Eat Fresh Lemons For Health and Vitality

Whole fresh lemons, lemon juice and lemon essential oils offer many health benefits.

• strengthen circulation and blood vessels
• freshen bad breath
• a liver cleanser
• naturally detoxifying
• powerful digestive aid
• boosts metabolism
• fights infection and viruses
• alleviates fatigue
• natural diuretic
• excellent vitamin C source
• reduces the risk of skin Cancer

Immune System Aromatherapy: 4 Staples and 4 Greats

Organic and high quality essential oils are available at Urban Sanctuary in Athens, Ga.

Aromatherapy yields many health and well being benefits. Immune system activation and support being a primary one. There are a wide range of medicinal benefits that can be achieved with aromatherapy use as well as stress reduction, enhanced mood and beauty. Aromatherapy massage, foot baths,scalp and sinus massage, facial steams, salt scrubs and foot massage are very effective spa services that work healing essential oils into your system.  

The following four essential oils are known to activate and boost the immune system.

• Tea Tree is an immune system tonic.
• Lemon treats lymph gland and the immune system.
• Chamomile activates the immune system while easing inflammation.
• Lavender boosts immunity, ease headaches and relieves pain.

Working with essential oils is fun and easy, however, there are some precautions to take and a few possible harmful side effects with over use.For instructions on how to use aromatherapy, refer to our  2012 post.

The most rapid way to impact your system with aromatherapy is through inhalation. When inhaled, an essential oil stimulates receptor sites in the brain within a fraction of a second.That's pretty powerful!Other effective methods of using aromatherapy at home include smelling salts, foot soaks, baths, steams, room diffusers, chemical free aromatherapy candles, body oils, self massage, partner massage, muscle and chest rubs.You can also apply blended essential oils or single notes directly to your skin or pulse points.Never apply essential oils neet or without a carrier oil. They can burn your skin and scar.

The following four oils provide great immune system support, particularly if a cold, virus or congestion has already compromised your system.

• Orange-good for flu,colds and nervous tension.
• Peppermint-fights viruses and heals stomach problems.
• Melissa-treats viruses, lung congestion and insomnia.
• Eucalyptus-good for cold, flu and sinuses.

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...

Add caption

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.