I wish for everyone to realize the important of self care. Being a little self centered is a good thing. I know personally I am a better mother, wife, friend when I feel at ease and relaxed. Stressed out Jen, with no time for herself is a bit mean actually. I know this about myself, so I try as much as I can to do things for myself. Every week I wish to write an idea of how you can care for yourself. Grand gestures of spa days and all that are nice, but unrealistic on a daily/weekly basis for most of us. 5, 10, 30, 60 minutes is something we can all make time to do.

This week for Self Care Sunday we are talking baths. When I was younger I used to hate them. And I am not talking about when I was 10. I mean like 20. BUUUUUUT I was 20, care free with minimal responsibilities. Not that I didn’t have stress, but I think many of us 25+, mothers, career holders and so on know the difference in stress levels.

Now I love baths.I like the candles, wine, music, book and it all. Soaking until I’m a prune. Sometimes it’s a hard thing to get to as kids can still walk in or be heard fighting downstairs, but I want you to try something. Ask your partner to help. I’m guilty of assuming my husband knows I need to relax and don’t want to be disturbed and get irritated when I am.

So ask for the things you need my friends. Practice saying it with me now “I need some time to myself, could you help me out and keep the kids from coming into the bathroom or knocking on the door?” See, it’s not that hard is it? This way your intention is clear and you can relax as much as possible.

A few extra tips for helping you get the most self-care of your bath:

Light some candles: Go ahead and buy yourself that candle that smells like glorious sweet vanilla or pumpkin spice or whatever you jam is. Heck even buy some simple tea lights.
Music: I have a portable speaker I use, or sometimes I just have my phone on youtube to mediation music next to the tub.
Wine, beer, water: Have something nearby to drink, (especially if you are like me and like you’re baths so hot you skin turns a bit pink.)
Reading material: Grab your favourite trashy magazine or book you’ve been reading.
Epsom Salts – These are a beautiful way to relax sore muscles in the hot water. Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) is a known muscle relaxer. I have this wonderful one from Rocky Mountain Soap Company. Their Sport Bath Salt is delicious with the Lemongrass and Rosemary.
DON’T ANSWER YOUR PHONE. Commit to the 30, 60, 90 minutes or whatever that you will not look at your phone. You don’t need to wind yourself up looking at things on social media or emails that potentially disrupt your zen.

Plan a day this week, or next Sunday to have a bath. Put it in your phone schedule or write it on the calendar. BATH NIGHT. Knowing that when someone asks you to do something you have plans to take care of yourself. Also setting yourself up to chat with your partner about helping you out and having that time alone.

Be well and take care.

Love,

Alright folks. We all know the movement toward natural products is around us. We are realizing the toxins in our everyday products are the causes of many issues in our lives. I personally believe in toxic free as much as possible when it deals with skin care. Small exposures to cleaning or others things, whatever, but something put on my body every single day is high priority to me.

There have been reports going around about the items in deodorants and antiperspirants causing cancer, but there has been no conclusive evidence this is the case. That said here is a littl exerpt I'd like to share from www.cancer.gov

"Some research suggests that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects"

Anyways, back to the review. About 18 months-2 years ago I decided to go natural with my deodorant and I've tried many upon many. I exercise a lot as a Yoga teacher and Fitness Instructor and general fitness enthusiast so deodorant is something I picky about.

First thing I noticed when I went natural was I went through a bit of a detox period. Where for a week or so you stink way more and sweat way more. This is normal when making the switch and it will eventually balance itself out over a week or maybe two. Be patient.

I tried many from sticks to sprays and so on, even doing a squirt just some ACV on the pits and go. Seriously I've tried many. I am really impressed with the Rocky Mountain Soap Roll On Deodorant.

I noticed it doesn't have baking soda, which is awesome. I've found with baking soda deodorants my armpit skin gets irritated easily. I was told to spray ACV after my shower, let dry, wait an hour and then put on my deodorant to stop that, but really? Who does that? You shave your pits, get out of the shower and put your deodorant on!

Another thing with natural deodorant, you find you may need to reapply. Some of the ones I've tried I would apply 3-4 times! ugh. Who has time for that too? I put this stuff on in the morning and for the most part I'm good. Sometimes I reapply if I'm going to teach 2 or 3 classes in the evening, because I don't think any deodorant can withstand 3 hours of exercise plus a 12 hour day.

The liquid dries quickly! Oh man, I remember one spray deodorant I had took forever and one solid was like a paste for hours. Drove me nuts! This feels just like those old roll ons I had as a teen, sans chemicals though!

Finally, I love the smell. The hippie in me is soooo down with Lemongrass! Lemongrass also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Win win in my books. But if that's not your jam they have lots of other scents, unscented or a mens one.

Pros:

Smells great
Quick Dry
Last long
Doesn't irritate the skin
chemical free, aluminum free, paraben free, sulfate free

Cons:

A bit on the small side. (Although that's kind of a positive because it fit in my gym bag nicely)

Go get yours over at www.rockymountainsoap.com

What deodorants have you tried? What are some issues you have found or ones you love?

Love,

Jen