Top 10 Spa Trends

Because I go through a lot of reading material, I love the snappy top 10 lists. Here is Spa Finder's prediction for their top spa trends in the new year:

1. The Star Therapist: Spas and spa-goers will learn to recognize and appreciate the really gifted therapists.
   
2. Wellness, Wellness, Wellness: Spas are not so much about pampering anymore as they are about wellness.
3. Luxury Detox and Luxury Bootcamps: There is nothing wrong with mixing comfort and luxury while detoxing and getting in shape.
4. Spa Real Estate Mania: There are many options now to buy a condo or home where the spa component is a key feature.
5. Taking Sleep Seriously…Especially if you want to Lose Weight: Research shows healthy sleep makes it easier to lose weight.
6. Fertility Tranquility: Relaxing at a spa is good for your body, mind, spirit…and conception.
7. Hydro and Thermal Super-Experiences: Explore the large variety of beautifully designed water and heat experiences at spas - hot saunas, steam grottos, ice caves, etc.
8. Urban Spa Explorer: Generation X, Y and others are discovering spa "gems" in the ethnic community of cities; Korean scrubs, Thai massages, Shiatsu, etc. often at no frills prices.
9. Plug-in or Unplug: It's up to You: Some spas don't allow you to use your phone or Blackberry yet other spas do. Some spas have sections for each.

Detoxing Body Scrub

Dry skin is a real issue with the indoor heat and outdoor chill. I tried a body scrub from Daniella Body Care that has solved the dryness caused by the season. The entire line of products are all natural, carefully selected ingredients, and made by hand. The Detoxing Salt Scrubs are wonderful for exfoliating and detoxing! The raw salt from the Dead Sea contains 21 minerals including magnesium, calcium, sulphur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium. These minerals help maintain moisture, promote healing of skin tissue, and relieve stiffness and muscle cramps. The essential oils in the scrub nourishes the skin, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth for the rest of the day. The body scrub can also be used for soaking in a bath or as a foot scrub.

Visit the Daniella Body Care web site to see the complete line of body scrubs and essential oils. Check out the page “Learn” and find out about the ingredients and their benefits and uses. I loved reading this page and learning about the products that I’m applying to my body. Knowing that I’m using carefully selected natural ingredients that are beneficial to my mind and body reassures me that I’m treating my skin with lots of love.

Via Botanica handmade soap

My bathing products are pretty simple: a mesh scrub and drugstore soap. I’ve been quite content with it until I decided to change things up a little because my skin was feeling so dry now that the weather is colder. So I tried Via Botanica handmade soap in almond honey and totally loved the way it made my skin feel. None of that soapy residue on my skin and the subtle nut and honey smell made my shower that much more relaxing. The almond oil is similar to a baby’s sebum, the oil naturally produced to protect the skin, plus the almond oil is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins, leaving my skin moist and smooth. It’s great for the dry winter months. The soap comes in a big bar so it lasts quite a while and it comes in mint, vanilla, and lavender. All of them handmade in small batches to ensure the best quality. You can find it on Sama Living, tranquil living essentials website.

Okay, so my bathing products are still pretty simple, but at least they're more nourishing now.

Sugar Scrub

I love the feeling after a strenuous run. It challenges me and brings me to a state of euphoria, keeping me mentally and emotionally balanced. I live in Bethesda, MD where I go to the gym and run I run twice a week. On those days I run and sweat, I've created a ritual to treat myself to Buddha Nose Sugar Scrub to cleanse away impurities.The gentle sugar grains sooth and nourish my dry skin especially in Maryland winters and the subtle ancient scent has a calming effect that carries over after my shower and through the day. Guys and gals, exfoliation is the key to keeping the body healthy and rejuvenated. It removes the dead skin cells and increases blood circulation leaving the skin glowing.

To exfoliate at home in the bath, wet skin first, apply the scrub using circular movements working towards your heart. Buddha Nose Sugar Scrub is my new secret to a pre-party energy boost during the holidays! You can find Buddha Nose at www.SamaLiving.com

New Site Launches!

To my beloved Spahhh Talk readers, seems I have just disappeared from blogging the past few months. Lots of changes going on around here and I am pleased to announce the new shopping site that incorporates De-Stress Essentials products with an expanded line for her and home! Check it out at Sama Living.

In the coming weeks Spahhh Talk too will take on a different role.... stay tuned for more!

A glorious Fall day to you...

Maria Carbonell Elliott

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."

- Flora Whittemore

welcoming a new season

i've been doing alot of healthy cleaning out these day - cancelled my gym membership, cleared out clutter, bought incredible cookware, connecting with purposeful women, began the Artist's Way exercises and started a steady yoga practice (to help me focus!).

for me autumn is the time where i establish rituals that boost my spirit. try practicing awareness by looking at what you do daily to nourish your soul. take an afternoon walk, turn off the radio in the car, block out whatever time you can - 15 min, 5 min, 30 min to tune out life's noise. this Fall and Winter establish a routine - sign up for yoga classes, go on mini retreat, go to the museums and continue to make room to connect to others. the key is not to let your spirits dampen because of these shorter, darker days. as my laughter guru says 'motion creates emotion'. get up and do something if you start feeling depressed or down. you'll be better able to adapt to the wisdom these darker days can bring!

my splurge of the year

i splurged today on a new kitchen item. i purchased 2 all-clad stainless steel french skillets from williams-sonoma my favorite cooking store. they are my beautiful and shiny pieces of delights, at the moment at least. tonight, i sauteed fresh farmer's market veggies in the skillet and wild caught steelhead salmon. it's amazing how a simple object like a skillet inspired cooking and healthy eating. i think it's the change in season. i go through these strange inspirations. at least it's a healthy one and not related to shoes!

what's your splurging inspiration?

how many other people donate to their gym

today i finally cancelled my gym membership. well, cancelled my donation to the gym. huge relief it was to sign on the line. it's just one of those things that suited me uh maybe 15 yrs ago and for some reason hadn't let go of but had always wanted to. maybe because saying 'i go to the gym' made me feel healthy and fit. twisted isn't it. not anymore. today i celebrate.

when i lived on the east coast, had a corporate job and shoveled snow, the gym seemed to suit me and my schedule. not only do i live in santa barbara where I enjoy the outdoors all year round, but my lifestyle has changed, my needs have changed, and my interests have changed. likely so for someone who prefers being in nature with muse or on a yoga mat.

do you have something that maybe served you during the times you did it but your gut has been telling you that you no longer need it? a new season is a great time to take stock of what's working for you and what's not. take time to think what that is for you and remove that clutter in your life for better things to come!

herbal fix for your cold/sinuses

i'm offically over my cold! here's my secret weapon to help me get through it. put a dash of the tub tea infused with spearmint and eucalyptus into a pot of boiling water.

slowly breathe in the purifying steam for your sinuses and give yourself a steam facial at the same time!

Bath by Bettijo Tub Tea, $23

taking in the mineral baths at sycamore springs

yesterday my husband and i took a relaxing day driving up the coast. first stop 30 min north to firestone brewery (most known for their wines). i've always wanted to stop there along hwy 101. lemme just say that the game of darts was more appealing than the food and service.

another hour up the coast brought us to sycamore mineral springs resort. truly an oasis tucked between sycamore trees and the ocean at avila beach. my body being out of sorts with the flu the past week welcomed the hour mineral bath soak. we walked up the hill to the furthest tub called the shagri-la and the most private to a beautiful setting that couldn't be anymore perfect.

after just a 30 min soak i felt rejuvenated and my sinuses were clear. so many benefits of a mineral bath include... healing properties found in sulfur compounds. the hydrogen sulfide gas (that stinky smell) is known to be a powerful antibacterial agent, which stimulates the body's mucus membranes. Inhaling the sulfur is known to soothe the respiratory system and be calming to the skin not to mention the detoxification from the long soak. we're heading back at least once a month!

If you happen to be long the central ca coast, stop by for a mineral bath. no clothing required. it's a truly magical natural setting. don't forget to walk the labrynth for a calm to take you over the edge of tranquility!

are you this statistic?

Hello again Spahhh Talk readers!

I'm back after a blog break. Taking care of business you can say and got hit by the flu bug this past week. On the track to feeling great again though.

I heard on the radio tonight that 80% of employees don't like what they do. They dread going to work. I had a feeling it was high but wow that's huge. That's too many unhappy stressed people going through the motions for a paycheck. I used to be there and definitely know how that feels for 3 yrs of being employed at jobs that didn't feed my spirit. It was awful. The other years prior were great I'd have to say.

Now the good news is... Enthusiasm is contagious! So now that I have my newfound enthusiasm back after being on my own, i hope you're feeling the love i have for wanting to see you do what inspires you. Take that step to do what you've always wanted to do and find the way. Decide what it is and go for it. That'll make one less stressed out person creatively shaping and taking control of their lives.

All the best.

Maria

italian spa reviews

Going to Italy any time soon?

Read Melissa's first hand spa experiences around Italy and be inspired by her beautiful photos too!
Tres Mesi in Italia

spa reviews by spa defined

DE's Glow! writer, Melissa, reports on spas in the santa barbara area. don't forget to peek into her reviews esp if you're in the area. it's the perfect local spa resource.

Spa Defined

stock update - comfort essentials

a few changes in the coming month... we'll be phasing out part of our most popular comfort essentials line.

foot mules and body wraps will be retiring by mid-Oct. if you've been eyeing them for a while, pls plan on purchasing by mid-Oct.

we'll also have a limited fabric selection of eye pillows and neck wraps. if you mention this blog post, you'll receive 10% off but you must write in the comments section at checkout so we know to discount your purchase.

stay well.

laughter is great medicine

in middle school i got an award for the best giggler. i had so much to laugh about. then as i got older i laughed less. the good news is i still have it in me...did you know if you laugh for just 15 minutes a day it'll keep your blood going with the flow increasing oxygen throughout the body and brain thereby giving you more energy and increases circulation.

make it a point to laugh at least 15 min a day... laugh with friends, co-workers, your family or join a laughter club in your area. my husband sometimes finds me laughing with myself and muse!

go to the laughter yoga site to search for a teacher in your area...

Anita Rodick passes away

Anita Roddick, activist, entrepreneur, visionary and founder of the Body Shop, passed away Monday. I was so saddened to hear the news. What a full and inspiring life she's led!

She's important to me because she's a huge part of me launching De-Stress Essentials last year. I came across her book, Business As Unusual, and it moved me to action. Anita made many contributions... to the environment (sustainable organic body care), human rights, animal rights, self-esteem in women, community trade, her campaigning was endless and self-less. She worked with indegenous people to bring about community fair trade practices. She risked her life many time in the jungles. Wow what a trailblazer.

What I admire about her is that she founded a business with heart and passion, unheard of in the 70's, esp for women. Well, today I can't help but be reminded where my inpsirations come from. She is a unique spirit and she has left behind so much to be grateful for.

More books by Anita Roddick:
Body and Soul: Profits with Principles
Take it Personally
A Revolution in Kindness

for a restful nap while in nyc...

wow now you can buy a nap in 20-40 min segments in nyc (more cities in the works) on a YeloNap.

check it out... www.yelonyc.com

a fun quiz for yogis

I'm a Balanced Yogi!

A Balanced Yogi (Maria) You love your friends unconditionally and accept them for who they are no matter what their yoga style preference, religious beliefs, or spending habits. You focus on the good in people and would never try to change them. Almost everyone feels comfortable in your presence. You live your yoga. You are an inspiration to yoga students everywhere!

Take the Yoga Journal Yoga Snob Quiz!

a truffle of happiness

we were in walnut creek, ca a couple of weekends ago and my cousin took us to this incredible chocolate shop cafe called moonstruck. i love love love truffles so i can really appreciate a divine one or two. i chose a handful of truffles which to our surprise was on ted, the manager that day.

if you're in that part of town, visit moonstruck.

my other favorites:
In NYC MarieBelle
I buy their chocolates online when i make my own truffles. By far, the best for baking. Bernard Callebaut.

back in stock

Organic Fiji stock update:

Lotion: cucumber melon, lavender, tea tree spearmint (my fav for the morning).
Coconut oil: pineapple coconut

** the "breeze" scent has been retired in soaps, oils and lotions.

cocktail party politics

here's a cool website i learned about from my east coast sister... Polichicks Online

note for the sb locals who care that oprah and friends will be here sept 8 for barack fundraiser in our very own san ysidro ranch. not that i keep track of this stuff ;-)

beam me up scotty

I watched Star Trek last night. Not something alot of people know about me. My deeply hidden geeky side. I love the subtleties -- we create our own reality, our reality is an illusion based on our perception and love is stronger than force of will.

Life IS a mystery (ditto from Madonna) that we are here to explore, past, present, future.

Isn't all this in alignment with "The Secret"?

my thoughts today...

comfort essentials growing in popularity

i've noticed home spas are really expanding (yay for calming influences) and a surge in comfort essentials sales. grab yours now because in the Fall I'll focus only on the latest fabric trends by offering a reduced selection of eye pillow, neck wraps and mules. We're phasing out the body wraps. grab one now, they'll be gone in October!

If you've purchased a comfort essential, send me your feedback...
maria@destressEssentials.com

stay well,
maria

hula hooping for wellness

friday i got to hula hoop in the park on my lunch hour. I was asked to demo hula hooping to ucsb's eap wellness program. success! didn't take much demo'ing though. the very enthusiastic gals just picked up the hoops and got their hoop groove on. here are some photos from that fun afternoon.

Hula Hooping Health Benefits:
• Superb cardio and strength workout. Builds endurance.
• Blasts the fat from the belly! Strengthens the core muscles the way sit ups do.
• A whole-body experience similar to yoga.
• Promotes correct body alignment from the circular motions and proper posture in the upper body routines.
• Speeds weight loss by boosting metabolism
• Relieves stress with fun fitness which makes you feel happy
• Saturates your body with energy and a feeling of well-being


Hula Hooping Emotional Benefits:
• Calms the mind, clears the head
• Great boost for stirring up creativity in the workplace!
• Uplifts your spirit
• Builds confidence (to ask for that raise, to be proactive contributor in meetings)
• Banishes the blues
• Creates child-like playfulness, which is great in exercising the right brain which we tend to lose as adults.
• Creates community & cooperation in the workplace (co-workers who laugh together collaborate together)
• Allows you to appreciate your whole body and the perfect individual you are.
• Allows you to shift awareness and allow more expansion into your life, in and out of the hoop.

zaca fire in santa barbara county

have you heard about it? the zaca fire in santa barbara county's back country. in this tiny part of the world serious fires have been burning for a couple of months now. the fire dumped ashes and smoke on the area with evidence still seen on some cars. rancho osos animals, where sabrina herded sheep, were evacuated.

the fire is contained (meaning still burning but under control) now due to the thousands of hard working firemen on the front lines and off. Off line meaning, sometimes I forget about the crews communicating with the public about the fires. they're the ones holding town hall meetings, answering phones, coordinating with the red corss, and posting bulletins, all to prevent widespread panic and rumors.

feeling safe, such a thing i take for granted sometimes because it seems to come so easy here. i count my blessings.

News and how to support:
http://www.newspress.com/sbnp_zaca_2007/index.html

dear spahhh talk readers, i'm back to blogging after a short stint offline. truthfully, i've just not had content free flowing from my blogging mind, you know that whittiness. maybe it's the beautiful summers that has had me outside more than in front of the computer so yay for that. hope you're enjoying the summer too.

the store re-design planning is going well. thinking of getting some survey out for what customers might like to see in the new site. any thoughts on features you'd like to see or improvements, general comments? email me: maria@destressEssentials.com.

New Organics for your earth friendly home spa

we love these new spa finds we've just added to our store...

red tea & cocoa butter tub tea
organic oasis spa collection
shea butter

tidbit: Organic Red Tea is from the wild African Rooibos plant and is called "Miracle Tea" for its tremendous healing properties.

at play creating positive vibrations during renewal day

photo by mary myers photography

A Day of Renewal

saturday morning i drove about an hr south to santa rosa valley for a full day of renewal being pampered, educated, and revitalized at aromas for living 2nd annual day of renewal. aromas for living sits atop a hill with gorgeous 360 views of the valley and boasts the largest organic lavender fields in southern californina.

what made this day extra special and more than just a day of pampering day was 100% of the proceeds went to the breast cancer fund. i meditated, practiced yoga, got a brain/body scan, toured the lavender fields, shopped, networked and connected with fabulous woman. does a day get better than that for a woman on the path to wellness!

stay tuned for wellness workshops being offered soon in santa barbara...

endolphins

I was feeling depleted on energy and crankier by the minute. This is what being behind the computer does to me so i took my bike out to the bluffs for an invigorating ride until i hit the beach and i had the majestic privilege of witnessing a family of dolphins at play! does life get better than this?! Certainly got my endolphins (;) pumping through my body.... lol!

unclutter and de-stress by swapping

So I'm reading this illuminating book by the author of Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert) called The Last American Man and if you've read Eat, Pray Love, you'll fall in love with her storytelling in this book about a really really truly last american man.

Eustace lives in a teepee in the appalachians on 1,000 acres he strategically purchased over time. He's not a hermit, not a survivalist, not an angry woodsy anti-social man making bombs in the woods (sorry, me being judgemental), but an educated, well studied do-it-yourself man of action who truly cares (and sometimes too idealistically) about the earth and destined to convey this to every one he meets (horseback riding across the country). that's the short of it, in this compelling biography. i'm already inspired... (he had me at hello!)

what got me to thinking about the 3 R's was that instead of recycle, why not Reconsider and Refuse the purchase. Ok this might not be good promotion for my store (hard for me to hold back) but in those cases where you really don't need to purchase and your gut telling you otherwise, consider alternatives. ideal bite offers some cool swap sites if you wanna do some soul searching by consuming less.

In this issue of Glow! News - the Soulful Getaway

Just finished putting together this issue of Glow!. It was fun putting together becuase it's all about the summer getaway!

Click here to view this issue of Glow! News or to become a Subscriber.

wellness quote of the day

"Pace yourself. Fatigue has a way of sneaking into our lives."

Stock update and Summer SALE on Sharon Bolton Scents

We've stocked the Sharon Bolton Perfume Oils with the fabulous new packaging which is now available for purchase! .... This means we're phasing out the existing stock of the old packaging which can be found in a temporary listing until we completely phase out the former. These Perfume oils are on sale for $35.00!

See also...

Body Wash
Lotion
New Soy Candles
Pefume Oils

Made in Santa Barbara!

films for personal growth

My eyes are always open to inspirational ways to keep stress at bay in your beautiful life. It's a little movie industry secret where i get to watch movies that don't get released cuz hollywood doesn't think there's an audience for them. now you can become a member of spiritual cinema circle and get movies delivered to you. it's sort of like netflix but focused on movies that enlighten and inspire your soul.

“It’s not often you can combine entertainment with personal growth but that is exactly what The Spiritual Cinema Circle offers. These engaging films provide important messages about life, love and the world we live in.”
— Jack Canfield

Inside the Spa Pantry - Fruit Mask

Fruit Mask for Glowing Skin
by Cait Johnson, author of Witch in the Kitchen

Honey, as needed (about 1/8 cup)
1/4 apple
1/4 orange, peeled
6 grapes
3 strawberries

1. Whiz fruits (but not honey) in your blender or food processor until smooth.
2. Wash face and pat dry. Immediately apply a thin layer of honey, then smooth the fruit mixture evenly over the honey.

3. Allow mask to remain in place for at least 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water
and gently pat dry.

Benefits: Alpha-hydroxy fruit acids help slough off dead skin cells to reveal the fresh new skin underneath, while honey is a moisturizing humectant prized by wise beauties for centuries. Together, they make a traditional recipe for a vibrant and glowing complexion.

For more DE Spa at Home Recipes, click here.

Fresh Summer Tropical Scents

Fresh Summer Tropical Scents in new packaging...

Sharon Bolton Scents made in Santa Barbara

Soul Perfume Oil
Juicy papaya, luscious pineapple, and creamy coconut with undertones of clean musk

Summer sale receive 15% off. use coupon code 'sbscents15' at checkout. Good on entire line of Sharon Bolton Scents - bodycare and perfume oils!

Soulful Summer Retreats

This month's Glow! News is about Girlfriend Getaways and retreats. Our Glow! writer Melissa (of Spa Defined) shares her girlfriend getaway in Tuscany (read article here) and I recently took some time off for my personal retreat. Every year for my birthday (July Cancerian) I do something to expand myself physically and spiritually so I ended up in Big Sur's Esalen. A totally stunning place with amazing vibes, it was my home for 3 days. I participated in a workshop with Laura Day, the intuitive I've been following for over 10 years, where I was trained in my ability to read and direct energy. That's a whole topic in itself but basically it's about changes in our lives and having a greater effect on the people and situations around us -- in business, love, health, happiness, rejuvenation. I learned how to facilitate this process in others.

A weekend of no coffee, no phone, no computer -- I survived. I shared the little cottage (below) with 3 beautiful women from NY, CA, and AZ. I took in a sulfur 'a la freeing nude' bath and massage (omg it was the most incredible experience) al fresco (last photo is of bath house) and drank in some silence in the meditation hut (middle photo) which sits right above a waterfall and ate 3 healthy organically grown meals day. Esalen became distraction enough to forget lack of being connected to outside world and by the last and third day I lost the urge to plug in... actually i avoided it!

I continued my retreat in the bay area with a week long yoga conference dedicated to the legacy of iyengar. So after dropping back in nature for the weekend, my body was all loose for day long asanas. The highlight of that experience was day 4 where I gathered the courage (even though my brain thought otherwise) to stand on my hand for what seemed like an eternity really though i was told for less than a minute. Success to me!

so back now re-charged and re-focused on how better i can serve while i'm here in this world. I love retreats like this, a contrast to laying on the beach, where here i expect to push my limits and step outside of my usual boundaries to that very uncomfortable place.

Have any experience to share that took you outside of your box? Email me maria@destressessentials.com

hummingbird flower essences

One of the fun parts of my job is trying out different products for the store. A couple of weeks ago in santa barbara I had a very unique sampling of natural remedies called Humming Bird Flower Essences by a local gal, Kerry Ann. It was a total mind body experience. She recommoneded a few remedies before i headed off to los angeles. a few drops in my mouth of persephone (aquamarine, carenlian, rosemary, sea salt, purified water) and spirit (amber, flourite, rosemary, sea salt, purified water) and it totally relaxed me... but not to the point i was ready to fall asleep. alert enough to drive but w/o the tension that LA traffic could bring. seriously, the stuff worked.

unfortunately, because of the short shelf life of her essences, it would be less than practical to have it in my store. so here's the link to her website and how to contact her if you'd like a sampling. she's set up downtown and can custom blend the elixirs for you too.

Trusting in your well-being

We're hearing alot about wellness these days, but what does it mean? It's even on the De-Stress Essentials tagline, your online store for relaxation and wellness. Wikipedia's definition is this: Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind-body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. And according to Wikipedia, components of well-being include quality of life, happiness, art, innovation, creativity, freedom, and environmental.

I think we all strive for this healthy balance. The Dalai Lama states that the purpose of our life is happiness and he travels and talks about it wherever he goes. On my personal path to well-being I've learned that you must trust your gut, your heart brain, intuition, whatever you call it... I call it my internal compass. Here are some practical tips to do that... and have fun with them, don't be so serious:

1) Practice changing your perspective.

2) Practice talking to different people.

3) Practice going to new places.

4) Practice sifting through 'your stuff' for the things that feel like you want to feel

5) then go ahead and feel the joy.

6) Practice being familiar with feeling your joy.

7) when you find this joyful place, know that you have well-being. Start here and play with these notions and cusomize it for you!

World Hoop Day is Saturday July 7!

People will be hooping all around the world, all day long. Here's the World Hoop Day website of events going on.

In Santa Barbara, hoop with Kabir at the Drum Circle on Cabrillo Blvd. across from Carasel from 4pm. I won't be able to make it but you'll find me up the coast 3 hrs away hooping in Big Sur!

downtime at rancho osos

Hubby Brett, muse Sabrina and I took some downtime at a ranch this weekend. Rancho Osos, about 30 min east into the mtns from us, is a spectacular oasis from the hussle of daily life.

Since muse seems to love to herd kids and her dog friends, we tried out sheep herding for her and wow did she find her bliss. I experienced complete joy watching her and being with the animals. Sometimes relaxation comes in many forms... whether it's at a spa being pampered, hiking, training with herders, riding a horse, hula hooping, playing an instrument, reading a book, it just has to allow you to lose time and be in that flow state. What's your flow?

keep bugs away using essential oils

it's hard to imagine heat, humidity and bugs living in a temperate beach city like santa barbara but in those parts of our country where people need the bugs to go away, try the bug away spray by buddha nose. we've gotten a surge of orders for these sprays from i think it was a lakeside cabin in the northwest and from upstate new york, vermont, and illinois so i thought this would be a perfect time to feature it on spahhh talk.

*safe for children and toddlers but just keep away from the eyes. in a glass bottle.

Here's the description I've taken from De-Stress Essentials:
Bug Away Spray keeps bugs away naturally, using only organic and wild-crafted essential oils.

Bug Away Spray uses no chemicals or preservatives, only the essential oils of Lemongrass, Citronella, Peppermint, T-tree and Eucalyptus citriodora. Read on or purchase at De-Stress Essentials. Click here.

yummy peanuts...

i didn't realize how much those precious packing peanuts made me so happy until i opened up shop. just want to acknowledge and thank the folks at santa barbara center for natural medicine for the peanuts they provide for de-stress essentials. one man's junk is another's treasure.... working in harmony and for mother nature. how awesome you guys are!

The way I see it #257

i rode my bike to starbucks this morning and treated myself to a short cup of coffee, actually celebrated. i've been off (or is that on - i mean i've quite the daily cup) the coffee wagon for almost 2 weeks now (yay!) and not only does my body feel stronger but i enjoy an occasional cup of coffee so so much more. didn't think i'd survive that first week but made it through. anyone ever gone through that? i've come to the conclusion that "over indulgence breeds contempt".

here's a winning quote on my coffee cup...

Love wins.

- travis smiley
tv and radio host, and author of what I know for sure.

have a starbucks quote to share? reply to post or email me: maria@destressessentials.com
have a great weekend!
maria

take care of you...

i love blogging because i get to write about stuff that i need reminding about. honestly, sometimes it is so challenging to run a business encouraging people to take calm in their life and make relaxation and wellness a part of their day. my biggest daily challenge i face is to live what i value... to take care of myself and find peace in each day. i guess my biggest fear is someone catching me at one of my worst moments angry like a mad woman. luckily i live in a small town and it hasn't happened. i mean me behaving badly. safe so far. but, human i am.

so i do value taking care of myself, which includes the whole woman i am - body and spirit and mind. if i don't i'm no good to anyone. not my customers, not anyone around me. not even my muse sabrina -- she senses my stress and negative emotions then she stresses!

i've come to the conclusion there really isn't a quick answer to how to take care of your well-being. it's different for everyone. It's a practice, something you practice everyday. Like yoga, communication, writing, meditation, piano, etc...

So today i'm reminding me and you to take care of you...

I have heard that it takes 21 days to create a habit.

Make time to create a habit fitting for your positive beautiful lifestyle. This will be different for everyone. My habits i take time for are taking in silence (meditate) like a bad drug habit, playing with muse daily, writing, yoga, hula hopping, reading something that feeds my spirit, and playing the piano.

Invest time and energy into doing things that relax and fulfill you.
Play. Let go. Live.

New Spa at Home Recipes

Finally got a breather to update the Spa Pantry! Scroll to the bottom of the page for new Spa at Home Recipes: Lip Balm and Ginger Coconut Joint Blend.

Muriel Hemingway on living a radiant life

The biggest challenge most of us face is how do we balance it all and have a life of well-being? Then comes a book on how to live a radiant life by a semi-public figure with a tall lean body!

In my continual search for this all elusive answer, I drove down to Santa Monica last night for a LWL event featuring Mariel Hemingway where she talked to a group of launching stressed out women about a lot of things mainly on the topic of balance and wellness. suprisingly i was wow'd by the evening which closed with her blessings and a brief guided meditation, a perfect way to end the day.

I didn't know much about Muiel before meeting her other than she's the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway and that her sister starred in Lipstick... she's totally funny, spirited, smart, and spunky! ... and definitely knows alot about well-being. She's been a spiritual traveler -- aren't we all in our individual way -- that led her to her second book, Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living from the Inside Out: Every Woman's Guide to Real Beauty, Renewed Energy, and a Radiant Life, a book she dedicated to her guru.

She talked candidly about her family and her journey that led her chaotic life to a sea of calm ON the yoga mat. More like chatting over a meal with a good friend she exuded warmth and light when she walked in the room! She talked (with huge doses of hilarity) about wholesome food, meditation, parenting and yoga. And those crazy voices in your head telling you negative messages. Oi! I'm hearing mine right now telling me to keep my blog posts short ... so quick to the chase...

muriel encourages us to listen to ourselves and do things differently that will allow us to discover our radiant life. Some tidbits still fresh in my head from last night.
- Take time for yourself
- Pay attention to your own wants
- Prioritize relaxation over work every once in a while
- Moderate your exercise, less is more - instead of going to the gym running on the treadmill, take a 10-20 min walk outside
- Find peace and quiet in your day - take in some silence
- Have your own sacred space in your home and fill it with objects that resonate with you; change it up once in a while as your tastes change.

Her first book...
Finding My Balance: A Memoir with Yoga

Her current book...
Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living from the Inside Out: Every Woman's Guide to Real Beauty, Renewed Energy, and a Radiant Life

summer solstice celebrations

ah no matter where we are in life, how lucky for new a beginning with summer solstice.

for me this new beginning, ironically, is a time to change the way i've always felt about summer -- slow and sleepy. disneyland, water parks and swimming pools; a break from learning. seems i'm always in a constant "gotta do something, anything mode!"... always need some type of activity in my life, a rush to the books, follow up on my goals made during winter solstice. achieving, achieving, achieving. I'm the hare and my husband the tortoise. slow and steady he is. both methods highly effective but hmmmm, which one ages the other faster. back to what summer means to me....

i called ucsb this morning, our local university library, asking if they had an english-sanskrit dictionary. they had one very old copy, gave me chills it was so old. asking the info gal the libary hours, she described this week as the 'dead' week where finals are over and summer session will be starting next week. ah ha, it is the slow, sleepy time. that time b/w those hard working semesters. that goal-less week of lazying around. not a bad thing, we need laze around days. something i gotta learn from the island wisdom.

so, renewal time is in order. time i see summer a little differently. this afternoon on my campus walk, i noticed nature's beautiful colors, nature's sounds, even her air, and the life growing all around me. the ebbs and flows of life. summer disguised as an unproductive time all these years for me now i see it in a reviving light as a time to renew, energize, enjoy, slow down and remove clutter to make way for more beautiful things in life.

my goal: to re-create harmony with b/w my mind, body and soul.

here's a small quick list i just came up with to help me create that harmonous life:
- speak (and walk) the truth
- see the good in others
- give more than i take
- be constantly grateful
- listen to that silent space within me (meditate)
- follow the rhythms of nature - rise and retire with the sun
- have more spa days
- laze around more
- enjoy this fantastic journey

a quick tip to get started this weekend: get out in nature and come back and journal your thoughts. write down the things that bring you joy and make a point of enjoying them this summer. do something out of your comfort zone, something that you fear -- is it being alone, seeing a movie alone, going to that retreat you've always wanted to try, getting onto an elevator, taking a public speaking class, yoga class, etc... as nike says "just do it!" i can't agree more... i'm off to a fearful task, that dreaded sales call... happy summer solstice!

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one WILD and PRECIOUS life?"

click and bid - ebay auction fundraiser

Click and Bid to win a sharon bolton soy candle and perfume oil on ebay!

De-Stress Essentials isn't a part of this fun but i just had to pass it along. click here for auction details...

inspiring summer reading

eat, pray, love is one of those loveable books that can transform thoughts to a deeper and higher level... therefore for me replacing already some bad habits with good habits (patience and the occasional silence are virtues!).

the author shares intimate details of her spiritual journey from italy to india to indonesia. hilarious most times blended with spiritual finesse, i think we can find a little bit of ourselves in her.

because i'm one of those book geeks that just has to get into the author's mind, like the book wasn't enough... i dragged brett and sabrina along for a leisurely drive to malibu (diesel bookstore) sunday to get my author fix. elizabeth gilbert is as witty in person as she truthfully writes. i'm a better reader than photographer so please excuse the image quality.

book tip off (aka book gossip): movie in the works (don't quote me on this but word is that julia roberts will play author); she's currently writing a book about... marriage.

pick up the book if you haven't already. read it and pass it along. it's the perfect summer read. my sister gave me her copy and i'm ready to let it go and pass it on.

Available at Amazon.com. Click here. The book is like $9. Worth each penny or check it out from your library.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

find something to celebrate

A good friend (william!) sent me this photo yesterday from his new digs in arlington, virginia. it's a view of the potomac rivier and monticello peeking out from the trees.

william seems to tease and tempt me with photos of the "gOLDend days" where i spent my formative years. i do the same, tempt him with the santa barbara beach and sunny sky images. isn't that what friends are for?

there are so many meanings behind a single photo, as i reflect on on this one it reminds me of one of my favorite times in the dc area when spring is being kindly and gently told by summer to rest now and he will add his version of summer offerings. it's breathtaking.

don't forget to celebrate the subtle changes in your life.

happiest of summer to you!

soy candles made in santa barbara

santa barbara perfumer, sharon bolton, has just released her new soy candle line infused with her signature fragrances of luv, soul, truth.

truth be told, i've been burning truth soy candle since last week and contiuing on this week while i work. not only does the candle diffuse a subtle scent of exotic florals and citurs notes but the candle burns incredibly clean and luminous. inspiration at work! packacked beautifully in sharon bolton signature style... love being in the details.

Once you're burned the candle entirely, just pop the wick out, clean the glass with soap and water and make yourself a mojito!

50 hrs of pleasure for your senses
$26
Sharon Bolton Soy Candles
Sharon Bolton complete spa collection

botanical reed diffusers - more new summer arrivals!

Botanical Diffusers by Scentimental Decor are naturally blended with essential oils.

15 oz $58 / 8 oz $38

Available in six scents that each seem to tell a story of their own.

Harmony - Serenity - Aqua - Dream - Karma - Lucky Bamboo

a soothing new arrival ... Tub Teas!

We're busy stocking up on fabulous new products for the summer. Our latest arrival happens to my personal bath time favorite, Tub Teas!

These tub teas are the ultimate full-body chill out for your home spa. We have 2 bath tub tea blends specially designed to soothe or relax.

I use it as a purifying herbal facial steam too... ahhhh such a treat to feel stress evaporate while my face softens. Make it weekly ritual or as often as you like.

Comes with metal infuser. Choose from lavender chamomile or eucalyptus spearmint. Made from natural magic ingredients from nature. $23

For more product details or to purchase, click here.

New Luminous Delights - soy candles

A handful of new soy candles have just come in - perfect for some serene and lavish relaxation to help restore your sense of balance and well-being.

Sentimental Decor is the maker of these remarkable candles. As a huge lover of soy candles one can always find me working at my desk or relaxing with a book with a lit candle by my side. Something about their glow and flickering flame that is so magical.

Details: 14 oz hand poured soy candle with 100% cotton wick emits no toxic residue. burning time estimated 70 hrs. handmade in the usa. beautifully packaged. $25

In 5 lucky gentle fragrances: Serenity, Aqua, Dream, Karma, Lucky Bamboo

opt for a body wash

Many harsh soaps deplete natural fats from the epidermis - this weakens the skin, allowing toxins and bacteria to invade. Opt for a natural body wash on our delicate skins.

Personally speaking i love this body wash by via botanica. i rave about how it leaves my skin soft and refreshed. it's a botanical based cleanser that contains aloe leaf juice, lavender flower water and chamomille so it cleanses without drying my skin. it also stimulates and delights my senses to kick start my day!

Comes in lavender, vanilla orange and invigorating mint
Shop body wash at De-Stress Essentials
$11.95

You might also like to try these great picks too:
Sharon Bolton Pearly Perfumed Body Wash
Bonicca Organic Spa Bath & Shower Gel
Bonicca Organic Foaming Spa Hand & Body Wash

artful weekend

for some downtime this weekend hubby and i went to the chalk painting festival called the i madonnari held at the santa barbara mission. i'll let the art speak for itself.

nature's candy

look at these strawberries! click on the high resolution photo and you can see their perfect beauty up close. i took the photo probably so you can get closer to almost smell and eat them. too bad the internet can't do that yet. usually i don't have the luxury of time to snap photos of what i eat, download, upload them, resize them, crop them in photoshop, and talk about them! i couldn't resist.

would love to say i grew them but i've tried in the past and those pesky snails kept at them. i just don't have that green thumb like my father does. he lives on the east coast and grows the largest squash i've EVER seen. he uses the seeds from the best squash of the crop for next year's planting. it's admirable how he's so efficient with the land in the relatively short summers in virginia. but the tomatoes, japanese string beans, japanese eggplants, okra, etc is the best i've tasted, seriously. my mom has alot to do with that too since as a team, she does wonders in the kitchen with the harvested crop.

i buy these organically grown strawberries at the farmer's market buying about 8 baskets at a time, eat about 3 baskets then freeze the others for refreshing fruit smoothies. otherwise i'd pay $3.90 a smoothie at blender's in the grass or jamba juice, the 2 main smoothie places in town. they're good too but as much as i like a smoothie made for me, $4 does add up.

so here my simple delicious fruit smoothie recipe:
orange juice (from fresh oranges or in carton)
banannas
strawberries
ice (if not using frozen strawberries)
real fruit brand peach sorbet (optional)

blend them all together.

sweet + juicy = strawberries + pop them in your mouth = nature's candy.

beat stress by filling your life with passion and purpose

seriously, one of the most stressful things in life is doing something that goes against the grain of what you were meant to do, staying at a job you meagerly get through each day while your spirit suffers. very stressful. here's a book written by 2 savvy women that provides inspiration and motivation to get going on your heart's desire. i love how i the book they point out that we launch in a different way than man and for different reasons.

the book is called 'ladies who launch' and i've been devouring it up to the last pages. it's about women embracing entrepreneurship and creativity as lifestyle. alas. if you haven't come across it yet and have been wanting to launch a project or business, this book will provide you the inspiration and tools to move forward. it has business schools seriously taking note.

'click' it up at amazon.com
Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship & Creativity as a Lifestyle

maria
a lady who launches

Special offer on aromatherapy wrist rests on ladies who launch

heart spray for your travels

Speaking of this busy travel weekend, consider Buddha Nose Heart Spray for a deep sense of calm while on the road or at the airport. A little spritz will nurture your spirit and open your awareness to love and connectedness... and we all could use this when travelling doesn't go as smoothly as we had planned.

safe and joyous travels to you!

Buddha Nose at De-Stress Essentials

Hooping it Up

Here I am (center) getting my hoop groove on. Veronika is an amazing hooper (top left). An onlooker turned hooper (top right). My sister visiting from Maryland and Candice my niece from SLO, Kabir with 2 hoops and hubby Brett (bottom photo) even got his groove on. Pretty good for a programmer. A lady walking her aussie shepperd who hadn't picked up a hoop in 30 years and a Santa Cruz couple just walking by was celebrating their anniversary came in to hoop with us.

We had a great time at one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset, Shoreline Park. Shared tricks, hooped to the beautiful scenery with seagulls flying above, island and harbor views. Next hooping will be each Wednesday at Alice Keck Park 5:45 till sunset by the Koi pond, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara NewsPress

SB Hula Hoop Meetup calendar

hula hooping in the park - tonight

Quick reminder to come hula hoop with us in the park tonight. Creative play to de-stress your day!

More details at Meetup.

Shoreline Park at 6pm
Santa Barbara, CA

Sponsored by
De-Stress Essentials

Beyonce and Charlize Theron Hoop For Health (April 2007)

In the UK, the Bolton News reports that hooping "is the latest contraption shown to work wonders on your waist and tummy muscles. Beyonce and Charlize Theron swear by it which means, if the celebs say yes, then so do we. Swivelling and twirling is the ultimate exercise for a trimmer, slimmer midriff." In the article personal trainer Lucy Brown notes, "...Hooping certainly burns calories, and specifically works the hips and obliques - love handles. Try enacting what you used to get up to as a child, and weight loss is guaranteed - it's tiring being a kid!"

How to Live Less Stressfully - 11 simple tips

I love the simplicity of these tips from Loving and Leaving the Good Life, by Helen Nearing (Chelsea Green, 1993)

Helen Nearing is a great pioneer of simple living. She offers eleven wonderfully wise tips for living not only a less stressful life, but for living in a more connected and organic way.

Here are her simple principles for Living the Good Life:

1. Do the best you can, whatever arises.

2. Be at peace with yourself.

3. Find a job you enjoy.

4. Live in simple conditions; housing, food, clothing; get rid of clutter.

5. Contact nature every day; feel the earth under your feet.

6. Take physical exercise through hard work; through gardening or walking.

7. Don’t worry; live one day at a time.

8. Share something every day with someone else; if you live alone, write someone; give something away; help someone else somehow.

9. Take time to wonder at life and the world; see some humor in life where you can.

10. Observe the one life in all things.

11. Be kind to the creatures.

organic spa magazine

i've been eyeing this magazine for a while online. organic spa magazine just launched and released their first issue! it's beautiful, cover to cover. enjoyed their articles on inspired places for green getaways around the world. gives me warm fuzzies to read a spa magazine based on spirit, sustainablility and soul. you can read the entire interactive magazine online. truly a green magazine.

that should be it from me this friday so have a great weekend!
maria

remember to send any comments my way... maria@destressessentials.com or reply to post.

creative self-expression

i'm always interested in improving my writing. i'd like to find one on how to write shorter blog posts though!

last night i took an interactive writing workshop called 'writing your life into being'. i loved it. the teacher read from various books - political, spiritual, literature, poetry - then we wrote our thoughts on a given word, for example truth, success, and freedom. what surprising clarity these 2-4 min writing exercises brought me. the 2 hrs went by too quickly. they call this a state of flow when time passes when immersed in something delicious.

no matter who we are and what our profession is, we are born creative. so makes sense that we crave self-expression as adults when we have little of it in our busy task heavy lives. though we create it in whatever form it takes on for you -- through clothing, dialogue, crafts, music, cooking, art, whatever. it's important to find our own voice and clarify our own visions. i think no matter how left brained we are we can exercise the other half of that muscle and bring balance through tuning into our highest creative powers. we can transform our lives and our minds into a healthier state. so squeeze in creative play or creative self-expression if it's not in your daily agenda. it will make for a more stress-free, happier person.

next week's interactive writing exercises will be about 'joy'. can hardly wait!

creating a soulful space

"It's not houses I love, it's the life I live in them".

- coco chanel

Love that quote. Rings so true for me. My first home outside of group living was a 650 sq. ft. studio in alexandria, va with a view of the main street, duke street which ended at the potomac river. nothing fancy at all, it was near 2 major beltways leading into dc and heading to southern, va and if you cross over another bridge you'll be in maryland. needless to say, it was prime location for all sorts of activity yet it felt like a castle to me!

my studio amongst all the other apts in that mid-rise building was an oasis of tranquility. i loved who i was becoming in that studio and the tranformation of empty space to a haven i looked forward to stepping into after a long day at work (PBS Online) and cavorting around the city. everything had its place. books were the center of that sacred living space. A $10 poster print of picasso's portrait de dora mar i bought from ikea was that one truly inspiring piece seen from every spot in my apt. She totally resonated with me during that time in my life. Every place since then i've made a sacred space i can safely retreat to.

if your home (gigantic, mid, small sized) isn't yet that inspiring place for you to step into, start small with one room where you can have a sense of well-being. most likely you're paying a good-sized mortgage or rent, if so why not create a surrounding that you look forward to reatreating to and that reflects your spirited personality.

Your bedroom is a great place to start. Hopefully so, you spend at least 8 hrs/day in there. Having a tight budget or no budget at all allows us to get even more creative. hint hint you won't run to pottery barn to get the space everyone else and their catalog showroom has.

I started off with what i call zen green paint (got at san luis paints locally but can get at home depot too) which sets the tone to tranquility. Then add some photos that resonate good feeling energy, an outdoor scenery painting or print, throw in some accessories with your vibe, throw some fabrics around the room/bed/chair/side table, place a soy candle by the bedside along with inspiring reading material to end your day, invest in some high thread count cotton bedsheets, and add a light with a dimmer switch to set a relaxed tone. Leave out the TV, computers and electronics and you'll soon find yourself looking forward to your oasis of calm and a surrounding that nurtures your soul. And ahhhh the wonderful side-effect.... a restful sleep.

word play

words at play...
stressed spelled backwards is desserts

nap like you're a child again

yesterday i took a big fat guilt free nap, the one where the couch fabric gets etched into my face and drool runs down my mouth and i wake up wondering where i am. i love it! i love how it re-charges me and makes my skin glow too.

so today it got me thinking how we seem to glorify people who sacrifice sleep. we glorify the "super woman". when my husband brett calls me that i'm not sure to accept that as a compliment but i do anyway. it makes me think to slow down and care for myself. what am i in a hurry for? i'll really never get 'it' all done. the pressure is on myself. so me, who runs a store on relaxation and wellness, am learning to relax and pace myself in this exciting life. napping definitely helps me slow down, listen to my tired body and it helps put some perspective on life. sometimes the answers are that easy.

as i'm typing muse, the napping queen, is by my foot snoozing away. we could all learn from our furry friends.

let's sing the praises to napping!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a picture of my sister who has been a mother for 21 yrs. See what motherhood does to a woman!? Here she's taking a break from being mom and loving this role as well.


Photo was taken during her last visit where we toured the Santa Ynez Valley wine country.

Good times and rough times, she and her daughter are tight; that's a mother's love. Can't get between that. Happy mother's day to my sister and our (giggly) mom who raised 4 grown ups kids and still cooks each of our favorite filipino dish when we visit... ahhh a mother's love.

We're off to take our 4-legged furry child to the beach!

italian spa reviews by melissa

Our Glow! newsletter feature writer Melissa of Spa Defined will be coming back from her whirlwind spa trip to Italy and we welcome her back home to Santa Babrara!

If you're not reading this from a spa in italy and feel like escaping virtually to a glorious destination, read Melissa's blog for her spa reviews of Tuscany and Positano spas. Yes, it's tough luxuriating in italian spas being pampered, energized, relaxed, healed and detoxed. Sometimes that's just what a girl has to do ;-)

'live life laughing' eggplant

my laughter buddy laura and i swapped gifts on the last day of Dr. Kataria's laughter yoga teacher training seminar. i gave her one of my soy candles as my symbolic gesture to illuminate the light within her and i'm now the new owner of this beautiful eggplant which reads 'live life laughing'. check out laura's eggplant owner's gallery.

yogic breathing exercises

i survived the dreadful part II number crunching and financial mgmt yesterday. so to quickly counter balance that type of stress, I practiced yogic breathing exercises as i was taught during laughter yoga training. pranayama, a sanskrit word for life energy force, combined with laughter exercises expands like energy to help bring more oxygen to my body which rejuventes and brings me more energy to do more number crunching! Even being aware of my new inner spirit of laughter helped me through yesterday despite that left brain challenge. it has now become my new daily exercise i look forward to and to bring into my community. if you're an area resident and interested in expanding laughter yoga with me, pls contact me. email: maria@destressessentials.com or use contact form. I'd like to hear from you.

i also realized when i woke up how much i miss those early morning meditations, breathing exercises and the comraderie of new connections. the experience with dr. kataria and friends left a huge imprint in my laughing joyful heart. i think back to experiences that really push my limits... didn't think laughing could bring so many benefits to mind and body and spirit (and left me feeling exhausted and exhilirated), but this is something that really pushed me away from my comfort zone and yearning for more out of the box experiences. so july as a birthday present to myself i'm off to an iyengar conference and yoga training. here's to pushing our limits together!

reminder reminder...
be the first initial member of santa barbara hula hoop group... tues, may 22 6pm hula hoop in the park. hula hoop meetup group.

see your light

My friend shared this Light Movie with me and now I want to share it with the world! It's beautiful. It's about your light. Click here to watch it.

you can always share your thoughts by emailing me: maria@destressessentials.com or use form on website to contact us.

natural beaty product review - organic fiji

For green body care fans out there, Organic Fiji was listed in iVllage's top 6 favorite natural beauty product lines:

"The brainchild of a California businessman, Organic Fiji promotes the vitamin-rich, natural healing and moisturizing properties of 100 percent certified organic coconut oil. With one of the world's only certified organic coconut plantations, the company uses an ancient Fijian recipe for its soaps. Its facial products protect the skin with natural antioxidants, and the company is committed to clean, humane and healthy environmental practices."

- Eileen Sutton

Click here to watch video on de-stress essentials

shop de-stress essentials for 100% certified organic coconut oil body care by organic fiji

full article on ivillage

tuesday feels like monday

it's so funny i'm gone for a week and today feels like monday and monday felt like sunday. since i abandoned a 'normal' routine when left the 9-5 working world and started on this journey early last year, dates/times are not as important as what i do with the days given to me. i work much longer hours but it's work that my creative spirit guides me to do and it's worth the long days.

after coming back from the retreat i felt totally refreshed! sunday my husband and i and sabrina in towe drove north of our home and spent the day fixing up minor things around the house we're selling. it's about an hr north of here on the coast and it goes on the market tomorrow! and today my book keeper came over and we tackled financials i've been putting off. ahhhh. wonderful feeling of forward movement.

then i got a wonderful email from a woman going through an entrepreneurship program at WEV and commented on how she was inspired by my business plan as part of her curriculum. funny how good things start happening when i have a positive refreshed perspective. i love the saying that goes 'if you change your routine, you change your perspective'.

here's to retreats + laughter + yoga + friendship!

HA HA HA
Yours in laughter,

Maria
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher


p.s. the hoop group play date has changed to tuesday, may 22. click here for details/sign up.

laughter yoga experience

saturday i came back from an incredible week of laughter yoga. i had no idea what to expect prior to arriving. my heart guides me to strange places and i'm always better for it. well, i learned i still have alot of laughter in me, that i can laugh for no reason at all, that i don't need jokes to laugh, that laughing for 10 min is like excerising for 30 min and that laughing reduces stress and brings more oxygen to the body and brain therefore increasing our energy and levels of enthusiasm.

In addition to the laughter excerises, laughter mediations and guided meditations, i learned about the inner spirit of laughter from dr. kataria, the founder of laughter yoga and more than being our trainer for the week. i really felt my physical, emotional and mental self was stronger than when i came into the retreat. my husband even noticed the difference. i leave you with something i came away with from dr. kataria, it's an old concept from ayurveda that says that the body is like a house and in your house there are 5 rooms of work/life balance. if one of these rooms is dirty then there is imbalance. care for the rooms if there's imbalance.

the 5 rooms are:
1 - self: know who you are
2 - family: have connections with you biological family
3 - work: life doesn't begin and end with work
4- social: connect with other people, volunteer, social, neighbors, etc
5- spiritual: have your higher force working within you

"Life has no meaning, we put meaning into life"
- Dr. Madan Kataria

water bottle alternative

In April's blog post i wrote about my needing improvement on using less plastic water bottles. So here's my friend Jim's take on the whole drinking water out of plastic water bottles alternative that are delivered to the store by gas-guzzling trucks. whew that was a mouth full. He said the following and I quote him...

I had this same dilemma last year and did some research. I now do a two-step process:

1) I take ordinary SB tap water and run it through a Brita filter. Then ..

2) I take the Brita filtered water and run it through a ceramic filter made by a company called Doulton

The water is significantly better tasting than after passing through just the Brita filter. It tastes even better if put in the refrigerator but perhaps that is cheating a little.

I use the stand-alone gravity fed stainless steel model. Here is the link:

http://doultonusa.com/HTML%20pages/portable_systems.htm

Thanks Jim!

World Laughter Day!

ha ha ha

I had the honor of spending the most incredible and inspiring week of my life at a week long laughter yoga training/spiritual retreat with the man who started this laughter phenomenon movement, Dr. Madan Kataria a medical doctor from India who started his first laughter club in a park in Mumbai India with only 5 people and has now grown to a 5,000 clubs in over 55 countries! I'll write more on my experiences later but today go out and laugh... for no reason at all. Check out this page for more on this laughter movement and where to celebrate it with others in your city.

ha ha ha,
maria

click here to find a laughter club in your area

The best blush to use is laughter: It puts roses in your cheeks and in your soul.
-Linda Knight

sensible living through laughter

For fun today, i read the book Laugh For No Reason by Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the laughter yoga clubs movement. This is a book I wouldn't have chosen except that it's recommended reading for the laughter yoga training/spiritual retreat i'll be headed into next week. my journey seems to be taking me to interesting places. people i tell this to either get a little quiet, are fascinated by it or they think i'm a nut nut. i'm looking forward to meeting dr. kataria and learning about laughter yoga.

the book is a generous blend of scientific studies of the health and social benefits of laughter yoga - for those logical skeptics (like brett my husband!), the growing movement around the world, how it all started in Mumbai, India and the dreams of world peace through the inner spirit of laughter.

"health and happiness through laughter and the spirit of laughter"

sign up for hula hooping in the park for creative play de-stress at meetup. it's a free community service i'm offering to provide practical tools for sensible living. in santa barbara, ca. 1st play date is tues may 22. go to meetup for details.