Today, World Water day, take a moment to consider water use.

Water is such a huge part of our day to day existence, comprising so much of who we are as people & a culture & the planet we live on.

Think for a moment…we cook with, drink, shower & bathe in water . . . and have done so for centuries. It is a part of our history and the greatest element provided for us on this Earth.

Water is so perfect, our bodies are comprised with a vast amount of it. Essentially as babies we are born into the world as “water beings” with 75 to 80% water making up our entire beings.

The cycle of our bodies skin cells, organs and over all functions are based on water. Have you ever gone a day with little water and found yourself foggy minded? Or worse had a huge headache? Yet two glasses of water later clarity returns.

As we age, our bodies are programmed to crave less water, causing this type of stress on our internal organs and cells as we age. From birth to our late years, our total water percentage decreases to 60 to 65% for men and 50 to 60% for women.

Its interesting that dehydration is the number-one cause of stress in the human body…so is it coincidental that disease and/or health problems dramatically increase as we get older also?

The amount of water inside our cells actually decreases as we age. Its part of why we notice fine lines–the cells actually begin to shrink and stiffen & their ability to expand and contract is reduced. As a result, nutrients, oxygen and other metabolic requirements are not efficiently exchanged at the cell membrane –leaving waste products that are not efficiently removed.

Try this simple test: Gently pinch the skin on the back of your hand between your thumb and forefinger for 5 seconds. Then count how many seconds it takes for the skin to flatten out again. The length of time it takes can be correlated with age, dehydration, and skin health. Generally, those between the ages of 45 and 50 have a return-response time under 5 seconds, but by the age of 60, the amount of time it takes for the skin to return to its original position is double or triple (10-15 seconds), and by the age of 70, the response time is typically 35-50 seconds.

There are many things you can do to help. For one, making sure that you are getting adequate water each day through the foods and water you consume is essential. Also,  products you use day to day effect your skins over all health.  

The cycle is continuous. Without water,  our bodies begin to age. Essentially we cannot exist.  Can you imagine not having control over the need to consume water each day? Or take a bath?

With this in mind, take a moment to visit and consider taking part in world water day: http://water.org/

 This February we are loving the scent of  Pink Marbacka!

How could we not? The semi-succulent geranium plant is noted for its small pink flowers in the northern part of Europe… In fact, its in Sweden where the Geranium (Pink Marbacka) is one of the most typical Swedish items you can find on doorsteps and gardens. Many people even collect these beautiful plants!

I found it interesting to learn that as a gardener, you cannot buy young plants of the Pink Marbacka in Sweeden. Growers and horticulturists have to have their own mother plants as no new variety has the same “shrimp pink” color or growth habit as Mårbacka. For this reason, many are collectors of these rare breeds of geranium. For these collectors the old Swedish varieties of geranium and wild species are the most popular. But the Pink Mårbacka is still the most popular of all.

At Terra Dolce, we work with the aroma of geranium essential oils, blending them into our Pink Marbacka body collection of nutrient rich oils, lotions, shea butters, body washes and exfoliants.

The geranium is often used as a stabilizing influence, calming both the mind and body, restoring one’s equilibrium.  The soothing nature of the aroma also works to bring your emotions back to more relaxing levels when you need reclaim that balance. And who doesn’t need to reclaim it now and then?

 Until the 17^th century, botany and medicine were inseparable. Herbs have been valued by all ancient cultures for centuries, many of which have developed extensive medical systems based on herbs.  It’s exciting that today there is growing recognition of the superiority these natural ingredients have to synthetic imitators- whether it be in our body care products, or in the foods we eat. 

We began Terra Dolce with a garden. It was a simple thought, a simple gesture. But with those seeds,  the estheticians garden grew and from it came Terra Dolce.   Terra Dolce means”sweet earth” in Italian, and this is just what you will find in each and every one of our products: a bit of the “sweet earth”,  distilled from nature and blended for your pleasure.  At Terra Dolce,  we enjoy blending a distinct collection of pure ingredients, extracts and essences into each product we create. 

This world food day, we encourage you to look for local, natural resources and take some time to enjoy a bit of the sweet Earth!

 Huggs,

your friends at Terra Dolce

Terra Dolce Garden Soaps

Just like the face, the body needs exfoliation too!

Your skin and epidermis is hard at work producing new cells each moment of the day. Did you know that 1,800,000 to 2,4000,000 dead skin cells fall off of your body every hour? Sometimes these skin cells can actually become uneven, resulting in dry or rough looking skin. Over time, this will contribute to aging. Exfoliation is a great way to soften the skin and stimulate healthy skin cell renewal.

Process of Natural Skin Erosion:

When new skin cells form, older cells migrate to the surface of the skin and become acidic. It takes them 30 days to journey to the surface you can see. 

Importance of Exfoliation:

• Removes dead skin cells to reveal new, softer, clearer and glowing skin
• Helps in boosting blood circulation as you massage deep into your skin
• Promotes appearance of vibrant skin
• Prevents clogged pores
• Allows better absorption of moisturizers, body oils and other skin care products

Vital in cleaning our bodies,  a good exfoliant will  cleanse old cells to make way for new cells,  while also aiding in blood circulation.  Better circulation means a better complexion. Try a gentle exfoliation once or twice a week. It will prove to be very advantageous for your skin’s wellness and overall health.

To view our our full exfoliant range:

www.terradolcespa.com

Time has flown by as we have been getting settled into our new commercial production space!  I wanted to take a moment to appreciate this journey that has brought us to where we are now.

First,  Thank you for your support,  love and kindness! I am eternally grateful to those who have supported us as we continue our journey and to the loyal clients who enjoy the products that personify Terra Dolce.

Terra Dolce began as an idea formed during my educational studies to become an Esthetician.  I dreamed of creating a location called the Esthetician’s Garden where people could experience nature’s beauty while having a luxury treatment.  It is wonderful how ideas evolve.  Years later, having seen the different effects both ingredients & the environment have on our skin, I immersed myself in researching the chemistry behind the skincare industry, finding myself creating unique blends to target specific issues that both I and my clients experienced.  At the time, we lived in a small cottage in a park-like setting. It was there in my small estheticians garden, that research and development took place both in our herb garden and 50 square-foot kitchen.  Soon after, Terra Dolce’s first retail lines began popping up in south-Florida spas. It was a magical time!

The next year, we relocated to beautiful Gainesville, Florida.  It was hard to leave my full-time position at the spa, but northern Florida’s natural beauty made it quite comforting. The northern landscaping with its grand oak trees, pines and cooler air agreed with me. We found a wonderful part of town, a sanctuary of peace, where I was able to begin creating Terra Dolce full time.  During this time, six new body collections become a part of the Terra Dolce line.  It was quite an adventure! Each new collection took on its own story and life as we began working with local agricultural resources, farms and distilleries for our natural ingredients.  Florida’s agriculture continues to inspire me. So much that we dedicated a collection to our home state called “Floridian.”

Soft breezes and sun-illuminated inspiration continues to enrich our days at Terra Dolce. Now in our third year, we are settled in a commercial production space along the gem-colored shores of Florida. Having traveled this great state, we feel fortunate to experience so much of its natural beauty.

When left to ourselves to discover all that is there & waiting to become, we first draw upon what was and what is. Soon we find ourselves discovering even more.

Thank you for your support, love and kindness! I am eternally grateful to those who have joined as we continue our journey and to the loyal clients who enjoy the products that personify Terra Dolce. ~ Alison

We are excited to announce that Terra Dolce’s  Floridian body care line is fresh “from Florida!”  The dept of agriculture has granted the FLORIDIAN body care line its official seal ”from Florida” for the use of natural ingredients from Florida farms and orchards.
If you listen, you can hear Florida’s gem colored waves crashing on the shores as sexy coconut and sweet orange combine for a lush tropical experience in Terra Dolce’s Floridian…. a vacation with every application!
 Working with Florida companies who grow & produce natures best ingredients (primarily sold  & used for food use) the Floridian combines into a lush, tropical experience to be enjoyed any day of the year. 
 Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can change everything from the way you look and feel to providing resistance to certain diseases. Your skin is your bodies largest organ and responds similarly, absorbing what it comes in contact with topically. When you put on a product,  your skin responds. Just as you would not want to drink a glass full of toxic ingredients, you wouldn’t want to lather your skin in them either.  That is why we are so excited to be working with Florida companies that produce ingredients good for your body, inside and out.
Florida ranks first in the United States in the value of production of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sugarcane for sugar and seed, squash, watermelons, sweet corn, fresh-market snap beans, fresh-market tomatoes, and fresh-market cucumbers.
Terra Dolce Floridian body care currently includes a body oil, body butter and body scrub made with ingredients from here in Florida. Because Florida is the vacation destination, even if you cannot visit Florida, you can vacation with every application of Terra Dolce’s Floridian.

Experience the sweet earth with Terra Dolce…its a vacation with every application!

We are so happy to finally have a place to share thoughts and interact on a deeper level with our Terra Dolce fans!

Our love affair with nature and beauty is evident in all our products. We handcraft with plant oils, extracts, minerals & essential oils and blend them into charming gifts for every day living.

Thanks for joining us on our adventure!