In a walnutty world........

Walnuts are one of ten "super foods." Super foods provide multiple disease-fighting nutrients and fill you up so you can enjoy plenty of food without excess calories. Walnuts are great because you can enjoy them in everyday meals.

Not only are walnuts a good addition to any healthy eating plan, the omega-3 essential fatty acids make them a good method for fighting inflammatory skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis.

Eating walnuts also helps improve skin smoothness because the oil contains lincolic acid, which maintains skin structure. Walnut shells can be ground up for a natural exfoliate ingredient. The leaf extract can also be used in skin care products for its astringent and conditioning properties.

Got any fave recipes or beauty products using this nutty classic?

Beauty in your fridge

Here are the last recipes from your kitchen and today's are good for all skin types.

• Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea help fight free radical damage. Green tea can be applied directly to the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Some research has linked green tea treatments to the prevention of skin cancer and signs of aging resulting from sun exposure.

For a powerful, antioxidant punch brew one to two tea bags for each cup of water, let it cool then apply to your face after cleansing.

• Salt and Sugar

Maybe not the best for your insides, but applied as a scrub, these two are great natural exfoliates. They help loosen lifeless skin cells that need to be physically removed. The glycolic acid in sugar, paired with its rough texture makes it ideal for exfoliation treatments.

Mix a teaspoon of sugar or salt with any cleanser and apply in small, circular motions. Rinse with warm water.

Beauty in your fridge

We have covered some great all-natural treatments for acne, combination and normal skin. Here are some great finds for the dry skin girls:

• Avocados

They are great for moisturizing and rejuvenating because they are packed with monounsaturated fats and vitamins B and E. Also rich in vitamin C, avocados stimulate collagen and reduce some signs of aging.

For a surge of moisture, mix one tablespoon of ripe avocado, add half a teaspoon of honey and mix. Stir in a small amount of almond meal until creamy. Be sure to apply to a clean, make-up free face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and finish with a rinse of vinegar pH balancer.

• Bananas

This high in potassium fruit has the same benefits of an avocado. But the banana gives the skin a long lasting healthy glow.

Mash a banana and add two teaspoons of yogurt. Mix until creamy and apply immediately to the skin. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes, then remove it with a spatula and rinse.

Do you have any favorite natural remedies I missed?

Want America to be a Climate Leader?

Get Involved and Make history with us and be entered to win in the World’s Biggest
Green Sweepstakes! When you sign up to win from hundreds of green prizes from your favorite green companies (including Scandle Massage Candles), you will also receive a weekly email with a simple and easy call to action. Collectively, we’re going to add up to big change. And, it’s just about time, too. World leaders are meeting in Copenhagen in December to hopefully come to an international agreement on the world-wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. If America is going to truly be a leader, our leaders need to hear from us now. So, let’s realize our power and show that we add up. There will be over 230
winners in the Climate Action Giveaway and each prize will help you lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Enter to Win today! http://www.climategiveaway.com

Good Luck!

Beauty in your fridge

Today's cures come from your pantry:

• Honey

Considered to be one of the best natural acne fighters, honey is known for its antibacterial properties. It can actually kill the bacteria associated with the cause of acne. To reap the benefits of this great household product, massage a small amount of lightly heated honey onto your skin; or dab it on individual blemishes to speed up the repair time.

• Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed out of the several grades, and the best option for skin care treatments. You can apply EVOO to your face as part of a daily skin care routine. With continued use, it can reduce hyperpigmentation.

Beauty in your fridge

In today's fluctuating market, people are cutting back on some of the things we use to feel were a mandatory accessory in life. Throughout the week, Scandle will be letting you in on some kitchen cures for your skin that are easy on the wallet and easy on time. So before you clean out the refrigerator, take a second look at these great skin cures:

• Strawberries

Strawberries can be used to condition and tone any skin type. One way to help lighten pigmentation problems and keep you skin smooth is to mash up some strawberries and use them as an astringent or cleansing mask.

• Carrots

If you have oily or acne prone skin, this vitamin A packed vege is you new best friend. Carrots have proven to be as effective at dealing with acne as retinoids.

To make a cooked carrot mask, boil three large carrots and mash or blend them. Add five tablespoons of honey. Apply lightly in an upward motion and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Got any Scandle-ous do-it-yourself beauty tips and products, tell us.

Beauty from the outside in

More and more studies are being published about the effects of what we ingest through food, beverages and air. Here are five simple steps to insure what your getting from the outside benefits your inside the most.

1. Always include a skin healthy diet in your routine. Be sure to included foods that contain fatty acids, antioxidants and proteins. Fatty acids improve the skin layer where moisture is absorbed to keep irritations out.
   
2. Always, always, always monitor your sun exposure. Do not underestimate the importance of sunscreen.
3. Hydrate. Remember you do not have to drink 8 glasses of water a day to get you minimum requirements. Yes it is important to drink water but ingesting raw fruits and veges that are loaded with nutrients and structured water cut down on the number of glasses needed.
4. Exercise. If you cannot make it to the gym, take a brisk walk around the block. A daily dose of any physical activity can oxygenate and rejuvenate the skin while providing good circulation and blood flow.
   
5. Meditate or fine some personal time. Stress is one of the major causes of weight gain and skin irritations. Always remember to take some time for you.

Green retailers get a D-minus from consumers

A recently published study found that when it comes to giving their consumers information about green purchases, retailers get a D-minus. Around 40 percent of consumers in all markets say the information provided to them on green products is insufficient.

Shoppers want to be assured that when they pay that extra cash for a "green" or "organic" product, they are spending their cash on a truly green purchase. The study findings suggest that most green claims are used too loosely, leaving consumers in the dark about the actual environmental advantages of choosing that "green" product over the other ones.

It is important to remember that if you are in the business of green products, make sure you have a detailed ingredient list on your product. Also, display detailed signage or literature on the benefits of a consumer choosing your product over a not-so-green alternative.

Let's raise that D-minus to an A-plus!!

Tap back into your water!

Many of us think that bottled water is a much safer option than who knows what coming out of our kitchen sinks. But, a recent report published last month says bottled water is actually less-regulated by the FDA than tap water.

The report finds that the FDA has very little authority over bottled water and several companies do not disclose their sources of purification.

If you cannot find your favorite bottled water company's source of purification or want to add a new step in your greening efforts at home, try switching to tap water and using an eco-friendly portable water bottle.

If you are still a little weary about tap water, you can purchase a water purification device that attaches directly to your sink. In the long run that devices saves money you would have spent on all those plastic bottles.

Beauty Goes Green

Beauty Goes Green

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10 Uses for the Aloe Vera Plant

The aloe vera plant is easy to cultivate. Its thick, spiky green fronds add color and interest to any windowsill or garden patch, and you can grow it indoors or outside. Either way, your simple little aloe vera plant can be useful beyond just being aesthetically pleasing.

1. Treat burns. One of the most popular uses, especially in the summer time when sunburns are as in season as ice cream cones, aloe vera can instantly soothe minor burns. Cut off a piece of the frond and gently apply the juice onto the burn. It has cooling properties similar to menthol, which will instantly calm damaged skin.

2. Reduce redness on your skin. If you have some red blotches on your skin, rub some aloe vera juice on it. The redness should begin fading almost instantly.

3. Make a simple sugar rub for your dry skin. Combine two tablespoons of aloe vera, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Use the grainy mixture to exfoliate the rough patches on your elbows and knees.

4. Use it in place of hair gel. Instead of rubbing chemicals all over your hair, simply dip your hands into some aloe vera juice and run it through your hair. Your hair will still have that “wet look” that hair gel gives, and it’ll leave it silky when you wash it out.

5. Relieve stomach pain. Drink some aloe vera juice the next time you feel bloated or cramped. You can even mix it into your favorite drink if you do not like the taste of the plant.

6. Relieve constipation. Aloe vera has a laxative effect, so sip some of the juice when you’re feeling backed up.

7. Reduce pimple size. Rubbing the cut plant on your stubborn pimples can reduce the swelling, thereby making it less visible. It will also lessen the redness around the pimple.

8. Treat small blisters. If your new pair of shoes has given you a blister, gently rub aloe vera juice on it. The plant has a mild antibacterial property to it, giving your blisters a natural protectant.

9. Moisturize your feet. Mix together four tablespoons of aloe vera, half a cup of oatmeal, half a cup of cornmeal, and half a cup of body lotion. Apply it to your feet, focusing on your heels, and leave it on for about three minutes. Rinse off the mixture, and you’ll reveal softer feet.

10. Protect your face from the elements. Rub the aloe vera plant on your face before you set out into a harsh environment, like a sunny, windy, or snowy one. The moisturizing properties of the plant will keep your skin from chapping or drying out.

This post was contributed by Hannah Watson, who writes about the online nursing program. She welcomes your feedback at HannahWatson84@ yahoo.com

Smell your way happy

More and more research is beginning to confirm what all of us already knew, the effects of smell are real. Smell can positively effect your mood. One study suggests that scent exposure to a particular fragrance can even reawaken memories of an experience from the distant past.

Essential oils are generally characterized by notes (top, middle or base). A base note is always the deepest and heaviest scent. A top note is always light and airy and the middle falls in between the two.

Usually a lighter note is used to elevate a person's spirit and deal with emotions. A base note should be used to address deep tissue problems.

Don't forget your Scandle originals, infused with essential oils to help you with any kind of day.

What are your favorite essential oil smells? Do share your Scandle-ous faves.

Massage After Burning

In a recent study published earlier this year, subjects were put through variables of exercise workouts. Immediately following those workouts, their muscles were massaged.

The results........ massaging the sore muscles used in intense workouts helped them to recover faster and limited the negative effects of lactic acid buildup.

Your muscles produce lactic acid during these intense workouts. The more intense the workout, the more lactic acid is produced. The more acid your body accumulates, the more fatigued and pained the muscles become.

While lactic acid will eventually dissipate on its own, blood circulation helps to get rid of it quicker. Buildup of lactic acid can cause muscle craps and spasms. Some findings suggest massage may also promote the release of endorphins, which naturally alleviate pain.

Don't forget your Scandle in our original scents for a good post-workout massage.

More than a review, a resource.

Living My MoMent recently featured Scandle in a great review. This blog is a great resource to mommies and mommy-friendly businesses. Living My Moment's tag line says it all, "Supporting businesses and blogs, one MoM at a time."

Be sure to check out the free advertising for MoM businesses and MoM blogs. It is always great to find new and innovative ways to get your products out there, especially when times are a little tough.

Please share with us any Scandle-ous blogs or Web sites you have come across aimed at helping local or smaller businesses.

Holiday Scandle Massage Candle Spa Experience Gift Set Product Review

Holiday Scandle Massage Candle Spa Experience Gift Set Product Review

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Natural products aren't just for the big kids anymore

Baby care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the cosmetics and toiletries industry. But questions over the safety of a number of cosmetic ingredients, such as parabens, phthalates and triclosan have made headlines over the negative effects research is starting to show.

Expectant mothers and parents of new-borns are now searching for personnel care products free from certain chemicals and synthetic colors, fragrances and dyes. Particularly because of the rise in levels of some chemicals in products. These chemicals, combined with the environmental changes, some studies suggest, have become significant factors in the rising rates of baby allergies.

Growth opportunities for baby care, particularly within the natural category, are steadily on the rise. But, with great opportunity comes strict scrutiny. Just like the big girls cosmetic industry, consumers must be wary of the "natural" or "organic" stamp on personnel care. Here are some tips that work for baby as well as mommy, when selecting personnel care items:

• MUST be paraben-free
• NO phthalates or triclosan
• Contains natural scents (Shea butter, essential oils) not synthetic fragrances
• The product must not be created, processed or form from synthetic solvent extraction, synthetic additions or hydrogenation
• All products and ingredients should be derived from nature, free of chemical processing.
  

Scandle Candles are paraben-free and all ingredients are FDA approved including: high grade cosmetic soy butter, Shea butter, jojoba, vitamin E, and body safe fragrances or essential oils.

Do you know of any scandle-ous natural baby products or even some Mommy can enjoy? Do tell.

Treat yourself to an avocado

This green fruit is not only good for you body and well-balanced diet but it also a powerhouse source of skin-saving nutrients.

Avocados are good sources of vitamins C and E, which are know free-radical fighters that help prevent aging.

Many spas offer facials including avocados aimed at dehydrated skin, but now new research shows that avocados are of great use in treatments aimed at acne and breakout-prone complexions. The avocado has mild antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies have even found that a compound containing a significant amount of avocado can speed wound recovery.