Safer Sunscreens

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has posted their 2011 Sunscreen Guide! This is a super helpful tool to find sunscreens that are both safe and effective for you and your family. Not only do they offer their picks for the best sunscreens, SPF lip balms and SPF moisturizers, but you can also search the database to see how your current sunscreen stacks up against others.

In this report, EWG also includes important Sun Safety tips, as well as some interesting information exposing the "science and politics" behind the sunscreen industry.

Did you know that sunlight can cause chemicals in some sunscreens to release free radicals that damage skin? Or that there is no real proof that a higher SPF sunscreen works any better than a lower SPF one? This guide is full of information that might surprise you and make you think twice about your choice of sunscreen.

NEW Organic Lotions!

The Traveling Spa is now offering locally crafted, organic body lotions from Mirror Lake Organics, based out of Imlay City, MI!

Mirror Lake lotions are made by hand in small batches, using local ingredients, when possible. They are free of pesticides and commercial fertilizers. They also do not include artificial fragrances, preservatives or dyes and are cruelty-free. All this AND they are priced affordably at $8.75 for an 8 oz. bottle, making it easy to incorporate chemical-free products into your daily lifestyle.

Lemon, is a bright, sunny citrus lotion that is great for everyday use, especially as a kitchen lotion, to use on hands after cooking or cleaning. Mojito is a minty, refreshing lotion great for an allover body pick-me-up or to rub on tired feet.

In addition to being available for purchase, we are also using these indulgent lotions in our nail treatments. Try them out at your next spa party! Your skin with thank you! :)

Take A Break From Technology

It seems like life is so fast paced these days. With all of the technologies and social media available to keep us all connected 24/7, it is no wonder we sometimes feel drained. And it is a wonder we can get anything else done during our day!

Studies are now showing that it is really important for health of mind, body and spirit, that we take a break from the constant whirlwind of technology. But how are we supposed to do it while still maintaining social and professional relationships? It all comes down to balance and setting your own personal boundaries.

Here are some suggestions as to how you can decrease your time connected to your phone and laptop and offer yourself some daily, unconnected time...

1. Pick a scheduled time each day to return phone messages and emails. A good plan may be once in the morning to address messages from the day before and once in the late afternoon to answer messages from that day. If a call comes in between these times, feel free to let it go to voicemail, while you focus on other tasks for the day. Let the emails rest in your inbox during this time. They will still be there when you do get to them :)
2. Schedule time with yourself each day with your phone turned off and the laptop shut down. Spend this time doing something you love, whether it is a hobby, catching up on a good book or spending uninterrupted time with friends or family. Start with just 15 minutes each day and challenge yourself to add more time.
3. Offer people a window of time to reach you by phone each day. You can even put this time in your email signature or voice mail message, if it makes sense. This will allow for your calls to be taken more efficiently and both you and the person contacting you will benefit.
4. Take a look at your email subscriptions and unsubscribe to any that you don't read regularly to cut down on the bulk of emails.
5. Set a daily time limit for your interactions on social media sites, such as Facebook. Stay connected with friends and family, but be conscious of how much this virtual time takes away from other meaningful social interactions in real-life.
6. If you really feel like you need a technology break, try a weekly "technology fast." Pick a day of the week where your laptop stays shut and/or your phone is turned off. It will feel strange at first, but with regular practice, it will become a welcomed break.

Daily Spa Inspiration

For daily tips on beauty, nutrition, fitness and the spa lifestyle sign up for Healing Lifestyles and Spas Daily Retreat and Renew email. You will receive a helpful tip in your inbox 6 days a week.

We love this recent tip on how to relieve allergies with yoga!

Aromatherapy Made Easy

Photo taken from Amazon.com.

If you have ever been interested in aromatherapy, but just weren't sure where to start with incorporating it into your life, check out 21 Drops.

21 Drops creates 100% natural, organic and wildcrafted essential oil blends that you can use in everyday life to address anything from headaches to PMS. Each of their 21 different blends are crafted to address a specific concern or desired result. They also come packaged in a super-portable, easy-to-apply rollerball design that you can just slip into your purse or tuck in a desk drawer for aromatherapy emergencies.

You can bet that we here at the Traveling Spa will be trying the creativity-inspiring Blend 21: "Inspire" containing grounding sandalwood oil, as well as Blend 11: "De-Stress" with calming lavender and chamomile oils. If you are feeling especially adventurous, maybe Blend 6: "Passion" is for you!

Each bottle even comes with a statement of intent for the blend to help guide your mind to work along with your body as you experience it. How cool is that? The 21 Drops site also has helpful information to educate visitors as to how aromatherapy works, which is really nice if you are new to aromatherapy.

Not sure which one to try? 21 Drops has a downloadable blend key on the site to help you decide. With 21 different functional blends to choose from, they are definitely worth checking out! You can purchase the oil blends on the 21 Drops site or through Amazon.