Sister Sky: White Willow Lotion For Healthy Skin

For Thousands of Years:
Use of willow bark dates back thousands of years for Native Americans, also with the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in North America, China, Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain, headache and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis.  

Natural Pain Reliver: The bark of white willow contains salicin, which is a natural chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is thought to be responsible for the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb. In fact, in the 1800s, salicin was used to develop aspirin. However, studies have identified several other components of willow bark that have antioxidant, fever reducing, antiseptic, and immune boosting properties.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory: As an anti-inflammatory: white willow bark has been used to relieve the painful inflammation and joint pain of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, neuralgia, osteoarthritis, osteroporitic and lower back pain and the inflammatory stages of autoimmune diseases. It may also be an effective alternative for people who cannot tolerate non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.

For Healthy Skin: Used externally, white willow bark's antiseptic properties extend to its help in treating cuts, burns, wounds, sores, sweaty feet, dandruff and as a mouthwash to ease tonsillitis, sore mouth and sore gums. 
Used topically: white willow bark contains Tannins which is a natural astringent and is traditionally used topically to treat wet or oozing skin conditions such as poison ivy and eczema.

 
**Information: University of Maryland Medical Center.

"I love the fragrance of Sister Sky White Willow Skin & Hair care products! I have 2 year old twins and I wash my hands constantly which makes my hands dry and irritated. White Willow lotion smells wonderful and softens my very dry hands. Thanks Sister Sky!". - Sheila T.

 Enjoy the Summer Fun with healthy soft skin.  Try Sister Sky White Willow Lotion TODAY!

- Marina

EEEWW! Mosquitoes! Reprieve in Sister Sky Cedar Citrus Products!

Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus Products assist as a natural repellent to those blood seeking insects!  Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun, try our cedar/citrus products today! 

Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you: 1) are using a repellent 2) aren't attracting the pesky insects and 3) avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent. 

A Few Mosquito Attractants: 

• Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.
• In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
• Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.

Natural Repellents:

Natural products will aide in repelling mosquitoes but they require frequent reapplication (at least every 1 hour) and higher concentrations than DEET.  Products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient.  

Cedar Oil                      Lemon Eucalyptus Oil 

Cinnamon Oil                Castor Oil

Rosemary Oil                 Lemongrass Oil

Citronella Oil                 Peppermint Oil

Clove Oil                       Geranium Oil

 **Put several drops of the oil(s) in with distilled water place in a glass spray bottle, shake and spray away! The 1 or 2 ounce spray bottles are perfect for personal use! 

Things that Lower Repellent Effectiveness:

·                     Many Sunscreens

·                     Dilution from Rain, Perspiration, or Swimming

·                     Absorption into the Skin

·                     Evaporation from Wind or High Temperatures

Many people are sensitive to plant oils. Therefore, although natural repellents provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals, please remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

Use as an additional NATURAL REPELLENT to aide in keeping those pesky blood seeking insects away: Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus products offered in: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

Enjoy the Summer Fun! 

- Marina

 

Sister Sky says it's FUN FRIDAY!

My Authentic Self.....

One morning last weekend while sipping coffee with my husband I announced my intention to  work on "being my authentic self." 
Looking both amused and confused he asked "and what is that?"
We have been married over 20 years.  He knows me all too well.
I am a Gen Xer obsessed with "self-improvement."
The Purpose Driven Life.  The Power of Now.  The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.  (Yes, I bought a Dr. Laura book. Don't judge.)
I'm pretty sure he was getting ready to hear all about the latest self help strategy I bought into.  I drank the self improvement kool-aide pretty consistently in the 90's so jumping back on the band wagon wouldn't surprise him.
"Well," I said "to work at being my authentic self I need to honor four things in my life." That was the hook. He was intrigued.  He was hanging on my every word.
"I need to be happy, healthy, adventurous and productive every single day. I owe it to myself to be these things everyday, all day.  It is my responsibility to ask myself if I am practicing these four things." He didn't have to say it. I just saw the look on his face and it said "what does that even mean?"

• HAPPY: It's an attitude.  It's my energy.  It's my thoughts. I can practice  happy.  Smiling makes me happy.  Laughing is a huge happy boost. 
• HEALTHY:  I know what makes me feel horrible.  Sugar binging, not enough sleep, not working out, not stretching in the morning, not drinking enough water. Reminding myself I'm not honoring my "authentic self" if I engage in unhealthy habits motivates me (or guilts me, not sure which one it is.)
• ADVENTUROUS:  This is simple adventure. I don't have the time or resources to trot around the globe and do really cool things (yet.)  Just trying a new restaurant is fun. Going to a comedy improv show is a kick!   Cooking new foods.  These are things that get me out of my comfort zone. 
• PRODUCTIVE: I need to move.  I need to improve.  I need to participate.  Being productive means I'm making an effort.  It could be in my business, my marriage, my family, my home, my hobbies, my friendships.  If I am not engaged then I am not productive. My authentic self craves productivity. 

So there it is. My authentic self...for now.  Pretty sure these things will change. In the meantime, I am giving thought and taking action to stay on a path that makes me feel balanced. 
Take that Oprah!    -Monica

Chasing the Dream.....

No risk, no gain.
I kept reminding myself this as I signed page after page of business loan documents the other day. 
I know what it feels like to be "all in" and I don't even play poker. 
I decided to be an entrepreneur and not a wantrepreneur so I left a good job in the city (actually it was at a casino) to start a new life selling lotion.
That was seven years ago.
I am on my second business loan to consolidate debt and infuse growth capital.
I know the meaning of "it takes money to make money" so I borrow more money to chase the American dream.
If you ever wondered how you were going to pay the bills AND yourself, you know my pain.
If you are both thrilled and terrified, you must be on the entrepreneurial roller coaster ride. 
Starting, building and running Sister Sky has been my passion. 
Perhaps I have been extremely determined or stubborn to a fault.
Regardless, I have gotten up when knocked down, kept asking when told "no" and figured out another way when something wasn't working.
I keep chasing the dream because I believe "hard work will pay off."
I continue to take the risk because I simply can't turn the lights off on my dream.
Mostly I want to proudly say to myself  "Wow....I really did it."
No risk, no gain.  I am all in!   -Monica

I'm taking my Sister Sky back to Australia!

Hello Sisters! I'm an Australian-based flight attendant. I get to visit LAX on regular basis. A recent side-trip to Santa Fe New Mexico introduced me to your Sweet Grass shampoo at the Hotel St Francis. Very excited to able to order this now and take some home to Brisbane. Regards, GS from Down Under.

Safe travels and glad you found us @ Hotel St Francis. -The Sisters

Love the Sweet Grass Lotion Sisters!

Hello ladies! I am writing because I absolutely love your Sweet Grass Body Lotion. I discovered it after a stay at the Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe over the summer.  I didn't even use it until I got back home in Houston. Normally I am not fond of hotel lotions/soaps/shampoos. So I didn't really expect to like it but I was desperate for lotion one day and I happened to have the little travel bottle in my purse. I am so glad I did because I have never seen a better lotion in my life. I went online and orderd a full size bottle. I just hope you never go out of business because then I don't know what I will do. Not only does it smell wonderful, but my hands feel like a baby's butt. It makes me feel like I have angel skin. I just want you to know you make the best lotion ever!
Thank you....Jamie Good. 

Awwww! Thanks Jamie for such kind words.  Emails like yours make all the difference to us.  We love it when sisters take the time to bless us with amazing words of encouragement.  It's most certainly a sister thing!