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Healthy Lifestyle – Daily Heath: Food and Nourishment

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Large health food selection in white porcelain bowls and dishesImagine your alarm clock goes off, you snooze it, and about 20 minutes later you are late for work! Your supposedly calm morning routine is completely compromised! Now, you have to get up, and get yourself together. For those of you who have kids, that means waking them up, getting them ready, preparing their breakfast, grabbing everything they need. By the time you get them to school or yourself to work, you have not eaten. Did you grab anything along the way? Nope!

The first meeting of your day begins, your coworker addresses you and in a return greeting your stomach answers with a grumble. In a situation like this, you have two options: (1) find a quick snack or (2) wait for lunch. When you can’t find a snack, you wait for lunch. Then what if something comes up for lunch like you forgot to bring it and you left your wallet at home. What’s next, dinner?

Your body requires certain things to help it get through the day and maintain a balance of good health. Without these things, it could produce small signs which are messages or SOS signals, if you will, from your body saying it needs them. So your body’s basic needs boils down to sleep, food or nourishment, physical activity, sun, and water. This week our topic will be food and nourishment.

The common knowledge about meals is that there should at least be three: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is a convenient way to split up the meals you are supposed to eat in a day. You know, once in the morning, once at noon or in the afternoon, and then again in the evening. It’s an even three way split; however, due to some individuals’ schedules, this may be a hard thing to do.

If all else fails, the most important meal of the day really is breakfast. Think of it this way, in that earlier scenario, if the individual had grabbed one or two things for breakfast, they wouldn’t have to wait for lunch or scavenge for a snack. But what if you are in a hurry? Well, hide a snack stow it away. Place one in your glove department, or have some at work just in case you forget. It can always come in handy.

Another aspect of food and nourishment you should consider, over the long term, is the food groups you are consuming. Did you know there is an average serving of each food group you are supposed to have in a day? Can you imagine how great you would feel?

Eating the right amounts of food and incorporating the appropriate food groups into your diet can increase productivity. It can boost energy, which is why the body consumes carbohydrates. It increases brain function because the brain uses fats or fatty acids to help it work. Proteins help rebuild and support muscle growth and recovery after working out.

Eating and preparing the appropriate amount for each foods category helps your body naturally create those elements you need. Finding natural foods, without GMO’s or artificial chemical enhancers makes for better and healthier nutrition. Supplements such as pills or vitamins are not always the best way to get these nutritional factors.

If you are having trouble getting the appropriate nutrition, see a professional and if they prescribe supplements use with impeccable adherence to the instructions given to you by the doctor. Remember, too much of a good thing can be negative. If you over use vitamins or supplements, you could end up poisoning the body or overworking a major body system. It is very important that you know your body and get it what it needs and deserves. 

The EE 411: Food and Nourishment Tips

ChooseMyPlate  is a great website that can help you plan your meals so that you can incorporate the correct food groups and understand the importance of them.

At the top of the website there are several tabs you can choose from, from MyPlate to Healthy Eating Tips. When you select “MyPlate” it gives you a list of food groups:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Proteins
  • Dairy
  • Oils

When you select one of the food groups there are at least six questions that sort the appropriate information.  Selecting the link “How much is needed?” will give you a brief description and provide a link to the nutritional contents of the food in each group.

This websites also gives a list of what different types of food are a part of that category. This will provide you with a variety of options, so you don’t get bored with the same foods.

As for some short-term tips:

  • Eating at least three times a day is ideal
  • Snacking all day is not a problem just pick the healthier choices
  • Always eat breakfast
  • Stow away snacks just in case you forget or miss a meal
  • Eat your vegetables *you know who you are*
  • Incorporate the different food groups into your meals
  • Check out what your ideal plat should look like

Share with Us: Identify your least favorite food group. How can you improve your consumptions of this food group?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Healthy Lifestyle – Daily Health: Sleep

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

cute african mother and baby sleeping in bedYour body requires certain things to help it get through the day and maintain a balance of good health. Without these things, it could produce small signs, which are messages or SOS signals, if you will, from your body saying it needs them.

So your body’s basic needs boil down to sleep, food or nourishment, physical activity, sun, and water. Of course, oxygen or being able to breathe is one of them, but I think you all already have that down. This week our topic will be sleep.

Sleep is one of the most important ways to gather energy to help you face the challenges of your day. If you don’t sleep well, how do you feel when the alarm clock goes off? We know, you feel like picking that thing up and tossing it across the room. A restless night or not enough sleep could leave you cranky, lethargic, and most of all not ready for your day.

We also know that it is not easy getting a good relaxing night’s sleep especially if you are a student, a business person, or parent. It gets hard to find the time to decompress before bed.   If you’re still reeling about what Johnny did at work this morning, you’re probably not going to sleep well.

The saying, “don’t go to bed angry” should be one written on your bed’s headboard. Find a way to relax before going to sleep, create a plan and back-up plan to get the work done or have the kids in bed. An adult individual should have at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. The most popular way to detox before sleeping is a bath or shower. Something semi-long and with your favorite scent to ease the pressures of the day.

Another reason why sleep is so important is because it can affect your health, not just your lifestyle. Lack of sleep can stress out your body physically. Stress to a constant and extreme degree can aid in factors like anxiety attacks, hypertension, chest pains, and Infarction (heart attack).  Also, sleep deprivation during daily activities could lead bad health decisions in your daily activities. This could not just effect your health but the health of others around you.

Sleep deprivation in daily activities could increase the risks of obesity. Believe it or not, sleep helps you regulate weight! I bet you didn’t know that. It helps keep your body balanced. Insufficient sleep could lead to an increase in the amount you eat and a greater BMI (or body mass index).

Also, being extremely tired and sleepy while driving could be very dangerous to you and others around you. You could become drowsy, impatient, and non-observant of the drivers/pedestrians around you. There is a term for this called drowsy driving. If you are too exhausted to drive, don’t be afraid to give yourself those extra minutes to rest up or wake yourself up.

Question for you all, when you’re sleepy to the point of no return are you happy? You kind of don’t want to be bothered, which means you aren’t the most cheery of people. Too much exhaustion and extreme sleepiness on a constant basis can lead to things like depression or substance abuse. For instance, when you are having trouble sleeping, the bath didn’t work, and you have a choice between a pill or sleepy time tea—GO FOR THE SLEEPY TIME TEA! The last thing you want is to depend on a pill to get you to sleep. Besides there could be side effects.

There are plenty of reasons why sleep is so important. Try your best to get a good night’s rest. We know that lifestyle (being a student, business person, parent, etc) can play a major role in one’s ability to relax before sleeping. If you are having trouble and you have tried all the other natural options, then consult an expert like your doctor. As always, know your body and do what is best for you.

The EE 411:

Benefits of Sleep

  • Prepares you for daily activities
  • Regulates your weight
  • Helps you stay organized
  • Helps you control your emotions
  • Reduces stress
  • Helps your performance
  • Helps your heart
  • Improves memory
  • Can positively impact life expectancy –of course longevity depends on other factors as well
  • Aids in repelling depression

Sleep Guidelines for Different Age Groups

  • Newborns 11-18 hours
  • Infants 14-15 hours
  • Toddlers 12-14 hours
  • Preschoolers 11-13 hours
  • 5-10 year olds 10-11 hours
  • Teens  8.5-9.5 hours
  • Adults 7-9 hours

Tips for Better sleep

  • Aromatherapy (Lavender, Chamomile, etc.)
  • Herbal teas (Chamomile, Lavender, Sleepy Time)
  • Relaxing/ Baths
  • Meditation before bed (like a light yoga)
  • Gentle music
  • Your favorite pajamas or sleep wear ^-^

Share with Us: What helps you get to sleep at night?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Healthy Lifestyle – The Necessities of Water

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Healthy Woman Drinking WaterThere are a few of you out there that when you think about water, just a plain glass of water, you cringe. Then there are those who think about it and find the thought refreshing. We can understand that those of you who don’t like just plain water, might find it bland and unexciting. However, even though that is one con, the benefits of water definitely out weigh it.

Our bodies are made up of about 70% water. This keeps our body balanced and moist so we don’t dry out. It is a primary element in cells and helps them communicate with each other. Keeping your body hydrated properly helps your cells function. An individual should be drinking about eight cups of water a day, but this also depends on different factors.

These factors depend on how physically active a person is and how much they sweat, the amount of heat an individual is exposed to on a daily basis, the amount of soft drinks that person consumes, and also the amount of caffeine they ingest. Under these conditions, eight cups a day may need to be increased.

For instance, a person who drinks a lot of coffee may have to urinate more than average and thus waste a lot of their body’s water supply. This wasted supply must be replenished. Exercise, depending on intensity, also uses up the body’s water storage. Water is important during exercising because it keeps you from dehydrating when you sweat.

There are signs that your body will give you to let you know that you aren’t drinking enough water or getting hydrated.  A sign of not drinking enough water can be seen in the color of your urine, it generally should be a pale yellow. If it is a dark yellow, you should go buy a really big, fancy water bottle because you are not drinking enough water.

Signs of dehydration or thirstiness are pretty easy to remember and you probably have noticed them once or twice. A sign of being thirsty is drying of the mouth, which usually fixes right up with a quick swig of refreshing water. Some signs of dehydration are fainting, confusion, dry mouth or swollen tongue, weakness, dizziness, and being sluggish. If a person experiences these symptoms and is dehydrated do not introduce excessive amounts of water, and seek medical attention from a professional.

How to keep your body from getting to that point of dehydration…keep yourself hydrated! Keep a bottle of water with you at all times. Even when it is cold, you can get dehydrated. We don’t recommending gulping down eight cups all at once; that is just the recommended doses throughout a day. Know your body, when you feel your mouth getting dry or you start to develop a headache, take a few sips. It could do you some good. Listen to your body.

The EE 411:

For those of you that are not the biggest fans of water, there are other ways to get your daily intake of water, although, a cup of water is better.

Fruits- These are some examples of fruits that are highest on the list to contain the most water:

  • Watermelon is about 90% water
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Cantaloupes
  • Honeydew

Vegetables– these do not contain as much water as the fruits do.

  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Green peppers
  • Romaine lettuce

Other foods/drinks– these foods have water in them as well

  • Oatmeal
  • Yogurt
  • Soup
  • Smoothies
  • Sports drinks
  • Flavored water

There are some benefits of staying hydrated:

  • Balances body fluids
  • Keeps calories in check
  • Fuels muscles
  • Keeps skin looking good and refreshed
  • Helps your kidneys sort through waste
  • Promotes normal bowel functions
  • Boosts energy helping with fatigue
  • Filters out toxins
  • Improves immune system
  • Helps body stave off cramps and sprains

Share with Us: After reading this, for those of you who disliked water, do you feel better about? Did it help you find new options? How about those of you who have always been fans of water?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Healthy Lifestyle – Preservatives: Facts & Fiction

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

autumn preservesWhat exactly keeps our foods and hygiene products from going bad too soon? What keeps what you buy from decomposing? There are preservatives in your food, hygiene products, and medicine that keep them fresh until the day they expire. Preservatives come in natural and synthetic forms, which means they are not all so bad for you.

Preservatives both natural and synthetic keep your products from falling victim to mold and bacteria that will cause them to decompose. Natural preservatives like salt and honey are actually produced in nature. Natural preservatives are not tampered with by outside agents like chemicals.

Synthetic preservatives are not natural, although some can be created with natural ingredients and chemical substitutes. These man-made preservatives are and designed to preserve and they fulfill their purpose well. However, sometimes these kinds of preservatives can have adverse effects on the health.

For instance, food preservatives like MSG (or Monosodium Glumate) can cause headaches, flushing, and other symptoms for those who are allergic to it. In hygiene or skin care products, there are some chemical preservatives like sulfates and parabens that also have adverse health effects. As an example, sulfates are used in cleaning agents and also used in hygiene products like shampoo. They have a tendency to dry out the skin and cause irritation.

It is recommended if you have sensitive skin that you try to avoid chemical/synthetic preservatives. There are three main reasons why preservatives are used: to improve freshness, taste, and quality. They are not always made with the consumer’s health in mind. Learn your body and listen to it. Pay attention to its signals, it will tell you what it does and does not like.

The EE 411: Some Facts and Fiction 

  • Preservative Facts:
    • There are natural preservatives!
    • Yes, there are adverse health effects with artificial preservatives (especially if you are allergic to them).
    • The FDA regulates both natural and artificial preservatives.
    • Antioxidants (sulfites, vitamin C, and E) are forms of preservatives.
    • You can overuse products with preservatives (too much is never good).
    • Pickling is a form of preserving, like salting. Vinegar is another natural preservative.
    • High fructose corn syrup should be ingested responsibly. 
  • Preservative Fiction:
    • All preservatives are chemically made.
    • Natural preservatives perform the same as synthetic chemicals.
    • All bacteria is bad and must be eliminated.
    • Preservatives are all safe without adverse health effects.
    • Using products with artificial preservatives responsibly can have the same adverse health effects as using them irresponsibly. 
    • Artificial preservatives all have the same adverse health effects.

Share with Us: What other kinds of natural preservatives do you know about? Have you used any?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Ear Health

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Woman Cleaning EarYour senses are all very important: seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, and hearing!  But for now, we’re going to focus on your ears which help you enjoy music, pay attention to your surroundings, consume information at work, and aid in many other aspects of life.  Lots of things happen to your ears in a day.  They are sometimes ignored, scratched, and get headphones shoved into them. Ears are sometimes so unappreciated. So, here’s to your ears and how to take care of them!

Let’s start with answering one of the biggest questions about ears: cotton swabs or no cotton swabs? It is important to understand that (say this out loud) ear wax is good! Ear wax is the ear’s way of protecting itself. To clean it all out is actually contributing to possible injury to your ear.

Ear wax acts as a natural antibiotic and water proofing agent. It keeps the water and germs out and away from your ear drum. Clearing out too much of it heightens the chances for an ear infection. Another thing you should know before we answer the big question is where exactly your ear drum is.

Objects are closer than they appear; your ear drum is close to the outside of your ear.  This makes puncturing of necessary parts of your ear more likely than you think. Lastly, the ear canal, if cleaned improperly, can actually back up with ear wax and cause damage or impair hearing. Gives a whole new meaning to folks telling you to clean your ears when you couldn’t hear, remember that?

So here’s the moment you have all been waiting for! Evidence shows that cleaning your ears with a cotton swab may not be the best idea after all. Cotton swabs make the chance of accidentally puncturing your ear drum greater since it’s difficult to know how far you are reaching in.

When cleaning with cotton swabs there is a chance you could end up pushing the ear wax into the ear canals. This could lead to impacting them and then it would require professional help to de-compact them.  

What is recommended to clean, when it comes to ears, is the excess ear wax. Excess ear wax, or overflow, can cause infections. Nothing smaller than a finger should generally go in your ear, and you shouldn’t need anything larger than that to clean off the excess wax.   For more information on how to clean your ears, ask your doctor or medical professional; that way she or he can give you a method that best works for your ears.

The EE 411: Things to Know about Ears

  • Avoid cotton swabs
  • Generally nothing smaller than your finger should enter your ear
  • Itching inside the ear can mean over cleaning; consult an expert before irritation worsens
  • Ear wax is good! It helps keep your ears safe.
  • Excess ear wax could cause infection.

Here’s a fun fact: when you eat something sour or something extremely sweet there is a sensation that travels through the jaw and ends toward the ear, have you ever felt it? It happens because there is a branch of nerves that travels from your taste buds to mid-ear called the Chorda Tympani.

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 


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Organic Health – GMO Behind the Scenes

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Organic Health- GMO Behind the ScenesOne day you’re casually perusing around your usual market and you stumble across a product that says No-GMO. You think to yourself what is that? GMO? Does it have something to do with the military? Is it poisonous or toxic? Why No-GMO? To be able to answer these questions that this strange notation produces, you must first realize GMO is an acronym for genetically modified organism. How many of you knew that?

Genetically modified organisms are animals or plants that have been biotechnically altered for “better” appearance, taste, and/or longevity. This way, they combine aspects of different species and create something that cannot be created naturally. Whether GMO is natural or not is currently up for debate– it’s really quite a controversial topic in the industry.

GMOs are becoming increasingly popular due to the lack or over usage of some resources like plants. They were also deemed necessary to grow because of the need for successful crops.

Pests and the survival of crops have been problems for years, and GMO’s were a resolution to those problems—in other words, GMO products have been around, used, and eaten for years.  It seems that research now has shown some concerns with ingesting or using GMOs.

GMOs have been connected to increases in weight, kidney problems, and liver problems.  Also, in larger quantities of GMO foods, herbicides have been detected. Yet, all of this information is inconclusive since there hasn’t been any definitive research showing a direct connection between GMOs and these problems. Nor has the government actually ruled whether or not GMO’s are safe.

As far as effects on the skin, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has declared that there isn’t any evidence that GMOs negatively affect the skin. Some researchers have found inconclusive connections to Morgollens disease. As we say at EEknow your skin. Pay attention to the products you use and listen to your skin. If irritations begin to happen, notify your doctor or a specialist.

You should also learn your products. Research what may be GMO and what is not because many companies do not label it. Be aware that some products that say “all-natural” or even some products containing organic ingredients can also contain GMOs. 

The EE 411:

Some companies do not label whether their product have or do not have GMOs. Here are a few ingredients that can be genetically modified:

  • Canola
  • Corn
  • Corn oil
  • Corn flour
  • Soy bean
  • Lecithin
  • Proteins that can come from yeast
  • Flax
  • Rice
  • Cotton
  • Wheat
  • Vitamin C
  • Citric Acid
  • Corn Syrup
  • Flavorings that are natural or artificial

There are many more products that can be GMO. The best way to make sure your food or skin care product doesn’t contain GMOs is to look for the USDA Certified Organic Seal or a specific “non-GMO” designation; those products cannot contain GMOs. To be careful, just to be on the safe side, some companies are cutting out GMOs, joining GMO- free companies such as EE.

When you have some free time, do a little research on your own. That way you can discover all the answers to your questions.

Share with Us: Anything on the list that surprised you? Or is there anything you’d like to add? What do you think about GMOs?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 


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Organic v. All-Natural Skin Care

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Organic v. All-Naural Skin Care
Organic v. All-Naural Skin Care

As you begin or continue your quest to a healthier living, you will or have already come across the products with the labels “all-natural” and “organic.” These labels, although they are both products that are meant for healthy living, are very different. It is important to know the differences between them. This is for many reasons: 

  • Lifestyle
  • Beliefs
  • Necessity  or need

Also, for those of you that are new to the world of natural and organic skin care, the information can help you decide whether you’re team all-natural or team organic—there will be some of you who cheer for both teams.

Skin care products that are “all-natural” use ingredients that comes from natural resources. Basically, any resource that comes from nature, itself. They are minimally processed and do not contain any synthetic chemicals, yet some natural ingredients can be synthesized.

An example of this would be putting additional vitamins into a product that does naturally contain those vitamins.  Let’s say for example vitamin E is synthetically created, and placed within a product. This product will have the benefits of vitamin E, but not the actual thing.

However, ingredients that are “organic” do not use natural synthetic replacements for natural products. They use the real natural deal derived from living organisms, water, and sea salt are not considered organic material because although it comes from natured it was not derived from a living organism. They also cannot be genetically modified (GMO’s) do not contain any chemical preservatives. This would include artificial flavors, etc.

There are carrying levels of organic products made with organic ingredients.  A USDA certified product must contain at least 95% organic content; the company must also have its facilities, ingredients manufacturing procedures and packaging certified to make sure the process matches with the USDA requirements. A product can still be considered organic or contain organic materials, but basically without that USDA certification seal you are taking the company’s word for it. So, pay close attention to the labels and ingredients because it makes a difference.

A less restrictive level of “Organic Products” are those containing at least 70% organic content.  These products can be described as being “made with organic ingredients” may and can contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives, or GMO. So, be careful and read what you use. You’ll be surprised at what you find sometimes.

As for lifestyle, beliefs, and necessity or need, these reasons contribute to helping you decide which team you’re on. If you don’t believe in the creation or use of genetically modified organism (like plants and/or food), then you may want to go the route of organic. If your skin does not “agree” with chemicals or synthetic ingredients and you don’t want to risk it with “all-natural,” you may want to go organic as well.

Lifestyle plays a big role in what you chose because this not only incorporates your needs/necessities but incorporates your accessibility or the amount of funds you are willing to extend towards all-natural and or organic skin care.

In some cases, you may find that organic skin care may be more expensive than all-natural skin care at the moment. Or that all-natural or organic skin care may still be too much. This is okay and understandable. 

As we mentioned last week, companies are starting to realize that all-natural and organic skin care is what it needed. The rise of all-natural and organic skin care products has made accessibility to both worlds much easier. Now-a-days it’s becoming easier to not have to choose between the two. You can have both all-natural and organic, while looking out for the benefits you need for your skin. 

The EE 411:

Organic Ingredients:

  • Defined as coming from living biological matter like plants.
  • Government regulated and certified
  • Contains no artificial or chemical anything
  • No GMO
  • No synthetic natural replacements like synthetic vitamins
  • Can be USDA certified

All- Natural Ingredients:

  • Not regulated in skin care
  • Cannot be USDA certified
  • Can be altered and contain preservatives
  • Can also contain perfumes and some chemical ingredients
  • May be more affordable and offer more product options

There are other healthy living skin care categories out there, did you know? Although, they are sometimes incorporated into organic and all-natural skin care they are not always recognized as their own categories. Mostly because the products can’t always satisfy all the requirements of each group. Other skin care categories are Vegan and Cruelty-free.

Some products may be all-natural and/or organic but still test their products on animals which violates the cruelty-free rules. Cruelty-free means not testing their products on animals, or causing harm to animals in the development of the product.

Then, in the cases of vegan, some all-natural and organic skin care products use ingredients that come from animals and other living creatures. This means that the product may be totally organic, drawing from natural resources that come from living creatures. This violates the rules of being a vegan product. Vegan products contain no ingredients that come from living creatures.

EE’s products are an example of the new found access to all-natural, organic, non-gmo, cruelty-free, gluten-free (except Honey Granola), and vegan (except Honey Granola). Try some body bars that can give the experience of all these traits and see how it makes your skin feel.

Share with Us: Are you team all-natural, team organic, or team both? Why?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Organic Skin Care on the Rise?

 

Organic Skin Care on the Rise
Top Quality Products

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Over the years products, like skin care, have been made with the idea of efficiency and effectiveness. It had to work properly, which meant actually cleaning or moisturizing the hair or the skin, for example.  To do this, some companies used chemically made substances that fulfilled the product’s primary purposes.

These products were also made to have a powerful, yet delightful smell of the customer’s choosing. Usually these scents were made from affordable and easily acquired materials like artificial scents which can be chemically based as well. The sort of ingredients that these companies turned to can have latent and sometimes extreme effects on the skin. Also, the customers could be allergic to these chemicals without knowing it.

To test the safety of these products for human beings, some companies turned to animal testing. That meant if the product was not safe for humans, then, well, you know what would happen. Over the years, research and discovery have linked certain skin care problems/health risks to certain chemicals in skin care like parabens, sulfates, etc.

Individuals also began to become concerned about their skin health. Noticing that some products they used seemed to only further worsen some conditions like eczema or create extremely dry skin. Thus, a need for products that contained better solutions for getting the job done became apparent.

Organic and all-natural skin care became a better solution for cleanliness and other needs, offering products that not only aid your skin with some irritants, but also keep and maintain its healthiness. For instance, oatmeal can help relieve the irritation of eczema.

So if you’re wondering why organic skin care is important and how it became so popular, think about the secure feeling you have washing your child in all-natural, organic, and safe ingredients that support your child’s skin and help keep it healthy. Or imagine the peace of mind you may have knowing that you don’t have to worry about the possible adverse effects of sulfates when you’re bathing with rosemary mint or chai tea. It’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?

The EE 411:

There are a whole lot of options now-a-days to find products that are all-natural or organic. There are blogs, websites, and whole companies dedicated to putting your needs first, like here at EE. There are also options and information out there that can give you alternatives in relaxation, hair care and skin care.

The best alternatives to helping maintain your health are eating well and exercising. Eating well pertains to taking in foods that will benefit your skin, hair, and internal health. Exercising helps regulate your body and keeps your body active. This maintains weight and emotional/mental health as well.

Take care of your body inside and out. Listen to your body and discover its likes and dislikes. Doing this could help you maintain/achieve great health. Of course, regularity is important too—no matter how much you may hate it.

Share with Us: Describe your stories and experiences with organic or all-natural skin care products.

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Organic Tea – Floral Tea Bouquet

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Organic Tea - Floral Tea BouquetOn Valentine’s Day a bouquet of flowers is another nice gift to give to your loved ones, but did you know that some of those very same lovely flowers can come in a delicious, floral variety of teas? If you want to try something new and innovative this year, especially if your loved one fancies teas, we think a floral tea bouquet would make a perfect way to say “I love you.”  This way you incorporate something into your gift that not only stimulates his or her senses, but also provides a healthy alternative to sugar filled treats.

There are many kinds of floral teas from lavender to rose bud. They provide assistance with many aspects of health including but not limited to aromatherapy. Imagine sitting in your favorite chair, surrounded by warmth, after a long day of work with a fresh batch of your favorite tea brewing.

The aroma wafting around you as it brews, and you indulging yourself in its welcoming fragrance. As you inhale, the long day is pushed aside and all troubling thoughts seem to evaporate. All of this and you haven’t even taken a sip yet.

Floral tea has a wonderful scent when brewed and some kinds have been recommended for stress relief like lavender, chamomile, and white chrysanthemum. Others are known for their empowering and robust fragrances like rose or rosehip.

Some floral teas have been prescribed by TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners.  For example, chrysanthemum tea is recommended as a natural coolant. It has also been used to help with sore throats, and some respiratory problems. It’s also naturally caffeine free.

In some instances, floral teas can be categorized as herbal teas. They also have a tendency to be mixed with other teas like green, oolong, or black. Also, as we always say, know your body. If you are allergic to pollen or a certain type of flower don’t try them or ask your doctor is it is okay to drink.

The EE 411: Floral Tea Benefits

Below are a few examples of floral teas and some of the health benefits they are known to possess. Remember, some of these health benefits being effective depends on varying circumstances and may not always provide you with the intended outcome. We encourage you to research more if you are interested and want to better understand the floral teas.

White Chrysanthemum– can contain Vitamin C, helps reduce some discomfort in colds (antiviral and antispirochetal), caffeine free, natural coolant, can help detoxify the liver, eases digestion, and helps relieve sore throats and respiratory problems.

Chamomile– a natural relaxant, helps achieve better sleep, helps ease stomach or intestinal problems, helps ease migraines (headaches), helps with stomach and menstrual cramps.

Hibiscus– helps reduce blood pressure, moderates cholesterol, helps with coughing, can relax muscles and upset stomach.

Rosehip– Contains Vitamin C, helps with colds, helps with stomach irritations, helps with weight loss, high blood pressure, constipation, and could help with some symptoms of arthritis.

Rose Bud– sometimes caffeinated, contains vitamin C, soothes nerves, and eases constipation.

Lavender– helps relieve indigestion and insomnia, can help with migraines, also can help relieve anxiety.

Be careful when trying new things, and remember there can always be too much of a good thing.

Also, just for your info check out our website for great Valentine’s Day sales. Save 15% on your entire order (placed between 2/1/14-2/15/14) plus get free shipping on orders over $49. Use the promo code: LOVE.

Share with Us: Do you have a favorite floral tea? 

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Fruits for Your Valentine

 

Dear Earth’s Enrichers

Fruits for Your ValentineLove is in the air! It’s Valentine’s Day, are you planning anything special? Whether you’re sharing gifts or actually spending time with one another, Valentine’s Day is the perfect moment to do so! Aside from red boxes of chocolates, EE would like to share other red goodies that could symbolize romance as well as good health.

To keep your Valentine’s Day healthy and unforgettable, looking at other culture’s means of romance is a great way to discover riveting romantic tales and find tasty treats that are beneficial to your health. That way your treat for Valentine’s Day won’t be a guilty pleasure. One of the fruits that is represented as a positive symbol is an apple. The apple does more than keep the doctor away! In the Greek culture the apple can symbolize love and passion. A ticket to romantic happiness, if you will. In other cultures like the Chinese culture, it is a symbol of peace and is eaten around their New Year. So, this Valentine’s Day you could feed each other apples to set a peaceful, romantic mood.

Another fruit that represents multiple romantic notions and is quite perplexing in itself is the pomegranate. The pomegranate symbolizes passion. In some Indian cultures, it symbolizes prosperity and fertility. This is a great fruit to decorate the plate with and while you wait for the meal, snack on. Also, if you are not into wine, pomegranate juice is a great substitute for wine with a similar color and sweeter flavor.

Grapes and wine. Both interchangeably romantic as they symbolize a transformation from one good thing to another.  In Greek culture, grapes symbolized fertility, which could mean abundance in many things. Then after feasting on grapes you and your loved one can move on to the wine. Although, this is about red things of amore (love), white wine is better for your teeth, but red wine also has great health benefits as well as a rich flavor. It is recommended to drink it through a straw. A perfect excuse to share a special moment with your loved one.

Last but certainly not least, the popular aphrodisiac the strawberry. It’s an aphrodisiac in Rome, France, and Greece. It goes great with champagne and even better with sugar, chocolate or sweet cream. This delicious treat would be great to share as an after dinner snack… a romantic end to a lovely evening. 

The EE 411: Health Benefits

Here are few listings of health benefits to romantic red fruits:

Strawberry– Vitamin C, antioxidants, boosts immunities, promotes great eye health, helps fight cancer, helps fight wrinkles, reduces inflammation, helps regulate blood pressure, and boosts fiber.

Apple– helps whiten and make teeth healthier, helps protect against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, decreases risk of diabetes, reduces cholesterol, helps prevent hemorrhoids, irritable bowl, constipation, and diarrhea, and helps control weight.

Pomegranate– antioxidants, benefits the heart and blood vessels, lowers cholesterol.

Grapes– about 100 calories a serving, vitamins K and C, and full of antioxidants.

Wine– promotes longevity, reduces heart-attack risk, risk of heart disease, risk of type 2 diabetes, lowers risk of stroke, reduces the risks of cataracts, and cuts risk of colon cancer.

Also, just for your info check out our website for great Valentine’s Day sales. Save 15% on your entire order (placed between 2/1/14-2/15/14) plus get free shipping on orders over $49. Use the promo code: LOVE.

Share with Us: Do you have any red healthy treats for Valentine’s Day that you recommend? 

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!)