Detoxing is the oldest known form of medicine. It’s important to take time away to pamper the body temple and allow it to remove toxins that even the healthiest of health nuts are bombarded with on a daily basis. Hot Springs, Arkansas offers both an escape for the mind and treatment for the body.

Halloween weekend, rather than getting dressed up in costumes to celebrate the holiday, Beverly D and I made a rejuvenation road trip to Hot Springs to soak in the 4000 year-old mineral waters seeping from beneath the earth. These waters are known to create great healing, cleansing, and detoxification for the body. Popularized around the turn of the century, these springs were known to be visited by President Roosevelt and even many members of the Mob! Who knew mobsters were so healthy!

Hot Springs offers many bath houses and spa programs from which to choose. We embarked on our little adventure on Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. from Houston, Texas and arrived 7 hours later to a Vintage Bath House in Arkansas. For $25 we soaked in the tub, relaxed in the steam compartments, and were given hot presses for aches and pains all the while being shoveled hot spring water to consume internally by the bath house practitioners. After all this detoxing we needed a nap! We followed through with our “Beverly D self-made” detoxification program the next day with a visit to a modern bath house equipped with a full spa. Of the many spa packages offered, we opted for a seaweed bath, massage and facial…a little pricier but SO worth it! The modern bath house fit right in with Beverly D’s code of health: They only carried organic, plant based products for sale and use throughout our treatments.

The trip wouldn’t have been complete without a trip to the free city water fountain to bottle our own mineral water to take home and a little jaunt over to SCOOPS ice cream. Ice Cream? Isn’t that a bit unhealthy to eat after detoxing? Well…not this ice cream! It is one of the few creameries in America that makes their ice cream IN HOUSE using ONLY fresh cream with NOTHING else! So healthy, and yet, SO GOOD!

The best part! The RESULTS! Beverly could feel the soreness in her body as toxins released from her muscles on Monday. And my sister could not get over how fabulous my skin looked! Despite the change in weather and transition to a drier climate, my skin is soft and supple, and BEAUTIFUL! Imagine what it has done for us internally, since your body absorbs everything you put on it!

Beverly D is planning another rejuvenation road trip to Hot Springs for December! It can be a great bonding or business building time for women. Let us know if you’d like to join in the health and fun! Contact BeverlyD@beverlyd.com.

As fall begins and the leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, and we’re pulling out our fall wardrobe and adding new pieces, it’s important not to forget to do the same with our beauty regimen! Fall means bringing out warmth. In the fall we begin to eat warmer food, wear warmer clothes, and wear warmer colors- even on our hair!

Low-lights are an effective and cost-efficient way to transform your summer look into something fresh and warm. They’re a great way to grow out those summer highlights without having to go through the unattractive process of showing your roots! Warmer colors in your hair will go better with your fall wardrobe and lighter skin-tone. You won’t look washed out! Beverly D uses a wonderful process to weave both highlights and low-lights into the hair simultaneously. The effect is a welcome change that is a beautiful blend of chestnut, almond, walnut, oak, and mahogany colors with a few embedded highlights. Beverly reminds us: “I like to stick with nature’s colors for fall-Colors that can be found in nature. That’s what I’m about.” And as much as possible she likes to use Henna for the color. Not only is it healthier for the scalp and liver, but Henna dye also comes in great natural, earthy colors.

And talk about low-maintenance. One can save a bundle in the fall by transforming their summer look into something slightly darker. Instead of a visit to the salon every 6-8 weeks to touch up color, one can stretch that out to nearly 12 weeks or longer! It’s great for your pocket-book AND your calendar!

So I asked Beverly, “Why Henna?”.

Beverly: “Well it’s a plant product…ha, Well that’s a long story, but I don’t want to hurt my liver anymore. Hair color is really hard on liver.  Even breathing in the fumes really toxifies the liver. Everything you put on the scalp gets absorbed by it, and hair color is no exception…”

I watched as Beverly did her magic and coated one of her client’s, Sherri, an acupuncturist in Houston, hair with Henna dye made from mushrooms, roots, and root vegetables. They stain the hair, and it smells pretty good!

How long does it take to apply and let the Henna set?

Beverly: “(Anywhere from) 10-60 minutes depending on the effect I’m trying to create. It depends on the current hair color.”

Beverly: “Sherri felt like her hair wasn’t growing, and it was breaking, so we’re using only plant products and plant color on her hair…now her natural curl is coming back in, it’s thicker and really soft.”

Sherri what attracted you to Henna?

Sherri: “I like because when I lived in Austin I didn’t color. I wanted to, but I had this internal conflict (of knowing it wasn’t good for me). I do Chinese medicine and I really support natural products, (so I wouldn’t use regular dye), but then I met Beverly.”

Beverly: “I’m a health enthusiast and I attract people who are interested in doing that for themselves as well.”

Sherri: “But before that my hair was broken and damaged. So broken that’s how I ended up with bangs again…because the hair on the front of my hair broke off!”

Now Sherri has great color, great curl, and strong hair! I can’t wait to see Sherri’s transformation over the next few months after further incorporating the Henna with Beverly’s hair treatment products! Stay tuned for pictures and more news of Sherri’s hair progress. Keep ya posted…

Let’s look at a new client’s first experience with Beverly’s raw, organic products, how they work, and why “all natural” really does make a difference! :

Before Diana arrived she had been warned by her referral: Listen, It’s not just a haircut. It’s an experience. And so it was. The appointment began with a glass of fresh cranberry water and any woman’s dream, a scalp and shoulder massage infused in Beverly D’s Appreciation oil.

“Umm…why haven’t I been coming here for years?! My gosh, that was so amazing!” – Diana exclaimed and to which Beverly replied: “It’s how I learn about your hair.”

Diana- “So, What is the smell in this oil?”

Beverly- “Rosemary and Lavender. Rosemary keeps the oil clean, it’s an antiseptic. Some women only wash their hair in the oil.”

Diana: “Really? Doesn’t that make they’re hair really oily?”

Beverly:  “Not when you’re hair is really curly and frizzy!- it just absorbs it and keeps the curl. And the Lavender? The Lavender calms people down, and it calms their hair down. It’s also an aroma that men like…it attracts them It’s all about keeping everybody’s lights on isn’t it?!”

And it’s good for you. “The thing is, “(most) hairdressers, they’re not interested in being healthy. I don’t think hairdressers are really interested in health, I think they’re interested in image. That’s even why I hesitated the beauty business…my health has been an evolving thing…I started with the Cambridge diet, then HerbaLife, and then I went to fasting, then juicing, and then I went to raw foods.  I did raw foods for a year and cured myself of every ailment I had……”

It was this health evolution in Beverly’s life, and subsequent beauty and body transformation, that prompted her to create a beauty product that matched her core beliefs about organics and healthy living. Because the skin and scalp are the largest organ in the human body, it’s equally as important what you put on your body as what you put in it. We all now know that the skin can absorb birth control and nicotine from patches, and will do the same with any other chemical you apply to it, so it’s important to use the most natural products possible- products that have not been altered chemically(to make them cheaper) from how they exist in nature. With Beverly’s Appreciation Oil, and all her products for that matter, you know you’re getting a luxury brand quality product, with only good for you ingredients!

With the advent of technology comes a whole new way of doing business. So, BeverlyD is keeping up with the times and taking the BeverlyD Hair Party VIRTUAL! No matter where you are in the world BeverlyD can come into your home and deliver the Self Esteem, Pleasure and Beauty of the BeverlyD Hair Party. All you need is Skype, a webcam, and an audience of your friends. BeverlyD will lead you in discovering what can be your ultimate beauty. At the party you will get beauty rituals for your hair, body and lifestyle, a personal consultation, and a styling coaching lesson if you desire to bring your styling tools and want to learn how to style your hair more effectively.
To find out more about this innovative Hair Party, visit http://beverlyd.com/hparty.html

When you really look at business…we are all really in sales!
Sales is the service, is the phone call, is your image, is the kindness you show one another. It all counts and it’s all sales!!!!
Building professional friendships with people you want to be with!
All my customers are professional friends!

I found the best ice cream in the world in Hot Springs!  It’s called Scoops.  I had raspberry!  This ice cream has 15% butter fat from WI, and is the key to having no sugar…the way food is supposed to be…check out Food Inc, if you haven’t already done so.   More and more research is telling us that fat is a good thing, if it’s the right kind of fat.  Sugar is the problem.  My only question about this particular ice cream in Hot Springs is about the cows.  Were they grain fed, or grass fed?  Grass fed cows make milk/cream not as fattening, which is the good kind of fat.  Corn makes it not so good fat.  BeverlyD Organic Hair & Body has a passion to find the authentic things in life.  Authenticity and being real is what I strive for in life.  This ice cream is one of those goodies!  We may not be perfect yet, but we’re getting closer!

Beware of the organic, green movement!  “Organic” is being used and abused just like “natural” was a couple decades ago.  If you want something good for your hair and body, choose something that is made from pure plant food.  That is what I call “organic” and “green”!  http://beverlyd.com/products.html

Being dependent on the current economy will continue to reveal more kinds of  letdowns.  Once we get the message that Entrepreneurship is the next step and that CAPITALISM  is dying, then we can make new business using innovative ideas.  That’s a little insight into the future of business. 

 This could happen to the school systems also because our government, the way it is spending money to save the banking systems….will eventually start stripping  all the other programs like education, art, health, etc.  Believe me the health care system is being changed in a bad way right now, so pay attention and say no! 

So, that is why preparing yourself for another future is smart.  People will want to know what to do, and they will have no school to teach them.  You will become the trainer and lead by example.

Food and Your Skin: You are What You Eat

Want truly fabulous skin? Glowing, vibrant, and, yes, younger-looking skin? Make sure you’re putting foods for healthy skin on your plate.

Everything we eat becomes a part of not only our inner being, but the outer fabric of our body as well. The healthier the foods that we consume, the better our skin will look. The reverse is true as well; the less attention we pay to what goes in our mouth, the more problems we may see cropping up with our skin.

What Are Foods for Healthy Skin?

Most experts say eating a balanced diet is the best way to get your share of good food for healthy skin. Still, there are certain foods that are well worth including in our diet because they’re more likely than others to give a boost of glowing good health to our complexion.

     Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) come in two classes, Omega-3 and Omega-6.  It is the Omega-3’s that have the most affect on skin and hair condition. Our body cannot make EFA’s, so they have to come from our food. Nuts, seeds and their oils are good sources of EFA’s, as are oily fish, such as sardines, tuna and salmon. A quick way to increase our intake is to use sesame, rapeseed, walnut, or flax oils in the kitchen.

At the same time, we should reduce our intake of saturated and processed fats because these can cancel out the beneficial effects of EFA’s.

     Antioxidants

Not only can they protect us from minor infections, but antioxidant nutrients (which include vitamins A, C and E, some of the B complex vitamins, the minerals selenium, manganese and zinc, and certain enzymes) can also help prevent more serious, degenerative diseases’ such as cancer and heart disease.

Antioxidants play a major role in destroying free radicals – electrochemically unbalanced molecules that are continually generated within our bodies by chemicals, too much sun, and stress.

The main victim of free radical damage in skin is collagen, which keeps skin looking plump and elastic. Uncooked, highly colored fresh fruit and vegetables are the best places to find high levels of antioxidants.

Choose from: berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants), black grapes, Brazil nuts, broccoli, carrots, cherries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, kale, raisins, papaya, peas, peppers, prunes, spinach, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

     Vitamin A

Involved in forming new skin cells, vitamin A helps keep skin supple and is vital for healthy eyes and hair. Dry, flaky skin can indicate a deficiency.
Best sources: Whole milk, butter, and low fat yogurt– which also has acidophilus, a live bacteria that helps with digestion and thus improves the condition of the skin. – As well as liver, oily fish and eggs. It can also be manufactured by the body from beta-carotene.

     Beta-carotene

This is the plant form of vitamin A (our favorite).
Best sources: Dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, watercress) and orange fruit and vegetables (apricots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and tomatoes).

     Vitamin E

An antioxidant, it has a powerful action against free radical damage. Vitamin E also helps the skin retain moisture. Premature wrinkles, pale skin, acne, easy bruising, and slow wound healing may indicate a deficiency.
Best sources: Vegetable oils — The right oils for healthy skin are those labeled cold pressed, expeller processed, or extra virgin — nuts and seeds, nut butters, wheat germ, whole grains, avocados and sweet potatoes.

     Selenium

Works with vitamin E to support the immune system, so can help fight infection.
Best sources: Cereals, Brazil nuts, molasses, beans, whole grains and wheat germs, meat, seafood, cheese, eggs, and mushrooms.

     Vitamin B Complex

B vitamins help to release energy from food for skin metabolism and have a role in keeping skin moist and smooth.
Best sources: Whole grains, wheat germs, nut butters, cereals, bananas, milk, oily fish, poultry, red meat, and eggs.

     Zinc

Vital to the immune system and the manufacture of collagen, zinc also speeds up healing. Lack of zinc can lead to stretch marks and stubborn blemishes. A dull complexion, white spots on fingernails, and dandruff are signs of deficiency.
Best sources: Nuts, whole grains, mushrooms, brewer’s yeast, seafood, red meat, turkey, cheese, and eggs.

     Vitamin C

A potent antioxidant, vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen. Smoking, stress and sun exposure can drain vitamin C from the skin, leaving it vulnerable to damage.  Best sources: Peppers, potatoes, peas, kiwi fruit, berries and tomatoes.

     Lycopene

Not only is it associated with sun protection, but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Best sources: Tomato, guava, watermelon, and red papaya all contain lycopene.

     Green Tea

This beneficial drink deserves a section on its own because of its health properties. The polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties, and help protect the cell membrane. Studies show that green tea may even help prevent or reduce the risk of skin cancer

     Water

While experts disagree on the exact amount we should drink each day, no one disputes the role good hydration plays in keeping skin looking healthy, and even young. In addition to keeping cells hydrated, water helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out, which automatically leaves skin looking better.  When we’re properly hydrated, we also sweat more efficiently, and doing so helps keep skin clean and clear as well.

Also, Stay Away from These foods:

     White flour, white sugar, and white rice

They are simple carbohydrates that increase insulin production, which increases inflammation of the skin and, at the very least, can lead to breakouts; at the worst, they can lead to diabetes and wrinkles.

     Alcohol

It dries the skin, whether used topically or mixed into a drink, so use sparingly!

In conclusion, we should all remember that our natural, radiant glow is something that we create daily through the choices that we make.  Most importantly, elegance, grace, and beauty arise naturally from good health.

So, here’s to good health!