Home Spa Lady Tips Issue #49 Cleaning for the Cleaning Lady/Yoga for Low Back Pain

Home Spa Lady's
Tips of the Week
Issue # 49 - November 1, 2006
Publisher: Marilee Tolen RN
mailto:marilee777@aol.com
http://www.HomeSpaLady.com
http://www.HomeSpaLady.com/blog (Blog)
Home Spa Lady (TM)
Circulation: 901
=====================================
Make Every Day A Spa Day!
=====================================
Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you know who isinterested in natural health, wellness, healing, and beauty basedon principles of energy, consciousness, spirituality, personalempowerment, delicious whole foods, cleansing and detoxificationof the body and mind, and having a heck of a good time!
================================
In This Issue
================================
1. Cleaning for the Cleaning Lady
2. Yoga for Low Back Pain
3. A Delicious Way to Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
4. Essential Oil Tip: Bloating
5. Success Tip: Bob Proctor
6. Recipe of the Week: Apple Cider Braised Greens
7. HSL's Joke or Cute Quote of the Week
*Take a class with Home Spa Lady!. . .see below
===================================
1. Cleaning for the Cleaning Lady
===================================
Do you ever find yourself cleaning for the cleaning lady?
I do it all the time. And I remember teasing my mother forcleaning before Isabella, her cleaning lady, would come, andnow I'm doing the same thing! I always thought Mom did it as animage thing - so that she didn't appear to be so messy.

I do it mostly for organizational reasons. I want to make suremy things are in their proper place so that they're not just putinto piles for me to go through later - doubling the amountof work I must do. But I do clean as I organize to save mycleaning lady some steps herself. To some that may seem ridiculous.

What's really ridiculous though is cleaning right after thecleaning lady has been there. The reason I end up doing this isbecause maybe I haven't taken the time to explain the non-toxicproducts that I want her to use. In my experience mostprofessional cleaning services use petrochemical basedproducts that are toxic. I'm extremely sensitive to most ofthese products, and have a difficult time if they are used in myhousehold.

Here are some ways to clear your environment afterpetrochemical based household products have been used:
--Open the window and doors (tough if the weather is cold)
--Run ceiling fans
--Diffuse therapeutic essential oils - they naturally destroypetrochemicals (try putting a drop of lemon oil on a styrofoamcup to see how this works)
--Put a drop of therapeutic essential oil on your kitchen counterand bathroom sink area and wipe (orange or pine are good to use)
--Sprinkle a few drops of therapeutic essential oil in yourbathtub and run the shower for a few minutes

If you do take the time to educate your cleaners on the use ofnon-toxic ways to clean your household, here are some suggestionsto give them:
--To clean mirrors and windows:: mix 1/4 c. white vinegar with 2c. water and 1/2 tsp liquid soap - use in spray bottle
--If you want a natural abrasive for cleaning tubs, showers, andsinks: use Borax and mix with dishwashing soap - add a few dropsof lemon or pine essential oil
--Use Thieves Household Cleaner by Young Living Essential Oils.Thieves Cleaner is a proprietary suspension of safe surfactants(wetting agents) and Thieves® essential oil blend. Research atWeber State University has shown that Thieves blend is well over90% anti-microbial, and very safe to use.
Theives Household Cleaner is highly concentrated - here are theratios to mix with water for these cleaning jobs:
--Light Degreasing 60:1
--Medium Degreasing 30:1
--Heavy Degreasing 15:1
--Floors 100:1
--Walls 30:1
--Upholstery, Fabrics, Carpet Spotting 40:1
--Carpet 100:1
--Glass 320:1
--Pots and Pans 100:1
--Hand Cleaner 1:1

In our homes we have a choice who to bring in to clean and whichproducts they use. Finding and educating a cleaning service about using natural cleaners may be tough but worth it.We don't have a choice as to who cleans our rooms nor which products are used when we stay in a hotel.
Here are some tips onhow to minimize exposure to toxic cleaners in your hotel rooms:
--Don't let the maid clean your room every day - just get yourtowels replaced and trash emptied, and make your own bed
--Place a hand towel sprinkled with your favorite therapeuticessential oils in the vents of the heat/ac system and turn on thefan
--Run a steam shower and dowse a few drops of lavender into thewater streams

Win a year of free maid service: http://tinyurl.com/yxxjsx

To purchase therapeutic essential oils and order your ThievesHousehold Cleaner, contact your Young Living Distributor or goto: http://tinyurl.com/aenfp
=========================================
2. Yoga for Low Back Pain
=========================================
By: Leah K Copbagy

Back pain is the most common reason people seek medicalattention. Using yoga for low back pain relief works on both longterm and acute muscle strain by strengthening the muscles andimproving flexibility.

A study of 101 sufferers of chronic back pain proved that agentle form of yoga, called viniyoga, was more effective atrelieving lower back pain than aerobic exercise. By toning themuscles, relieving tension and improving all-over flexibility,those who used yoga for low back pain saw improved function oftheir lower backs. These effects included pain relief and werefound to last long after the study ended.
Tight hamstrings and weak stomach muscles also contribute to backpain. Postures used in yoga for low back pain, while usually notproviding instant relief, will alleviate lower back pain overtime.

If you suffer from back pain, it's best to ease into yoga toprevent further injury. Performing the poses slowly and onlystretching to within your comfort zone is the best course of action.

A pose to try when using yoga for low back pain is the lyingtwist. While lying on your back,stretch your arms out to yoursides. Your palms and shouldersshould be pressed firmly against the floor, with your shoulderblades turned under and your toes spread. Bend your knees uptoward your chest, while remaining comfortable, making sure toinhale as you lift. Keep your knees and ankles together and exhale while rolling your knees to the right.
Focus on pressing your arms out and your shouldersfirmly into the floor. Be sure you are breathing deeplywhile holding this pose. Now gently turn your head to look atyour left hand. Concentrate on relaxing and feeling the gentlestretch of this pose. Using this type of yoga for low back painwill stretch the spine and neck, as well as strengthen themuscles in your midsection.

Prevention is always the best medicine. While using yoga for lowback pain can help with previous injuries, learning how not torepeat the injury is an essential part of keeping your backmuscles healthy. When bending to pick something up, even a lightobject, it's important to protect your lower back. For a lightobject use a one handed lift, while using the other hand to braceagainst your thigh or a nearby piece of furniture for added support.

Heavier objects, or moving objects such as a child, should alwaysbe lifted with two hands. Place your feet apart in a wide stance and face the object to be lifted. Standing close to the object,squat down and place your weight on your heels. Push your body upto a standing position with your leg muscles, using your tightened abdominal muscles to keep your spine straight.
By practicing safe lifting techniques and exercising your back muscles properly and regularly, most back pain can be avoided. Ifmuscles are injured, easing yourself into yoga can be abeneficial and healthy treatment for your pain. Therefore, the next time your back gives you grief, try using yoga for low back pain reduction.

Article Source: http://www.spaarticles.com

Leah K Copbagy for YogaBackHelp.com. A helpful site on Yoga andhow it can be used to alleviate your back pain. Find out how you might benefit from Yoga by using it to treat your back problems and much more.
=================================
3. A Delicious Way to Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
=================================

Here is a most wholesome sweetener that is a nectar derived froma plant in Mexico - the Blue Agave plant.This has a very low glycemic index which makes it ideal fordiabetics, hypoglycemics, dieters, and athletes, as well as thosewho wish to avoid sucrose or artificial sweeteners. It is muchsweeter than sugar but has a glycemic index of only 11 - whereas sugar has a glycemic index of 68-85. (High glycemic index spikesblood sugars and then insulin release leading to a "sugarcrash").You can use agave in recipes by using 1/2 to 3/4 cup in place of1 cup of sugar. You can also use in beverages, baking, oncereals, or general table top use.Young Living purchased their own organic agave plantation inMexico. Young Living's Agave is organic and kosher. Order Agavefrom your Young Living distributor or go to: http://tinyurl.com/aenfp

===================================
4. Essential Oil Tip: Bloating
===================================

Abdominal bloating, especially after meals, can be uncomfortableand unsightly. Here are a few essential oils you can usetopically (rubbed over your belly in direction of the colon - upon the right, across to the left, down on the left) toreducebloating. Use 2 to 4 drops of any of these:


--Tarragon
--Peppermint
--Juniper
--Fennel
--Di-Gize Blend (YL)
Always use therapeutic grade oils when you are applying to yourbody for balancing health. Young Living oils are the highestquality and all organic.
Order your oils from your Young Livingdistributor or by going to http://tinyurl.com/aenfp

====================
5. Success Tip: Bob Proctor
====================

"You are the only problem you will ever have and you are the onlysolution. Change is inevitable, personal growth is always apersonal decision."


Bob Proctor (featured in "The Secret")
=================================================
6.Recipe of the Week: Apple Cider Braised Greens
=================================================
1 1/2 pounds mustard greens'
1 1/2 pounds collard greens'
1 1/2 pounds Swiss chard
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 1/4 cups apple cider
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Salt
2 red cooking apples such as Gala or Rome Beauty, unpeeled andcut into 3/4-inch chunks
--Remove stems from mustard greens; discard stems
--Trim stem ends from collard greens and Swiss chard; removestems from leaves.
--Cut stems into 1-inch pieces; cut leaves into 2-inchpieces.
--Rinse leaves and stems; drain well.
--In 8-quart sauce pot, heat oil over high heat until hot.
--Add garlic and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute or until golden,stirring constantly.
--Add as many leaves and stems as possible, cider vinegar, and 11/2 teaspoons salt, stirring to wilt greens.
--Add remaining greens in batches.
--Reduce heat to medium.
--Cover sauce pot and cook greens 15 minutes.
--Stir in apples and cook, partially covered, 10 minuteslonger or until stems are very tender and most of liquidevaporates, stirring occasionally. With slotted spoon, transferto serving bowl.
Yields: About 8 cups or 16 accompaniment servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: About 35 minutesT
otal Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes
=========================================
7. HSL's Joke or Cute Quote of the Week
=========================================
Zen Sarcasm--Always remember that you're unique just like everyone else.--Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.--Never test the depth of the water with both feet.--If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a coupleof car payments.--Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in theirshoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away andyou have their shoes.--If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.--Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how tofish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.--If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it wasprobably worth it.--If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.--Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.--Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.--The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half andput it back in your pocket.--A closed mouth gathers no foot.--Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a darkside, and it holds the universe together.--Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips aremoving.--Experience is something you don't get until just after you needit--Never miss a good chance to shut up.--Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and alaxative on the same night.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Meet, Hear, or Learn with Home Spa Lady:
----------------------------------------------------------------
November 3, 2006 Mt. Laurel, NJ
The Essentials of Using Essential Oils
To learn more and register go to: http://tinyurl.com/swy8r
Contact Marilee with questions 856-857-1799
--------------
November 4/5, 2006 Mt. Laurel, NJ
Healing Touch Level 1
Contact Marilee for further information 856-857-1799
--------------
December 3, 2006 New York City
How To Use Essential Oils
To learn more and register go to: http://tinyurl.com/swy8r
Contact Marilee with questions 856-857-1799
------------------------------------------------------------
Past Issues of Home Spa Lady's Tips of the Week
-----------------------------------------------
Don't let all this good info go by the wayside! Access thearchives of the Tips of The Week at this site: http://www.homespaladytips.blogspot.com

-----------------------------------------------
PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "Home SpaLady's Tips of the Week" in your own print or electronicnewsletter, but please include the following paragraph:Reprinted from "Home Spa Lady's Tips of the Week," a free ezineon how to Make Every Day A Spa Day. Subscribe at http://www.HomeSpaLady.com

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at the HomeSpa Lady website at http://www.HomeSpaLady.com or you told me youwant to subscribe.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: Home Spa Lady will never distributeyour address to anyone. Period.Promise.
=======================================================
Marilee Tolen RNa.k.a. Home Spa Lady
marilee777@aol.com
Phone: 856-857-1799 (East Coast)