News — Dulse and Rugosa

Have your heard the saying, “A dog’s life’?  Originally it meant that life was darn hard.  Sleeping rough, guarding property and chasing rats.  Now days, many dogs live pretty sweet lives.  We notice so many cute dogs on our travels that we decided to ask a few to share their beauty tips.

Tip #1  Drink Plenty of Water

How much water a dog needs depends on size, activity level and of course the weather.  Humans are around 60% water and we lose water throughout the day.  It’s recommended you sip up to ½ a gallon a day.  Try infusing your water with fresh fruits and herbs to add a bit of beauty and hopefully you'll be drinking your daily requirement.  

Tip #2     Get Plenty of Sleep

Dogs need about 12-14 hours of sleep and have the ability to sleep just about anywhere- the couch, the bed, the back seat of the car.  Humans need around 8 and we often struggle with getting enough sleep.  A bedtime routine can really help.  Our soothing “Bring on the ZZZZ’s balm can be part of your nightly routine.  Simply rub on temples and under your nose to help you take those important deep breaths.  Herbal tea and no TV are two other tips to help you get your ZZZZ’s.

Tip #3   Don’t Forget to Floss

Dogs chew a lot and this chewing is good for their teeth.  Flossing helps our gums, gets rid of stuck bits of food and helps keep our breath nice and sweet.  

Tip #4   Size Doesn’t Matter

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and so do we.  Dogs don’t worry too much about their size but we sure do.  Embrace your size and find some clothes that feel good and make you look good.  For me, skinny jeans just make me feel awkward and I feel and therefore look better in boot cut jeans.  I stick with what makes me feel good.

Tip #5  Treat Yourself to a Natural Facial 

Dogs love to dig and get dirty.  Sometimes we need to do the same and a facial is one way to go.  It’s an easy way to make your skin look fresh and lovely.  Remember you want natural ingredients not a bunch of chemicals.

Tip #6  Spas are an Occasional Treat

All our dogs hate baths but love, love, love a good soak.  You deserve an occasional soak yourself.  The benefits of a relaxing bath along with a glass of wine and a good book are many.  If you don’t have a tub or the time, treat yourself to our Shower Shots- made in jello shot molds they’re a “Happy Hour for Your Shower”.

Tip #7 Dress Up Occasionally

There are a lot of fun accessories for dogs and occasionally dress up and heading out is the perfect antidote to having too much to do.    

Tip #8  Moderation

Yesterday at sunset, walking out the door of the Samoset, I overheard a little girl “from away” say to her dad, “Wow, I think I’m in heaven.”  The sun was just setting and it was gorgeous- so lovely social media posts were filled with shots of the red mingling to pink sky.  The family continued to talk about how you just don’t get views like this back home.

They are right, there is a reason Maine is known as vacationland and I consider myself lucky to live here.  Here are my top six reasons why I love Maine.

Beauty

Maine is just so beautiful.  I drive to work and marvel at my views.  I have roads I love to take because of ocean, mountain, sky.  The colors in fall especially as the sun hits the tress and shimmers in lovely blue light makes me wish I was a poet.

The Ocean

I see the ocean everyday and make a point to appreciate the changing seasons and moods reflected in the water.  Our local dog park is water friendly and I love to end my afternoons breathing in the salt air and watching dogs swim and fetch sticks.  Going to the beach with your dog is fun, here's a list of dog friendly Maine beaches.

Lobsters

We’re famous for lobsters here in Maine.  Coming home from Farm Markets there is always a traffic jam in Wiscasset- people are lined up for Red’s Eats famous lobster rolls.  Then there is the boiled lobster dipped in butter, lobster mac and cheese and even lobster sausage.  The Maine Lobster Festival happens every year in Rockland and this is an opportunity to celebrate all things lobsters.

Blueberries

Blueberry season starts the end of July.  Maine blueberries are tiny and sweet- full of flavor.  They are harder to pick than the highbush varieties but worth the effort.  The berries are “wild” and grow by bee pollination.  Blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie and more recipes can be found at Wyman's Blueberries.

Seaweed

Maine is number one in the country for seaweed harvesting and the cold mineral rich waters in Maine make our seaweeds valued worldwide.  Seaweeds are divided into three categories, green like sea lettuce, reds like nori and the browns like kelp.  Adding Maine seaweeds to your diet is a great way to get trace minerals and vitamins as well as a delicious umami flavor sensation.  Visit the Maine Seaweed Council for more details on amazing Maine seaweeds.

Farmer’s Markets

We are proud to be a Maine farm.  In Maine the slogan is “Get Real-Get Maine”.  Anytime you purchase from a farm be it vegetables, value added products like jams or skincare you are helping to grow the economy and protect our fragile environment.

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 Adjusting to the "fall back" time change is rough for me.  Around 4:15 I go into Henny Penny mode and think the sky is falling.  It just gets dark way to early.  Unfortunately stress is a fact of life and at times everyday stress can be difficult to manage.  How often do you hear someone moan, “I’m so stressed out?”.  “I don’t have enough time.”  “My house is a mess” and so on and so on.

Finding some routines, a ritual can help us deal with everyday stress and helps to lay a foundation for when times get really rough.  One step to help fight the war on stress is to be sure you exercise.  Not only does exercise keep your body healthy but it is good for your brain.  Sleep is another important factor.  Recently two loved ones struggled with lack of sleep.  They lost weight, were anxious, had trouble focusing and got irritated quickly.  Finally, don’t forget to stay hydrated.  I notice when my routine changes the first thing to go is making sure I drink my water and herb teas.

One part of stress management is breathing.  Being able to take deep breaths, what I call “Yoga Breaths” can help calm the “flight or fight” syndrome.  One way to encourage the habit of breathing is Aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is using the scents of plants, fresh, dried or in essential oils to help change your mood.  Certain plants and scents are associated with desirable qualities.  Lavender and Chamomile are relaxing.  Mints can energize.  Eucalyptus can be clearing and so on.

I tell our customers that one important factor is to choose a scent that smells good to them.  Quite a few years ago, Carly had a severe case of stress.  She was living overseas, lonely, scared and certain smells from her science classroom made her nausea.  When she moved back home, some smells were still a trigger.   She fought back by finding smells that relaxed and calmed her.  She carried around vials of essential oils for years and would  use them liberally whenever she felt a panic attack coming.  At Dulse & Rugosa, the almost magical relief from scents is one of the reason we love to make and sell our unique products.

Therapeutic and beautiful, Botanical Essence Oils will lift your spirits gently and naturally.  If you are looking for a natural way to help maintain a healthy mind and body discover our Botanical Essence Oils.  Simple, easy to use and beautiful our hand blended botanical essence oils are packed full of flower power! Our three carefully crafted blends will help you manage everyday stress and help you adjust to the time change.

We often get asked, “How long will this last?”  The idea behind Aromatherapy is not to find something that last a long time.  Rather it is to develop a ritual, a habit to help you be your best self.  Find a scent you love and give yourself some sweet flower therapy.