Pumpkin Seed Butter is particularly amazing for dry, cracked skin, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it is extremely nourishing and healing. However, it is suitable and can be used on all skin types.

Pumpkin Seed Butter is known to have high content of nutrients, Omegas (which can be a great anti-inflammatory) and zinc all in which contribute to make the skin feel super soft and luxurious by maintaining the skins moisture, protecting the cell membranes from damage, promotes cell renewal and maintaining the connective collagen (thanks zinc!)

 It has such a creamy luxuriously silky soft feel to it you and such amazing healthy skin promoting properties you will just LOVE this natural butter.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Have women now days lost all respect for themselves? We have made such strides to come this far as an equal sex, who is no longer dominated, who are free to be whomever they choose and express themselves as such and yet this is what so many are choosing...?

There has been such a BOOM of women and young girls posting revealing pictures all over the f'ing stratosphere so they and we as women can be disrespected and objectified, ( I mean we all know what I am talking about, we can't even go on facebook without seeing a new duck faced, mirror shot in revealing club clothes.)

I am not saying I'm perfect, by no means am I perfect, far from it.  I have done some similar things that I am not proud of in a state of disharmony and depression mixed with alcohol lol- but believe me it wasn't intentional and once the liquor wore off I was nothing less than mortified and ashamed. 

Everywhere I turn now girls are intentionally taking off clothes and posting it all over the internet. And I am left to question, why?

I, probably more than most of my close female friends, admire the female body in its entirety.  I think it is so beautiful in every shape and form and truly think we are all a work of art. And I am definitely not a prude, I think nudity can be so beautiful, organic, sexy, and can show every possible emotion a human being can possess at its purest and most raw form.

The expression of nudity shouldn't be taken lightly, because it is so beautiful it should be truly be treated as a work of art that should be respected and only shown at rare occasions to those who prove worthy or for a worthy cause such as those using it to express art, vulnerability, emotion, a statement or campaign close to their heart or even simply to show modest beauty or strength. 

If you choose to strip down for photos, which let me be clear I am NOT against, please just do it with integrity for yourself and all women and most importantly only ever take the plunge to strip down for YOU, and you alone.

-YUYxo




This rant was Inspired by the many horrific facebook pages calling girls sluts, whores and listing degrading things they would do to them ....while I am well aware these individuals ladies put themselves in this position and may have even posted the pictures themselves or even created the page, I guarantee you each of these girls on this page have a separate life, family and personal attributes that we know nothing about and that can be defined as so much more than "sluts".

Happy First Day of Spring!

Perfect time to start a Spring Detox to rid yourself of all those toxins and refresh your body for a new season!

A couple simple things I personally do to detox daily:

1) Starting the morning with hot water and squeezed lemon or a dandelion tea 
(Alfalfa, milk thistle red clover are great herbs for detoxing as well) --Milk Thistle is GREAT for the liver- so consider this for repairing the liver if you had a heavy night of drinks ;)

2) JUICES!! 
I do wheatgrass, beet juice or kale mixed with celery and lemon.
Adding ginger where you can is great as it is a kidney and bowel cleanser- hence its always called upon to relieve nausea and upset stomachs)


3) Taking PROBIOTICS daily 

4) For detoxifying meals I stick with BROWN RICE (as it cleanses the system when eating it plain) and LOTS of GREENS- as they are high in Chlorophyll; an element containing iron and increases red blood cell count, while improving detoxification and circulation. (I'm on a Kale craze now- adding it to everything!) And veggie soups or broths are great too- although very limited in stimulating the taste pallet as there is no salt or seasoning.

5) TEAS! Green Tea throughout the day is great- although white tea has much higher antioxidants. (I personally stick to dandelion tea or lemon with hot water throughout the day)

Last PERSONAL FAV'S to add in to your detox routine:

-Epson salt baths for further drawing out toxins from the body
-Do daily yoga or stretches or gentle exercise
-Juniper berry is my go-to detox essential oil
-Reflexology Treatment or detox body wrap to indulge ;)

Oatmeal is the most gentle bases for an exfoliant as it helps slough away dead skin cells and its properties can relieve itching and soothes irritated skin while softening and hydrating your skin. 

People have used it for decades as an effective home remedy for dry, itchy skin. 


DIY Recipe:

-1/2 cup oatmeal in a blender until it's the consistency of a fine powder. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

-Mix in 1\2 cup of sea salt, baking soda or sugar. ( I personally like baking soda- its less abrasive on my skin and has Ph balancing properties and sea salt can be drying)

-Add 1 cup of  milk or honey or a combination of the two.  Regular milk has lactic acid present which also naturally and gently exfoliates the skin. However, I use non-dairy milk such as almond or flax,

-Add 1/4 cup of carrier oil- Jojoba oil best matches the skin natural oils consistency, however  you can choose grapeseed oil, almond oil, avocado oil or any other oil you know works with your skin type.

-Add a few drops of vitamin E oil as this will act as a natural preservative (plus is has great anti-oxidants and skin nourishing properties)

Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl and you can add essential oils for an awesome skin care boost! (About 15-20 drops for the batch)

Possible essential oil choices per skin type:

Oily: lemon, lavender, bergamot, clary sage (be careful with clary sage, do not use with low blood pressure)
Dry: geranium, jasmine, ylang ylang, rose, sandalwood
Acne: lemon, lavender, tea tree, chamomile, rose
Sensitive: geranium, jasmine, lavender, chamomile, 
Mature: neroli, frankincense, ylang-ylang, rose, geranium, 

The essential oil of coffee is used for improving a person's well-being, physically and mentally and  has also been used in beauty products such as soaps and skin lotions to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Coffee is known to help metabolize glucose in the system and increase the body's response to insulin when taken internally. Studies have shown that antioxidants in coffee decreases the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Benefits and Uses:

Coffee essential oil can provide smooth, soft skin when applied topically.
Proven to be an excellent source of antioxidants that prevents early signs of aging.
Anti-Oxidant
Anti-Depressant
Treats respiratory problems
Heals stings
Mood Enhancer
Fever
Energizing
Increases appetite 
Nausea
Room Deodorizer

Blends well with: Peppermint, Ginger, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Ginger

Go home smelling like chocolate this V-Day!



Benefits of Cocoa on the HAIR :(Try our YUY Chocolate Truffle Hair Treatment in our Vday package!)

• Increased manageability and moisture.
  
• Can help prevent hair loss due to breakage.
  
• Reduce scalp itching and irritation. 
  
• Prevention of chemical damage to hair due to bleaching, and dyes.
  
• It can infuse volume and strength into the strands of fine hair if used regularly. 
  
• Replenish lost oils in Hair; improving texture and feel of hair
  
• Temporarily manages frizzy and flyaway hairs.
  

Benefits of Cocoa on the SKIN:

• Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, richer in fact than red wine or green tea. 
  
• Rich in flavanols - helping reduce reddening of UV exposed skin
  
• Provides a protective layer
  
• Can help reduce scaring
  
• Natural moisturizer that lubricates and moisturizes dry skin
  
• Excellent emollient that absorbs well into the skin
  
• High in Vitamin E
  

Benefits of Cocoa on the LIPS:

• Because lips lack an outer protective layer and oil glands, they tend to retain less fluid and moisture--> Cocoa butter being high in fat content can act as a barrier to protect lips from environmental damages (wind, sun,cold) while allowing the cocoa to slowly penetrate to soften and moisturize the lips.
  

For more benefits and info on Cocoa visit: http://www.yoururbanyogi.com/1/post/2012/07/cocoa-solids.html

Wishing YOU Yummy Chocolate Love this V-Day,
YUYxo
.

Do you ever have those days when someone or something just frustrates the shit out of you. I mean you can literally feel the anxiety boil up from your toes to your chest and you just can't shake the horrible feeling.

I mean the first advice any yogi would give is "not to let things bother you", `calm down, take a few deep breaths`, "that you can't control your surroundings or path", "everything happens for a reason" and "what is meant to be will be".

(The unofficial personal advice I would give is to have a romp with your guy/girl, as there is nothing like a good long night of sex to make you forget what the hell you were upset about in the first place.)

But seriously, I mean what if you said all that positive yogi jargon, took as many deep ass breaths as you possibly could and still feel like pummeling someone, maybe even yourself through a brick wall just to release the frustration?`

I guess as a Yogi I should give you the official yogi advice then: Yoga poses for anger.  Hey, what`s the harm in trying a few to release some much needed tension? If it doesn't work, you still did something great for the body. (but it will work, I mean how can anyone stay upset in shoulder stand?)


Yoga Poses for Anger:

Shoulder Stand (Sarvand Asana)

Benefits:
Claimed to help with hate, anger, migraines, hypertension and indigestion

To perform:
Lie on your mat with your legs together and hands at your sides. 
Take and inhale and bring the knees in to the chest. 
With the arms still on the mat, palms facing down begin to lift your hips off the floor.
Keeping your spine straight and neck in line with the spine (so be careful not to turn your head to look around)
Once the hips are lifted (knees should be over looking the forehead area), then place the hands on the back for support and begin to lengthen the legs up towards the ceiling.
Elbows should remain on the mat, shoulder width apart.
Shoulders and small part of the upper back should still be on the mat and carrying the weight of the body, coming up any higher compresses the neck and chest.
To come down, slowly bring one leg down at a time.
Once feet are on the mat, begin to gradually roll down vertebrae by vertebrae, letting the hips settle to the mat last.
 *do not perform if you have difficulty breathing or back pain


Corpse Pose (Shava asana)

Benefits:
The goal is to allow the body and mind to completely relax and let go of all external thoughts and distractions, hopefully reaching a meditative like state, letting go of stress and anger.

To perform:
Lie flat on your mat with feet mat distance apart (or however much you need so legs are relaxed and not touching each other)
Arms slightly away from the body, palms facing up
Eyes gently closed.
Facial muscles relax (perhaps relaxing the tongue from the roof of the mouth)
Breathing deeply through the nostrils and bring your awareness into this breath should any distractions arise.

While both Corpse and Shoulder stand are claimed to release anger, I personally feel camel would also help or any chest/heart opening pose as an open heart should always release despairing emotions or at very least counter act it.

In yoga training we were taught that there are truly only 2 emotions: love and fear and all other feelings are stems of those 2 emotions. So if anger is coming from a place of fear, then technically wouldn't we be able to counter act this emotion by opening the heart?


Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Benefits:
When performed correctly- almost all muscles in the body are being stretched (which also releases tension...physical and mental:)
Can improve Digestion, circulation, respiratory, lymphatic and skeletal systems ( seriously how can you be upset when your improving all these things?)


Doctors have even recommended camel for constipation, colitis, dyspepsia and disorder of the kidney, urinary bladder, ovaries, testes and prostate.

To Perform:

Kneel on your mat with knees hip distance apart (if your knees are sensitive double up your mat or place a blanket under)
Thighs should be perpendicular to the floor, Soles of feet facing up (toes untucked, nails on the mat)
Turn thighs in slightly
Place hands on lower back- in line with hip area
Lengthen your back and draw in the tailbone
Inhale and begin to lift the chest/heart
Begin to squeeze shoulder blades together slightly as you lift the chest higher and arc the back
If you feel comfortable to come further from here, slowly release one hand at a time from the back and place on the heel of the foot.
Breathing deeply and calmlu
Hold position for 30 seconds to a minute

The above is my personal knowledge of the position, since this pose can be very challenging, please attempt with the instruction of your yoga teacher present. For more info on how to get into this pose safely you can check out: 
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/688

-Releasing Anger with Love, YUY xo

The first time I used ACV was when I got the stomach flu in College. I was always a natural girl and could not stand being sick for the life of me, even if it meant I got to miss my exams and gain an extra week of studying- the pain and nausea wasn't worth it.

I did some of my own research on natural relievers for upset stomach, nausea- basically the stomach flu and came across ACV. At that time, being new to the potent taste, I could barely get the stuff down and had to mix a tbsp with hot water and honey just to get it in me. Now, after experiencing a consistent bout of stomach flu viruses that literally came in every semester of college, not only can I drink it down without the cringe factor but I have become an advocate of the stuff to remedy a wide range of issues.


My introduction to ACV may have been for the stomach flu, but since then I have also come to realize its worth for a lot of other issues. Over the years I have taken it at first sign of sore throat or cough and have even used as an eye rinse as a way to stop a sty in its tracks.  Mind you people thought I was crazy for the eye one, mainly my sister, as she vigorously spread the "crazy" story to everyone we worked with, talked to.... or random strangers for that matter. 


By no means would I recommend going so far as to throwing vinegar in your eye-lol. That was just my path with ACV as I am experimental and want to verify results first hand. Mind you later that week after using ACV as in eye rinse and ingesting daily, I received a comment from my boss that my eyes and teeth are extremely white. I'm not sure if this was a coincidence or another benefit of ACV but it has been included in the below list of some of the healthy beneficial claims found on this awesome vinegar:

To start I have had problem prone skin since my teens (thanks dad for the awesome genetics). 

I am an avid Almond Milk drinker and it has been about a year since I have given up dairy milk and I have to say I don't miss it at all and would never switch back. (This coming from an avid dairy milk drinker)

However, one thing dairy milk has on almond milk is that it comes in large 3-4 liter jugs and bags! For those of you who love milk like I do, the little carton you get fro $2.49 just doesn't suffice and no sooner than I put a new carton in my fridge am I out buying more.  (Yes I have tried purchasing several cartons and even purchasing by the case- which was great!)

BUT- I just found this blog post on how to make you own sprouted almond milk and I'm in!

Check it out for yourself and let me know your thoughts or feedback if you give it a try:

http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/got-almond-milk/