The Facts About Energy Bars

You can’t turn around in an aisle at the grocery store or even the local gas station without bumping into a display of energy bars. Since we’re a nation obsessed with health and fitness, it was only a matter of time before they caught on big.

Energy bars, low-carb bars, no-carb bars, diet bars, protein bars, power bars, soy bars – whew! Why has eating become so complicated? Advertisers claim that if you have a need, chances are there’s a bar out there that can fill it.

That may not be so true.

Energy bars should never be considered replacement for a meal, but can be a reasonable snack if you choose wisely and know what to look out for. Some types are high calorie, and try to balance that out with high fiber, which may not be worth the trade.

If you are dieting, keep an eye on the fat and calorie count and don’t make a deal with yourself because of the fiber or protein. And unless you’re an endurance athlete, high-carbohydrate bars are out.

Low-carb diets are all the rage right now. It seems everyone around us is on either Atkins or South Beach Diet. There are low-carb bars for those diets, but read the labels carefully. Most use high levels of sugar alcohol, which has unpleasant digestive side effects like gas and diarrhea.

Diets based on the glycemic index are also popular right now. Low-glycemic energy bars claim to boost your energy level without playing with the body’s sugar and insulin stores. Those claims are difficult to prove because of the multiple ingredients.

So how do you choose?

• Stick to a bar somewhere between 3 to 5 grams of fiber, and no more than 225 calories.
• Look for no trans-fat and very little saturated fat.
• Avoid the jumbo-sized bars.
• And anytime you can, pick whole foods over a quick energy bar. Try an apple and some peanut butter!

I am not saying to avoid energy bars; however I am saying be smart about you eat.

Calorie Cutting Ideas

Let’s face it:  We are a nation obsessed with dieting and weight loss. It’s repetitive, really. We make a resolution at New Year’s to lose pounds and shape up, then burn out after a few weeks to slack off for the rest of the winter months.

Then, as summer approaches – and with it the threat of having to wear a swimsuit – we take up the cause again in a frenzy. Sound familiar?

So why do we fail? Trying to do too much at once is usually the culprit. Jumping right into a crash diet and rigorous gym routine is what causes burn-out; best to start small by cutting a few calories first.

And that doesn’t mean having to go hungry. There are a few tricks you can employ to shave calories off your diet and not even notice:

• Switch to all natural sweeteners like stevia, xylitol, or turbinado sugar. Try to avoid artificial sweetener like Splenda or Truvia. because they are not healthy options.
• Replace soda with healthy options like herbal teas and even carbonated waters like LaCroix. Diet soda, or a low-calorie drink like Crystal Light should not be your top options for healthier drinks.
• Read labels at the grocery store – compare everyday products and choose one with fewer calories; you’d be surprised how fast it adds up.
• Leave the salad dressing to the side – dip each bite into it instead; it cuts the amount in half!
• Have a couple of nice, cold crunchy pickles with your sandwich instead of potato chips – don’t laugh, it works!
• Having dessert? Cut the bottom crust off of pie or the bottom layer off the cake – you won’t even know it’s gone, and you’ll save yourself about 100 calories!
• Swap beef for chicken – and make sure it’s skinless.
• Use butter-flavored cooking spray to prepare food in the skillet instead of oil.

Little changes like this add up in a big way; you can take a 2,000 calorie diet down to 1,500 without even feeling it, losing a couple of pounds gradually in a way you can keep it off.

Hair Removal Techniques

For centuries, women have been waging a war against hair removal, be it peach fuzz or dark, coarse growth. It’s something just about every woman deals with every day, but no one ever talks about.

The causes are vast, everything from heredity to ethnic heritage to medical conditions to environment. But whatever the reason, the solutions are many and can be confusing unless you know what you are looking for.

Methods can range from the very cheap do-it-yourself methods to the very costly methods that are performed in a spa or medical setting. Keep in mind when picking a hair removal option that first and foremost you need to protect your skin. Some methods of removing unwanted hair can be quite caustic to sensitive areas and skin that is easily irritated.

Laser/pulsed light treatment is one of the most popular – and expensive – methods out there for hair removal. This has to be done by a doctor, and involves using laser to destroy the hair’s follicle. The hair doesn’t fall out during the treatment, but weakens and falls out over time. This takes up to 7 sessions with a yearly touch-up, and can cost up to $500 and more. Best for:  Women with dark hair, light skin. Won’t work on blond or white hair. Can cause dark spots, scarring and burning.

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method, which is done through a tiny needle inserted into each hair follicle to destroy the cells responsible for hair growth. The process can be uncomfortable, but anesthetic creams are usually applied. The cost can be up to $90 per treatment, and can take as many as 25 treatments. Best for:  Women with stubborn facial hair. Not recommended for women of color due to the possibility of discoloration and keloids.

Many women turn to waxing for cheaper results. And today’s waxing procedures are not the stick honey compounds our mothers used; today, soy-based waxes are sold that stick only to the hair and not to your skin, minimizing the ouch factor. It can be used anywhere on the body, and can be done in the salon, spa or even in your own bathroom. Best for:  Everyone.

Other options include depilatory creams like Nair, and the old stand-by, shaving. Prescription creams such as Vaniqa are also available that reduce hair growth.

There are always options for hair removal. You just have to find the one that is right for you.

How To Care For Rough Skin

Skin care is a national obsession – and at the very least a love affair with most people.

Yet even with careful hydration, dutiful exfoliation and moisturizing faithfully after every shower or bath, rough areas still manage to persist. Places like elbows, knees, heels and even lips lose moisture rapidly and stay coarse despite the best efforts.

The good news is that there are a few ways to tackle the troublesome dry skin in these areas.

To care for rough skin, it is suggested that you simply start with the basics. Hot water robs rough, dry skin of much-needed moisture. Keep showers short, and use lukewarm water if at all possible. If you have a hot tub, curtail your use in the summer months.  Use a creamy, moisturizing body wash that contains glycerin, shea butter or aloe – all are highly recommended for those rough areas.

Trust in Mother Earth. Nature has a few secrets when it comes to very dry skin. Two of those natural remedies are oatmeal and coconut oil. The key here is to go thick on the rough patches that thrive on our elbows, knees and heels.

Colloidal oatmeal (this has been ground into a fine powder) can be found in many lotions and body creams in most drug stores.

For a healthy dose of coconut oil, look no further than Sacred Glo’s handmade lotion candles! Crafted from the finest natural ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil and Shea butter, Sacred Glo candles heat up to just 2 degrees above body temperature and melt down into a thick, luxurious body butter perfect for those rough areas. And the scents are so poetic and soothing, you can pamper your soul at the same time.

Lips are a trickier problem; overdo it and the delicate skin becomes raw. Let it go, and lips can crack and bleed from dryness. The best tip to come around in a long time is this one:  put some petroleum jelly on a soft-bristled toothbrush and use tiny circular motions to smooth the rough surface. Wipe, and follow with a lip balm. Presto!

Rough skin does not have to be a part of your daily existence. Follow these tip and start with a warm and soft Sacred Glo candle to bring the moisture to your skin that it deserves.

Swine Flu Tips

Swine flu. Two words we are all tired of hearing. Since the emergence of the H1N1 flu virus in April of this year, people seem to be obsessed with it. Not a nightly news report goes by without the tally of deaths in the U.S. due to the swine flu. Which, if you pay close attention are not that high and not as high as it can me with the typical flu.

And yes, it is contagious. So contagious that the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) declared a pandemic in June, sparking a bit of a frenzy among the public. Misinformation circulated via the Internet and by word of mouth at dizzying rates.

But reported cases – and subsequent deaths – seem to have slacked off lately. The W.H.O. decided last week to stop tracking the H1N1 virus and occurrences.

That does not mean, though, that we can let our guard down as far as practicing good habits. H1N1 flu may have slipped off the radar, but we need to stay vigilant and protect ourselves anyway.

Prevention tips:

• Wash your hands often, with soap and water for at least 60 seconds at a time. (You can also use alcohol-based hand gel in a pinch, but not as a constant substitute.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – pathways for germs to get inside the body.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick yourself, stay home at least 7 days.

Contrary to some of the information out there, it is safe to handle and eat pork products. It is safe to drink the tap water. It is safe to swim in pools or public waterways. All of this information comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is really the only credible expert source out there.

Symptoms of the swine flu are much like the regular seasonal influenza that plagues us:  fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, aches, chills and fatigue. Some have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well. The elderly, small children and those with respiratory illness and immune system deficiencies need to be extra careful.

For more information, visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Aromatherapy For The Elderly

Many of us today find ourselves in the position of not only caring for our children, but caring for our aging parents and relatives as well. Advances in medical treatment and healthcare have lengthened life span, making care of the elderly in the home almost a necessity.

We have discovered the coveted benefits of aromatherapy for our own relaxation and peace, and now that very therapy is being explored for the elderly. Aromatherapy has become a trend in many elder care settings. You will find aromatic diffusers can be found in senior centers and nursing homes as accepted practice by caregivers.

You can do this in your own home by sharing SacredGlo candles with your aging relatives. There are two ways to accomplish this. First you can release the scent into the environment around them; and secondly, by using the all-natural, warm lotion to soothe their fragile skin.

Some of the essential oils shown to work with the geriatric population:

Rose hip oil:  Known for its analgesic properties, this invigorating scent improves concentration and memory. Also excellent for softening wrinkles on the skin.

Chamomile:  A soothing treatment for insomnia and restlessness. Also provides anti-inflammatory relief from rheumatic aches and pains.

Lavender:  Relief from the frustration of insomnia; also shown to help with agitated persons suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Orange blossom and citrus:  Stimulating and revitalizing, citrus-y scents help aid in energy levels, circulation and memory.

Aging skin can be quite dry and fragile; our bodies lose the ability to retain moisture as part of the natural aging process. SacredGlo’s lotion candles contain Shea butter, jojoba and coconut oils to provide a luxurious way to keep delicate skin soft and stiff joints warm. These all natural, nontoxic ingredients are safe for skin that is easily irritated.

So share the joy and relaxation of aromatherapy with your elders, and let the calm come to them!

Relax With Reflexology

The days seem to be getting longer, don’t they? But it’s not because of the summer solstice; instead it has everything to do with the amount of things we have to cram into our daily lives.

Job, errands, family, traffic, finances – we come home everyday teeming with tension. Finding ways to relax and relieve stress is becoming a greater challenge lately. Sacred Glo customers know how to create a peaceful atmosphere, using the aromatherapy benefits of the scents available.

There’s nothing quite like pampering the skin and soothing the soul with our favorite Sacred Glo lotion candles. Did you know that there is another relaxing use for them. The candles are the perfect partner for a foot massage!

Massage therapists have extensive training, and some also rely on the principle of reflexology when it comes to the feet. But you don’t have to be a professional to use a few techniques at home to cure what ails that special person in your life.

Reflexology operates on the theory that the nerve endings (over 70,000 of them) in the feet are the gateway to the rest of the body; and that by massaging parts of the feet you can relieve aches and other physical conditions. For example, head and neck stimuli are thought to be in the toes; abdominal reflexes are under the balls of the feet.

Set the mood with your favorite Sacred Glo scents, and have your partner relax in a comfortable place. Rely on the candles for lighting, and add in some soothing music. Now blow out the flame and apply that luxurious body lotion to both feet and ankles.

Here’s where to start:
•    Apply gentle pressure to your partner’s foot, holding it with both hands along the sides.
•    Rub the top of the foot and around the ankles.
•    Next, use the heel of your hand to massage the sides of the foot.
•    Rub each toe between your thumb and first two fingers.
•    Start over with the other foot.

Say ahhh! Relieve stress, relax, and enhance health and vitality!

Gardening For Serenity

With the busy traffic of our lives, it is often difficult to clear the clutter of racing thoughts from our mind, and a find a bit of daily serenity. One way to quickly restore the five senses and provide a great stimulus to both mind and body is gardening.

Gardening for relaxation can provide a road to inner peace. The sights and smells of a garden in full bloom provide the soul with a sense of accomplishment; it’s hard to ignore the wonder of life when you have created it with your own hands all around you.

No matter how small your space – even if it is simply a windowsill – developing a green thumb is a relaxing and healthy pursuit. It keeps you in touch with nature, and gets you out of the house for a bit of physical activity. Cultivating your own little space of natural beauty provides the soothing, healing color of green to calm your stress and holistically help to reduce blood pressure. You body will also release endorphins, elevating mood.

And in your serene little garden, clean oxygen is being produced every minute by the plants you have grown. Imagine how relaxing filling your lungs with fresh air is, knowing you helped create it! Being outside even for short stints allows you to reap the mood-enhancing benefits of the sun’s Vitamin D.

In life we do reap what we sow, and making a time investment in growing a little garden is worthwhile, for it gives back exponentially. It also teaches us the fine art of patience and solitude; and opens up a space where we can escape the concrete jungle of our daily lives and find a brief respite.

Sense of self, sense of pride, and sense of life through the pursuit of gardening can lead also to a sense of serenity and peace. And achieving this will give us back the balance that stress takes away.

Simple Yoga

Finding new ways to relieve stress is important to our complete well-being. Releasing daily stress is a way to find calmness within the body and serenity within the soul.

Meditating, aromatherapy and writing in a journal can all soothe the mind directly;  yet are difficult for some people to adapt to. You will also discover that there are ways to work on the mind through the body.

Our bodies are our log books, storing and imprinting all of life’s information in the way we center ourselves, breathe and move. Listening to the body, experts say, is really listening to the mind and the soul.

When it comes to working on the body and mind connect, yoga is one of those great stress relieving methods. Despite popular belief, yoga does always involve turning yourself into a pretzel. There are simple moves you can use that are not body-strenuous; but still provide the calm, often referred to as active relaxation.

Here are a couple of simple moves to get you started. Before doing any of these positions, warm up your muscles with simple stretching.

Supported Bridge Pose
Place a couch pillow (or a folded blanket) in the center of your mat or floor and lie on them so they support the length of your spine. Slide off the end until your head and shoulders are touching the floor. Rest your arms to the floor, palms up. Fold your legs under cross-style. Hold this pose for 5 minutes and release.

Extended Triangle Pose
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms by your sides. Inhale, and raise both arms parallel to your shoulders. Exhale, slowly turning your torso to the left. Bend at the waist, and bring your right hand down to the left ankle. Hold for several minutes. Repeat with the other side. The key here are S-L-O-W movements; remember to breathe deeply.

Seated Forward Bend
Sit on the floor, supporting your bottom with a couch pillow or folded blanket, and your legs stretched out in front of you. Press with your heels. Now lean slowly onto your left buttock ad hold for a few seconds Repeat with the other side. The press your thighs and palms to the floor and lift slightly, turning your head upwards.

These poses are designed to relieve tension, stress, alleviate mild depression and provide peace. Try them daily, to see if this might be your perfect way to achieve your own sacred serenity.