Monday, July 22, 2013

Approaching half-way point...

With marathon date getting closer I catch myself thinking about all kinds of “what ifs”. Maybe I am subconsciously looking for an excuse? Just last week I panicked: “What if my passport is expired?” (The marathon crosses the border into Canada). Nope, passport is still up to date. Al of a sudden now, for some reason, running through almost one mile tunnel is really, really bothering me. I think, I may very well be running my fastest mile ever, just to get out of there! Eeek… So, to tune out my little voice I have decided to make a commitment and dedicate this personal challenge to a good cause. You can read up about it here and I hope it will resonate with you. I will be posting more on my training progress. But have no fear, Marmalade Hills blog will not become a running blog! I will try to keep a healthy mix of different topics. This weekend Michigan weather was finally cooperating and I was able to run 10 miles outside.


Nice and cool natural path.

This picture was an oops, but I decided to keep it anyways.  It's kind of cool in a different/informal way. 

We have some really beautiful, natural roads and hills in our area. But I am slowly running out of space. I have no idea what course I am going to take for my half marathon run. Finding a course would be my homework for this week, as well as making my own natural endurance gels. I will let you know how that goes!

Till next time,
Liana.
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Sunday, July 14, 2013

Summer skin care adjustments

It’s been a while since I wrote a post on Summer Skincare.  Since then, we have added new products and I have discovered my favorites that I can’t imagine my life without anymore.   I think I owe you an updated post.
This summer I am still fighting the same problems: extra oil, sweat and outdoor dust/pollution (nothing new here).  As hot weather moves in many people experience more breakouts due to increased perspiration, increased sebum production and more play-time outdoors.   In plain language: our pores get jam-packed with outdoor dust, sweat and oil (a.k.a. gunk).  That is why we recommend that you bump up usage of deep cleansing masques and daily cleansers.   As always adhere to standard three step routine:  cleanse, tone, moisturize.
Oily Skin:  feel free to wash your face on regular basis with our gentle, oat-based Facial Wash, as often as you wish.  Proceed with Iced Tea or Apple Twist toner, which would work as a connecting link between cleansing and moisturizing (find more information on toners and how they work here).  During summer keep your toner in a refrigerator and use it chilled, all over your face and neck, to wipe out the dirt, to replenish and refresh your skin.  In addition to regular cleansing routine you should be doing clay masques on weekly basis, to deep cleanse your pores, to return elasticity and even tone to your skin.  For oily skin type Sea Kelp Detox is a perfect pair.  In summer we recommend you use masques every 3 – 4 days (depending on your personal needs).  And since you don’t really need that much of your favorite moisturizer in summer, you can try the following:
a) skipping it completely;  b) doubling our nourishing toners as your summer moisturizer (our toners are made with gentle floral waters, conditioning aloe juice and slightly astringent witch hazel.  They should provide enough nourishment on a hot day);  c) use Resurfacing Booster as a light-weight summer moisturizer.
Dry or Mature Skin: use our gentle, oat-based Facial Wash in the morning and before bed.  Proceed with Rose or Lavender toner, which would work as a connecting link between cleansing and moisturizing (find more information on toners and how they work here).  During summer keep your toner in a refrigerator and use it chilled, all over your face and neck, to wipe off the dirt and to replenish and refresh your skin.  In addition to regular cleansing routine you should be doing clay masques on weekly basis, to deep cleanse your pores, to return elasticity and even tone to your skin.   For Dry and Mature type use Strawberry Fig Masque.  Try not to skip deep cleansing masques in summer, as your pores are exposed to extra elements.   And last but not least is your moisturizer.  There are a few things that you can try based on your personal needs and preferences:  a) after using your toner, apply thin layer of Resurfacing Booster all over your face, than treat certain spots (dry areas or deep wrinkles) with Glow Rejuvenating Serum – this is my favorite approach;  b) use Resurfacing Booster on its own as your main moisturizer;  c) use Glow Rejuvenating Serum on its own as your main moisturizer;  d) in any case try adjusting frequency of usage (every day or ever other day) and amounts (apply thin or thick, spread less or more).
Normal and/or Combinational Skin: use our gentle, oat-based Facial Wash in the morning and before bed.  Proceed with Apple Twist or Lavender toner, which would work as a connecting link between cleansing and moisturizing (find more information on toners and how they work here).  During summer keep your toner in a refrigerator and use it chilled, all over your face and neck, to wipe off dirt and to replenish and refresh your skin.  In addition to regular cleansing routine you should be doing clay masques on weekly basis, to deep cleanse your pores, to return elasticity and even tone to your skin.  Normal and Combination skin type people can use either one of our masques except for Sea Kelp Detox, as it has more absorbent clays and is made specifically for oily skin type.  Try not to skip deep cleansing masques in summer, as your pores are exposed to extra elements.   And last but not least is your moisturizer.  There are a few things that you can try based on your personal needs and preferences:  a) after using your toner, apply thin layer of Resurfacing Booster all over your face, then treat certain spots (dry areas or deep wrinkles) with Glow Rejuvenating Serum – this is my favorite approach;  b) use Resurfacing Booster on its own as your main moisturizer;  c) use Glow Rejuvenating Serum on its own as your main moisturizer;  d) in any case try adjusting frequency of usage (every day or ever other day) and amounts (apply thin or thick, spread less or more).

In general, adjust your makeup regimen to the summer climate and your outdoor activities as well. Select powder blushes and eye shadows rather than cream products because they are less irritating and more likely to hold up in hot and humid weather. Use mineral foundations that will double you as SPF protection.  Learn how to apply natural-looking, barely there makeup for those outdoor occasions.
Don’t forget to drink lots of liquids!

Cheers!

Till next time,
Liana.
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Monday, July 1, 2013

New project!



I can't believe it's already July!  So much has happened with me and Marmalade Hills.  I promise to fill you in on everything.  We’ve traveled, launched new products, and acquired new accounts and friends!   But what I want to share with you today is one very special project of mine.  I am training for my first ever marathon!   I want to tell you how it all came to be and I hope not to bore you with too many details.  I feel like this experience is worth sharing, as I know it will inspire someone out there.

Here is how my training schedule looks like for the next 4 months:
I started running last spring.  One day I decided: I want a new project, set and break new limits, as well as feel and look good (of course).  I was also curious, what is this “running” trend all about.  Seems like, everyone is running in a race or a marathon, nowadays.   I was a pretty good runner back in my high school days, and this helped with confidence.  I started with jogging and after a few weeks of that, I felt like I wanted more.  After running my first mile I was alright, and that’s when I decided to invest in a new pair of good running shoes.  After a couple of months of occasional running and exercising I felt that I needed more!   And I started a new routine: one day run, one day workout.   You feel like with every workout or run, your body is getting stronger and helping you do that extra set of pushups or crunches.  No wonder I couldn't do more than 10 pushups at first, my body was one big blob of jello!  And then, once my abs, my back and my arms got a little stronger, I felt every muscle helping me get through few more pushups or crunches.  It’s pretty amazing and very rewarding stuff, once you notice some progress.  Just stick to it for couple of months, it will come and you will never be the same, I promise!  Exercise and strong body overall, is extremely important for running.  Why?  Because if your body is strong and can keep a good “form” (in other words support itself), there are less chances for injury, as you do not crash your blob of jello on your ankles and knees every step.  That is why I feel that occasional runners, who run here and there without regular upper body exercise, tend to get more injuries.  Unfortunately, that creates bad PR for running.  If you have been thinking about running, but afraid of injuries check out this article.   Without going into too many technical details and exceptions in one post, I have to leave it at this point and revisit this topic in the future.


Message of today: Need new project?  Buy a new pair of cute running shoes, go jogging and start light workouts, stick to it for two months… dirty dishes and laundry can wait!   

Please forgive me any typos, as my second pair of eyes left on a business trip :)

Till next time,
Liana.



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