Drink tea.

While I write a paper. Drive to school. Snuggle my little girl (who steals a sip or two).  Eat breakfast. Catch up on blog readings. Read emails . Even while we viewed a piece of land yesterday (!).

I heart tea.

Me and tea, we go way back, and the bonds are everlasting.

And? I can do it guilt free with no caffeine and no sugar. I’ve been using “Ideal” brand Xylitol and love it. It tastes and looks like sugar, but it has zero calaries, low carbs, and no sugar. And, it’s actually good for you, unlike sugar and other artificial sweeteners: it  helps prevent cavities! Plus, it’s cheap.

So, I heart Xylitol as well. I just wish I could buy it in bulk in local stores :-/ More on xylitol later. It deserves it’s own post!

In my battle with acne, I’ve been forced to change many things in my life, from food to make up.  Like I said, I’m sure I have Candida which causes my acne internally, but it’s also made me sensitive to certain products from laundry detergent to make up. I have used Bare Minerals since right after Savannah was born. I had clear skin then, fresh from pregnancy and still breastfeeding so my hormones kept my skin beautiful.  I bought Bare Minerals because I wanted a fancy make up that would last on my wedding day, and for 2 years I stuck with it.  However, I realized this summer that even though many mineral make ups claim to all natural and “safe to even sleep in!” it’s not true.  Particularly there is a filler ingredient called Bismuth Oxychloride that actually reacts with some people’s skin to either itch like crazy or break out. Yeah, they don’t tell you that in the commercials!

I realized that my make up was actually harming my skin rather than just covering up the issues I already had.  And so, I seriously spent all summer trying to find make up that 1) Didn’t break me out and 2) Covered up the scars and acne I did have.  It was quite a search because every one I tried either covered wonderfully but broke me out, or didn’t break me out but had no coverage. Frustrating, no? I also really wanted a makeup that was natural and didn’t contain things like parabens (which is rumored to cause cancer) but it was impossible to find a make up that suited everything I needed. And very costly to keep trying things out!  Finally, I discovered Sterling Minerals on an online forum.  They have samples to try before commiting and I’ve fallen in love with the two samples I’ve had (trying to find the right color for me, but more on that later).

Why do I love Sterling  Minerals? Well, it meets all of the above reasons: its natural ingredients, great coverage, and doesn’t break me out. But, I also love that these products can be made to suit anyone of any age or skin type. For example, the foundations come in three different types of bases that help with certain types of skin (dry, normal, oily). I use the Velvet Rose base and it really does help combat my super oily skin! I love that it’s a smaller company that you can really tell values their customers. The founder, Katherine Corkill, just oozes out passion for what she does in her newsletter/blog that talks about issues with skin care and in her videos. And?  Her wet method application technique has been a wonderful new way to get the coverge I need on my acne scars.  I’ve been using mineral make up for 2.5 years but thought water would be a big no-no! It actually helps my makeup stay on longer and cover much better.  She now has a whole collection of short videos that show how to apply mineral makeup for the best application.

Plus? They ship super quick! And it’s not ridiculously expensive! Sure, it’s more than a drug store find, but for the same price as Bare Minerals it’s better quality.

The only thing that makes it difficult is that it is an internet based company, so it is hard to find the shade of foundation that matches perfectly from only the picture online. Like I said, I had to buy two different samples, but the beauty of mineral makeup is that it can be combined with other shades to make your perfect color!  Other than that, I’m absolutely thrilled with this company all around.

The O Momma Recommends series is based on products that I find helpful in daily life, that I’ve discovered my self, and have not been paid or supplied the products to review.

I’m 100% positive I have Candida (over growth of yeast) which is what causes my acne and the sudden onset of skin issues starting last year.  I’ve tried various things: Healthier diet, fish oil pills, Candex pills, a colon cleanse, switching make up, and resorting to typical acne medicines like benzoyl peroxide. All of which helped to lessen my issue but I’m still not getting to the root of the issue: yeast in my gut.  It’s hard to kill, yall.

So, I’m embarking on yet another new adventure with apple cider vinegar. Have you heard about how awesome apple cider vinegar is? It’s got multiple uses, everything from shiny hair to house cleaning to weight loss to digestion issues.  I’ve even used it to get rid of planters warts and it worked. This website lists some of the uses and how to use it for each, great stuff. Anyway, so as I’ve become frustrated again with my acne (it has it’s up and down phases, but still overall better than it was a few months ago) I’ve been doing research again. I’ve read about ACV for months, even used it as a toner for a while (which Mark hated because of the smell!), but wasn’t brave enough to drink it like many people recommended.  Until today. I decided that the benefits are well worth dealing with the taste and seeing if it helps.

I’m sitting here with a mug of hot water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. And really? It’s not too bad! It reminds me of apple cider with a kick. I’ve always like vinegar type stuff anyway (salt and vinegar chips, anyone?) so maybe that makes me more prone to tolerating the taste better than others, but I don’t think it’s that bad as long as its diluted enough.

I’ll keep you updated :-)

It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about my health changes, so let’s up date shall we? Well, after a few weeks of eating relatively healthy, I’ve reached a point that I’m not so careful anymore.

It was our weekend away (and therefore having to eat out the whole weekend) that started this.  And then it was the 12 hour long school days where I have to eat fast food on campus to survive through the day.  And then, I just got lazy.  Why cook my own healthy meal when my MIL has a meal already done?

I haven’t completely reverted back to eating whatever crap I want. I still don’t drink coffee and use an alternative to sugar when possible.  I eat pretty much only whole grains if possible, no high fructose corn syrup, I eat fruit pretty much with every breakfast, etc. But, if I am craving a chocolate bar or oreos? I eat it (but usually don’t pig out like I used to). If we go out to eat?  I don’t pick a salad or sandwich, I go for the fried chicken or pizza.

Anyways, my skin hasn’t changed dramatically or anything. I still have acne all over my cheeks.  After doing lots of research I truly, truly think that my skin issues (which has evolved to me even being allergic to my wedding rings!) root in having digestive issues. I’ve always had digestive problems growing up so my system surely is loaded with toxins just sitting inside and therefore escaping through my skin.  So, my next step is to do a colon cleanse.   Again, doing research, I decided that the Colonix program (don’t click the link if you are squeamish) would be the best for me and all the testimonials (both on their website, other non-affiliated websites, and even a friend of a friend!) assured me that a colon cleanse can help clear acne.  I ordered the kid version though, because 1) it’s cheaper 2) I hate pills and I have trouble with taking them 3) I’m small. Like, I’m the same size as my 11 year old brother so I thought the dosage would be more suitable for me in the kid form.

It finally arrived today so I will be starting the process tomorrow. I’ve read testimonials that capture every nasty detail, day per day. I’ll save you from that fun, but I do plan to update if I notice changes.

Here’s what I hope to accomplish:

- Acne (stop the active acne, fade scarring)

- Clear up rash on neck (the dr. this week told me it might be psoriasis) and other skin allergies

- Better energy, better sleep

- Lose the gut (seriously, stuff is just sitting in there!)

That’s a lot to hope for in one product, but we’ll see.  If the 100’s of testimonials are true, then I have faith it can be done.

Also, I’ve had some readers asking for products that I do recommend that are natural and not full of chemicals. I’m still learning/finding products myself, but I do plan to share the ones I’ve found soon.  My latest purchase (today) was an all natural mineral foundation from Larenim (did you know that not all mineral make ups are equal?! Bare Minerals has cancer causing agents in them, too! ) So, I will try it out and do a review soon.

3 days ago I started a diet.  I know everyone that has met me in person just gasped and said “No! Why?! You’re already too small!” And I totally agree, but my diet isn’t to loose weight, it’s just a makeover of my food choices to be more healthy in general.  And, to get rid of this acne that is only getting worse with age rather than better (it’s totally a myth that acne is for teenagers!).

For several months  I’ve been reading all that Fran over at High On Health has to say, along with reading about the experiences of other acne sufferers and what they had tried.  In most cases? Food was the problem and was the answer. However, being stubborn me, I didn’t look at my diet or change it, I just bought more products to try because nothing was working.  I even resorted to buying the Proactiv trial (for $5.00 on ebay!) because I was sick of my face and wanted a quick fix before school started back.   It didn’t clear my skin, I’ve just been left with acne and horribly dried out, bleached skin (and towels).  Obviously, that doesn’t sound to healthy either, so I’m switching to gentler and more natural products in the next few days.

Back to the diet.  I decided it was time to fight acne (and the other health issues I have such as suddenly being allergic to products, a rash I’ve had for a year, digestive issues, etc.) from the inside. I bought Fran’s ebook and went to the grocery store to start all over with my foods.  Basically, I’m following a Low GI diet (like a diabetic).  I am positive that it is sugar causing my acne, so this diet eliminates all the refined sugars and replaces it with healthy alternatives like honey and the natural sugars in fruits.  I realized that my acne started getting worse this summer when I started drinking coffee regularly.  And in my coffee? I had 1/3 cup of sugar (yes, you read that right. I like things SWEET!) and who knows how much vanilla coffee mate that has even more sugar.  So, I’ve completely stopped drinking coffee and now drink (decaf) tea with honey.  I’ve also switched to all whole grain breads, pasta, and rice.  Eating tons of fruits and veggies and I try to cook as much as I can, rather than resorting to processed foods.

The result?  Just in 3 days. 3 days, people! I have noticed a huge difference in my body.  My acne and the scars are already subsiding.  My digestive issues are more regular.  And I just feel better, folks. I’m excited for these new changes for a healthier life style.  I’m slowly making my way into livng a more “green” lifestyle, both inside and out.