We’ve all heard that we are what we eat, been in discussions about which food lifestyle is the best, what to eat, what not to eat, dizzied about in stores searching through labels and unfamiliar ingredients, and let’s just say it’s a gauntlet out there.

When it comes to feeling and looking good while doing right by animals and our environment, it’s easy to overlook some key aspects for wellness. Just as with skincare, how and what we eat affects our internal and external wellness directly.

Whether you’re subscribing to a lifestyle that is keto, vegan, vegetarian, or none of those, each choice can be rife with pitfalls. For example, the compassionate goal of vegan or vegetarian eating does not, unfortunately, guarantee a well-nourished, well-balanced body.

What to watch out for:

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

🌱 Because this nutrient is found in animal products, vegetarian, and, even more so, vegan diets are at higher risk for deficiency especially when combined with the factor of aging which affects the body’s absorption ability. 

🌱 What does B12 do?  DNA synthesis to replace old cells with new ones, forms red blood cells to bring oxygen throughout the body, supports nervous system functioning, and supports energy metabolism

🌱 Body symptoms: headaches, fatigue, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, mood fluctuation, and anemia

🌱 Skin symptoms: Pale or discolored skin, darkening of elbows, knees, knuckles, and dry or wrinkled skin

🌱 A few good alternative sources for B12: Nutritional yeast and dried shiitake mushrooms. Consider well-researched supplements to support your diet.

We know that plant-based does not always mean safe and healthy. Often vegan foods are ultra processed using dangerous chemicals and food coloring that work around FDA exposure limitations and are flat out banned in other countries around the world.  Chemical additives that are used in paint, varnish, cosmetics, byproducts of gasoline refining cause a list of harm that is lengthy and horrific, to say the least. Steer very clear of these common harmful ingredients (among others) in vegan meat.

🔎 Tertiary butyl-hydroquinone (E319) - immune system depressant, exacerbates asthma symptoms and allergic skin dermatitis in some individuals. Studies have suggested carcinogenic effects. 

🔎 Hexane - linked to neurological symptoms such as dizziness, headaches. Considered a neurotoxin.

🔎 Erythosine (Red #3, E127) - potential thyroid disruptor and preliminary evidence of hyperactivity effects in children

Once you’ve looked into labels and chosen your balanced meals there’s an important, easily overlooked step 2. Psychology.

These days it’s a common state of affairs to eat on the go, often times not even remembering what we ate or how it tasted. Mindless eating has led to poor eating behavior such as overeating, emotional eating, symptoms of a loss of awareness of giving the body what it needs.

The attention and intention given to the process of eating has been shown to directly affect well-being over centuries and across cultural practices. Mindful eating increases awareness of food choice, gratitude for the meal, and helps the body and mind process nourishment. This level of attention encourages chewing well, which in turn helps digestion, promotes proper portions, and builds healthier relationships with food and body image.

Other considerations:

Eating food in season

🍅 Seasonal fruit and vegetables are often harvested at their peak ripeness, which means they are more likely to be nutrient-dense and flavorful. When produce is allowed to ripen naturally on the vine or tree and is not subjected to long-distance transportation or extended storage, it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

🍅 Buying food that is in season and locally grown supports local farmers and strengthens the local economy. It allows farmers to earn a fair price for their crops and encourages the preservation of farmland and agricultural traditions in the community. The need for long-distance transportation is minimized as well as the environmental impact associated with the production, packaging, and distribution of food. It also encourages sustainable farming practices and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels.

🍅 Cooking your own food allows control over ingredients, healthier cooking methods, and increased awareness and connection to the process. Sharing a meal is a great way to bond with loved ones and create lasting memories.

🍅 Bright colors in food often indicate the presence of various nutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that are beneficial for digestive, eye, and skin health. Plus, it’s art on a plate.

The ever-present grind makes mindfulness and research difficult to keep up with but the investment is an important one as we strive to look and feel our best. Access to knowledge and resources is the first step and as we learn, we share, paying it forward in community and love.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺

The skin is our largest organ, working magically to protect us and decipher the various environmental inputs that it comes in contact with.  We put it through the wringer with exposure to all that is good and bad out there. Sometimes our skincare routine can be our only time with ourselves and our intentional time with someone we love. A great body butter with healthy ingredients and elevating aroma can be shared as a sensitive way to express affection and/or desire, increasing your awareness in love and care for yourself and others.

As we churn through days packed with duty and speed, our attention is pulled in thousands of directions, zooming us in on all that’s required to maintain our lifestyles, care for loved ones, and multi-task to extremes. It’s easy to miss red flags and cues our bodies send to alert us to issues that may trigger illness on a physical or mental level.   

Implications of deprivation and treatment

One trend observed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has been what’s known as touch starvation or deprivation. In its extremity this state can lead to depression, anxiety, and increases in the stress hormone cortisol. The biological need especially apparent with baby development immediately from birth continues throughout life and is often placed at level with other basic needs like food, water, and air. 

Besides the well researched effects of touch on the thriving of newborns and infants, some studies have shown that touch can have beneficial effects on elderly people with Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that touch strategies have profound effects on children with behavioral and trauma challenges. Even the smallest gestures of touch from friends, family, or partners reach deeper into our well-being than we might imagine.

The benefits of social touch

Stress Reduction: Touch triggers the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone." Oxytocin helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

Improved Immune Function: Research suggests that regularly experiencing touch can boost the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, which help fight off infections and illnesses.

Enhanced Emotional Bonding: Touch plays a fundamental role in building and maintaining emotional connections between individuals. It fosters feelings of trust, empathy, and intimacy, strengthening relationships.

Pain Relief: Gentle touch can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body. This can help alleviate physical discomfort and reduce perception of pain.

Improved Mental Health: Touch has been shown to improve mood and decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. It provides a sense of comfort and reassurance, promoting overall psychological well-being.

Reduced Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Engaging in comforting touch can lead to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, promoting cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of heart-related conditions.

Enhanced Communication: Touch can convey a wide range of emotions and intentions, often serving as a nonverbal form of communication in ways that words alone cannot.

Stimulation of the Nervous System: Human touch activates pressure receptors under the skin, sending signals to the brain that can promote relaxation and decrease stress responses. It also helps regulate the nervous system, promoting overall balance and well-being.

Improved Sleep Quality: Gentle touch has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. It can help individuals fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restorative sleep.

Promotion of Growth and Development: Human touch is essential for the healthy development of infants and children. Skin-to-skin contact, in particular, has been shown to promote bonding between parents and babies, regulate body temperature, and support early cognitive and emotional development.

Social touch is a fundamental aspect of human experience with physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. Incorporating regular, positive touch into daily life can lead to improved well-being and stronger interpersonal connections. It holds power to bind and break connections and have profound effects on feelings of safety, and well-being. It is our first sense to develop, the first form of communication we can access, and the means with which we learn and develop our sense of self.  

Truly healthy skincare reaches beyond the skin, working to improve levels of wellness and connection. Touch and skincare go hand in hand as we work to stay in tune with ourselves and one another in the currents of a post pandemic, individualized trending society.

All hearts and flowers aside this Valentine’s Day, the gift of time, touch, and loving attention to yourself and to another, can start with the simple beauty of a caress.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺

A Brief History of Aromatherapy

The term Aromatherapy was coined by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosee in 1928, modernizing and expanding on the deeply rooted venerated practice dating back to 3500 BC. An integral part of ancient sensual and health routines, aromas of essential oils have long been used as powerful triggers of physical response and sense memory. 

Aromatherapy has been practiced in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, and China. Its almost mystical reach has survived through time, lending weight to nature’s healing power, practicality, and accessibility.

Aside from the legend of Cleopatra, ancient Egyptians were known to create oil combinations to support or induce states of meditation, war, and love. Studied by monks, philosophers, and great thinkers throughout cultures and ages, this time-tested study of nature remains a worthwhile quest for seekers of emotional and physical wellness.

Unlocking the Psychology

Inhaling essential oils stimulates the limbic system which is the part of the brain were moods and emotions are centered. Strong associations are created by way of scent, which, when combined with touch, sets a stage for relaxation, stress relief, and romantic connection, all gems that been known about the effects of aromatherapy. 

Often we find that the keys to unlocking emotional and sensual connection lie in the barriers we constantly work through within ourselves on a daily basis. Stress, pain, sleep issues and other similar struggles tend to poison the well of wellness, interrupting our ability to stay in tune with our bodies and those of our loved ones.  Aromatherapy nourishes an environment in which we can refocus on sensation, in effect, reducing the noise.

Aromatherapy as Part of Daily Life

In the spirit of February, the month to celebrate love, reigniting a connection to self and to others by way of sense memory and mental health care, is the best gift that could be given. We've heard time and time again that refilling personal wellness coffers often increases the ability and agility of that expression to those we care for.

Taking the ancient Egyptians practice further, we can create a personal experience with combinations of oils connecting us more closely to our bodies in a world of overstimulation.  A steady hand through time remains a worthy guide back to self, keeping us in step with nature and one another.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺