De-Stress tip: Mindfulness

Mindfulness, the primary weapon against that 5-letter word (stress) is a kind of "meditation-lite" developed for people who found traditional meditation styles too difficult to practice.

Mindfulness is simply breathing deeply and noticing your surroundings. Sounds kind of new agey but the practice has shown to work in heart patients and is so easily learned.

Can lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve immune function, and ahhhhhh promote relaxation. Not a bad side effect to managing stress and finding the balance in your life.

Isn't that what we all contantly strive for -- finding balance.

De-Stress tip: Retreats

Go on a retreat.

Whether it be a spa retreat, health retreat, or spiritual retreat the idea is to tuck yourself away into silence. I'm sure if you do a google search for retreats plenty of choices near your home will spring up.

This week I went on a spiritual retreat to a beautiful serene place surrounded by trees tucked away at the foot of the mountains in California. Came back recharged with a more purposeful attitude to life. Appreciation. Gratitude.

I love what Thomas Merton said, "Solitude as necessity, a way to compassion." One of his strongest convictions was his insistence that solitude is "not a luxury but a necessity."

Even if you find that place under the tree, in your park, a special place to you, retreat there. The experience will lead you toward a calmer place.

I go in to come out.
Anais Nin

De-Stress :: Retreat :: Solitude :: Compassion

Pampered Papas

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking for a gift a little more exciting than the traditional tie, consider a pampering treat for dad. Can't forget that father's need pampering too.

We've got the perfect pampering solution -- comfort essentials. Soothing herbal body wraps and herbal foot cozys!

They come in masculine colors and larger to fit men's size.

Get it now, in time for Father's day. Foot cozys and body wraps come in matching colors and fabrics. Hopefully your dad will take note of the matching body wrap and foot cozy you dutifully chose.
Men's essentials

NEW! Essential Oil Perfumes

Our product lines are expanding!

We're especially excited about this one, the Santa Barbara collection of essential oil perfumes by Sharon Bolton.

My favorite, Luv, very feminine but not too bold of fragrance. It feels light and airy. I have always been especially sensitive to scents (makes me really nauseous) but after having tried these, I am going back to wearing perfume, these perfume oils at least. Luv it!

NEW! ..... PERFUME OILS with a tropical twist

Luv ~ Soul ~ Truth

These Perfume Oils are pure unique oils that are long lasting and smell different on each person. Each scent has a tropical twist and are a blend of fragrance oils and natural essential oils.

Comes in a compact roll on bottle that is a perfect size to throw into a cosmetic bag or purse for the office or an evening on the town. For $39 a bottle, these scents will go a long way.

click here to choose an experience.

World on Fire

view the video

http://www.worldonfire.ca

NEW Organic Spa Collection!!

We're happy to announce a great addition to the De-Stress essentials bath and body line, the organic spa collection by Bonicca. The latest in spa quality organic lotions, salts and shower gels. Using 100% vegetarian ingredients, these natural body care products appeal to all your senses in 9 signature fragrances including Spice Island, Coco Coriander and Bamboo Flower, Cucumber Lime, Fig, Mandarin Dream, Provence, Unscented and my biased favorite..... California Coast.

Don't be fooled by the packaging. It has the looks of the Kiss my Face brand packaging, not too attractive (my opinion) but don't judge this "book by its cover". If you can get past the packaging, you'll be pleased with your purchase.

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Here's an interesting article I found on organics and Bonicca.

Chemotherapy Patients Praise Organics

(PRWEB) February 16, 2006 -- A fragrance-free Organic lotion for sensitive skin is quickly becoming the product of choice for many cancer patients suffering side effects from chemotherapy.

Recently, when cancer patient Kristina Jones was searching for a lotion to soothe the burning, itching sensation in her face and upper body (a common side effect of chemotherapy), she turned to her neighbor and friend Kim Cabot, owner of BONICCA Natural Body Care. Kim gave her some Unscented Bonicca Organic Spa Lotion, knowing that the high organic aloe content and all natural ingredients would be gentle to KristinaÂ’s irritated skin. “The itching and burning were relieved immediately,” reported Jones, “and the chapping, redness and swelling subsided in just a few hours. I feel like a new person!"

Bonicca President Kim Cabot states, “We are working hard to create the highest quality organic products” and we are offering samples of this remarkable product to Cancer clinics across the country.

WHY ORGANIC: When products are applied directly to the body, up to 60% of the compounds in the product are absorbed into the skin, including any toxic ingredients. This is the primary concern with toxic cosmetic ingredients. Lotions, creams and oils affect the skin’s appearance precisely because they are being absorbed. While looking your best is the reason many people use cosmetics, the ill effects of toxic ingredients is alarming, and is of even greater concern for people whose immunities are weakened by illness or medication.

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Bonicca is one of 200 companies who signed the Compact For Safe Cosmetics and they are proud to support the Breast Cancer Fund in this endeavor.

Bonicca was the Variety magazine's Stylephile pick of the day. Here's what they wrote.

Vegan Shower Dream

Bonicca's Organic Spa Collection may be ethically sound—the line is 100% vegan and uses 70% organic botanicals—but that likely won't be at the fore while lathering up with one of its swoon-worthy shower gels. Coco Coriander, Bamboo Flower, Spice Island and Pikake transport you with tropical fragrances that never overpower; Cucumber Lime, Watermint and California Coast are refreshing morning boosters; and scents Mandarin Dream and Fig are creamily sweet. Of note: Bonicca's unscented spa lotion has worked wonders for people undergoing chemotherapy.

Not sure which scent is right for you. Purchase a sampler kit for $5.



















View the complete Organica Spa Collection here.

Mother's Day anti-aging SECRET

Our bodycare lines are expanding! I'm excited about this new prodcut line direct from Umbira, Italy known for being the "Mediterranean diet for the skin", called Olivella -- from 100% virgin olive oil.

So here's a Mother's Day anti-aging SECRET.... Olivella ALL NATURAL Virgin Olive Oil Moisturizer. It's so rich in vitamins and antioxidants, protecting the skin from free radicals that damage healthy skin. Tell mom to apply 1-2 drops on face, neck or body 10 minutes before betime to allow moisturizer to absorb.

Do it for mom today and maybe she'll actually like trying something new and it's naturally better for her skin too.

Olivella Moisturizer contains premium quality Virgin Olive Oil (rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, beta carotene and squalene) and scented with natural floral essences from the Mediterranean.

Wash face first with the bar soap or Liguid soap.





Not tested on aniamls and no artifical coloring.

Earth Day Santa Barbara 2006

Earth Day in our town is always a day I look forward to. Haven't missed a year since I moved her. We spent the day soaking in the sun spread out on the courthouse lawn. We visited the booths, learned about holistic dog care, got a chair massage, ate yummy food, and listened to the music on the solar powered stage. Enjoyable day.

The Community Environmental Council puts on this amazing event each year. click here to see photos.

Soy candles ... the healthy living candle

In honor of this past Earth Day, I'm talking SOY CANDLES.

But WHY soy candles?

Here are the facts...

Almost ALL candles around the world are made from paraffin wax. Paraffin is the left over residue from gasoline refining -yet Paraffin aromatherapy candles are presented to consumers as a health enhancing product!

The Dangers of Paraffin Wax Candles.

• Has been documented to contain 11 harmful carcinogens, 2 of which are toxic.
• Produces problematic petrol soot emissions - has been considered as harmful
as second hand tobacco smoke.
• Paraffin candles are not biodegradable or water-soluble
• Burns hotter and faster than soy wax candles
• May potentially harm your health, pollutes your indoor air quality and our environment
• Many still contain lead wicks - CAUTION

Soy is clearly a better choice because...

• Soy wax candles are 100% natural.
• They are made from soy bean products.
• They are a healthy alternative to petroleum based products.
• They are clean burning and no petrol soot to black walls.
• They are environmentally safe and biodegradable.
• They are non-toxic and safe for children and pets.
• They are hand crafted and made from 100% Soybean based wax.
• The wicks are all natural cotton
• They contain the highest quality essential oils

The great thing is they come in different aromatherapy scents and the soy candles burn cooler and longer than mainstream paraffin candles.

I have always enjoyed the ambience, warm environment and the scent throughout the house from paraffin candles. I didn't know any better. But after learning about the hazards of the most popular paraffin (petroleum based) wax, I am now seeking the healthier choice, the soy candle. They smell delicious and look so elegant that I can rest easy that my lungs will be healthier. It's a better world with soy!

Soylicious Soy Candles

Be well.
Maria
www.destressessentials.com

Find your bliss

Hi everyone, I this finds you well.

So it's been a while since my last post. Have you felt pulled in so many directions? That would describe me in the past month. Buidling a business is taking me in directions that keep me on my toes and happily surprised by the results.

Well, because of my commitment to "walk the talk" in all things relaxation and wellness, I've been making time to care for my total wellness -- my mind, body and soul. I started to get into a regular exercise routine, rather than just walking my dog so I went to a yoga class last week. It totally invigorated me and felt stronger coming out of a class. Glad I survived it because I was starting to think bad thoughts about the instructor. But these are the things I need to do for myself to keep my stress level to a minimum and at the grueling end, my tension is released and ready for the day's challenges. Yoga is my bliss.

Let's put stress into perspective. Not all stress is bad. Think about the time you were in a stressful situation tyring to make a deadline on something you procrastinated too long. Didn't that type of stress propell you to take action? That's what I mean by some stress is ok.

From time to time we all find ourselves in stressful situations - that's normal. I think we can't avoid it 100% of the time, that's just life and part of being human. However for many people stress has become a constant way of life. More often than not this is down to work and/or money problems, but relationships and ill-health are also common factors that contribute to our high levels of stress.

While we can't always elimate the things in our lives that normally cause us to feel stressed, what we can do is change the way we react to them, while also learning to relax more and worry less. We could all use a gentle reminder on managing stress. I know I do.

De-stress tip: Examine your life more closely and make the necessary changes required to reduce YOUR levels of stress.

What's your bliss?