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.
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.
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!
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 5 ways to get more green into your diet!
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!
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!
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 but 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…you guessed it, plants!
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!
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 that they won't have a lot (or any vegetarian or vegan options on the menu...) 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!
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!
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!