Watermelon has Skin Benefits Too

Being so intrigued by the thought of watermelons as a renewable source of energy and the environmental benefits, I didn’t even include in yesterday’s post how our skin can benefit from watermelons.  So, lets tap into some of the benefits of eating watermelon.

**Watermelon is loaded with antioxidants including lycopene that help fight free radicals, one of the main causes of aging skin as well as other skin conditions.

**Rich in vitamins A, B, and C, watermelons aid in keeping skin radiant and hydrated.  Since watermelon is about 90% water by weight, it’s no wonder that our skin reaps the benefit of hydration by eating this fruit.

**Oil extracted from the seeds of watermelon is especially rich in essential fatty acids including omega-6 and omega-9.  When applied externally, the oil easily penetrates the skin and dissolves sebum buildup.

While writing this post, I came across a fun and informative website by The National Watermelon Promotion Board that is all about watermelons!  Check them out at www.watermelon.org

Renewable Energy from Watermelons?

Last weekend, my family did our normal Saturday morning routine which involves a trip to the Suwanee Farmer’s Market.  Among the many fruits and vegetables that we bought was one of the best watermelons that I’ve ever had.  In consuming this watermelon, I would’ve never pondered it as a source of renewable energy.

According to an article in the UK Telegraph, “the latest source of biofuel could be watermelons”.  Apparently, the sweet and refreshing juice not only tastes great but the sugar can be distilled into alcohol thereby creating a source of power for cars.

After reading that approximately 1/5 of watermelon crops are rejected as a result of blemishes or being misshaped,  I can only applaud the effort of making the best use possible with little waste.  According to the study, “watermelons could produce about 20 gallons of fuel per acre from fruit that would otherwise go to waste”.

**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thursday’s Thought-Provoking Quotes

There is something special about coming across a quote that seems to speak directly to you.  I’m always excited to share quotes that provoke my mind or inspire me on days that I need that extra “push”.  These are some quotes that stuck out for me this week:

“Character is higher than intellect…A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.” -Bruce Barton

“Happiness is not a matter of events, it depends upon the tides of the mind.” -Alice Meynell

“Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles.” -Amos Alcott

“It is the trouble that never comes that causes the loss of sleep.” -Chas. Austin Bates

“A thought is often original, though you have uttered it a hundred times.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Are You Sorting Your Trash?

We are reminded constantly by “Go Green” campaigns and advertising the importance of recycling, therefore it is troubling for me to see so few people actually participate.  I live in a fairly small neighborhood, but I would estimate that only 10% of the homeowners actually recycle.  This is based on my own observations on trash days.  It’s all too common that I see trash cans overfilled with recyclables headed to the landfill.

Without further ado, I wanted to share some eye-opening facts about recycling and the impacts from A Recycling Revolution.

Plastic: Americans use 2,500,000 plastic bottles every hour and most are thrown away.

Glass: Modern glass bottles will take 4,000 years or more to decompose and even longer in the landfill.

Paper: Recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times would save 75,000 trees.

Aluminum: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours.

The list could carry on with facts the continue to reiterate the importance of simply sorting your own trash for recycling purposes.  While it may be easy to simply discard  trash and forget about it, each decision that we make greatly impacts not only our own future but the many generations to come.  And lets not forget the impact on Mother Nature and the importance of preserving this beautiful planet!

**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

4 Easy Steps to Grow Peppermint Indoors

Materials Needed:

Pots (at least one that is 12-in diameter)

Peppermint Seeds

Soil

Water

Peppermint Plants Need:

Moderate exposure to sunlight daily

Environment between 70 and 80 degrees F

Fairly dry soil

Space to grow

Easy Steps

1.  Fill pot with soil.

2.  Gently press peppermint seeds 1/8 inch deep into the soil.

3.  Lightly moisten the soil with water ensuring not to oversaturate the seed or plant.  Peppermint plants enjoy fairly dry soil.

4.  Once plants are about 2 inches tall, begin to thin the plants.  Because peppermint grows and spreads quickly, ideal spacing is about 12 inches.

That’s it!  It’s just that easy to have peppermint readily available and growing within your own home.  I find joy in being able to get a breath of fresh air from just smelling the peppermint growing in my windows.

Would you like to know how to preserve some of your peppermint leaves to make your own hot tea?  Tomorrow, I’ll share some pointers on drying peppermint leaves.

**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

7 Useful Tidbits about Peppermint

At the end of a busy and tiring day, there’s nothing more soothing and refreshing than sipping a hot cup of peppermint tea.  Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs because of the endless uses and benefits.  Did I mention that peppermint is incredibly easy to grow?  Enjoy this list of interesting tidbits about peppermint!

1.  Peppermint is a perennial plant that has small purple or white flowers and is native to the Mediterranean.

2.  The Greeks believed that mints could cure hiccups.

3.  All mints contain menthol resulting in the cooling feeling.

4.  Adding fresh mint sprigs to tea reduces the effects of tannin and caffeine.

5.  Menthol is derived from the oil of the peppermint plant.  According to Wikipedia, menthol is used in cigarettes to block out the bitter taste of    tobacco and soothe the throat.

6.  Peppermint can be used as an eco-friendly and natural deterrent for ants, mice, and fleas.

7.  Peppermint is often used to soothe upset stomachs and relieve headaches.

Check back tomorrow as I share tips on growing your own peppermint plants!

**Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net

Our Ears Have Been Burning

We were thrilled to recently be known as “Good Clean Fun” in our feature in DailyCandy.  Things couldn’t have been sweeter especially being that they had the opportunity to TASTE ingredients that are used in Sulori’s line of products.  Yes, I said taste-no chemicals here!

 

The Examiner included our Sweet Orange and Mint Botanical Spa Salts in their Mother’s Day Gift Guide that bring relief from stress, aches, and pains.  They said that the “salts smelled so good and feel good as  you soak”.

 

Just Cause magazine, an international publication featured a write-up about our products on page 24.  I really enjoy this well-written and informative magazine as well as the accompanying website in terms of what they stand for in terms of charity, community, environment and health.  I encourage anyone interested in these issues to visit the website or peruse the magazine.

 

The Dirty Shirt wrote a great review about our Minty Fresh Foot Balm and Foot Soak.  Here’s what they had to say:

“This fresh scented foot soak definitely helped my tired aching feet after I used it after last weekends jaunt out to a local park to walk. By the time I got home my feet were so tired and achy. I filled a small tub with warm water, sprinkled in some of Sulori’s Minty Fresh Spa Foot Soak and placed my feet in…..ah, heaven!”

“Another great product by Sulori! After my feet got a soothing soak I dried them off and rubbed in some Minty Fresh Organic Foot Balm. Can I just tell you how much softer this made my feet? It did! and my favorite part of this duo of products is the real, fresh mint scent. It is not too overpowering as it is in some other brands and it really does leave your feet softer, smoother and better smelling than just plain old soap”

A Spring Celebration of Savings!

Spring is finally in the air! Birds are singing, flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing. The time has arrived to open the windows and enjoy the fresh spring breeze or a day at the lake. Now is a perfect time to touch those feet up for sandals and flip-flops. Whether you need to give your feet some extra attention or want to pamper your skin with organic botanicals and herbs, Sulori has just what you need and deserve. We want to celebrate Spring with you by offering 10% off orders of $35 or more!

SAVE 10% on all orders of $35 or more before shipping by simply entering the word SPRING in the promotional code box during checkout at www.sulori.com through April 7, 2009. Don’t forget that Sulori offers free shipping within the U.S. on orders of $100 or more.

Offer expires April 7, 2009 at 11:59 EST. Free shipping applies to orders that total $100 after all discounts are applied.

Sulori’s Other Inspiration

 

She’s the “lori” of Sulori.  Meet Ilori, one of the inspirations of Sulori.  As you know if you’ve read about Sulori, the skin difficulties that my daughters, Sushaunna and Ilori were experiencing inspired the start of the company.

I’m so relieved to know that the products that go on their skin use simple and pure ingredients only from Mother Nature.

I’m so pretty!

I would like to introduce you to Sushaunna, half of the inspiration behind Sulori.  She is my oldest daughter and recently celebrated her third birthday.  She was given a princess dress as a gift which happened to be appropriate being that her name means “princess”.  As you can see, the red pajama shirt underneath doesn’t really match but she insisted on not taking it off.

Check back for the other inspirational half of Sulori!