The Healing Power of a Hug

Did you know that the simple act of hugging can instill powerful physiological effects on both the giver and the receiver? In fact, a twenty-second hug releases the bonding hormone and neurotransmitter Oxycontin, which causes a natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety affect. There are many health benefits associated with hugging which you can read about here in this article. I am writing about this today as I have started a new venture inspired by the warmth and comfort of a hug.


As many of you know from the last entry on this blog, my husband and I have been trying to start a family since 2011. Since the last post, much has unfolded in the way of fertility treatments. Unfortunately, we have experienced a few more losses, the most recent occurring earlier this month. Without going into too many details, the pregnancy was the result of a frozen embryo transfer after our fresh IVF transfer was cancelled this past September. Everything seemed to be going perfectly - we actually got to see the tiny blip of a heartbeat at our 6 week US! This was a first for us. Unfortunately, the joy was short lived as the ultrasound the following week revealed no further growth and a slowing heart rate. This was the same story with several more ultrasounds until all was lost. The following days were nothing short of an emotional nightmare as one could imagine. It was during this time that I was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of many heartfelt hugs. With each hug I received from my husband, friends, co-workers, family members, or one of my amazing fertility nurses, I felt an instant sense of calm and comfort and just knew deep down that everything would be OK. I truly feel this was instrumental in my emotional healing.

Over the next few months we will be moving forward with additional fertility treatments, which unfortunately involve medications and procedures not covered by insurance. I have decided to start selling handmade infinity scarves as a way to raise money for what I like to refer to as "Project Baby G". These scarves are meant to symbolize the very warmth, comfort, and healing power of a hug, whether purchased for yourself or a friend in need. Please consider making a purchase by visiting this link. Thanks in advance!!

Breaking my silence...

I have finally decided to reveal the real reason behind the inspiration for BareNaked Balms...

As the image notes, today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Today also would have been the day I brought my first baby home. Unfortunately, I lost my pregnancy around the 7 week mark in February of this year. This was actually my second pregnancy loss, having suffered a very early pregnancy loss at 5 weeks in June of 2012.

Our journey to start a family began in May of 2011. When things seemed to be taking longer than expected (i.e. after not getting pregnant the first month), I soon turned to "Dr. Google" to see how we could speed things up. I quickly learned that beauty and skincare products, chemical sunscreens, processed foods, BPA in plastics and canned food, and conventional fruits and veggies were all likely contributing to hormone imbalance, mostly in the form of estrogen dominance. While there are many reasons miscarriages occur, I was determined to do as much as I could to reduce my risk. This is what lead me to make the switch to organic food and nontoxic beauty products in an effort to achieve hormonal balance.

Jumping ahead, when I lost my second pregnancy earlier this year, I was home from work for a week. I had my time to grieve, but knew I had to move forward. I longed for a way to just let go and stop obsessing over the idea of getting pregnant - the process had truly consumed my every waking thought. It was while I was browsing through Pinterest that I came across a pin describing how to make your own solid lotion bar. I had never heard of a solid lotion bar before, but soon became obsessed with the idea that I could make this for myself without any of the "junk" found in conventional moisturizing products. I soon found myself "googling" "organic oils and butters" instead of the typical topics related to trying to conceive. Within a day of discovering the "solid lotion bar", I had come up with a name and formulas for tons of different products. I was hooked! Finally, trying to conceive was not the only thing I was thinking about!

I hope that by sharing my story, it will inspire others to break their silence. Miscarriage and infant loss should not be something to be ashamed of. We cannot blame ourselves. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. While it may be difficult to realize that reason sometimes, I was fortunate to discover mine. And as the saying goes, "when one door closes, another door opens". Had I not lost my pregnancy I likely never would have started this skincare venture. And while I still long for the day that I get to hold my baby in my arms, my passion for now is creating and growing my product line and spreading awareness about the benefits of going chemical free.



In honor of this day, I will be lighting a candle at 7pm to show my support for pregnancy and infant loss. Show your support by doing the same. Thanks for listening and feel free to share your story with comments below! 

A sweet DIY facial treat

               

 

Looking for a natural boost for your face? Try an organic raw honey mask! The enzymes found in raw honey help to smooth, brighten, and moisturize skin while honey's natural antibacterial properties help to fight blemishes. Simply smooth the honey onto your face and let it sit for as little as 15min or up to an hour then rinse with warm water. While you might be thinking this will create a sticky mess, the honey rinses off with surprising ease. To thoroughly detox the skin, start with a 2 week intense treatment course consisting of applying the mask morning and night. You won't believe how soft your skin will feel after each use!  Be warned - you may experience a slight set back in your skin as the treatment draws out the toxins, but the end result is well worth it! You can continue to reap the benefits of this sweet facial treat by applying the mask on a once weekly basis. Enjoy!!

Bare Body Balm as a hair treatment

Did you know that Bare Body Balm can be used to tame flyaways, quench split ends, and add a bit of texture to your locks? Just smooth some onto fingertips and work into hair where needed. We all love a multitasker!

Marvelous macadamia nut oil

So I wanted to take the time to discuss one of my favorite oils - macadamia nut oil. I've been using this on both my hair and my face for awhile now and love the results! The oil comes from, you guessed it, macadamia nuts and has many great skin benefits. It is easily and quickly absorbed by the skin and does not clog pores or leave a greasy feeling behind. Instead, it leaves a velvety smooth finish and makes for an excellent moisturizer for all skin types. Macadamia oil also contains a very high amount of palmitoleic acid - the highest concentration of any plant. This acid is found in abundance in the skin of younger folks, but steadily decreases as we age, leading to the formation of wrinkles and an aged appearance. Using macadamia oil may help replenish this compound, thus helping to maintain a more youthful appearance. And lastly, this oil contains a high amount of vitamin E which offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits along with giving the oil a long shelf life. You can use the oil by itself or reap it's benefits when found in lotions and body balms. Look for this ingredient in a future product that is soon to be announced at BareNaked Balms. You can also find it in our Après Sun balm. Now go get beautiful!

Introducing....BareNaked Balms!

I have always been a "product junkie" - it's in my blood (you should see my mother's collection of beauty items...it's astounding...love you mom!). Over the past few years I have become more aware of the potential harm a lot of conventional products pose due to the presence of preservatives, synthetic chemicals, and not so natural fragrances. From hormonal imbalances to potential cancer risks, these ingredients can wreak havoc on one's health. In an effort to reduce my own risk, I found myself steering clear of my once favorite products in order to replace them with more natural organic versions. I then began realizing that I could make my own products using only the ingredients I researched to be safe, without the need for all the questionable ones. And now I'd like to share them with all of you! While I can not claim that I invented the idea of a balm in stick form, I can promise you that I have committed to providing a product line comprised of only organic ingredients without any potentially harmful chemicals and preservatives, thus the name "BareNaked" Balms. The lotus flower was chosen as part of the design as it represents purity, new beginnings, fertility, beauty, and prosperity - all things I hope for this line to represent. I thank you for taking the time to read this and for trusting in my products. I am excited for this venture and I am always open to suggestions so feel free to contact me. Follow us on Facebook for promotions and product announcements and visit my store at www.barenakedbalms.com to purchase products. Happy shopping!

Click this link for more information on the connection between chemicals and preservatives in beauty products and their effects on hormones.

Diaper bag

So I have finally designed and completed my first official diaper bag! Here are some pics:

Removable changing pad

has handy pockets on the outside designed to hold wipes and diaper

cream

Soft flannel makes for a comfy surface for baby to lie on and also has a large pocket at the bottom for storing a diaper or two

Changing pad is designed to fold up and attach to inside of bag via a small magnetic clasp located in each corner. When folded and placed in the bag, two handy pockets allow for storage of wipes and diaper cream.

Plenty of pockets on the inside along with key fob

There are 6 pockets on the outside of the bag (3 on each side) - lots of storage!

Carrying handles are lightly padded and lined with soft flannel for comfort

Love this bag and want one for yourself or as a gift?

E-mail me @

kristin@capriciouscrafts.com