Pregnancy Skincare Routine

Second Trimester

I am now 22 Weeks pregnant and during that time my skin has been crazier than usual. I have found a good routine that has finally settled my skin down. So here is the low-down on Pregnancy-safe skincare.

 Cleanser: Toby and Rosie Activated Charcoal Bar. In my first Trimester I was using the Kelepa Organics Cleanser, however my skin got really oily using the cream cleanser, so I made the switch back to this beloved charcoal bar. My skin is thanking me a million times over for this gentle but major effective cleanser.

Toner: Tinderbox Spritzing Toner. This toner is my go-to when I really need something to make my skin look radiant. There is something about Orange Flower that my skin really loves and it really helps to clear up any uneven and oil patches my hormonal skin may have.

All Over Moisturiser: 100% pure Jojoba Oil from the Jojoba Company. I have been using this as a night-time moisturiser because I prefer to use oils at night when I don't need to put make-up over them. Jojoba oil is so gentle that I use it everywhere from my face to my body and occasionally my hair. It penetrates quickly into the skin so there is no oil slick left over and it soothes my itching belly.

Exfoliate: Moreish Exfoliator. About once a week I'll exfoliate with this gentle but very effective scrub. This is one of my favourites to use when pregnant because it doesnt aggravate my already sensitive skin. The creamy base doesn't feel abrasive and it leaves my skin feeling very soft and fresh.

Day Moisturiser: Kosmea Moisturising Lotion SPF 30. I use this in the morning before applying any other make-up that I feel like putting on. I love the non-oily almost whipped consistency of this product. Its hydrating enough during the day so I don't feel dry but the best part is that it actually is a really great sun protection that doesn't feel greasy at all!

Other Face Oil: EVOHE 3.6.9 Omega. This sample sized oil is another product I use at night. Its a lot heavier than Jojoba Oil so I only use it every second night, but its still not heavy enough to break out my skin. I like the added Brazil Nut Oil, Sea Buckthorn and Cloudberry Seed to deeply nourish my tired (pregnant) skin.

Eye Treatment: Trilogy CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate. I'm kind of waiting to finish this as its not the best eye serum I have used, but its all I have. It does the job of de-puffing the eyes but I am hanging out to purchase a full size Z'kin Line Smoothing Serum.


I hope you enjoyed having a peek at my skincare essentials for pregnancy. What are your essentials?

Have Fun!

Renee x

Beetroot And Chocolate Cake

Rich and Moist Treat

 Chocolate and Beetroot, who would have thought? But the sweet combination of chocolate with the moist from the beetroot really bring out the best in each other. Using a fresh beetroot works best for this recipie as it is easier to peel and grate. I grabbed this recipie from my sister-in-law and had to share it with you. So please give it a try, you wont be sorry...

Ingredients:
80g Butter
1 Large Beetroot
1 Cup of Plain Flour
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
2 Tablespoons of Cocoa
1 Large Egg
1/4 cup of Milk
1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil
1/4 Cup of Castor Sugar
1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar (Tightly Packed)
100g of Dark Chocolate Chopped

Icing:
2 Rows of Dark Chocolate ( approx 60g)
2 Tablespoons of natural Greek Yoghurt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 Degrees C and line cake tin
2. Peel and grate Beetroot
3. Sift flour, baking powder and cocoa into a medium bowl
4. Whisk together eggs and milk in a small bowl
5. In another bowl mix butter, oil and sugars until creamy. Gradually add the egg and milk mixture and mix together.
   
6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
7. Stir in grated beetroot and chopped chocolate.
8. Spoon the mixture into cake tin
9. Cook for 20-25 minutes until cake is well risen and feel springy. Allow to cool completely in tin

To make the icing:

1. Take cooled cake out of tin.
2. Put broken pieces of dark chocolate in microwave proof jug and heat until melted. (intervals of ten seconds works best)
3. Once the chocolate is melted quickly spoon in Greek yoghurt and stir in until combined.
4. Pour mixture over cake and spread evenly.
5. Store cake in an airtight container in the fridge.

This cake is best eaten within three days of baking. Its very important that this cake is stored in the fridge because of the fresh yoghurt in the icing mixture. I really hope you enjoy this delicious crowd pleaser and let me know if you make it.

Have Fun!

Renee x

Raw Cacao and Spiralina Balls

A Raw Treat

When I'm looking for a quick and easy snack that also curbs my sweet tooth, I look no further than some yummy snack-balls made of raw ingredients. These snacks in particular are sweet and the Almond Meal gives it a delicious cakey texture. And my 2 1/2 year old daughter loves them which is a bonus!

  1 Cup of Cashews

1/2 cup of Almond Meal

1 Cup of Dates chopped

1/3 Cup of Cacao Powder

2 Teaspoons of Organic Spiralina

1/2 Cup of dessicated Coconut for rolling.

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until combined and smooth. If the mixture is too dry to roll into balls try adding a teaspoon at a time of Maple Syrup until sticky.

Then roll the balls in the coconut. 

Store in an airlock container in the fridge. these snacks will last up to three weeks in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Have Fun!

Renee x

Flora and Fauna: Summer 2015/16

Summer 2015/16

Flora and Fauna has fast become my favourite beauty box I have experienced. There is an amazing website attached to it that sells natural, cruelty free beauty products from baby to adults. The brands they choose to stock are all wonderful quality and there is a handy page that allows you to purchase sample sizes of (some) products so you can try before you buy!

Dr Hauschka Lemon Lemon-grass Vitalising Body Wash: The one thing I love about beauty boxes is all the small samples of different brands that I get to try out during the season. This body wash I am very familiar with as I have used samples of this often in various beauty boxes. It has a creamy texture that foams up nicely when used with a loofah. I love how it delivers amazing hydration to my skin and smells amazing.

Eco Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub: Full-sized products are always welcome and this one is worth $34.95 which already exceeds the price of the box. This dry body salt scrub has a really refreshing Lemon-grass scent and it is such a lovely pick-me-up in the morning when I am half asleep and need a shower. Designed to work on dry skin, this scrub targets cellulite, pigmentation, dry skin and stretch-marks I could use this after the birth of my next baby!

Aloe-Vera Crystal Deodorant: My husband loves these so Ill pass this onto him. The natural minerals allows to wearer to sweat but kills odour causing bacteria. Another great reason to love these is that they last ages so you don't have to shop for a new deodorant any time soon.

 Dr Bronner 18-in-1: Dr Bronner is one of those brands that I have been curious to try but have never got around to doing so. This sachet of the 18-in-1 Rose Pure Castile Soap is the perfect introduction to the brand for a newby like me. 18-in-1 soap is a multi-functional soap, and can be used on hair, face, body, laundry, dishes, pets, mopping, food and many other things. With non synthetic preservatives I am looking forward to cracking this open and giving it a go.

Awe Rasadana Hydrating Mask: I have had a sample of this mask before, I cant remember if its from the Flora and Fauna Box or a different beauty box but I really like it. With a blend of organic Honey, Papaya extract and Aloe Vera it has a beautiful hydrating feel to it. I cant use it every week as I have combination skin and its a bit too rich to use regularly. When I am feeling particularly lazy Ill reach for this mask because It's designed so you don't have to wash it off, just rub it into the skin after ten minutes of leaving it on. How handy is that?

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil: This is an interesting addition that is meant to improve skintone and appearance of the skin. Jojoba oil moisturises the skin while young birch leaves, organic rosemary and ruskus (butcher's broom) promote healthy, radiant looking skin. Twice a day gently massage the oil onto damp skin for the first four weeks. obviously this sachet wont last four weeks but it will give me a good idea if I like the feeling and smell of the product.

 Atom Coffee Body Scrub: I love coffee scrubs! I think they are so invigorating but comforting at the same time. I turn toward coffee scrubs in winter when the weather is cold and I want that scent of a cafe all around me. As well as an amazing smell, coffee on the body has many benefits like firming, exfoliating and reducing the appearance of cellulite, age spots, stretch marks and even varicose veins. I'm so glad to find this exciting new (to me) brand in the Flora and Fauna box.

Zuii Organic Lipstick in Coral Red: This lipstick is so creamy and highly pigmented, I just love the texture and finish. I don't wear red but this is still a beautiful colour nonetheless. Zuii organic lipsticks have organic soothing and nourishing properties such as Aloe Vera and Jojoba. These lipsticks come in a wide variety of colours. 



Of all the products I would have to say I am most excited about using the Coffee Body Scrub. What did you like?
If you would like to check out the Summer Box or keep a look out for the Autumn Box Here is the link: https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/beauty-boxes/

Have Fun!

Renee x

Jojoba Oil

Why do I need it now?

Recently I decided I really needed to step up my skincare routine with some all natural and multi-purpose products. Reasons mainly include; saving money and time.

I have been doing a lot of research on Jojoba Oil and decided to make the plunge and I bought the 85ml for $29.95 from The Jojoba Company. This seemed a bit of a splurge for me, but now that I am using it I can really see why this is such a staple for any bathroom.

Body

I am 19 weeks pregnant and I really need to start moisturising my belly. I had a couple of stretch marks near my hips that I thoroughly moisturised twice a day during my last pregnancy and they are nearly invisible now. Jojoba oil is rich in Vitamin E and can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.

During my first trimester (when my hormones are at their crazy-worst) my skin would itch like mad. I would accidental make my legs bleed I was scratching them so much. Rubbing a soothing oil on my skin really helped stave off that urge to itch and it's so moisturising my legs wouldn't feel as dry and irritated.

Hair

When I'm pregnant my hair gets really dry, and I cant be buying a new product for every dry part of my pregnant body because they would make me go broke. I use Jojoba oil on the ends of my hair to nourish and give it a bit more shine. I read that if your hair doesn't like Coconut oil then try Jojoba oil because its lighter. My hair in particular reacts really well to a few drops rubbed into the ends after I have shampooed it.

Face

Jojoba oil is also a really good all-rounder with the skin on the face. I can pop a drop on a pimple just before bed and it has visibly healed by morning. Jojoba oil contains Iodine that can help fight against bacteria. This is really cool because its a pure form of pimple control instead of using a alcohol filled acne fighting treatment. 

I also like to give Jojoba oil a run for its money and use it as a evening face moisturiser. I notice my skin feeling soft and supple after taking that little extra care with what I put on my face.

Baby

This is a new one for me but Jojoba can be used to treat nappy rash. During our attempt to toilet train Miss E. she developed a bit of a nappy rash and I was desperate to find something in my cabinet that could treat it. I found my Jojoba oil and sent a quick Facebook message to the Jojoba Company to see if I could use it. After been given the green light I popped a drop on the 'sore' area and hoped for the best. The next morning the rash had disappeared. How is that for a testimonial? I am also really passionate about reading the ingredients in products used on baby's body and urge all mothers to do so. Some actually have dangerous chemicals in them.  (*cough*  popular nappy cream starting with B).

Have Fun!

Renee x