Spices That Heal Hypertension: Cocoa, Garlic,Saffron and 10 More

Yum! Cocoa, garlic and saffron are each delicious in their own distinct ways.What do all three have in common? Each one, when consumed in healthy doses, reduces the symptoms of hypertension and high blood pressure. To keep hypertension at bay, blend a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably organic) in a cup of hot water, and drink this once daily to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. If you like, blend it with cinnamon or cardamom.

Growing numbers of people are dealing with the effects of hypertension, particularly in the Western hemisphere. To reduce your own risk of hypertension related health problems, incorporate healing spices and whole foods into your diet. The healing and fortifying properties of whole foods and spices are boundless...

 Choose at least four or five from this list of spices to include in meals, snacks and beverages :

• Allspice
• Black Pepper
• Cardamom
• Celery Seed
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa
• Coriander
• Fennel Seed
• Garlic
• Onion
• Oregano
• Pomegranate
• Saffron

Garlic, a spice on the list worth noting, is a global remedy. Add generous quantities of fresh garlic daily in your soups, sauces and main courses to reduce your blood pressure by 2-7% over a month's time! Garlic boosts immunity, lowers cholesterol and strengthens heart health. Garlic can be taken in capsules, also; however, your body may have difficulty absorbing some of these. Be selective.

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Eighty thousand crocus flowers produce one pound of lovely saffron, so it is very difficult to cultivate. A miniscule 1/20th of an ounce vial of authentic Saffron costs about $20. Toss saffron on your rice, broth and seafood dishes. Saffron in capsule form may help prevent or treat hypertension, insomnia, PMS, anxiety, memory loss and depression.

Onions are easily accessible and inexpensive. Our potent-smelling friends have potent medicinal uses! Cancer-fighting and allergy healing, onions also help reduce hypertension. They are known for their anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antiviral nature. Onions come in a variety of colors: green, red and yellow. Chopped, sliced or diced, onions will do wonders for your health. Avoid overcooking them to maximize nutritional benefit. Squeeze lemon juice on your hands to get the onion odor out of your skin after cutting them.

More tasty facts on Fennel Seed, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Pomegranate and other spices on the above list coming soon. This is one of my favorite subjects to talk about.

Be kind to yourself...unwind at Urban Sanctuary...

                         Urban Sanctuary is open seven days a week. The perfect place to Unwind...

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Staff Highlight: Ian Guthrie

Ian Guthrie is Assistant Spa Manager at
Urban Sanctuary. He assists in managing the front desk, oversees the scheduling and  flow of spa services, attends to clients' needs and looks after the well-being of the overall house. Ian is indispensable, and his personality is such that he's won the love and favor of many staff and Urban Sanctuary clients. We are very fortunate to have him with us.

One of Ian's favorite aspects of his job is researching and vetting new product lines and merchandise to carry in the store. He is really talented at it! In the past few years, Ian has successfully introduced stylishly aromatic bath and body lines. Level Naturals is one and Herbivore Botanicals is another. Ian looks for quality eco-friendly household items as well. Soap and Paper Factory is one of Ian's best finds.

Most of the merchandise in our online store has been uploaded by Ian. He edits and compiles the blog and community books that you'll find in our waiting lounges. Ian records our community donations and sponsorships. And he even cuts and arranges flowers from our garden in all of the spa rooms, restrooms and waiting rooms. He keeps Urban Sanctuary happy and beautiful.

Ian has been with Urban Sanctuary for less than three years, but he's lived in Athens forever.
Below, we share some fun facts about him.


Favorite Athens Hang-Outs:
Hi-Lo, Old Pal, Normal Bar, Go Bar and Broad River

Favorite Places To Shop:
Hobby Lobby, Athena Jewelers and Urban Sanctuary

Best Restaurant:
Last Resort

Things To Love About Athens:
Halloween, summers, the Ginkgo on Prince Avenue in the fall, the Broad River and all of the activities within walking and biking distance.

Favorite Holiday:
You guessed it! Halloween...

TV Shows:
Walking Dead, American Horror Story, anything with Rupaul and Six Feet Under

Movies:
Death Becomes Her and The Craft

Creative Outlets and Hobbies:
Ian has a knack for fantasy makeup and costumes. He loves baking, cooking, drawing, painting and container gardening.

Family:
Ian comes from a family of artists and musicians. He and his sister, Sarah, are five years apart in age almost to the day. She works as a family counselor. Ian's two nieces visit Urban Sanctuary frequently to get their nails done with special designs. They are nine and five years old...how cute!

Ian's mom, Tina Guthrie, was an art teacher for 13-plus years. She has a Masters in Drawing and Painting and has dabbled in welding. She's currently the program director at Georgia Conflict Center, specializing in non-violent communication. 

Ian's dad toured Europe extensively as a drummer in a band with his brother. They played in the band together for 40 years. Mr. Guthrie traveled to Uganda several times to do humanitarian work.

What an amazing family!

Pets:
Ian has a hairless Chihuahua: Ouija has lots of little doggy sweaters which he loves wearing. 

If you are planning a spa party or spa day for a special occasion, or just simply need to unwind, Ian will help you. Call (706) 613-3947, and Ian or one of our other fabulous hosts will advise you, mixing and matching our services to your heart's delight!  

 

10 Flirty Valentine's Gifts For Her $12 And Less

Lavender Lemon Body and Room Mist is made with pure essential oils and available at Urban Sanctuary for $11.

At Urban Sanctuary, you'll find hundreds of choices in body sprays, room mists, bubbles, butters, gels,bath bombs, salts, candles, soaps and soaks for $12 and less. We have many flirty scents to choose from such as brown sugar vanilla, passion fruit guava, grapefruit bergamot and more. Here is a list of 10 fun and flirty Valentine's gift ideas:

• Lemon Geranium Body and Room Mist $11
• Deep Steep Passion Fruit Guava Bubble Bath $12
• Escentual Love Soy Candle $7.50
• Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Wash $12
• Lemon Sage Ginger Bath Bombs $3 each
• Mama handmade Lavender Bath Salt Sachets $12
• Grapefruit Bergamot Body Butter $12
• Pink Love Salts by Fig and Yarrow $12
• Confettii Goat's Milk Soap Bar $5.75
• Smelling Salts by Fig and Yarrow $12

12 Great Sweetheart Gifts

Romantic Escentual Love Soy  Candles contain no perfumes or dyes, 100% clean and pure.

Gifts from the spa for Valentine's Day have soared in popularity in the last decade. The word is out that a relaxed Valentine is a happy Valentine. Pamper your Valentine this year with some lovely gifts from
 Urban Sanctuary.  Here is a list of some of the most cherished gifts:

• An Hour Massage Gift Certificate $80
• Tea Forte Heart Box of Green Teas $20
• Queen For A Day Spa Day $295
• Red Enamel Heart Necklace $24
• Brown Sugar Vanilla Bubble Bath $12
• Spa Time Gift Certificates $90-$320
• Level Naturals Soy Glass Candles $19.99
• Mother Daughter Spa Day $195 each
• Vintage Perfume Lockets by My sweet Nomsa $31
• Patch Solid Fragrances $22
• Asian Foot Massage $45
• Couples Massage $165

Urban Sanctuary was voted Athens' Best Day Spa. You can count on us to take excellent care of you and your Valentine.

Shop our services and check prices online. We have more than 40 varieties of aromatherapy candles,body scrubs, soap and bath soaks in our store.Select bath and body products and house and home items are available online. We are Man-Friendly, Eco-Friendly, Organic and Natural. Be kind to yourself. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary.

10 Foods That Heal Dry Winter Skin

Winter elements and daily routine changes can rob the skin of needed moisture and nutrients. People drink less water during the winter months, although our bodies need just as much as we do in the thirsty summer months. Indoor and automobile heaters tend to chap and irritate skin as well as heavy  clothing and dense, course fabrics.

This list of foods contain precious vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that protect and recover your skin from the elements. Vitamins A, C, D, E, and good fats plump and soften the skin cells.

1-Avocado

2-Oily Fish

(salmon, Sardines, Mackerel)

3-Coconut and Coconut Oil

4-Olives and Olive Oil

5-Leafy Greens

( Kale, Spinach, Collards)

6-Oatmeal

7-Orange Root Vegetables and Pumpkin

( winter squash, carrots, sweet potato)

8-Kiwi

9-Healthy Nuts 

( Walnuts, Almonds,)

10-Flax Seeds and Sunflower Seeds

Try working 4 or more of these foods into your daily diet during the cold winter months and you'll see and feel the difference in your skin. Also, try to using humidifiers at home, wearing soft breathable fabrics and washing your body with goat's milk soap or  gentle soap alternatives. We have great Facials at Urban Sanctuary to hydrate and replenish devitalized skin.Check our pricing, browse our service menus and shop our skin care and body products online.

Benefits of Massage Series: $80 Savings and Enhanced Well Being

To encourage people to have more massage time, more often, we have created special pricing to maximize your massage dollars. At Urban Sanctuary we offer an incredible deal on massage series packages! If you purchase a series of 6 massage therapy sessions, you get one free session of equal value. Otherwise said, you can buy 7 massages for the price of 6. This provides a savings of $80-$90, if you are purchasing a series of 1 hour sessions. You'll save $115- $125 on a series of 90 minute sessions and $165 off of a couples massage series. Wow!

 Massage therapy benefits increase and expand with repeat sessions at regular intervals. The benefits to your nervous system are increased when sessions are frequent. The benefits to the muscular system and the immune system can be measured over time, as well. Well being is greatly enhanced with regular massage sessions and although each person's experience is unique, there are some commonalities amongst Urban Sanctuary massage clients who receive a massage therapy session once a month or more.

• improved quality of sleep
• blood pressure
• increased circulation
• recovery from common soft tissue injuries
• relief from chronic pain
• hyper tension
• whiplash
• frozen shoulder
• low back pain
• recovery from car accident injuries 
• sports injuries
• healing nervous conditions
• increased range of motion
• a boost to the immune system
• increased stamina
• relief from some of the stresses of pregnancy
• stress relief in general
• improved focus
• peace of mind

If too much time does not lapse in between massage sessions, the benefits of the massages actually build on the previous session.This is really impactful when recovering from whiplash, tennis elbow, chronic headaches or nagging aches and pains.

People often use their massages to support themselves in achieving specific health goals and milestones,such as lowered blood pressure,weight loss and improved quality of sleep.  All things that can be measured,can be impacted.

Read about Urban Sanctuary's massage offerings and prices online. We have a menu of choices for massage, specialty massages, scalp massage, foot massage, men's services and couples services. Be kind to yourself. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary...

Gifts For Men; Scalp Massage, Sandalwood Soap, Sports Massage and Energizing Shower Bombs

Sandalwood Citrus Zum soap is available for $5.25 at Urban Sanctuary

We had men in mind when we designed our space. Men love it here! Urban Sanctuary has 5 comfortable waiting lounges and 7 massage rooms plus facial, manicure and pedicure rooms. All very inviting and peaceful. The perfect space to unwind for both men and women...

Seven days a week at Urban Sanctuary, men enjoy Scalp Massages, Foot Massage, Sports Massage and many other services that are particular favorites for our male clientele. Our Men's Spa Service Menu highlights a few great choices.

Check our prices online. Here is a list of some great products, gift certificates and services that most men love!

• Eucalyptus TeaTree Scalp  Massage  $45
• Asian Foot Massage $45-$80
• Energizing Shower Bombs $2.25-$7.99
• Spearmint Lip Balm $4 
• Hot Herbal Ease Neck Pillows $39
• Deep Tissue Foot Massage
• Clove Mint Goat's Milk Soap $5.25
• Cedarwood Soap $5.25
• Sea Salt Room and Body Mist $11
• Sea Salt Soak for muscles $28
• Spicy Organic Cocoa $16
• Men's  90 Minute Massage $115
• Massage Series Gift Certificate $480
• Men's Pedicure $38
• Couples Massage $165
• Sports Massage $45 and up
• Patchouli Orange Whiff Sticks $26.50
• Zum Bundle Box $10
• Charcoal Soap  $5.99