Shea Butter Soap Bars – The Process September 9, 2009

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Here I am, finally.  I must confess that though I am feeling less pain after my first cervical epidural from August 31st, I am definately not doing as well as I had hoped!  It has been obvious that I spoke too soon when I announced a few blogs ago that I would be back to writing every day!  I guess my grasp on reality is more tenuous than I thought!

I guess the message I’d like to get across is:

If you have any chronic ailment (such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Herniated Discs, etc.) try to keep your patience up and don’t think that just because you are feeling better, that you have to try to save the world all in one day!

Although I was all prepared to explain my process of making Shea Butter Soap Bars to you, I have now completely run through my energy, and have to go to bed.  I WILL be writing tomorrow.

Sign my Guestbook! September 9, 2009

The Winner For August Is… September 3, 2009

Sustainable Esscentials

The winner for the FREE Give-Away in August is Wendy!  How did she do it?

• She went to our webpage at www.SustainableEsscentials.com, then signed our Guestbook
• She won!

What did she win?  A full-sized, (13.5 oz) jar of Citrus Glow Dead Sea Salt Scrub, which will be mixed especially for her today, and be in the mail to her tomorrow!

Citrus Glow Salt Scrub

Since we use only 100% Natural Ingredients, and try to use the least expensive packaging possible without detracting from the product, we make everything fresh, without any synthetic preservatives or fillers.  You receive the freshest, concentrated aromatherapy products to your door!

Our ingredients used in our Citrus Glow Dead Sea Salt Scrub?

1. Dead Sea Salt from Jordan;
2. Ricebran Carrier Oil;
3. Essential Oils of Tangerine, Sweet Orange, and Lemon.
4. That’s it! (Although I do add love and caring into every product I blend!)

If you are looking for 100% Natural Skin Care, drop me a note!  I’d be happy to blend something perfect for you!

My Apologies… August 28, 2009

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I know that I have been terrible – I haven’t been writing.  I have been having a hard time with my Pain Management, and I’ve been unable to even sit, lately.

So, I have been remiss with my blog.

On this coming Monday, August 31st,  I am starting my Epidural Injection series for my herniated cervical discs.  I’ll be getting three injections, every two weeks, in an attempt to relieve some of the inflammation, which is causing the severe pain.

I have had a series about three months’ ago, and this should build on those past injections, so that I may receive a much better result this time.  I hope so, because if this doesn’t make a big enough difference in my quality of life, I am going to require surgery, and I am afraid of that last resort!

But, on the other hand, I can hardly walk, let alone work-out, so I NEED to do something!

I am planning to return to my writing next week.  If you have any topics you’d like to discuss, please let me know!

I can be reached by:

• comment on this blog,
• on my web page at www.SustainableEsscentials.com
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/SustainableEsscentalscom/206262520149
• or by email: Rhonda@SustainableEsscentials.com.

As I am suffering from Cabin Fever, all comments, suggestions, and ideas will be most welcome!

An Aromatherapy Nail And Cuticle Balm That Works! Part 1 August 10, 2009

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I decided that I would come up with a great Nail and Cuticle Balm when I noticed how bad my nails and hands were looking!  I   looked like I had just burrowed out of jail using only my hands!  Not a pretty vision, I know!

So I started to do some research, which I narrowed down to the following ingredients:

• Coconut Oil – in some locations (much warmer than our Central Coast of California), this carrier oil is a liquid, like you would expect.  But in cooler areas, its natural form is a solid, which melts to a liquid once it’s put on the hand, using the body’s heat.  It is primarily a “barrier” oil, that doesn’t absorb into the skin, but can be mixed with other oils that can be absorbed.  It also has a longer shelf-life than many other carrier oils, if kept in a cool place without direct sunlight.

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• Jojoba Oil – this is always a liquid, though it’s actually considered a wax, and it’s chemically closest to our own skin oils.  It is readily soaked into our skin, nails, and hair.  It is an anti-fungal, an excellent moisturizer, and has an unlimited (within reason) shelf-life.

• Calendula Oil – this is an infused carrier oil, rather than a distilled oil.  It is known for its skin healing abilities, and its anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties.

Calendula

• Horsetail Herb Decoction – A liquid infusion of Horsetail Herb (simmered in water for several hours, the strained).  Horsetail has the highest amount of silicon of all plants and is what Collagen is made from.

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Me… August 7, 2009

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I’ve been missing for a few days…and I thought I’d better explain myself.  For the last week, my Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue have been beating me to a bloody pulp!

The symptoms have been:

1. Extreme Pain (especially surrounding my herniated cervical discs)
2. Coma-Mode (my pet-name for the uncontrollable fatigue that hits me without warning, and makes it difficult for me to even keep my eyes open)
3. Irritablity (no explanation needed)

Besides all the regular symptoms, after I quit taking the Savella, I found that for over a week afterwards, I gained a few more:

• Uncontrollable Rage
• Wanting to Divorce myself from everyone I knew
• Constant Crying

I’m being completely serious: no one could FORCE me to take Savella again!!

Savella Inside Pack

I called my Pain Management Doctor yesterday, and he gave me permission to use my TENS Unit, but it didn’t really help with all the pain I’m having.  I will update as soon as I have something positive to say!

I would love to hear from anyone who has had a good experience with Savella…or any experience at all!

Skin Care Product Testing July 31, 2009

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It’s Friday, and as I received boxes of new ingredients on Wednesday, today I am doing some product testing..

The first product I am trying out is a Dead Sea Mud Mask. It is a very dark blackish-green, and goes on very thick!

Dead Sea Mud has:

• a very high salt and mineral content,
• draws out toxins and impurities,
• hydrates the skin,
• improves circulation,
• tightens the skin.

Since I don’t agree with Animal Testing, it is never safe to visit unless you want to try out some products!

The Results:

The Dead Sea Mud rinsed off easily – I didn’t have to scrub like I do when using some clay masks!  And while my face felt soft and hydrated, it certainly wasn’t red and hot – which can be a problem for me as I have extremely fair skin.  This means that I usually have to do a mask the day before a Big Day, but with this product, I could mask the Same day, and not ruin my complexion for 8 hours or so!

I’ll report later with any further findings!  And if anyone has any experiences with Dea Sea Mud, please let me know!

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Aromatherapy Formula For Killing Chlorine Stench, And Pendants! July 28, 2009

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It’s Monday, and as promised, I worked on formula info last night, and came up with a sample to try!  And although I had originally hoped for a formula that would have a thin enough consistency to spray on, this first attempt was too thick, and I ended-up using a lotion dispenser pump, instead.

1oz Clear Dispensing Pump

These containers are great, especially for blends that are used in small amounts, or as samples!  And my sample finished in a beautiful, creamy lemon color..  A few of the blends ingredients: my beautiful Calendula Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera Juice, Lemon Essential Oil, Tangerine EO, and Rosemary EO.  It smells awesome!

Use: To be a barrier to the huge amounts of chlorine in the club pool – for hair & skin.

Directions: Apply to skin in an even layer; dispense enough product for your hair length, put in hands, rub together, then smooth over hair before putting hair up.  Then, shower prior to getting in pool to help your skin absorb clear water rather than chlorine water. I could smell the product for the first half-hour of swimming, though it was not visible on my skin or hair, and there was no visible ‘run-off’ from my body..I just smelled like lemons and citrus!

After work-out, shower as usual, then apply cream again to help moisturize skin and hair (smaller amounts) and you’ll hardly smell any chlorine at all!  As soon as I get this product perfect, I’ll put it on my site for anyone who’s interested…

Swimming

Although I’m taking a break today (day 5), yesterday I completed my 5 minute time trial and my one lap stroke count.  I did better than I had supposed, and after I entered the data in at swimplan.com, I received my first swimming program!  I’ll give it a try tomorrow, and let you know how it worked!

I have some great news on the Aromatherapy front: The Pendants Are Coming!

Aromatherapy Glass Pendant-Colored Snake

Aromatherapy Glass Pendant-Rake

Aromatherapy Glass Pendant-Reversal

Aromatherapy Glass Pendant-Clear

Aromatherapy Pendant Dropper

Aromatherapy Pendant Silk Cord Colors

I have the Clear Glass Aromatherapy Pendant, with a red silk cord, and I love it!  It slips over your head, and is tied in a way that makes it completely adjustable!  You can put any Essential Oil or EO blend in with the dropper that comes with it, and it smells wonderful!  Plus, it will not spill!  They will be shipping them to me tomorrow, so I should have them sometime next week!   The only change will be that they didn’t have silk cords in black, so the black cords will be made of a waxed cotton.  The example is in the Reversal and Clear Pendant photos…I’m told that they are much hardier!

I will be offering them with or without Essential Oils…give me a holler if you’re interested!

My New Pain Management Progress : Swimming July 26, 2009

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It’s Sunday afternoon, and I’m recovering from my three days of swimming!  Each day, starting on Friday, we’ve gone to the club, and swam for 60 minutes…it feels so great to move, especially as my body has continued to deteriorate over the last two years.  I used to consider myself an athlete, now I’m happy the I can move whilst in the pool…

Although I don’t feel much improvement with my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and my pain hasn’t decreased (Fibromyalgia & two herniated cervical discs), it certainly hasn’t Increased, and I know that my mental outlook has greatly improved!

The only real downside: the stench of chlorine that follows me everywhere, even after showering!  But I have plans, and am in the R&D phase of creating a Shampoo/Body Wash, a good Conditioner, and a Barrier product to put on before swimming and afterwards that will help with the chlorine smell, and dry skin and hair!  Will update you all on those when I get something that works the way I want it to!

Meanwhile, as I was not swimming before, I had ZERO gear: not even a suit – but I came across Swimoutlet.com and promptly bought several nice things!

SwimOutlet.com

And today, as I was looking for information on chlorine, I found a free site that you enter-in your personal info (time trials, stroke count, swimming level), and they will come up with swim training plans for you, and will keep track of your progress…I haven’t entered in my data yet, but after my workout tomorrow I will, then I’ll see what they suggest!  But it seems like a pretty cool site, so here it is:

SwimPlan.com

Swimming For Pain Management at InShape Gym July 25, 2009

Sustainable Esscentials

It’s Saturday, and yesterday I joined a gym…but it wasn’t at the Y, but at InShape Club.

Although I was originally going to join the Y because they’re the closest to our house, they are expensive.  I love that they have great community projects – but they’re all for children (ours is going to be 20 next month!).

So, the only other option for me : InShape Club.  They’re open 24 hours, their pool is indoor and very warm, they are not specifically set-up for children (like YMCA), and although I didn’t save any money, they have much nicer equipment, and more of it!  I cannot yet use the cardio and  circuit machines, and I can’t do free weights, but I plan to as soon as I have my surgery!  And when that happens..I want to be on great equipment!

The other great thing about InShape – the locker rooms!  Although I can’t say what the men’s looks like, the women’s is very nice: Slate flooring with many lockers, mirrors everywhere, and very nice slate showers that have a separate section to dress, and when you come out, there’s a dispenser on the wall to get a bag to put your wet swimsuit in!

InShape Club

Although the swimming is wearing me out, I cannot tell you how hard it has been to not be able to MOVE!  This has been such a blessing to me…and I wish I had not waited so long to try it!

Of course, even with showering I still come home smelling of chlorine…I’ll have to come up with an aromatherapy solution for that!