We are fast approaching summer. You know what that means, shorts and swim suits. It’s a perfect time to break up with your evil cellulite so you can start the New Year off right. Cellulite is a skin condition that affects the appearance of the skin in areas with underlying fat deposits, giving the skin a lumpy, dimpled, dull, and unappealing texture. Cellulite has been described as “tissue sludge”.  That is exactly what it is. Cellular waste builds up because of a reduction in the skin’s metabolism. Cellulite is most commonly found in the upper thigh and buttocks, but may also appear in the arms and abdomen.

Here are some tips on how to break up with your cellulite and prepare your body for summertime:

• Diet: If your daily diet is composed of processed, pre-packaged food, fast food, and junk food you are guaranteed to have cellulite. Try eating fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein like chicken and fish. A proper diet can also be helpful in keeping the skin and connective tissue stronger and healthier.
• Supplement: Take Algae Nutrio! This vitamin and mineral supplement is an unique combination of 4 algae powders. Combined in tablet form, these algae were chosen because they are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins, trace elements, and amino acids. They contain other naturally occurring elements, including alginates, potassium, iodine, calcium, sodium, mannitol, potassium, magnesium, iron, fluorine, chlorophyll, pro-Vitamin A, Vitamins B6, C, K, and Omega-3 and 6. These algae provide nutritional support for diminishing cellulite. The reason this whole food supplement is included in article is to ensure you are getting proper nutrition that your body needs to support your efforts to clear your skin. Remember, what goes on inside the body, shows up on the outside of your body!
• Hydration: Proper hydration will help prevent water retention, which exacerbates cellulite. Drinking plenty of water a day twill help maintain a healthy lymphatic system to remove waste products and keep water levels in your skin at an optimum level.
• Exercise: Working out improves circulation, removes excess fluid and strengthens muscles. This will help smooth out the appearance of cellulite.
• Dry Brushing: Dry Brushing is a simple technique that stimulates blood and lymph flow, exfoliates the skin and encourages new cell growth. We suggest that you start at your feet and sweep up the legs in long, light brisk movements that are towards the heart.
• Massage: Rub the areas with cellulite in a circular motion while pulling and pushing the lumps of cellulite. The best results are achieved when you do this for 15 minutes a day 5 days a week.
• Skin Care: Due to the connection between electrolytic balance and the balance of trace elements and minerals in the body, the use of marine algae makes it a natural choice for correcting cellulite. Source Vital’s algae have a high content of mineral and trace elements in the appropriate proportions needed for reducing the appearance of cellulite.
• Consistency: Be consistent with your diet and exercise regimen. A yo-yo style diet and random work out schedule can aggravate your system and compromise skin elasticity, which could possibly make your cellulite more pronounced.

To me, aromatherapy fits perfectly into my “nose” memories. Yes, a few of the oils do not smell like you expect them to (mainly because we are have been brainwashed by so many synthetic scents), but most of the oils smell so right.  And, they are the real deal, nature in a bottle.

If you are looking for the “evergreen” outdoors, check out Birch Sweet, Cedarwood Texas and Himalayan, Cypress, Fir Needle, Pine Scotch, and Spruce. Try equal parts of one of the Cedarwoods, Juniper Needle, Spruce, and Fir Needle for an evergreen tree blend.

Of course, Frankincense and Myrrh are the two traditional essential oils that are found often in religious ceremonies and meditations.  Cedarwood, Orange, Myrrh, and Frankincense are lovely together. Start with equal parts and tweak to your liking.

For homey kitchen smells, try Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Orange, Nutmeg, Tangerine, and Vanilla. For a Christmas kitchen blend, start with 1 part Ginger Root, 2 parts Orange, 1.5 parts Cinnamon, and just a touch of Nutmeg of Clove.   

Keep in mind that Orange and Tangerine mix well with the “spice” oils. Citrus and wood oils tend to blend well with mint oils.

My two favorite Source Vitál diffusion blends for this time of year are Seasons and Sacred Woods. Seasons is a blend of Tangerine, Spruce, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon. Perfect for Christmas, huh?

Sacred Woods is blended of Lavandin, Spruce, Patchouli, Amyris, both Cedarwoods, Elemi, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Cistus. Sacred is complex and deep, perfect for quiet evenings at home.

Whatever you do these holidays, enjoy the scents of the season!

Kathy Pope, Source Vitál

Create a perfume solid using all natural ingredients. Custom blend your own essential oils to create the scent that you love. Share with friends, family, loved ones, or make one just for you.

What you will need:

• Beeswax
• Jojoba Oil
• Essential oils of your choice
• A container suitable for solid perfume (tiny jar, empty lip balm tin, large locket, gutted pocket watch, etc)
• If you are vegan or do not wish to use Beeswax you can use unrefined Shea butter instead of Jojoba and Beeswax.
• A pot and non-metal pan

The basics to creating your scent:

To find the perfect balance of essential oils, you will need a top note, middle note, and base note for your perfume. Use your nose, instead of your ears, to hear the olfactory song. Top notes are what you smell first. The top notes are volatile and will evaporate first as you wear them. You will then be lead to the middle notes, also called heart notes, the soul of your perfume. The middle notes are round and complex, surfacing after the top notes, as they last longer than the top notes. The last notes are the base notes, emerging the slowest. They are the least volatile. The base notes also work as fixatives, keeping the top and middle notes from evaporating too quickly.

Top Notes: Citrus oils (tangerine, lemon, mandarin, orange, etc), Conifer oils (cypress, fir, pine, spruce, etc), mint oils, basil, cardamom, chamomile, ginger, juniper berry, petigrain, rosemary, jasmine, and neroli.

Middle Notes: Floral oils/absolutes, black pepper, caraway, cinnamon, clary sage, clove bud, coriander, elemi, galbanum, geranium, lavender, marjoram sweet, nutmeg, palmarosa, thyme, violet leaf, and ylang ylang.

Base Notes: Wood oils (cedar, sandalwood, etc), resin oils (frankincense, myrrh, etc), patchouli, vanilla and vetiver.

A good ratio of notes are 5-7 drops of the top note, 7 drops of the middle note, and 7 drops of the base note. Multiply for desired strength.

 Making the solid:

1. Blend essential oils you choose for your scent. You will want to use 19-45 total drops of essential oils per 4 tsp of jojoba/beeswax mixture.
2. Use equal parts of beeswax to jojoba oil. If you are filling a small lip balm tin, use 2 tsp of beeswax and 2 tsp of jojoba.
3. If you choose to use shea butter instead, use 4 tsp as a replacement . This will make a creamier perfume solid.
4. Boil water in the pot and place the non-metal pan over the water to heat.
5. Add the jojoba and beeswax or shea and stir till it melts, heat only until it melts just enough to mix in essential oils.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
7. Carefully pour into your desired container.
8. Let it cool.
9. Make sure you write down and save your formula in case you would like to make it again!

Resources:

http://www.crunchybetty.com/handmade-solid-perfume

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/makeperfume.htm

http://www.abundantlifeessentials.com/news/perfume.htm

Here’s a few of top gift ideas this Holiday Season:

• Anti-aging kits
• Men’s Shaving and Hygiene Products
• Relaxing Bath Oils
• Facial Skin Cleansers
• 100% All Natural Deodorant

Frankincense

From the beginning of recorded time, whether Egyptian, Roman, or Arab countries, Frankincense and Myrrh have long been prized for their healing and sacred properties. Myrrh symbolizes sacrificial death and purpose. Frankincense represents life and has been used throughout the Christian, Judaic, and Islamic worlds for centuries in worship. Gold represents sovereign domain and royalty.

The most well known story for most of us is the Christian tradition which tells of the three kings that  traveled to gift the Christ Child with gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. For our purposes in Aromatherapy, we are using Amber Styrax, a very thick yellow liquid that has an aromatic sisterhood with Myrrh and Frankincense.

Especially during the holidays, these three scents bring an ancient note to our celebrations and meditations of the spirit of the season.

We have excellent versions of all three of these oils:

Amber Styrax (liquidamber styraciflua)

Frankincense (boswellia carterii)

Myrrh (commiphora myrrha)

Also, if you are looking for a seasonal blend, check out our Seasons Diffusion Blend!

Clove Bud is known for its antibacterial, antiseptic and analgesic properties. Clove has been used for sore muscles, toothaches, arthritis, digestive problems, asthma, nausea, sinusitis, and as a sedative. Because clove is so powerful, it can also be considered to be allergenic, so use with caution. Click here for more about Clove Bud Essential Oil.

Ginger Root is most widely known for its digestive properties. Sailors used to consume ginger to combat nausea and sea sickness on long voyages. Warm and stimulating, ginger is also great for jet lag, respiratory problems, memory, and migraine headache. Click here for more about Ginger Root Essential Oil.

Nutmeg’s scent is sweet, warm, spicy, and has a subtle peppery aroma.  Nutmeg oil can be used as an analgesic to alleviate rheumatism and neuralgia. Similarly to clove bud oil, a drop can be used on an aching tooth. When inhaled, it stimulates the system to combat mental fatigue. Ground nutmeg consumed aids in intestinal infections, chronic diarrhea, digestion, and eases flatulence. Click here for more about Nutmeg Essential Oil.

Sources:

Rose, Jeanne. The Aromatherapy Book. 1992. North Atlantic Books.

Worwood, Valerie Anne. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. 1991. New World Library.

One of the biggest myths is that cellulite is always associated with obesity. It can also be present on an anorexic person. Contributing factors to cellulite are

• Poor eating habits/poor elimination
• Genetic/Inherent poor circulation
• Hormonal changes
• Injury to a specific area of the body
• Autointoxication

Hormonal imbalance plays a major role in cellulite formation. Sugar intake, as well as stress, creates compromise in the endocrine system. Diary and meat consumption can contribute to hormonal compromise because of the synthetic hormones within these foods. Whether male or female, nine out of ten people have some level of hormonal imbalance. Males are now developing cellulite and breast cancer, traditionally female disorders, as well as thyroid and obesity issues. All can be linked to diet.  Compounding that is the heredity component.

Autointoxication

Toxicity is part of modern life. We carry a lot of toxicity in our bodies; it is called autointoxication. This comes from the toxicity in our lives, caused by food (especially hydrogenated oils (trans-fats) and refined sugar), medication, thoughts, drugs, stimulants (caffeine, smoking), pesticides, and at risk environment. The concentration of toxicity in pollution is one of the downsides of urban living.

The biggest contributing factor of cellulite is our diet. The US has the highest incidence of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes in the world. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in fat, salt, and sugar. Much of this is due to our dependence on processed, pre-packaged foods. These types of foods contain additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and colorants. All of these elements, considered toxic wastes, are not digestible by the body. If the body cannot use or eliminate an element, it will store it in the fat cells.

When the body takes in a toxin that it cannot identify or utilize, it will shift into protective mode. If you add to this equation a compromised lymph system (which is stagnant due to lack of exercise and unable to respond to its function of removing waste and toxicity from the system), then the body has no choice but to send the toxin to the fat cells for storage. If this type of diet continues on a daily basis, the fat cells will eventually become so full that they will burst, like a balloon with too much air. The toxic wastes stored in the fat cells will then spill out into the interstitial fluid. Interstitial fluid is the liquid that bathes our cells, organs and tissues. The human body is made up of 70% water and most of that is interstitial fluid. As we continue with the above cycle, the consistency of interstitial fluid will progress from watery to milky to buttermilk to cottage cheese, forming a gel matrix over the fat cells. It’s no accident that cellulite is described as “cottage cheese” skin.

This also will result in micro-edema (fluid retention) because cellulite is an inflammatory condition. What happens with inflammation? Edema is present and the amount that remains in the tissue is determined by how much stagnation exists.

The human body has the ability to fight toxicity; however, as we age, it becomes more difficult for the body to do so.

Many believe that cellulite cannot be broken down and moved from the body, but that is not true. Treatments are not a quick fix and it is important to understand that. It is a process. If you decide to commit to the task of reversing cellulite, it is important to work with a therapist who will perform professional treatments (body wraps, massage, etc.) which are specifically designed to correct cellulite. Your daily use of products will reinforce a professional program. Together, you and the therapist will create consistent changes. Usually, the initial program is no less than 6 weeks, depending on the level of cellulite. It is important to remember that it took years to create the condition; it will take 2 months to a year to undo the damage.

Remember, professional treatments will address adhesions, the gel matrix and the condition of the skin. You are responsible for the hard part, following the home program and addressing the lifestyle behaviors–exercise and diet. Without the whole package, lasting results will not occur.

Due to the connection between electrolytic balance and the balance of trace elements and minerals in the body, the use of marine algae makes it a natural choice for correcting cellulite. Our algae have a high content of mineral and trace elements in the appropriate proportions needed for optimum health.

In summary, cellulite has been described as “tissue sludge”. That is exactly what it is. Cellular waste builds up because of a reduction in the skin’s metabolism. The affected skin is lumpy, dimpled, dull, and unappealing in texture. Cellulite is most commonly found in the upper thigh and buttocks, but may also appear in the arms and abdomen.

Check out our Cellulite Kits.

(If you missed it, please read the Fluid Reduction blog. It will tell you how to know the difference between cellulite and fluid retention. It is important to know the difference!)

This weekend at my cousin’s wedding I was inspired by the beauty of my mother, Brea Gratia (Houston’s Sanctuary Spa owner and former owner/founder of Source Vitál).

She is truly aging gracefully. I asked her what her secret was and these were her tips:

1. Take great care of your skin. Exfoliation is key. Brea recommends the Fango Facial Scrub and the Silt Mask. Fango Facial Scrub is a micro-exfoliant, giving you similar results of a microdermabrasion treatment. Silt Mask is full of active ingredients resulting in improved skin metabolism, plumped skin layers, healthier blood network, & regeneration of the skin’s immune system. It is important to have a nourishing system you follow daily to maintain healthy, radiant skin. Getting regular facials is also recommended to decongest, stimulate, and nourish the skin.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Brea feels that her biggest hurdle with aging has always been maintaining a healthy weight. Weight gain is often a symptom of aging as muscle cells deteriorate, leaving you less able to burn calories than when you were younger, according to NPR. Exercise, eating in moderation while including healthy meal choices, are key in combating the effects of age.

No matter your age, it’s never too soon or too late to start taking great care of your skin and your body.

Click here for aging skin kits by Source Vitál.

References:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123887823

There are several ways to tell if you are dealing with cellulite or fluid:
1.    If you have what appears to be a dimple on the skin, lift the skin up gently above the dimple. If the dimple disappears, you are dealing with fluid. If the dimple is still visible, it is cellulite.
2.    You can do the “flick” test on the affected area. Gently flick the skin several times. If you see ripples, similar to dropping a pebble in pool of water, you are dealing with fluid.
3.    Lie on your back and raise your legs perpendicular to your body. If all the dimpling disappears, you are dealing with fluid.
4.    Feel the tissue by gently pressing on the skin. If the skin feels hard and dense, it is cellulite. If the skin feels soft, boggy or mushy, it is fluid.

Ninety percent of fluid retention is present just beneath the surface of the skin. There can be fluid present and still have cellulite underneath. Many of us have a combination of the two. The fluid needs to be addressed before the cellulite.

Fluid retention is a condition that most individuals will experience at one time or another. It is especially prevalent in females. Fluid retention can be acute, as during the menstrual cycle or due to medications. It can be chronic due to hereditary factors.

Factors contributing to fluid retention:
•    High intake of table salt or sugar
•    Heat
•    Stress
•    Hormonal imbalance
•    Improper exercise
•    Heredity

Stress can play a major role in causing fluid retention. Chronic stress affects the adrenal glands, part of the endocrine (hormonal) system. In turn, the stress puts the whole hormonal system out of balance. The pituitary (also part of the endocrine system) is the gland that produces the hormone that controls fluid levels in the body and also tells the adrenals to activate when under stress.

Excessive refined sugar and salt intake can aggravate fluid conditions. Diary and meat consumption can contribute to hormonal compromise because of the synthetic hormones being added to these foods. Nine out of ten people have some level of hormonal imbalance. This affects both male and female. Males are now developing cellulite and breast cancer, traditionally female disorders, as well as thyroid and obesity issues. All can be linked to diet. Compounding this condition is the heredity component.

One lifestyle behavior that can aggravate fluid retention is hot baths or showers. For many of us, taking a “hot” bath at the end of the day is a relaxing treat. The truth is that hot baths are very stimulating to the body and mind, which is the opposite of what we need when we’re trying to get to sleep or combating fluid retention. For those prone to fluid retention, the hot water causes the tissue in the body to expand. This is a law of physics—heat expands, cold contracts. The space created by this expansion fills up with fluid. When our goal is to reduce fluid retention, we are accomplishing just the opposite because we are recreating the fluid with each bath/shower. In order to reverse this, it is better to take a bath or shower with a water temperature of 93-97°F. This will cause a mild constriction of the tissue which forces the fluid out of the tissue and into the lymphatic system, thus reducing fluid. This is a major, but simple behavior to change.

Another lifestyle component that can aggravate fluid retention is choosing forms of exercise that build up heat in the body. Jogging, high impact aerobics and saunas (wet or dry) all create the same scenario as the hot baths/showers. The best forms of exercise are walking, swimming, low impact aerobics and weight training.

If there is a compromise in the lymphatic system, fluid can build up and become stagnant. Over time this stagnation, can lead to the “cottage cheese” appearance we associate with cellulite.

Better nutrition and supplementation are chief components to fight excess fluid. Algae are among the most potent forms of nutrition. They can be used as a whole food supplement and in skin and body care products as part of your personal care regimen. Remineralizing by increasing minerals and trace elements to your body is an important step to addressing fluid retention.

Professional treatments for fluid include seaweed wraps, hydrotherapy, lymphatic drainage and massage. A home program consisting of products incorporating dry body brushing, essential oils, and algae products will reinforce the remineralization on a daily basis, giving the body the fuel and tools it needs to repair itself.

Check out our Fluid Reduction Kits.

Check out our next blog, we will talk about cellulite!

Here are the top ways to reduce and prevent muscle soreness:

1. Warm up properly before you work out: warming up helps you reduce the risk of injury and muscle soreness. The purpose of a warm up is to increase the blood flow throughout the body in a gradual manner. Cold muscles don’t absorb impact as well and are more susceptible to injury.
2. Pre/Post workout meals: The food you eat before you workout is the fuel for that your body will use to repair your muscles. Your pre workout meal will help you power through the workout so that you maximize performance. What you eat after your workout is critical to muscle recovery.
3. Hydration: Good hydration helps replace the water lost through sweat during your workout. Drinking water helps your circulation and healing processes.
4. Take a bath: A Dead Sea Salt bath is an effective way to relax and aid in muscle soreness recovery. The Dead Sea minerals absorb into muscle tissue and provide relief from soreness and stiffness by increasing blood flow which eliminates toxins trapped in your muscles, allowing an oxygen-rich blood flow, bringing improved nourishment to your tissues and decreasing discomfort.
5. Ice: Icing your muscles will reduce inflammation and pain.
6. Massage:  A good massage will help soothe achy muscles. Massage can suppress inflammation and actually enhance cell recovery.
7. Cool down after your workout: Muscles tend to want to tighten after a workout. Cooling down and stretching will help carry important nutrients and oxygen to your muscles and cells.