Ten essential oils you should own

Every one has heard that a woman should own at least one little black dress, an emergency sew kit, & a cookbook.... But what about a care kit with the basic essential oils?

Just as our medicine cabinets are stocked with first aid supplies, I think that we should also have a stock of select essential oils. Basic oils that can be used for a variety of needs for everyone in the house.

Here is my suggested list:

Lavender : useful for burns, insomnia, anxiety, insect repellent, antiviral, antibacterial, antidepressant.

Tea Tree : Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral.

Peppermint : a digestive aid, breath freshener, aids the respiratory and circulatory system.

Chamomile : a sleep aid, anti-inflammatory, useful in skin conditions and teething in babies, calming.

Rosemary : mental clarity, good for muscle tone, antiseptic, antiviral, stimulates hair growth, used in treating colds & coughs.

Sweet Orange : Anti depressant, cleansing, calming

Lemon : focus, helps disperse cellulite, stimulates the digestive system, calms tension headaches.

Geranium : an affinity with the reproductive system, used in skin care, can be a sedative.

Eucalyptus : antiviral, antiseptic, effective with soothing coughs, aches and pains

Myrrh : a quick healer of wounds, useful on dry cracked skin, useful in treating fungal infections.

Over the years I have grown to love dearly my essential oils. I am always amazed by their versatility and ability. I try to incorporate their use as often as I can. I know that once you see the practicality of them and are not skeptical you will grow to love them too. I hope you find this list useful in your journey to being beautifully well.

**essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin. A carrier oil such as almond or olive is recommended. Can be added to a warm bath, used in steam distillation, inhalation & massage. Essential oils listed here are not to be used as a replacement for medications without the consent of a doctor.

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When was your last time?

When was the last time you nourished your body, mind and spirit? Don't let too much time go by, it's not a luxury it's a necessity!

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Beautiful Lips

With the weather transitioning from warm to cold, our skin will be going through some changes as well. We often exfoliate the skin on our body to keep it soft and smooth but did you know that your lips can be exfoliated too? Yep!

I saw on a television show once that we can use honey and sugar to exfoliate our lips. I tried it and it works. Best of all it's natural, inexpensive, and the ingredients are items we keep in our kitchen cabinets. Perfection!

Well as I was browsing through the web I came across an article in SpaMagazine.com discussing this very thing, complete with a full recipe. Here it is:

Moisturizing your skin during winter is essential-especially for those sensitive and exposed areas of the face. "The combination of cold weather and sun is not the best for our lips, which can become chapped and cracked," says Barbara Stirewalt, spa director at The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York.

To help remedy these conditions, Stirewalt recommends two easy-to-make recipes that take advantage of the natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits of honey to keep lips soft and smooth.

LIP EXFOLIATOR

Ingredients

• 
  

  ½ tsp. granulated sugar

  
  


• 
  

  1 drop honey

  
  

Directions

1. 
   

   Combine sugar and honey in a small bowl.

   
   


2. 
   

   Rub the blend onto your lips for 15 to 30 seconds using light, circular motions.

   
   


3. 
   

   Gently wipe off with a warm washcloth.

   
   

LIP BALM

Ingredients

• 
  

  2 tsp. almond oil

  
  


• 
  

  1 tsp. honey

  
  


• 
  

  1 tsp. beeswax pellets

  
  


• 
  

  1 vitamin E capsule

  
  

Directions

1. 
   

   Combine almond oil, honey, beeswax, and fluid from vitamin E capsule in double boiler or small pan. Stir over low heat until beeswax melts.

   
   


2. 
   

   Pour into a small container and allow to cool.

   
   


3. 
   

   When balm solidifies, rub onto lips as often as desired.

   
   

**This blog post was re-blogged from Spa magazine

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Moving Forward

What a powerful thought to keep in mind. Keep the past in the past, learn from it and grow.

Often times we stifle our own growth because we are constantly looking at the shoulda , coulda and woulda 's of the days gone by. We cannot move forward if we are always looking backwards. The future is an empty canvas ready for us to paint it vibrantly!

Live Beautifully.Well !

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A Workbook, Self Love, and Legacy

This week was pretty cool. Although its not over, I had some great conversations, amazing revelations, and I heard some of the most enlightening insights. I would definitely say, it was pretty peace.

With that said, on our radio show this week, I had the great privilege of speaking with Brooke, creator of Love's Gumbo. It was a wonderful conversation (well, it was SUPPOSED to be an interview, but u know how I get a lil comfy..) and while the topic was love, relationships, and everything in between, we ended up speaking quite a bit on the relatable "in between". That being self love.

The funny thing is, THIS is what I do. I speak on self love to others. I love on my clients. I love on my babies. I love on myself. I take time, I go to Jeju when I need it. I hang with my girlfriends, I make time to exercise, I don't eat left over pb&j sandwiches. Well on most days anyway. But there is just one thing... Do I truly KNOW myself? That question rose up inside of me after seeing this:

Sistah Circle Exercise #1

I Know Me: Love\'s Gumbo Sistah Circle Exercise #1

Well, this exercise reminded me of a special workbook that I received a couple of years ago, called A Mother's Legacy: Your Life Story In Your Own Words.

It drew to mind questions about ourselves that we may be surprised to find we actually have a very hard time answering.. Things we may think we SHOULD know. Ill give an example.

There are several chapters in the book. 11 to be exact. The first chapter goes into your personal portrait. Who you are and what your gifts are to this universe. You may know what your favorite song is. But do you know WHY? Get to know yourself deeply. The surface is there, but what do you find when you dig beneath that? This is how u cleanse, purify, and recognize the beauty that is the essence of who you are.

The chapters continue on-- Your Childhood, Your Family Life, Education, Work, Marriage, Inspirations, and on and on. The important thing is, there are so many facets to who we are individually, and how well do we know them?

This was an astonishing group of exercises for me because I truly dont feel that I neglect my internal and external needs. And I feel that my self love runs deep. But does it? Hm. I realized there is so much more to know about myself, which enriches my ability to self nurture. And if you nurture yourself, you are much more equipped to nurture those around you. How lovely.

Exercises like the ones mentioned-- Love's Gumbo Sistah Circle, and the workbook, focuses on the need to love yourself, write about it, and scream it from the rooftops. Try to make use of them, this will turn into your legacy!

llp

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Razzled , Frazzled

style="text-align: center;">A little stressed out are we? I think you need a spa day!

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Living the BBW Life

I really love the name of our Company "Be.Beautifully.Well." Because each time I say it I am reminded of how I want to live my life. Every one has a story to tell about the ups and downs of life. And with that said, lets just say that I am no exception.

However, I find myself growing into a better version of myself with each passing day, each passing week and month. Be.Beautifully.Well encompasses so many areas of my life that I strive for with balance.

Today I was thinking of what makes me feel Beautifully Well, here is what I came up with:

1. 
   

   Loving someone else

   
   


2. 
   

   Taking a bath with my favorite spa essentials

   
   


3. 
   

   Calling an old friend to say "hi"

   
   


4. 
   

   Giving to others

   
   


5. 
   

   Meditating on my blessings

   
   


6. 
   

   Being aware of and acting on my spiritual needs

   
   


7. 
   

   Sharing

   
   


8. 
   

   Eating a delicious meal that not only taste good but is healthy

   
   


9. 
   

   Treating myself like a V.I.P

   
   


10. 
    

    Realizing that I am worthy

    
    


11. 
    

    Dancing as if no one was watching

    
    

That is my list of Beautifully Well moments, what are yours? Why not create your own list? Sit down, write it out, then DO it.

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Beautiful Breasts- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. Here are some photos from The Scar Project, a photo exhibit Opening in New York on October 14-17 2010.

These photos bring tears to the eyes and connects you to each of these women. They resonate strength, love and determination. After viewing them, please make a decision to Be.Beautifully.Well and begin your own regular self breast examinations, if you have not done so already. If you qualify schedule your mammogram, on October 15th National Mammography Day. Many radiologists will be offering free or discounted screenings beginning that day and throughout the month.

Remember early detection is key...

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Benefits of Dead Sea Salt

People are always looking for ways to keep their skin, soft and supple. Going to extremes to achieve the ultimate glow and silky smooth texture. Many dollars have been spent also, but did you know that it need not cost you an arm and a leg to get good results? It can be as simple as taking a bath with salt. Not any kind of salt, but the salt from the Dead Sea. It contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bromides.

The magnesium helps to slow down the aging process in our skin, while the calcium is good to prevent water retention and improve circulation. Got dry flaky skin? the potassium helps to balance the moisture levels. As an added benefit the Bromides works as a sedative ...GOT STRESS? Add your favorite essential oils and you have some wonderful therapy going on!

Here is a CNN report you might find interesting

click HERE to find out where you can purchase dead sea salts to create your own therapeutic bath at home

References from: Salt Works , Dead Sea Bathing

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We got skillz

One of the great things that I love about being in the wellness and spa business is the opportunities to attend some great events. The events that we attend often give us exposure to an audience that we may not have otherwise been able to reach.

Over the weekend we were invited to The Bridal makeup Expo to work the pamper bar with the Pamp 'n Glam squad; a network of fabulous, beauty and wellness professionals. We set up our space to provide a range a services for the soon to be brides and their families. The event was set in a theme of Brides Around The World. Featuring various dresses and makeup styles from all of the continents.

The best part about this event was that it was also a makeup contest, and The Women Of Be.Beautifully.Well was part of it! Well...at least one half of us was. The very talented Chante', a.k.a LadyLovelyPeace is not only an excellent massage therapist but also an artistic makeup artist. With experience in makeup for theater, magazines and weddings, our girl was up for the contest. She had the challenge of working on the brides of "South America", she was not afraid to take chances with the makeup and accessories either. The brides were adorned with facial flowers, and facial jewels. They looked HOT as they worked the runway! Unfortunately We did not win the contest, but we definitely earned some bragging rights.

So now you know, the women of BBW are not only able to give you an awesome therapeutic and relaxing treatment for your body, but we got the skills to make you look like a runway model too!

Remember us when booking your next girls night event or bridal party pamper session. With a combined 30 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry you can't go wrong.

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The Beautiful Mind

We have all heard the phrase or at least one similar: "Be careful of what you put into your body." Why? Basically it is because your body will react to what it is being internally exposed to. Some reactions for the better and some unfortunately for the worst. If you have ever experienced first hand the effects of the latter, you soon made proper changes. For example, when you intake too many artificial sugars and foods high in fats you will eventually feel the effects; sluggish, poor skin, diabetes, weight gain, poor digestion etc. However , when you replace that with natural sugars such as found in fresh fruit, increase your folic acid by eating more green leafy veggies and incorporating whole grains your body feels the effects of that too; great skin, improved digestion, looser fitting clothes and more energy.

GOOD THINGS IN GOOD THINGS OUT.

So, with that theory in mind (no pun intended) are we just as careful about what we feed our minds? Our brain is the control center of our body. It is from there that our body gets the signals to function in a variety of ways. So why should we allow negative thinking to dwell there? Negative thinking, just like bad food full of empty calories and high fat content can break our bodies down. It has been said that disease begins in the mind. Should I repeat that? DISEASE BEGINS IN THE MIND. Negative thoughts are TOXIC to your body.

One fact to prove this is stress. We all know that stress is one of the top killers in people today. What can cause stress? Our feelings can cause stress. If we are overly worried we begin to experience anxiety, which in turn can manifest itself into a physical ailment I.e., ulcers, teeth grinding, lack of sleep. When we are carrying anger & bitterness we put ourselves at greater risk for cardiac problems, kidney issues, among other things. When we experience feelings of depression due to lack of self worth, no hope or even past regrets our body will respond to that too. Now I'm not here to list all of the NEGATIVE things...that might be defeating my own purpose. So I hope you get the point.....Think positively!

Thinking positively is not always easy, believe me. But it can be done, especially when you see the power of it. Positive thinking can be a wonderful healing tonic for the soul. Do you have the tendency to allow negative thinking to linger in your control station? Well, if you want better well being you must get it under control. Begin by checking your surroundings, are there people or things around you that evoke a negative vibe? Make some changes! Surround yourself with things and people that make you happy, that provide a sense of encouragement. Read things that inspire you to be a happier you. Begin a special ritual of gratitude for yourself, Kim Coles has a wonderful site to help with that. Research Aromatherapy and use certain essential oils that create positive energy within the home. Books by well known authors such as ; Gabriel Mojay and Valerie Worwood are awesome to read on the subject. Of course I will always be an advocate for positive affirmations and meditations: you speak it, you will think it, you will believe it.

Let go of the negative thoughts in your mind and you will put yourself on a path of positive health and wonderful well being. It takes more effort to be positive at times, but aren't you worth it?

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"Unite, Engage and Grow": Georgia Alliance for Aesthetic Professionals

panelists for Q & A

On August 30th, I had an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to be among the first to witness the greatness that was involved with the first GAAP conference. The Georgia Alliance for aesthetic professionals was founded by Kimberly Russell and Kali Waldron out of a desire to raise the bar of professionalism within the aesthetic industry, particularly within the state of Georgia.

As I sat in the audience and listened intently to the Q& A session with the panelists, whom collectively have over 50 years of experience in the industry, I was very much educated. It was through these women that I was able to see and create a clearer vision of what the profession of aesthetics is all about. These women made it very clear that the profession of skin care is not to be put in a box, or under one generic label, but it’s range of possibilities is quite expansive. As I took notes, one point was made very clear to me from each and everyone is that of continuing education. Many of he people in the industry of skin care & beauty hold education in high esteem. Once a person has made the initial decision to go through technical schooling to begin their career as a skin care therapist, it is pertinent to realize that it doesn’t stop there after graduation.

Kimberly Russell and panelist Q & A

As I sat there soaking up the information that they were offering, I felt so very happy to be joining the industry that has been trail blazed by such inspirational women as Lynn Ross. Founder of Institut DERmed, Sona Martinez a master makeup artist and medical esthetician. These women took their knowledge and passion and created wonderful careers for themselves.

These women on the panel have raised the bar in the industry and are committed to helping others to do the same. Inspiring all in the industry to realize that aesthetics is not just a hobby of cleaning faces, but a life changing and meaningful work.

SIGH.....graduation can't come soon enough for me.

*If you would like to know more about GAAP follow this link www.gaaestheticalliance.org

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How do you like your coffee?

If you are anything like me, you really love your cup of Joe in the morning! If you make your own coffee at home before rushing out, what do you do with the coffee grounds that are in reserve after you've made your brew?

Well, before you go to throw it out to make room for the fresh coffee in the morning, WAIT! I got another purpose for you, how about two? Coffee grounds can be used for facials AND cellulite treatments.

It's a very simple procedure, requiring minimal ingredients that anyone can do themselves or request it by a skincare professional. For a cellulite treatment you need :

• 
  

  a quarter cup of warm coffee grounds

  
  


• 
  

  A tablespoon of olive oil

  
  


• 
  

  plastic wrap

  
  

Mix the ingredients together apply to the affected cellulite area with your hand or a loofah mitt. Wrap the area with the plastic wrap and let sit for several minutes (10-15). Unwrap brush it off and rinse with warm water in the shower. Twice per week is sufficient for this procedure.

For the face, try an aromatic coffee facial. Just as with treating cellulite, the coffee on the face helps to tone and firm, as well as remove dead skin and minimize pores.

• 
  

  1/4 cup used coffee grounds

  
  


• 
  

  one egg white

  
  

Combine well and gently massage on the face. Let it dry, then rinse well with warm water. Apply a good moisturizer.

This proves yet again that it does not take lots of money to have beautiful skin.

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It's all about time

Ever have one of those moments when the whirlwinds of life kinda slow down? Things are just still enough to see clearly because the dust and debris is low and at your feet instead of skidding past your face and blowing over your head. I had one of those moments recently (although briefly).

During this time I began to think about myself and the direction that I am going, and essentially the direction of Be.Beautifully.Well. I love what I do and what I offer to my half of the business. However, I want to offer more.

I am a person who totally believes that things in life happen in due time. Timing bears a heavy weight in how smooth things work. In the past I was seriously considering becoming a licensed massage therapist. Seemed like a perfect transition since I am already a reflexologist, right? Well, at the time I had these thoughts I was a home schooling mother of two...'nuf said! I just could not find school scheduling that fit my lifestyle and so I just stopped trying to make it fit. The timing wasn't right.

Fast forward two years and I am no longer homeschooling (boohoo!). My schedule is open and I have the desire to expand my wings again. So do I look into my original plan of massage school? Nope! I decide that although I love the healing art of massage, my gravitational pull is not going in that direction. (gasp!) I began to think about what I like and ways that I want to be challenged.

I decided that I wanted to do more with body treatments. I have some experience with it, but I want to perfect it with superb professionalism. So I decided to enroll in the Elite Institute of Aesthetics and by this time next year I will be a licensed esthetician! I am soooo excited. I am following my heart on this and It is the right time!

Even better is that once schooling is done, I will be able to share my passion and expertise with all of my beautiful clients. So be on the watch! Can you feel the excitement and see the possibilities?

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Be Beautifully Well on Your Time and Your Dime!

When it comes to beauty, it is a general agreement that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This holds true. Be.Beautifully.Well. likes to put a bit of a spin on that. Beauty is in the eye of YOU. Not the beholders of you. So your internal and external efforts are felt mostly by you. And since it is a fact that one can and does create his or her own reality, how beautiful do YOU feel?

Lets go through a few tips for your Beautifying routine to keep your inner god or goddess satisfied and therefore Beautifully.Well.

1. You ARE what you EAT --> Be cautious of the things you allow into your sacred spaces. Your throat, stomach, and blood are all vital organs, carrying tremendous energy- especially the emotional connection. Be mindful to nourish yourself because of the love and appreciation you have for the body that you have been given. TIP: Shop at local farmers markets. Cobb International Farmers Market, Dekalb International Farmers Market, and even the Green Market at Piedmont Park has great deals on healthy eats. Some local growers offer deals such as $20 for 20lbs of fresh produce. Check out beautiful souls with healthy eating recipes such as www.Naturibeauty.com and ExoticEarthOnline.com.

2. Glam It Up Girl! --> Feeling frumpy? Why not step it up a taste with some easy DIY beauty? Try a pair of strip false eyelashes to add a little sassy texture to your face. On a budget? Well, while it is nice to have them professionally done, gluing on a pair of falsies will roughly run you about $5, saving you an average of about $15 for the service. Take a run to your local beauty supply store and pick a pair that works for you, and play with them. You'd be pleasantly surprised that it is much easier to do than you may have thought. TIP: Follow @SamFineBeauty on Twitter. As one of the leading makeup professionals in the industry, and having over 20 yrs of MUA experience, Sam Fine is so generous with his tips and how-tos. He is always open to individual questions and offers wise expertise.

3. Pretty Up Those Hands! --> A self manicure is one of the easiest and most inexpensive beauty treatments you can do. For about $1, you can get a simple manicure set, and for a few more dollars, pick up your favorite nail colors. I recently found a package of nail art stickers for $1 and couldn't hardly wait to get home and try them! I felt so beautifully invigorated after adding such flair to my fingers. Tip: Check out YouTube! YouTube has a major variety of different nail techniques posted by professionals and non professionals alike. I have found several techniques from my YouTube tutorials.

4. Culture Yourself --> Bring art & meditation into your cypher. Peace, love, and internal harmony are essential for unity in your external environment. You would be beautifully pleased to find the peace that accompanies passion. Create something beautiful. Take a visit to your local art or fabric store, and try your hand at whatever creative expression you are naturally drawn to. This could cost little of nothing and can be very rewarding! Tip: Bliss In Me Meditations offer guided meditation sessions right through your webcam. She even has free guided meditation downloads. Cozy up with your headset and feel your creativity and motivation skyrocket after such beautiful affirmations! www.blissinme.com

Being beautiful is a state of mind. Nourish it. Being well takes action. Pursue it. I hope these tips help you to maintain or create an even more fabulous YOU!

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A Fishy therapy

Would you be willing to give this treatment a try?

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A therapist should be...

When a person makes a decision to employ the services of a massage therapist, reflexologist, manicurist, hairstylist or any other 'ist they are letting down their guard and placing their body in the care of another individual. This act may leave some feeling vulnerable, open and exposed. For some, this may pose a bit of a challenge and require a mustering up of courage. So the last thing they need is to walk into a room greeted by a person that makes them feel uneasy.Where is the stress relief in that?

If a person is uneasy and put off by something they see, feel or smell from the person providing a service, the intended purpose of the service / experience may be lost. Which in turn could have a client feeling as if it was a waste of money and cause the therapist to lose clientele.

Since being in business for myself this has always been a topic that is very important to me. When having this conversation with others it seemed to me that some may feel that this has a lot to do with vanity on my part. I don't believe this to be the case, I just feel that there should be certain standards when in a service oriented profession. I mean, when you go out to a restaurant and the chef is preparing the meal, how appetizing is it when you see that he/she is dripping sweat profusely over the main course? Or that they may have some dirt under their finger nails while they are hand mixing the ingredients? It is my guess that no matter how delicious the food smells and taste, you will not have enjoyed it half as much as you would if you did not have that picture in your head.

I see things this way because of who I am. Not necessarily a person of great vanity but one who loves great ambiance. Pleasant surroundings = pleasant feelings. It is important to create the enviornment and experience that I want my clients to have. I am passionate and I care about my healing touch and my clients should walk away feeling it mind, body and soul.

So whether you book your next therapy session with the women of Be.Beautifully.Well or someone else of your choice here are my list of things to look for in the ultimate experience.

• 
  

  Personal presentation. Being a beauty queen is not a prerequisite , however they should look like they took time to care for themselves before trying to care for you. Hair should be neat, nails clean. Skin should not be dry and cracking, they should definitely not have front teeth missing! (laugh not, I have seen a therapist missing teeth with bad dry skin in real life)

  
  


• 
  

  Clothing should be professional in appearance. Most wear a type of uniform i.e., black shirt, black pants, white shirt, white pants or whatever . It should should be clean, not displaying their coffee from breakfast or the salsa from lunch. If wearing a shirt sporting the company logo, that's great! It should definitely not be pealing or overly faded. It just looks tacky.

  
  


• 
  

  Very importantly there should always be clean sheets of decent quality. No one has to have egyptian cotton of 800 thread count (although that would be nice right?) but hopefully it's not the cheapest sheet set they could find either. You know the kind that has the little lint balls all over, ewww! If the provider lacks interest or concern in this matter, then what message might that send out about them?...

  
  


• 
  

  Clean equipment. Depending on the service certain tools of the trade may be used. Hopefully they are clean and sanitized.

  
  


• 
  

  Music is always a plus when receiving services. The volume and selection should be one that is appropriate for the occasion.

  
  


• 
  

  Candles help to create a soothing scene. I think it is best when the unscented kind is used. Some have a sensitivity to perfumes that may cause a headache. Additionally, the scents may clash with the massage oils or creams being used on you.

  
  

• 
  

  Most importantly, the therapist should listen and hear what your concerns are and act accordingly. There is nothing worse than suffering through a painful massage because the therapist does not care when you said the pressure is too much or the area is very sensitive. Or perhaps they are not applying enough pressure. Ruins the whole experience! Happened to me once, and I was not a happy camper. :(

  
  

So there you have it, my list of things you should look for or look out for when you are ready for your next therapeutic experience.

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These little hands of mine

Have you ever looked at your hands? Have you ever noticed the curve of your fingers, the size of your knuckles or the lines in your palm? I have, and I realize that there is so much power in my hands. In fact we all have power with our hands, unfortunately some use their power for evil instead of good.

With the hands one can make a fist and strike a mighty blow or provide loving assurance with a pat. Hands can help to bring life into the world in a delivery room or end a life in a fit a rage. With your hands you can feed a child or provide the means to feed the child. In any case the hands are tools that we all need.

I look at my hands and I am so appreciative of the gifts that I have in them. With my hands I feel that I have the power to create happiness, healing and rejuvenation for every client that I touch. It makes me feel like a superhero of sorts, because with my hands I can often save a stressful day. With my hands I am able to clear away blockages that may hold a person back physically & mentally. With my hands I am able to give people back their lives because they feel better after each and every session.

My hands are my gift and I am ready and willing to share them with you.

Do you have a gift? How do you use it, please comment and share it with us.

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Grab your brush!

o many times we women and men too, often complain about dry skin. Seems like we can never get enough moisturizing to keep our skin from looking scaly. We try everything from vaseline to butter to give our skin that smooth silky look and feel. And Ladies what about that unsightly cellulite that we get? Ughhhh!

Well I got a great tip for you. Start brushing! No not your teeth or your hair (although that might be a good idea too). Your body! The skin that covers your body is the largest organ you have. Through it your body takes in and expels out toxins. Acting almost as a kidney. Dry brushing is a technique that brings wonderful results when done regularly and it doesn't take long to do. All you need is a soft natural bristle brush.

Dry brushing not only improves the circulation but it helps to remove dead skin. It is also known to internally massage the body, tighten the skin to prevent premature aging, help with digestion, gets rid of cellulite and cleanses the lymph.

As an added bonus you can use a citrus oil, such as grapefruit & Lemon or Lavender and Juniper to help with purifying and detoxing. Add a few drops of one of these oils to the brush before brushing or mix it with a carrier oil such as avacodo or olive oil and massage into the skin.

Here is a video that I found. I think you will find it helpful, I know I did. Happy Brushing!



*Please note that some essential oils can burn the skin if used improperly, and or may cause an allergic reaction. Please seek advice from an aromatherapist if you are unsure of how to use them.*

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A natural skin glowing remedy

Recently I was told by a couple of folks that my my skin had a nice glow to it. They noticed that it looked very clear and just overall was looking good. I was very happy to hear that and somewhat surprised because since becoming an adult and more specifically a parent, I have battled with acne. I was also a victim of prenatal acne which left lots of scarring. Ugly little black spots on my face, *sigh*.

Anyhow, when asked what have I been doing I came up with a few random answers. (1) I used an acne wash off and on about a year now. (2) I have less hormones since having a partial hysterectomy 9 months ago? (3) Genetics? Hhmmm, Unfortunately I couldn't claim to be drinking a gallon of water a day, although I should be (and so should you). Later on I was dwelling on this and it dawned on me one other thing that I have been doing and I think is the real reason for my skin change, a home remedy!

As most know who follow this blog, we love things that are natural and often try to live holistically in our day to day lives. Often sharing what we know with others. So now I'll tel you what has been in my bathroom cabinet adding to my skincare regimen. It is very simple, it is the same ingredients that you have in your cabinet. Although perhaps not in your bathroom cabinet, but you will find it in your kitchen.

Baking soda and honey (raw and unprocessed works best)! Yes, just those two ingredients if you don't count water. Baking soda is a wonderful natural cleanser and can be an exfoliate as well. Honey is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. The anti-inflammatory properties in honey is great for acne. Combine these ingredients and you have a fabulous cleanser, exfoliate and mask.

Here is what you do: grab a small dish or you can just do as I do and just use your hands *wink*smile*, pour a generous portion of baking soda and add a few drops of honey. Make a paste, and apply to the face, careful not to get close to the eyes. Massage in circular movements all over the face, once covered let sit for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. You skin will feel very clean and supple. Very little moisturizer is needed once patted dry. Try this once a week and for an added treat rub a little on the lips for kissable soft lips.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of honey and baking soda check out these sites:

www.worldofhoney.com and www.naturalhomeremedies.org

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Beautifully Well Wednesday: Body Polish – Scrub Yourself

In my years of embracing the natural way of life for myself and my family, I have come to find that it can actually be quite easy and inexpensive to make the things that you want as well as the things that benefit your health and wellbeing.

I saw this firsthand just this week. On Sunday night, my mother says to me, “I need a foot scrub. Is there anything in the house I could use? Or do I have to run to the store?” Of course there is. First, let me educate you on exactly why scrubs are so great for you.

A body scrub is used to exfoliate the skin on your body leaving it feeling fresh, smooth, moisturized and soft. An abrasive product is rubbed vigorously, and massaged across and into your skin, and is then rinsed away, sloughing off dead skin cells and rubbing away hard and flaky skin, to reveal a new layer of fresh, clean and smooth skin. An added benefit is that scrubs are invigorating as well, and improve the circulation of blood and lymph to the surface of the skin, helping to fight cellulite and improve your skin tone. This treatment is also good as a precursor to other body treatments such as body wraps or mud therapies, because it opens the pores and awakens the skin.

There are several items used to make scrubs, some more effective than others, depending on what result you are trying to achieve. While all scrubs stimulate circulation, Salt Scrubs excel in this area. Sugar Scrubs are a bit milder and leave skin feeling very smooth and polished. There are also Loofah, Herbal, and Fruit scrubs that share in similar benefits.

So when my mother asked me about a scrub for her feet, I had just the thing. Turbinado Sugar, Honey, a little powdered milk, the juice of one lemon (to strip the skin on the heel) and strawberry seeds. I mixed all of this in cold pressed olive oil, and there you have it. She was very happy. We have all been using it all week!

Be.Beautifully.Well. is so happy to offer this as one of our therapy services! Just ask us about it the next time you book with us!

cs

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No more fear

Push fear aside and chase after your dreams!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

– Marianne Williamson

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I am a bright and shining star – See Me Shine!

“I’m a shining star, shining bright for all to see.” These are the words that popped in my head when I read about the See Me Shine contest hosted by Execumama. This contest challenges every woman reading it to look within herself to find 5 things….5 Things! That she loves about herself and share it with the bloggerverse. This is a challenge indeed, yet one that I am willing and ready to take on.

I find it absolutely beautiful, endearing and inspiring when one can look at herself in the mirror and feel love. This has not always been my case, I was never the young girl walking with her head held high oozing with confidence. Heck! I wasn’t even the WOMAN who had it either. I won’t bore you with my story because let’s face it, everyone has a story to tell right? So lets just say I had some bumpy roads but I think I have finally gotten to the smooth pavement.

So, here are my FIVE THINGS that I love about myself:

First… I love my heart. It makes me the giver that I am and allows me to have much compassion and empathy for others. It often times makes me do a little bit more than necessary, going the extra mile (or two)

Second… I love my hair! It has been the cornerstone of my confidence building. I have always admired the women who wore their hair naturally. They always seemed to exhibit a certain strength that I admired, they felt and looked beautiful no matter if their hair was nappy. I wanted to feel that same way, so I ditched the perms and the weaves and began my journey 7 years ago, never looking back.

Third… I love my breasts, yep I do! I am often heard complaining joking about how they are no longer round and perky grapefruits but small and droopy flapjacks! But the truth of the matter is that I am proud of them, they supplied food for my babies and provided me with mother and child bonding that I will not trade for anything. So, they may no longer be perky but they are mine and I love them for all the good that they have done!

Fourth… I love my thirst for life. I want to live it to the fullest and experience as much as I can take in. I have very few inhibitions and I like it that way!

Fifth…I love my chocolate brown skin. My shoulders and legs shine so lovely when I moisturize it. I feel that my black is beautiful and I truly love the skin that I am in. I am so proud to say that now, because for many years I’m not sure that I felt that way. I can look in the mirror and really like who I see staring back at me.

So, now you know what my five things are…I’m thankful that I can truly see myself with appreciation, sincerity and clarity. Even more so, I’m happy that I am confident to share it with you!

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Workin’ It Out With The Whole World.. And Jane.

Yes, you read it right, Be. Beautifully. Well.’s Sandra and Chante’ had the privilege to work it out with the entire world on World Fitness Day 2010! It was a blast, let me tell ya!

The event was hosted by THE DIVALICIOUS & FABU Jane Fonda, and included a few special treats! The GA Dome was transformed into one big workout studio where hundreds of people, all colors, shapes and sizes took a spot to work up a sweat. The energy of the entire dome was amazing. You walked in and felt the excitement of the lovely people, all ready to move for a good cause. Yep, it got even better, the entire event was a benefit for G-CAPP, an advocacy for adolescent pregnancy prevention.

As each celeb fitness guru took the stage we kicked it out, salsa danced it out, and stretched it out! Each instructor had a set, and each set offered a different style and variety unique to that individual. Jane Fonda and Denise Austin started us off, giving her amazing workout, ending with high energy to the song, Got a Feeling (BEP). Followed by Billy Blanks who had us all kicking and jabbing during the TaeBo set. Of course, Debbie Allen got up there and showed us all how to shimmy our waistlines into shape with latin flava! Richard Simmons ended the exercise portion of the event with a fierce and quite unforgettable workout to Lady GaGa. And you know he showed his tail. Literally.

After the workouts were done, it was high time for some good live music. The Pointer Sisters, in all their glamour, took the stage and reminded us of exactly how “excited” we were! Ludacris came next and re-commenced the exercising when he had us all getting low.

All and all, the event was a fantastic success. It was great to give attention to the reminded fact that we need to incorporate exercise into our daily activities, and that it can be done. Even a simple dance routine can work up a good sweat. Moving is such an intricate part of overall wellness. So, after partaking of the complementary apples and oranges offered, grabbing a tee shirt, and visiting with the vendors – who ranged from chair massages, to fitness gear, to dance classes.. We took our goodie bags full of information and freebies from the sponsors, and headed out, amped and exchanging ideas on who cant miss next years’ event! Will you be there to join us??

Check out the live stream video, which was shown all over the world during the event. And BBW will be posting pics in our photo gallery of this great event very soon!

World Fit 2010 Live Stream

cs

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Execumama And Her Friends Show Us How To Celebrate Yourself, Your Food, and Your Health!

This weekend was great! Imagine walking into a loft space full of empowering, encouraging, lovely women all celebrating loving themselves as mothers. They stretch, they breathe, they are encouraged, they eat lavishly. Sounds amazing? Well that was how Be.Beautifully.Well. spent Saturday afternoon!

Execumama did it like no other. The event started out with Yoga, done beautifully by Tiffany Campbell. fellow mommy and yoga instructor. Her style is fantastic, her energy- light, smooth, putting your mind and body at ease. Stretching in combination with breathwork, in the quiet of the room, reminded these beautiful mamas that yes, we need this! Next up was Christine Martinello- International Speaker, Authoress, Mother, and founder of the Momager Club. She spoke on the importance of not only embracing your role but not feeling guilty about the necessity of taking care of yourself. Her statement “If you cant take care of you, how can you possibly take care of anyone else…” left all the moms with a renewed perspective on how crucial it is to feel love, adoration, inspiration from the people around you.. but most importantly, from within. Was there a dry eye in the place? I couldnt tell, had a lil somethin in my own eye!

You would think that would be enough to send you on home floating, right? Well just when you thought the fun was over, Akila had plenty more in store for us! She introduced us to her friends from Creativesoul Photography who made it very clear that “all photographers are not created equal”! Once you see her work, you will strongly agree! As mothers we get so busy and wrapped up in living life that we sometimes forget to capture some of these great moments that we are living. Seeing the beauty in the photos they brought along gave all of us bit of inspiration to do just that.

Last but certainly not least it was time to eat! As we sipped on our exotic lemonade that only this fabu kitchen maven could mix up, we were introduced to Shelley Chapman of Naturi Beauty. Honaaay… This woman navigated that kitchen like Queen Bee of her domain! She was fly! And the food- delectable. As she sashayed teaching the kitchen-and-not-so-kitchen inclined, our mouths watered from the smells and we were shocked at how easy the meal was to prepare, all in about 20 mins! Her motto was “you can pay for it now, or you can pay for it later..” As we discussed the importance of using fresh made from scratch ingredients. She gave great beauty tips as well.

Overall, it was wonderful to network with, share with, gain knowledge and encouragement from these phenominal mamas.. All that energetic love filled the room and it filled us individually! It was truly a weekend celebrating mothers, and what mommy doesn’t work hard enough for that?

cs

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Talking to yourself

arly on in our lives we are taught to give hugs, to say I love you, to say I forgive you. Often times we develop a habit, a daily routine of giving to others. All of which is wonderful. The ability to give is a wonderful attribute and should be continued. However, with so much emphasis given on the value and worth of others I feel that somewhere along the way some of us have lost the value of ourselves.

Are you aware of your worth and value, truly? We all say we do but do we really believe it? How do you honor the light that is within you? It is vital to our spirit that we take time to nurture ourselves emotionally and physically. Take time to say “I Love You”…”You are beautiful” …”I forgive You”…to ourselves. When we are nourished spiritually, emotionally and mentally we can provide loving gifts to others, shedding beautiful light. However the opposite occurs when we allow ourselves to become depleted of such nourishment. A tree can only produce the fruit that is within it’s seed, It will not produce what it does not have. What type of fruit will you bear, to nourish others? What type of seeds are being planted in you?

Take time each day, if you can’t do each day then try each week to re-affirm yourself. Spend a few minutes sitting quietly and say affirmations such as these; I am worthy, I am beautiful, I love myself because…, I am open and accepting of the blessings that come to me.

Hug yourself

You can create your own affirmations, it doesn’t matter, just do it for yourself.

You are so worth it.

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Keeping our girls healthy

his past weekend we held our first ever community event. We partnered with the Atlanta Chapter of Tamika and friends to educate women young and mature of the dangers of HPV and it’s link to cervical cancer.

HPV is the abbreviated term for the Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted disease that is the cause of cervical cancer. We began our event with the beautiful Kenya Hughes, who told the very inspiring story of her dear friend Tamika who at the age of 25 had been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and given a 15 % chance of survival. After receiving a radical hysterectomy and beating the odds, Tamika pulled through and became an activist for educating young women about this type of cancer that is preventable. Through her passion for life and efforts in spreading valuable information a wonderful organization has been born. Tamika and Friends is responsible for giving women hope, encouragement and a means to make ends meet during a difficult time in their lives when they may have felt that all hope was lost.

Every one that was at the event was able to learn something new. Each woman walked away feeling inspired by the various stories that was shared. We learned that we cannot take things such as youth and health for granted. We were reminded that there are always consequences to our actions. Most importantly, each woman learned the value of teaching what they learned that day to other women in their lives. Young , old, lesbian or heterosexual, monogamous or promiscuous, no one is immune and education is the key to preventing this virus from spreading.

What was especially beautiful, was the connections that were made because we were together that day. Working relationships were strengthened and new business ties were formed. We were able to share our light with others and vice versa. At the end of the meeting we had the privelege of providing therapy for a few of our guests, it was truly a special moment.

For more information about Tamika and Friends go to www.tamikaandfriends.com

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Just Breathe

The last few months I have been talking a lot about adding breathwork to the sessions with our clients. I just feel that it will add to the total experience of what we do…Combination Therapy. last month I was visiting an adorable tea house for a business meeting with Chante’, as I waited for her to arrive I had the opportunity to look around and soak the place in. I say that because it is a place that I have been wanting to go for a while. It is so quaint and peaceful, the kind of place that you can easily spend four hours reading a good book and surfing the web as you sip on your Matcha tea. Mmmmmm, More on the tea and things later…I’ll get to the point of this post, BREATHWORK.

As I chatted with the owner , she informed me that they hold regular zen classes in thier meditation room. One of which is a breathwork class. Oh my! I couldnt believe it, this is exactly what I wanted. I have heard of this modality For a while but needed more information about it, you know, a more hands on experience. Just so happens that the next class was the following day. So I made it my business to be there . I arrived ready and eager to learn something new. I went into the room with a few others, we each lay down with blankets and mats and after some simple instruction, we began to brrrreeeaaathe. For 30 minutes we breathed in silence while the last 30 minutes was accompanied with soul soothing music. What an experience! With this pattern of circular breathing I was totally relaxed in every part of my body, with my mind having a sense of freedom.

This breathwork was something developed in the 1970’s. It increases the oxygen levels in the body which in turn gives the body increased ability to heal and release stored up toxins. Because breathwork also rises the bodies alkaline level, this makes it even more beneficial to the physical body. Studies have shown that high levels of alkaline in the body increase the immune system, which gives it disease fighting power. What I found to be even more intriguing is the emotional benefits that one can receive by regularly practicing breathwork and even having a breathwork coach. By doing so, you are able to release stored up past emotions and well as discover how current issues relate to past decisions. So amazing!

I am going to continue the education and practice of this system, so don’t be surprised when you have your next session with us and we ask you to BRRREEEAAATHE. I promise you will appreciate it.

For more information on Breathwork please go to www.breathworkers.com

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Beautifully Well Wednesdays – What Is Your Absolute

I’m totally new to blogging, and I am finding it quite intriguing.. I love talking to people, I love journaling, so why not blog?? So here goes..

Be Beautifully Well has one main goal. We want people to recognize the need to embrace internal and external beauty, I mean, doesn’t true beauty permeate from the inside out? Think about it. You are what you eat… When you exercise, you feel awesome on the inside way before you see physical changes… If you are not feeling balanced internally, if your systems are a little “off”, it definitely shows on the external.. Hence being BeautifullyWell.

So, with all of that said, what makes you feel Beautifully Well?? When you eat a nice light meal, and are ready to relax, ease your stress, promote meditation, what products do you indulge in to make yourself feel sultry and sweet, beautiful and calm? Amazingly but not so shockingly, the most beneficial skincare, bath, and body indulgences are right under your nose. The most natural products we can use are right in our kitchens or homegrown right in your backyard. My guilty secret pleasure happens to be plain powdered milk. I put it in everything. It makes your skin silky and even, and it feels absolutely lovely. I bathe my babies in it, and I use it for my manicures and pedicures… Honey is another, as is oatmeal! Try making an oatmeal and honey mask tonight and you won’t be disappointed. Your beauty will shine on the outside and the therapeutic properties of honey and oatmeal will certainly absorb and benefit the inside! Add a dash of powdered milk to make it extra silky and lux! My love gift to you is my BeautifullyWell Wednesday recipe for this week! Try it out, tell me what you think!

Goddess Light’s Basic Face Mask

1/4 cup of finely ground colloidal oatmeal

2 tbsp fresh or dried chopped chamomile flowers and buds

3 tbsp of wildflower honey

Optional: 1/2 tsp of cold pressed olive oil

Finger sift all dry ingredients until combined thoroughly. Slowly finger sift in honey (and olive oil, if you have chosen to use it). Pat onto washed and damp skin until covered. Allow to sit for about 15 minutes or until the pasty consistency starts to harden. Relax, breathe deeply, and enjoy with a side of meditation!

Peace & Love

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