Buy a Tea, Plant a Tree!

My other other passion is seeing the shift in conscious consumerism. I will be posting and afilliating myself with companies that I believe in. It is so hard in this day and age to do all the right things. There is always someone there with their hand out. Even if you want to do the right thing, there are companies that will tell you they are conscious when they are "green-washing" their image.
I tend to do more research than most when it comes to herbal, body care/skin care because it is my other other other passion... so to honor these companies, there will be a post every day on the ones that I love for one reason or another.
Today I am posting a link to "The Art of Tea"  a company that has been awarded by the World Tea Expo, Tea Association of America and Specialty Tea Institute the 1st and 2nd place award for the Best Tea in America. They are conscious about Fair Trade and USDA organics. Thats all great, but the part I love is giving back to the planet, replacing what you have taken from the Earth.
Here is a great promotion. Get some great tea and do your part in taking care of our Mother.

http://www.artoftea.com/catalog/green-pear-specialty-p-252.html

Sweet Elixirs.....

Even though Valentine's Day has come and gone, its a good idea to make every day, a day for love.
For yourself and for others.
Here is a recipe for my favorite homemade chocolates.
It always makes me feel loved and I tend to make this for my family and friends around the holidays... 
I use organic pure essential oils of lavender to create the sensuous blend between flowers and chocolate. Enjoy!

16 oz bag of organic semi sweet chocolate chips
2 drops of organic pure essential oil of lavender per 4 oz of chocolate
1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil
1 pinch of sea salt

Use a double boiler, pour 4 oz of chocolate at a time.
Stir as the chocolate bits completely melt, take off stove and add 2 drops
of lavender p.e.o. and stir in 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil and a pinch of
sea salt.

Use a candy mold (I use my heart molds <3 ) and a teaspoon to scoop as
chocolate is warm into the non sprayed molds.
Put into freezer for 15 minutes
They should easily pop out onto a plate to enjoy
or
you may put them in a clear baggie with a big purple
bow for someone you love

Anyone who loves chocolate will find the taste
of the floral(lavender) and the sweet creaminess of the

dark chocolate an odd but stimulating combination....

Bodywork: Healing from the Outside...In

There are so many benefits to see a bodyworker. As most of us have realized, stress creates most of the imbalances in the body. Massage therapy actually lowers cortisol levels and raises serotonin. Immunity (T-cells) divide rapidly to create a higher immunity. Naturally increasing dopamine (which lowers pain, depression, helps with ADD/ADHD symptoms),increase histamine levels that lower inflammation, which is the #1 cause of pain in the body. We have our own pharmacy, receiving bodywork helps you tap into it.

As each client comes to me for different services, and for different health reasons, we are able to look at symptoms of pain related to different stressors. Some come weekly to manage chronic pain, some for injury related stress, as they are active and fit, some just know their lives and jobs are stressful and receive massage therapy to increase their immunity from viral attacks.
So if you have never received any bodywork, it is time! Massage therapists are trained in most states from 1000- 2000 hour programs, that usually works out to 2 years of education before they receive accreditation from their state and national licensure boards. If you are unable to come see me in Connecticut,♥, please check out http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/locator.aspx  to find a massage therapist near you. There are only 16 states with licensure, so I highly advise using this site or ask a friend that receives therapy who they would recommend. All therapists on this site have worked hard to continue their education in bodywork.
Massage Therapy has been an amazing part of my life. 12 years ago I went on a journey that has brought me to places I never knew. Bodywork became a focused interest when I was “diagnosed” with fibromyalgia in the year 2000. I was told I needed pain inhibitors, muscle relaxers and anti-depressants. I dove into as much information as I could obtain on this dis-ease and I realized it was all symptomatic. In essence, my whole life would be chasing pain. So I made a decision 10 years ago to never take a prescription or over-the-counter drugs. I soon went to school to become a Certified Chinese herbalist and have been able to keep my pain levels low with bodywork and natural medicine. My personal experience has also helped my clients along their journey to wellness.

http://www.bodyseasonings.net/

Finding Ways To Love your Skin During Winter

Here are a few suggestions that get me through some of these dry, cold New England days. Most people don't realize they have to brush their skin daily, as you would your pet. Our skin is always regenerating and as a bodyworker, I have to explain this to most people that have never heard this before.
Cleansing with a gentle cleanser...



using a dry skin brush... like a loofah or soft nail brush...



If you are unable to come see me for massage http://www.bodyseasonings.net/ or to your closest massage therapist http://www.amtamassage.org/ .
You can create a healing space right in your bathroom, it'll only take 10-20 minutes. A nice lymphatic drainage massage that will help your skin, blood and muscles get rid of toxic substances and allow your body to heal and be well through this cold winter season. I make this blend for the winter, using organic pure essential and carrier oils, 8 oz should last you through the winter, if not, I'll make you more! http://www.etsy.com/shop/bodyseasonings
If you would like to do this yourself, here are the ingredients to purchase...
Use the healing essential oils of eucalyptus,


 wintergreen


 and pine


 mix 5 drops of each with a 1/4 cup of virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil, this should be applied before your bath or shower, to seal in your skin's natural moisture. Use circular motion and light massage towards the heart. This will help with skin, circulation and YES breathing! Your skin is your largest respitory organ, so this is a great way to support your body's natural ability to stay well.
Keep coming back for more tips and links to companies that are green and sustainable.
Stay Warm!

Interesting Alliance.....hmmmmm

Backlash Over AAFP And Coca-Cola Partnership »

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) announced last month a new program called Corporate Alliance, in which the AAFP partners with interested companies to produce educational material for the general public. The first of these companies to sign on is Coca-Cola, who has donated $500,000 to the AAFP which will be used to develop consumer education content related to beverages and sweeteners. Not surprisingly, many physician-members of the AAFP have voiced strong opposition to such an alliance, especially in light of the current obesity epidemic. AAFP President-elect, Lori Heim, M.D., states the partnerships will not include an AAFP endorsement of any brand, product or service, and the Academy will maintain editorial control of all materials related to the partnerships. However, this partnership of irony calls into question the integrity of AAFP leadership, who’s efforts should be devoted to primary care and prevention, not sleeping with the enemy. [via AAFP]

One Cup of Coffee.....

One Cup of Coffee.... Organic Coffee and What it REALLY means!

This Time of Year Inspires Creation

I was on a journey to use my pure essential oils in food this holiday, so I have modified some old recipes to make them "new" again. Try something new, and maybe it'll become a family/holiday tradition. I love to make tea and chocolates for my family and friends and I will be posting them to sell, since my clients and students have given me the "thumbs up" . Enjoy and savor this recipe, give me feedback, tell me how it works out for you...
Lavender Lemon Shortbread
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted organic butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar in the raw
1 1/2 cups organic wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon seasalt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
grated zest of one large lemon
8 drops organic pure essential oil of lavender
2 tablespoons lavender sugar(taken from 1 cup raw sugar w/ 1/3 cup lavender flowers fresh or dried)

Cream the butter and raw sugar together in a bowl until well blended and light. Sift the wheatflour and seasalt together in another bowl, and add to the butter and sugar mixture. Add the vanilla, lemon and lavender p.e.o. Mix thoroughly. Roll the dough into a ball and wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Sprinkle tops with lavender sugar and shape into hearts and chill for another 45 minutes. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until the shortbread is lightly browned. Cool in pan. You can also slice the rolled dough as you go, for slice and bake cookies. Enjoy!