Day 104: On Real Things

The Matrix by the Wachowski Brothers was an eye-opener for me. If you see beyond the special effects and the fighting scenes and the super-hero super-speeches, you can actually dig out a HUGE idea - we all indeed wrapped up in a very complicated net of different and fast-changing realities. They are especially designed and gently imposed on us, and we happily take them as valid without questioning anything because it is much more comfortable this way. Take your work, food, social etiquette, mass media and even your dreams... aren't they just a part of the plan? Do you know where you are heading and what's real? Are you actually in charge of your own life or you are immersed in the Matrix?

Another eye-opener was 1984 by George Orwell. God, this book is amazing. One of my friends was obsessed with it and saw the Orwell prophecy fulfilling everywhere - and isn't it? Aren't we surrounded by millions of videocameras controlling every single move we make, manipulated mass media and distorted information to canalize the public opinion in the right direction, or even hating the common enemy (does this ring a bell?)... and what not!

The worst of all is that we are so used to the system that we don't even try to find some truth in little things that surround us: is the food we eat really that good? Do the products we use for maintaining our beauty really guarantee no harm for our health? Can we be sure that all the sophistication in our lives brought better quality of living? Just some food for thought.

Today I am back in Switzerland for a couple of days, just visiting friends. Oh my God, I missed their organic products! First thing I bought was a liter of whole organic milk, which tastes like REAL MILK, and drank 2 glasses. It reminded me of my childhood. Why can't I get this taste anywhere else in the world? I can't find any Spanish milk that would awake any childhood memories. And their bio bread smells like grass in a village or trees after rain... mmmmmmmm..... this is real quality of life - back to basics....

Today I would like to post Michel Petrucciani's September Second. Honest, beautiful and, certainly, very real.

Day 102: On Internationally Sourced Products

I managed to survive one day without food. I drank a lot of water and tried to concentrate on my health. I was haunted by fried chicken wings, sweet almond cakes and chocolate the whole day, but.... I gritted my teeth and kept drinking water. It was a test of my resilience, and I think I passed!!!

Today my menu looks like this:

Breakfast: a glass of water, and a glass of orange juice. Black tea with milk. A toast with virgin olive oil and diced tomatoes.

Lunch: White rice with broccoli.

Dinner: Fruit and home-made yoghurt. How do I make the yoghurt? Okay, I buy a carton of milk (usually whole, bio and fresh) and a small bio yoghurt (usually made of cow milk). So, I heat the milk in a sauce-pan without reaching the boiling point, just to make it quite warm. Then I add the small yoghurt and mix it with the milk (I only use a spoon, no blender). Then I leave the mixture in a warm place till next morning - and voila! I get a lot of very good yoghurt. I usually don't add any sugar or anything into it, I just like it plain, but it all depends on your taste.

Some friends asked me to tell them about the products I have used and describe their effects on my face. Be prepared, it is a very long list, so I will describe only 8 (!), mostly facial creams and oils. Please note, that every person has a different type of skin, so whatever is working for me can be a waste of money and time for another person. I am just describing my own results. So, here we go:

1) Phyris Sebo Balance Formula (sebum-regulating care for oily and blemished skin). Germany.
The cream has a very nice smell and a pleasant texture. It is not made of organic or bio ingredients, so I stopped using it. The cream does work but only with temporary results.

2) Widmer Acne Cream (antiseptic). Switzerland.
The cream has a brownish colour and an unpleasant smell. I guess it's due to all the chemistry it contains. What is does is to dry the skin you apply it on - so it is quite agressive. It does dry up the acne, but leaves your skin dull and tired. Also, the acne kept appearing even after this sacrifice... I stopped using it as well for the above reasons.

3) Declaré Hydroplus Bio (moisturizing cream for sensitive skin). Switzerland.
This is a good moisturizing cream. It doesn't really remove the acne, but it does make my skin look nice and healthy. The texture of it is very light and the smell is fresh. I like it - no harm in using it for me. And! it's bio!

4) Unguento de Propolis (virgin olive oil, virgil almond oil, beeswax and pure bee propolis - all 100% bio). Spain.
This mixture proved to be great for my skin. I could only apply it at night, as overall it's very oily and shiny :) It did help me to remove the acne and it moisturized the skin at the same time. Brilliant. Love it, love it, love it. Smells like beeswax.

5) The Green Beaver Company, Facial Moisturizer (fragrance free, suitable for sensitive skin and for acne-prone skin). Canada.
The cream is made of natural ingredients. I found it a bit too heavy for my face, so I converted it into my hand cream :) Overall, happy with the results - my hands look good!

6) Alqvimia, Beauty Extract for Acneic Prone Skin (basically, a mixture of essential oils, all 100% organic - this is a very expensive pleasure, I should say). Spain.
Wow, I am absolutely speechless. Love it. You can only apply it at night after cleaning the skin properly. Amazing. My skin looks GREAT!

7) AESOP. Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream (actually I also use Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser and B&Tea Balancing Toner) Australia.
This is the best combination so far. It's organic, light, fresh, and it is working for me. The cream is very light, absorbs quickly - great for the day. Excellent products.

8) Pure virgin Coconut Oil. Kenya.
I never thought this oil has so many great properties. I can even use it during the day, it doesn't look oily on my face. This is a fantastic product.
So, as you can see - choosing your skin care products can be an adventure! I think I have found the ones that suit my skin and I am happy. For now ;) When my friend Julian leaves for another exotic place, maybe I will ask him to bring me another interesting product ;))))

Today I would like to post a very nice song by Joss Stone. She has an amazing voice, and I enjoy her songs a lot. It's Understand today!

Day 100 - yes, let's call it Day 100

WOW, it's been a while. My friends and family have been asking - what happened to your blog? You are not writing anymore? And your acne? Okay, let's face it - a blog does require commitment and effort, and it's very easy to find any excuse for being lazy or moody and just pass.... I have been lazy, moody and grumpy. I have been down, stressed and passive. I have been eating bad food and feeling guilty. Okay, that's not entirely true. My anti-acne battle is giving its fruit - I have changed the way I eat. No more junk! But occasionally I have been naughty, I admit.

 

My face is actually looking much better now. I don't know, maybe some other things were in the limelight, and my attention was diverted to other problems - whatever it is, it worked. I threw away all artificial creams and tonics, and replaced them with organic oils and bio products. I have been using pure coconut oil to nourish my skin (100% virgin and organic) - and the results are AMAZING. The only problem I have now is the little red cysts that stayed after the old pimples disappeared. But hey, as they say in swahili - pole-pole, slowly-slowly. It will be okay, I am 100% positive.

 

Today I have decided to do a minor cleansing. One day without food. I have started today after lunch and I will eat only tomorrow for dinner (just some rice). I feel like I need it. I think you should go with what your body is asking for in such cases.

Oh, something new for my blog: I decided to put a new song for each entry, just to express how I feel. Today it's Mike & The Mechanics - Over my Shoulder. Just heard it on the radio and can't help singing it!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHZzX_1HR9w&feature=fvst

 

P.S. I am not low and moody anymore. I will write about that next time.