Nov 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
If you’re bored with the same old mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts and other thanksgiving side dishes, we want to share some not-so-common twists on some old fall recipes! What’s important for any Thanksgiving feast is that the foods be packed full of nutrients and have an array of color to display. Even better? These dishes are far more healthy than their predecessors and will leave your guests happily full without the bloating and guilt!Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole Topped with Caramelized Bananas
This recipe is much healthier than cooking sweet potatoes with heavy cream, refined sugar and marshmallows…and more creative too.
- 3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 large bananas, thinly sliced on an angle
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar or drizzle with agave nectar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and roast until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and let cool until cool enough to handle. (Keep oven at 350 degrees F). Peel and mash sweet potatoes in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the butter, stock, salt, pepper and cinnamon. Transfer to a casserole dish. Cover the surface of the potatoes with the banana slices by laying them on top, slightly overlapping in concentric circles. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is browned.
Green (& White) Beans With Almonds
- 1 pd Green Beans
- 1 pd. Wax Beans (white string beans)
- 1 Lg. Red Onion
- ? cup Toasted Almond Slivers
- 4-8 cloves Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Salt and coriander to taste
- Mince garlic and saute in pan. Add onions and cook half-way. Toast almonds with a little oil in separate pan. Mix everything together with beans. Put flame on low and cover. Add lemon juice, salt, and coriander. Cook until beans are as soft as you like them!
Roasted Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes
- 1 large (or 2 medium) butternut squash
- 1 large sweet potato (not to be confused with a yam)
- 6-8 tablespoons butter or earth balance spread, melted
- Agave to taste
- Light brown sugar–I just used about 2 tbsp because I was trying to be healthy, but this would probably be really good with more
- Salt
Remove seeds, cut ends, and peel squash (you can leave skin on if you want – it’s very nutritious and will soften when you cook it.) Cut into chunks–doesn’t really matter what size as long as you’re consistent–large is probably best. Cut sweet potato into same size chunks–leave skin on (it’s healthier that way.) Put on baking sheet or pan.
Add melted butter, salt, and agave and roll all ingredients together. You should do this with your (clean) hands. Partly because it’s fun to get your hands dirty. Partly because it will allow everything to be distributed more evenly.
Roast on 400 for 45 min to an hour. You’ll know it’s done when squash is soft and the glaze begins to caramelize. Make sure to mix things around a few times while it’s cooking. Great fall side dish! (thanks to active.com for the recipes!)
At Eurospa, we love to celebrate. We also love enjoying great health! So, of course we are thrilled to have the chance to celebrate a national holiday and feel healthy doing it! We offer the highest quality home and commercial wellness products around, including our very famous Eucalyptus Oil Shower Spray. This Thanksgiving, we are raising a toast to family, to gratitude and to your health! Happy Holidays!
Nov 19, 2014 | Uncategorized
There is a lot of information out there raising awareness to a pretty sad issue. Major beauty companies are knowingly adding carcinogenic ingredients to their products. Since our skin absorbs what touches it, it’s important that our whole body, scalp included, be treated with respect and care.
Thanks to the people at inhabitat.com, we are able to pass on some important information to you:
“You may have thought that the worst thing your shampoo could do to you is to sting your eyes, but it turns out that your shampoo could be deadly. The Center for Environmental Health based in Oakland, California, performed a study on shampoos and soaps and found that 98 included a possible carcinogen known as cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA).
Cocamide DEA is a chemically modified form of coconut oil that is used as a thickener or foaming agent in shampoo. However, the state of California has outlawed its use, because it may be carcinogenic to humans. The CEH is suing companies producing and distributing these products, including Prell, Paul Mitchell and Colgate Palmolive shampoos. Also included are products marketed to children, and even one which falsely claims to be organic (Organic by Africa’s Best.)Until things are resolved, it seems like getting shampoo in your eyes may have become the least of your concerns. You can find a full list of all 98 suspect shampoos here.”
In the same chord, Vick’s Vapor Rub has been found to do similar damage. A quote from LiveStrong states the following:
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| Lung infections like pneumonia can occur from misuse of Vicks Vapor Rub. Photo Credit thorax x-ray of the lungs image by JoLin |
“Vicks Vapor Rub brand has been marketed for treatment of cough and congestion, such as from colds or allergies, and muscle aches. Vapor Rub contains the chemicals menthol and camphor, which provide numbing and counter-irritant action on sore muscles. When applied to the chest and nose areas, the pungent odor of the combined chemicals may suppress cough and seems to open stuffy airways and nasal passages; however, it is likely that the decongestant benefits are superficial and that the chemicals provide a cooling effect to make breathing easier for short time periods. Regardless, Vicks Vapor Rub is used frequently in adults and children older than two years of age, and care should be taken to avoid side effects.”
You deserve alternatives. Let’s start with one for each, shall we?
For shampoo, make your own at home with this recipe:
1 C liquid castile soap
1/4 C olive oil
1/8 C honey
(thanks, Pretty Smart Girl!)
For a Vicks Vapor Rub Alternative:
Get a bottle or two of Eurospa’s Eucalyptus Oil Shower Spray. The active ingredient in Vick’s is also Eucalyptus, as it’s antibacterial with menthol clearing properties. Simply Spray the product into shower or bath steam for a simple enhanced effect. Or add it to a humidifier for respiratory needs.
The beauty and wellness industry often does nothing to keep you well. We at Eurospa are happy to provide alternatives for you. You deserve it. Knowledge is power, pass it on!
Oct 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
Halloween is here and there’s about to be a lot of sugar consumed! You need to protect your health from the sugar shock! Of course, we all know it’s fun to go crazy with the treats, but it’s important to find the healthy balance ahead of time to make sure you don’t go through with-drawls for the next week.
These tips are great for preventative and treatment for both kids and adults. So, read on and get ready!
KEEP HYDRATED
I can’t say it enough. Any ache, pain, ailment….. always reach for water first! When we eat too much sugar, our muscles hold onto it like caramel in the fibers. These caramel coatings absorb extra water as a muscular protection; this creates a dehydrated atmosphere. If you are drinking alcohol or coffee as well, you will be adding to additional dehydration. So, stay sober and healthy or add tons of water to the mix to both flush toxins and keep the body hydrated.
EAT GREENS
Sugar robs the body of minerals, that can cause dizziness, fatigue and bloating. Eating dark green leafy vegetables, juices and smoothies, brings a mineral balance back to the body, helping you feel alive and fresh again.
TWIST IT:
Just like wringing out a wet towel of it’s moisture, twisting your body can aid in releasing toxins stored in your intestines or stomach lining. It’s very simple. You just sit down on the floor with your back straight up and your legs outstretched, together in front of you. Now, bend and pull your left leg up and place your foot on the floor, with your knee standing up and your foot touching your inner right thigh. Now take a deep breath, and as you exhale, slowly turn your body to the left as far as you can go, exhaling all the air out. Then, as you twist back to center, inhale gently. Switch legs and repeat this process on the other side. Keep doing this if you can for 3-5 repetitions and then lay flat on your back and relax. Your belly will thank you.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
There are a few ways to ease your stomach ache with essential oils. One, is to place a couple drops of peppermint oil or tincture into your glass of water. (It’s important to remember that you should aim to stay hydrated during this time anyway. While that may not sound appealing, the peppermint will help ease that distaste.) Next, it’s good to have a bottle of Eucalyptus Oil Shower Mist on hand anyway, for many reasons! One being that you can add it to the steam of the above suggested bath for internal relaxation and refreshment; great for internal spasms! Another use being that you can grab a little caster oil, mixed with a little coconut oil and rub that gently on your abdomen. Then spray the eucalyptus onto your belly and rub in a clockwise motion. The oils will carry the anti microbial and anti-spasmatic power of the eucalyptus into your body and allow them to work their healing magic.
Nobody wants sugar to put a damper on their summer fun, but if you end up with the aches and pains, it’s comforting to know that there are options out there that are natural and efficient in bringing healing and relief.
At Eurospa, helping you achieve health naturally is our priority. We are proud to provide you with the highest quality products to deliver that health. Please stop by and let us know how we can further the health of your life or business, today!
Oct 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
Having long hair, for many, is a sign of health, beauty and even elegance. Many people, both men and women alike, would love some surefire ways to have long and lustrous locks. Did you know that there’s no fool-proof scientific method prove to accelerate or stimulate hair growth? This is a result of the many varying factors that contribute to the process, such as the weather, your age, what foods you eat, living habits and general overall health.
With that being said though, there are still things you can do to hurry along hair growth and we are going to share with your our favorite beauty tips to do so!
1. Trim your hair 1/4 inch every 6-8 weeks. It will clean the damaged ends off, allowing the shaft to continue growing out rather than in many damaged directions.
2. Hot Oil Massages. Just heat up a hot oil treatment, rub it into your scalp, wait a little while, and you’ll see the difference — your hair will feel thicker, softer, and longer! While you can always use a store-bought treatment, homemade hot oil treatments work just as well. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oils, and most other oils you like will do wonders; just heat it up and apply thoroughly.
3. Egg White Mask. A lot of people believe that this tip concerning how to make your hair grow faster doesn’t work well, but egg whites have been known for their healing properties and their ability to replenish hair and restore its softness and shine! Just crack open a few eggs, strain out the yolks, and make an egg white mask for your hair. Your hair will look ten times healthier instantly and will feel a lot stronger as well — which, ultimately, will allow your hair to grow faster!
4. Drink More Water. Water helps the body to process and flush out toxins faster, which makes it a quick and easy natural method that will make your hair grow a lot faster. If you drink about 8 cups of water a day, not only will your body feel better, but your hair will get stronger. The stronger the hair, the faster that it grows. Drinking water also keeps your hair hydrated from the inside out. Hydrated hair is happy hair because, when dry, your hair is much more likely to break.
5. Be Wise While Brushing Your Hair. I’m not saying over brush your hair though. We aren’t Marcia Brady who brushed her blond hair 100 times every night. Brushing the hair once or twice in the morning and once or twice at night will stimulate the circulation in your scalp, feeding the hair follicles and ensuring undisturbed hair growth. However, when your hair is wet, never brush it. That causes severe breakage, which ultimately stunts hair growth. Use a comb instead — wide-toothed combs are fine, especially if you experience tangles.
6. Protect Your Tresses. It’s old news, but heat damages hair! Try to stay away from blow dryers and heated tools, as they burn the hair. If you MUST use them, be sure to use a heat protecting spray or creme first, before styling. Keep in mind that the sun damages hair as well. In warm weather, or intense sunlight (even in the snow) keep a hat on to protect your hair from over drying and burning.
7. Eat Healthy Protein. Did you know that what you eat actually makes a difference in how fast your hair grows? If you eat a lot of protein-rich foods, you will see a huge difference in the quality of your hair, as well as the speed with which it grows. Things like fish, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even different meats all make a difference, so cut down on junk food and focus on heal meals.
8. Use Eucalyptus. Of course, right? Get into a sauna, steam room or even your shower, one to two times a week and spray eucalyptus oil shower spray near your head, about arms length away; never onto the head directly. The circulation promoting plant oils will penetrate through your open pores, waking up the follicles. Add to this a gentle scalp massage and you’ll have one happy head! You can also make a topical essential oil blend. I suggest mixing three drops of lavender oil, three drops of rosemary oil, and two drops each of thyme oil and cedarwood oil, along with some jojoba oil. All of this should go right onto your head and, I promise, the mixture will enhance your hair and make it grow that much faster!
Eurospa is dedicated to your health inside and out. And health is definitely beautiful! We specialize in Eucalyptus products for both home spa and commercial use. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!
Oct 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Just as we need protection, our skin needs care as well. The kind of care that our skin needs is determined by the type of skin we have. There are four types of skin-normal, oily, dry and sensitive and each type of skin has its own complications. Having a dry skin means experiencing tightness due to lack of moisture and a need for a proper lubricant to rehydrate it. Many home remedies can help improve your dry flaky skin on face.
Moisturize
Moisture forms a protective layer on the skin keeping it safe by keeping it hydrated. Oils that are easily absorbed by the skin, such as coconut, jojoba and almond, tend to be better at keeping the real moisture in, allowing the skin the best nourishment possible. Coconut oil makes the skin feel softer and removes its previous scaly characteristic by moistening it in a natural way. Coconut oil has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. It works best when left on for an entire night. Apply proper amount before going to sleep and wash it off in the morning; do this every night.Over the counter creams work well in the beginning but only leave a surface layer of hydration.
Use a Humidifier
Winter is not a friend to dry skin. The heating in homes evaporate the water from the air, which makes the air very dry. Humidifiers come in useful at a time like this by adding moisture to the air, and thus benefiting your dry skin. Either humidify the whole room or get a portable humidifier. We definitely recommend adding a few sprays of our eucalyptus oil shower spray to the room to enhance the health and wellness benefits. Eucalyptus in the air will not only open up the bronchial passages for better respiratory health and to cleanse the skin!
Exfoliate
An exfoliating scrub made by concocting lemon juice and sugar leaves your skin soft and glowing. With a circular massage of the skin with this beauty scrub, rough spots on the face become even. The vitamins C in the lemons is a good astringent that lightens the skin tone, removes patches on the skin and encourages cell growth. Mix a teaspoon of sugar and mix it with juice of half a lemon, use cotton balls to scrub all over the face. Put a jar of it on your nightstand and apply it regularly.
Eurospa is dedicated to your health and we can’t wait to hear how these remedies help you!
