This summer, wouldn’t you love to emerge from the pool with a fresh, flawless face? Attempting to get rid of acne and scars can be very frustrating especially if you’re dishing out dollars on laser and spa treatments. Also, covering up with heavy, oily concealers can contribute to the problem. Get out of the makeup aisle and head to your grocery store to achieve a smooth, even, skin tone.

Check out these 5 natural remedies:

Lemon Juice- Its true that the same natural bleach you use to lighten your hair can also be used to lighten your acne scars. Apply to the affected area twice a day and leave on for at least 15 minutes.

Honey- A little bit of honey is believed to miraculously heal scars. Apply for 15 minutes and rinse or leave on overnight. Make sure to cover with a band aid so it won’t get your pillow sticky!

Aloe Vera- The gel will help fade your scars and also prevent permanent scarring. Apply to skin twice a day especially after sun exposure.

Baking Soda- Use as a natural exfoliant to remove dead skin. Mix the baking soda with water to form a paste before applying to skin. Massage into the skin for 30 seconds before rinsing.

Tea Tree Oil- This oil is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Apply daily to reduce both acne and scarring.

What do you apply to your skin to prevent acne and heal scars?

Though you may be sleeping the recommended number of hours, are you snoozing in the right position? Sleeping in the wrong position can contribute to neck pain, back pain, and even wrinkle formation!

Which sleep position are you?

1) Side position- Oh no. This is how I sleep! Apparently sleeping on your side with your face pressed against the pillow can cause premature wrinkling. It can also contribute to sagging breasts. No bueno.

2) Stomach position- Sleep experts deem this position the worst. Sleeping on your stomach can affect the alignment of your spine and cause lower back pain.

3) Back position- Ding ding ding! This is the best position for beauty sleep. Your head and back are relaxed and your pillow isn’t causing wrinkles. If you sleep on your stomach, work on sleeping on your side first. Even sleeping habits are hard to change so take small incremental steps to achieving better sleep!

What do you do to achieve the best beauty sleep?

This morning, at 7:30 am, I headed to my fitness boot camp for the first day of resistance training. I’m used to hitting the weights so I was disappointed when the instructor brought out little resistance bands. However, after one exercise I felt more than just a tingling sensation. My arms were on fire and I ended up doing the modified version of almost every exercise. These bands are no joke! Start out with beginner’s bands with low repetitions then work your way up (1 set of 15 reps). You will definitely feel and see the difference!

5 Resistance Band Workouts:

1) Chest Press- Sit down on the floor and wrap the band around your back holding the band in both hands. Lie on the floor with your back against the band. Squeeze chest and press out arms in front of you for 3 sets of 15.

2) Row- Stand on the band and grab handles with both hands. Bend at the waist keeping your back flat bending your elbows and pulling arms up to your torso. Do 3 sets of 15.

3) Overhead Press- After rowing, stand up straight (both feet should still be on the band) and bring arms straight over your head. Lower by bending your elbows then repeat for 3 sets of 15.

4) Bicep Curl- Keep both feet secure on the band holding the handles with both hands. Bend your elbows and curl hands up towards your shoulders. Work up to 3 sets of 15.

5) Lateral Rows- Keep both feet secure on the band, hip width apart. Grab handles with both hands palms facing in. Raise bands out to the sides of the body until shoulder height and repeat (3 sets of 15).

After the first week add more sets or progress to thicker bands! How do you incorporate resistance training in your workouts?

As June approaches and temperatures increase, it’s time to head to the nearest swimming pool. Instead of lounging and laying out, incorporate swimming in your workout regimen. Swimming improves balance, strength, flexibility and soothes joint pain.

Check out these 5 Water Workouts:

1) Laps- Swim 100 meter laps alternating front and back stroke. Time yourself the first time and swim for about as long as you can run on a treadmill.

2) Sprints- Start waist deep in the water and sprint forward as fast as you can keeping your knees high. The deeper you go in the water, the more challenging the workout becomes.

3) Treading water- Go to the deep end of the pool and make small circles with your hands. In order to K-Tread, bring your right leg straight at hip level then quickly switch legs. Start with 1 minute intervals. This will work your chest, arms, back, glutes, abs, and hamstrings!

4) Water Aerobics- Many gyms and pools offer aqua aerobics classes. Take advantage of these classes because the workout it already designed for you.

5) Wave Maker- Hold on to the edge of the pool with your left and right hand. Extend legs behind you and kick as fast and hard as you can for 30 seconds. Work up to 3 sets! This will work your back, abs, glutes, and legs.

What is your favorite water workout?

So you’ve enjoyed all of the lotion from your Scandle Body Massage Candle and you’re staring at an empty canister. What to do now? Don’t head to the trash can. After having quite a bit of fun around the office, I’d like to share my 5 uses for your Scandle ceramic canister:

1) Refill- Scandle packaging is re-usable of course! Order another Scandle or try a refill in a different scent. You’re saving money and helping the environment.

2) Plant Container- The canisters are the perfect size to grow a plant on your desk or small herb in your kitchen. Line each canister along your window to ensure plenty of sunlight and be sure to water daily. Because the biggest cause of death in container plants is overwatering, its important to drain the pot. You can use the Scandle pour spout to get rid of excess water with ease!

3) Creative Decor

Kati, our administrative assistant, likes to use Scandle canisters to add height to her computer monitor. How creative!

4) Office Supplies

I use my Scandle canister to hold pens, post-its, highlighters, and glue sticks. After I came up with this brilliant idea, all of my co-workers became copycats.

5) Business Cards

The Scandle canister is just the right size to hold your important contacts. Want to separate business from personal contacts? Use a canister in a different color.

How do you use your Scandle canister?

With all the options available, how do you decide which toothpaste is right for you? When it comes to choosing a formula, think about the specific problems and characteristics of your teeth. As for flavor and consistency, its strictly a matter of preference.

Bad Breath- Bacteria in your mouth love those sugars left on your teeth after you’ve eaten a meal. If you constantly suffer from bad breath, make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride which strengthens tooth enamel and fights both plaque and cavities that cause bad breath.

Heavy Plaque- If you have a buildup of plaque, brush more frequently and use a tartar control toothpaste. Plaque can turn to tartar, lead to gingivitis, or cause tooth decay if not regularly removed.

Sensitive Teeth- If your teeth are easily irritated by hot or cold temperatures, opt for a sensitive line of toothpaste like Colgate Sensitive. Always look for a toothpaste that specially formulated to strengthen teeth and soothe pain.

Stained Teeth- Opt for an advanced whitening toothpaste if you’ve had exposure to tobacco, tea, or coffee. Whitening toothpastes will polish and reduce stains.

Multiple problems- If you have two or more of these issues, opt for a toothpaste that provides total care. Toothpastes like Colgate Total fight plaque, gingivitis, tartar, cavities and bad breath.

Last but not least, always choose a toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal of approval. What toothpaste works best for you?

With all the focus on cardio and weight training, we must not forget the importance of stretching! There’s nothing worse than skipping stretching after a rigorous workout and then sitting at your desk for 8 long hours. Flexibility training improves posture, decreases risk of injury, and reduces muscle soreness.

Check out these 5 tips to increase flexibility:

Begin with static stretching- Static stretching increases mobility and range of movement. Start incorporating 15 minutes of stretching first thing in the morning and right before bed. Don’t know where to start? Try this guide to 10 basic stretches!

Stretch post workout- Never forget to stretch after a workout when muscles are nice and warm. If you choose to also stretch before you workout, make sure you do so after you warm up. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury.

Focus on breathing- Breathe deeply and fully while holding each stretch for at least 15-30 seconds.

Flex your muscles- Contract your muscle for 5 seconds then relax. As you relax, you will be able to achieve a deeper stretch.

Take a class- Many gyms offer yoga and pilates classes after an intense cardio class. These classes are usually included in your membership fee. Take advantage and dedicate 2 hrs each week to improving your flexibility. Just think of all the anti aging benefits!

What steps do you take to increase flexibility?

Looking for healthy options and short on time? Make a shake! Shakes are a great way to get your daily recommended servings of fruit, vegetables, and protein.

Fruit- Keep it healthy. Instead of adding sugar and ice cream to your shake, opt for natural sweeteners like honey. If you prefer a thicker shake, add nonfat yogurt. Throw in your favorite fresh or frozen fruit in the blender for a sweet treat that’s sure to please!

Veggie- If you’re using fresh vegetables, make sure to wash them before tossing in the blender. If you have a food processor, you can use just about any vegetable you want. I like to make my shakes with carrots, spinach, kale, and flax seed. You can then mix the veggies with soy milk, coconut milk, or yogurt.

Protein- If your stuck on the taste of fruit and veggie shakes, simply add a cup of whey protein to your recipe. Whey protein can also be added to peanut butter, skim milk, and bananas. After a workout, I mix a cup of whey protein with almond milk.

If you dont want to create your own, click here for creative shake recipes. Have a favorite shake recipe? Share with us!