Oils Archives - ig2go

Diffusing Essential Oils

People often ask why I love to diffuse essential oils.

Well being a long time scent junkie or should I say candle-holic, I was sad to learn that my addiction to burning a candle in every room just might not be the best thing I could’ve been doing for my health or for the health of those around me.  I simply had to find healthier and more organic way to satisfy my cravings. THE FACTS:

  • A lot of the candles we burn are made from paraffin wax, when you burn paraffin it forms the toxic substances benzene and toluene both of these are know to be carcinogens.
  • Some candles even have a tendency towards lead core in the wicks, nobody wants to release that in their environment.
  • Because we love beautiful things and the marketplace is appealing to our scenes, many of our candles even the soy ones are enhanced with artificial scents and colored with harmful dyes.

Enough said, I made the decision to my part by not spreading toxins in the air with my burning candles.

Diffusing pure essential oils gave me all of my fabulous scents with the  added benefit of promoting physical and mental health.  Just one of the many gifts of diffusing oil is that you can choose your oils to suit you and create customized blends of the oils to fit your mood or your current situation.

  • Blend them is your work space to create an atmosphere of clarity, energy and stimulate focus.
  • Use them in your home to promote, relaxation, calmness and a sense of general well being.
  • In your bedroom use one oil in the evening for a restful night sleep and in the morning to strength and toning while doing your morning meditation or exercise.

I chose Neal’s Yard Remedies, because I think of them at the pioneers of essential oils. Their oils are all 100% pure and unadulterated.

They believe that wild-crafted and organically grown plants are better for you, the growers and pickers, their communities and the environment. By severely restricting the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are used you can be sure you are getting the best possible product.

To order call us . 813.287.2253 or shop online @ https://us.nyrorrganic.com/shop/ig2go

Diffusing Essential Oils

People often ask why I love to diffuse essential oils.

Well being a long time scent junkie or should I say candle-holic, I was sad to learn that my addiction to burning a candle in every room just might not be the best thing I could’ve been doing for my health or for the health of those around me.  I simply had to find healthier and more organic way to satisfy my cravings. THE FACTS:

  • A lot of the candles we burn are made from paraffin wax, when you burn paraffin it forms the toxic substances benzene and toluene both of these are know to be carcinogens.
  • Some candles even have a tendency towards lead core in the wicks, nobody wants to release that in their environment.
  • Because we love beautiful things and the marketplace is appealing to our scenes, many of our candles even the soy ones are enhanced with artificial scents and colored with harmful dyes.

 

Enough said, I made the decision to my part by not spreading toxins in the air with my burning candles.

Diffusing pure essential oils gave me all of my fabulous scents with the  added benefit of promoting physical and mental health.  Just one of the many gifts of diffusing oil is that you can choose your oils to suit you and create customized blends of the oils to fit your mood or your current situation.

  • Blend them is your work space to create an atmosphere of clarity, energy and stimulate focus.
  • Use them in your home to promote, relaxation, calmness and a sense of general well being.
  • In your bedroom use one oil in the evening for a restful night sleep and in the morning to strength and toning while doing your morning meditation or exercise.

I chose Neal’s Yard Remedies, because I think of them at the pioneers of essential oils. Their oils are all 100% pure and unadulterated.

They believe that wild-crafted and organically grown plants are better for you, the growers and pickers, their communities and the environment. By severely restricting the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are used you can be sure you are getting the best possible product.

To order call us . 813.287.2253 or shop online @ https://us.nyrorrganic.com/shop/ig2go

04.11.17 Neals Yard ad

Ome-gawsh! Omega-3s are Great for Your Skin!

Almond Lingonberry Muffins
Last time, we talked about preventing skin breakouts with brushing and exfoliation.  But there’s a strong connection between your diet and your skin health, too!  Red, irritated skin is caused by inflammation.  Some foods can cause inflammation, such as those with lots of saturated fat or trans-fat (so try to limit your exposure to those).  Luckily, there are also foods that can actively reduce skin redness and promote overall skin health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most important nutrients for fighting inflammation.  But there’s just one problem: while Omega-3s are for good your overall health and can enrich your skin, your body can’t synthesize them by itself!  You need to get them by eating foods that are densely packed with these essential fatty acids.  Some of the highest Omega-3 foods are fish: herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, and halibut.

“But wait!”  I hear you cry.  “I [don’t eat fish/can’t stand fish/can’t afford to eat fish five times a week].  What are my alternatives?”

Luckily, you can take fish-oil capsules, which are much more economical and convenient than starting a tab at your local fish market.  You can also fill up on eggs, turkey, flax seeds, black raspberries, walnuts, canola, and lingonberries – all of which are chock-full of Omega-3s.  Focusing on getting more of these essential nutrients in your body will pay huge dividends for your skin.  Besides, have you ever had almond lingonberry muffins?  Pure heaven.

Brushing: Not Just for Teeth Anymore

washcloth bathsponge and loofah

You already know how important it is to brush your teeth every day (at least, I sincerely hope you already know this).  But maybe you didn’t know that brushing is also a great way to keep your skin naturally healthy and vibrant.

Most of the time, skin breakouts are due to either your skin glands producing a little extra oil, some naturally-occurring bacteria getting a little out of control, or the accumulation of dead skin cells.  Luckily, gentle brushing for just a few minutes a day can help counteract all of these problems.

Using a long-handled natural bristle brush (which you can find for around $10 online) or a natural loofah sponge, start at your feet using small circles.  Work your way up your legs, across your chest, and over your arms, neck, and back.  Be sure to avoid sensitive areas like your breasts and face, and don’t brush too hard – a little goes a long way.

This kind of gentle brushing can improve blood and lymph flow, remove dead skin cells, and help keep your skin looking youthful.  And it doesn’t take a huge time commitment – you can probably cover your whole body in about two minutes.  So consider adding a quick body-brushing regiment to your day, right after brushing your teeth.  Just be sure to use two different brushes.

Next time:  Learn how Omega-3s can save your skin!

Coconut Oil’s Bad Wrap (and why it’s just what the Doctor Ordered)

coconuts

Weight Loss. Ridding lice. Removing moles. Curing yeast infections. Moisturizing skin. Curing acne. Fighting plaque.

Oh yeah, and causing heart attacks.

Coconut Oil is one of the most misunderstood oils on the market. It has been demonized for over a decade, and suddenly, it has made a triumphant return as the cure for, well, just about everything.

The story behind Coconut Oil’s fall and rise in the American consciousness is dramatic for something I spread on whole wheat toast with honey and cinnamon in the morning. Ten years ago it was blamed for clogging arteries faster than a fried Twinky at a county fair. Now, health nuts everywhere are clamoring for a high-priced jar.

The Oil Wars

The reasons behind Coconut Oil’s villainization are murky. One story goes that corn, soybean, and canola oil producers created a smear campaign against tropical oil producers to eliminate the competition. That’s a little too much of a conspiracy theory for me (Michael Pollan fans may disagree).

What we do know is that Coconut Oil got thrown in with butter, cheese, cream, and Palm oil – the dreaded Saturated Fats of the 1980s. But, the oils being studied then were hydrogenated coconut oil instead of virgin coconut oil, and the studies reported to the public didn’t bother to differentiate. When scientist found the correlation between saturated fats and heart disease, all coconut oil was thrown under the bus.

Nearly thirty years later and half a world away, researchers noticed that residents of a small island off of Papua New Guinea, who ate a lot of coconut calories, had very low levels of heart disease. A more recent study looked at the population in another area of the South Pacific – all devoted Coconut eaters – and found almost no incidents of stroke or heart disease. People eating ungodly amounts of saturated fats weren’t keeling over. Something was up.

Shaking up the Coconuts

Coconut oil does have saturated fats – the same fatty acids in fact that are found in mother’s milk, which are prized for antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It’s the man-made Trans-fatty acids that are the real problem, which are found in margarine. Coconut oil itself has no trans fat, and studies have shown that natural saturated fats are good for you in moderation.

So what about all those health benefits coconut oil supposedly bestows?

Well, it’s not all truth, but it’s not all fiction either. Coconut oil has what are called medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that do in fact stop bacterial growth, fungi and viruses. MCT oils actually enhance the immune system by fighting off bacteria, viruses, and even parasites.

But, from the limited studies that have been conducted to prove those attributes, people have extrapolated many claims that haven’t been tested. Does coconut oil work as a toothpaste to fight plaque? I haven’t seen the study on it, but you’re welcome to try!

Want more coconut oil in your diet? Try spreading it like butter on whole-grain toast with cinnamon and honey – two other ingredients with great health benefits!

Contact us at Intelligent Gourmet to find out how we can help you eat healthier and live happier the smart way.

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