Month: March 2018

Fruit tastes good and is good for you too in more ways than one

It seems that every day some company is coming up with the new all natural alternative to everyday items. Most of these products are actually made of ingredients void of any harsh chemicals and other additives. Nevertheless, every once in a while certain products will come along whose potency in ingredients only go as far as the label.

What exactly does that mean?

Long story short the only thing they contain is a load of false advertising and nothing much else.

Is it possible to really achieve amazing results without potent additives?

Absolutely! They say you are what you eat. After all aren’t the essential vitamins found in fruits and veg supposed to be healthy for you?

Clearly, using products based on the same nutrients should on result in gorgeous results.

Let’s take the guesswork out of finding legit fruity blended hair products, scrubs and everything else in between

These products will not only smell fruity, sweet and tangy but surprise, surprise they’ll actually contain real fruit too.

Garnier Fructis Strengthening Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask + Banana Extract ($4.49) http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/fructis-1-minute-hair-mask/fructis-1-minute-hair-mask/strengthening-treat-1-minute-hair-mask-banana-extract.aspx: This product easily puts any pricy salon option to shame. Not only will it actually strengthen every strand from root to tip, but it actually contains real bananas and not just artificial fragrances.

Just a quick hair soak in this thick paste loaded with nutrients once a week is all that’s needed to help hair build up a defence against everyday toxins your locks can be encounter day in and day out.

Who knew so much good could come out of such a small jar at an amazing price?

Garnier Fructis 1 Minute Hair Mask + Avacado Extract ($4.49) http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/fructis-1-minute-hair-mask/fructis-1-minute-hair-mask/smoothing-treat-1-minute-hair-mask-avocado-extract.aspx: The avocado is one of those fruits that seems to be getting a lot of hype lately and for good reason. It’s loaded with fats that are actually good for you. With the crazy topsy-turvy weather we’ve been getting these days, it’s hard to predict with hair may just need an extra dose of moisture.

This is another one of those products whose name speaks for itself. Once again what you see is exactly what you get. The pure avocado oils will soften each strand, and keep hair shiny, soft and full of body all week long.

L’Oréal Pure Sugar Scrub Purify & Unclog ($12.99)  https://www.elle.be/fr/205856-10-produits-de-beaute-a-base-de-fruits-et-legumes.html#p-6: The main ingredient in this facial scrub completely goes beyond the label. You can actually see the kiwi seeds and all. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, upon application the bits of sugar help detoxify skin leaving it soft, bouncy and succulent.

Once again all of this is made possible without making a trip down to pricy department store beauty counters. Who knew great skin was possible at an economical price? With absolutely no second-guessing on the ingredients. Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe this product.

Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser ($24.00) https://www.kiehls.com/cucumber-herbal-conditioning-cleanser/KHL8901.html: Keeping skin smooth and hydrated is bad enough. Trying to accomplish this through cleaners when dealing with ultra-sensitive skin can almost feel insurmountable. Through the nutrients of cucumber and other fruits and vegetable. This all natural plant-based cleanser will help skin achieve smooth hydration without the risk of breakouts from harsh chemicals.

Yes to® Carrots Rich Body Butter ($7.09) https://www.target.com/p/yes-to-174-carrots-rich-body-butter-6-oz/-/A-14660863: From the moment most of us could talk our mum’s always told us to eat our vegetables. What if all the goodness found in carrots could be applied to your skin?

Most people who turn to body butter as opposed to lotion are either trying to hydrate dry skin or fight breakouts. Both of these common ailments can be cured of the inside out. Not only will a once a day application help achieve smooth skin, but its detoxifying capabilities will help keep the breakouts by stopping them before they happen.

Whoever said gorgeous results couldn’t come from drugstore brands clearly hasn’t come across these gems

Salons may be a good place to get hair trimmed and style. But, hopefully, these products will help steer away from professional brands that at times cost more than the cut.

 

Mary Thompson    

 

The beginning of the end

Has Whole Food’s Market taken the .com age a step too far? Or is this the inevitable, harmless new face of not only our society but, overall reality as well?

Could the world’s healthiest grocery store soon be closing their doors?

Ever since they opened their doors in the 1980’s Whole Foods Market gain a reputation as the go source for organic foods and all natural remedies. Along with that came the ability to charge high prices as a result of the advantage of little to no competition.

Clearly, those golden days were numbered…

As it is with most industries, it’s all about consumer demand. Suddenly, the high prices started to become Whole Food’s Market’s undoing. More retailers Trader Joe’s, for example, started to offer the same products at much cheaper prices.

Sometimes the wrong move can be nothing short of catastrophic

The focus of putting customers first used to be at the top of Whole Food’s Market’s priority list. Nevertheless, the technology of the World Wide Web has eventually engulfed the so-called healthy retailer whose aim used to be personalization and quality.

After all what better way to grow than utilizing speed but profit as well?

Suddenly combining forces with the biggest online retailer Amazon doesn’t seem such a bad idea after all. Despite the fact that the whole personalization of customer service is now out the winder given the fact that online shopping leaves no room for face to face human contact.

Is this the end of Whole Foods as we know it?

Quite possibly that could be the case. When the merge first occurred with Amazon most consumers were doubtful that anything would change. Clearly, that false assumption didn’t last very long. Suddenly, everything from seafood, meat, produce and everything in between can be purchased online.

Testing the retail waters?

Precisely yes. To assume this isn’t other than a slow online takeover would be nothing more than highly naïve. The Whole Food’s name could be there, but that’s as far as it goes. Even now consumers are already seeing a drop in prices.

Is the cost of bargains a price too steep?

Given that the keys to Whole Food’s Market’s success used to be a devotion to quality the answer would have to be yes. After all, when groceries are delivered to customers even through the use of Amazon’s own delivery service, things will hardly ever go as planned.

In short, mistakes can be made which inevitably result in rotten spoiled food. Will someone explain how on earth that translates to high quality?

Could this ultimately lead to Whole Foods Market turning out the lights never to be lit again?

To most consumers, the days of optimism are without a doubt at an end. This reality is so expected that when the last store turns out the lights it’ll hardly be a shock. In fact most it will be expected. After all, why should Whole Foods be immune from the closures which seem to plague other major retailers?

An inevitable or avoidable outcome?

As of this moment, there seems to be no turning back, after all, Amazon does have ownership now.

Could this have been prevented?

Absolutely, and the unfortunate thing is it would have been just as simple as sticking to Whole Foods Market’s core values. Customer service and quality above quantity and profit. Not to mention their dedication to the many international and local farmer who rely on Whole Foods Markets support to survive.

To assume that these personalized relationships will continue to be maintained when the company as a whole goes online is simply ignoring the truth. Goodbye Whole Planet Foundation.

Could the most precious commodity ultimately be lost?

Precisely, if it hasn’t already.

What essential element to Whole Foods Market’s success could I be referring to?

Their once loyal customers. One of the main reasons why the organic all natural giant was able to get away with charging astronomical prices and stay in business was through exceptional customer service.

Who knew a welcoming smile and personalized assistance with even the simplest of tasks could achieve so much?

One thing for sure…

Whole Foods Market, is still willing to go green, but the wrong kind. I guess at the end of the day for any business, cold hard cash comes before anything else.

 

Mary Thompson

 

WATCH THE VID! Vadodora (Baroda) has changed quite a bit since I’ve seen it last.  It’s a pretty amazing city. Here we check out my Grandparents’ house after a LONG time.