Life is like a river

Elwha River, Goblins Gate

A dear friend of mine pointed me to a story of the Elwha River and the dam removal project. It is a very impressive story and I highly recommend you take a moment to read it. Here is the link for you: Elwha River Roaring back to life  The 45 mile of mountain river had been blocked from its natural flow by Hydro dams for over a century. Since the dam had been built over a century ago, they did not have the same environmental requirements so in addition to all of the other natural damage to the landscape, it blocked over 70 miles of natural spawning habitat. A small group of people pulled together to have the dam removed. Against all odds, they won the battle.  

Lower Elwha river dam

They blew up the dam in 2011, the largest dam removal project in the world! In only 4 years it is amazing to see the transformation as nature returns to repair the years of damage. In only 4 years the fish population has been the highest they have seen in over 30 years. Birds are even bigger and healthier. There are so many signs of rapid restoration. But another point really struck me. Nature had created (or rebuilt) an entire beach front to protect its shore. Grain by grain a sandy near shore was created. So, in case it didn't hit you, since we aren't all "beach" people, a beach front  can reduce storm damage to coastal structures by dissipating energy across the surf zone, protecting upland structures and infrastructure from storm surges, tsunamis and unusually high tides. So a sandy beach is a really big deal. It's natures way of protecting the habitat in case of extreme weather. Who knew they were more than just a great place for us to dip our toes watch the surf and enjoy the sun as we build sand castles! 

partial removal

So what does all this have to do with you striving to build your life? Tons! Imagine your life is like the river. Just like nature, we have a natural flow or drive. Some may call it a purpose beyond our own existence,  a calling, a service, or just something we feel in our bones we were meant to do. Maybe it's as simple as just wanting to make a difference in a grander way than what your traditional job would allow. It's a drive that is deep in your core that when you follow it, you feel in balance. It's kind of like that little fire in your belly and you just have to follow it.  

With the obstacles removed, the river flows naturally 

Just like the dam in the story of the river, there are obstacles preventing you from fully realizing your dreams, from flowing with nature. Some are blocks put in by our own design. When we are blocked by obstacles, by choice or circumstance, our world is redirected and the landscape of our life is changed to something that never feels "right". Maybe you are trying to be someone you are not or in a job that you don't like, or even a relationship that is out of balance. 

What dams do you have in your way blocking you or holding you back? Who put the dams there? Why are they there? Are you ready to let them go?

In life and in business, some dams are built for us, others are only started and we add to them, and others we put up ourselves.

Elwha returning to her nature

Now. imagine the dams were blown up and the path were made clear for you to flow with your natural drive. You could build your landscape and make your dreams a reality. to follow your natural course. Resources flock to you in abundance and you have all the tools at your finger tips. As you learn to master the tools and grow your skills, new ideas take root and grow. And as you grow and gain strength you provide support and abundance to others so they can follow their natural course. With each breath you breath in and exhale your eco-system grows stronger and you are adding grains of sand to your own beach head.

I leave you with this quote:

“Big things can happen if people persevere,” ~ 

                                          Mike McHenry, biologist with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

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Ageing Skin Care - acids to the rescue?!

Here you go, everything you would want to know about Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) but were afraid to ask. AHAs are ending up being popular in the battle versus aging skin and are getting added to the majority of the appeal and skin care products. AHAs are one of the ingredients that assist us keep skin looking young for a longer time. I have been asked on more than one occasion, to add them to Defiance! but I have stood my ground. Some of the acids show up naturally and some you can add fresh for effect, but I resist in using lab synthesized compounds when I can. But let's find out about typical AHA molecules and how they help in skin care.

The dead skin cells that bind with the skin are removed by glycolic acid by loosening the glue that sticks the dead cells with the skin. This acid also keeps the skin hydrated by keeping water bound to the skin and avoids drying of skin. This acid is derived from sugar cane but it is more common for the compouind to be synthesized and added to skin care. Most common in face peels but there are cautions as it can make you more sensitive to sun.

I do not add glycolic acid to any of the formulations I create. Since Très Spa products are in harmony with nature, I try to keep it simple and natural, relying on plant based ingredients. So how do we solve the issue of exfoliation? The secret is in the Organic Facial Cleansers. To make your face cleansing even more impact try adding a Tres Spa Washcloth made of 100% hemp or a natural bristle buffing brush.

Milk baths have been popular for centuries. It was reserved for the very well off to help create a youthful skin. Cleopatra was well known for her buttermilk baths. Lactic acid is a good skin moisturizer as it helps retain water in the skin. It is used in many skin care formulations. For Très Spa, our products are Vegan Friendly so instead of the common milk from animals, we use Coconut milk. An interesting side note for you is that lactic acid has digestive benefits. For Vegans and Raw Vegans, we use fermented veggies to provide active probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria is what makes it all possible by preserving the food and preventing bacteria that would case food to spoil. It's also in bread but most of us are trying to avoid bread anymore. So back to skin care....

Citric acid is likewise an Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Citric acid is derived from citrus fruits. It accelerates collagen production and also removes spots on the skin. Citric acid is not a good exfoliator. It is considered an excellent anti oxidant, as it neutralizes free radicals that age the skin. Citric acid has been utilized for skin care given that long in household solutions. For Très Spa, I used ground citrus peel in more than one face care product and I use some citrus essential oils, but if you want to add the juice of the fruit, then do what I do and use it as the wetting agent for your face mask or add a spot of the face cleanser with some fresh pulverized citrus (I go crazy when Pineapples are in season).  

Malic Acid and tartaric acids are other popular Alpha Hydroxy Acids. When you think of malic acid, think sour green apples. The malic acid is what gives the sour taste. For supper tart or sour candies, they use malic acid for sour sweets instead of citric acid. Bet you didn't know that! Me neither, I had to look it up since I don't used this in any of the products I formulate. They are not commonly made use of alone for skin care treatments but are contributed to make a combination of AHA skin care items to derive multiple positive aspects. Tartaric acid mixed with sodium bicarbonate makes baking soda. I do use this in making Fizzy Bath bombs. This mixed with the citric acid makes for a lovely and satisfying effervescent fizz. 

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Aromatics - Why and What

Why would you need aromatics and what purpose do they serve.

My short list would include the following reasons. I'm sure I may have missed a few but this covers the most common ones at least.

• Covering up that sudden oder?
• Masking that annoying gym bag?/sports gear?
• Changing the mood?
• Sleep aid?
• Clearing the mind?
• Preparing for ceremony?



"Smell", from Allegory of the senses by Jan Brueghel the Elder, Museo del Prado

And the list goes on! There are so many reasons to spray, mist, diffuse, or otherwise introduce a different aromatic into your living (working or commuting in your car) environment. We even try to sneak a bit of aroma into our work environment.My personal favorite reason is not on the list. Just because I can. It smells good and that makes me feel good.

We all have a boundless sea of products to choose from. Some are natural and others expertly developed in a lab from synthesized compounds engineered to have mass market appeal and be mass produced cheaply. But I don't swim in that pool, I'm on natures side so I stick to essential oils. When you are talking about Artisan crafting, no two people who blend their own synergy blends are alike. I focus on what I do so I cannot speak for others. When I craft I use pure essential oils and I create products that are in harmony with nature and are all Vegan friendly.* I select oils that "speak to me".

You can see the full selection on the website under Aromatic Mists. I have tried my best to describe the scents as clearly as possible for you. While there is a wide selection they tend to get grouped into some similar characteristics:

• Floral : These tend to be soothing and impart peaceful feelings
• Citrus ; These tend to uplift the spirit. Think about it, it's hard to frown when you are peeling an orange. 
• Forest - These are stronger and lingering and tend to fall into the range of protection or grounding.Think about standing in a forest and how the tree roots deep into the earth and stands strong and tall reaching for the sky.
• Herbal - These tend to be crisp and bold and are clarifying. 

Now this is a very simplistic guide to what can be a very complex process. Blending essential oils into a synergistic balance takes practice and there are many who go through very advanced training on the art of blending. Some of the blends I have created for Tres Spa took many months to finally balance. One took me over a yer and a half before I had it the way I intended it.

* Why Vegan Friendly? I am not a full Vegan but I do admire those who are. I have a great respect for those who practice any lifestyle that is in harmony with the world around us. They are my "toughest" customer and I figure if I can make them happy, the rest of us would be happy too. A side benefit for my Non Vegan customers, you can always claim your skin care is Vegan if it's Tres Spa! 

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Oils Essential & Synthetic: What's the real deal?

Just about everything has a scent and in personal care we add even more scent to create a by product

that is more appealing for the user (that would be you and I). There are some formulations that I have created for Tres Spa that scent was really not the factor in selection of oils. I formulated the face care products for effect and the aromatics are simply what they are.But, for the most part, the synergy blends I create, the over all aromatics are strong contributing factor.

I do get loads of questions from people about different scents and, frankly, what is the difference? I only use purely natural plant essences that also known as essential or aromatic (in case you are wondering).  So here it is without the fluff and hype.

Essential oils - Pure, Organic, Absolute

Essential Oils are the natural essences of plants acquired by steam distillation, cold-expression, and on occasion chemical extraction, from a single botanical source.
All of these are considered essential oils;
Pure means that they are obtained from the blossoms, leaves, bark and roots of flowers, herbs, fruits and spices and they are unadulterated.* 
Organic means that they were grown free of herbicidal residue, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.  and harvested and processed following the NOP/USDA certified practices 
Absolute oils -  Absolute Oils are highly concentrated essences obtained from plant parts but it takes a great deal more work and often involves chemicals for extraction. You will find these used mostly in perfumery and the aroma is very concentrated and closer to the origin scent of the plant itself. Absolutes are required when there is very little oil in the plant parts and steam distillation would lose the oil and there is no way you could cold press. I use an absolute of Tuberose for my Three Roses blend and I can tell you, it is very potent indeed. They are very expensive to produce so the price is dear. For example, it takes 30 roses to make 1 drop of a rose absolute. 

These are not Essential oils;

Synthetic oils aka "fragrances* are the laboratory creation of compounds brought together to achieve a smell that is mass appealing. This is big business and there really is an art to it. It's amazing what they can trick you into smelling and how overpoweringly strong and dominating they can make the scents. Talk about a lingering odor! 

Nearly Natural aka Nature Identical

OK now this category really chaps my hide. How this one is created is by taking one of the less expensive essential oils and mixing it with synthetic compounds to make a cheap version. They justify it by saying it has "less synthetic compounds" than the 100% synthetic fragrances. To me, it is a marketing ploy to make you think it's a better eco-choice than a synthetic but in reality is a synthetic It's like that room freshener brand that had the marketing campaign that included the line "a drop of pure essential oil in every one". Seriously! No wonder people get confused about what is real and what is synthesized! They stopped being identical to nature the instant you adulterated it with synthesized compounds. 

Side note on a fantastically lovely term "Therapeutic Grade" - 

One of my most favorite terms. It sounds so amazingly wonderful and it makes me think of a truly magnificent elite group that I just need to be in. But it's all smoke and mirrors. OK what I am about to say may ruffle some tail feathers, but the fact is the fact. There is no independent industry standard for the testing and certifying of an oil to class it as "therapeutic grade". I know there is a great deal of marketing collateral that may say different, but there is no independent industry standard. And on a side note, most people I have ever heard making the claim are not therapists at all. Personally, I make skin care really good natural personal care. Simple.  

* Some companies sell oils that have been cut with a carrier oil so it is cheaper making it adulterated.How can you tell? Well they should be labeling it but if you see a .5 bottle of rose for $6 when everyone else has a price point quadruple that price, then chances are they cut it with carrier.  

** Just because a bottle label has the term "fragrance" it does not mean it is synthetic. Some people like to hide the ingredients of their blend of essential oils (or there may not be room on the label to list them properly) so they simply use the term "fragrance"

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Scents - Why so many?!

Have you ever herd the phrase "Variety is the spice of life"! I have and it must have had a profound impact on me. So much so that I surround myself with it. I do it in my kitchen, in my spice cupboard, in my sock drawer, my shoe rack, my clothes.....Last count, I think I had 7 different frying pans in various shapes and sizes. My spice cupboard will allow you to cook any dish from any culture just about. Shoes for every occasion and any mood! Socks, I have no idea why I tend to hoard socks but there you have it, And of course I did the same with Tres Spa and the variety of aromatics I blend with. 

It is true, I do have a wide variety of scents to choose from and every year I try to find one or two to retire (at least for a while) but I end up bringing it back once a few of you clamor for it. The beauty of it is, since I create the products in small batches, I have that ability. Having so much to choose from may pose a bit of a challenge for folks, but to me scents are like seasonings and you never know what your nose will have an appetite for next.

I love aromatics and I love variety but I do, however, have my limits. I have a code that I established long ago and I stick by it when formulating.*

• I only use pure plant essential oils.
• I never use "nearly natural" since this is a blend of a fraction of essential oil (usually one of the less expensive oils) mixed with synthesized scents.
• I do not formulate with synthesized scents. These are chemical combinations cooked up in a lab to mimic certain characteristics of natural odors. So you will not any fruity smell or strong coconut (the most requested smells I get) smells in my skin care or personal care. 

So if you are having a hard time choosing, I do apologize. I try to describe the aromatics for you and some of my customers are kind enough to supply their experience for you in hopes of making the decision easier. But if you are still having trouble making up your mind, it is perfectly okay to get more than one! No one will mind if you have more than one scent to choose from, after all, your nose likes a variety as well! 

*Not all oils are created equal so I may use one oil in several ingredients while another would only be found in very few. For example, some oils are abundant and readily available and the resources are easily replaced without causing undue burden on the Eco system. Lavender, for example, can grow under a wide verity of conditions and just one plant produces an abundance of flowers to harvest. The plant is left in tact and only the flowers are harvested. Very Eco-Friendly. But take an oil like Sandalwood which is harvested from the heartwood of a mature plant, obviously you wont find me using this in my soap, but I will use it in a a bland that is more precious. This tree/shrub takes 30 years to grow and is chopped down in order to harvest. Not Eco-Friendly. But we can cover what oils are and aren't eco-friendly in the future. 

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The Nose Knows

But not all Noses Know the same thing.

Ever wonder how it all works? I do.

I find it fascinating that while the mechanics of smell works the same for any and all of the mammal population who have the ability to sense smell, the reaction is not the same. It isn't.  And after 8 years of watching and observing human behavior related to scent, I am still in awe and wonder.

We have 5 senses (OK some scientists argue that we have more) sight, sound, touch, taste, and lastly scent. You each have a lifetime, to this point, of personal experience with one or all of these. It can be argued that your very survival depended on your ability to fine tune these seances to create a physical reaction in order to survive. Based on our stage of development, you worked on one or more of the senses to fine tune their acuteness for survival. They say babies are born with a fairly sophisticated acuteness to touch. But, they rapidly develop  a rudimentary knowledge of scent, more of a base survival able to distinguish family members and "good" vs "bad".
 But this awareness of scent takes the back seat as they work on the other senses. It's not gone, it just isn't the one focused on.

Based on watching people's reaction to smells, clearly the ability to distinguish was always there in the background. But why such emotional and physical reactions to a scent? The meaning of stimulus was not hard wired into your brain, you had to write your own program. The program was written over time with the cooperation of your other senses and your maturing ability to interpret based on experience. The experiences are locked away and the association linked to a memory. So when we encounter the stimulus again, it triggers the mind to recall past experience to create a current physical and emotional reaction and it happens faster than lightening.

So you see, the nose knows what all of your senses experienced and your decisions about that experience were forged. This is why no one smells the exact same thing and has the exact same reaction. We are all unique.

Since I personally create all of the synergy blends, I rely on the observation of others to fine tune since I know that I am limited by my own ability to sense.

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Earthworms returning to the tundra!

OK, yes, I am being silly but the last few days I have been amazed and delighted to see a rather significant number of earthworms milling about the path. Every morning (well almost every) I go for at least a 30 minute power walk outside.

Why outside?

• It's good to get out and freshen the lungs with air other than your own recycled air. Sure I live in the city and there is air pollution, but the benefits exceed the minor exposure. 
• 30 minutes of sun shine on your shoulders makes you healthy and happy. Vitamin D (Bone health) and if that isn't good enough for you, John Denver can tell you why: Sunshine on my Shoulders Yes, I know it's raining (remember the earthworm population explosion). but to those of us who have lived in drought, well that rain fall is a little bit of sunshine! 
• Give your nose a break! Look, you gotta get away from the same smell or you just dull your senses so go out and play bloodhound and give your nose a break from what is most familiar. But we'll talk more about your nose in another post.

So why am I so happy about the little wriggly worm? 

• Because there is enough moisture to bring them back. In case you hadn't noticed it, they have been in short supply the last few years. When resources are limited, nature has a way of either dying off or going into extended hibernation only returning when the climate conditions are favorable. 
• Earthworms are one of Mother Natures workhorses for soil health! They clean debris and leave a neutral PH soil that is nutrient richer and properly aerated. 
• Happy soil makes for a happy life! I'm sure I don't need to tell you how important rich nourishing soil is to our health and supporting life. They bring Harmony to Nature! 

If you want to know more about how earthworms benefit the environment, here is a great article from Penn state. 

If you see a little earthworm on your path say thanks! After a few days of rain around here, I was giving a lot of gratitude on my walk today! Of course I also looked a bit silly dancing around them all as well, but you know I never mind looking a tad bit silly from time to time. :)

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