Launch of new healthy living magazine Harvest 20% discount coupon

I have the thrilling news of the launch of a brand new magazine 'Harvest' This wonderful magazine gives you a seasonal guide to healthy living for a happy life. This beautiful print magazine is packed full of in-depth articles with ideas and inspiration for how you can live better through natural solutions.I have my own contribution in the first issue with the story of my personal Pagan path which I am very excited about!

Modern-day life is hectic and often leaves little room to appreciate the important things in life – the happiness and health of ourselves and our family. We often feel that something is missing in our lives. There is a vast range of alternative solutions out there, claiming to be the one that works, but how do you know where to start?

There is no easy answer to that question but Harvest magazine helps you to find your path through the mine field of alternative therapies and natural remedies to find a happier healthier you, more in touch with yourself and more in touch with nature.

For Astarte-Moon friends I have a very special discount code for you which gives you 20% discount plus 5 mags for the price of 4- bargain for this info packed publication! Just enter the code HARVESTMOON20 at the checkout.

Click on the link below to take you straight to the website:



Issue One is packed with loads of fabulous articles. Of course there is my article which talks about what led me down the Pagan path in the first place, what being a Pagan means to me, and how you can celebrate Paganism in the Autumn. Then there are loads of wonderful pieces of which the following are just the tip of the iceberg. 

• Woodland workout 

Fed up with your local gym? Give nature’s gym a go. We join Oliver Selway in the local woods for a full body workout outdoors.

• Flu fighter 

Don’t let that next cold strike you down. Essential oils to the rescue! Alex Martin explains how to use them effectively to fight off your next cold.

• Garlic goodness 

Much-loved by chefs, but much-maligned for its odour, we rough garlic up a bit and find out why it’s so good for us and how to make some kitchen remedies.

• Plus we’ve got articles on natural deodorants, the paleo diet, exercises from our life coach to unlock true happiness and why playing with your food is a great way to deal with fussy eaters. 

So, give it a try, I promise you won't be disappointed and there is a money back guarantee to make sure you are not! Remember just click on the link above to take you to the website and enter the code to get your discount. You can download a preview of the magazine before buying to checkout some of the articles plus there are lots of great competitions in the blog section of the Harvest website.

Harvest blessings to you, Alison 

Why exfoliate your skin during the waning moon?

Why exfoliate your skin during the waning moon?

How can it be that our bodies, skin  and the moon that we see in the sky are so closely related?

Our moon goes through four major phases, it starts off as a new moon when it is just visible to our eyes, it then grows in size, which is called waxing until it reaches a full moon. When our moon begins to look smaller to us it is called a waning moon. We know that the moon has a powerful effect on our planet as it affects our tides but it isn’t just the tides that the moon controls, the moon also has an effect on our bodies. The moon can affect our emotions and our physical bodies as well. The same amazing force that the moon has that gives us our tides affects the flow of fluid in and out of the cells of our bodies too and indeed affects the cells of every living thing on our planet, down to every blade of grass!

As the moon begins to wane this encourages a flushing out of any excess toxins and water from our bodies and skin thus this is an excellent time for purifying your skin. A lot of the top spas are now offering treatments based upon the moon phases.

In terms of caring for your skin, deep cleansing, exfoliating,  and re-juvenating are the key goals for this point in the moon’s cycle.

"The waning moon detoxifies and washes out, sweats out and breathes out, dries, consolidates, prompts to action and the expenditure of energy." Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe state in their book 'Moon Time'

Your skin will benefit most from a deep cleansing at this waning moon time. Any face masks or facial scrubs used now will have a more active, and penetrating effect, allowing your body to let go of any waste and toxins it is holding on to. Toxins that leave your body now are more are less likely to build up again over the coming weeks.

Exfoliating your skin during the waning moon is particularly effective and will encourage your skin to produce newer, younger skin.  In this way you will be supporting your body’s natural urge to cleanse itself of any impurities.

There are lots of face masks and exfoliating scrubs that you can buy however you can make your own, giving you a cheap, effective and organic way of giving your skin a cleansing waning moon treatment.  A very simple yet highly effective beauty treatment that I use is a simple baking salts scrub. Firstly steam your face over a bowl of hot water for about five minutes to open up your pores. Then mix three tablespoons of baking soda with a little water to make a paste, massage gently into your face and wash off.

Another recipe to try is using ground almonds, again make to a paste and apply gently in circular motions. Instead of water you can substitute rose water in either of these recipes. Rose water is wonderful as it is very soothing and balancing and is especially good for sensitive skin.

A much more exfoliating scrub is to use oatmeal. Mix a tablespoon of oatmeal with a teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of yoghurt. If you have sensitive skin you should avoid the sensitive areas and perhaps just concentrate on the T-zone of your face. You can also let your scrub double as a mask! Let it rest on your face for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

Why not give your whole body a lovely exfoliating treat. This can be achieved very simply and effectively with either sea salt or brown sugar and ordinary virgin olive oil. Simply mix the two together to form a paste, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and then gently massage all over your body in the shower. When you rinse away your skin will feel silky smooth, the dead skin will have been gently exfoliated whilst your body will have benefitted from the natural olive oil.

Once you have thoroughly cleansed, relax with a good book, perhaps burn some incense do some yoga or meditation. You will be better prepared and have more energy during the waxing moon if you follow what your body and mother nature are telling you. You will have rid your skin of the toxins that have built up and they will be less likely to return over the coming weeks as you have followed your body’s natural rhythm and desire to cleanse itself.

Sources Susan Larsen http://www.longhairlovers.com

Incense and essential oil available: http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

http://www.hotel-kitzhof.com/en/beauty-spa/kitz-spa/moon/

Moon Time: Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe

Try out some fabulous organic skin scrubs here: 

GOODNESSFOODDIRECT

How to allow your body a waxing moon treat

Waxing Moon Home Skincare Treatment.

The moon: it has an incredible effect on our planet; it helps control our tides. We all know that right? We learnt it in primary school.  So what does that have to do with our health?

Here is the scientific explanation just to refresh your memory! Tides are created because the Earth and the moon are attracted to each other, just like magnets are attracted. Gravitational forces are responsible for the rise and fall of the ocean's tides all over the world. The moon tries to pull at anything on the Earth to bring it closer. However, the Earth is able to hold on to everything except the water. The gravitational pull means the oceans bulge out in the direction of the moon, therefore this, along with the fact that our world is turning, gives us our tides.

So, we know about tides but did you know that this gravitational pull has an affect on ALL water on our planet? That includes all water in lakes, ponds and within the soil as well as all the water within life itself.  That means within our bodies too! It sounds hard to believe that the moon can affect our bodies however when we remember the amazing force affecting the tides, it is not such a leap to believe that this same force exerts a powerful influence on the flow of fluid into and out of our cells. There is more information on moon cycles available here: http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk

When the moon is getting larger in our view we say that it is waxing, it is at this point that it is pulling water towards itself. In the soil the water is pulled up towards the surface, this makes it a very auspicious time for seed germination as it is activated by water absorption. This fact was confirmed in a 1939 study by Dr. Lili Kolisko of German. Plants also grow well at this time of the waxing moon. In order to encourage your lawn to grow, mow during the waxing moon cycle.

The summer waxing moon is the perfect time to take more care over your body. You can see the moon clearly as she grows at this time of year as we tend to be out and about more. Notice the size of the moon and see if you can see any changes in yourself as our moon grows in size. Your skin and body are in absorption mode at the time of the waxing moon; therefore make the most of this by giving your body what it is looking for. The time of increasing moon is the best time to feed, take care, and nourish your body. To promote hair growth, trim your hair during the waxing cycle. Your skin will respond really well to deep cleansing and rejuvenating when the moon is waxing, the skin and hair are thought to be more absorbent so anything that moisturizes will have the maximum effect during this phase. A lot of luxury spas are now offering treatments based on the phases of the moon. Invigorating massages are most effective when the moon is waxing. However you can have your own moon phase treatment in the comfort of your own home!

So, this waxing moon is the perfect time to give your soon to be beach ready body the full pampering treatment. This is my low cost, organic way to treat your body to a wonderful spa at home. Combination and dry skin will respond best to this treatment. For more oily skin you are better off concentrating on the cleansing with a little light moisturizing.

Firstly scrub your skin with a handmade scrub: Take one cup of brown sugar and mix with 4 tablespoons of pure virgin olive oil. Scrub away all that dead skin, wash off in the shower and you are ready to moisturize!

What better way to give your waxing moon skin a treat than this all natural body butter recipe I found:

Ingredients

•              ½ cup Shea Butter

•              ½ cupCocoa Butter

•              ½ cup Cocounut

•              ½ cup light oil like almond or Olive

Essential oil of your choice.

Instructions

1.            In a double boiler or glass bowl, combine all ingredients except essential oils.

2.            Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all ingredients are melted.

3.            Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

4.            Move to fridge and let cool for another hour or until starting to harden but still somewhat soft.

5.            Use a hand mixer to whip for 10 minutes until fluffy.

6.            Return to fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.

7.            Store in a glass jar with a lid and use as you would regular lotion or body butter. If your home stays above 75 degrees, it may soften and need to be kept at the fridge, but it will stay whipped at a temperature lower than that.

 8 Add essential oils, 10-30 drops as desired. Orange and lavender make a perfect blend, oils available here: http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

Recipe adapted from from http://wellnessmama.com

Rub the body butter into your skin whilst your skin is just slightly damp and warm, apply as much as you think your skin will absorb, remember you are treating your skin and this is a perfect time to be doing it.

Repeat this process as many times as you can over the course of the waxing moon and see what an amazing difference it makes to how your skin feels, your skin will glow and so will you!

Moon blessings Alison

 Sources:

 http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

Fabulous book for living with the moon cycles. In Tune With The Moon 2012: The Complete Day-by-Day Planner for Growing and living in 2012