The Greenridge Herbal Thymes

Beautify Your Facial Routine

The beauty and color of herbs and spices doesn't just have to be enjoyed visually. The wonderful variety we can choose from the local produce aisle or farmer's market can make great additions to our daily beauty routine, and some ingredients can be extremely useful in facial masques.

Decorate a natural wooden full of mini plates of fresh cucumbers, lemon juice, flax seed meal, bath salts, and coconut milk. Add some candles, fresh flower petals, and bay leaves for color and texture. Bring the bowl into the bathroom with you for a tranquil spa indulgence.

Here's how you can use what's on your tray:
Cucumbers - use whole slices over the eyes while you soak in the tub. Use grated cucumber to massage into your face after cleansing.
Flax Seeds - Combine teaspoon of flax seeds with tablespoon of facial masque powder. Add liquid and mix. Apply to face for 10-20 minutes, then rinse and scrub the facial area. The flax seeds will have time to release their nutritious oils onto the skin, and when you rinse they provide a light exfoliating action.
Lemon Juice - Add to masque for the liquid phase for an instant anti-oxidizing vitamin-C skin boost.
Coconut Milk - Use after cleansing for a wonderful pre-moisturizing treatment, then rinse.
Bath Salts - Add tablespoon or two to the bath while relaxing.

Taking a few extra moments to beautify your facial and bathing experience will create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility around you. It will heighten the zen feeling in your bathroom, and make you feel beautiful both inside and out.

Oprah's Humane Fight for Compassion

Oprah finally had a show on an animal-rights issue, I was so pleased. It was difficult to watch especially when they started getting into the euthanasia details. If you've ever owned a pet you know the deep emotional attachment involved; you know the benefits of the most loyal friend you could ever have.
Oprah exposed the horrific events that take place every day on her show today. It was said that 99% of pet stores get their pets from these puppy mills. I also learned that most of these mills are located in Pennsylvania, but they are located all across the country.

Today I was proudly reminded of one of the many reasons I am vegan, which if you don't know means I do not eat any animal products including meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk, honey, etc. I truly believe that what you put into your body goes into your spirit, and the atrocities of how animals are treated is contained within the realm of the product being consumed.
Here is a great link that I love where we found two of our dogs on that we rescued: www.petfinder.org
You can type in breed, age, size, gender, zip code, and more to find the perfect dog for you.
One of the biggest things Oprah did today was get this topic on the table for discussion so we can all talk about it and not feel guilty for being an animal-rights advocate. She helped to change people's views of animals-rights advocates who are sometimes viewed as crazy radicals. What kind of person could disagree with the horrors of this issue? Let's keep this topic on the table for discussion and work to help change our laws governing puppy mills and kill shelters. You know what could make a big difference? Write a letter to your local newspaper's editorial section and help get this topic on the table locally.
I was so impressed with Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue when I learned about the number of animal rescues he has performed. According to Oprah's website, every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. He says the dogs in puppy mills face deplorable conditions including inbreeding, minimal or no vet care, limited shelter and overcrowded cages.
Kudos to Oprah today, Lisa Ling, the Humane Society, and Bill Smith for hopefully opening up so many eyes and doors.

Coconuts are Cute!

I always tout coconuts for the myriad of benefits they offer, but they are still so under-rated!
Coconut is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil. Only recently (this past year) have I begun to really understand the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers, both inside and out.
I have become addicted to coconuts both inside and out. This is why I created the Pumpkin Face Cream, a beautiful facial treatment that leaves skin looking impeccable. And it's also why I incorporated Coconut Oil into the Organic Hair Conditioner. We only use Extra Virgin Centifuge Extracted Coconut Oil. It smells heavenly, just like real coconuts!

Here are some more benefits of this wonderful food:
*Anti-oxidizing
*Increases calcium and magnesium absorption
*Supports tissue healing and repair
*Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and wrinkles
*Prevents sagging skin and age spots
*Promotes healthy looking hair
*Offers protection from the damaging effects of sun's UV radiation
*Helps control dandruff

As far as eating it goes, can you actually believe that it can help you lose weight? Coconut oil is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.

Now I'm not talking coconut oil that's been heat processed, or coconut milk in a can! If you want to try coconuts, buy the real coconut in it's shell or the extra virgin coconut oil, or try one of our delightful coconut-enriched products today!