Hi dolls! So if you haven't heard, I'm obsessed with Kimberly Snyder. She is a celebrity nutritionist but also runs an amazing blog for those of us who can't afford to hire her ourselves. She's very into natural and healthy (shocker). Kimberly takes healthy to a new level. Think Green smoothies and unprocessed everything. Unlike many other nutritionists out there who will encourage you to swap sugar for sugar-free, Kimberly shuns even agave nectar. And although we can't (read:don't want to) follow her well meant advice all the time, she's brilliant and I feel healthier than ever since I started drinking green smoothies and following her advice. She recently posted a list of healthy snacks to grab on the go. Check out Healthy Snacks on the Go and the rest of Kim's blog! You'll thank me!

PS-This is not a sponsored post. I'm just an admirer from afar.

On my everlasting quest to find a luxurious skincare line that is also organic I have gotten one step closer. Made From Earth is a great holistic skincare line.  So many other "organic" skincare lines out there use organic ingredients and then mix them with chemicals for preservation. I love feeling completely safe when I use these products. 

A study, reported in the January 2004 edition of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, found parabens to be the most common cosmetic preservative present in significant amounts in 18 out of 20 breast cancer tumors. Kim Erickson, author of Drop Dead Gorgeous, states, “Cosmetic chemicals accumulate in the body’s fatty tissues, where they can remain for years and damage your cells.” We only use natural ingredients to preserve our precious organic ingredients – and we found our natural preservatives are even great for your skin, like Jojoba and Vitamin E.

Made From Earth selects only the highest potency organic ingredients for their products. All their ingredients / plants are from certified organic farms. There are no potentially toxic ingredients in their products. There is no synthetic coloring agents or fragrances, or paraffin and other petroleum products are permitted. Preservatives from synthetic sources are not permitted, such as Parabens (propyl, methyl and ethyl). They are 100% farmed and sourced in the USA. Their unique organic ingredients product development teams have put together the purest and most potent organic ingredients, which include organic juices, aloe vera, honey, natural botanicals, and natural plant oils.

My favorite product I've used so far is the Green Tea Cleanser

The main ingredient in in this, shockingly is Green Tea. Green Tea is a base antioxidant. This healthy cleanser is enhanced with vitamins A, B, C and E. Since it contains no chemicals, the cleanser is hypoallergenic and non-irritating for people with sensitive skin. The Aloe Vera base in the cleanser combines with Green Tea to provide an antioxidant boost to remove free radicals restoring healthier skin. This product does not contain the typical surfactant or detergent ingredient that most cleansing gels contain; it is a chemical-free gentle cleanser. 

My other favorite product in the collection is the Grapefruit Glycolic Scrub. This scrub gently exfoliates with the power of grapefruit, which contains powerful antioxidants for fighting free radical damage that ages skin prematurely. It is formulated with gentle, organic jojoba exfoliants and anti-wrinkle emollients that reveal a smoother, renewed complexion. The soothing grapefruit helps to heal surface impurities with its high concentration of Vitamin C, also creating balanced PH for your skin.

*Smartypanties was sent these samples to try for purposes of a potential review but as always we never let that sway our opinion. 

I know I'm not alone in this, sensitive skin is a common problem, with so many women out there. More and more of us have been reporting concerns about allergens and harsh chemicals in products that touch their skin. Y'all know how I've been trying to live a greener life. This way you can have the best of both worlds, a sulfate free, paraben free and dye free product to help reduce irritation. 

Introducing Finesse Clean + Simple – a hypoallergenic hair care line, dermatologist tested to be non-irritating and free of allergens.

Common irritants, not in these products: 
· Sulfates, a cleansing and foaming agent common in shampoos that is harsh to skin and hair, and can strip color from hair.
· Parabens, a preservative believed to have properties similar to the hormone estrogen.
· Gluten, a protein often functioning as a conditioning agent, and a concern for those who suffer from gluten intolerance or dermatitis herpetiformis.
· Dyes, in personal products simply to improve appearance, and a frequent source of skin irritation.

What’s in these products: Select ingredients, dermatologist tested to be hypoallergenic. This includes:
· An extra gentle surfactant to cleanse hair without scalp irritation or excessive drying.
· A light fragrance, certified hypoallergenic.
· Specially selected conditioning agents to leave hair soft and shiny without build up.
· An advanced hairspray resin in a low alcohol hairspray formula.

“Until now,” said Randy Sloan, President, Lornamead Inc., “People with sensitive skin or allergies had to settle for expensive specialty or salon products to meet their needs. Now, they have a good, affordable option for the whole family available where they usually shop for shampoo.”

Finesse Clean + Simple products are available nationwide at food, drug and mass merchandisers, and are offered in shampoos and conditioners, as well as a styling aid:
· Clean + Simple Shampoo for Normal Hair, 10 oz
· Clean + Simple Conditioner for Normal Hair, 10 oz
· Clean + Simple Shampoo for Dry/Color Treated Hair, 10 oz
· Clean + Simple Conditioner for Dry/Color Treated Hair, 10 oz
· Clean + Simple Flexible Hold Hairspray, Non-Aerosol, 8.5 oz

I tried these out recently and I am loving them. I feel like I'm not covered in chemicals after I wash my hair. I mean do you know how many chemicals are going straight into your head when you use typical shampoos? Definitely try these out if you're trying to minimize chemical intake in your life!

Have you tried these out? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Enjoy your sweetie this Valentine's Day and get some added health benefits getting naughty has to offer!

The latest study about Diet Coke shows that it may cause a stroke…really? Is that all? If our ancestors saw Diet coke they would probably vomit at the idea of us drinking the toxic beverage.

Please read this study showing the various health problems associated with Diet Coke and pass it on to your loved ones who drink this poison! ick!

To be honest, I don't need a study to be a believer, there could be no more chemically composed drink filled with artificial flavors. Of course there will be the skeptics, case and point:

"This study has major flaws and should not change anyone's diet soda consumption," said ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser.

Thanks ABC news chief but if I had to guess you're probably involved in the studies for Coke somehow. I'm not buying it. Remember when they used to say there was nothing wrong with cigarettes? Yeah. Exactly. 

The other day on FitSugar we read some interesting news about your abs. According to the new book, The New Rules of Lifting for Abs by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove, two of the most-respected fitness minds out there, we are supposed to forget the crunches. Crunches are apparently good for adding muscle but not for cinching your waistline. The point: the best way to work you abdominal muscles is to make them stabilize your spine in increasing challenging positions.

Here are three of Schuler's go-to moves to get you started:

Traditional Plank: Get into a push-up position with your weight resting on your forearms and toes. Your elbows should be positioned directly below your shoulders. Hold for 60 to 90 seconds. Relax for 20 to 30 seconds, then repeat. To make it harder, try it with one foot lifted or one arm extended. Then, when you're feeling really strong, try lifting one arm and the opposite leg at the same time.
Author tip: "Don't consciously flex any particular muscles. Let your body figure out how to keep your spine and pelvis in a neutral position."

Side Plank: Lie on your left side with your right leg stacked on top of your left, and your upper body propped up with your left forearm. Your elbow should be directly below your shoulder and your upper arm should be perpendicular to the floor. Place your right hand on your hip. Hold for 30 to 45 seconds. Relax, switch sides and repeat. That's one set, do two. To make it progressively more difficult, lift your free hand overhead or raise your non-weight-bearing leg. Feeling crazy strong? Lift both at the same time so your body roughly creates and "X."
Author tip:You want to keep your shoulders square and on a plane that's perpendicular to the floor. Imagine that they're pressed up against a wall behind you."

Anti-Rotation Static Hold: Attach the D-shaped handle to the cable pulley machine and set it so it's at shoulder level if you're kneeling. Grab the handle with both hands and kneel with your left side facing the cable machine (about 1 to 2 feet from the machine so there's slight tension in the cable). Your body should form a straight line from your knee through your neck. Hold the handle with arms extended in front of your chest. Keep your shoulders square and hold for 30 seconds. Relax, switch sides, and repeat. That's one set, do two.
Author tip: Don't have access to a cable machine? No prob. Attach an exercise band to a sturdy object about 24 to 36 inches high. As you do the move, think "tall" and "tight." Keep your torso upright and eyes focused straight ahead.