TGiF! Enjoy one of our top picks in today’s Friday Faves…

Are you a gal who prefers bikes to cars, CFL’s to incandescents, and organic food to packaged meals? Good for you – you care about your health and the environment! You make eco-friendly decisions that benefit your health and vice versa. So when it comes to your water bottle, what do you do? Recycling is certainly appreciated, but it still adds up (Americans use 30 million plastic water bottles every day), and reusing reduces waste, but it can also be harmful to your health (due to plastic leaching and bacteria growth). So what’s an eco-friendly gal to do? Never fear—SIGG is here!

SIGG Swiss Engineered Water Bottles are the must-have product in Europe, and are available in the US and online. SIGG’s reusable water bottles greatly help reduce unnecessary environmental waste and they keep you healthy and safe. Their special internal coating reduces the chance of bacterial build-up and will not flake or chip even if dented on the outside. SIGG bottles exceed FDA requirements and have been tested to ensure there is absolutely no leaching; they are 100% safe. On top of all of this, SIGG is also a member of 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of all sales to environmental causes.

With 144 bottle designs and 22 interchangeable lids, you can customize your SIGG bottle to reflect your individual personality. Our favorite? SIGG’s lifestyle bottle, “I AM NOT PLASTIC.” Make an eco-statement with your water and drink to your health!

~Kristen

Related Links:
Stop the Plastic
Dangers of Plastic Leaching
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TGiF! Enjoy one of our top picks in today’s Friday Faves…

Aaaah, I love Aveda products. There’s nothing like the fresh, earthy aromas of their products. Their shampoos, lotions, soaps, and even their make-up smell fresh and healthy. Little did I know that they actually bottle these aromas and sell them as pure-fume! (And yes, I did spell that correctly).

As I was perusing the Aveda shop near my house I came across a display of aroma therapeutic oils and “make-your-own” perfume. Aveda calls it pure-fume because they use all certified organic oils and make everything with pure plant essences. You can purchase a pre-made scent, concoct your own individual scent, or you can buy the purest form of all, essence oil. All three pack a powerful punch and last all day long!

If you choose to stick with a pre-made pure-fume, Aveda will blend a fresh batch for you right in front of your eyes! That’s right, you won’t get a bottle that’s been sitting on the shelf for months. It’s all about freshness and purity. Creating your own pure-fume allows you to experiment as you find just the right combination for you. Finally, if you opt for the pure essence, you’ll love the potency of this stuff and be thrilled with its longevity.

You can choose scents based on personal preference and also on therapeutic qualities. Different scents can be used calm and soothe your nerves, enhance the ability to think clearly, and balance your mind and body. Choose from sixteen different scents, including rose geranium, lavender, vanilla, ylang ylang, and sandalwood.

I bought one of Aveda’s pre-made scents and mixed one of my own. I love them both! They seem to last much longer than traditional perfume and I get compliments all of the time. So, get out to the nearest Aveda store or shop online and find the perfect scent for you!

~Jennifer Rosen

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Wellness on Wednesday is all about the natural you!

Are you familiar with the itch and scratch cycle of eczema? The constant itching and scratching, scratching and itching…. As a result, you can end up suffering from red, irritated, and raw skin that can be very uncomfortable. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that causes itching and discomfort. Eczema can be triggered by stress, dust, animal fur, food allergies, and environmental conditions. The unpredictability of this disease can be rather upsetting since many different factors can set it off at any given time.

I have lived with eczema my entire life. I have scars on my legs and suffer constant breakouts on my arms, neck, and hands. As advised by my doctor, I have always used over-the-counter hydrocortisone to relieve the itching and inflammation. It wasn’t until I realized how dependent I was on my cortisone cream that I felt the need to find a more effective and natural solution to address my skin problems.

Here is a natural recipe for a paste that finally allowed me to toss my hydrocortisone. The ingredients include Vitamin E oil, goldenseal (an herb in the powdered form), and honey. Together these components hydrate, relieve itchiness, disinfect, and reduce inflammation—the most aggravating and uncomfortable eczema symptoms.

Vitamin E oil – this oil heals the skin and helps keep it moisturized, therefore reduces the dryness that causes itching.

Goldenseal – along with its many health benefits, this herb treats eczema by disinfecting, and reducing inflammation. Goldenseal is an infection fighting herb and often considered to be a natural antibiotic.

Honey – serves as an antioxidant and has antimicrobial effects which aide in the healing of wounds. Its anti-inflammatory agent helps reduce swelling, pain, and scarring. Honey is also an overall immune booster.

To make this wonder paste, mix vitamin E oil with goldenseal powder, and add a small amount of honey. Apply the paste on the infected areas and live eczema-free the natural way!

-Michele

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Wellness on Wednesday is all about the natural you!

In the U.S., kudzu is known by most as an overgrown weed. Recorded to grow up to a foot a day during the summer months, it has even been nicknamed “The Vine That Ate the South.” It is commonly viewed as a pest. But in China and Japan, the plant has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. Powder from the kudzu root can be used to treat headaches, indigestion, congestion, stress, insomnia, hyperactive children, and hangovers. It is most famous, however, for its treatment of alcoholism.

Kudzu has many healing properties. Not only does is sooth and relieve muscular tension for everyday ailments, it also reduces the desire for alcohol and stimulates liver tissue regeneration to areas damaged by toxins. Note that kudzu is not a cure for alcoholism. It is, however, very effective in treating and reducing both cravings and inflicted damage.

Here is a delicious recipe to help calm and heal the body:

Kudzu Concoction:
1 c. organic apple juice
1 t. vanilla extract
2 T. kudzu

Combine the apple juice and vanilla.
Add a bit of the mixture to the kudzu until it forms a paste.
Slowly stir in the rest of the juice.
Drink, relax, and enjoy!

Kudzu can be found at Asian markets and health food stores everywhere.

~Kristen

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In today’s Wellness 101 we bring you art therapy…

Years ago, I began looking for an alternative form of therapy - I just never quite clicked with conventional psychotherapy. So when I heard the phrase “art therapy” tossed around at a party, I was instantly intrigued. Since I have a background in art, I felt that my creativity could be the perfect outlet. The more I discovered, the more convinced I became that art therapy could benefit not only me, but also anyone else out there – and in innumerable and wonderful ways.

Art therapy is a unique form of therapy that uses art to help patients understand and express their thoughts and emotions. The theory behind it holds that the creative process itself (rather than the actual product) can be a life-enhancing and therapeutic experience. Clients often work with paint, colored pencils, markers, three-dimensional objects, or mixed media, as well as through performance art and photography. Art therapists believe that it is not their job to interpret or add meaning to artwork, so the process should feel free and unencumbered. So although they observe, they do not psychoanalyze the art.

Art therapy is often used to help clients cope with a crisis, deal with stress, heal relationships, maintain mental health, and aid in emotional well-being. Through the creation of art, patients are able to gain insight into their problems and discover their own solutions. If you’re in the market for a therapist, consider working with an art therapist. Sessions are not only helpful and insightful, they’re also really fun! Start your search for creative therapy here.

Good luck!

~Jennifer Rosen

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A Self-Healing Art

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