How To Feng Shui Your Home

Have you ever walked into a space and been overwhelmed with a sense of calm, and the sense that the space just… worked? That’s the power of feng shui! With a few easy steps, you can channel good fortune and good energy into your home. Here are a few recommendations for your living areas: feng shui

Natural Flow:You want to create a space that enables energy to flow freely throughout the room. To create this sense of ease and fluidity, imagine if a stream of water were to be running throughout the space. Would it encounter many obstacles, or would it be able to carve an easy path?

Let It Shine: You want to enable as much light as possible – especially natural light! Attempt to brighten dull or dark areas of the room with mirrors and clear, bright lighting. Try to avoid fluorescent or yellow tinged, unnatural lighting. Halogen bulbs are a great way to mimic natural light.

Plants: For a healthy chi it’s important to incorporate as many plants as you can into your living space. This is an integral principle when it comes to energy flow.

Close Off: In order to maintain energy balance, ensure that doors to other rooms are closed off.

Pristine Presence: Arguably the cardinal rule of having good feng shui is being clutter free. Have very clear organization and do your best to have a knick-knack free living space.  This creates a better energy and also appears to be more inviting.

Furniture: Though you may not think about this when purchasing your furniture, its composition means a lot in terms of how it makes you feel. For example, chairs and couches with high backs and sides give a feeling of safety and protection. Additionally, placement is key. Never have a chair or couch with its back to the door. Always have your seating facing the door!

Red: Work the color red into your living spaces to help channel wealth and prosperity.

Last but not least, remember that a happy home is always where there is harmony between people. With these words in mind, we encourage you to adopt a few of these wellness-inducing measures into your home! Are you looking to channel your energy and find inner calm? Consider a QRay bracelet! Learn more about the benefits of QRay.

The Best Herbs For Pain Relief

Those who suffer from an injury or chronic pain will know how it feels to have tried almost everything to relieve their pain. Every medication, special mattress, wrap, and back support that is on the market (or so it seems!). An interesting alternative is working these marvelous pain-relieving herbs into your cooking. Feel better – naturally!

herbs 

Ginger: Long used in Chinese culture, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Also used to calm and settle upset stomachs, ginger is incredible for reducing osteoarthritic pain!

Red Pepper: Including both cayenne and chili, you’d never guess that red peppers are a crucial and often overlooked component of pain relief. Red pepper can help, as when a heat increase is felt in the body, VR1 (the body’s vanillin receptor 1) changes its shape and signals nerve cells to feel heat as well, fooling the brain into relieving your pain signals.

Oregano: Oregano is a triple threat in that it is anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Long used in the Mediterranean for its natural healing properties, many who suffer from muscle spasms or arthritis swear by it!

Clove: If you have sensitive teeth and suffer from toothaches, look no further. Cloves are frequently a main ingredient in many dental products intended for pain relief. This is because cloves are host to numerous antiseptic, anti fungal and anesthetic properties.

Liquorice: Not the type that your Grandma kept in her candy bowl, liquorice is a longtime source of pain relief. In addition to blocking and preventing inflammation, liquorice has also been known to quell anxiety and nervous disorders.

 

What will you be whipping up tonight with your newly learned arsenal of natural, pain reliving herbs? Share your recipes with us on our Facebook page!

Yoga – For Kids!

Millions of people worldwide have found calm and solace in the practice of yoga. For many, it’s a daily necessity to find their inner calm and soothe away the day’s anxieties. So why not teach your children these practices? Though not as commonly discussed, children deal with plenty of anxiety experienced at school and dealing with their peers. Take a look at some of the best and easiest yoga poses for children: 

Warrior 2 Pose: This pose will help children embody strength. Lean deeply into the lunge and keep the front foot angled outward. This pose will help your child with stability and assist in opening their lungs and breathing.

warrior 2 pose

 

Tree Pose: Aim your energy towards the sky and attempt to balance. Though challenging, this pose will be fun for kids to try! This pose will help your child with their balance and strengthen the bones, while also boosting self esteem!

Tree Pose

 

Downward Facing Dog: This pose will help to boost circulation. And let’s face it, kids loving playing, so anything with an animal name in it will have them happy to cooperate!

downward facing dog

 

 

 

Hero Pose: This pose will help to stretch out your child’s hips, thighs, and even feet. It will also improve circulation, and is said to help relieve asthma symptoms.

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While you’re constantly looking for ways to improve your child’s life, how about your own wellness? Find your wellness in a beautiful QRay bracelet today!

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:

DIY

 

 

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!

More Herbs, Less Salt Day: The Benefits of Eating Less Salt

We’ve all been there; “this sauce needs just a little extra… something.” This conundrum usually results in a generous sprinkling of salt. While salt is usually able to provide that ‘je ne sais quoi’, too much of it can wreak havoc on our bodies. Overconsumption of salt can result in a plethora of negative side effects, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and even obesity. LiveScience states that an approximate 50-70 million people in the United States alone suffer from high blood pressure and hypertension. High blood pressure is often referred to as a silent killer, as many people aren’t even aware that they suffer from the affliction. Many times we don’t realize how much salt we’re consuming, since 75% of sodium consumed is by way of processed or prepared foods. Based on this, we certainly do not need to be adding extra salt to our diets! So what’s the alternative? How can we get that extra dose of flavor without damaging our health? It’s easier than you may think – herbs and spices! Here are a few scrumptious spices that will keep your recipes heavy on the flavour, and low on salt.

herbs

Oregano: One of the most commonly used herbs, oregano is a great way to add flavor and seasoning to most vegetables and meats (especially lamb). Oregano is easy to keep on hand in dried format and pairs well with other herbs such as thyme, basil, and garlic.

Rosemary: Traditionally added to sauces and marinades, rosemary also makes a great addition to meat rubs in lieu of salt. Although rosemary is most fragrant when fresh, it’s also great to keep on hand in dried format.

Ginger: Add a fragrant burst to a stir-fry or vegetables with some fresh ginger. Although grating fresh ginger can be tiresome, there are inexpensive and organic minced ginger options available for purchase in a jar! Ginger packs a strong punch in small doses and adds an exotic kick to most vegetable dishes.

Basil: Just like rosemary, basil is best used fresh! However, basil is still great to use in sauces and salad dressings to increase the flavour. Basil is also great to mix with pine nuts and olive oil in a quick pesto to top pizzas, fish, and meat.

Cilantro: Fresh cilantro packs a potent punch. If you’re looking to add a kick to rice or noodle dishes, then cilantro is the perfect mate. Whether fresh or dried, the unmistakable flavor will ensure you’re not missing the taste of salt!

Citrus: While herbs and spices are an incredible way to amp up the flavor in your dishes, citrus will also do the trick! Adding lime juice, lemon juice, or even zest from the rind will help create complex flavors. Don’t underestimate what a squeeze of lemon over your poultry or pasta can do!

On your next adventure in the kitchen, don’t be afraid to skimp on the salt and experiment with spices! This will help tremendously in lowering your sodium intake and increasing your overall health. What are your favorite spices? Share them with us on Facebook!

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

Cut Costs and Your Waistline: 5 Yummy Lunch Ideas

Sunday meal prep is a great way to save on both time and money. We all know how tempting it is to spend that $10 on a pre-made salad, or splurge on a lunch out with coworkers. Alas, we have a better option for you! As hard as it may be to believe, making a delicious, but also creative, lunch can actually get you excited to eat at your desk! Here are 5 of our favourite desk lunches that will keep your waistline and wallet happy!

 

  1. Asian Salmon Zucchini Noodle Bowl

A delicious low-carb noodle option! Spiralizing zucchini is so easy, and a great way to get your necessary greens!

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  1. Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

Crunchy, fresh, gluten-free, and vegan! This delicious salad is yummy enough to take for a whole week. Load it up with limejuice and cilantro, and you’re good to go!

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  1. Protein-Packed Tuna Salad Pita

Lemon and olive oil are a delicious and healthy substitute for mayo in tuna salad. Serve in a whole-wheat pita and voila! A high protein, low calorie lunch option!

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  1. Thai Peanut Soba Noodles

Love pad Thai? This healthier take is easy to make and is an excellent lunch option! What’s better? It’s recommended you enjoy this dish cold – no microwave or re-heating necessary!

Thai-Peanut-Soba-Noodles

 

  1. Asian Fried “Rice”

This recipe incorporates everything you love about comfort food, without the guilt. Take away the greasy fried rice and sub in cauliflower rice instead! This makes for a low-carb lunch that will keep you energized all day.

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If you’re looking to not only eat better, but also increase your overall wellbeing, consider a QRay bracelet!Learn more about the QRay difference.

Wellness Guru: Why Massages Are Great For Your Health

Getting a massage is one of the most relaxing and luxurious experiences you can have. The dim lighting, soft music, and soothing voice of a talented masseuse all work in conjunction to help create optimal relaxation conditions. In addition to the pleasure we get from giving ourselves a much deserved treat, there are a few unexpected benefits as well!

Massage QRay

Counter Balance

If you sit at your desk all day, you may not realize the negative impact it’s having on your body. The human form isn’t intended to sit upright for extended periods of time – especially if you’re not getting additional exercise! A fantastic way to counteract the daily stress of a desk job is by scheduling massages. This will help to release the stress that builds up in your shoulders and neck. So go ahead, treat yourself!

Feel Better

A medical study shows that women who had regular massages while suffering from breast cancer were actually less depressed. Participants suffered from less anxiety and pain while experiencing more vigor and higher dopamine levels!

 

Sweet Dreams

There is an unsurprising connection between pain and sleep deprivation. Not only can pain prevent you from sleeping well, but your body also does not receive the necessary sleep time to restore and heal. Massage triggers your body’s parasympathetic “rest and relax” system, the system opposite to fight or flight. Massage combats both mental and physical stress making it easier to sleep and for your body to heal.

Blood Pressure

Just as the body’s parasympathetic helps your body to heal and relax, it also helps to restore balance and homeostasis. Though temporary, this can have powerful effects on the body and the heart!

So go ahead and schedule that massage! Not only is it an incredibly relaxing treat, but now you know that it’s actually good for you as well! What’s another way to improve your body’s wellness? A QRay bracelet!

The Paleo Diet: What You Need to Know

It seems like every week there are new fads, detoxes and diet trends. One of the most buzzworthy as of lately is the Paleo diet. Haven’t heard of it? Here’s what you need to know! pLEO

The ‘Paleo’ diet is short for Palaeolithic diet and is based on food that our ancient ancestors would have eaten. Sometimes the diet is referred to as the caveman diet having the foods included in its regimen consisting of meat, nuts, berries and other things our ancestors may have hunted and or gathered. The Palaeolithic era that the diet is based on occurred approximately 10,000 years ago. The logic behind this diet suggests that the drastic change in diet from the Palaeolithic era until now have been responsible for modern disease such as type 2 diabetes, most autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and obesity in general. Advocates say that during this era humans were at their most healthy and fit and thus we should be eating the food that our genes evolved with. Furthermore, it is believed that even today, humans are maladapted to eating food items such as dairy, processed sugars, refined oils, grains, legumes, and even corn. The Paleo diet stipulates you must refrain from eating:

  • Dairy

  • Grains

  • Corn

  • White potatoes

  • Legumes

  • Refined sugar

  • Refined oils

  • Processed foods

  • Alcohol

 

So what can you eat on the Paleo diet? The diet revolves around healthy fats from natural sources, natural carbohydrates derived from fruits and vegetables. Compared to many other diet plans, the Paleo diet incorporates more protein as a staple. Approximately 20-35% of the Paleo diet revolves around meat and seafood. The diet also calls for a reduction in carbohydrate intake and starchy fruits and vegetables. Many proponents of the Paleo diet boast that unlike many other fad diets, it’s much more sustainable for long-term adherence. This is because unlike other fad diets that have the end goal of weight loss, the Paleo diet promotes an actual lifestylechange. Now this doesn’t mean going to your local supermarket and picking up any meat from the butcher and assume you’re accommodating a Paleo lifestyle. The idea is that you’re sourcing free range, hormone free, naturally fed animals. For example, bacon has had a bad rep for being greasy and fatty. In actuality, bacon is high in healthy, saturated fats that aid in the functionality of the brain, bones and almost every cell in your body. What the diet doescondone a lot of is: fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, nuts (excluding peanuts which are technically legumes), seeds, animal fat, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, unrefined seed and nut oil, honey, and last but not least, maple syrup.

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Here are some helpful guidelines to follow for developing a Paleo lifestyle:

o   Accept that fat is not a bad thing. Animal fats and saturated fats are healthyand actually good for you. Just make sure they come from well treated, grass or grain fed animals.

o   Protein, protein, protein! Make sure your diet includes plentyof organic chicken, beef, pork (especially the fatty cuts), eggs, and wild caught seafood. Bonus: the bones can make an excellent broth!

o   High starch vegetables such as yams and sweet potatoes are an excellent source of good carbohydrates.

o   While eating in this manner is healthy for the human body, the key to this diet is portion control. Especially regarding items like nuts; eating too many can result in calorie and fat overload. Exercise self-control in snacking and portion size!

o   No. Added. Sugar. Perhaps one of the hardest parts of being Paleo is cutting out sugary fruit juices, soft drinks, and pre-packaged sweets.

o   Cut out dairy! Except butter.

o   Get used to cooking big batches of food. Take the time consuming effort out of cooking Paleo meals by making big batches of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on Sundays. This will save you time and money throughout the week while also preventing cheat meals and overeating!

o   Easy rule of thumb, if it comes in a box don’t eat it! To ensure you stick to your diet guidelines it’s often easier to prepare meals and snacks yourself.

 

Do you have any must-try Paleo recipes? Share them with us below!

 

6 Simple Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Whether you’re trying to kick-start your weight loss or have plateaued, everyone wants to find simple ways to boost their metabolism. There’s no easy way to lose weight, but there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your metabolism is in tip top shape for fat burning! Here are 6 steps you can take to boost your metabolism and live a healthier life!

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Eat. Breakfast.

They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for nothing! Starting your morning off with a healthy breakfast gets your metabolism up and moving for the day. Without doing so, your body will try to conserve energy and in effect inhibits your body’s ability to burn fat. So make sure within the first hour of waking up you manage a bowl of granola or some fruit and yogurt.

 

Don’tSkip Meals

Contrary to popular belief, skipping meals likely won’t result in a smaller waistline or even much weight loss. By skipping a meal you trick your body into thinking its not receiving enough nutrients. This in turn causes your body to hold onto extra nutrients and calories when it doesreceive food. By eating 6 small-portioned meals and keeping your blood sugar levels steady, your metabolism will stay in shape.

 

Stay Zen

More than just giving you anxiety and making you worry, stress can also slow down your metabolism! How does this happen? Easy, a hormone called cortisol. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol and when levels are too high in your body, it decreases your body’s ability to burn fat. Remember to take de-stressing measures in order to keep your stress and cortisol levels at bay.

Hit The Snooze Button

Like any machine, the body needs sufficient time to recharge and rest. So it’s not surprising that adopting a healthy sleep schedule can improve your metabolism. Women that sleep less than 5 hours a night are approximately 32% more likely to experience weight gain! Not getting enough sleep causes your metabolism to function irregularly and signals your body to release a hormone call ghrelin, this hormone actually signals your body to eat more!

 

Late Night Snacking

You may have heard you’re not supposed to snack after a certain time in order to keep your metabolism running properly. Contrary to popular belief, that’s actually not true. Having a light snack between 100-200 calories before bed will keep your metabolism cranked and even help you burn calories while you sleep.

 

Garlic and Cinnamon

This unexpected combo is your metabolisms best friend. Cinnamon not only helps with nausea and cramps, it also stabilizes energy levels without spiking your blood sugar. Garlic also balances blood sugar levels and also curbs cravings. So make sure to incorporate these two nutritional powerhouses into your diet (just maybe not together).

 

Are you looking for additional ways to supplement the wellness in your life? A QRay bracelet is the perfect way! Learn more on our website.