Tag: honey

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Honey – Secrets of the Hive

Honey

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Some of you Earth’s Enrichers know the secret of the hive and others, well, you have just unknowingly stumbled upon it. Honey is the holy grail of holy grails. We bet that some of you make tea and, instead of lumping sugar into it, use honey to bring out the sweetness. If you have not tried honey instead of sugar, we suggest you grab some green tea and try it– it couldn’t hurt.

We mean it, it couldn’t hurt. A teaspoon of raw honey is equal to about 64 fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free calories– Honey, you’ve definitely got it! And get this, honey is more than a sweetener, it’s a preserver– an antibacterial, anti-fungal preserver. Buying a jar of honey seems like a good investment if you ask us. Not only does this precious substance have a great shelf life and offer a health-conscious alternative to sugar, it helps to preserve memories, create energy, suppress coughs, relieve allergies, and much more.

Studies have shown that honey can help boost memories, so having a spoonful every now and again could make you all the wiser. While preserving your memory, you can help suppress that little cough you may have and sleep better at night– multitasking the healthy way! Honey is the go-to-guy for everything– both in internal (as in allergies, coughing, sleep, and energy) and external (treating wounds, burns, sores, dandruff, and infections) health.

The EE 411: Honey – Rules of the Hive

After hearing about all the great secrets of the hive, are you surprised that we put honey in select products? It was one of the best ideas we’ve ever had. Honey Granola Bar Soap was designed to replenish your skin with a silky cleansing that removes dead skin. The point, ladies and gentlemen, is that it leaves your skin feeling soft, supple and replenished. If you don’t believe us yet, you can also try our Honey Vanilla Lip Balm. How much better can it get? The very same ingredients that you can eat together, Oatmeal and Honey, can be used to make your skin healthy. It’s a natural and healthy win and there is no secret in that!

As always, we encourage you to do your own research and learn what is best for your skin. Honey, although great for your skin, comes with its own set of precautions like all natural and organic things. Honey in its raw state can contain certain dirts and bacterias that aren’t harmful to us but can be rough on babies, so please wait at least a year until you try honey on your kiddos to suppress their coughs. That way they can build up enough immunity. Additionally, in some cases, using honey on your skin can feel a tad discomforting similar to a light stinging sensation. If that is the case, we suggest you stop using the honey and ask a dermatologist. 

Another aspect is a honey allergy, which doesn’t happen all too often but if you find that you are allergic, it may be due to pollen found in the honey. Overuse of honey could also lead to the drying out of skin tissue, so be very stingy with how you use this golden substance– you don’t necessarily want the Midas touch. Last but certainly not least, if you’re an individual with diabetes you do not want to place any honey directly on your wounds because it may cause your glucose level to rise. 

Always know yourself, and be prepared when trying out new things. If you have any concerns, call a professional and pick his/her brain just to be safe. I hope we provided you with some awesome info– until next time!

Share with us: What do you think of honey now? Did anything change?

(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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Natural Health – Ways to Relieve Skin Irritations

 

Natural Health- Ways to Relieve Skin IrritationsHey Earth’s Enrichers 

In some instances, desperate times can call for desperate measures. What can you do to relieve the temporary discomfort that comes from skin break outs? You know the inflamed, red, itchy areas that happen when we make that one mistake we didn’t need. These cases tend not to be as serious as a visit to the emergency room, but can be as irritating as the day is long.

So this week, Earth’s Enrichers, we will be dedicated to giving you helpful and natural ways to relieve skin irritation. These remedies can be found in your own home and can be helpful when the irritation is not so serious but is far from comfortable. If you find that the irritation is something serious, then it’s best to contact a professional or doctor before taking any further action.

In weather that’s, icy and windy, your face or other constantly exposed areas can be subject to harsh elements. To protect your skin from the irritation of the cold, we recommend you moisturize and continue to hydrate your skin throughout the day. Coconut oil and shea butter (which we use to base all of our balms by the way) are great for healing, moisturizing, and revitalizing skin. Keeping your skin clean and moisturized properly everyday will help prevent irritation.

Then again, even when precautions are taken, things can still happen. So, what do you do to ease annoying skin irritation? There is a simple and general tactic to relieve discomfort. The first thing you should not do is constantly mess with or scratch the irritated area; that could make it worse. Not to mention, the dirt and bacteria from your hands could cause contamination.

So, the first step to take is to make sure the irritated area is clean.  Use natural skin sensitive cleansers that contain natural relievers like oatmeal and aloe vera. Using a cold water soaked wash cloth, pat the area gently or place it over the area. Do not scrub the area or leave it wet—pat the area dry with a soft towel. The cool water will help relieve the hotness of irritation temporarily.

 Aloe Vera has healing and cooling properties that can soothe irritations. Also, using a cold compress is an alternative. It can reduce swelling and provide temporary relief from the burning irritated skin, there are also properties in oatmeal that can help relieve inflammation. When cleaning or soaking the irritated area, it is best to use cold to lukewarm water. This way you don’t produce more irritation to the affected area or dry it out.

 Last but certainly not least, remove anything from that area of the body that could cause irritation. For instance, a tag or piece of clothing that continually comes in contact with that area will cause further irritation. Following this process should help provide some relief for any skin discomfort or irritation. If it doesn’t go away in a timely fashion, we recommend that you seek medical attention to see what the allergenic is or what continues to irritate your skin.

The EE 411:  Skin Irritations – Break Out the Break Out Remedies 

Remember, it is important to know your body. Make a note of the things that break you out and cause allergic reactions. It will help save you from future troubles. Once you recognize what irritates your skin, you can have a better assessment of its sensitivities. You will start to develop a profile that helps you select products that benefit you. So, for remedies that can help relieve the annoyance of skin inflammation, redness, and itchiness, please see below:

 When looking to reduce redness and inflammation, the following are good options:

Simply place these things on the area until temporary relief is evident. It shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes.

 When looking for something to reduce itching and irritation, the following are good choices:

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Baking soda (a teaspoon add water)
  • Oatmeal
  • Peppermint leaves*
  • Basil leaves*

(*Also, good for bug bites)

Taking controlled amounts of these substances and gently rubbing them on the irritated area should temporally cease the annoyance. Check out other skincare remedies.

 Here at EE we do care about your health. If you find that you constantly deal with your skin breaking out, then perhaps you should assess the products you are using. We encourage you to try us and see if our products lead your skin to better results. We make our products with you in mind, so don’t forget we have your back. For a quick start, here are some EE products that contain ingredients that help with relief of irritation, inflammation, and redness.

Share with Us: What natural remedies do you find works best for you?

(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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Lip Balm – Nourishing Lip Balm

 

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Lip Balm - Nourishing Lip BalmThe weather is now at its finest and also, minus the humid days, it’s driest. Usually, the spring is known for its nice breezy days with moist rainy weather and the occasional thunderstorm. While, on the other hand, summer is known for its intense heat and days without rain. This means it kind of gets dry. Sometimes, like in the harsh winter, it can dry out your skin, especially your lips.

When the weather dries and the body starts to become thirsty or slightly dehydrated, the lips can start to become chapped and dry. It is important to stay hydrated and moisturize your skin, including having a lip balm and practicing healthy lip care.

We at EE narrowed down two main ingredients that we use in our lip balm that are sure to provide your lips with the nourishment they need. These ingredients are coconut oil and shea butter, which are well known for providing protection for your skin.

Coconut oil is a moisturizer that does more than hydrate your skin; it helps repair dry and damaged skin. Peeling, flaking, or rashes can be healed with regular usage. When lips are dry, they tend to peel and flake, which can cause pain or discomfort.

Coconut oil works great on other parts of your skin, so why not put it on your lips? It would leave them smooth and protect them from any sun damage as well—another grand benefit of coconut oil!

Shea butter and coconut oil are the perfect match when it comes to creating a fusion base for a lip balm. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer and it is great for soothing the skin, after the coconut oil regenerates and heals the skin, the shea butter maintains your lips silkiness and nourishes them. Also, just like coconut oil, shea butter can protect against aggressions like wind, cold, and sun making them a great team when it comes to lip care.

The EE 411:

Please welcome Lemongrass Mint, Honey Vanilla, and Coconut Chai lip balms. These lip balms have the coconut oil and shea butter fusion base. However, there are some other awesome ingredients in these lip balms that are dedicated to healthy lip care.

In Lemongrass Mint, we added lemongrass and peppermint. Peppermint helps nourish your skin, while lemongrass helps ward off skin infections or fungus, which is great protection to have for your lips. Just think, how many times do your fingers, writing utensils, or other foreign things touch your lips?

Honey Vanilla is made with vanilla and honey. Not only does it produce a great aroma, but these ingredients are also great for your skin. Vanilla can help reduce stress and prevents the damaging of skin cells. It also helps improve skin tones. It can boost your lips’ natural color. Then honey swoops in with the protection. It helps protect your skin from harmful sun rays and also helps hydrate your lips.

Last but certainly not least, Coconut Chai has cinnamon. Cinnamon helps bring various nutrients to the surfaces of your skin. Not to mention, it has an invigorating fragrance.

Share with Us: What are some of your favorite lip balm flavors?

(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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Healthy Snacks – Holiday Delights

 

Happy Holidays Earth’s Enrichers!

Healthy Snacks- Holiday DelightsThe next step to the holiday season is deciding what to put on the table. There are some traditional Christmas/Holiday goodies that actually have some beneficial ingredients that could add to healthy living. Remember the lyrics to “A Christmas Song” about chestnuts roasting on an open fire—believe it or not, they have some nice health benefits. So do sweet potatoes, popcorn, plums, cranberry sauce, candy canes, gingerbread, coffee, and even chocolate.

Chestnuts have substantial health benefits.  They are low in fat and calories. They are a nice source of fiber, vitamin B-6 and C. Another great benefit is that chestnuts, when ground up, can be used as a gluten-free flour for baked goods. So feel free to enjoy chestnuts draped over eggnog ice cream, cake, and even a salad.

Sweet potatoes also contain Vitamin B-6, and C. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which aids the skin in looking younger, and helps with healing.  In addition, sweet potatoes have iron, magnesium, and fiber. Magnesium helps with relaxation and helps reduce stress.

Popcorn is basically whole grain that contains natural fibers and antioxidants but in order to get to these benefits, make the popcorn in olive oil. Processed popcorn contains butter and salt that overshadow the healthy benefits.

Remember the sugar plums that are supposed to dance over your head… well feel free to enjoy! Although some sugar plums can be pure sugar and candy, some can be made with the actual fruit—plums, prunes, figs, etc. If made with the fruits and a moderation of sugar, you can still benefit from the healthy properties of plums. Plums contain vitamin C, K, and A, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, calcium, potassium, and fiber. Vitamin C can help form, and repair skin.

Cranberry Sauce can also have some beneficial health. Check out cranberry sauces that are made with all-natural or organic ingredients. That way the health properties—fiber, Vitamin C, and E—could be enjoyed without artificial preservatives. Also, the tart in cranberries can help with inflammation.

Candy canes have great health benefits as well! Yes, pretty awesome! There is one catch to this the candy canes must contain peppermint oil, not artificial flavoring. The peppermint oil produces antioxidants that help break down food. It helps soothe indigestion and abdominal pain. It can decrease the chances of heartburn and bloating. It also, of course, helps get rid of bad breath, in part by helping to eliminate bacteria.

Gingerbread is another holiday tradition that you don’t have to feel guilty about. The main ingredients of gingerbreads or men are ginger and molasses. Molasses is a natural sweetener and ginger is an anti-inflammatory. It also helps with stomach discomfort. Don’t eat too many sweets though; you don’t want to over do it. Coffee and dark chocolate when consumed responsibly can help reduce cellulite and tone and protect skin respectively. 

There are many other healthy aspects to the wonderful things you eat for the holidays. These are just some well-known favorites. We encourage you to inquire about your favorite holiday treats and see what health benefits they might have.

The EE 411:

Green Tea, although not a holiday tradition, can be a healthy addition to your menu. It helps give your skin the nutrition it needs to protect your skin from too much exposure of harmful sun rays  and is an energizing equivalent for those who are sensitive to caffeine and don’t want a lot of it. It is also a healthy choice for drinking, giving you more healthy options to reduce the risks of diabetes.

Instead of using sugar, try the switch to honey. Honey helps regulate blood sugar. Honey is a natural sweetener that is equivalent to sugar. So to sweeten your teas, coffee, or even desserts, give it a try and see if you like it.

Last but certainly not least, ham can be another healthy addition to your holiday menu. Incorporating lean ham with low amounts of sodium helps maintain a healthy watch over your course selections. Ham contains protein and zinc (which can help boost immunity and wound healing). Add to this some healthy greens like mustard greens, kale, or green beans. A combination of mustard and kale can help lower cholesterol, and aid in eye health.  Green beans contain vitamins K, C, and A. They also have potassium, which can help maintain control over your blood pressure and help cell production. 

Share with Us: What are your family’s new or old holiday traditions when it comes to your menu?

(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!)