tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74674996979178435662024-02-24T17:19:20.091+07:00Arun Thai NaturalScribbles & insights from the makers of Arun Thai Natural in Northern Thailand - 100% natural body care, wellness & massage products - fair trade, sustainable, not tested on animals.Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-62201191946601569882012-07-25T00:14:00.001+07:002012-07-25T00:16:52.786+07:00Massage Oils, Phthalates & You<br />
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<span lang="EN-AU">An oil massage
always begs that question, “How much oil to use?” Are you one of those therapists or massage
customers who thinks less is more? Or
does generous, slick, smooth and slippery-sensual sound infinitely better? Does it matter?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Fundamentally,
the style of massage will, to a large degree, determine how much oil the therapist
needs to use. Feast your eyes on this
recent clip, showing a creative, bold and pretty special oil massage technique:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xu9mDYAHNjg%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xu9mDYAHNjg" width="560"></iframe></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Had Trayl, the
massage therapist and teacher in the clip, been less than liberal with the oil, the guy
receiving the massage would probably have had mild friction burns. How much of that oil was absorbed into his
skin, do you think? How many of the
ingredients in that oil found their way into his bloodstream? <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">The US Center
for Disease Control has for more than a decade been studying what they call
Body Burden and Bio-Monitoring – the level and concentration of chemicals found
in large population samples. They have,
in particular, been studying phthalates – a group of chemicals most commonly
found in plastics and in synthetic fragrances.
Their studies show phthalates in the
bloodstreams of as much as 75% of the US population samples tested. (1) Why is this relevant to massage oils? Phthalates are a common component of plastics
manufacture and most commercial massage oils are sold in large plastic
containers, which means the oils carry high levels of phthalates since oils
dissolve plastics over time, especially when stored at warm temperatures. Massage oils made with a mineral oil base
have high levels of phthalates, which are also a commercial solvent used in the
mineral oil production process. And
many, many commercial massage oils are synthetically fragranced. If you are unlucky enough to receive a massage
with a synthetically fragranced cheaper mineral oil that came out of a plastic
bottle, you are basically getting a mega-phthalate dose.<br /> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">So should you
be worrying about that? Phthalates,
sometimes called “the everywhere chemical” are known endocrine disruptors –
they mimic, block or suppress normal hormone function in the body; they can
affect fertility and sexual development, disrupt sexual function, aggravate the
growth of hormone dependent cancers and also affect foetal development, since
they cross the placenta. Giving yourself
a mega-all-over phthalate dose whilst stimulating circulation and absorption
through the physical massage technique is most definitely NOT a
health-enhancing move.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Does that
mean just using less oil fixes the problem?
Actually no. The Campaign for
Safe Cosmetics (2) has published specific research which suggests that
combinations of various chemicals with estrogenic properties may actually have additive
or even synergistic effects in the body.
Lots and lots of low doses of various chemicals bind together and add up to powerful chemical
cocktails in your bloodstream. (3) 2+3 = not 5, but maybe 10. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">What does
all this mean? It (thankfully!) <i><u>doesn’t
mean</u></i> you need to forego that sensual, healing and relaxing oil
massage. Phew! It does mean, that as a massage customer you
need to ASK about what is being applied to your body during that 60-90
minutes. It especially means you need to
consider what oils you use as a massage therapist. While your client may only receive one 60-90
minute exposure per week, as a therapist you may literally be half-covered in
it for as much as half your working day, every day. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">What to
insist on, whether you are the client or the massage therapist?<br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
· A good quality plant-based massage oil;<br />
· A massage oil which is scented using only 100% natural essential oils. If the term “fragrance oil” appears on the label, it is NOT natural – this is a soft and more politically acceptable industry term for a chemically synthesized fragrance; <br />
· A massage oil not packaged in plastic – preferably choose glass or metal containers which do not chemically react with the oil inside.<br />
<div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">As Trayl,
the massage therapist and teacher in the clip says, an oil massage is
wonderfully relaxing and healing in that it provides the impetus for a shift in
nerve function and gives a breathing space, if you like, for the body to begin
to naturally heal and re-align itself. All
oil massages should be not only feeling good, but be health-enhancing to the
body over time, regardless of how much oil you choose to use or receive.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Enjoy, share,
relax, experiment with technique... and be sure to choose only natural, health-enhancing
oils.<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-AU">Foot-note:
You can contact Trayl Aitken-Cade, the therapist and teacher featured in the
clip, via his website <a href="http://traylbodywork.com/">http://traylbodywork.com</a>
He teaches advanced classes in Chiang Mai, Thailand at Sunshine Massage School <a href="http://sunshinemassageschool.com/">http://sunshinemassageschool.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">References:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
(1) i Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center (2005). Taking It All In: Documenting Chemical Pollution in Californians through Biomonitoring. Available online at http://www.commonweal.org/programs/download/TIAI_1205.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2008. <br />
Environmental Working Group (2006). Across Generations: Industrial Chemicals in Mothers and Daughters: The pollution we share and inherit. Available online at http://www.ewg.org/reports/generations/. Accessed August 19, 2008. <br />
Environmental Working Group (2005). Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. Available online at: http://www.ewg.org/node/17686. Accessed August 19, 2008. <br />
Environmental Working Group (2003). Body Burden: The Pollution in People. Available online at: http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden1/. Accessed August 19, 2008. <br />
<br />
(2) http://safecosmetics.org <br />
<br />
(3) viii Ramamoorthy K, Wang F, Chen IC, Safe S, Norris JD, McDonnell DP, Gaido KW, Bocchinfuso WP, Korach KS (1997). Potency of combined estrogenic pesticides. Science 275: 405-6. <br />
Foster WG, Younglai EV, Boutross- Tadross O, Hughes CL, Wade MG (2004). Mammary gland morphology in Sprague-Dawley rats following treatment with an organochlorine mixture in utero and neonatal genistein. Toxicological Sciences 77: 91-100. <br />
<br />
ix Xie L, Thrippleton K, Irwin MA, Siemering GS, Mekebri A, Crane D, Berry K, Schlenk D (2005). Evaluation of estrogenic activities of aquatic herbicides and surfactants using a rainbow trout vitellogenin assay. Toxicological Sciences 77: 91-100. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-10373583894797986062012-05-06T14:47:00.000+07:002012-05-06T14:47:35.904+07:00DEET is the best choice against mosquitoes, isn't it?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgX94RkqzM9DaMeysh7kk9HGYFZs5vpINKS-DmvVrUqqxBOPyIGGkUGs0nhi4XtzdZzLHmB5XWJzMbZnW-MN625u30796xBWdHvtuIduUV_pcNGCDtH3Yh3hoNNwbOIYpTAHeKh4-qg0/s1600/MosquitoBiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgX94RkqzM9DaMeysh7kk9HGYFZs5vpINKS-DmvVrUqqxBOPyIGGkUGs0nhi4XtzdZzLHmB5XWJzMbZnW-MN625u30796xBWdHvtuIduUV_pcNGCDtH3Yh3hoNNwbOIYpTAHeKh4-qg0/s1600/MosquitoBiting.jpg" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">Mosquito-borne
diseases like malaria and Dengue Fever are on the rise world-wide, from “first-world”
Florida in Southern USA and Southern Australia to gorgeous tropical South East
Asia, Africa, India and South America.
Yes, they make a lot of people </span><u style="line-height: 115%;">very sick</u><span style="line-height: 115%;">; malaria alone killed an
estimated 1,238,000 people globally in 2010, according to a University of
Queensland study published in the prestigious </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Lancet</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> magazine. Staggering numbers. And that doesn’t count the number of people
who just got miserably feverish and sick for months on end, nor does it account
for the substantial number of deaths from Dengue Fever. So that smart thing to do is use a proven mosquito
repellent like DEET, right? I mean,
safety first, right? Agreed, safety
first. But if you’re truly concerned
about health and safety, then DEET as a choice for mosquito protection is very
wrong. Here’s why.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">DEET (developed
and originally manufactured by those same caring and health-conscious US army people
who created Agent Orange during the Vietnam War) has been officially classified
by the USFDA as a Group D carcinogen (cancer causing agent) and is believed to
be an endocrine disruptor, which means it has effects on the reproductive and
hormone systems in the body. Important
to note that many cancers are oestrogen dependent, so a disturbed hormone level
and response in the body can contribute to the growth and development of many cancers. DEET has been proven to be a neuro-toxin and
to cause both kidney and liver damage.
It is a skin irritant and can cause scarring. DEET is currently being studied for its
contributing role in birth defects and developmental problems in children,
hence it is NEVER to be used on children under 6 years of age. DEET has been detected in ground-water around
the world and is also a serious environmental contaminant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">But
the natural sprays don’t work well or, if they do, only for a little while…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">For an
essential oil to be effective as an insect/mosquito repellent, it has to be at
a high enough concentration. Many natural
insect sprays use only 5% concentration, which is simply not enough. Why so
low? Many of the people making the
product either aren’t well trained or well read, or are looking to optimize
profit and/or maybe not so very interested in your long-term health. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Citronella
oil is the most common ingredient in most natural insect repellent sprays, but
it is also the least effective over time.
Why do most people choose to use it so much? Because it’s relatively cheap. Other oils like basil and clove are
incredibly effective but expensive and need to be used carefully at very specific
concentrations so as not to burn the skin.
And some oils like neem that are highly effective insect repellents and
anti-malarials are simply not known for that purpose; for example, Thai people <i><u>eat</u></i>
neem leaves with curry (called sadao locally) to prevent intestinal parasites but
mostly don’t know about it’s wonderful medicinal uses as an oil for the skin or
as an anti-malarial insect repellent.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So what evidence
is there for good natural alternatives to DEET?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b>Field studies on the mosquito
repellent action of neem oil. </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharma SK, Dua VK, Sharma
VP. Source: Malaria Research Center (Field Station), BHEL
Complex, Ranipur, Hardwar, India.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Abstract : Repellent action of neem oil was evaluated
against different mosquito species. 2% neem oil mixed in coconut oil provided
96-100% protection from anophelines, 85% from Aedes, 37.5% from Armigeres
whereas it showed wide range of efficacy from 61-94% against Culex spp.
Therefore, neem oil can be applied as a personal protection measure against mosquito
bites.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: small;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="font-size: small;">Phlai Essential Oil, Sweet
Basil Essential Oil</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">The plant oil
group was comprised of Phlai (Zingiber cassumunar) and Sweet basil
(Ocimum basilicum). Both substances were effective as repellents and feeding
deterrents against An. minimus (205 minutes protection time and a biting rate
of 0.9%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (165 minutes protection time and 0.9% biting
rate) and Ae. aegypti (90 minutes protection time and 0.8% biting rate). Southeast
Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Jul ;41 (4):831-40 21073057</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: small;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="font-size: small;">Citronella Essential Oil</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Essential oil from citronella grass
(Cymbopogon nardus) exhibited protection against biting from all 3 mosquito
species: for An. minimus, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, the results
were 130 minutes and 0.9%, 140 minutes and 0.8%, and 115 minutes and 0.8%,
respectively. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Jul ;41
(4):831-40 21073057</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="font-size: small;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="font-size: small;">Clove Essential Oil</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">In a 2005 study that compared the repellent
activity of 38 different essential oils, researchers discovered that clove oil offered
the longest duration of protection against all mosquito species involved in the
lab experiments. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/insect_repellents_oils.htm</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: small;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="font-size: small;">Lemongrass Essential Oil</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lemongrass oil is effective for repelling
mosquitoes, according to a 2009 study conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University,
which found that a preparation including lemongrass oil was as effective at
repelling mosquitoes as commercially available insect repellents.
www.livestrong.com<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other tips: cover up,
wear light colors and don’t drink alcohol.
It is believed the increased CO2 in perspiration from drinking alcohol and
eating a high sugar diet (yes, that includes fruit) attracts mosquitoes. Eating garlic and Vitamin B has also been
shown to repel and reduce the rate of mosquito bites. And using a fan outside during the
mosquito-biting hours is smart, safe and easy – mosquitoes HATE moving air.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you’re serious about your long term health and safety,
don’t use a DEET-based repellent, use other strategies to reduce the risk of
biting, and make sure any spray you do choose is both effective and 100%
natural. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Footnote: Arun Thai Natural’s 100% Natural Insect
Repellent Spray uses a neem oil concentration of 3.5% against the reported
study results, which used 2%. It also
contains 5 other proven effective essential oils – basil, phlai, clove,
citronella and lemongrass. Neem oil is
effective for up to 12 hours. <a href="http://arunthainatural.com/">http://arunthainatural.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-78297857294923060992012-04-19T11:48:00.000+07:002012-04-19T11:50:20.950+07:00Mineral Oil - Safe for Babies, Massaging & Me?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-ZBztMYMmLYq21yoOFiLE5aW0Uk-RWPai49wU99Kh8dEEHor0DIs87ExFtT0TtIb3BjHQXg6N1JAQgnf2Sz-7MDmbydmmc4xQDt7EVvJmcKd7cT7JE6GH4GNYgKh5v4xW7SI6PJGHPE/s1600/MineralOil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-ZBztMYMmLYq21yoOFiLE5aW0Uk-RWPai49wU99Kh8dEEHor0DIs87ExFtT0TtIb3BjHQXg6N1JAQgnf2Sz-7MDmbydmmc4xQDt7EVvJmcKd7cT7JE6GH4GNYgKh5v4xW7SI6PJGHPE/s400/MineralOil.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
We assume so much when we shop. That everything on sale is safe, that things for babies are especially safe, and that big business and the government have our best interests at heart and will protect us from unscrupulous products or manufacturers. Take mineral oil, for example. I mean, they sell it for babies as “Baby Oil”, so it must be OK, mustn’t it? <br />
<br />
Common Question: “<i>I use baby oil sometimes for my legs as they are very dry. I am thinking maybe I should just get some almond oil or something else? I have a small bottle baby oil and have just been using it. Is it good or is it not so good? My legs seem drier after using it for a week.</i>” <br />
<br />
And the rather complex answer?<br />
<br />
The name mineral oil by itself is deliberately vague and sounds innocuous enough. If you try to identify the correct chemical name, you’ll learn there actually isn’t one. Other names/synonyms for mineral oil are: Paraffin oil; Heat-treating oil; Hydraulic oil; Cable oil; Lubricating oil; Oil mist, refined mineral; mineral oil mist; oil mist, mineral, severely refined; Uvasol; Paraffin oils; Mineral oil hydrocarbon solvent (petroleum); Mineral oil (saturated parrafin oil); oil, petroleum; Nujol; liquid paraffin; white mineral oil; clearteck; drakeol; hevyteck; filtrawhite; frigol; kremol; kaydol; alboline; paroleine; Saxol; adepsine oil; glymol; lignite oil; blandol white mineral oil; carnea 21; Ervol; gloria; hydrocarbon oils; peneteck; primol; triona b; blandlube; crystosol; Molol; protopet; bayol f; crystol 325; fonoline; bayol 55; kondremul; neo-cultol; oil mist; penreco; perfecta; petrogalar; primol 355; primol d; tech pet f; Petroleum hydrocarbons; jute batching oil; paraffin oil (class); petrolatum, liquid; white oil; Mineral oil, aromatic; Mineral oil, paraffinic; Mineral Seal Oil; Electrical Insulating Oil; OIL MIST, MINERAL (MINERAL OIL) <br />
<br />
Now that’s reassuring and all very natural-sounding, isn’t it? Especially when you consider that mineral oil is the primary ingredient for a number of leading brands of “natural” cosmetics. Not to mention baby products.<br />
<br />
So what do the people who sell it have to say? The statement on the website of a major petroleum oil product supplier: “Pharmaceutical white oils are generally recognized as safe. The products are not known to have any allergenic, skin irritation or toxic side effects.” Do you believe that? If I buy a 50kg drum of “white oil” here in Thailand from the chemical supplier, it comes complete with a Hazchem warning, reminding me to use it in a well-ventilated space (it can cause and trigger asthma) and cautioning me that it cause skin dryness and irritation.<br />
<br />
<b>Negative Effects of Mineral Oil in Skin Care</b><br />
<br />
A liquid produced by the distillation of petroleum, mineral oil is odorless, tasteless and inexpensive. It is a common ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and cosmetics. Its slippery quality helps products spread easily across the skin; however, the Environmental Working Group lists mineral oil as a potential hazard due to its link to skin irritation, allergic reaction and cancer.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Stops skin “breathing” naturally.</b></i><br />
<br />
Mineral oil coasts the skin with an impermeable layer that inhibits the skin's natural ability to breathe. Although product manufacturers claim that this helps locks moisture in the skin, opponents of mineral oil caution that this film interferes with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins through sweat. Mineral oil can also block pores and cause acne, potentially leading to long-term scarring. According to Mercola.com, this effect also prevents the absorption of any healthful ingredients in your moisturizers or skin treatment products.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Accelerates Drying.</i></b><br />
<br />
Because mineral oil pulls moisture away from the skin, it can contribute to dry skin and chapping, even though it is sold to alleviate these skin conditions. According to Positive Health Online, this effect also robs newly formed cells of moisture, which interferes with normal cell development, slowing down the cell renewal rate and contributing to premature aging of the skin. While the sun is the number one cause of skin damage and premature aging, skin care products with mineral oil aren't helpful and may contribute to the damage.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Causes Skin Rashes.</b></i><br />
<br />
According to Drugs.com, common side effects of mineral oil and petroleum jelly include mild itching, burning, stinging or dry skin. Severe side effects, in those who are allergic, may include rash, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Linked to Cancer. </b></i><br />
<br />
According to the National Toxicology Program, unrefined or mildly refined mineral oil is a known carcinogen due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which naturally occur in coal and petroleum. PAHs have been linked to various cancers, including scrotal, gastrointestinal, sinonasal, bladder and lung cancer. (reference 5) Mineral oil used for cosmetic purposes is highly refined to remove PAHs, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that some over-the-counter products containing mineral oil now display a warning label. Consumer advocacy groups such as the Environmental Working Group advise exercising caution when using products containing mineral oil until more conclusive research is available.<br />
<br />
<b>And why is that research not being conducted? </b> Start looking around and reading labels and you will find mineral oil is in the vast majority of all cosmetics, soaps and personal care products. Why? It’s cheap. Let’s just delicately say that the political will is simply not there to conduct research that would jeopardize the profits of the big players in the cosmetic and personal care product business. <br />
<br />
The conclusion? If your health matters to you, choose only personal care products using natural plant-based oils. Read widely and make good, environmentally sustainable choices when you shop. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
References:<br />
<br />
Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database: Mineral Oil <br />
Positive Health Online: Mineral Oil Petroleum Derivative in Beauty Products <br />
Mercola.com: Traditional Tanning Oils Contain Harsh Chemicals and Potentially Dangerous Ingredients <br />
Drugs.com: Mineral Oil Side Effects <br />
National Toxicology Program: Substance Profiles: Mineral Oil <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-78453547075403012532012-03-28T20:46:00.000+07:002012-03-28T22:42:55.933+07:00Yellow Means...?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIV1jTMtw2eSw6zGbJC7WOJnNINEeHyke5P8_oYdKuMGj4j73oE-knRyKe12SJUjcMXUJaZ8gZ4kM6sGgOrTZnLtdrKQkMoOiRaFWONo8Ljn4G6WFqHasgckK5oUl9pyfowqMzwidjiI/s1600/MassageBallYellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIV1jTMtw2eSw6zGbJC7WOJnNINEeHyke5P8_oYdKuMGj4j73oE-knRyKe12SJUjcMXUJaZ8gZ4kM6sGgOrTZnLtdrKQkMoOiRaFWONo8Ljn4G6WFqHasgckK5oUl9pyfowqMzwidjiI/s320/MassageBallYellow.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Q:</span></b>
My Thai Herbal Massage Balls have arrived looking very yellow on the cloth
part. They smell <i><u>great</u> </i>but
are they OK to use and to on-sell? </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A:</span></b> A traditional, well-made Thai Herbal Massage
Ball should have Phlai in it – yellow Phlai – botanically known as <span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">Zingiber cassumunar Roxb</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">.</span> It’s a
powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic Thai root herb, which clinical studies
(1) have shown to be as effective, if
not more effective, than NSAID drugs. It
improves blood circulation, helps to relive pain, reduces inflammation and
bruising, and assists rapid natural healing.<br />
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After it is harvested, the washed Phlai root is cut into
very thin slices and usually sun-dried, and then used as a Thai Herbal Massage
Ball ingredient in its dry form. Like
all natural things, Phlai varies according to the time of year, growing season
and conditions, soil quality and the way it is dried. If it is over-dried, old or of inferior
quality, it is hard, brown and has little fragrance. Premium quality Phlai that is well dried (but
not baked for eons in the blistering sun) retains its unique essential oils
which makes it more effective as a healing herb, more fragrant and, well, more
yellow.<br />
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When you use Thai Herbal Massage Balls often, you begin to
appreciate that the size of the dried herb bits inside also matters and affects
the quality of the treatment. Overly
large pieces of dried root herbs (like Phlai) stay hard even after they are
steamed. If the masseur applies substantial
pressure or uses some of the more creative twisting moves in the treatment,
then the big, hard pieces of herb can push through and hurt the client’s sensitive
skin, and sometimes even tear the cloth that the ball itself is made of. To avoid this, Arun Thai Natural has
developed a system where we firstly weigh off the dried mixed herbs and loosely
tie them into the square of cloth. We
then use a heavy wooden stick (from the big Thai mortar and pestles that they
use for somtum, but not unlike a policeman’s truncheon) to literally beat the
parcel of herbs. Each little ready-to-go parcel of mixed herbs is beaten to
help eliminate any hard or sharp pieces of dry herb, and to make the herbs inside
the ball as small as possible. With more
surface area of the herb exposed to the steam, the herbal ball releases more of
its wonderful healing juices. <i>And
that’s good</i> – <i>really good</i>. Once
the parcel of herbs has been beaten (maybe 6-8 times on each side) it’s then
expertly tied into the Thai Herbal Massage Ball as you know it. If the Phlai is of a high quality and the beating
has broken up the biggish pieces, then yes, sometimes the Phlai continues to
release its healing essential oils and that can sometimes stain the outer cover
of the ball.<br />
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So, in short, any yellow staining on the cloth cover of your
Thai Herbal Massage Balls is like a stamp or seal of quality. It shows we choose fresh and optimal herbs
and are not passing off last year’s old herbal dregs to you. It shows the herbs inside have been beaten to
minimize their size – that improves both the quality of the herbal mix released
and the sensory experience for your client. Once you wet and steam the Thai herbal Massage
Ball, the whole cloth cover becomes an interesting herbally-yellow colour and
smells divine. Always remember to wipe
your client carefully with a towel after the treatment to prevent staining of their
clothes, and make a mental note not to use white towels in your massage
clinic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXDHX0sAZ5uXxGGp8c6FGVtBAdA5ZFJCZKCbZVvmYDJ6vdo_OUUOxaME9cC1vADIrbVjz62k9Nmb-nK5Fi6nJ3nnnnGJjkH2ZIWi-PlQLInXKgA8Q0msdt-GqgKuQLr73r3ChzJxhmPU/s1600/PhlaiRoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXDHX0sAZ5uXxGGp8c6FGVtBAdA5ZFJCZKCbZVvmYDJ6vdo_OUUOxaME9cC1vADIrbVjz62k9Nmb-nK5Fi6nJ3nnnnGJjkH2ZIWi-PlQLInXKgA8Q0msdt-GqgKuQLr73r3ChzJxhmPU/s320/PhlaiRoot.jpg" width="239" /></a><i>If you have more questions about Thai Herbal Massage Balls,
Arun Thai Natural has a 27 minute instructional DVD available from <a href="http://arunthainatural.com/">http://arunthainatural.com</a> which explains
most things you will need to know, or you can email or post in the comments
below. If you are in Chiang Mai, please come and join
in our Herbal Ball, Hands On class – a weekly 3-hour practical session that takes
you through all the steps of choosing and using Thai Herbal Massage Balls, with
a hands-on practice session</i>. </div>
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<br />
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> (1) </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">“Studies on Safety and Efficacy of Phlai Gel.” By
Warunee Hanpithakpong.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Faculty of
Graduate Studies Mahidol University, Thailand.</span></div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0Chiang Mai, Thailand18.7964642 98.660058616.872773199999997 96.1332031 20.7201552 101.1869141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-28176144060460552102012-01-16T22:09:00.000+07:002012-01-16T22:09:40.130+07:00Quality Touch for Beautiful Skin<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTQ8cKzsqi9z8crZehhiFrHdcu1MZGWIfjUdRBss_gBCgYtxdQbS0CzqUP116tFScyn8XSiPGjAhHkDCaYGXFR3VtBKbEJ3tx04GIQSuTBBwXHr02knPAn_r5Dl3cXQA41Mu4y7m2RsU/s1600/GentleTouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTQ8cKzsqi9z8crZehhiFrHdcu1MZGWIfjUdRBss_gBCgYtxdQbS0CzqUP116tFScyn8XSiPGjAhHkDCaYGXFR3VtBKbEJ3tx04GIQSuTBBwXHr02knPAn_r5Dl3cXQA41Mu4y7m2RsU/s320/GentleTouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close your eyes for a moment and remember the last time
someone reached out to simply hold you – maybe with a little half-smile and a
hint of sensuality, to support and encourage you and maybe just because it felt
really nice… no agenda. (* NB if you can’t
remember or have never had this, it’s time to start changing the people you
hang out with!). Feel that lovely moment
of surrender and enjoyment again. Now, Recall
#2. Try to remember the last time
someone rudely grabbed your arm or shook your shoulder roughly to get your
attention. Or jabbed you hard in the
ribs. Or maybe they just shouted at you. Feel the difference in the way your whole being
responds between the first interaction and the second. The first interaction makes you almost want
to draw the person in through the pores of your skin to bring them closer,
whereas in the second interaction you bristle so fast that you energetically repel
them and probably snap back.</div>
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Now I want you to honestly consider how you approach your
skin. Do you slap products on to your skin determinedly and forcefully to try to make it
conform to an ideal of beauty? Do you
bully it? A hurried 5 mins given
begrudgingly cos you need results fast? Mutter
at your zits, wrinkles or stray hairs crossly in the mirror? Or do you quietly give your skin a gentle and
grateful touch when you use your products and clean your body?</div>
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Or maybe you’re a massage or spa therapist. Do you give mindful and generous touch when
you massage, or are you busy thinking about sen lines, thumb pressure, the
overdue phone bill or, Goddess forbid, what’s for lunch. Be honest. </div>
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<i><u>Every cell in your body is alive and responds to
energy, to touch. The way you touch skin
changes the way it receives not only the healing touch but also the product you
apply. <o:p></o:p></u></i></div>
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<i><u><br /></u></i></div>
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Now imagine you have an innocent 11 month old baby hungrily
awaiting her dinner in her high chair.
Gurgling and banging the spoon in that oh-so-cute way. Imagine yourself feeding her some wholesome food
prepared with love, ever-so-mild and nutritious. Delicious but gentle. Baby gurgles, dribbles, smiles, receives and
digests your lovingly prepared meal. Everybody
happy. Or take #2. You smile and coo and then gently spoon into
baby’s mouth some strong flavoured, ultra spicy food that burns her mouth and
makes her cry, or some tuna that’s really for cats but it <i><u>was </u></i>cheap
and seems OK and the cat doesn’t have a problem with it so why should baby? <i>You wouldn’t do that, would you? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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The relationship between the quality of the touch skin
receives and the products we choose to use IS really important. </div>
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It doesn’t matter how delightful or natural the body or face
care product is, if it is slapped on hurriedly, begrudged or resented. If the touch is rough, uncomfortable and
perfunctory, the cells of the body literally recoil. It doesn’t matter how expensive the massage
oil or how many lovely essential oils it contains, if it is applied without
mindfulness, generosity or care. Conversely,
the best technical massage in the world is flawed if you’re using products known
to cause skin irritations, which contain harmful petrochemicals or which
contain artificial fragrances which are publicly documented to be seriously
harmful to long-term health but allowed under lax labeling laws. </div>
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Good natural skin health – for ourselves, our clients and our
customers – requires us to consider this complex relationship between the
quality of the touch and the nature of the product. </div>
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So now take yourself back to where we started – to that
gentle, supportive embrace that is so wonderful to receive. Remember it again and savor it for a
moment. When next you think skin care
for yourself, for clients or for massage, think natural and try to recreate
that feeling. Do no harm with your skin
care and massage products - to the environment or to the body which will
receive it. And learn to give yourself
over completely to the experience of quality touch, whether it’s 5 mins in the
privacy of your bathroom or during that slightly-rushed-pre-lunch massage that you need to deliver. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Enjoy the vibrant health and glowing skin that mindful touch
combined with simple, effective and natural products brings.</div>
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http://arunthainatural.com</div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-29206806081131461112011-07-18T22:10:00.000+07:002011-07-18T22:10:42.570+07:00Anti-Aging or Radiant Natural Health?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymTphO0-ayPVgSs-_sQLz7TQsjQAlJla_phhnkWPIbL52nVb96xUGy89Ya24-NXMiCeVggLxUKB5_sZHAxJ5pGu48z4l15avOqnT7Is25jcgcrC6An8X8aqQaFbu_URHC4xUC8arCQ3g/s1600/anti-aging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymTphO0-ayPVgSs-_sQLz7TQsjQAlJla_phhnkWPIbL52nVb96xUGy89Ya24-NXMiCeVggLxUKB5_sZHAxJ5pGu48z4l15avOqnT7Is25jcgcrC6An8X8aqQaFbu_URHC4xUC8arCQ3g/s1600/anti-aging.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t help it – the very phrase “anti-aging” makes me cringe inwardly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if someone is trying to run away from life and its consequences. I immediately think of people agonizing in front of mirrors, being unhappy, having painful surgeries, botox, chemical peels… you name it… to look, err, <i>tight</i>. Forced, even, like a rose pushed through a commercial hothouse but disappointingly lacking in fragrance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then think of young and beautiful friends who have passed away tragically and who would probably have given anything to be able to worry about sunspots, wrinkles and crowsfeet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">This anti-aging cringe thing I have is a professional liability, since I make and sell natural things for people’s bodies and skin, and the very phrase “anti-aging” makes a whole lot of people reach for their purses and credit cards without even thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why don’t I simply push my scruples out of the way and settle into entrepreneurial anti-aging bliss?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, you see, most “anti-aging” products contain things that should make you worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things with poly-syllabic chemical names that are unpronounceable and which, if I were to buy them at the wholesale chemical place here in Thailand, would come with safety and hazard warnings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chemicals that are well documented to not only irritate and dry skin and cause all manner of physical problems from depression to asthma, but which also accumulate in your blood and vital organs and impede your immune system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, over time and with repeated usage, they make you sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they make you glow with health and vitality and make your gorgeous?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost never. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Conversely, if you focus on your natural and radiant health, the outcome is almost always (often by accident, as an unexpected by-product!) that you start to glow with that <i>special something</i> that people love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you forget about the way you look and just go for a run, take a yoga class, laugh in the kitchen with your lover or maybe sleep in the moonlight…. *something* happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stop worrying and stressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You discover that instead of the $60 pot of chemical-cocktail-night-cream that the $8 bottle of natural oil actually works better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You decide to spend the other $52 on a new skirt and it makes you feel great. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You find your yoga class is fun and you decide you’re worth the time to do it, and in that new freedom you smile more and that simply helps people to engage with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You start thinking more about what you eat, you sleep better and all of that makes you look 10 years younger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You talk to the lady who falls over all the time at the yoga class and hear her story about her long term illness and her struggle to walk well, and suddenly you don’t care about the smile lines around your eyes so much – in fact, you start to feel rather proud of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more you focus on your natural, radiant health, the younger and more beautiful you look and feel to the people around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ooze energy and creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People smile when they see you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Next time you see someone plugging expensive “anti-aging” products, stop and think and read the product label. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask about the ingredients. Then spend an hour on Google and be prepared to be shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask yourself if you really want to bombard your body with dangerous, toxic chemicals for the transitory dream of looking younger (if indeed it even works).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the massive monetary and physical costs involved in these “anti-aging” products and ask yourself if simple, natural health might not be a better path to choose.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ironically, a healthier, happier you <i><u>will</u></i> look more gorgeous and probably even a bit younger, but you’ll possibly be too engrossed in new things and the great people around you to care.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In loving memory of Steph, who shared Ward 3B with me many years ago and helped me make it positively rock with laughter until even the nurses frowned and fussed over drips and pain management implements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful Steph died at the age of 17, only 3 weeks after being diagnosed with a melanoma on her back.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-16017364759261274672011-07-15T23:52:00.000+07:002011-07-15T23:52:14.869+07:00Essential Oils Can Make Me More Beautiful?<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAc2R34ZdpYZv0FJbGwn1fv3QkZDOENGKhatdt2vMyu-RS0hRc9WbT-J3HWXc619gVECtR1CG7ra-OdKg-CaEKBN_avWH6dwveUeEDWqJiGmM7fBp2nu5eR78tr8K0pDzcMv4LT8g0V4/s1600/beauty1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAc2R34ZdpYZv0FJbGwn1fv3QkZDOENGKhatdt2vMyu-RS0hRc9WbT-J3HWXc619gVECtR1CG7ra-OdKg-CaEKBN_avWH6dwveUeEDWqJiGmM7fBp2nu5eR78tr8K0pDzcMv4LT8g0V4/s320/beauty1.JPG" width="320" /></a>Essential oils are about smell, aren’t they? Natural healing aromas from Mother Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure they can help you relax, sleep better, feel less nauseous, boost your mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s not “beauty” – I want to LOOK good as well as feel good and be well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s mostly how the masses think about essential oils – a fragrant add-on to the way we feel and experience health, but not relevant to beauty or looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, that thinking is quite wrong.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you know essential oils work and <i>have therapeutic benefit even when you can’t smell them</i>? A 2009 study on rose oil deprived subjects of their sense of smell and applied the essential oil directly to the skin only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even without all the gorgeous memories and associations with the divine smell of blooming summer roses, the measured relaxation effect on the test group (as opposed to the clinical control group) was significant. (1) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, essential oils are not really about smell per se at all, and effective even when we’re not blissing out on their magnificent natural aromas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are those benefits and how do they contribute to beauty and the way I look?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Essential oils trigger parts of the brain and limbic system that contribute to relaxation, better sleep, improved mood, better blood circulation, improved immune response and optimal hormonal function.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better sleep equals less sags and bags and optimal production of human growth hormone for cell repair and healthy new skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Improved mood means less frown lines and sags around the mouth, and more smile lines (which <u>are</u> gorgeous!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better blood flow means better waste removal, better detox and improved oxygenation of the tissue cells and skin, which helps to give that hard-to-define “radiant glow” that truly beautiful people have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reduced stress and improved relaxation leads to an overall letting go in the body, face, jaw and shoulders, which leads to softer muscles and better movement of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Improved hormonal function directly leads to less blemishes, better mood, more smiles and yes, even more love-making (and that makes everyone look and feel more beautiful too!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And improved immune response keeps us well – we all know that looking and feeling sick does NOT make us beautiful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Think for a moment of the most aggressive, stressed out, sleep deprived person you know: all frown lines, pursed lips, locked jaw and <i>tight</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the myriad of tiny muscles of the face are contracted through stress, worry or anger, the skin pulls differently and blood flow is constricted, which in turn impedes natural skin detox and leads to blemishes, pallor and a loss of skin elasticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider that prolonged stress makes it harder to sleep and, in time, will make us sick.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Using essential oils as part of your daily health and body care routine contributes to the way you feel, look <u>and</u> to your natural beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to sit hovering next to an oil vaporizer to achieve this – I mean, who has time for that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can use natural body oils blended with essential oils as part of your daily after-shower or before-bed routine – gorgeous silky smooth skin as well as an essential oil health treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can spritz on essential oils in natural sprays during the day or just whenever you need a “boost”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can plan for a hot herbal ball treatment after a great massage – as the hot herbs release their healing benefits to your muscles through the essential oils they release, your whole being will respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could even simply add a few drops of essential oil to a handkerchief and put in your clothes drawer or cupboard – that way even hurrying to dress for work is taking care of yourself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be aware that products containing essential oils must contain ONLY essential oils and not additional synthetic substances or fragrances – these synthetic additives are incredibly harmful to your health (read<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://arunthainatural.blogspot.com/2011/06/essential-oil-fragrance-something.html">Essential Oil + Fragrance = Something Stinks!</a> </span>to understand this issue better).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Celebrate the magnificent essential oils Mother Earth has blessed us with and indulge yourself daily for not only better health, but for a soft, radiant, natural beauty that shines like nothing you can ever buy in a bottle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 9.6pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></sup><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hongratanaworakit, T. Relaxing effect of rose oil on humans.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Natural Product Communications, 4(2)</span></em>, 291-6.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-15393996815079151762011-07-03T13:59:00.000+07:002011-07-03T13:59:03.516+07:00Can’t manage “essential” stress relief?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaiC5A1UCDzjcdKoopl4d82yI8i1c3vLE6yfexrT1lBX2HxOcucXu8nCxlfx_j-K5Sb_DJVolc93RGOwM9zs7lxzaPRCnBfp4ICFLSLx2qS6QSMYX8dEfVT_O6dGUJ_cLVyUxFP4kaE8/s1600/EssentialOilBottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaiC5A1UCDzjcdKoopl4d82yI8i1c3vLE6yfexrT1lBX2HxOcucXu8nCxlfx_j-K5Sb_DJVolc93RGOwM9zs7lxzaPRCnBfp4ICFLSLx2qS6QSMYX8dEfVT_O6dGUJ_cLVyUxFP4kaE8/s320/EssentialOilBottles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Knowing something is good for you simply doesn’t help. <i>Harsh fact, but true.</i> Without the “doing”, the implementation, it all goes belly up and we simply continue on in our less-than-healthy-sub-optimal state.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Take stress relief and essential oils, for example. Most of us know that essential oils are a pleasant, simple way to help manage daily stress, increase concentration and improve sleep quality. Herbs and oils have been used for thousands of years to enhance natural health and manage stress. So what stops most of us actually making it part of our daily lives? Are we too busy, tired and stressed to even remember to use essential oils for daily stress management? Or is there more to it? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If we consider the first mental associations we get for the phrase “essential oil” we are on our way to an answer. Close your eyes and repeat the phrase to yourself: essential oils. You might see a massage therapist applying gorgeously fragrant oils from a pretty bottle to your stressed body. You probably instantly see a little blue, brown or green bottle (much like in the image above) of concentrated oil. The next part is tricky but pivotal – try to catch the silent “self-talk” that you engage in next, but which is often not accessed in our busy brains.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"></div><ul><li>“My budget just isn’t gonna stretch to an expensive massage this week – maybe next month”.</li>
<li>“Hmm. Essential oils are expensive – I only need a few drops but they want me to pay $25 for just 15ml?”</li>
<li>“Essential oils burn the skin. That means I also gotta buy a carrier oil AND a ceramic dispensing bottle. Starting to look too hard… maybe I’ll just have a glass of wine instead.” </li>
<li>“I’d really like to book a massage but I have to take the kids to basketball and then I’d have to skip either my workout or the grocery shopping.”</li>
<li>“Not sure exactly which oil to buy. I’ll try to remember to research that next week.”</li>
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<div class="MsoNormal">You get the gist of it. The self-talk identifies the core reasons most of us don’t make essential oils for stress relief part of our daily routine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Consider this: once you are aware of what drives your “why I don’t do it”, there are simple ways you can find practical answers and start to over-ride that limiting self talk. How might you do this? Think outside the box – here are a few starter ideas related to essential oils for stress management:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"></div><ul><li>If you are a clothes-dryer user, put 5-10 drops of your chosen oil on a piece of cloth, pop that cloth in one of those washbags for delicates, and toss it in the dryer with your clothes for the last 5 minutes of the drying cycle. The wash bag will prevent oil spots directly on your clean clothes. The uplifting lemongrass (or whatever) infused through your laundry will make dressing for work a more uplifting experience, improve your mood and change your stress levels for the day.<br />
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<li>Not a clothes dryer user? Put a few drops of oil onto a piece of cardboard, pop that in an envelope, and place it in the drawer or cupboard where you store your clothes. Don’t forget to do the same with bed linens – easing into clean sheets that waft out healthful aromas leads to better sleep as well as a delightful sensual experience.<br />
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<li>Use a daily all-over body oil instead of a moisturizer – aromatherapy on the run. Pre-mixed, plant based and be sure it contains only essential oils and no extra nasty fragrance or chemical compounds. (See <a href="http://arunthainatural.blogspot.com/2011/06/essential-oil-fragrance-something.html">Essential Oil + Fragrance = Something Stinks</a> )<br />
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<li>Add the essential oils (few drops are enough) to a bath and soak in it – that way you get to enjoy your wine as well.<br />
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<li>Look for an essential oil spray, spritzer or body mist at the heath-store – make sure it contains nothing more than the essential oils, alcohol and water. Pop one in the glove compartment of your car and spritz at traffic lights, before meetings, before getting out of the car and facing your kids and the evening chores. Put an essential oil spray in your handbag for a quick stress-relief hit in emergency situations like an irritatingly long queue at the bank or dealing with a lost credit card. </li>
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<div class="MsoNormal">The solutions are out there and don’t take any extra real time – they also don’t have to cost nearly as much as investing in 3 different essential oils, one carrier oil and a dispensing bottle (thnk anywhere from $38 to $200+). They require us to simply identify the real mental blocks that stand between the “I know it’s good for me” and the “so why am I not doing it?” Tune into your self-talk, identify the blocks and get creative!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the biggest stress-relievers is good self-care; it’s a silent, unspoken daily affirmation to yourself that you are worth it, that you matter and that you are powerful enough to care for yourself. That feeling of being empowered helps us to change our mindset and leads us to solutions instead of excuses.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Think smart about the gap between knowing and doing. Use herbs and oils for natural stress management and body care. <i>Change that limiting self-talk about stress relief.</i> Once you get the hang of this technique for stress relief and you feel a little less stressed, apply the same technique to your diet and exercise regimes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Awareness enables us to live simply, naturally and healthfully. Enjoy, smile and remember to breathe. <br />
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</div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-84121938926910751782011-06-29T13:14:00.000+07:002012-11-08T22:38:31.274+07:00Essential Oil + Fragrance = Something Stinks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white;">Reading product labels is incredibly important if you care about wellness and personal health, but you’re hamstrung if you don’t understand the secret industry jargon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly in the beauty, health, wellness and natural product arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Labeling laws around the world still allow manufacturers to not fully disclose all the chemical ingredients in a product, and sadly many manufacturers use these legal loop-holes to pull a few swifties.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">“Fragrance”, “perfume”or “parfum” is perhaps the most tricky area of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intellectual property law says manufacturers don’t have to disclose the chemical components of a fragrance – it’s privileged and commercially sensitive information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A report by <span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Committee on Science & Technology to the U.S. House of Representatives as long ago as 1986 (25 years!) showed 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates and many other known toxics and sensitizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some other studies have shown that an individual synthetic fragrance can contain up to 300 different chemical components.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, we got that part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Artificial fragrance is bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essential oils are good – beneficial to good health even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we look for products that are labeled “with essential oil of moonflower” (or whatever), we feel safe and reassured and we stop squinting at the label.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><u>It contains essential oil so it must be OK.</u></i><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /> </span></u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Maybe not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">When I first learned soap-making here in Thailand I was determined to make all natural soap (and still am) but the soap-making teacher explained that using only essential oils was not smart or profitable – they cost too much and the soap has a very short fragrant shelf life, often ending up after 6 months with no scent as the volatile oils have all evaporated.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">She explained that adding chemical fixatives would make the volatile essential oils stay in the soap over a long time. “But I want to make all-natural soap!” I wailed.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">“Mai pen rai” she answered (translates from</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">the Thai as “never mind”)… “you use a tiny bit of essential oil and then add cheap commercial fragrance – </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">10%-90% ratio is normal - it works because the fragrance itself already contains chemical preservatives and fixatives, </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">and they then fix the essential oils into the soap.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Only you don’t have to declare those chemicals on the label.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">She was smiling at the end.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">wasn't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I didn’t want to believe her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the last year I have often seen “essential oil” right up front on a “natural” product label (usually plastered on the front), and then way down the end of the product list on the back in microscopic type it might say “fragrance”, “parfum”, “natural flavor” or “natural scent”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, petroleum is natural and so is cyanide, so they’re at least not lying about that part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wanted to believe that products <u>either</u> contained only essential oils (and were therefore safe, natural and beneficial to my health) <u>or</u> used cheap synthetic fragrances (and were therefore easily identified, “bad” and easily rejected).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is that many, many factory produced “natural” products which contain essential oils also contain synthetic fragrances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These products are not 100% natural at all and can be harmful to your health used over time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How harmful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Health Care Without Harm*, a research and action group, found phthalates in most of the popular beauty products they tested. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since reproductive age women buy more cosmetics and personal care products than other people, they have a greater exposure to phthalates</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recent studies suggest </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">diethyl phthalate, commonly used in fragrances and other personal care products, damages DNA of sperm in adult men, which can lead to infertility, may be linked to miscarriages and birth defects, and may lead to cancer and infertility in their offspring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phthalates have also been associated with thyroid disorders, premature breast developments in baby girls and abnormal sexual development in baby boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phthalates, at levels of concern, are found in the blood of most pregnant women. They can cross the placenta and are found in breast milk. <u>100% of people tested had phthalates in their urine.</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We can’t avoid synthetic fragrances 100% of the time – they’re in most everything, even many “unscented” products, where they are used to mask component odors and achieve a neutral smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>But we can reduce our exposure and we can wise up</u> to the tricks and traps manufacturers use to sell us quasi-natural at a premium price. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make sure when next you buy “natural” that “essential oil” on the label means ONLY essential oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are “fragrances”, “parfums”, “perfumes” or things you can’t pronounce on the label as well as the essential oils, put it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Be smart, be aware and know that as a consumer you have a lot of political power to change the world we live in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak up and share good information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Support people and businesses who genuinely present you with healthy and 100% natural choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the management and marketing people of these less-than-reputable companies know why you are no longer buying their product. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Enjoy the gorgeous natural essential oils Mother Nature has blessed us with, and choose products that don’t compromise them or their amazing healing properties. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">*</span></i></span><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Health Care Without Harm</span></i></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries working to transform the health care sector so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment. www.noharm.org </span></i></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-55826096958099236192011-06-27T10:00:00.000+07:002011-06-27T10:00:01.304+07:00After is Good, Before is Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzb5XX9lcW7QI_mG4aynjfpWjT3pdF2n8hakoYfKEHYMoC8-aC9fr5wkQmD_6PuRKtiPrAjruEwEHu8otgmzq7xICiDmDDTEjihbEcNOC1O5qMaad7LYD_mENA3vzYq65JB6r2n7W03c/s1600/running-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzb5XX9lcW7QI_mG4aynjfpWjT3pdF2n8hakoYfKEHYMoC8-aC9fr5wkQmD_6PuRKtiPrAjruEwEHu8otgmzq7xICiDmDDTEjihbEcNOC1O5qMaad7LYD_mENA3vzYq65JB6r2n7W03c/s320/running-woman.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Massaging, steaming or applying sports rubs after a major sports event or intense physical activity is the best way, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">isn't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> it?</span></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">We’re programmed to think that way.</span></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">For example, this tweet came in my twitter feed this morning:</span></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">“Next time I do 1/2 marathon: 1) Locate</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">#sports</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">bra days in advance 2) Ditch heavy water bottle (plenty on route) 3) Schedule post-run</span></span><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">#massage</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what’s wrong with this picture? Well, essentially it’s like running your car into the ground and then servicing it after it breaks down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And cursing all the way because it doesn’t handle well or give good fuel economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And possibly being late or missing your appointment due to a breakdown.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All exercise and strenuous physical activity requires good oxygenation of the blood and the efficient removal of waste material in the muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the muscles are as detoxed as possible and residual wastes excreted from the system <u>before</u> you start, the lactic acid build up (which hurts so much afterward) is slower and less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The muscles work more effectively, giving that tiniest bit of extra competitive edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that’s not so important in your social golf round, but for a competitive triathlete, it’s imperative. When the circulation of blood is optimal, the blood carries the cellular wastes away from the muscle <i><u>during</u></i> the event or activity, thereby reducing aches and pains later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most importantly, a fatigued muscle is more prone to injury, so scheduling your massages, steams and rubs <i><u>before</u></i> also reduces the risk of injury. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The three most effective ways to prepare your body for your sports event or intense burst of physical activity (be that a night of dancing or schlepping boxes when moving house) are:</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>A herbal steam. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30+ minutes sweating out toxins and then rehydrating thoroughly during and after the steam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t take long, it feel <i>good</i> and can be done the day or evening prior, so as to allow plenty of time for adequate rehydration.<br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>A massage.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s a sports massage, lymphatic drainage, Thai massage or even just a very good oil massage, the process will encourage your body to release toxins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you drink plenty of water afterwards, to assist the removal of wastes out of the body. <br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>A stimulating sports oil or rub.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have access to a steam room or a masseur, you can still massage your major muscle groups yourself (thighs, gluts etc) with a stimulating rub or oil to encourage blood flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure it is 100% natural, as using anything that contains mineral (white) oil, synthetic chemicals, petroleum products or artificial fragrances will actually impede toxin release and slow down the detox process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good plant-based natural herbal oil or beeswax balm will be easily absorbed into the body and carry the active ingredients from the essential oils to where they are needed. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">By all means, schedule any or all of these for afterward too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And enjoy aching less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And better performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking care of your muscles before <i><u>and</u></i> after means your next post-event training session will be more effective too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or that you can happily kick on to the salsa dancing class after shifting sand in the garden all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">There is of course a fourth magic preparation for your muscles: sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bodies detox, heal and repair best when we sleep, since it is only during certain parts of the sleep cycle that human growth hormone is produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need that for tissue repair and building new muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, think outside the box and step outside the regular mindset that only schedules the massage for after the event when you're already hurting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relish your physical activity, whatever it may be, and get the most from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-91248922980779678092011-06-15T10:50:00.000+07:002011-06-15T10:50:54.165+07:005 Reasons to Scrub and Polish<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNsACJqUkrZ7R4z5CT-hWCkArPRw_5gIRqUxAmt1aJ6Oht6_OPDwMkyHlWhgRlxyPBjFLPSf2cjicZmQIoKSoN4NdlbaPd_EF0SGreiKqr49X7u3XYamRoXLgKilE7cBruvPcGQ3UM20/s1600/BodyPolish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNsACJqUkrZ7R4z5CT-hWCkArPRw_5gIRqUxAmt1aJ6Oht6_OPDwMkyHlWhgRlxyPBjFLPSf2cjicZmQIoKSoN4NdlbaPd_EF0SGreiKqr49X7u3XYamRoXLgKilE7cBruvPcGQ3UM20/s320/BodyPolish.jpg" width="320" /></a>No, I’m not talking about your bathroom tiles or even the kitchen floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking about the skin on your body –the 95% of skin you have which is so often neglected, under-functioning and unable to do its most important work.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Which begs the question: <i>What is your skin’s most important work? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To look pretty and feel smooth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To glow with a golden tan or shimmer with pale incandescence? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you remember back to 7<sup>th</sup> Grade science class, you may remember the teacher explaining that skin is primarily involved in temperature regulation of the body and that it is also the body’s primary detoxing organ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it all coming back to you now?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Detoxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An average body in an average climate loses about 2 litres of sweat per day, of which an estimated 450g is solid waste product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eeeew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if your skin is clogged and less than optimally functioning, some of that solid waste stays in your body; that makes you tired, reduces sleep quality, slows down your organ function and depresses your immune system. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Scrubbing and polishing of the body’s skin has 5 main benefits:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li>Gently scrubbing and polishing clears clogged pores and removes potential infection from the base of hair follicles – basically that means less pimples, spots and in-grown hairs and more efficient sweating and waste removal;</li>
<li>Removing the surface layer of dead skins cells enables the skin to better absorb moisture and the nutrients we may apply through plant-based oils;</li>
<li>Gently scrubbing and polishing stimulates blood flow in the sub-structure of the skin; apart from assisting with the more efficient removal of wastes into the blood stream, stimulating the circulation also encourages the growth of healthy new skin cells and a better flow of important nutrients to those cells;</li>
<li>Removing the surface layer of dull dead skin DOES make your skin softer, smoother and nicer to feel – it evens out the rough texture and reduces itching and irritation.</li>
<li>Improved blood flow to the sub-structure of the skin WILL make your skin glow and look both younger and more attractive, although that’s not primarily why we scrub and polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ol><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Scrubbing and polishing needs to be done gently (no redness!) and with a natural product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many commercial scrubs contain plastic scrub beads – they happily sit in the oil-based scrub leeching their toxic component chemicals into the scrub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the natural scrubs use nut shells, but these are often too harsh for the skin and damage its surface, adding to broken capillaries, redness and leaving you vulnerable to bacteria and irritation after the scrub treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read the label of your scrub or body polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it contain chemicals, petro-chemical oils (like “white” or “mineral” oil?) or synthetic “fragrance”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it does, toss it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It completely defeats the purpose of the detoxing scrub and polish if the product you are using merely adds to your body’s toxic load.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">What about loofahs or mitts instead of a product?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s fine but only if you boil it after each and every scrub so the dead skin cells and bacteria you are removing aren’t sitting happily breeding in your bathroom each day, ready to add to the problem when you next use the loofah tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fine clay exfoliating stone is a wonderful alternative to dirty loofahs and mitts, and also wonderfully hygienic. Always remember, <i>use it gently</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">How often to scrub and polish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone is the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are sick, actively fasting and/or in a detox program, probably daily – maybe after your herbal steam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For “normal” people, maybe 2 or 3 times week is optimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Always finish your skin treatment with a tiny amount of rich, natural plant-based oil to nourish and moisturize the skin.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Remembering the “why” of body scrub and polish helps us to understand why it’s actually not a beauty treatment but rather an important part of natural health management that adds to our personal wellness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Scrub, polish, smile, glow, enjoy.</div><!--EndFragment-->Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-26764700458869285012011-06-11T22:48:00.000+07:002011-06-11T22:48:06.401+07:00Why You Should be Thanking Your Cracked Heels.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxg7ovrUpP1g3-rhNk7fVGzGeSVWI0d064-RDljeO4IItRrLRh0TtLgwOJ5N8PwvtCnlbv3V0tM1grXFWe8YjPgC3UBDlY9UrTQB_BVKDN7LjElfd8vQruWyX3OZ3QbYmOFH8nmRfrcg/s1600/crackedheels1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxg7ovrUpP1g3-rhNk7fVGzGeSVWI0d064-RDljeO4IItRrLRh0TtLgwOJ5N8PwvtCnlbv3V0tM1grXFWe8YjPgC3UBDlY9UrTQB_BVKDN7LjElfd8vQruWyX3OZ3QbYmOFH8nmRfrcg/s1600/crackedheels1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanking them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you out of your mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hurt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They itch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t look pretty in my new sandals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They trash my stockings at work. They even bleed onto the floor first thing in the morning sometimes!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While only someone who has suffered badly cracked heels can ever appreciate those feelings, it doesn’t change the fact that cracked heels ARE really important and something we should be thankful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they are visible and irritating and embarrassing, we notice them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even start reading blog posts to try and fix them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The challenge is to understand them and the message they bring us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The skin on our heels is like the canary in the proverbial coalmine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s under more strain than the skin on other parts of our body, simply by virtue of the weight our feet carry each day, step by step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skin on our heels is exposed to a challenging range of environmental conditions, from being super cold on frosty mornings, to being stifled in synthetic shoes all day, to having the blood flow limited for hours on end while we sit and play on facebook, and to getting the dregs of nutrients from our blood by the time it gets all the way down there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>So what are your cracked heels telling you?</u></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, they’re telling you loud and clear that your essential fatty acid balance in your diet is inadequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to increase your Omega 3 and 6 and 9 intakes through raw nuts, seeds, avocadoes, oily fish and natural cold-pressed vegetable oils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These same essential fatty acids that support the sub-structure of our skin are also critical for heart health and hormone balance – better to heed the message from your cracked heels now than to be in the ICU after your heart attack or sitting in the oncologist’s office to chat about your breast or prostate cancer problem.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">When your liver is overloaded with environmental and dietary toxins and struggling to process masses of alcohol, fats and processed foods every day, your body is less able to absorb the essential fatty acids that you do manage to eat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you see the result in your cracked heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A toxic liver is less able to fulfill its normal function as a part of the body’s healthy immune system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your cracked heels are telling you that your immune system is less than optimal and going to be less-than-able to deal with incoming threats.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Cracked heels are also telling us that our blood circulation is suboptimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sluggish blood supply to the far-flung regions of the body is causal for cracked heels, but it also contributes to things like blood clots that trigger strokes and kill people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far better to be improving your exercise regime because your cracked heels gently suggest it, than to be in a stroke rehab unit one day trying to learn how to feed yourself again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">OK, so I think you get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cracked heels are a sign of poor diet, poor circulation and a toxic liver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dealing with those three things now could make a massive difference to your health in later life.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, is there anything you can do to relieve your cracked heels?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there <u>are</u> two simple things you can do to help cracked heels while you detox your liver, boost your exercise and change your diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, you can remove the old, dry and cracked skin by soaking your feet and scrubbing away or cutting off the old skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do it often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes it easier for the new and healthier skin underneath to absorb any nourishment you apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which brings us to the second thing you can do: apply a nourishing, soothing natural heel balm at least twice a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure it is a beeswax balm and not one which has a petrochemical base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will you know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read the label!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does it matter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Petroleum bases contain things like glycerin and white mineral oil (both toxic petroleum products) which are actually skin drying agents and will compound the problem over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Natural beeswax is an ancient skin conditioner which protects and soothes and aids natural healing. Beeswax enables the skin to regain its natural elasticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use it regularly to prevent cracked heels too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For best results, apply before bed and sleep in a pair of cotton socks – you’ll be amazed at the difference in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">So remember to thank your cracked heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to what they’re telling you and make the big changes that are needed – in the end, no amount of fabulous natural heel balm will be enough if you’re not nourishing your skin from the inside, promoting good blood flow through exercise and keeping your system as clean as possible so it can absorb those important essential fatty acids that your skin needs for health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And if you’re looking for a fabulous natural beeswax foot repair balm?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, you know where to find us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://arunthainatural.com/">http://arunthainatural.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-81783214326662906642011-05-21T18:54:00.000+07:002011-05-21T18:57:52.319+07:00Massage & Body Oils – 5 Hidden Dangers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbkRozUSNvmeIY3EAJLcVVHFx8YAUjh6597DSl-Jf7_PIh-zezzSrj6QtcoQtp8TaRrWHCBur315yM5maroCSgYgJLD-Qoux8ftOxOT2-snZhl8-zcNC2q-JxLJfU_-D8qfGmbtzxPJI/s1600/MassageOilGeneric.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbkRozUSNvmeIY3EAJLcVVHFx8YAUjh6597DSl-Jf7_PIh-zezzSrj6QtcoQtp8TaRrWHCBur315yM5maroCSgYgJLD-Qoux8ftOxOT2-snZhl8-zcNC2q-JxLJfU_-D8qfGmbtzxPJI/s320/MassageOilGeneric.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609136909824508866" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">It seems so perfectly natural and nurturing to slather your skin with oil.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Apart from the silky sensuality of applying it, all oils are good for your skin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Right?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wrong!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What’s the big deal over a bit of oil? Sadly there are many oils sold and used for both body care and massage that are downright harmful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bad for your skin and bad for your ongoing health.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finding your way through this minefield requires you to think logically and read the label.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No label showing <u>all</u> the ingredients?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t buy or use it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hidden Danger #1: Packaging.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All oils dissolve and break down plastics over time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some oils do it more quickly and some plastics are more vulnerable than others, but basically, any oil in any plastic packaging is a bad idea.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And yes, that applies to cooking oils as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The plastic molecules dissolve into the oil and then you apply to your skin (or eat) which introduces the harmful petrochemical substances into your bloodstream, digestive system and internal organs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hidden Danger #2: “white oil”, “baby oil” or “mineral oil”. <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whatever you call it, “mineral oil” (which goes by a multitude of soft and easy-to-sell names) is a major hazard but is commonly used as the base for everything from baby oil to lots of skin treatment oils that are prettied up by the addition of a little essential oil.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product and has been shown to increase the risk of a wide range of cancers in addition to triggering asthma, and being causal in non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Leukemia.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The US National Library of Medicine has a wide range of studies available to show just how harmful this common ingredient is. Apart from the serious health risks of regularly using mineral oils, they actually dry out the skin over time and compound the very problems you were seeking to fix.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So why is it used so widely? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s mega-cheap, odorless, doesn’t spoil and because we as consumers simply don’t ask enough questions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hidden Danger #3: synthetic fragrances.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Synthetic fragrances are concocted from sometimes hundreds of chemical ingredients and preservatives, and the declaration of each and every component is not required under international labeling law.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The pretty way to disguise the use of these chemical ingredients is to label them as “fragrance oils”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lots of “natural” body oil and skin preparations include “fragrance oil” as well as 100% pure essential oils.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a backdoor way of using chemical preservatives without having to declare them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And why are synthetic fragrances so dangerous?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of the component chemicals are what we call “estrogenic”, which means they mimic hormone activity in the body, disrupt normal hormone function and actually contribute to the development of estrogen-dependent cancers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hidden Danger #4: Heat Extracted Oils.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oils are composed of long-chain fatty acids which are damaged by heat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The little bits that break off the long-chain fatty acids are toxic to the body and are also easily absorbed into the skin and bloodstream.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So while cold pressed virgin coconut oil is wonderfully nourishing and healing, heat extracted coconut oil isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How do you tell?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Usually the heat extracted oil has a smell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cold pressed sesame or sunflower oils have no smell at oil, whilst the heat-extracted oils have distinct odors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Heat extracted coconut oil smells like toasted coconut.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As a rule of thumb, if the bottle doesn’t scream “cold pressed” to justify the much higher price, it isn’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hidden Danger #5: Rancid Oil.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rancid oil is basically oil that has is spoiled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some oils, like sunflower oil, become rancid very, very quickly and will contaminate and spoil any oils they are blended with, causing them to spoil too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Storing many oils without refrigeration or in direct sunlight will cause them to go rancid quickly. Olive oil, for instance, needs to be stored below 30C and protected from exposure to light.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s why good olive oil always comes in green or brown glass bottles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Notable exceptions are oils like rice bran and sesame, that are very stable under heat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How can you tell if oil is rancid? You can smell it. If it has that funky “old oil” smell, toss it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When oil becomes rancid the same process occurs as when it is heat extracted, leaving small unstable parts of the fatty acid <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>chains in the oil which are then absorbed into your skin, vital organs and bloodstream.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>So, what should you be looking for?</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A natural plant based oil packed in glass or aluminum.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No “fragrance oils” – just pure essential oils to add natural scent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good labeling that shows all the ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A best-before date.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And make sure it passes the “sniff” test.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nourish and nurture your skin with healthy, natural oils and your skin will glow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As you reduce your exposure to chemicals and inferior oils, your body will regain balance and your health will blossom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Toss the petrochemical based lotions and aim for a light coating of easily-absorbed plant based oil every evening before bed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Enjoy the nourishing sensuality and make sure you share that feeling with someone you love whenever you can.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">www.arunthainatural.com</p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-83661237415418215442011-04-14T14:10:00.003+07:002011-04-14T14:32:11.922+07:004 Natural (& Really Nice!) Ways to Prepare for Pregnancy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkUdPORoK-5mT2fS9Dn4lwU1YPfBpO54QauVGu_orXhuTzqydqBz7iF79FXjae4udPg3CL6NeCfkhOtFuz_Fyxt3CEVUaHrf3AupKWTJAozCa7tUWw9ixOBLnQCvlmchBy7RpFIeDXk8/s1600/PregnantBelly.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkUdPORoK-5mT2fS9Dn4lwU1YPfBpO54QauVGu_orXhuTzqydqBz7iF79FXjae4udPg3CL6NeCfkhOtFuz_Fyxt3CEVUaHrf3AupKWTJAozCa7tUWw9ixOBLnQCvlmchBy7RpFIeDXk8/s320/PregnantBelly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595337211717952370" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Growing a baby is a big job, no question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And like all big jobs, planning and preparation make a huge difference to the outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s true whether you’re having difficulty conceiving a child and are trying to increase your chances or whether you’re simply committed to providing the best and cleanest living and growing environment possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pregnancy preparation <i><u>is </u></i>important.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Physically, mentally and spiritually.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">There’s already more than enough written about the pre-pregnancy diet: what foods to avoid and what you should choose to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s a lot written about yoga and exercise to prepare a lean, strong, supple and flexible body that will manage the challenges of pregnancy and birth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s even a little bit out there written about colon cleansing pre-pregnancy to help detox your body.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, are many women actively preparing pre-conception as a result? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sadly, apart from throwing away their contraceptives and any lingering dreams they may have had of extensive global travel, wealth and loads of personal “me” time, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many women simply feel it’s too hard, too challenging, “too much” and not achievable or enjoyable in the space of their stressed and busy lives.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><u>Preparing for pre</u></i><i><u>gnancy</u></i><u> <i>doesn’t have to be on</i></u><u><i>erous or difficult</i>.</u> <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sensibly reducing your toxin load diet-wise, adding some super foods each day and starting to practice some simple yoga stretches is manageable for even the busiest woman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But did you know preparing for pregnancy can even be downright pleasurable, relaxing and fun?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Smiling yet?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We learn two basic facts in high school science when we are about 13 years old, and then promptly seem to forget or sidestep this knowledge for most of the rest of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(i) everything in the body works better when blood, lymph and energy are moved and stimulated and (ii) our skin is by far our largest detoxing organ.</p><p class="MsoNormal">How can we use those two simple facts to help prepare well (and enjoyably!) for pregnancy?</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Regular therapeutic massage during your pregnancy preparation phase will have a noticeable effect on your overall health. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ask for a Thai massage, a hot Thai Herbal Massage Ball treatment or a real detoxing/lymphatic stimulating massage rather than a few touchy-feely strokes with a bit of oil.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Try to breathe with the therapist during the massage and visualize your body shifting and releasing all that it does not need.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ask your therapist to use only a natural plant-based oil to make sure no extra petrochemicals find their way into your bloodstream at the time you least want them.</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Indulge in a herbal steam.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Actually, any steam or sauna treatment that encourages sweating and the release of toxins through the skin is good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A steam treatment is less harsh and drying for your skin than a sauna, and a herbal steam simply adds the benefit of healing and detoxing herbs in the most pleasurable way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Try to steam <i><u>before and after</u></i> your massage for optimal benefit.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Use herbal clays, scrubs and oils to encourage the release of toxins through your skin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The more that is released through the skin, the easier the job for your liver, kidneys and other organs to help cleanse your blood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Clean blood and clean organs mean optimal hormone function in the body, which is exactly what you want for conception and pregnancy.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->And finally, nourish your skin from the outside with plant-based oils to ensure optimal moisture, resilience and elasticity <b><u>before</u></b> it becomes weight bearing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Preventing stretch marks is way, way smarter than trying to heal and repair them later when the damage has been done.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, how does that look in summary?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Massages, herbal steams, natural skin treatments and loads of plant-based nourishing oils.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are you smiling yet?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, all pleasurable and good for you and your new baby.</p><p class="MsoNormal">How long would I recommend you prepare pre-pregancy?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would say 9-12 months is optimal, but even </p><p class="MsoNormal">3 months can be beneficial.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The better shape you are in before conception, the easier and more pleasurable the process will be.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Be well, relax and <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>focus on enjoyable and positive pregnancy preparation – a smiling pregnant mom transmits important “happy hormones” to a baby that encourage optimal growth and development.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So it really is true: what’s good and enjoyable for you <u>is</u> good and positive for your baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy the journey of creating a new life – a truly magical and wondrous adventure.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt_YeIKW6UOF1eR0dLZmJB29VhIv1Wy0wHEi2wECIyHXhyfrrdBE7qW_g1iuJYdrk7f-c1eaFpreuQfsiJ-H7kHoICIWU5K_LDYZLxZvAT6Hvuj2RaoGN_Rmdv1slFeOqVl4IZ7cMuwM/s320/Massage3.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 153px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595337717781648338" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><br /></p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-65699855900026255332010-11-09T22:49:00.000+07:002010-11-09T22:58:15.140+07:00Climate Change Killing the Thai Coconut Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm86SNca13s-BTVzruY_ulyiYk7ezdxlcXJgfHxK3EKsC2ONX7eNpXqlckCIr2lLwDjpZxHoKvaEmed9Az1kZB3gyaGNt5ztdbs0I3RJNzik4e3N7Znm8F1YTj8Ic1UNN1jLodXNHvfE/s1600/Coconut1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm86SNca13s-BTVzruY_ulyiYk7ezdxlcXJgfHxK3EKsC2ONX7eNpXqlckCIr2lLwDjpZxHoKvaEmed9Az1kZB3gyaGNt5ztdbs0I3RJNzik4e3N7Znm8F1YTj8Ic1UNN1jLodXNHvfE/s320/Coconut1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578585690750850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Somehow you’d think that the day something as big and important as climate change started eroding the ancient Thai culture, that someone would have noticed or reported it or something.<span style=""> </span>Sadly not.<span style=""> </span>It strikes me that the huge changes in our lives and cultures do often go unremarked. </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Before I explain how <u>climate change is already having a huge impact on Thai diet, environment and natural medicine</u>, I need to fill you in on a few basics about Thailand and coconuts.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>You don’t need to have ever been here to equate a coconut tree with Thailand and tropical bliss.<span style=""> </span><i><u>Every</u></i> Thai market has at least one coconut shop – “raan grati” – where they grind up the coconut meat to make coconut milk and sell various coconut products.<span style=""> </span>Coconut milk is used extensively in everything from sweets to curries, and coconut oil has been used for centuries for cooking.<span style=""> </span>It’s only in recent years that the incredible nutritional and skin benefits of cold pressed virgin coconut oil have been researched and publicized.<span style=""> </span><i>But the wise Thai grandmothers always knew that</i>.<span style=""> </span>Traditional Thai medicine has always used coconut oil as a base for “ya mong” – the therapeutic herbal balms used for massage, headaches and natural healing.<span style=""> </span>Sadly, in recent years, vaseline has become the “ya mong” base of choice among many Thai people because it is cheap and easier than blending hot coconut oil and wax. <span style=""> </span>But Arun Thai Natural still uses and celebrates the basic methodology and ingredients – starting with coconut oil and beeswax – that have been known here for centuries.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">One more bit of background you need to understand.<span style=""> </span>Coconut oil is produced in 3 basic ways.<span style=""> </span>(1) Virgin cold pressed, which is made under pressure and preserves the long-chain fatty acids, yielding a totally clear, fragrant healthful oil which solidifies at about 21C. Low yields and a corresponding substantial price. (2) Heat extracted coconut oil which is almost clear, also highly fragrant in a slightly more toasted way, but lacks the same quality of long chain fatty acids and is therefore higher in free radicals. High yields and a very fair price. (3) Chemically extracted coconut oil which is very, very cheap, a golden yellow colour and is often used as a massage oil base; even the unscrupulous vendors here sell it with a verbal warning, “No eat! Dangerous!”. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Arun Thai Natural sells virgin cold-pressed coconut oil and also uses it to make our Care+ Body Treatment Oil.<span style=""> </span>But for our “ya mong” massage balms, foot balms and lip balm, we use the highest quality heat extracted coconut oil, since we have to heat it anyway to melt the wax into it and there is simply no value in using the cold pressed oil.<span style=""> </span>We also use the heat extracted coconut oil as the base for our Phlai (warming) and Ginger Cassia (cooling) Traditional Massage Oils because, you guessed it, we make them the traditional way which involves heating the oil and therefore makes the cold-pressed oil a non-option. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So the last 7 weeks have been a total shock and mystery in our little Thai world. <span style=""> </span>No heat-extracted coconut oil to be found, <i><u>anywhere</u></i> in Chiang Mai.<span style=""> </span>For the first three weeks we thought our suppliers were just being very Thai about their ordering at the end of a long slow rainy season – cash strapped, unwilling to invest in new stock and fibbing a bit.<span style=""> </span>Then came the stories from all the various suppliers, vendors, shops and agents we visited and talked to.<span style=""> </span>The floods.<span style=""> </span>No transport.<span style=""> </span>Too expensive.<span style=""> </span>Coconuts “paeng” (expensive) at the end of the rains.<span style=""> </span>Now we do experience this little price glitch at the end of every rainy season, where the price of all things coconut goes up a bit, only to fall again, but it has never resulted in a complete drying up of supply all over Thailand’s second biggest city.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now you also do need to appreciate that although coconut trees grow everywhere in Thailand, the trees in the north here don’t produce nearly as much oil due to it being less tropical and more temperate, so the northern coconuts are pretty much worthless for oil extraction.<span style=""> </span>95% of all Thai coconut production comes from the area just a bit south of Bangkok, with the real hub being located around Chumpon and Prachuap Khiri Khan.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Now this area has just been hit by flooding issues from two sides.<span style=""> </span>Massive water run-off from the north and north east, which collides with the two highest king tides of the year.<span style=""> </span>Huge parts of Thailand have, in the last weeks, sustained the heaviest flooding in 50 years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">There have been articles in the papers in the last month suggesting that in as few as 7 years, large parts of Bangkok will be submerged.<span style=""> </span>Being Dutch, knowing the power of the sea and also having seen the flood devastation this rainy season, I think that is beyond possible and moving towards likely.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Determined to get to the bottom of the coconut oil supply issue, we hit the road and the phones today to get past the frustrating veneer of Thai politenesses, excuses and downright lies.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I schlepped through 3 different major markets to eyeball and confront the suppliers and vendors while Naa, my production manager, sat on the phone to growers and factories in Chumpon and Phrachuap Khiri Khan and also to the distributors of their products in the north. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And the story we finally pieced together is a sobering one.<span style=""> </span>The coconut tree growers have been devastated by the floods, which are not yet fully receded.<span style=""> </span>They are estimating 25-50% of their trees to be damaged to the point of them needing to be removed.<span style=""> </span>They are not yet able to calculate how much can be salvaged.<span style=""> </span>The growers and factories therefore, are using the fruit they have to obtain the highly profitable virgin cold-pressed oil (for that we are very thankful!) and then heat processing the dregs to produce the abundant chemically derived product, which is so awful we don’t even want to know about it.<span style=""> </span>The volume of fruit left for heat extraction has shrunk enormously, resulting in a wholesale price hike of over 130% in the last week alone, and continuing to climb.<span style=""> </span>The vendors in Chiang Mai are unwilling to buy this much pricier product and so have been fudging and fibbing and simply not ordering it in.<span style=""> </span>And they’re not going to change that.<span style=""> </span>Nearly every vendor I spoke to argued the benefits of palm oil - price and availability.<span style=""> </span>The other Thai herbal product makers are embracing palm oil with open arms as an alternative to coconut oil – the vendors could not understand why Arun Thai Natural is vehemently opposed to and won’t ever be using palm oil. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So this afternoon we sat down and made some decisions.<span style=""> </span>We will discontinue the use of heat treated coconut oil in our balms and traditional massage oil products, and substitute a mix of the used-to-be-more-expensive rice bran and cold pressed sesame oils instead.<span style=""> </span>They are much better quality oils and, in combination, will produce a much smoother and richer product.<span style=""> </span>Previously we have erred on the side of tradition and the price difference had been such as to support that choice.<span style=""> </span>But because Arun Thai Natural is growing fast and we are producing more product, we will be able to buy our oils in greater volume and therefore should be able to hold our current pricing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I should be delighted, and at one level, I am.<span style=""> </span>Circumstance has pushed Arun Thai Natural to increase product quality, albeit in a way that moves us a little bit further away from the traditional Thai roots that we celebrate and cherish.<span style=""> </span>But I can’t help feeling a little bit sad about the demise of the coconut culture.<span style=""> </span>A couple of days ago I tried to order a fresh coconut for my daughter, Ploi, at a restaurant and was told “no have – too expensive”. <span style=""> </span>Unthinkable.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Realistically, the Thai government lacks the resources and the funding to address the massive infrastructure issues that are needed to offset rising sea levels, subsidence and flooding from the north each season.<span style=""> </span>In 10 months time, the remaining coconut trees will get another dose of very wet feet and another nail will be driven into the coconut culture’s coffin.<span style=""> </span>Some climate and engineering experts predict as few as 7 years before parts of Bangkok will need to be evacuated.<span style=""> </span>I wonder what the price of coconuts and coconut oil will be in 7 years time….?<span style=""> </span>I wonder how much more pristine Asian jungle will have been slashed to plant more palms for palm oil, and how many species will have lost their habitat and be on the brink of extinction.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Sustainable. It’s an easy marketing word to toss about but today Arun Thai Natural came hard up against what that means. We think it means we have to change to protect the world we live in, and we’re ready to do that. We are even happy about the better quality product that we will be able to offer. But we’re just a bit sad about climate change and the end of the Thai coconut culture. <span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><span style=""><br /></span></span></p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-39549344703013354892010-10-27T22:00:00.001+07:002010-10-27T22:13:01.683+07:00You want me to rub WHAT over my body? WHY?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynsAO6b6ZaEfjF9jE7OjR5pMt0JZzDyiGVhMiT4Xe9tGvOmuXsXAC7q9tukBKgaFVW8YDjJLyBFECH0h9oVp8TG5F7-lVERJHtYFUpu_m0RavbLFkoKVGbJMXt0tVDLpyn-rpGFC7aU/s1600/Exfoliate2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynsAO6b6ZaEfjF9jE7OjR5pMt0JZzDyiGVhMiT4Xe9tGvOmuXsXAC7q9tukBKgaFVW8YDjJLyBFECH0h9oVp8TG5F7-lVERJHtYFUpu_m0RavbLFkoKVGbJMXt0tVDLpyn-rpGFC7aU/s200/Exfoliate2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532741190577028978" border="0" /></a>No, it’s not just a girl-thing and no, it’s not about just looking lovely and having glowing skin, although that’s a pleasant side effect.<span style=""> </span>What are we talking about?<span style=""> </span>Exfoliating.<span style=""> </span>Ex… what?<span style=""> </span>Exfoliating.<span style=""> </span>The process of rubbing something mildly abrasive over your skin to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation.<span style=""> </span>“Don’t dead skins cells fall off all by themselves?” I hear you asking.<span style=""> </span>Well yes, they do.<span style=""> </span>Eventually.<span style=""> </span>But before they do they clog up the skin’s natural elimination processes and reduce the body’s ability to sweat effectively and release toxins.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal">The skin we’re in isn’t just a wrapper to hold all the bits together.<span style=""> </span>Our skin is involved in a huge range of bodily processes that all combine for good health.<span style=""> </span>Our skin is the largest elimination organ in the body, efficiently removing waste; it regulates body temperature, engages us with the world around us through touch, prevents infection and enables our bodies to absorb sunlight and produce important nutrients like Vitamin D.<span style=""> </span>Making sure your skin functions at its best means that all those bodily functions will also function at their best.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In many ancient cultures, coarse salt or sand are used for exfoliation.<span style=""> </span>Both are great<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiAkf9T6Pigmg264o2od0sR3Ir6a3BRWTxP5QlXpGaWVZyiPIl1wwpIkeCtdLz2RnrSiXnUXzY1gkvC1B6lrGisx2vG0HjXudaEALnyVE-q3AyBCvkN5nzK1u-6O0kA8Qzwu4X9yYfI8/s1600/Exfoliate3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiAkf9T6Pigmg264o2od0sR3Ir6a3BRWTxP5QlXpGaWVZyiPIl1wwpIkeCtdLz2RnrSiXnUXzY1gkvC1B6lrGisx2vG0HjXudaEALnyVE-q3AyBCvkN5nzK1u-6O0kA8Qzwu4X9yYfI8/s200/Exfoliate3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532741350381979506" border="0" /></a> but in the modern bathroom tend to play havoc with your drainage.<span style=""> </span>If you do use coarse salt, you’ll need to pour a lot of hot water down the drains afterward to make sure it dissolves fully and doesn’t form a solid layer in your pipes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you use one of the many loofahs, mits or scrubbers on the market, please be aware that they bring a hygiene risk after the first use unless you boil them.<span style=""> </span>Sitting damp in your bathroom for days on end and being full of dead skin cells and bacteria isn’t so great - the next time you use it, if you have even the slightest nick or cut on your skin, you risk infection.<span style=""> </span>Brushes are good and can be used on the skin wet or dry, but also need cleaning after each use like a loofah or mit.<span style=""> </span>Or you can use our new Clay Exfoliating Tablet – a bit like a big piece of soap but made from fine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc_HamYh8_cJ_YO7p_sV7pqpqtai6so5UqOOHHoFHLFYKbu5jVjpdISrRIQaNZsFT8NbiZfldlnblWLD7kiPyvRX4WnbQGcVz9tfx_tZnKCeyFrkahluiDchFgvlfRQcpmCpT0_JxP88/s1600/ClayTablet.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc_HamYh8_cJ_YO7p_sV7pqpqtai6so5UqOOHHoFHLFYKbu5jVjpdISrRIQaNZsFT8NbiZfldlnblWLD7kiPyvRX4WnbQGcVz9tfx_tZnKCeyFrkahluiDchFgvlfRQcpmCpT0_JxP88/s200/ClayTablet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532742313332047026" border="0" /></a> white unfired clay.<span style=""> </span>It exfoliates gently and you also have the benefit of the clay helping to draw impurities out of the skin.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How hard should you scrub?<span style=""> </span>Definitely you are aiming for nothing more than the slightest pink glow afterwards.<span style=""> </span>Exfoliating is much easier after a soak in the bath or a longish shower, which softens the dead skin cells and makes them easier to remove.<span style=""> </span>Be aware that areas of the body with poorer blood circulation, like outer thighs, knees, elbows, buttocks, feet etc, tend to have greater dead-skin build up and need exfoliating more often. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">After exfoliating, dry yourself off and apply a natural plant-based oil all over.<span style=""> </span>Why?<span style=""> </span>The plant-based oil will nourish new skin, hopefully (depending on oil quality) add antioxidants and natural vitamin E to your skin and help to keep it soft, moisturized and also offset any dryness or irritation.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Think about adding regular exfoliation to your normal self-care regime for better health.<span style=""> </span>Guys, that means you too!<span style=""> </span>Stimulating your skin’s blood circulation and cleaning away the old dead skin cells is not unlike cleaning the filtration in your swimming pool or airconditoner.<span style=""> </span>Everything works more efficiently afterwards, and you have the added benefit of glowing, smooth skin that is a pleasure for you, and others, to touch.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-41127530354847038952010-10-19T14:37:00.000+07:002010-10-19T14:55:10.819+07:00Toxic Romance?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjZU3q7-lPwuZXQE0ipTrWiJZRuMdhtH2_LPdXNor1kplyGO9omJnX5Hj1M-XtcYIXQBELpSb0HJ90-EYbJPciJ6Xv5l3CRg2Cg9rMtWciSfkjgNTEUBnkJxrThI9vJtJPR5lq72AMwM/s1600/Candle1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjZU3q7-lPwuZXQE0ipTrWiJZRuMdhtH2_LPdXNor1kplyGO9omJnX5Hj1M-XtcYIXQBELpSb0HJ90-EYbJPciJ6Xv5l3CRg2Cg9rMtWciSfkjgNTEUBnkJxrThI9vJtJPR5lq72AMwM/s320/Candle1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529658774296723314" border="0" /></a>Picture this…. It’s the ultimate evening after a nice intimate meal, cooked together and shared.<span style=""> </span>You wander slowly upstairs and pause for a smooch on the landing.<span style=""> </span>You take your time undressing and playfully quibbling about whose turn it is to be massaged.<span style=""> </span>The massage oil is ready and you lean over to light the candle.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal">STOP.<span style=""> </span>At this point the romantic evening has the potential to become very, very toxic. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">How?<span style=""> </span>Firstly, your massage oil.<span style=""> </span>Unless you are using a premium, natural massage oil that has been correctly stored, chances are the stuff you’re about to slather on with such loving strokes will harm both you and your partner as it is absorbed into your skin.<span style=""> </span>Synthetically fragranced oil is made using cheap, nasty and toxic chemicals.<span style=""> </span>Lots of people don’t even know the oil they are using is synthetic.<span style=""> </span>Rule of thumb?<span style=""> </span>Unless it specifically says “essential oil” on the bottle, it’s a 99% chance to contain synthetic fragrance.<span style=""> </span>A key word to be aware of is “fragrance”.<span style=""> </span>In the cosmetic labeling industry, “fragrance” oil <u>is</u> synthetic.<span style=""> </span>Also, the base oil.<span style=""> </span>Most plant oi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u0tZpUE3Y_iUAQhLGEFK_69RukbdWudbWdZVl01YVc8hq0VZvaLCtXZl2IY7ER8eiI5UDgLZ_ePMW51a48UEgCLsbT_1IhZdShQpM9QQ_3pVz_KUyE9rijdsIMCl9B8y945dc6E3wsY/s1600/YYO500.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u0tZpUE3Y_iUAQhLGEFK_69RukbdWudbWdZVl01YVc8hq0VZvaLCtXZl2IY7ER8eiI5UDgLZ_ePMW51a48UEgCLsbT_1IhZdShQpM9QQ_3pVz_KUyE9rijdsIMCl9B8y945dc6E3wsY/s320/YYO500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529659944686454354" border="0" /></a>ls from cooler countries, like almond or olive, need to be refrigerated or stored under 30C and become rancid quickly.<span style=""> </span>If they have not been correctly stored, they contain huge amounts of damaged fatty-acid molecules which are absorbed into your skin and then happily travel about inside your body through your blood and vital organs, creating havoc. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another bit of terminology to be aware of is “mineral oil”.<span style=""> </span>Basically it means “petrochemical waste that has been tidied up a bit”.<span style=""> </span>Your kidneys and liver do not need little bits of bio-diesel waste ending up clogging your body’s filtration and waste management system!<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>And the third thing you need to be aware of with commercial massage oils is that most mass produced vegetable base oils come from genetically modified crops.<span style=""> </span>We do not yet know what this will do to our chromosomes or the DNA of our children’s children.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other big romance killer – literally – is probably the candle.<span style=""> </span>The lead-dipping of candle wicks encourages slow, steady burning and is still commonly practiced.<span style=""> </span>Lead or chemically treated wicks are often quite thin in relation to the candle, whereas in a natural beeswax candle, an untreated cotton wick gets progressively thicker as the candle does.<span style=""> </span>It has to, so that the wick is able to consume the greater volume of melted wax.<span style=""> </span>If your candle is synthetically colored or artificially scented, the burning process will release those volatile chemicals into the air of your boudoir and they will end up in the lungs and bloodstream of you and your beloved.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But even more significantly, most commercially produced candles are made either largely or solely from paraffin.<span style=""> </span>Why?<span style=""> </span>Because it is the cheapest wax.<span style=""> </span>What does burning paraffin discharge into the air?<span style=""> </span>The smoke from paraffin wax emits significant doses of pollutants including benzene, toluene and ketones, which have been linked to cancer, asthma and birth defects. Suddenly I’m not feeling so romantic anymore.<span style=""> </span>Even so-called beeswax candles are often blended with paraffin to reduce production costs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, what to do?<span style=""> </span>Cancel the romance and soak up a bit of radiation and “dirty electricity” in front of the television?<span style=""> </span>Heavens no!<span style=""> </span>We all need romance and the healing energy of shared touch.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Make sure that your massage oil is produced from high quality plant oil with good shelf life that does not require refrigeration.<span style=""> </span>~ Shudder ~ … at the thought of cold oil being dropped onto my warm skin.<span style=""> </span>Make sure it is not synthetically fragranced and contains no coloring agents.<span style=""> </span>Arun Thai Natural Aroma Body Oils are made from rice bran oil, which is the most stable oil under heat of all known plant oils and has a shelf life of 18+ months without refrigeration.<span style=""> </span>We make our oils using only 100% natural, pure essential oils and we use no coloring agents whatsoever.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Look for 100% pure beeswax candles, preferably in flame-proof containers.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The amazing thing about burning a beeswax candle is it actually purifies the air while you burn it.<span style=""> </span>Make sure it has a substantial, thick non-treated cotton wick and ensure you buy only candles that are fragranced with 100% pure essential oils.<span style=""> </span>Arun Thai Natural will be releasing pure 100% beeswax candles in the coming we<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLv05eHaiVbRBwNBQS91zt0Jyu7cQgYUvo2XsOVvAoPORU4yHBb5f1OHz9DlDfe17BA5dsqwAFsJxXPTFEsNrF8YmGWq51qDfXzfmhKPXHveNfR7DsjJALGhDQ1IYvma38EyaIBEArEU/s1600/Product11.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLv05eHaiVbRBwNBQS91zt0Jyu7cQgYUvo2XsOVvAoPORU4yHBb5f1OHz9DlDfe17BA5dsqwAFsJxXPTFEsNrF8YmGWq51qDfXzfmhKPXHveNfR7DsjJALGhDQ1IYvma38EyaIBEArEU/s320/Product11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529659122035136194" border="0" /></a>eks to add to your natural massage and natural romance experience.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bring back the romance in your life… and in that process, make sure you are protecting your health and the health of your loved one.<span style=""> </span>Cuddle.<span style=""> </span>Massage.<span style=""> </span>Snuggle away.<span style=""> </span>Enjoy.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-12549076552097737312010-10-07T08:39:00.000+07:002010-10-07T08:46:25.849+07:00Ingredient Insight: Menthol<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hcIun-DmQVx1y9c3RjS4IGSh697Zw-6bnNPhRsod5-Q2bQCuSY39iST3bm9R44E1PHCKZzvOFAHH_uwQOb4VzTY2-MW9rumpZjw0vOntdqSiUPMzOrcuE0YFHhg3jCFVmQnuBsbnpVg/s1600/Menthol.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hcIun-DmQVx1y9c3RjS4IGSh697Zw-6bnNPhRsod5-Q2bQCuSY39iST3bm9R44E1PHCKZzvOFAHH_uwQOb4VzTY2-MW9rumpZjw0vOntdqSiUPMzOrcuE0YFHhg3jCFVmQnuBsbnpVg/s320/Menthol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525113384204529970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >We can mostly all conjure up the smell of menthol, or its taste, but do we really know what it is or what it looks like in its natural form?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Menthol is an organic compound extracted from peppermint or other mint oils.<span style=""> </span>It is sold in its crystalline form and melts just slightly above room temperature (ie when you touch it).<span style=""> </span>It looks like shards of glass or broken crystal and has the most beautiful fragile tinkling sound when you shake it out of the bag.<span style=""> </span><i>Mentha arvensis</i> is the primary species of mint used to make natural menthol crystals.<span style=""> </span>It was first isolated from peppermint oil in 1771 in the West, but has been widely known and used in Asian medicine for far longer.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Menthol is to the cold sensation what capsaicin (extracted from chilies) is to hot.<span style=""> </span>It triggers cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin which gives a cooling sensation when inhaled, eaten or applied to the skin, without causing an actual change in temperature.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Menthol has analgesic (pain relieving) properties and helps to relieve skin irritations, sore throats and nasal congestion.<span style=""> </span>It is also used to treat sunburn, fever and muscle aches.<span style=""> </span>When menthol is used orally, it is used in the form of peppermint oil, and is widely used in toothpastes, cough medicines, lip balms, mouthwashes, chewing gum and cigarettes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In traditional Thai and Asian medicine, menthol is used for nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, headache, colds, sore throat and muscle pain.<span style=""> </span>Commonly in Traditional Thai Massage, menthol is used in conjunction with camphor.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Arun Thai Natural uses menthol in Phlai Traditional Thai Massage Oil and Beeswax Balm (warming) and Ginger Cassia Traditional Thai Massage Oil and Beeswax Balm (cooling).</span></p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-4560366812105126482010-09-21T10:24:00.000+07:002010-09-21T10:27:41.119+07:00It's Organic....?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_YB2dIhi9cfa-x1UprwXg3P7jaYICWYAGoD6JNKSfaT3Wrp5nHuaXGoK80zHgIFWZXbfFtuZqTUEKrRx1gjOXmX0SebxiMerPyW0Bca4p7-d_z9ZUA8h0aQdNQ-mP4sdp5mcW0jWu1Q/s1600/CertifiedOrganic.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_YB2dIhi9cfa-x1UprwXg3P7jaYICWYAGoD6JNKSfaT3Wrp5nHuaXGoK80zHgIFWZXbfFtuZqTUEKrRx1gjOXmX0SebxiMerPyW0Bca4p7-d_z9ZUA8h0aQdNQ-mP4sdp5mcW0jWu1Q/s320/CertifiedOrganic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519203020537549586" border="0" /></a>A lot of people want to see an “organic” label on a product, often without knowing what that really means.<span style=""> </span>It makes them feel secure, confident of the natural quality… safe.<span style=""> </span>You could argue that it frees the consumer from having to think.<span style=""> </span>From a manufacturer’s or seller’s viewpoint, the “organic” tag is one excellent way to boost sales and gives permission to charge a premium price. <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u>The “organic” tag actually means very little</u>, while the “certified organic” tag is exceptionally difficult for a manufacturer to attain, and also varies from country to country in what it means.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The simplest, most general explanation of the certified organic criteria for food is, as one might expect, to be found in wiki:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;">All fresh and processed foods must follow <b>national organic production standards</b> and be certified by a USDA-accredited inspection agency. Only approved materials can be used in the production. <b>No material can be used that harms the life of animals, people, or soil.</b><br /><br />Specifically, organic farmers can't use <b>antibiotics</b> and <b>growth hormones</b>, <b>fresh manure</b>, <b>genetically engineered materials and seeds</b>, <b>irradiation</b>, <b>sewage sludge</b>, and <b>toxic synthetic fertilizers and pesticides</b>. Neither can they <b>confine</b> animals. So, for example, hens must be cage free.<br /><br />A <b>farm management plan</b> must be in place. <b>Detailed records</b> must be kept. The USDA accredited inspection agency must carry out <b>yearly inspections</b>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The devil is always in the detail: the farm management plan requires that there be a specified area of land as a buffer zone anywhere aerial or power spraying is used, and that area can be up to 100m or more depending on the geography.<span style=""> </span>Special drainage needs to be in place to ensure any run-off water isn’t contaminated by pesticides used on neighboring properties.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Water supply needs to be certified to ensure it is not contaminating plants.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In Asia, particularly due to small land-holdings, monsoonal flooding and the inability of the law to control the activities of one’s neighbors, certified organic status is virtually impossible to obtain.<span style=""> </span>Those few people who have it are, almost by definition, the big, rich landholders.<span style=""> </span>Doesn’t seem to bother a lot of people though, who still happily slap “organic” on everything to boost sales. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But that’s about to change.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whole Foods Market in the USA, the largest chain of “natural” stores anywhere, recently made sweeping changes to their policy about “organic” body and personal care products.<span style=""> </span>As of June 2011, they require any product claiming to be “organic” to be certified to the equivalent of USDA standards.<span style=""> </span>They estimate 80% of the body care products currently labeled and sold in their store as “organic”, isn’t, and they require those manufacturers to re-label or to withdraw products from their stores.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/06/organic-labeling-for-body-care/">http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/06/organic-labeling-for-body-care/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Will it affect Arun Thai Natural?<span style=""> </span>Not at all.<span style=""> </span>We have never claimed to be “organic” and have resisted the temptation and requests of various customers to put pretty little “organic” stickers on our products.<span style=""> </span>Our stickers tell it like it is: 100% natural.<span style=""> </span>Our herbs don’t need pesticides or fertilizers, since they grow easily and naturally in their indigenous habitat.<span style=""> </span>But our farmers do use animal manure and no, we can’t control that the manure came from an organically fed pig.<span style=""> </span>And we have monsoonal rain that washes things into the canals used to irrigate farms.<span style=""> </span>And our Thai farmers are gracious and honorable about their tolerance in allowing other people the right to do what they want on their own land, but in practice this means their neighbors might spray and use chemicals, even if they don’t.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">So we don’t and can’t claim to be organic.<span style=""> </span>Unlike the vast majority of “natural” body care producers.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ironically Arun Thai Natural products could happily line up with the best of them at Whole Foods Market, because we don’t claim to be something we’re not. <span style=""> </span>Most of what is labeled as “organic” isn’t, because if it really was they’d be “certified organic” and flaunting it.<span style=""> </span>Buying “certified organic” almost by definition means you are buying from the richest and most privileged of land-holders.<span style=""> </span>And it does little to redress the balance of power in global farming, which rewards the few that have education, lots of land and money.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Next time you’re out to buy natural products, please think about these issues.<span style=""> </span>Don’t buy into the slick “organic” marketing hype and realize that it, too, shall mostly pass away as people like Whole Foods Market start insisting on integrity from their suppliers.<span style=""> </span>Support the honest little guys who don’t lie to you.<span style=""> </span>Think for yourself.<span style=""> </span>Make that most political act (shopping) count not only for yourself and for your health, but for global equity and the farmers fighting to feed their families across the developing world.</p>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-48507516071479406852010-07-21T23:03:00.000+07:002010-07-21T23:24:31.640+07:00The Skin You're InHow did we fall for this? Our logical brain, when presented with the facts, knows that our skin is far more important than just the way it looks. We learned it in high school biology, didn't we? That our skin is our primary detoxing organ and critical for temperature regulation of the body. That our skin is the barrier between us and infection, and absorbs compounds and passes them into the bloodstream. That our skin is our primary sensory organ - that amazing thing that interprets touch in all its forms. So how did we sink to this place where everything we see in the media is only about skin and the way it should look? Pimple free. Not shiny. Glowing. Radiant. White or tanned, depending which part of the world we live in. But obsessed with appearance and sidestepping the health aspects of skin - that wonderful thing that holds us together, literally, and protects us from all that is other.<br /><br />We live in an information age where pretty much anything we want to know is out there, waiting to be found. So it's incredibly easy to find the information online that explains how Sodium Laureth Sulphate, a primary ingredient in most commercial skin care products, was proven to be carcinogenic in 1967. Its easy to find articles online that explain how petrochemical bases used for nearly all lotions and creams actually damage and dry out the skin... how many of these common, cheap ingredients actually are officailly registered by the FDA as skin irritants. How many of us who buy products containing glycerin to supposedly "soften the skin" know that it's really a petrochemical waste product and well documented to dry and damage the skin?<br /><br />What is it about us - smart, savvy, educated 21st century people - that accepts this marketing spin and ignores readily available fact?<br /><br />If you are conscious of your health, you need to switch off this commercial hype that focuses only on the face and the way our skin presents us to others. We need to go back to 9th Grade biology and remember that detoxing the body is what skin does, better than any other organ.<br /><br />So how should we care for our skin if we're concerned for our health and not only the way we look?<br /><br />Firstly, our skin will mirror what we ate for the last 3 weeks or 3 months - eat fresh, eat predominantly plant based foods, drink clean water, reduce known toxins like soft drinks, synthetic sweeteners and foods with chemical coloring and flavoring agents. If you drink coffee, drink only the best fresh organic coffee in moderation. If you drink alcohol, don't drink it with mixers other than pure soda water... and drink plenty of water afterward.<br /><br />Secondly, our skin needs stimulation. Exercise to improve blood flow is number one. The fresh healthy pink cheeks post-exercise can't be bought anywhere. As Mastercard would like to say: "priceless". But you can also use a loofah or brush before or during a bath or shower to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. Or have a massage.<br /><br />Thirdly, sweat to remove toxins. Again, exercise will do it naturally but you may consider the decadent delights of a Thai Herbal Steam. Or a sauna. Remember to drink plenty of water.<br /><br />And finally, keep you skin in premium condition by the sparing and regular application of oils all over... from head to toe. Your skin health is about more than that little bit of your face. Use natural, plant based oils only which will nourish the skin and allow it to breathe. Use it sparingly on damp skin before sleep and you'll be rewarded with silky, healthy, glowing skin from head to toe. If you use oils on your skin regularly and eat well, you'll be able to toss out all the expensive body creams and potions and enjoy the responsiveness of smooth, healthy, sensual skin.<br /><br />It's your skin... that skin you're in. Think about it and take care of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB6tkHsqWY4Figb_3wlOahzAWm_PQ3DWdyzz1gcyNwM-HgE4eyZ0Y-tCd4tAcCqZxTA6vSbqVlTHdFryOD2jbBtNVki5Bw15JP8iaAZwf7IPhpVmBy8fjOjpwSBNfKuUh9Qe7t__J0ko/s1600/Skin.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 62px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB6tkHsqWY4Figb_3wlOahzAWm_PQ3DWdyzz1gcyNwM-HgE4eyZ0Y-tCd4tAcCqZxTA6vSbqVlTHdFryOD2jbBtNVki5Bw15JP8iaAZwf7IPhpVmBy8fjOjpwSBNfKuUh9Qe7t__J0ko/s320/Skin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496392170360522274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGWw1CCwPUo_Mjv0EVgV_BBlUdi7BIjcNxmV6NHnNCSpicCdTY5wVy0V4j6O22AA5kyprwOzVhd1hHk7CDRCiaj6cS4JJMrAQP_0MBFMAcIv4bTf8G7eDF2d8Yrmv6JJCVcCyC01qfgs/s1600/Skin.jpg"><br /></a>Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-20126433831928664932010-07-13T21:41:00.000+07:002010-07-13T22:28:35.487+07:00One change at a time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3IPYtkAqyz4litzehAZsOPEdney8Y82xSfxktU4PxdGILPkA-7fXl7-tnbj34aWzpEBbjhQUP4yRS7me0ccxn5X4BpSuVhyZzzJ8Vve94juOSuhXJ3NbqLLwK82gY7KhrEDkPbiknsA/s1600/PileStones.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3IPYtkAqyz4litzehAZsOPEdney8Y82xSfxktU4PxdGILPkA-7fXl7-tnbj34aWzpEBbjhQUP4yRS7me0ccxn5X4BpSuVhyZzzJ8Vve94juOSuhXJ3NbqLLwK82gY7KhrEDkPbiknsA/s320/PileStones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493404004957493890" border="0" /></a>Creating a healthier, more sustainable life can be daunting if you try to do it all at once. It's like binge drinking or eating... you go crazy at the health food store or the green products store buying all sorts of food supplements, natural body care products, and things you know you <span style="font-style: italic;">should </span>use. You get home and feel elated at your major strike for the environment and the future of the world, not to mention your own health. But tomorrow and the next day the euphoria wears off and you find yourself missing the body lotion you've used for years (toxic petrochemical base notwithstanding) ... longing for the foamy minty toothpaste instead of this awful herbal salty stuff. When everything changes at the same time you are easily discouraged, start reasoning with yourself that healthy bodies can manage modest chemical loads/fats/sugars and, before you know it, the healthy goodies are pushed to the back of the cupboards and the old habits in terms of spending and product use creep back.<br /><br />A healthier, more sustainable life is really about gluing a string of better habits together, one at a time, until they feel like second nature. Or carefully piling the blocks and stones, one upon the other, in balance. Each good habit needs time to be reinforced before it becomes automatic. Repeat something every day without fail for a month and it's just about a habit. Autopilot. Then choose the next one.<br /><br />Think about starting the healthy changes for your body and the environment by not only focusing on what you eat or how you exercise, but also about what goes on your skin. Make one choice - a small choice - maybe changing your petrochemical based cream body moisturizer for a nourishing natural oil used all over each night before bed. Or swapping your chemical toothpaste for a more natural alternative (that tastes good too!). Or throw out the nasty chemical formula shower gel (even though it smells lovely) and change to beautiful, nourishing 100% natural soap.<br /><br />Why should what we put on our skin be part of the small incremental health changes we make? Think about people trying to stop smoking: the nicotine is delivered most effectively through a skin patch. Likewise long term hormone therapy is delivered most effectively through skin patches. <span style="font-style: italic;">What goes on our skin does end up in our blood and, subsequently, in our liver and kidneys</span>. <br /><br />Make your healthy life style changes small and practice them for 3o days before trying the next one. Drink a warm glass of water with lemon/lime every morning on rising. Do it every day for 30 days <span style="font-style: italic;">and then just keep on doing it without thinking about it anymore</span>. Change just one product in your bathroom for a purer, healthier, less harmful alternative. Use it everyday for 30 days while you practice changing your shopping habits at the same time. Keep practicing. Don't deprive yourself - simply add one healthy habit and make it stick, until the new habits crowd out the old ones. It is surprising how focusing on the achievement of integrating one new habit empowers you and helps to set a solid platform for the next stone to be laid.<br /><br />Pile the stones up slowly... make small, steady lifestyle changes for a healthier, more natural, more sustainable, balanced and enjoyable life.Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-37372529908217733972010-07-07T09:39:00.000+07:002010-07-07T10:23:41.822+07:00The Newest Currency<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcgCo8RaqW2XIwGpjKEDWGOJz86WDRDrP6QGAgHcjHDWONXXVLOPksBDZ8lItN61Zk61FB4Rqw18IFjhRQBY_HPCZGjuGdsUtwTRBUvFVgZox0LW6_JfK2cJZ3JvhVCpSZMaEcXvX1-k/s1600/Money1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcgCo8RaqW2XIwGpjKEDWGOJz86WDRDrP6QGAgHcjHDWONXXVLOPksBDZ8lItN61Zk61FB4Rqw18IFjhRQBY_HPCZGjuGdsUtwTRBUvFVgZox0LW6_JfK2cJZ3JvhVCpSZMaEcXvX1-k/s320/Money1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490989777149043602" border="0" /></a>It should have been front page news, the day that the new currency became official, but somehow it slipped by unnoticed, as so many of the huge changes in our world do. Which day was it that a "Gee, thanks, great product and super service" was given an actual dollar value and when your "like" clicks actually tangibly increased someone's income?<br /><br />The giving and receiving of praise is possibly the oldest currency... it starts from our mothers patting our backs when we've drunk enough milk and squealing excitedly when we take our first steps. At that point, the value of praise is priceless.<br /><br />When my little girl gives her all in what she's doing, she frowns with delightful concentration. That might be during the dressing phase to become a magical fairy princess or when she's learning to colour within the lines. She looks to me for approval every ste<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGneXNI-hbtuDgmc8ydyWowc-bNe1O-zT4MwBoOjMBUrWN73MZA06Hu7wNOfPaQfopbJbYi9qnlXnXwdh085ZlO3NpkunWAe160tNY5sWdsI6tjGWjNBpjbeJtxj0iTIG8oHIFu1xJOlg/s1600/ATNhelper2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGneXNI-hbtuDgmc8ydyWowc-bNe1O-zT4MwBoOjMBUrWN73MZA06Hu7wNOfPaQfopbJbYi9qnlXnXwdh085ZlO3NpkunWAe160tNY5sWdsI6tjGWjNBpjbeJtxj0iTIG8oHIFu1xJOlg/s320/ATNhelper2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490991042139055906" border="0" /></a>p of the way, and it is given freely and abundantly and regularly. She looks up for a moment, gets the message that she's doing great and then she goes back to it with confidence and focus.<br /><br />Unless you are someone learning to sell online, you probably don't really understand that all those little "buyer feedbacks" and "reviews" and "likes" are counted in dollars and cents by someone out there. At the most obvious level, say on eBay for example, you can't move past auctioning one item at a time till you get 15 separate 100% feedbacks on purchases made. When you get lots of feedbacks, eBay upgrades you to be a Power Seller which has direct financial benefits. On a more subtle level, search engines look for sites with lots of links and automatically rank a site higher which has more. So when you go into Trip Adviser and leave a lovely review and your email address against a given service provider, retailer, hotel or whatever, you are actually giving them something that will ultimately generate money for them. The simple act of rating an article on a blog will change the way the search engines display it in search results, which ultimately will mean more site visits and more sales for someone out there.<br /><br />In a way it's sad that something like a smile and a spontaneous "thanks" has turned into an obligation. But like most things, you need to turn it around and reconsider. Think about the request for your feedback as a chance to support a new business, to tangibly give a tip to someone whose service or product you like and appreciate. Funny thing is, like encouraging a child, it makes you feel good and everybody wins.<br /><br />So, consider that today you are like a rich woman strutting the town with a big purse full of "money" - your praise, thanks, clicks, stars and feedbacks. Fling it around! Start by rating this article... :) Click some "likes" on facebook and recommend the page to your friends... that business owner will be mighty grateful. But don't just do it in the faceless online world. Tell your vegetable vendor at the market that he has the nicest tomatoes. Smile at the car parking attendant who makes sure no-one breaks into your car while you shop. Send a note to a friend to say thanks for being supportive.<br /><br />The best part of the new currency is that it never runs out... it sort of grows, actually. When you give nice thoughts and feelings, you feel better and then you feel like doing it more. It makes people sm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUtBvPSeQA3PYIkU-_G4izSmNVxq8iGH9rOTEFGVp7yM4KNJQIlwuWj3iaHRb41nvE3dcbjHrcaof9Ms0FXl_XCYwOlIzxyhD8qR_FKluqb8-0CrTGCdZhiNXguAchYFGFAmb_51bIvw/s1600/Money1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUtBvPSeQA3PYIkU-_G4izSmNVxq8iGH9rOTEFGVp7yM4KNJQIlwuWj3iaHRb41nvE3dcbjHrcaof9Ms0FXl_XCYwOlIzxyhD8qR_FKluqb8-0CrTGCdZhiNXguAchYFGFAmb_51bIvw/s320/Money1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490998595610641858" border="0" /></a>ile and its the sort of currency that has always made the world go around.<br /><br />Start small. Click a few times when you might have hesitated, become a fan of something you like, rate a blog article, remember to do your buyer feedback on eBay... and smile. Remember, this currency never runs out and you never feel guilty.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-47944899178282032422010-06-17T12:58:00.000+07:002010-06-17T13:53:23.612+07:00Shopping - your most political actUsually when we think of political acts, we think of voting and elections and political parties and maybe even political protests. Well, I'd like you to think about this premise: that shopping is the most political act you will ever undertake.<br /><br />What?? (or, as the Thai love to shriek, "array wah??!!")<br /><br />Politics is nothing more than the system we make for managing and governing groups of people, whether that be at the local community level or on a national level. And right at the heart of the growth of a community and the health of a national economy is the age-old issue of the flow of money and resources.<br /><br />The choice I make of where and how I shop profoundly affects people, whether I am conscious of this fact or not.<br /><br />Let me share a living example from Chiang Mai, Thailand. In my local village, there is a Thai mini-mart that sells everything you could ever want, next door to a newly established Tesco-mini mart. The Tesco is brighter and bigger and has better aircon, but is actually more expensive and has less products to choose from; it is also part of a multi-national retail group which ultimately siphons the profits back to the UK. So if I spend my 1,000 baht at Tesco, after costs and taxes etc are paid, the profit goes to the UK, which enriches the UK economy in the longer term. If, however, I choose to spend that same 1,000 baht at the Thai mini-mart next door, the same profit will be spent here in Thailand by the lovely Thai people who own that business. And then they, in turn, have the choice to enrich another Thai business, which grows the developing Thai economy.<br /><br />When you buy fair trade products, you are literally buying into an ethos about all people having the right to a fair livelihood and fair employment conditions. You are literally putting money into the hands of a responsible employer so that they can go out and make another fair job for another person, which removes the financial burden from the state in the longer term.<br /><br />When you buy direct from the manufacturer or grower, you are likewise making the growth of employment far more likely. With every middle man and distributor and level of administration involved in a financial transaction, you are reducing the amount that is returned to that person at the end of the line, the manufacturer, who is making something valuable and paying people to help them.<br /><br />When you buy natural products that use ingredients directly grown on sma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs3ixiaflPu-OhhVP-E91Ms0Fa248E0SzPvoU18zug8DB0iQjxYy8KsfbzQjIh9G4iYXoVrQyqHG7YF1Xm78t8Gvl136Ja3YYShAY6RQNoSj_VhEafeZhtoDQLuH705uHc2EPFZuoSms/s1600/FamBusiness1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs3ixiaflPu-OhhVP-E91Ms0Fa248E0SzPvoU18zug8DB0iQjxYy8KsfbzQjIh9G4iYXoVrQyqHG7YF1Xm78t8Gvl136Ja3YYShAY6RQNoSj_VhEafeZhtoDQLuH705uHc2EPFZuoSms/s320/FamBusiness1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483618413753202738" border="0" /></a>ll farms and landholdings, you are supporting rural people who often struggle to get by. Conversely, when you buy a chemically enhanced non-natural product, you are using your money to support multi-national business, questionable industrial practices and, in the long term, depleting the health budget as the longer term results of chemical use manifest in our bodies.<br /><br />Who would have thought that the simple, mindless act of a little retail therapy could have such a far reaching effect?<br /><br />Next time you reach for your wallet to go shopping, think about what you're doing. Choose to shop wisely for products that will enhance the world we live in, not deplete and damage it further. Choose products that will put money back into the hands of responsible employers, not the greedy owners of a sweatshop somewhere. Choose products that will give long-term sustainability to our communities, countries and the world we live in.<br /><br />So live, shop.... enjoy exercising your political rights! :)Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-84897313206283386622010-06-11T12:27:00.000+07:002010-06-11T13:04:39.541+07:00Facebook Neck<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T_SjN9VlgRIkpP__cboKnXeeWXsoHXPPBwqLbWWYaG5wxSIsi2NJrD8frXnQvNdvIq2YeeKKq-uWEel5XC0eRwy-rpy4g-79YW6sVe9A79esa_AkAPuoxQ6Ky4rc-VWa8bhLFgyIAEs/s1600/NeckPain1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T_SjN9VlgRIkpP__cboKnXeeWXsoHXPPBwqLbWWYaG5wxSIsi2NJrD8frXnQvNdvIq2YeeKKq-uWEel5XC0eRwy-rpy4g-79YW6sVe9A79esa_AkAPuoxQ6Ky4rc-VWa8bhLFgyIAEs/s320/NeckPain1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481391459191935922" border="0" /></a>So, we all have experienced the explosive development of social networking and social marketing. It's fun. We've probably all experienced the other new phenomenon that goes with that too, but not named it yet. Well, I'm going to. Facebook neck.<br /><br />You know what I'm talking about. Burning and aching in the muscles starting from between the shoulder blades and searing right up into the base of the skull; tightness in the jaw and the tiny muscles around the ears; stiffness in the throat muscles at the front.<br /><br />What causes it? Firstly and simply, poor posture. Peering at the computer screen when our eyes get tired. Craning the neck to look at tiny type instead of pressing the zoom button. Bad lighting. Leaning forward instead of adjusting the chair. Perching the laptop on pillows in bed and slouching at an odd angle. Hours and hours at the desk instead of regular mini breaks over the fit ball. Tension in the shoulders when we're arguing about free speech and the development of democracy on some political thread.....<br /><br />How can we ease Facebook Neck? There are some simple, free things that can and will help.<br /><ol><li>Switch off. :) </li><li>Take a break - make a drink - hang forward over the fitball for at least 5 minutes every hour.</li><li>Exercise - drop your chin forward as far as it will go and just hold it. Let the weight of your head gently pull your chin even further down. Gently rotate your head from side to side.</li><li>Take a hot shower and let the hot water ease the stiffness.</li><li>Apply a hot pack.</li><li>Improve your computer work area.<br /></li></ol>These are the best and most effective long term management strategies.<br /><br />But knowing that we have deadlines, e-businesses and that life isn't always optimal, we can also suggest two products that will help if your find yourself at the computer 10 hours per day crunching out a deadline.<br /><br />Our Thai Herbal Massage Balls are little bundles of Thai healing herbs tied into unbleached cotton with camphor and salt; they are made wet and steamed till they are hot, and then applied to the sore areas, from the base of the neck to the skull line, up around the jaw line and on the front of the throat. We have a short youtube clip to explain what they are and how they work.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AW_uOxw764<br /><br />You can also apply all kinds of sports liniments and "tiger balm" type of products, which will promote circulation and ease pain. Be aware that most of these liniments are made with heavy duty chemicals in a petrochemical waste product base. Arun Thai Natural has 100% natural Phlai Traditional Thai Massage Oil and a Phlai Natural Beeswax Balm that will give rapid relief but without the toxic side-effects. You can find them on eBay or purchase directly through our website.<br /><br />Whatever you do, you should not ignore facebook neck. Prolonged stiffness in the neck and shoulders will lead to jaw clenching, headaches etc and that will affect the quality of your life and work.<br /><br />So enjoy your social networking (in moderation!), think about optimizing your computer environment and be smart about how you manage facebook neck.Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467499697917843566.post-62046887516590507122010-05-30T21:51:00.000+07:002010-05-30T22:46:43.660+07:00Sunday Night and Fair Trade"Fair trade" is one of those terms that's used a lot but not well understood. Most people, funnily enough, seem to associate the term with images of rows and rows of poorly paid workers slaving over sewing machines in some hot, sweaty factory making athletic footwear. And sadly, in the developing world, this is still very much a reality.<br /><br />In Thailand, the exploitation of workers is harder for western people to imagine and harder for us to address. The vast majority of Thai workers are indivuduals - housemaids, waiters, massage therapists, gardeners etc - working in unstructured employment with no union representation and no understanding of their basic rights. Often those businesses are not registered and pay no tax which, in turn, means the very modest social insurance premium isn't paid and the workers are not entitled to use the government sponsored health scheme.<br /><br />Our Arun Thai Natural workers <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> registered for social insurance and therefore can access hospitals and medicines very, very cheaply (even though it does often mean half a day's wait at the hospital clinic). The part of "fair trade" that is so hard to grapple with and explain is all the unspoken, poorly defined expectations that workers (quite rightly) have. "My child is sick." Fair trade says yes, by all means take a paid day off because we know you have no alternative. "I have <span style="font-style: italic;">thong sia</span> (broken stomach) and need to go home". Fair trade says workers can't plan to be sick and in this tropical environment, our not-very-well-educated workers are coming to us legitimately with this one, rather often. "Tomorrow is a Buddha day and I have to go to the temple." Fair trade says expression of religion is important and a basic right, and so do we, regardless of the ridiculous number of Buddha days on the Thai calendar. "My cousin died and I need to go to the funeral for 5 days." Culturally, this is a hugely important rite and very often the funeral does go for 5 or even 7 days, plus travel time to another province. Fair trade says "Take your time and would you like some help with the bus fare?" During the intense phase of the recent political unrest, fair trade meant giving staff paid time off as schools were closed and safety on the roads was questionable. And early last week, while we still were under strict curfew, fair trade meant letting staff leave early so they could collect children, go to the <span style="font-style: italic;">talaad</span> and still be home in time without worrying.<br /><br />Tonight, as I sit pondering the huge backlog of work and which staff are coming in tomorrow, fair trade makes no business sense at all. The number of hours worked by our people in the last 3 to 4 weeks was abysmal. Fair to them, but abysmal in business and accounting terms. No western company in a western country would or could absorb all those extra costs; somewhere there would be fine print about a limit on the number of times one could have <span style="font-style: italic;">thong sia</span>, or that one had to make up extra hours if you took time in lieu to go to the temple. Many would say we should deduct wages, but in a subsistence culture like Thailand, that would be literally taking food off the table, which isn't fair.<br /><br />I think back to the weeks of political unrest, curfews, the start of the school year and the major Visacha Buja holiday last Friday; every single one of those events was critical and needed to be allowed for. I try to think how I will make up for the extra costs at a time whe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8A695Jp4fgqmuvBKvhV0J9EIzGDMZZO-BVvUnyDeuOgrrRqVCVgEWoDCLweMlU_xF6ZzhkT71pzj5EFBhQ9nQ70cSqFSMQYZl0Q0poIjEKCemOJWFl4OJL3z-EduuNPXfcqxktoD9PCE/s1600/ChiangDao12.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8A695Jp4fgqmuvBKvhV0J9EIzGDMZZO-BVvUnyDeuOgrrRqVCVgEWoDCLweMlU_xF6ZzhkT71pzj5EFBhQ9nQ70cSqFSMQYZl0Q0poIjEKCemOJWFl4OJL3z-EduuNPXfcqxktoD9PCE/s320/ChiangDao12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477087045479300706" border="0" /></a>n our Thailand based sales are way down post red-shirt violence, and I know somehow I will find a way. Or not, which will just mean some creative accounting required. When the harsh practicalities of fair trade weigh me down on Sunday nights, I like to think of Pa Mon. She works for us chopping and slicing herbs for drying, and she pounds and ties the Thai Herbal Balls. She has very severe epilepsy and now, at the age of about 43 (she's not quite sure of her age) she is, for the first time in her life, getting regular seizure medication. She has mild brain damage from endless seizures her whole life, but she's an incredible worker who never gets bored. Last Friday when all the other staff took the day off for Visacha Buja, she wanted to come to work. She lives with an alcoholic younger brother and staying home in their small one roomed "apartment" was not a great prospect. So she came to work on a tuk-tuk and enjoyed working alone, drinking our coffee and singing along to the Thai <span style="font-style: italic;">luuk thung</span> music (think country and western meets heartbroken pop). She recently had her first paid sick day ever and was quite offended when I brushed away her almost prostrated wai on pay-day.<br /><br />Arun Thai Natural is proud of its position on fair trade and proud that every single thing we make is done in such a way that not only are people not exploited, they are actively supported and trained and empowered. We think it makes our products better, and we like to think you will appreciate that difference next time you buy and use one of our products.Marikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737363891401353786noreply@blogger.com1