Smells Pretty (but not too pretty)

As you may have gathered from an earlier post, I am not fond of artificial fragrance. That includes any kind of synthetic perfume, perfume-y lotions, scented candles, and most incense. Most. But not all. There is one type of incense that I absolutely, positively love. I'd like you to meet Tara Healing Incense.


Original Tara Healing Incense

I find most incense to be cloyingly sweet, headache inducing, slightly nauseating, and generally irritating. Probably because it's toxic. An occasional whiff of Nag Champa is nostalgic - and doesn't bother me too much. But really, this is the only incense that not only agrees with me, but kinda rocks my world.

It is made by Tibetan refugees living in India, and this is what it says on the box:

"Tara Healing Incense which has been used for centuries old is a traditional Tibetan medicine for stress, depression and tension. It is prepared by hand according to ancient Tibetan medical system and is composed of 31 different pure and natural herbs. It is effective, non-toxic and non-addictive."

I always have a stash at home. And a few extra boxes on hand to give as gifts. A delightful little thing. Enjoy!

Probiotics. Skin.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria.


Good bacteria help keep the immune system healthy. Your diet and lifestyle largely dictate the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria hanging out in your body. Things like antibiotics (which kill ALL the bacteria, the good with the bad), long term use of birth control pills, stress, diets high in sugar, wheat, and processed foods all diminish your body's good guy count. Sometimes the bad guys can take over and cause other problems (like yeast and other fungal infections). That's why doctors often recommend eating yogurt when you take antibiotics - because yogurt contains acidophilus and acidophilus is a probiotic.

It is optimal to take a high quality probiotic supplement. You can buy probiotic supplements at any health food store. If you ask where they are, you will most likely be directed to the refrigerated section, as most probiotics need to be in the fridge to stay alive. Here's the deal though: there are several brands of probiotics that are stable at room temp and don't need to be refrigerated. I prefer these. That way, I can simply keep them in my purse and take them at my convenience.

Here are a few brands I like, but there are many:

Jarro-Dophilus EPS

Dr. Ohhira's

PB 8

Kyo-Dophilus

It's important to have various strains of probiotics in your supplement, too. Some brands have just one strain, some have a bunch. Go for the ones with a bunch and switch them up from time to time, so your body gets lots of different good guys.

In 1964, Dr. R. H. Siver conducted a study using probiotics to treat gastric and intestinal disorders. He discovered that, in addition to improving his patients' gastrointestinal conditions, facial skin cleared up in 80% percent of his patients with acne. And the skin improved within the first two weeks of supplementation. Wow, right? Isn't it crazy that that was in the 60s and to this day most dermatologists still prescribe antibiotics (to teenagers, no less) for acne. The antibiotics only really appear to help while you're taking them, and when you stop, the acne comes back - only now your body is more resistant to antibiotics and probably completely wiped clean of good bacteria.

Here is an article you can read for a little more info.

The skin is the body's largest organ. Your skin looks the best when your body is thriving and healthy. Good bacteria help keep bad bacteria in check which leads to better health. I take them every day. Just sayin'.

Epsom Salt Bath

Aaaahhhhh....


What could be better than a nice, hot soak after a long, hard day of.... anything?! How about a nice, hot soak in a bathtub with Epsom Salt? That is, if you're not walking distance from a natural mineral hot spring. And, since I am no longer residing at a hot springs retreat center in the Sierras, I take a lot of Epsom Salt baths.

This long standing folk remedy (the name comes from the mineral rich waters of Epsom, England - where the salts were known at least as far back as Shakespeare’s time) for aching muscles is very inexpensive and available at most supermarkets and drug stores.

The scientific name for Epsom Salt is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O). And apparently, soaking in a tub with it increases the body's levels of both magnesium and sulfate.


According to the Epsom Salt Council (yes, there is one), magnesium, a major component of Epsom Salt, helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

Here are some more benefits of magnesium:

• Improves heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improves the body's ability to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushes toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improves nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieves stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

And of sulfates:

While increasing your magnesium levels, Epsom Salt also delivers sulfates, which are extremely difficult to get through food, but which readily absorb through the skin. Sulfates serve a wide variety of functions in the body, playing a vital role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the mucin proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. Sulfates also stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are believed to help detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants.


That's a lot of info. All's I know is that the soak feels great, softens the skin, and it's cheap and easy to find.

Use at least 2 cups to a full tub, and soak at least 15-20 minutes. I recommend moisturizing with coconut oil after the bath.

(Remember, I'm not a doctor, so if you have any health concerns, consult a doctor before using home remedies.)

Bonus: you can also use Epsom Salt in the garden! Read this for more info.

Subtle. Pretty.

I'm not a huge nail polish person. Don't get me wrong... I love a nice pedi. I figure, since I wear Birkenstocks almost every day, the least I can do is keep my toes looking pretty. It's just that there are very few colors I feel look good on me - especially on my fingers. Recently, I've been liking the idea of a nice beigey, greigey, taupey color for my hands. Something kind-of neutral, and not too dark. I like a little bit of dark on the toes, but it looks too gothy on my hands. Here's OPI "You Don't Know Jacques" on my feet. (A few weeks in now, but still looking decent, no?)


But it's just too dark on my hands.

So. I started scouring the internet for a khaki beige I could wear on my hands. Found a few maybes. There was Chanel "Particuliere". A great mushroomy color. A bit more brownish than "Jacques", which I'd love for toes, but not hands. Plus, at $23 a bottle, you reaaaaally gotta love it. I would, however, plunk down the cash for Chanel "Khaki Vert" polish when/if it comes out for regular people to purchase - and if it's as perfect in real life as it appears online. It's some exclusive limited edition color that was made for Fashion's Night Out (Sept 10 in NYC). Those of you who know me are probably laughing, because you know how not hip to these things I am. I'm telling you, the search for the perfect polish can change you! How cool is this:


So... I went into Sephora last night. I usually feel like I need to wear a gas mask in that place - all the synthetic fragrance gives me a headache. But, alas, I was on a mission. I was told that Sephora's OPI line had a color similar to "Particuliere" called "Metro Chic". I checked it out - and it's great. Very similar to "Jacques", actually, but not quite what I was looking for. And that's when I found it... "Under My Trench Coat" ~ Where do they get these names? It's exactly what I was looking for - a light greyish-beigeish khaki with metallic gold just subtle enough for it to gleam, but not so sparkly that you feel like a teenager. I love it on my fingernails in a single coat. And it will be great on my toes with two coats.


Here's the best part: OPI polish is DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde free. Love it!

Update:
Here's an interesting article a friend just sent me about "non-toxic" polishes. So, OPI doesn't contain the"big three" offenders... but that doesn't mean it's totally natural. Just not AS toxic!

Super Message

I recently came across this short video about the yuck in cosmetics. Worth watching!

Sounds Pretty

There's nothing worse than going to get a massage or facial and having to listen to the not-so-soothing sounds of birds chirping, or whales whale-ing, or staccato piano music, or the kiss of death..... Enya! So, it is of the utmost importance in my world to provide my clients with a perfect aural ambiance. I've been a massage therapist for 14 years and an esthetician for six. So, I've listened to A LOT of relaxation music. And one artist truly stands out above all others.



Chuck Wild (in addition to being a very accomplished musician, otherwise) has created a series of ten relaxation music albums under the name Liquid Mind. He originally wrote this music to heal himself from severe anxiety and panic disorder. Read more about his story here. He was determined to avoid taking prescription medication, so he created this ultra slow, atmospheric, healing music as a part of his wellness program - and in the beginning, listened to it 24/7!

Now you might think listening to something 24/7 would be crazy-making in itself... but that's the magic of Liquid Mind. You just don't get sick of it. The music is very slow and there really is no discernible beat, so nothing gets stuck in your head. And let me tell you... I have listened to the two albums I have over and over, all day at work, on a loop, for years, and I have yet to get sick of them. In fact, I sometimes forget the music is even playing. It just blends in, slows everything down, and creates a super peaceful environment.

I consider my Liquid Mind albums as much a tool of the trade as my massage table and my tweezers! My clients frequently ask about the music because they feel transported, so I figured it was time to share.



I recommend having at least one (my favorite at the moment is Liquid Mind IX: Lullaby), for those times when a little extra serenity is called for. It would be amazing help-your-baby-get-to-sleep music, a perfect adjunct to a yoga or meditation practice, or something soothing to put on when you're winding down and heading to bed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Cocos Nucifera

I'm inspired today by the coconut.



My friend Kristina, of Lovely Morning, one of my favorite blogs ever, mentioned coconut in her post about organic baby food. This led me to do a little research (as per my usual nerdiness) and voila - total blog inspiration.

There are so many uses for coconut in all its forms: meat, juice, milk, and oil, even coconut sugar (which i have just discovered after being warned that agave is no longer the healthy alternative sweetener, and am loving).

For years I have used coconut oil for cooking. Did you know it is the only oil that is stable enough to resist heat induced damage, so it's the least vulnerable to oxidation and toxic free-radical formation? That means it's waaaaaaay better for your health and well being than any other oil. If you're going to heat oil for cooking, use coconut oil. Seriously. And if you're like me, and you don't love the natural coconut-y smell (I don't always want my scrambled eggs to smell like the tropics), you can find Organic Coconut Oil that is refined, which equals no smell (but is not as totally awesome as pure unrefined coconut oil).

Pure coconut oil contains about 50 percent lauric acid, which is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). MCTs are very easy to digest and are incredibly healing.

Nerd alert: When lauric acid is present in the body, it is converted into monolaurin, a monoglyceride compound which exhibits antiviral, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties. It acts by disrupting the lipid membranes in organisms like fungus, bacteria and viruses, thus destroying them.

And guess what? I just learned from Kristina (mother of 5 month old Dashiell) that breast milk is the only other natural source that contains such a high concentration of lauric acid, which explains the drastic decrease of infections of all types in breast-fed babies.

If you want to nerd out some more about coconut, lookie here:
Coconut Research Center
or see what Dr. Mercola has to say about it.

And coconut is not just yummy, it is great for the SKIN!!



I have been using it for almost 14 years in my massage practice. It's got great slip and is so nourishing for all skin types. It is also considered a non-staining oil, so once it absorbs into the skin, it will not leave any residue on your clothes - or my massage sheets - bonus! It is phenomenal as an after bath moisturizer, too. Just use a small amount while your skin is still damp.

Remember my raves about RMS Beauty, Rose-Marie Swift's raw, organic makeup line? Well, guess what? One of her best sellers is her Raw Coconut Cream. It is a natural antioxidant (preventing free radical damage), is anti-aging, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and is, therefore, great for all skin types (including acne). Plus, it nourishes skin and lashes, and is the perfect make-up remover.

Last, but not least, coconut oil is an ideal hair conditioner. Work a good amount of the oil into the hair and leave it in as long as you like. Just remember to put a thick towel over your pillow if you sleep with it in, or you will get oil on your pillow. At Petite Spa where I work, we even do a Coconut Milk and Coconut Oil Hair and Scalp Leave-In Treatment. Pure Luxury!

C'mon, who doesn't love something you can feel great about eating AND slathering all over your body??