FitSugar

De-Stress With Calming Chamomile

DearSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:00:00 PDT

After a long or difficult day at work, I like to come home and totally forget about it all. Sometimes that's not easy, and I need a little help de-stressing.

Chamomile always does the trick. Its relaxing properties have been used for hundreds of years. A study conducted in 2005 also shows that drinking chamomile tea can alleviate cold symptoms and menstrual cramps. Drinking the tea also increases levels of glycine. Glycine is an amino acid that's been shown to act as a nerve relaxant, which is why it seems to act as a mild sedative.

There are tons of wonderful products that incorporate the taste and smell of chamomile. Here are some of my favorites.

Moroccan Chamomile Apple Blossom Soy Candle	Organic Chamomile Tea
Aura Cacia Relaxation Bath Salts	Lavender & Chamomile Silky Massage & Bath Oil
Nature's Gate Chamomile Shampoo	Nature's Gate Chamomile Conditioner	French Chamomile with Sweet Orange & Lavender Lotion

Essential Oils for Your Every Mood

DearSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00:00 PDT

Nature has provided an abundance of wonderful scents that come to us through the essences of flowers, fruits, barks, seeds, and woods. Aromatherapy is the art and science of combining these pure essences in order to create blends that help to bring the body, mind, and spirit into balance.

Essential oils are derived purely from plants and can be used alone, in a bath, in an Aromatherapy Ring, or in products like candles or massage oil, to enhance or change your mood. But beware -- lookout for synthetic scented oils and products since these can cause headaches and other negative side effects. Want to know which scents spark what mood? Then

read more Basil: Assertiveness Bergamot: Alertness, joy, creativity, cheerfulness Chamomile: Sleepiness, contentment, serenity Clary Sage:: Tranquility, warmth Eucalyptus: Clarity, focus Fennel: Confidence, support Frankincense: Creativity, helps relieve grief Grapefruit: Confidence Jasmine: An aphrodisiac Juniper Berry: Peace Lavender: Contentment, calmness, peace, harmony Lemon: Joy, concentration Orange: Happiness, joy Peppermint: Alertness, relieves tension, uplifting Rose Geranium: Uplifting, relieves nervousness or fear Sandalwood: Joy, relieves stress Ylang Ylang: Calming, helps relieve anxiety Source

Nature's Gate: Good For You AND the Environment

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PDT

If you're like me, you can spend hours in a health food store, perusing through the aisles of natural snack foods, fresh produce, and organic dairy products.

Once I get to the beauty section - forget it. I love to look at all the brands of lotions, shampoos, conditioners, lip balms, make-up, and soaps. I read all the labels and smell everything.

The amazingly rich scent is what drew me to Nature's Gate products, and it's what had me going back to try more. My first "taste" was of the Shampoos and Conditioners. The Herbal scent for All Hair Types was a staple in my shower for many years. Then I switched to Chamomile for its unforgettable calming effects.

Since I loved their hair care products, I had to try their lotions too. I'm sorry to say that although the Herbal lotion made with aloe vera and organic jojoba oil smells wonderful, the moisturizing effects didn't last as long as I hoped. I think it might be my personal preference though, like when I buy all-natural crackers and I wish they had more flavor. Everyone's hair and skin have different needs and you may LOVE Nature's Gate lotions.

Nature's Gate also has a newer line of organic hair care, baby care, lotions, soaps, and deodorants. They make anti-aging products, whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, sunscreen, and self-tanners. If you're wondering, they also have a line for acne treatment.

What I love most about Nature's Gate products is that they are ecologically safe, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free. All their products are packaged in recyclable containers and/or are made out of recycled materials. I know that buying these products supports a company that supports the Earth and all its inhabitants.

Fit's Tips: If you can't find Nature's Gate products at your local health food store, you can order from the Nature's Gate website.

Tazo Tea for the Soul

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PST

Have you heard of Tazo Tea? They're a unique tea company offering delicious tea from all over the world. The name Tazo actually means "river of life," and "fresh." It's a great name considering that Tazo teas are invigorating, satisfying, and all around good for the soul.

You can get black tea in flavors like Vanilla, Earl Grey, Citron, Darjeeling, and they even make a decaffeinated Chai tea.
Tazo also makes delicious green teas. You can get Green Ginger, Lotus, and Zen teas that combines green tea with the taste of spearmint, lemongrass, and a hint of lemon zest. I love the one named Om, which is a combination of green and black teas.

Since I have a sweet tooth, I love their herbal infusion teas. Flavors such as Sweet Cinnamon Spice, Wild Sweet Orange, and Tazo Honeybush are wonderful on a cold day.

Fit's Tips: I always keep Tazo's Calm tea in the house when I need to relax with the soothing taste of chamomile. Tazo's Refresh is great for a tummy ache with its mix of peppermint and spearmint. In the summer time, I love to make iced tea out of Tazo's Passion tea. It's a light red tea with a delicate hint of hibiscus flowers.

Relax Already: Bring an Eye Pillow to Work

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:15:00 PST

If you stare at a computer all day long, you've probably found yourself squinting, which can cause major head and neck pain.

To relieve eye and head strain, keep an eye pillow at work. You can place it in the fridge for a few minutes, and then go someplace where you won't be disturbed (go to the bathroom or your car if necessary). Place the pillow over your closed eyes and allow yourself to just take in the cooling relief.

Try to find an eye pillow that's made with natural ingredients like flax seed, dried lavender, peppermint, and chamomile.

I found these made by Barefoot Yoga. They're $15.50/17.00, which is more expensive than most, but they're made out of silk, and they come with a zippered storage pouch to keep your eye pillow clean.

Fit's Tips: Feeling crafty? You can also make your own really easily. Just buy fabric, flax seeds, and dried flowers and herbs. You can even make them for your co-workers and have designated eye relaxation breaks.

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Lumbering into Slumber

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:10:00 PST

The days are as short as they could possibly be, but why am I still having trouble sleeping? Maybe it is a little Holiday stress or I am just hanging out with friends for later than usual. But I am not sleeping like I'd like to (sometimes there is a small child crying out that wakes me too).

Here's a few natural sleep aids to try:

Drink a glass of warm milk. This old wives tale truly works, and if you want to sweeten it up add a few drops of vanilla or honey. Though, if you are prone to snoring a glass of milk might make you snore more and more loudly.
Take a bath near bed time not a shower. Baths are relaxing and showers are invigorating.
Drink a cup of chamomile tea or Sleepytime Extra Tea to help your body calm down and prepare you for slumber.
Try relaxation and/or breathing exercises while lying in bed. Take long, slow inhales and long, slow exhales. Focus your breath on tense parts of your body and imagine them releasing and relaxing.

Tonight, I'm trying all of the above. Don't know if I should have the chamomile tea with a warm milk chaser, or the other way around.

What's Your Sign, Beautiful? Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Jaime Richards — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:15:00 PST

If popularity contests existed in the literal sense, Aquarians would probably be the winners. Often thought of as cool and somewhat eccentric, Aquarians love to surround themselves with family and friends. Those born under Aquarius, the 11th sign of the zodiac, are typically inventive, original, and want to make the world a better place. This free-spirited bunch is also known for wearing effortless, boho styles. Famous Aquarians include Brandy, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Christina Ricci, Mischa Barton, and Denise Richards.

To bring out your inner Aquarian beauty: Accentuate your sparkling eyes with a pretty blue or violet shadow, toss your hair back into a carefree ponytail, and spritz yourself with fragrances that are citrus-based, crisp, and airy. Think: eucalyptus, bergamot, blue florals, and purple florals, like lavender. To find out more about the Aquarian-centric products featured above, just keep reading.

Savory Sight: Cherry and Chamomile Nightcap

Yum Community — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:01:55 PST

We are loving My Fare Foodie's delicious cure for insomnia. The description makes us sleepy just reading about it!

As an attempt to cure my chronic insomnia, I came up with a nightcap featuring all types of natural sleep aids. Warm milk, chamomile tea, honey, cinnamon, and tart cherry juice help the body miraculously produce melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. This drink not only helps me sleep soundly, but it also happens to taste delicious! So long, sleepless nights.

For the recipe, check out her blog and share your recipes with us in our Kitchen Goddess community group!

3 Rules For Great Skin

Allure — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:48 PST

We're excited to present this story from our friends at Allure:

To start the new year off right, vow to stick to these three simple rules.

Wear SPF daily (and not just in the summer). People tend to apply sunscreen on days when they're in the sun most, but that strategy won't cut it, says Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston. "You're not getting the bulk of your sun from that one day; you're actually getting about 85 percent of your sun just driving your car, walking to the subway, and sitting at your desk [if you're near a window]," she says. "Find a way to make applying sunscreen easy on yourself." Instead of adding a new step to their routine, Hirsch advises her patients to trade in basic moisturizer for one with SPF, such as Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50, and to apply once in the morning and then again if they've been sweating. Look for moisturizers with SPF 30 or higher.

Don't neglect your hands. Nothing gives away your age quite like they can—but you don't need to work too hard to help prevent the signs of aging. Simply rub the same moisturizer and anti-aging formulas that you use on your face on your hands. "Patients are used to being you told you need 14 products for morning, and 14 for night," says Hirsch. "But make it simple. If you're doing it on your face, just do it on your hands."

Take off your makeup before bed. After a long day, that's easier said then done—and it's okay to give yourself a little bit of leeway, says Heidi Waldorf, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "If you went to the gym or a party and have been sweating while wearing makeup, that's when it's most important [to remove it at night]," she says. If you're feeling lazy, use a makeup remover wipe—it's almost as good as washing your face with water, and a vast improvement over hitting the hay with a dirty face. Try Pond's Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes with Chamomile & White Tea.

Fresh Start Resolution: Quit Your Caffeine Addiction

Emily Co — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 PST

It's a new year and a new you! We're kicking off a short series detailing 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, whether it be to advance your career or increase your financial cushion. We've already given you advice on kicking your daily deal habit, so here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

Caffeine addiction is so commonplace that nobody will bat an eye if you say you need your daily dose of coffee. In fact, many of us would readily admit to an addiction. Though people claim that coffee benefits them, the efficacy of the brown liquid is often misconceived. For starters, studies have shown that although caffeine may give you more speed, you'll be more prone to making mistakes. This means even if you have a larger output, it'll be of lower quality. More negatives include feeling jittery when you drink too much coffee and withdrawal symptoms like headaches if you choose to stop drinking. Convinced? Here are some tips to kicking your caffeine habit to the curb for good this year:

Figure out your quitting style. Everyone has their own way of kicking bad habits and you can either choose to go cold turkey or ease off of it slowly. Remember, if you go cold turkey and suffer withdrawal symptoms, don't take any pain medication for your headaches since those have caffeine in it as well!
Find a replacement. When you find yourself craving coffee, try to replace it with caffeine-free tea. Chamomile and mint tea are always good options.
Try decaf. When you just miss the comfort of the taste of coffee, opt for decaf. Keep in mind that there's actually a small amount of caffeine in a decaffeinated cup of joe, so drink a small cup.

Of course, it's up to each individual to decide if quitting coffee is right for them. I'd say you should truly consider it if you're drinking excessive amounts (I'm talking more than three or four cups a day) and if you're feeling some of the negative effects of caffeine.