Category Archives: Bracelets

DIY Organic Beauty Products

It seems as though beauty products today are consistently chalked full of a new wonder ingredient that is supposed to reverse the effects of aging, get rid of dark circles, or make our hair grow super quick. Doesn’t this seem a little disconcerting to you? When you look on the back of the bottle, all you see is long list of chemical names that are impossible to pronounce! Are we really supposed to put these things inside and on our body? The alternative is much simpler, and much more cost effective – Why not make your own beauty products? Here are a few of our favorite ones to try out:

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Impurity Removing Face Mask

After being out in the city all day, sometimes it feels as though you come home wearing a layer of pollution. Especially because our faces tend to be more sensitive, it’s important that we take special care to cleanse and purify. Purchasing a quality facemask is often a very expensive endeavor. High end masks with organic, quality ingredients can range from $20 all the way up to the hundreds! This facemask will exfoliate, clean, and purify your skin leaving it fresh and glowing. Follow this easy recipe set out and enjoy the benefits of clean skin!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons bentonite clay

3 capsules activated charcoal

3-4 teaspoons aloe vera

1-2 teaspoons shea butter

1.5 oz camomile tea

1 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)

1 drop eucalyptus essential oil (optional)

 

Directions:

Start by brewing the tea and melting the shea butter in a double boiler. When the tea is ready and the shea butter is completely melted, mix them together.

Mix the bentonite clay and the activated charcoal.

Add the clay and charcoal mix to the shea and tea mix and stir.

Add the aloe vera and essential oils and mix well.

Store in an air-tight container.

To use: apply all over face and keep on for about 15 minutes. Wash off well, and admire your soft skin!

 

Oil Honey Hair Mask

Some of the most frustrating products to buy are hair care ones. They tend to be the most expensive and it’s always a hit or miss. It seems as though most shampoos and conditioners do nothing but strip the oil from our hair and leave it limp. Going the organic route may just be the best option. Using natural ingredients to clean and purify our hair; not strip it of its natural essence and layer on chemicals. Coconut oil is a wonder product and is used in everything from teeth products to cooking, and yes – hair! This super easy recipe for a coconut oil and honey hair mask will leave your hair shiny and naturally healthy!

Ingredients

2 parts coconut oil, melted

2 parts honey

1 part apple cider vinegar

Mix together and pour into a microwaveable jar. The hair mask will naturally separate in the jar. Re-melt and stir before each application. When applying: apply roots to tip, leave on for up to 30 minutes, wash and rinse!

 

Homemade Lotion With Calendula + Aloe

Our skin absorbs much more throughout the day than you may realize. The elements and pollution do a number in terms of drying out and damaging our skin. Though many moisturizers promise to rejuvenate and replenish our skin, many strip it of its natural oils that keep it healthy and hydrated. Doesn’t it make sense to use natural essences and earthly products to replenish our skin? Aloe and Vitamin E have long been used to treat both skin and hair. Additionally, calendula is a natural anti-inflammatory and skin rejuvenator that has been used for ages. If you’re looking for an organic alternative to the chemical heavy products on the market today, whip up this easy and homemade lotion:

 

INGREDIENTS

½tablespoon raw honey, ideally manuka

½tablespoon aloe vera

3 tablespoons calendula oil

10 drops of Chamomile (or lavender) essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour all the ingredients into a very clean or sterile bottle and shake to combine.

Test in a discrete spot to check for irritation.

Wash the affected area, shake bottle to combine ingredients and gently apply the lotion (if treating sunburn, wait until the heat has cleared from the skin before using this lotion).

Store in the fridge, as the cool temperature will help soothe, too.

 

Embracing natural products can work wonders in naturally rejuvenating your body. It’s important to treat your body with organics and know exactly what you’re putting on and into it. Additionally, it’s important to keep your body’s energy aligned to feel a sense of overall wellness. Take a look at some of our QRay products!

Banishing Anxiety Without Medication

In today’s world, it seems as though our entire lives exist within the realm of our smartphones and computers. We are continually checking our gadgets for updates on what our friends are doing, who commented on our picture, and if work has sent a new e-mail. This constant inundation of information is enough to drive anyone crazy; so it should come as no surprise that people today are more stressed and anxious than ever before. While medication is a viable option for some to ease their anxiety, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Many people who have tried anti-anxiety medications complain of feeling groggy and almost zombie-like. So what are the alternatives? We’ve put together some holistic approaches to help banish your anxiety without medication!

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(Un) Social Butterfly

While social media is a guilty pleasure for almost everyone, the social anxiety that accompanies it can often wreak havoc on our nerves. From stumbling across an old flame’s vacation pictures, to having an acquaintance write a critical comment on an article you shared, social media can be an emotional minefield. The communication aspect of technology poses a whole other realm of anxiety. Waiting to hear back after a first date, office communication, and attempting to make group plans is just another layer of anxiety that technology provides. Navigating our many devices and social media accounts tends to be taxing to our well-being and general sense of calm. While some may suggest going on a ‘tech-detox’, this may not be the best approach for everyone. In taking a large chunk of time tech-free, you’re likely to have increased anxiety wondering about missed calls, unanswered e-mails, or unliked posts. Instead, try to abstain from checking your phone or computer for small increments of time. Start with 15 minutes, and slowly leave more and more time before checking your devices.

Get on Up

The benefits of regular exercise are numerous! A Princeton study has shown that physical activity creates excitable neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is involved in thinking, memories, and emotional responses. Furthermore, the study showed that exercise is able to reduce anxiety in both humans and animals. Researchers were able to determine this by conducting a study on runners and sedentary mice. The comparison revealed that runners’ brains were bursting with new, excitable neurons, while the mice’s brains did not. Of these new neurons in the runners’ brains, a number of them released the neurotransmitter GABA, which essentially prevents too many neurons in the brain from firing, thereby keeping you calm. Aside from the scientific aspects of working out, exercise can help you reach goals, gain confidence, increase your social interactions, and cope in a positive way! So the next time you have a big deadline or a fight with your partner, go out and take a lap around your neighbourhood!

Sit Still

As important as it is to be active and get your brain firing anxiety-reducing neurons, it’s also important to find your calm. Although, as prior noted, being active is an incredible outlet for those who suffer from anxiety, it’s important to be able to manage your stress and emotions. Sitting still during an anxious episode will force you to focus on your thoughts, mental state, and relaxation techniques. If you’ve never practiced any type of meditation before, there are a few things to know. Meditation can be as simple as sitting in a quiet, comfortable place. Simply focus on the act of breathing and controlling your breath. Deep breathing and meditation go hand in hand, and developing a rhythm will help your body to achieve a meditative state. Meditation does not give instant results, it takes dedication and perseverance, so dedicate yourself to mindfulness and you will get better at controlling and calming your mind!

Write It Out

One of the best ways to understand the millions of thoughts running through your head is to chronicle them. Having an ongoing record of how you felt on certain days and how things impacted you is a great way to help understand who we are. Make this a fun venture by picking out a beautiful notebook. Then, write everyday for about 20 minutes cataloging your day and your thoughts. Ask yourself, what am I telling myself? How anxious do I feel today? What triggered my anxiety? On a scale of 1-10, how bad is my anxiety? Even if it initially feels awkward and forced, developing the habit of writing will help you to understand the connection between your thoughts and your anxiety.

If you’re constantly looking ways to improve yourself and your wellbeing, we encourage you to learn more about the QRay difference

6 Chilled Soups to Cool You Down

 While soups may be a token winter favorite, they can also be an incredible summer dish! There are so many delicious recipes for chilled soup. Why not try one tonight for a yummy dinner on the patio? Here are 6 of our favorite recipes!

 

1. Chilled Avocado Soup with Spicy Grilled Shrimp and Jalapeno-Corn Salsa

All your favorite taco essentials combined in a satisfyingly chilled soup! This one is sure to impress your party guests this summer!

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2. Chilled Creamy Cherry Tomato Soup

If you love grilled cheese dipped in warm tomato soup, then just imagine how delicious it will be dipped in a chilled tomato soup! This is a delightful way to transform your favorite comfort food for summer!

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3. Chilled Pea Soup with Basil and Almond Tuiles

Hosting a garden party? Sipping some of this soup alongside cucumber sandwiches and iced tea would be divine!

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4. Beetroot Soup

This is the perfect soup to add a punch of color to any table. A delicious appetizer that is great for dipping a piece of fresh baked bread in! Sound good?

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5. Chilled Carrot and Harissa Soup

Who says you can’t have it hot and cold? This tasty chilled soup adds an element of heat with harissa and makes for the perfect Sunday lunch!

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6. Mint Infused Chilled Strawberry Soup

Enjoy the best of dessert and lunch in this sumptuous chilled soup! With fresh, bright notes this makes for an ideal light meal.

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What’s your go-to chilled soup recipe? We’d love to hear! Share with us in the comments below!

5 Basic Yoga Asanas for Beginners

Asanas are the names given to the many different yoga poses. If you’re looking to jumpstart your yoga experience, but are unsure where to start, consider this your cheat sheet!

  1. Setu Bandh (Bridge Pose)

Ensure your feet and hips are equal distance apart and lift your body upward.

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  1. Nauka Chalan (Boat Pose)

Keep your legs straight (no bent knees!) and keep your knees together!

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  1. Vakrasana

Keep your back as straight as possible and attempt doing this asana in the opposite direction as well.

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  1. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Ensure your palms are tucked under your shoulders before pushing up off the ground.

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  1. Paschimottanasana

Don’t let the difficult name fool you, simply do your best to touch your toes and collapse your body into your knees.

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What was your favorite asana when starting off as a yogi? Share with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

5 Yoga Poses for a Better Sleep

So often we find it difficult to leave the worries and stress of the day behind us. Even after weve decompressed at home, had family time and crawled into bed, it can be truly a daunting task to calm the mind. This can result in sleepless nights that only lead to grumpy mornings and unproductive days. Ease your mind and have a better, more refreshing sleep with 5 easy yoga poses.

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1.     Bridge Pose

Bridge pose creates an inversion of the body, and can often produce stress relief and improve circulation. This pose opens the chest and will give your chest muscles a nice stretch.

2.     Half Lotus Forward Fold

This position will stretch out your outer hips as well as your glutes. When folding forward, really try to melt into the pose and allow your mind to become quiet.

3.     Spine Twist

This will provide a gentle twist felt throughout the back and can be incredibly relaxing. Do your best to keep your mind quiet and calm.

4.     Standing Forward Bend

Not only is this position excellent for receiving headaches and lowering stress levels, but many yogis also claim that it is powerful in reducing insomnia.

5.     Savasana

This is the ultimate pose to get your body ready for sleep mode. Focus your attention on your body and your breathing. At this point, you should be able to let your worries of the day go!

Namaste.

What are your favourite yoga positions before bed? Share them with us on Twitter!

How To Detox Your Home

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You know what they say: your home is your castle. So why allow bad energy to cluster and crowd in your sacred space? Chemicals can be found in air freshener, plastics, furniture and other foreign substances that pollute the air in our homes. Though air purifiers are an effective option, sometimes the best route is a holistic one. Here are some options to help naturally detoxify your home:

Bamboo

When bamboo is baked at very high temperatures, it transforms into a charcoal-like substance. Charcoal is excellent at absorbing not only odours, but also potentially hazardous chemicals like ammonia. These are called ‘bamboo briquettes’ and are an excellent environmentally friendly option that has been used throughout Asia for hundreds of years.

Plants

In addition to adding a lovely burst of green to your home, plants also help to clean the air in your house – sometimes in as little as a day! Houseplants are capable of removing tricky toxins such as cigarette smoke and even carbon monoxide. In fact, NASA scientists conducted a study to demonstrate the incredible power of plants in the detoxification of air. Wondering what the top three plants were? English ivy, golden pothos and boston fern!

Beeswax

100% real beeswax candles clean the air while they burn. As the candles burn, they create negative ions, which neutralize positive ions (allergens and airborne toxins) and produce a similar cleansing effect to houseplants. Remember, only 100% beeswax candles will work (most candles actually add to the toxicity of the air in your home).

Himalayan Salt Lamp

These lamps are exactly what they sound like – large chunks of Himalayan salt with a small light bulb placed inside. As the light bulb heats up the salt and gently releases salt particles, the salt particles neutralize toxins in the air and eliminate unpleasant odours. Additionally, many find the warm, glowing light of the salt lamp to be very therapeutic.

Preventative Measures

  • Remove shoes when entering the home
  • Use green/eco-friendly cleaners
  • Filter your water
  • Be conscious of purchasing synthetic materials throughout the home

 

Do you have helpful tips for detoxifying the home? Feel free to share them with us on our Facebook page!

8 Surprisingly Delicious Cold Cures

Tis the season! Winter means that everyone and their dog seem to suffer from some form of cold or flu symptoms at some point or another. For some reason, overpowering cough drops and medicinal tasting teas just don’t satisfy the taste buds. Alas, we have a solution! Here are 8 surprisingly delicious cold cures!

 

1)    Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing warms the bones quite like it. Studies have suggested that chicken noodle soup actually canalleviate cold symptoms! Turns out your grandmother wasn’t making it up! Try out this one-pot chicken noodle soup recipe to suppress your sniffles!

 

2)    Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir

Now, we understand that this sounds like something you’d whip up in a potions class … and it kind of is. Apple cider vinegar has an almost cult-like following regarding its borderline miraculous healing powers. From heartburn, digestion, weight control, sinus infection and way more. Many people disregard it for an almost unbearable taste (naturally). This elixir is a sweetened and much more palatable version while retaining all of the benefits!

 

3)    Homemade Cough Remedy

Get your Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman on with this homemade, sinus clearing concoction. Ginger, cayenne and honey – oh my!

 

4)    Ginger and Lemon Cake

Yes, you read that correctly. Cake – a cake that cures colds. Additionally, it’s both raw and vegan, so regardless of your dietary restrictions you can enjoy this miracle dessert. To eat your way back to health, try this recipe out for yourself!

 

5)    The Intensi-toddy

Wait, hot toddies normally contain alcohol don’t they? Yes they do, and so does this one. Your run of the mill hot toddy’s cooler, tougher, older brother. Hot toddies usually contain brandy … this one has spiced rum! We urge you to check it out.

 

6)    Cote-D’Azur Cure-All Soup

It’s just like classic chicken noodle soup except it’s French, so it’s fancier and more refined, you know? (It also contains no chicken but six eggs!)Famed for also being a terrific hangover cure, it’s definitely worth a try!

 

7)    Influenza RX Sorbet

More cold curing desserts! Hallelujah! This cold remedy makes you wish your parents had known about this when desperately trying to spoon feed you grape medicine as a child. ‘Cold medicine’ in sorbet form is definitely something we can get behind.

 

8)    Flu Fighting Cookies

Brimming with fresh spices, nuts and fruit we urge you make a batch in the name of your health and wellbeing. If they call them ‘flu fighting’, they can’t be wrong!

 

What are your cold remedies? Let us know on Facebook!

The Bracelets of the Midnight Series

Have you taken a glance at one of our most popular series, Midnight? It boasts beautiful, wellness promoting bracelets. Created with an interlocking mesh, the Midnight Bracelets are stainless steel bands containing an IP black powder coating that’s baked onto the band. They are also flexible because of their laser-cut engineered construction. Beautiful and comfortable, yet sleek and sophisticated. What could possible be better? Take a look for yourself!

 

  1. Midnight Black and Gold

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  1. Midnight Black and White

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Looking for a series of bracelets that are a little bit more rugged? Our Titanium series might be just what you need!

Add a little positivity into your life and be sure to visit our website to see all of our other beautiful QRay bracelet collections!

The Amazing Benefits of Meditation on your Brain

The positive effects of mediation on the mind, body and soul have long been a central part of many Buddhist’s lives. What you may not know is that there are many incredible benefits to your actual brain!

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How does meditation stimulate the brain?

A study has shown that MRI images are able to highlight the change in beta-wave activity after a mere 20 minutes of meditation. Take a look at how the various parts of the brain become stimulated by meditation:

  • Your Frontal Lobe: If you’re familiar with the anatomy of the brain, you will know that your frontal lobe helps us with self-awareness, planning, emoting and reasoning. During meditation, this area of the brain quiets and almost turns off. On account of this, quieting oneself is the ability to detach one’s mind from their ‘self’.
  • Your Thalamus: The thalamus coordinates our senses and sends them from different parts of the body to the brain. During meditation, the sending of information is found to slow the rate of sensory information.
  • Your Parietal Lobe: The parietal lobe processes the information sent by the thalamus. Additionally, it gives you the sense of time and space. Similar to the effect on the thalamus, the processing of information is slowed.
  • Reticular Information: Responsible for keeping the brain alert based on the stimuli received. Again, this area of the brain is slowed down during meditation.

So, what are the benefits?

Whereas ‘Alpha waves’ are associated with an aroused, heightened state of mind, it is shown that during meditation mainly ‘Theta waves’ are shown. Theta waves show a slowed, relaxed state of mind. Here are 5 areas of your life that meditation can benefit:

  • Grey Matter – Though there is no conclusive evidence, it has been suggested by some studies that meditation increases the amount grey matter in the front of one’s brain. So what does this mean? Thicker grey matter increases both your focus, emotional stability, compassion and self-awareness.
  • Anxiety – When you find yourself in an anxiety inducing or upsetting situation it is your prefrontal cortex that makes you feel scared or anxious. Meditation eases this area of your brain so that when a reaction is triggered, it is not as intense and reduces pangs of anxiety. Meditation then allows for you to look at the situation from a more rational standpoint.
  • ResilienceResearchers from Wisconsin-Madison University took MRI’s of Tibetan monk’s brains and discovered that there is actually a very deep-rooted connection between resilience and meditation. There is a part of your brain called the amygdala that largely controls emotional reactions and emotional memory. This study showed that from meditation the amygdala was able to recover more quickly from emotional stress or trauma.
  • Stress – One of the biggest benefits of meditation is reduction of stress. In 2012 a group of researchers split a study group into three. One practicing mindful meditation, one practicing body relaxation training and the last group was given no training at all. The researchers then gave all three groups a multi-tasking task intended to induce stress. The results showed that the group that practiced mindful meditation showed significantly less stress than the other two groups.
  • Creativity – Leiden University in the Netherlands produced a study finding that people who practiced open-monitoring meditation performed better at tasks requiring creativity and the production of new ideas. Alternatively, the study also finds that those who practice focus-attention meditation do not receive the benefit of boosted creativity. The study notes however that creativity is an incredibly difficult thing to both measure and study.

What else can meditation effect?

A new study in Scientific American has suggested that meditating not only affects your synapses, but can also change your DNA! To delve further, it states that mindful meditation was shown to have an effect on DNA in certain breast cancer patients. The study elaborates in saying, “In Carlson’s study distressed breast cancer survivors were divided into three groups. The first group was randomly assigned to an 8-week cancer recovery program consisting of mindfulness meditation and yoga; the second to 12-weeks of group therapy in which they shared difficult emotions and fostered social support; and the third was a control group, receiving just a 6-hour stress management course. A total of 88 women completed the study and had their blood analyzed for telomere length before and after the interventions. Telomeres were maintained in both treatment groups but shortened in controls.”

Next time you feel stress coming on in your life, remember all the benefits that meditation can bring and give it a try!

The Best Herbs and Spices to Improve Your Health

It’s no secret that herbs and spices hold the key to a plethora of health benefits. Many naturopathic doctors use a wide variety of herbs for their medicinal and healing properties. Here are some of the best ones to aid your health!

Spices

Sage – Though often used in cooking, sage can soothe sore throats and alleviate upset stomachs. To utilize this herbs properties, sip sage tea or spray a sore throat with sage solution.

Ginger – Not only great for nausea and motion sickness, ginger is also incredibly helpful in stimulating the body to release the proper enzymes needed to effectively break down food so that nutrients can be absorbed.

Rosemary – Rosemary can help with both alertness and memory, especially when memory recall is needed. Additionally, rosemary is used in many meat rubs and marinades for a good reason. Rosemary helps to prevent meat from spoiling, as well as other unwanted bacteria, perhaps making cooking even healthier!

Dandelion – On account of compounds called flavonoids, both the root and the leaves of the dandelion may be used for a wide variety of healing purposes such as cleaning the liver, acne, diabetes, anemia and even premenstrual symptoms.

Turmeric – In India, turmeric is a highly revered spice on account of its health and healing principles. Turmeric paste is applied to wounds to speed healing, and people often sip turmeric tea to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Even modern medicine supports that it has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!

Parsley – Rethink that garnish the next time you see it on the side of your plate! Parsley has an extremely high amount of chlorophyll. This can help with anti-inflammation, as well as to clear toxins and boost immunity!

What are your favorite herbs and spices? Share them with us!