Baby Steps for the New Year
Happy New Year! The start of a new year always brings along the feeling that I need to make resolutions or at least make a fresh start on things that are important to me, likely you are the same. So how do you go about doing this? Many years ago, I followed a blog to help put order back into my home, the most important thing I learned through that following was that taking baby steps was the best way to accomplish things that needed to be done. So, as you reflect on things that are important, things that you want to change, create a list of "baby steps" to move you along that road to your end goal.
Here are some ideas for the most common New Starts!
1) Detox - Detox your skin naturally to renew that youthful glow. Why is it important to detox? Over the course of a year, your skin comes into contact with many chemicals, chemicals in your laundry detergent, your lotions, your sunscreens, all of these chemicals are absorbed by your skin. Take a few days to give your body a break from all of these toxins, a rest, so to speak. Nourish it with a light fast and detox with a few natural products great at renewing your mind, body and spirit.
- Charcoal soap - a naturally detoxing bar that aids in clearing the skin, this bar gets rave reviews, if you haven't tried it, now is the time. Also available in unscented for those with sensitive skin.
- Detox soap - a great detox bar with dead sea mud and a blend of essential oils known for their ability to detox the skin. You can also lather up with these soaps and leave it on for a few minutes to let the dead sea mud or charcoal work at adsorbing the toxins.
- Detox Bath Bomb - relax and soak for 20-30 minutes with my detox bath bomb. I like to break my bath bomb in half and use it for two baths.
2) Lose weight - Watch what you eat and try to exercise a few times a week, in addition, there are many essential oils that can aid you on your journey, grapefruit essential oil for instance is excellent in this respect.
Grapefruit Bath Bombs - bathe in grapefruit, the best way for it to absorb into your skin.
Grapefruit Scrub - Prefer to take a shower? A scrub is the perfect way to use grapefruit in the shower, it provides exfoliation and aromatherapy benefits of grapefruit.
3) Natural Beauty - Now is the time to take a fresh start with your beauty care routine. Minimize what you use and pay attention to the ingredient list. You can have amazing skin with natural ingredients. Make it a point to change 1 or 2 products to more natural products for your skin this month!
4) Less Stress - It's not easy to have less stress, but you can change the way you handle stress. Take time for yourself, and make it a point to bring more essential oils into your routine. Pure therapeutic essential oils can provide a calming affect. Try lavender, peaceful or lavender dream, all of these oils and oil blends will relax the body and mind. Place a drop or two on the back of your neck or on the bottoms of your feet, you can also put a drop on your pulse points. Another good way to use essential oils is via wax melts or an essential oil diffuser, both allow the essential oils to be diffused into the air, thereby benefiting everyone in your home.
How to know if your Natural products are REALLY Natural
Sometimes it's hard to tell if something is really as natural as it says. Labels can be really misleading. So, here are a few things to look for in natural bath and body products.
First, if someone is selling a product with essential oils in it, make sure it comes in a colored bottle or jar. I see so many people selling essential oil products in clear jars or bottles. Essential oils can be harmed by heat and sunlight, the actual quality of your essential oil can be adversely affected. Store your essential oil products out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. That means don't leave them in your car in the summer!
Second, always check the ingredient list, look for things like SLS(Sodium Laurel Sulfate) or like names that have been proven as harmful. Many natural product companies use SLS and still call their products natural.
Third, if you are searching for essential oils, there are so many different types, some good, some not so good. Try to find a reputable source, look at their history, their knowledge, how they package and ship their products. These can all be good indicators of the quality of a product. There are many altered essential oils out there, some contain part fragrance oils or have been watered down. NEVER take essential oils internally unless you have done your research and have a trusted source for your essential oils.
Last, I have been using essential oils for over 12 years and have tried many different essential oils. I recommend you take the time to educate yourself about essential oils to know what each oil is used for and how to use it. Don't rely on claims made by products, do the research yourself. There are many good books and even websites that can start you on your journey.
