Yak About your favorite Scandle

Scandle is set to be featured on Yak About It this Monday and we need your help!!


Yak About It is a great site that promotes products and inventors. They only carry items that are from inventors and independent entrepreneurs.

Everyday or every Monday, two products battled it out for purchase, attention and the title of the "Most Yakable."

Help us win Monday's, February 1, Most Yakable. Share your stories, raves or favorite fragrance with us.

Valentine's night in

If you are planning to stay in with your loved one this Valentine's Day, you have got to try this lover inspired cocktail to coincide with a romantic dinner.


Brazilian Rose

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Leblon cachaça
• 3 oz guava juice
• Splash of triple sec
• Rose petals

Preparation:

• Pour all of the liquid ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker
• Shake well
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
• Garnish with one rose petal

Got your own favorite Valentine's drink recipe? Let us know.........

Red is the new green

Move over green tea, there is a new kid in town. Well, not too new.

Red tea has be around for centuries to soothe allergies, asthma and digestive problems.

Green tea has been hailed for years as one of the best ways to get your surge of antioxidants. But red tea is now making breakthroughs in the beauty industry. The antioxidant properties are 50 times higher in red than in green tea.

Red tea comes from South Africa and contains the highest levels of the most potent antioxidant, superoxide dismutase. These antioxidants are used in cosmetic products to reduce free radical damage to skin; more commonly to reduce fibrosis following radiation for breast cancer.

While many spas in the US are now serving up various red tea treatments, you can also consume the beverage daily, like green tea, to reap many of its topical benefits.


Got any red tea-rific treatments you have to rave about? Let us know....

Essential oil that cellulite away

We all have it; and women are much more likely to have the uneven, dimpled or trademark cottage-cheese-looking skin.

Many uncontrollable factors such as hormones, heredity, circulation and age contributor to cellulite. But your diet, exercise routine and massage regimen can also aid in the treatment of it.

Aromatherapy treatments are a great way to stimulate your body's circulatory system which aids in the redistribution of blood and lymphatic fluid, which is essential in the treatment of cellulite.

For your own cellulite treatment, essential oil massage, try the following:

• Combine 8 drops of juniper breeze oil with 10 drops of geranium and 2 drops of peppermint
• Mix your oils with about an ounce of sweet almond oil (you can also use fragrance-free lotion)
• Massage in a circular motion around the areas most in need of the treatment

This massage will stimulate circulation and support detoxification in the areas where cellulite accumulates.

What are some natural remedies you have tried? Where they successful? Let us know........

Vacation for your health

A new study released in the Netherlands says people who take regular vacations have many more health benefits than those who do not.

Regular vacationers not only have lower stress levels, they also weigh less, have lower blood pressure and develop fewer disease. There is even evidence they live longer too.

The study also showed that a change of your environment is beneficial to the brain. So remember when your planning those few and far between trips to completely change your scenery. It will help get those creative juices flowing once you return to work.

One sad thing about the study, in America especially, many people do not go on vacations at all.

If you are one of those lucky Americans who takes vacations, what's your favorite place to get away from it all? Let us know your top destination pick............

Post-holiday, pre-Valentine's help

Love is in the air, well Valentine's Day is in the air. The stores are stocked full of candy, chocolates and flowers but you don't have to wait until Valentine's Day for some pampering and romance.

Treat yourself to your own pre-Valentine's Day treatments with some of these ideas (you don't need a partner):

• Unwind by taking a bath. Fill the tub with bubbles, some aromatherapy oils and light a few candles. (Throw in some flower petals for an added romance feel)
  
• Get a foot massage, it will do wonders to liven up your senses. Do it yourself and incorporate Scandle's Chocolate Dipped Strawberry massage candle to get the full VDay workup.
• Splurge on a VDay inspired spa package. You can share one with your hunny for a special date or take a day off and invest in "me" time.

No matter what, it is important to treat yourself this year. Valentine's Day is about spending time with the one you love but it is also time to pamper yourself. We just finished the holiday season, who doesn't need a little recovery treatment?

What are you doing for yourself post-Holiday, pre-Valentine's Day? We all need some "me" time........ what's yours?

Pamper yourself, it might save your life

The World Health Organization says by 2020, the top 5 world-wide diseases will all have one common underlying contributing factor.......stress.

In today's fast-paced society it is important to remember that regular massage therapy, acupuncture and meditation are all natural ways to relieve stress.

With that said, you do not have to bust your wallet on these treatments. Any type of massage is a stress reliever. Create your own at-home spa (don't forget your Scandle). You don't have to be an expert to give a hand, foot or back massage.

If you prefer the spa treatments, look for spas that are offering spa samplers. These treatments have seen a dramatic rise in 2009, with spas offering shorter massage times but tons of great add on treatments.

What do you do to relieve stress? Let us know........

What a pain in the neck

While stress is a major factor in neck pain, your sleeping habits can create as much tension and pain as stress can. Many people either sleep on their stomachs (which is the biggest cause of sleep-related neck pain) or use a poor pillow.

If you suffer from neck pain and the messages are not working and you have reduced your stress inhibitors, think about investing in a memory foam or neck-support pillow. Also, did you know that there are certain types of pillows for certain types of sleepers?

• If you sleep on your back you need a flat, medium firm bed pillow
• If you are a side sleeper, invest in good neck support
• If you are a stomach sleeper try to use a flat, soft pillow. If you can, try changing positions. Your neck will thank you later.

What do you do to reduce neck pain? Let us know......

Donate, but beware - how to help Haiti

By now many agencies and programs have started the recovery and relief program to help devestated Haiti.

While everyone can help and get involved, it is important to remember that in time of tragedy we still have to be wise about who we donate to.

If you want to donate money, your safest bet is the Red Cross. Not only is the Red Cross a trusted organization, it is present in Haiti and knows firsthand what supplies are needed. They have even made it as simple as texting HAITI to 90999 and $10 from your phone bill is donated to the Red Cross.

UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders, two other groups showing up frequently in calls for help, have set up sites for their Haiti efforts.

If you come across an organization but are wary of donating, check out this web site: Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of non-profits and aid organizations, has compiled a list of relief organizations working in Haiti that have attained three- or four-star ratings from their studies, and are generally considered trustworthy and efficient.

They're here....limited-edition Valentine's Day fragrances

Relax with your hunny this Valentine's with a Scandle-ous massage:

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: Ripe, red strawberries are surrounded by creamy milk chocolate notes and combine with a hint of sweet vanilla cream
• Cupid's Wings: soft perfume with notes of sweet musk

Already got your Valentine's Day gift? What are you giving your special someone this year?

Scandle Candle will be on the Daily Grommet!!!

We are so excited to be featured on the Daily Grommet on Monday, January 18th.

If you are looking for some Scandle this Valentine's Day be sure to tune in starting at noon EST. The Daily Grommet allows users to post questions, comments or raves about a new product.

If you are a fan of Scandle, help us get the word out on our unique product.

It would be wonderful to hear your thoughts, reflections and feedback about our products and to add them to the conversation - it's really easy to leave a comment in the "Talk about this Grommet" section. And if you want to make sure you don't miss our feature, sign up for the daily email from Daily Grommet. See you on Monday!

Sickle cell eased by massage therapy

Massage therapy continues to produce new medical results. In a study conducted by the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doctors found children with sickle cell disease, a rare blood disorder that affects red blood cells, benefited tremendously from massage.

The study reveled that the benefits the children received through massage were reduced pain, lower or no anxiety and depression symptoms were much lower.

The children who received the massages experienced drastically less of the negative emotions and pain the children in the controlled group felt.

Massage therapy is also known to enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow, the body’s natural defense system. It can also reduce post-surgery adhesion and swelling and pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

Have you seen other benefits from massage therapy?

Breast cancer survivors get alternative to implants

Soon breast cancer survivors will have an alternative to cosmetic surgery. A revolutionary new breast growing treatment will be available to breast cancer survivors this year.

Instead of artificial implants, a breast-shaped chamber is inserted under the chest skin. The technique, called Neopac, will first be offered only to breast cancer survivors, starting next month.

Within a decade, this process may even be an alternative to women who want to increase their bust size for cosmetic reasons.

What do you think about this new technology?

Japanese beauty, a world apart

Whew! Just got back from Japan this week and had a great time. While I enjoyed time with family and friends, I could not help but notice some of the unique beauty products around me.

While all beauty differs around the world, Japanese beauty is definitely some of the most unique.

Japanese women are known for their longer-than-average grooming time. In Japan, a woman can easily spend over 2 hours getting ready every day. Well if you used some of these top sellers in beauty, it might take that long too!

If you are bothered by the size of your nose and need to do something about it, pick up a Hana Hana Nose Stretcher. This stretcher looks pretty much like an over sized clothespin. At less than $7 at the average Japanese drug store, this "natural nose lift" is a real bargain in place of the plastic surgery version.

Another popular item in Japan is the face mask that apparently shrinks your face. In Japan, a slim face is a mark of beauty. Put on this rubber mask and it supposedly massages and melts away fat from your face.

Along with these popular items, there are about 100 different brands or versions of serums, powders, creams or tools claiming to create eye creases. Some have rave reviews but most product enhanced eye creases last about an hour.

Got any unique beauty products we need to know about? Have you tried any of the treatments mentioned above? Let us know.......

Vitamin supplements, myth or fact?

There continues to be a debate between topical vitamin skin care treatments and vitamin supplements taken by mouth. Vitamin deficiencies can make skin look lifeless.

In a recent study, patients who took nutritional supplements while also using topical applications of beauty products containing vitamins saw healthier skin, reduced sun damage and in some result it can even repair DNA.

Do vitamin supplements really improve your skin?

Well, health care experts believe that for people who follow a strict, daily diet that provides an adequate dose of vitamins and supplements, it may be unnecessary. But for those of us a little less on the daily strict diet program, supplements are a vital part of a balanced skin care routine.

Here are some vitamins and their skin healthy benefits:

• Vitamin A is a necessity for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue
• Vitamins C and E reduce the damage free radicals cause to our skin
• Vitamin B Complex is essential for the maintenance of skin, hair and nails
• Colostrum contains natural growth factors to nourish skin
• Omega 3 promotes a healthy cellular process

What other vitamins are good for your skin? If you know, let us in on it too!

Hot Chocolate, guilt free

Winter is in full swing and who doesn't enjoy a big mug full of hot cocoa? Well your skin will love it too.

To banish those winter blues, try a foot soak. Combine a small amount of almond oil and cocoa powder in a bowl or pedicure spa and soak with warm water and a splash of milk.

You can also treat yourself to a full at-home spa treatment by starting off with an exfoliating scrub. Combine Dead Sea Salts (like Scandle's Sea Salt Soak & Scrub), almond oil, chocolate cream and some vitamin E oil and scrub away. Then enjoy your foot soak.

Got any cocoa-rific treatments? Let us know.......