I’m a huge fan of reflexology. One really simple reflexology activity that you can do, at home or at the office, is rolling a golf ball underneath your feet. All you have to do is gently roll a golf ball back and forth underneath each foot (with just socks on or barefoot) from top to bottom. I usually do this for about 3-5 minutes on each foot. This is so easy to do, so great for sore feet, and beneficial to your whole body!
Hawaiian Lavender! February 8, 2010
One of my oldest and dearest friends brought me back such a treat from her honeymoon in Maui – a set of body care products (pictured below) and dark chocolate all infused with lavender harvested from the lavender farm (AKL Maui) she visited there! I had no idea that lavender was grown in Hawaii! It’s interesting because the products definitely have a unique lavender scent, unlike any other lavender-scented product I’ve ever smelt (and I’ve smelt a lot). If you’re ever in Maui, you should definitely check out the the beautiful gardens of Ali`i Kula Lavender. I’m so excited that I got to experience some of the AKL Maui products because it has exposed me to a whole new lavender! (Thanks Nicole :))
Photo Credit: The Lavender Farm Inc.
The Biogreen® Memory Foam Pillow February 5, 2010
I have always been pretty simplistic when it comes to my pillows with no preference in brand. I just don’t like a pillow to be too thick and I like them more on the firm side. I recently tried a quite sophisticated pillow called the Biogreen® Memory Foam Pillow. These pillows are really unique because they are memory foam, but are completely free of the usual dangerous chemicals that come with memory foam. You can use this pillow the way it comes (as pictured below) or if it doesn’t fit you correctly, the cover can be unzipped and the outer memory foam material can be unattached. This second option results in a thinner pillow underneath and the ability to roll up the outer shell into an additional bolster type pillow.
At first, I was a little confused on how to position this pillow beneath me. I found out that it’s generally recommended that you always place the larger bump closest to your shoulders — this will keep your head in proper alignment. You may even want to pull the pillow down against the shoulders, so the pillow can really contour the whole of your neck curvature, along with properly transitioning the upper back/shoulder areas.
If you’ve never used a memory foam pillow before, I think that it takes a little bit of getting used to (not that it’s uncomfortable, but obviously quite different from a standard pillow). I haven’t had any problems to attempt to eliminate through the use of the pillow, but I’ve heard of people experiencing health benefits as a result of the switch. If you’re going to try a memory foam pillow definitely go with this green version!
Photo Credit: ©Relief-Mart™
Homemade Blush & More February 4, 2010
I just came across this article – Go Green With These Natural Beauty Supplies. I have never seen #2 (Recycled Blush) and #4 (Sunflower Shaving Cream) before! Can you really make blush from cinnamon, powdered sugar and essential oil!? I’m going to have to test this out…
New Addition to My Plant Family February 3, 2010
This is my new ivy plant (thank you husband!). Ivy is supposed to be pretty easy to take care of and it’s said to improve indoor air quality – 2 great attributes of any plant! :)
Photo Credit: AllNaturalAnnie.com
Can You Guess What This Is? February 3, 2010
When I first glanced at this picture below I thought it was a diffuser of some sort, but then I saw the title - Countertop Bag Dryer. I like! I often think to myself “this ziploc really doesn’t deserve to go in the garbage just yet..” A lot of times, especially if the contents were dry, I simply reuse it. However, those times when the bag needs to be washed out I unfortunately usually end up throwing it out because how and where is it going to dry properly? Well here’s an answer! If you’re thinking $20 is a little pricey, it is made from sustainably harvested birch and ash woods, AND it’s not an eyesore!
Photo Credit: Gaiam, Inc.
More Good to Know House Plant Info! February 2, 2010
Aside from my bamboo, I currently have one other house plant and that would be my very large peace lily. Peace lilies are another easy to keep bunch, but my care hasn’t been optimal the past few months so I guess even the easy plants can show their lack of proper care.
The main problem is that leaves have been turning brown on the tips and edges. I did some research and it looks like there are several possible causes:
- Too much water – keeping the soil constantly wet –> Solution: allow the soil to dry and try to water just before the leaves start to wilt (I try to do this and when I do, it’s so cool how quickly the leaves noticeably spring back to life )
- Hard water or softened water - excess minerals can cause brown leaf edges and tips –> Solution: switch to distilled or filtered water.
- Too much fertilizer – also adds an excess of minerals to soil –> Solution: fertilize only when the plant is looking hearty and dilute the fertilizer with H2O to about half its strength or less.
I read that you can trim off the brown tips and edges so I did just that this weekend. I have to say that I did a good cutting job because you really can’t tell and now I can determine if I have eliminated the cause! I’ll keep you posted.
Not the greatest picture, but it’s definitely looking much better…
Photo Credit: AllNaturalAnnie.com
Stressed? February 1, 2010
Try alternate nostril breathing! If you’ve done yoga, you might already be familiar with this mellowing technique, which is used to help calm the mind and nervous system. This is one of my favorite things to do to de-stress. One of the reasons I love it is because it’s so easy to do anytime, anywhere once you get the gist of it..
How to:
*Ideally do this while sitting
- Use your right thumb to block your right nostril. Breathe deeply through your left nostril (a count of 4 seconds is good)
- Right away, close the left nostril with your right ring finger while simultaneously removing your thumb from your right nostril, and exhale through your right nostril (for a count of 8 seconds).
- Inhale through the right nostril (4 seconds), close the right nostril with your thumb, and exhale through the left nostril (8 seconds)
That completes 1 full round. Repeat again if desired.
**Do not attempt if you have a cold or if your nasal passages are blocked in any way!
Yellow Leaves – Not So Bad? January 22, 2010
I’m by no means a plant expert, but I try to keep a few plants thriving, or at least living. I’m definitely a big fan of bamboo for two main reasons: (1) It’s pretty and (2) It’s SO easy to take care of! Recently, the bamboo I keep on my desk started to have some yellow leaves and I got concerned. For months, the stalks had all been flourishing, green as can be and then, somewhat suddenly, there were yellow leaves, which concurred with a brief abandonment. At first, I thought my lack of attention was to blame, but after some research I found out that a bamboo plant’s leaves will turn yellow and fall off the plant as a normal part of the growth process. (Excellent news – so it was not my fault!) This process occurs throughout the year as bamboo grows new leaves and recycles its old leaves.
Lesson learned: Yellow leaves do not necessarily equal a sick or dying plant, but are a natural part of growth and they will fall off on their own (so I can stop compulsively plucking them off as they appear). You actually should let the leaves fall off on their own because the natural mulch supplies the bamboo with silica and that helps future growth.
Yellow leaves (here and there), you are now my friends (at least while my bamboo is still living)!
Photo Credit: AllNaturalAnnie.com
Germ-Free Naturally! January 22, 2010
CleanWell’s hand sanitizer consists of a patented blend of essential oils that kills 99.99% of germs without the addition of any triclosan, benzalkonium chloride, or alcohol. CleanWell has very purposely left out powerful yet toxic antibacterial ingredients like triclosan (a known endocrine disruptor) and its natural formula still kills MRSA, E. Coli, Staph, and Salmonella bacteria! Some hospitals and schools in the US have even made the switch from chemical-laden sanitizers to CleanWell because it’s that effective!
The original version of CleanWell smells exactly like it’s key germ-fighting ingredient – thyme. If you like the smell of thyme then the original scent is a good choice for you. But if you like a sweeter/more conventional scent the Orange Vanilla or Lavender would be more up your alley. The hand sanitizer is so convenient to carry around in its smallest size (pictured below), is so easy to use (it sprays), and it doesn’t dry out or irritate skin at all! But the main reason I would try CleanWell (if you haven’t already) — why use toxic chemicals to avoid germs when you don’t have to?!
The story of CleanWell’s creation: Sam’s Story.
Photo Credit: CleanWell Company
