Archive for February, 2011

The Magic of Green Tea

Monday, February 28th, 2011

More than ever before, we are overly stressed physically, financially and mentally and living in a toxic environment. So it is important that we take the time to create a chain reaction of profound wellness.

Green tea, a simple, inexpensive plant can help promote profound healing and well-being.

One type of Japanese green tea is kyoto karigane. Because of how this particular type of tea is grown and processed in Japan, it is has the highest stress-relieving amino acid L-theanine.

Drinking Kyoto Karigane will help you experience a higher alpha state, resulting in a mind that is clear and focused, your body will feel relaxed, and your creativity enhanced. In addition, the tea will boost your immune system as it is packed full of free-radical scavengers.

Using kyoto karigane on your body will help clean and nourish the skin.

What other “magical” and inexpensive natural remedies do you use to nourish yourself on the inside and out?

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Posted in Antioxidants, Brain Health, Green Tea, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Natural Health, Natural Remedies, Scandle Candle, Stress-Reducing Treatments, Tea Treatments | No Comments »

4 Ways to Stop Jaw Clenching

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Today I woke up with the worst ache in my jaw. At first, I thought that dream I had about duking it out with my ex was really not a dream at all! But, once I thought about it, I have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately and it was causing me to clench and grind my teeth at night.

Reasearch shows that humans are hardwired to respond to stress by clenching the jaw, and the first place our body registers stress is in the jaw.

Prolonged stress can lead to chronic jaw clenching and, ultimately, temporomadndibular Joint (TMJ) disorder. If left untreated, you may develop neck pain, headaches, or oher TMJ-related problems.

Here are some steps to break the cycle:

  • Awareness - Realize what’s causing you to stress out and clench
  • Release - Open your mouth slightly and consciously relax your jaw. Feel it get heavy. Assist this relaxation by placing your fingers on the sides of your jaw and massage and draw down the jaw.
  • Change or avoid whatever it is that’s causing your stress (like I did with my ex! I couldn’t change him…so now I avoid him! LOL)
  • Seek treatment from a skilled CranioSacral Therapist.

What makes your jaw clench? We may not have a solution but we’ll lend a thoughtful ear.;)

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Posted in Massage, Scandle Candle, Stress-Reducing Treatments | No Comments »

Recycled Roses

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Now that we have passed the Valentine’s Day mayhem, you may be one of the lucky ones and received some flowers for this romantic holiday. If you did receive some roses from a secret admirer, do not let them go to waste!

If you’re like me at all, I like to preserve my roses. It’s a simple enough trick, you spray them with hairspray to preserve the color and then hang them upside down to dry out. Now you have a lasting floral decoration with a little bit of sentiment behind it.

If you’re not a hopeless romantic, that’s still not a reason to let your roses go to waste. Rose water has been used for skin care regimens for years. It’s natural and free of chemicals and is great for treating acne and blemishes and can be used as a cleanser or make up remover as well. It is also an ingredient in many facials and scrubs.

Rosewater isn’t something you typically find at the market, but it’s easy enough to make in your kitchen. Organic roses, or roses from your garden, work the best. If that isn’t an option, just make sure you wash all the petals thoroughly with cold water to rinse off any chemicals from pesticides.

  • *Take the roses you received from your honey and pluck off the petals. Petals are the only part of the flower you will be using. Use enough petals to pack in about a cup.
  • *Put the petals in heat resistant glass bowl and cover them with two cups of boiling water. Cover the bowl and let it stew for 20-30 minutes.
  • *Pour the water into a container of your choice while straining the petals out as you pour.
  • *If you wish to add a preservative, add a tablespoon of alcohol, such as vodka, close the container and shake well. If not, then your natural, freshly made rose water should last 7-10 days.

Store the water in a cool place until your next use. You can use it for a nice spa treatment, or as a daily cleanser. You can also pour it into a small spray bottle to use as a mist to keep your skin from getting dry. Whatever you choose to do, be assured your skin will be healthy and hydrated!

Let us know what other creative ideas you came up with to recycle your flowers!

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Posted in Acne Causes & Treatments, Beauty Treatments, Budget Friendly Beauty Treatments, Healthy Living, Home Treatments, Natural Treatments & Products, Skin Care, Spa, Winter Care | 5 Comments »

Valentine’s Day Madness

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Valentine’s Day is almost here! The malls are packed with last minute shoppers looking for inspiration. The streets are filled with people selling roses and chocolate. Have you finished your Valentine shopping for your sweetheart yet?

If you need some help with last minute plans or presents, check out yesterday’s post: Valentine’s Day for Every Soul.

If you want to try your luck out, here are the Scandle giveaways that are still going on:

Acting Balanced - End 2/14
MidgetMomma - Ends 2/14
Musing Mainiac - Ends 2/14
Thrifty Things - Ends 2/17
SweepTight - Ends 2/19
Mint Green with Envy - Ends 2/21
Being Frugal and Making It Work - Ends 2/23

Have a great Valentine weekend! And if you did happen to forget to pick something up for your honey, say you’re sorry with a warm massage with the Scandle Massage Experience.

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Posted in Scandle Candle | No Comments »

Valentine’s Day for Every Soul

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Who says Valentine’s Day is just for your significant other? It’s not just about romance, but it’s about love, and everyone deserves a little love.

Now not everyone appreciates Valentine’s Day, but you do need to think of everyone. So like it or love it, here are a few tips and ideas for Valentine’s Day for every kind of soul out there.

For Your Lover
This one is the easy one. This is where the idea of a typical Valentine’s Day falls into play. There are many options from a candlelight dinner at their favorite restaurant to a picnic at the park with their favorite meal. You can treat them to a spa day, or pamper them yourself with an at-home spa treatment. (Scandle Massage Experience and Scandle’s Get Your Glow On is great for home treatments.) If you want to go for something a bit more unique, there are a lot of couples pottery classes that put on specials for Valentine’s Day. Murder Mystery Dinners have also become popular around Valentine’s Day. Those guarantee good food and an unpredictable good time.

For Your In-Laws
His and Hers gifts are great for your in-laws as well as “World’s Best” things if they happen to be grandparents. Even though it is not a holiday for them, in-laws love the idea that their son or daughter-in-law is always thinking about them. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way.

For Your Furry Friends
Make sure whatever flowers around your house are pet-friendly. Even if you think you’ve put it out of their reach, their fragrance and colors fascinate dogs and cats alike. Lilies and ivy plants, for example, are toxic to cats and dogs. (To view a complete list of plants, you can find them here.) Do not give them chocolate. They may appear to like it, but can create many digestive issues. There are plenty of Valentine’s Day treats that you can find at the pet store. If your pet likes it, there’s also plenty of adorable costumes available. Take your pooch in to get groomed or buy your cat a new scratching post. Your pets can appreciate this holiday as well, so be sure to look out for new collars, toys or beds for our furry family members.

For Your Friend
Especially the single ones who dread this day. They need a little of extra attention, so take them out to lunch, or treat them to a mani/pedi. A small gift bag is always a nice touch (check out Scandle’s Helping Hands and SOle Survivor Kits), and there are greeting cards for every relationship. So before you plan a night out with your boo, think about that friend of yours that may not have someone special to share it with.

For Your Kids
Okay, so they may not really understand what Valentine’s Day is for. For the kids, they get lots of candy and cards, and they have parties in their classrooms. For them, it’s a chance to get away from schoolwork. So it’ll be nice to create a new meaning of Valentine’s Day just between you and your kids. Wake up early and make a Valentine’s Day breakfast, and let them help. (Yes, that means letting them mix the pancake batter and clean up whatever mess they leave behind.) Do some arts and crafts projects. Help them make cards for their mom or dad or even their grandparents. Teach your kid about how Valentine’s Day is all about love.

For the Saver
No one wants to spend an arm and a leg on anything. If you want to save a bit, try writing a love letter (by hand) and making a “mix tape”. These are long lost traditions, and it shows a lot of thought and sentiment. Buy a small potted plant. Roses are so common and overpriced, and they eventually die. Get something that your loved one can invest time and care into, and that actually lasts. Make breakfast in bed. You don’t always have to go out. Sing a song or write a poem, everyone loves to be serenaded by their loved ones, whether they have a great voice or can’t carry a tune.

For Yourself
Treat yourself. Go give yourself a spa day, or make one at home. By yourself flowers, light a Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle, and get yourself something that makes you feel beautiful. This day is all about love, and that also means loving yourself.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It doesn’t matter if there is romance or not, but this holiday can be for everyone. So before you think about your lover, see if you can make someone else’s day first.

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Posted in Green Living, Healthy Living, Massage, Natural Treatments & Products, Spa, Valentine's Day | No Comments »

Winter Woes

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Isn’t winter over yet? It seems like we’ve been stuck in this cold, dry and dreaded season for months now. The cold fronts and winter flurries certainly have not been very friendly. If it’s been winter for so long, can’t Mother Nature just take a break?

The trees look dead, our dogs don’t want to go outside and our skin is on the fritz! It’s too bad we can’t take a pocketful of sunshine and sunflowers with us from the springtime. In order to avoid the drab of the harsh wintry days, you can make do with a safe haven inside your house.

  • Light some candles in your house to give it a warming atmosphere. Make sure it’s a smell you love to be surrounded by. (Scandle Essentials in the Calming Blend is particularly relaxing.) This environment in your house will take you away from the Iceland outside, and into your own escape.
  • Find your favorite flowers available this season and place some in every room. Dried flowers that you’ve collected over the year will also add a nice touch. This subtle touch of color will bring spring back into your house.
  • Bring the outdoors in. Having a covered porch or adding fountains to your decor will be a refreshing addition to your house. It’ll be a relief from the cabin fever you may catch when trapped by a blizzard.
  • Your daily regimen is important. Cleanse your skin daily, moisturize, and make sure that you feel good. Also, getting a humidifier does wonders to rehydrate your skin, so you don’t have to wake up with that dry, cracked skin on your chin. Every day needs to be started off on a high note, and that means you need to feel good about you. So make sure the dry winter air doesn’t scratch at your skin, and take your vitamins to prevent any colds.

With these quick tips, you’ll easily survive the rest of the winter. Spring is right around the corner, so bundle up, stay healthy and create your winter escape inside of your house.

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Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Beauty/Health Myths, Budget Friendly Beauty Treatments, Cold Prevention, Home Treatments, Sensitive skin, Winter Care | No Comments »

Craving Cranberries

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Cranberries are a delectable treat served next to your turkey for Thanksgiving, but cranberries aren’t just for the holidays anymore. The cranberry is one of three fruits native to North America that is grown for commercial purposes. It was the Native Americans that first discovered how versatile this fruit was, using it for food, dye and its healing agents. Cranberries are great when used as a whole fruit, when juiced, or when used as extracts.

Cranberries are more than just tasty though. They have been proven to have numerous health and medicinal benefits. Cranberries are known to strengthen bones and teeth and are a good source of calcium, so it’s no wonder that studies have shown that cranberry juice helps prevent cavities by blocking bacteria that stick to the teeth. Cranberry juice has also been known to aid in the prevention of urinary tract infections, certain types of cancer, kidney stones and stomach ulcers.

Cranberries can be used as more than just preventatives. It is also a good source of Vitamins A, C, E and K. It reduces the effects of sore throats, which in turn helps cure the common cold. The organic acids in the juices also help to break down the fat deposits in our bodies, so is great for those of us looking to shed some extra pounds.

If cranberries are not in your regular diet, you may want to consider incorporating it. Whether you are eating cranberries whole, using it in your cooking, or drinking the juices, it needs to be a part of your daily regimen. You may begin to notice more energy, less colds, or more flawless skin that may have been previously damaged from the sun. Who can really complain about that?

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Posted in Anti-Aging Treatments & Products, Antioxidants, Beauty Care & Treatments, Beauty/Health Myths, Budget Friendly Beauty Treatments, Cold Prevention, Cranberries, Healthy Living, Natural Remedies, Vitamin C, Vitamin e, Vitamins | No Comments »

Healthy Homes for Happy Living

Monday, February 7th, 2011

With a family or not, we could all do to live in a healthier environment. There’s a lot we can do to try and save the world, but it’s good to go in baby steps. Clean up your home, and then you can try to make the world a better and healthier place for the rest of us.

Your home may look clean to you, but you need to make sure the air your breathe is clean, the water is pure and you’re not surrounding yourself with toxic chemicals, regardless of how fancy that brand name sounds. With this, you can find some simple rules to keep your home, as well as you and your family, healthy.

  • Change Your Lightbulbs
    It seems like such a simple concept that it wouldn’t make that much of a difference. You also may not think that switching to compact fluorescents aren’t worth the price, but when you think about the efficiency of fluorescents, it makes a significant difference. If everyone switched to fluorescents, the number of light bulbs used per year would be reduced by the thousands.
  • Say Goodbye to Dust
    It seems like an obvious thing. However, dust needs to be kept under more control. Be sure to sweep out all the places you can’t see and can’t reach. Pollen and dust build up can lead to respiratory problems, and can stimulate asthma attacks. Be sure to change your air filter monthly, quit smoking and take off your shoes. This reduces dust, pollen and pesticides, and it also helps out with the vacuuming. Clean air mean healthy lungs.
  • Cut the Power
    You don’t have to change your way of life, but adjusting your habits can greatly reduce your electricity bill. Unplug things if you don’t use it for a few days. Get a programmable thermostat and set it to your schedule. Choose appliances with Energy Star ratings, which are proven to help save on your bills. Insulate your water heater, which in turn will let you set your thermostat lower. Seal all the air leaks around your doors and windows.
  • Test and Check
    Get your home tested for all toxins. Radon, lead and carbon monoxide can all potentially be fatal. Avoid pesticides in your lawn and try to switch to all natural cleaning products.

Following these tips will increase your quality of life and all those around you. None of these things will change your lifestyle, but can change your life dramatically. It pays to pay attention to these small details. Little by little, you can save yourself and help save the world.

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Posted in Green Living, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Scandle Candle | No Comments »