January 21st is National Hugging Day, which got us thinking – if we want to improve our mind & body health, what impact does human touch have? What does a hug mean to the way we approach our day…or the way we finish it? Read on to see how the human touch and a warm bear hug could be just what you need to lift your mood and ease illness this winter season. According to Psychology Today, touch is what separates humans from other animals, and the lack of it can retard social & developmental capabilities. This can include tendencies...

Stress is a factor in everybody’s life and coping can be a struggle. Some periods of stress and anxiety render you too wired to sleep, too nauseous to eat, and even too unfocused to solve your problems. As frustrating as it can feel, it’s usually manageable – but when the holidays hit, it can become overwhelming. Read on to see how you can manage your stress with scent this holiday season. Stress can begin with losing sleep, which is often indicative of being overworked and anxious. These feelings then bleed into other areas of your life, causing you to act...

Cranberries are a standby at many holiday meals, but can they be more a delicious sauce or festive scent? This nutrient-packed, shiny red fruit says yes! Whether you need them to work for your health or for the holidays, you can’t go wrong with having cranberries on hand. Because cranberries are a food rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (naturally occurring, plant-based chemicals) they are great for your health in a lot of different ways. For example, proanthocyanidins (PACs) are one of the many phytonutrients that enable the elimination of free radicals from your cells. Their ability to bond with collagen...

Obviously, you've already purchased most of your holiday gifts at Real Purity - but is it possible to find eco-friendly gifts for anyone still left on your shopping list? Absolutely! Retailers are realizing that more and more shoppers care about buying green products, and there's a plethora of e-commerce sites for you to explore that are both convenient and eco-friendly. See below for some eco-friendly gift ideas to consider for the holiday season.Gifts for kids and babies: The Magic Cabin has a large selection of green toys such as the Grow-with-me Rocking Horse made from eco-friendly rubber wood and The Treefort Kitmade from salvaged tree branches. Uncle Goose is...

Whether it’s something we want or not, women often link success with a desire to succeed both outside the home and within it. We want to look younger, keep the house clean, succeed professionally and do everything else on the side – which often includes our self-care. Unfortunately, this desire to triumph can then overwhelm us, keeping us in "work-mode" all day and ultimately leading to a weakening of our overall health. Though many women associate success with ambition, stamina and discipline, ironically it is these traits that can sabotage our chance at victory. By sacrificing their self-care, women “succeed”...

Thanksgiving is a time for food & family, so why not complement your cooking with a little Thanksgiving craft time too? The first of our Thanksgiving crafts looks great on the wall. The Paper Plate Turkey Wreath from A Mommy's Adventures uses a paper plate, construction paper and glue. Older kids can easily complete the entire project themselves, and the little ones will love sticking on the paper loops to form the wreath. Saratoga Mama has many Thanksgiving craft ideas as well. We love the Woven Placemat made from fall-colored sheets of foam. If you want other dining ideas for your Thanksgiving table, you...

Your face is made up of many small muscles that work in tandem to help us create the portfolio of expressions of which we are capable. As we age, these muscles lose their tightness and fail to support the facial skin, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Any time we exercise a muscle, we are increasing circulation to the entire area and oxygenating the cells, which helps it repair itself and function efficiently. Of course, the area around the muscle includes the skin (this explains why any time you’ve begun to work out, you might notice that even your skin seems tighter).Interestingly, the...

What is collagen? Collagen is a natural protein that is found in our connective tissues to support muscle, bone, and ligament structure. As defined by the Cleveland Clinic, "collagen accounts for 30% of your body’s protein. It provides structure, support or strength to your skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues."  Within this definition, it's safe to say that collagen essentially keeps up together. Although its primary purpose is to provide structure, strength and support throughout the body, many believe that healthy levels of collagen assist with the following:  Healthy Skin: Increased blood circulation improves the flow of essential nutrients and oxygen to rejuvenate...

Halloween is a magical time of year: parties, costumes, and candy, galore! But what if you or your child are on a gluten-free diet or are suffering a gluten allergy? Fear not, because spooky, sweet, and safe selections are easy to scare up. This year, try some new takes on Halloween snacks, and keep the holiday fun for everyone to enjoy by revisiting some candy classics! Start the party with these gluten-free party treats for Halloween. Homemade ChocolateAs an integral part of the Halloween experience, chocolate can make anyone smile! The problem is, a lot of chocolate isn't gluten-free, and finding the...