Just Who is La Chica Organica? – Inside Story on How it all Got Started
01 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in Baby & Child Health, Beauty and Skin Care, Preggo Mama, Words for the Soul Tags: God, health, Herbal tea, Herbalism, la chica organica, natural health, organic food
I often get emails asking me how I got into health and wellness, herbal medicine and crafting organic products. So here is a little bit about LCO and some of the services I offer.
My passion for health and helping people started from when I was a little girl. I always enjoyed making teas, working with plants, planting, harvesting and being covered in dirt. LOL
Part of my journey began almost 10 years ago when my firstborn was diagnosed with severe asthma and allergies and ended up in a hospital for 6 weeks and then underwent a surgery. He was not even 2 at the time.
I had exhausted all my efforts to keep him healthy and he was on over 5 meds a day and took many antibiotics just in his first year of life. Deep down inside, I knew something was wrong with the amount of medicines he was taking; I knew that doing breathing treatments every 4 hours for weeks was not the answer. So I started to delve deep into research and into my past. A past of herbs, natural foods and living alongside nature. Once armed with the courage, inspiration and determination, I started to do my own case studies on my son and our world was changed forever with what I found out. During this process I could not help but remember as a little girl being told to run out into the garden to cut oregano, peppermint and any other herb that was to be used in my grandma’s kitchen. This thought remained in the back of my head for many years.
After my awakening regarding my son’s health I was on a mission to go back to eating healthier things. Not just for him but for me too. You see there is a story I am not telling you here about a painful condition I had a few yrs before my son was born that required surgery but I did a fruit and vegetable fast for about 6 months and started making little changes and this issue along with my severe constipation cleared up. My perils led me to become a health and wellness research specialist.
Little by little I was beginning to see all the nasty secrets of the pharmaceutical industry, our health system and the overall medical approach regarding health. My studies led me to discover the truth behind toxic chemicals in food, infant formula, makeup, sanitary napkins, clothes, baby wash, nail polish, antibiotics, cosmetics and everything in between.
During this time I also discovered that nutrient based therapy for many diseases is safe, effective and inexpensive. But that’s the whole point! It’s so good and so easy to use nature for healing that it makes NO $$$ for Big Pharma and medical professionals, so you will most likely not hear about it from your doctor. You can’t patent nature, God created everything in nature and he holds the only patent! So because you cant patent nature, most health care professionals wont bother with nature alternatives!
In discovering these truths I was shocked, appalled, disgusted and saddened. I knew I had to do something……that something evolved into La Chica Organica and later into making my own line of facial cleansers, organic herbal tea mixes, healing balms, salves, diaper rash creams, herbal baths and more. After all I started making them out of love for my own family to ensure we were getting the very best organic products.
Everything I teach people to make and those things that I make myself are all with one thought in mind: “If I can’t use them for our children then it’s not good for anyone else”.
That is why my commitment to health is of utmost importance to me; so I make sure that La Chica Organica’s herbal creations DO NOT CONTAIN petro-chemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, mineral oils, parabens, PABA, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and synthetic fillers.
Making quality non toxic creations using all that God blessed the earth with, and educating people about natural solutions is essential to me because I never forgot my days as a little girl cutting herbs and pulling up potatoes while walking barefoot in the yard. That little girl became one of the most important aspects of La Chica Organica’s mission. Why? Well because that little girl represents all of us in our quest for a healthier and safer life. She is one of the reasons for why I do what I do.
That little girl can also be seen in the faces of thousands of poverty-stricken children around the world that die each day because of a lack of proper nutrition and knowledge of natural treatments. My desire is to equip people with life saving knowledge so that they can go out into the world and lead healthier happier lives and impact those that are suffering around them. If I can’t use my life experiences to help others then whats the point of going through hard times? In my lifetime and the life of my extended family I have encountered: cancer, arthritis, ADHD, asthma, allergies, black mold, chronic infections, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, diverticulitis, back injuries, disability, high blood pressure, constipation, burns, excema, psoriasis, chronic diaper rashes, parasites, depression, nursing, child-birth, multiple childhood illnesses, high fevers, hormonal issues, bad breath, anemia, bone loss, periodontal disease and many other issues to long to place here.
So, as I have gone through life and dealt with various health issues in my family and extended family I have sought to learn as much as I can about them and use all that God created to aid us in recovery and prevention.
But sharing all of this with you would not be complete if I did not mention who was responsible for awakening my curiosity for natural cures, organic foods and herbs. That would be my dear Papi, my dad who is probably strolling in a heavenly vineyard or dancing with the angels. My dad was taken from us because of medical malpractice, but his love, and teachings are alive and etched inside my heart. Dad, I know you would be proud!
It’s not easy, going through life altering events like loosing a loved one or battling with cancer. My life has been full of hard times, good times and suffering, but I have found that if we survive with grace and faith we can share with others what we learned and make the world a better place. That is what I strive to do with each class I teach, with each product I make and with each article I write.
It saddens me when I see people who claim to be health gurus and experts but they have no love for people. Some of them are new to health & wellness but they lie claiming to have years and years of experience, all in an effort to build a deceptive business and take your money.
LCO is not one of those people. Being a health advocate is something I take very seriously, whether it is making an organic diaper rash balm or teaching people about healthier eating. All is the same to me. My motto is that we should live our life everyday as a gift and then give that gift away everyday. My passion for health is my gift, and that gift I give away to you and to others every single day!
And just for fun, the name La Chica Organica™ started as a joke from my husband when we were still dating. In English it means The Organic Chic. He and many of our friends know that in most cases if it’s not Organic and healthy I don’t want it, although I sometimes find my self having to make wise non organic choices, like when the family goes out to eat Greek Food or when we are visiting friends who don’t share my passion for wholesome organic food, but ultimately I pay the price with an upset stomach or some other irritating symptom. So I try to steer clear away from bad food unless it’s the only option and starvation does not win by popular vote. LOL (Laughing out Loud)
So now that you know a little bit more about LCO, here are some of the services we offer.
Services for you and your family
LCO is a fun-loving mom of 3 beautiful children that enjoys sharing life building truth as a Health and Wellness Educator and Natural Health Researcher. Her passion is also seen in the creation of her own line of organic herbal products for her family and the beautiful art of herbal crafting she teaches families.
Quite often, she is asked to share with moms about the value of using herbs for healing everyday ailments. Her and her husband work together from time to time and have enjoyed doing home visits, cooking classes and supermarket chaperone classes together. Part of her mission is to teach people all around the world about optimal health through proper nutrition and help parents make wiser food choices for their children. She has a deep faith in God and believes that He created all the plants, trees and herbs for our well-being. Her own life testimony of her families’ transition from bad health to better health has helped many families make healthier choices in their own life.
Personal Consultation
Are you wondering how you can benefit from a class with La Chica Organica?
Are you trying to eat healthier and find the task of grocery shopping too confusing?
Are you wondering how to incorporate healthy smoothies and juices into your daily routine?
Do you want to get your children to eat more green nutritious foods?
Are you an employee that wants to start a healthy eating program at work?
Need help learning about the toxic ingredients to avoid when shopping?
Need natural and safe solutions you can make to eliminate ants and bugs in your home or office?
Let LCO help you on your journey to renewed wellness. From creative classes at your local grocery store, to meeting you at your home or place of business, LCO has a plan that will fit your needs and the needs of your family. She has helped many people on an individual and group basis by teaching them how to create healthy meals in the kitchen, how to shop like a health guru, how to use herbs for sickness and so much more!
Don’t delay your journey to a healthier more vibrant you! Contact her below to arrange a private Health and Wellness session as soon as possible.
Pricing is established based on individual needs. LCO offers a variety of services:
At Home Visits – Prefered by many, these personalized visits covers specific family needs pertaining to any area of health. LCO’s home visits will teach you the art of herbal medicine making, the ins and outs of incorporating more raw food, how to make green smoothies and detoxing juices, how to set up a healthy kitchen and pantry and many other topics. Recipes she has shared include: how to make organic vinaigrettes, how to make organic mustard, how to make organic raw and vegan deserts, how to make organic baby food using ancient super-foods, How to make organic herbal honey with your favorite herb or flower and many other recipes.
On the Job Health & Wellness Training – Fun class for employees wanting to eat healthier, manage stress and work in a group to improve their overall health. LCO will share ideas, recipes, videos and do a demonstration of how to prepare brain boosting smoothies and juices at work.
Supermarket Chaperone - This is by far one of LCO’s favorite classes. It’s a fun, interactive class that is taught in several segments at various local grocery stores. Each person will learn the basics of shopping for healthy foods, the difference between organic foods, GMO and conventional foods, toxic ingredients to avoid on food labels, raw foods and plant-based diets, fruits and veggies to buy for juicing and so much more. You can take one class or all of them. Classes can also be done via conference call for people who cannot join a local class.
God’s Green Herbs – Remedies & Solutions You Can Count On – Very fun and informative class. LCO has offered this class to churches, women retreats and families. Learn about essential herbs that each household should have and how to use them. Some of the topics LCO will cover are: which herbs can be used for a sty, bleeding, muscle aches, canker sores, fever, high blood pressure and much more.
Immunity Boosting Herbal Medicine – Learn how to make your own herbal medicine at home and how to save hundreds of dollars a year by crafting your own remedies. This class is a favorite for mommies and daddies alike. Some of the topics covered are: making cough medicine, fever reduction tonics, making cold and flu remedies, immunity boosting tea blends and much more.
Raising Children Using Herbs
Juicing and Smoothie making for Newbies - An LCO customer favorite. You will learn a step by step plan on how to incorporate healthy juices and smoothies in your diet. LCO will share recipes, techniques and benefits associated with each drink.
LCO offers personalized classes also. So if you see a few areas above and would like LCO to combine certain topics, fell free to drop her a line below and she will tailor a class for you!
Group pricing for classes start at $40 and up. Personal consultations start at $75 per hour with a 2 hour minimum.
Phone and Email Support
Some people have asked La Chica Organica™ for phone and email support because they simply cannot make all the changes on their own and they need encouragement and guidance on their journey to renewed wellness. A simple phone call and supporting emails can be all you need to get going and take charge of your health. This is also a favorite with LCO fans and friends all over the US and internationally.
Preliminary phone consultation (1 hour) $60
For those that require more assistance she can also set up 6 days of supporting 30 minute phone calls and supporting emails for $300
To schedule a personal health and wellness at home visit, to invite her to speak at your church or office or to receive information about classes, please fill in the contact information below.
Please be sure to check out the Testimonials Section.
Spanish consultations are available, just mention it in your request.
For more information on classes please contact LCO below
Oh and if you have not subscribed yet, you can do so at the top right hand corner of this page. Subscription is free and allows you to get LCO’s articles in your email inbox.
Until next time, may you and yours be blessed.
Lots of Love
LCO
This Chemical Ingredient in Nail Polish, Toys, Soaps and Hair Care Products Must be Avoided
10 Sep 2011 2 Comments
in Baby & Child Health, Beauty and Skin Care, Green Living Tags: Cosmetics, Nail polish, Personal care, Phthalate, toxic toys
Phthalates are chemicals that can cause damage when absorbed or otherwise ingested into the human body. They are commonly used as an inexpensive chemical ingredient in several consumer goods.
Phthalates are mostly used as a “plasticizing” agent to help keep materials cohesive. They are often used to make plastics more flexible or to act as a suspension or stabilizing agent in solutions.
The phthalate group of chemicals is being eliminated from some products built for close human contact or consumption due to health concerns. However, there are still some consumer products out there that have kept this ingredient in order to create a desirable consistency.
Some of these products include nail polish, perfumes, lotions, air fresheners, soaps, cosmetics and hair care products. The health concerns for this chemical are vast. Perhaps the largest concern is the effect that even “normal” exposure to phthalates can have on unborn and young children.
Studies have shown that phthalate exposure in mothers of unborn males can result in a blockage of male hormones during gestation. This can lead to reproductive abnormalities in infant boys and ultimately to adult infertility. The connection to phthalates was identified when mothers of baby boys with reproductive abnormalities tested with high levels of phthalates in their blood.
Women of child bearing age actually have tested the highest for phthalate concentration in adult male and female studies. This suggests a connection to frequent use of body care and cosmetic products containing phthalates.
Children are particularly susceptible to the hormonal disruption phthalates cause because their bodies are still developing.
Children are also more likely to put things in their mouth that contain phthalates, increasing their absorption of the chemical. This is why it is important to check your labels and make sure your child’s toys are phthalate free, as well as the personal care products you use on them.
Phthalate use in children’s toys has been banned in the U.S. since 2008. After the ban took effect, stores were allowed to sell toys containing the plasticizing chemical if they were in their “existing inventory” at the time of the ban. This means you may want to discard toys purchased before or during 2008 if they are not specifically labeled as phthalate-free.
You may also be inhaling phthalates if you use scented sprays, air fresheners or perfumes that are not labeled as phthalate-free. The chemical is often used as a stabilizing agent in these types of scented sprays, so read your labels on products of this nature as well.
Aside from the proven endocrine disrupting properties of this chemical, there are studies that show phthalates can damage the lung, kidney and liver tissues. Breathing disorders such as asthma have been linked to exposure, as well as liver and kidney cancers.
There is more and more evidence that phthalates are generally toxic to the human body. It is therefore wise to avoid this chemical as much as you possibly can in your daily life.
Sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/fea…
http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits….
http://environment.about.com/od/hea…
http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/safet…
Not all Products Labeled Organic are Really Organic – Consumers Beware
11 Jul 2011 1 Comment
in Beauty and Skin Care, catnip, God's Green Herbs, Green Living Tags: Cosmetics, organic beauty treatments, organic cosmetics, organic spa, Personal care, Spa
It’s so important to know the ingredients in your personal care products and be especially mindful of mis-labeled organic products. Many people purchase just about anything that promises better curls, plumper lips and radiant skin. Even worse is the fact that many of these so-called natural and organic beauty products sold on the web and in stores are far from being safe and are not organic. The government in the US allows any person or company to use the terms natural and organic in their labeling even if the product itself does not contain organic ingredients. So, please beware of companies that lure you into thinking that their products are safe.
Also beware of those that claim that they make natural products for your benefit. Most of the time these companies are ordering pre-made cosmetic and beauty treatments from online bulk retailers without disclosing this to the public. Some of these retailers don’t care about the ingredients used in their products because they are not the ones making each product and at the end of the day it’s all about $$$$. To read an article about this click here.
Unfortunately if people are not moved by a deep passion for health and follow strict convictions about why they do what they do, selling junk to others under false marketing does not seem to be an issue. Organic or not, make sure you know the company you buy your beauty and cosmetic products from.
But what concerns me the most is that these “fake” (non organic) beauty products are loaded with cancer causing, endocrine system disrupting chemicals. That is why I created my own line of beauty care products, herbal baby care and spa treatments that I personally make using organic herbs, clays, un-processed sea salts, raw organic foods and organic essential oils. I really enjoy teaching women and their families to make their own beauty treatments and I have shipped several of my creations oversees to disadvantaged children in various christian ministries. I have also spoken at stores like WholeFoods and at several churches and small groups.
I create things because that is my passion and its something that oozes out of my pores. Making my own organic diaper rash salve, pain relief ointment, stretch marks butter amongst other items, is something that I really enjoy.
I believe that God created the earth with all that we need to live a healthy life. There are countless organic herbs that have multiple healing properties and we use them on a daily basis in teas, baths, poultices, ointments, herbal medicine and more.
If we have all of the earth’s bounty at our disposal then why do we use chemically loaded products on our skin and in our bodies?
Why not make your own beauty care products using organic ingredients?
In the coming weeks I will have many of my signature beauty recipes and supplies available under the Beauty section to members of what I am calling the “Bare to be Beautiful Club™”.
Bare to be Beautiful™ is the name of one of the organic baths I make for our family and its also the name of a ministry to women concerning true beauty.
I hope you’ll join me. Details about the Bare to be Beautiful Club™ will be available shortly.
If you are interested in joining please contact me by clicking here.
We will have all kinds of great information, audio tutorials, easy to make beauty treatment recipes, organic beauty supplies and much more available for you to enjoy with your family and friends.
Many Blessings,
LCO
Here are some free pre-club beauty care articles you might enjoy:
Inexpensive DIY Herbal Face Masks
Bathing with Herbs an Ancient Tradition
Natural Beauty Facial Scrub/Wash
2 Natural Beauty Solutions for the Organic Chicas Out There
Help! I’m Sweating and I Stink – How to get Rid of Body Odor?
What do carrots, cucumber and bananas have in common? Find out why you should be using natures bounty as a first resort for your skin?
How to Make Herbal Baby Wipes
Do you know what to do if you get burned?
2011 Top-rated Safe Non Toxic Sunscreens for Broad Spectrum Protection
14 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Baby & Child Health, Beauty and Skin Care, Green Living Tags: American Academy of Dermatology, Environmental Working Group, non toxic sun screens, safe baby sunscreen, safe sunscreens, Sunburn, sunscreen
Summer is here and the sun is waiting for us. With so much talk on sun safety, vitamin D and skin cancer I wanted to give you some safe options on protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. There is a great review of sunscreen products done by the EWG - Environmental Working Group for 2011. You can see their list of top rated sun protection products below. They have rated the toxicity of each product by placing a number to identify product safety. So a product rated 8 is one you would want to avoid where as a product rated 2 is a better choice.
Oh and if your interested in a previous article I wrote on the best Vitamin D supplements and sun exposure click here: Vitamin D3 your Neighborhood Superhero « La Chica Organica
The best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt. No chemicals to absorb through the skin, no questions about whether they work. But when you can’t get away from exposing your skin to the sun, use EWG’s top-rated sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB-sunburn) protection with fewer hazardous chemicals that penetrate the skin. Sunscreen makers are awaiting FDA approval for a wider selection of UVA-blocking chemicals. In the meantime, all top-rated products contain either zinc or titanium minerals to help cut UVA exposures for sunscreen users.
Sunscreens prevent sunburns, but beyond that simple fact surprisingly little is known about the safety and efficacy of these ubiquitous creams and sprays. FDA’s failure to finalize its 1978 sunscreen safety standards both epitomizes and perpetuates this state of confusion. EWG’s review of the latest research unearthed troubling facts that might tempt you to give up on sunscreens altogether. That’s not the right answer – despite the unknowns about their efficacy, public health agencies still recommend using sunscreens, just not as your first line of defense against the sun. At EWG we use sunscreens, but we look for shade, wear protective clothing and avoid the noontime sun before we smear on the cream.
The 134 best beach & sport sunscreens for 2011 are:
(Products sorted alphabetically.)
See all beach & sport sunscreens »
Sources
skin Deep Database
EWG
This Organic Herbal Blend helps Prevent Hair Loss, Thicken Hair and Prevent Premature Graying
10 Jun 2011 4 Comments
in Beauty and Skin Care, God's Green Herbs, Green Living Tags: Hair, Hair Loss, herbal hair care, organic hair mask, organic scalp treatment, Scalp
My husband sent me on a mission a long time ago to make him something so that he could use to maintain healthy hair and also help his scalp. He jokingly said that I had to make sure it would help with premature graying and hair growth. So, armed with my to do list I began to mix my herbs and came up with a powerful blend of organic herbs that stimulate blood circulation to the scalp and provide essential nutrients to the follicles which in turn encourages hair growth.
This Organic Herbal Blend we named Moms Miraculous Hair Mask™ also helps to remove and reduce pore clogging, thus improving the overall condition of the hair.
Other benefits we have noted include:
- Prevention of hair loss
- Assistance with scaling from dandruff and psoriasis
- Enhances growth of hair
- Thickens hair
- Strengthens hair
- Prevents premature greying of hair
The remarkable thing is that there are no chemicals, cancer causing ingredients or toxins, simply a proprietary blend of organic powdered herbs.
Moms Miraculous Hair Mask™ can be mixed with chamomile or rose tea to form a paste. It is then applied on the scalp for the specified time and mask is repeated 3 to 5 times a week for optimal results.
I am preparing new batches of this awesome organic herbal hair blend in the coming weeks and making samples sizes available for purchase at a discounted price.
Samples will be ready by July 10th 2011 but I will be taking pre-orders these next two weeks.
Please contact me here if you are interested and I will give you the details on pre-ordering.
Many Blessings,
LCO
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