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May is fast approaching and we are excited for a special day — Mother’s Day! It’s just one day of the year to show the moms in our lives some extra love and appreciation. Keep reading for some ideas on how to spend the day with your mom!

1. Spa weekend getaway



Treat mom to a weekend getaway for just the two of you. There are a million ways to indulge whether you’re going for mud masks or massages, the options are endless!

2. Breakfast in bed



Remember the days when our parents made breakfast before sending us off to school? Return the favor and make mom a breakfast to enjoy in bed. You’ll need: a tray, some fruits, homemade meal of your choice and a whole lot of love!


3. Go for a walk



You know what they say, “April showers bring May flowers”. Take some time out of your busy life to appreciate the newly blossoming flowers and fresh green grass that spring has brought with the #1 lady in your life. According to Huffington Post,  taking walks in nature can help lift your mood and promote mental health!

Get started on your Mother’s Day shopping early! We recommend the Aiona Alive 4 Step All Skin Set for mom to pamper herself at home every day. Our four step regime includes a serum, cleanser, moisturizer and mask made with collagen and potent all-natural ingredients.  

Think Dirty featured our President and Founder, Lisa Strong, in their Top 3 Rituals for Self-Love series last month. We are breaking it down and taking notes from Lisa today! Here are Lisa’s top three rituals for self-love:

1. 15 min energy - alignment process (quiet your mind, feel your vibration rise and write a list of things you appreciate in your life).

We have heard that the benefits of meditation are endless! Some of our favorites that Huffington Post mentions include reduced stress, improved concentration, increased happiness and self awareness. Take 15 minutes of quiet time for yourself a day and you will notice the improvements in your health overtime. Showing your gratitude goes a long way as well— start your list of things you appreciate in life and feel uplifted instantly!

2. Chinese herbology.

Herbal therapy is widely used in the Asian culture for treating and preventing illnesses. We are not experts in Chinese herbology, but here’s a list to help you get started if you are interested. Herbology is a great way to treat the skin and body from within but for external application, our not-so-secret, go-to product is the Aiona Alive E-ternal Mask for all skin types.

3. 3 x 4 km runs per week.

Regular exercise can do wonders for your health (but that’s not new information, is it?). Outdoor runs can be refreshing but while we wait for the weather in Canada to warm up, a treadmill will have to do. Don’t like running? Maybe you can try these exercises instead.

Valentine’s Day is today! While you are planning your meal for this special occasion, we have come up with this list of Valentine’s Day themed foods to eat that your skin will love.

1. Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate, and chocolate dipped strawberries are a Valentine’s Day essential. Strawberries also happen to be rich in vitamin C, which helps with collagen production. This sweet berry has many nutritional benefits that you need to know about. Dip them in dark chocolate and there’s a bonus. According to mensfitness.com, dark chocolate has properties that can actually protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Now you can indulge without (too much) guilt!

2. Raw Oysters

Frequently recognized as an aphrodisiac, oysters make the perfect sensual meal for the occasion. Oysters are high in protein, a building block of collagen. Oysters are known to contain many vitamins also beneficial for health. This shellfish will be sure to set the mood while treating your skin.

3. Grass Fed Beef Steak

Steak is definitely a staple for date night, and a likely meal for most Valentine’s Day meals. Like oysters, beef steaks contain a large amount of protein. An article on Prevention.com tells us that the grass fed variety in particular has a higher ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, which helps with inflammation. Be sure to include grass fed beef stake in your Valentine’s Day menu for many great health benefits.

3 Reasons to Avoid Microbeads

Microbeads, in a nutshell, are tiny pieces of plastic that are found in personal care products ranging from body wash to toothpaste. They are added to these products to create an exfoliating effect, but the consequences don’t stop there.

1. Microbeads are extremely bad for the environment.

According to this Forbes article, these tiny beads are non-biodegradable and proven to contain many polluting chemicals— meaning that they will just sit at the bottom of the ocean forever while possibly releasing toxic chemicals. They are also damaging to the marine life as fish often mistaken it for food.

2. It can cause breakage in skin.

Our skin is more sensitive than you think! Daily or overuse of scrubs and washes containing microbeads can cause breakage in the skin. Exfoliating the skin, often in general, is too abrasive— breakage in the skin can allow for bacteria to enter!

3. There is no real benefit for your skin.

Lastly, the main reason you should stop using products with microbeads is because there’s only so much exfoliating can do. Light exfoliating with a cloth can perform the same task of removing dead skin cells from your skin without harming it. If you’re looking to brighten up your complexion, you are better off with looking to other options in skin care.

If it isn’t obvious by now, the best thing to do is stop purchasing microbead products and it’s especially important to stop washing them down our drains and into the ecosystem. Instead, use tools like a konjac sponge to remove dead skin or use a natural exfoliant like our E-Citrus Cleanser.

Photo credit: Soundly Living