Nourish Your Nose, Nourish Your Body and Soul

For anyone who has ever felt their stress melt away like butter under the artful hands of a talented massage therapist, it is hard to imagine that anything could get better than that. It can, and the Greeks had the scoop on it in the 4th century.

Hippocrates, our father of medicine, defined medicine as "the art of rubbing".  More specifically however, he advised that people take "a daily aromatic bath and scented massage".  He theorized that to obtain true health one had to be balanced, and that the body had to be treated as a whole, not just a series of parts.

Like the ancient Egyptians and practitioners of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine centuries before him, Hippocrates also believed that essential oils could heal. Though many of Hippocrates' practices lost favour over the centuries, aromatic massage is one that is having a major revival.

Aromatic massage combines the topical benefits of essential oils with the therapeutic benefits of the massage. Essential oils, simply put, are the concentrated form of the oil of the plant from which they are taken. Each individual oil represents the unique scent and characteristics of its source plant. In aromatherapy, each of these scents or characteristics has noted therapeutic properties.

We all know about endorphins and can relate to how the scent of Grandma's lavender perfume on a forgotten sweater can momentarily wrap us up in one of her cocooning hugs. Interestingly enough, lavender was actually central to the freak incident that led to the development of the term 'aromatherapy'.  In the early 1900s a French chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse burned his hand in a lab accident. He quickly doused it in the nearest container, one holding pure lavender oil. His hand healed so quickly, and with so little scarring, that he became fascinated with essential oils. He later went on to publish a book appropriately called 'Aromatherapy'.

With over 300 essential oils and a seemingly infinite combination of those to choose from, you are sure to find one that targets your specific needs. Give your therapist as much ammunition as possible in terms of lifestyle and health information, and you could find yourself healing, de-stressed, replenished and satiny smooth—all in one day. And remember to breathe. That can be the best part.

References

http://www.oilsandplants.com/gattefosse.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/massage_therapy/article.htm

Pondering a Purse?

With the spring season upon us, you might be considering an update of your handbag. Once you have made the decision to invest in a new purse, there are many things to consider.

When it comes to purses, size does matter.  What will the bag be used for primarily? Will you use it every day to carry necessities like bottled water, hair products or slip-on walking shoes; or will it be a more formal or special occasion bag?  It pays to sit down and list everything that you plan to carry.  Then, refer to your list when you are shopping and see if the styles you are looking at fit the bill.

If features like a zip closure or exterior pockets are really important to you, don't justify a spending money on a bag that doesn't include them. You could regret the purchase the first time you find yourself feeling blindly for a missing cell phone at the bottom of your bag.

Colour often presents the biggest challenge when shopping for a handbag. Play it safe, or go wild? Neutral is often the best bet for larger, designer bag investments. Shades of black and brown go with everything and hold their value while trendy colours and embellishments can fade from style quickly.

However, if your wardrobe is crying out for a punch of colour, a red purse can be a great constant that lets others know that you do possess a little joie de vivre.
How important are dual straps to you? If you find yourself always slinging your purse over your shoulder, you probably shouldn't give up a shoulder strap entirely, even if a carry handle is an important option for you. Habits can be hard to break. Many a clutch purse has been left on banquet tables by former shoulder slingers! Know thyself.

Finally, shop around and stick to a budget. There are lots of great options and price points available today. Material and quality of construction are key factors that determine cost. Though these are qualities that are more easily assessed in person, there are many reputable online retailers. Ask around for referrals.

And remember, unless your old bag is truly beyond repair, there are lots of charities that would love to give it a chance to shop around again!

Product Spotlight: Pliable Paste from Joico

Hair pastes are a fantastic styling tool, offering control, texture, and the flexibility to work with your style. One of our favourites is Pliable Paste from Joico.

 Designed for medium to thick hair, lightweight Pliable Paste provides a clean matte finish with a long-lasting, firm hold. The advanced resin system in Pliable Paste adheres quickly and thoroughly to hair, meaning no flaking. Pliable Paste also protects hair: its combination of essential lipids, UVA/UVB filters, and antioxidants shields hair from sun and free radical damage. It is ideal for women’s and men’s short hairstyles.

 Pliable Paste and other Joico products are available at Great Lengths Hair Gallery. 

Relax with a Hot Stone Massage

While a massage is wonderful at any time of year, there is something particularly appealing about a hot stone massage in the winter. If you haven’t tried one, this might be the perfect time of year to do so.


The stones used in a hot stone massage are usually river rocks, made of basalt. The high iron levels in basalt help the rocks retain heat. The warmth of the stones offers an immediate sense of calm and also warms and relaxes the muscles so the therapist can apply deeper pressure, if needed.

After heating the rocks to the desired temperature, the therapist places them at specific points on the body, most often on the back, in the palms of the hands, and between the toes. Livestrong.com calls these “trigger points” (http://bit.ly/y0klq3) and notes that the heat from the stones opens blood vessels and may improve circulation.

In addition to improved circulation, there are many other benefits associated with hot stone massage: deep muscle and tissue relaxation; relief of anxiety and stress; pain relief from overworked muscles or even osteoarthritis; and helping to ease some of the symptoms of depression.

The massage therapist always checks the temperature before applying the rocks, but if you decide to try a hot stone massage and feel that the stones are too hot, it is important to let the therapist know.

As with any other therapy, if you have any serious health issues, check with your doctor before trying a hot stone massage. Hot stone massage is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with high blood pressure, but for the majority of people, it can be a wonderful way to unwind, de-stress, and relieve muscle pain.

And the 2012 Colour of the Year Is...

What colour will be the hottest this year? According to the Pantone Color Institute® in the U.S., it’s Tangerine Tango. (http://bit.ly/zAQYpO)


The colour is described as a “spirited reddish orange...[r]eminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset” that will give us “energy boost we need to recharge and move forward,” and it is appearing in everything from fashion and makeup to home design.

Tommy Hilfiger is one of many designers to feature the colour in his Spring 2012 collection, although the Pantone Color Institute foresees the deep orange shade remaining popular through fall.

Orange has been a popular makeup shade since last year, and was recently seen on Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara, whose head-to-toe orange look was praised by the editors at Glamour Beauty. (http://glmr.me/zm7ktI)

As for the home? Orange can be seen in all manner of accessories, from towels to vases to flatware.

If you want to introduce a little Tangerine Tango into your life but worry that it might be too overpowering, start small. Add a throw cushion or other small accents to a room. If you’re feeling a bit bolder, try using Tangerine Tango to paint an accent wall. (The Pantone Color Institute suggests adding it to the kitchen or an entryway or hallway.)

If you’d like to wear this popular colour, you can go big, with a striking orange dress like Rooney Mara’s, or small with a scarf or purse. How about trying orange eyeshadow? It might sound a bit extreme, but the colour is actually quite versatile and can really flatter blue or green eyes. A coral-toned blush suits many skin tones, and bold orange can look great on your nails. (Consider it if you are heading south this winter.)

Enjoy experimenting with this colour. It’s such a lively shade, you can’t help but have fun with it!

Getting Ready for the Oscars!

Movie award season is in full swing. Producers and critics’ groups have weighed in and the first of the big award shows, the Golden Globes, has already taken place. Still to come—the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) awards on January 29, the Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, and, of course, the Oscars on February 26.

The Oscars, for which nominations were just announced (http://bit.ly/A6hl3a), always get the most attention. And why not? This is the 84th year for the ceremony. Given the show’s longevity, it seems fitting that two of the most nominated films this year—Hugo and The Artist—celebrate the long history of film.

To get ready for the big ceremony, we’ve compiled some links to fill you in on all things Oscar:

• Once the nominations are announced, there is always lots of talk about who got snubbed. Entertainment Weekly (http://bit.ly/AaV9tv) was one of the first with a list of who did not make the cut, but should have (in their opinion). Eonline also shared their list of surprises and snubs on the day nominations were announced. (http://eonli.ne/xKu5FY)

• For a full list of nominations and a visual history of the Oscars (including fashion), visit www.oscar.go.com.

• Get an Oscar party kit here. (http://bit.ly/A4NVsp) It includes food and drink recipes, a downloadable Oscar ballot, and cards for an Oscar bingo game.

• There are lots of sites that promise a look at the best and worst Oscar dresses ever, including Vogue (http://bit.ly/zjFj6i), Time (http://ti.me/AEOS47), and Marie Claire (http://bit.ly/A36w0g).

• And one of our favourites...red carpet hairstyles! Here are Allure magazine’s best Oscar hairstyles of the past decade (http://on.allure.com/AmZkap) and Harper’s Bazaar’s iconic hair and beauty moments (http://bit.ly/ACWUZM).

Enjoy the show!

Nutrition Trends for 2012

The start of a new year often leads people to focus on their health. Here are some of the top “superfoods” that nutrition writers recommend you add to your diet this year:

• Chia Seeds. Yes, these are the same seeds used in chia pets, but don’t let that dissuade you! Nutritionists are touting the health benefits of these little seeds, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fibre, protein, and lots of minerals. In fact, chia seeds have more calcium than milk, more potassium than bananas, and more iron than spinach. To serve, sprinkle the seeds on cereal or yogurt, sprout them and add them to sandwiches, or use chia flour in baking.

• Pomegranates. These fruits have been on the radar of nutritionists for a while, but they seem to be everywhere now. Pomegranates contain high amounts of an antioxidant called ellagic acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Pomegranates are also considered a potential cancer-fighter. To remove the seeds from the pith, cut the fruit in half, only as deep as the skin. Pull it apart and submerge it in water as you peel the pith away from the seeds. The seeds will sink to the bottom.

• Black Garlic. A little shocking in appearance, black garlic has double the antioxidants of fresh garlic. The dark colour is achieved through fermentation. Use black garlic in dips, on crackers or crostini, or in pasta sauce.

• Gooseberries. These little berries contain lots of antioxidants, B-vitamins, and, surprisingly for a berry, high levels of protein. Gooseberries are tart, and better used in jams, chutneys, and pies or other baked goods than eaten off the vine.

• Black Rice. Black rice contains high levels of the same antioxidant found in blueberries (anthocyanin.) It is also high in fibre and a good source of iron. Cook black rice as you would any other type of rice.

Other foods that made the grade this year include: kale, quinoa, and legumes of all kinds, like adzuki beans, chickpeas, and black beans.

Sources: Canadian Living, Vancouver Sun, ivillage.ca.

How to Keep Hair Looking Great While Travelling

Whether you are heading south this winter or have a schedule full of business trips, you know the impact travel can have on your hair. Here are a few quick tips to keep your hair looking its best while you travel and throughout your trip:

Website WebMD recommends that you travel with a natural boar bristle brush to tend to hair without generating static. (Often a problem in the dry environment of an airplane.) You can also travel with a scarf or trendy hat to cover hair in case your style doesn’t survive the trip.

Wondering what to pack? Include a travel size shampoo, conditioner and only your essential styling aids. If you have room, a dry shampoo is always a good idea to reduce excess oil in hair, whether en route or at your destination. A small assortment of hair clips, elastics, and hair bands are handy for creating a pulled-together look even if you are overtired or stressed from travelling. And check with your hotel before you pack your hair dryer. Chances are there is one in the room that will work quite nicely for you.

Try to plan your hairstyles ahead of time so you know which hair accessories and tools you’ll need to pack. Quick, simple styles are often best when you’re on vacation or travelling for business. With simple styles, you may even be able to leave the curling iron or flat iron at home!

And remember that sun, saltwater, and chlorine from the hotel pool can cause a lot of damage to hair. When packing, try to find room for a leave-in conditioner. To minimize chlorine damage, rinse your hair with tap water before and after swimming. And remember a broad-brimmed sun hat to protect hair from the sun’s rays. (More tips on minimizing hair damage can be found at skincare-news.com. http://bit.ly/AEEzle)

Bon voyage!