VALENTINE'S DAY: It's History, The Rose Connection and Celebrating It via Organic Body Care

 

On February 14th, many individuals across the globe celebrate a romantic tradition known as Valentine's Day. It is a day to express and indicate how much love you have for certain family members and friends (I do believe this is something we should do everyday, I'm just saying.....). Have you every asked yourself how this tradition come to be and/or how did roses become part of its history? And, what does organic body care have to do with all of this? Let's start by chatting about its history.

THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE

The history of Valentine's Day and the story of its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and St. Valentine's Day is known to contain vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient ritual?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome when Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine saw this as an injustice and decided to go against the decree and continued to perform secret marriages for young people in love. When this was discovered, Claudius had Valentine put to death.

There are other stories that say Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. One particular legend states that Valentine sent the first "valentine" greeting after he fell in love with a young girl, who could have been the jailor's daughter (thought to have visited him during his imprisonment). Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a signed letter stating, "From your Valentine, " an expression that we still use today. The truth behind the legend is a bit murky, but all the stories show a sympathetic, heroic and romantic individual.  One thing is for certain, St. Valentine has become one of the most popular saints in England and France dating back to the middle ages.

THE ROSE CONNECTION

There are several theories on how roses became a love symbol, one comes from early ancient Egypt. Ancient stories state that Cleopatra would scatter rose petals over her floor in an effort to welcome her lover Mark Anthony. However, Roman myth tells a story of Cupid spilling a sweet nectar that was part of an offering and it is said that roses grew forth from the ground where the nectar spilled. While the history of Valentine's Day is hotly debated, there's no one to date questioning that roses have come to symbolize love and romance. The Victorians began this tradition through floriograph, also known as the language of the flowers, a way to communicate feelings we find difficult to express by giving certain flowers to indicate what we are in fact feeling. For example; using red roses to express passion and romantic feelings associated with love and admiration.

ORGANIC BODY CARE

Over the years the perfume and body care industry have tapped into this tradition and found that roses not only provide an intoxicating smell for the senses but also have amazing healing properties for the hair and skin which are excellent for including in organic body care formulations (please keep in mind we are talking about pure essential oil from the roses, not chemically produced ingredients). So this Valentine's Day, why not give the gift of roses that won't wither or fade within a few days? Allow yourself, your friends/family and whomever that special someone is to fall in love with either your body or theirs this Valentine's Day. Try the following rose products at https://www.lovelyladyproducts.com at a discounted price (coupon code below).

1. Everlasting-Argan Immortal Rose Oil
2. Everlasting-Argan Neroli Rose Body Butter
3. Everlasting-Argan Geranium Rose Solid Lotion 
4. And Our Glorious Garden Bath Bar for Fresh Smelling Bathing Experience
5. All other products sitewide can be purchased using the coupon code as well (see below)

Use coupon code STVALENTINE for 25% off at checkout. Sale ends 2/14/2016.

If You're Celiac or Gluten Intolerant, Should You Use Gluten Free Body Care?

The reason we use organic body care is to take care of the skin, so it’s a good assumption made by many that “what goes on goes in.” Naturally, any substance place on the skin is absorbed by the body into its bloodstream. Hence, using products that contain gluten is a risk to those with Celiac Disease and Intolerance. If the body does not tolerate gluten on the inside, most likely, there’s a good chance that gluten won’t do much good for the body on the outside either. Studies have shown that gluten has been the culprit in causing acne, rosacea, eczema, hives dermatitis herpetiformis, and psoriasis for many with intolerance to this protein. If someone who suffers from any of these and gluten sensitivity, there’s a very good chance the cosmetics, body and hair care products could be the source of the problem.

Personal care products can be challenging when going gluten free. The existence of gluten in cosmetics and organic body care (as well as none organic) products, including lotions and shampoos is backed up by the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. And, According to a study by George Washington University, gluten is pervasive in cosmetics, and it is rarely labeled which may cause a threat to those of us with Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivities. The George Washington University study found that people sensitive to gluten could react negatively to things like wheat germ oil, which is often used to produce naturally-derived Vitamin E, which is commonly found in commercial brand cosmetics and body care. In the United States, the labeling of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products is the responsibility of the FDA. Unfortunately, these products do not have to adhere to the same labeling standards as the foods we eat; even though we are applying them to the largest organ of our body....our skin. Often, those of us with gluten intolerance are accustom to looking for gluten in food, but one should also be aware of the gluten lurking in their cosmetics and toiletries, researchers stated during a national meeting of gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C.

Food labels almost always say whether or not a product contains gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and other grains. But the packaging of body lotions and other beauty products rarely provides that information, even though many such products contain substances derived from grain, says Pia Prakash, M.D., a resident in internal medicine at George Washington University. The Doctor, who helped conduct the research, also stated that lipsticks, powders and foundations are probably the ones they worry about most and one never see ingredient lists on those products. She and her colleagues surveyed the websites of 10 leading makeup companies, Prakash says, and found that "none actually provided any information on products that contained gluten.”

At the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, Prakash and her colleagues presented a case report on a 28-year-old woman with celiac disease who had successfully controlled her symptoms for several years by restricting the amount of gluten in her diet. After starting to use a new body lotion, however, the woman developed an itchy, blistering rash on her arms, as well as abdominal bloating and diarrhea—all of which disappeared once she stopped using the lotion.Pretty much anyone who's sensitive to gluten could experience a similar reaction, says Marie Borum, M.D., the lead author of the study and a professor of medicine at George Washington University. Gluten can't be absorbed through the skin, but people may accidentally ingest small quantities of lotion, lipstick, or other products if they have the product on their hands or use it around their mouth.

There are many doctors and scientist in the US and Internationally would argue against the statement that the skin doesn’t absorb gluten. Dr. Vikki Petersen, a Chiropractor and Certified Clinical Nutritionist is co-founder and co-director, of the renowned HealthNow Medical Center in Sunnyvale California (who’s gluten intolerant), has often chatted about the argument in this arena. From a scientific viewpoint, we are told that the gluten molecule is too big to permeate in our skin, so unless we’re swallowing it, there shouldn't be a problem. Dr. Petersen, states that there are those individuals who have NIGE response to gluten, meaning evening a topical application is going to bother them. These are some individuals who have an immediate reaction to gluten; similar to someone who might eat strawberries and breaks out in hives almost immediately, so it is that kind of immune immediate response, which is quite quick. There are others who don’t have that kind of topically problem, but may use a lotion and get their common gluten response as if they ate gluten. So they didn’t eat it, but they placed it one their skin and had the same reaction. So science is telling us that the gluten molecule is too big, yet people are having reactions and so it might be akin to those of us who are gluten sensitive are told because we don’t have a positive biopsy of our small intestine that shows eradication of our villi, then we’re fine to eat gluten and those experience this all know that’s not the case.

Below is a video of the doctor chatting about this issue: 

 

Health care providers and consumers’ alike need to be aware of the potential for this type of inadvertent gluten exposure, Borum says. "If you're just focusing on food intake, you may be missing something that's very important and could make a difference in someone's life." So how can celiac patients avoid hidden gluten in organic body care and cosmetics? More companies are starting to make gluten free body care products (stating that they are gluten-free is different from testing to ensure they are by a third-party organization). However, it’s a good idea for consumers to contact manufacturers directly to find out which of their products contain gluten. An informal survey of online forums for celiac patients shows that many companies are forthcoming with this information.

When products do list their ingredients, careful label reading is a must, but simply looking for the word "gluten" isn't sufficient, the researchers say. For instance, the vitamin E found in beauty products may be derived from wheat and contain gluten, even though the label just lists "vitamin E," Borum says. Another way to avoid hidden gluten in body care and cosmetics, is to learn about the many hidden gluten, products that are derived from wheat and contain gluten, similar to what Dr. Borum states about vitamin E. Symptoms for the gluten intolerant varies and it’s important to know and understand you body and what triggers create a problem for you. We believe, it’s significant to ensure that there is no exposure to gluten in any shape or form. For that reason, it’s also important to know which ingredients could indicate that gluten is present in said products. Please that we have created a list outlining the hidden glutens that are commonly found in organic body care (as well as non organic) and cosmetic formulations (we will also give you a list of hidden glutens commonly found in food too) so, how do we move forward to ensure a healthy lifestyle living with gluten intolerance? Educate yourself because knowledge is power. So do your research by starting at the store level, ready your labels. If you are confused by something you read on the label, contact the manufacturer for the details. Be diligent and thorough with your product selections (and dinning out). Investigating for your health! If it looks and sounds suspect, well....... When in doubt, best to use caution when it comes to your wellbeing (make sure that your gluten free body care products are actually gluten free). Lovely Is As Lovely Does.

Can Genetically Engineered Foods Trigger Gluten Sensitivity?

There’s a lot of talk taking place on the Internet about whether there is a link between gluten intolerance and genetically modified foods, as well as concerns about whether it's creating an epidemic. Below is  an interesting video with Jeffrey Smith and Tom Malterre, MS, CN discussing GMO’s and Gluten. It’s always great to be informed so that you can make better decisions when it comes to anything that may affect your health. So, keep abreast of the interesting articles that are out their about the gluten free community and remember to read pay attention to the labels on your products. Education is Freedom. Lovely Is As Lovely Does.

Celiac Awareness Month 2015

This is the time of year when many Celiac Foundations and other related organizations make a huge effort to raise awareness about celiac disease throughout the country.

What is Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease can affect individuals in many different ways mostly due to the large amount of possible symptoms. It's a genetic autoimmune disease which damages the small intestine, which is part of the gut that digests and absorbs our nutrients. It's very difficult to absorb nutrients when the small intestine is damaged.

There are individuals with no noticeable symptoms, some with slight symptoms ranging from digestion trouble, stomach pain, bloating, gas and weight problems. And of course there's the serious symptoms for those with celiac disease, such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, sore muscle aches, malnutrition issues and many other uncomfortable issues. Triggering of these symptoms  comes from gluten found in a protein grain such as barley, wheat and rye and consuming this can upset the entire body.

Informative Celiac Disease Groups

Here is a site that list many of the wonderful groups available to education you about Celiac Disease:
http://celiac.nih.gov/Organizations.aspx

30% Off Sale In Honor of Celiac Awareness Month

Thank you all within the Celiac and Gluten Intolerance Community for supporting Lovely Lady Products and please know that we will always be working towards providing you with products that are clean and safe for your body and the wellbeing of the planet. Following is a 30% off discount code to use throughout the month of May in honor of Celiac Awareness Month when shopping at www.lovelyladyproducts.com  Place the CelicaAwareMonth code in the coupon window when viewing your shopping cart.

Lovely Is As Lovely Does!

Gluten Free Living Is Not a Choice for Many and Why GMOs Must be a NO

Gluten Free living is not just a choice or fade but for many a necessity an it's personal for LLP. 

This is a fundamental element behind the formation of Lovely Lady Products since the founder suffers from many skin, hair and other autoimmune issues which are attributed to Celiac Disease.  According to the Center for Celiac Research, it is estimated that at least 6% to 7% of Americans (around 20 million people)  may suffer from some degree of gluten intolerance, even though some sufferers do not experience digestive problems. Symptoms can include eczema-like skin symptoms, brain fog, fatigue, fibromyalgia, malnutrition, digestive problems, migraines and infertility. While this may seem hard to believe, it is estimated that 90% of people with gluten sensitivity are undiagnosed yet they feel or look unhealthy and have struggled to determine the root cause(s).

Celiac disease is on the rise too... 

also caused by eating the proteins in GMO gluten. It used to be a rare disease and now its popping up all over the place. "Celiac disease was rare, but it's now more common in all age groups," says Joseph Murray, M.D., a Mayo Gastroenterologist. Although the cause is stated to be unknown, celiac disease affects one in 100 people. What's more, the Mayo Clinic has found a fourfold higher death risk for people with undiagnosed gluten intolerance.

Natural Society states.... 

that the cause isn't 'unknown' though, as many mainstream media outlets will purport; it is linked to GMOs and altered wheat and they state here's why:  You’re eating pesticides, junk-wheat, and altered DNA! That’s the simple answer, but the more involved explanation is that Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta have utterly changed the wheat we grow in America. We aren’t eating the wheat our grandparents or ancestors ate. While other countries ban GMOs, we are shoveling the stuff down our gullets with abandon. Because of the industrial revolution and the way wheat has been processed and milled, most of us eat ‘wheat flour’ that is devoid of nutrients, and the peptides our bodies are used to. The truth is that normal gluten is a protein made up of the peptides gliadin and glutenin. It is found in many grains such as wheat, semolina, spelt, kamut, rye, and barley. Our bodies used to know how to digest those proteins because they were made by nature – not mad scientists and greedy corporations. It’s estimated that 5% of the proteins found in hybridized wheat are new proteins that were not found in either of the original wheat plants. These “new proteins” are part of the problem that has led to increased systemic inflammation, widespread gluten intolerance, and higher rates of celiac.

Researchers are also studying the impact of gluten absorption from the many body care products......      

that our society tends to use on any given day. There are certainly enough reports of topical reactions to warrant further research on the subject. From toothpaste to lotions to hair care, many companies big commercial brands have chosen to include gluten or gluten derivatives often as fillers or binders. Rest assured, if you are among the many people who have had reactions to (or are concerned about experiencing a reaction to) gluten containing products, whether due to Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance or a separate skin allergy, there are many brands including Lovely Lady Products who are gluten free so that the benefits can be enjoyed by a wider range of users who share a common goal of achieving internal and external wellness. However, it's very important that your products selections be not only gluten free but free of chemicals, unnecessary additives and especially free of GMOs, making them an easy and dependable choice to purchase for you and your family. Learn more about the Risk of GMOs and the connection they have to Celiac Disease at  http://naturalsociety.com/18-million-americans-suffer-gmo-gluten-intolerance/

General References and Sources

- The Center for Celiac Research 

- Dr. Joseph Murray

- The Mayo Clinic

- Natural Society http://naturalsociety.com/18-million-americans-suffer-gmo-gluten-intolerance/

- Fasano A. et al. Divergence of gut permeability and mucosal immune gene expression in two gluten-associated conditions: celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. BMC Medicine 2011, 9:23. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-23.

Yes, Going Gluten Free Helps the Body Stay Healthy

Hmmm, is gluten-free body care cosmetics necessary? Well, it's easy for someone who's not suffering from the symptoms of Celiac Disease to say no. However, those with inflamed scalp and hair loss begs to differ after they've tried using a shampoo or conditioner with wheat in it. Or when some of us start to itch and breakout from lotions or cosmetics that are formulated with it too. I've met many with the same or similar problems while doing product demos in several retail stores and gluten free expos across the country. Many state that they've learned to be medical advocates for their own body and pay attention to how their skin reacts to what's being placed on or in it. With this being said, below is an interesting article from New Hope Media discussing a survey that explains how improving health, 'feeling better' are top reasons many are choosing to live the gluten free lifestyle:   

http://newhope360.com/food-beverage/survey-finds-improving-health-feeling-better-top-reasons-why-people-go-gluten-free?NL=NH-03&Issue=NH-03_20150325_NH-03_957&YM_RID=%27email%27&YM_MID=%27mmid%27&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CNHNM000000559591&utm_campaign=11795&utm_medium=email

The Allergy Train, by Celia Kaye via the Huffington Post Healthy Living Blog

I was just about to post my latest blog on gluten free body care and discovered a wonderful article on the Huffington Post Healthy Living Blog. However, after reading Celia's very interesting story, I decided this is definitely a better story to post for GlutenFree WheatFree Wednesday. Below is what she had to say:

I'm pretty accepting of the fact that I can't eat gluten-containing foods without suffering the consequences. I know that it will irk some people and result in dubious looks from others. I know that when restaurants charge more for gluten-free sandwiches it's because gluten-free bread costs them more than regular bread, and I am happy about the fact that they offer it at all rather than grumpy about the extra cost. (The difference in price is tax-deductible anyway.)

It frightens me sometimes in restaurants when I have to explain what I can't eat and why, because I don't trust that the crash course I gave the waiter was sufficient and that my food won't be cross-contaminated. But I don't get annoyed when someone doesn't know what celiac disease is if they listen to what I tell them.

For some reason, though, I'm still surprised when someone in the food service industry gets it completely wrong. I mean, gluten is a pretty hot topic right now. I can't imagine how someone who works in a restaurant has been so thoroughly sheltered from all gluten-related talk. Apparently, it's possible.

Here's what happened to me recently at a restaurant. While the waiter rattled off the list of available desserts, I mentally checked the ones that were usually gluten-free. Crème brûlée without the cookie, ice cream, sorbet. Great! Three options. Knowing that there were two gluten-free customers at the table, the waiter told us that none of the desserts were gluten-free. Not surprising. Desserts in restaurants like that usually weren't unless they were somehow modified -- like crème brûlée without the cookie -- and often the desserts were pre-made and unmodifiable. So, after the rest of the table had ordered dessert, my gluten-free comrade and I ordered ice cream. To continue reading her store click here  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/celia-kaye/food-allergies_b_6785406.html