But there is one place to spot it: Tucson, Arizona! That's where I live --  a sunny, desert paradise that is filled with the nicest people, coolest culture and the most beautiful views around. Spend just a few days in this place and you'll never want to leave!

However, I'm not just writing this blog to say Tucson is awesome -- no, the city helps make me the creative soap-maker/jewelry-designer/oil-maker/mom/wife/desert-dweller that I am today! In short, there would be no Wisdom Body and Soul without Tucson. How so, you might ask?

1. Incredible Natural Beauty

It's not just the sunset I shared above -- Tucson is surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains, one of the most gorgeous mountain ranges in the United States. Lush and painted with saguaros at the bottom and trees at the top, it's my favorite place to look up at and feel nourished.

Of course, it's also a fantastic spot to hike as well! Whenever I'm stressed, I like to go on a desert stroll and remind myself of the beauty and harsh ways of nature, the kind that humble you and make your problems sorta-just float away from your mind. While there is no such thing as a perfect day, the beauty of Tucson makes life much easier to take.

2. Wonderful and Creative People
It's true -- being around creative people makes you more creative. Tucson is a haven for artists, musicians, craftspeople and anybody with a mind for making something. I'm often inspired by artisan markets when it comes to dreaming up product designs and ingredients to put in my soaps and essential oils.

I'm also extremely blessed to run my business in a supportive area -- Tucson is home to the 4th Avenue Street Fair, a large congregation of merchants and vendors showing off their very creative products. Once all this COVID mess is over, I'll be setting up my very-first booth at their next event!

3. High Food Quality

In case you're wondering how this applies -- my soaps are made from the most natural ingredients and are always accrued from local farmer's markets. So when I say the tomato soap has tomato in it, you can call me the opposite of Pinocchio, i.e. it's the truth!

Tucson has plenty of proud and local farmers that share their high-quality products with everyone to buy. As a result, I'm a happy customer and can say that I make sure the soaps I make (what you put on your skin) is made up of the very best. Thanks Tucson!

Happy day friends!

Of course, achieving that is a whole other story. For me, a good night's sleep was a struggle -- it would only happen after hours of tossing and turning and just general discomfort. Who wants to go to bed when you wind up feeling like that?

And it's not like all that extra time trying to sleep would make me feel any better! I'd have little rest in the morning and would wake up just exhausted. That made a bad mom, bad wife, bad worker and just all-around grumpy person. Nobody would see this and think "yes, let me have that experience every night".

But around the time I started Wisdom Body & Soul, I implemented a few changes into my daily routine so I could sleep better. Within a few weeks, shut-eye became easy, not difficult. To do it, here are the three ideas I came up with and followed:

1. Shower Before Bed
Maybe it's just me, but something about a warm shower calms me down and makes me sleepy! I take a nice and hot one right before going to bed, and the combination of that and the soft comfort of my pillow shuts my eye-lids almost instantly!

I came up with this on accident one night, but it was the happiest accident ever!

2. Sleep With an Eye Pillow
Eye Pillows are one of the best ways to comfort headaches, relieve tired eyes and fill your sleep with happy thoughts and aromas! I've been an eye pillow proponent forever, especially since the first one I bought helped me through plenty of restless nights -- being a Mom tends to give you that!

If you're looking for an eye pillow for yourself, I'd suggest taking a look at some Wisdom Body and Soul Eye Pillows! They're filled with flax seeds and real herbs, a perfect way to receive aromatherapy while you sleep. Purchase them here >>


3. Buy a Diffuser and Put it in Your Bedroom
Honestly,  this is the best thing you can do right now. Used in conjunction with essential oils, diffusers are the greatest things ever, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as filling the air with pleasant smells. I put on some sage diffusers in my home and let me tell you, everybody in the family feels a lot happier! That calm makes you sleep much better.

If you have a diffuser and are looking for the right essential oils to drop in it, check out the Wisdom Body and Soul Essential Oils! Just a few drips and the relaxation will come over you immediately!

Happy day friends!

It's driven me up a wall! I love to be outside, enjoy the beauty of the world and the kindness of people. So being shut-in like this for another month is tough for my mental health -- seeing daily sad updates on the news isn't great for my anxiety either!

Frankly, I don't know where I would be without aromatherapy. With my soaps, jewelry and essential oils, I calm myself in times of crisis and re-focus on the better things in life. What's also great is that these products all have natural and vegan ingredients that are super-healthy for your body and mind.

Of course, I understand if you can't leave the house to by my products at farmer's markets, events, etc., which is why I want to send the comfort to you! Choose from any of my three membership options below:

Wisdom Body and Soul Owlets Monthly Membership Box
$45.00 - $507.00

This membership box is a jack-of-all trades and all about comfort, comfort, comfort! Scrub away the stress with soap, put in a few drops of essential oil into my lava stone jewelry and rest your tired head with eye pillows!

You can chose between 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. 2 free months free with the 12-month membership. ​Purchase here >>

Bracelet of the Month Club
$57.00 - $211.00​

Bracelets are where my inner artist comes out -- but not only do they look good, they also spread calm! The lava stones work with essential oils to give you relaxing scents that take good vibes to go. If you're feeling nervous, it's a great way to calm down with a new bracelet each month.

Choose between 3 months, 6 months or buy a 12-month membership. The 12-month membership will receive 2 free months.​ Purchase here >>

Soap of the Month VIP Club
$25.00 - $140.00

My most popular membership service -- each month you receive my newest soothing soap in the mail! Who wouldn't love a little bit of comfort going their way?

​Choose between 3 months, 6 months or buy a 12-month membership. The 12-month membership will receive 2 free months. Purchase here >>

​Happy day friends!

Okay, the most frightening thing happened the other night. I was on my evening walk fighting off a little bit of a cold, noticing a lingering scent in the street...the smell of dryer sheets! That's a little odd to notice outside.

But here's the worst part -- just the smell of it made me start coughing a lot! When you don't know where it's coming from and how to stop it, it can feel like you're being slowly asphyxiated! The reason why my lungs felt attacked all of a sudden? Artificial scents.

Let me be clear: artificial scents can be just as bad a second-hand smoke.  I am guilty of using these in the past, but once you quit using them it's really easy not to go back.  I just can't stand the smell of artificial fragrance anymore. It is too much. 

In just one dryer sheet, you can find a whole host of ingredients and chemicals that have unknown effects on our health. The Environmental Working Group has a great explanation for why you should skip these poisonous little things.​

But I'm not here to just rant about the products you see on TV -- I want to give you a solution. To dry my clothes, I use white vinegar in the water softener area in the washing machine. I don’t dry polyesters or swim suits anything that will have that static cling.  The scent of vinegar does fade so you won't smell pickled.  Costco has a great big pack of two vinegars. I also use a vinegar spray bottle for cleaning. Hope that helps you be healthier and more enlightened!

Want to know about a comfortable way to rest? One that isn't filled with harsh ingredients? See my eye pillows here >>

Happy day friends!

Admit it, there are some days where you just dread sifting through your e-mail inbox. Usually, this is because there is something you need in there (a bill, a log-in link, etc.), but you're stuck looking through columns and columns of unread e-mails in hopes of finding it. Wasn't technology supposed to reduce our clutter?

While I can't go deleting your messages for ya, I do suggest this: if you want an e-mail that'll make you happy and relaxed when you see it, sign up for the Wisdom Body & Soul Newsletter. It comes out twice a week and features more than just product updates; in fact, you can find the following in it:

1. Featured Products: While there are plenty of great products on my website, I like to spotlight one every newsletter that ties into various things, whether it be the time of the year, your Zodiac Sign, special events, etc. Check here to see my special products for you. I also put sales on here as well.

2. Monthly Sign-Ups/Almost Gone Deals: If you love my soaps, consider signing up for my Soap of the Month Club! You receive monthly shipments of my best (and newest) soaps, perfect for scrubbing away the stress and bringing nature back into your body. In addition, because no product lasts forever, I'm informing you of soaps that are just about gone -- get 'em before they vanish.

3. Parent Corner: Some of you might not know this, but I'm a mom to two beautiful young children. As all moms can attest, raising children isn't always easy, so I'm hear to tell you the tips, tricks and trials I've learned/endured since those two entered my life. If you're a mom, you'll find some sort of interest in it -- I can promise ya that!

4. Parting Wisdom: Need a little wisdom to-go? Enjoy a kind quote that will stick in your mind for the rest of the day. Positive vibes for all!

Did you read all that and feel wonderful? Head to http://www.wisdombodyandsoul.com/ and go to the bottom to sign up, them smash that "Submit" button. Newsletters go out every Friday.

Happy day friends!

This was a blog I was working on before Coronavirus became the tornado that wrecked all of our lives -- it's only more applicable now! Stress is a natural human emotion and it's okay to feel. However, how you deal with it is everything.

I still struggle with anxiety, but it's much better than it used to be. Before I discovered the joys of mindfulness, my mind was a wound-up toy, looking for reasons to run all over life in the wrong way. I'd hang out in grocery store parking lots, nap or spend way to much time in the restroom! Not much of a way to spend life...

Nowadays, when I'm struggling with stressful thoughts, I do one of the four things:

1. Practice Yoga

No yogi card needed! All you need is an internet connection and a soft place to take a lotus position. Here is my go-to musical playlist, a mediation playlist designed to pick your mind up off the hamster wheel of life and instead put you in a better place.

2. Take a Bath

When's the last time you gave yourself a bath? We associate the activity with young kids, but adults need the soothing feeling of warm water and bubbles on their skins. In addition, the feeling of slowing down and closing your eyes while taking in a hot bath cures so many anxieties. Of course, if you're looking for a soap to give yourself a good rub with, I have plenty of natural and vegan soaps for you to buy...

3. Guided Meditation

This is somewhat related to the first point, except you can do this without leaving your bed! When stressed, I like to take out the lighter and burn a little sage, search "guided meditation" on YouTube and throw on my eye pillow as I cuddle up in bed. No ear plugs though!

In case you're looking for eye pillows to sooth headaches and give your mind a general rest, check out the kinds I make for Wisdom Body & Soul! They're little bunches of comfort.

4. Diffuse Essential Oils

I love this step because of how little work it requires. All you need to do is purchase a diffuser and some essential oils, put a few drops of the latter in and poof, calm will fill the air after a few minutes.

Of course, with a little Wisdom Body & Soul essential oils filling the air, you'll receive all the relaxation your mind and body crave!

I love skincare as much as the next desert gal, but it disgusts me to see what companies are feeding us through them! In fact, I haven't bought a skincare product other than sunscreen and foundation in more than 6 years. I felt really betrayed or just outraged by the junk you can find inside of them, products that, if you were told prior to applying them, you'd never agree to let onto the precious pores of your skin. 

As a result, I found shopping at stores and even online for natural products extremely difficult 6 years ago. Reading ingredient labels and researching ingredients is exhausting and I soon began to realize ingredients do matter and the fine print on your labels were not to be ignored. 

At that point I decided to make my own products, ones that did not contain a whole host of unfavorable ingredients -- ones that are wholesome and gentle.  I changed my skin care routine and the products we use around the house, right down to the laundry detergent and cleaning products.!

Luckily, the market has listened. Things have started to change to my relief and I just bought a deodorant at the market.  It goes to my central belief: when you push for education, businesses will give it to you. I'd like to think my products play a part in that.

But let's not throw a party yet -- remember, even products that claim to be "natural" sometimes have a few questionable ingredients.  If you would like to research for yourself, give EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic's Database a look. You may not like the answers, but it's important to ask the questions.

Of course, it's not fun to realize that your usual skincare products are chock-full of the worst ingredients; like I said, I hit that point six years ago and that made me miserable. But there is hope in enlightenment...and good shopping too!

My soaps are filled with the best vegan and natural ingredients that bring nature back into your body. Just a few scrubs will improve your life, both physically and mentally. Better yet, if you like one of my orders, you can sign up for the Soap of the Month club and receive monthly shipments of the best skincare money can buy. 
Check out my soap products here.

Good day friends!

There's so much history in astrology.  Some people might think it's quack, but I find it to be a fascinating way to understand yourself and those around you -- it's why I've dabbled in it over the years.

Before you continue this exercise any further, I encourage you to go to https://www.astro.com/for your own astrology chart.  All you need is the time and location of your birth!

Did you receive your chart? If so, great! Tell me below in the comments what it is, but first, let's match you up with gemstones that correlate to your sun sign:

Aries Birthstone (March 21- April 19)
- Diamond
- Garnet
- Jasper
- Carnelian
- Aventurine
- Tourmaline Pink
- Amethyst 
- Bloodstone

Taurus Birthstone (April 20- May 20)
- Black Spinel
- Fossilized Coral
- Quartz Rose
- Azurite
- Malachite
- Amazonite
- Kyanite
- Tiger's Eye
- Lapis
- Agate

Gemini Birthstone (May 21- June 20)
- Apatite
- Howlite
- Tiger's Eye
- Aquamarine
- Citrine
- Tourmaline
- Agate
- Chrysocolla

Cancer Birthstone (June 21- July 21)
- Carnelian
- Chalcedony
- Moonstone
- Pearl
- Tourmaline Pink
- Emerald
- Opal
- Moss Agate

Leo Birthstone (July 22-August 22)
- Tiger's Eye
- Onyx
- Quartz
- Carnelian
- Citrine
- Chrysocolla
- Green and Pink Tourmaline
- Turquoise

Virgo Birthstone (August 22-September 22)
- Sodalite
- Carnelian
- Amazonite
- Peridot
- Moss Agate
- Citrine
- Moonstone
- Chrysocolla

Libra Birthstone (September 23-October 22)
- Lepidolite
- Aventurine
- Peridot
- Aquamarine
- Jade
- Lapis Lazuli
- Prehnite
- Sapphire

Scorpio Birthstone (October 23-November 21)
- Citrine
- Malachite
- Garnet
- Turquoise
- Moonstone
- Lapis
- Green Tourmaline
- Topaz
​
Sagittarius Birthstone (November 22-December 21)
- Amethyst
- Azurite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Malachite
- Sodalite
- Spinel
- Turquoise
- Tourmaline Pink

Capricorn Birthstone (December 22-January 19)
- Green and Black Tourmaline
- Garnet
- Onyx
- Azurite
- Turquoise
- Labradorite
- Malachite
- Quartz

Aquarius Birthstone (January 20 - February 18)
- Aquamarine
- Amethyst
- Fluorite
- Labradorite
- Moonstone
- Jade
- Garnet
- Turquoise

Pisces Birthstone (February 19-March 20)
- Labradorite
- Amethyst
- Bloodstone
- Turquoise
- Fluorite
- Moonstone
- Aquamarine
- Jade

Of course, it's one thing to know what gem stone is simpatico with your sign, but where can you find jewelry that contains it? Luckily, that's what I'm here for!

By going to this link, you can check out all the jewelry I have in stock for you to buy, all of it containing the right precious gemstones for you. Better yet, grab a few essential oils to drop it in the lava stone -- it's like taking relaxation to go.

​Have a happy day friends!

Most shampoos on the market today are synthetic detergents.  Most shampoos will clean, but they can also strip your hair and scalp.  These detergents can be very drying.  Some products on the market use synthetic lathering ingredients, petroleum, animal fats, sulfates, silicone, parabens, artificial scents, fragrance and artificial colors.  Some detergents can be very mild others not so much.  Have you ever noticed you absolutely need conditioner after using some of these shampoos?   Haircare does not have to be so complicated or does it?   

I made the switch to soap based naturally based shampoo in 2015.  I was about 5 months pregnant and it was the start to our 100-degree summer we have here in Arizona.  Natural shampoo is the last nontoxic product switch I made in my house.
I started off using Rosemary Gladstar‘s recipe in her book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. I love this book she has other fantastic recipes for hair care and recipes for the whole family.  Rosemary's shampoo recipe consists of herbal tea, castile soap, essential oils and jojoba oil.   This shampoo recipe does need to be refrigerated.

The switch to a natural soap shampoo was not what I was expecting.  I had read about a transition time where your scalp adjusts to new products.   I want to say it was about 2-3 weeks of very oily hair, not stinky, not dirty just oily for about 2-3 weeks.   I never had oily hair before, I always run on dry side.  I was ready to give up maybe a week in.  I was determined to get thru this, I used homemade dry shampoo of 2T arrowroot powder/ 2T cocoa powder applied with a makeup brush to my roots to help absorb the oils between washes.   After this transition my hair is less oily between washes, I do not need to wash it as often, bouncy and just healthy.  I did not need conditioner just the occasional oil at the ends.   After the initial transition I started to think about what was in my commercial shampoos?  What was this transition about?  Did my scalp need to detox?   I truly believe the products I was using before on my hair and scalp were over compensating removing too much and not leaving any of the good stuff!  I really can not say, I just know that I was hooked on using the natural approach to haircare.  

I used Rosemary Gladstar's recipe for several years.  I did find that making it was sometimes a struggle when I have so much more to do.  In 2018 I started making solid shampoos bars.  Making solid shampoo is more advanced soap making if you are interested please do let me know and I will point you in the right direction.  Switching to a solid does have its own challenges if you are not use to it!  I recommend lathering in your hands or directly on your head.  Concentrate on cleaning your scalp not your hair.  You want to dry your bar between uses or it will stick to your counter.  Best part of the solid bar is you get what you need you are not washing it all down the drain.  No plastic waste and it really does last a lot longer.  A friend of mine with long hair stated that one bar of shampoo #1 lasted 72 washes.   ​Shampoo #1, #2 and #3 are soap based and can be found here. 

There is a great debate about solid hair products out there.   One being that the ph. of soap-based shampoo is too high and could possibly be damaging.   I do on occasion have issues with soap build up.  Soap build up could be because of our hard water in Tucson or it could just be its hard to rinse all this hair I have without a nice removable shower head!   I do not color my hair, nor use heat and I  wash every 2-3 days. I like to use an apple cider vinegar rinse to help with soap build up.   I want to believe that synthetic detergents and all these chemical additives are not needed.  Really these detergents have not been around as long as soap has in human history.  In truth I can only go off my own personal experiences and I can tell you that I love solid soap-based shampoos.  

 Everyone has their own personal experiences and preferences.  My daughter enjoys liquid, we make Rosemary Gladstar's recipe for her hair.   I would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences with natural hair care and solid shampoos, please comment below! 
 
If you do color your hair and would like to know more about more naturally derived detergent-based shampoo bars #4 and #5 check back later!  Thank you :)

The Spring 2020 Made in Tucson Market is going digital!

Find your Tucson makers @
Made In Tucson

Be sure to check out @wisdombodyandsoul We have plenty of relaxing items
for these stressful times. With our essential oil vegan soaps and
aromatherapy jewelry, we just might have what you are looking for to help
you relax 😍 Thanks again @4thavetucson @madeintucsonmarket 

Wash your hands and be safe everyone.

www.wisdombodyandsoul.com #wisdombodyandsoul #madeintucson #safehands #Tucson #Arizona #desertlife #supportlocal #artistsoninstagram #homestyle #market #seizetheday #selfcare #aromatherapy #jewelry