Goodbye Stretch Marks!

We have all heard some horror stories about stretch marks during pregnancy.
I know friends that have tried months and months to relieve the scarring across their breasts and tummy after giving birth.

It’s only natural to think that with your skin being pulled and body growing at such a rapid rate that we are all bound to have a few and we can only avert the intensity by using the best possible specialized stretch mark creams.

But……. my story is different though and I’m not alone in it!

Quite a few of my friends have shared this ‘secret’, and come out of their pregnancy without a single stretch mark.

What is this ‘secret’?

It’s so simple I don’t even think you will completely believe me.

I can tell you though, that it’s not the fancy cream that will solve your problem. So don’t worry, I’m not gonna try and sell you any must have product here.

You’ll be surprised to know that the answer actually lies in the rubbing of the area. The rubbing helps the moisture sink in, keeps the skin subtle and assists to ease the stretching. Doing this every day, will almost guarantee a stretch mark free belly and boobs.

Sure a good cream can add some benefit but only as far as providing good absorption and moisturizing. Personally just used my normal body cream, which is the Nivea Q10 and in winter opted for stronger cream Mama Mio Goodbye Streach Marks or Bio Oil.

So try this little secret like I did. Use it as an opportunity to bond with your bump, talk to your baby growing in your tummy about how excited you are to meet her/him or just about your day to them. All the while rubbing and stroking your belly, and voila 10 months later you should still have clear beautiful stretch mark free skin.

During & After pregnancy

It’s a wonderful experience to practice daily, and gives you and your bump some special down time, to show gratitude for the beautiful experience you are going through.

Maybe even have a lovely bath with a few drops of oil (unfortunately you cannot use any aromatherapy oils when pregnant, but baby oil smells wonderful and helps you visualize that beautiful baby smell you soon will be experiencing once he/she arrives.)

The bath not only helps you relax but also further assists in keeping your skin subtle.

Hope my little bytsize insight help, till next time.

Guest Article by Sasha Muller

Related products: Alo Ferox Tissue Oil | Magnesium Transdermal Spray | Lavender Essential Oil

Perfect Gifts For Women This Christmas

What do you get a girl for Christmas and wouldn’t get you into trouble? Ladies are delicate and complicated creatures, if a gift looks too expensive, or not expensive enough, you could get into trouble. If it’s something to clean with or something not useful enough, you could get into trouble. If it’s something she really has no interest in, you will be in trouble.

This year, lets be original. I’m not talking about getting her a different box of chocolates or another set of earrings, something more useful yet still an amazing gift. If you want to treat a girl with a fabulous Christmas gift, then here are 6 things you can get where you cannot go wrong.

These Are Perfect Christmas Gifts For Any Lady Who Loves Looking Fabulous, Wears Make Up And Likes Having Fun In The Sun:

Tan Lab Self Tanning Lotion

No one likes to go to the beach still in their faded ‘Winter skin’. This is perfect for making the other girls jealous when hitting the beach.

With its subtle exotic fragrance and endless moisture, the lotion is easy to apply and glides over the skin effortlessly. With micro-algae extracts, rich in anti-oxidants, your skin is protected from free radicals. It’s subtle exfoliating properties leave your skin smooth and nourished. Leaves no streaks and last longer than many of the other self tanning lotions out there.

Makeup Eraser

This is the MakeUp Eraser, a reusable, ultra-soft cloth that removes makeup with only warm water. Remove smear-proof, waterproof makeup and mascara with The Original MakeUp Eraser. Free of chemicals, this makeup remover gets rid of all types of makeup, including stage, sports, and theatrical makeup.This ultra-soft, woven polyester-blend cloth gets rid of tough makeup without leaving behind a residue—just a fresh, healthy feeling.

• Each cloth will last a 1000 washes.
• Remove 100% of Makeup with Just Water
• Waterproof Mascara Removed in Seconds
• All Natural No Chemicals
• Machine Washable No Stains Remain
• Soft and Promotes Healthy Skin

Beauty Fix

Look and feel fresh with our Beautyfix radiant makeup spray finish. This superfine mist blends make-up and revitalises the skin. It provides a gentle breeze of clarity and calm, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. Each spritz releases the luxurious scent of a bouquet of roses. Treat your skin the way it deserves.

Creates a hydrating and nourishing mist, leaving your skin feeling smooth and fresh and allowing it to breathe.
Blends makeup creating a radiant glow.
This spray is suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients include: rosewater, aloe vera extract, cucumber extract.

Giant Swan

This is by far a very unique item to get for Christmas…what is a pool without a giant inflatable swan? One of the hottest items in store at the moment, everyone wants one!

• Suitable for all swimming pools, as well as the beach
• The toy can be deflated to a small size, so you can take it with you on vacations
• The large inflatable swan can be used by kids (and big kids!)
• Made of heavy duty vinyl
• Easy to inflate
• 140 lb weight capacity
• The Giant Swan is over 76-inches long from Beak to Tail and over 76-inches wide from wing to wing!
• The International Leisure Swan, is THE ORIGINAL Giant Inflatable Swan!
• Have all kinds of fun with this awesome pool toy.

EOS Lip Balm

EOS Lip Balm is enriched with natural conditioning oils, moisturizing shea butter and antioxidant vitamins C & E, nourishes for immediately softer, more beautiful lips. It’s not just a lip balm…it’s the perfect lip balm because it fits in any size purse, ready to use when you need soft kissable lips for those Summer hotties!

•99% natural
•Long-lasting moisture for an immediately softer, more beautiful lips
•Shea butter & vitamins C & E
•EOS Lip Balm smooths on clear
•Precisely glides on lips
•Twist-off top
•Petrolatum-free •Paraben-free •Gluten-free •Phthalate-free

Beauty Blender

What it is:
An edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator.

What it does:
The unique shape and exclusive material available only with beautyblender® ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product waste. Use it with primers, foundations, powders, cream blushes, and any other complexion product.

What else you need to know:
Beautyblender features an open cell structure that fills with small amounts of water when wet. This allows the sponge to be “full” so that the makeup product sits on top of the sponge rather than being absorbed, allowing you to use less product every time. When wet, beautyblender doubles in size and becomes even softer, returning to its original size when it air dries. Handcrafted in the USA.

All of these items has been specially sourced for you and is available in our online shop. We deliver anywhere in South Africa.

Get Into A Magical Game This Christmas

Backgammon

There is a simple elegant magic to playing board games. An enforced moment of cutting out the outside world. No technology, phone calls, computers or anything that distracts from the here and the now.

In essence it’s a dance between two people, albeit on a board. With white and black or red checkers. It ensures that you engage with your opponent. Usually loads of friendly, competitive banter ensues.

Christmas Fun 

For me is it reminiscent of childhood memories and playing with friends, or even family. A real Christmas holiday activity. And as a mom, I’ve made sure that my kids have also learnt the art of board games.

Especially in today’s hectic world, where everything is just go, go, go! One of my favourite board games is backgammon.

Rules

The rules are fairly simple. The playing board consists of 12 long triangles, called points.

The passage of play, takes the shape of a horse shoe. Opposing players starting in different positions, moving clockwise.

The board is set up in a very specific way, with 15 of checkers placed on certain points, as prescribed by the standard set-up rules. The object of the game, is to move all of your checkers, clockwise, to your home base, and eventually of the board.

Which is where they are safe. A dice is thrown to determine the amount of places you may move. Your opponent may capture any of your checkers, should they stand alone, unguarded on a point. The best way to secure that you do not lose any of your checkers, is to have two checkers on a point at a time.

The winner is the person with the most amount of checkers in their home base.

Doubling Cube

An added element of fun can be added to the game, with the use of the doubling cube. Though a doubling cube may look like a dice, it is slightly different.

It is a marker with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64. At the beginning of a new game, the doubling cube is placed with the number 64 facing up.

The cube is then “centered” on 1. What this means, is that the player about to roll the regular dice, may propose that the game be played for twice the current stakes.

Opponents may accept the challenge (take) or deny (drop). The benefit of the doubling cube is the added dimension it brings to the gentle art of strategic play.

Variants

There are more than 7 different variations of the standard backgammon. These are largely based on geographical lines.

In certain countries and places, the game is played a certain way. The main differentiations alter the starting points, and the set-up of the board.

In some countries, players start with no checkers on a board, and they have to throw a certain number on the dice, to be able to enter checkers onto the board. In other countries, only a limited amount of checkers are placed on
the board at the start of play.

Suffice it to say – whichever variety you like, Backgammon is an awesome game. A game of strategy, fun, clever and suitable for most ages. Portable and easy to play anywhere, anytime and anyplace. Have you got a set?

Article written for Life Retreat

Executive Board

Tempted by a bit of backgammon this Christmas? Head on over to our online store where we currently have two different boards. Check out the Executive Backgammon Set or theNormal Backgammon Set

No More Emotional Eating

While it’s too bad that you don’t crave celery sticks and carrots during stressful times, that would go against biology…

Year-end can be stressful – I get it. And French fries, snack mixes, cookies and ice-creams are normal go-tos when you’re feeling frizzed and frazzled because they’re high-carb, high-fat eats that help increase your brain’s feel-good dopamine response.

But turning to comfort foods is obviously very unhealthy – especially if you do it on the reg. Next time you get into a bind and hear the siren song of chocolate chips because your noggin has come to expect the rewarding hit of dopamine, consider these tips…

Four tips to control your emotional eating

#1: Focus on the real issue
When you’re feeling stressed, food is merely a crutch. You probably know that… So next time you’re feeling stressed or under pressure, ask yourself how you feel and what you need. Instead of going straight to kitchen to drown your sorrows in a tub of ice-cream, figure out what’s REALLY getting under your skin.

#2: Think long-term
Take a minute and focus on the future (whether that means recalling your weight loss goals or how awesome you want to look during your beach holiday at the end of the year) before you give in to stress eating. It can help you get out of the moment so you make healthier food choices instead of succumbing to the lure of a tasty treat.

#3: Be kind to yourself
Self-compassion can help decrease stress eating. When you’re a kind, understanding friend to yourself, it’s far easier to resist the urge to try to disconnect through stress eating. If you do stress eat, promise that you won’t beat yourself up about it. Understand that it happens to everyone sometimes. That can help stop you from eating out of failure and help you make better choices later on.

#4: If all else fails – go ahead and indulge…
Food is a lovely, comforting thing. So if you’re going to do it anyway, then enjoy it. Sit down, let yourself relax, and taste the chocolate (or whatever you choose to indulge in). Of course, do so in moderation. For example, plan on a savouring a small brownie rather than the whole batch.

Good luck!

SOURCE

Please share this article and comment in the section below!

Stay health focused over the holiday season, with our Mega-Licious Health Bars.

WIN Striped Summer Scarf and Head Chain

Enter to win a stripped circle Summer scarf and a stunning turquoise stone head chain. (Prize worth is over R500)

Competition ends: 22 December 2015

The Turquoise stone head chain is made from a golden style metal chaining, this headpiece features numerous turquoise gem stones placed at various points.

The chain also divides into three separate chains at each gem stone, giving the entire piece a Aztec theme. The result? Simply beautiful.

A connecting chain runs from the top of the forehead to the back of the head to keep the headpiece from sliding down.

An extender means that one size fits all.

Part of Life Retreat’s range of accessories and jewellery. To see more in the range, just click here.

Rules To Enter The Competition:

1. In the comments below, answer the following question: WHAT COLOUR IS THE STONE IN THE HEAD CHAIN?
2. State the name of the province you live in.
3. Like our Facebook page (below)
4. Subscribe to our Newsletter (below)
5. Subscribe to our posts (on the sidebar)

Newsletter | Facebook Page | RSS feed

Whatever You Believe

Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside

If there’s something in your life you’re unhappy with, you have the power to change it, or at least change your mind about it. The truth is that as long as we’re more loyal to our shortcomings, our happiness can never be fully actualized.

For many of us, we’re so used to trying to be happy that we miss it when it arrives. If we stopped trying to be happy, we could access the happiness already within us. We could see that we’re naturally happy, and that it’s part of experiencing and living life fully.

Are you giving yourself credit for all the awesomeness you are doing? Be proud of how far you’ve come, because you are doing amazing work.

Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside.

Three Things To Consider Before Going Vegan

Would you give up cheese and pizza for good if it meant you’d have a better chance offeeling fabulous, getting healthy, and maybe even dropping a few kilos? Well, veganism – a diet that excludes all animal products – has earned much praise in recent years for its health and weight loss benefits.

One recent study found that vegan diet generally contain less cholesterol and more magnesium, folic acid, dietary fibre and antioxidants than non-vegan eating plans.

In this study, vegans were also more likely to have healthier blood pressure levels and a lower risk of developing heart disease. Apart from the whole no pizza thing, it sounds pretty tempting, doesn’t it?

But while these benefits of veganism are appealing, quitting omelettes and burgers is no easy task (just ask me – I’ve tried it). It’s not a decision you should take lightly, either.

If you’re thinking of making the switch, here are some things you should consider before going the whole (faux) hog. Oh, and I’ve included some great recommendations for less intense plans to try as a result of my failed attempt at going vegan!

Three things to think about before going vegan

#1: Do you mind taking vitamin supplements?
While meatless meals are often vitamin-rich, they won’t provide you with all the vitamins you need. So, yes, vegans may sometimes be at risk for some deficiencies. In particular, vegans need to take a B12 supplement.

That’s because this nutrient is mainly found in animal products. Vegans also need to take special care to monitor their intake of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, and supplement as needed.

If you don’t like swallowing pills, you might be better-suited to vegetarianism, which boasts some of the benefits of veganism but ups vitamin B12 consumption by allowing foods like dairy and eggs.

You can also aim for pesco-vegetarian, which is a vegetarian or vegan diet that includes fish. Fish is packed full of iron, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids as well as other vitamins and minerals.

So if you don’t like taking vitamins and you’re flexible, try this kind of eating plan instead of going vegan, and you won’t have to stress about your nutrient intake.

Vegan Chilli

#2: Do you enjoy planning meals?
Organisation and planning is a vegan’s best friend. In actual fact, if you plan carefully enough, your vegan diet can meet all your nutrient needs.

But do you mind meal planning? Is it something you enjoy? Just because you’re eating a plant-based diet doesn’t automatically make it a super-healthy one. It’s possible to eat a vegan diet that’s full of processed, high-sodium and high-sugar foods. Like frozen meals and sweets, for example.

Therefore, as a vegan, you need to make a conscious effort to eat the right quantity and combinations of food to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

This means advance meal planning and being aware of the nutrients you are and aren’t consuming on any given day. Vegans also need to put some extra thought into eating out at restaurants.

If you’re not a planner, there’s no shame at all in declaring yourself a part-time vegan, and sticking to the animal-free lifestyle for just a few days a week. Who knows, you might even enjoy it enough to commit for good!

#3: Do you work out a lot?
Protein fiends might be hesitant to go vegan, in the fear that it’ll interfere with their performance in the gym. After all, protein is what helps your body recover and build muscle, so it does make sense. It’s entirely possible to be vegan and compete in anything from 10 km marathons to crossfit, though.

First things first: Vegans can consume protein from a lot of plant-based options, including peas, lentils, beans, nuts, quinoa and tofu. These are all super-healthy and very high in protein.

However, if you’re an athlete, I recommend you consult a registered dietician to help you create customised vegan meal plans to ensure your protein intake is sufficient for working out at the level that you do.

Still worried about your gains or crushing that next marathon? Then you might want to try a pegan diet, which is a cross between the protein-packed Paleo lifestyle and veganism.

SOURCE

Please share this article and comment in the section below!

Detoxing Starts At Home

Detoxing is always a great idea. Why, you ask? Well, detoxing naturally removespotentially harmful substances from your liver, kidneys and digestive systems. That’s definitely enough reason to start a juice cleanse, right? Right!

But here’s a little-known secret: You don’t have to go on a strict juice cleanse to detox. There are ways to detox your body naturally, too. Today I’m going to tell you how…

Five tips to detox naturally

#1: Eat your greens
Eating plenty of fruits and veggies will make sure your body gets a good dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants fight off carcinogens, and fibre-rich foods help push toxins out your body.

#2: Work it out!
Perspiration – a mix of salt and water – is a natural self-cleansing system. Whether you get sweating from exercising or sitting in a sauna, just make sure perspire. Sweating out toxins is a real thing!

#3: Cut out the bad stuff
Cut out things like cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, saturated fats and refined sugar. They can hinder your body’s ability to heal.

#4: Flood your body with water
Water flushes toxins out of your most vital organs. It also helps carry nutrients to your cells. To make sure you get enough H20, aim for eight glasses a day.

#5: Soak in a detox bath
Once a week, take a bath with two cups of Epsom salts to restore your magnesium levels and help pull toxins from your body. It’s a cheap and easy way to detox.

See how easy it is?

Detox Therapy

Have you decided the time is right for a detox? Take a look at our Detox Therapy Powder, available from our online store.

SOURCE

Please share this article and comment in the section below!

Why You Need To Drink More Water

Dear reader,

I’m sure you don’t need one more person telling you why you should be drinking more water. But too often, you tend to forget to drink enough of it.

Or you think you’re drinking plenty but actually aren’t.

The truth is you could be experiencing symptoms of dehydration without realising it.

Just because you’re not thirsty, doesn’t mean you’re not dehydrated.

If you drink tea, coffee, cola or alcoholic drinks, their diuretic effect (increase in the frequency of urination) actually robs your body of more water than they provide.

One of the most dangerous effects of this low level dehydration is it causes the thirst signal in your brain to ‘switch off’, so you don’t feel thirsty.

Other factors that cause dehydration include chocolate and sugary foods, salty snacks, highly processed foods, artificial additives like food colouring and tobacco smoke. Air conditioning, air travel, computer screens and watching television all contribute to dehydration too.

Could your health problems be a consequence of dehydration?

Drink More!

Your body is designed to survive temporary water shortages by conserving and rationing available water.

Here’s an outline of what happens the longer your body remains dehydrated:

1. When you’re dehydrated, your body reduces urine and sweat production and extracts more water from the contents of your colon – a common cause of constipation.

2. Your body also becomes less able to eliminate poisonous waste products, resulting in:

· Headaches,
· Lethargy,
· And bad breath.

3. If your kidneys, skin and colon are not eliminating these wastes properly, more strain is put onto your liver to detoxify them.

4. A dehydrated body produces increased amounts of histamine which promote inflammation, pain and allergies.

5. More cholesterol is also produced and gets deposited in your arteries – increasing your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Other serious health problems which may be due in part to severe dehydration include chronic fatigue syndrome, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, back pain, asthma and diabetes.

Here are a few simple ways you can ensure you’re always hydrated.

Different ways of getting 2 litres in without realising it

Fruit & Water

Eat your water: To fully re-hydrate your body eat plenty of foods with high water content such as Cucumber, Lettuce, Celery, Radishes, Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Cauliflower, Watermelon, Spinach, Strawberries, Broccoli, Grapefruit, Apricots, Cherries and Grapes.

Jazz up your drinking water: Some fruit or cucumber in your water adds a little flavour without adding in the sugar you’d find in straight fruit juice.

Hide it in your morning routine: Drink two glasses of water when you wake up in the morning – after all you’ve just gone 8 hours without fluids.

Drink it with your meals: Drinking a glass of water — or at least a few sips — before, during, and after eating any meal is a great way to up your daily water intake.

Re-hydrating your body will make you look and feel healthier. You may even find that symptoms that have plagued you for years mysteriously disappear.

SOURCE

Please share this article and comment in the section below! Are you drinking enough water?

Life Retreat’s Buchulife sparkling Herbal Water is now available from our online store, boasting antioxidants, bio flavonoids and vitamins sourced from the Buchu leaf.