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May 27, 2012
You’ve heard all the standard fixes to help improve your health, like vitamin C can protect against a cold, don’t go outside with your hair wet to prevent getting sick, warm milk can help you fall asleep and flossing after you brush your teeth will fight cavities. Or do they? Could it be that these tried and true remedies are actually just fairytales to help us feel better about doing something to improve our health? As it turns out, remedies and hazards are more interchangeable and it is proven by science. Doctors come together to separate fiction from fact.
Myth: Sitting too close to the screen will ruin your eyes.
When the television was invited and it first become popular in the 1950’s, they emitted a lot more radiation than they do today. So your parents- parnets and even your parents may be carrying this myth around, but with new technology and advances in television there is no scientific proof that it can harm your children’s eyes. The dizzy feeling you may feel after spending a long time in front of the screen, whether it is a computer screen after a long day at work or your television is caused from eyestrain. This is separate from the radiation emitted from a television screen. If you get headaches from staring at your screen, then relieve it with a light massage around your eyes. This can work wonders.
Myth: Vitamin C prevents colds.
Although we have grown up to believe that the more we pump up with vitamin c the less sick we will be, but this isn’t necessary true. Although it is a fact that if we don’t get enough vitamin c we will get sick but not with a runny nose or common cold. There is a lot of scientific research documented people who took regular doses of vitamin c and those that didn’t. There are no links and no difference between the number of duration of common colds suffered by people who take Vitamin c and those that don’t.
Myth: Floss after you brush to prevent cavities.
Most of us grow up knowing how important it is to floss our teeth, but the majority of people who floss do so after they brush their teeth. Although this is a good practice it is better for your oral health to floss before you brush. That way you remove the food particles and plaque build up before you clean your teeth. In this manner you will clean more of your teeth and prevent cavities better. For more health advice visit the Doctors at Tendercare Dental, a Dentist in Tigard.
~ Shannon Kaiser
Love is in the air, June and July are the most popular months to celebrate true love, and chances are that you or someone you know maybe tying the knot this year.
If it is your wedding that you are getting ready for, then prepare for your 15 minutes of fame. It is one day all about you, that will be one of the most memorable days of your entire life. For one-day guests and photographers will be following your every move to show you how special you truly are.
However, leading up to your wedding can also be one of the most stressful times. There are many details that go into making a great event, but if you skip over them or don’t ask for enough help you could quickly turn your stress into a big mess.
To ensure you and the event is flawless consider these three points when selecting your photographer.
Set a Budget
It might seem silly to put 10% of your wedding budget into your photos, but years from now, your grandchildren will thank you. Photos are the physical things, the tangible items that you have that shows all of the hours you spent planning the event. Try to make peace with that fact that you will spend anywhere from $2,000-$6,500 on photos depending on when and where you get married and what type of package you choose.
Nothing captures the moment like a professional photographer. You will be thankful you sprung for the love guru who knows how to capture the essence of your day.
Add Your Personality
If you already have your mantel clear and dusted so it is ready for the wedding photos of you and your handsome hubby to be, then you probably want to consider what type of photo package you want. Are you more traditional or modern? Are you fun, flirty or serious? The type of personality that you and your groom are will most likely set the tone for the entire wedding. Selecting a photographer depends on your final outcome. Each photographer has their own style. Pick one that matches the vibe you carry. Do you want single prints a DVD or CD with digital images or do you prefer tangible prints so you can put them in an album? All of these options should be considered before picking a photographer.
Consider your Venue
Are you having an outdoor or indoor wedding? When you look through photographer’s books, look at their style and how well they take photos in the day and night and inside and outside.
For more helpful wedding ideas visit, the McLean House, an intimate wedding venue in Oregon.
~ Written by Shannon Kaiser
May 21, 2012
Luckily, you don’t have to compromise your style in order to be eco-conscious anymore. This have never been truer than in the area of handbags. Enterprising eco-conscious designers and companies are repurposing and reusing materials in innovative and stylish ways and lowering their carbon footprints in the process. Socially conscious fair trade companies also ensure that our love of a good handbag doesn’t come at the expense of others.
UrthBags Eco-Chic Handbags are hand-crafted from recycled materials by Fair Trade Women’s Organizations & Artisans. You are sure to fall in love with the ultra-stylish and oh-so-chic recycled magazine handbags from UrthBags. Each bag features different magazine images making it truly unique and the exterior is made from salvaged plastic.
 Image: www.urthbags.com Monica Ralli, founder of UrthBags has certainly succeeded in creating “a one-of-a-kind line to help inspire people to develop a stronger sense of ecoconsciousness while making a stylish, green fashion statement.” Her handbag line “is not only making its mark in the world of avant-garde fashion, but also in the environmentally conscious community.”
We also adore this kashmir wool crewel work bag from Earth Divas.
 Image: www.earthdivas.com All of Earth Divas’ products are “handmade, natural fiber, fair trade accessories made by women for women from around the world.” Their products are “made by working women’s co-ops and small woman-owned cottage industry producers” and they work directly with the people that make the items without a middleman. Earth Divas’ handbags come in numerous styles and materials which are sure to satisfy even the most discriminating, socially-conscious stylista.
For truly one of a kind upcycled creations, head on over to Etsy, where eco-chic, handcrafted handbags made by extraordinary artisans await.
We love this brown and pink upcycled handbag from anewdesigns made from an old leather jacket.
 Image: anewdesigns Owner and designer of anewdesigns, Donna Martin, lets the original item inspire and guide her ultimate handbag designs with fabulous results. Check out her other inspired repurposed leather bags at www.anewdesigns.etsy.com.
We also think the handbags made from recycled jeans and old neckties by Garage Couture Clothes are divine.
 Image: Garage Couture Clothes Garage Couture Clothes gets all its clothing and materials for upcycling from Humana People to People which helps “support various humanity projects including the fight against HIV, community development, environmental issues and economic development.” Erin Stevens, aka Scrapella, owner and designer of Garage Couture Clothes, also hosts “Scrapwear” parties, which is a fun way to refashion old items in your closet. To see other eclectic eco-friendly items made by Garage Couture Clothes and to learn more about “Scrapwear” parties visit www.garagecoutureclothes.etsy.com and www.scrapella.com.
From the historic and charming seaside resort town of St. Michaels on Maryland’s fabled Eastern Shore, Bay Bags recycles sailcloth from ships that have actually sailed the Chesapeake Bay into unique, one of kind totes. “Sewing the way the wind blows,” with no preconceived pattern, and honoring “the true sailors of the Chesapeake Bay,” Bay Bags vows to keep recycling sailcloth until the “sails dry up” and we sure hope they do. You can check out all of BayBag’s stylish repurposed sailcloth totes at www.baybags.etsy.com.
 Image: Bay Bags Pneu Bags are made from recycled rubber inner tubes by designer Sam Wild-Chick and are motivated “by the threat to the planet and inspired by the natural beauty of her Caribbean surroundings.” All of Sam Wild-Chick’s items are hand-recycled, hand-made, and locally sourced. You can see all her stylish, eco-conscious creations at www.pneubags.etsy.com and www.pneubags.com.
 Image: Pneu Bags -Holly K
May 18, 2012
Are you craving your next spa adventure, but over worked and can’t seem to get-away? Well fear not because now you can bring the spa to your own personal space, your home. We love visiting our favorite spas because of the way they make us feel. From the moment we arrive scents, sounds and beautiful calming colors whisk us away to serenity land.
Imagine those same feel good emotions wrapped up into your living room, or kitchen. We combined our spa expertise with the masters in the interior decorating industry to bring you the latest trends to help you decorate your home with a twist of spa.
Add a Touch of Tranquility
Spas are so relaxing because they promote tranquility with sounds, flavors and colors. The amount of attention that gets put into every detail is what makes or breaks your spa experience. The spas that are the most successful are the ones that pay attention to the details and make sure every element is focuses on serenity. From the pillow fabric to the way the water is served and even how the towels are rolled; the exquisite attention is critical. Take this same approach to your own personal sanctuary and you will feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Use Water Therapy
Adding water to your home in the front entrance is a nice way to invite people in. The same way a spa will entice spa goers to relax with a trickling fountain or rhythmic sounds of the ocean, you can take the same queues and apply them to your home. Invest in a sound machine or better yet a water fountain to help relax the mind body and soul.
Focus on Flowers
Spas are all about simple, soothing features and connecting with nature. Most spas across the world have one thing in common they get their inspiration from nature. Nature has a calming ability to decompress and distresses even the most overwhelmed person. Brittainy Every-Tiffany, an interior design consultant at Tiffany Home Furnishings says that first impressions count more then ever, and having a home that is comfortable, approachable and relaxing is inviting for guests. Using queus from nature can inspire this. Flowers are an easy way to brighten up any room. Use bright fresh cut flowers to help your space smell, look and feel more relaxing and welcoming.
For more advice on decorating your home contact Brittainy Every-Tiffany, at Tiffany Home Furnishings, a furniture store Portland, Oregon.
~Shannon Kaiser
Photo by Jon Sullivan
May 10, 2012
May 7, 2012
Summer is almost here which usually means spring-cleaning has come and gone. Did you take time to clean your space this year? It’s never to late to do a deep over haul on your living environment. When we have a clean environment we feel more grounded, balanced and relaxed. Allow yourself time to create a pleasurable sanctuary. After all, your home should be your haven, and if it is cluttered, stuffy or unorganized you may feel stressed out or find that your energy is zapped.
Here are tips to help you enjoy your home all year around.
Come Out of the Closet
Cleaning your home is not just about removing unwanted things. The place to do the real magic renovation is to start where it might hurt the most, the closet.
We all have old cloths that don’t fit our style or shape anymore, consider removing them from your closet and donating them to goodwill. By getting rid of things we don’t want, we send a loud message to the universe that we don’t want unwanted things in our life.
By removing cloths you can see the gaps in your wardrobe and create a fresh “New You” look. When we remove things that no longer serve us we create space to allow new ideas, trends and ideas to freely flood in. Now you can try that new outfit you saw on Pinterest that you didn’t think you could quit pull off. You will be surprised at how expressive you feel when you have a clean honest space.
Your Home is Your Stage
You are the star of your own blockbuster movie; naturally your home is your stage.
But staging can refer to more then just your super star self. Home staging is a relatively popular concepts in real-estate marketing that can help you enjoy your home more even if you are not moving.
Staging your home is a delicate art of arranging your furniture and accessories to help you sell your home faster. First impressions count more than ever; statistics show that having your home professionally staged can help you sell 50% faster and for a 6-10% higher selling price than if you don’t stage or try staging your home yourself. But you don’t have to be in the market to have a fabulous flawless looking home.
Take advice from the home staging experts and decorate your home tastefully to create an enchanting space. Brittainy Tiffany, a professional home stager at Tiffany Home Design, A Portland home staging company says that “Arranging your furniture and décor is a great way to highlight your homes best features.”
Photo by www.lovetwenty.com
~ By Shannon Kaiser
May 6, 2012
Did you know that going to the Dentist can be as relaxing as a spa treatment?
We all know how fresh and luxurious the smell of lavender is but do we ever consider the mega health benefits? Spas all around the world use lavender infused products to help heal the body, mind and soul, so why don’t other professions pick up on this?
Well now they have, you may be able to get the same healing benefits you would going to a spa when you go and visit your friendly dentist. That’s right, a recent study done at the Medical University of Vienna reveled that using Ambient odors such as lavender reduce anxiety and improve overall mood in a dental office.
In fact, some dentist’s across the nation are adding lavender to their offices for a more pleasant experience. Lavender is a popular sent because it can reduce anxiety and improve mood in patients waiting for dental treatment.
We all know that odors are capable of altering emotional states so it was only a matter of time before the health industry picked up on this. There are many health benefits to lavender that extend beyond the instant relaxation.
Lavender is the most popular essential oil, due to its ability to release tension, disinfect skin and the ability to successfully treat various respiratory problems. The major benefits are
• Helps improve sleep patterns
• Helps breathing problems
• Helps skin disorders
• Aids Digestion and Enhances Appetite
• Lowers pain levels
There are many lavender products that can help you improve your health. One of our favorites is Doctor Burts Lavender Mint Toothpaste.
Regular use of Doctor Burt’s Lavender Mint aids in the prevention of dental decay and is so natural it’s actually edible!
Unlike most commercial brand toothpaste, Doctor Burt’s boasts no artificial colors, flavors, binders or sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s enhanced with the soothing and cleansing essential oils of peppermint, spearmint, and lavender – renowned for its healing and cell regenerating properties. For a little more oh-la-la in your mouth this toothpaste also contains anise, clove and cranberry to purify and refresh the gums while calcium carbonate and bentonite clay.
Who knows, next time you go visit your dentist for a cleaning you may feel even more pampered and rejuvenated then you do when you leave a spa.
For more dental advice and health tips visit, Dr. Pari Samani, D.M.D. at Tualatin Dental Care, a Dentist in Tigard Oregon.
~ By Shannon Kaiser
~ photo by herbcompanion.com
May 3, 2012
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