Hand, Foot and Skin Care
If you love to dabble in the kitchen here's a great site for you: makeyourowncosmetics.com You'll find lots of really fun recipes for hand, foot and skin care that you can make on your own. Lots of them use ingredients you probably already have on hand.
The one featured there right now is for a Foot Spa using milk, sugar, water and your favorite lotion. (We are sure it's Gathered's Goat Milk and Honey Lotion!) Head on over and see what beauty recipes you can use to feel like a goddess! Let us know if you try some and which ones are your favorite.

Are You Ready for an Adventure?

On the news this week were two dramatic rescues of women who had been hiking in the mts. and became lost. One was in the US and the other was an American woman in the Alps. In both instances the women were resourceful enough to attract attention to get rescued. I'd say they had very adventurous spirits.
I have never been very adventurous. I kind of like the safe and known. But sometimes I think I might be missing out on some very interesting activities. SARK says that adventuring is developed by practice. The more adventures you embark on , the more adventures will begin to seek you out. She says that adventures can by tiny or large, they can be expensive or free. She also says that we are creatures of habit (I know I am) and that we should make a habit of adventures.
So this summer one of my goals is to start breaking out of my safe routines and look for adventure. I probably will look for small ones to start. I will be going to Paris is August and I'm pretty sure that will be a LARGE adventure for me!!! What adventures have you been on? Have you made adventure a habit in your life?
I plan on taking some great Gathered From the Garden products along on my adventures. Check out our website for some products to take with you too! gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

10 Ways To Brighten the Day

For us here in MN I think summer has finally arrived! We had an exceptionally cool and rainy spring that has lasted into June. But hurrah--today's high should be about 80 degrees! So with all of the sunshine today it got me thinking of how to brighten your day and that of others. Here are some ideas:

1. Smile. (at everyone and just because- if no one else is around!)
2. Start your day with a workout or some kind of exercise or stretches.
3. Enjoy time with your family.
4. Call a friend. (It's really better than email)
5. Get outside! Swing in your hammock, garden, bike, go for a walk.
6. Help someone in need. (turn on the news and you will see plenty of others that could use some help! Prayers help those in need too.)
7. Play like you did when you were a child. When was the last time you played hopscotch, hula-hoop, or scooped up sand in the sandbox?
8. Laugh out loud. Tell a good joke. Read the comics.
9. Praise someone. It will make two people happy!
10. Wear bright colors--reflect the glorious colors of nature in summer.

I'm sure you can add to the list. Let us know what other ways we can brighten our day. I could have added "read a blog"...or check out Gathered From The Garden's website. Buying and using any of our wonderful products will surely brighten your day! gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Could You Live To Be 100?

My mom just celebrated her 77th birthday. She was commenting on the fact that she outlived her mother. We got to talking about longevity in my family. My dad's mother lived to be 94. Could we make it to 100?
I read on the AARP website about a fellow who is studying people who live to be 100. He went to Costa Rica and interviewed a wonderful old woman. You can read about his visit with her and watch a short video. It is quite inspiring! (aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/living-healthy-to-100.html)
He lists several factors that these people have in common. Some are: they have a sense of purpose, they have a focus on family, they eat fewer calories, they have kept hard at work all of their lives, they maintain social networks and they are genuinely likeable people. This particular woman had visitors stop by her house everyday and she was thrilled to see them.
The list doesn't seem complicated or difficult to do. (maybe the fewer calories part...). I'd like to think that reaching 100 is attainable. I'd only want to live that long if I was in relatively good health like the woman in the interview and if I still had people visiting me everyday! She lives by herself but her 80-year-old son does bike over everyday to check on her. :)
What about you? Would you like to live that long? Are you doing any of the things of the list to increase your chances? I think being a 100-year-0ld "goddess" would be awesome!
Speaking of awesome--check out Gathered From The Garden's website for some awesome products for the goddess in you! gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com