The Healing Wonders of Arnica

Arnica Remedy Oil by Farmaesthetics is one of Urban Sanctuary's best-selling home remedies.

  Known as a rapid recovery aid for bruises, strains, injuries, aches and pains, Arnica has gained increased popularity with athletes and physically active people. Many use Arnica rubs after working out, dancing, walking, hiking and running. Its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties are fast acting.

  Enjoy Arnica as preventative medicine. When massaged into the muscles and joints before physical activity, it can reduce inflammation, swelling and body aches. For arthritis pain prevention, Arnica applied topically has been said to work as well as Ibuprofen. It is particularly effective for knee injuries, back aches and arthritic hands.

  As a travel aid, Arnica is instrumental in reducing the swelling, joint pain, stiff necks and achy muscles that occur on plane, train and car trips. It helps remedy swollen legs, bulging veins, varicose veins and spider veins. All of which are exacerbated by travel and long hours of standing.

  Use a capful of Arnica oil in a hot bath or massage for relief from:

• spider veins 
• varicose veins
• bulging veins
• muscle aches
• back aches
• arthritis
• hypertension
• insomnia
• headaches
• heart palpitations
• nightmares
• neurosis
• bronchitis
• tonsillitis
• flu

Urban Sanctuary  706-613-3947 is open 7 days a week in the Historic Boulevard District of Athens, Georgia.

  Stop in and shop our spa boutique for Arnica bath and body products. Choose from several herbal preparations, organic bath gels, salts and oils containing Arnica. Are you interested in having a healing Arnica massage? Purchase the Farmaesthetics Arnica Oil with us and we'll incorporate the oil into your massage at Urban Sanctuary. Afterwards, you can take the rest of your bottle home to use in the bath. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary any day of the week; we are open all seven...

Feel free to call us at 706-613-3947 or email Candice with any questions at: candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com

 

Sharpen Your Mind with These 6 Foods

Fresh herbs on the porch of Urban Sanctuary in Athens, Georgia, which are grown by massage therapist, Krista Kramer.

   Mental clarity is closely linked with happiness, confidence and contentment. Our minds can be easily dulled by stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. The up side is that the mind responds very quickly and favorably to rest, water and nourishing food. These six foods sharpen both the mind and memory...

1-Spinach
Eating spinach provides high doses of potassium, which helps you to think clearly and respond quicker. Potassium maintains the electrical conductivity of your brain.

2- Eggs
Eating eggs can slow down naturally occurring brain atrophy associated with stress and aging. Eggs help boost memory, focus and energy.

3-Berries
Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries top the list of antioxidant-rich berries that enhance cognitive function, protect the brain from decline and improve memory.

4- Acorn Squash
Keep your mind sharp by eating foods rich in Folic Acid. Acorn squash is loaded with Folic Acid, which helps to improve the speed at which your brain processes information.

5- Nuts
Walnuts, pecans and almonds are especially good for concentration, sustained energy and memory. It is good to eat nuts while studying or reading dense material.

6- Fish
Salmon is nature's highest source of Vitamin D other than the sun itself. Healthy amounts of Vitamin D in food can prevent memory loss, cognitive decline and depression. Most types of fish contain a good amount of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein - all very good for brain function and mood.

  Certain spices enhance mental clarity and agility. Turmeric, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Sage, Curry and Rosemary are wonderful for the mind. Peppermint, Fennel, Lemon, Lavender and Rosemary aromatherapy enhance concentration, memory function and mental clarity also.

  There are plenty of brain boosting foods that did not get included on my list of six. Leafy greens, seeds, mushrooms, apples and quinoa are all really great for the brain. Experiment with four or five brain healthy foods by working them into your weekly diet and tracking how you feel and respond to stimulus after eating them. It is kind of fun, and you might adopt some empowering new habits!

  Remember to rest and relax on a regular basis, as best you can. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary when in Athens, Georgia. Give your brain and body a nice pause in a beautiful place. We are open 7 days a week.

Urban Sanctuary 706-613-3947
candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com

 

Staff Highlight: Misty Hardin

  We are very pleased to have Misty Hardin join us on staff full-time at Urban Sanctuary! Misty is a very talented esthetician who has been doing facials, waxing and make-up in Athens for several years. She knows the Naturopathica Skincare line very well, loves make-up, is very passionate about skin care and giving personal service. It shows.

Misty, what attracted you to the skin care profession?

I used to have really bad skin and was very self-conscious about my face. It really affected my social life. I was actually diagnosed with rosacea and I also had a lot of acne. When I finally got up the nerve to have my first  facial, I was 23. I had been discouraged about my skin for so many years by then, and I said to the lady, "I don't think you're going to be able to do anything about my skin because it's just so bad." The woman doing my facial said, "Of course I can help! Your skin isn't that bad." She was so encouraging, Dena Lafera, an Athens celebrity as it turns out!

I was really surprised at how much better my skin looked and felt after just one facial. The redness and irritation went down a lot! I felt so much better about my face and more confident in general... That's when I thought, I really want to do this for people - I could totally help people.


Where are you from, and how did you end up in Athens?

I'm from Gwinnett County and I grew up in Barrow County. I started driving to Athens every day for work after I graduated from the Atlanta School of Aesthetics. When I lived in Crawfordville, it used to take me an hour to drive to town each day to work and then I turned around, and did that drive again every night. After putting up with all of that driving for about a year and a half, I finally moved to Athens.

How do you like living here?

I love it! I love being close to everything. Living in Crawfordville, it took me 30-60 minutes to get to any stores.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to shop for clothes. I hang out with my family and my boyfriend a lot. We watch a lot of television. I listen to a whole lot of country music. People give me a hard time about it, but I just love country music.

Who do you like to listen to?

Alan Jackson, Reba, Rascal Platts, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes and Dolly Parton

What are your favorite TV shows and movies?

First 48 and Dance Mom 5. Also, The Notebook and Paul

     Misty gives an amazing facial. She loves doing make-up applications and has many years experience with make-up services dating back to her department store job years before she went to school for Esthetics. Her extensive knowledge of problem skin care coupled with her sweet and gentle personality make Misty a fine esthetician. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary. Have a facial, make-up application or waxing service with Misty. Call 706-613-3947 to get on her schedule. Misty works Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Treat yourself!

10 Food Remedies for Winter Blues and Low Energy

                                         Heal the Blues

  Food is strong medicine. Thank goodness.There is a special magic and sense of power that comes with being able to cure what ails you in your very own kitchen. It's both nurturing and satisfying to prepare food with one's whole being and one's well being in mind--a simple approach to self-care that most of us embrace at Urban Sanctuary ...

  Please bare in mind that all people's bodies respond uniquely to various foods and that all foods are not created equally. Here are 10 energizing, mood stabilizing, comforting and uplifting foods for you to try:


1. Mushrooms- B Vitamins for strength and energy, ease depression
 
2. Sweet Potatoes- grounding, stabilizing, good for nerves and anxiety

3. Red Beans- twice the fiber of most other beans, iron-rich, grounding
 
4. Kale- brain food, blood purifier, iron, oxygenating, can ease depression

5. Apples- stabilizing, balance blood sugar, fiber, ..an apple a day...

6. Salmon- brain food, joint pain healer, good fatty acids, mood stabilizer

7. Oranges- uplifting, Vitamin C source, good for immunity

8. Red Bell Peppers- energizing, good for body aches, mood swings

9. Leeks- great for immunity, joint pain, eyes, nose and throat soreness

10. Green Grapes- stabilizing, balancing and energizing

   Organic and locally raised foods are better for your body, more nutritionally rich and better for the environment and the community, in most cases. Do your best with what is available to you. Most people will have a taste for at least half of the 10 foods on this list. Don't force yourself to eat anything that turns you off. There is no need. Oftentimes your body will be attracted to the look and the smell of foods that will help you feel balanced.

   In the winter time, we're exposed to less sunlight and fresh air. Each season comes with both its inherent gifts and challenges. One of winter's challenges is the experience of less hours available in the day. That creates a sense of lack or low grade anxiety for many people. Overeating and long hours in front of the television can exacerbate the looming depression that people refer to as seasonal depression or the winter blues. Internal and emotional ups and downs are natural.  As the seasons change, mood and energy enhancing foods will help bring out the best in you and minimize your periods of feeling down.

  When the weather grows cold and grey, it is really beneficial to eat food rich in Vitamins B, C and E, fiber, iron and Omega-3 fatty acids. This is very good for you whether seasonal depression and energy lows occur for you or not... Please remember to be kind to yourself throughout every season. Make good things in your kitchen.

   Candice Courcy is Urban Sanctuary's co-founder who made the happy discovery of the power and magic of healing foods at an early age. That combined with the love of mud, seaweed, aromatherapy and massage lead to a long and happy career in the spa industry and the healing arts. Candice enjoys being the person her friends come to for nurturing food and bath recipes when they are feeling blue. If you have any questions, please email Candice at candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com.