It's won't be too hard to try to eat the food on this list, very tasty!  

Since I stopped using make-up containing chemicals 10 years ago I’ve been on the  constant look out for the best organic cosmetics available.

Changing to organic and natural doesn’t mean you have to stop using cosmetics which make you feel great and help to bring out your natural beauty.
When I was told that I’d be given the chance to trial La Mav’s anti-aging minerals collection I was very excited, particularly as La Mav's BB cream is   Australia's first organic BB Cream.    

As you may have read in my previous blog interview with La Mav founder Tarj Mavi, La Mav use the highest quality plant ingredients, are 100 percent certified organic  and are at the top of the line when it comes to ethics.

BB creams are quite new to the scene, particularly Australian organic BB creams, the BB stands for Blemish Balm, they’re  an all purpose foundation rolled into one (moisturiser, primer, foundation, sunscreen). This appeals to me, as it means I don’t have so many products crowding up my bathroom, saves room while I’m traveling and it’s also very affordable.

From the first application my skin loved  this, it felt silky smooth and covered my imperfections instantly with a matte finish , I didn’t even need to use a concealer.  If you do have heavy acne or pimples though, you may need a concealer to touch up with.   It  comes in one colour which is designed to blend well with all skin tones. At first I wasn’t sure about this as I have quite pale skin and I was worried it might be too dark, but somehow  the colour and ingredients blended into my skin perfectly.

It seemed to enhance my skin tone and make it look more vibrant, I realised that the foundation I was using previously was way too light in colour and it didn’t need to be, but I was always so worried about getting that ‘orange’ look.  This BB cream  gives my skin a glowing, healthy  look.   It’s not as heavy as a foundation, it looks very natural and flawless without looking as though I’m wearing make-up, almost like a tinted moisturiser, but with alot more coverage.   
It did a great job of hiding under eye circles and kept my skin feeling dewey and moisturised. When I’m in a hurry,  it’s really nice to to skip the moisturiser on busy mornings.  If you prefer thicker coverage, you can also use this underneath a foundation to even out redness.

Another important factor is staying power, especially if you’re working long days at the office and don’t have time to re-touch.   When I used this combined with the La Mav Mineral Foundation powder, I’d give it a 10 out of 10 for staying power.

Some of the ingredients include Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil for moisturisation, Rosehip and  Kakadu Plum to fight wrinkles and soothing cucumber seed extract to even out redness.  All very healthy for your skin and certified organic, if you are acne prone it won’t clog up pores, it will actually help to prevent pimples.    My skin has been feeling great and blemish free while I’ve been using this.    An added bonus is it also contains a natural sunscreen.  The scent is very soft, virtually no scent at all, so good for allergies.

Available at The Organic Beauty Shop.

This article clears up the confusion about sulfates in our shampoos and foaming products.    When we see the word sulfate we might automatically think that all sulfates are bad, but Coco Sulfate (SCS)  is a milder and less harsh sulfate derived from coconut oil.  SLS and SLES are the sulfates we need to watch out for.   

Creativity boost

What kind of food we eat, not just at home but also at the workplace can greatly influence how our creative juices will flow. In some cases, the type of food we eat can cause more damage to our body and even reduce our immunity and result in sickness which will inevitably lead to a dramatic drop in creativity and how we perform. It is a good idea to keep a healthy diet and to keep food and herbs which can increase creativity just when we need it the most.

Similarly to other factors which influence our mood and creativity, food we bring into our bodies can have the same effect, although this can depend on a lot of factors and before you pack up on herbal teas, nuts and other nutrient-rich munchies, first check if you are allergic to anything. Also, see if your body will react in the same way as you are planning to do so.

Making even mundane chores and jobs into pure awesomeness is only possible if you feel creative. Unless you can see the fun in your next task, it is time to think about improving your creative engine.


The artificial world

If we eat a lot of processed food, especially the kind that is rich in trans fats, or even excessive sugar can lead to quickly draining your creativity and slowing you down, making everything and everyone dull. Furthermore, artificial flavoring will not only ruin the great taste you could be experiencing but it also packs food with high amounts of everything that is not supposed to go into your body.

If we eat a lot of junk food, drink a lot of caffeine and generally ruin the delicate balance in our body, then we will soon feel the aftermath. Fogginess, not being inspired and similar symptoms are only the tip of the iceberg of the rollercoaster of boredom and lethargy that will follow.


Time for complex carbohydrates

Most of us have heard about carbohydrates, sugar and flours, but complex carbs are part of the food which takes longer to break down and they are being better absorbed by the body, which leads to your brain enjoying more creative juices. Wholegrain breads, oats and other similar grains are not only good for getting the creative juices flowing, but they are great for your health as well.

Brown rice is especially healthy and you will be able to make awesome gourmet meals using it. Remember that barley is also very healthy and if prepared well it can be used as a substitute for work time snacks.


Fatty acids are crucial too

The first thing when your see fat is to think about the fat which forms in our bodies, but this is different. Fatty acids are greatly required for our brain to function well and to process information at lightning speeds. The next time you are planning a snack, or if you want to cook a truly magnificent and tasty meal, do not forget to include hemp or flax seeds and even if you are able to get some, chia seeds. They will boost your creativity and your immunity as well. 

Walnuts are great for a light snack and to include in a variation of east to make meals. Avocados are great for making guacamole, healthy and tasty; also you can include them into a number of tasty meals. Using coconut and olive oil will add that extra exotic zing to your cooking.

Most of the meals prepared this way, and all the seeds can be used in any office or even when you want a light snack. They will give you a quick much needed healthy boost of energy and creativity.


Include antioxidants as well

They are a healthy help for our cells to stay vital longer.  Moreover, antioxidants also help our brains work better.  The good thing is that a lot of antioxidants come with a combination of vitamins as well, so you will be able to enjoy a good tasty treat while getting your thinking cap on. Citrus fruits, berries, and even green tea is a great way to relax and regain creativity. 

At Cubic Promote, we like to kick back with a good hot cup of green tea while we let our brain power up. And if we feel really devilish, we also treat ourselves to some chocolate, but only the dark stuff is good and filled with antioxidants. 

At home, preparing squash and broccoli is healthy and rich with creative inducing antioxidants, so do not hesitate to make all kinds of specialties. 



Author bio: Damian Wolf is a writer and part of a creative team for Cubic Promote business. He loves to write about business and life, with an accent on creativity and useful tips. When he's not too busy, Damian enjoys with family and friends.

La Mav has an international cult following and I can see why.     Australia's first anti-aging certified Organic skincare brand which delivers amazing results, based on a background of science, understanding and integrity.    

I had the pleasure of talking to founder and director Tarj Mavi to find out what lies behind La Mav's success.


What were the reasons behind your passion to start La Mav?

After the birth of my second child I developed a severe case of postpartum pigmentation and as I was not able to find a solution that was both effective and not harmful to my health, I decided to turn to nature. I was still breastfeeding and it was extremely important for me to find an alternative that was 100% toxic free. So, I took my knowledge as a scientist and my experience in the development field and started formulating products based on healthy, effective, organic ingredients that are good for our bodies, good for the planet and good for the generations to come. Cut a long story short - this is how the brand came into being. And I am very happy with what we have managed to achieve!



What is it about La Mav that makes it have such a large and dedicated following?

I believe the reason is that we do not only sell beauty products. We make constant efforts to raise awareness among people, about the importance of turning to organic solutions, avoiding chemicals, being nice to nature and all living beings.



Why is it important to use organic ingredients?

Because they are better for you and they provide long lasting results, in contrast with regular skincare products. Organic ingredients are more potent, they reach the deeper layers of the skin, nourishing it and helping the cells regenerate, while protecting them from external damage. Yes, you may not see the change after the first application, because none of the organic products contains petroleum by-products, silicones and other ingredients meant to make your skin appear better instantly, but fail to offer sustainable benefits in the long run. You can be sure, the results from switching to organic will not be far away and you’ll be amazed how good your skin can look and feel!



What is the difference between natural and certified organic skincare?

Unfortunately, in the past years, “natural” turned into just a  trendy word used to make products more appealing for customers, rather than carrying any meaning,  due to lack of strict regulations towards the products carrying this label. This means that even if the manufacturer states that what they are selling is natural, the truth might be far from that.

Organic, on the other hand, means that all plants used in the manufacturing process were grown in a pesticide, fertilizer, antibiotics and growth hormone free environment. This way there aren’t even traces of harmful and potentially dangerous chemicals in the final product. In order for a product to get labelled organic, at least 70% of its ingredients must be from organic origin. The good thing here is that there are regulatory bodies and organizations that are in charge of certifying, which products get labelled organic, such as: USDA, OFC Australia, Natrue, Ecocert. They have their specific strict requirements and if these are not met, it is not prohibited for the product in question to carry the “organic” label.

For those new to La Mav, which products should they start with?


Here I would strongly encourage people who are not sure of their skin type or skin conditions and the products they should start with to reach out to our staff, so we can give expert advice and recommend products to them, based on their specific needs and preferences. We are always happy to help with guidance and advice, whenever it is needed.



What is a unique feature of the La Mav range? How does it differ from other skincare lines?

All of our products are created after years of extensive research and we carefully picked the ingredients of each product, so they can be as potent as possible to encourage visible and long-lasting results. We are also the first brand that successfully infused makeup products with Certified Organic Rosehip Oil and Vitamin C – both proven to be irreplaceable aids in the fight against premature ageing.



What are the most exciting ingredients in the La Mav range?

If I have to be honest there isn’t one in particular that stands out from all others. Each ingredient was carefully selected because our main goal was to formulate all products that we offer in a way that they would be effective, yet gentle on the skin. The power of each formulation lies in the well-studied effect of the combination of all ingredients used. In order to capture this vision we have implemented a unique Three-Tier™ formula, which consists of BIO-ACTIVES, antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids, therapeutic grade herbal extracts, carrier oils and very gentle and soothing Essential Oils that provide a potent and result-driven concentration designed to work on the cellular level.



For those starting to change to a green routine, which product should be the first to be replaced?

The cleanser, definitely. Overdoing cleansing or using aggressive products  that wash away the skin’s natural oils and disrupt the lipid barrier, can have devastating effects on the overall skin condition and appearance. Even the greatest moisturizer can’t reverse the damage caused by harsh cleansing products. That is why it is important to pick wisely. You should look for a gentle, yet effective cleanser that removes impurities, keeping your skin healthy and good-looking, without leaving it dry or irritated.



Being the CEO of an internationally renowned company, how do you balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle?

I try to sleep well, eat well and take some “me time” no matter how busy my schedule is. I also finish every day with Bikram Yoga - it keeps me fit and it helps me relax and takes the stress away.

I spend every free moment I can get with my family – they are the most important part of my life and even one hour with them gives me a lot of energy and motivation to move on and do my best at everything.



What has been the most rewarding aspect about starting La Mav?

Meeting all those incredible people along the way who helped me in so many ways! Another thing that makes me happy is that more and more people are turning to the organic & natural ways of living and that our attempts to raise awareness actually leads to something. This was my initial mission when I first started the brand and I am super delighted to see the change already happening!





You can find out more about Tarj's skincare line at La Mav.

I love the taste of blueberries, the fact that they are so good for my skin is an added bonus, full of antioxidants and nutrients.  There is a very nice recipe for blueberry pudding at the end of this article.