My Make Up Trick...

I want to share my favorite make up trick with you that is fabulous for these cold winter months that can dry out your skin.

First of all....I never used to use liquid foundation.  I always was a fan of powder foundation because liquid foundation looked "cakey" on my skin and I like a more natural look.  I now have learned that powder coverage isn't the best because it can settle into fine lines! ...no one wants that!

I finally found a liquid foundation I absolutely LOVE.  Tint Skin from Beautycounter is the best.  It's "buildable" so you can control the amount of coverage.  It can also make a huge difference how it looks depending on how you apply it.  I never thought brushes made much difference and now I realize they can make all the difference!  When I use the Retractable Foundation Brush, it goes on so evenly and applies it with a sheer, even, natural look.  Then for areas around my nose, etc that I need a little more coverage, the Flat Complexion Brush gives a more medium coverage.

Here's the "trick" I'm dying to share with you guys...

I've been using the Tint Skin by putting a pea size amount in the palm of my hand.  I then add two drops of Face Oil.  I mix it together with the Retractable Foundation Brush and then apply to my face, starting in the center and sweeping outwards.  This gives you a wonderful sheer coverage with a slight dewy glow!  It keeps my skin very moisturized in these dry winter months.  

The best part?  These products are safer and don't contain harmful chemicals like many cosmetics do!  Beautycounter has a "Never List" so it simplifies my life....

Here's a great guide to help you choose the Face Oil that's perfect for your skin type...they are all so luxurious.  I add a couple of drops to my moisturizer too...

Don't be afraid of these Face Oils. Unlike synthetic oils that can sit on top of skin and make it appear "greasy", these absorb beautifully and are so hydrating.  They also balance the pH of you skin!

I hope you try and love this trick as much as I do!  If Santa didn't bring you safer skincare and makeup this year... treat yourself!

If you need any help choosing a Tint Skin Color, feel free to ask me for help or here is a great shade chart.  I use "Linen".  But you can always shop Beautycounter with confidence with the 60 day, no questions asked return policy.

Can we trust that our beauty products are safe? What you need to know before you shop.

I had something happen yesterday that made me really glad I started my Safe Product Movement at the beginning of this year.  If I hadn't, I might not know what I now know.... and would have just trusted what the fancy packaging was telling me on my new gift.  But I knew better.  When you know better, you do better.

As a blogger, I sometimes get things sent to me to try.  Yesterday I got a package in the mail and at first glance it looked great.  It was a skin care product.  I won't mention the brand as that's not the point.  I'm not trying to interfere with their business.  It was a brand I'd never heard of before.  

Here's what I noticed at first glance.

• It looked high end like it was something that could be sold in a dermatologist's office.
• It said all of these words on the containers: "Natural", "Paraben Free", "Cruelty Free", "Vegan". "GMO Free", "Gluten Free", "trusted", and "vitamin rich".

Sounds good, right?  

Well, the reason I thought it was important to share this information with you is because I want to show you what was revealed when I put this product into the Healthy Living App by the EWG (Environmental Working Group).  If you're unfamiliar with this tool, it's a great resource for double checking the products in your home.  It gives products a score of 1-10.  1 being the safest, and 10 being the most toxic.  Here's a screen shot of the result...

I blacked out the brand so it's not visible.

Something to note about the Healthy Living App is that while it is a great resource, it is not perfect as it does not have every product in it's database...yet.  When a product is not in the database it's usually because the company will not disclose what's in their product.  Why?  Because it's completely legal for them not to.  The personal care industry is essentially unregulated.  

Words like "natural" and "organic" mean absolutely nothing in the beauty industry.  I'm not saying they all mean nothing, because there are absolutely wonderful, safe companies out there.  I'm just saying you cannot trust that it means something.  You have to dive a little deeper if you don't know it's a company that's trustworthy.  Pretty messed up, isn't it?

It made me angry yesterday after seeing these results.  Why?  Because the average person would choose this product.  The average person would not think this product could possibly cause allergies, cancer, or reproductive harm.  The average person doesn't know that companies don't have to tell us the truth.  The average person would actually think they were doing something good for their health!  We deserve better, don't we?

I used to think if a product made it to store shelves, it was at least somewhat safe.  Some years ago, I started to hear about the big offenders, like parabens and phthalates and started to avoid those ingredients...but what about the thousands and thousands of other toxic chemicals that are on the market today?  The truth is that most of them have never even been tested for human or environmental safety.  Of the ones that have, many contain known carcinogens, allergens, and hormone disrupters.  Yet they are still widely used today.

Here are some facts to consider:

• 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
• A woman uses approximately 12 products a day, which can equate to over 100 different chemicals.
• 80% of ingredients in our personal care products have never been assessed for human safety.
• Today, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 40 years ago it was 1 in 20.
• Of the women diagnosed with breast cancer today, 90% do not have a mutation in the BRCA gene, the gene most commonly associated with breast cancer.
• The European Union bans/restricts nearly 1,400 toxic chemicals from the market, while the United States only bans 30.
• There has not been a federal law passed governing the personal care industry since 1938.

So why do I know about this and why do I care about spreading this important information?  Because I decided to link arms with other women who are making a difference.  I joined Beautycounter's mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone.  I fell in love with this company because they are an education first, products second company.  As long as we can help people make a safer choice, we've done our job.  Plus I get to share safe skincare, body care, face oils, a kids line, sunscreen and a baby line!  Check out all of our products here!

I have made my life so much simpler by just using Beautycounter skincare and make up.  There's no other company in the industry that's delivering on both performance and safety to the extent that we are.  I don't have time to scrutinize every ingredient on my products, especially if I can't even trust it.  I also understand as women....we want products that perform as well or better than our department store brands.  

Beautycounter has what's called a Never List™ which means that when formulating their products, they prohibit the use of over 1,500 harmful of questionable ingredients.  I know that this company is completely transparent and discloses every single ingredient for safety.  What's more?  They have an entire public policy arm dedicated to pushing for more health protective laws.  It's completely simplified my life...and lets me share this important mission with others so they can make a healthier choice.  We vote with our dollars, so you can make a difference too just by becoming a customer!  Want to help us even more my sharing our mission?  Join us!

I encourage you to download the Healthy Living App by the EWG today and start scanning your products!  You may be surprised.  You don't need to throw everything out the window at once.  I understand that can be expensive.  What I recommend to people is to replace things slowly, over time as you run out of items.  Get rid of your worst offenders that are most toxic first.  Replace items that sit on your skin the longest like lotions and foundation.  It's a process, but it's worth it.  Don't forget all your family members too like your husband and your kids.  Your teen girls that are starting to wear makeup....start teaching them now what to look for.  Just move in a healthier direction.

Want to know what else you can do to detoxify your whole home?  Download my FREE 15 Tips to Detoxify Your Home.  Sign up here and I'll send it to you straight away....right to your inbox.  Some things on the list might even surprise you!

Here's to starting the New Year off right!

A Healthy Holiday Mindset...

Last night we had our launch party at the local gym that I'm leading through their Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge!  I got to talk nutrition to our 55 contestants and answer questions and meet everyone!  I'm so excited!  We have such a great group!

Our live local group is full, but you can still join my ONLINE Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge HERE!!

So what did I talk to them about last night?  Food?  Sure...a little.  But mostly I talked about MINDSET.

Mindset can make such a difference in an enjoyable experience...versus one of struggle.  

I told them to focus on what they CAN have during the challenge rather than what they CAN'T have.

I told them that when people offer them that cocktail or slice of pie over the holidays.... the easy thing to do is say "I can't eat that." or "I'm on a diet."  ....that doesn't feel good and puts the focus on deprivation.

I told them to try this instead...

Respond by saying, "No thanks, I'm choosing to eat healthier this holiday season."

By shifting our mindset and responding this way, it's puts you in CONTROL and evokes a feeling of empowerment.  This small shift in mindset can be a HUGE factor in success!

Here's to making healthier choices this holiday season with a healthy mindset!

A Grateful Heart...

My husband always tells me the first impression I made on him that really stood out as different from other women...  I was happy.

Sure, I know what you're probably thinking.  Yeah, right.  That's the FIRST thing?  I'm not saying it was the first thing he noticed....we all know what visual beings men are.  I'm saying it was the first impression.

The first time he told me that he could tell I was happy, I was completely confused.  How could he possibly have seen that in me when I didn't see that in myself?  

I think back to that time in my life and I was such a hot mess.  I was in a job I'd been at for a decade and a half, living paycheck to paycheck.  I lived alone and felt unfulfilled.  I'd chosen bad relationships with the wrong men.  In my mind I didn't feel happy.  

What I know now is that I felt unsettled.  I felt insecure.  I felt restless.  I had a little voice in my head telling me every day that I wasn't living up to my full potential.  What I know now is just because my life wasn't anywhere near where I thought it would be at 31 years old...didn't make me an unhappy person.  I'd always been optimistic.  I just saw no way out of my current situation.  I hadn't yet learned to get out of my own way.  

One thing that helped me change my life was taking responsibility for my life.  I quit blaming others for my current situation, which is the easy way out.  We get really good at blaming others.  I could have just settled for my unsettled life.  I could have blamed my parents for not giving me more guidance.  I could have blamed my boss for not paying me more money.  I could have blamed it on my weaknesses.  I could have blamed just about anyone or anything, because I THOUGHT I was doing everything I could...I was working hard.

But was I?  When I look back now, I think hell no.  Sure, I worked at my job.  I was extremely good at it.  I did what was expected of me.  I felt like I didn't have any extra time in my day to change my life.  I was stuck.  I felt I had no control.  My life was just happening to me.  So. Many. Excuses.  I was full of excuses back then.

One thing that had changed shortly before that day I met my husband was I had been really working on ME.  I was searching for SOMETHING.  I was reading more books.  I was learning to focus on gratitude.  I was learning ways to take control of my life.  I was learning I was worthy.  I was learning that if I wanted my life to change, it had to start with ME.  After all, the only person we can control is ourselves.  That small shift, even though I didn't know how my life could get better....BELIEVING that it could...and would, changed everything for me.

Fast forward to now.... there are days when I can just be driving down the road, by myself, and I'll smile.  I smile because I'm happy.  I'm very aware of my happiness today.  I'm so grateful that I have the life that I do.  I'm grateful that I have the amazing, loving, supportive husband that I do.  I'm grateful that I get to live where I do.  I'm grateful for my health.  I'm grateful for my ambition.  I'm grateful for my positive friends.  I'm grateful I found my creative outlet.  I'm grateful I get to help others.  I'm grateful that I didn't settle for less.

I never take my life for granted.  As a young child I was extremely unhappy.  That unhappiness was true.  I never felt security as a child and was anxious all the time.  I had an unstable childhood, was extremely introverted, and was fearful of everything.  My parents would take me to a psychiatrist as a child because they didn't know why I was so unhappy.  They'd prescribe me valium, which I'd refuse to take.  I knew that wasn't the answer, even at a young age. 

Instead of dwelling on any of those times, today I choose to focus on gratitude.  When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we cannot focus on anything negative.  It also brings more and more things we want into our lives.  Gratitude has been the key for me.  Every morning I start my day with gratitude.  I start my day with my 5 Minute Journal to make sure I focus on 3 things I'm grateful for and 3 things I'll do that day to make it great.  They also have an app so I can use it on the go.  

Happiness is a decision.  Having a grateful heart can be the key to getting there.  

Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get what you want in life.  If you want it bad enough, you'll make it work.  If you don't want it bad enough, you'll make excuses.  

This blog post was inspired by all that is going on in our country today with the recent election.  While I refuse to get political, because honestly, I don't think there was a good choice in either candidate, I will say this... I'm disappointed at all the spewing negativity in the streets and in my newsfeed.  Is that really making the world a better place?...or is that feeding the fire?  I don't have time for negativity in my life anymore.  Be the solution.  STOP blaming others.  The only person you can control is yourself.  I encourage you to stop focusing on others and start focusing on yourself.  What can YOU do to make the world a better place?  Go do that.  Stop the hate.  Stop the unkind words.  Stop the judgement...everyone has their own story and you might not know what that is.  Help others.  Lead by example.  Be grateful.

-Other blog posts you might enjoy:  The Law of Attraction -- 5 Steps to Choosing Your Best Life -- Are You a Hero...

Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge

Who needs a Holiday Challenge?  

The average person GAINS between 1 and 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  You may think that a couple pounds is no big deal, but those pounds add up year after year...  

With all the holiday parties and gatherings, we wind up putting things in our mouths mindlessly.  Cookies and egg nog and chocolate...oh my!  I say mindlessly because we eat it simply because it's THERE.

I was recently hired by a local gym to lead the nutrition part of their holiday weight loss challenge.  I'm so excited to guide them, motivate them, and teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle...especially over the holidays!  The last time I helped this gym and their contestants with nutrition, the group of 56 members lost 569.2 pounds in 30 days.  It was the most success they'd ever had at the gym.  Why?  Because they brought NUTRITION into the equation, not just exercise.  So they brought me back to do it again...

This got me thinking... I LOVE the idea of a Holiday 2 Holiday healthy challenge!  I want to open a similar opportunity to my readers and followers.  I want to help you STOP the cycle of putting on those few pounds between the holidays.  You may even LOSE the few pounds you put on last year.

What if I could help you feel GREAT by the time the New Year arrives?  Join me in my 28-Day Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge from Nov 25 thru Dec 22.  Yep, you get Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years off!

What you GET:

• A complete 28-Day "Game Plan" for Nov 25 - Dec 22. This Plan will be a downloadable printable in the Files section in a closed Facebook Group.
• We will be kicking off the challenge with my 4-Day Detox so you need this to join.  This will be the only cost to you!  The Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge is my bonus gift to you!  Space is limited, so grab your spot now and mark your calendars!  After the first 4 days, we will be continuing Day 5-28 with set guidelines to teach you how to keep it healthy this holiday....while still enjoying it thoroughly!  It will be about support and effort....not perfection!
• Direct access to ME for the full 28 days.  You can ask me questions and I'll be motivating you every step of the way!
• Daily posts in the group from me... motivation, recipes, giveaways, and more!  
• A community of others doing it right along with you to offer support and encouragement.
• The 4-Day Detox Plan will also be in the Files section in the Facebook group for your convenience.

This will be a slightly different plan than I've designed for the gym because this one won't be a competition with a cash prize like the gym is having.  In other words, yours won't be quite as strict.  I had a lot of fun making some fun HOLIDAY exceptions for you...so yes, you can join us and still enjoy all your upcoming holiday parties!  I'm even allowing a few cocktails guys...so you can do this!!  Eliminating alcohol completely is the number one excuse why people won't join something like this over the holidays.  So I've eliminated that excuse for you.  You're welcome.  Cheers.

How to JOIN the HOLIDAY 2 HOLIDAY Challenge:

Purchase your 4-Day Detox HERE for only $9.99.  You then get to join the Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge and support group for FREE as a bonus!

Once you purchase the Detox, you will immediately receive the PLAN, the printable SHOPPING LIST, and the printable tracking CHECKLIST by email.  You will also receive a 7 page color eBook explaining the Detox including my 3 Top Tips for feeling healthy and beautiful all year long.  You will also receive the link to join the Holiday 2 Holiday Challenge...

Once you follow the link,  click "JOIN" I will approve you into the group so you can access all the content.  All the files are already there for you to review along with a Pinned Post that will explain everything!

This is where we will support each other and you'll have direct access to ME for the FULL 28 days! 

Want to invite your friends to do this with you?  All you have to do is send them this link:

----->  http://bit.ly/HWSholidaychallenge

I can't wait to get HEALTHY with YOU for the holidays!  See you in the group!  Once you get in there, introduce yourself and say Hi!

Got questions?  If any of this in confusing to you and you're unsure how to join the challenge...feel free to email me at shannon@happywifestyle.com and I'll be happy to help you.

Cheers,

Shannon

P.S.  If you are local to Petaluma, CA in Sonoma County and want to join me LIVE and IN PERSON at the gym challenge.... you can learn more HERE!  We will be having a kick off party where I'll be speaking and a closing party and tons of fun giveaways, prizes and you can win CASH!  This will be a separate group and plan than my online group that I mention above.

Is Dulse the Next Superfood?

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You may start to hear the buzz around the mineral-rich "red seaweed" called Dulse.  It's not new as it's been around as a food and medicine for centuries...but is slowly becoming all the rage in the U.S. because of it's amazing health benefits and superfood qualities.

The whole flake form is said to have a palatable, chewy texture with a smokey, umami flavor that some are comparing to bacon!  Whaaaaa?  If I ever come across it in stores, I'll have to give it a taste and maybe add it to a soup!  Yum.  It also comes in a powder form that you can use as a spice or a replacement for salt.

Dulse contains Vitamin C and the carotenoid antioxidants, like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all of which are known to be great for healthy eyesight, reducing free radical damage in the body and decreasing the risk of some chronic diseases.

Dulse can be a natural way to supplement the diet with iodine. I find it interesting that many are saying that this may be helpful for those with hypothyroidism, a condition that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's world because of low dietary iodine consumption and absorption.  I know so many people personally who suffer with hypothyroidism, so it caught my attention.

Here's what organicfacts.net is saying about dulse...

Some of the most important health benefits of dulse include its ability to improve vision, protect the immune system, build bone health, improve the thyroid gland, increase growth and repair, optimize the gastrointestinal system, lower blood pressure, strengthen the brain and nervous system, and boost circulation.

To read the full article, click HERE

Can adding dulse to your diet make you more healthy....and more BEAUTIFUL??

When I chose the ingredients for my Anti-Aging Drink, I chose them carefully.  Sure, it's easy to see why I chose the collagen and the antioxidants....but did you realize that the Greens Blend that is in it has a very good reason for being there.  It contains DULSE.  That's also the reason I recommend my Anti-Aging Drink in my Beauty Detox Program as an option.

Because seaweed polysaccharides work to detoxify the liver, the cleansing actions they provide naturally help to encourage healthy looking skin.  Pretty cool, huh?

I'm a fan of aging gracefully in a healthy way...and adding dulse to my diet seems like it's doing double duty in HEALTH and BEAUTY!  

You can check out how I'm adding this super-duper superfood into my daily routine by checking out my Anti-Aging Drink recipe HERE and the delicious Greens Blend that has the dulse in it, along with tons of other nutrients, HERE.  

-Photo from Pinterest/Food Matters

P.S.  When you purchase the Greens Blend, you get my entire Beauty Detox program for FREE!!

-Top photo courtesy of Superfoods for Superhealth