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DIY Soothing Soak for Soft Soles

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Living on an island in the summer encourages a lifestyle of casual laid-back living. We call it living life salty! Everyday we spend hours on the beach, dipping our toes in the salty waters, and taking long walks along the sandy beaches collecting seashells. Sounds amazing right? Well, for the most part it is… but… all the sand can take a toll on your feet forming thick callous like skin.

While everyone enjoys treating themselves to a pedicure once in a while. It is equally nice to be able to soak your tired feet in a soothing foot bath at the end of each day. This soothing, homemade mixture of Epsom salt, lime zest and various natural ingredients would make a wonderful party favor for your Besties or for Mom on Mother’s Day. I promise that your friends and Mom will really enjoy this gift. Use our chic label (coming soon), affix it to a jar, and gift it to a special friend.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups of Epsom Salt
  • 1/2 cup of Baking Soda
  • Zest of one Lime
  • 3-4 drops of Lime Essential Oil
  • 3-4 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

MIX IT UP!

To make the foot soak, combine 2 cups of Epsom salts with 1/2 cup baking soda and zest of one lime in a large bowl, and add  3-4 drops of lime essential oil and 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil. Stir with wooden spoon to mix thoroughly. If you would like to add a little color add one drop of food color of your choice – i.e. green or blue. Stir well and pour the mixture into a jar and use within a few weeks. We suggest storing the mixture in a sealable container in the refrigerator to help keep it fresh since this recipe calls for the zest of one lime. When ready to use … pour about 1/4 cup of the foot soak mixture into a large bowl, add hot water, and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy a good book or read the latest issue of Vogue. When finished … dry off feet and apply a high quality moisturizer preferably something with Shea Butter in it. You will feel relaxed and ready for a restful night’s sleep.

  • Epsom Salt soothes aches, eliminates smells and softens rough skin.  It helps pull toxins out of your body while adding magnesium into your body.  It reduces overall inflammation, helps prevent or relieve migraines, and eases daily stress.
  • Baking Soda is good for exfoliating and eliminating oders, leaving your skin smooth and soft. It will also help neutralize any chemicals in your water.
  • Lime is refreshing and invigorating and is routinely used for its energizing aroma. It is well known for its ability to cleanse, purify and renew the spirit and the mind.
  • Peppermint is a refreshing, cooling, and soothing soak. The menthol induces a cooling sensation, and can help to cool you down, help ease tension headaches and muscular aches and pains. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory properties.

The oils you choose to use is the key to enhancing your overall experience.  Peppermint to cool, soothe, and invigorate.  Lavender to relax.  Eucalyptus as a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral soak.  Tea Tree Oil as a natural antiseptic (disinfectant) with potent anti-inflammatory abilities. Tea Tree Oil is produced from a shrub-like tree known as Melaleuca in Australia. According to the University of Sydney, native aboriginals are believed to have taken advantage of its many healing benefits to treat skin conditions for thousands of year.

GIFT IT!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner put some of the mixture in a cute jar, include this chic label (coming soon), and tie on a scoop with a pretty ribbon before giving it as a gift to Mom or your best friend.

Happy-Healthy Breakfast Bowls

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TThe next time you rush out the door in the morning without something to eat, remember this: Breakfast is the single most important meal of the day. Why do we say this? A healthy breakfast provides your body with the fuel it needs to replenish your blood glucose levels after eight hours of sleep. It fuels your brain and body with the energy it needs to focus at work or at home and helps us make smart decisions throughout the day.

A healthy breakfast combines good carbs and fiber with protein and essential vitamins and minerals that gives you energy and satisfies your appetite. Plus eating a fiber-rich breakfast helps you fill up and keeps you full for longer so that you do not consume extra calories throughout the day. Eating a healthy breakfast boosts your metabolism, curbs your hunger, and helps prevent binge eating.

Our favorite go-to breakfast are these healthy breakfast bowls! They are perfect for starting your day off right and are quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

  • 1 serving quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and sliced kiwi (or fruit of your choice)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar

Preparation

Prepare the oats according to the package directions. Top with the fresh fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, and kiwi. Sprinkle on some Chia seeds. Chia seeds are considered a “superfood” and for a good reason. Just one spoonful of chia seeds provides 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of fat, and 2 grams of protein. Last but not least – drizzle on the agave nectar, a low-glycemic nectar with a mild, neutral flavor to add a little sweetness!

Remember – eating a healthy breakfast refuels your body, enhances your mood, improves your concentration, and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. If you don’t have time to eat before leaving the house – take it to go!

5 Ways to Start Your Day Happy

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SStart your day happy and relaxed and you will greatly increase your chances of a healthy, productive day. Too often people feel rushed in the morning – scrambling to get ready for work and getting the kids off to school. By the time you get to work you can feel a little overwhelmed! Try these five thing to help you start your day off happy:

1. WAKE UP EARLY. Seriously. You may have to go to bed earlier to get 8 hours of sleep but waking up 15 to 30 minutes earlier will allow you to take your time going through your morning routine, without rushing. We suggest that you pick out your work outfit the night before so that your morning is less stressful. Make sure it is pressed and ready to wear. Then you can begin your morning by lying in bed, waking up slowly. It’s just as important to have time to prepare yourself mentally as it is physically. So don’t give in to that snooze button.

2. HYDRATE. Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning gives the body a chance to absorb some vitamin C and can boost your energy level and your immune system. Vitamin C is also good for the adrenal glands which are responsible for balancing hormones and can potentially help reduce the affects of stress. So as you get ready for the day, drink an entire glass or two of lemon water and see how your energy levels improve through the day. You may even want to bring a sports bottle with you to work so you can hydrate throughout the day….

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5 Secrets to Finding Harmony in Work and Life

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Do you ever feel like there is never enough time in the day? You’re not alone. Finding time for your family, work, and leisure can be challenging. It’s difficult to do it all when there is only 24 hours in a day. So, I thought I would let you in on a little secret…

It’s not about finding balance but rather finding harmony. Forget about finding balance. Balance is just an illusion. Think about it. It assumes that we spend an equal amount of time in all or most areas of our life. The problem with that is… we tend to live such hectic, busy lives it is incredibly difficult to fit everything in.

So, what can we do about it? For me, it’s about creating harmony [not balance]. Life can’t always be in balance, but it is possible to create a life that is in harmony with your vision of who you are and what you want to accomplish. If that resonates with you, try these simple techniques:

  1. Be Creative About How You Manage Your Time. Remember, the issue isn’t that there aren’t enough hours in a day; it’s how we choose to use those hours so take 5 to 10 minutes each morning to review the most important things you can and should be doing and making sure they’re first on your to-do list. Be creative in finding ways that you can accomplish the things you need to get done so you can spend time doing the other things in your life that you enjoy.
  2. Be Present. These simple words can make a profound impact in creating harmony in your life. If you are at work, don’t be thinking about the time you didn’t spend with your family the night before. And when your at home, don’t be thinking about all the work you have to do at the office when you should be enjoying your family. Wherever you are, be there, fully and completely. Be present in the moment and enjoy the moment.
  3. Practice Saying “N0.” Contrary to popular belief, It’s possible to “have it all.” Life is all about making choices. Practice understanding what things to say “no” to and then let go of them. At the same time, think about the things that are truly important in your life and hold on to them.
  4. Don’t Be Afraid to Let Go.  All too often we find ourselves keeping things we really don’t need. These “things” clutter our homes and add an additional layer of stress when family and friends come to visit. Don’t be afraid to let go of things. If you find that you have difficulty letting go of things – read the book Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
  5. Stay Focused on What Makes You Happy. If you want harmony, strive to do things that inspire you, energize you and excite you. Build in free time, family time, and personal time into your daily schedule. You’ll be happier for it – that I am sure of.

The truth is that when you are 75 years old, you are not going to wish you spent more time at the office. You don’t need to be a workaholic to be successful. Focus on creating happiness in your life. Be creative and innovative. Find ideas that work for you and the life you live. Spend time with family and friends and most importantly enjoy the life you want to live!

Quote of the Day:

“Learn from others whom have walked the path before you, but be smart enough to know when to cut your own trail.”

Narciso Rodriguez