From a debilitating MS diagnosis to creating wildly fresh skincare
Our founder Natalie, the Skincare Chef, has been successfully reversing her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis since being carried into the hospital by her husband unable to walk or talk in 2014. Natalie began studying the power of superfoods and probiotics for the body. Radically changing her life, she immediately adopted a clean eating and clean living lifestyle. Today Natalie has fully regained her health and has made it her mission to share the importance of REAL food and CLEAN skincare.
"July 2nd, 2014 lying in the ER, unable to walk or talk I was handed the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis(MS).
MS is an incurable, unpredictable, often disabling autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system disrupting the flow of information within the brain, and thus the body. The cause of MS is still unknown. It affects 2.3 million people worldwide.” Find out more about MS here.
From my best guesstimate, I have been sharing the real estate in my head with MS since the year 1999, right after the birth of my second child. Then in my mid 40's, the progression and effects became full-blown, my former life began to crumble and enormous amounts of pressure and stress began to build within my body. Isolated, sick and feeling helpless I decided to change my story.
After intense research, I came to the conclusion that toxins in my life and the very food I was eating contributed greatly to my illness. Three days after my diagnosis I began treating my MS with a real whole food, toxic-free lifestyle bypassing all conventional drugs. Within 3 days of purging chemical laden foods from my life, I began feeling better and my symptoms began to dissipate. Energy began to return to my once broken and lifeless body, needless to say, I was inspired and on a mission to reverse my MS!
Now understanding the power of a toxic-free lifestyle, organic clean skincare was quickly proving to be one of the hardest to replace as many well-known brands are loaded with chemicals, preservatives, and fragrances to name a few. So, my mission became clear to formulate and produce my own organic, toxic free skin care line that was luscious, nutritious and fed my skin beautiful.
Be Well Skincare was launched in May 2017.
Now 50 years old, I am thriving and absolutely loving the skin I am, and I am so excited to share be well with you. After all, what we feed our skin is just as important as what we feed our bellies"
Love + Be Well,
Founder | CEO Be Well Company
Love + Be Well believes...
Living starts with simply getting back to the basics, our roots, fueling our bodies the way they were designed to function, on real food.
Feeding our skin is just as important as feeding our bodies. After all, the skin is the largest organ we have making up 60% of our body!
There is no room in skincare for parabens, preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, dyes, or any other ingredients you do not recognize. If you don’t recognize it, neither will your body.
You should recognize each and every ingredient in your organic skin care product. that is why we have taken the time to list every single ingredient, their origin, and therapeutic benefits.
All humans should have the opportunity to live a toxic free, clean lifestyle with just a little knowledge and know how.
Embracing the skin you're in at every age is is our goal for everybody. Feeling beautiful, confidant and healthy is easy when using be well superfood skincare.
From the Be Well Blog
Why is skin pH important?
Here is a crash course on everything you need to know about Skin pH + why it matters
We have all heard the words "pH balanced" and instinctively know its important but lets breakdown why, shall we.
What is skin’s pH?
Its all about balance, just like everything in life!
The skin’s pH maintains the balance of acidity and alkalinity that protects us from germs, the elements, and toxic substances while keeping us keeping us hydrated and storing nutrients and minerals.
The optimal pH level of skin on most of our face and body lies between 4.7 and 5.75. A pH of 7 (that of pure water) is considered neutral. Anything below that is acidic and above it alkaline, so skin’s natural pH is mildly acidic.
An acidic pH is optimal for proper cell turnover, hydration, and skin barrier function. Skin is protected by the acid mantle, which is a thin film on its surface composed of lipids from oil glands and amino acids from sweat that serves as a barrier, and a breakdown in this barrier leaves skin susceptible to inflammatory conditions, dehydration, and accelerated aging. An acidic pH helps keep your skin balanced, healthy, and radiant.
Why does skin’s pH matter?
pH has a huge impact on our skin’s barrier function, moisture retention, and our microorganism (bacteria) environment, just like our gut health. If the skin’s pH rises into the alkaline range, its natural balance is disturbed. Remember, it's all about balance! This could lead to compromising skin's barrier function, and water loss from the skin and overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria.
Some external factors that can stress the skin:
- Changes in temperature and humidity
- Dirt and pollution
- Chemical exposure
- Washing too frequently
- Using harsh products that strip your skin
- Over exfoliation
Overindulgence in these items can alter your pH to become more alkaline and cause your skin to overproduce oil:
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Sugar
- Deli meats
Our skins pH is constantly changing based on diet, sleep, environment, and the products we use. Supporting your skin's natural environment is the key to happy healthy balanced skin.
How to Support Your Skin's natural pH on the outside:
Ditch conventional skincare products that strip your skins natural acid mantel leaving it vulnerable
Nourish your skin with natural facial cleansing oils
Consume probiotics in your diet and use probiotic skincare to support healthy bacteria inside and out
Moisturize your skin with natural oil based products that seal in moisture and further protect your acid mantel from the elements
Hope this was helpful and you feel more empowered with knowledge to make better choices for your skin!
5 Dangerous Ingredients in conventional deodorants you should avoid
Not gonna lie, we like to brag on our clean products especially The Best Deodorant!
Our deodorant is our #1 selling product year round, no fail, reaching new customers every single day. Why? Because clean deodorant is a must do for all of us. Yes, it is still a choice, but once you know the dangers of conventional deodorants you just can't "un know" it
.
We wouldn't swallow a spoonful of toxic ingredients, but for some reason we are ok smearing them all over our bodies with skincare and our underarms with deodorant, which actually may be worse!
Here's the truth - when we eat something our bodies break it down through our digestive system, but when we place something on our skin it enters our bloodstream directly...NO FILTER!
Conventional deodorants are filled with endocrine disruptors, these are chemicals that mess with your body's reproductive and developmental hormones. Some of these chemicals are absorbed through your skin and stored in your fat cells. Kind of a big deal right?!? We think so!
5 Dangerous ingredients conventional deodorants + skincare contain:
+parabens - preservative linked to estrogen interference
+aluminum - metal linked to tumor growth
+triclosan - disrupts your skins bacteria balance + thyroid function
+phthalates - compounds that makes fragrance "stick" around and is linked to testosterone disruption
+fragrance - it's impossible to know what chemicals are concealed under this word because scents are protected under the law and do not have to be disclosed
Even natural deodorants can cause irritation! from widely used baking soda
which can itch, stain your clothes and clog your pores, as well as butters and oils that can do the same. Most include heavy use of essential oils to "cover up" smell, and some even contain animal products
NOW you know
READING LABELS matters, even when it comes to our skincare. We are our own best advocate when it comes to our health. We get to decide what goes in our bodies!
Just say no to toxic chemicals
SWITCH you and your family to clean + safe The Best Deodorant w/ probiotics today
Love + Be Well
From the Be Well Kitchen
Creamy Cauliflower, Potato + Parsnip Soup
Creamy Cauliflower, Potato & Parsnip Soup with crunchy chickpeas and kale to top!
Oh, and remember that basil pesto recipe I just shared with you…..I used a bit of that on a piece of sourdough bread to dunk in the soup. Delish! You can even take a scoop of the pesto and twirl into your soup to really pack in flavor.
Here’s the ingredients:
5 small potatoes
10oz cauliflower
1 parsnip
1/2 med onion about 1/2 chopped
3 cloves garlic
4 oz uncured pancetta
1 tbls evoo
2 tbls butter
1.5 Qts Broth
1 can (13.5 oz)Coconut milk
S+P
Garlic and onion powder
1/4 tsp Celery seed
Brown the pancetta in a tbl of evoo and remove from stock pot. Next I added the onion and garlic and sauté a few. Little seasoning and then layer in the veggies and butter, toss and cook a few. Next add the broth and milk, season again. Seasoning as you go really builds the soups flavor!
Coverer and simmer on low until all veg is fork tender. Use an immersion blender and blended all until creamy.
Optional
Top with crispy chickpeas flavored with cumin, curry, s+p, coconut oil.
Kale chips flavored with coconut oil, nutritional yeast, acv, s+p.
Placed both a dehydrator at 118 for several hrs until crispy. Kale can be removed long before the chickpeas. You could use an oven on a low setting or air fryer but the dehydrator is our fave.
Remember that pancetta? Used that as a topper too!
We made this for family during the holidays and was loved by all so we thought you guys might enjoy too! Let me know if you make it.
Love + Eat Well,
By Natalie
Basil Pesto
We love whipping up a fresh batch of basil pesto anytime of year for some serious deliciousness! Its almost too easy for how fancy it seems, and always a crowd pleaser.
And let's chat about the GLOW food components here....fresh garlic, raw walnuts, EVOO, spinach and basil help support the skins immune system OH MY!
Garlic is a powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral that will help kill acne causing bacteria, reduce inflammation and redness.
Walnuts are packed with antioxidants and vitamin B that help protect your skin from environmental stressors.
EVOO provides deep hydration, slows aging, reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Spinach is loaded with vitamin A which your body uses to grow new tissue reducing the signs of aging.
Basil is a wonderful antibacterial and inflammatory that help to calm and soothe the skin.
Ok, enough of that, onto the yumminess....
What to use the basil pesto with:
- You can toss with pasta or veggie spirals for a quick meal
- Toss with chicken or fish and bake for the most flavorful dish. Stir a scoop into your soup for a burst of flavor right before serving
- Simply spread on a piece of toasted bread
- Great for roasted veggies
- This green goodness is even amazing with eggs
Get creative with it but always keep it fresh!
Ingredients:
1/2 raw walnuts
2-3 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Pinch black pepper
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup EVOO depending on consistency you desire
optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice
How To:
Add everything to your food processor and blend away! ENJOY right away.
PROTIP: when tossing with pasta, reserve a bit of the pasta water to help thin out the pesto and make super the pasta super creamy.
Love + Eat Well,
by natalie
Gingerbread Coffee
Want a little special holiday in a cup, this Gingerbread coffee recipe is for you. So easy to make a batch of the creamer to keep in the fridge for a few days too, ours never lasts that long though!
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk (we use full fat, you can sub any milk here)
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
1 tbl molasses
1/2 tsp maple syrup
How to:
Grab a glass jar that has a lid. Add all the above ingredients, screw lid on, shake to combine. When ready to use, brew your coffee or 2 shots of espresso while heating your creamer. Pour amount desired into coffee + enjoy!
You can even make this into a cold coffee by pouring the hot coffee over ice into a mason jar, placing the lid on and giving a good shake. Then add your creamer and shake again, makes it frothy yummy!
Feel free to adjust the spices in here to your liking. Mitch likes his with LOTS of ginger! I add clove to mine sometimes.
Enjoy!
Love + Eat Well
