A couple months ago my parents and I traveled together to visit my sister Amy and her family in Tonga. It's an annual trip that always brings me cultural enrichment, a deeper appreciation for hard work and simplicity, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all that I have.

We landed in Nadi, Fiji after our 11 hour flight from San Francisco. My friends Raj and Shasheen met us at the airport with their two boys around 6am and we all went out for breakfast. The boys headed off to school and us adults took a drive into the hills to the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool. I'd been there a couple of years ago and it was really fun experiencing all the sensations again this time with my parents. My Dad was cracking us up with his disapproval and opinion that coating oneself in mud is a terrible idea.

The three of us made it to Nuku'alofa, the capital city of Tonga, that evening. I had just shy of two weeks to spend quality time with my parents, my sister Amy, my brother-in-law Toni, and my adorable and hilarious niece and nephew - 'Iva, 4 and Melino, 2. We mostly hung out at the house and enjoyed being part of the kids environment. I really enjoy watching the kids with my parents. They think the world of NaNa and PaPa. So sweet.

We got invited out on a boat ride one afternoon and went to a tiny uninhabited island close by. It was crazy picturesque. The crystal clear vivid colored water meeting up with the white sandy beach was absolutely gorgeous - almost surreal looking. The beach was covered with the coolest shells and chunks of coral I've ever seen. The island was crawling with hundreds of hermit crabs of all sizes and my nephew and his little buddy collected a bunch and held them hostage in a big hole for 'observation.'

A nice spa opened up just a couple months before I arrived last year. I got connected with the fabulous women there and we did some skills sharing and treatment trades. I also gave them some consultation and feedback. It felt really good to be in service that way and they were quite appreciative. I went back and did more of the same this year and look forward to continue nurturing this connection. They just finished creating a hair room and hope to have me be a guest stylist next year. That could be fun!

There was a parade one day celebrating something having to do with the parliament. My Dad and I walked to town and watched as groups of kids from all the schools marched in perfect time. They all wore their school uniforms and all the girls had their hair in two braids which is part of the dress code. It was a relatively quiet parade with one leader from each group calling out "left, left, left, right, left...." Every once in awhile the music from a school band marching by would fill the air. Even though it was a quiet kind of parade their was plenty of cheering from the onlookers nonetheless.

Most of the adults that were part of the parade had on traditional formal attire which usually is some sort of natural material skirt or mat wrapped around ones waist. This is everyday business attire for some people and though it does look pretty cool, it seems super uncomfortable. I do really appreciate how the Tongans keep part of their culture alive by wearing these natural handmade pieces.

My parents stayed in Tonga for a month and I traveled back home solo. I had a layover in Fiji again so my 'adopted' Fiji family picked me up again and took me to their place for a meal and visiting. The sheet was laid out on the living room floor and the delicious food was placed in the center. We all sat cross legged and ate without utensils. After being encouraged by my gracious hosts to eat more I still managed to find room for an ice cream cone.

Before we headed back to the airport Shasheen brought me into her room and gifted me with a cute dress as well as some fun sparkly jewelry. Such a sweet and generous gesture. As we said our goodbyes the boys called out "Bye Auntie!" Little did I know that the family of the taxi driver I called in Fiji two years ago would be my adopted Fijian family. Pretty special. Already looking forward to visiting my blood family and non-blood family in the South Pacific next year!

I recently spent two weeks in Tonga where my sister Amy and her family live. Tonga is a small Polynesian country of islands floating out in the South Pacific. It's a very very different place than America and each year when I visit I am both fascinated and humbled. When I spend time there I realize all the comforts and luxuries that are part of my everyday life back home. People in Tonga just don't have access to a lot of the things that we sometimes take for granted. There's really not much industry at all and quite a lot is imported and expensive.

When my sister told me that a spa opened up recently and that she wanted to treat me to something special, I was of course excited. Being in a country where imported goods are so expensive and the culture is so different than my own, I wondered what kind of products they use, what services had they come up with, how was the space set up....etc. Obviously I was delighted to get pampered, but I also was quite curious about the details of the spa as well.

The spa is located in downtown Nuku'alofa directly above the post office. I went through an unassuming door, up a stairwell, down a hall and then found myself in a small bit a heaven as I stepped through the doorway into Island Glow day spa. where I was greeted with a warm welcome and a pitcher of citrus water. I was surprised by the modern decor and the fresh airy feel to the space. It felt fancy but low key and comfortable at the same time.

My hospitable "beauty therapist" Fa brought me into her treatment room and the first thing I noticed was that there were giant banana leaves laid out across the table! It was evident that I was in for a treat that incorporated not only local ingredients but local materials too! The treatment I received was called The Ultimate Body Indulgence Package and combined massage, a full body scrub as well as a body wrap. It was indeed ultimate.

The massage was done using locally made coconut oil that had been infused with native plants and herbs for added benefit and scent. In Tonga they simply refer to that as Tongan Oil. The body scrub combined local botanicals, crushed pumice stone from the beaches, along with tuitui nuts which are known to soften and moisturize the skin. In fact, tuitui nuts are frequently used in place of soap in Tonga to keep skin and hair healthy. You chew up a handful of nuts, spit it out into your hand or a cloth sack, add water, and then spread the creamy lather all over yourself! My sister always has a bag of them in her fridge that are ready to be chewed and incorporated into the kids bath time.

The body wrap part of my unique Tongan treatment utilized a seaweed mask which also had honey and clay in it. Fa applied it to my whole body and then wrapped me up like a giant Tongan tamale with the banana leaves! She pampered my face and scalp and then removed the body mask with warm towels. My whole body felt amazing and well attended to and I was so grateful to be on the receiving end of such a luxurious treatment.

Fa and I actually got together a few days later to share skills and ideas. I really enjoyed my Tongan Glow pampering, but I also am excited by this new connection with another 'beauty therapist' from the other side of the world. I'm already looking forward to more time at Island Glow with her when I return to Tonga again next year.

Chances are, you know more than one person who has been diagnosed with cancer and undergone chemo treatment. It always breaks my heart to learn of someone's cancer diagnosis and need for harsh treatment. People who are about to begin chemo have a lot to deal with.....including what to do about their hair.

Losing one's hair can be a really difficult part of cancer treatment. Not just having your image change completely but also the mess that hair falling out in clumps makes. Many people opt for getting it cut really short to minimize the mess or even shave it off completely. The act of cutting all your hair off in this situation can be quite emotional.

Over the years I have assisted people with this and made the experience personal and special for them. The Beauty Temple is such a perfect sanctuary for 'rituals' like this. I enjoy supporting  people in this unique way and infusing the process with comfort and humor when appropriate. I find that a bit of pampering and lightheartedness goes a long way.

Recently my friend Mary came in for a pre-chemo head shaving. Though it was emotional for both her and her husband who was present, we certainly made the best of the situation. She even sent me a sweet email afterwards and said "I haven’t had that much fun in a long time!!!" That response sure felt good receiving. I know that she's been no doubt dealing with a whole bunch of non-fun things right now and I was glad to provide her with a fabulous and memorable experience.

If you know someone who is losing or about to lose their hair due to chemo please send them my way. It would be an honor to gift them with this complimentary service I provide.

I frequently get complimented on my healthy looking hair. Sometimes people ask what my secrets are to getting it so glossy and healthy looking. I thought I'd share my two personal secrets with you for how I get my hair to be Super Shiny.



Tip #1
The first secret to getting your shine on is to use a tiny amount of oil. 'Tiny' being the key word here - we're not going for greasy, just glossy. I absolutely love the Wild Lime Revitalizing Scalp & Hair Oil made by Natropathica (sold at the Beauty Temple of course.) It features the nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids of Avocado Oil along with a signature blend of deliciously zesty essential oils that invigorate both the hair and the scalp. It comes in a convenient dropper bottle which makes dispensing a tiny amount really easy. The dropper bottle also comes in super handy for spot treating my patches of dry scalp.

For a quick and basic 'make it yourself' version, you could just get a dropper bottle and fill it with Avocado Oil. You could also keep a small jar of Coconut Oil in your bathroom and use a tiny bit of that instead. Coconut Oil is not as easy to use however since it's a solid oil - smells pretty darn great though.

How to use:
Begin with dry hair. You can't tell how much oil you are putting in when your hair is wet. Place a drop of the oil onto your fingertips and rub fingertips together with the fingertips of your other hand so that the oil isn't so concentrated. You may even want to spread the oil to the palms of your hands as well. The point of spreading out the oil on your fingertips and palms first is so that when you touch your hair you are not applying too much in one spot - avoiding the greasy look. Run fingertips and hands through the ends of your hair and then to the rest of the hair avoiding the top of your head. Be aware that it's easy to use too much oil and end up looking greasy. Start with a super tiny amount and add more after if you want. If you have really fine hair that gets limp and greasy looking easily you may want to just skip this method and move onto Tip #2.

Tip #2
For a weightless high shine punch, I use spray shine. I love Kevin Murphy's Shimmer Shine. Clients are always impressed at how a couple pumps of this seemingly magical elixir transforms their hair into glistening locks. It does an amazing job without weighing the hair down.

How to use:
Eventhough spray shines are generally weightless, you can still certainly overdo it and end up looking greasy. When using a spray shine product, hold the bottle an arms length away from your head. The goal is to cover a large area using minimal product. Use 1 - 3 pumps. I recommend  using your free hand to shield your face since you are holding the bottle so far. And presto - Super Shiny Hair!

I recently had a couple weeks of staying up way too late playing music. Though there was something really energizing about playing piano until 2am, the lack of sleep eventually made me feel, well, not so invigorated.



I woke up one morning and my eyes felt uncomfortably puffy, irritated and just doggone tired. I had heard that putting raw potato on your eyes can alleviate puffiness, irritation and dark circles. I decided to give it a try and was thrilled to have some relief. I felt ready to face the day and grateful for this quick home remedy pick-me-up.

Here's the deal.....

Potatoes contain a starch that has anti-inflammatory properties. They have a cooling effect much like cucumbers and they also have astringents that can remove fluid from under the eyes. Potatoes also contain an enzyme called catecholase that when exposed to air it oxidizes and becomes benzoquinone. "Benzoquinone is a mild relative of a chemical called hydroquinone, which has been the active ingredient in skin bleaching products. The safety of hydroquinone has been questioned and its use is no longer recommended, however, there is no evidence that hydroquinone’s much weaker cousin benzoquinone is unsafe." 
http://classroom.synonym.com/potato-slices-undereye-bags-9077.html

How to...

Slice a raw potato into two pieces that will fit well over your eyes. I prefer thin slices so they conform to the contour of my eyes. You can put the slices in the fridge for 15 - 30 minutes if you'd like but be sure to place them in a bowl of cold water to keep them from turning brown. Pat them dry then lay them on your closed eyes for 10 - 20 minutes.

Alternatively you can grate a bit of potato and put it in a piece of gauze or cheesecloth. This method helps the potato to stay in place better and more effectively makes contact with the area.


Here are some tips to keep your eyes looking and feeling great:

• Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Avoid harsh chemicals and excessive rubbing around the eyes
• Avoid sugary, overly salty and processed foods. They can cause water retention and swelling
• Sleep on your back with your head elevated. This helps gravity keep the fluid moving down away from your eyes

It's cozy season and this time of year most of us end up spending more time indoors. To help make our homes feel more cozy many of us burn candles or use home fragrance products such as plug-ins, sprays, or reed oil diffusers. I personally love the warm glow of candles and inviting scents in my home. However, I have made some changes to what kind of candles I burn and how I fragrance my home. I have made these changes to have a healthier, non-toxic home and I want to share this info with you so you can have a safer home as well.

Did you know that burning candles can be harmful to your health?
Most candles are made out of paraffin. When they are burning, toxic benzene and toluene are released into the air. Both of these are known carcinogens. Burning paraffin candles can also cause respiratory problems and will irritate asthmatic, lung and heart conditions.

If the candle is artificially scented, it could be putting out chemicals that are just as dangerous as second hand smoke. Yikes! "What's that deadly smell coming from the bathroom?" "Oh it's just my candle."   ;-)    Which leads me to artificial home fragrance.....

Synthetic air fresheners, including artificially scented candles, release VOCs into the air. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are those toxins that we try to avoid by buying low or no VOC paint, carpeting and other building materials. Seems kind of silly to go through that trouble only to pollute indoor air with synthetic fragrances.

Okay, so I know at this point you may be feeling conflicted because you've really been enjoying getting into the cozy season spirit by lighting that pumpkin spice candle in your living room. I totally understand. I have a soft spot for sweet & spicy scents as well as anything with fir or pine. It was painful for me to give up my beloved Yankee Candles.

I admit that I still enjoy opening and smelling my favorite Yankee Candle scents when I see them in a store, but that's where I draw the line. I enjoy them there but don't take them home to pollute the air in my home. My home is my sanctuary and I strive to keep it as restorative and healthful as possible. But am I willing to let go of the warm cozy glow of a candle or the inviting smell of home fragrance? Oh hell no!

So here are my personal solutions. I hope you find them helpful:

- Burn only 100% beeswax candles
Be sure the label say 100%. Sometimes paraffin is mixed in.
Beeswax candles are more expensive but they do have longer burn times....plus they naturally smell awesome!

- Only use essential oils to fragrance your home
Essential oils are totally natural, smell amazing, and have therapeutic properties too!

I use aroma-mists that I make using water and essential oils in a small mister bottle. I keep one in my living room, one for my bedroom and one in each bathroom. They are easy to make yourself or you can purchase one of my tried and true beloved blends at the Beauty Temple.

I also use essential oil diffusers. There are many types of diffusers but my preference the one shown below that simply plugs into an electrical outlet like a night light. There's a cotton pad that slides out that you apply drops of essential oil to. When you plug it in there's a ceramic tile inside that  gently heats the pad that releases the aroma. I love the simplicity and effectiveness. It adds natural aroma to a room for hours that isn't overpowering or harmful. I add about 4 - 10 drops on mine everyday and it brings me a lot of joy. I keep one in my bathroom and one in my entry way / living room and now have a couple in the Beauty Temple. They work amazingly well! I also have one made to plug into a cigarette lighter in my car. No toxic air freshener in my vehicle.

I hope you found this post to be both informative and helpful and that you feel inspired to make healthful choices when it comes to candles and home fragrance. I encourage you to share this info with your friends and loved ones so that they too can make healthy choices.

If you have suggestions about healthy candle and home fragrance options that you use and love please share them in the comments section below. Sharing is caring. :-)

1. ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Reflecting on the things we are grateful for can help put things in perspective and give us a positive reality check. A wonderful daily ritual to incorporate into your mornings is to think of three things you are grateful for before getting out of bed. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude!

2. NOTICE NATURE. Paying attention to the details of the natural world that surrounds us brings joy and can be particularly helpful in fostering a deep appreciation for all of the four seasons. Whether it's the way the sunlight hits the beads of moisture on a spider web or the magic of a single swelling leaf bud in late winter, take time to observe and appreciate the beauty that is around us every day.

3. BREATHE DEEPLY. In order to breathe properly you need to breathe deeply into your abdomen not just your chest. Your body is designed to release 70% of its toxins through breathing. If you are not breathing effectively, you are not properly ridding your body of its toxins. Proper breathing also strengthens the heart, lungs and immune system; it improves the nervous system, our energy levels and our moods as well as reducing anxiety and relaxing the mind.

4. HEALTHY HYDRATION. We all know that it is recommended to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. It increases energy and relieves fatigue, flushes out toxins, promotes weight loss, improves skin complexion, and boosts your immune system. Drinking water is such a basic thing yet most of us struggle with consuming even close to what is optimal. Make water more accessible for yourself by purchasing a couple styles of water bottles or sippy cups that work best for your routines and lifestyle. Try adding a sprig of mint or slices of citrus or cucumber. Always keep your water nearby and work to make drinking it a frequent habit throughout the day.

5. PRACTICE SMILING. Smiling has a lot of benefits. It releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin, it boosts your immune system, it lowers your blood pressure, it can change your mood, plus it lifts the face and makes you look younger! So put a little smile on your face whenever you can - you might be surprised by the positive effects such a simple action can have; both on you and those around you!

One of my favorite smells this time of year is a big bag of freshly harvested nettles. Yup. Stinging Nettles. Love 'em.
I love the ritual of going out in the woods with my work gloves, a pair of scissors, and a grocery bag and picking nettles. There's something really satisfying about crouching down in the woods and carefully harvesting them. You really have a chance to slow down and notice all that is quietly sprouting up all around you.

Nettles are totally a beauty food! They contain one of the highest levels of the 'beauty mineral' silicon than in any other food. They are an amazing source of iron, calcium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C & E, phosphates and other minerals. Nettles are also a blood purifier. They neutralize and dissolve acidic wastes in the blood and are highly alkaline. Nettles are wonderful for healthy hair, skin and nails. Here are some simple ideas of how to incorporate this wild beauty food into your diet:

- Use in place of spinach or kale in recipes
- Start your morning w/ mineral rich, detoxifying nettle tea
- Steam & season w/ sea salt, vinegar or lemon
- Run through a juicer w/ other fruits & veggies
- Make pesto using nettles
- Dry them for later use
- Add to smoothies

How to Harvest
Gather nettles when they are young and tender before they flower. Harvest the top 4-6 inches of the plant and leave the rest to continue growing. Wear work gloves - and long sleeves and pants to avoid being stung. I find the easiest way to harvest is to cut the plant with scissors and transfer to a shopping bag or basket. Once in the kitchen I use tongs to handle the nettles.
Yes, care must taken when utilizing these plants....but by all means, DO Meddle With Nettles!    

Check out these links for more info and ways to use this highly nourishing wild plant.

6 Stinging Nettles Recipes For Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails 

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