All about our Aromatherapy Bracelets ~

Aromatherapy using essential oils has been practiced for centuries; it’s a way to soothe and revitalize the body, mind and spirit. The porous surface of the lava-rock beads is perfect for essential oil diffusing. Lava is a heat source and therefore the beads help activate the oil and its benefits. 

*Adding a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to the lava beads can provide hours or even days of aromatherapy benefits.
 
When we inhale essential oils, their molecules enter our bloodstream and begin to take effect. Different oils have different uses; choose an oil that suits your requirements and needs. 
 
These bracelets are created with both aesthetics and functionality in mind so that you can look stylish while getting all of the great health benefits of aromatherapy.
 
Take your essential oils wherever you go in a trendy way!
 
SHOP our Aromatherapy Bracelets here!
Get Some Balance using these essential oils:
 
Sleep Better
Essential oils such as Cedar Wood, Sandalwood and Coriander possess powerful sedative properties and are the best oils to be used to help you sleep!
 
Anti-Depressant & Anti-Anxiety
Essential oils such as Peppermint, Chamomile, Lavender or Jasmine oils are recognized for their soothing, relaxing and energizing properties.
 
Sharp Mind
The essential oil, Rosemary, is amongst the top options for enhancing your memory. 
 
Help with Digestion
Citrus essential oils have shown to promote faster metabolism and help with bloating. Any type of essential oil including ginger or chamomile can also be beneficial and help with digestion issues.
 
Pick-Me-Up
Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, Lemon and Orange help in relieving depressive emotions.
 
Control Anger
The essential oils, Neroli, Rose, Vetiver and Jasmine are a few of the options that help manage temperaments. Research has proved that these essential oils can help in doing this by reducing body pressure, ensuring emotional balance and releasing negative thoughts.
 
For Stress
Reduce stress and related feelings by using oils like, Clary Sage, Mandarin, Sandalwood and Patchouli. 

Simple ways to make the world a better place!

There are so many simple ways [and easy swaps] to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and therefore, making the world a better place! 
 
Challenge yourself ~ starting small is better than not starting at all, but aim high and set goals for yourself and your eco-living!
 
 
Here’s our list:
 
+ Walk or Ride everywhere: Reduce your carbon footprint by walking or riding a bike instead of driving. 
 
+ Carry a reusable water bottle: Studies show that one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. By 2021 that number is estimated to grow another 20%. Skipping the plastic bottle and bringing your own can help reduce the amount of disposable plastic usage.
 
+ Unplug each night: Unplugging, in general, lowers energy and carbon emissions. It’s not only good for the environment to unplug but also good for your mental health. Even though we do live in such a digital era, you don’t always need to be ‘on’.
 
+ Take shorter showers: Shortening your showers, even by just a few minutes, can save gallons of water each time. If you really want to take it a step further, take shorter showers and cold ones; this helps with saving energy and has many health benefits. 
 
+ Support / shop local: Shop locally!! Help grow businesses near you  ~ Shopping at local businesses or buying from local brands helps improve the local economy. Show your support to local businesses by sharing their content, participating in activities, and being curious (ask questions and learn more about the products they are selling or services that they’re providing). 
 
+ Get outside! (but keep it clean): Instead of staying in, go outside! Go for a walk, a run, read a book in the garden, play with your pets, plan a picnic, sketch a landscape, whatever you’re in to! Just make sure to always clean up after yourself ~ 
 
+ Use reusable grocery bags: 1 reusable bags = 22,000 plastic bags over a person’s lifetime. Those plastic bags pose a threat to birds and marine animals, clog waterways, spoil landscapes, and ultimately end up in landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down in to smaller particles (that continue to pollute). Just remember, the more you use a bag, the more environmentally friendly it becomes! 
 
+ Don’t buy single-use items: Plastic bags are a single-use item. As well as, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, plastic cups, plastic bottles and styrofoam packaging, to name a few. These items start as pollution on land and make their way to the oceans. Ways to prevent using/buying single-use items is by bringing your own. 
 
+ Carry your own bamboo or stainless steel straw
 
+ Donate items you no longer need instead of throwing it away: “What is one man’s trash is another’s treasure”. Donating your items does not only help someone else in need, but also helps save water, reduces landfills and reduces carbon footprint. Pass it on! 
 
+ Hang laundry when possible: Air-drying your laundry conserves resources and energy. It is gentle on your clothing and encourages you to go outside. Sunlight can also help disinfect your laundry plus, it smells fresh! 
 
+ Buy second-hand when NEW is not necessary: Purchasing second-hand encourages a community that recycles. It extends the lifespan of garments and therefore helps deal with textile waste. A lot of water and chemicals are used in the manufacturing of our garments – when we reuse and recycle those resources can be used to provide something else, like drinking water.
 
+ Build a compost pile for gardening: Composting is great for the environment for many reasons. It saves water by helping the soil hold moisture and recycles organic resources. Plus, it enriches the soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria ~ all of which are great for your plants!
 
Follow us on our social media sites @naturestemple to keep up with our other tips on living a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Great air-cleaning plants for in and around your home ✢

We spend about 90% of our times indoors – It’s important to breathe clean, healthy air because of this! In our own homes we can be surrounded by toxins can cause illnesses and allergies. 

 

Some of those toxins include:

  • + Xylene, a pollutant found in paint and glues.
  • + Benzene is found in paints, glues, detergents and tobacco smoke.
  • + Formaldehyde is a toxin found in wood products, foam insulation, cosmetics and some fabrics. 
  • + Chloroform is a chemical used as a solvent; it is a substance that helps other substances dissolve. 
  • + Trichloroethylene is mainly found in paint removers, rug cleaning solutions, adhesives and more. 
  • + Carbon Monoxide is found in fumes produced every time you burn fuel (cars, grills, lanterns, stoves, fireplaces, etc).

House plants have proven to help reduce the amount of pollutants in the air we breathe; they balance indoor humidity, absorb excess carbon dioxide and pollutants, as well as, release oxygen.

There are many plants that purify and clean the air, these are just a few of our favorites:

  • + Portulacaceae from the Purslane family: Apart from being great air purifying plants, they are also edible! Their leaves are extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids; more than any other leafy vegetable plant. Purslane is also rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.
  • + Orchidaceae or Orchid: Effective at removing xylene from the air by absorbing carbon dioxide, while also releasing oxygen at night, making them a great plant for the bedroom. Not only effective but also beautiful.
  • + Boston Fern or Nephrolepis Exaltata: Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene. The Boston Fern is effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene while adding humidity to the indoor environment.
  • + Aloe Vera from the Asphidelaceae family: It absorbs formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. They say that one pot of aloe is equal to nine biological air cleaners. Apart from purifying the air, the Aloe Vera plant can also be used for lots of different recipes! 
  • + Cacti or Cactus: Cacti not only helps with cleaning the air around you, but is also very strong in eliminating bacteria and reducing radiation.  
  • + Elephant Ear Philodendron: This plant can grow to be pretty big, so definitely for a place with space. This ‘tropical plant’ consumes unsafe gases and other toxins in the air while rejuvenating air quality. 
  • + Snake Plant or Sansevieria Trifasciata: The Snake plant is especially good at clearing formaldehyde from the air indoors. It also produces oxygen and removes carbon dioxide at night. 
  • + Areca Palm or Dypsis Lutescens: Apart from being good looking, this palm reduces harmful toxins and increases the amount of oxygen in a room.
  • + Monstera: This big beauty is great at absorbing formaldehyde and improving air quality at night. The Monstera plant is also very visually/aesthetically pleasing. 

Just remember, every plant has it’s own specific care instructions. Follow those instructions accordingly to assure that your plant grows and purifies as effectively as it should!

Step-by-Step • How To Prepare Our Clay Masks ✽

What you will need:
  • + Fresh water
 
NTWhatyouwillneed

To get any of NT’s Clay Masks ready to go, here’s what you’ll need: Some fresh water (the amount depends on how thick you want the mask to be, and how much clay you use), our finely-ground green clay (of course!) and somewhere to mix it up (this could be a small bowl, a cup, anything really!) + optional, a spoon or spatula to apply the mask once it’s ready!

Step 01:

Pour some of the clay in to your mixing bowl.
You can choose this amount based on how much of the mask you’re planning to use.

Step 02:

Add water to the clay that is now in your mixing bowl.
You can choose this amount based on how thick you want your mask to be. It’s totally up to you!
But definitely start with a smaller amount of water and add more if necessary. 
*Remember: The thicker the mask, the longer it will take to dry.
 
If you accidentally over-pour, no worries, just add a little more of the green clay to the mix! 
*Personal tip: If this happens, and you make more than you need for your pampering – leave it in the cup for next time you want to use it. It will harden, but all you have to do is add water!
 
Step 03: 
Apply the finished clay mask evenly to that angel face of yours!
Leave mask until slighty hard. Do not let mask completely dry to prevent stripping skin of natural oils. 
Step 04: 
Rinse it off!
Make sure you rinse your skin well, to get that super-fresh feeling.
 
Step 05: 
Pat dry! 
Once you’ve rinsed the mask off of your skin thoroughly, make sure to pat dry using a clean towel. 
*Never rub your skin, always pat dry. Rubbing can cause the loss of elasticity and irritation. 
Web

Simple Cucumber & Lime Water Recipe ~

Healthy, sugar-free + tastes better than regular water!

This recipe is a great alternative for sugary soda drinks and hydration, of course! It’s also helpful in distracting those sugar cravings, in general. 

What you’ll need:
  • + Filtered Water
  • + Cucumbers sliced
  • + Limes to squeeze
      –
  • + Mint optional
  • + Ice for serving
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or large jar with ice.
2. Stir well.
3. Top off with a little bit of mint & enjoy.
timetoserve
Benefits: 
  • + Rids belly fat
  • + Flushes toxins
  • + Improves metabolism
  • + Cleanses kidneys
  • + Improves skin health
  • + Lowers blood pressure
  • + Fights infections
  • + Reduces bloating
  • + Helps with weight loss
  • + Treats acne
  • + Increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels
  •  
Notes:
  • + Remember that the quality of water will affect the overall taste.
  • + Make sure you wash the limes and cucumbers thoroughly before proceeding with the recipe.
  • + We don’t add lime slices to the water (instead, we squeeze them in to it) because the skin tends to make the water taste bitter. 
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