New nail polish obsession - Idun Minerals

A few of my favorite colors from Idun Minerals
From left to right:
Top Coat Diamant, Kunzit, Bergskristall, Almandin

I'm not going to lie, finding a good organic nailpolish is nearly impossible if you want something that lasts and doesn't chip after 5 minutes. I recently started using IDUN Minerals nail polishes and I was very pleased to find out that they are long lasting, made with a 5-free formula that is free from dangerous ingredients and also contain nourishing almond oil. 

12 Tips for travelling with your dog

By now, I think I'm allowed to call myself an expert in the subject of travelling with a dog. After all my dog, Leo, has more stamps in his passport than a lot people I know. From the island of Capri to several of the Greek islands, from Lebanon to Los Angeles, this pup has put his paws on almost every continent of the world. 

Leo has become my preferred travel companion and everywhere we go we are met with curiosity and questions on how we do it. Here are a few tips and important information on how to bring your four-legged friend on a flight.

1. Know your dog
Do you think your dog will be able to handle the potential stress that comes with flying? Not all dogs are fit to travel and might be better off staying at home with a dog sitter while you are out exploring the world. If Leo wasn't such a happy globe-trotter I would never bring him with me.

2. Make sure your dog is the right size for bringing in-cabin and that you have the right pet carrier

For safety reasons airlines have strict regulations for bringing a pet in-cabin which include a weight restriction and maximum pet carrier dimensions. These rules may differ between airlines but the weight limit is usually between 8-10 kg (weight of pet carrier with the pet inside) and the dimensions of the carrier should not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm. I use the Sherpa original deluxe carrier in size small. Sherpa carriers are collapsible and guaranteed on board by most major airlines, although I have to say United should not be on their list. United might throw you off their flight even though they state that Sherpa bags are guaranteed on board... Speaking from personal experience... But then again, you could be thrown off a United flight for no reason what so ever.
You can find more useful information on dog carriers on yourdogadvisor.com . They have listed 15 of their favorite dog carriers, they also have a lot of other useful information for dog owners on the site.  

3. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the pet carrier

I always keep Leos pet carrier out and open, even when we're at home. It has become his "safe place" and he goes there when he wants to relax and be alone. If your dog is not familiar with the carrier he/she might get anxious and stressed while being closed inside it during the flight.
Keep in mind that in some airports dogs are not allowed outside of the carriers at all.

4. Study the airlines

Pets are allowed on Lufthansa business class on transatlantic flights

Does the airline you are planning to fly with accept pets in the cabin? Some low budget airlines, like Ryanair, do not accept pets in cabin due to the fact that there is not enough room for a pet carrier under the seat. Before buying your seat or upgrading, be aware that some airlines do not accept pets in business or first class, especially on transatlantic flights. 
How much will it cost you? It's not free to bring your dog on a flight (unless it's a certified service animal). You'll have to pay on both the outbound and inbound flight and on some airlines, like SAS (Scandinavian airlines) the pet carrier will count as your "carry-on" piece. The price varies depending who you fly with and your destination. For example, when we fly from Florence / Italy to Lebanon we prefer flying Lufthansa or Air France, even though Alitalia would be the faster option. The reason being Alitalia charging 200 euro for a pet in cabin (each way) and Lufthansa / Air France only 70 euro. 

5. Certificates, vaccines and pet passports

This is probably the most important paragraph in this blog post. Never plan or book a flight before getting information about vaccines and documents your dog might require to enter a new country and also for returning into your own country. If your dog does not have the right documents or vaccines you might be denied to board the flight, or worse, your dog might be placed in quarantine at arrival. A health certificate with proof of rabies vaccine, shots and that states that the dog is in good health to travel is usually required by airlines. When it comes to this matter, it's always better to be safe than sorry. 

6. Reserve a space on the plane
If it's not possible to do while booking your ticket, call the airline right after to reserve a place for your dog. There are restrictions to how many animals can be brought in-cabin and there might already be an animal booked on the flight. If you call within 24 hours of booking you'll be able to change your ticket free of charge. I highly recommend asking for a confirmation email that states the reservation of the pet in cabin. You probably won't be able to chose your own seat or check-in online but unless it's a full flight the airline will leave the seat next to you free.

7. What to pack

Pack some of your dogs favourite toys and line the inside of the bag with pee pads if you think your dog might have a little accident. Since the aircraft might be cold, bring along a small blanket or scarf, but don't over fill the carrier, you'll want your dog to have as much space as possible to feel comfortable. Even though I try not to feed Leo during the flights (on long haul flights I'll give him small treats) I still bring some of his food with me since there's always the possibility of flight delays, lost luggage etc. Make sure to bring some water as well or ask the flight attendant for some, since the air inside the plane can be very dry.  

8. Before departure
I always try to book evening flights and red eyes, that way I have a full day to take Leo for long walks and give him plenty of exercise before departure. Don't forget to pack your dogs passport/health certificate! 

9. At the airport

The pet relief area at LAX

Try to arrive at the airport in time, at least 2 hours before take-off for international flights, you'll need the extra time to check-in and pay the "pet in cabin - fee". Before heading through security, take your dog for a last walk outside the airport, unless you know that the airport has a "pet relief area". Leo, who is a veteran when it comes to travelling, knows the deal and will do his business within a minute.
Going through security can seem stressful but it really isn't that bad. You'll have to scan the carrier through the x-ray machine and hold your dog while going through the metal detector. Some TSA agents might ask you to take your dogs harness or collar off and some let you go through leaving it on. 
I've read some articles claiming that the dog has to be inside the carrier at all times inside the airport, but I won't put Leo in his carrier until it's time for boarding and I have never been told to either. 

10. On the plane
On most airlines you are only required to stow the pet carrier under the seat in front of you for take-off and landing, after that you can place it on the floor by the seat next to you (if it's unoccupied) or in between you and your fellow passenger. You are not allowed to let the dog out of the carrier or place the carrier on the seat. 
Remember that dogs can sense your own energy so if you feel nervous or stressed chances are it might rub off on your dog. 
Leo is usually a great passenger and sleeps the whole flight but he get more affected by the air pressure and turbulence in smaller planes. Therefore, I always pack a bottle of Australian Bush flower essence in case he gets stressed. It's a combination of flower essences that help lessen the stress and anxiety level in dogs and cats and makes them feel more comfortable. 
I've never used sedatives and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

11. Layovers

Enjoying a meal at Munich airport during one of our layovers

Try to plan your trip with as few layovers as possible. However, if you're not lucky enough to find a direct flight to your destination don't worry. You can always fold out a pee pad in a restroom and let your dog use it. If possible, let your dog walk to the next gate. 

12. Arrival at destination
If you are flying internationally then you'll probably have to declare that you are bringing in a pet at customs. Usually they will just ask for your pets documents. The dog should remain inside the carrier until passing customs unless they ask to scan the microchip.

Hope this post has been informative for anyone thinking of bringing their pooch along for a nice vacay! 

OH! I almost forgot! My last super important advice! 

NEVER EVER FLY UNITED AIRLINES!!!

3 Ingredients to Avoid in Makeup and Beauty Products

Ilia Multi-stick in color "At Last"
NC Cosmetics mineral blush

Spring cleaning? Why not clean out some of those dirty ingredients in your makeup bag? Here are three ingredients to avoid in cosmetics and beauty products.

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
A foaming agent used in many non-organic hand soaps, shampoos, cleansers and body washes. People who already suffer from dry skin or eczema should avoid using products containing SLS since it is a skin, eye and lung irritant.

Parabens
Parabens are used as a preservative in cosmetics, but while making sure your makeup doesn't go bad, it fills your body with estrogen-mimicking properties that can disrupt the hormone system and increase the risk of breast cancer. Check the ingredient list of your cosmetic products! Thankfully a lot of brands have stopped using parabens and label their products "Paraben Free" to make it more noticable. However, this doesn't always mean the product is free of other harmful ingredients.

Phtalates
Phtalates is used to dissolve other ingredients to create a smoother consistency and to help the product penetrate the surface of the skin and soften the skin in order to make fragrances last longer. In other words, it's purely used to make cosmetic products feel smoother and smell better. Phtalates has been linked to birth defects, disruption of hormone receptors and an increase in the likelihood of cell mutation.

Easter in Jönköping

Taking a walk around the lake Rocksjön

Vitsippor - A sign that spring has come

Leo is off-leash exploring the Swedish woods

Nature reserve Vattenledningsparken in Jönköping

The view of Jönköping

Leo and I spent easter weekend with my mom, sister and brother-in-law in my home town, Jönköping. Can't really say that we got any spring weather, but we were still lucky it didn't rain. 

Welcome to The Organic Nomad

I'm so excited to share with you that hanamijwel.blogspot.com has officially become www.theorganicnomad.com! 

The Organic Nomad is a site where you can join me in my travels, organic beauty tips and DIY's!

Life is a never ending journey, let's make the best of it!

My in-flight travel essentials

In my bag: Passport, perfume, Indie Lee face toner and squalane face oil, Nonique eye cream and hand cream, vapour concealer, headphones, phone charger and adapter, Hurraw Balm, Burts Bees lipbalm and makeup wipes, energy bars, Gucci wallet, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, eye mask.

Travelling can be a real pain and I used to hate it, especially those long haul flights. Just the thought of being stuck in an air plane for 10+ hours with hundreds of people would get me really anxious. Not to forget about the horrible air inside the plane that would make my face break out, which alone, is enough to ruin the start of any vacation. However, I am happy to say that I no longer feel that way! 

Over the years I've come to realise that flying can be pretty relaxing if you just bring the right things in your handbag or carry on. Here are some of the things I always bring on long haul flights!

Snacks: I'm usually not that fussy about food, but let's be honest, air plane food is not that good. Therefore, I always bring a few organic protein bars/energy bars in my handbag, in case I need something to ease my hunger. 

Noise cancelling headphones: Because sometimes you end up next to a screaming baby...

Phone chargers: Most new air planes have USB power ports by the TV-screen in front of your seat where you can charge your phone. I also make sure to bring adaptors for the country I'm going to or a universal adaptor.

Sleep essentials: I used to have a hard time sleeping on planes until I found that relaxing music or listening to a guided meditation combined with a comfortable eye mask would put me to sleep within minutes. Most airlines have a meditation/relaxing playlist on their music menu.

Beauty essentials: I never travel without my Burt's Bees makeup wipes. The first thing I do when I get on the plane is take off my makeup and moisturise with facial oil and eye cream. The facial oil I'm using now is the Squalane facial oil by Indie Lee. A tip is to never throw away any tester bottles and fill them up for your travels. I always make sure to bring a moisturising lip balm like the Hurraw night balm and some hand cream.

Makeup: A bit of foundation, concealer and mascara will give you a natural and fresh look after the long flight. 

Entertainment: Instead of watching a movie on the in-flight entertainment I find it more relaxing to get some time off from technology and read a book. 

Bee-autiful Lipsticks and Shimmers

Burt's Bees Lipstick in shades Fuchsia Flood and Nile Nude.
Sierra Bees Lip Shimmer in Nude, Pink and Mauve.

Bees are one of the most important insects. They provide us with fruits, vegetables, honey, beautiful flowers and they produce beeswax which is a great ingredient in lip balms.

Besides from being moisturizing, beeswax has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-oxidant characteristics which makes it ideal for cracked and dry lips. 

Two of my favourite beeswax lip products are Burt's Bees lipstick & Sierra Bees Lip Shimmer. Burt's Bees lipsticks are made with Moringa oil to help moisturize and Raspberry seed oil which improves the lips skin elasticity and Sierra bees lip shimmer is made with sustainable USDA-certified beeswax. Both products are also 100% organic.

Clean Swap: Multi-stick

I have always loved multi-sticks. They are great for when you're on the go, instead of packing lipstick, blush and eyeshadow, you get it all in one product. I also love the natural and soft look they give.

I used to be a big fan of Nars multiple sticks and I am so happy I found the perfect clean swap with Ilia. Not only is it better for your skin and body, it's also cheaper!

DIY Under eye mask with carrots

Even though I love makeup I try to go makeup-free at least once or twice a week to let my skin breathe. However, not being able to hide those dark circles under your eyes might be a bit discouraging. There are a lot of factors that can cause dark circles and puffyness like lack of sleep, poor nutrition, allergies, alcohol and so on... I think all of those factors are the cause of my current dark circles...

Besides taking better care of my body and changing my bad habits, I use this carrot under eye mask. It's easy to make and keeps in the fridge for a couple of days. Carrots are full of vitamins, iron, antioxidants and their anti-inflammatory properties help to revitalize and tone the skin. 

Here's what you'll need for the mask:

(Remember to always use organic products!)

• One carrot
• 1/2 tsp pure Almond oil
• 1 tsp Rose water
• Cotton rounds
• one small glass jar (or other container)

Directions:

Peel and puré the carrot in a blender or mixer. Mix together carrot puré, almond oil and the rose water. If the paste is too dry add some more rose water and almond oil to the mixture. Cut the cotton rounds in half, and gently dip them into the carrot mixture and then put them in the glass jar. For a soothing effect, let the jar sit in the fridge for 5 minutes before applying the cotton rounds under your eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.

Something for the guys

I got my hubby the Herbivore Post Shave spray a couple of weeks ago. He really liked it and said that it soothed the skin after shaving and also helped with preventing ingrown hairs. Since the first product was a success I decided to get him the beard tonic, a face oil made with 100% natural oils with the scent of cedar and bergamot. 

Rose-infused beauty products

From left to right: Khadi Vetiver Face Mask, Alchemie Rose Elixir, Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses day cream

Roses aren't just pretty to look at, they actually bestow a lot of beauty- and health benefits. With its' antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties roses are an ideal ingredient in face cleansers.

Khadi was one of the first natural beauty products that I tried and the Vetiver face mask works great on my oily-combination skin. To use it I mix one teaspoon face mask powder with rose water to make a paste and then I leave it on my face for 15-20 minutes. After washing it off I spray my face with Rose water and then moisturize. Khadi also makes a beautiful Rose water toner. The one I'm using now is from Alchemie and is made from 100% organic Bulgarian Roses. Rose water helps control the skins natural oil production and pH balance, diminishes redness and soothes irritated skin, which makes it perfect for oily-combination skin.

The third step of my face mask routine is to moisturize. I like to give my skin a nice boost with Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Day Cream. 

Nubian Heritage - Goats Milk & Chai

No joke, I'm obsessed with the goats milk & chai body care line from Nubian Heritage! The scent is wonderful, if you've ever used or smelled the Victor&Rolf perfume "Flowerbomb", you will be able to imagine what this line smells like, just not as intense and overpowering as the perfume. The hand cream is a miracle worker on both dry hands and feet and both the body wash and lotion leaves the skin soft and firm. The only issue with the body lotion is that you have to shake it well before using, otherwise you will get a handful of oil instead of lotion.

Mineral Fusion

I just received the Mineral Fusion Sugar Plum Lip Tint Kit that I ordered a few days ago from iherb. I love the colors and how moisturizing they are! I don't usually order makeup from iherb, which is why I think that I've some how underestimated this brand... Mineral Fusion offer all types of cosmetics, nail- hair- and skin care and when visiting their website I also found out that most of their cosmetic products are EWG Verified!

by Rosie Jane

One of the hardest things I've had to find since taking the decision to swap out all of my beauty products to clean and organic is a good perfume, and after two years I can finally say that I've found the best one, Leila Lou By Rosie Jane. Not only is it made with natural and organic ingredients, it's affordable (compared to other organic fragrances that sometimes go for $150 and up) and I like the scent better than any other non-organic perfumes. 

Leila Lou Eau de Parfum has notes of pear, jasmine, fresh cut grass and is elegant, flirty and refreshing. In short, it's like being able to catch the scent of spring in a bottle.