The power of Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an incredible little grain. It makes a wonderful addition to your daily diet. It is considered to be one of the Heart Healthy foods that can also help fight cholesterol and its complex carbohydrate makes it perfect for dieters. The “stick to your ribs” definition of oatmeal is due to the complex nature of the oatmeal. Oatmeal also has a high level of fiber in it. The body takes longer to digest it and this is why it gives you a satisfied feeling and can help prevent cravings.

But the benefits of oatmeal don’t stop with the diet. It is also good for your daily skin care. In fact there is growing use of oatmeal in many skin care products. Oatmeal has been known to help calm irritated skin, reduce rashes, and relieve itchiness. As an exfoliate, it is soothing and gentle while still being very effective at helping to slough off dead skin cells and unclog skin pores.

At Trés Spa we use organic oatmeal in several of our products due to the benefits it has as a natural skin care aid. It is both gentle and effective as a natural exfoliate. We use it in many of our natural soaps as well as in the Old Fashioned Country scrub. We are currently experimenting with it as one of our ingredients in a facial scrub due to be released this summer. You can find our products here; www.tresspa.com but you can also create some fast skin care at home.

Here are some ideas for you that you can try with the same organic oatmeal from your kitchen cupboard.

• For your bath, try grinding some oatmeal into a fine powder and add it to your bath water. Really great for skin that has been damaged by sun exposure.

• For a fast facial try mixing some finely ground oatmeal with a local organic honey and apply it to your skin for 10-20 minutes.

• Quick face scrub, use a rough cut oatmeal and mix it with fresh yogurt to scrub away dirt, dead skin, and open up the pores.

If you would like to learn more about the history and chemistry of Oatmeal click here. To learn more about Trés Spa products, visit us on line at www.tresspa.com

Presidents Day

Yesterday was a Holiday for me and my family. It was nice to have a day off and I had promised everyone I would take the day off, I mean really off. No computer and no phone for one day. It is really nice to have a day with no electronic interference once in a while. I love my life and I love my work, both the consulting work that I do as well as the skin care.

But on this day, I took advantage of the day to sleep in a little and spend some quiet time reflecting. I was thinking about Presidents. Makes sense to think of Presidents since it was a day to celebrate the birth George Washington, our first President. My thoughts also drifted to the title of President as it pertains to business. Hard not to think of commerce given the current state of the economy. But rather than clutter my mind with pondering on the negative CEO’s and Presidents we see in the news, I was thinking in terms of the people that have most influenced me and that I admire.

As I thought on the subject, I realized that I have always been surrounded by CEO’s of entrepreneurial companies. I thought about the lessons that each one has taught me through the years. Knowing them over the years has helped me tremendously in preparing and launching my own company and due to their pioneering spirit; I had every confidence that I could do it before I ever filed my corporate papers.

Annette has had her own company for a very long time. She started out on her own cleaning homes and gradually added a few staff to her team. Over the years she worked hard, developed a great client base, and as a result has created a lifestyle that I honestly envy. There are very few countries she has not traveled to for vacations. Seems every other month she is off on a new adventure of some sort. She did not get there overnight. She worked hard to earn the lifestyle she now enjoys. The main lesson I learned from her is to build your business one step at a time and build solid relationships with your customers. Be realistic in the goals you set out to achieve and when it is time, take the time to relax and enjoy.

Carol I have known for many years and I have always had a deep appreciation for her wisdom and compassion for people. We also share a passion for protecting the environment. She is an author of several books and is the founder of Green Career Central. From Carol I have learned that your business is an extension of you. To grow your business, you need to grow yourself. It never ends and you will find yourself on a path of discovery and development that will continue to evolve and grow with the right nurturing. She has an amazing wisdom that is truly rare to find.

Liz is a ball of energy. She is the CEO and Founder of Single-Sourcing Solutions. Honestly it can be hard to keep up with her. It is amazing how she knows so many people and she has an incredible ability to bring people together. I have learned a lot from her and I am sure I will continue to learn new things from her. The lessons that stand out the most are the importance of being a knowledge expert at what you do and having the passion and drive to persist through adversity. She is far more fearless than I think I could ever be, but I can try.

So what Presidents have influenced you in your life?

What is the difference: Natural vs. Organic?

This past weekend I skipped the regular farmers market and opted to go participate at a little Valentines gift fair in what I would consider to be a very unusual place, a local diveyish bar. While it’s not my normal type of venue nor is it really a place I hang out, I figured why not. Plus I was there with a friend so we could keep each other company.

When I arrived, I was really not sure how it would be as a venue and, honestly, I wondered if anyone would stop by my table at all. Soon there was a regular stream of people curious about my products and full of questions and adoration. Since they were not my regular customers, they had lots of questions for me that I was only too happy to answer with as much detail as they wanted.

One gentleman came by and was asked how I make the products and what I use. When I answered that I use Organic and Natural ingredients, his ears perked up. Of course the next question he had for me was: What is organic? and What is natural?

In the cosmetic market space these words are used very frequently but they mean very different things. There is more than one term that companies use when labeling their products Organic. To state that the product is organic means that at least 95% of the product is made from certified organic ingredients. The other label you may see is that the product is made with 70% organic ingredients. To be certified as organic, there are very strict guidelines that you must follow and certification is expensive and a bit restrictive for the smaller independent company to achieve.

The term natural means that the product is as close to its natural state (how you find it in nature). It is kind of hard to label the final product as natural. Once you add lye to the oils and other additives to create soap, it no longer resembles what you would find out in nature. Lotions and creams contain water and for the safety of the consumer, preservatives are added which do not necessarily occur in nature but without it the product can become harmful.

For Trés Spa, I use a variety of raw ingredients. Many of them are organic certified. Some of the additives are what are considered to be “food grade” meaning they are safe enough to eat. And yet again, some of the ingredients are considered natural. One day, perhaps I will have the extra funds to get the organic certified label, for now I am happy with following the best guidelines to bring the most healthy and wholesome products to my customers.

For more information about the Trés Spa products, please visit our website at www.tresspa.com

Greening your life, try making your own paper

When Trés Spa was just a twinkle in the eye, one of the key practices that were critical for the company to stand behind was green manufacturing. After all, our skin care products are inspired by nature and we use organic raw ingredients and pure essential oils. The same considerations of the ingredients that go into the products extend to what goes around them. The practice of renewable, eco-friendly, and environmentally friendly manufacturing and packaging had to be in every aspect of the final product we deliver to the customers.

A great deal of research and time went into finding the right packages for the lines of products. There were two packaging solutions that I could not locate that met the needs of the products and were cost effective enough for small batch processing. So to solve this dilemma, I decided to learn how to make the packaging myself. I learned how to make paper.

Originally the thought was to do this for the immediate need, but to keep looking for a commercially available resource. I mean what I really want to be known for is the high quality body care products and not for the paper. Little did I realize how much my customers would enjoy these simple items and their unique design and texture.

One of my customers at the local Farmer Markets took notice of the paper and had commented on how much she liked it. She was amazed when I said “Thanks, I make it myself.” She wanted to know if I would be willing to teach a class of 4th graders how to make paper for one of their class assignments. I was thrilled and jumped at the chance! We all had a blast and the kids loved it. I had one or two ask if they could do this at home and if there are kits they could as their parent to buy. Perhaps I was able to influence a future artist or at least a future recycler.

The possibilities of variations when making paper are endless. The process you can do at home requires very little energy, is simple to learn, and creates no waste. If you are interested in making paper, there are lots of resources on line or you can visit your local craft store to get started. Once you get going, it’s pretty addictive and you have the added benefit of doing something to help save the environment.

So by popular demand it looks like I’ll be making paper for a while. To see the line of products (and our paper) Trés Spa has, you can visit our website at www.tresspa.com

Ah the Feet

I’ve always been hard on my feet. Even when I was a kid I wasn’t very kind to my feet. I was pidgin toed and flat footed so I had to wear corrective shoes. I always tried to hide my feet from the other kids because I couldn’t wear the cute shoes the other girls wore. I remember I once snuck a pair of sandals out of the house in the morning so I could wear them on a class field trip to the zoo. Of course, this resulted in me getting huge blisters by the end of the day and I had to have my feet bandaged for days after. Well they say with age comes wisdom. So now that I am an adult, I try to take better care of my big flat feet.

Recently I went to the Preston Wynne Day Spa in Saratoga. I treated my feet to the amazing Rock and Rose spa pedicure. One word: Divine! I highly recommend this indulgence for anyone. As I sat in the very comfy chair and in between dozing off for moments, I did some thinking about feet and how important they are to me every day and how often they go unattended.

Our feet are our foundation. According the ancient art of reflexology, they hold a direct link to the organs of the body. The belief is that pressure applied to the right spot on the foot can effect a change in the corresponding organ. The practice has its roots in ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years. There is also documented evidence that a form of what we know as reflexology was practiced in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. Each civilization had its own variation, but the root was the same, manipulation of the feet to affect health. Here is a fun interactive foot chart developed by Barbara and Kevin Kunz Foot Chart

Whether or not you believe in this alternative health practice, you cannot deny the amazing feeling a good foot massage gives you. But it’s not just the massage that makes you feel so wonderful, it’s the entire pamper process. From the exfoliation of the dead skin cells to the sultry soaking in seas salts then it’s finished off with a moisturizing rub to give your feet that soft supple feeling. The icing on the cake is dressing up your toes with pretty colors of polish (preferably from a formaldehyde free polish).

If you just can’t seem to find the time (or the money) to go to the day spa, then we can recommend the following Trés Spa products you can use at home to pamper yourself. For a deep foot scrub, we recommend either the Java Bean scrub or the Sea scrub. Once you’ve given your feet a good scrubbing, take the time to soak them in a warm water bath of the Trés Spa Bath salts or the Royal Silk Milk Bath (you only need a tablespoon or two for a foot bath). Finish off your at home spa treatment with one of the Trés Spa Whipped Body Butters. Massage the butter over the entire foot, giving it the extra time to absorb in. Your feet will thank you for it!

Please remember to step carefully if you have applied lotion or butter the bottom of your feet. You may want to put socks or slippers on after.

How to combat the Winter dilemma; Dry itchy skin.

Ever wonder why your skin seems so dry in the winter. Winter air is dryer than the moist summer breeze. Seems like as soon as the air chills and the wind blows, your skin starts to lose its moisture and gets itchy. To add insult to injury, the heaters go on in the house, car and while your inside and the heat sources we use do their part in removing additional moisture from the air.

So what’s a person to do when your skin starts to show the effects dry air can have? Its times like these that a very simple 3 step skin care regime becomes even more important.

First and foremost, we recommend that you use a good handcrafted soap. You can find Trés Spa Artisan soap at our on-line store: www.tresspa.com. You can also search for a local soap maker at the Hand Crafted Soap Makers Guild

Second step, use a good exfoliate to deep clean and unclog your skin pores. Extra exfoliation helps remove the dead dry skin, thereby relieving the itchiness. At Trés Spa we have four different body scrubs to choose from. Each one is an excellent addition and it really is a matter of personal preference. For the winter months, I tend to use the Java Scrub on my body as it is a strong exfoliate and it is very stimulating to the skin. Of course some may talk about the cancer fighting power of caffeine and a myriad of other benefits, but I tend to like it for the warm scent. We also have oatmeal based scrub called Old Fashioned Country, a sugar scrub called Sweet Stuff, and last but not least, our mineral rich Sea Scrub.

Third step in your regular skin care regime, moisturize. The skin needs a little extra help now more than ever. A good moisturizer will work with your skin cells to help in creating a moisture barrier; locking moisture in the skin. There are so many choices out there for you to pick from and even different types of moisturizers. Some are very thick and take longer to absorb (I personally prefer these in winter since I really want the extra protection)like a butter or cream, and others are thin and fast to absorb (but often need reaplying during the day). This is the time of year you really can reap the full benefits of a good Body Butter. The Trés Spa Whpped Body Butter is a whipped combination of nut butters and oils that are scented with pure essential oils. If you want to avoid any scent, you can select the Naked Butter. For your face, a good cream would be highly beneficial. Trés Spa also has an amazing cream called Defiance! that you can use morning and night. Lotions are great but they tend to be much thinner than a butter or a cream and you may need to apply them more than once a day. The Trés Spa lotions contain an excellent blend of oils and extracts that make excellent skin conditioners. We only use pure essential oils in our scent blends.

So what about baths in the winter?
I love a good soak any time of year and certainly no dry chilly winter is going to keep me out of the tub! But, soaking in water can tend to dry out the skin if you aren’t adding the right ingredients to your bath water. Salts are great for detoxifying and re-mineralizing, but salts alone don’t add anything for retaining moisture. For the winter months I rely more heavily on a milk bath and/or a moisturizing fizzy bath bomb. Milk works great in helping your skin stay moist and supple. The EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) act to help calm irritated skin. It is naturally hydrating and provides gentle skin-renewing exfoliation with its natural alpha hydroxy acids. The Trés Spa Royal Silk Milk Bath has the power of buttermilk as well as the mineral benefits of the Himalayan Pink Sherpa Sea Salts. The Trés Spa Fizzy Bath Bombs also contain a touch of Jojoba oil; an oil that is used to help create a moisture barrier for your skin.

Got Milk?!

We have probably all seen or heard the advertisement that says “Milk, it does a body good!” The commercials go on to tell us how milk helps strengthen our bones, build stronger teeth, and even help to build muscle. Studies also suggest that drinking milk in moderation can help prevent osteoparosis and heart disease. With all of the studies and research out there, most people are pretty convinced of the importance of incorporating milk into your daily balanced diet.

But what about your skin?
The advantages of milk don’t end with just drinking it. Research has shown that milk applied to the skin offers its own unique nutritional benefits. Milk can help alleviate redness and calm irritated skin. It is naturally hydrating and provides gentle skin-renewing exfoliation with its natural alpha hydroxy acids. The milk acids will help to gently slough off dead skin cells. It is also documented to aid in diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing the appearance of age spots, reducing hyperpigmentation while improving skin texture.

How does it do this?
Milk contains proteins (whey and casein), fat, amino acids, lactic acid and vitamins A and D. All of these properties work together to create soft supple skin with a natural glow. Add milk to your regular skin care regime. Trés Spa Artisan soaps all contain buttermilk. How about a truly decadent treat? Add the Trés Spa Royal Silk Milk Bath to your next bath. Trés Spa’s Royal Silk Milk Bath combines the power of Himalayan Pink Sherpa sea salts rich in minerals with the natural healing power of honey and the skin soothing agents of milk. It’s nothing new, soaking in a bath of milk was a regular practice once reserved for the very rich. Cleopatra is infamous for her milk baths with rose petals as part of her natural fountain of youth spa routine.

Goats milk vs Cows milk;
There are some differences of goats milk to the milk of a cow, but none that are significant when using it for skin care. Trés Spa products use Buttermilk in the Artisan Soap as well as in the Royal Silk Milk Bath, which is higher in lactic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid used in rejuvenation products and is considered to be a gentle yet very effective anti-aging treatment. Here is a quick reference guide to the differences of milk from different animal sources: Nutrition by animal Source.

To find out more about Trés Spa and our full line of skin care inspired by nature, visit us at www.tresspa.com