Why Personalized Skincare Is the Future of Beauty

In a world that constantly demands our energy and attention, prioritizing self-care is more important than ever. Taking time to nurture yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for overall well-being. Creating a spa-like experience at home allows you to slow down, unwind, and reconnect with yourself in a meaningful way. Whether you’re looking to soothe stress, refresh your skin, or simply carve out a moment of peace, designing a self-care ritual that feels indulgent can transform your routine into something truly restorative.

In the fast-paced world we live in, self-care is essential—not just an occasional indulgence but a necessary ritual for overall well-being. You don’t need to book an expensive spa appointment to experience deep relaxation and nourishment. With the right approach, you can turn your home into a sanctuary and create a self-care ritual that feels just as luxurious as a day at the spa. Here’s how:

1. Set the Mood with Intention

Luxury spa experiences engage all the senses, and you can do the same at home. Start by creating a calming atmosphere:

• Dim the lights or light candles for a soft glow.

• Use an essential oil diffuser or burn incense to fill the space with a soothing scent like lavender, sandalwood, or chamomile.

• Play soft music, nature sounds, or spa-inspired instrumental tunes.

• Declutter your space to create a sense of tranquility and order.

2. Indulge in a Cleansing Ritual

Begin your self-care routine with a gentle cleansing ritual to wash away stress and impurities:

• Use a botanical facial steam with herbs like chamomile and rose to open pores and prepare your skin.

• Apply a gentle cleanser made with all-natural ingredients tailored to your skin’s needs.

• Follow up with a refreshing toner to balance and hydrate your skin.

3. Luxurious Exfoliation for Radiant Skin

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, revealing fresh, glowing skin. Choose a natural scrub that nourishes while exfoliating:

• For body: Try a DIY scrub with brown sugar, jojoba oil, and vanilla extract for a decadent spa-like experience.

• Use dry brushing before your shower to stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.

4. Deep Hydration & Nourishment

Once your skin is prepped, treat yourself to deep hydration:

• Massage a luxurious body butter or oil into your skin using slow, intentional movements.

• Wrap yourself in a plush robe and let the moisture soak in while sipping a warm herbal tea.

5. Soak Your Stress Away

A warm bath is the ultimate self-care indulgence. Create a spa-like soak with:

• Epsom salts to relax muscles and detoxify the body.

• Dried flowers or herbal bath blends for a sensory experience.

• A few drops of essential oils like ylang-ylang or eucalyptus for aromatherapy benefits.

• Soft towels or a heated wrap for a true spa-like embrace post-bath.

6. Elevate with a Mindfulness Practice

The best spas offer more than physical pampering—they help quiet the mind. Incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to complete your ritual:

• Practice deep breathing or a short meditation session.

• Engage in gentle stretching or yoga to release tension.

• Keep a gratitude journal to reflect on your self-care experience and set positive intentions.

7. End with a Personal Touch

Self-care should feel personal and intentional. Finish your ritual with something that brings you joy:

• Apply a signature fragrance essential oil blend that makes you feel grounded.

• Read a few pages of a book, listen to soothing music, or simply rest in stillness.

• Hydrate with infused water or a warm golden milk latte to nourish from within.

Make It a Habit

Luxury isn’t just about expensive products—it’s about the experience and the intention behind it. Whether it’s a once-a-week ritual or a simple evening wind-down, taking time to care for yourself is an investment in your well-being. With natural, customizable skincare and thoughtful rituals, you can bring the spa experience into your daily life—effortlessly and beautifully.

Ready to elevate your self-care game? Take FLORL’s skincare quiz to help you begin to craft a ritual that’s uniquely yours! 🌿✨

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

The Perfect Scrub for Every Skin Type: Choosing the Right Exfoliant for You

Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine, helping to buff away dead skin cells, boost circulation, and reveal fresh, radiant skin. But not all scrubs are created equal! At FLORL, we believe in customized skincare, which is why we offer multiple scrub options—each designed to target different skin needs.

No matter which you choose, all of our scrubs are made with all-natural moisturizers and essential oils, ensuring that your skin stays soft, nourished, and deeply hydrated after every use.

Brown Sugar Scrubs: Gentle Yet Effective

🌿 Best for: Face, neck, chest, and other delicate areas
✨ Why? Brown sugar has finer crystals, making it our most gentle scrub—perfect for sensitive skin. Plus, if it ever feels too abrasive, just add a little water, and the sugar will begin to dissolve, softening the exfoliation. Packed with natural plant-based oils, this scrub leaves your skin hydrated, glowing, and oh-so-soft.

Salt Scrubs: Deep Detox & Renewal

🌿 Best for: Legs, arms, and back
✨ Why? Need a deep refresh? Salt scrubs detoxify, exfoliate, and boost circulation, making them a must-have for smoother, firmer skin. Our unique blend of salts provides minerals and nutrients to replenish the skin, while essential oils lock in moisture and prevent dryness—so you get all the benefits of a deep scrub without stripping your skin.

Coffee Scrubs: The Ultimate Buff & Tone

🌿 Best for: Hands, feet, and areas prone to cellulite (upper legs, booty)
✨ Why? Our most abrasive scrub, coffee is ideal for deep exfoliation on rougher areas. Plus, the caffeine in coffee helps temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating circulation and tightening the skin. Infused with rich, all-natural moisturizers and invigorating essential oils, this scrub will leave you feeling silky smooth and refreshed.

How to Choose the Right Scrub for You

Your skin deserves the right kind of care!
🌿 Need a gentle glow? Go for brown sugar.
🛁 Looking for a deep detox? Salt scrub is the way to go.
☕ Want to buff away rough patches and wake up your skin? Coffee scrub is your best bet.

Whichever you choose, our scrubs ensure skin-loving hydration and pure botanical benefits—because exfoliation should be nourishing, never harsh.

At FLORL, we believe skincare should be as intentional and unique as you are. Every product we create is made with pure, natural ingredients and designed to nurture, not strip your skin. Our collection of scrubs is just the beginning—soon, we’ll be launching a full line of customizable, plant-powered skincare to help you build the perfect routine. Stay tuned for our official launch and get ready to experience skincare made with care, crafted for you.

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

The Beauty of Custom Skincare: Crafted Just for You

When it comes to skincare, one-size-fits-all simply doesn’t work. Your skin is as unique as you are, with its own needs, sensitivities, and preferences. That’s why we believe your skincare should be just as personal.

At FLORL, we handcraft each product with intention, blending pure essential oils, botanical extracts, and skin-loving ingredients to create formulas that are tailored to you.

More Than Just Skincare—It’s a Ritual

Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin—it’s about how it makes you feel. Whether you’re looking for a blend that smells incredible, one that helps you relax through aromatherapy, or something formulated to soothe common skin concerns, our products are designed to enhance your daily routine. When you take the time to care for your skin with natural, intentional ingredients, your routine transforms into a self-care ritual.

Hand-Blended, Small-Batch, and Full of Intention

As a small business, every product we make is carefully curated and blended by hand. We use only the highest quality essential oils and botanicals—never synthetic fragrances or fillers. From nourishing facial creams to indulgent bath soaks, every formula is made with purpose, ensuring that what you put on your skin is as pure as it is effective.

Your Perfect Blend, in Any Product

One of the best things about FLORL? You can customize nearly any of our products with a blend that fits your needs. Whether you crave a fresh, uplifting scent or need soothing ingredients to calm sensitive skin, your skincare should work for you, not the other way around. Let’s make something beautiful, just for you.

Ready to craft your perfect skincare blend? Take our custom skincare quiz and find your match!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

Skincare as Self-Care: Turning Your Routine Into a Ritual

Most of us have daily skincare routines—those quick morning and evening steps we take to cleanse, hydrate, and protect our skin. But what if we slowed down, set an intention, and turned these simple acts into something more meaningful?

Skincare isn’t just about the products you use; it’s about the care, presence, and mindfulness you bring to the process. By transforming your routine into a ritual, you’re not just nourishing your skin—you’re nurturing yourself.

Skincare isn’t just about the products you use—it’s about the intention behind them. When you shift your mindset from simply “getting through” your routine to truly savoring each step, it becomes a moment of mindfulness in your day. Whether it’s the scent of essential oils lifting your mood, the sensation of warm water easing tension, or the ritualistic act of massaging in a luxurious moisturizer, these small moments create a deeper connection between you and your well-being. Think of it as a daily pause—a chance to check in with yourself, reset, and nourish both your skin and spirit. When approached this way, your skincare routine transforms into a self-care ritual, one that’s just as beneficial for your mind as it is for your complexion.

The Power of Ritual

Rituals have been used for centuries to bring mindfulness, calm, and intention to daily life. Unlike routines, which can feel like just another task on your to-do list, rituals create space for self-connection and purpose. When it comes to skincare, shifting your mindset can turn an ordinary process into a moment of relaxation, healing, and self-love.

Setting the Scene

Creating a skincare ritual starts with your environment. Take a few moments to set the mood—light a candle, play soft music, or take a few deep breaths before you begin. Engaging your senses helps signal to your mind that this is a time for self-care, not just another item to check off your list.

Choosing Products with Intention

Rather than rushing through your regimen, take time to select skincare that truly supports your skin’s needs. Whether it's a calming botanical cleanser, a deeply hydrating moisturizer, or a personalized essential oil blend, let your products be an extension of your self-care practice. Pay attention to the textures, scents, and how they make you feel as you apply them.

Be Present in the Process

Instead of applying products on autopilot, slow down and be present. Feel the warmth of the water on your skin, massage your moisturizer in with care, and take a moment to appreciate your reflection. Even a few extra seconds spent mindfully massaging your serums or inhaling the scent of your face mist can transform your routine into something deeply restorative.

The Mind-Skin Connection

Stress and emotions play a huge role in skin health. Taking a mindful approach to skincare can help regulate stress, promote relaxation, and even support a healthier complexion. Think of it as a small act of self-love that benefits both your inner and outer well-being.

Making It Yours

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to rituals. Whether it’s a morning gratitude practice as you apply your moisturizer or an evening wind-down with a facial massage, find what feels most nourishing for you. Your skincare ritual should be something you look forward to—an act of care that leaves you feeling grounded, refreshed, and radiant.

By bringing intention and mindfulness into your skincare routine, you turn an everyday habit into a powerful ritual of self-love. Because taking care of your skin isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good, too.

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

5 Essential Oils to Welcome Spring into Your Home & Skincare Routine

Spring is all about renewal—fresh air, longer days, and a much-needed reset after winter. Just like we swap out our wardrobes for lighter layers, our skincare and wellness routines could use a little seasonal refresh, too.

Essential oils are a simple yet powerful way to bring the essence of spring into your space, whether through skincare, home fragrance, or even a little DIY magic. Here are five must-have essential oils for the season and how to use them.

As the seasons shift, our senses crave new scents and fresh energy—something lighter, brighter, and full of life. Just like swapping out heavy winter moisturizers for something more hydrating, essential oils can help set the mood for the season ahead. Whether you're looking to refresh your space, revive your skin, or simply embrace the feeling of spring, these five essential oils are must-haves for the season.

🍋 Lemon – The Ultimate Spring Awakening

Nothing says "fresh start" like the crisp, clean scent of lemon. This bright citrus oil is a go-to for natural spring cleaning—add a few drops to vinegar and water for a DIY surface spray that smells amazing and cuts through grime. In skincare, lemon oil is packed with antioxidants that help brighten dull winter skin (just be sure to use it at night or follow with SPF since citrus oils can make skin more sun-sensitive!). Want to bring a touch of spring to your drinks? Add a drop of food-grade lemon essential oil to honey and mix it into iced tea.

🌿 Lavender – The Soothing Reset

Spring can be full of energy, but it’s also a time to reset and recharge. Lavender is perfect for that transition—it soothes the mind, calms irritated skin, and even makes a dreamy addition to beverages. Try adding a drop of food-grade lavender essential oil to lemonade for a floral twist on a classic. In skincare, lavender is a hero for sensitive or stressed-out skin, helping to calm redness and irritation while promoting balance.

🍃 Peppermint – A Breath of Fresh Air

Spring allergies got you down? Peppermint is a natural decongestant that helps clear sinuses and refresh the senses. Diffuse it with eucalyptus for a crisp, invigorating blend that feels like opening the windows on a breezy spring morning. On the skincare side, peppermint’s cooling properties make it a great addition to foot soaks or DIY body mists to refresh and revive tired skin.

🌸 Geranium – Floral, Fresh, and Balancing

Spring is flower season, and geranium essential oil brings a naturally sweet, rosy aroma that’s perfect for the season. It’s a powerhouse in skincare, helping to balance oil production, improve skin elasticity, and promote a dewy glow (without saying glow 😉). Add a few drops to your body lotion for a fresh springtime scent, or mix it into a DIY facial steam for a spa-like experience.

🌲 Cedarwood – The Unexpected Grounding Scent

While spring is full of light and freshness, sometimes we need a little grounding energy, too. Cedarwood is warm, woody, and perfect for balancing out the brightness of other spring scents. It’s also a skin savior, helping to calm breakouts and support a healthy skin barrier. Try blending it with lavender in a nighttime diffuser blend or adding a drop to your moisturizer for extra skin-supporting benefits.

Whether you’re refreshing your space, upgrading your skincare, or adding a seasonal twist to your routine, essential oils are an easy way to bring the magic of spring into your everyday life. Which scent will you be reaching for first?

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

Hydration vs. Moisture: What Your Skin Really Needs

Ever feel like skincare lingo is just a bunch of fancy words thrown around? (Yeah, we do, too!)

One of the most common mix-ups is the difference between hydration and moisture. While they might sound interchangeable, these two elements play distinct roles in keeping your skin happy and healthy. Understanding what your skin actually needs can be the key to achieving that balanced, dewy glow.

When your skin isn’t behaving the way you want it to—whether it feels tight, flaky, or unexpectedly oily—it’s often a sign that something is out of balance. The key to restoring harmony? Knowing whether your skin is thirsty for hydration or craving moisture. While one focuses on replenishing water, the other helps lock it in, and using the wrong type of product can sometimes make things worse. A lightweight gel may quench dehydration but leave dry skin feeling parched, while a rich cream can soften dryness but feel heavy if hydration is what’s lacking. Finding the right balance is essential for a skincare routine that truly works for your skin.

Understanding Hydration vs. Moisture

While the terms "hydration" and "moisture" are often used interchangeably in skincare, they refer to different aspects of skin health. Grasping these differences is essential for selecting the right products and achieving a balanced complexion.

Hydration: Infusing Water into the Skin

Hydration pertains to the water content within the skin cells. Well-hydrated skin appears plump, elastic, and radiant. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can look dull, feel tight, and may accentuate fine lines. Hydrating products typically contain humectants—ingredients that draw water into the skin. Common humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. These ingredients attract moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers, ensuring skin remains supple and luminous.

Moisture: Sealing in Hydration with Oils

Moisture relates to the skin's oil content and its ability to retain hydration. The skin's natural lipid barrier prevents water loss, maintaining softness and flexibility. When this barrier is compromised, skin can become dry, rough, or flaky. Moisturizing products are designed to reinforce this barrier. They often contain emollients and occlusives—such as shea butter, oils, and silicones—that form a protective layer on the skin's surface, locking in hydration and preventing moisture loss.

Identifying Your Skin's Needs

Determining whether your skin requires hydration, moisture, or both is crucial:

• Dehydrated Skin: Lacks water. Indicators include a dull complexion, fine lines, and a feeling of tightness. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. Incorporate hydrating serums with humectants to replenish water content.

• Dry Skin: Lacks oil. Symptoms encompass roughness, flakiness, and irritation. Emphasize moisturizing creams rich in emollients and occlusives to restore the lipid barrier.

It's worth noting that skin can be both dry and dehydrated, necessitating a combination of hydrating and moisturizing products.

Crafting a Balanced Skincare Routine

To ensure your skin receives both hydration and moisture:

1. Cleanse Gently: Use a mild cleanser that doesn't strip natural oils.

2. Hydrate: Apply a hydrating toner or serum containing humectants to draw water into the skin.

3. Moisturize: Follow up with a moisturizer suited to your skin type to seal in hydration and reinforce the skin barrier.

4. Protect: During the day, apply sunscreen to shield your skin from environmental damage.

By understanding and addressing the distinct needs of your skin concerning hydration and moisture, you can achieve a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Take our skincare quiz to find the right blend and products just for you!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

The Art of Custom Skincare: Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

When it comes to skincare, we’ve been told for years that there’s a “holy grail” product for every skin concern—a single serum, cream, or cleanser that magically works for everyone.

But here’s the truth: skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your skin is as unique as your fingerprint, and it deserves a routine that’s tailored to your specific needs. That’s where custom skincare comes in.

Over 16 million Americans are now vegetarian with nearly 10 million of those choosing a vegan lifestyle. It’s easier than it has ever been to enjoy great food while also cutting back, or avoiding meat altogether. With movements like Meatless Mondays and Meat-Free Fridays on the rise, research shows that, even those who have not totally adopted a plant-based lifestyle are choosing to cut back on the animal products they are ingesting. Whether you’re looking to add more vegetables into your diet for health reasons or ethical ones even the best intentions can be hard to stick to without a plan! So, If you’re looking to Veg Out in the New Year here are the top 6 ways to get more green into your diet!

Why Generic Skincare Falls Short

Mass-produced skincare products are formulated for the “average” consumer—but who is that, exactly? If you’ve ever tried a moisturizer that left your skin feeling greasy or a cleanser that stripped away too much moisture, you know the frustration of products that don’t quite fit. Skin type, environment, lifestyle, and personal preferences all play a role in what works best for you.

The Magic of Custom Blends

Custom skincare allows you to create a blend that works with your skin, not against it. Whether you’re drawn to a certain scent or looking for targeted support—like calming botanicals for sensitive skin or clarifying oils for breakouts—you get to design a product that feels good, smells good, and actually works for you. It’s not just skincare; it’s self-care, crafted with intention.

The FLORL Approach

When it comes to skincare, nature provides some of the most powerful ingredients—and few are as versatile as essential oils. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural aromatic compounds and therapeutic benefits of botanicals. Used for centuries in holistic wellness, these potent oils offer a range of skincare benefits, from soothing inflammation to balancing oil production and promoting skin regeneration. At FLORL, we harness the power of essential oils not just for their beautiful scents, but for their ability to nourish and support healthy skin—ensuring that every custom blend is as beneficial as it is luxurious.

At FLORL, we believe in skincare that’s as unique as you are. With our custom blends, you can choose ingredients that align with your skin’s needs and personal preferences. Looking for a lightweight moisturizer with a soft lavender finish? Or a deeply hydrating cream infused with rich vanilla and sandalwood? The choice is yours.

Your skin isn’t generic—why should your skincare be?

Take our skincare quiz to find the right blend for you!

Skincare should be as unique as you are, and with FLORL’s custom approach, you’re in control of what goes on your skin. By blending high-quality botanicals, nourishing oils, and the power of essential oils, we create products that aren’t just skincare—they’re self-care, made with intention. Whether you're drawn to a scent that lifts your mood or seeking targeted ingredients for your skin’s needs, FLORL is here to craft the perfect blend for you. Because when skincare is personal, the results are extraordinary.

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

Vegging Out: 6 Ways to Eat More Green and Clean in the New Year!

January is coming…and with it come the countless, unrealistic, resolutions that most of us will have given up on by Valentines Day! Everyone loves the idea of starting off the New Year with renewed perspectives and personal goals but sticking to them long term is another story!

Over 16 million Americans are now vegetarian with nearly 10 million of those choosing a vegan lifestyle. It’s easier than it has ever been to enjoy great food while also cutting back, or avoiding meat altogether. With movements like Meatless Mondays and Meat-Free Fridays on the rise, research shows that, even those who have not totally adopted a plant-based lifestyle are choosing to cut back on the animal products they are ingesting. Whether you’re looking to add more vegetables into your diet for health reasons or ethical ones even the best intentions can be hard to stick to without a plan! So, If you’re looking to Veg Out in the New Year here are the top 6 ways to get more green into your diet!

Load up on the toppings!

One of my favorite ways to serve a crowd, particularly a crowd that isn’t really plant-based is to choose meals where there are a ton of options for toppings, like gyros, tacos, or baked potatoes. Loading up on a variety of interesting and flavorful toppings means that your brain is less likely to miss the meat that it might be accustomed to.

Try substituting sauteed mushrooms with garlic in your gyros and top with homemade tzatziki sauce, lettuce, red onion, avocado. black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a dairy free feta!

Taco night is just as good with jackfruit as a substitute for birra and you can season it with all the same herbs and spices you love…topped with black beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, peppers, dairy free cheese and sour cream or hot-sauce!

Baked Potatoes or Jacket Potatoes are delicious with a simple vegan chili, onions, cheese, and yes, even some bacon bits! Did you know that the “Bacon Bits” you keep in your pantry are most likely actually vegan?

Chickpeas!

Beans in general are a great way to load up on flavor and texture when you are looking to cut back on the meat, but chickpeas in particular, have a mild enough flavor and texture that is perfect for “hiding” them in other dishes! One of my favorite ways to use chickpeas is in my meatloaf. Whether you are making a vegan loaf using a “moc meat” product like Impossible or Beyond or are just looking to supplement a traditional meatloaf chickpeas are a great option and honestly don’t check the texture of the final loaf in the slightest! This also happens to be a great tip to help feed a larger crowd on a smaller budget because chickpeas are very inexpensive and can double the volume of the meatloaf you are preparing for only about $1.00 more!

In a large bowl, gently mash your rinsed and drained chickpeas until they become the texture similar to that of uncooked ground beef. pick out and remove the skins of the chickpeas as you mash them. Simply incorporate into the base of your meatloaf recipe and prepare as normal.

Substitute Dairy Milk for Plant Milk!

It’s 2021 and the plant-milk game is stronger than ever! Long gone are the days when you had to choose between soy milk or rice milk if you were looking to avoid dairy! Most of the major dairy brands are now offering plant-milks that range from Oat, Cashew, Almond, Flax, even Pea and Banana Milks are in the mix now! Switching to a plant-based milk is one of the easiest ways to cut back on animal products at home, especially when using it in baked goods, soups, and sauces, where the plant-milk-based alternatives are nearly indistinguishable from traditional dairy.

Two of my favorite plant-milks are the Oat Milks from Rise Brewing…for baking, I especially love the vanilla and the plant-milk from Good Karma Foods, which might be one of the creamiest plant-milks that I have tried!

Make your own Soups, Sauces and Dressings.

A huge part of eating more clean and getting more green into your diet starts with cooking more at home! And…when I say cooking, I mean cooking! Making things from scratch instead of reaching for a can or jar allows you to control what goes into the dish…and can help you “sneak in” more produce than you might otherwise!

My own homemade pasta sauce for example, along with tomatoes, also includes peppers, onions, celery, and even carrots…but once it’s all stewed down in blended smooth no one would know!

Try making your own cream of potato soup…you’d be surprised what you can sneak in without much effort at all: onions, cauliflower, and parsnips just to name a few and that’s just in the cream sauce!

Salad dressings are another great way to utilize fresh herbs in ways that you might not think to do otherwise! One of my favorite summer salads is made with crisp, cold, green beans and a dressing that includes garlic and basil!

Cook with more Fresh Herbs and Spices.

Speaking of using more herbs and spices…this may be the last on the list but it’s honestly the best (and probably the easiest!) Rather than making a resolution to eat more of this and less of that in 2022 why not start an herb garden? Cooking with fresh herbs and spices is not only a sure-fire way to step up the flavor profiles of literally all your meals but growing them yourself will help motivate you to want to cook more and save you loads of money in the long run! Plus fresh herbs and spices have loads of health benefits over their dried counterparts!

Plan a Visit to your Local Ethnic Market!

Most national chain grocery stores carry all the same produce because they know who their audience is and what they routinely buy! One of my favorite things to do, when I’m in a food rut, is to visit a market in a neighborhood that caters to ethnicities and cooking styles that differ from my own or how I was raised! I know it may seem strange at first, and you’re going to need to fight the urge to feel self-conscience or out of place…but I promise that, honestly, no one cares. People are living their lives and doing their own shopping. No one cares or is even going to likely notice that you look a little lost.

Give yourself some time and just wander around the produce section. Choose one of two things that you have no idea how to prepare and buy them! That’s right…buy them! It’s almost 2022…we have siri, google, youtube, IG tiktock and about 100 other options for you to look up and learn how to make something new! Trust me on this…pick out something new, buy it, look it up on YouTube and get to cooking!

So, there you have it! The top 6 ways to get more green into your diet in 2022! For more plant-based food inspiration make sure to hop on over and join our community on Instagram HERE!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP

Sarah, the owner and maker at FLORL, is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner with a passion for holistic wellness, essential oils, and natural skincare. With years of experience in health and wellness, she believes skincare should be as unique as you are. A home cook, UNOS Ambassador, and lifelong plant lover, she’s dedicated to creating products with intention—handmade, botanical, and always crafted with care.

Your Body Needs Protein Not Meat: 5 Ways Plant-Based People Get Their Protein and How You Can, Too!

Been to a restaurant lately? Ordered a salad? Want to add a “protein”…? Along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is one of the macro-nutrients we need to live, but trust me, your server isn’t asking you if you want some extra avocado or black beans on that salad!

The myth that people who eat plant-based diets aren’t getting enough protein is one that simply won’t go away, no matter how many times science has proven it false! Somehow, there remains the narrative that vegetarians and vegans are weak, sickly, and generally unhealthy because of the lack of animal protein in their diets.

Ironically, the top-two, of ten, killers of Americans, according to the CDC, are still heart disease and cancer, both largely shown to be linked to the over-consumption of processed meat. Want to know what isn’t on that list? Protein deficiency from lack of animal-based-eating.

Traditionally, meat has long been thought of as the Westerners’ main source of protein, so much so that the words “meat” and “protein” have almost become interchangeable! We can thank the industrial meat industry and the beef ads from the 70s and 80s that we all grew up with…or the outdated food pyramids printed in our 3rd grade textbooks…or even the athletic-celebrity, endorsements of burgers, chicken, and pork…but the truth is that there are plenty of other diverse protein sources out there…and spoiler alert: they all come from plants!

Contrary to what your Uncle Fred says at Thanksgiving dinner, or the YouTube video he claims proves otherwise, there are plenty of ways for people eating a plant-based diet to get enough protein! So, here are my top 5 Ways Plant-Based People Get Their Protein and How You Can, Too!

#1: Tofu, Tempeh, and Edamame

Soy based products are some of the best sources of plant-based proteins, not to mention the diversity of dishes that can be created with these ingredients, make them an obvious choice for many plant-based diets! They are also praised for diminishing hot flashes, warding off osteoporosis, and protecting against disease.

And, yes…I know what you’re thinking. “What about the hormone issue? I heard that soy products are bad for your hormones…”

Ironically, I hear this argument most often from people who, still, also consume copious amounts of dairy and eggs, which let’s face it, both are literally chocked full of the fertility hormones from another entire species of animal…so, if you ask me if I’m worried about moderate amounts of soy in my diet and my hormones, the answer is, no…not really!

#2: Beans and Legumes

It’s no secret that beans are a great source of protein, along with being a fantastic way to help maintain GI health they have also been shown to help lower cholesterol.

Beans are an easy way to not only get healthy protein but also much needed vitamins and minerals, which lets face it, most Westerner’s are significantly more deficient in than protein. Eat them in soup, toss them in salads…you can even grind the dry beans up and use them in place of some flours to make pasta!

Did you know that 1 cup of lentils has nearly 18g of protein, almost no fat and is loaded with both iron and b-vitamins? 1 cup of kidney beans and black beans, both, have over 15g of protein plus black beans are a great source of calcium and magnesium. Black beans, in particular, actually contain more than twice the amount of magnesium, per 8 ounces, than cows milk does.

#3: Quinoa

Oh, Quinoa! (pronounced Keen-Wa, for the less hippie-dippy crowd) Quinoa has really come into it’s hay-day in the last several years, making appearances on major restaurant chain menus like BurgerFi, Einstein Bros Bagels, Panera Bread, and Chili’s!

This humble little grain, is an amazing source of protein as well as being what is called a “complete protein” - meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies do not make on their own.

According to the Whole Grains Council, quinoa is a gluten-free, whole-grain carbohydrate, as well, so it’s safe for both people with celiac disease and diabetes. Because of this, it makes a great substitute for rice in soups, stews, burritos, and wraps plus, like beans, the uncooked grain can be milled down into flour and easily adapted to a broad range of baking recipes!

#4: Leafy Greens

Ounce for ounce, spinach is packed with more protein and iron than beef, chicken, or pork at rate of more than twelve-to-one! 8 ounces of a steak has only about 8% of the protein that 8oz of spinach (by weight) contains. I’m not kidding…do the math!

Now, having said that, is anyone going to realistically going to eat 8oz of spinach, by weight, in one serving? No! But, the good news is that you don’t need to. It is commonly recommended that adults should consume somewhere between 50 and 60 grams of protein every day! (Ironically, about one portion of meat…more on that later!)

Leafy greens, cooked down and added to stews, gravies, and sauces, lose significant volume but retain their protein benefits! That’s why I love recipes like THIS ONE so much because it allows you to consume far more greens than you would by simply eating a salad!

#5: Nuts and Seeds

Some of the nuts and seeds with the highest protein counts may surprise you! They include hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds!

Chia seeds, in particular, are an easy and delicious way to pack extra protein into your plant-based diet, even being used, by many, as an egg-replacement in vegan and plant-based baking!

Rich in vitamins E, B6, niacin and folate; and they provide minerals such as magnesium, zinc, plant iron, calcium, copper, selenium, phosphorus and potassium, many nut and seed butters are another great way to sneak in extra protein, but be careful, because they can also pack a fatty-punch per serving!

Back on #4, when we were talking about leafy greens, I said that the recommended protein intake for an adult was somewhere between 50-60 grams, per day! I also mentioned that this was just about equal to one portion of steak, chicken, or pork…but I want to be clear, that’s an 8 ounce portion. Despite how this article may seem, my intention is not to shame anyone into eating less meat, but I do think it’s a valuable exercise to really look at how much animal-based protein that many Americans eat in a day, specifically when the counter argument for a plant-based diet, is so often that vegetarians and vegans “won’t get enough.”

Think about this!
If you stop for a breakfast sandwich at your local fast-food joint on the way to work, gobble down your favorite chicken sandwich and fries for lunch, and come home to a steak dinner…in reality you are likely consuming double the protein that you need in a day. And, this is not a over-dramatic scenario…as I think we all know many people who can easily eat two of these kinds of sandwiches as their “lunch” portion, not to mention the the marketing campaigns of many fast-food restaurants boasting an entire 1/2 pound, or more, of meat layered onto their sandwiches.

Simply put, not only are humans really, really bad at guessing at portion size, we also need significantly less protein than most of us are routinely consuming. With these two facts in mind it’s actually quite simple to see how these 5 Ways Plant-Based People Get Their Protein are more than capable of providing enough for the average person…

After all, the animals that we kill and eat to get our protein…ironically, get all of their protein, from plants!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP and UNOS Ambassador

Sarah, aka: The Plant Based Ginger, has been in the plant-based community for 20 years and has worked in natural skincare as well as the health and wellness sector. Over the years her love of holistic wellness, essential oils, and plant-based cooking has merged to create the PBG website and social brand. Sarah is currently living back in Central Florida, where she was raised, after spending over a decade up in Ohio’s Amish Country! She is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, UNOS Ambassador, Homecook, Coffee Lover, and Fur Mom!

5 Tips to Order Veggie Dishes at Your Favorite Non-Veggie Restaurant That Aren't Just Salads!

We've all been there! Everyone else in the group is super pumped to go to their favorite restaurant but you know they won't have a lot (or any vegetarian or vegan options on the menu...) Don't get me wrong, the Veg scene in a lot of cities has come a long way but despite the fact that plant-based protein is slated to be the #2 largest food-and-menu trend over the next decade, some restaurants still haven't caught up!

I've been plant-based for 20 years now and I've been eating out at restaurants the entire time. Let's just say, I'm a pro at dissecting a menu! But, what seems simple for you can be a total headache for the kitchen! So, here are my 5 tips to help you navigate a menu that has little to no green...without driving the kitchen crazy!

Tip #1: Just Ask Them!

This might seem like an oversimplification but almost all restaurants have items which are not on the menu but that they happily serve. You never know...perhaps one of the wait staff that works there is plant-based and the chef has a dish they always whip up for them or maybe another good customer who eats there all the time has people in their party who are vegetarians and they have a dish that they serve special just for them? You'll never know if you don't ask. You'd be surprised at just how many places do have a plant-based special menu item they serve, if you ask!

Tip #2: Look at the Menu Ahead of Time.

If you have a chance, take a look at the online menu before you get there so that you can see the type of ingredients they are using in the dishes that they do have on the menu. Most restaurants are pretty accommodating, if they have the ingredients in house, but nothing makes you look more like a twerp than railing off a dozen items that they don't even serve and asking if you can order that specific thing.

The trick is to avoid trying to sub items that have already been mixed or prepped ahead of time! No, a soul food restaurant probably isn't going to be able to "leave out" the andouille sausage from their cheese grits because it's likely already been mixed into the dish! BUT... if you are at a taco joint that also serves black beans as a side? Asking to substitute the chicken for a scoop of black beans on an order of nachos is an easy and delicious swap!

Tip #3: Be Creative with Side Dishes!

Oh, the humble side dish...a veg-head's best friend. A lot of times you're easily able to create a delicious meal by pairing side dishes together. A baked potato with a side of cooked spinach and garlic sauce plus an order of roasted mushrooms and onions (that they would normally serve on a burger) makes a pretty great loaded potato! Is this the most elegant option? No, not particularly, but it can still be super tasty, with no much effort, and even better, is easy on the kitchen.

Note: I know I'm talking a lot about making things easier on the staff and you may be thinking..."Why do I care about that? I'm the customer. I'm paying...I should be able to get what I want!" Well...no, not necessarily! Restaurant owners are already working on pretty thin margins and their menu items are often calculated down to the penny! They have carefully crafted, what they believe to be, delicious dishes, that their staff can execute perfectly...and then YOU walk in, wanting to change it all. All I'm saying is that, if you decide to go dine at a restaurant that doesn't boast a veggie-based menu, try to be kind. Most staff and cooks want to serve you good food that you will enjoy, but it won't hurt anyone if you take it a little easy on them!

Tip #4: Ask to Customize Your Salad!

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know I said no salads but hear me out. One of my favorite tricks, especially if I'm at a more casual place, that serves sandwiches and wraps, is to ask if I can have a salad they have on the menu turned into a wrap. Do they have a summer garden salad with avocado, onion, tomato, mushrooms, carrots, and sunflower seeds? Sounds like a veggie wrap to me! Ordering a specific thing that they actually have on the menu, like a salad, and then asking to make it a wrap with some vinaigrette on the side and a cup of fruit is way easier than asking to order a "veggie wrap" to which the server is going to have to ask, "What do you want in the wrap" and then write down every single ingredient you list! This way, the kitchen won't be confused. They know how to make this particular salad and they know how to make wraps! Easy!

Tip #5: Be Open To International Foods…

Let's face it, the American food culture is built on meat, but many other ethnic diets simply are not, or not to the degree that we see here in the States. The idea that the meat must be the mean dish is something that you are less likely to find in Asian, Greek, or Indian cuisine. I have found that it's almost always easier to find good plant-based dishes at restaurants that are not "American Style" eateries. Try talking your crew into trying that new Poke place or a traditional Thai restaurant. Indian food, in particular, tends to be very veggie friendly, and the flavor profiles are something that you may not even know you love, if you only stick to American "sports bar" or "steak-house" type establishments. Restaurants like this are great because they will almost always have some-kind of steak or chicken dish for your meat eating friends, as well.

So, that's it! My 5 tips to help you go green at your favorite restaurant...without driving the kitchen crazy! Sadly, there can often be a reputation, within the veggie community, of judgement, high maintenance, demanding, personalities and while, no, it's not fair for you, as an individual, to be responsible to represent an entire community when you just want to grab dinner and drinks with friends, the reality is that your kindness and grace may have a very real impact on the staff of a restaurant who has, sadly, had bad experiences with plant-based eaters in the past! Above all, remember that, kindness is king in situations like this!

Bon Appetite, friends!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP and UNOS Ambassador

Sarah, aka: The Plant Based Ginger, has been in the plant-based community for 20 years and has worked in natural skincare as well as the health and wellness sector. Over the years her love of holistic wellness, essential oils, and plant-based cooking has merged to create the PBG website and social brand. Sarah is currently living back in Central Florida, where she was raised, after spending over a decade up in Ohio’s Amish Country! She is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, UNOS Ambassador, Homecook, Coffee Lover, and Fur Mom!

Why You Should Be Cooking More If You're Struggling With Your Mental Health: Five Emotional Benefits of Preparing and Serving Food

“No one tells you the hardest thing about being an adult is deciding what to make for dinner. Every night. For the rest of your life.”

These days lot of people seem to have a love it or hate it approach to food and cooking. It’s either something you really enjoy or something you can’t seem to master, don’t have time for, and wish you didn’t have to tackle every single day! It’s no big surprise, then, that the fast-food industry alone accounts for over $110 billion dollars annually and over 35% of American adults eat fast food every single day!

Sadly, the irony, for folks struggling to stay emotionally healthy, is that a diet that includes fast food on a regular basis, filled with its excess sodium, trans-fats, refined carbs, not to mention loads of sugar, in reality, will only serve to hinder health; mental, emotional, and otherwise.

Here are FIVE simple ways that cooking is good for your mental health and why you should be doing it more often!

1. You get to take control!

Like a lot of things in life, cooking is about more than just the finished product. It’s about the process. For many people there are a lot of control issues, that are all tied up for them emotionally, when it comes to food. Cooking can help to untie all those knots. Cooking allows you to take back control of the chaos. The process of creation can be a very emotionally empowering. When you’re cooking you have the ability to take all of these individual elements, sometimes seemingly unrelated things, that on their own seem disjointed or even off-putting, and carefully rearrange them, restoring order, and creating something beautiful and delicious.

2. You get to use all your senses!

Grounding is a practice that is often taught and used by those who struggle with anxiety or experience panic attacks and centers around quieting the mind by focusing on the use of each of the 5 senses. Cooking is a perfect vehicle to practice grounding:

Touch: You can focus on the feeling of the weight of the chef’s knife in your hand or the resistance as you slice through the onion. You can feel how the soft fluffy tops of a bunch of carrots almost tickle your palms or how rough the bumpy skin on an avocado feels under your fingertips as you prepare to bisect it’s exterior.

Sight: The world of cooking is full of beautiful things to look at; the sheer rainbow of colors in your local produce department to start with! When you are cooking you must constantly be monitoring the process with your eyes. Is that oil smoking? Is the pasta floating in the water, or did it sink? Are those mushrooms taking on too much color? Does that sauce look thick enough?

Hearing: This might not seem like an obvious sense that is used in cooking but you may be surprised! Does the lettuce sound crisp and crunchy as you slice through it to make your salad? Does the garlic sizzle as it hits the hot pan…how much sizzle? Too much and it may burn. Can you hear your pasta sauce boiling? If so, it means it’s time to turn down the heat to a simmer!

Smell: If you’re cooking endeavors are successful, hopefully the smells emanating from your kitchen will be pleasant ones, but try to pick up on some of the more subtle smells as you are cooking. Do herbs smell different after being toasted? How so? What about adding salt to vegetables when sauteing them? How does that open up their scent? Can you smell the slight tart difference between milk and buttermilk?

Taste: The most obvious of the senses when cooking is clearly taste but try not to take this one for granted. Take the opportunity to taste the individual ingredients and not just the finished product. What does tofu really taste like…anything? Or, does it take on the favor of the sauces it’s being cooked in? How do Sweet Basil and Thai Basil differ? How does the addition of texture (using flour or corn starch to thicken a soup or sauce) change a dishes flavor?

3. Cooking allows you to exercise your creativity!

As a person who likes to consider herself a creative type, I have always found it fundamentally sad to hear people tell me, “Well, I’m not creative.” I have a personal theory that I repeat to people as often as they will listen. “Not everyone is artistic but everyone is creative.” I truly believe this, with all my heart, I believe this! All of our minds work in slightly different ways and that’s what makes us beautiful! All of our taste-buds do too and that’s what makes cooking beautiful! Cooking is more of an improv class than a classic Shakespearean drama and it’s a great place to experiment and let your creativity run wild! Does the recipe call for capers but you don’t have any? What other ingredient might you have that has that same or similar flavor profile…perhaps you could dice some green olives and use them instead? Improv in the kitchen is no different than improv on the stage…a little intimidating at first but once you learn to trust yourself it honestly becomes the most fun part!

4. It’s a healthier choice!

When we’re struggling emotionally it can often bleed over into the physical areas of our lives. You may find yourself feeling less motivated to care for yourself like you normally would. Consistent sleep habits go out the window, personal hygiene seems less and less important and exercise may seem like too much of a chore to tackle but you’ve still got to eat! People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who don’t cook and, as we stated earlier, consume far less sodium, sugar, and fat…all which can contribute to feeling sluggish, unmotivated, foggy minded, and bloated, none of which support good mental health. The one simple step of cooking at home is an easy way to set your feet squarely back onto the path towards making more healthy choices. It’s amazing how much easier that healthy choices number two and number three become come once you have tackled the first one.

5. Cooking can connect you to other people!

One of the hardest things to overcome when you’re struggling inside your own mind is the impulse to self-isolate. Mental illness lies to you and tells you that you’re the only one who has ever felt this way, that no one else can understand what you’re experiencing, and that you don’t have any value to others when you’re feeling like this! Food says, “nonsense!” Distraction can be a powerful tool when you’re fighting these kinds of feelings and cooking a delicious meal that you can share with others is a great distraction. You don’t need to throw a 5 course dinner party with the perfect wine pairing and french inspired dessert! You can ask a co-worker you know is missing her kids, who are away at college, to come over for some homemade soup and garlic bread or pack a picnic with handmade sandwiches, a tossed salad and fresh squeezed lemonade, and ask a friend to meet you at a local park! Food is best when shared with people and conveniently so are most of us!

While cooking at home might seem like another stressor, and something better off avoided, the reality is that, for many, shopping for, prepping, and preparing your own food on a regular basis can do wonders to help lift mood and calm stress and anxiety. Turns out, in this case, eating your emotions might not be such a bad things after all!

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP and UNOS Ambassador

Sarah, aka: The Plant Based Ginger, has been in the plant-based community for 20 years and has worked in natural skincare as well as the health and wellness sector. Over the years her love of holistic wellness, essential oils, and plant-based cooking has merged to create the PBG website and social brand. Sarah is currently living back in Central Florida, where she was raised, after spending over a decade up in Ohio’s Amish Country! She is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, UNOS Ambassador, Homecook, Coffee Lover, and Fur Mom!

New Study Finds Women Have 84 “Bad Skin” Days A Year! Five Habits to Take Back Your Skin and Your Pocket Book!

According to a new poll, the average woman says that she experiences 84 “Bad Skin” days a year! EIGHTY-FOUR! That’s 7 days a month…once every 4.5 days, spending, on average, over 10k in the course of her lifetime on products designed to combat her troubled-skin. With most women citing wrinkles, acne and dark circles among their biggest anxieties, dry skin, enlarged pores and age spots also made the list.

Sadly, one in three adult women claims that her skin makes her feel insecure and stressed. Ironically, most skincare experts will agree that stress and anxiety can be major factors in all kinds of skin trauma from eczema and acne flair-ups to premature wrinkles and a sallow complexion.

One of the major problems in today’s beauty industry is that the products that these women are buying to try to “fix” their skin are actually, in most cases, helping to contribute to the overall skin challenges that they experience! Did you know that creams, serums, lotions, and washes that contain chemical fillers, toxic preservatives, unnatural fragrance and added dyes are actually working to further your skin problems? (And that is just how the big brands like it.)

The current philosophy on skincare from the big-box brands is closer to triage than therapy…a band-aid on a bullet hole, if you will.  Products designed for immediate, albeit temporary, results make us feel good about our purchase but in the long run, rarely ever deliver the advertised results. Instead, the products are actually designed to keep your skin in an unhealthy cycle so that you will need to buy more of their products!

But, you can break the cycle…take back your skin and your pocketbook by adopting these 5 healthy skincare habits today:

1. You are what you eat. Clean food. Clean skin. 

People don’t much like this fact, but it’s a fact, none-the-less. You simply can not put trash into your body and expect your skin not to suffer. Like any organ, our skin feeds and is maintained by the food and nourishment that we ingest. We aren’t talking about the old wives-tale of eating a chocolate bar or some fries today and having a break-out tomorrow, that’s not how the science of nutrition works. Our bodies, however, were designed to run best on fresh fruits, lots of vegetables and minor amounts of lean protein and our skin is no exception! Oh, yeah…and this should go without saying but DRINK WATER…lots and lots of water. (You already know this…now, just do it!)

2. Get a little sun!

In moderation, of course! We aren’t saying to skip the sunblock if you are planning an entire day at the beach or a family vacation to a theme park this summer but remember a little Vitamin D is good for you and your skin! Extreme sunburn and sun poisoning is nothing to mess around with but on a daily basis, when you are simply out running errands…try skipping the chemical-laden sunscreen. In fact, some research may point to synthetic, chemical, sunscreens doing more harm, and leading to more cancer long-term, in patients that overused the products than in those who simply avoided the sun or only experienced moderate sun exposure without consistent or long-term burning. If you really feel the need to lather up…try a sunblock made with natural ingredients, like essential oils, for a more eco-friendly way to protect your skin.

3. Ditch the “Pretty” Scents and Colorful Creams.

Love the smell of a Toasted Marshmallow Latte, Caribbean Teakwood, or Coconut Vanilla Breeze? Our advice, buy a candle…and keep it out of your skincare. The world of sweet-smelling creams, lotions, body mists, and shower gels is almost infinite at this point. Thanks to the scientific technology of fragrance engineering if you can wish it, you can probably smell like it. Everything from Cucumber to Cotton Candy Cola is up for grabs when it comes to scented body products. The problem is that almost all of these scents are synthetic and loaded with all kinds of chemicals and preservatives that have no place on our skin, or in our bodies. Beware of packaging that says things like, “Made with All Natural Moisturizers” or “Enriched with Organic Ingredients.” These claims may be partially true but even products and brands that actually do use other reasonably high-quality ingredients often blow it at the end with the addition of artificial perfumes and synthetic dyes. Instead, look for all natural brands that use 100% pure essential oils to add scent to their products and natural mica powders, sea clay and minerals for color.

4. Start Dry Brushing Daily!

What is dry brushing? Dry brushing is pretty much just what it sounds like. A practice that reminds us that our skin and skincare is a total body objective, not just something we do to our faces! With a dry, short-bristled body brush, lightly stroke the skin, beginning at the toes and ankles upward toward the heart. Continue up the legs and torso and then brush the hands and arms, always working with long, gentle, strokes moving toward the heart. Dry brushing is not only a natural and gentle way to exfoliate the skin, it also helps promote circulation and aids the body in moving toxins through the lymphatic system and out of the body. Dry brushing is especially beneficial when combined with a daily prayer or meditation routine helping to detox both the mind and the body.

5. Start with quality, all natural, SOAP!

In truth, this last one should maybe have been #1 on our list because it really is the easiest thing to do for your skin to see major results! The most simple, and most beneficial thing that you can do, on a daily basis, for your skin is to use an all natural soap when you shower and bathe. Did you know that most of the products that we use as “soap” today are actually not soap at all? The body bars, the cleansing gels, and the foaming micro-scrubs that line the “soap” isles of our popular big box and drug stores are primarily, chemically developed detergents, not soap. Switching over to a preservative-free, natural soap, like these, can not only help to balance the pH of the skin but because there are no toxic components it won’t contribute to dry or flaky skin or aggravate irritated or acne prone skin. Restoring a natural balance to your bodies largest organ, you will find that, over time, you need less lotion and have fewer problem areas to deal with, overall. Your skin will maintain a natural glow and not need to be pampered like it once was, saving you not only time but money, as well.

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Sarah Seeds, CNHP and UNOS Ambassador

Sarah, aka: The Plant Based Ginger, has been in the plant-based community for 20 years and has worked in natural skincare as well as the health and wellness sector. Over the years her love of holistic wellness, essential oils, and plant-based cooking has merged to create the PBG website and social brand. Sarah is currently living back in Central Florida, where she was raised, after spending over a decade up in Ohio’s Amish Country! She is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, UNOS Ambassador, Homecook, Coffee Lover, and Fur Mom!