With the cold winter weather having set in, I find myself reaching for uplifting scents to beat the winter blues. One of my favorites is grapefruit. We’ve got a great ‘Rise and Shine’ cold process soap that we can’t seem to keep in stock (but it will be added to the store soon, I promise!) that is a refreshing blend of grapefruit, peppermint and other essential oils. It’s a wonderful way to wake up on those cold days that are so hard to get out of bed!

Image by John Steven Fernandez

Latin Name: Citrus paradisi

Family: Rutaceae

Description: Grapefruit comes from big trees with glossy leaves that produce large fruit. The oil is expressed from the peel of the ripe fruit and is a byproduct of the juicing process.

Countries of origin: America (California and Florida), Brazil, Israel

Scent: Grapefruit has sweet, fresh and sharp top notes.

Properties: Refreshing and stimulating, this oil is often used to alleviate depression, tension, stress and mental exhaustion. The bright scent promotes optimism. Grapefruit oil has also been used to boost memory and concentration.

Precautions: Grapefruit oil is non-toxic and non-sensitizing.

Phototoxicity: There has been some controversy regarding whether or not grapefruit oil is phototoxic, meaning it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight or tanning beds after using products containing phototoxic ingredients can lead to irritation. It is best to err on the side of caution and avoid exposure to direct sunlight or tanning bed rays for 12 hours after using products containing this essential oil.

I am often asked which Vintage Body Spa products are vegan, so I thought it’d be good to keep a running list here, and update it as new vegan products are added to the line. For those that don’t know, vegan products are made without any animal byproducts (beeswax, honey, milk, etc).

For our vegan customers, rest assured that all vegan products are made on separate equipment, so they do not come into contact with animal byproducts during the course of manufacturing.

Current vegan products include:
* African Black Soap
* Body Polish
* Butter Beans
* Handmade Soap
* Massage Oil
* Rhassoul Clay
* Salt Soak
* Shea Butter Lotion
*Vegan Butter Bar
* Whipped Sugar Scrub

Upcoming vegan products include more handmade soap, vegan lip balm, facial care line and mom/baby product line. Be sure to register for our newsletter here to be the first to know when new products are released! If you’d like another vegan product that you don’t see here, please leave a comment below or contact us and we’ll consider your request.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. As yourself what makes you come alive and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
– Howard Thurman

This seemed like a perfect quote for the new year, when so many commit to making positive changes in their lives. There are a number of things that make me come alive – my faith, my family, my business, the causes of domestic violence and sexual assault, pediatric cancer, education and traveling just to name a few. I’m energized, challenged and inspired by these things and 2010 will involve many activities in each of these areas.

So tell me – what makes you come alive? What issues, causes or situations stir your soul and what will you be doing about them this year? I’m looking forward to reading about how the world will become a better place by each of you being alive!

image by Robert Brown

Herbs and essential oils are important not only when creating new products for Vintage Body Spa, but in my personal life as well. Around our house we incorporate herbs and essential oils to alleviate a number of common issues – from headaches to cuts and scratches. This morning was another opportunity to show my sometimes skeptical husband how well a natural ‘remedy’ could work.

When he and I woke up this morning with sore throats, I immediately whipped up my favorite remedy to ease the pain and relieve the coughing. My husband gave it a thumbs up and didn’t have to reach for his throat spray or cough drops – it eased the pain and stopped the coughing completely. Next time your throat is scratchy and sore, you might want to give this a try.

Boil water and pour into a coffee cup. Add 2 1/2 Tablespoons of honey, 2 drops of lemon essential oil and one drop of lavender essential oil. Sip slowly.

*Note that this has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any ailment. Essential oils and herbs may interact with medication you may be taking, so be sure to consult a physican before utilizing herbs or essential oils. Please review the dislaimer page on this blog (see sidebar).

I hope each of you has had a joyful and relaxing holiday season. We’re so blessed to have such loyal and enthusiastic customers and we look forward to serving you in 2010 and beyond.

We’ve got some new plans for the blog as well. It’ll be updated on a regular basis with not only new product and sales announcements but with tips and DIY instructions if you want to make your own products spa products. I’ll also give more information on the ingredients used in Vintage Body Spa products and why they’re so important to our product line.

What else would you like to read about? I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments and suggestions!