What’s Your Attitude About Aging?

We are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of products geared towards anti-aging. It is nearly impossible to walk into any store and not be affected. From skin remedies to make up to toothpaste, a new product designed to thwart the aging process pops up daily.

And a grand majority of us tend to approach aging the same way:  We wage war.

We fight wrinkles, battle fine lines and combat the natural breakdown of our bodies. But did you know that a negative attitude towards the aging process actually speeds it up?

It’s true. Experts have found a definitive link between attitude and how fast the body ages itself. Having a positive attitude towards this inevitable process that we all face is actually a large part of slowing it down.

And while it sounds like a long shot, the secret to getting yourself into a positive frame of mind has to do with accepting what you cannot change.  Our bodies will continue to age, and like every other stage in life, has a beauty all its own. Learning to see this and finding something to love about yourself at every age will make you present in your current condition.

Health and beauty experts say maintaining a positivity about the signs of aging slows the development of wrinkles and lines, and may help keep collagen stores up to help skin hold its elasticity.

Waging a war against the days to come and wishing for the body of days past is just not healthy. It leaves very little time to enjoy the present. The key is to release the stress about aging and relax, and love the constant state of change our bodies are in.

Experts do say that there are some skin products and supplements that may very well relax lines a bit and help creaky joints, and that finding products you trust can help give a positive attitude too.

Love who you are, and rejoice in this stage of life before it passes!

The Importance of Bedroom Decor

Even though it is the room we spend most of our time in, the bedroom is usually the last place we decorate.

And yet we look to our bedroom as a haven for relaxation, for calm and for sensual energy, but are we actually taking steps to insure that?

Providing the right kind of atmosphere for relaxation in your bedroom can be achieved through a few simple decorating changes, like color and lighting and how furniture is positioned throughout your space.

Many of these principles follow feng shui, a centuries-old philosophy that incorporates harmony and peace into a living space to control the flow of energy that surrounds you.

Think of your bedroom as a blank canvas, and start with the walls. These background colors are very important in controlling your emotions and mood, and calm earth tones are highly recommended. Tans, browns, rust, and hues of off-white can accomplish this nicely. Light shades of blues and greens are also cool and relaxing.

Your bed should be accessible from either side, experts say, to reduce stress. Also, end tables need to be on each side of the bed to keep balance. Never allow your bed to sit on the floor, or directly under a window. Also, do not place your bed directly in view of the doorway. Angle it instead so that you can see the door.

Get rid of televisions, computers and exercise equipment! Your bedroom is for relaxing. These things unconsciously raise your stress level. Also, avoid clutter, since it traps positive energy from flowing.

Lighting is perhaps one of the most critical components here. Your bedroom should have a dimmer, and when at all possible use candles to light the room, as long as they are toxin-free. Sacred Glo’s lotion candles offer a wonderful opportunity to provide relaxed toxin-free lighting and poetic aromatherapy into your bedroom haven. Paraffin wax-free with all cotton wicks and the finest natural ingredients, Sacred Glo’s handmade creations bring the calm right to your bedroom.

Making your bedroom a relaxing environment will not only reduce stress, but provide a better, fuller sleep to leave you refreshed for the next day. Carpe diem!

Core Strengthening Foods

We our only blessed with one body and one life. Taking care of our heath requires preventative measures; both large and small.

Many of us have learned the benefit of strengthening our body’s core. Increased energy and endurance for the tasks of everyday life, a more balanced metabolism, and improved posture are just a few of the results.

But in addition to performing key strengthening exercises on our major muscle groups, eating certain foods will strengthen the body’s core as well; giving our systems cleaner energy to burn. More energy means better function, and makes it easier for us to stay positive in the face of everyday challenges. More energy to burn also means improved mental focus.

Studies show that the key is eating low glycemic rated carbohydrates, clean burning proteins and healthy fats. Including these categories in every meal will get you on the right track to strengthening your body core.

The leanest, cleanest proteins can be found in the following places: egg whites, turkey breast, chicken breast, all white/pale fish (scrod, cod, sole, tuna, flounder, halibut, tilapia, etc), and of course, protein shakes. These are low in fat, especially saturated fat. Don’t overdo it, though; too much protein and your body will store what is unused as body fat. Our bodies as a rule can usually only handle between 25 and 30 grams per meal.

Low glycemic rated carbs is another way to provide core-strengthening energy. The glycemic index rates foods on their impact to our blood glucose levels. High-impact foods cause extremes in blood sugar, and push your body to extremes, packing on weight and raising blood pressure. A low-GI diet lowers cholesterol, keeps us in balance, reduces hunger and keeps you feeling fuller longer. Ways to switch:  use breakfast cereals containing oats, barley and bran, eat wholegrain breads, reduce amount of potatoes, add in fruits and vegetables, and eat lots of salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

And if that vinaigrette is made with canola or olive oil, then that’s a good way to add in healthy fats. Also, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts like almonds and pecans, and sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds are also healthy fats.

It doesn’t have to be drudgery. It’s O.K. to cheat once in awhile and have that piece of cheesecake. Enjoy life, but take care of that body!

The Danger Of Paraffin Candles

For many of us, candles are an important part of our daily lives. The aromatherapy is wonderful for relaxation, and the warmth and light render ambiance to any room.

But what candle you choose, however, could affect your health. Candles made from paraffin wax have long been suspect as carcinogens if burned consistently. Now, the American Chemical Society has proof.

At their annual meeting in Washington D.C. last week, scientists from the ACS announced that research done on paraffin candles showed that when burned they released toxic chemicals into the air. Poisonous enough to cause cancer, they said.

The main source is petroleum, which paraffin candles are largely comprised of. Lighted frequently, especially in unventilated rooms like the bathroom, pose a health risk, researchers said. It’s been an unrecognized source of indoor air pollution, and may also be the culprit behind those suffering from allergies.

The solution? Candles made from beeswax or soy do not contain toxic pollutants, and are much healthier for you.

Sacred Glo has long known the benefits of using all natural candles. That’s why their handmade, artisan lotion candles are so popular. Made from the finest, most luxurious ingredients like soy, Shea butter and essential oils, Sacred Glo’s candles even have an all-cotton, clean burning wick.

That’s why the massage lotion and warm body butter created by burning Sacred Glo candles are so good for your skin.

And while the very occasional paraffin candle may not harm you, why take any chance at all, especially when we’re talking about cancer?

So enjoy all the ambience, warm light and relaxing scent of candles without risking your health. Sacred Glo has a fragrance for every occasion, no matter what mood you’re trying to create.

Tips For Pampering Your Skin

Who has the extra money for a facial these days? Most of us are just trying to pay the grocery bill.

It doesn’t change the fact that our still needs that bit of pampering. And if money and time for the spa are short, the good news is you can give yourself a satisfying facial with stuff right from the pantry!

All facials, regardless of where they happen, traditionally have the same components: cleansing, exfoliating, toning, steaming, stimulating mask and soothing massage.

Set the mood first, just like in the spa. Light your favorite Sacred Glo candles – try Sacred Clarity’s poetic lavender notes – and bask in that wonderful aromatherapy.

For a soothing cleanse to gently remove dirt and oil and flush out pores, mix a few tablespoons of warm milk and olive oil. Work it between your palms, then gently massage unto your skin. Flush copiously with warm water, always in an upward motion.

Oatmeal and sweet almond oil together make a fantastic exfoliant for dead skin cells. Try mixing about ½ cup of oatmeal to 3 tablespoons of almond oil. Add a dash of sea salt and ¼ teaspoon fresh mint, and mix with enough warm water to form a thick paste.  Use this on damp skin, always rub in a circular motion, and avoid your eye area. Rinse thoroughly.

Nature offers the perfect skin toner in witch hazel, especially when mixed with orange-blossom water. Sweep across your face with cotton make-up pads, using a fresh pad each time until there are no impurities left on the pad.

Old-fashioned at home steaming works just as well as the expensive machines. Needed? Just a soup pot, distilled water and your favorite herbs wrapped in cheesecloth. Try chamomile, lavender and eucalyptus. Boil, remove from heat, and tent a clean towel over your head to catch the steam. Be careful not to get too close!

Hydrate your skin with an egg yolk/honey mask. One egg yolk to one tablespoon of honey, and add in a few drops of safflower or sesame oil. Let dry, rinse with warm water.

(Psst! Don’t forget the rest of you! Blow out the flame on your Sacred Glo lotion candles and rub that luxurious body butter all over! Relax and enjoy the new you!)