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The EE Spring Agenda: A Royal Spa Treatment

Hey Earth’s Enrichers – Let’s Exfoliate!

Exfoliate
Exfoliate

As spring gradually approaches, let’s do some spring-time prep! As we have already mentally prepared ourselves for the new weather, we should also prepare our skin. So break out the organic, all-natural, and healthy skin care products for an in-house royal spa treatment…deluxe!

Speaking of spa treatments, we think Calming Spa Seaweed might be a perfect example of a product to use for a royal spring spa day. Before we get more into why Calming Spa is a perfect example, we have an agenda:

1. Exfoliate
2. Cleanse
3. Moisturize
4. Emerge as Royalty

As we mentioned before, Calming Spa Seaweed is a perfect example (similar to Lavender of the Valley and Lemon Fresh Shea) because it is one of our products that can meet every point on the EE agenda. But, again, we’ll get into that later! Each step on our agenda is important for transforming your winter skin to radiant spring skin.

First things first, exfoliate. Wait, isn’t exfoliating after cleansing? Not exactly– you want to remove the dead skin to effectively rid your body of impurities. After exfoliating with the sugar scrubs, move onto the body bar, which is number 2 on the EE agenda. Using a combination of the bar and your favorite cleansing utensil, lather and lightly scrub your skin. When you exfoliate, you’re removing a dermis or layer of skin to reveal a softer almost new layer of skin. Please be mindful that scrubbing newly exfoliated skin roughly may cause irritation. Although many people prefer to exfoliate in the shower, it can also be done as you take a nice soothing bath.

Before we move on to number 3 on our agenda, there is an optional 2.5 step that we do recommend. Number 2.5 on the agenda is a leisurely soak in bath salts. Hey, exfoliating and cleansing is hard work—you deserve a much needed break. Prepare your tub for a round of soaking. Allow the deliciously warm water to wash over you and the toxins to fade away…relax. Take as long as you’d like—light a candle. Let us know when you’re ready to move on to number 3 on the agenda; we’ll wait.


…are you ready?


Next, shower and rinse the residual salt and impurities from your body. Grab a soft warm towel and lightly dab or gently dry your skin. Remember, this is your new spring skin—it’s almost like a baby’s.

Now number 3 on the agenda is to apply your favorite body balm i.e. moisturize. Watch as the balm brings out your skin’s radiance. Earlier, we used Calming Spa Seaweed as an example of a perfect spa product. The reason why is because we want you to keep the flavor of your spa day consistent. Calming Spa Seaweed, Lavender of the Valley, and Lemon Fresh Shea all have identical body bars, body balms, bath salts, and sugar scrubs. Almost made especially for spa days, right?

Now last but certainly not least, grand number 4 on our agenda. If you would kindly step over to the mirror and say the magic words, Mirror, who is the most radiant of them all?” It’s okay if you whisper back and say you are. ^-^

There, agenda is complete—you have officially finished EE’s version of a royal spa treatment.

We always treat our Earth’s Enrichers the way we want to be treated and a royal spa treatment to get your skin radiant for the spring is definitely what you deserve!

So, now that the sunshine lasts longer and the weather is looking a lot nicer, enjoy some time outside or redecorate and clean—release your creative side! Spring cleaning is for the heart, mind, body, and soul; not just for keeping your environment clean.

The EE 411: Exfoliate – Spa Utensils

In order to get the best spa experience out of our agenda, we recommend you review our blogs on Organic Skin Care: Exfoliating, Organic Skin Care: Cleansing, and Bathing Tools. This will give you more detail and tips on how to better the royal spa experience.

(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, Organic Lip Balms and Organic Hair Care) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Suntans & Sunburns

Sunburns and Suntans
Sun tanning in sun hat and sunglasses.

Hey Earth’s Enrichers 

Suntans v. Sunburns.  As we all know very well, the sun is a power tool and a reason for vacation. The sun, family, fun, ocean—all blissful motivations for going to the beach—but our point is that with the sun and the beach comes sand, tans and sunburns!

So how do you know you’re prepared for a tan and how do you know when your tan becomes sunburn. The first thing to take into consideration is the fairness of your skin—lighter skin burns more easily. So in addition to the general tips we give you, take extra precautions if you’re a member of the lighter complexion.

With that being said, what is a suntan? A suntan is a browning of skin caused by exposure to the sun. This is similar to the cooking of a rotisserie chicken, so if you leave the chicken in there too long, it burns. The really cool nerdy part of a suntan is basically the stimulation of melanocytes from UV radiation, which encourages your skin to produce more melanin and darkens pigment.

Isn’t it neat how your skin reacts to the environment? We think it’s pretty extraordinary—a tan done right can produce beautifully golden skin and wonderful result. The best thing to do at that point is to keep it moisturized and clean.

Now, without proper protection and staying in the rotisserie oven too long, a sunburn could be produced. A sunburn occurs when there is a delayed reaction from UV B-erythema, which is caused by an increase in blood flow. The burn usually shows itself in at least 4 hours and peaks between 8 to 24 hours. In other words, in some cases the skin doesn’t take well to the UV and doesn’t absorb it properly. It requires extra protection to not burn in a lot of sun.  On the other hand, if your skin isn’t regularly exposed to the sun, it weakens the skin’s ability to handle the sun. Therefore, completely hiding your skin from the sun isn’t good for health either.  Your body needs vitamin D that the sun provides. So try to find a health balance.

Symptoms of Sunburns:

  1. Redness of skin.
  2. Skin may radiate heat and feel hot to touch.
  3. Pain or tenderness.
  4. Blistering and peeling skin.
  5. Sunburned eyes may feel painful or gritty.
  6. Headache, fever and fatigue if sunburn covers a large area.
  7. In severe cases, faintness, nausea, and vomiting.

The EE 411: Prevention and Best Suntan Practices

Prevention-

  • Sunscreen/sun block
  • Sun hats and caps
  • Umbrellas and beach umbrellas
  • Aloe Vera (helps soothe pain and redness)
  • Find shade
  • Try to avoid prolonged exposure to direct the sun between 10am and 4pm when it’s at its strongest.
  • Sunglasses
  • Loosely fitting clothing

Best Suntan Practices:

  • Always apply suntan or sunblock according to the directions provided. If it says last for 80 minutes and you’re going to be in the sun for 160 minutes, please reapply after the first 80 mins. It is advisable to look after your skin’s safety.
  • Putting up an umbrella on a beach is practically as fashionable as wearing a hat and it’s healthy too. Even use it while walking like if you forgot your sunscreen, you may look silly but your skin will be protected.
  • Wearing sunglasses helps protects your eyes from the sun because they can be damaged by the sun too.
  • Avoid prolonged direct exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day which is between 10 am and 4 pm. Go out early mornings and evenings, if you can’t take extra precaution for your type of skin.
  • If burned, do not exfoliate or pick at your skin—it will come off on its own. Gently cleanse and moisturize. If especially painful, try aloe vera to help cool your sunburns.

Share with us: How do you avoid sunburns? What are your best suntan practices?

(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, Organic Lip Balms and Organic Hair Care) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Living Healthy – High Fiber Diets

Living Healthy - Hiber Fiber DietsHey Earth’s Enrichers 

As you all can see, springtime is trying its very best to break in and leave winter behind.  When spring will surely be here is quite uncertain, but it is never too late to start getting ready. Some of you can feel springtime in your bones—although the weather does not scream spring just yet—you have started cleaning, airing out your houses, and getting into shape for those cute little dresses and shorts.

This is the diet season when everyone launches into the routine get-ready-for-spring-and-summer habits. One of those most popular diets known to help individuals lose weight are the high fiber diets. This week we’ll discuss the good and bad about high fiber diets. We will also give you some tips to help avoid or aid constipation that can result from ingesting too much fiber.

High fiber diets are a common and “easy” way to lose a few pounds. It requires that you add and consume more foods that are fibrous in your diet. Fiber makes passing food easier and has fewer calories that can linger in the body and turn into unnecessary fats. Nonetheless, this diet can go south quick.

High Fiber diets require precautions just like any other diet. You must regulate it and you must insure that you are ingesting the right amount of EVERYTHING you need. It is always risky to take on a diet that has a particular focus. In this case, fiber can make certain bodily functions easier but it can also make it harder for them to do their functions. Consuming too much fiber can cause constipation, which, like the tightening of braces, is something no person wants to voluntarily go through.

In addition, calories are important and are where your body gets its fuel for energy. Their purpose is to be ingested and burned off during your everyday activities. When too much of them are ingested and not worked off over a certain period of time they can become stored in the body as permanent fats. Hence, it is wise to watch your calorie intake, even with fiber-rich foods. That is right; the Calorie Counters are not all that crazy.

Last, as always, consult a professional when taking on a diet. Doing so can help you personalize your diet to work better for you. It also reduces unnecessary risk. Moreover, doing research about diets or other nutrition facts could spare you any surprises.

The EE 411: Avoidance and Alleviation of Constipation

Eating too much fiber can cause constipation. The best way to avoid it is to not overload your body with fiber. Fiber is a natural element that is present in most foods. It can be used to alleviate constipation but if you over do it, you could exacerbate the issue. An adult needs an average of 14 to 15 grams per day but, of course, it is better to seek a professional to give you the personalized dosage you may need.

The best way to alleviate and avoid constipation:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Incorporate some “roughage” in your diet like green fresh vegetables
  • Incorporate a good amount of fiber in your diet, but don’t make it your entire diet
  • Herbal teas
  • Exercise and stay physically active
  • Be patient if you’re constipated—rushing a constipated bowel movement can cause even more pain
  • Stretch and use some yoga positions—walk around and get everything moving

If all else fails, consult a professional and determine what kind of laxatives or stool softeners you may need.  Hopefully, this information will help you in your steps to discovering relief and taking on a high fiber diet.

(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 – Goal Setting

????????????????????Hey Earth’s Enrichers 

Having aspirations and goals can give you the drive you need to be successful in life. Not having anything to work towards or a sense of purpose can lead you astray. You may find yourself not wanting to do anything and settling for average. We at EE would like to sway you to do otherwise—Set a Goal! Even if it’s just a small one, no goal is unimportant.

The sense of achievement that comes from obtaining the goals you set can be priceless. It’s the feeling of accomplishment that keeps you motivated. Take for instance someone who is afraid of rollercoasters who is convinced to ride one at an amusement park. This person waits nervously in line. The anticipation of the rollercoaster makes them anxious and they start to look for means of escaping, but the time to board draws near. The person gets on the ride and as it slowly creeps up to its first plummet, the feeling to faint threatens to take over. All of a sudden the coaster drops and the person finds him/herself on a thrill—dipping, whirling, screaming screams he/she didn’t even know they were capable of—then the ride’s over. The person gets off the ride feeling a sense of accomplishment and awe. They think that it wasn’t so bad and that it was over quite quickly. This person may even consider getting on another ride.

The point is that goal setting and achieving that goal is not as easy as people think.  You have to make the decision and choose the goals you want to accomplish. Once that decision is made, you have to stick to it. On your way to achieving that goal, you may start looking for every way out. Don’t give in because before you know it, you will have gotten closer to achieving your goal. It may seem like the world is standing in your way and/or that you don’t have enough time to be successful, but you do! Don’t let the anticipation make you anxious and turn you away from what may frighten you, or you may miss your opportunity.

If you stay strong, you will find that you have reached your goal before you know it. Perseverance will allow blessings to come your way because of the amount of work you put in. Your patience and courage will help you accomplish something you didn’t think was possible. Have faith in yourself, and remember the feeling that comes with accomplishment because it will keep you motivated.

The EE 411:  Goal Setting, Motivation, GOAL!!!

There are some standard guidelines for setting goals:

  1. Brainstorm: Think about what you want to achieve and why. This could take anywhere from hours to a day or two. Don’t rush yourself because you have to know what you want.
  2. Prepare Yourself: After you have discovered what you want to achieve, do some research. Find out what it will take, how long it usually takes, what all it encompasses, etc. Make sure you get a handle on everything you need.
  3. Blue Print: Draft out the main or long-term goal and the steps or short-term goals you will need to take to achieve the long-term goal.
  4. Timeline: On your blue print, map out how long it will take YOU to achieve this goal. Chart out on a calendar when you will achieve these events.
  5. Goal Contract: Write out your main (long-term) goal and the steps you will be taking (or short-term goals) out. Make it detailed, and then find a witness to sign this contract. This witness will be responsible for helping you achieve this goal by not letting you out of it. (Choose someone you are close to that will be assertive and adamant).
  6. Begin!

The Key to Motivation:

Motivation comes in many shapes and sizes. It can be material things or objects, a feeling, or a treat you’d like to give yourself. By definition, motivation is the general desire or means for an individual to do something. So even a person’s reasons for setting a goal could keep them motivated. To help remind them of their motivation, use reinforcers. These can be little rewards that can be merited when a step is achieved. However, make sure the award doesn’t set you back. For instance, if your goal is to quit your shopaholic tendencies, the reward shouldn’t be a shopping spree. Make the rewards moderate and plausible like a trip to the movies. Take the rewards as an opportunity to try something new!

Share with Us: What advice do you have for setting and achieving goals?

(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 Gift of Giving

 

????????Hey Earth’s Enrichers

It’s New Years’, the season of change and taking on new challenges. The holiday spirit doesn’t have to end, so why not continue the gift of giving and fellowship? We discovered some new information about the gift of giving that we know you would be interested in. Giving is the concept of passing something along to another individual without the need to receive anything in return. Inadvertently, when you give you do get something in return.

Would you believe us if we told you that when you give to someone you receive a good bill of health in return? Yep! Giving inspires relationship building, stress relief, reduced heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Human beings are natural social creatures who tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. So, it makes a lot of sense when our emotions and social life affect our health.

Think back to when you have had a fight with a family member, suppose they felt unappreciated, how did you feel? It probably felt like thunder in your chest and a tsunami in your stomach. Negative feelings and bad relationships with others create restlessness and makes it hard for the body to relax. Cruelty is not something our bodies can easily handle, but it comes with the territory. We were given generosity, kindness, and fellowship to help us fight the cruelty, stinginess, and greed that can have negative effects on our health.

So, we encourage you to give a little cheer this New Year and the holiday seasons to come. The world is full of people who need it. Giving is not just for the holiday season but for all year long and it shows people that you care. If you have a chance to give, then give. Believe us when we tell you, it feels much better when you do and you never know what opportunities you can provide to a person by giving.

Another way to give is with fellowship. Sometimes, even spending time with people is more than enough. Quality time with family members and grandparents can bring them more joy than any amount of money could buy. They look forward to it and will always remember the quality time.

To help those who are less fortunate, donate what you can to a shelter, also spending time in a soup kitchen and helping out will help you find joy, especially if you can’t be with your family at that moment. It will help give you the emotional support you need, fellowship, and create warmth when you are homesick.

The EE 411:  The Rules on Giving

Okay, everyone pay attention. Take a deep breath in and out—we’re going to learn the rules on giving.

  1. Give to another to create joy
  2. Expect nothing in return
  3. Smile when you give
  4. Thank others for what they give you with a hearty smile
  5. By all means, write thank you cards
  6. Under no circumstances do you tell someone you are taking their gift back to the store (even if it’s socks).

In return you will be rewarded with:

  • Stress relief
  • Relationship building
  • Reduction of stress can help reduce heart disease and high blood pressure
  • Fellowship
  • Intimacy and empathy
  • Patience
  • Happiness
  • Sleeping better at night
  • More gifts

So, we hope our gift to you can be useful during your journey through life. Generosity is the key to health and happiness. We at EE hope you had a happy holiday season and a great New Year. Enjoy the gift of giving!

Share with Us: What gifts will you cherish from last year?

(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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Living Healthy – The Making of a Healthy Diet

Power BreakfastHey Earth’s Enrichers

Let’s talk facts here ladies and gentlemen! The fact is that healthy balanced diets improve the quality of life! Yes, yes they do.

There are some awesome health benefits that come along with taking on healthy eating habits. Just think about it when you balance your diet appropriately, you fashion a disciplined schedule that eliminates over eating and overdoing saturated fats. This combined with a healthy workout plan, you could reduce and keep control of your weight.

Now, when setting up your meal plan, you should eliminate the unhealthy parts of your diet and replace them with healthier options. You are not just eliminating them! Everyone knows what happens when a person stops eating–they get angry. Not eating enough can cause mood swings; not eating right can just give you feelings like the “itis.” Balancing your diet appropriately can help improve your mood.

In all instances your body needs food for energy. Fuel is important for the body to do what is necessary. If you have a car that takes premium gas and some poor unfortunate soul puts in diesel, your car will not run. The same goes for your body it needs premium gold, the good stuff. When you feed it the good stuff, it helps give it enough energy to run, and boost its ability to fight disease. I’m not kidd’n.

Last but certainly not least, with all the healthy choices you are making, you are taking steps to improve your health. Not to mention that all of these benefits are encompassed with physical activity or exercise. Once you have worked with your doctor and established a healthy balance then you are increasing the span of your life. Unhealthy eating especially without minimal physical activity can invite possible health risks. That is why it is important to check with your physician or a health professional annually to check the status of your health.

The EE 411: Cholesterol is a type of lipid that is necessary for cell and hormone synthesis. It can help your body produce hormones and help you digest your food.Guidelines

These are some basic guidelines to you get started with creating a healthy diet:

● Select foods and drinks that don’t contribute extra or unneeded calories. Also, look out for saturated, trans, or added sugars, salt, or alcohol. They are not necessary for health.
● Balance your calorie intake for the amount of activity you have in your daily life. The more energy you are going to expend, the more calories you need. Calories contribute to weight when you’re not working them off.
● Do some sort of physical activity! Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to places (park farther away in safe situations), or chose greener ways to get to work.
● Balance your meals with the appropriate food groups. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are great for maintaining one’s energy and health.
● Choose fiber-rich fruits like Apples (with the skin on them), vegetables, and whole grains.
● Try to consume less than a teaspoon of salt per day. (the biggest challenge of them all!)
● Prepare your food with care.

For more tips on health and nutrition check out Food and Nourishment. Also, to review what you know about Apples. We always encourage you to do more research to help you determine what’s best for you. Until next time! 🙂

Share with Us:  What do you think about calorie counting?

(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 – Massage Therapy

 Healthy Lifestyle - Massage TherapyHey Earth’s Enrichers

Earth’s Enrichers, summer is coming to an end and this is probably one of the most stressful moments. This is the time the students are preparing to return to school and when work seems to be piling up the highest. However, just because the summer is nearing its end does not mean summer is over!

Now is the time to prepare yourself for what’s ahead, while enjoying the weeks of summer you have left. This is no time to get tense! Well some of you may already be tense. No worries we have a solution. First things, first; tension can be caused by anxiety and stress. Although these are forms of mental stress, they can manifest themselves in physical ways like headaches, back, or neck pain.

So, ladies and gentlemen, what’s the best way to remove physical tension, while also soothing your mental tension? A massage! Yep, the kind of massages you’d find in a spa.  Massages are meant to work out the tension in muscles and reduce the discomfort it brings. They’re not just for relaxation purposes.

Massage therapy is an actual therapeutic and medical process of relief. It’s been known to be help with anxiety, headaches, sports/work injuries, joint pain, stress, sleep/digestion disorders, nerve pain, and pain & muscle tension. A nice natural, soothing, handy option for relief. It can also improve posture, increase range of motion, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and can even strengthen the immune system.

Massage therapy or massages in general are a form of treatment and with most treatments there are some things you must do to help prepare your body. It is important that you prepare your mind for what is about to happen, especially if you have never had a message. So, do some research to find out what to expect and/or meditate on it. You must be open and relaxed in order to experience the benefits of the therapy.

To help keep your mind on what’s going on during the process, it is recommended that you not eat before your session. That way your body isn’t trying to digest your food, while it’s supposed to be relaxing. Also, to keep yourself relaxed, try not to frazzle yourself too much before your session. If you are relatively anxious or stressed, it may take you longer to relax during the massage.

There is no hidden rule that says you cannot talk during your massage.  In fact, communication between you and your massage therapist is recommended. This way you can inform them of what is uncomfortable or what is making it harder for you to relax. For instance, if there is a certain part of your body that is particularly sensitive or if the music played is distracting, you can just let them know. They are totally cool with it. It’s about making your experience a relaxing and beneficial one.

Speaking of making yourself relaxed during your massage, you don’t have to be naked if you don’t want to be.  Just let your massage therapist know what you’re comfortable with and wear clothes you consider fairly comfy. Also, be sure to tell them if you are allergic to any oils or lotions. That way you won’t end up breaking out after your session.

To complete your spa experience, be sure not to rush into movement. Take your time with getting back into your normal grove; getting up too fast might cause you to get dizzy. Remember your body will be going from extreme relaxation to outputting energy. So, take your time. Next, hydrate your body. The water helps flush out the toxins in the body.

Let’s not forget, a massage is not just therapy, it’s relaxing “me time.” So, enjoy it the way you want. Play the music you want to hear, use the oils you like the best, dress (or don’t dress) the way you see fit, and relax. The experience will be different for everybody and the benefits may not immediate. It may take some time to notice the changes after a massage. If you have never experienced a massage, we recommend you do more research and try it. You may love it! Remember, summer is not over yet!

The EE 411: Types of Massages 

There are many types of massages and they are used for different purposes. We have ten popular massages listed below:

  1. Deep TissueThis massage strives for deeper contact with muscles and the strokes tend to be slower. This is usually used for individuals with tight muscle pain, strain, issues with posture, or who are recovering from an injury.
  2. BackUsually brief massages that focus on the back. Tend to be generic spa massages.
  3. AromatherapyMassages that usually incorporate complementary, relaxing scents to help relax the body and mind of the individual.
  4. SwedishA very familiar massage that incorporates kneading, circular motions that target the superficial layers of the muscles. Usually, tame and soothing. This is the best options for newbies to start out with. J
  5. SportsKind of like the Swedish massage but more for folks with sport or activity related injuries.
  6. ShiatsuThis is a Japanese style massage that uses fingers to target acupuncture patterns. At each point, they linger for a few seconds to increase energy flow and maintain balance. A very pleasant experience.
  7. ThaiThis is similar to a Shiatsu, but it uses pressure points to increase energy and you are a bit more active because of the series of postures and positions you’ll be in. Great for reducing stress, increasing range of motion and flexibility.
  8. Hot StoneThis is a massage that incorporates fairly large smooth heated stones that are positioned on certain parts of the body. They are there to loosens tension. The therapist usually applies slight pressure on the stones.
  9. Reflexology– (or foot massage) This uses pressure points on the foot that corresponds to different organs of the body.
  10. Trigger PointThis focuses on tight muscle fibers that usually happen when they are over used.

(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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Living Healthy – Heart Healthy

 HeartOkay, Earth’s Enrichers–We need to you to stand up, take your right hand and place it over the left part of your chest and repeat after us, “I pledge allegiance to my heart, the most important organ in my body. For as long as I breathe, I dedicate myself to its well-being in my pursuit of healthy living!” Give yourself  applause!

To help you fulfill this pledge we will share a few heart healthy tips. First things first, what do you know about your family’s health history, particularly in reference to heart disease? This is a very important aspect of your health. It’s like your life’s cheat sheet. It gives you insight into  possible health challenges in your future and time to conceivably avoid health issues that  your grandparents or parents could not.

Did you know that most heart diseases are hereditary? This does not mean there is a 100% chance you will end up with some form of heart disease if it is found in your family’s history. It just means that there is a likely chance you’re a candidate and you may need to think about changes in your lifestyle.

When it comes to a healthy heart there are four things we want you to keep in mind:  exercising, managing stress, making healthy food choices and finding a hobby.

When it comes to exercising for the heart, cardio and stretching are great ways to strengthen the heart.  Aerobic exercises (cardio) like jogging, biking, swimming, or even power walking are great for the heart. It’s just like any muscle. The more you work out the heart, the better it gets. In fact, the stronger it gets. Cardio or staying active in general (with regular practice) could burn calories, lower bad cholesterol, and help reduce blood pressure. The lovely thing about cardio exercise is that you could start at any time (consult your doctor too). When starting off, it’s better to start out easy. Perhaps, one day start by walking at a certain speed for a certain amount of time and increase your goals over time. Stretching like yoga, is great for relaxing the body and helping to reduce stress. Stretching is also an opportunity to meditate, this could help you find solutions to your problems and also relax the tension in the body.

Unmanaged stress can contribute to heart disease. It has a tendency to raise blood pressure and increase cholesterol.   Stress is a part of life and cannot be avoided; however you must manage the stress and not let the stress manage you.  Stress  affects your whole body, including your heart.   If stress is unmanaged it could even lead to stress eating in some cases. Don’t give in.  Stress eating  is another factor that affects heart health.

 Some foods are designed with the heart in mind. Take for instance, rich dark chocolate, has an ingredient that can help stave off heart disease (eat responsibly). Tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans are also great for your heart. It tends to lower bad cholesterol.  Also, foods that have a lot of salt should be excluded out your diet. Salt is one of the main factors contributing to heart disease. Highly processed and fast food can contain high amounts of salt.  Along with high amounts of salt, eating fatty foods should also be consumed at a minimum. 

Monitor the amount of calories you have taken in during your day, especially if you aren’t physically active. Physical activity disposes any calories your body doesn’t need or is not using. Keeping track of your calorie intake will help you balance out your diet to take the unnecessary work off your heart.

This is probably most important or at least the most fun — find a hobby. Find something you enjoy doing and most importantly, make the time to do it. It will help you relieve  stress.  You deserve to engage in activities that are solely for enjoyment. Try new things to see what you really enjoy doing. Take a painting class.  Have you always wanted to learn to play an instrument?  Do it.  You deserve it, even if it is keeping up with your favorite TV show or comedy. Did you know that laughter is good for the heart? It literally stops stress from eating away at your health.

Your body should be taken care of like a well-oiled machine. Your heart is the engine that helps keep the machine going. Give it what it needs to keep it running smoothly. Begin with small steps.  On you next shopping trip, park further away from the mall.  Walk a little more.  Take the stairs.  Try a cool yoga pose in the morning before going to work or class. Book a class or get a book for that hobby you have always wanted to try .Try making better eating choices.  Chose the meal or snack with the less sodium. Chose the snack that has the nuts.   Chose dark chocolate instead of the bag of chips. Go with the lean instead of the fatty piece of steak, no matter how hard that choice might be. Trust us, we know that’s a hard choice to make 🙂 but it’s all worth it in the end.

The EE 411: Good Choices

Here at EE we always encourage you to take care of your body and do your own research to help you give your body the best care possible.  You deserve it. We encourage you to become more active in the pursuit of healthy living.

In the meantime here are some good choices we have come across when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart:

  • Quit smoking and stay clear of second hand smoke. Cigarettes are the leading cause of heart disease.
  • Avoid salt and fatty foods.
  • Eat fish two to three times a week.  The fatty acids (omega 3) in fish could help reduce heart disease, but consuming too much fatty acids could cause other health problems. Eat responsibly.
  • Eat dark chocolate in moderation. No problems here.
  • Go for the red wine. When consumed properly, it helps improve the level of good cholesterol and lower chance of blood clotting.
  • Tree nuts are a better snack than chips.
  • Laugh
  • Find a hobby.
  • Exercise
  • Spend time with your pets. If you like animals pets can be another great means of relieving stress because they love you no matter what.
  • Keep track of your blood pressure. It’s good to know where you stand in terms of health. It is also important to test your blood sugar sometimes too.
  • Have some tea. Teas like Green and Black may be good for your overall health besides, it’s really good.
  • Have some blueberries. They contain vitamin D and Fiber along with antioxidants. Considered great at fighting diseases.
  • Start your morning off with oatmeal. It lowers cholesterol, helps your body detox, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
  • Eat your spinach. The nutrients in spinach help protect against heart disease. It is full of minerals, fiber, and vitamins.
  • Sleep! When your body is well rested, it’s one less cause of stress. A good night sleep is a key to a successful day.

(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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Living Healthy – Staying Cool

 Young Woman Looking At Sun Drawn On Her Back With Suntan Lotion

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

The summer temperatures are ripe this year! They range from 80 to anywhere in the 90s and above. In this kind of weather, you must bring your A-game of coolness. So we ask you, how are you staying cool in the toaster summer of 2014?

We at EE are natural at staying cool. So this week we are going to let you in on the scoop; that way you’re not burning up out there. It is very important that you keep several things in mind during the summer time heat: (1) the clothes you wear, (2) keeping yourself hydrated, (3) the shoes you wear, (4) your skin’s protection, and (5) keeping an eye on your body’s signals.

In order to prepare for those five things, it is a good idea to know the temperature and the temperature changes throughout the day. Typically, the hottest time of the day is anywhere between 3pm and 6pm. These are the times that you should be most prepared for.

So, when you dress in the morning and you have learned that it will be a very hot day, stray away from wearing black—even if it’s your color! We all know how we look good in black, but we guarantee you it will not feel good in 90 degree weather. It is recommended to wear light colors, because sun rays are drawn to darker ones making it feel way hotter than it is.

Invest in a water bottle, one that you won’t dispose of easily. This way you’re one step closer to sparing the environment and keeping yourself properly hydrated. Try not to leave the house without your icy water-filled bottle. These water bottles can usually hold a minimum of 16 oz. Keeping your body hydrated keeps you from tiring, getting headaches, and possibly getting nauseous while going about your daily activities in the scorching sun.

The right shoes are very necessary. If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking in the hot sun, believe it or not, black sandals aren’t the best either. They get terribly warm when you’re walking.  This could cause “some” discomfort. So, when you’re putting that outfit together and you plan on being outside indirect sunlight, try building the outfit with a lighter pair of shoes.

One of the most important parts of this list is protecting your skin properly from the sunlight. It is important to use sunscreen when going out in hot weather (where the sun and its rays thrive). You could also find moisturizers that have sun protection. There is nothing worse than being sun burnt or having sun poisoning. This is important even if you’re not at the beach because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Last but not least, pay close attention to your body and know your body’s distress signals. If you feel faint, find some shade and take a little break. Sip some of that water that you prepared in that reusable water bottle, and take your time getting back in the mix. If symptoms like exhaustion, headaches, nausea, and irritated skin persist, seek professional medical attention.

The EE 411: 

Here are some other cool tips:

  1. If you exercise, shift your schedule to when it is cooler. Try going out early in the morning or later in the evening. That way, you don’t subject yourself to harsh heat.
  2. Invest in a spray bottle. There are some really cool ones with fans attached to them. J
  3. Wear cotton or synthetic breezy clothing.
  4. Bathe frequently and keep up with your skin (cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, etc.)
  5. Avoid caffeine and/or alcohol; it dehydrates you.
  6. Go where the air conditioning is! If you don’t have any at home, travel to the library or mall.
  7. Heat rises! If it is too hot upstairs, then spend some time downstairs or on the floor. When in doubt watch your house pet; they will find the coolest spot in the house.

(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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Mission – Who We Are

Mission - Who We AreOur Mission:

  • Endow our customers with healthy skin care products that are pure and luxurious.
  • Exclusively use the finest ingredients to ensure only premium products.
  • Enlighten all to the overall importance of healthy skin care and constantly educate them on the benefits of nourishing and maintaining the largest organ of their body – the skin.

 Our Principles:

  • Exemplify honesty and integrity in all facets of our business, our products and our practices.
  • Enrich and empower our community socially, economically and physically.
  • Engage others with information and resources that will positively affect their lives.
  • Encourage women and children through charitable giving. 

 

Who we are-

In a nut shell:

Three women who simply love skin care products and were convinced that all skin care should be: 1) uncompromising 2) healthy and 3) luxurious. 

The Whole Story:

All three of us were employed in very uneventful and highly technical jobs.  There came a time when we wanted to step outside of the box and create something meaningful. We longed for engagement in a company that would produce something to impact the lives of its customers and offer them something that was extremely luxurious.  We wanted to create something wonderful and pleasing to the senses that people could take advantage of in their everyday life.  There were two things that we all loved.  Food and skin care!  Food wouldn’t work since none of us can cook.  But we all loved skin care, all kinds of skin care: soaps, butters, lotions, scrubs, balms, everything!  So…skin care it was!

As we ventured out on the journey to create skin care products which were uncompromising, healthy and luxurious, we took a year and a half to research the skin care market.  We tirelessly researched scents, consistencies, properties, and processes.  “How difficult could this really be?”  Our initial excitement quickly turned into dismay.  The more we researched the more we saw that skin care was not really what we thought it would/should be.  We discovered that the ingredients listed on our favorite product labels read more like experiments gone wrong than something that you should put on your body.  As a result, the labels really made us question the products that we put on our skin and the skin of the people we love.  Therefore, we became more conscious of what we wanted in our products.  Although all of us were somewhat health conscious, we were not your typical “organic consumers.”  We were more into the smell and feel of a product than its health factor. 

As mothers, daughters, sisters and aunties we were extremely bothered by the possible side effects that were connected to the chemicals in the products that we were using.  Realizing that we make the purchasing decisions for skin care products in our homes and that we are responsible for their use on our babies, daughters, sons, and husbands, we began to give more thought to the toxins therein.    We understood the science and reasoning behind why preservatives and other chemicals were being used, however, we felt that there had to be a better way.

This led us to looking into natural and organic soaps and other skin care products.  We could easily read and understand these ingredients.  We could also do research and find out about the soothing and healing properties that these ingredients provide.  We were sold! 

But there were still three main problems.  First, we spent a lot of time trying several organic products, but we never seemed to find the right combination of what we wanted.  If the product was luxurious, then it was not organic and if it was organic, then it wasn’t very luxurious.  This gave us the desire to create products that were both organic and luxurious.  Secondly, it was clear that organic materials were a lot more costly and a little harder to find.  This meant that our organic skin care brand would definitely require extra financial investments.  Thirdly, was the issue of shelf life and preservatives?  Do we use them or do we not?  Sure they would extend the life of our product, but maybe products that go on your skin shouldn’t be made to sit in your medicine cabinet or linen closet for multiple years.  Skin care products feed the skin just as food feeds the body.  Therefore everything that is supposed to be beneficial to your body should have a shelf life, including healthy skin products.    As a result of our findings, we were forced to answer the question “Is healthy skin care really worth the ‘extra’ it would take?”    We voted YES!  Hence, Earth’s Enrichments was born.

Here at Earth’s Enrichments, we create and offer organic skin care products that are healthy, environmentally friendly and that are suitable for all ages and skin types.  The ingredients that we use in our products enrich, protect, and revive the natural condition and beauty of your skin.   As we hand craft our skincare lines we want to ensure that we create the best products possible for our families and yours.

Please stay connected to us as we continue to develop our luxurious organic skin care products and share with you what we discover about healthy skin care.

 

Earth’s Enrichments

‘Enriched by Earth…Deserved by Everyone!’

(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!)