Auromere Ayervedic Imports started over 30 years ago.  It became one of the first companies to introduce Ayurveda to the U.S. They are the leading importer of Ayervedic body care, conscious living products and literature.

The last Auromere product I tried was the handmade soaps. It was nice soap, but the neem scent was too strong for me. None the less, I still think they make great natural care products.

They offer many flavors of toothpaste. Image from Auromere.

Recently Auromere sent me a couple of their Ayurvedic products to try out. I’ve since only tried out the natural dental care stuff first.

I tried the licorice one and it reminded me of homemade toothpaste using natural clay. But this is made of fine chalk. And the taste is very much like licorice candy. I know some people don’t like mint toothpaste, so this would make a good alternative.

It’s nice to have toothpaste that really makes you feel like you’re enjoying a sweet rather than something that counteracts the damage they do to your teeth.

Next up was Auromere’s natural mouthwash made of many Indian herbs and essential oils.  I was also happy to try this mouthwash after I realized how bad regular alcohol based mouthwash is for your mouth. I’ve stopped using most commercial mouthwash. Gargling with 3% hydrogen peroxide is okay, but doesn’t taste too good.

I was a bit surprise at how cooling it was (due to the mints). And the taste reminded me of strong herbal medicine. But a few seconds later it disappear and you can really taste the sweet licorice. And it’s almost too good to spit out!

It is alcohol and sulfate free with no artificial sweeteners or additives.

I also find the mouthwash to be a great rinse after eating. It almost makes you not want to have dessert or candy (since the licorice pretty much covers the sweet cravings). I can imagine this being the new diet craze - “just cut your calories by rinsing with our mouthwash”.

Just by reading the ingredients, I can believe the mouthwash can only be good for you. I can’t imagine finding all these herbs and essential oils myself to concoct such a mouthwash. It’s like they went to the forest of India and collected all the good herbs to put in this little bottle!

Here is a partial list of the ingredients: Purified water, glycerin (from vegetable oil), hydrogenated castor oil, xylitol (from birch bark), essential oil blend: [anethol, menthol, eucalyptus, field mint, peppermint, spearmint, geranium, cardamom, and clove], indian licorice root, neem, peelu, indian licorice, pomegranate, common jujube, rose apple.

I will continue using this mouthwash, but I will stick with my soaps for brushing and cleaning my teeth!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been brushing my teeth with my handmade soaps for a while now.

It all started when I read about Dr. Gerard F. Judd, a professor, chemist and researcher. Dr. Judd is not a fan of fluoride in water or commercial toothpaste. Especially since toothpaste contains addition glycerine and other abrasive additives.

Dr. Judd also states that glycerine does not come off your teeth easily, it leaves a film.  With handmade bar soap, there is naturally occurring glycerine and it rinses off clean and easy.  If you brush before bedtime, it would allow your teeth to re-enamelize while you are sleeping.

If you search online you will find many tooth soaps in the market. The basic ingredients are the same as handmade soap. Except some companies charge so much for it!

Pictured here is the “tooth savior”.  Photo from Olive Barn $18 at 1 oz.

Ingredients: saponified organic extra virgin olive, organic coconut, and organic palm oils, organic aloe, wild white oak bark, french green clay, sea salt, peppermint, spearmint & tea tree essential oils, chlorella, vanilla, stevia.

With the soap shreds, you simply place one little soap shred on the back molars, bite down, and then brush thoroughly. The shred will dissolve while brushing with a wet toothbrush.

“Contains no toxic fluoride, harsh abrasives, added glycerin, petroleum dyes, refined sweeteners, sodium lauryl sulfate, unsafe preservatives, or other harmful ingredients found in most commercial toothpastes that actually damage your teeth, your health, and the health of our planet!” - the makers of tooth savior.

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I am always on the look out for new and neat soaps.  Except this bar by is not exactly soap. As it does not contain caustic soda or tallow.  It’s labeled as a cleansing bar.

The makers of this cleansing bar had this to say about it, “has a pH of 4.5 to protect your skin’s natural acid mantle.  This unique cleanser contains the specific amount of allantoin needed to help your skin maintain its youthful glow. Free from the harsh, irritating ingredients found in soap and enriched with 500 IU of Vitamin E.”

Allantoin is a unique product that is used for skin protection. Allantoin is a white, odorless, crystalline powder. Allantoin is also used to hasten the growth of new, healthy tissue. Allantoin increases the desirability of cosmetic creams and lotions by its action as a skin protectant. - The Sage

As for my review of Nature’s Path beauty bar:

It’s a very hard oval bar.  The scent reminds me of Pine Sol but more on the citrus side.  So not too bad, but I would prefer a more neutral smell.  The yellow color is also too much and can leave yellow messes on you soap dish and bathtub.  I would say they tone down on the yellow color too.

Otherwise, it makes a nice facial bar and can even be used as shampoo bar too.  Washes off clean and easy, leaving no residue.  Your scalp fees very nourished from the Vitamin E and Allantoin.  But it does leave your hair a bit dry.  I guess you can always follow this with conditioner or use hair oil after.

A little more info about the pH of your skin:

Nature endows human skin with a natural pH range of between 4.5 and 5.5. Regular soaps tend to be alkaline, effectively removing the “acid mantle” that your skin drier, less pliant, less vibrant than it should be. Natural Beauty Cleansing Bar are pH balanced, protecting the skin’s natural “acid mantle.”

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It wouldn’t be Christmas without candy canes.  It’s simple candy made with sugar and peppermint oil.

Lots of colorful candy cane to chose from and nicely set in a pretty vase too. Take one! Photo from bookgrl , CC.

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A few years back I used to have a few magazines subscriptions, mostly the health and beauty ones.

And I always felt like I was killing trees and ruining the environment while turning each glossy page. So I cut down my subscription to almost none.

But now that the new year is coming up, I decided that I miss getting magazines in the mail. Plus I would always “recycle” them. I usually save my favorite issues (or articles) and the rest would either be given away or donated to the local libraries. Some schools even request magazine donations as art project for the kids. So it’s not really that bad. I think 3 magazines per household is a good number.

So a nice gift to myself this holiday would be a few new magazines subscriptions. Including Real Simple, Country Living and Sunset.

SUNSET - A great magazine for outdoor enthusiast.  Ideas for local daytrips, neat recipes and gardening information are always nice here.

These photos from Sunset of pretty amaryllis are some of my favorite winter flowers.

Julie Chai of Sunset noted, “but with the right care, these stunning beauties can re-bloom in your garden long after the holidays have passed.”  I know my mom did this with Easter lilies and they still continue to bloom every spring.

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I’ve always loved penguins.  There is just something neat about a bird that can’t fly, but loves to swim underwater.  Can live in freezing temperatures and depend on other penguins for warmth.

I love how the black and white is to represent the symbolism of Taoism.  Peng Shui is the perfect name too.  Artwork by English artist Peter Cross.

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Instant coffee doesn’t find much interest here in the U.S. But Europeans don’t seem to have a problem with it. They even have what is called “luxurious” instant coffee. I think instant coffee is great, it’s easy and convenient way to enjoy coffee.

The world of instant coffee is much more then I realized. In Asian markets you can usually find many brands and selections of instant coffee. They are mostly imported from Thailand, Vietnam, and China. The packets even come with sugar and powder milk. But the powder milk they use is made with hydrogenated oils. I suggest they use only pure milk powder with no hydrogenation. It’s a matter of healthy eating.

This is Starbuck’s instant coffee, VIA.  It took them 20 years to come up with the perfect cup. It is a strong cup. This is the 3 pack that retails for $4.99 at .  I think the price went up, as it use to be $2.95 for 3 packs. Definitely not cheap compare to other instant coffee brands.

Starbuck is advertising these as being just as good as a cup of fresh brew. Starbuck’s PR - “There’s never been an instant like this. With Starbucks VIATM Ready Brew, at last there’s an instant coffee you can enjoy at home that’s as good as fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee.”

M won’t drink instant coffee, unless he’s out of coffee beans. But I don’t mind instant coffee at all. It’s great when you only want one cup. Also great if you are on the road or out on a hike.

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When it comes to meditation, people usually think of Buddhism. Meditation is a good way to relax and connect with your inner self.

Mediation has been used with integrative medicine to help people cope with chronic pain. Even those with mental issues can benefit from meditation as well.

And some people, such as my mom, meditate for spiritual enlightenment. It’s a way to calm the heart and mind. I have tried meditating once at a Buddhist temple retreat. But group meditation just isn’t for me.

This beautiful lotus blossom is from horizontal.integration, taken via CC.

Recently I came across Metta Meditation. It is more of a loving-kindness meditation that you chant to yourself. It’s suppose to help you overcome fear, anger, and other negative feelings. As you practice Metta Meditation, you also begin to radiate feelings of warm and happiness. Something many of us could use during this hectic holiday season.

It’s easy to do since you can practice in a formal sitting meditation or while walking. Or even when doing your daily chores, for me it would be doing the dishes.

Acharya Buddharakkhita recommends, “To begin, take a few moments to quiet your mind and focus your attention on the experience of loving kindness. You will begin by offering Metta to yourself. If distracting thoughts arise, acknowledge them, make a mental note to return to them after your Metta practice, but quickly move them aside to maintain concentration.”

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What better way to get into the Christmas spirit then putting up decorations? I just saw these cute Christmas critter ornaments at Pottery Barn.  I especially like the baby penguin.  But $26 for a set of 4 is quite pricey!

Pinecone Critters.  Along with the pine cone body, it’s very creative! Photo from Pottery Barn.

Smith & Hawkin, the garden shop I’ve enjoyed visiting, always had nice ornaments. But sadly they are out of business (since last July 2009).  I found this photo from the Daily Green. I remember seeing them last winter but didn’t buy any. They are so cute and colorful too! I found some on Ebay and thinking of bidding for them (starting bid is $3 for all 6).

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Earl Grey is a black tea blend flavored with bergamot oil from the bergamot orange. I was never really a fan of black tea, but I do like the smell of bergamot. The last good cup of Earl Gray I had was from Two Leaves and a Bud’s.

Recently I came upon another tea company that also makes organic Early Grey.  Heredia tea company is from Argentina. They use only tea filter paper without chlorine bleaches or synthetic materials. The teas are also made without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. So all that is a plus!

It’s very light and refreshing for black tea. I would say just as good as the cup from Two Leaves and a Bud. I found mine at TJ Maxx for $2.99 per box. You can also find them online for a better price too.

Photo of Heredia’s organic Earl Grey. Image source. Here is a good description of Heredia’s Earl Gray from La Tienda:

“Earl Grey tea is a popular tea with a fruity aromatic flavor that has been enjoyed for centuries. The tea gets its unusual flavor from oil of bergamot orange. The latest research indicates that the Bergamot orange is a cross between the sweet or pear lemon and the Seville or sour orange. The sour orange is native to southern Vietnam, hence the Chinese connection.”

Bergamot orange, the oils of this citrus fruit is used to flavor tea, added to soaps and lotions.  It’s a very refreshing citrus scent.  Photo by Klaus Reger, Wkipedia CC.

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