Spring '11 Jewelry: "Flight of Fancy" Takes Off...

by Jena Sanders

Well, y'all, I have been busy, with gardening season in swing, SoJoy Spa's new product launch (coming very, very soon!), and finishing Spring's 2011 Jewelry collection (...not to mention full-time mothering).  But, the collection is finished!  Lots of turquoise, feathers, and bird-esque components, with pops of peridot and purple.  Here is a glimpse of highlights from the collection.

Spring 2011, "Flight of Fancy"

fun, flirty and light statement earrings.

Malachite, feather, crystal & suede larait necklace.

navy gold stone necklace and turquoise nest necklace with coordinating earrings.

spring peep wine charms.

peridot swarovski crystal and sterling earrings.

Stay tuned with more pictures to come from this collection on facebook and available for purchase soon at www.southernjoyonline.com.
 
Southern Joy's Jewelry collection will premier at First Fridays Art festival in Florence, Al, this coming Friday, April 1st 2011.

Wellness Wednesday: Wonderful Watercress

by Jena Sanders

Freshly picked watercress from our spring.

An aquatic plant with a peppery flavour, watercress is one of mother nature's most nutrient dense and medicinally powerful foods.

Loaded with 15 essential vitamins and minerals (i.e. micro-nutrients and antioxidants) watercress in modern times has come to be considered a cancer-fighting super food.

In fact, did you know watercress contains more vitamin C than an orange, more calcium than milk and more absorbable iron than spinach??

That's not all, it also contains vitamins A, K, and B1 & B3, along with magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc and more!

In 400 BC, Hippocrates, The Father of Modern Medicine, is said to have founded the first hospital near springs filled with wild watercress that he used to treat patients with blood conditions.  

An abundance of watercress.

In the 1600s, herbalist John Gerard touted watercress as a treatment for scurvy, as it was much easier to come by than the elusive orange at the time.

Watercress was even recorded in the first American Thanksgiving dinner with the Pilgrims and Indians...So how can you enjoy it, too?

My family is blessed with our own spring that has an abundance of watercress.  Harvesting it before flowering buds appear,  I will toss some in a salad with some olive oil and vinegar, or make a cream based pureed sauce, or even chop it up and toss it in a warm potato soup.

If you are not as fortunate to have access to your own watercress, now is its harvest season, so try finding some at a local farmer's market or a store such as Whole Foods.

And who knows, at some point it might be a anti-aging, super-nutrient in SoJoy Spa products, you'll have to stay tuned...

**Medical Disclaimer:  The information contained in this article is intended to provide helpful and healthful advice from traditional, home-health & well-being practitioners (Not medical doctors) and should not be construed as medical advice.  Please consult your primary health physician if you have or may have any pre-existing medical conditions.**

Wellness Wednesday: A CUP O’ TEA, ANOTHER REASON FOR GOING GREEN

By Janet Poston

In green tea, leaves are dried or slightly steamed but not fermented.  Green Tea is rich in Catechin Polyphenols (also known as Flavonoids), very powerful anti oxidants. The health benefits from green tea are primarily due to its anti-oxidizing properties.

. . . So, what are some health benefits of green tea?

•  Anti-Aging:  The anti oxidants in green tea neutralize free radicals present in the body.   (The free radicals are responsible for corrosion within the body).

•  Stimulating: Green tea is ideal for countering sleepiness, laziness, fatigue, and lack of energy and to improve blood circulation. 

•  Immunity Boosting: The Catechins present in green tea prevent bacteria and viruses from attaching to cell walls and infecting them.

•  Astringency:  Green tea triggers contractions in muscles and tissues and thereby helps to tones up muscles and skin.

•  Anti-Carcinogenic:  Free radicals are also responsible for causing certain types of cancer.  Drinking green tea can help reduce the chances of cancer.  Green tea is now being used clinically in prevention of cancer, particularly those pertaining to colon, rectum, pancreas and intestines.

•  Reducing Cholesterol: Green tea has been shown to be effective helping reducing cholesterol levels, probably due to its alkaline nature.

•  Cardiac & Arterial Health: Green tea helps prevent thickening of blood, thereby reducing chances of arterial sclerosis and strokes. 

•  Anti-Diabetic: The alkaline nature of green tea helps reduce the blood glucose level.  Plus, better health helps the pancreas function like it should. 

•  Weight Loss:  Green tea also helps in weight loss  by enhancing the rate of metabolism and thereby eliminating some stored fat in the body.

•  Stamina & Endurance Booster:  Green tea gives you an extra boost, and it effectively counters muscular pain due to over exercise of muscles.

•  Deintoxicating: Green tea is a great cure to get rid of hangovers and fatigue caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages and lack of sleep due to late night parties.

A favorite green tea of mine is Yogi organic Green Tea Kombucha.  The ingredients in the tea bag are:  organic green tea leaf, organic lemongrass, organic spearmint leaf, natural passion fruit flavor, natural plum flavor, organic kombucha (aiding in digestion).

Now instead of tossing your used tea bags in the trash, you can go green yet again:

Try using a cooled tea bag as an astringent.  Wipe away residue from your face or place cooled bags (from freezer or fridge) over your eyes as you take a 10 minute rest.  This will help . . .

Erin Go Braugh!

. . .  and Go GREEN!

Me-Time Monday: The Winner is...!

Drum roll, please...

And the winner is...

The winner of SoJoy's Cherry Vanilla Body Butter is Angie!  

Congratulations! 

Angie happens to have her own blog, http://angiesbigloveoffood.blogspot.com/
Check her out >

Thanks, y'all, for participating.  

All participants, and previous customers, will receive 15% off their next Southern Joy Jewelry or SoJoy Soa purchase for the next month until April 11, 2011.

www.southernjoyonline.com 

Farm-Time Friday: Poem and Pictures.

Pretty daffodils add a pop of yellow to all of the brown.

Springtime's Painter

by Jena Sanders

His canvas nearly bare, save stark silhouettes

of lifeless limbs in varying shades of gray.

He rests thru the season of, oh, so dreary days.

Yet the Sun doest reign triumphant--nourishing,

rejuvenating, by warmth; awakening those asleep.

The painter, once more, brushes new life that peeps.

Stark figures still remain, soon to be transformed.

With each stroke He adds a colour and then one more,

creating a beautiful masterpiece, weaving springtime's lore.

Weeping willows leaves appear first.

Watercress galore.

Me-Time Monday: For YOU! Pamper Yourself Giveaway.

Hey y'all!  For today's Me-Time Monday, we thought to make it all about YOU!  Helping provide you with the care your body deserves, healthily and naturally. 

We are offering a  Pamper Yourself Giveaway from SoJoy Spa:

 one 8 oz. tin of Cherry Vanilla Whipped Body Butter 

This limited batch has almost sold out, but we are reserving some for this special opportunity.  Indulge and nourish your skin with pure, all natural ingredients packed with antioxidants, naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. This body butter will moisturize, protect and heal; leaving your skin rejuvenated and healthy.

Our handcrafted products are petroleum free, sulfate free, paraben free.  Great for you!, AND good for the environment.

Use body butter anywhere and everywhere on your body!  Best applied after your shower or bath (when skin is still slightly damp) which helps to lock in moisture.  Your skin will stay quenched ALL day long. 

We've even noticed it works GREAT as hair pomade to "scent"ually and naturally control frizz (especially good for wavy to curly hair). 

Here's to a gift for you!

Giveaway Rules.  To enter this contest, you will receive one entry for each of the following tasks completed:

• Become a follower of this Blog.
• Share on Facebook (copy & past link back).
• "Like" Southern Joy on Facebook.
• Follow on twitter @EcoChicSojoy
• ReTweet giveaway
• Leave a comment here on this blog
• Sign the guestbook at www.southernjoyonline.com

Winner will be chosen at random.  Contest ends next Monday, March 14th, 2011 @ 5:00 pm central time.  

Thanks for your participation!  Good Luck!

Wellness Wednesday: Do You Know Cocoa?

Butter That Is.

by Jena Sanders

Recent studies have indicated cocoa butter may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis while maintaining a neutral effect on cholesterol.   Known as "the ultimate emollient" cocoa butter helps keep the skin moisturized and supple as it aids the skin in fighting off free radicals which cause wrinkles.   

Who doesn't like the smell of chocolate?  Whether you are eating it (in the form of chocolate) or applying it to your skin (to prevent stretch marks) cocoa butter smells heavenly.  For ages, cocoa butter has promoted health and well-being. 

For optimal health benefits, cocoa butter should be and unrefined.

Cocoa butter is a natural fat extracted from the cocoa bean.  Cocoa butter contains the active ingredient, cocoa mass polyphenol.  CMP is a substance known to to inhibit the growth of immuno globulins that contribute to skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and other skin allergies.  As an added bonus, cocoa butter's rich chocolaty aroma is therapeutic, contributing to a sense of contentment.

Cocoa butter is considered a "healthy fat,"  almost a third of which are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  Cocoa Butter also contains Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, both necessary for human health that the body cannot make itself. 

Rich in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant) cocoa butter makes the perfect addition to your skin care regime.  Vitamin E is known to neutralize free radicals which helps the skin to maintain elasticity.  Repeated application also improves the quality and texture of the skin.  That's why cocoa butter is very effective in preventing and reducing stretch marks.

Cocoa butter is solid at room temperature.  Here @ SoJoy we have developed a way for your body to absorb this healing butter in a synergistic combination with other natural healing ingredients.  Our lip and body balms contain pure, organic cocoa butter.

Pamper and nourish your skin and you'll nourish whole body, mind and spirit.

www.southernjoyonline.com