If you have wavy/curly hair, work with it! My favorite summer do's are braids, buns, and ponytails....the messier the better. Simple tips: tease hair at the crown and pull back into a pony at about ear's height. Add a headband or scarf to jazz it up. Layers are great because you can leave some pieces down around your face for a softer, more natural look. Messy buns on top of your head or at your nape are super easy and stylish. Pull into a ponytail, tease or even loosely braid the pony then wrap around and secure with bobby pins.
The Theme for Summer 2014 Hair... "Embrace the Mess" by Kim Rizzo, Hair Guru
Braids are awesome! Side braids, French braids, fishtails, etc. A super cute style is to loosely braid the hair to one side or even once it's in a ponytail. Once it has been secured with a hair tie, begin pulling at each section of the braid for a less "perfect" look. The humidity will frizz us out anyway so we might as well make it look intentional. A simple braid across the top works great on shorter styles. Enjoy your mess!
Two Ingredients I Look For (and avoid) When Buying Deodorant & Body Products. In my skin health journey over the last 10 years, I’ve discovered many disturbing truths about what we are putting into our bodies. You will never find me purchasing a product that I will be putting in or on my body without reading the label first. The one time that I didn’t read the label (I was in a hurry) I ended up regretting it.
My 4 month old son was having a hard time getting into relaxation mode at night. After talking with some friends about this, one told me to give him a warm bath right before bed and wash him with a lavender baby wash. I quickly rushed to the store and bought one. I didn’t read the label this time. I thought this was a baby brand I could trust. That night, I started the bath and grabbed the lavender wash. Of course, out of habit, I flipped the bottle around and looked at the ingredients. I was shocked! The lavender in this “Lavender Baby Wash” was nowhere to be found. However, 42 ingredients down the list, I found a chemically produced lavender-ish fragrance and a ton of FD&C color to make it more attractive. No thank you! Not only will this likely be an irritant on his delicate skin, but it is toxic and carcinogenic. Unfortunately, most people do not know how dangerous an ingredient like this can be.
My “2 things” are probably no surprise to you now. Here they are:
1. FD&C color- These contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins into the skin. Studies have found these synthetic colors to be very carcinogenic. 2. Parabens- Used as a preservative. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues because they cause an “estrogen disruption” and are known to linger in the body, causing a cumulative effect. Know your ingredients. Keep your body safe!
Did You Know? Parabens aren’t easy for the average consumer to spot on the ingredient list. Here are a few words to look for: • • • • •
Methylparaben Ethylparaben Propylparaben Butyleparaben Benzylparaben
Discoveries are meant to be shared! By Christen Michel
{Turn the page to read about these}
1. Quest Bars: I don't usually recommend any type of energy or protein bar to anyone because, let's be honest, you'll be letting them down big time. 99% of the bars out there make you hold your nose while you gag it down. I really really really crave and love these bars! Don't be alarmed when you grab one and it's slightly deformed...that's normal. This is because its "real food", therefore it does not hold a perfectly shaped mold. The Cinnamon Bun bar literally tastes like I'm eating a pastry from the bakery. Grab the Cookie Dough bar and put in it the microwave for about 10 seconds...you won't regret it. The nutritional facts are very impressive and give you the protein and energy you need. The ingredient list is very short and very clean. My kind of bar. www.questproteinbar.com 2. The Wet Brush: I feel really cliche adding a brush to this list of treasures, but this really is a brush that many people are not yet aware of. This brush will literally brush through the worst case of tangled knots with no ripping or snapping, and leave you with silky, knot-free hair. It's insane! www.thewetbrush.com 3. The Giving Keys: This is so perfect. So perfectly heart-warming it's crazy. Read the story behind this and get ready to get goose bumps. http://www.thegivingkeys.com/pages/about-us 4. Packed Party: Why didn't I know about this in college? This is such a perfect girl-to-girl gift! It's a gift box you can send a friend depending on the occasion. Here are the gift box themes: Birthday Beb, Miss You Bitch, The Bridesmaid, You Don't Need Him Anyway, and You Pampered Thing You. Who wants to send me one? www.packedparty.com 5. Rack & Clutch: Let me start by saying, this is a treasure you can only find in St. Louis. I'm sorry! However, you can check out her boutique and purchase online. But here's the deal, it's a boutique on wheels! She parks in various places around town and can even be requested for events or large parties. Her stuff is hand-picked and adorable. This heaven on wheels even provides a dressing room. Check it out! www.rackandclutch.com 6. Boost Oxygen: Oxygen in a can. This is not a liquid or an energy drink or anything, it's literally a can of oxygen. The one I purchased contained aromatherapy. If you have ever been to one of those oxygen bars, this is essentially the same thing. The difference is, you can take this anywhere. I took a can with me on an 80 mile relay run. I saw this at the store and thought "What can it hurt, I'll try it". I used the entire can throughout the day and I really did feel like my endurance was up and my head felt clear. Read www.oxygeninacan.com to get more specific details. I give it a thumbs up!
My Transformation A Story by Sarah Rallo Fitness Expert & Certified Yoga Instructor
For most of my adult life, I have enjoyed fitness and “working out”. I love to set goals and work hard to achieve them. Run a 5K, a Half Marathon, practice yoga every week, become a yoga teacher…these are all small goals that I knew I wanted to achieve, and did so successfully. As a wife and mother of 2, I was often pressed for “time” to achieve these goals, or so I thought. But when I really sat down to write out my plan, I realized quickly that we all have time. It doesn’t stop for anyone, true. But there is always room in the day for personal improvement. In November 2013 I decided I was going to set a new goal and eat and train like a bikini competitor. Many people think of bodybuilding and the image of a very muscular and masculine woman comes to mind. There are many different divisions and many levels of muscle mass. For me, I was more interested in testing myself to see if I could take my fitness to the next level. Not so much in the actual stage competition, but testing my will power in the kitchen and giving 100% dedication to my workouts. I dedicated myself to a routine of lifting weights 6 days per week and eating very clean whole foods. My meals consisted of basic
items such as lean proteins (chicken, turkey, tilapia), lots of green veggies, eggs, oats, fruit, yogurt, peanut butter, cottage cheese, basically very simple, clean whole foods. I cut out anything processed and dedicated myself to this regimen for a full 16 weeks. The results were fantastic! Here are 5 ways that my transformation affected my life: 1.
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CONFIDENCE. Of course the physical benefits of a “better� looking body, more muscle, less fat are always nice to see in the mirror. But the really great benefit of these physical changes is feeling good about myself. Self confidence in a swimsuit. Compliments from family. Feeling great in a new pair of (smaller) jeans. The mental benefits of the physical changes can really affect your whole outlook on life and womanhood in general. STRESS MANAGEMENT. I mentioned I am a mother of 2. Need I mention that it can often be very stressful? Ha! Probably goes without saying! When I am able to dedicate 1-2 hours to improving myself each day, it helps so much to focus fully and be present in the daily grind of life those remaining hours of the day. Working hard in the gym relieves stress. Endorphins make me happy. When I feel good, the whole family feels good.
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STRENGTH. Weight training has improved my strength tremendously! I have no problems keeping up with anyone, even my very fast and growing almost 2-year-old.
ROUTINE. In years past I would often have good intentions at the beginning of the day to “get my workout in today”. Then life would happen, things come up, I get lazy, tired, stressed. I’m sure you’ve experienced the same. We all do! When I completely dedicated myself, I set my alarm clock early and there were no excuses. Get up, get it done, end of story. It was great for my routine. My workout is out of the way and the daily tasks can grind on freely. Daily routine is key. Daily consistency is key. Exercise is no longer something that is on a list of things to do, it’s part of the routine. Like showering and brushing my teeth. I’ve grown to truly love the routine! WELLNESS. The overall feeling of wellness, physically, mentally and even spiritually is the best benefit of all. I feel beautiful. I love my body. I love to test my strength and surprise myself with improvements, even small ones (like an unassisted pull up). I feel alive. And happy. Healthy. I’m well.
A scholarship for being a The Clara and Patsy Beachler Scholarship. This scholarship is given to one 8th grade student upon graduating from a Lutheran middle school. The person who receives this scholarship is chosen because they stood out positively in a group, stood up for what they believe in (even if it is the unpopular choice), and stayed involved in extracurricular activities.
good person‌
Bree
What advice would you give a younger girl who hopes to receive this scholarship one day? Always be yourself in everything you do while trying to achieve your goals or while helping others achieve their goal. Always take opportunities that are given to you, but remember to put others before you too. Find opportunities to make a positive impact on someone’s life. And most importantly, always do the best you can in life. Bree (scholarship recipient)
14 hours of the most accomplished, refreshing feelings ever.... "The Katy 80 Relay Trail Race" -An Adventure by Christen Michel That's right. 80 miles on a trail! I know this sounds insane. But if you ever have the chance to do it...do it! It was 6 of a girls, an SUV, lots of extra clothes, food fit for an army, and an unexplainable comradery. Each of us ran 4 legs, totaling 80 miles when it was all said and done. We started bright and early at 6:30 am sharp at the Black Walnut Trailhead in St. Charles, MO and ended our journey at The Augusta Brewery in Augusta, MO. The trails were so hard on our feet, the bugs flew alongside of us the entire time, and the sun just didn't seem to stop beaming down on us, yet it was still one of the greatest days ever. There is something to be said about the feeling of accomplishing something that most people would give up on. We never wanted to give up! Of course we joked about quitting the relay several times, but would never even consider it. When the finish line was finally in the horizon, it wasn't until after the steepest possible hill that we were finally able to cross through that banner and jump for joy. When I say steep, I mean my knees were practically hitting my chest. It was more like climbing. This hill was STEEP! Once we crossed the line, we were immediately greeted with water, ice cold beer (celebration time!), and all the food we could eat. Then it hit me.... Not only am I more tired than I’ve ever been before, but every bone in my body hurts! The next morning it took every bit of energy I had to walk to the bathroom or get a drink. But even with the exhaustion, pain, bug bites, and broken toe nails, I would do it again tomorrow. I suggest everyone do the same.
4 Ingredients That Will Keep Your Age a Secret
There are so many products out there. There are even more ingredients out there! As your personal Esthetician, I'll give you, in my professional opinion, the top 4 ingredients for youth and glow. This is 10 years of seeing results from these 4 ingredients. Here it is... 1. AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid/Glycolic Acid) I can't live without this ingredient.
There have been a few times in my life that I've eliminated this ingredient just to see if I would notice a difference, and I did. My skin felt heavy, dull, unbalanced, and "blah". What does it do? It dissolves the dead skin cells that tend to stick around for way too long and cause a plethora of annoying skin issues. When using Glycolic Acid, you will notice a decrease in fine lines, enlarged pores, and dark spots. You'll notice a texture improvement right away. Check out my Glycolic Glow Cleanser. Shop at www.christenmichel.com
2. Hyaluronic Acid The main ingredient in my skincare line. Why? Because everyone
needs it! It's naturally found in our skin, however, as we age we lose a lot of it. When our Hyaluronic Acid depletes, we notice that our skin no longer has that youthful, plump, radiant look. Take a look at the SkinQuench Silky Daily Moisture. Shop at www.christenmichel.com
3. Retinol Are you over 25? If you answered yes, then you better be using this. The purest
form of Vitamin A, Retinol is a cell-communicating ingredient and antioxidant that stimulates collagen and speeds up cell-turnover, resulting in an overall anti-aging effect. This ingredient is very effective for those suffering from acne as well. Check out my Retinol Repair. Shop at www.christenmichel.com
4. Peptides Peptides are a portion of larger protein molecules that communicate with the
skin cells in positive ways. Peptides will stimulate collagen, strengthen the skin structure, and keep the healthy cells healthy. You'll love the Activate & Repair Serum! Shop at www.christenmichel.com
The phrase "you are what you eat" couldn't be more accurate in the skin health industry. I can tell what type of lifestyle a client has as soon as I look at their skin. I can also tell if they smoke or drink too much caffeine. Here are some foods that are sure to keep your skin glowing and keep you looking youthful:
Blueberries Salmon Pistachios Greek Yogurt Whey Protein Coffee Barramundi Oats Red Wine Spinach Corn Whole Grains (keep an eye on the ingredient lists, labels can be tricky) Cinnamon Dark chocolate (an amazing antioxidant) Green Tea Sweet Potatoes Curcumin (may have cancer destroying abilities as well) Watermelon Hemp (you can find Hemp powder at a place like Trader Joes and Whole Foods) Rainbow Trout
Eating clean with
Wildtree
Have you tried this? Wildtree is a clean-eater’s dream come true. It is a line of absolutely delicious spices, oils, and spice blends that makes it easy to plan for dinner, appetizers, or dessert. Check out the photo above. My craving for some type of midday “chip & dip” was met by Wildtree & Foldit Flatbread. Here’s what I did: • Rip the flat bread into pieces, drizzle Wildtree Garlic Grapeseed Oil over the pieces. • Bake the bread on 350 until it has reached your desired crispiness. • Mix Wildtree Taco Seasoning with greek yogurt. • Throw in any ingredients you love…in my case, a little shredded cheese. • Enjoy! PS- Wildtree Guacamole Seasoning is a little slice of heaven too!
Send some beauty & inspiration to someone who
deserves it!
The Glow Box: skin care travel sizes (Glycolic Glow Cleanser, Activate & Repair Serum, SkinQuench Cream, and Strawberry Crush), chocolate, travel bag, and the card you choose (card choices shown). *the travel bag shown is subject to change from month to month $12 at www.christenmichel.com
Garden Glow: Noun 1. A lifestyle or idea that a person can see the beauty in many different things; a wide variety of things.
www.gardenglowmag.com www.christenmichel.com