" Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do"
Then I guess this is me owning mine. Imperfect, wounded open and without apologies.
I woke up this morning with a fog of sadness. I am a happy person usually. Sure I have bouts of lows like everyone else, but they never last, not even when they should. When people thought I should be inconsolably drowning in my grief, I found ways to float to the top and find air. Maybe it's my brand of weird, perhaps it's me being strong, or just broken enough to appear strong. Read on and you'll find out.
I woke up and rolled over to find my little one's angelic face beside me. Baby L had pitter-pattered to my very tall four-post bed last night, tugging at my sheets. "Mommy… mooommmyy… wake up!" I did wake up reluctantly to find her crawling across me and settling between my husband and me. She laid her head on the baby pillow I placed there just in case. That, just in case, is usually once a month, sometimes less now that she is five. "I'm thirsty, Mommy she whispered to me." I rolled over and slipped out of bed. The bright green numbers on my charging apple watch snarled at me. 3:30 am, a good hour and a half before I usually wake up.
Tucking baby L in bed, I went down to grab her a glass of water, then curled up and spooned her warm body as she went back to sleep. Just over an hour later, I was awake, this time for good staring at my baby girl sleeping. Awake and sad. I couldn't shake the feeling of gloom which is very unlike me. I just chalked it up to missing the morning jog, thanks to the constant rain, the sunless sunrise which always made me restless, or the film of cold air persisting despite my deep need for spring warmth clawing at my skin. I monotonously moved through the day, working, staying busy waiting for the fog to lift.
11:35 am I looked at my watch, and it stared back at me… the same angry glaring green numbers as this morning.
11:35 am March 24th
Six years ago today also a cold sunless day like today at 11:32 am, I got a phone call from my husband. His voice eerie, almost mechanical, and purposefully devoid of emotion. He was strong because that's what I needed him to be. We all live under these invisible expectations of what others want from us, don't we? He thought he needed to be strong for me. I thought I needed to be silent for my kids; the world thought I should grieve as if grieving would fix it all. I was told gently by many well-wishers grieving meant losing composure; it is falling apart needing a shoulder to cry on or crying. They didn't just expect it; they waited for it. And it wouldn't come.
Today was the day, and I had forgotten. Six years have passed, and I'd forgotten the date. How did I do that? It was as if my neurons had memory. The memory my mind deemed forgettable. That sadness was my loss, my grief, my pain inching its way to the surface pulling at me to remember. Maybe it was the universe urging me to remember. Remember without pain because I've earned it. Remember without guilt because I've learned how. And I did, I remembered.
I remembered all of it like it had happened yesterday. The only thing missing is the squeezing pain in my chest. Now it was just a dull ache in my heart. Time doesn't heal, but it does fade some of the horror.
Do you know what it is about the death of a loved one that surprises you the most? It's how people treat you. Like you are a piece of glass about to shatter or like a circus animal they can stare at for entertainment: the awkward glances and long silences waiting for the right words to come. I watched with amusement as people struggled for the words. My inner people watcher and storyteller was alive and alert, or maybe this is how I coped in those days.
I remember telling my parent's lawn care guy, he''d been working for them for over two decades. He cried like a baby and I… didn't. Over the days, I managed to wade through unchartered waters on autopilot.
What takes you by surprise is how you spend your energy and time consoling others as if it was your job to make them feel better about your loss. Looking back, I had to break the news of my parent's death to so many people and then tell them lies to soothe their pain. Lies. Their pain, not mine. (shaking my head) The eternal happy girl in me grasping for ways to float to the top again.
Telling people they are in a better place, telling them things happen for a reason when all the while I didn't believe a word of it. The fact is I didn't cry because I was crisis managing. I was too busy running through my regrets. I should have done more, called more, visited more said more been more... I was slashing at my guilt with my eyes closed pushing away the pain for another day. I didn't fall apart because I was always the one people fell apart on. I didn't know how to be vulnerable because I wasn't strong enough to be strong. I didn't look for a shoulder to cry on because I am used to being the shoulder. It was safe, it was expected to always play the role which people have allowed you to grow into. I wasn't taught to be truly strong I was taught to be silent and fight back weakness. Play defense always. Ill equipped, caught off guard and truly desperate. You wouldn't know it though from looking at my rounded belly dressed in my mourning black and curls pushed back in place. I played the part I always played. Defiant and unemotional. I didn't care what people thought of me and that wasn't an act. So I stood in silence because my mother's voice was alive in my head. "You don't cry; you are strong and graceful, not weak." I needed to give her that one last time.
I am the girl who fixed broken things but here was my heart shattered into a million pieces and I didn't have a clue how to glue it back together. I am the one who thrives on stress and meeting numbers and goals and deadlines and grades and passing tests and winning… I was always that girl, I was good at it too. And now all the numbers added up to nothing but the inevitable truth. The cold unwavering truth I couldn't face, couldn't wrap my arms around. I wasn't angry not at them for dying not at the kids who all but walked away from the accident which left my father dead and my mother mangled. I wasn't angry at God or anyone else. So when someone suggested I see a therapist about my grief, I laughed at them. The last thing I needed was a head shrink in my head. Six years later, I still don't know if that was the right decision. But I know I've changed a little since and learned some about myself along the way.
Two years in, my body was showing signs of exhaustion even if my mind wasn't. Lack of sleep, high blood pressure, muscle pain, and this deep gnawing restlessness was my grief, looking for a way out. Every time my husband traveled I waited for him to come home to me in one piece. Waiting without knowing for the other shoe to drop. It was as if I was in a game with no rules now, like the only certainty was uncertainty. I fought the shadowy demons in my head while pretending I was thriving and surviving. I wasn't. I was treading water and that too barely. I figured out how to let it out; everyone does it in their own time. Letting it out by letting it in. It was the only way.
Six years later, I don't know if I am "normal" for what it's worth. I am convinced no one really is. But I do know that I didn't lose my parents. They are inside me, at least the important parts of them. Whenever I meet a challenge or tackle a problem or stand up for something or against something, I am not one but three. And that makes me a force to be reckoned with. No, I have not accepted their death; I never will, but I have made peace with its occurrence so they can live on.
When I look at my daughters, I see pieces of my parents in them. The pieces they don't even know they have but use so wonderfully well, making their own way in the world. They are not chained by their grandparents or by me. They are Free. I will not pass down my legacy of regrets or my need to be strong. The only voice in their head will be their own speaking sweet gentle affirmations of kindness and acceptance.
Six years later, I know writing these words sets me free too. Free from the guilt of not feeling things like the world expects me to. Free from the wrong definition of what Strength is. Now I know Strength is vulnerability. It is the courage to feel things even when they are impossible to survive if felt completely—but doing it anyway. Strength is knowing I am not alone in the world not even in the room. I am three. Always three. Imperfect, work in progress, learning to love myself and let go-three. And now I am free.
]]>People who struggle with mental illness suffer in silence. Partly because they can't acknowledge it themselves and then there is the added pressure of the social and societal taboo.
As a parent, a friend and a fallible person myself, I feel very strongly that we can do better for the Jennys of the world. We must. It's also important to know what to look for in our loved ones and in ourselves. To do better, we must know better. Here are some telltale signs of High functioning depression. Look for these in yourself and in others so you can help.
Morning Coffee
The blueberry scones were in the oven and the coffee percolating sent wafts of heavenly scent into my sunlit kitchen. The phone rings, its Jenny. We've been friends and neighbors for a long time. We have coffee Jenny and I, Tuesdays and Fridays. She sounded tired said she wasn't going to be able to make it today wanted to sleep in. Which seemed odd to me considering I was just across the street from her and shes always the bubbly one in her tracksuit and makeup done while I was the one in my robe hair in a bun trying to keep my eyes open. I made a mental note to check in on her later in the day and went on to start my day. It was 8 pm when finally I had a chance to unwind and remembered I had not heard from Jenny all day. I sat down to call her.
Do You Know a Jenny?
Let me tell you about my friend Jenny. She is a successful photographer and artist, married to a great guy. She is the oldest of three girls and an overachiever. Her home looks like a spread out of a high-end interior design magazine, and she is always punctual and well dressed not a hair out of place.
Have you ever wondered what the face of depression looks like? The stereotypical image of someone who can’t get out of bed, who can’t keep a job, and who has constant suicidal thoughts may be one form of depression. But there is another face. It's Jenny's face. It's bright and smiling, its laughter and stimulating conversation, it is manicured nails and a healthy lifestyle. There is a flip side to this. Its a day like today. When Jenny slept in when Jenny didn't pick up the phone. When she didn't open the door to my knocking.
The Many Faces of Sadness
There are two sides to mental health. Someone who isn't motivated to get out of bed. Having a hard time leaving the house to get groceries or pick up the kids at the bus stop. Isolated from friends and family. Feelings of hopelessness and deep dark sadness.
On the other side of the spectrum picture a prosperous, educated professional living a fast life with a great job, a tight group of friends and a long list of accomplishments to her name. The envy of friends and strangers. She still wakes up every morning with a debilitating sense of fear from the pressure to perform to be perfect and juggling all the balls. Underneath her bright smile, her inner voice was screaming self-defacing obscenities at her. The constant struggle to maintain a lie that has become her identity.
This type of depression is called high functioning depression. It is hard to spot and even harder to treat. There are risks if left untreated. People like Jenny suffer in silence and are unable to share their burden because of the way they appear better put together than you or I. Always the one who is the helper never the helped. The one with the answers, not the one with the questions. They find it hard to ask for help when they need it because it would shatter the image we have all grown to know and love about her. Do you know someone like that?
Peter, Jenny's husband, had come home to find her still sleeping only she wouldn't wake up when he tried to get her up for dinner. She had taken some pills she shouldn't have by mistake.
Why It's Important to Talk About It
People who struggle with mental illness suffer in silence. Partly because they can't acknowledge it themselves and then there is the added pressure of the social and societal taboo.
As a parent, a friend and a fallible person myself, I feel very strongly that we can do better for the Jennys of the world. We must. It's also important to know what to look for in our loved ones and in ourselves. To do better, we must know better. Here are some telltale signs of High functioning depression. Look for these in yourself and in others so you can help.
Overall well being is all about balance. We cannot have stability without mental, physical and spiritual balance. While the beautiful glowing skin comes from proper skin care, it also exudes from within. Yes, there are many easy to do daily tricks to keep you joyful. Read our blog Finding Happy to learn more.
But finding joy isn't as easy for someone with an underlying cause of depression. It's important to know the difference.
Jenny is home now from the hospital and we are back to our morning coffees. She is just as vibrant and pulled together as shes always been. And I admire her even more for her resilience and most importantly she knows my door is always open without judgment or expectation. Everyone needs that.
If you see someone struggling reach out to them. Even if you don't know how at first, try. It is terrible to be trapped in your own mind with no one to hear you. Maybe, just maybe a lot of senseless violence and bloodshed can be avoided if we could acknowledge, include and respect everyone's struggle in their own space and not marginalize and avoid or judge people for it. Coping is difficult and walking through our day being a little more observant is a great way to be of help.
Embrace the awkward and the uncomfortable and start a conversation that scratches beyond the surface.
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Today I was cleaning up a closet in my basement and came across an old medicine bag; its leather-beaten and worn edges soft from age brought back an indelible flash of memories. It was my dad's medicine bag. He had it for emergencies. I have memories of him rushing out in the middle of the night to help a friend or neighbor with this bag. It had everything in it from a first aid kit with bandages antiseptics, BP kit stethoscope, even surgical scalpels, pain killers, and a sutures kit.
Growing up, I was attracted to loud, brash men. As any naive teenager, I liked the shiny objects better than the subtle worn ones. I remember my uncle and I had many worldly conversations; he was charismatic, jovial and talkative, quite the opposite of my father. I confided in him about my school friends and celebrity crushes; he was never judgemental and always kept my secrets. He taught me not to drink the punch from the punch bowl or take drinks from strangers. To be the designated sober companion but never the drunk friend who needs help. To be aware and vigilant always. Have fun, but stay cautious. I may have been 16 or so at the time. He gently reminded me during one of his long talks, "you are growing up, going places alone. I'm not saying you shouldn't go - but if you do, then you need to protect yourself, be smart, and don't tell your parents you have this they won't approve". He handed me a pepper spray contraption with a key chain at the end of it; his expression was that of dealer whipping up a dime bag in the parking lot. This was our little secret.
I was excited. It was a little like a right of passage. I immediately remembered scenes from some movie I'd watched with a beautiful woman clicking in stilettos down a marble lobby with her car keys and pepper spray dangling from her keychain as she confidently faced the world. I too, would be this worldly woman one day, so I carried that pepper spray with me everywhere. In my school bag, my back jean pocket, my pocketbook. Wherever I went, my trusted friend went with me. I would curiously stare at it, wondering if it would do the job in the event I did need to use it. I wasn't sure, and I needed to be sure. I was in my room after dinner one day and mustered up enough courage to test it out. I stood in the middle of my bedroom and pointed the spray away from me and pushed the lever down slightly. Nothing. Then I tried again this time I pushed harder. I heard a swish sound like that from a spray of air in an empty canister. But then nothing. I moved a little closer and smelled nothing. How was I to know if this thing worked? I wrinkled my nose in frustration. It was not going as I imagined. So I moved still closer and then it happened. There was no scent at all, but I felt something sting my eyes, I stepped away quickly, but it was too late. I rubbed my eyes, and the sting turned to a slow harsh burn now my mouth my nose and my eyes were all impossibly on fire. I tried to open my eyes, but that made it even worse, I could feel my throat burning, my skin was hot and flaming. It felt like I was going to melt and die. But I didn't realize I was screaming flailing my arms running around my room, banging into things trying to go somewhere. Anywhere I could feel better. I heard loud steps, dad calling my name and mom's voice behind him, the door slammed open, and two strong hands grabbed my shoulders and jerked me forward. It was my dad. I'm sure he assessed the situation quickly with the pepper spray lying on the bed. He yelled at mom to stay out of the room and grab his bag. He took my hand and led me out into the hallway, checked my eyes, which were still closed tears streaming down them. I was now sobbing like a baby from the pain of course but mostly from embarrassment at what an idiot I was. Who sprays a high-pressure canister of potent pepper in a closed room anyway. The answer is teenagers. Even the smartest teens do some dumb things. It's not their fault blame it on their curiosity and their growing brain. Mom was back now angry and yelling at me. Even with my eyes closed, I could sense panic and fear in her voice. I must have looked a site to them. Swollen faced and snot-nosed. I was terrified, will I lose my eyesight, do I have burns on my face? I didn't dare ask any of this. Dad gently shushed her and spoke to me. "I'm going to clean your eyes now Mom will help you wash your face after, then we are going to put some ointment on your eyes to soothe them. I need you to take this pill; it will make you sleepy. Go to sleep. You are going to be just fine," he said and placed a small pill and a glass of water in my hands. I followed his instructions. I remember drifting to sleep in our guest room where mom tucked me in. They cleaned my bedroom and aired it out for a couple of days before I was allowed to sleep there.
We never spoke of the pepper spray again. It had mysteriously disappeared never to be seen again, and in its place, I found a shiny new bright pink personal sound alarm with an LED light dangling from my key chain. A harmless item that made a mean sound. I had been reduced from a stiletto-wearing woman in a marble lobby to a helmet-wearing kid on her pink bike. I was ok with that. I never wanted to see that angry-looking pepper spray again.
I have many memories of my father. None of them were typical of many other fathers. He wasn't the friendly neighbor flipping burgers at our backyard parties, or the soccer dad screaming encouragement from the sidelines. He wasn't like my husband teaching his girls to ride their bikes or playing basketball with them, polishing a handcrafted project in his woodshop.
My dad was different. I remember my father and his medicine bag. He was a healer, a thinker. He was a man of few words but a man of action. I saw my father clearly always. He was the one who picked me up effortlessly swarmed by bees and ran down a flight of steps as the bees stung us, both never flinching or hesitating for a moment. He wrestled with me less and played chess with me more. He never let me win because I was young, but he let me lose for years until I finally won on my own accord. He taught me persistence pays and love is coming back for more even if it meant you would lose every game but win the ultimate prize. The life lesson was that respect is hard-earned. He nurtured in me my ability to withstand intense pain and disappointment because where cuts happen, the skin grows thicker. You are better for your failures and get stronger from the pain of your loss and failures. It is from him I get my love of reading and writing. He stifled many dreams to give mom and me the life we wanted. I didn't know any of his dreams because he never wallowed in his sacrifice, only his accomplishment. That was us. Mom was the love of his life, and I was his only child; we were his life's work along with the hundreds of veterans he saved for his 46 years of service at the VA. This quiet thinking man who spoke with an accent never wavered from his responsibilities.
We praise so many who do amazing things in their lives, the noble prize winners, the Oscar winners, but we tend to forget those on whose shoulders these famous men and women stand. Those who work everyday head down nose to the ground for a singular purpose. These men build the backbone of America. Their daily values and spiritual strength still stand long after they are gone. We, their children, are their legacy. I choose every day to live the life that will make him proud. Some days I fail, but I start the next day again because like chess one day I will win. I will always remember my father and his medicine bag and am grateful to have had the time to learn the many lessons he taught me. I hope he is looking down now and then and approves of what he sees.
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There is a great deal of uncertainty in many parts of our lives and our community right now. For Lotus and Aire, the one certainty is that we look to our values as our moral compass to manage through this national crisis. Our purpose is to serve, and we stand for what is right; that’s who we are and what we do.
We stand against racism and social injustice.
We’ve been watching as the events of this week unfolded before us and more importantly, we’re listening for opportunities to help and to heal. As always, our best response to any situation comes from listening to the thoughts and feelings of our customers.
Thank you for being a part of our family.
Lotus and Aire Team
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Choose to eat healthy.
Choose to exercise whether it be yoga or running or HIIT training or simply walking long distances communing with nature.
Choose to make mindful decisions throughout the day on how you handle stressful situations.
Choose to embrace hopeful exuberance through living a positive life.
]]>In the last few days, it has become more and more difficult to ignore the talk of the Coronavirus even if you or someone you know isn't directly by it. We are all affected by association, and it creates a breeding ground for negative emotions. So many thoughts run through my mind. "I don't have time for this." "Like I don't have enough on my plate, to begin with." "I have plans that are being affected by this." I know I am not alone in feeling this way, you are all going through the same feelings of apprehension and anxiety too. First, I want to say these are warranted feelings; you are not selfish or unsympathetic to have them.
I am a firm believer in the power of positivity, and these days I remind myself and those around me that there still are reasons to stay hopeful, and it does not mean being complacent or ignoring the situation at hand.
Without debating the facts and the stats, I can tell you this. We can't allow this situation to hold us hostage. In life, perspective is everything. Arming ourselves with information and having a plan puts us in control.
It is easy to say, don't panic, but panic is a stress response from the body, which is triggered by the mind. And stress produces cortisol, which suppresses our immune system.
Ask a dozen active people who have fallen ill with the common cold or a sore throat; you'll likely discover a solid pattern. Chances are pretty high; they came down with the cold or flu while they were working long hours. Eating unhealthy meals, getting little to no sleep, yet pushing themselves to function at full-speed. While not always the case, many people say sickness sneaks up during a stressful life event. There is no doubt; this is one such event.
As many longtime yogis will attest, asana practice provides a natural means of supporting the immune system on a day-to-day basis. Yoga helps lower stress hormones that compromise the immune system, while also conditioning the lungs and respiratory tract, stimulating the lymphatic system to expel toxins from the body, and bringing oxygenated blood to the various organs to ensure their optimal function.
Unlike other forms of exercise and movement which focus on specific body parts, yoga works on the body as a whole.
It is important to note at this time that yoga is a preventative measure, not a form of treatment. Should you come down with the flu or some other type of respiratory infection, it's best not to practice yoga, since the condition requires absolute rest and seek medical assistance immediately.
Another crucial piece to self- care and maintaining the balance between your body and mind is meditation.
Meditating every day reduces the incidence of infectious ailments by de-stressing the body and mind. There is plenty of research out there to support the theory that meditation; even just 20 minutes of it every day can increase endorphins, decrease cortisol levels, and fosters a positive state of mind, which promotes better overall health. The best part is it can be done anywhere. There are some fantastic apps out there to use. I like Calm
It is better to do something than nothing at all. You don't have to be an expert yogi to benefit from it, nor do you have to be great at meditating just to start. The process of taking the time to practice either is enough to create the environment necessary within you to benefit from it. My advice to you is: do it every day, do it with mindfulness, and you will see the subtle differences over time. You can meditate anywhere.
1. Focus on the 3 S's
2. The sun is your friend
Soak in some all-natural Vitamin D. It bolsters your good mood, boosts your vitamin D3 reserves and it is fun too.
3. Eat fermented foods
Common fermented foods are kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, and yogurt. Aids digestion and boosts the immune system. Fermented foods are known to protect against viruses and control intestinal infections. Microorganisms live in the intestinal tract, so adding these to your diet is beneficial. I love kimchi and yogurt, not necessarily together. They are staples in my home. You can pick your own.
4. Boost your Zinc, Vitamin C reserves
Eggs are an excellent source for zinc, nuts, dairy, even some seeds, and shellfish. I incorporate brazil nuts for selenium to my diet as well. Oranges have Vitamin C, and elderberries are a fantastic source of naturally occurring flavonoids, and all these boost your immune system while lessening stress. The key is taking as many natural sources of vitamins before you pop pills, this moderates the amount you ingest at a time so that you won't overdo it. Too much metal or minerals can have the opposite effect you are looking for, so be careful and do your research.
5. Get Moving
Here's the big one. Incorporate more physical movement into your daily schedule. If you can run great, if you can't run, then walk, do short bursts of complex movements add some light resistance training. My husband and I both Olympic weight lift, and we started with a terrific personal trainer. I highly recommend if you plan to lift heavy weights, start with some guidance. Since then, we have incorporated strength training into our daily routine and can't imagine not doing it. You don't have to lift heavy to enjoy the benefits. It can just be doing overhead presses - 12 reps of 3 with soup cans in each hand. The internet is a wealth of resources to the different movements you can safely do at home with household items. Pick one that is comfortable for you. There are also so many apps and online coaching classes available to you without ever leaving your home. You may even find a trainer in your community who has online physical and nutritional coaching available to you as we did. Use the resources available to you in your communities.
6. See Your Chiropractor
Yes, you read it right. How many of you see your chiropractor regularly? I didn't until my husband hurt his back, and he had to go. Then we both started going. It has made a massive difference in our health and well being.
Getting an adjustment aligning your spine is one of the best ways to boost your immune system. Because our nervous system controls the function of our cells and tissues, a misalignment can compromise your immune system. Chiropractic adjustments can improve digestion too. The nerves that run through your spine also control your stomach. Misalignment can also be signaling your stomach to produce unhealthy amounts of stomach acids causing acid reflux and heartburn.
It is reasonable to focus on preventive measures on the parts of the body, which will be easily compromised by COVID19. These parts include the nasal and bronchial passages. But all the data we have on respiratory ailments show us that colds, flu, and respiratory infections can result from poor digestion or an imbalance of energy in the digestive tract, which results in a build-up of mucus and phlegm that moves into the lungs. Which means everything starts in your gut. You are what you eat has never been more crucial than right now. So to those of you who are loading your carts with canned soups, spaghetti-o's or boxes of ramen noodles, stop and think about your gut. Make smart choices. The most significant insight you can take away from this experience is something minimal. You can change your life with the choices you make.
And by no means should we live under the misconception that doing all this will keep us safe from natural calamities or global pandemics.
But following the set guidelines given by our healthcare professionals nationwide to prevent the spread of COVID19.
Here are some resources listed for yoga, meditation, signs of COVID 19, and much more.
What to look for with COVID 19
Is your town running out of hand sanitizer? Not to worry there will always be an abundance of soap and water down your health and beauty aisles.
If you are looking to shop for all-natural skincare, soaps, body and hair oils shop Lotus and Aire today!
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When you envision your dream summer do you see glowing smooth skin. Healthy and thick hair, do you feel relaxed and at ease in your skin and in your mental space? You can totally achieve that without breaking the bank. Don't panic you don't have to do a complete overhaul of your winter routine to prepare for the summer. Just tweak it a little. When it comes to a perfect summer skin care, the key is to wind down and connect with the small details that will take your skin to the next level.
While you tend to lean toward compensating for dry skin in the winters with extra emmolient creams and moisturizing cleansers. In the summer, lean toward lightweight foam cleansers and naturally cooling toners to heighten your skin's need for a chill down and satiating needs.
My favorite toner is definitely Nirvana Hydrating Mist, it is lightweight and easy wearing for any time of day and night, you cab spritz it to freshen up your make up or to cool down your face in the summer heat.
Make small changes to your skin care routine and wind down the winter care while it is still chilly out so giving your skin the chance to gear up toward a summer environment early.
When it comes to most things less is definitely more, beware of overdoing a good thing. There are a myriad of great products out there but being overzealous with a routine and adding too many care products at one time can back fire. In the event that you have an allergic reaction it would be hard to tell which product is the culprit.
If you have-not been exfoliating your skin in the winter then let me just say it's time to start. We have just the right one for you. My favorite for the winter to summer transformation is Elevate Salt Scrub
Sun block should be an all year around thing for you. And it is the foundation of all great skin care routines. The reason is that while the burning UVB rays are much weaker in winter, the skin aging UVA rays don’t fluctuate as much throughout the seasons. I suggest finding an SPF30-50 to slow down the aging process and keep your skin in optimal condition long-term.
A great way to rejuvenate your skin is quite literally using the Rejuvenate Ayurvedic Face Steam every day.
]]>In a time when beauty considered in many cultures to be a "fair" complexion or a thin figure or the shape and size of the eyes, nose, and lips - let us introspect by looking back to a time when beauty was defined in wholesome and natural terms, and it was within every woman's reach.
The age old science of ayurveda defines beauty as the three pillars. Roopam is outer beauty —which is shining healthy hair, soft and clear complexion. Gunam refers to inner beauty — character, personality and the content and demeanor of your outlook in life. And vayastyag means lasting beauty — looking, and feeling, younger, the overall balance of your body - physical and mental health. Ayurvedic beauty is a focus on over all balance of beauty - health inside outside and the environment that we live in all coming together like the beats to a song. Each out songs are unique and like no other.
We are what we eat. Ayurveda is strongly based on this notion that radiant, clear skin begins with proper nutrition, efficient digestion and the integration of nutrients by the body from the foods we eat and regular expulsion of body generated waste. It's all about diet. There are simple Ayurvedic principles you can follow, even if you are a beginner.
These suggestions sound simple. But how many of us really follow them? Good eating habits require a lot of [pre-planning. And in a busy and stressful daily schedule pre-planning isn't as easy or practical it seems. With the tremendous benefits associated with simple living, I believe trying to pre-plan your meals and time your eating is a worthy cause to take up.
Sleep is the second most important thing in a balanced life. Our bodies need rest in order to rejuvenate themselves. Modern breakthroughs in sleep medicine indicated sleep is the most important aspect of nourishing our bodies and minds, this is a principle guiding source in Ayurveda which has been around for 5000 years.
The Third corner stone is behavior. How do we synthesize stress. Our actions have reactions and how we handle them daily determines the pathways within which our behaviors travel. Again, a daily body massage centers the body. Practicing deep breathing and meditation centers the soul, listening to uplifting music, inspirational ideas bring forth hope and keeps the mind active — anything you do to balance the mind and emotions will be reflected in your appearance, your skin your hair and your overall vitality.
Finding joy in simplicity shouldn't just be about following rules or setting straightforward regiments for self care through daily activities. It is in the smallest of details in how you look at life, Through positivity and joy.
When life hands you an obstacle find ways to overcome them with positivity and lightheartedness. Choosing to embrace the beauty and joy of simple feelings instead of wallowing in the negativity and chaos of turbulent emotions is always the answer to beauty and vitality on the inside and the outside.
To shop a comprehensive line of skin care, ornamental jewlery and a growing line of mindful home accessories go to Lotus+Aire
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Good self-care begins early. From toddlerhood when we teach our little ones to brush their teeth and wash behind their ears, to later on in life when we build on the basics. This discipline behind a daily skin and body care routine is the foundation that can make or break our graceful transition to tween, teen and then adulthood.
Over the years we find comfort in self-care, granted some of the mundane everyday stuff can be a drag, but it doesn't have to be. Learn to enjoy it and teach your little ones how to enjoy it too. As a mom to two beautiful girls in different stages of life, I can't stress enough how vital instilling a healthy and body positive self-care routine is for their growth and development.
Let's Talk Tween
Tweendom is exactly what it's cracked up to be and then some. Your little girl is well ...becoming a little woman. As if your feelings about it aren't already hard to handle there is more that becomes evident. And it is crucial tackling it all with tact.
Along with the changes in her body like weight gain, curves, shapely additions to the anatomy and maybe a little chub here and there. There comes the 'tude. Don't let this intimidate you. They will sleep longer, eat more, seem gloomy at times and look for more reassurance than usual. This is the time to keep a watchful eye on your tween. Pay attention to her conversations with you and her silence.
You may read into these changes and rush to judgment that she is gaining unnecessary weight. The stats you read in magazines and watch in the news about childhood obesity pop up to alarm you. Push them away. This is not that.
While you go through the motions of adjusting to being a parent of a tween, remember that SHE too is seeing these changes and armed with far less knowledge and more peer pressure, causing her to jump to the wrong conclusion.
The Girl in the Mirror
Self-image is crafted in children from the time they begin to observe the world around them. My babies have always watched me like hawks and imitated me for fun down to annoyance at times. Our babies have been watching us and emulating us since birth. We define in a huge part their identities.
What is love, what is beauty and what is normal? We are as parents, by default given the power to mold their view of the world. It is up to us to teach them through examples. While it is never too early to begin, Tweens are ripe for a lesson in self-care and self-image. These two elements are inexplicably linked together.
What is Normal?
The transition from child to a little woman is hard work for the body, and the appetite increase is entirely reasonable in the process so is a little weight gain as the body prepares for the onset of puberty. Typically these changes begin around 9 to 13; a girl might gain approximately 15 to 20 % of body fat. The hormones are playing wild games inside their bodies and their minds. If you develop a few greys fighting battles with them, then count yourself lucky because that's normal too.
Like Mother Like Daughter
It's important to recognize that we have casual conversations with ourselves that become a revolving narrative to our daughters. Our self-image and unhealthy behavior however insignificant to us can become the pillar upon which their patterns are fashioned. No matter what we say to them, it is what we do that will impact their behavior the most. Do you hate pictures of yourself? Do you casually criticize yourself in conversation? She hears you. Do you choose not to go places or do things because of how you feel about your body? She sees you.
They have been watching us try new meal replacement shakes and smoothies or health detox juices and soups, the occasional guilt trip over that extra slice of cake or the wistful look in the mirror over those extra pounds. Whether it is slimming down after the gluttony of the holiday season or trying to fit into that swimsuit for that much awaited tropical vacay. Your daughter is watching and learning. Learning from you, the television, the glossy pages of magazines and fancy mannequins in department stores- that size matters even if we say otherwise.
The key is to bring home the awareness that size isn't the overall goal health is, and there are better and more efficient ways to reach the goals without depriving our bodies of food or embarking on some unhealthy eating habit.
Teach yourself how to get healthy the right way. And take your little girl on your journey of self-discovery with you.
What Should Mama Do?
We moms can make this time a special nurturing time for our girls by giving her plenty of support, encouragement and most of all practical information and some daily routines to help assuage anxiety and build self-confidence.
Meet her on the mat. Yoga is a conversation worth having. Many studies show that yoga lowers stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity, signaling your body to burn food into fuel instead of storing it as fat. Incorporating yoga into your daughter's life establishes a go-to technique for her to stay healthy, build strength and use as a way to balance her mind and body.
Show Instead of Tell: Instead of discouraging eating, encourage they eat the right foods. Facilitate an environment for good eating by setting the best example you can. Nothing says it perfectly like eating well yourself and making available plenty of nutritious options for meal times. Fill the pantry and fridge with the right foods from all the food groups.
Finding Heroes: Reinforcing positive body image by setting good examples with those who live a healthy lifestyle is priceless. Give her people to look up to other than the obvious centerfold supermodels with unrealistic physical attributes. Smart, perceptive women who are shaping the world, not with their waistlines but their vision and intellect. Set the standards high, and they will learn not to settle for less than what they deserve.
There are so many to pick from but here are a few to start.
"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced."
Malala Yousafzai
"Being confident and believing in your self-worth is necessary to achieving your potential."
Sheryl Sandberg
"Beauty is perfect with its imperfections, so you have to go with the imperfections."
Diane Von Furstenberg
"We've begun to raise our daughters more like our sons ... but few dare to raise our sons more like our daughters".
Gloria Steinem
Good Skin. Let it Sink In.
A good skin care regimen is a great way to introduce your tween to her next phase of growth. Along with hormonal changes come a significant change in skin and hair care health. Starting off with a line of safe and natural skin products to establish a base care routine for your girl is paramount. This is also a fun and effective way to bond with your girl. Nothing says mother-daughter bonding time like a good mani/pedi at the local spa or a trip to the Salt Cove for some Halotherapy. Both are my daughter's favorite mother-daughter day choices. We also slip in some boutique shopping and a healthy lunch while we are at it.
Teach her that her body is a temple and to respect it is to treat it well. This lesson won't just aid her in fostering good skin for life it will also teach her to respect it enough to make the right choices later in life. Self-worth taught with simple techniques like a salt soak, or an oil massage will travel to all aspects of her life slowly transforming her in every way. The narrative replacing fear and insecurity will be the resounding mantra. :
I am worthy
I am beautiful
I am capable
I am strong
After all isn't that what we want for all our girls?
We have the power to shape the world, through the dreams we see to fruition, through the simple choices we make every day and by raising responsible, sensible well-adjusted children who respect themselves and the world they live in. The power of One begins at home.
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Watching the sunrise while I do my Utkatasana (Chair Pose) on a cool summer day. Burying my feet in the sand while I watch the waves crash ashore, or merely standing in the woods listening to the swaying of the leaves on age-old trees telling me their story. This is where my "happy" lives.
]]>Watching the sunrise while I do my Utkatasana (Chair Pose) on a cool summer day. Burying my feet in the sand while I watch the waves crash ashore, or merely standing in the woods listening to the swaying of the leaves on age-old trees telling me their story. This is where my "happy" lives.
We all have a purpose in life. Whatever aspirations we hang on that goal and however we dress it up. At the core of that particular purpose lies our need to find happiness. Sometimes we stumble along the way to finding our happy place and need gentle reminders of where it might be.
A calming rhythm, a comfortable routine is a safe place to look for your happiness. But not always. What happens when life throws you a curve ball? Like when your toddler sneaks down the steps after bedtime, gets ahold of your wine glass and spills it all over your expensive white shag rug....(true story)
Well ...you adapt.
On any given day there are a hundred things that can suck your joy from you if you let it. So don't.
Ways to Fill Your Happy Bag
Here are some things you can start doing to help keep your happy bag full.
Teach yourself to power meditate. (Just 15 minutes)
Pay it Forward. Show kindness to strangers without reason or expectation.
Grab yourself a self-care item that benefits the world or supports a cause you love.
Donate or gift something you don't use anymore to someone who needs it.
Keep a grateful journal even if it is on your phone under notes. Write something worthy every day.
Take a break from social media to clear your head. Tune out the noise.
This is a weird one but works wonders. Stop watching the News
Listen to your favorite songs that make you happy. Music surf to find a new song that meets your beat.
Watch a good movie. One that makes you think and inspires you. My go to is the Notebook.
Call a friend just because and shoot the breeze with them.
Remember to laugh. Humor is a natural happiness booster.
Clean a cluttered space. Trust me a clean and organized space does wonders for your mood and sense of accomplishment.
Observe people. Being a student of life broadens perspective and is a natural mood booster.
Deep dive into your goals. Progress always generates positivity.
Being happy isn't a state of passive being. It is more an act that requires deliberation. When we were children the joy we felt was pure and abundant, we can find our way back to that carefree joy with a few simple steps. Once we can see the path that most suits us to reach our joy our happy bags will always overflow!
While you contemplate your particular path to joy why don't you indulge yourself in a long luxuriating bath with our aromatic bath tea and a light massage to hydrate your parched skin with some of our wonderful Bath and Body Oil.
If you are limited on time grab deliciously well-curated soap bars of ours and lather up for a wonderful bubbly- bath.
Shop guilt-free from our comprehensive line of natural paraben, vegan, phthalate, and gluten-free which is organic and non-toxic.
]]>Today we are going to talk about internet etiquette and safety. While Emily Post may not have a book out on internet etiquette or better known as netiquette, it certainly exists. I wish more people understood and practiced it.
Check Yourself.....
Just like in real life, there are certain rules you should follow regarding behavior online. My mom taught me to be assertive yet respectful in all walks of life. I teach my kids the same thing. This applies to the internet as well. We call these rules that govern online behavior “netiquette," which stands for “internet etiquette."
In recent times we have seen a massive shift in netiquette. Whether it be because of social happenings or political assumptions, people seem to be crossing the line in droves. Choosing to cloak their opinions as facts and imposing them on others in the assumed anonymity of the internet. From popular political figures and news anchors creating controversy to the twitter wars among celebrities and even among friends on private FB pages, it seems no one is immune to the ill effects of bad behavior on the net. I think in an environment such as this one choosing to be authentic yet respectful has become even more crucial.
Let us explore ways to walk the balance between expressing ourselves and doing it with class.
Keep Messages and Posts Brief
Most people use the internet to save time not to mention the attention span of the average person is mere seconds.
Don’t Shout
Avoid using all caps in emails or posts. It comes off as rude.
Typing Out Your Tone
Writing doesn't always sound the same to everyone who reads it. A tone is hard to imply and takes an exceptional amount of writing finesse to achieve. Let's face it, not everyone is an accomplished writer so read and re-read your posts before posting. Ask yourself how would you feel reading it if someone else were writing it to you.
Re-Consider Your Decision Before You Make It
It is always a good idea to reread anything you type before clicking the “send” button. If you have time, step away for a few minutes and come back to it with fresh eyes you may decide not to post. It's never a good idea to respond in the heat of the moment. I know we have all done it more than once. I know I have. If not that, at least check your spelling, grammar, and tone of the message. If it is late at night, and you are exhausted, sloshed or just frustrated, it’s probably best to wait until the next morning. You can save most messages and posts in draft mode. Take this option to prevent embarrassment.
Use Discretion
Don't violate someone else's privacy. Your friend circle is a sacred sanctum of trust and respect. Sharing photographs of your friends and their family (especially their children) without their express permission is a huge NO-NO. I have had family members do this, and it puts me in an awkward place having to decide whether or not to allow them access to my photos.
Be Age Appropriate
You know that pouted lip selfie trend that everyone is into? Ask yourself if that is a good look for you before you post one. Maybe that ample bosom profile pic wasn't the best choice if you consider your audience, the boss, the teacher, the PTA, your child's friend, your church choir director...
Don't Be Sorry, Be Safe
Safety is the buzzword these days. Safe foods, safe skin care and oh yes… safely navigating the internet. There aren’t many imposed rules on the internet. We are just discovering how to prosecute cyber crimes, and most of these infringements are cloaked in, so the internet is mostly a brave new world to us. Which is why we can all use a refresher course in internet safety.
The internet has made so many things easy for us:
Digital Footprints are Forever
We’ve all heard the saying. What gets on the internet is forever. So be extra careful about what you put out there about yourself and your children.
Here are some easy basic rules to remember.
Let’s talk Don't Dos first.
Don't use your full name online unless you are a brand or don’t mind lots of general exposure. There are search engines and “bots” that do scour the internet looking names and information to put into the hands of unsavory people.
Don’t put anything online, pictures, personal details, life experiences, that you wouldn’t want people to see forever. This is a good time for the mom in me to remind you to teach your children these same rules. Don’t send pictures of yourself to anyone. While you may feel comfortable with your online etiquette, you can't be sure of anyone else’s.
Don't use the “check-in” feature for places unless you are with other people and aware of the risks. I've done this myself. There are a lot of location-based social media tools out there. Be mindful if you check in, people other than your friends may be able to see it, it is a public feature that benefits the location, not you. Yes, your safety is paramount but so is the safety of your family and exposing your daily routine or making public where your child attends school, etc. These small details can place you at risk. For example, regular 7 am gym check-ins mean two things to the wrong types of people. One, you are at this location at this time routinely and two you are out of the house at this time routinely.
Don't accept requests and invitations to connect on social media from people you do not personally know or want to know. It doesn't matter if their mutual friends are your mutual friends unless you know them personally opening your world up to them is a risk you can't afford to take.
Don't let people tag you or check you in places unless you give them express permission. This feature is editable in most major social media networks so disable this connect feature to protect yourself.
Don't post when you are going to be away from home for extended periods of time (vacation, business trips, etc.) This may sound obvious, but a lot of people indicate they are going to be away by saying things like "We always go away during spring break when the kids are out of school." It is relatively easy to figure out public information like when schools are closed. That is an invitation to thieves to come to visit your home while you're away. Here is a common mistake many make. Posting on community FB groups asking for great places to stay and eat while on vacay and in a conversation we always give away details like when and for how long. Don't geotag your pictures, even landscapes and nature scapes you choose to post publicly. Remember someone is always watching. Most community groups don't verify their users or vet them to ensure they are who they say they are. Your safety is no one else's responsibility but your own. Remember this every time you share anything online.
Don't get click Happy
We are curious by nature. Then it is no surprise that we like to read about ourselves and maybe even others. Don't fall for fake polls and surveys. Personality quizzes that ask you for a lot of personal information just to get you some generic profile that every other person gets when they take this quiz. Fake friend requests and fake apps are just a few ways scammers can spread viruses and malware to your computer and siphone your information.
Oversharing, a Huge No- No.
Don't assume that your friends are the only people looking at what you post on social networking sites. Employers colleges and even private schools may use social networking sites to learn more about potential students and employees. While this may not be an official way to gauge a student or employee's productivity, it is being used to weed out whom they don't want in their alma mater or corporation. So posting provocative pictures of yourself or unsavory remarks that may be racial bigotted or just plain improper is ill-advised.
Don't Assume private messaging someone you don't know is actually "private." Nothing on the internet is private. If you don't want what you say to be put on blast just don't say it on the internet. Like I tell my kids, leaving a digital trail is as tangible as renting a billboard on the highway.
Here are some internet best practices for you to use.
DO change your password every six months to a crazy mix of numbers, characters, letters that are hard to crack. There are apps that bad guys have designed to crack passwords that lean on repetitive use and familiarity. To protect yourself against this changing passwords that don't use your details like birthdays anniversaries etc. is super imperative. If you need help with passwords – generating or remembering them – try a tool like LastPass or random.org
Do practice safe and secure browsing on the Internet and in social media – online and mobile from your phone or tablet. Try to make sure you see ‘https:’ in the URL/address bar when available. The ‘s’ at the end of ‘http’ means it is “secure browsing” and is better than plain ole ‘http.’ Facebook and Twitter now offer secure browsing on their service. Make sure you go into the Preferences and turn that ‘ON’ to add that layer of security.
Do make sure to turn “location services” off of your social media apps if you want your locations to remain private. Many apps for your Smartphones and tablets now have location services built in including Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can choose to turn these off to keep people from seeing where you are when you post something.
Teach the Kids a few golden Rules about Staying Safe
Our kids use apps like Musically, Minecraft and gaming apps that also offer friending and chat features. While it is perfectly natural for them to assume those who play these games are the same age as they are. It is more likely these are bad people trying to cultivate information from our kids they can then use to locate them or at the very least abuse their trust online.
Some may disapprove of this next rule. But as a parent, it is our duty to ensure our kids are safe and part of that involves occasionally invading their privacy. Between ages infancy to 15 maybe even 17, it is OK to check your child's internet activity occasionally to ensure they are following these safety guidelines. This is also a great way to gauge your child's emotional health, guard against cyberbullying and bad internet fads like the ones we've seen in the past. The cinnamon challenge or the choking game. Some may think of this as encroaching on their fledgling privacy, but I prescribe to a very simple rule. I'd rather apologize for being nosy and controlling than apologize for not protecting them from something terrible happening from which neither of us may recover. This does not mean you act on everything you find in your quest to ensure they re safe. Meaning stay focused on your task to only monitor online safety, not police or harass them about the content you find they are surfing. I feel this needed to be said for obvious reasons.
I hope I was able to shed some light on details you were previously not aware of, but most importantly bring you back to addressing your online habits and maybe revisiting your privacy setting on the various sites you often use to protect yourself and your loved ones better.
Lastly to remind you to be kind. My grandma's most memorable advice to me when I got married was this. If you had to choose between being right or being kind, choose the latter every time. I have held her suggestion close to my heart all these years, and it has served me well in my marriage. I hope it helps you well in your life also.
Should you feel like some 'me time' after all this reading and slogging over your privacy settings, grab a nice long soak in the tub or give yourself an at-home pedicure with our natural line of luxury skin care. Grab them at Lotus + Aire.
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As we all know, choosing the right perfume is tricky. With a large number of choices these days it can be an overwhelming task. Finding that scent that is unique to you. You can do this better with fragrance oils because there they are most flexible and unique. It took me a while to narrow down what I like in a scent for myself. As a child, I associated being "home" with the whiff of something sweet and luxurious. Like coming home from school and walking in the kitchen while Mom was at the kitchen table paying bills. Familiar and a sight I took for granted till it was gone forever. Later I would learn a few things about myself and the role of scent in my emotional wellbeing, one that I have a strong sense of smell and two Mom used a combination of Chanel #5 and Beautiful by Estée Lauder. It is incredible the things we remember about someone after they've passed. I spent hours blending scents and sniffing her clothes to replicate the exact scent that reminded me of her. Sometimes I would open up a closet or a box and be hit with her scent from something small of hers that was still in there. It would wash over me with a memory of her like a gentle hug.
Choosing Your Favorite Scent
Ask yourself these three questions :
Choosing a scent is a deeply personal journey. And it is a journey every woman should take at least once in her life. It is identifying your spirit and manifesting it in a scent that defines you. I have found mine in a combination of essential oils and distills at the base of which are roses.
Here are a few we've made with you in mind. The key to narrowing down what you like is trying many and then singling out the few and if possible working with a creator to blend you one that is unique to you. We are happy to work with you to blend your signature scent, just email us at theearthyalchemist@gmail.com
In the meantime see if any of these tickle your fancy.
We have carefully curated a collection of scents for every lifestyle. A fun and flirty scent that is invigorating never go wrong in any crowd or at any time. Blue Moon Perfume Oil
The mysterious hint of allure and romance is perfectly captured in this rose blend Fleur Perfume Oil. My personal favorite.
This next one I formulated with the help of my 12-year-old. This is an interesting age for us both because my little girl began to raid my perfume collection in secret. My excellent detective work sniffed a trail straight to her bathroom where I found her trying out a few of my perfumes, and it smelled a lot like a French brothel. And before she went to school and gave the class a headache. I decided it was time to help her find her scent story. So we did some excavation. And the result was extraordinary escapes into wonderful scents. It is a refreshing citrus and herb pick me up that is blended with spearmint, rosemary and balancing this out with a calming hint of chamomile and sage with nourishing oils as the base to hold all this goodness in check.
The Story of Scent
All natural oil-based perfumes have an illustrious history from the beginning of time steeped in cultural and even religious factors. The world's first recorded chemist is a woman named Tapputi, a perfume maker whose existence was first discovered on a 1200 BCE.
Perfume and perfumery also existed in the Indus Valley Civilization. One of the earliest distillation of Ittar was mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. A terra-cotta distillation apparatus in the Indus valley together with oil containers made of the same material have been carbon dated at 3000 B.C., much earlier than we conventionally believe that distillation practices isolating oils existed.
Arabs and Persians had access to a wide array of spices, resins, herbs, precious woods, and animal fragrance materials such as ambergris and musk. Rose, jasmine bitter orange and other citrus trees were native to the region and could be successfully cultivated in the Middle East, and are to this day key ingredients in perfumery.
Perfume oils are what I would call a timeless obsession. The use of fragrance oils is spreading from indie scent makers to big names like Prada. It makes sense, given the current trend of face oils and hair oils, which may I add has been the way of life for centuries in eastern cultures. Perfume oils do have a distinct advantage over the more mainstream alcohol-based perfumes. The oils last longer since alcohol evaporates faster and this makes even the best perfumes lose their clarity and strength as the day wears on. I prefer roll-ons and vials with droppers because studies indicate that we lose 50% of a spray of traditional perfume into the air.
I remember my mom gave me strict instructions when I was allowed to use perfume which was when I turned 12. She told me never to spray directly on my skin. I took that advice to heart and so I spent years spraying expensive perfumes like Escada and Gucci into the air and walked under it - all the while losing scent to the air around me before it made it to my person. Oil-based scents are much less drying to skin and hair than traditional alcohol-based perfumes. If you are in the habit of spraying perfumes directly on the skin, it is good to remember that as the alcohol evaporates to spread the fragrance of a traditional perfume, it takes with it your skin's natural oils, leaving your skin drier. Perfume oils are moisturizing, making them less irritating and more suitable for people with dry skin. In my late teens and early 20s through my travels to other countries, I discovered the allure of ittar or attar. I stopped using my expensive perfumes and fell in love with my ittar collection. Ittar also is known as attar, is an essential oil derived from botanical sources that use a very intricate distilling process. Most commonly these oils are extracted via hydro or steam distillation. Traditionally in the Eastern world, it was a customary practice among nobility to offer ittar to their guests at the time of their departure as a lasting impression of their time together. The ittars are traditionally given in ornate tiny crystal bottles called as itardans. Ittars/attars can range in price from a few tens to a few hundred depending on the ingredients being distilled and how long they have been aged. Some are aged for years.
Present World Perfumes
People are wearing fragrance differently now and perfume oil fits a more modern style of personal scent. Gone are the clouds of fragrance that float in before you do and overtake the room. Perfume oils tend to wear closer to the skin, which is bad if you want people to smell you coming from across the room -- or the street -- but great if you are wearing them to the office or other environments where you want to enjoy your fragrance without offending others.
How to Apply Fragrance Oil
A couple of tips about the application, if you’re new to perfume oils, or perfume in general… dab on, don’t rub when applying your perfume oil. Rubbing the oil into your skin breaks down the sensitive top notes, such as citrus and florals. If you have problems with the scent being absorbed too quickly, simply moisturize skin before you apply it. As to where you should apply perfume oil to your body? Like Coco Chanel said, "where you want to be kissed..".
Oil-Based Perfumes: The Good and The Bad
Advocates for oil-based fragrances say that oil-based scents are better because they are natural. Fragrance oils are indeed pure natural oils, and if you make it a rule only to purchase all-natural products, the choice should be a pretty easy one for you.
Oil-based perfumes have an added advantage not only will you smell amazing, but you also feel great because essential oils have the potential for aromatherapy. Essential oils make great moisturizers and finally, oil-based perfumes tend to cost more than alcohol-based scents because of all that wonderful aroma and that wonderful smell, perfumers have to use the purest oils and a lot of it. For oil-based adherents, though, it’s definitely worth the extra cost.
Having said that, let me also mention that there are many cheap knockoffs and diluted fragrance oils on the market which are less than effective. I would also caution anyone with little to no experience from attempting to experiment with essential oils. EOs are strong and a small slip in quantity can harm your skin and even your sense of smell. Work with someone experienced or for starters grab a pre-blended fragrance oil.
Don't let a few missteps deter you from exploring this form of perfume.
“A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.”
― Coco Chanel
]]>The birthing of Ayurvedic Massage
Abhyanga is a form of massage rooted in an Ayurvedic practice that dates back thousands of years. The word Abhyanga is derived from the root language Sanskrit where it is two words. Abhi means ‘towards’ and anga, means ‘movement.’ We will talk about the significance of this name in a little bit. I come from a family that regularly practices Ayurvedic massage. While this may seem like a fad or something exotic from far away lands to many, it was a common practice to me. The kids in my family have been raised on oil massages since we were infants.
Healing of Human Touch; Medicine or Miracle?
This may not seem like relevant information to skin care, the importance of touch is not to be overlooked. Many researchers who study human development emphasize skin-to-skin contact between baby and parent can be a benefit to both parent and child. Consistent emotional engagement with infants can speed up their development and self-awareness. Human touch has been known to be transformative even miraculous among premature babies and often used as therapy with children in the NICU. Hence I am a firm believer that massage is one of the most effective ways to keep our bodies and minds healthy.
Ayurvedic Massage and How it Shaped My Life.
I have come in contact with casual scenes of Abhyanga being performed as a child. I remember running around in the courtyard on one of many trips to India and seeing this laborious yet clearly relaxing task being performed. My grandmother used to warm up oil in a bowl and give me a massage as a baby, and I've done the same for both my kids since they were born. As they get older, they can begin to give themselves the massage as I was taught to do. I will lay out how to do that below.
Massage or Abhyanga has innumerable benefits to physical and mental health including skin and immune system. It involves considerable amounts of oil and sometimes a one or two-person technique.
Abhyanga (meaning towards-movement) is a rhythmic massage of the body towards the direction of the movement of arterial blood. The science behind this process is to increase the blood flow toward the heart; this process will promote blood flow to our extremities which in turn will enhance and sustain mobility for years to come. Here is the principle of Ayurvedic medicine coming into play. The balance and harmony of mind, body, and spirit.
The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy.
Ayurvedic massage balances the nervous system, prevents physiological imbalances, lubricates and promotes flexibility of the muscles, tissues, and joints. But that's not all!
This massage can be done using oil, herbal powders, herbal and botanical pastes. I prefer using oils myself. Occasionally I will switch it up. My favorite is a potent blend of rich lubricating and nourishing oils naturally scented to leave you feeling exhilarated.
Grab a bottle of my favorite Synergy Ayurvedic Body Oil which is not only an amazing blend but a thing of beauty!
Massage your body with love and patience for 15-20 minutes. Here are the recommendations for frequency and oil type, based on your specific skin type. To read more on narrowing down your skin type for the practice of Ayurvedic massage click HERE.
Synergy Body Oil is great for all three skin types including combination skin types. It is made with emollient Coconut Oil, hydrating Shea Butter, shine and glow promoting Macadamia and Walnut Oil, with the decadence of Evening Primrose) and fresh blend of botanicals including rose and chamomile infused into the oils.
The concept of the massage right now may seem appealing to you. It would be great if we had someone always around to give us a massage or only be able to walk over the corner massage parlor and get one whenever we want. But I know that is not a reality for many of us. It indeed isn't for me. But we don't have to be deprived. We can give ourselves the massage adhering to a few simple steps. I don't want to be inappropriate but a romantic date night with your loved one can start or end with an excellent full body massage. What can be more intimate than promoting health and well being through physical touch? Grab our Synergy and plan that date night to wow your other half with.
Your Body and Massage
This is my method of self-massage and care. You can use it as is or adapt it to suit your needs. I have Vata type skin V type or dry skin during the winter months, and this is when I use this method regularly.
My toddler gets a massage every night as part of her pre-bath routine. I can definitively say that she is much more relaxed and sleep better when she gets this massage and for her, I use a combination of jojoba and almond oils. Babies have naturally balanced skin and do not need much in the way of supplementing hydration. This is partially because they have "new skin" a balanced diet and less exposure to the elements and impurities of diet and pollution.
For my self- massage routine I start with warm oil about 1/4 cup in a bowl and let it sit in a larger bowl of hot water to warm the oil up to a little above body temperature. Test the heat level by putting a drop on your inner wrist; oil should be comfortably warm and not hot. This helps with comfort as well as stimulates the skin.
I usually lay a towel over my vanity chair (My leather covered seat wouldn't fare well with regular oil massages)
I apply oil first to the crown of my head and work slowly out from there in gentle circular strokes. I spend a couple of minutes massaging my entire scalp.
Moving on to the face, I massage in circular motions my forehead, temples, cheeks, and jaws (always moving in an upward movement).
I use long strokes on my arms and legs and circular strokes on the elbows and knees. Always massage toward the direction of your heart. I move toward the abdomen and chest in broad, circular motions.
Then I finish the massage by spending a couple of minutes massaging my feet where the nerve endings of essential organs.
I usually sit still and relax my muscles and practice deep breathing for about 15-20 minutes allowing the oils to absorb and penetrate into my skin and also being in a semi-meditative state allows this practice to work beyond my skin and help calm and soothe my mind.
I usually take a warm bath if time permits over the weekend or quick shower on a busy day or night. I use a mild soap that is non-stripping to my skin and my go to these days is Chandan Sandalwood Luxury Soap.
]]>Our history is littered with references were steaming is linked directly to health and beauty. Turkish bathhouses, Native American sweat lodges, Swedana in Ayurvedic practice and enter the present day sauna and hot tubs. We have always had some form of steaming in self-care in every culture and continent. Know by different names, be it in a Russian Banya or a modern-day health club.
Health and healing recommend steaming for bouts of Bronchial asthma or even to relieve the symptoms of a common cold. Why then is facial steaming for beauty and skin often overlooked? We often focus on facial cleansers, toners, and moisturizers and think that's good enough. We've done all we can. And let me clear we HAVE done a lot. There is room for more. Steaming connects cleansing on a minuscule level.
The Perfect Storm
A small vial of botanicals and herbs can pack a powerful punch for your skin. Let me break it down for you here.
There are many ways to steam, and everyone tweaks their process, and this is mine.
First, choose your herbs. I recommend you grab our Rejuvenate Herbal Steamers. A Blend of Nourishing and luxuriating combinations for any skin type that comes prepackaged for you. Ready to use. Some great herbs in this blend include calendula, chamomile, comfrey, Tulasi (holy basil), nettle and more. Especially for dry skin, we've added rose, lavender, and mint. And for oily skin, we've added rosemary, sage, or peppermint. That's what I use.
I use a small porcelain wide mouthed dish that is wide enough for my face and not too wide to where the steam will escape too much. I usually use my vanity glass top to do this. Any comfortable spot you don't mind sitting in is a good fit. Make sure you grab a nice towel to help cover your head. Place another towel under the bowl of steaming water to keep it clean.
I have short hair, so I clip mine back and away from my face. I use an exfoliating cleanser first. Anything with clay can act as a toxin puller and an excellent option for you to use three times a week. If you have oily skin that needs relief, we have an excellent option for you in Simplify Salt Scrub with Neem and turmeric with a heady grapefruit and lemon essential oils to aid in clarifying skin and controlling oil production in body and face.
Bring about 3 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.I use an earthen clay pot. I also prefer to use filtered water for my steams but tap water will do just as well if you have decent water in your area that isn't chlorinated to death like mine is. Once the water comes to a boil, toss in a healthy scoop of herbs from the Rejuvenate Ayurvedic Face Steam and stir with a wooden spoon (metal can react with some of the botanicals). Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover it. Allow the herbs to simmer in the pot for 2-3 minutes, then I transfer the pot to my vanity. This is the best time to add essential oils to your water. It is not necessary. I don't add any because essential oils can react with your skin and too much can irritate your airways while your steam. Unless you are super careful adding oils to steam, and know exactly what amounts work for you - it is a risk. I recommend you stick to naked botanicals that are aromatic and potent on their own.
Covering my head with my towel, I hover over the steaming bowl to help steam my face. I can lift the towel to let in little cool air if the steam gets too hot or I feel like my skin is burning. I will warn you that steaming is not an exact science so be careful with the level of heat you allow your skin to be exposed to and also be very careful not to touch the pot because it is usually very hot. Steaming for 5-10 minutes is perfect. If you want, you can stay under for up to 15 minutes. Not any more than that.
Afterward, splash your face with cool to lukewarm water before patting your face dry with a clean towel, do not rub. I end my steam with a light spritz of Nirvana Face Toner and then a gentle massage of Ambrosia Face Oil to seal in the freshness and protect my skin for the rest of the day.
I am very fond of steaming. It is one of my favorite things to do. Not only does it aid in skin care it also helps me breathe better. I find that common blockage and nasal infections even the stress of my sinuses are eased by steaming with herbs. There is no proof of this, but it is my personal experience.
Throw a Steam Party
Regular herbal steaming promotes healthy skin, is easy to do and feels great. It only takes 30 minutes a week to do this, and it gives my skin clarity and vibrancy. I enjoy it so much that I have had a spa day for my friends and my daughter has even had a small spa day for her friends that they thoroughly enjoyed! Grab a few of our Facial steamers and have a spa party at home! At the end of which your friends will leave with glowing skin and a vial of our steamer as a gift from you. What could be better than that for a holiday get together for a few friends? If you would like to place a large order of more than 10 or more steamers email us at theearthyalchemist@gmail.com and we will be happy to arrange a large shipment of these goodies to you for your spa party!
To grab a few beautiful cleansers, masks serums and gels for your face right-click HERE
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Most often we shy away from learning the wisdom of old cultures who have deciphered the mysteries long before some method we embrace today and newly discovered. It is essential to look back and learn from our predecessors all that we can before we approach wide-eyed toward the cutting edge that was trademarked by some big brand. If we do that it is impossible to ignore how much of what we consider the new is indeed very old.
Ayurveda is the world's oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. I understand Ayurvedic principles use some long and somewhat complicated to pronounce words and some of these words have a complex learning curve. In this blog, I am going to attempt to bridge that gap and bring Ayurveda to mainstream and in the process take away some of that complexity that surrounds it.
The first step in Ayurvedic skincare like with any skincare is knowing your skin type.
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are ayurvedic mind-body principles. Before you tune me out, let me explain this is not complicated. For this blog, these three exotic words will only refer to your specific skin type. See? That is easy.
Vata as V. Pitta as P. Kapha as K
The practice of Ayurveda believes we are all connected to the elements of the earth in an intangible yet undeniable way. And yes our skin is a part of that wheel.
These three principles are combinations of the five elements.
Vata is mostly air and space
Pitta is mainly fire and water
Kapha is primarily earth and water
A person's ayurvedic skin type, therefore, can be Vata, Pitta or Kapha, or sometimes a combination of two of these elements otherwise known as doshas.
Over the years, our skin type may change because of external factors such as climate we live in, the food we eat, age, chemical changes in the body, health-related factors and lifestyle choices or environmental pollution. These free radicals should also be taken into account when choosing a skin-care regiment.
The V-type (per Ayurveda) related to air and space is the skin type identified as dry, thin and cool to the touch, easily dehydrated, and very vulnerable to the influence of dry, windy weather. Generally but not always this type is most often aging skin.
The P-type is fire, prone to breakouts, photosensitivity, less tolerance to spicy food. This skin is warm to the touch and tends to be more inclined to freckles and moles than the other skin types.
The K -type is water and earth, this skin tends to have all those qualities — it can be greasy, thick, pigmented and more tolerant of the sun, will be less likely to age quickly and wrinkle due to its consistency and more likely to blemish.
Understanding the Many Spaces and Faces
Our skin types were predetermined by our environment and climate in the regions our races were born into. Tropical, glacial, etc. But over time this predetermination evolved and produced a skin type that wasn't so starkly one or the other.
As we evolve climatically and travel and take up residence in different regions, these subtle changes affect our skin type. Our skin along with the rest of us adapts to survive. And so other types were born of this change. We in the west most often use the term "Combination" skin which is a mixture of two skin types.
This adaptation can be a combination of skin types V and P (dry and sensitive) or V and K (oily and dry in areas).
The Ayurvedic approach to caring for combination skin takes into account environmental and seasonal factors. For example, a person with V-P skin type would follow the recommendations for P skin in summer and V skin in winter.
Why? Because the summer heat and humidity will activate the oil-producing glands and make the skin greasy and will need remedies with extra-cleansing designed for oily zones and a less emollient moisturizer, so it does not exasperate the issue.
What You Eat, You Wear
Caring for V (dry and aging) Skin. For this skin type to stay youthful, it's best to use skin-care products that are very nurturing. These should include some essential oils or herbs in combination which can nourish the skin and rehydrate it; otherwise, it may be susceptible to wrinkles and premature aging.
A balanced V lifestyle type is getting enough sleep time, eating three regular balanced meals, and following a proper daily skin care routine. Our skin reflects what is happening inside of us. If we are in crisis internally whether it be emotional or nutritious, this becomes evident in our skin.
It is a myth that an expensive and miraculous skin care product can fix what is inherently wrong on the inside. Don't buy into that lie.
Here are some nutrition based recommendations for caring for your V (dry and aging skin type):
The P skin type needs extreme care. Use skin-care products with SPF protection and elements that help enhance resistance to the sun. Avoid getting a tan, or being out in the sun for extended periods of time and activities that expose your delicate and sensitive skin to steam, hot water, and extremes of any kind.
Those with this skin type need to be extremely discerning with their choices as far as what they put on it and be aware of what to stay away from while shopping for products. Ask a lot of questions and determine what works.
Our recommendations are based as a general rule of thumb nonallergic skin types who can use our clarifying soap bars like Zen with a mint and citrus bar which is made with nourishing oils and butters and coffee grounds which perk up the skin as well and clarifying it and removing odor and impurities without stripping of moisture. Or Namaste, a goats milk soap is a soothing soap made with sensitive skin in mind with honey, goats milk and oatmeal.
Care for those with K type skin is a little bit more intense. People with this skin type have options but also more in the form of options.
Because of its thickness and oiliness, the K-typers are more prone to accumulate lymphatic (toxins) under the skin. People with K skin should detoxify on a regular basis — both internal and external detoxification to flush toxins from the surface. Garshana a Dry brushing practice is highly recommended for ALL skin types but is essential for this one. Find the details on this method in our previous blog HERE.
K types sweat oils and always have to wipe off the light sheen across the forehead and around the nose and mouth areas. If not kept clean regularly a breakout is imminent and lest just say messy. Not only that, this type of skin doesn't hold makeup well with all the constant sweating and wiping. To eliminate these issues a consistent and robust care regiment is necessary.
Scrubbing the skin with a gentle exfoliating clay mask like our famous D-ToX Clay Facial Mask can help with a massively, oily day for external cleansing. Be cautious in using this one it is very potent and must be used once a week or at the most twice - not more. Twice a week is recommended for this skin type a middle of the road sensitive skin. Use a good skin scrub; I recommend a salt scrub like Elevate, which works as an antiseptic.
We also have some excellent soaps and scrubs which will be gentle yet cleansing.
K skin types may also indulge in different herbal tea based formulations specially designed for their make up. See an Ayurvedic Practioner for help with this. We do not recommend you self-diagnose or make your own based on information found online which is often open to the wrong interpretation and can be dangerous.
Some suggestions for caring for K type skin:
I have a K-V skin type. So combination skin types will have to adapt their regimen mixing two or more kinds depending on what traits they find their skin emulates from each product.
This was a lot to take in at once, I know. But as you can see skin type is determined by what we eat and where we live and who we are. Crafting a lifestyle and a solid care regiment around our skin types is a wholesome way to live. No, you won't go up in flames if you don't follow these rules. However, the aging process will accelerate and rather than maintaining healthy skin you will be battling for it back.
Slow it Down and Stop the damage
Schlepping it with Skin Drama
Does it feel like you are battling with your skin to keep it presentable? Do you plan your special days around your blemishes? Are your breakouts unpredictable and a source of stress? If you answered yes to all these questions, then you need to read this.
There was a time when skin issues required an appointment with a professional. Thanks to a plethora of information on the net, hundreds of great bloggers, youtube, simple solutions are easy to find if you know where to look for it.
Luckily, you found me!
Let's Talk Sexy Skin
Skin is expansive, but it is more sensitive than we give it credit. A little awareness and a gentle touch go a long way in preventing damage. It is way harder to bounce back from damage than to stop it before it even happens.
Water. Water. Water
I can't stress this enough. It is easy to do it is readily available, and there is no excuse why you can't load up on this every day. AQUA.
Yes, drinking water will undoubtedly help dehydrated skin, but that isn't enough. Many things factor into lackluster, gray-hued dull and rough skin.
List of culprits we all know.
If your skin feels drier or grainier than usual cut back on alcohol consumption and or the caffeine a little bit. Both can dehydrate skin.
Sumam's Tip: I find that my skin benefits from this process. Wash tone - Under eye Gel, Face Serum and then moisturize.
Balance Your Plate
Not literally in an acrobatic way but balance your plate with the right foods.
Our skin is the largest organ in the body, and always on display, a blaring display of underlying health issues. The biggest of those is a poorly balanced diet. So if you’re loading up on large amounts of sugars and carbs, you are setting up for acne or inflammation or frequent breakouts.
KNOW your BODY. For example. Dark chocolate and stress trigger breakouts in me. A combination of stress binging on dark chocolate and that time of the month... well let's just say that's a triple threat. A perfect storm, the "skinaami" if you will. I am aware of this, and I try and avoid the eye of the storm most of the time. Find out what type of skin you have so you can narrow down your skin regiment.
Dairy heavy diets can also trigger certain skin woes. Milk and cheese can stimulate oil production and lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Lymphatic Chaos.
If your skin is lacking color, your lymphatic system might not be doing such a great job delivering nutrients. Puffiness can be a cry for help from your lymphatic system. Manage your diet, regular massages and compression garments can help. Of course have a professional diagnose this issue. Web MD while a fabulous resource is not your doctor.
Mild exfoliation breaks down dead skin cells and clears the weight. Using our scrubs.
Herbal steam is hands down my go-to for glowing skin, but it also adds to opening pores, loosening blackheads and making them easy to wipe off. Not to mention the element of respiratory care it provides as a bonus. Soothes breathing pathways and allows mucus drainage too.
Want to know more about herbal steaming here is an awesome blog for you.
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You can find raw silk gloves at my favorite one-stop shop Amazon.
My favorite is the set of three - glove, handheld Garshana Brush that also doubles as an extended handle brush. Find it here
Using the gloves or the dry brush gently brush your skin to help remove dead skin leaving the skin supple and glowing.
This is a ritual I never miss. I do this in the morning before my shower. It is especially beneficial to do this in the morning for dual reasons. You can stimulate blood flow after waking up from a night of rest and brushing before a bath will allow you to rinse off the impurities loosened by the massage. I do this on Saturdays because this is the day my schedule permits me to take the extra time out in the mornings to work this in. You can choose any day that works for you. Just make sure you designate enough time to complete the massage and make sure you are regular with this practice. You can do it more than once a week if you like. It is suggested that you do it daily for maximum results. I prefer just once a week because I do use my sugar and salt scrubs in the shower regularly and over stimulating your skin can leave you exposed to sensitivity and open scrapes and abrasions leading to infection. Everything in moderation is my recommendation.
Another one of the many benefits of dry brushing is the elimination of ingrown hairs which we are prone to if we shave often, epilate or wax. I In grown hair is a condition where hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. This is most common among people who have coarse or curly hair. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicles or otherwise knows commonly as a "razor bumps".
Sleep is an extraordinary thing. It feeds our brain, body, and skin, and if we don't get enough of it, we deprive each of these elements of the strength it needs to thrive.
]]>I haven't slept in years. I mean it. I lost the ability to sleep without a care in the world since I had kids. It must be a "mom" thing. We sleep with one eye open. I'm sure this affliction will last a lifetime since kids I'm still alive and relatively sane, so I must be doing ok.
Sleep is an extraordinary thing. It feeds our brain, body, and skin, and if we don't get enough of it, we deprive each of these elements of the strength it needs to thrive.
"During a full night's rest, our bodies work to remove dead blood cells and dead brain cells, and clears the pathways for new synapses to take place so that new blood and brain cells can replace old ones," says a sleep expert and researcher at Cornell University. Our brain also drains out 60 % more toxins when we get the proper amount of sleep every day. Overall, this helps you feel more rejuvenated and energized when you get up, able to think more clearly, and keeps your skin glowing.
Without the right amount of sleep, your skin loses its balance, which leads to a gray and washed out complexion, redness, breakouts and excessive amounts of blemishes.
Not only does not sleeping negatively affect your body, it changes the moisture levels in your skin, lowering them and also lowering your complexion's pH levels, which is why your skin will begin to look less youthful and start to retain lines and wrinkles sooner and lose its elasticity.
When your skin's pH levels drop, they create an imbalance, causing it to not be able to produce the moisture it needs, so it makes it look and feel drier. That's why using skin care products that keep your skin at a slightly acidic level (so it keeps moisture in and bacteria out) is an excellent resource. Monitoring the amount you sleep is a critical component of your beauty regimen. To figure out the exact amount your body needs to function on all cylinders, go to bed 15 minutes earlier every night and continue adding 15 minutes until you feel wide awake all day along. I can tell you my optimal amount of sleep is 6 hours. For some, it is 8 hours others more. It really depends on how quickly you get to REM sleep (the deep sleep) and how quickly your body rebounds and replenishes from the day's expended energy levels.
When we sleep, cell division rates increase, and the skin heals damage from the day. While we sleep, different hormones are secreted to help restore and repair the body. All hormones have some pattern, day to night. Disruptions in the sleep cycle may increase cortisol which can lead to skin inflammation, improper healing, and conditions like acne, and rosacea. It induces the adrenal glands into overproduction of cortisol, a steroid, which in turn makes sebaceous glands produce more oil and make skin extra oily.
When inflammation is increased, cell function is reduced. This is why any skin restoration rituals we follow at night will yield the best results.
If you want to have a good night's sleep a routine is essential. Like with anything else a little effort goes a long way. If you have a little more time than usual and are a tub lover - I would start with a salt soak, then work a face mask in tandem with your soak.
If you prefer a shower at night then we have some amazing body scrubs you can use to give you the targeted exfoliation and hydration along with gentle lathering soaps to help with your cleaning needs. The salt blends in this scrub work to replace lost minerals and help heal skin with its antibacterial properties. Aside from all that the absolutely heady scent of roses and rose petals make this my go-to for any day. I pair this rose creation with another amazing rose blend.
Good skin care regiment and a set routine of self-care to relax and rejuvenate your skin work from the outside in. Learn to heal yourself in small yet significant ways. What you think is merely massaging oil or putting on a face mask is really much bigger than that. You are clicking out of your constant grind and being present doing something that centers you in a way that no other activity can. What better time than now, and what better task than caring for your skin?
Don't underestimate the power of natural, wholesome products that peel back the layers of stress - at home and in with your hands.
Start your transformation today.
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Neem and I have a long-standing love affair. I remember when I'd had measles as a child on summer, my grandmom plucked fresh neem leaves from the backyard garden and stone ground it to a paste laboriously applying it on me several times a day. While the stench was beyond bearable the itching, however, was considerably better. Wondering where I am from? Well, that is complicated. And for another day. I was born and raised here in the good 'ole US of A but spent quite a bit of time in my childhood among my extended family in India. I am of Indian heritage and bring that culture and my inherited customs to mingle well with my American values, lifestyle, and beliefs. A lot similar to the blend of my skincare line. Smooth, intense and well curated.
Where is Neem From?
Neem, also known as Indian lilac (Azadirachta indica), has antibacterial and anti-allergenic properties, so it is beneficial in relieving itching that often occurs with the rash or in my case the measles. The neem tree is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent where it enjoys cultural significance and is used for many medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It also makes a mean tea with health-related benefits. Neem tea is an herbal infusion made from the whole or ground leaves sometimes even the flower or bark of the neem tree. Neem though relatively unknown among the masses has grown in popularity over the years among the bath and body crafters and the handmade product enthusiasts. And rightfully so because Neem has powerful properties. Neem oil is a brownish green liquid with a high garlicky scent and extremely bitter taste. In India, it is commonly cultivated in many home gardens to meet most of the family's medical needs.
The insecticidal properties of neem are well known and have been exploited in many organic pesticides. Every part of the plant, including the bark and the roots, contain these active compounds and has been used extensively in indigenous medicine, but herbal remedies mainly using the leaves because of their abundant availability.
How Neem Oil is Made
Neem oil of the highest quality is obtained through cold pressing, and the oil cake left behind after this process is then subjected to solvent extraction to get lower grade oil. This is mainly used in industrial products such as neem-based soaps, fungicides, pesticides, etc. When you buy neem oil for cosmetic and medicinal use, make sure that it is high quality, cold pressed, pure oil and sourced ethically. Many soaps and scrubs and made with neem oil and they yield a lot of Neem's qualities.
Neem leaves are used to make face washes and creams for oily skin that are prone to acne. The face packs and face masks made with neem powder, neem leaves or neem oil are beneficial to get rid of blemishes, pimples and cure other skin infections. Neem oil is an excellent source of nourishment for hair growth, strengthening and shine. Aphrodite Amla and Neem Hair Oil encapsulate this potency to give you the best oil for vibrant healthy hair growth.
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We are the sum of our experiences. Every one of us is pieced together by our circumstances, build from our thoughts and dreams, forged with burning emotion and framed with the vision of the future. I am no different. Susceptible to the pressures of society, as a girl growing up in a world which screams for conformity from the moment I stepped out of my home, programmed to belong to something larger than myself, asked to dance to a tune that was already playing. Many of us never question why things are the way they are. Lucky for me I didn't have the luxury of being normal. I was a square peg in a round hole. Always. So I had nothing but questions. Someone born in the wrong era. I spent my youth buried in books. An astute bookworm who poured through pages soaking in the knowledge that I never thought I'd need or use. It turns out I was wrong. How many of you are like me? How many of you find yourself often alone in a crowded room immersed in your thoughts? Then this blog is for you.
Square Peg in a Round Hole
I didn't choose my battles, but I certainly embraced them. Believing in simpler times, I wanted to do things that made sense to me and simple - made sense. Whether it was with clothing or food, sentiments or skincare common sense took priority to complicated spins. It was easy to do. My life was quite unconventional. I spent my childhood with my grandparents who in large part defined my identity. My grandfather was a pious and simple man, and I grew up watching my grandmother making delicious food from scratch and skin care concoctions in her kitchen that worked like magic. Watching her use the leftover home churned butter like lotion for her hands was my normal. She used to make body polishes with different flours and oils to exfoliate and smooth skin. It is true that you take for granted the things you are surrounded by. It will be years later that I will recognize how much I miss her and this simplicity of being.
She made potent hair oils from scratch at home in a giant vat slaving over it for hours. Then packing them carefully and shipping them across the globe to all her children living in different countries. All the women in my family have thick naturally voluminous hair. The men can't be helped really. Genetics has some sway you see in male balding. Even potent handcrafted oils have their limits.
Not All That Glitters is Gold
The bigger the institution, the more dependable we've been told it is. The more familiar a face toting its authenticity and we take it like it were the word of God. Big billboards, posters, glamorous ads, and glitzy packaging the more we are willing to trust it. The higher the price, then it must be more efficient. We are cultivated to respect the big and ignore the small.
I am asking you to step out of the crowd and embrace your need to know what you truly like beyond the opinions that are programmed into your psyche by the screaming signs that surround your environment. Don't get it twisted. I am not in the business of converting avid big brand shoppers to handmade skin care enthusiasts. I leave that task to others. I am however in the market for sharing information that allows everyone to think outside the prescribed "box." In a world flooded with information, it's important to be able to discern fact from fiction and sift through to the useful while discarding the useless.
Let's Take a Journey Down Coconut Lane
Coconut oil has been a staple of food and skin care for centuries in East Asian countries. If you look around you will find those who swear by the benefits for coconut oil and those who poo-poo on it. Let me make myself clear. Coconut oil is every bit the miracle it is touted to be. While it may be a fad for many, the use of coconut oil has seen centuries of proven test subjects. Entire generations have thrived on it.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has several health benefits, that which applies to this post is its usefulness in hair and skin care. Do you know the reason for long and shining hair of women in tropical countries and coastal regions? Yes, it is coconut oil. Women in tropical coastal areas of the world use this oil for their hair almost daily. I will admit I did not. My family had a somewhat complicated blend of oils for hair which worked exceptionally well. But I did use coconut oil to tan a crispy brown in the summertime on the beach. (As if I needed any tanning) To give myself a nice sheen on freshly waxed legs right before strutting out in my shorts, rubbed it into my cuticles after doing my nails or before bed. I used coconut oil on my lips when I needed some extra TLC. I even rubbed some onto the ends of my curly hair to keep those tight curls locked in and frizz free. I've had coconut in my food and drank coconut water when I was parched and added coconut milk to my soups and my soaps. Believe me when I say this. Life would be far less colorful without coconut oil.
How to Use Coconut Oil in Hair
Coconut Oil, this thick butter-like oil helps in healthy growth of hair and keeps it shiny and luxurious. How to use it without looking like a drowned cat. Coconut oil is greasy so sporting it on your hair will make you look oily. Not a good look for anyone. Let me help you with how to balance style and serious care. Take it from someone who has had to balance east and west in her life. You can oil your hair and reap its benefits without looking greasy and smelling like coconuts. Make yourself a coconut oil mask for your hair and use it every three days. Warm coconut oil, it's best if you do this in a microwave and wrist test it to make sure it is not too hot. Then wet your scalp lightly with a spray bottle if you have one and then massage this warm oil into your scalp. Then press it from root to end and twist your hair into a bun. I like to wrap my hair in a soft microfiber towel, or you can always use a thin fabric tee. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have very thick dark and curly hair. The T-shirt keeps my hair from frizzing out and turning into a tumbleweed. I do this before bed and line my pillow with a towel to keep it from staining. A full night of oil soaking into your scalp works wonders for your scalp and hair. This massaging of oil stimulated your scalp and helps revitalize hair growth while the hydration soaks into the protein strands of hair from root to tip. In the morning use your choice of mild shampoo to wash off the oil and condition and style as necessary. Usage of shampoo is also a considerable cause of overly dried scalp and frizzy hair. Use a tiny bit of shampoo, preferably a sulfate and paraben free one. Here quantity is not quality, and less is more.
Worried about over-processed, damaged and dried out hair? Coconut oil is the solution. It is an excellent conditioner and helps with the growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair.
By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil, you can ensure that your scalp is dandruff free, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice and lice eggs. A considerable concern among school going children and those who mingle with them. AKA me. We've been lucky to not have an outbreak at home whether it be sheer luck or the astute defenses of hair oil one can only guess.
Did you know that coconut oil is excellent for skin? Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil that acts as an effective moisturizer for all skin types, including dry skin. Unlike mineral oils, there is no chance of having an adverse side effect on the skin surface from the application of this oil. Therefore, it has been safely used for thousands of years for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. I used coconut oil on my infant when she had irritated skin and cradle cap. After consistent use of coconut oil, her skin was smooth clear, and the cradle cap had disappeared.
The Many Faces of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is said to also help in treating various skin problems, including psoriasis dermatitis, eczema, and other skin issues. For this exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of different body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care. It is a stable and skin loving oil with many great qualities.
Coconut oil is a staple in the Lotus + Aire Skincare line and is used in many natural beauty products presented in this range.
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Who doesn't want to look good every day like those models on magazine covers? A lot of prep went into making that possible. Doesn't mean it is impossible. A solid beauty routine is a key to unlock blemish free and healthy skin.
When it comes to perfecting your skincare routine, learning what your skin needs to look and feel it's best, is no easy task. Whether your skin is dry, oily, acne-prone, aged, inflamed or something in between your care routine needs to be tailored to that specific type. It’s no secret that each skin type is unique, and is impacted by the environment, diet, and lifestyle. The skin has different needs to look and feel it's best.
I had relatively good skin growing up till I hit puberty then I stumbled through the pimply skin stage for the better part of my tween years. While I was one of the lucky ones and it lasted only a couple years. I have everlasting school and family pictures to memorialize that time. It cleared up around 14 and stayed that way till I had my second kid into my late thirties. (That story is for another day folks) Let’s just say it has taken me years to understand my skin in a way one should. Now that I do, I plan to spend many more years rolling through its ever-changing needs! And hopefully, I can help you with some of my experiences to keep you clear glowing and youthful.
One of my favorite ways to treat my skin after washing it with my favorite facial cleanser is using a good all-natural face mask. This leaves my skin fresh and glowing.
Face masks can benefit your skin in a variety of ways, delivering the essential nutrients, your skin craves while pulling out the impurities it is clogged with. But with so many options in the market, it’s clear that no two face masks are created equal. The condition of our skin can change based on many factors, from hormonal changes, diet, environment, pregnancy or your periods to something as simple as the weather.
Choosing the perfect mask to combat your skin conditions can be overwhelming.
But you are not without options. In fact, there is a world of possibilities. Today let's break them all down to the basics. From clay masks to exfoliating masks there’s something for everyone and a mask for almost anything. So keep reading to get the scoop on the different types, what they do, and which one is for you.
Masking it with Clay
Clay masks are the most widely known type of face mask (you know, the kind your mom put on while doing laundry in her bathrobe and yelling at you to clean your room. No wait, that was my mom)
While not every clay is green in color if your skin is oily or blemish-prone, clay and charcoal masks could be your answer. Ingredients like sulfur and activated charcoal are vital in drawing out impurities, detoxifying, and deep cleaning your pores to leave your skin feeling fresh. However, if you have super dry skin, you might want to stay away from clay masks. It tends to dry skin out as it hardens. You can still use clay but make sure to follow up with an emollient moisturizer.
Scrubby Caffeine Cleanser
Coffee is my favorite drink. In fact, I am drinking a steaming cup of Java as I write this.
Just like the caffeine in a cup of coffee wakes you up in the morning, caffeine in your beauty products do the same with your skin! If you are a coffee lover, then pick a face mask containing caffeine to promote glowing skin, reduce inflammation, and treat dark and baggy under-eyes. Options such as coffee and tea masks deliver energizing and brightening properties, and also has a firming effect, meaning your skin will be left glowing and smooth. Exfoliating coffee or tea masks remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, leaving a glowing appearance and soft, supple skin.
Clays, Clays and More Clays
Clays, they come in beautiful colors, from all over the world, and provide a myriad of benefits to the skin.
The most popular and beneficial clays come from France, although many good ones are sourced from Australia, Morocco, the Middle East, India, Southern Europe and even from the US. They contain high amounts of minerals and are explicitly purified for cosmetic use making them skin safe.
But despite their popularity, they are not benign. Learning how to apply a clay mask correctly, is necessary. Let's talk about that a little.
Is a Clay Mask a Good Fit for you?
The assumption that clay masks are for everyone and every skin type is way off base, no one knows where it stemmed from but its time to shed some light on the truth. The truth is only oily or combination skins should use clay masks, while dry irritated skins should stay away from them. They can irritate and dry the skin even more. Those with dry skin have many other more hydrating and milder options to choose from.
The Right Way to Apply a Mask
First, begin the process by removing all makeup. A good makeup remover is vital. I like using Olive oil on a cotton bud for around my eyes because of how delicate the skin is. You can also use a gentle cream or almond oil. Next, cleanse your face with warm water and a foaming cleanser or facial soap to eliminate all traces of makeup remover. I usually don't wash near my eyes leaving the olive oil to soak into my under eye area and lids. (There is a reason for this, I will explain in a minute) You want to apply a clay mask on a clean face. The warm water will soften the grime and impurity clogging the pores.
Second, take two teaspoons of powder clay and mix it with lukewarm water to create a paste or use yogurt if you have mature, semi-dry or mature skin.
Apply the clay mask evenly all over the face, neck and décolleté using clean fingers or a clean brush. Avoid the skin around the eyes making an invisible mental line. Eye area skin is quite thin and can get damaged easily. Remember the olive oil I left around my eyes? This is a great way to protect your eye area in case you accidentally overreach that invisible line you should not cross with the mask.
Third, let the mask completely dry on your skin if you can. Don't leave it on longer. The clays in our combination work quickly. More time doesn't mean cleaner. In fact, it can over dry your skin if you leave it on longer.
Fourth, to properly remove the mask just splash enough warm water on face and with the fingertips give a gentle massage scrubbing in a circular motion until the clay is entirely re-hydrated, rinse off and pat dry with a face towel. I prefer to use a warm moist towel rubbing it in a circular motion until all the clay is gone. Then wash your face with cold water. There is no need for soap or cleanser after removing the clay.
Fifth, apply a toner to prepare your skin for the best absorption of moisturizers or facial oils. Not all toners are formulated equally and some although called toners, are just refreshing waters formulated to provide some temporary hydration to the skin. I prefer using witch hazel which is gentle and natural.
Sixth, after the toner has dried or evaporated from your skin, apply a light layer of moisturizer or facial oil. Don’t overdo it. You should aim to replenish the skin rather than smother it with moisturizer. You unclogged the pores you don't want to clog it with excessive cream.
The best time to do a mask treatment is at night before bed so you won't be exposing your skin to sunlight or applying makeup for a few hours. This allows your skin to rest after the intense treatment and regenerate basking in the therapy and hydrations afterward.
How Many Times A Week Should I Apply A Clay Mask?
Clay masks shouldn’t be applied daily. I suggest not using it more than 1-2 times a week. More often and they could irritate the skin. Less than that and no benefits would be visible.
The Many Shades of Clays
Green Clays: Particularly French Green Clay, is the most absorbent of all clays. This is a strong clay for oily and blemish- prone skin; it helps remove dirt, excess oil and debris from deep down pores.
White/Gray Clays: Bentonite, Fullers Earth, Kaolin and others, are gentler clays, mostly recommended to replenish the loss of minerals in the skin and to remove excess oil. This works for combination skin.
Red/Pink Clays: Rhassoul, Australian Red, French Pink Rose clay and others, are mostly used to even out complexion.
Black Clays: Like Australian Black Clay, are mostly recommended for acne-prone skin, for its profoundly cleansing properties for combination and oily skin types.
I know this is a pretty elaborate view on clays, but beauty isn't just skin deep. Delving into the makeup of our skin types and what each clay does helps pair us with the best solution for our skin problems. Unmask the beauty beneath by using some of the wonderful clays around the world. A more extensive assortment will be available as a limited quantity season collection for you to dip your hands into. Keep an eye out for it at www.lotusandaire.com
]]>Human beings flourish under touch. This is a proven fact from tests done on newborns, animals and countless scenarios and experiments all conclude we need it, we thrive on it, and it provides an X-factor in situations. Some say touch triggers endorphins.
]]>Human beings flourish under touch. This is a proven fact from tests done on newborns and animals. Countless scenarios and experiments all conclude we need it, we thrive on it, and it provides an X-factor in situations beyond our control. Some say touch triggers endorphins and we all know endorphins are the natural high that our bodies and minds thrive on.
Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda ) is one of the world's oldest medical systems. It originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and remains one of the country's strongest traditional healthcare systems.
Abhyanga is an ancient Ayurvedic oil massage therapy typically used to help heal and detoxify body, mind, and spirit. This Ayurvedic detox and stress reduction therapy is usually performed by herbal oils. It incorporates an aromatic combination of oils prepared with herbs warmed and blended to match your energy composition. Also known as a “dosha” in Sanskrit. There is a more complicated explanation for what a *dosha is but for this blog. Let ’s just keep it simple.
I don’t want to bore you with history. But this part is important because the Lotus +Aire Rose Body Oil is fashioned with an Ayurvedic massage experience in mind. Whether you are intensely worked over by someone in an ashram to silence or getting a casual massage on a tropical island somewhere listening to the waves crashing onto rocks. Remember that minus the ambiance, the benefits are surprisingly similar. Only, we are not all lucky enough to have a personal masseuse at our beck and call. Luckily we don’t need one. With Synergy Rose Ayurvedic Body Oil you don’t need a masseuse. We break it down for you in a way that helps maximizes self-care. Whether it be a weeknight with some extra time on your hands or a Friday night with some ‘me time’ or a Saturday night with your significant other, you can make the body oil your ‘thing.'
How to use this oil
Simply place the bottle with oil in a glass of warm water (not too warm or hot) to heat the oil a little above room temperature.
Apply a small amount of oil to the body in circular motions applying mild pressure, starting with the face, neck all the way down to your toes. Leave the oil on for 5-10 minutes before jumping in the shower and using our deeply moisturizing Zen Citrus+Mint Soap. Or slip into a tub of floral bath Teas to soak.
The best way to keep your "right out of the shower" bloom is to maintain it throughout the day and night. You can use the Nirvana Face Mist which refreshes and rejuvenates your skin to give you the fresh out of the shower scent and feel.
Take The Time
It is effortless to overlook taking a few minutes to care for yourself when you have given your life’s focus on children or family or a career. But the reality is YOU are the center of all that revolves around you and the solid base many things rely upon. If you want to do them all justice, then take the time to care for yourself. Begin with your skin and work your way inward.
We make it easy for you to gather all the arsenal you need in one place. The masks and scrubs soaps and balms all serve a unique purpose, and the process is just as important as the product. We make all our products with natural ingredients that are sourced ethically for premium quality.
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Body exfoliation has been an integral part of the Ayurvedic deep-cleansing practice. On an external level, daily exfoliation can stimulate the skin, eliminate toxins effectively, and remove dead cells while speeding up cell regeneration. All necessary elements of maintaining glowing and youthful skin while slowing down the aging process.
]]>Before I jump in with both feet, let me mention that body scrubs are my all time favorite skin treatment since I was a child. I have used some form of scrub or polish religiously in my bath ritual, since my pre-teen years. Skin concerns begin at the set of puberty for most. If you are the lucky few like I was in my youth, then you can simply skate past with minor breakouts to major flare ups with little to no care. But if you are not so lucky then let me tell you the way you treat your skin and the foods you eat directly relate to how clear, and problem free your skin remains.
The benefits and methods described below have seen years of experience, not just mine but generations of our predecessors who have successfully used exfoliation to maintain youthful skin with no chemical or surgical intervention. If they could, so can we.
Body exfoliation has been an integral part of the Ayurvedic deep-cleansing practice. On an external level, daily exfoliation can stimulate the skin, eliminate toxins effectively, and remove dead cells while speeding up cell regeneration. All necessary elements of maintaining glowing and youthful skin while slowing down the aging process.
There are many internal benefits induced with the exfoliating motion that relaxes and calms nerves and clears the mind in the process. The benefits of this are markedly more than skin deep.
Ayurvedic beauty treatments are gentle and natural blending seamlessly into the harmony of our bodies. When it comes to body and face scrubs, I have a very simple policy. If you wouldn't eat it, then don't put it on your skin. This doesn't mean you start gobbling up your scrubs that are made with deliciously nourishing and natural ingredients. It just means you want to carefully look at your skin care and analyze why something is in the jar if it isn't natural. In an exfoliant, less is definitely really more.
Generally, a body scrub has larger exfoliating particles. Multiple grades of sugar or salt with a blend of oils and butters than a facial or lip scrubs. The skin on your body can use a rougher exfoliant while the skin on your face and lips are much more sensitive and require less pressure and abrasion.
Most common ingredients in store-bought scrubs are salt, sugar, crushed nut shells, crushed soy, and different grades of pumice. Some scrubs include chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy and glycolic acids, while they all aid in treating different skin issues are unnecessary for a regular skin exfoliation ritual on problem free skin.
We had some amazing body scrubs made entirely with fresh and natural ingredients designed to balance and restore your skin's natural glow and health.
At Lotus + Aire, there is a reason why we start the clock on our scrubs when you place the order. We do not use synthetic preservatives to prolong shelf life on our scrubs. We keep it completely simple and only add what it needs, nothing more. Using the freshest of ingredients to formulate it, so you get the best results because we take away the guesswork out of skin care simplifying the process.
My Grandma taught me that the best skin care remedies are right in my kitchen.
And I have never forgotten her lessons. I would love for you to buy my deliciously made scrubs but I also think you can make your own buffing scrub with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Like olive oil, honey, raw sugar, ground cloves, oatmeal, rice powder, and even ground coffee which makes one of my favorite scrubs of all time. Adding your favorite essential oils to the mixture transforming your daily shower into an experience of luxury and decadence.
The freshest of ingredients make the most beneficial products. Quality is the determining factor between a good and fair skin exfoliator.
If you have healthy skin, you can use a sugar or salt scrub up to three times a week. Personally, I use more of the sugar than the salt in the winter months. Salt scrubs have many benefits but can also dry out skin in cold weather. But if you have sensitive or thin skin, limit a good buffing to once a week and stick with sugar and rather than nuts, flours or salt.
Exfoliation compliments and enhances so many of our other daily and weekly rituals. Like oil cleansing and dry brushing. The most obvious benefit of exfoliating skin can help smooth out shaving bumps, prevent ingrown hairs and even fade out dark spots from frequent epilation, waxing, and shaving.
If you use a self-tanner. Try a non-oily body scrub before applying any tanning lotion to guarantee an even application. By removing the dead skin cells, you’ll avoid splotches and dark spots, especially around your knees and elbows. Body scrubs are also great for removing self-tanner from your body in case you change your mind.
I don't know about you, but I tan in seconds of being exposed to the sun. On a typical day at the beach, I can go from supple olive skin to a cocoa brown. Blame it on genetics or a south Asian thing... I tend to tan unevenly. While I love my tan during the summer months, a patchy tan is not attractive at all. Regular exfoliation helps me avoid this patchy tan that I struggled with for years. I discovered very much by accident that I can exfoliate my way to an even shade all over. Isn't that everyone's struggle these days?
**Also don't forget to wear sunblock while in the sun but remember sunblock isn't a tan blocker; many people tend to mix that up.**
If you have a sunburn, excessively dry skin, open wounds, a rash or other skin conditions like inflammation, give scrubbing a rest until you are completely healed. Some of the ingredients like essential oils—and the actual rubbing motion —could aggravate and irritate your skin. You’ll also want to skip exfoliating after shaving (exfoliate before shaving to get a closer shave but not after) if your scrub contains salt or citrus peels and citrus oils refrain from using it on inflamed or stressed out skin.
Some scrubs found in stores commonly contain harmful chemicals and even use small plastic beads as the exfoliating agents. You want a natural body scrub that won't harm you and is also eco- friendly. Body scrubs are washed off, go down the drain and end up in the environment so be conscious of the footprint you leave behind. Also, there is no evidence that plastic beads and chemical components are more effective than the natural scrubs made with earth-friendly components.
We have great natural whole body scrub perfect for the summer months made with mineral rich salts and essential oils. And did I mention they smell heavenly?
The alarm blares in my ear, and it’s barely crack of dawn. There are 24 hours in the day but way more tasks to complete than the hours will allow. Anyone else lives my reality? I bet you do. I don’t let the day run me however poorly it tries. I run it with a smile and a light heart because finding joy in tedious tasks is an art. However, when your world is a revolving door of crisis management, you don’t walk but run toward anything that gives you solace at the end of the day. Enter Bath Teas!
I have many self-care practices that I hold dear, but none more than a luxuriating soak in the tub after a long day, or days or week. But never a month. I can’t go that long. Something is soothing and captivating about immersing yourself in some warm scented liquid and letting the cares of the world float away from you. It’s a grey cloud that lifts from your body when you let go of your tedious day. No, really. You can see it if you try. (Laugh)
Drawing a bath has always been a ritual for me. Even as a child I would beg Mama to get me fancy bottles of bubble bath I’d glimpsed at boutique windows. But the bubblegum pink or aquamarine blue from the local drugstore was always a good stand-in. Sweetly scented bubbles were almost flowing out of my tub, I’d plop myself in and sing a tune loud and proud. That little girl didn’t grow too far from her ideal pass time. I did build from singing loudly to humming a tune and bubbles to bath teas and salt soaks. Oh, and reading a good book and lighting candles to set the mood made me feel like Grace Kelly and less like the tired mom of two small business owner.
My day is coming to a close, dinner is cooked and served, the husband watching his favorite show and the kids safely tucked in bed, I tiptoe to my bath and light my candles and dim my lights. The ritual begins.
There is evidence that bathing in some sort of a vessel or tub like contraption goes back as far as around 3300 BC. Beneath a palace in the Indus Valley Civilization of ancient India, such an item was found. Evidence of the earliest surviving personal sized bathtub was found on the Isle of Crete, where a 5ft long pedestal tub was found built from hardened pottery.
Modern society did not invent bathtubs and neither did we create the rituals that go with it. Bathing provides an opportunity for your skin to absorb minerals, nutrients, and chemicals that could help your body function efficiently. Without much of a history lesson, I can merely suggest you try a salt soak or a milk bath when you get a chance. Some things cannot be described. They must be experienced.
Back to my precious hour or so carved out of my day to enjoy some quality time alone my thoughts. I usually pick whatever suits my fancy that night put away my phone and grab a book.
Sometimes it is rose petals and milk, or other times I am feeling a salt soak with a hint of calm or a rejuvenating citrus blend. Chamomile, Jasmine, hibiscus, cornflower, I love them all. It all depends on whether I want to slither out of the bath and crawl into bed or whether I want to skip my way to my laptop and get some late night work done. The tub filled with what I am feeling that day, but the result is always a sense of calm inside and out.
My bath teas are loaded with potent botanicals, milk, salts and definitely, oh definitely some clean and scintillating high-grade essential oils which will most certainly elevate you to a place you have been dying to go since you woke up and eyed your to-do list. Don’t fret.
I have an exciting line of bath teas, and salt soaks that fit any one of your moods. You need only go to the site to find them. www.lotusandaire.com
I can personally attest to the benefits of soaking off my cares. I feel like every day I put on my rose-colored glasses and trek into the world as do all of you. In our way, we are Davids who fight Goliath every day. When we come home and have a moment to spare and those rose tinted glasses feel like they may be slipping off. A soak in the tub of our favorite bath may be the only thing holding us together to fight another day. A good soaking bath does that and so much more.
For the best benefits follow the routine and use all the products in our line as they are meant to be used.
]]>I love summers, don't you? The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and all that vitamin D is just waiting for your skin to soak it all up. No more staying couped up at home hiding from frigid temperatures, it's time to step out into the light, literally.
Just follow these three simple steps and you will have happy skin all summer long.
]]>I love summers, don't you? The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and all that vitamin D is just waiting for your skin to soak it all up. No more staying couped up at home hiding from frigid temperatures, it's time to step out into the light, literally.
Just follow these three simple steps and you will have happy skin all summer long.
The draining heat pulls moisture from plants, soil, and also our bodies. When we sweat we lose more than moisture, we lose minerals so adding a dash of salt to our food to compensate for this loss is ok to do. You could even make a couple of those tall glasses of cold water a drink like Propel (This has no added sugar or calories and comes in many flavors as well as a flavor free option) which balances your electrolytes. Ideally, you should drink half your body weight in water every day. I manage to drink anywhere from 62-74 ounces daily. My favorite drink after a workout or a working day in the hot sun to replenish and rehydrate is this concoction :
A tall iced glass of water
Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with the "mother"
A dash of pink Himalayan salt
A sprinkle of cream of tartar
A spritz of fresh lemon juice (optional)
This drink not only has a great flavor profile, it replenishes sodium, pottassium and many other minerals that have been depleted from your body. And you will notice it tastes good and your body will crave it once you introduce it to the drink when you are low in the minerals these provide.
Some of the best coolants are coconuts, cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon. In hot temperatures, it is best to avoid hot beverages with caffeine like coffee or hot tea, spicy and oily foods, and alcohol. The foods and drinks tend to dehydrate us sucking moisture faster than you are able to restore it.
I know I've talked about scrubs and their importance a lot in my blogs. If you haven't read them here is a good one to take a look at Why I Love Scrubs and You Should Too. Natural exfoliators are great to use in the shower. I prefer salt scrubs in the summertime for their skin soothing properties and the minerals in salt are excellent in calming inflamed or agitated skin. Salt scrubs also curb excessive oil production which means you won't be greasy and shiny when you sweat. If you are looking for an all natural skin care option, shop our collection of scrubs here. My favorite is Elevate Rose and sandalwood Salt Scrub. However, if you have sunburned skin, open wounds or excessively dry and sensitive skin in the summertime refrain from using a salt scrub. A good alternative is a sugar or shell scrubs.
If you scrub in the shower your skin will already be soft and moist but I find that adding a good moisturizer to my daily routine especially at night or after time in the pool or at the beach is essential to maintaining moisture. I sometimes favor a body oil to a body butter but I do alternate because each has its own benefits that work best when used alternatively. My favorite go-to is Synergy Ayurvedic Body Oil (Can you tell that rose is my favorite super ingredient?) Well, it is because roses are as powerful as they are beautiful!
Roses have so many benefits, rose extracts are excellent makeup removers, they can also add a great layer of cooling and soothing to any skin treatment you choose without altering the base. Rose water lifts and discards impurities gently and naturally. Rose powder adds glow and vitality to aging or sensitive skin and rose petals make the perfect additive to a facial steam or bath water to induce the element of moisture while toning and minimizing pores. Rose clay and crushed rose powder will also calm and eliminate skin flare-ups from allergies and irritation.
If you want to step up your summer skincare another notch then try this cooling mask below. My Grandmom used different variations of this mask for different skin needs. She sported glowing skin all her life.
1/2 Cup Finely ground Chickpea flour,
4 tsp Finely crushed rosebuds
2 Tsp Freshly milled turmeric powder
1/2 Lemon squeezed
Thin this paste with rose water. ( I prefer it to be refrigerated) until it is smooth yet not runny.
You can also make the powder blend and store it in an airtight container and simply add the rose water and lemon juice to the amount you scoop out to use everytime you need it. Use it as often as you want without any ill effects. I apply a liberal amount to my face and neck and sometimes even back and arms using a masking brush to paint it on. I find the brush is mess free and also gives me an even thin coat which is all you need. You can certainly use your fingers to apply the paste. Leave it on for a few minutes, this blend will dry quickly, you can use a wet, lukewarm washcloth to wipe the mask off gently. Or you may also wash it off in the shower. Lukewarm water usually is more effective than cold for this mask.
Masking is second to none in its ability to maintain blemish free and even-toned skin.
If you don't feel like DIYing a mask for your skin don't worry! We have some amazing masks for you to try. Grabe one that catches your fancy here.
Keep your skin youthful and slow down the aging process with these simple steps.
Have a plan for every season. Pick your products depending on the problems you face based on your skin type and lifestyle.
Do Your Homework on the products you put on your skin. We place a tremendous amount of trust in the companies who create our products so it is important to know if they are worthy of our trust and our money.
Remember to shop by ingredients. There are so many natural powerhouse ingredients that are used in Ayurvedic skin care. Using them correctly is everything. Make sure every ingredient in your chosen product has a purpose. Stay away from products that use chemical and fillers that have no restorative or cleansing purpose.
Quality over Quantity. You can have three really good skin products that will keep you looking your very best as opposed to 8 or 9 generic creams and gels that are not effective. Less is definitely more when it comes to skin care products.
To Shop our collection of Ayurvedic skin care go to www.lotusandaire.com
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