How are Essential Oils Used?

For over 5000 years, the use of plant aromatics accompanied civilization wherever it spread. Now its called Aromatherapy and its used in our present day health and beauty therapies.

Massage uses touch as a way to deliver aromatherapy. Essential oils are diluted in lotions or carrier oils such as grapeseed oil, and nourish the skin and enhance the goals of massage. The aromas of the essential oils help balance your state of mind through the brain's limbic system.

In Skin Care, the natural substance in many essential oils and hydrosols aid in gentle cleansing and are known for their antiseptic and antioxidant effects. They can help tone, sooth or stimulate tissues, even influencing the generation of new cells.

In Bath and Spa, the age-old practice of using aromatics in the baths and steams is still very popular in todays spas. Blends of fragrant essential oils can be customized to meet your individual needs and used in tubs, body wraps, facials and scrubs. These nourishing blends help reduce the effects of stress, soothing the senses and restoring the body.

What are your favorite essential oils and how do they make you feel?

Remedies for Dry Cracked Feet

Dry cracked feet can make you feel uncomfortable and unattractive. And it’s not only a problem during the long winter months, dry feet can creep up on you at any time of the year.

While there are many cures for dry feet at your local drug store, not all of them are natural. That’s why we’ve put together some of the best natural dry cracked feet remedies for you. Get ready to reveal new soft, beautiful, touchable feet!

Vinegar Soak. Mix about a cup of white vinegar and a small amount of EclipseSpa's organic shower gel in a tub of warm water. Mix and let soak for about ten minutes.

Baking Soda Soak. Add some baking soda to a foot bath and let soak for about half an hour to help soften dry, hard feet. This also works great for the rest of your skin and you can even add some to your bath salts. OR drop in one of our bath bombs to your foot bath and get the same moisturizing effect

Milk. Add a cup of milk to a warm foot bath. Dairy is a great natural moisturizer and will help soften up hard dry skin on your feet.

Grapeseed Oil. Grapeseed oil has been used as moisturizers for dry skin long before traditional moisturizers were manufactured. After you’ve tried one of these other treatments, pat your feet dry and rub in a generous amount of oil, then put on thick socks to help keep the moisture in.

Sugar Scrub. The combination of shea butter, therapeutic oils and exfoliating sugar will leave your feet silky soft. Used over time, your feet will ready for showtime in your strappy summer sandals.

While soaks and lotions may help, they don’t get at the root cause of your problems. While dry weather may aggravate your condition, if you find you’re having to repeatedly treat your aching feet, your problem might be more than just the weather or genetics. Here are a few other causes you might look into.

Upgrade your shoes. Poor fitting shoes can cut off circulation to your heels and toes. If the skin doesn’t get blood, it doesn’t get enough water, nutrients, or water. Get your feet measured to make sure you’re wearing the right size.

If you’re using an inexpensive brand, you may want to invest in some quality footwear. They can help your feet, legs, back, and usually last a lot longer too.

Poor hygiene can also be a cause of dry cracked feet. It can be easy to neglect your feet when you’re scrubbing, but taking the extra time to scrub can be well worth it. Be sure to moisturize after since soaps can be drying.

While it may not seem like a huge issue, dry cracked feet could actually be a sign of a poor diet. Make sure you’re getting enough water and eating a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Pamper Your Skin!

Yesterday I had a my yearly facial. I must make a new years resolution to go at least 2-3 times a year for a facial because it was once again a wonderful experience. This time I had a pumpkin facial which had an amazing effect on my skin. I don't think my skin has ever felt this soft before. The pumpkin enzyme mask really unclogged all the congestion in my skin leaving it softer than ever before. In addition to the standard facial, Kelly did a arm scrub,foot massage and neck massage---ooooh, it just felt so good!

Kelly carries my spa products to sell retail to her facial clients. I met Kelly last year and we became friends. During the facial she used my red roses sugar scrub on my hands and arms--wrapped them in towels and let the scrub melt into my skin. At the conclusion of my facial she wiped down my arms and hands with a warm washcloth. Let me just say that my arms felt baby butt soft! We both had to giggle since I make the scrub and even I was super impressed with the transformation of my skin.

The long and short of this story is to remember to take care of your skin. Pamper your skin with healthy products that nourish not only the top layer of skin, but will continue to nourish deep into your skin long after its been washed off or absorbed into the skin.

Self-care is important not just physically, but emotionally too.

As we say at EclipseSpa, Spa at Home Tonight

~Anne Keefe

Uplifting Lemongrass

Lemongrass, one of my favorites, originates from India and is widely used as an herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. Lemongrass brings its tempting aroma and skin- caring properties to the spa and spa products.

Lemongrass is also used as a medicinal herb. Rich in citral, the active ingredient in lemon peel, lemongrass is said to aid in digestion, as well as relieve spasms, muscle cramps, rheumatism and headaches.

Candles, soaps and fragrances capitalize on its fresh scent. And as a natural ingredient that normalizes overactive oil glands and features a heavenly aroma, lemongrass is used as a component in spa services and products.

In the kitchen, although normally used in small amounts, the entire stalk of the grass can be sliced very fine and added to soups. Its bulb can be bruised and minced in a variety of recipes. I love going to Thai restaurants and having soup with lemongrass in it.

A treat for both the palette and skin, lemongrass offers an escape from the everyday. Its clean, crisp flavor and scent complement culinary delights, comforting beverages and soothing spa products. Give yourself a lift with a spa product that contains the heavenly scent of lemongrass.

If I were a flower.........

This is fun, just let your imagination flow. If you were a flower, what type of flower would you be and why? Having trouble picking one, write more than just one.....

I'll go first............

If I were a flower, I would be a red rose because they are soft and pretty and smell amazing. I had red roses in my wedding bouquet,and remember the day when Michael sent me dozens and dozens of roses before he moved in. That is why I made some bath products with the fresh scent of red roses.


Okay, now your turn...........

Natural Skin Care for Winter

The cold and blustery winter months are upon us and for many that means problems with their skin. Whether you suffer from dry skin all the time, or your skin becomes chapped from being outdoors in the wind or from forced indoor heating,or any other number of skin issues, I'm sure you wished there was a cure for what ails you.

Did you know there are actually many ways that you can care for your skin, naturally without having to purchase anything from your local drug or department store? That's right, you have the ability to do your own skin care regimen at home for pennies, because most likely you already have everything that you need right in your own home.

Some ways that you can care for your winter skin naturally include:

Exfoliating: Especially if you have dry skin, exfoliating that old, dead skin can help allow moisture which you need to get into your pores once you have ridden them of those dead, flaky skin cells. To exfoliate you will need a physical agent like ground walnuts or apricot hulls, or an enzyme, which basically eats dead skin cells. There are even foods that are rich in enzymes which you can use to create your own at home mask to use in the process of exfoliation. These foods include pineapple and papaya. Milk also has fatty acids that mildly exfoliate. This is why the traditional milk bath has been so popular.

To create an easy inexpensive natural exfoliant, mix sea salt with olive oil. Smoothe in while standing in the tub and rub your skin gently,then rinse in the shower. You can do the same with sugar - not so great to eat, but awesome for your skin! Add a drop of your favorite essential oil to make it a spa treatment and relax you.

Eating: Yes, something that you already do on a regular basis if done correctly can change your skin. For example to help dry skin, include foods in your diet that are rich in fatty acids. Some of these foods include salmon, olive and coconut oils, avocado, and nuts. Incorporate these into your daily diet to see what a difference they can make. What may look like dry skin may even be eczema or a rash caused by food allergies, so be alert to that possibility too.

Make Your Own Treatments: You can also make your own at home masks and treatments to treat other skin issues. Some common combinations are oatmeal, honey and water to create a mask, or avocado and honey. Smear these on your skin, allow to dry and then rinse them off.

A simple honey treatment to moisturize your skin and make it glow? Pat two drops of honey on your face after cleansing, while still damp. Your skin won't be sticky with such a small amount.

Skin care is important to the health of your skin as well as your appearance. It's best to care for your skin as naturally as possible, so why not try these options for caring for your dry winter skin.

EclipseSpa's organic bath and body products will also make taking care of your skin easier without some of the mess. Try our wildcrafted shea sugar scrubs to exfoliate, soften and smooth your skin. Our lavender scrub is on sale right now for $9.99 ($20.00 off) Easy to use in the tub or shower.

Try either our loofah or sisal sponge for dry exfoliating. Take the dry sponge and gently rub around the dry areas of your skin such as knees, elbows, legs ect. Aftwards, apply the sugar scrub (homemade or ours) to your skin. rub gently, rinse. You will be delighted with the results.

EclipseSpa Launches Affiliate Program

We are excited to announce the launch of EclipseSpa's affiliate program!

An affiliate program pays you commission when you market our products.

When your friends, customers, acquaintances, etc. makes a purchase using your affiliate link you are paid a 40% commission on the completed sale.

Your affiliate link is www.eclipsespa.com/YourName. Some of the ways you can use your affiliate link are:

A. Comment on blogs and leave your name and affiliate URL

B. You are able to build a category text link such as "mens grooming products" and market the link in your emails, on blogs, newsletters and your own website.
C. You can place a banner which we have created for our affiliates in your emails, newsletters, blog or website.

We have more information on our website on the affiliate Frequently Asked Questions page in addition to a sign-up page.

It doesn't cost anything to become an affiliate. We reward you for marketing/selling our organic bath and body products.

Be part of an exciting trend of Spa at Home Tonight products.

Thank you,

Anne Keefe

Charitible Giving Campaign

For those that know me, they'll tell you how much I love animals. There are some days I would prefer to talk to the animals than to people, but then that would be just plain rude.

I decided for January we would donate $1 for every shower gel sold this month to ARF. ARF is where we adopted our dog Macauly who has transformed our lives.

ARF is a Animal Rescue Foundation in the Bay Area (California)that saves dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and brings people and animals together to enrich each others lives. ARF strives to create a world where every loving dog and cat has a home, where every lonely person has a companion animal, and where children learn to care.

I am passionate about saving animals and have plans to foster some kittens this year. Animal Fosters are desperately needed at ARF. I think we are seeing animals in need of rescue due to economic difficulties in some households.

Please help us to help the animals by making a shower gel purchase this month.

Our shower gels are organic, and enriched with plant based ingredients known to soften your skin, leaving it more youthful looking rather than stripping and drying out your skin like other soaps and bath gels do.

What is Gotu Kola and Why Is It In My Shower Gel?

I get asked this question alot because Gotu Kola is not a ingredient you see often. Gotu Kola has been used as a medicinal herb in China, India and Indonesia. It is a perennial plant native to Japan, China, and India.


In ancient China, Gotu Kola was the principle ingredient in a famous elixir called Fo Ti Tieng, a brew that had an astounding reputation as “Fountain of Youth”. Gotu Kola works specifically to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin, as well as the manufacture of new skin cells. This translates into beautiful, renewed, supple skin.


Gotu Kola greatly enhances the integrity and vascularization of connective tisue and skin, hastens wound healing, improves elasticity and rejuvenates blood vessels for improved circulation to the skin. It is also the first ingredient in our organic shower gels. Need I say more?

Olive, Rosemary, and Onion Focaccia

This is a really easy recipe to make and perfect for company. I wanted to share it with everyone because my previous post had to do with Rosemary.



Ingredients
1-1/4-ounce package (2-1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves plus whole rosemary leaves
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 pound Kalamata, Niçoise, or green Greek olives or a combination, pitted and cut into slivers (about 1 cup)
1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, or to taste

Instructions

In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook stir together the yeast, the sugar, and 1-3/4 cups lukewarm water and proof the yeast mixture for 5 minutes, or until it is foamy . Stir in 4-1/2 cups of the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the oil and knead the dough, scraping down the dough hook occasionally and adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as necessary to form a soft, slightly sticky dough, for 3 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn it to coat it with the oil, and let it rise, covered, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk. Knead in the chopped rosemary, press the dough with lightly oiled hands into a well-oiled 15-1/2-by 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan, and let it rise, covered loosely, for 30 minutes. The dough may be made 8 hours in advance and kept covered and chilled.
Dimple the dough with your fingertips, making 1/4-inch-deep indentations, brush it with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and top it with the onion, the olives, the salt, and the whole rosemary leaves. Bake the focaccia in the bottom third of a preheated 400 degree F. oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it is golden and cooked through. Transfer the focaccia to a rack, let it cool for 10 minutes, and serve it, cut into squares, warm or at room temperature.

Credits
From: Best of Gourmet - 1992 (Condé Nast)