If nothing else, it’s vital that I learn to breathe properly, as that is the key to beginning meditation. Many years ago, I learned the breathing technique, which in yoga is called the Ujjayi Breath, which means “Victorious”. This easy technique has been a total life-saver so many times. It helps enormously with stress, insomnia, anxiety, and even panic attacks. Read this excellent article by renowned teacher, Tim Miller, for easy and clear directions.

Having mastered a deep breathing technique that works for you, it’s time to roll out your mat and before the mind tells you the thousand reasons why you really should be doing something else like checking your emails or Facebook, get started with a simple cat/cow sequence

If you don’t have the time or money to take yoga classes, I highly recommend either the excellent book ” Yoga Poses” by Judith Lasater, or webisodes by Gorgeously Green Yoga Expert, Natasha Rizopoulos

I included yoga poses in my first two books because after years of teaching and practicing, I realized that much of my passion for green originated from the connection I learned through breathing. When engaged in deep and focused breathing, I immediately feel more connected to my surroundings. The next time you go for a walk or sit in a park, try to practice the Ujjayi breath for 3 or 4 minutes and notice that the colors and smells around you become more vibrant. Focusing on the breath also brings me into the present moment, the “now”, where I can experience subtle sensations in my body. If I stay focused long enough, I can begin to actually observe my thoughts and what I riot that is! In yoga they call it “monkey mind” because our mind/thoughts dart all over the place, rarely able to stay still. I’ve learned that it’s only through consistent and persistent practice, that I can begin to even attempt to train the monkey! The reward, however, is so worth it. When I experience those rare moments of absolute stillness, I experience a kind of blissful peace. It’s hard to get to, but very comforting to know it’s always there when I need it.

I’ve committed to rather a lot this month! You may remember in a past post that I’ve promised myself to sew some of my own clothes and to post photographs, and now I’m going to commit in black and white to daily half hour practice of breathing/mediation. Hmmmmmm – now I’ve written that down, I’d better shut down my darling computer and drag out my meditation cushion before monkey mind drags me elsewhere.

Check out the fabulous yoga mats in the G.G. Store!

Leave us a comment here about how you manage to save money by being Green!

The winners are: Comment # 9 Marnae and Comment #42 Alison

I was so excited to be able to interview celebrity makeup artist, Rose Marie Swift. Rosemary is a big shot in the industry, having created the “look” for many advertising campaigns including Victoria’s Secret and Gap. She has made up (like they really need it!) some of the world’s most beautiful faces including Gisele Bunchen, Miranda Kerr, Celine Dion, Paloma Picasso, Isabel Rossalini, Milla Jovovich, and many others. A few years ago, Rose Marie found that she had serious health issues resulting from heavy metal poisoning, and thus her journey towards clean & green cosmetics began.

What is your passion in life?
My passion in life is to spread the word and educate woman to be aware of healthier options in cosmetics and skin care. We have been brainwashed into believing so many untruths and fallen prey to false promises it saddens me that so many of us actually believe these cosmetic ingredients that we use every day are actually safe. The cosmetic industry needs a complete overhaul and needs to have to take responsibility for what they sell and advertise. If I can help one person at a time to exchange their chemical laden skin care and beauty products for one healthy alternative I will have started the ball rolling.

Why did you decide to start your company?
I started a website back in 2004 called Beauty Truth, where I expose some of the toxins and chemicals in the beauty biz. I got so much press and constant questions from readers asking me what the better alternatives are that I actually started researching all these tongue twisting ingredients listed on the backs of all the beauty products. I decided that nothing was up to my standard so I created my own line of organic color cosmetics called RMS Beauty.

Tell us about your products?
My line is based mostly on organic, raw, food grade  ingredients because when a raw material is refined bleached and deodorized(RBD) they are essentially robbed of their healing enzymes and nutrients. Avoiding processing  assures active purity by not damaging any of their natural healing properties .  My all time favorite being organic, virgin coconut oil. It  is a natural anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal  due to its high lauric acid content  and the skin loves it ….even acne prone skin( believe it or not)  Try my coconut make-up remover/cleanser and you will see.  I use Jojoba oil which is the closest to human skin and is extremely moisturizing.  Cocoa Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Argan Oil (high in Vitamin E), Bee Propolis (an amazing natural antibiotic), Vitamin E that is non-GMO ( not genetically modified), are just few of the ingredients that make up the RMS Beauty formula’s.   Not only is the line super clean but we use superior ingredients(including raw minerals)  then most cosmetic labs would ever use. I also have a thorough knowledge of their origin, manufacturing process, right thru to development. My products are concentrated (they contain no water) so last longer then most other beauty products. They also deliver a beautiful, natural, glow to the skin, as well as heal the skin due to the natural enzymes and anti-oxidants that have not been destroyed by heat and chemical manipulation. Over long term they are very anti-aging to the skin and are completely without all the synthetics (vitamins) and derivatives that most of  the other natural/organic lines are adding.

Do you think there is confusion about “green/eco-friendly skin care and cosmetic products, and what about green washing?

Wow…this is a big handful of a question. Green washing is an understatement. Green drowning is better word because we are being drowned by misinformation. Every brand has decided to jump on the green band wagon and using it in any way to their advantage by adding a drop of an essential oil or using a recycled package and they call it green.  So many people actually believe it is safe and non toxic when it is green. WRONG.. First of all ….green can mean anything…natural  can mean anything …. organic can mean anything. If you do not read the back ingredient deck( and understand somewhat what you are reading) you can be completely lead down the garden path. Laws are coming into effect regarding the word organic so companies will no longer be able to mislead people into thinking their product is organic  when they label it so on their product.  The word natural means nothing on a beauty product. There are no laws that define or regulate its use. Companies are now calling their chemical ingredients “natural”. We are on our own in finding beauty products( and food for that matter) that actually are real natural ingredients. Just look at those words on the back of the ingredient decks ….do they sound natural?

What do you consider to be the most toxic ingredients that women should
avoid when purchasing cosmetics?

The scary thing is that the most toxic ingredients that women need to avoid is never on the ingredient deck. The worst are by-products of chemicals such as which cause reproductive abnormalities (high amounts found in nail polish). Another one under public scrutiny are the parabens which are preservatives (these will be found on the bottom of the ingredient decks such as methylparaben…butylparaben….propylparaben etc.) Cosmetic companies are quietly removing these because they want to avoid liability.  My beautytruth site has more information on toxic ingredients

What are the basics we need to create a flawless look?

My first suggestion is a healthy diet. The skin is a mirror of your gut so if you are adding in processed foods void of nutrients and synthetic sweetners and soda pop you are in trouble. Plenty of water, organic fruits and vegetables are my # 1 basic.  Second is make-up that enhances the skin and not covers it up and dries it out. Moist is my philosophy. I love using texture in make-up so it isn’t just a matt palette. Add a little of my Living Luminizer that will add a sheer  glow(without tacky sparkles like traditional highlighters)  that makes you look as if you just had a spa treatment.  I love make-up that shows your skin thru it.

What preservatives do you use and how long do your products last?

Besides using quality healing oils I also use oils that have an extremely long shelf life. My products last for about 2 years but on my labels I suggest 1 year (after opening) because there is no reason for any beauty product to be sitting around for over a year. The products are healthy for the skin so use it. They also contain (non-GMO) Vitamin E which is NOT genetically modified like almost all vitamin E in beauty products.

What are your thoughts on loose mineral powder makeup?

I hate them. Mineral lines are “out”. Everyone looks like a dried up lake bed and they age you big time cause they rob your natural moisture from the skin. Just look at anyone wearing them.  DR Oz stated on his show. “Mineral dust used to make mineral makeup is ten times smaller than it was a decade ago, leading to particles small enough to be inhaled into the lungs. Over time, this can cause scarring, inflammation and lung disease in girls and women” I agree with him.

What are your plans for the future ?

Work and more work……. I have plans for new products and hope to build the brand one step at a time.

Finally, what are 3 things that women can do on a daily basis that will help
them feel better about themselves?

I am a firm believer of exercise no matter how little. It is necessary for oxygen supply in the body and it lifts ones mood. Also, stop comparing your self to any of those adulterated tv commercials and magazine pictures. They have been so retouched(yes even every frame (by computers) on those TV commercials). None of that is reality. Believe me I work on some of those.
Meditate or even give yourself an affirmation to do every day when you have a free moment. Clears the mind and calms the nerves.

Go to RMS Beauty to buy Rose Marie’s wonderful products

I had a good poke around Top Shop in Oxford Circus – a massive emporium of cheap sweatshop pieces that hit the store before the models have even got off the runway. It was jam packed with shredded jeans and jeggings, ripped sweaters, sloppy cardigans, biker jackets, thigh high socks, and rows upon rows of knock-off designer shoes. Top Shop is where everyone from super-models to secretaries head, and spend their hard-earned cash in the hope of looking up-t0-the-minute this season. Even super-model Kate Moss, has her own Top Shop collection. Observing the three massive floors of cheap merchandise, it bought up that old chestnut – that ugly question, “where does all this stuff end up when no one wants it anymore?”. Where have all those cheap leather and vinyl Grecian Sandals the fashionistas were wearing in the summer (in London the Summer fashion season is so over now darling!) – where oh where do they go?

Since clothing, cloth or fabric cannot be recycled, unless you do it yourself at home, most of these cheap fashion items either clog up overstuffed closets, make their way to a thrift store, or get chucked in the landfill. Either way, no one really wants this stuff anymore – it’s done, Over with a capital O, and will likely not come back into fashion for at least another decade, if ever. This year, it’s vintage again – this time mid-eighties vintage (ugh, can you believe the 80’s, even 90’s in now considered vintage). So if you happened to hang onto your sloppy stripey sweaters and palazzo pants from 25 years ago, you might be in luck, if not – you rise above it or join the masses of women who are unwittingly placing a hefty burden on our fragile planet.

Now, as most of you now know, Miss Gorgeously Green here is not averse to a nice designer shoe or a trendy little dress when it might happen to cross her path, BUT I’m getting really turned off this whole “must-have” business as never before. I’ll never be a full-on hemp and velcro sandals type of girl- you all know that by now, but I’m committed more than ever to 2 things: Number one – If and when I can afford to buy something new, it must be classic – it absolutely has to be a piece that I can honestly wear for years. These pieces often cost a little more because if I want something to last, it obviously has to be well made. I bought a little black Audrey Hepburn-ish dress 10 years ago and almost had a heart attack in the process as it was so expensive. That said, I have worn it literally hundreds of times and because of its clean and simple design, it never goes out of fashion. I do slip up every now and again, especially in the footwear department, but these indulgences are getting very far and few between.

Number two: the second course of action is to learn to sew and by that I’m talking about sewing a full-on blouse, dress or pair of pants. I’ve always believed that where there’s a will, there’s a way! For those of you who have read Do It Gorgeously, I have included a few simple sewing projects, where you can re-use things like old sheets, sweaters and pillowcases, which is enormously fun and satisfying. BTW, if you have the book,  you just have to have a go at making the yoga pants from and old man’s t-shirt – I made a pair the other day and they are fabulous! However, to make a dress or pair of pants is beyond my current skill level and so I’ve decided to take myself off to some local dressmaking lessons. Mercifully, these lessons are now very trendy (even Julia Roberts is having a go at making her own clothes) and so you may be able to find a class near you. The old Singer sewing machine pictured, is the very one I learned to sew on when I was about nine!

I plan to buy some lovely organic cotton that I saw at my local fabric store and see what I can knock up for this season. Since Top Shop is filled with wispy blouses, I think that’s the first thing I’ll attempt and now that I’ve blogged about it, I stand accountable – watch this space, as I promise to post the photos, for better or worse!

So if you or your kids have summer fashion items that you know won’t be worn again, don’t throw them in the recycle bin, it might assuage your guilt, but they can’t be recycled. Probably best to take them to the thrift store – or you could always rip/cut everything into shreds and use it to insulate your attic this winter.

Finally, I heard a great tip from the great British Actress Helen Mirren. When Helen travels, she packs extremely light as apparently upon reaching her destination, she finds the nearest thrift store and buys everything she needs. This makes a lot of sense, since Helen often travels from hot Los Angeles to freezing London, where she’ll need coats, boots, and scarves. When she’s ready to return, she bundles the whole lot up and drops it right back where it started – genius. If I spot Helen wearing a pair of Grecian Sandals in LA, they might well be the very ones I plan to drop off at my local Goodwill store when I get back!

Finally, if you’re in the money this year and want a bit of a splurge, have a look at these three excellent online stores, which carry a huge selection of beautiful eco-fashion pieces.

BTC Elements, Greenloop, kaightNYC

Leave us a comment here telling us how you manage (or not!) to find balance in your life.

Winners are comment# 201 Jaime, comment # 100 Francine Werlinger, and comment #20 Donna

They have partnered with Clean the World, www.cleantheworld.org, which is an organization to provide impoverished people recycled soap products along with appropriate educational materials. They donate their used solid and liquid soap amenities to the program. They use a purveyor who buys products from local farmers. Energy Efficient components in the building such as motion sensored light switches, automatically turn off when no motion is detected. Energy Efficient lighting is used in guestrooms and public spaces. The guest rooms have temperature control that is moderated by an energy efficient thermostat which keeps track of the energy. They have a water conservation program in place. This allows for the showers release only 2.5 gallons of water a minute (that is about half of what power showers use) and the bathrooms are equipped with heads designed to give the feel of a full-throttle shower. They partner with an environmentally friendly laundry vendor. Finally, they use the now rather ubiquitous Energy conservation notices on all pillows at turndown (placed in wooden rosette) which notifies guests of our commitment to the environment and gives them the option of not having daily laundry service for linens and towels.

Two touches that I was tickled by was that they have a pillow menu, where you can choose from 12 different pillows every night – I was tempted to order them all and then like Goldilocks, start a process of elimination. I opted for the buckwheat pillow, which was great except that I woke up with a big crease across my cheek (probably from mushing my head into it!) – not great when I had to appear on National TV with crease still very visible!

I also loved that they provide eco-friendly/preservative-free dog food for your pooch – not that I would have even entertained the idea of bringing Phoebe to this city. oh – and one more thing: I had an usually great massage in the hotel’s small but more-than-adequate spa.

The staff are hugely friendly and helpful, giving this boutique hotel more of a personal feel.

Walking around the city, I was pleasantly surprised to see a number or small farmer’s markets pop up on different days. I was particularly impressed with the Union Square Green Market, which you’ll find open and ready to go, four days a week. This is a market that takes green very seriously – apparently each vendor is screened from many different angles before being allowed a stall. This is the market where I found the wonderful composting program for apartment dwellers: schlep your kitchen scraps down to their stall and they’ll whisk them away to be composted.

As far as eating is concerned, The Candle Cafe and it’s upscale sister restaurant, Candle 79 are an absolute MUST for the Gorgeously Green girl. The whole thing started back in 1984 when Rick Potenza bought a health shop/juice bar called Sunny’s and transformed it into a cafe where guests could come and eat the most delicious vegan food. A few years later, Joy Pierson became his partner and they’ve been going strong ever since. The Candle Cafe is now legendary in the city, and is frequented by just about anyone and everyone whether they’re vegan or not. The Cafe is cozy and has a very busy feel to it. It’s loud and chatty, which I love, especially when dining alone. It’s the kind of cafe where you can take a good book and be perfectly happy sipping on a delicious juice and tucking into a tempeh burger.

If you want something a little more upscale or romantic, Candle 79 is to die for. My meal sent me to heaven and back: I started with a mushroom trio which incorporated dozens of different tastes and textures, including crunchy cornmeal crusts and grilled trumpet mushrooms sitting on a heart of palm puree – yummy! I then ordered the pumpkin seed crusted seitan with chipotle tomato aioli. If you have any doubts about vegan food, this restaurant will convert you for life. I was so blown away that as soon as I got home, I started working my way through the Candle Cafe cookbook, and every single thing I’ve tried so far has been a hit with the family!

For a little eco-retail therapy, a trip to Kaight in the East Village is a must. This charming boutique is crammed with guilt-free (credit card aside!) goodies. You’ll find the biggest selection of Tom’s  and Melissa shoes you’ve ever seen, plus plenty of carefully chosen pieces that are well worth forking out for. The owner Kate, is just lovely and if you do pop in, be sure to say hi to her adorable rescue mutt, Leo – I fell in love!

So if you find yourself in the big apple, you can take a large eco-bite out of it, even if the rest has a long way to go…

My first port of call when I get to England is to visit the nearest Neal’s Yard Remedy store to find some herbs and tinctures that will magically lift my jet lag lethargy. So I rose rather too early my first morning in the UK (1am LA time!), had a cup of strong Matcha green tea and got ready to drive on what seemed like the wrong side of the road to the nearest town, Guildford, which resides in the rolling green hills of Surrey. The original Neal’s Yard store opened its doors nearly 30 years ago in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Its founders wanted to fashion their shop after a seventeenth century British apothecary, where all the potions and tinctures were sold in cobalt blue bottles.

I started visiting this store in my teens, as I was drawn to the bohemian yard, which is tucked behind Neal St, Covent Garden. I used to spend hours chattering to the wise women who worked there about everything imaginable, and buying the tiniest amount of herbs and oils that I could afford, as I loved to make my own beauty potions/remedies. I remember the shop feeling cozy and safe, with it’s sawdust covered floors and jars of every herb imaginable lining the walls. The scent of honey yellow beeswax, bowls of dried rose petals, and floral waters wafted into the courtyard outside and mingled with incense from the psychic store opposite. When I finally made it as an actress, performing many times in the West End, I used to spend much of my hard-earned pay packet in my beloved apothecary, buying those legendary cobalt blue bottles full of everything from shampoo base (in which you mix your own essential oils,) and cough medicines to keep me going for eight shows a week.

So it was extremely nostalgic to find myself back there – not in the Covent Garden store, but in its tiny cousin, tucked away off the cobbled streets of Guildford. Owned by the lovely Suze, this mini version of the original had everything I needed and some!! Thank Goodness there was a security issue with my credit card, otherwise serious damage could have occurred!

Neal’s Yard products were non-toxic and organic way before these concepts had ever really been thought about. You can now buy Neal’s Yard remedies for everything health & beauty related, from their U.S. site, which is fantastic, however, now that many of you own your own copy of Do It Gorgeously, you can learn from my experimentation of the last two decades, and make your own!!

Julia also schleps around in her comfy Toms Shoes. If you don’t already own a pair, now’s the time girls! Tom’s shoes works on the basic premise that for each pair you buy, they’ll donate a pair to a child in need. They have a huge collection of different styles to choose from, as well as the new Wedge (pictured below).

I simply adore my hand-woven African Bolga  market basket (below) – I have two of them – one for my yarn and one for my sewing supplies. They’re so pretty that you actually want them on display in your living room.

If you’re looking out for jewelry, it makes perfect sense to see what you can find from fair-trade artisans, before you look elsewhere. I love this gold stacked necklace, created by a wonderful co-operative in Kenya. You can actually go to Ten Thousand Villages and read their story

Finally, my favorite fair trade hats in the world can be ordered from the British company Pachcuti.

It’s so fitting that a girl like Julia, who cares so deeply about the environment and it’s inhabitants, should set the stage for what we’ll hanker after (fashion-wise,) this fall: instead of designer bags and shoes, which are typically produced in sweatshops for pennies and then sold for hundreds of dollars, we’re talking about beautiful pieces that come with a good energy all the way around.

Leave us a comment telling us the word you would use to describe how you want to feel today -  for me the word is “Inspired!”

This week’s winner is Comment # 195 Christine – congratulations!

Green Tea Energy, Green Tea Kombucha, Bedtime and Kava Stress Relief teas. Here’s some more info on each of the teas:

Green Tea Energy: Green tea is an effective antioxidant known to protect the cells in your body. To this we’ve blended ginseng root and ginseng-eleuthero extract, herbs that promote energy and support the body during stressful periods. We’ve also added lemongrass and spearmint to give the tea a crisp, refreshing flavor.

Green Tea Kombucha: Yogi’s special formula of kombucha with organic green tea is designed to support your immune system, fight fatigue and detoxify your body. Spearmint naturally aids digestion, and plum and lemongrass combine to create a fragrant tea with a light, fruity flavor.

Bedtime: This tea blends valerian and organic chamomile to help calm and relax your body. Bedtime tea also contains St. John’s Wort, an herb known for its positive effects on your overall mood, as well as passion flower, a Native American remedy to help reduce anxiety.

Kava Stress Relief: Native to Oceania and the South Pacific Islands, kava has traditionally been cultivated for its power to calm the body and mind and encourage a good night’s sleep. We’ve added cinnamon and sarsaparilla for warmth and spice and carob pod for a rich, relaxing flavor.