Tips for Allergy Season

Coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, watery eyes - sound familiar? Allergy season is upon us again, and everyone, besides those lucky few, is feeling it. If you are looking for a tip to tackle your allergies that is both calming and relieving, we have found it. All you need is 1 pot, plenty of distilled water, eucalyptus or peppermint leaves, and your stove to create your own herbal steam treatment.

Herbal Steam Directions:
-Bring pot of distilled water to a boil. Once water is boiling, remove from heat.
NOTE: It's important to remove the pot of water from the heat to inhale the steam, as to not burn your skin. And please remove it carefully.
-Put either eucalyptus or peppermint leaves in the water. Cover the pot and steep for a few minutes.
-Using a towel, create a tent to cover your head over the steam.
-Remove the lid and allow the steam to fill the tent.
-Inhale the steam through your nose for 10 minutes.

The steam is a great tool to help break up congestion and suppress coughing and sneezing. Adding eucalyptus and peppermint leaves to the steam calms and soothes the senses, as well as, the mind.
Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory properties that aid against asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. It helps reduce fever, and it is often used in cough medicines and rubs. Eucalyptus also has head-clearing qualities, and is helpful for relieving the sinus pressure that makes your head feel like it's 50 lbs.
Peppermint leaves are great because they are a natural decongestant. Certain properties in the leaf suppress colds, headaches, and nausea and can calm allergies. Do not use too much if you have a skin sensitivity to peppermint. Try using eucalyptus if the peppermint irritates you.
In-home herbal steam treatments are great if you need a quick relief, but nothing beats having a full steam treatment at the spa! At Zen3 Spa & Bodyworks, we offer a full body herbal steam detox treatment. You have the luxury of lying on a massage table while you inhale the steam and sweat out those terrible toxins. Simultaneously, the massage therapist works on your head, neck and shoulders, and compliments the hot steam with a cooling face treatment that helps relieve congested areas.
If you are interested in the face treatment, a full facial is a more indepth approach with more benefits. Lavare Face & Body at Zen3 offers a Zone Therapy Facial that focuses on all the sinus pressure points. While applying product, the esthetician will massage those points and help release pressure and fluid build up. Talk about refreshing!
If you try any of these treatments, give us some feedback. Leave a comment on this post and tell us what you did! And please remember that you should always seek professional medical help if you have a serious issue. We are only sharing helpful tips not a cure for anything.

To Health & Wellness!

Information gathered from:

Thought for the Day

Breathe.
Your breath is the greatest tool you have
to help you know exactly where you
are. The quicker your breath, the more
agitated you are: the deeper you breath,
the more relaxed you are. Therefore, to
relax in any moment, take six long, deep
breaths in and out.

Levin, Daniel. The Zen Book. Hay House, Inc. 2005.

The Elixir of Life

It's hard to believe that summer break is over. Now everyone is yanking themselves out of the vacation mode and back to school. Parents have spent August scrambling to collect everything on the back-to-school list; while college kids have worked hard all summer only to hand their savings over for tuition, expensive text books and a U-Haul truck. Needless to say, it's a stressful time with move-in dates, tuition deadlines, cost of supplies, and not to mention, the mere newness of everything involved in beginning another school year.

Although schedules are hectic, it's important to take time to stop doing so much. In order to maintain good health, our bodies need to find balance in the midst of chaos. Set aside time to get a massage or meditate in a peaceful place. Aromatics are very helpful for relaxation. Put a few drops of essential oil in your bath water at home. However, not every essential oil is meant for a relaxing bath, so you must do your "homework" before you choose which aroma to soak in.

There are various aromatics available to help ease the mind and soothe the body of stress and anxiety; one in particular is called Melissa Officinalis. It is better known as sweet balm or lemon balm. This bushy perennial is of the mint family and smells like lemons. Contrary to the energizing lemongrass aroma, lemon balm calms the mind and body, as well as unburdens the soul. For years it has been known as the uplifting and calming cure for "melancholia". Lemon balm has properties that are tonic and antispasmodic which are helpful in treating colds, allergies, diarrhoea, hypertension, menstrual problems, migraine and stress headaches, nausea, and palpitations. Years ago the Swiss physician Paracelsus deemed it as the "elixir of life". I'm sure you can see why.

If you are curious about learning more about this, stop by Zen3 Spa and Bodyworks and check out our lemon balm plant! And while you are there, take time to unwind with a 60 minute massage. Trust me. It will make a difference in your busy life.

Positive Thought for the Day

Night is dark,
and day is light ~
we don't expect one to become
the other. Accept the natural
differences that exist in life.

Levin, Daniel. The Zen Book. Hay House, Inc. 2005.

Acne, Cancer and Tomatoes

Trying to figure out what to do with the abundance of fresh tomatoes from your
garden? Make fresh tomato soup and fight cancer and acne at the same time.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a phytochemical and antioxidant. Lycopene gives
tomatoes and certain other fruits and vegetables their color. Phytochemicals
have shown to be protective against cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and
acne. Because lycopene is a potent antioxidant and seems to inhibit growth of
cancer cells, it is logical that a higher intake of this fruit may indeed be
associated with reduced incidences of cancer. Several studies suggest that
eating vegetables rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes or tomato-based products,
may reduce the risk of getting breast, cervical, gastrointestinal, colorectal,
lung and prostate cancer.

Lycopene may help reduce the damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light
during and after sun exposure and combat acne breakouts. In his
book, The Clear Skin Diet, Dr. Alan Logan suggests regular consumption of tomato
juice and V8 promotes clear skin and helps keep acne at bay.

Tomatoes are the most concentrated food source of lycopene, although apricots,
guava, watermelon, papaya, and pink grapefruit are also significant sources. So,
take that bowl of tomatoes sitting on your countertop and blend together an
antiacne and cancer fighting puree.

Glow Gazpacho
2-3 medium sized tomatoes, peeled and seeded
1/2 of a medium sized cucumber
1/4 cup red onion or 3 green onions or 1 peeled shallot (sub ¼ cup of any variety
onion)
1 clove of crushed garlic
1 mild to medium heat pepper such as red bell or jalapeno, seed removed
(optional)
Handful of basil or mint (optional)
Handful of parsley (optional)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of sherry, basalmic, umi, or apple cider vinegar.
1 teaspoon of agave nectar, honey, maple syrup, or white wine
Lemon or lime to taste
Salt and pepper to taste.

Fill a medium sized sauce pan two-thirds full with water and bring to a boil.
Drop whole tomatoes in water for 30 seconds and then remove with a pair of
tongs. Plunge into ice bath. Skins should slip right off. Cut into quarters and
remove seeds. Quartered tomatoes go into a food processor or blender with
remaining ingredients except the oil. Do not peel cucumber. While machine is
running, stream in oil. Add more vinegar, agave, lemon, and salt and pepper to
taste. Rest for 20 minutes. Chill for 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with
infused olive oil, feta, avocado, or basil.

Recipe from Jessica Idleman:
http://glow-nutrition.com/

Lycopene info from:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/lycopene

The Clear Skin Diet by Alan C. Logan, ND, FRSH & Valori Treloar, MD, CNS, FAAD
http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/phytochemicals/lycopene.php


"Heal the Body, Soothe the Mind, and Nurture the Spirit".

Thought for the Day

Work without working, and play without playing.
Do without doing, and be without being.
To live an effortless life, simply be yourself.

Levin, Daniel. The Zen Book. Hay House, Inc. 2005.

Lemongrass - The Perfect Summer Aromatic

Are you looking for a way to cool off and feel good this summer? Believe it or not, the sweet-scented lemongrass has natural components that help cool and deodorize the body. You may recognize its refreshing, lemony smell in many citrus soaps, perfumes and cleaning agents. Lemongrass can also be found in many spa products such as scrubs, body butters and massage oils. If you need a little spa care at home after an exhausting day, choose a lemongrass product for its unique, energizing fragrance to help refresh your body and senses, as well as reduce painful headaches. Or you may apply it before your day begins to repel insects. Furthermore, through its anti-bacterial qualities, lemongrass is also helpful with skin complaints, sore throats, and respiratory problems. It can help alleviate athlete's foot, as well as deodorize stinky feet.

If you are curious about finding a great lemongrass product for your home this summer, Aromafloria is a great place to shop. At Zen3 Spa & Bodyworks, we use Aromafloria for the professional care of our clients, and we have found the results to be very pleasing.

Stay cool and smell great this summer!

Bibliography:
McGilvery, Carole. Reed, Jimi. Mehta, Mira. Massage, Aromatherapy & Yoga. Lorenz Books. New York, New York. 2001

Positive Thought for the Day

Make everything your meditation.
Why only sit for an hour or two a day?
Instead, let the day become a moving meditation,
and make every moment wholly conscious.

-Levin, Daniel. The Zen Book. Hay House, Inc. 2005

Quick Tip to Reduce Stress

Whether you are a business owner, mother, or student, we all unfortunately slip into an automatic response during stressful, busy times - it's called Bad Breathing! Practicing the correct breathing technique can greatly improve balance and well-being in the mind and body, as well as reduce the body's negative responses to stress.

You may wonder "What is the correct way to breathe?" It's simple. Breathe from the abdomen not the chest. Allow your diaphragm to suck the air into your lungs and push it back out of the body. Your abdomen should expand with every inhale and release on the exhale. By allowing your diaphragm to do the work properly, your body responds more positively to the balance of oxygen flow into the body and carbon dioxide flow out of the body. Upsetting this rhythm can lead to feelings of fatigue, headache, or panic. Click HERE for more information on breathing and stress and how it relates to your health.

If you're not use to breathing properly, you will have to make a conscious effort to practice until it becomes normal. Try to make it a habit to practice breathing exercises everyday, and take note of your overall well-being during this time. Click HERE for an easy breathing exercise you can do at work, home, or anywhere.