Now, you will not find a big bunch of fennel nestled in the next spa gift set you receive but maybe it would be a good thing if you did. I’ve just recently read an article about many qualities associated with that crazy white and green bulbous thing we find in the produce isle.
I definitely love roasted fennel and often use fennel seeds as a spice but I’ve never known about it’s healthy properties like, how it promotes a healthy immune system with vitamins (particularly C), minerals and antioxidants. It has been known to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory infections including whooping cough and bronchitis. Particularly important for women, Fennel has antispasmodic properties that can relieve menstrual cramps. It can increase breast milk secretion and helps to regulate hormonal change and is thought to boost estrogen production during menopause. Amazing, huh?
Maybe we should rethink spa gift baskets….give the gift of health.
Well, not really away, just not into blogging. I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I last wrote anything. It’s June and New York is beginning to experience the typical and unpleasant humidity. The air conditioner becomes your best ally and heaven help you on a crowded subway.
I’ve also fallen out of the idea of a bath. A quick shower seems just the thing these days. Maybe batheing is just a cool weather activity. Sometimes I fancy the idea of slipping into a cool bath that’s been festooned with one of my spa gift sets but, the idea never seems to materialize. Ah well. I’m still thoroughly enjoying my Lavender Vanilla products…yes ideeed, they’ve lasted this long. The scent of Lavender is so luscious and light. Just the whiff of it carries me to Paris – clearly one of my favorite places on earth.
Now, mind you, I have the feeling I’m in this blog by myself….is that so? If you read these posts, however periodically, do let me know with a quick comment or two, will you? I’d love to hear from you.
Bath Tea
I’ve been looking at tea concoctions designed for the bath and I’m quite fascinated by them. Once again, here’s a product that has found its way from the kitchen to the bath with absolute alacrity. The ingredients in these bath gift products are nothing more than tea and herbal fragrance. The idea is to steep this specially designed (large) tea bag in bath water for 10 minutes, then remove the teabag before submerging for a relaxing soak.
The spa gift set I have is sunflower and cedar wood but I recently saw this delectable combination: rose buds, lavender, peppermint, strawberry/respberry leaf, orange petals, orange peels, lemon grass, chamomile, rosemary, sage and rosehips – doesn’t that sound fabulous? I have the feeling that these products not only benefit the skin but also the olfactory senses. I also have the feeling that this is a terrific option for men as well as women. This definitely requires more exploration!!
Lavender Vanilla Bath Collection
I’ve recently written about how I sent myself a spa gift set called Lavender Vanilla Bath Collection. It really is incredible how many bath gift products they tuck into this basket and what’s even more remarkable is the number of choices I now have when it comes to moisturizing my skin.
Now, maybe I’m easily amused with this stuff because I’ve always been a bit haphazard when it comes to lotions and such. In fact, I once mentioned that to a guy friend who retorted “how can that be….you’re a girl”. True, true. Anyway, these new choices caused me to do some internet research where I found that body butter can contain ingredients like shea butter, vegetable oil, coconut oil or butter, grapeseed oil, and cocoa butter. The whipped body butters usually include beeswax as well. The advantage to using this lovely richness is longer lasting, all natural emollients for intense moisture and healing.
There is so much in this wild and wacky life that can dry our skin and the older we get, the worse it is. I guess, in my case, it’s better late than never that I’ve become such a proponent. I think I’ll continue sending myself (and others) spa gift sets. They’re fun to receive and full of good stuff.
I just ran across the most interesting spa treatment – this is truly a new one on me. It’s a spa treatment scrub made of malt and barley which exfoliates and nourishes the skin and is designed to improve circulation. The spa that offers this innovative treatment encourages couples to partake of a relaxing soak in an Ofuro tub while drinking a cold glass of Hockley Gold Premium Draft (apparently brewed locally).
Can you believe this? Men finally have the perfect opportunity to convince their wife/sweetheart of the “medicinal benefits” of beer. What could be more perfect?
Ylang Ylang
I know, I know….I have my needle stuck on the subject of aromatherapy but I’m more than just a little fascinated by it. The scent that has my attention today is Ylang Ylang, which is pronounced ee-lang. It’s not only a beautiful blossom that grows in rain forest habitats in locales like Indonesia and the Philippines but it’s used as an ingredient in many spa gifts and bath gift products.
The oil from the ylang-ylang plant flower is used in Asian and floral scented perfumes such as Chanel No. 5. In Indonesia, the flowers are spread on the bed of newlyweds and in the Philippines, they are made into a lei (flower necklace) for women and also used to decorate religious images.
As a spa aromatherapy ingredient, it is said to relieve high blood pressure, assist with skin problems and is considered to be an aphrodisiac…and, you wonder why I’m transfixed by this stuff?
Pink Peony - Tealight Candles
I blogged recently about how my late Mother (and her Mother before her, for that matter) didn’t want to use the things we gave them. I’m still not sure what’s behind that but facts are facts and most products have a shelf life. I know it’s tempting to hang onto that scented candle gift that someone so thoughtfully gave you but if you wait too long, the scent will dissipate and there you’ll be with a lovely but unscented candle.
Trust me when I tell you that these items are relatively inexpensive and not in short supply. If you burn that candle gift you can certainly go out and get more scented candles for your home. You deserve to be surrounded with lovely things. Go for it, baby.
Mandarin Clove Jar Candle
Aromatherapy – what a concept! The more I look into aromatherapy candles, the more I realize that there are more scents than you can shake a stick at…and each scent has a purpose.
Rosemary, as an example, is quite stimulating and lists the mood. Sage creates relaxation. Rosemary is another one that stimulates and lifts the mood. Eucalyptus helps with breathing and boosts the immune system. Chamomile is used for helping with anxiety and insomnia. Geranium actually has the capability to both relax and uplift, and it helps balance the hormones. Ylang ylang allows for good rest and alleviates depression.
Peppermint aids digestion, helps with headaches and with muscle aches. Lemon is another amazing scent that both invigorates and relaxes. Sounds crazy, huh? You can legitimately question the health benefits of these candles but the moods they evoke are quite specific, indeed.
Aromatherapy – that’s who.
Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon Nutmeg, Cappuccino
As promised, I’m sending along a few more fun and fascinating facts about candles for your enjoyment. And, you’ll be happy to know, there are more so stay tuned!!
- Pillar candle consumption can be improved by pushing the soft, warm sides slightly towards the center after blowing it out so that they can melt along with the candle’s inner core as it burns. Be careful not to push the sides in too far or they may melt so fast that the flame is extinguished.
- Polish dusty candles or remove minor scratches/flaws by using the legs cut from your old panty hose. The slightly abrasive texture of the nylons removes dust and scratches.
- Before a wedding, or any candle lighting ceremony, it is recommended that you pre-light your wicks. Charring the wicks will allow quick and easy lighting during special (and sometimes nerve-racking) ceremonies.
- Direct sunlight will often cause candles to fade. Try not to display candles in windows or areas that receive direct sun. The sun can even cause candles to melt and become misshapen or warped.
- Layering candle fragrances is a great way to make unique scents and create your own ambiance. Burn a vanilla candle near a strawberry candle to create a, “Strawberry Shortcake” aroma. Or burn a cinnamon candle near an apple candle to create a scrumptious, “Apple Pie”. Remember to light your candles ½-hour before your guests arrive to allow the fragrances time to diffuse in your rooms.
This is clearly news you can’t live without, right?
I was cruising around the Internet, as I frequently do, and ran across this interesting list of do’s and don’ts where candles are concerned. Of course, it had the usual precautions that we always hear but it also had a few cool tidbits that I’d never heard before. So, candle gifts being one of my favorite topics, I thought I’d share them with you. Here goes:
- Keep candles in a dark, cool, and dry place and lay them flat to prevent warping. Contrary to what many people may think, candles do NOT perform better if you store them in the freezer or refrigerator where they are likely to crack.
- Most candles are meant to only be burned 4-6 hours at a time. Allow candles to cool completely before relighting. A general rule of thumb for burn time is that a candle should ideally burn only for the number of hours that it has inches in diameter. (For a multi-wick candle, measure the distance from the wick to the outer diameter and multiply by two for the ideal burn time.)
- Always trim wicks to 3/8” before lighting and remove all wick trimmings from the wax pool.
- Turn candle by 90 degrees each time you light your candles to ensure an even burn. This rotation allows any drafts (which should be avoided) to affect all sides equally.
- Votive candles are designed to liquefy when lit which allows for a faster and stronger fragrance throw. Always make sure your votives are in a receptacle that can accommodate the melting wax.
Interesting, huh? I have more so keep watching this space!!