16 June 2010

Tools of the Trade: Weleda's Arnica Massage Oil

Because my job involves rubbing hands and feet, I strive to make sure I only use products that I think are amazing. There are many different types of massage oils and lotions to choose from. My preference is to use oils and lotions that would be completely safe if a mother needed to tend to her baby or child immediately after a session.

One of my favorites is Weleda’s Arnica Massage Oil. Not knowing much about the company or the ingredients, I purchased a bottle from a midwife – trusting in her judgment of the product. Since then, I’ve learned some cool facts about Weleda, its ingredients, and their Arnica Massage Oil that make me very glad I trusted her.

The best part (you know, besides the peace that comes from knowing you aren’t putting any harmful chemicals into your skin) is that it is slightly warming. I have clients who say their skin feels slightly tingly after a rub with this oil.

I keep a tiny bottle of it in my kit at all times. It is a fail-safe fallback if I’m in a hurry and don’t have time to grab anything else. All of my clients love the fragrance and feel of this oil. I take it with me on trips to rub on my feet before I go to bed.

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Leaf Extract, Limonene*, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Coumarin*.
* from natural essential oils

Company Description: "soothing and warming skin care
Tired, aching muscles get immediate relief with this nourishing oil. It’s a soothing natural beauty treatment that deeply nourishes your skin as your body and mind relax.

When used in combination with massage, organic and wild-crafted arnica flower extract provides a soothing layer of warmth that unwinds your taxed and tight muscles to relieve stress. Organic sunflower seed and olive oils are easily tolerated and absorbed by your skin, restoring moisture and nourishment. Packed with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, they help soften and tone your skin. Essential oils of lavender and rosemary calm your mind while your skin soaks in soothing nourishment and your muscles get some potent and well-deserved replenishment. With body and mind nourished and relaxed, there’s no more room for tight, aching muscles in your naturally beautiful being."

Where to Buy: I order mine through my Frontier Wholesale Buying Club but I have also seen it at Target and my local health food store.
To Purchase Online: http://www.vitacost.com/Weleda-Arnica-Massage-Oil-3-4-fl-oz
(I’m a big fan of Vitacost and their $5 flat rate shipping)

09 June 2010

Try New Things

It’s been about six years since I first saw Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me”. The content made a huge impression on me and since then, I’ve only eaten fast food twice. Seriously. I’ve heard about his show “30 Days” and the idea to try something for thirty days. Haven’t watched it. But I’ve read about it.

Even though I did not have a specific religious affiliation as a teenager, I participated in Lent because I liked the idea of a brief season of abstinence from something. I actually envied my friends who gave up Cokes (or any other sodas) or sugar or sitcoms.

Since then, I’ve tried all kinds of things. No meat. No sugar. Daily Yoga. Wearing only natural fibers. Not watching movies. It’s actually fun to think of new things to try. Some were easy. Some were pretty difficult. Some were rejected. Some stayed with me and have become a part of my lifestyle.

Right now, I’m avoiding grain. Mostly refined grains like bread and tortilla chips. I noticed that my afternoon “slump” was worse when I had eaten a sandwich for lunch. And most tortilla chips are not healthy anyway so I decided to go without them for a month so see how I feel. It hasn’t even been a week yet and I my energy in the afternoon seems to be much better.

It’s just an experiment so if I decide to eat a piece of bread I don’t beat myself up. I just note the physical changes and get back to it if I feel like it. It’s a stress free way to make positive changes.

Taking a break from the norm can be a very relaxing thing. Fun even. Give it a try. Start small. It doesn’t even have to be about food (that just happens to be a big subject for me). Take a different route to work. Sit in a different chair at dinner. Look at the world from a different perspective and just…relax…

As always, I thank you for reading this and I hope that you are inspired to go try something new. Please leave me a note or send me an email and tell me about what you tried and if it helped you relax. I’m always interested in stories and learning about how others relax. So until next time…relax!