Coffee , Not Just for Drinking

A recent study said that the scent of coffee changes protein levels in the brain that can ward off the stress caused by sleep deprivation. So not only does the caffeine in coffee wake us up, but just the scent can help. And I have read that scrubbing your legs and butt with fresh coffee grounds can make them look firm, even if only temporary.

Broccoli, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Cellulite

Like I said before, I love reading magazines like Woman's World. Recently I read that broccoli helps to diminish cellulite because it contains Alpha Lipoic Acid. I never knew that. Of all that I have read about ALA, the fact that it helps with cellulite was never mentioned before. So I looked up cellulite and found that many topical creams contain DMAE.
I have been selling a face firming serum with DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid for a few years now. I have many repeat customers because of that serum. I never thought to put it on my butt! I am now.

Out of Makeup Remover?

Last time I ran out of makeup remover was the last time I used makeup remover.Before I wash my face, I take a cotton square, wet it and add a few drops of hemp oil. The oil will remove the makeup and nourish the eye area at the same time. You can experiment with different oils. Some will leave more of an oily residue than others. A nice grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil are light. Different oils also have different skin benefits. Remember not to use a nut oil like sweet almond or tamanu if you have a nut allergy. Nut oils are made from nuts.

Changing directions to hints and tips

Everyone has a blog. Right? Even if you can't seem to keep up with it? I can easily throw out little blurbs and worthwhile links on twitter but I keep neglecting this blog. Why? Because I have to research and write these long posts right? Wrong! I love reading those magazines you get at checkout at the grocery store and I have to read trade magazines just keep up with what's new. I get lots of daily newsletters in my inbox, I am always passing on little tips to my friends and family. Why not do that here? So that is where I am taking this blog. I hope you will come along and maybe you will read a tip that you can use. Please let me know. Thanks.

Great Article on the Skin Deep database

this article is long but worth reading, especially if you are one on the million people who go to the skin deep database for information.

http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/04/scratching-below-the-surface-dene-godfrey-article-regarding-skin-deep.html

How green is green?

Personally, I consider myself a light shade of green. I am often invited to be part of green living shows and expos. I am always honored to be invited, although intimidated at the same time. Living in an area where people live off the grid, use solar power and composting toilets, I know what dark green looks like and I am far from it. And honestly, I have no plan to go there. 

I bring my stuff to the recycle center, donate unwanted items to Goodwill, limit the amount of chemical fragrances and cleaning products in my home, and purchase products from responsible companies.

I log onto some of the “mommy” sites and it is like a competition. Instead of who is the better mom, it is who is more green.

To me, it is more about personal choice and respect for nature than “being green” There will always be someone “greener”. I am not in competition with anyone but myself.

I just always figured if you have two products; they both do the same thing, they both cost about the same but one is made with natural, biodegradable ingredients and the other with chemicals, why would anyone use the chemical product?

Mainely Naturals ~Mostly Natural

When I first started Mainely Naturals, I did not do it to be green or organic. In fact, green and natural/organic products were not nearly as popular as they are now. Today you can go just about anywhere and find natural, eco-friendly products. That was not the fact 5 years ago.

I started Mainely Naturals to give people a more natural, more eco-friendly choice at prices that they were already paying for chemical based products.

My products are not all natural, certified organic, or 100% environmentally friendly but they are so much better for you and for the environment than most traditional products.

The companies that I purchase my ingredients and bases from practice environmentally friendly practices, a couple utilize 100% renewable wind power energy, they use and sell high quality, natural and organic ingredients and they are ahead of their time having followed these practices in business for years not months.

I am proud of the products I make and sell. I am happy to be able to provide my customers with a more natural, more eco-friendly option that they can afford.

The Surf Hotel Burns Down

When I turned on the tv today, the news report said that the Surf Hotel and surrounding buildings in Hampton Beach New Hampshire burned to the ground early this morning. This is very sad news.
I have been going to Hampton Beach every year since I can remember. My Aunt and Uncle own cottages on the corner of B street. When I first heard that surrounding buildings had also gone up in flames, I was very worried. B street isn't far away. It is just the next block over.  But after looking closely at the news footage, it looks like the fire was contained to the A street block. I hope this is true.
 We often went to the Surf candy store to buy homemade fudge and other goodies. The Happy Hampton Arcade next to the Surf was a nice clean arcade that my kids loved to go to.
I wonder what will happen now. What will  it look like when I go this summer? Over the years I have seen buildings in the area knocked down and parking lots replace what used to be happy gathering places for extended  families to vacation together.
No matter what happens now, I will be back this summer, hoping something positive comes out of despair. The whole block, just think of the possibilties. A mini amusement park? Or perhaps a casino?....

Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

Looks like anyone who makes/sells personal care products in Colorado is in for a fight. I wish people would look into the bad science that is being used by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. People are taking what they have to say as law and it isn't so. There are always more than one side to every arguement.
Anyways, if you live in Colorado and make/sell personal care products or if you live in Colorado and purchase such products, you need to read this:
http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/colorado-safe-personal-care-products-act-take-action-immediately.html

No post last week

Sorry I haven't posted lately. We have been sick with colds and ear infections. It went from one member of my family to the next and then back again to me. We are on the mend and I am getting back to business.

Searching for Sea Glass or Beach Glass

Living on the coast of Maine, one of the fun things to do is search for sea glass. The other day I took my kids down to the shore and we found lots of sea glass. It is supposed to be hard to find. I guess it is because of where we are located along the rocky coast, but we always find some sea glass, even in the summer.
This day we found a small brown bag full. My daughter found a piece of porcelin and my son found a piece that we didn't know but later found out to be milk glass. I am not sure what it was to begin with what's your guess?
Many times we have to throw the sea glass back because it isn't what I called "cooked". I tell the kids it's not done yet. If the edges have not been tumbled to the point of being completely smooth, we put it back in.
I started thinking maybe I should be making things with this sea glass. In searching I found that there is an organization called the North American Sea Glass Association which has some great information on genuine vs craft sea glass.

Natural Aphrodisiac Scents. Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. After years of working in the hospitality biz, I guess that is true. Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year.
Another reason I am thinking that statement to be true is the list of aphrodisiac scents that men are most attracted to. They include anise, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. There are others, but this list is all about food! I read another article that said any scents from baking ( real baking, not some fake candle scent) is also a turn on for guys.
So maybe the old "dab a bit of vanilla extract behind your ears to attract a guy" folk magic advice isn't so far from true?
Staying in for a Valentine's dinner? Grab a handful of cloves, a cinnamon stick, and some ginger from the cupboard, unless you have pumpkin pie spice, even better, and gently simmer the spices in some water on the stove. the scent will go through your house or apt. Don't forget to shut it off if things move to the bedroom.

Geranium

Geranium is balancing, cheerful, invigorating and uplifting.
Traditionally geraniums were planted around a house to prevent evil spirits from harming the owners.
During Victorian times, potted plants would often be placed along the sides of stairways so that women’s long skirts would brush against them releasing the perfume of the plant.
Colonial American housewives lined baking pans with rose geranium leaves to impart a delicate rose flavor to their baked goods.

Today rose geranium is one of the most widely used essential oils in perfumery and cosmetics. It is known as an “all rounder” being that it has a positive effect on the emotions, is used to treat skin conditions, and is an effective insect repellent.

It’s rich sweet aroma frees the mind from negative or depressing thoughts and can stimulate feelings of sensuality making this an excellent choice to scent bed linens and night clothes.

Geranium is one of my favorites. I keep the sachets in my drawers, and love to bathe in it. It is very useful for diminishing headaches, stress and PMS.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is probably the best known of the Essential Oils. It is also considered one of the gentlest and is safe to be applied neat, which means directly to the skin without dilution.
Lavender is anti-depressant, antiseptic, balancing, calming, relaxing and even has insect repellant properties.
One of the oldest English perfumes, Lavender has been popular for centuries.
In Elizabethan times women would sew pockets of Lavender into their dresses. Today, Lavender sachets are still commonly used to scent clothes and linens.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans prized Lavender for it's perfume and cleansing properties. They used Lavender scented soaps and enjoyed lavender baths even way back then!
During WWI and WWII soldiers carried Lavender Essential oil for disinfecting wounds.
Today, you can read through most any health magazine and there will be or has been an article about lavender and it's use to relieve migraines and tension headaches.

Lavender calms and soothes the skin. It is anti-inflammatory, making it great for acne and sunburns. It's anti-inflammatory action is also beneficial to eczema and psoriasis.

Lavender is nature's de-stressor. Something we can all benefit from in this rush around crazy world.

I am not an expert on essential oils. I am not a certified aromatherapist. But I do study and use the oils. I use them for their scents and skin care applications. I do not use them medicinally or give advice on their medicinal uses.
However, I do know more about the oils than the average person. In 2004 I took an intro to aromatherapy course. I have read many aromatherapy books and over the past few years have used many different oils.

My posts about essential oils will be for the average person. Just a little of what I’ve read and learned to help the average person be more comfortable using essential oils.
First, use common sense. When trying essential oils, always look up the warnings for the oil you want to try. Many do not have any but some do. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, you need to know the precautions. For example, you should not use Peppermint when you are pregnant. When you see foot creams/lotions for your aching feet that contain Peppermint Stay Away! Peppermint is an Emmenagogue which means that it stimulates menstruation.
For that matter, if you are pregnant, always ask your doctor before using any essential oils. And you should stay away from fragrance oils too! Who knows what chemicals they can contain!
Next, if you don’t like the scent of an oil, don’t use it. Just like you would not eat something that does not sit well with you.
And finally, if you are allergic to something, don’t try the oil that is derived from it or something similar to it. Like if you are allergic to grapefruit, don’t use grapefruit essential oil! Duh, you say. Well you would not believe the number of people who cannot grasp the fact that grapefruit essential oil comes from a grapefruit! We are so conditioned to using fake fragrances.

Essential Oils

I don’t understand why there is such a mystique around essential oils. For some reason, people think that if you use natural oils instead of synthetic ones, you are different. Essential oils are mentioned throughout the Bible. The Wise Men brought the Baby Jesus frankincense and myrrh, both essential oils. Essential oils are oils obtained by nature. Essential oils have been used for centuries for their scents and healing qualities; unlike their synthetic counterparts. If you have used Vicks vapor rub, then you have used essential oils.

Snow, snow and more snow

It has been snowing for 2 days and still snowing. At least the kids are having fun sledding down the driveway:)
I will be posting at least once a week so check back to see what's going on.