Zen out at your holiday party

If you have not started already, chances are this week will be full of holiday parties, dinners and small get-togethers. If you're hosting a holiday party, here is a great cocktail, sure to bring at least a little relaxation to this hectic time of year.

Dreaming of Zen Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 oz Zen Green Tea Liqueur
• 1/2 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
• 3 oz mango juice
• white pepper
• 2 oz cream
• mint leaves for garnish
• grated nutmeg for garnish

Directions

• Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice
• Shake well
• Strain into a champagne flute
  
• Garnish with a mint leaf and a sprinkle of nutmeg
  

My lipstick has what???

Recently, the FDA conducted a study on the levels of lead in lipsticks. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) conducted one as well. The new FDA study found lead levels in all 20 lipsticks they tested and the lead levels were 4 times higher than the CSC test.

Lead in your lipstick is an extreme health concern, think about how many times a day you reapply your lipstick or lip gloss. Some reports state that we consume 4 to 9 pounds of lipstick in our lifetime.

Not all lipsticks are created equal. In the CSC test, 39 percent of lipsticks were lead-free, so there is no need for lead in lipsticks.

So check you labels and make sure you buy products with complete ingredient lists. Always know what you are putting in your body and on your skin.

Got any great lead-free lipsticks we need? Let us know...............

Peppermint holiday helper

By now candy canes are appearing everywhere from grocery stores to shopping malls. This edible Christmas time staple contains a valuable ingredient when it comes to skincare and health: peppermint

Peppermint oil's health treatments include: indigestion relief, help with respiratory problems, and relief from headaches, nausea, fevers and more. And it is also a stress reliever, making it perfect for the holidays.

However, be careful with peppermint oil if you are pregnant. It can be too stimulating for expectant mothers.

To relieve those tension headaches all too common during this time of year, add one to two drops of peppermint essential oil to your conditioner. Shampoo, then massage the conditioner starting at the base of your hairline and work your way around in circular motions.

Got any great peppermint treatments? Let us know............

Prenatal Massage - not just for baby back pain anymore

Massage therapy is good for tired joints, fatigued or strained muscles and even just for relaxation purposes. A new study from the University of Miami found that pregnant women, between five and seven months, who received two massages a week had remarkable results.

The women had lower stress levels and less back pain than the women who did not receive the therapy. They also had fewer complications and signs of depression. The massage patients had 75 percent lower rate of premature birth and 80 percent lower incidence of low birth weight.

Now two massages a week can get a little pricey but you can always incorporate massage therapy you own way. Have the hubby, friend or family member give you a relaxing rub down (don't forget your Scandle).

What do you think about this new research?

Relieving the pain, the natural way to combat arthritis

The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of the joints'. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteo and rheumatoid.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not only affects the joints of the fingers, hips, knees and feet, but also the muscles and other tissues of the body. RA affects 1.3 million Americans and the cause is unknown.

There are several new drugs approved by the FDA for the management of RA but there are also some natural remedies that can produce the same results:

Well-balanced diet:

• People who have or are at risk for arthritis should consume foods that aid in the production of alkaline in the blood. Eat fruit and vegetables in the form of salads and at least two cooked vegetables a day.
• In most cases a raw vegetable juice therapy three times a day for about a week, aids in pain and swelling reduction. The therapy should be conducted at intervals of every two months for maximum relief.
  
• For every one pound of weight lost, there is a four pound reduction in the load exerted on
  the knee for each step taken during daily activities.

Raw Potato Juice Therapy:

• Considered one of the most successful biological treatments
• Cut a medium-sized potato (with skin) into thin slices and place into a large glass container filled with cold water, let it set overnight
• Drink in the morning on an empty stomach

Bodywork and Massage:

• There are various therapies and massage techniques aimed at aiding in the relief of joint pain and muscle aches
• Some of the techniques do need a trained professional but some others you can learn to do on your own.
  
• A simple massage to achy joints and muscles will aid in the overall pain reduction. For some tips, see this Scandle-ous review from Coupon Dad.
  

Got any natural treatments or therapies to help relieve the pain? Let us know........

Greening your Zzz's

Millions of people have trouble getting a good night's rest. These problems can be traced back to all sorts of sleep-related disorders, but what if your bedroom just needed a little "greening" to capture those Zzz's.

All mattresses sold in the US are required to meet fire safety tests. You need to be careful what fire retardants your mattress contains. While they serve the very important purpose of reducing the risks of fire, some have actually been identified as carcinogens (boric acid and antimony).

We all know that the majority of "green" furniture can get pretty pricey, but a mattress made out of natural latex, wool, or melamine can reduce exposure to toxins. If you can't invest right now, grab a hypoallergenic cover to create a barrier between you and your bed. We all know a girl has gotta have her beauty sleep.


Got any great bedroom greening ideas? Let us know.......

Scandle®, LLC Announces Exclusive Distributorship of Scandle® Body Candle and Scandle® Spa Products in South Korea

Hi guys! Scandle Massage Candles and complimentary spa products are now distributed in South Korea. Read more about it!

Click here

Cranberries - Texas Style

With the holidays upon us, I know we are all in need of a little stress relief. Today we take a break from our usual focus on spa and natural beauty to salute the cranberry cocktail. Drink and be merry!:D


Patti's Infamous Texas Cranberry Margaritas

* 1 1/4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries ( frozen is ok too)
* 3/4 cup tequila
* 1/2 orange liqueur
* 3 cups crushed ice

Blend all of the ingredients together and serve with a SUGARED rim

The above recipe makes about one blender. So if you are having a holiday party you might want to make a couple blenders full of this crowd pleaser!!!

Got any must-know holiday cocktail recipes? Let us know, we all need one during this time of year :)

Vanilla, worth its weight in gold

Vanilla extract is a commonly used cooking ingredient, but did you know it can also be used as an aphrodisiac and fever reducer?

The vanilla bean is the second most expensive bean in the world because of the difficult and time consuming growing and fermentation process. Sometimes over 6 months to produce the bean and as long as 2 years to age it.

Well somethings are really worth the wait! The scent of vanilla is found to physically reduce symptoms of stress and can be combined with other natural elements to create amazing spa treatments.

You can combine fresh vanilla, coconut and herbal extracts to soften skin. You can also add pure vanilla to a routine pedicure to hydrate and provide a simple, yet very effective, aromatherapy treatment.

Got any vanilla beauty treatments or products? Let us know.......

Scandle-ous Holiday Gift Guides

If you can't brave the store crowds on Friday, check out these gifting ideas, most can be purchased online. There are a few that have special offers/coupon codes, even a Scandle-ous one.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!


The Knack: The First Installment of the Friday Five
Just Cause: Just for Men
Deal Seeking Mom: 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Gift Guide
Safbaby.com: The Ultimate 'Safe Alternative' Holiday Gift Guide 2009 for Moms
The Glamour Quotient: Soyly Scandalous

Found some great holiday gift guides? Let us know....

Get ready, get set, SHOP!

Okay T-minus 3 days to Black Friday!!! Do you have your shopping lists and coupons ready to go? While Friday's official start to the holiday shopping season can be an absolute nightmare to some, don't forget, there are some natural ways to curb that holiday stress.

Throw some licorice in your bag before you set out. Licorice protects against the damaging effects of stress, reduces inflammation and boost the immune system. Valerian relaxes the nervous system and supports restful sleep. Passion fruit contains anti-anxiety properties. Kava is another great, natural stress reliever, it is used for anxiety, insomnia and as a over-all relaxant.

If you are going to be out and about all day, mix these ingredients in a small, leak-proof container and keep on hand to combat holiday fatigue and stress:

Mix:

• 1 tsp. of valerian rhizome.
• 1 tsp. of licorice root.
• 1 tsp. of siberian ginseng root.
• 1 tsp. of kava root.

Take one teaspoon every 3 or 4 hours.

Got any pre or post holiday shopping tips? Let us know.......

Herbal Dandruff Solutions

If there are flakes on your shoulders and it's not snowing out, you may be suffering from winter dandruff. I know that with the weather abuse and heaters on, I tend to suffer from the winter "flakes." There are shampoos on the market that are supposed to cure dandruff, but the only problem is that many of those shampoos contain chemicals that strip my hair of moisture, color (which I pay a ton for), and other goodies. So here are some natural solutions to get rid of dandruff, while preserving your tresses:

FENUGREEK is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. But the seeds have also been used as an effective hair-health treatment throughout the subcontinent for thousands of years.

Crushed Fenugreek Scalp Treatment

Ingredients:

•2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
•2 cups water
Directions:

Crush fenugreek seeds with a mortar and pestle and soak them in water overnight. The next day, apply the mixture to the scalp and massage well. Leave in for 10-15 minutes. Finish by washing hair with soap-nut (available at most natural food stores) or a mild shampoo. For maximum benefit, use this treatment twice a week.

Fenugreek and Yogurt Scalp Treatment

Ingredients:

•2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
•1 cup plain yogurt
Directions:

Soak fenugreek seeds in yogurt overnight. The next day, apply the mixture to the scalp and leave in for 30 minutes. Finish by washing hair thoroughly with a mild shampoo. Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Wash hair with witch hazel and lime juice to fight dandruff, naturally.

WITCH HAZEL is a natural astringent with a wide variety of topical uses, from treating dandruff to bruises and insect bites.

Sweet potato, patato!!

It is now less than a week till Thanksgiving and your fridge is starting to fill up. We have covered just about every fall favorite at-home beauty treatment but there are still a few foods in your fridge you haven't use.

A recent study named sweet potatoes as one of the most important food secrets for beautiful skin. The beta carotene in the sweet potato can aid in a smoother complexion and reduction of fine lines within 10 weeks.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, riboflavin, folic acid and vitamins A, C, and B6. With all these antioxidants, sweet potatoes are effective skin protectors.

You can even use the water leftover from boiling your sweet potatoes as a soak to relieve joint pain and arthritis.

While you can eat your sweet potatoes on turkey day, you can also apply this amazing sweet potato mask before your guests arive:

Ingredients:

• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 tablespoon beer (the hops in beer are known to have a relaxing, cleansing effect on the skin)

Instructions:

• Peel and cube the sweet potato and boil it for 10 minutes (don't forget to save that water for a nice joint relaxing treatment later), drain
• Smash the boiled potato then add the beer and mix well
• Apply a thick layer to your face and neck for 20 minutes
• Rinse with warm water and apply your moisturizer
  

Got any sweet potato beauty treatments? Let us know......

An apple a day keeps the dermatologist away

Pumpkin pie, pecan pie and don't forget the apple pie are all staples of the holiday season dinner table. But did you know you can use apples to tighten your skin? So don't throw those leftover apples away!!

Apples are natural skin tighteners. They are also a good conditioner and toner because they have vitamin C, which has been shown to protect and repair skin cells, without the drying effect of citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit.

For a tightening and blemish reducing treatment, try an apple facial:

Ingredients:

• Pulp from 1 ripened apple
• 1/2 teaspoon of honey

Directions:

• Mash the pulp into a fine paste
• Add honey and mix
• Apply evenly to face, avoid your eye area
• Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water

Got any apple beauty treatments to share? Let us know.......

Pamper your skin with pecans

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!! We have covered pumpkin and cranberries but we cannot forget about pecans. So while you are preparing that classic pecan pie, set some aside for a Sugar Honey Scrub.

Pecans contain vitamin E, zinc and magnesium, which are important ingredients for healthy skin. They protect skin cells from oxidative damage, provide nourishment to the skin and help smooth your skin texture.

This homemade Sugar Honey Scrub is sure to get your skin in tip-top shape for the winter party season. It exfoliates, moisturizes, nourishes and helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.

Sugar Honey Pecan Scrub

2 oz. of Brown or Raw Sugar
2 oz. of Crushed Pecans
1 Tbsp. of almond oil
1 Tsp. of honey
2-3 drops of lavender, rosemary, or citrus oil for scent

In a lukewarm shower, scrub the mixture in circular motions, let set for about 5 minutes, rinse.

Got any favorite pecan treatments? Let us know.......