I was introduced to InFiore Body Balms several years ago when we carried them at InForm Pilates. Julie Elliott who owns and created this company impressed me greatly with the care she put into her products as well as the quality of the ingredients. Recently I revisited her product line at her store on Post Street.
Once in the door I felt like I was in a shop in Paris. It reminded me of being in the shops at the Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. In addition to her body balms and oils she stocks perfumes by Serge Lutens, beautiful candles and even a tincture called tonic gold. Everything is so beautiful I wanted to open each jar and smell each scent. Unfortunately my time was limited and my quest was for the perfect moisturizer for my face.
Julie pointed me over to her skin care oils and suggested I try her Calme formula. It smelled wonderful and felt really light on my skin. Even though it was an oil it didn't feel greasy or heavy. I was sold. At the counter I couldn't help but stare at this jar filled with bottles of a tincture called tonic gold. Julie excitedly explained this liquid helped her find clarity in her day, made her sleep better and change her behavior patterns. The more she talked about what it had done for her friends and customers, the more I felt the need to buy it. Here I am a week later with both my oil and tincture and these are my findings:
a. My face
Within 24 hours I was getting comments on how great my skin looked. I felt like my skin was smoother and hydrated and it actually glowed. I am a total convert and my face feels super soft.
b. My mental state of being
I am not going to lie. The directions said wait 20 minutes before eating after you take the tonic. You are supposed to take it as the sun rises, right when you get up. I can't function for 20 minutes without coffee and decided that coffee wasn't food. Julie set me straight. I took the tonic and hit snooze over the weekend and slept deeper than I had in a really long time. Am I more focused? Not sure yet. I am still trying to have a greater sense of clarity and am trying to meditate a little bit on what it is I want/need in my life. The jury is still out so I will get back to you, but I do like the idea of drinking gold in the morning.
Julie's products can be viewed online at www.infiore.net
A Chocolate Vacation
Last Thursday I sat down with nutritionist Nancy Bennett to discuss my bete noire which is sweets. She said something to me which made perfect sense - "when you eat your chocolate or other desserts, treat it as though you are taking a vacation away from your day." My days are crazy busy and eating food often feels like another task. So much so that I rarely enjoy my Trader Joe's dark chocolate squares or the salted caramels from Miette Confiserie.
I took her advice to heart, picked up individual sized Scharffenberger dark chocolate bars (which p.s. are a little spendy for their size) and gave myself a moment of quiet as I sat down to enjoy one. Though it was completely foreign to me to actually relax and enjoy my treat, I followed her instructions. After a few deep breaths, a bite here and there and complete silence, I felt much more relaxed and even satiated. A baby step I know, but I am willing to try to make a ritual out of enjoying treats so I don't aimlessly eat and overindulge without being satisfied.
Nancy spent a lot of time discussing not just what I ate, but how I approached my food. Together we came up with a list of chocolate that I could eat as snacks. My choices included the Scharffenberger bars, Chocolate Covered Biscotti, Chocolate covered fruit (portion controlled) and Hot Chocolate. Don't get me wrong, she also gave me a handout which recommended yogurt and dry roasted edamame as snacks as well, but I wanted something geared towards my trigger foods. She also gave me a "travel bag" to bring with me to work where I could pack away healthy snacks to always keep on hand. The bag included cups for portion control to make it easier to pack the right foods in the right amounts.
I'd highly recommend using Nancy to discuss your food issues. Be forewarned though, she will ask your commitment level to making changes before even meeting with you. When and if you are ready to make changes no matter how big or small, she can be reached at 415-346-1475 by phone or via email a info@enlighteningchoices.com.
I took her advice to heart, picked up individual sized Scharffenberger dark chocolate bars (which p.s. are a little spendy for their size) and gave myself a moment of quiet as I sat down to enjoy one. Though it was completely foreign to me to actually relax and enjoy my treat, I followed her instructions. After a few deep breaths, a bite here and there and complete silence, I felt much more relaxed and even satiated. A baby step I know, but I am willing to try to make a ritual out of enjoying treats so I don't aimlessly eat and overindulge without being satisfied.
Nancy spent a lot of time discussing not just what I ate, but how I approached my food. Together we came up with a list of chocolate that I could eat as snacks. My choices included the Scharffenberger bars, Chocolate Covered Biscotti, Chocolate covered fruit (portion controlled) and Hot Chocolate. Don't get me wrong, she also gave me a handout which recommended yogurt and dry roasted edamame as snacks as well, but I wanted something geared towards my trigger foods. She also gave me a "travel bag" to bring with me to work where I could pack away healthy snacks to always keep on hand. The bag included cups for portion control to make it easier to pack the right foods in the right amounts.
I'd highly recommend using Nancy to discuss your food issues. Be forewarned though, she will ask your commitment level to making changes before even meeting with you. When and if you are ready to make changes no matter how big or small, she can be reached at 415-346-1475 by phone or via email a info@enlighteningchoices.com.
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