RBN Interview: David Brooke of Skin Essence Organics (Natural Skincare)

Happy Freakin' New Year Everyone - I hope everyone had a joyful and safe holiday with friends and family.

We haven't done an interview in awhile and really wanted to re-instate that feature - WE love supporting brands and companies that align with our brand values.  My readers know how much I love natural skincare and this company has been one of my favorite's for years:  Skin Essence Organics.

 I was first introduced to SEO by a close friend and IHN Alum Stephanie, we were on a road trip to Ottawa for a week long skin-care co-op (coincidental!) with a group of us 4 – which meant sharing our beauty regimes!  Occular was my first love and slowly went through the line.  One of my favorite (there’s so many) things about Skin Essence is their dedication to pure, organic and beautiful products without the use of marketing schemes or #buzzwords.  Every product is derived solely from organic fruits, plants, flowers, oils and minerals – which if you’ve seen our social media accounts run right in-line with our MO of keeping things organic, natural and as related to its original state as possible. 

 

RBN: Let’s start easy – how long has SEO been around? What was your number one reason for launching it?

DB:

20 years – Long before it was trendy and WE had all the buzzwords; organic, holistic etc – The previous owner studied Naturopathy/Herbalism & was an esthetician: Would only use products on her clients that she felt safe using on her own. Fast track to 10 years and they had produced this amazing line of eco, safe, clean and organic skincare that everyone can use.  David himself bought has used for 14 years –  a firm believer in healthy skincare in conjunction with diet.  Possibly their most loyal client having it shipped all around the world to use – whilst modeling.  Bought company – tested and true and the rest they say is history.  Great message. Eco, GF, no GMO,

RBN: How many products are in your current line & what are the best sellers base women & men?

DB:

Because there are different lines and no filler products – they truly are all popular from anti-aging to acne to moisturizing/hydrating! Cleansers are a go-to and very popular as well as rose hip –adds that nice glow and super hydrating for your skin – an RBN reco.

RBN:  Has being a model and in fashion had an influence on you in regards to natural skincare, wellness & health?

DB:

Absolutely, being overseas and always in the makeup chair – you end up noticing what is going on your skin.  Products started to disagree (listen to your bod people), if it doesn’t  agree change it,  When you can’t read ingredients in food or skincare its time to make a swap! The sad truth is that many larger companies opt for profit margins (translation cheap ingredients + increased profits) and they don’t want to rely on natural products to produce.

RBN: What is your favourite and least favourite thing about owning your company?

Favourite: When I go to bed, knowing that I’m putting my energy into safer, cleaner products and promoting a healthier lifestyle – I just LOVE that. Close second: consumers feedback – respect, love, loyalty for SEO (the thought makes me tear up (real men are sensitive)!

Least Fav – Perfectionist : Micro managing at times is demanding and others – exhausting and worth it, so actually still one of my favourites.  Ha.  Oh and working with great people in the industry (obviously he’s talking about us).

RBN: What advice can you offer any of us getting into entrepreneur life and business?

DB:

Getting to know yourself and what makes you unique will bring successes, in turn use that.  If you use what others aren’t then the competition lessons - making you something unique and of great value (not financially).

Advice: biz – have to truly love it and believe it + success = LIFE gain as opposed to purely financial gain. TIP: You will never know all the answers which brings learning every day.

RBN:What is your fridge? What is your favourite skin food? Favourite comfort food?

Sounds similar to our breakfasts.

DB:

I eat uber healthy focusing on quality: Water purification system, endless fruits and veg, and I’m know for eating 2 soft boiled eggs every day? Red meat is minimal and always grass-fed, ethically raised and sourced properly.

DBtip: Organic lettuce and all things soft skinned; When you peel you’re able to reduce chemicals and such. Lots of fish too – I’m a Vancouver boy at heart so lots of wild salmon and rainbow trout (nom).

RBN:Can you tell us your go-to smoothie recipe – WE love new smoothies!

DB:

Organic raspberries, blueberries, coconut oil, avocado, pineapple, yogurt and some hemp hearts,  lets call it a BERRY GOOD SMOOTHIE!

**Typically breakfast: Oats GF obvi …coconut oil, frozen rasp, blue, bananas, 2-3 soft boiled eggs (we approve – balanced and simple)

RBN: Can you tell our readers your best winter skin survival advice – changing your skincare routine? Extra hydration?

DB:

1. Cleanser Fresh (no alcohol), Exfoliate/ facial masks x 2 week, Blend Neroli/Rosehip (beta carotene) which promotes a warm healthy glow.  BONUS: Ecream over top – acts as a sunscreen which we still need in the winter and offset redness!  YOU’RE welcome!

RBN: Any new announcements or products we should keep our eyes open for next year?

DB:

We’re launching a new Sunscreen using cocao butters, zinc and no water. We also recently passed our ECOCERT certification (huge accomplishment!) with flying colours!

RBN: How do you motivate clients to take care of their skin and follow a great skin regime?

DB:

We all have skin (largest organ btw) and we eat well to treat our bods well BUT we also need to use real,ingredients on our skin!  Always spend a little more for quality rather than quantitiy/bulk items.  Truthfully our products sell themselves!

BONUS: Use their online store and our code: RBNholiday for 20% your next order!  Whoa!

xoxrbn

RBN 12 DAYS of HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY CONTEST!

Happy December (almost) & holidays!  If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with Christmas and holidays!  It brings so much joy, you get to reconnect and make time for family and friends & it brings a New Year with new possibilities and goals!  Because we love the holidays so much we tapped into our inner Oprah (no cars or trips unfortunately!) and decided to run our largest giveaway of our favourite things - 12 days in total! 

How it works:  

Each day RBN will highlight a local (National) product or company that WE LOVE.  Some days will be paired up and December 12th will be the GRAND PRIZE basket of a mash-up of products and items!

How to enter:

YOU MUST follow RBN and featured company on all social media outlets.

If YOU win prize we would love a shoutout and post on YOUR prize and what you will do with it: Skincare - take a selfie?  Food - Show your creation! You get the idea.

Generous & LOVELY Participants: Check 'em out!

Mad Mexican

Go Go Quinoa

Genuine Health

Station Cold Brew

Walter All-Natural Caesar Mix

Tito's Vodka

Shockingly Health (Brownies and Cookies)

Barre Works

Van Isle Salt Co.

Aroma Espresso Bar

Earls Canada

Blue Goose Pure Foods

Neal Brothers

Three Farmers

Joe Scrub

Nudge

Rolling Meadow Dairy

Jollification

Natural Calm

Coco Jax

Skin Essence

& MORE!

I was going to announce the schedule BUT have since decided to keep a secret!  Begins tomorrow - Follow us on ALL of our social accounts to BE IN THE LOOP!

twitter 

Instagram

Facebook (Business Page)

Bonne chance!

rbn xoxo

 

My favourite F-WORD......Can you guess?

 

FAT!

Probably not what you thought I was going to say :)  

The good kind of course!  Think butter vs. margerine.  Olive oil vs. Sunflower.  All of the avocados!


As the weather cools down our bodies extra need some divine healthy fats that benefit our brain (smart and witty for holiday parties), skin & hair, reduce risk of Cancer and protect your heart.  
Here are our #RBNtop5 favourites - WE think you should incorporate them into your daily line-up (don't forget to tag us on Instagram or Twitter).

Avocado: 
Possibly my favourite fruit in the world and so delicious, this green beauty is notorious for their health properties (Oleic Acid has been said to lower cancer risk), contain more potassium than bananas,  full of fiber and vitamins.  Add them to smoothies, salads, soups and great in baking!  Soak up hydrating benefits in a skin mask too!


Butter: 
Made of one ingredient, butter is one of my most asked about nutrition myths (if you are vegan opt for coconut/olive oil) and is full of GOOD saturated fats that lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good HDL (email me for more info).  Add a titch to your veg, coffee and sauteed foods! Opt for grass fed & organic if possible!

 
Nut Butters:
Seed butters too - cashew, almond, peanut, pumpkin and sunflower seed butters are great sources of healthy fats, proteins and vitamin E.  Skin food and great for toasts, oats, smoothies and curries (sneaky tip).  Save $$ by making it at home - using raw nuts and seeds, add in some vanilla or cinnamon to shake things up... Cashew and vanilla butter sounds pretty great.

Eggs:
Eggs have been deemed THE most perfect food source because they contain the full scope of amino acids, all B vitamins and great source of protein.  The other upside is that they're so versatile than can be a part of your bfast, lunch and dinner lineup! Opt for pasture raised, organic and local - the extra $ is worth it.

OLIVES AND EGGS = BRUNCH PERFECTION

Olives:
A great snack and makes you feel so exotic chowing down with a nice charcuterie (great treat in moderation) and full of great fats!  I have a theory about olives - it takes 8 tries to love them as much as possible.  I used to hate them - crazy right, then 8 tries later I couldn't get enough of them.  Add them to salads, stews, pasta dishes or on their own.  My favs include kalamata, sundried and small green spanish ones.  Great in brine or oil (oil lasts longer).

**Honourable mentions & info in past POSTS: Coconut oil (in past blogs), Fish (Sexy food blog), Using fats for Skincare and more!

Email me for meal plans and nutritional consults rachelbiesnutriton@gmail.com 

xoxo 
rbn

The REAL reason why I went to school for Holistic Nutrition ***SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING

Lately I've been asked how I found my way into Nutrition.

I have two versions of MY story - Both of which are completely TRUE: I've always been obsessed & around food, travel & wellness thanks to my parents.  In & out of the food industry for 10+ years as a server, bartender, GM, events, food writer, caterer etc etc..  Left FASHION (model/stylist) and then went back to school....

The TRUEST version includes a part that I don't share with many & have kept it pretty secret until today.  Why am I sharing this now - Well after filling in a few people over the last year - the response seemed that its a story of MY healing, makes my path more open & vulnerable which could help others down the road OR inspire more people to turn to natural healing!

So here is the mini missing link..

A few years ago in the summer of 2010 I was unfortunately in a chemical explosion of sorts - for this purpose I'm not going to mention names or location for privacy & really has no purpose to the story. 

The explosion found its way into my path - burning my face, neck & arms from 1st degree to 3rd.  I was rushed to the hospital (in shock so I'm told) and had to have a chemical wash & infection prevention.  I remember none of this.  I woke up the next day not actually aware of what had happened the night before.  It was oh so painful and sore.  The doctors had me on a "cocktail" of prescription drugs for pain, infection, immune & more.  I was taking up to 10 pills per meal (which was soup because of my mouth being burned) & was covered in gauze - quit my job & was on house arrest for weeks... which ended up being months.

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This is roughly a week or two after it happened.  Not impressed as you can tell.

It sound weird but I was worried about my eyebrows growing back weird LOL.

Anyway...after weeks of healing and my skin finally feeling better - I had a reaction to what I believe to be one of the pills I was on.  My eyes we're swollen shut, skin covered in red/white bumps and mouth was swollen.  I went to the doctors and they simply said to take a anti-histamine (which I already had and had made things worse - I was allergic again!).  I explained that I had & they refused to offer any more advice and simply said "we don't what it is but will most likely clear up in 2-4 weeks, until then stay on all medications".  WTF!  Are you kidding me?  Deciding this was no longer working for me - I STORMED out (For those of you who know me - I have perfected my storming out!) of the doctors ranting that this was BS and completely unacceptable treatment/lazy ...


The next morning I bought a giant ALOE plant from my local market (at night because I wasn't allowed in daylight/sun for 1 year because of the new skin) & stopped taking ALL of the pills!

Starting to HEAL!

SAD face.

 

The beginning of the infection/rash. 

If you can believe it - within 4 days the rash was starting to clear up, my eyes we're open-ish, and was starting to feel hopeful again! 

THE POINT of this story: Natural & alternative healing (the aloe) opened my eyes about a new way of approaching health & wellness.  I had always believed in whole foods, wellness, natural skincare BUT now herbal medicine & healing was my new obsession.  I needed and wanted to learn MORE!  The next year - after properly healing - I enrolled at IHN - The Institute of Holistic Nutrition - wanting to LEARN and SHARE - and the rest as they say is history!

I hope this helps you in any way or at least opens your mind to alternatives to Modern Medicine...



Email me if you have any questions!  #askme 
Like my RachelBies Nutrition page on FB OR follow us on Instagram for Recipes, Wellness & Health Tips and more!

xoxo
rbn.

*This is not meant to take away from people living with disease, auto-immune etc - that we're in my class & field, merely my small story to inspire & help people choose more natural options rather then pharmaceuticals, processed foods, etc.