Abundance & Interdependency

I usually don't go in for that new agey "The Secret" kind of stuff. I believe that you create your own destiny with a little help along the way and with hard work and dedication, you can do anything that you want. I believe you make your way through this world more or less on your own and can never really depend on anyone else. I have always been very independent and self-sufficient from the time I was a kid. I have worked ever since I was legally allowed to do so; it started with the government summer programs as a teenager. I never wanted to be a burden to anyone and never wanted to have to depend on anyone for money. My mom was a single parent and worked very hard to make a good life for us, so I tried my best to be a good kid; I wasn't perfect, but I didn't give her a lot of trouble.  My independent nature also makes it easy for me to let go of people who disappoint me. I have the ability to get attached to people, but can shed people, places and things at the drop of a hat with just a twinge of pain and then I am free. I know it's a defense mechanism. But...

I am on a journey of self-discovery and want to live and learn the principles of Abundance and Interdependency. First I need to get the negative voice out of my head and manifest what I want instead of what I don't want. I need to learn to depend on others in my personal life and to trust that because of my paradigm shift, I will attract the kind of people who are trustworthy and dependable. I need to believe that I deserve the good things that happen to me or that I want to manifest in my life; I don't seem to have any trouble believing that I deserve all the crappy stuff that comes my way. These things are not easy and I know this will be....there I go again with the negative talk. I'm learning and will figure this out.

Believe it or not, all of this came from listening to a speaker on a phone call to the WISHSUMMIT.com. That speaker was SheriMcConnell.com, and I found her words encouraging and she taught me something new and made me want to know more.

I have been reading The Abundance Site by Chris Jackson and here is a little taste of what I am learning:

A key part of manifesting work is re-programming and clearing your negative beliefs, fears and judgments that block your sense that you deserve happiness or abundance. This means, in part, focusing on your strengths above your perceived weaknesses and continually recognizing your successes. Truly celebrating every success however small. By doing this you lift yourself into a far more energized and positive mental and emotional state from which to create; when you feel positive your creations and experiences reflect that. Make a point of choosing to adopt a happy outlook.

Practice recognizing the abundance all around you, rejoicing in the exuberance of nature, celebrate the good fortune of others, and seeing what is right, hopeful and encouraging in the world. Nurture what you want in yourself and applaud the successes of others.

The manifesting process is really quite simple.

1. Clarify what it is you are wishing to manifest.
2. Determine why you want, feel, need and deserve this.
3. Set quiet time aside to allow yourself the full feeling of “knowing” that this desire is now on its way to being fulfilled in your life.
4. Do whatever personal practices you require to maintain your positive attitude and feelings of faith and optimism high.
5. Continually note what action is required on your part to bring your creation into existence and act upon it. Right thought leads to right action; you will have to get things done. Think – Feel – Do

If you are looking to manifest abundance in your life, join me on this journey of discovery.

Enjoy!
As always, be well
Dannette

Cigarette Smoking & Your Skin

Smoking diminishes the skin’s ability to get needed oxygen.  Without oxygen, skin cells are unable to renew.  And, secondhand smoke is just as bad as firsthand smoke.

What the toxins in cigarette smoke are doing to your skin now!

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 toxins many of which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and are taken by the blood right into the structure of your skin.

Smoking cigarettes reduces the efficiency with which the skin can regenerate itself – smoking causes the constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels at the top layers of the skin which in turn reduces blood supply (to the skin). It is the reduced blood supply which causes a reduction in the availability of oxygen (which is necessary for all living cells) and the removal of waste products, dead cell fragments etc… which provide the necessary environment for regeneration.

Cigarette smoking causes the blood vessels at the top layers of the skin to constrict and so reducing the oxygen level in the blood there. This thickens the blood and reduces the levels of collagen in the skin (it is actually because of this that smoking is also associated with slow or incomplete healing of wounds).

"Smoker’s Face" is defined as one or more of the following:

1. lines or wrinkles on the face, typically radiating at right angles from the upper and lower lips or corners of the eyes, deeplines on the cheeks, or numerous shallow lines on the cheeks and lower jaw.
2. A subtle gauntness of the facial features with prominence of the underlying bony contours. Fully developed this change gives the face and ‘atherosclerotic’ (sic. A bit like choked up blood vessels) look; lesser changes show as slight sinking of the cheeks. In some cases these changes are associated with a leathery, worn, or rugged appearance.
3. An atrophic, slightly pigmented grey appearance of the skin
4. A plethoric, slightly orange, purple and red complexion different from the purple blue colour of cyanosis or the bloated appearance associated with the pseudo-Cushing’s changes of alcoholism"

It affects the young as well. Check out the twins below.

So, if you are a smoker, you're killing your skin and all the anti-wrinkle and rejuvenating creams in the world won't help. You'll have to stop smoking, eat more green leafy vegetables and fruit and drink plenty of water.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

PS: It also yellows your teeth...yuck!

Dry Body Brushing, Exfoliation & Your Skin

Dry body brushing should be a part of everyone's skin exfoliating routine. Dry brushing not only promotes healthier skin by removing dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, but also by stimulating and increasing skin cell production, giving your skin a healthy glow all year long.  But the benefits are not just skin deep – dry brushing both increases blood flow and circulation and enhances detoxification through the skin.  It is also said that the gentle pressure and brushing sensations have a calming effect – just like a massage!  But be aware that the increase in blood circulation will also give you that “awake” feeling, so a dry brushing session before bed might not be so convenient.

Here are the benefits:

1. Removes Dead Skin Layers:  Dry skin brushing helps shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. Therefore it’s good to keep the process going by removing the dead skin daily. If this does not occur, a “log jam” can happen where the person ends up with eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. 
2. Tightens the Skin Preventing Premature Aging: by increasing the flow of blood which, in turn moves toxins and lessens the appearance of cellulite. Our bodies make a new top layer of skin every 24 hours - skin brushing removes the old top layer, allowing the clean new layer to come to the surface, resulting in softer, smoother skin.
3. Stimulates Circulation: Our skin breathes! And yet, in most people, this vital route of detoxification is operating far below its capacity, because it is clogged with dead skin cells and the un-removed waste excreted through perspiration. Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes. Increased blood flow begins entering the areas brushed and you will experience an increase in electromagnetic energy that permits you to feel energized and invigorated.
4. Helps Digestion: Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health. When you brush, the pores of your skin open allowing your skin to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins.
5. Stress Relief: Increasing your blood flow reduces stressed areas of the body and stimulates nerve endings in your skin which in turn rejuvenates your nervous system.
6. Reduced Cellulite: Increasing blood circulation to the skin helps break down and releases toxins that cause cellulite in legs and hips.

What You Need To Do Dry Brushing: To dry brush, use a soft natural fiber brush with a long handle, so that you are able to reach all areas of your body. One with a removable head with a strap for your hand is a good choice. A loofah sponge or a rough towel can also be used. Most nylon and synthetic fiber brushes are too sharp and may damage skin although I found a softer bath brush with nylon bristles can do the trick. The important thing is to find something that is just right for your skin. Once your skin becomes “seasoned,” you can switch to a coarser brush. 

Beautiful, Sexy & Ageless Skin Is Not Only A Woman Thing

I love the way this man's skin looks and probably feels. Below is one of the most appropriate/inappropriate videos to use as an example of body/skincare, but I'm doing it anyway. Our motto is...Soft skin is beautiful, sexy & ageless and I can say with confidence that his skin is evidence of all three attributes. If you want skin like that or your man to have skin like that, try our products at dannidavisskin.com. Our body butters and body scrubs are fantastic and will help you achieve skin that looks and feels beautiful, sexy and ageless.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Simple Ingredient No. 7 | Lavender

Did you know that Lavender (Lavandula) is one of 39 species of flowering plants in the Mint family? Lavender cross-pollinates easily, so there are countless variations within the species. Here are just a few of its uses:

Lavender is used extensively with herbs and aromatherapy.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) yields an essential oil with sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. Lavandin, Lavandula × intermedia (also known as Dutch lavender), yields a similar essential oil, but with higher levels of terpenes including camphor, which add a sharper overtone to the fragrance. Mexican lavender, Lavandula stoechas is not used medicinally, but mainly for landscaping.

Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.

According to folk wisdom, lavender has many uses. Infusions of lavender soothe and heal insect bites and burns. Bunches of lavender repel insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil soothes headaches. In pillows, lavender seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation. An infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Lavender oil (or extract of Lavender) heals acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it also treats skin burns and inflammatory conditions.  

via Wikipedia

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

It's a Parade! | Product Slide Show

It's a wonderful parade of our product line, made possible by MingleCity.com and  The Michael Baisden Show.

Find more photos like this on Mingle City

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Valentines Day Sale

Give a gift of love and enjoy the day!

As always, be well
Dannette

Simple Ingredient No. 6 | Carrots for Skincare

 

Whenever I think about carrots, Bugs Bunny is one of the first things that comes to mind; I never made the correlation between carrots and skincare, until now. Carrots are not just for wascally wabbits anymore!

There are many companies these days that are totally basing their skincare product lines on carrots and it's amazing properties. Among its natural skincare properties, carrot juice is able to: fight against free radical damage by providing potent antioxidants, assist in producing more collagen within the body to improve the elasticity of the skin, treat blemishes and can even help with hyperpigmentation. Carrot oil is another form that has the ability to help with sun care. Carrot oil works as a natural type of sun block and is ideal for protecting the skin against the effects of ultraviolet damage. You can find carrot oil not only in sunscreens but as a tanning accelerant as well. Because of its ability to reduce the effects of UV rays, many tanning products use carrot oil as a main ingredient.

The reason carrot products are so popular is that both the carrot seeds and roots contain properties that can help to improve the skin's condition and appearance.  Carrot seed products can increase circulation, help to combat the formation of wrinkles, and increase elasticity, all while working to repair and tone skin's texture.  Carrot root products are rich in Vitamins A & E, making them great for use in both skin and hair care formulations. 

Carrot Oil:

Making carrot oil is simple and makes a lovely rich oil packed with antioxidants that's great for your skin!

1. Pack a clean kilner jar with 4 large grated carrots 

2. Cover with about 16 oz of olive oil. 

3. Leave in a sunny spot on your window sill to macerate for 2-3 weeks

4. Strain through a muslin cloth and bottle

Carrot Lip Balm:

Your oil can be used in a variety of homemade skin care recipes, including this nourishing lip balm:

Ingredients:

1tsp beeswax

3 tbs cocoa butter 

1 tsp carrot oil 

10 drops essential oil 

 Directions: Melt ingredients over low heat and pour into container let set

Carrot Homemade Facial Mask:
Recipe:
1. Cut raw carrots and boiling them in hot water for about three minutes. 
2. Remove from the water and place in a blender. 
3. Add five tablespoons of plain yogurt and blend. 
4. Apply the mixture to you face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. 
5. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. 

Carrot Homemade Facial Scrub:

1. Grab a bowl and add five drops of lemon juice. 
2. Add five drops of carrot juice to the bowl 
3. Add two teaspoons of yeast powder. 
4. Add five drops of olive oil 
5. A two teaspoons of plain yogurt. 
6. Stir together all of the ingredients to create the scrub. 
7. Mix, apply your facial scrub to your face and let it sit for 15 minutes until it dries. 
8. Rinse it off with warm water and pat your skin dry. 
This scrub recipe is best for oily and dry skin types.


Have fun creating your own carrot skincare products.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

My Mom In Her 20's...She was Hot!

I love how she's got her beauty pageant pose down.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Spring Cleaning Is Underway

Getting old clothes, knickknacks, CDs and DVDs ready for Goodwill.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Some days...

Some days, this is exactly how I feel. But, since I'm a non-violent person, it's only in my head...now I have a song for it.

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

What's on my desk? | The Update

I have been a busy girl; here is the update to my mountainous list of tasks.

1.   Getting tax information ready to go Done

2.   Writing a 50 word blurb about product for possible entry in March green news section of magazine Done

3.   Going over the editorial calendar to see if there are other opportunities for more press

4.   Going back and forth with labeling company to get my lip cream design to the correct size Done

5.   Completing applications for Farmers', Flea, and Artists markets this year One app down, two more to go

6.   Designing a banner for my tent for the above referenced markets 1^st draft done

7.   Picking up the tent purchased from Home Depot

8.   Picking a vendor for shopping bags for market sales Made in the USA in an environmentally certified facility, contains no heavy metals, made from 80% recycled plastics collected in the US and 100% recyclable - Done

9.   Entering zip codes into Paypal because my state has different tax rates in different counties (Grrrr!) Done

10. Waiting for Quickbooks Pro 2011 to be delivered so that I can begin entering data Got the software, uploaded, training begins next week

11. Reworking old formulas to make them better

12. Filling orders

13. Thinking about new product to create

14. Thinking about putting together a Valentines Day basket Can’t find a vessel that I like, might not happen

15. Hiring a housekeeper to clear the clutter that is steadily building Coming bi-weekly, does a fantastic job

16. Need to take car to the my mechanic to fix a leak Fixed leak, new brake pads for...$450 done Friday, Priceless

      17. Making an appointment to get my hair cut
      18. Now that AT&T isn't the only player in town for the iPhone, ready to purchase one from Verizon. Still excited about this one.

Off to clear more clutter and make new lists.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Women for Women International

By now, everyone knows something about the Women for Women International organization. Here's a bit of information about what they do:

Since it’s creation, Women for Women International has empowered over 250,000 women survivors of war to move toward economic self-sufficiency with our year-long program of direct aid, rights education, job skills training, and small business development. We have distributed $79 million in direct aid, microcredit loans, and other program services. Since 1993, Women for Women International has mobilized more than 125,000 women and men in 105 countries worldwide to reach out and support women survivors of war – one woman at a time.

Right now, the women of Sudan (Southern Sudanese Women in particular) are facing a historic vote which could possibly split Sudan into two separate nations.

In 2011, Sudan faces the possibility of a historic transformation, when southern Sudanese will vote in a referendum on whether or not to split their nation into two separate countries. Today, people are registering to vote during what could lead to another period of political and civil unrest and widespread violence or civil war.

Watch the video:

Find out how you can help and learn more here: The 2011 Sudan Referendum

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

The Thinkers...Hmmm!

Non-violent social change at it's best. I just wanted to share this beautiful image on this magnificent day. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

Working on Banner from Wednesday's On My Desk List

It's nothing fancy, just want it to be visible. This is just the first draft and I know "conscious" is spelled wrong.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

What's On My Desk Right Now?

My desk is overloaded right now and I am whittling it down little by little.

1. Getting tax information ready to go
2. Writing a 50 word blurb about product for possible entry in March green news section of magazine
3. Going over the editorial calendar to see if there are other opportunities for more press
4. Going back and forth with labeling company to get my lip cream design to the correct size
5. Completing applications for Farmers', Flea, & Artists markets this year
6. Designing a banner for my tent for the above referenced markets
7. Picking up the tent purchased from Home Depot
8. Picking a vendor for shopping bags for market sales
9. Entering zip codes into Paypal because my state has different tax rates in different counties (Grrrr!)
10. Waiting for Quickbooks Pro 2011 to be delivered so that I can begin entering data
11. Reworking old formulas to make them better
12. Filling orders
13. Thinking about new product to create
14. Thinking about putting together a Valentines Day basket
15. Hiring a housekeeper to clear the clutter that is steadily building
16. Need to take car to the my mechanic to fix a leak
17. Making an appointment to get my hair cut
18. Now that AT&T isn't the only player in town for the iPhone, getting ready to purchase one on February 10, 2011 from Verizon.

Right now, it's never ending chaos and that's when I do my best work.

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

Valentine's Day is Fast Approaching...don't miss it!

 

Give the loves in your life a gift this Valentine's Day that is really all about LOVE. It was made with LOVE, packaged with LOVE, it will be sent with LOVE and I am sure it will be used with and in the name of LOVE.

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

My Business Is Growing Up | It's Really Official Now

It's funny, but my business just got real to me. This may seem insignificant to some, but I just opened a business bank account this past Friday. I had been using an extra bank account that I had for savings; there were limitations, but for the most part it worked fine. But I recently interviewed and selected a bookkeeping service to get my books in order and ready for the 2010 Tax filing season and thought, I better let go of the fear, and get this done. Whenever I thought about going to the bank and saying, "I need to open a business account" my stomach would get queasy and I would start to feel anxious. It was a bit intimidating and this internal fear of failure wouldn't let me do it. I kept thinking, if you don't open a business account, it's not really real and if you fail, who's going to be the wiser. Well this Friday, I got over that fear and moved forward and now I feel even more "Official."

I guess the fear may stem from a feeling of loss; like if my money is in a business account, I will lose it and have no control over what happens to it. It's one of those nonsensical fears that I'm sure if I laid on an analyst's couch, we could explore my psyche and figure it out, but I don't have time for that now, I HAVE A BUSINESS TO RUN...YIKES!

I think it's all a part of feeling grown up, responsible and accomplished.

 

Enjoy!

As always, be well

Dannette

The Man with the Golden Voice - Ted Williams

I know this must be all over the internet, but I just needed to share this with you. So the next time you see someone who is homeless, don't look through them anymore, look at them and help if you can or just be kind.

 

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette

Simple Ingredient No. 5 | Tomatoes for Skincare

The use of tomato for skin care is ideal because of its cooling and astringent properties. It is rich in vitamin C making it helpful for acne and brightening dull skin and contains vitamin A needed for building healthy skin. Its naturally acidic properties help it balance the skin and get rid of excessive oil. The antioxidants in tomatoes make them free radical fighters. It also contains fiber, vitamin C, E, K, B1, B6, B3, B2, iron, manganese, potassium as well as carotenes.

The major benefit of using the tomato is because of  it abundance of lycopene. Lycopene is high in antioxidants and is fat soluble, with a small molecule structure that is easily absorbed by the skin. There is a drawback however; lycopene is not dietary soluble (the molecule structure is tightly bound) unless cooked, so tomato pastes and sauces are a much better dietary source of lycopene.

Most of the nutrients in any fruit or vegetable are found in the skin, and that's where you'll find a higher concentration of lycopene in a tomato.

Here is a Simple & Easy Way to Use the Tomato

1. It require 10 to 12 tomatoes.
2. Purchase organic tomatoes or grow your own; organic tomatoes are found to have a higher concentration of lycopene.
   Bring a pot of water to a boil. 
3. Dip the tomatoes into the water for a minute or so. 
4. Peel the tomatoes and separate the skin from the flesh.
5. Wash your face of all dirt and grime. 
6. Tilt your head back and have a friend or partner apply the tomato skins, flesh side down. 
7. Wait 30 to 40 minutes, remove the skins and wash your face again. 

The results are immediately noticeable. You may also find your skin is slightly tanned looking, which is a result of the caretanoid pigment in the tomatoes, being absorbed into your skin. Remember, however, that tomato juice can sting your eyes, so keep your eyes covered with a cloth or closed for the duration.

And there you have it, Tomatoes can clear up your complexion, absorb excess oils and add moisture without clogging pores...what more can a girl or guy ask for?

Enjoy!

As always, be well
Dannette