INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: AVOCADO OIL

While in Mexico we have been exploring indigenous ingredients of the region and have a new love for Avocado Oil both for external and internal use. Avocado oil is derived from the flesh of the fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical zones of Central America and California. In skin care it is commonly used as a base or carrier. (A CARRIER OIL IS A BASE OIL OR VEGETABLE OIL USED TO DILUTE ESSENTIAL OILS BEFORE THEY ARE APPLIED TO THE SKIN FOR SAFETY AND EFFICACY SINCE THE CARRIER OIL CAN ASSIST TO DRIVE THE ESSENTIAL OILS DEEPER INTO THE SKIN.)

Now that I hit forty years of age I like using a dynamic duo of both essential oils w/ a carrier for multiple benefits. Dry, aging skin for one is always thirsty for moisture and I spend a lot of time in the Sun currently residing in Mexico. I like to SLATHER carrier oils on. Plus this helps me extend the quantity of my precious and more expensive essential oils. fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical zones of Central America and California. We have used Avocado oil as a base in a few of our products from the "DESERT QUEEN" collection. Here are some of the unique properties of avocado oil:

OLEIC ACID 

Avocado Oil is a great carrier oil because it is highly moisturizing due to the omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and has a longer shelf life than most carriers so it doest go rancid as quickly. The fatty acids found in avocado oil are monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is known to  lower risk of some cancers, prevent flare-ups of certain auto-immune diseases, speed cell regeneration,  aiding the body in repelling microbial infections, and reducing inflammation inside and out.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

The high concentration of oleic acid in avocado oil can help you lose weight – especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Avocado oil is thick and full of powerful nutrients, meaning that it will make you feel fuller faster and keep your appetite satisfied longer. Also, because the vitamins and EFAs in avocado oil improve digestion. Avocado oil has an unusually high concentration of beta-sitosterol, a type of cholesterol which our bodies can use to convert less healthy fats into forms which are more usable and less damaging to cells.

VITAMIN E

Avocado oil is among the top five foods highest in vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin is known for improving skin and eye health, bolstering the immune system, providing defense against oxidative damage to cells caused by free-radicals, improving memory and mental acuity, as well as increasing the overall efficiency of the digestive tract.

DETOX

Avocado oil is loaded with chlorophyll – a natural source of super-healthy magnesium and one of the best-known natural substances for removing heavy metals like mercury and lead from the liver, kidneys, brain, and other organs.

CELL REGENERATION

The vitamin E, potassium, and lecithin which are the primary skin-feeding nutrients in the oil are all easily absorbed through the epidermis – the outermost layer of the skin – and into the dermis. Due to its high concentration of anti-inflammatory oleic acid, avocado oil can be applied topically to ease discomfort caused by all manner of skin conditions and help w/ wound healing. In fact, this oil increases cell proliferation and during would healing this leads to an increase of the numbers of fibroblasts which lead to smooth, unwrinkled skin. It may reduce scars, soothe eczema and is even a light UV filer for Sun protection. Avocado oil is also nourishing for your hair and can help w/ a dry, itchy scalp.

I remember running into one of the most beautiful women at a grocery store when I was younger. I was so in awe of her beauty in fact that I complimented her. She was at that moment unloading a basket full of avocados. She responded, "Thank you but it's all due to these avocados".

Pink Moon Women's Wellness Workshop

Shout out to all the sister's of the Pacific Northwest: Please join us! Details here: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pink-moon-womens-wellness-workshop-tickets-33196557798

Tribal Beauty of Ancient Egypt

The Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness and believed in the magical properties of their beauty ritual ingredients.

Ancient Egyptians not only used the precious metal of gold as adornment, but also used gold as a therapy for the skin. Historically in Egypt, gold was used for its curative and antibacterial properties. The exclusiveness of this ritual has not changed throughout the years, as only a certain number of elite spa’s around the world offer the expertise in using this expensive metal for skin and energy revitalizing purposes.

The ancient Egyptians were not entirely misguided in believing that kohl would prevent eye infections because it actually did prevent an ocular infection that was caused by the flooding of the Nile. The lead-based substances in the kohl promoted the production of nitric oxide in their skin, which helped strengthen their immune systems against diseases ("How the Pharaohs Fought Ocular Infection"). The soot in kohl helped in reducing the damaging effects of sun glare on their eyes. The ancient Egyptians created a remedy for burns by mixing the cheek and lip stain and other remedies for improving skin with red natron, northern salt and honey. However, the ancient Egyptians strongly believed that the healing effects of these cosmetics were magical rather than medical.

The beauty technique, known as hair extensions was widely used in ancient Egyptian history, followed the Egyptians predecessors to their grave. Hair is something that ancient Egyptians went great lengths to nurture and enhance. Hair symbolized wealth, status, beauty and in some references, motherhood and fertility. To maintain natural hair growth and the strength of their hair, Egyptians were pioneers in using castor oil. Ancient Egyptians initiated the use of this oil for their hair due to its nourishing properties. Castor oil has since then been used to enhance healthy hair growth and in strengthening hair follicles.

One can not help but think of the legendary queen Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt known throughout history for her beauty and charm. 

Her father was exiled and so she took the thrown at 18 ruling w/ her brother who was 10. A woman was allowed to rule but not alone. She then decided to remove her brothers name from all of the records and print only her face on the coins. She was 1st women to rule Egypt solo. Eventually she needed a partner to possy up with and form a stronger position in ruling so she seduced Julius Ceasar for political reasons, showing up for the first time at his palace rolled in a rug then rolled out to surprise him. She and Ceasar had a son heir to throne. After Ceasar died she formed an alliance w/ Mark Anthony, her great love and had three more children. Sadly, she died by age 39 taking poison but beauty and intellect have never been forgotten. 

• Born 69 BC and died by age 39

• Egyptian people loved her

• Beautiful, smart, and seductive

• Spoke nine different languages.

• Wrote a book on cosmetics

• Built a cosmetics factory near the Dead Sea.

• 1st of her royal line to learn to speak Egyptian.

• Last Pharaoh to rule Egypt

Cleopatra knew that physical beauty can attract the eye (this is why she took such a good care of her skin and body), intellect can help become an interesting and skillful communicator (this is why Cleopatra loved to read books, learn new things and grow mentally), but she also knew about one invisible, yet important ingredient of feminine beauty – charm; she knew that, if you want to be irresistible and truly beautiful, it’s important to cultivate the inner confidence and inner charm of a true lady!

Milk and Honey was the backbone combination for a multitude of Cleopatra’s ancient skin care regimes. Because of the dry climate and the risk of premature aging due to cell dehydration Cleopatra knew the value of locking in the moisture to her skin. Rose was another favorite due to it's regenerating effects. Though rose also native to Turkey which is closer to Egypt, Cleopatra would have imported her species of  rose from bulgaria if she wanted the highest grade and I am sure she did! Her roots were also Greek and Greece borders Bulgaria. so Bulgarian rose was most likely an accustomed luxury.!

• Roses are native to Bulgaria

• Have the highest level of healing properties

• Powerful against wrinkles

• Soothes skin issues

• Natural emollient /hydrating

• Preserves our skin to fight aging

So in honor of being a skin care enthusiast like this queen who loved to nourish her body, mind, and soul celebrate your own beauty by indulging in a luxurious Cleopatra Bath of milk, honey, and roses.  Milk contains lactic acid; a form of Alpha Hydroxy acid, removing dead skin cells, causing the younger skin to emerge. Honey is a humectant that retains h2o, locking in moisture for the skin. Indulge in Rose which resonates a love frequency.

Elegant Savage also inspires a rose infused, skin regenerating "Harem Serum" w/ ingredients that was celebrated back in ancient Egypt. Combine w/ "Kudra's Kiss, our coconut milk bath soak to for the vegan version on Cleo's bath! Enjoy!

Make n' Take a Customized, Blissful Botanical Creation

Super stoked to be collaborating w/ Pura Vida of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. We will be having a botanical scent blending workshop where attendees can make a custom creation to either keep or gift to a loved one. We are asking a $10 donation which usually covers the cost of the supplies, but we will be donating what we collect to help the children of the Palapa Society. hope to see you there. 

Root to Soul: Essential Oil Education in the Baja 2016

Sacred Sap on the Spice Coast

It's been a while since I have posted. Let's just say I have been taking a sabbatical to nourish and heal while learning new skills to help others also grow in wellness. It all began when I was researching Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor training programs last Fall and was getting ready to send my payment off to enroll in a program when I stumbled upon James Bailey's Sevanti Institute and his "Sacred Sap Retreat" in India where I made a change in coarse. www.sevanti.com

bronze vessel called a "kindi" used to hold medicinal milk in a ksheeradara treatment

James is a third generation physician, Ayurveda and Oriental Medicine practitioner, Yoga educator, and Yoga teacher trainer who has been living yoga and ayurveda for 30 years. It was fate as I have been waiting for that "perfect" teacher and/or scenario to make my long awaited journey to India! I instantly enrolled in the Sacred Sap Retreat and this adventure on the Malabar or Spice Coast of Kerala in Southwestern India has been epic, balls to the walls awesome to say the least. This blog post (1 of 2 because I will tell my tales of the North in another post) is a memoir of my multi-faceted trip which was beyond words. I hope to share a bit of my Ayurvedic week long replenishing while also encouraging others to catch the next Seventi Adventures "Sacred Sap" Retreat. 

What is the "Sacred Sap" you may ask? Ayurvedic regeneration of the body’s cells, tissues and healthy aging is known as rasayana. The rasayana view of ayurveda describes a sacred sap or juice (ojas, rasa) within us that when preserved (not depleted) defines our youthfulness, vitality, health, and longevity. So I was off to Somatheeram, the worlds first Ayurvedic Resort south of Kovalom in the state of Kerala, India to receive daily 90 minute Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Massage sessions and study Ayurveda. The trained therapists massage with copious amounts of these warm sacred oils all over the body. The ojas rich oils and herbs are absorbed into the tissues through the skin and begin the process of tissue repair and regeneration. It's the practice of "Youthing"! Diet also plays a huge role and all meals at Somatheeram were designed to be deeply nourishing to the body. I forgot about all of this goodness though upon arrival as my senses were swept away by the beauty of the setting. 

I arrived at the resort around 3 AM so it was dark and I could not see very much of anything but that did not matter. I was intoxicated by the scent of jasmine right away and also offered a necklace of the blossoms strung together.  The exotic songs of birds of this paradise created an orchestra of wild. As soon as I would get lost in their song the strong fierce shore breaking waves of the Arabian Sea rumbled my being. This ocean song seemed to guide me along.

I was taken to my room which was actually someone else room. In India it doesn't seem matter. There was a woman who was in a deep sleep before the concierge banged on her door to let her know I was coming in. There was only one bed, and both the woman and I were both very confused but too jet lagged and lost in translation to deal so I hopped in bed w/ this stranger. (It turned out she was my roomie the entire retreat but paid extra the first night for her own room so she was not expecting me at all.)

She turned out to be the best India roomie and played her own part in my healing as she was such a nourishing sweet soul and fellow Portlandian. I laid there that first night in shock that my dream of traveling to India had come true. My head started to fill with anxiety from my life left behind in the western world (Is my daughter okay? Are the dogs okay? Is my house flooding again like it did just weeks before?) Then these powerful crashing waves would wash everything away demanding my emptiness from within. My shift in perception as well as my healing experience in this paradise can be described as the peeling of an onion.

Layer by layer whether it was a smell, a sound, a puja, receiving an ass kicking treatment, Tawny's restorative yoga class, bathing an elephant, swimming in the Arabian sea, or catching a smile from one of the beautiful indigenous Indian souls on the beach I was opened up to my core. It was like I met myself for the first time. This was confirmed by my longtime yoga teacher Nicole back home. For when she greeted me for the first time upon my return she said "It is so nice to finally meet you"! 

I usually get home sick as I miss my daughter, our dogs, and my comfy bed when so I don't like to travel but this time I did not want to leave. The nice thing about the trip was we still had an additional week up North so I got to sink into my newly emerged Self for a while before leaving. James specifically curates the adventure like this so we can be supported in a shift through so much healing from the treatments etc, then hit the spiritual sites up north like Varanasi, the City of Light or the Taj, the Temple of Love and really be blown away. 

It was almost like a week of Panchakarma, a powerful Ayurvedic treatment that eliminates toxicity, restoring the body’s natural balance and health minus the enema. Here is a list of some of the treatments I received during my week in Kerala and a thousand thanks to my therapist Revathi. Out of the 50 pairs of sandals or so left on the steps outside of the Ayurvedic center she always went right to mine (while I drank my ,dedicated ghee) and handed them over quickly for our jaunt to our treatment room down this botanical path. She would help me undress then light a candle and begin with a prayer in Sanskrit.  Revathi would start massaging my head then the rest of my body from there. She was so tiny but so strong. There were little things I had to submit my OCD ways (besides traffic) to like the rosewood stool where she would have me sit. Though we would wear these paper panties during treatment I wondered how many other greasy butts had sat in the stool that day. Also, it was interesting to have my boobs and fat rolls also massaged but that is why it is traditional to only have female therapists work on female clients. It wasn't sexual at all but just part of the holistic experience to really get the blood moving and the toxins flushed out. On a side note I about died laughing when I saw one of the wild, exotic birds flying away like a thief in the night with a pair of those awful paper panties. They were more like diapers. 

Going in I thought this would be a once in a lifetime experience but instead I hope to return on a regular basis to receive this kind of sweet rejuvenation and restore my own sacred sap! 

MY TREATMENT LIST:

Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic treatment which involves slowly pouring herbal liquids over a client’s forehead, exactly to the middle spot of the forehead. Shirodhara is composed of two words, which have their base in the Sanskrit language. The word Shiro means head and the word dhara means flow. I loved this treatment and during my shirodara session there was a nearby church on the grounds where there were children singing in a choir. Epic.

Pizhichil is a synchronized massage of up and down is carried out on all parts of the body by two therapists.  No area of the body is left uncovered. Here, cloth dipped in lukewarm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body uniformly and then the oil rubbed smoothly over the body of the patient by masseurs on either side. The session may take 1 hour including continuous oil pouring over the body, then rubbing and stimulating the skin using hands and special cotton cloths.

Njavarakizhi or Kizhi is a deeply invigorating massage, involves fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Njavara is a particular kind of rice known for its nutritional and therapeutic value. It is cooked with milk and a herbal decoction made of kurumthotti.

Abhyanga is a warm oil massage administered as part of preparatory measure of Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda. “Abhyanga” means to move energy into the body to pull out toxins from the body.

Udvarthanam is a massage using herbal powder. The treatment is good for diseases like diabetic neuropathy, paralysis, obesity, skincare, sciatica, indigestion and sclerosis of blood vessels. The massage activates the nerves and increases blood flow to the impaired parts of the body. Udvarthanam is also an important health preserving massage. As the massage promotes active blood flow, it revitalizes and reconditions the body, thus preserving its strength, skin texture, and natural elasticity. Fat reduction is one of the significant benefits in cases of obesity.

'Thriphala', is the most commonly used powder in the treatment. It is a mixture of excellent nerve stimulating agents such as Gooseberry, Belerica, and Myrobalan. The medicated powder is applied all over the body and massage is done in the opposite direction of the hair roots, with appropriate pressure.

Nasyam: Ghee or oil is used in Marshya Nasyam. It is a symptomatic treatment which helps in overcoming symptoms of certain diseases.

Ksheeradara is the treatment where by the lukewarm medicated milk is made to flow in a slow constitend rate for a particular duration mostly over the glabellar region or the whole body with simultaneous soft massage. This therapy is highly beneficial for vata and pita predominant headaches, stress, insomnia and anxiety. It nourishes the skin and gives a lustrous appearance. It has proven effective in certain cases of arthritis. In certain neurological conditions especially those accompanied by burning sensation and numbness.  For ksheera dhara treatment traditional bronze vessel called ‘kindi’ is used.

Lepanam is one of the effective datum of Ayurveda to eliminate skin ailments and certain remedies in Ayurveda enlarges amazing power within to control and prevent every kind of dermatological complaints.

Global Inspired Essence

Check out the latest remedies I have added to the Elegant Savage Apothecary featuring global inspired creations with ingredients sourced from around the world. Everything is 20% right now and I will be offering some of these self-care ritual treats for free to those who stop by my open house on the 19th.

Exfoliate and Glow!

This is my free webinar on how to formulate a customized, highly therapeutic body scrub while exploring ancient beauty, and the benefits of sourcing pure, botanical skin care ritual ingredients. Self-care is key to fill our cups, while expanding our capacity to give! Love yourself today by indulging in this tribal beauty ritual to make your body and soul glow. This presentation is brought to life through my live, hands on formulation workshops to invoke the senses and your exotic warrior spirit! Please inquire for more details if you would like me to host a workshop in your area. I also offer private, aromatic sourcing consultations. 
kristen@elegantsavage.com