The Carpathian mountains, which stretch southwards across seven countries and over 200,000 km2, from the Danube in Austria to the Iron Gate Dam in Romania, are home to 16 million people, most of whom live in rural communities. The region is also the last refuge in Europe for thousands of bears, wolves and lynx.

People and predatory animals have been living side-by-side in the Carpathians for millennia. Farmers using traditional methods have developed protection systems that lead to a harmonious coexistence: shepherds sleeping with their flocks at night; deer and boar populations are maintained in the forests as prey; inhabited villages marking the limits of the carnivores’ roaming.

Indeed, the biggest threat to the Carpathian people’s traditional life, and to the survival of wildlife, is not predatory beast, but predatory man. Privatisation of forests since the collapse of Communism is leading to overlogging. Deforestation, due to climate change, is also occurring, threatening wildlife habitat. In some areas, poaching is out of control and the traditional nature protection methods practiced by livestock breeders are under pressure from the difficult economic situation faced by most Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

In addition, five of the Carpathian countries will join the European Union over the next few years. The prospect of EU accession will see new economic development in the region. Roads, factories and hotels could ruin the Carpathians unless a comprehensive system of habitat protection is established. New nature conservation standards are needed in the eastern Carpathian countries—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine—if wildlife and traditional communities are to be preserved.

It is so wonderful to discover all the bounties nature provides, from nutritious foods to give us optimum health, to roots and herbs created to heal our bodies when we are injured, in discomfort or suffering from dis-ease. We have been blessed with an added bonus from the thoughtful creator of thousands of organics and minerals which give us the ingredients for a special form of maintaining great health on the outside as well as within…

 Natural Beauty Products. It only makes sense to care for ourselves on the outside with the same consideration of health consciousness as we give to the care of our bodies on the inside. Our skin is like a giant sponge, and by now we should understand there is a very good reason our ancestors relied so strongly upon Nature to provide everything we need in this aspect. I just love it when I find new places dedicated to natural beauty, and am especially impressed when I discover they never test on animals, as these are the only beauty products I will consider. Even though I have a good supply of home-made soaps and such, it is always fun to supplement this with delightful organics from different places around the world. Each of us is different in our own special way, and it is so sweet to be able to let the Beauty of Nature shine through.

Most people are shocked when they discover I am a grandmother. They usually look twice when they hear my little ones calling out to me at the park, or when we are out for a walk. When people ask me how I manage such a youthful appearance, I generally shrug and say “I am just lucky, I guess”. Then I get serious and tell people it has to do with keeping active (I love to dance and practice martial arts, tai chi and yoga), my faith in nature, and a positive outlook. I try to feed my body with nature and health in mind, although I do tend to indulge upon occasion (who doesn’t??), and pay close attention to what I put on my skin.

Our skin is like a sponge… everything we put on it is absorbed into our bodies to a certain point. Maintaining great health and youthful looks is really quite simple. Finding great natural products designed to promote skin wellness and reversing the signs of extrinsic skin aging while preventing future skin damage is an important step. Our faces are exposed to all kinds of harsh elements, and with the right anti-aging wrinkle cream added to our skin care regimen, we can prevent and even reverse such harmful damage.

I have had the pleasure to try out an excellent renewal face lotion from Epionce. I was particularly impressed with the subtle citrus scent, and smoothness as it gently penetrated my skin. It left my face feeling soft and supple, without the greasy feel of some facial lotions. This gives me to believe the claim that the Epionce products actually penetrate deep into the skin’s protective layer as well as the glue that holds your skin cells together. This causes your skin to become extremely healthy, where it will work to repair itself and grow as normal as possible creating an anti-aging effect. This means younger, healthy skin with an increase in collagen production and less visible signs of sun damage, aging, wrinkles and fine-lines.

I am looking forward to trying the renewal eye cream to help smooth and nourish the fine lines around my eyes. You may be certain that I shall endeavor to perfect the art of aging Gracefully and Naturally, and am quite happy to share what I learn along the way.

All I can say is WOW! Being a mom, I can totally appreciate great style when I see it. And when one is expecting, we can truly let our outer beauty compliment our inner beauty. Have I found the perfect place to pamper ourselves! These stylish fashions are sure to help us feel confident and beautiful while waiting for our sweet little bundle/bundles to arrive. I remember the days when maternity clothes and fashion simply did not co-exist for the average mom! My very dear friend J is due any day now to have her first child, and I have been totally impressed with her maternity wardrobe.

So, if you are expecting, and wish to look your best with the latest fashions in maternity clothes, you may wish to take a look at some fantastic styles to be found for expectant moms at Due Maternity. I was totally blown away at all the choices, from casual to the most elegant of formal wear. No matter the occasion, you will find something to suit your style or mood, to keep you feeling beautiful anytime, anywhere.

At Due Maternity, you can find what you’re looking for… from stylish maternity clothes to nursing and skin care, all in one place. At Due you’ll find clothes and accessories designed for this one special time in your life. Today’s maternity isn’t about covering up or dressing down. It’s about fashion without compromise. Comfort without sacrificing style. And it’s all about showing off and letting the whole world know you’re expecting. After all, we know we simply deserve the best!

Enjoy the Beautiful mother that is you!