Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Welcoming Winter



Glittering flakes:
The wind is breaking
Frozen moonlight

- Horiuchi Toshimi

We hope you're enjoying the beauty of winter as much as all of us at BODY. Simply by keeping warm, taking time out of your day to enjoy the seasonal sites, and by going at your own pace, you will be sure to enjoy this wondrous time of year! Remember that winter is the season for introspection and rest. Here are some ways to keep you balanced and in tune with the changes of nature:

1. Meditate 5 minutes longer when you wake up in the morning. Be sure to take a seated pose to get the most out of your practice.

2. Warm yourself from the inside out. Ginger Tea will warm your core.

3. Remember to keep moving. Don't abandon your yoga or nia practice due to a tight schedule. Flexibility will keep your body and spirit nourished.

4. Bundle up and spend some time outside. Open all of your senses to the season. What does this winter look like? What sounds are around you? What are some smells? You might be surprised by what you notice with a heightened awareness.

5. Don't hesitate to hibernate. Follow nature's cues by going to bed earlier. With the sun setting around 5:00 pm, this will be easy.

-Keryn

The coming Holidays

It is the time of hustle and bustle for last minute shopping for the holidays. Just to make things a little easier we have create many beautiful custom gift baskets for you to choose from. Baskets include A massage with body lotions and oils; a facial gift certificate and our wonderful spa technologies products; baskets for the coffee or chocolate lover; and many more. Don't fret in this last minute time. Drop in to Body boutique and get a wonderful gift last minute. We know how stressful this time of year can be and many of us forget to take care of ourselves. We just want to make it a little easier. And don't forget to drop in and get yourself a massage too!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Better yourself in the New Year


There are many ways to better yourself both mental and physically. The new year is a time where many of us reflect on the past year, ourselves, and our hopes for the future. Maybe you set a new goal for yourself to begin exercising or to save money.

Reflecting on all the things we often set as goals in the new year, one thing stood out in my mind, continuing education. What way is better to truly improve yourself, create self-empowerment, and to be the best you can truly be. I do not mean the formal type of continuing education. There are many ways to continue your education in this world. Continuing education is about going out and learning things that you did not know before. This can be done through reading books, attending, lectures, workshops, or a class.

Santa fe offers extensive opportunities for growth and learning and there are many classes about health, cooking, and spirituality. If you have taken a “vow” to be healthier this year, instead of struggling with it on your own, go take a class in cooking. There are oppotunites to learn about raw, vegan, vegetarian, or any other type of food. Or maybe you decided you would like to be a better, kinder person; take a class in Buddhism. Learning can help you continue on a healthier track. Joining a gym is great, but taking a class in why it is important to exercise, may help you continue to go to the gym.

Striving to be a better person is attainable through continuing to grow through education. The world offers us every opportunity to grow. We just have to reach out there and grasp it.


My new verision of an old saying, “it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!”

Monday, December 15, 2008

Get Healthier with Raw Chocolate



Have you ever tried REAL chocolate? I'm not talking about that highly processed stuff you find in vending machines or the waxy, chalky stuff that sits on grocery store shelves for ages. I mean raw, natural, unprocessed chocolate - straight from the cocoa bean. Raw chocolate is not only richer in taste and texture, but it is actually considered a medicinal food!

Like many foods, chocolate loses its vital health benefits when processed. Raw chocolate, however, is loaded with bioflavinoid antioxidants, known as flavanols. In fact, raw cacao contains two times the antioxidants of red wine, and three times more than green tea! Cacoa's combination of flavanols and high magnesium content promote a healthy heart, through lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy blood flow. Raw cacoa also contains sulfur, a mineral that is actually good for your skin and hair! There are many more health benefits of raw cacao.

Stop by BODY to try our new line of organic raw truffles, and see for yourself. All truffles and Love Cups are handmade and are sweetened with Agave Nectar. Finally you can satisfy your sweet tooth AND be kind to your body.

-Keryn

Friday, December 12, 2008

Harmonize Your Home



We've all heard of Feng Shui, however the newest trend in mindful home design is inspired by an ancient Indian science of architecture and design. Vatsu, as it is called, is a Vedic design system that incorporates harmony and honors nature as its main precepts.

Much like the philosophy of Feng Shui, Vatsu stresses the importance of the arrangement of furniture in rooms, the home's orientation to the sun, and the power of ornamentation. Vatsu's appreciation for nature is perhaps what has set its recent resurgence into motion. Today's movement towards green, sustainable households that are free of toxins fits right into the philosophy of Vatsu. In Sanskrit, the word Vatsu translates as energy, and through harmonizing the flow of your home, you will find a balance of energy.

If you'd like to learn more about how to balance the five elements of creation; fire, water, earth, air, and space, in your home; you can find Sherri Silverman's book - Vatsu: Transcendental Home Design in Harmony with Nature- in BODY's eco-boutique.

-Keryn

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Holiday Giving and Receiving!

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."- Dali Lama
Although this quote has nothing to do with the giving and receiving of the holidays, it made me think of the deeper level of the holidays. The stress of getting the perfect present, the stress of not receiving the presents we wanted. It is important to remember that it truly it the thought that counts. Remember that you may not have gotten what you wanted, but the other person cared enough to stress themselves over finding you the "perfect gift." Above all the holidays are about love and togetherness.
And I must add in a little shameless self-promotion. We now have gift registry, you can sign up in the boutique. One way to get what you want.
-Kendra

Friday, December 5, 2008

What have you done to GREEN your life?



As we enter the last month of 2008, I encourage some reflection on the various choices you have made throughout the year to "GREEN" your life. Make a list of all of the conscious ways you have changed your lifestyle to lessen your impact on our earth. Then make a new list, of the ways you plan to continue to grow towards a more eco-friendly existence in 2009! Remember, every small change is an accomplishment, so whether you have donated to an environmental charity fund raiser or you simply have bought your first eco-friendly sweater, it all counts! Little by little, every step you take will help. Here are a few things BODY has done to lessen our impact:

1. All café and boutique bags are recycled and biodegradable.
2. All office paper is recycled and used sparingly. Scraps are re-used for drawing in BODY kids!
3. Our recent remodeling uses recycled and eco-friendly materials.
4. We use Bio-Shield eco-friendly paint.
5. We buy our produce from local organic farmers.
6. Our boutique features eco-friendly, sustainable brands only. Nothing is made in sweatshops.
7. All Gift Wrapping for the holidays is organic and sustainable.

This is only a tidbit of what BODY has done to be an environmentally conscious business, and we are doing more every day!

-Keryn



Tuesday, December 2, 2008

TIBET: A Compassionate Dialog



Are you a supporter of Tibet? Would you like to like to know more about the rich culture of the "Land of Snows"? This coming Thursday, we will be hosting a Forum for Compassionate Dialog presented by Tamdin Wangdu. This educational (FREE!) discussion will focus on Tibet and the ways you can make a direct impact to help Tibetans.

Tamdin Wangdu, founder of the Tibetan Village Project, a non-profit organization, has raised funds to help Tibetan people through education, healthcare, and through promoting micro-enterprises for self-sufficiency. His organization offers T-shirts, calligraphic Tibetan prints, Tibetan note-cards and stunning photos. Please join us for this thought provoking and heart warming event. According to Wangdu, this conscious dialog may even " bring your mind closer to your heart and world peace from inner tranquility."

-Keryn