hydrating throughout your travel day makes a big difference for your skin and hair.

Moisturizing: Applying a vitamin rich moisturizer, to the skin and hair always helps as well. I use my Yamerra Eco-Luxe Mini while I'm on the go. It comes in a nice, user-friendly size (well under the required 3oz for air planes) and is long-lasting. You can very easily use the Yamerra Mini for the hair and skin, as it is designed as a 2-in-1. Our Eco-Luxe Mini's come in a variety of restorative essential oils and scents.

Are you looking for something invigorating, to give you that boost while you have been sitting on that six hour flight to London? Our fresh Lemon Fire Bliss Lemongrass is for you... Or are you looking for a relaxing, calming balm that may induce a great 30 minute nap while on that short flight  to Toronto from New York? Our Honey Vanilla Butter is just the thing.

Pick up a Yamerra Eco-Luxe Mini online at www.yamerra.com OR at our store location in New York:
Yamerra
684 Broadway,
Corner of great Jones Street and Broadway,
NY 10012

Remember ladies, radiant skin and luscious locks are Always in Season. Love your Skin... Hair, Love you!





Image from: healthyliving.org

How To Identify Hidden Toxins in Your Home

Toxins are hidden in many a number of products that we use every day. You can find them in face wash, shampoo, deodorant/antiperspirant, nail polish, baby wash, laundry soap and more.

We will discuss items you may have/ use in your home that contain "hidden" toxins so you can learn what contains harmful (possibly even cancer causing) ingredients. Well equipped with the information,  you can decide if it is worth the risk or not. We will focus on a highly dangerous toxin: Formaldehyde. Why? Because it is a very serious one that has a range of hiding places from our furniture to our nail care and hair care products. 

Try to search for personal care and home care products that are toxic-free. A good place to shop for such items is at Health Food/ Home stores.

Unfortunately, formaldehyde has many other names, so one can't just pick up a product and find "formaldehyde" listed as one of the ingedients. There are many chemicals listed on our household items that contain a form of formaldehyde that is still dangerous for us. Common places to find these hidden toxins:

• Air Fresheners can release a chemical that reacts with the ozone to create formaldehyde also

• All purpose cleaners/ Disinfectants

• Hair Care products use preservatives that may contain formaldehyde. The effects can be minor like irritation to eyes, headaches, sleep disorders, irritant to skin, lungs and throat or irritant to respiratory system or major like cancer and neurological system disorders. Now that you know where formaldehyde is lurking, how do we abolish it from our homes.

Search and Remove

• Air Fresheners: Safe options for freshening your air include an air purifier or using safe air freshening alternatives. Some safe alternatives are 1. Eliminate aerosols 2. You could boil vanilla on the stove top for a soft vanilla scent. This can also be done with cinnamon sticks. I burn pure sage leaves all the time! Works wonders. 

  

  Sage Herb, really helps neutralize odors and leaves your space smelling clean. Its also toxic free! 

• All Purpose Cleaners: I use vinegar and water or another reputable green cleaner. It is best to use a super concentrated green cleaner and mix with your own water so you help the environment as well. Disinfectants: That may sound funny but the point is don't use a disinfectant that is more harmful than the germs that it is cleaning.

• Hair Care: Look for companies, such as YAMERRA, that don't use formaldehyde as a preservative. Some of the chemicals that can contain formaldehyde are DMDM hydantoin, and bronopol.; A few safe brands are Aveda, YAMERRA, and Georgia NY; These are jut a few so it is relatively simple to find one that fits your hair care needs. 

  

  Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP free. Yamerra recommends living sustainably, yet ultra fashionably! Use toxic free nail polish that's ultra fashionable yet sustainable for you and the environment.  Image from Sephora.com

Some known aliases for formaldehyde are as follows: Formalin, Oxy Methylene, Methanol, Methaldehyde, Methyl Aldehyde, Methylene Glycol, Methylene Oxide. 

As you can see, formaldehyde is lurking in many areas of our homes. Great thing that now that you know where it is hiding, you can remove it/ avoid it and protect your health and your family's health.