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 :

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  a quarter cup of warm coffee grounds

  
  


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  A tablespoon of olive oil

  
  


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  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.

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  1/4 cup used coffee grounds

  
  


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  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.

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  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)

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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?...

  
  


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

  
  


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

  
  


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  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.

  
  

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  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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