Author: TheBirdsNest

Health & Beauty

A Stretch Mark Cream Review for the Natural Mama

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A Stretch Mark Cream Review for the Natural Mama

It wasn’t long after I found out I was pregnant that I started to load up on stretch mark prevention creams.  As a skin care fanatic, I started researching the best creams out there.  There are a TON of options but below are some of ones that I tried. I have also been lucky enough to have been gifted some of the items but the head reviews are 100% true and honest.  My regime involves applying the creams 2x/day, once in the morning and once at night.  I apply the morning cream after I get out of the shower, and I keep the night creams on my nightstand so I remember to put it on as soon as I get in bed.  I also make sure I don’t just apply it to my belly – it goes all the way from boobs to butt.

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Health & Beauty

28 Week Pregnancy Update

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28 Week Pregnancy Update

I cannot believe today marks the first day of my last trimester! There are definitely moments where time has gone by very slow but most recently I’ve felt like it has flown by.  We are in serious baby mode now getting the nursery ready and planning the baby shower (less than 1 week away!).  I wanted to do a quick recap on my pregnancy journey and discuss some of my pregnancy must-haves.

Overall, I really can’t complain too much about my pregnancy.  It has been a little bit of a roller coaster adjusting to changes with my body, but it has been pretty manageable for the most part.  Mostly, I’ve been so excited to see my belly grow every week, knowing that I have a healthy baby girl in there.  I give all moms serious credit who have had to deal with nausea and other symptoms!

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Health & Beauty, Wellness

How to Transition to Non-Toxic Products in 2019

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How to Transition to Non-Toxic Products in 2019

Is it just me or does it seem like everyone is hyper-focused on living a healthier lifestyle these days? We are constantly seeing new products and ideas to help cleanse our body and mind.  Sorry, I’m not sorry, but they are onto something!

Once you open your eyes to the world of natural living, you’ll begin to see just how many chemicals we’re exposing ourselves to on a daily basis.  Just when we thought we could rely on our “all natural” facial cleanser or “organic” body lotion, we may have been deceived – sneaky, I know.

Check out the rest of the post on Primally Pure’s Pure Life Blog!

Health & Beauty

A Natural Deodorant Review

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A Natural Deodorant Review

FINALLY there are aluminum free deodorant options available! I have been wanting to stop using regular deodorant for years but haven’t been able to find anything that actually works.  Any time I’ve used them, I’ve started to smell like a 13 year old boy going through adolescence by 1pm.

What’s with aluminum in our deodorant?? Aluminum is the ingredient in deodorant that prevents us from sweating. It literally clogs our sweat pores so we can go about our day without worrying about pit stains.  Well that is great in theory but there is a reason why humans sweat.  It is a natural detoxification process.  We detox every other part of our body, so why not our armpits?  When aluminum is absorbed into our bodies, it tends to store in our tissues, potentially causing diseases such as Alzheimer and cancer.  There have even been some links to Alzheimer patients and trace amounts of aluminum in their bodies.

Anyway, here is my review of Primally Pure, Native, and Kopari!

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Health & Beauty

Hawaiian Skin Heaven: Leahlani Skincare Review

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Hawaiian Skin Heaven: Leahlani Skincare Review

From the packaging to the products, this line is AMAZING! It is apparent that Leah took her time carefully designing  and perfecting her products.  Every single product feels and smells so amazing – it is honestly Hawaii in a bottle.  Every time I use the products, I am instantly transported to Kauai, where all of the products are hand made.

All of their products are made from fresh Hawaiian nectars, potent and vibrant botanical actives and luxurious, tropical beauty oils. Their products are ‘blended fresh weekly in intimate batches in their private studio on the lush North Shore of Kauai Island’ – I know, I wanted to airbnb their studio after reading this too.

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Health & Beauty

Bristol & Sussex Skin Care Review

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Bristol & Sussex Skin Care Review

Recently, it has become my mission to find a natural skin care line that is free of harsh chemicals.  Bristol & Sussex really came to the rescue during this search.  All of their products are made with vegan and organic ingredients, each with EWG Scores of 1.  They only use certified organic, premium food grade, cold pressed oils and 100% steam distilled therapeutic grade essential oils.

I have to say that it is very refreshing to look at an ingredient list and actually understand what is in it.  With most products, you can’t even pronounce half of the ingredients.

Their daily radiance set is comprised of three products – a hypoallergenic facial cleanser, pH and oil balancing facial moisturizer, and a deep conditioning facial oil.

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Food & Drink, Travel

24 Hours in Barcelona: A Foodie Adventure

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24 Hours in Barcelona: A Foodie Adventure

We started our trip spending our 1st night at The Serras Hotel in Barcelona, which we highly recommend. It was a very laid back and chic boutique hotel located in the heart of The Gothic Quarter.  We were immediately greeted with Cava (Spain’s very popular sparkling wine) and homemade chocolate.  The staff made us feel right at home the entire time.  Our hotel room was immaculate, spacious, and well decorated.  They even left us a bottle of champage after we let them know it was our anniversary.

For any interior design fans, the detail in this hotel was amaz.  The rooftop pool and bar were definitely a highlight of this hotel.  The pool was small which was fine because the views overlooking the marina were fantastic, and the restaurant/bar were excellent.    It almost had a Scotsdale, AZ vibe with its’ trendy yet earthy atmosphere, serving items like wheatgrass shots and wellness smoothies.

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Food & Drink, Health & Beauty

How I make my 10 minute Acai Smoothie Bowl

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How I make my 10 minute Acai Smoothie Bowl

I used to think that making a smoothie bowl was so easy – throw a bunch of ingredients in the blender and place some pretty fruit on top.  Well if you’re like me, you’ll find that there is a little more to it.  The first couple times I made it I was so excited until I started putting the fruit on top.  The smoothie bowl quickly started swallowing my fruit whole, like quick sand.  So in terms of smoothie bowls, the less liquid, the better.

The key to thickening the smoothie is using frozen fruit, and being cautious about how much liquid you use.  There are many many different ways you can create a smoothie bowl but this is how I created mine.

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