A History of Birthday Gift Giving - And a Couple of Ideas

No matter what age, everyone enjoys a little special attention on their special day – their birthday! Typically, it calls for a celebration complete with balloons, a cake, and gifts from family and close friends. While we engage in these birthday festivities, do we ever stop to think where the traditions really began?

The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with parades, circuses, and gladiatorial events – all complete with feasts that sometimes lasted for days.  Romans celebrated the birthdays of their gods with parades and chariot races.  Mortals were not encouraged to celebrate their birthdays in Rome.  Germany introduced the tradition of birthday cakes about 200 years ago.  The cake itself was filled with gifts that predicted the recipient’s life in the upcoming year.  For example, if the slice of cake contained a ring, it symbolized impending marriage.  A coin guaranteed riches throughout the next year.  If the cake fell while baking, it ensured impending doom to the one celebrating a birthday.  Today, various countries celebrate birthdays in unique ways.

In the United States, the traditional birthday ritual calls for giving gifts to the one celebrating his special day.  Selecting the “right” gift depends on the individual, his interests, and how well you know him.  Instead of purchasing the “same old” thing, add a unique twist to your birthday gift selections this year and watch out for the positive feedback!

• From a family tree planner to a family history wall print, a gift of genealogy is a great pick for assisting the recipient learn about his family heritage and get back to his roots.  As some of us get older this becomes a very special gift.
• Create a scrapbook of special moments throughout the past year.  Include photos from family events and keepsakes that are important to the event.  Recapture these moments by journaling the story of the event and quotes from participants.  Embellish the pages with stickers, captions, and other items that will enhance the memories for a long time to come. This is for the more "crafty" of us but can be a special gift that will always create a memory.
• Choose a selection of classic books to either add to or start a collection. Several choices to get you started include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Canterbury Tales, Wurthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Scarlet Letter, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Great Expectations, Tom Sawyer, and The Catcher in the Rye.  A personal favorite of mine is About A Boy
• For a woman choose from several great Spa Gift Baskets from Eclipse Spa's.  Yes, this is something we carry - trust me - they make an awesome gift.
• Purchase baskets from garage sales and gift shops.  Fill them with homemade or gourmet jars of pickles, jams, food mixes, and/or fruit.  Again for the more crafty of us but substitute the homemade pickles and jams etc with other items that fit the person that you are giving the gift to.

No matter what the occasion, pay attention to what the gift receivers interests, likes and dislikes are  - people are always telling us what they want.  We just have to listen!

6 Steps To Great Looking and Feeling Skin!

I have had very sensitive skin ever since I can remember, I need to be very careful on what products I use on my face from what I wash it with to applying any type of day or night cream. I have been using the Elements Skin Care line for over a month now and my skin has never felt so balanced, fresh and soft. Not one breakout or irritation. I use the 6 step program in the morning after I take my shower and in the evening when I take my make up off. My face has been very balanced since using the Elements Skincare Program, not oily or dry.

Here is the new Elements 6 Step Skin Care Program I have been using.

Step 1   I use the Facial Cleanser and it cleans and refines my skin
Step 2   is the Balancing Toner that uses herbal essential oils to restore my skin
Step 3   is the Normalizing Serum and it makes my skin feel rich and nourished
Step 4   I use the Lifting Eye Cream.  At 35 I'm starting to see lines and this has helped to firm and nourish under my eyes.
Step 5   is the Moisturizing Day Cream helps to repair and nourish my skin, feels radiant
Step 6   and last is the Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream. It stimulates youthful collagen and reduces the fine lines that I was beginning to see

Elements also has a great Moisturizing Shampoo & Moisturizing Conditioner for every day use.

ALL Elements products are Cruelty Free, Vegan with no alcohol, no parabens, no sulfates, no propylene glycol, no synthetic fragrance and are gluten free.  All natural ingredients.

Written by - Lisa Booth of Good Living Products

                    

Put The Lime In The Coconut........Oil

So, why should you try this stuff?

Why don't we start with the benefits like:

1. Promoting your heart health
2. Promoting weight loss when and if you need it
3. Supporting your immune system health
4. Supporting a healthy metabolism
5. Providing you with an immediate energy source
6. Helping to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking
7. Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland 

Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA).
Because coconut oil is made of primarily medium chain (and some short chain) fatty acids, it is broken down immediately for use rather than stored. MCFA aren't packaged into chylomicrons for circulation through the lymph like long chain fatty acids (LCFA). Instead, they are transported in the portal blood to the liver for conversion into energy. This quick conversion process may prevent weight gain as long as the calories consumed as coconut oil do not exceed the body's caloric needs. Coconut oil has also been found to speed metabolism and increase energy expenditure and is of great interest for its potential as a weight loss aid.

Coconut oil may prevent and alleviate disease.
Both research and clinical studies have shown that MCFA may be useful in treating and preventing diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, virus-related dieases (mononucleosis, hepatitis C, herpes, etc.), gallbladder disease, Crohn's disease, and cancer. The smaller size of MCFA (compared to LCFA) allows them to be digested more easily, making them ideal for those suffering from digestive diseases. Coconut oil may assist in the absorption and retaining of calcium, thereby benefiting bones.

Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Lipid-coated bacteria and viruses contain a lipid coat which encloses their DNA among other cellular materials. When consumed by humans, coconut oil disrupts the lipid membrane, killing the pathogens without damaging the host or harming health-promoting intestinal bacteria. The antimicrobial properties stem from the monoglycerides and free fatty acids (mainly lauric acid and capric acid) that compose coconut oil.

Need more reasons to start consuming coconut oil?
Pure coconut oil is easily absorbed, prevents free radical damage, and can improve the appearance of skin and hair.  
With all the benefits that coconut oil can provide, it's definitely worth trying. And if all this is too much info to take in at one time or if you don't quite like the taste, we hear it makes a fantastic conditioner for your hair.

Ours is Organically Grown an as always all Natural