Josie Maran: Luxury with a conscience!

You may recognize Josie Maran from all her fabulous modeling ads in Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Mademoiselle,  TV commercials for Maybelline and also appearing on the big screen movies such as The Little Black Book, Van Helsing, and The Aviator.

Being raised in a very natural, bohemian environment in Southern California, Josie Maran was inspired after becoming a mother to create her own cosmetics line. She felt the need to give back to the world. The long hours she spent on a makeup chair gave her the inspiration of creating products with superior ingredients one that would be good for your skin, eco-friendly with bio-degradable packaging and still be luxurious and fun!

I wanted to try the ever so famous 100% Argan oil she uses in most of her products.  And may I just say....Wow! what an improvement I've seen on my skin. It is now supple, luminous, and I absolutely love how fresh my skin feels after applying it- it's not heavy at all. I have combination skin and was concerned that my skin will react to the oil but NO, it is by far the BEST moisturizer I've ever tried. 

Among other goodies I have listed on my Christmas list, I would like to get the Natural Wonder Argan Powder Palette. Not just because of the beautiful butterflies design on the packaging but because it contains 5 eye shadows, 2 blushes and 1 bronzing powder for a very affordable price too- only $35. That's not bad at all, considering one of her eye shadows alone are $20.00 

Another one on my list is the "Eye Love You Palette" the colors on this palette are perfect to create smokey eyes. I definitely LOVE it. I also heard they're highly pigmented- as I prefer. 

I noticed on her website www.josiemarancosmetics.com that she's just came out with a product very similar to the one VAPOUR has been known for. It's a sheer moisturizing tint on a stick. Hers of course, contains my new found friend 100% Argan oil. So I'm debating now which one to buy. So I will continue doing some research about these two.

One product from VAPOUR ORGANIC BEAUTY  I  have on my list this year is the 

Atmosphere Luminous Foundation

Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation is made with 70% Certified Organic ingredients. The other 30% consists of natural mineral pigments and vitamins which are not available as certified organics.

You may find this information and more at www.vapourbeauty.com

 I will also be trying USANA™ Sense skin care line pretty soon, as I await anxiously for the package to arrive.  A review will follow of course. 

Look for a series of video reviews I'll be doing as soon as I try these products. We'll have fun discussing the pro's and the con's and sharing opinions from you my readers. The feedback is greatly appreciated. So your tips and suggestions are always welcome :)

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Now, that's a scary picture! Most people would avoid magnifying mirrors, and definitely cameras that would point out all the skin's flaws. Or if you are one like me that looks for the tiniest imperfection and magnifies it to the 100%, then you will find yourself looking for ways to make your skin look flawless!

Covering up with foundation and concealers might appear to be the first quick fix we go for. But this of course is not treating the problem, it's just hiding it temporally. 

All the dark areas on the picture above, are sun damage. My skin is predisposed to hyperpigmentation since my latina roots blessed me with plenty of melanin to have a forever tan, which is cool, but on the down side, if my SPF 30 doesn't do the work under the Mayan sun, I would get really dark spots making my skin look uneven and definitely not pretty.  Trust me, my skin doesn't look as porcelain as it appears under all this makeup.

Since prevention is key, I always protect my skin from the sun, wearing fabulous hats, sunglasses and sun block lotion. But let's face it, avoiding the sun is inevitable. Even when it's raining and dark out...yep, there's sun hiding behind those clouds. 

Well, let me just stop blaming the sun for all the damage. The truth is I'm not getting any younger either. This thermal camera pointed out LOTS of signs of aging...lines, spots, skin sagging -oh my!!!

What do I do? Go running to a makeup counter and buy the best (and most expensive) DMAE, hydroquinone, day cream, night cream, and "take along in your purse for touch ups" cream. Umm. Well, maybe if you're desperate and unaware of the pro's and con's. 

Let me just share what I've learned after my horrifying experience with the thermal camera. A little something I'm going to name: The Ugly Truth.

The Ugly Truth

Facelift in a jar? How many makeup companies are now claiming to have the magic cream. Let's put this  miraculous potion on the hot seat, shall we? You might be familiar with the ever so popular Retin-A better known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in some people (others might use it as an acne treatment) but what about the newest sensation DMAE? Can it help, or is this another "rub-on facelift" scam?  Now seriously, would you really think a topical cream can stretch and tuck your skin like a facelift would? We all now the answer to this question...right? Right. Let me just clarify that I'm not trying to promote facelifts here, nor am I trying to bash topical remedies either. Just want to bring some light to a subject that interests us so much: "The fountain of Youth".

Since I didn't majored in Biology and I'm not a Chemist, I had to do a little bit of research just so I can understand what's behind the hype of DMAE.

According to my findings, DMAE is short for  "dimethylaminoethanol".  A naturally occurring substance that facilitates the synthesis of a neurotransmitter  acetylcholine. DMAE also may stimulate the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, an important component of cell membranes.

I don't know if it's my ignorance, but I don't clearly see with this definition how in this any way could be a "naturally" occurring substance or better yet---how do they get it in the jar? Hmm.

DMAE is far better known and researched as a "smart drug" than a skin firming agent. In a number of studies, DMAE has been shown to reduce age-related decline in cognitive ability and memory. It was also found to modestly increase life span of laboratory animals. An intriguing finding in some DMAE studies was that it reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin deposits inside cells. Lipofuscin is a cellular pigment consisting of aggregated chunks of molecular waste. It tends to occur in the cells of older people. It is likely that lipofuscin is not simply a byproduct of aging but also contributes to the aging process. Neurons, heart and skin of older people usually contain particularly large amounts of lipofiscin.

The DMAE-skin connection is less researched. It has been demonstrated that DMAE causes some degree of skin tightening. However, despite speculation it remains unclear how DMAE firms the skin -- whether by stabilizing the membranes, boosting acetylcholine, reducing lipofuscin deposits or none of the above. Whatever the mechanism, the effect of DMAE is often noticeable although seldom dramatic. Besides, even though DMAE can't fully reverse the existing facial sag, it may reduce its further progression. Some people report a cumulative effect with continued use of DMAE.

Another issue is whether topical DMAE is safe. On one hand, it has been extensively used in skin care since the 90s without widespread reports of obvious skin damage. This makes major toxicity of commonly used strengths unlikely.  However, this does not rule out a possibility of low-level skin damage. A 2007 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology raised concerns about DMAE's potential to damage skin cells. Does this come as a surprise to you? The times where people would buy without questioning ingredients are now  history.  Although we might want to benefit from the promises of a miracle cream, the truth is we know better not to fall for this scam.

Is it possible to reverse the signs of aging? The answer is no. It's a natural process of the body we all shall embrace. Can we take measures to avoid premature skin aging? Absolutely!  By repairing and boosting collagen, elastin, and keratin production in your skin, you may improve its texture and elasticity. I'll tell you why to stay off these topical skin care products on the market that supposedly contain collagen, vitamins and minerals, blah, blah. Because they simply DON'T WORK. The reason these collagen-containing products don't work is that the collagen molecules are just too large to get inside the skin and do their job of rebuilding. In short, they are simply impostors. You must build collagen from the inside out. What we put in our systems, our diet takes a huge role in cellular regeneration and anti-aging.

So how in the world are you supposed to know what YOU can do to rejuvenate your skin's elasticity and plumpness? Well, here are a few tips:

1. First and foremost, DO NOT SMOKE. Please quit smoking if you do. Not only is not a sexy look but it's not good for your lungs- the environment, and nothing ages your skin as quite so fast as smoking.
2. Alcohol--please consume in moderation when you do, if you do. The drinking and partying will show on your face pretty quickly...and it's not a good look either.
3. Exercise--any form of exercise as long as your body is moving! Exercise is good for every aspect of your health, and your skin is no exception.
4. Finally, the lifestyle choice that has the capacity of transforming your skin is eating the right foods. Please note, I didn't say "Eat Healthy" I said: "the RIGHT foods" The right nutrients will target the specific problems we want to address. 

So If you want beautiful youthful skin, then these are the MUST DO'S:

• Do include OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS. To look younger, your body must produce new collagen cells in your skin. You must consume foods that help your body protect the collagen it has, while providing the building blocks it needs to build new collagen fibers. My favorite sources of Omega-3 are Salmon and Tuna. If you're a vegetarian, you could take 2 tbsp. of flaxseed oil daily.   

         Garlic contains sulfur, which helps your body to produce collagen. It also contains taurine and lipoid acid, which support damaged collagen fiber. So try to include garlic as an ingredient in every meal! I love garlic!

          Tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which inhibits enzymes to destroy collagen. To get the most of lycopene you must consume tomatoes cooked. So boil that pasta and pour the marinara sauce (add plenty of garlic too)!

• VITAMIN C -You want to make it a priority to include sources of Vitamin C in your diet, since Vitamin C is critical for collagen production in the skin. Many fruits and vegetables are great sources of Vitamin C...lemons, oranges all the citruses -we all know that. But did you know that even though these foods are good sources of Vitamin C, they are not THE BEST sources? That's right, there are other sources containing superior amounts of Vitamin C than citrus fruits. Let me hear: "Arrrriba!!!" or Viva Mexico!!! I'm glad I love my salsa picante. Yes, for all you mis amigos that love spicy food, hot chilly peppers are the TOP PICK for Vitamin C (both red and green) Now, if this is too "caliente" for your taste, you may want to try these instead:

• sweet peppers
• guavas
• blackcurrants
• lychees
• oranges and grapefruits
• dark leafy greens, peaches
• kiwi
• broccoli and cauliflower

This sure gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Beauty is only skin Deep". When you work on the inside...the beauty emanates. It sure does. I hope this inspires you to visit your local Farmer's Market before you take that quick trip to the pharmacy or mall.


Age gracefully? I'd say, Age smartly!

She's not sick!

Riviera Maya, Mexico ~ Nov. 2010

Just a month ago I was swinging from tree to tree through the Mayan jungles, in a lot of pain. But of course you can't see that in this picture. All you are able to see is a woman who claims living in pain with Fibromyalgia having the time of her life! A picture can say a thousand words; but those words will only tell the story of the person looking at it. And then again, there's the story of the person who lived it.

A lot of people questioned whether I was truly sick after looking at my vacation pictures. "How could she say she's in so much pain and go zip lining? She's not sick!"

Looking out from my suite balcony

What people can't see is that I spent most of the vacation time in my suite. This was the first vacation ever I got to enjoy the hotel room as much. A week vacation and ordered room service two nights in a row and one breakfast in bed.  Now, keep in mind my definition of a vacation used to be extreme excursions, cocktail sipping by the pool, participating in every game the entertainment group would have, dinners every night in the different restaurants the resort has to offer (have to try each one!) spa treatments & massages, more drinking by the beach, visit the town and party all night with the locals and the next day do it all over again.

Punta Cana, 2007

Cabo San Lucas 2009

Riviera Maya, 2008

Puerto Rico, 2008

It's hard for me to look at these pictures and not wanting to continue living my life that way! If Fibromyalgia has taken over my body, then there's no way I would let it take over my life.

Last year, my friend Janine got engaged and told me she would have a destination wedding. I told her to count on me...that I would be there getting her all glammed up for her special day. The beginning of this year we booked the hotel where they would get married. I was so excited. As you can tell from my pictures, that meant more exciting fun with friends! 

Then came March 5th, the day I woke up with flu like symptoms and called out sick. It was a Friday. I will never forget that day. I'm the type that doesn't run to the doctor and waits for the body to do its "thing"! Well, not this time. I needed to get well...PRONTO! I was preparing for the NY Wedding Channel Couture Show....yes, bridal market madness!!! There's no way I could be sick, not at this critical time. But the one in critical condition was me. I felt like death.

I went to my doctor and told her she needed to fix me right away. She told me she needed to do some blood work, of course, and sent me home with an order of rest and plenty of fluids.

On Saturday morning (after a sleepless night) I get a call from the doctor's office. She needed me to come to the office to discuss my results. Oh, oh! That didn't sound right to me at all. But I never suspected what was coming. 

_"You have Epstein Barr Virus and you need to be excused from work for 4 weeks"

_"Noooo! I can't be off of work for that long!!!"

She told me she would fax the note to my job because I needed to stay off my feet- no driving, not engaging in any type of activity that could risk bursting my spleen. 

I knew right away this would cost me my job. My position needed to be filled right away. Someone else needed to be in charge of putting the show together. 

You see, when you work for such prestigious designer as Rosa Clara www.rosaclara.es there's a huge reputation to keep up -the name, the class...and thousands of retailers that have been waiting patiently to view the new collections. And when the headquarters are in Spain, things can get a bit more challenging. There was only 3 of us in the office- one assigned to each department (accounting, clients relations and logistics) and of course the sales manager and all our reps spread around the states. That's all they needed to run things in the US. 

Three people in the office. Um hum. A great idea if you don't anticipate having one of them getting so ill at a critical time. 

Needless to say, I lost my job.

But wait, they can't do that? You can't lose your job because you're sick! Nope, they weren't being unreasonable. The office, just like a car, needs all wheels to run. I understood completely. 

After four weeks with the symptoms of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), I continue to feel like hell. I went back for follow up and discovered my levels of the EBV were still too high and now my Vitamin D level was extremely low- at 11.  Doctor told me that put me at risk of a stroke!

Desirable: greater than 40 ng/ml or 100 nmol/l

Hypovitaminosis D: 20- 40 ng/ml or 50 - 100 nmol/l
Insufficient: 10 - 20 ng/ml or 25 -50 mmol/lDeficient: below 10 ng/ml or 25 nmol/l<

So now,  I'm told the EBV sometimes could take up to 8 weeks to recover and getting Vitamin D 50000 unit treatment could help with the horrible muscle and joint pain I was experiencing too.

8 weeks passed and I was miserable. I went on to get tons of  Xrays, MRI's, ENG test, EMG test, Lupus, Lyme, Thyroid, Arthritis, Aids...and went to see every specialist on the planet- ENT, Neurologist, Cardiologist, Rheumatologist and most recently Psychiatrist.  Yes, all to conclude one thing: That I'm perfectly HEALTHY.

Really??? Hmmm, so how come I feel like I'm better off dead? Not that I've contemplated suicide, not even once since I got sick. I have two amazing children who give me strength and a reason to fight each day. 

The only thing I've contemplated is feeling the way I used to, being healthy. Getting back to the gym, changing my dietary habits, leaving a greener life. La vie en Green!

So when someone tells me: "You don't look sick" I say: "How does sick look like?"

Or like my grandfather would say: "Ah estas llenita, saludable!" (You're robust, healthy!) In spanish culture (old school) being overweight was a sign of health. 

_"No grandpa, I've gained weight because I haven't been able to work out in months, because all these medications are making me bloated and I don't sleep at night. Because I'm not healthy".

Of course, he didn't get it. Like so many others.

So what am I supposed to do? Let myself go so I can look "sick"?  Lay on the couch feeling sorry for myself and becoming depressed? Become a nagger?

My life has changed enough. I spent the summer laying on the couch (my new bed) crying because I couldn't enjoy any of the activities  my kids were doing.

_"No, sweetie mommy can't go to Great Adventure with you today"

_"No hun, mommy is not feeling well, daddy will take you the park this time"

I will swallow my tears from seeing the pictures of the fun day I had missed. I didn't get to see my 5 year old daughter go on her first roller coaster ride. I missed her 1st TV commercial audition.  My friend Barbara had to take her for me. I was so devastated! My chest was hurting so bad from all the crying. It brought the worst flareup. Seeing how my illness was affecting my loved ones hurt me more than any pain.

I needed to get my life back.

All my prescription medicines took over my kitchen cabinets. I had a pharmacy in there!  Until I decided to take the bull by its horns.

It's not easy though...this natural route of vitamins, supplements, and diet. It hasn't been a year since I first heard the word FIBROMYALGIA. Trying to stay positive and cheerful is really hard.

Even writing this article today has taken me hours. My head feels like I have a full High School band banging away hell tunes, my elbows and wrists hurt, my fingers get numbed and I get double vision. Thank goodness for this laptop that allows me to type while laying on the couch, otherwise my back would lock up and paralyze me for days, like it did recently. But of course, no one can see that. I don't let them see it.

But today, after a sleepless night (and when I say sleepless, I mean, not even a minute of sleep) I've decided to make my pain visible -just for the day or until the she-mosnster leaves my body. Feeling like a zombie and seeing everything through a fog, thinking twice before trying to articulate a word...this blog seemed a way more attractive vehicle to express my emotions- even if my fingers are yelling at me.

So to those who will continue to question whether I'm truly sick or not. I have one thing to say:

"I have Fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia doesn't have me!"

Without having to prove to any doctor and no one but myself, I will continue my journey to wellness hoping to bring my body to a healthy balance, one that will allow me to continue doing, what I'm doing anyway, but without PAIN, with better sleep hygiene and quality of life, with the same smile; feeling grateful...because if it wasn't for Fibromyalgia, I would've never known how strong I really am. 

I'm living a new life with a new purpose. And that's plenty of reason to be grateful.

I choose to live my life to the fullest, no matter what.

I could've cancelled my hotel reservations. Even my friend had suggested I should. I told her I wouldn't miss it for the world. I was afraid- I'm not going to lie. I wasn't looking forward to the flight, panic attacks were taking over the weeks before the trip, and none of my summer clothes or bikinis fit. For the first time, there wasn't going to be any pictures of me in a bikini. I would walk around with a wrap around my waist. No way would I show off the extra 25 pounds I've gained in these past 10 months. There would be no crazy drinking and partying- definitely no extreme outdoors activities. This time, it was going to be a relaxing vacation. And it was. I'm so glad I didn't cancel this trip. I took part in the most romantic wedding I've ever been to, allow my body to rest and enjoy the non-humid, comfortable warm weather, and charged up enough batteries to go on a Cave/Jungle adventure!

Did I pay the consequence of my last day adventure? Yes I did. Big time. But it was so worth it!

This is how I choose to live my life.

~Viva la Mari

Metamorphosis

Every time we decide to get our bodies into some kind of transformation, whether spiritual, dietary, dermatology treatment, fitness regimen, or anything that changes our emotional state ---like a new job, loss of job, new love, love loss... As you go through the changes, you could experience a series of symptoms as a result of your body's attempt to adjust.  May it be fatigue, acne or other skin problems, gastrointestinal discomfort and other relatively minor problems. And if you're one the unlucky ones like me, you might experience them all at once! In a matter of 11 months, I have gained 25 pounds, psoriasis, acne, brittle nails, hair loss, IBS (if it's not one, it's the other---and let us not forget about the BLOATING) I don't sleep at all or I feel like I want to sleep forever. Every scent, noise, light, touch, magnified to the 100X awakens the "monster with an attitude" that had decided to find refuge in me. It wasn't a pretty introduction at first...actually the first encounter with my she-monster cost me a week of the infamous silent treatment; no one in my house wanted to talk or look at me -to say the least! I was untouchable. Not necessarily my option and definitely NOT to my liking. I was miserable; which in turn triggered symptoms that made recovery way far from sight.

While trying to keep my inner monster on a leash, I resorted to meditation. There was no way I would feed my monster some Xanax -that for sure would keep her happy but it will push me off the wagon and back to square one. Meditation doesn't come easy when getting into lotus  or any position brings on  stabbing pain shooting through your ribs, your hips, your shoulders...let's say the whole body to simplify things a bit. It takes some serious mantra to focus on to become one with oneself. I knew my transformation needed to come from within so instead of trying to ignore the stabbing, the throbbing, the shooting, the burning sensations, I focus on the pain, feeling each central nerve ramification run through my system with each breath. I know that sooner than later with each 15-20 minute session daily, I'll be able to leave this monster homeless.

As for the other issues, those are just a matter of time, I know. It gets ugly before it gets pretty. My hormones, estrogen levels are so out of whack right now- they truly are "living la vida loca".  I'm addressing each by their names and last names and treating them as such. There's no fooling around in my temple! This butterfly have flapped her wings in search of all natural remedies to bring my immune system (body's strongest machine) back home- to a normal state.  Once I bring this machine back to its maximum potential, all these uninvited guests will regret their intrusion. 

Here are some of the remedies I've found along the green path:

• Psoriasis: 

1. Take a Soak -  Soaking in a tub can rehydrate very dry skin and remove scaling without damaging the skin. Make sure the water is not too hot, as it may increase itching. 
2. Moisturize -  Dry skin can crack, bleed, and become infected, so it's important to moisturize to prevent this. Moisturizing also helps reduce inflammation, maintains flexibility and it keeps psoriasis from getting worse. A natural moisturizer...Olive Oil. It's inexpensive and so effective!
3. Medical Treat- Treat yourself to mother nature's healing touch. Cat's Claw is a plant from South America that has been known to cure psoriasis and other skin problems. It is widely available here in the US.  Another on my list for great psoriasis remedies is salt. Of particular note are the ever so famous Dead Sea salts of Israel's Dead Sea. Long known for mystical healing powers! Because the Dead Sea salts contain 27% salt as opposed to the 3% found in most seas, it has a higher concentrate of calcium, potassium, and magnesium...all of which aid in blooming healthy skin. These could all be found at health food stores in different homeopathic forms. You may also visit www.saltworks.us 

* Information taken from "Rainforest Medicines for Eczema and Psoriasis Treatment"

• Acne 

1. Drink LOTS of water. A gallon a day, if possible. This will help you flush all impurities and get all those toxins out of your system.
2. Quit smoking if you do, caffeine, alcohol, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, overly processed food, and refined food.
3. Take probiotics
4. Take a concentrated form of Omega 3 fatty acids -either Flax Seed Oil - I take 200-300 mg per day; but please consult your doctor first!!
5. Drink decaffeinated Green Tea every day
6. If you suspect that a certain food is causing the breakout, try eliminating it for a week to see if acne subsides. I've heard of people having reactions when they change their diet and increase their soy intake as a source of protein. You know your body....but I advise to keep a food journal- this will help!

• Hair Loss

I experienced a significant amount of hair loss- not to the point of looking bald but enough to make my hair look thin, dull and lifeless. I did a bit of research and found some great home made remedies that did the work and help me restore my beautiful mane of hair. It's a constant battle for me, due to my compromised immune system but I am very diligent with my beauty regimen. Although there are some women that can sport their bald head with elegance -like Kanye West former girlfriend Amber Rose- I really can't see myself rocking it as beautifully as her. So I embarked upon a strict nightly journey of herbal treatments.

First, I did my own home-made Rosemary and Sage shampoo after I heard of their ability to stimulate hair growth. Rosemary and Sage are both astringents (they help constrict the tissues) Rosemary has antiseptic properties and is a natural skin toner (take note!) The combination of the two cleanses pores, stimulates hair follicles and conditions the scalp. 

To make the shampoo all you have to do is boil together equal parts of  Rosemary and Sage, if available, nettle. You can use both stems and leaves. Strain the liquid onto Castile Soap to make shampoo. Use as little as castile soap as possible to create a solution that lathers to your satisfaction. Too much castile soap will dry out your scalp--and we don't want that!  My hair is very oily so I have to wash it with more frequency but I don't recommend to use this mix more than twice a week. It has a very slight lightening effect so if you don't mind the extra highlights...it's a plus! I didn't have any adverse reaction to the mix, but since everyone is unique---you should watch for any kind of allergic reaction and if so, discontinue use immediately.

After shampooing, I would saturate my scalp with Aloe Vera. I bought pure Aloe Vera (from a drugstore) after finding difficult to buy the plant at local supermarket. That way it was always handy. I would massage it through my scalp and then rinse it off completely. Aloe Vera gel contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides which relieve pain and stimulates skin growth.

I have fine long hair that easily tangles so I need a great conditioner. On my quest to finding the best eco-friendly, organic, natural products, I experimented with different shampoos and hair conditioners, to be very dissatisfied many times- feeling like I had not only just wasted my time but my money. They just wouldn't moisturize the hair enough. They actually left my hair feeling like straw. Well that was until I tried John Masters Organics. 

I wrote an article in Lumigrate.com on their forums called "Hair Comes The Bride" where you could find lots of information about different hair products and home remedies. So I invite you to visit this wonderful website that I'm honored to collaborate with: www.lumigrate.com and feel free to share with me your comments. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have too.

• Brittle Nails

My nails were so ugly, I was truly embarrassed to show my hands. It's a little difficult to hide them when you use them as much as I do...they are my tools...the ones I use to make others look their absolute best! And there they are, the biggest most conscious eye sore to a perfectionist like me. I'm used to talking with my hands, as every good latin woman does, but this time my hands were the ones doing the talking for me.

In my Oral Communications class, we would practice giving a speech with our hands tied, trying to increase our vocabulary skills -the idea was to use as many adjectives as possible without having to rely in our hands to express our emotions. Seriously, this is very hard for a Puertorrican like me- one that uses  hand motions and sound effects with every word. Yes, I'm very animated.  You could just imagine how self conscious I was of my ugly, brittle, fungus like infected looking nails I had just developed courtesy of Fibromyalgia and my Vitamin D deficiency.

I found that in my case, as soon as I finished my 50000 units of prescribed Vitamin D treatment, they immediately regained their strength and health. 

But to keep nails strong and healthy, you should add Fish oil to your diet. If you're a Vegetarian, then you should try Omega 3's- Flaxseed Oil. 

Also, as a home remedy, one I learned in Puerto Rico, garlic and olive oil. My grandmother use to have an empty nail polish bottle filled with olive oil and garlic and she would rub it through her cuticles and nails every day to make her nails  grow stronger. As a little girl, it sure caught my attention, but I didn't pay no mind. I actually questioned what in her right mind would possess her to put such smelly concoction on her hands. But of course, it was my "abuelita" the one that would also grab "yerba buena", "guarapillo" leaves from her farm to make me a tea for my upset stomach or my cold. She would force me to drink it. Wish I would've known back then what I know now...I would sure not had spit it behind my bed and pretended to have drank it. I know, that's gross- but you don't think that way when you're a kid! 

There are so many other wonderful old home remedies I learned growing up and some great new ones I've just learned that I will be sharing with you. But if you have any specific question or interest, please leave me a comment....I love this whole researching process; it's like discovering a whole new world. One that's pure, natural and if feels oh so good.

So go ahead, allow this whole metamorphosis to take place while you nourish your system the natural way. Walk around proud like a caterpillar, knowing in time you will be the most beautiful and vibrant butterfly there is!

~Viva la Mari