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Have you ever experienced a luxury spa treatment? Once when I was going through a particularly rough patch I treated myself to a serious pampering. Even though I didn’t discuss my problems I felt the spa attendants were in tune with my body and they treated me wonderfully. I left feeling rejuvenated and more importantly strong.  It’s sometimes hard to remember, especially when feeling stressed or when life is super complicated, slowing down actually helps get things done or gives a much needed new perspective.  

Unfortunately we are not always able to treat ourselves to a spa experience. The next best thing is a home spa treatment.

Here are some quick tips for turning your bathroom into a mini spa.

• Schedule your spa treatment. This is important because you need time to plan and prepare. You also need to give yourself the message that this is “ME” time.  
• Gather all your supplies and clean the bathroom well ahead of time. Your experience will be far more relaxing if the preparation and treatment are separated by a bit of time.
• What’s your favorite bathtub read?  This is your time so indulge.  Maybe it’s a lifestyle/Hollywood gossip magazine or rereading an old favorite.  Have you seen the tables that fit across your tub- you might want to invest in one.
• Purchase a few natural bath products. Your skin absorbs what you put on it, so I avoid chemicals and fake colors or scents.  
• Flowers or candles can add some serious atmosphere.
• Pour something to drink; water, tea or a glass of wine.
• Decide on entertainment. Do you want complete quiet? Music?  You can watch a favorite movie or show on your laptop.
• Depending on the weather fill the tub with hot or cool water. Hot baths release toxins and cool baths are refreshing.

Ahhh, in less than an hour you’ll feel re-energized, refreshed with soft, smooth skin.

In our everyday life we are exposed to around 85,000 different chemicals.  These chemicals are everywhere, food, drink, laundry and cleaning products and of course our personal care products including soaps, shampoo, conditioner and lotions.

According to Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) many of these everyday chemicals have not been tested.  And the general way of testing is on adult males in industrial settings.  One of the big problems is women tend to use the majority of personal care products and even with changing role models and life styles women still are the big users of laundry and cleaning products.

According to a study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, women use around nine personal care products each day and depending on what type of product they use this can mean their skin is exposed to around 100 different chemicals.  Even though we are all for equality, there are some difference between men and women and exposure to chemicals.  First, lots of chemicals get stored in fat and women have more fat tissues than men.  Also, women have babies and breastfeed which can impact our little ones health.

Women also get a period each and every month.  Products designed for this time of month are often loaded with chemicals to give the scent of fresh and clean. Companies don’t have to disclose ingredients in these products.  Women’s Voices for the Earth has a “Detox the Box” campaign and because of their hard work, two companies Procter and Gamble and Kimberly Clark and starting to put ingredients on their personal care product boxes.   Here is a cute link to a Detox the Box spoof video-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N08X_MmALGg  

It's not that all chemicals are bad- it's more that an awareness of chemicals is a good thing.  You can't avoid chemicals but you can choose to reduce your chemical intake.  The first step is to become a label reader.  Labels, in my opinion are designed to be complicated.  Long words and small print.   Another option is to purchase from small or indie businesses.  The salsa, bread or soap maker can tell you what’s in their product and often works hard to source ethical and wholesome ingredients.  

For more info visit

World Ocean Day was June 8th and this year the theme was plastic.  “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planets” encourages individuals and organizations across the planet to take action for preventing plastic pollution in our ocean.

In a nutshell, here is what's happening- we as humans are simply becoming far too dependent on plastic.  Plastic is everywhere.  And as our lives get busier and busier, convenience is what we want and plastic is often the solution.

The problem is plastic is a material that is made to be durable.  Yet so much of the plastic we use is single use- think water bottles, grocery bags, coffee cups, lids and straws.  Single use plastic is the term used to describe this type of plastic.  It’s often used only one time.  And let’s be honest- this type of plastic has the least chance of actually being recycled.  For example, after a great movie, it’s easy to toss your popcorn, soda cup and straw right into the trash.  The result, in America we use about 30 million tons of plastic per year and only 8% gets recycled.  The rest is incinerated or simply allowed to settle on the Ear

Plastic is made from oil.  17 million barrels of oil are used to make water bottles that are used only once.  It’s not healthy to reuse many plastic containers because you have no idea what chemicals have been added.  Chemicals like BPA can seriously affect our bodies.

When plastic settles into the Earth it simply keeps breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces.  These pieces end up in the water system and finally dumped into our oceans.

The reason World Ocean Day focused on plastic this year is because our oceans make our Earth livable for all creatures big and small, land or water.  We need healthy oceans for a healthy Earth no matter where one chooses to live.   And sadly, much of our single use plastic ends up floating in our oceans.  Sea creatures mistake plastic for food and this leads to all sorts of serious issues.

Dulse and Rugosa is an island based business.  We harvest seaweeds from our shores.  We want clean oceans now and for future generations.  And if that is a bit inconvenient- tough.   

Here are some great resources-

http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/

http://www.lonelywhale.org/ 

 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.