Category Archives: Blog

Repair Your Skin While You Sleep

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Skin Cell Renewal
Spring is the season of renewal, rebirth, restoration & revitalization. A few weeks ago we talked about the importance of shedding dead skin cells & exposing the fresh, new cells underneath. But did you know there are products that can actually help skin regenerate itself and stimulate skin cell renewal, while you sleep!? Our Super Moisturizing Night Treatment contains a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, as well as powerful anti-oxidants and Retinol-Vitamin A. The combination not only hydrates and softens skin, but repairs and regenerates skin cells. Damage caused by dryness, the sun, environmental stress, even laser skin treatments, will be repaired during the night. The treatment significantly reduces redness and irritation, maximizes free-radical scavenger action, and even combats acne by stabilizing sebum production. All skin types benefit from this product – talk about beautifying while you sleep! Love that :)

Shiatsu Explained

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Shiatsu Explained
Many people ask us – what is Shiatsu massage & what makes it different from other types of massage therapy? Shiatsu is a style of bodywork developed in Japan – “shi” meaning finger and “atsu” meaning pressure. Shiatsu’s goal is to restore the healthy flow of energy (or “chi”) throughout the body. During a shiatsu session, the client typically wears loose clothing and lays on a mat or massage table while the practitioner uses their fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to specific points on the body’s energy pathways, known as meridians – similar to acupuncture but using fingers instead of needles. Unlike acupuncture, Shiatsu massage also incorporates breathing, rocking, stretching and joint rotation for a more whole-body approach to restoring energy balance. The idea is that adjusting chi helps the body heal itself from a variety of conditions, including headaches, depression, fatigue, premenstrual syndrome and digestive problems, and many, many more conditions. Call us to book your Shiatsu Session today: 914.337.9356

Why Soy Wax Candles

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Ever wonder why soy wax candles are becoming so popular? Simply put, they’re better for you, your family, & your environment. They are non-toxic & clean-burning, meaning they don’t emit soot & carcinogens into the air you breathe. Soy wax has natural oils that mix well with fragrant oils, allowing soy candles to hold their scent far better than paraffin wax. They also burn slower & cooler than paraffin wax, so you’ll get more use out of them than paraffin candles. And soybeans, unlike the petroleum used to make paraffin wax, are a renewable resource, making them environment-friendly in every sense of the word :) Next time you’re at the Sanctuary, check out our selection of Soy Wax Candles. They make great gifts too!

Your Thoughts Become Your Life

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We have been speaking a lot lately about the power of our thoughts and their impact on our choices, and in turn our life. As we awaken to & embrace the idea that we are responsible for our life, we can’t help to look at the choices we have made to get us where we are. Doubtful?

Perhaps this video by Dr. Emoto on the effect of emotions on water will challenge your beliefs.

After viewing it you might just say, “If our thoughts can do that to water, imagine what our thoughts can do to US.”

Jumbles

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More over ripe bananas? No worries! My dear friend Ronna passed along this YUMMY  recipe to me.

Ingredients

2.5 bananas, overly ripe

2 cups oat flour

3/4 peanut butter

A coupe handfuls of your  favorite chocolate chunks.

Mix all together.  Drop onto cookie sheet.  For crispy outside and chewy inside, make jumbo size. Bake 15-18 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove and cool on wire rack before storing in airtight container, up to 3 days.

Mango Coconut Mahi

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The lightness of this fish allows for this slightly decadent coconut sauce. It is truly yummy & so simple. Note, this recipe based on 2 servings.  

Ingredients

2 Mahi Mahi Fillets, Thawed

6oz Low Fat Coconut Milk

2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped

2 Green Onions, chopped

2 Garlic Cloves, chopped

1 Small Tomato, chopped

1.5 Tbsp Butter

4 Mango Slices, chopped

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan saute butter, onion and garlic for two minutes. Add tomatoes and cook for two minutes. Add coconut milk, mango, cilantro, salt and pepper. Stir, turn off heat and let sit. In a baking dish place fish and pour coconut sauce over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until fish is fork tender. Serve with quinoa and spinach salad.

 

Massage for Insomnia

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Insomnia is a serious problem in America today. Many who seek treatment for insomnia are immediately prescribed some type of medication that comes with a host of problems, side effects, risk of dependence, and increased tolerance.

Many people have an idea about the benefits of massage: stress reduction, improved circulation, lower heart rate/blood pressure, it even boosts immune system. Many people have also experienced what a great sleep aid massage can be. Not only does massage bring on a deep state of relaxation, but it treats many of the causes of insomnia, including migraines, pain, and muscle & joint stiffness. And-Did you know regular massage has been scientifically proven to effectively treat insomnia (significant trouble either falling or staying asleep) by changing the neuro-chemistry in the brain? Why? Insomnia is associated with a lack of serotonin. Massage increases serotonin levels which is needed for our bodies to produce melatonin which influences the sleep stage of our circadian rhythm.

So, if you’re looking for a healthy, non-addictive, side effect-free way to improve both the quality & quantity of your sleep massage may be one of your best options! View our Massage Offerings Here.

 

Chococbanana Cookies

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In a word: YUMMY!

More ripe bananas call for more cookies! Banana keeps the cookies together & adds a nice natural sweetness so you can ease up on the added sugars. And bananas are loaded with minerals that feed your muscles!

Ingredients

2/3 Cup Flour (Your Choice: Amaranth, Garbanzo Bean, Brown Rice or Whole Wheat)

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1/2 Cup Unsweetened, Shredded Coconut

1/4 Tsp Baking Soda

1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

Dash Salt

2 Ripe Bananas, Mashed

1/4 Cup Brown Rice or Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup Canola Oil

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 Chocolate Chips (I prefer dark chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In one bowl mix dry ingredients. In another bowl mix wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix gently until all combined then fold in chocolate chips. Drop onto baking sheet with a teaspoon. Let cook 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Makes 20. You can double recipe & freeze the rest.  Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.

 

Honey Grilled Salmon with a Kick

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This recipe is so simple and tasty we are sure you will love it!

Ingredients

1 Pound Wild Salmon

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Honey

1/3 Cup Rice Vinegar Or Balsamic

1/4 Tsp Chinese Five Spice Blend (Made by Morton & Bassett, can be purchased at Whole Foods) or make yourself:  Contains: cinnamon, anise seed, cloves, ginger and fennel.

Salt & Pepper

Brush salmon with olive oil, salt & pepper. Heat grill or grill pan until hot. Mix honey, vinegar and spice blend in a bowl. Set aside. Grill salmon 3-4 minutes each side. Pour glaze over the salmon. Serves 2. Goes great with coconut rice or quinoa and kale salad. YUM!

Why Colloidal?

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As the weather gets warmer & more of our activities are spent outdoors, wouldn’t it be great if we could carry around one simple remedy for everything that ails us?

Spending more time outdoors is fantastic, but some of what comes with it: sunburn, rashes, scrapes, hay fever, underarm odor, athletes foot, bacteria-laden surfaces (think picnic tables/outdoor toilets), not to mention whatever the dog rolled around in, is not so fantastic.

Believe it or not, that remedy does exist – in the form of Colloidal Silver Spray. It treats all of the above and SO much more. It can even be used on pets, plants, drinking water, gym equipment, food storage containers, condiment lids, towels, sheets – just about anything that carries bacteria. Or just spritz it directly on your face for an instant cool-down and refresher.

Here at the Sanctuary, we carry Colloidal Silver Spray with Lavender and also use it during our facials so you get both the anti-inflammatory & aromatherapy benefits of lavender as well. And of course, like everything we use here, it is 100% organic and entirely free of toxins.