Growing up in the countryside of Iran, Shiva Rose was exposed early on to an untamed natural landscape. It was the outdoors that filled her childhood instead of televisions and grocery stores. Now, Rose credits this environment to her in-depth understanding of the relationship between the earth and our bodies, from skincare to nutrition.
After moving to LA at age 10 everything changed and, slowly, her instinctual connection loosened. At age 26 and after the birth of her first daughter, she suffered a long list of health problems, from Lupus to rheumatoid arthritis. She tried Western medicine, only to realize it was causing collateral damage and hormone issues. So, Rose decided to return to her veritable roots, removing toxic chemicals and wheat and re-integrating herbs, spiritual practices and organic goods into her routine. Simplifying her life proved fruitful, and she started to heal.
At The Local Rose, she combines a passion for sharing her findings with blog readers, along with products that help them live a natural life from every angle. From face oils to rose water, the site covers everything an organic goddess desires. The former actor shares more ideas about her approach below.
Organic Importance…
Out of all shifts in her own health, Rose attributes much of her improved state to going organic. For her—and her clients—this is an essential link. “A lot of our foods are grown with pesticides. So when you’re eating something with the pesticide, you’re eating that pesticide,” she says. “And think: If it’s going to kill plants, it will most certainly harm the lining of your stomach. Then, genetically modified organisms create inflammation in the gut. So I still eat wheat once in a while, but not often. Instead, I might substitute with oat flowers.”
As for dairy choices, Rose sticks to raw, organic dairy that’s unpasteurized. “That’s my preference,” she says. “I want the helpful, nutritional bacteria still in it. And, when it is pasteurized, the killed bacteria are left in—and then you’re drinking that. There’s a rabbit hole of information you can go down, so do some research and find what works best for your body.”
Eye on Ayurveda…
While Eastern medicine has already been bursting onto the Western scene, Rose says Ayurveda is soon to be popular, too, largely for its approach to overall health. “It’s been around for 5000 years, and it’s the traditional way of health in India,” she explains. “Ayurevda is next wave. It’s all about calming the nervous system, nourishing and continuously detoxing. Plus, they treat based on the different doshas, the three types of energies. The idea is, if you continuously detox, you won’t get ill.”
Rose loves many of the practices associated with Ayurveda, especially dry brushing, oil pulling and drinking hot water with lemon each morning. “These are things you can do throughout your day to support a healthier, less ill life,” she says. “All of these practices have worked for me, and I also try to eat mung beans, lentils, ghee and the golden milk tonic they make. To that end, a lot of my beauty products are based in Ayurvedic traditions.”
The Local Rose’s Natural Products…
Rose’s products all focus on offering natural, organic options for whole body care. Her face serum, made from Kukui nut oil from Hawaii, is nourishing without overloading the face. “I’m so grateful people are embracing the products,” she says. “I’ve branched off from my original serum, and now also offer the Glow Balm as well as a rose water. I also have body oils and an Ayurvedic blend. Most importantly, my products won’t strip the skin.”
“I’m looking at it from a total health perspective,” she continues. “Your skin is a direct link to your blood stream. If you eat something that isn’t so healthy, at least you have your liver. But if you put something on your skin, there’s no filter. If it’s laden with chemicals or fragrances, it goes right into your blood, and that can include hormone disruptors.”
DIY Masks and Skincare…
Yogurt plus honey or oatmeal and honey both make great facemasks. For breakout-prone skin, try yogurt with turmeric, an anti-inflammatory.
For makeup removers, coconut, almond and sesame oil work well, and Rose suggests almond oil specifically for under-eye skin.
Concentrate on Calming…
In the fast-paced, high intensity world, Rose says we need calming influences more than ever. In the face of loads of magnetic waves (thanks, computers and cellphones!) and without a constant connection to nature or foods with magnesium (a calming mineral), it’s easy to understand everyone’s frazzled nerves. “You have to create your own pathway to calm,” says Rose. “Bath and beauty rituals, walking barefoot in spring and summer and taking magnesium supplements all help rebalance your state. Also, turn the wi-fi off on your phone off at night.”
Shiva’s Take on Trends…
Rose thinks Kundalini yoga, walking barefoot and bone broth all rate high on the current helpful healers list. “Broth, especially, is great,” she says. “It restores your body and is wonderful for your immune system.”
A Different View of Fitness…
Because the Ayurvedic tradition asserts that intense workouts aren’t helpful, Rose prefers walking or hiking for her personal fitness routine. “You should have a mild sweat under your arms and on your neck,” she says. “I don’t want to exert myself with anything too strenuous, because that can spark my—or anyone’s—inflammation.”
Snack On…
…soaked walnuts, almonds, fruit, smoothies, tonics and raw chocolate or cacao.
Stay Away From...
…all non-organic or GMO products. “Corn and soy are especially bad, and steer clear of soda, candy bars and anything that has preservatives,” says Rose. “Anything that’s mass produced doesn’t have our health in mind, really. Even things like juices can be tricky. If they’re not organic, you’re just drinking pesticides. Or if you’re drinking water from a container with BPAs, that’s a hormone disruptor. Be conscious and aware of what you’re taking into your body.”
Jump-Start Your Overall Health By…
…going inward.
Take a breath and speak to your soul and higher power. “Try to connect with that every day,” says Rose.
Shiva’s LA Favorites:
Restaurant: Café Gratitude or Farmer and the Cook
Splurge: Chips and guacamole at Farmer and the Cook
Fun Activity: Hiking in the Canyon
Kids’ Activty: Road trips to Joshua Tree or Ojai
Authors and Books: Susun Weed
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Christiane Northrup, MD
Websites: MindBodyGreen, Chalkboard and Dr. Mercola’s site, mercola.com
Documentaries:Farmageddon
Shiva’s SBS Mantra: Be Fearless! We hold back so much, which we sometimes aren’t even conscious of doing. We are fed fear through the media, so it’s hard for us to remember what our courageous self really wants to do. When we can, it’s worth it.
