Insider Guide: Scottsdale

This quintessential Southwestern town is the place to go when you want some R&R

In the early 1900s, the newly founded city of Scottsdale billed itself as the ideal place to cure illnesses such as tuberculosis and rheumatism. A century later, this desert city is still the place to go when you need to recharge mentally and physically. Scottsdale’s brand-new Saguaro Hotel is the city’s latest tranquil retreat, with a swanky spa that offers therapies inspired by indigenous plants and traditions. We asked Josh Bredimus, the Saguaro’s spa manager and wellness guru, for his top picks about town.

THE BEST THING ABOUT SCOTTSDALE… The city has a can do spirit that reflects its roots. It has reinvented itself into a dazzling hub without losing sight of its original inspiration to be the epitome of a Western town.

LOCAVORE SPA TREATMENTS Scottsdale is all about the desert so you should seek out services that feature the bounty of flora in the area. Natalie Hadju-Voakes from Herb Stop has done so much for us with creating outstanding products using local ingredients like citrus, prickly pear, aloe, sage and chilies.

MUST-BOOK TREATMENT A Saguaro Spa Hydrating Facial with our aesthetician Jasmina. She is simply outstanding at tailoring facials to each client and their goals.

HOMEGROWN GOODNESS Our Signature Spa line is formulated with wild crafted botanicals from Arizona and is amazing! My favorite product right now is our Prickly Pear Sugar Scrub — it reminds me of spring in the desert and is a wonder for dry or stressed skin.

BOOKMARK THIS BLOG AZSpaGirls.com is a one-stop site for all things spa in Arizona. There are spa reviews, great deals, and even DIY treatments you can try at home. They have even been known to throw an awesome spa party or two.

IF I MOVED AWAY, I’D BOOK TRIPS BACK JUST FOR… A hike up Camelback Mountain, a Sonoran Stone Massage, and shopping for vintage southwestern belt buckles in Old Town.

OTHER HAUTE SPOTS I think the Sanctuary Spa’s use of the Clarisonic brush in pedicures is incredible. The Steven Paul Salon is also a fun place to check out. Everyone is really nice and Mr. Paul created a beautiful makeup line called Margie Girl that he dedicated to his mother.

https://www.birchbox.com/the-haute-box/insider-guide-scottsdale/

Our own Natalie was on ABC15's Smart Shopper showing how to make an at home facial!! This was aired August 5th, 2011.

Our own Natalie was on ABC15's Smart Shopper showing how to make an at home facial!! This was aired August 1st, 2011.

Yesterday we participated in the Gainey Village Spa Extravaganza where FOX 10’s Alexis Vance was enjoying our Make Mom Proud Shake!!

Spa at Gainey Village's Beauty and Health Extravaganza: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Mother’s Day is coming up and I would like to wish every mother out there a most wonderful and happy Mother’s Day. Although many mothers have a day out with their children, many mothers do not. This is indeed very sad. But know too, you can “adopt” a child or a mother who cherishes you for who you are. As John Abbott says: “Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations, as all other causes combined”. For Mother’s Day my daughter and son-in-law are coming over to my home (for me the absolute best place in the world) and cook up my favorite Mother’s Day meal, black bean burger, organic salad from my garden, a glass of my favorite organic red wine and to top it all off, my daughter’s famous flowerless chocolate cake with a cup of lavender-lemon tea.

With today’s blog I wish to thank my friends for always thinking about me and bringing boxes and boxes of their delicious backyard fruits from the Valley. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Although in the last few years I had more lemons than I knew what to do with, I never wanted to waste any. Digging through my numerous cookbooks I found great recipes for a variety of lemonades, lemon cakes, lemon scones, lemon tarts, lemon curds, lemoncelli and so much more, using every bit of lemon juice and lemon rind. I also did some research and discovered that lemons have a vast amount of health enhancing benefits. According to Ayurvedic Medicine lemons can be used for summer heat, sunstroke (especially with salt), fevers, hot-dry skin, thirst, to stop the bleeding of lungs, kidneys, uterus, and GI tract; inflammation, colds, flu, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, digestive disorders, diabetes, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and neuralgia. The juice can be used for heartburn, sore throats as a gargle, and for swollen or bleeding gums. Lemon juice and honey rids phlegm discharge, stimulates bile flow and for fat reduction. The peel regulates liver, spleen, and pancreas, digests sugars and sweets. Lemon juice with honey may relieve nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and mucus. Lemon juice with baking soda and water relieves gas and indigestion. Lemon juice can also be used externally for insect bites, nerve pain, and as a disinfectant. I once knew a woman who was an avid gardener and cook. Although she was in her 70’s her hands looked like the ones of a 20 year old. She attributed her beautiful and flawless hands to lemons. Whenever she had fresh lemon or lemon juice leftovers she would rub her hands with it before discarding them into the composter. The following information was sent to me and I thought you may be interested in knowing that lemons can keep diseases away, including cancer. One of its many virtues is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors, destroying malignant cancer cells without affecting healthy cells. Lemons and lemon juice must be taken on an empty stomach away from foods and other drinks for about one hour. The acidity of lemons combined with the acidity of the body creates alkalinity, similar to the effect of one acid fighting another acid. We know that an alkaline body is not conducive to the growth of cysts and tumors, or any other diseases Lemons also have antimicrobial properties to fight infections and fungus. It is effective against internal parasites and worms, regulates blood pressure, combats stress and nervous disorders, and as an antidepressant. Every morning, one hour before breakfast, I like to drink a glass of lemon water. I mix the freshly pressed juice of a half a lemon with 8 ounces of water. Sometimes I like to add a pinch of Hawaiian salt for added minerals. The effects are amazing, better than a cup of coffee! Precautions: Do not take with milk, mangos, tomatoes, or when suffering from peptic ulcers.

In the latest edition of The Herb Quarterly I read that over the past 30 years medical journal studies of herbal medicine has soared. In 1977, 739 reports were published and 30 years later the number has climbed to 6,364. The explosion in herbal medicine research shows no sign of stopping as it makes steady progress into the mainstream. Why then do doctors continue to prescribe costly drugs with serious side effects over less costly and safer herbs? Well, that trend is changing too.

There is a new disease, “Fever Phobia”, parents being afraid when their child has a fever. Doctors are now saying not to go to the Emergency Room when your child has a fever, unless it is very high. They further elaborate that fever is normal, as it allows the immune system to fight a disease. There are a lot of safe herbal remedies for children, to help them fight a cold, soothe a stomach ache, or calm hyperactivity. Herbs can also be very supportive with accompanied symptoms, such as stuffy nose or restlessness.

This man told me that after his surgery he experienced high blood pressure 210/110. He drank Decelleration tea and within three days his blood pressure was back to normal. When the kidneys do not function properly, blood pressure may go up. The herbs in Decelleration Tea are known to support kidney function, as well as liver and the lymphatic system.

Today is a very special day, it is my daughter's birthday. It is a special day not just because it is her birthday, but because it is the day when I first saw my Angel. Natalie, Happy Birthday, I love you very much. Have a most wonderful day. Happy Birthday and many hugs from Big L and Mayson too. "A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend."

Yesterday, I met a woman who affirmed the effectiveness of cinnamon bark for lowering cholesterol. Her cholesterol was very high, so she started to take about 800 mg of pure cinnamon in capsule form twice a day. The cholesterol came down within a few weeks and her doctor did not have to put her on cholesterol lowering medication. Cinnamon is a thermogenic, burns fat, and counteracts congestion. Interestingly, cinnamon is added to sugary baked goods. Sugar can increases cholesterol. What genius thought of this idea?

Although I truly enjoy nature’s winter landscape, the stillness and serenity, I look forward to springtime. Yesterday, I put on my mud boots and went to look for the first signs of life. Walking along the wash in Star Valley I see it, the first sign of spring, willows everywhere, putting out their new growth. With great delight I collected some long branches to take home to put into a vase. Within 24 hours they dusted the kitchen table with their yellow pollen. Oh no, I think allergies. Will have to add this one to the Rim Country Tree Mix for allergies.

Happy New Year to everyone, I wish you a healthy, happy and successful year. As we all know, 2011 will bring many, many changes on different levels, international, national and personal. Tendencies will be for everyone to over react. This will not help. Asking yourself “why” will not help either. What will dictate your personal successes and making them work for you is to stay very strongly focused on your goals, and putting a lot of energy implementing them.

I’d like to share a story with you to explain what I mean. My friend’s daughter Mary, her husband Michael and their newly born baby were vacationing in her cabin here in Pine between Christmas and New Year, as they have done for many years. The unpredictability of our recent storm here in Pine, AZ took them off guard. Having lived in Phoenix all their lives, they had no experience with these kinds of winter storms. On December 30th, snowfall was at its heaviest with strong icy winds, cutting power and communications to most homes, with road closures everywhere. For 4 hours Michael was trying to figure out “why” the power went out without success. He quickly realized that it was up to him to make sure his family was not going to freeze. Survival instinct kicked in, he went around the house, picked up a handful of frozen pine needles, dug up some wood from under the snow, ripped a few pages out of the phone book, and started a fire in their fire place. Although the fire was slow starting, with some very strong focus and dedication to making this fire, the living room started to warm up with a glowing fire within a short time. This was a very scary experience for them, but also very empowering. Although Michael was reactive, which is natural, it was not going to solve the problem. Being proactive is what saved his family.

Everyone is going to be dealing with this complexity of responsive reality in 2011. The more energy you place into your goals, the greater the focus, the higher your chances of predictability.

Happy New Year….

Leilah & The Herb Stop Family

By popular demand.......I have started another blog! This will be a place for all of the recipes. As you know, it is very hard to write recipes on facebook. I will still be posting my creations with the instructions on here, but for a more clear recipe database here it is.......http://veganisnotjustsalad.blogspot.com/ . I just started this last night, so I'll be posting new and old recipes. I really hope you guys like it....any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated! ♥

During difficult times - such as this recession - keeping positive can be difficult for many. Remember to dream and keep you needs, wants and desires in the light - write them down and read them daily. For more serious issues, check out our Bee Happy, Light and Lift, Eaz Stress and our Stress Release. Herbs are here to carry us through difficult times :)

How do we treat osteoporosis the natural way? Our first piece of advice - become more alkaline. When the body is too acid we leach buffering agents from our bones (calcium, etc.) to help re-balance. So, eating a 75% alkaline 25% acid diet and food combining is a great place to start. Herbs like our Alkalizer Tea/Capsules, Bone Support Tea, Calcium Support Tea, Calcium Plus Elixir are all excellent supplements :)

Our firemen are so heroic, I'm always in awe. Through disasters like 9/11 to heart attacks & car accidents, they put their lives on the line for us everyday. They save our lives, give us comfort, protect us and come to our rescue in selfless ways.Their job is dangerous & risky, but they provide for us without a second thought. I love our fireman & am grateful for them everyday - especially my husband & father-in-law!

Did you know that many people theorize that vegetarians may be able to consume 300-500 calories less per day? They are also believe to only need to consume .5 x kilogram of body weight in grams instead of .8?!?!?!?!?!? This is thought to be because vegetarians consume more bio-available and nutrient rich sources of protein and foods. Did you also know that protein combining is a myth?

Frying in olive oil is NOT considered a heart healthy idea. Do you know why? When healthy olive oil is heated to 150 degrees(F) it converts to trans fat. Eeeek!

Sunflower Oil turns to a trans fat at even lower temperatures 131 degrees(F) and Flax Seed, Hemp Seed & Chia Seed at a mere 113 degrees(F). So if you live in a nice hot place like Arizona, leaving your flax in the car makes this healthy guy super UN-healthy!

All of our wonderful customers that are interested in a healthier skin care regiment usually have one question, "what do you (Natalie) do for your skin"? Many people tell me my skin and eyes glow and has even tone and texture. Well, here are my secrets! Morning: Wash with Walnut Cleansing Cream, Tone with Astringent Toner, Moisturize with Face Firming Serum. I apply our minerals for make up to finish off the morning. Evening: Wash with our Oatmeal Lavender Soap, Tone with Vinegar & Tea Tree Toner and follow up with our Refining Serum. Once a week I apply Lavender Jelly as a mask. For my body, I use our Simply Lotion. It's a lot of work, but it really pays off! I also of course will mention that the lack of preservatives not only in my skin care, but also my diet and being vegan surely have a huge impact on the quality of my skin. I should also mention that I drink loads of water and the only sun exposure I get is in the car and walking into a building. Staying out of the harmful Arizona sun as much as possible, saves my skin from sun damage, certain types of skin cancer and of course ..... wrinkles!

The most common question about dietary changes is "how long do I have to eat like this?" This is never easy to answer because the idea of these changes is scary. The answer to this question is simple..forever! When your health requires dietary changes, the things you were doing before, were not working. So why go back to them? Truth is, when you make these healthful changes, your cravings for the "bad" foods go away

I just heard the cutest and real story, the story of the pack rat. A yard cleaning crew was clearing out several damaged and broken down trees from a neighborhood. One day a woman came out of her house to talk to the head of the crew. She cautiously said to the man:” When I do the dishes I always take off my rings and I put them on the window sill. When I am done in the kitchen I put them back on. Ever since you’ve started to work in our area, more of my shiny little trinkets I leave on the window sill, including my rings, have been disappearing. Do you have any explanations?” The man asked her:” Was there anything left on your window sill after you’ve noticed the rings were gone?” She said:” Yes, acorns”. Instantly, the tree cutter knew what was going on. He said he will keep his eyes open and went about his business. As he was cutting down another dead tree it fell to the ground and broke in half were a woodpecker had hallowed it out and once made its home. And here was the evidence! Out came all the woman’s jewelry, napkin rings and things that she did not even know were missing. A little pack rat had made its nest in the woodpecker’s old home. This little pack rat has been exchanging his most valuable possessions, his nuts, trading them for her shiny trinkets. In my opinion this is an absolutely beautiful story about the exchange of energy. Even though an acorn may not have much value from our perspective; but to the pack rat an acorn is a precious source of sustainability. Nature is reminding us to show our gratitude to anyone, people, animals, the birds for their beautiful songs, plants for their healing, the water, earth, sky, etc. Next time someone opens the door for you, offers to let you go ahead of them in the check0out line, a kind word from a neighbor, a valuable advice from a friend, remember the pack rat.

Here is some good news for anyone suffering with coccydinia, pain experienced in the region of the coccyx, or tailbone. A friend of The Herb Stop said that she experienced immediate relief by applying castor oil packs on the affected area for about 30 minutes. Castor oil packs are amazing! Whenever I don't know what to do for a health problem, I always look to castor oil packs first. Castor oil, applied topically, can greatly reduce pain, swelling due to sprains, bruises and fractures. The emollient properties of castor oil make it excellent for soothing chapped lips and dry skin. Warmed castor oil dropped in the ear can lessen pain of ear infections. Castor oil packs are thought to help with conditions such as: arthritis, colitis and other disturbances of the colon and intestines, kidney, liver and gall bladder problems, disturbances of the lymphatic system, helps soothe the nervous system, and much, much more. . . . . Castor oil has shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacterias, yeast, and mold. This explains the high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating skin inflammation, warts and ringworm. Castor oil applications increase the flow of lymph throughout the body, which speeds up detoxification at the cellular level and reduces swollen lymph nodes. The end result is an improvement in organ function and a lessening of fatigue and depression. Here is how a castor oil pack is used: 1. Fold a white or off white piece of cloth (unbleached cotton or wool) 3 times, large enough to cover the desired body area 2. Saturate with castor oil. 3. Apply to body and cover with plastic sheet to keep oil from staining clothes and linen. 4. Place heating pad over plastic and cover with towel. Continue for at least 1 ½ hour. 5. Remove cloth and store in refrigerator (or under your bed). Can be reused many times 6. Wash body area to remove oil. (Apply baking soda first before washing oil off). Castor oil packs can be used 1-3 times a day for acute ailments and 1-3 times a week for chronic ailments. This castor oil pack can be used many times, but please do not share with anyone else. It is yours!

Did you know that stress increases toxins in the body? Almond tea is a great body alkalizer, good to use during stressful times. Grind three almonds and place into cold water. Bring to a boil, and then cool down. This method extracts the oils and other nutrients into the water, which will infuse into the body more efficiently and faster. Drink one cup in the morning to prevent stress build up during the day. If you have a lot of stress during the day, take another cup of almond tea in the evening.

Feeling low in energy and cold in the morning? Mix 1/4 teaspoon clove powder in 1 cup of warm water or tea and drink at once. Now feel your body wake up and warm up. Clove is energizing, dispels chills, strengthens the lower back increases circulation and clears the lungs to allow for deeper breathing. Clove also soothes sugar cravings due to low adrenals. Have a great day!

Are you feeling weighed down by all the worldly problems? Do you say, there is absolutely nothing I can do? Many people feel this way at this time, because or the huge worldly difficulties, the economic crises, health care crisis, politics, pollution, violence, etc. are so overwhelming. But, there is another side to this picture.

Last night Natalie and I went to the 2010 Farmers Market Kick-off-Meeting. It was a great brain-storming meeting. John and Lorian mentioned the numerous available opportunities of contribution, looking at what moves you and where you want to express your talents and passion. He mentioned the areas of growth, such as art, growing plants, flowers, food, even compost. People at Farmers Markets are actually buying your homemade compost!!! There is such an incredible demand for organic, locally grown food, which sells out very quickly. Traffic and revenues are expanding at an incredible pace at most Farmers Markets throughout the country.

Here is a fabulous opportunity for you to become involved in your community, sharing your talents, homemade and homegrown goods, and at the same time receive a well-deserved revenue, while having fun! This is our new and growing world!

If you need a little help with your assertiveness and confidence, the natural world can be very helpful. Please click here

It's been now a little more than four months since my husband and I returned from seeing the doctor of oriental medicine in Albuquerque. My husband has been drinking his prescribed not-to-bad-tasting tea three times a day. I am happy to report that he has had only two minor absentee seizures during this times. Also, I have been able to assist him during these seizures by helping him calm down and focus on "coming back". Even though he is still taking his medication, he has more energy and he is happier than ever before. I actually catch him laugh wholeheartedly at a funny joke, something I have never seen him express before. Although he has ran out of herbs and not been able to drink the tea, it seems as though he has stabilized at this level of healing. When the weather gets better we are going back to Albuquerque for the "next healing" or the "peeling off" of the next layer. Healing occurs in layers and not always all at once.

Come in to our Pine, AZ location for our daily savings! Each day is a surprise.....

Join us in our Pine, AZ location for a FREE class on understanding and using vibrational essence from 3-4 p.m. See you there.....

FREE class 11-7-09 at the Pine, AZ Herb Stop on Earconing. Come for a live demonstration!! History and uses will also be discussed. See you there.....

The role of an herbalist includes searching out and trying new modalities within our field. My latest adventure was inspired by my daughter, Natalie, who is being successful treated by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) in Albuquerque for chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcers. After watching her miraculous recovery process, I thought why not take my husband, who is an epileptic, to see him?

Our first visit was three months ago, and the changes were immediate. He is helping him to cope with the side-effect of his medication. For anyone who is epileptic, you can relate to these harsh side-effects of fatigue, confusion, etc.

His first visit included a lengthy consultation and review, acupuncture with moxa, followed by a daily regiment of teas and some dietary advice. Surprisingly, the acupuncture was slightly painful at the beginning but by the end of his treatment he was relaxed, happy, balanced....like a new man.

We arrived at home a couple days later and prepared the tea his Doctor formulated for him. He was instructed to drink 1 cup 3 times daily. This kept the energy movement of the acupuncture working and his moods stabilized. What an amazing difference!!

Yesterday we returned from another visit to the great Doctor. My husband received SIX treatments in two days. It was intense, considering this was basically a re-wiring for his brain and nervous system. The Doctor confirmed that he had lost weight, some of his hearing in his long-time deaf ear was returning and according to his tongue, many changes had occurred during the last few months. He was again prescribed/formulated an herbal tea to take three times daily and his focus, concentration, quick-ness are all balanced again.

What an amazing journey this is becoming! Considering the medical field's only answer has been heavy medication and a sentence of an epileptic life.

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Listen to us live on the radio tomorrow at 9 a.m. (Arizona Time). Visit KMOG 1420AM to hear the live stream.

If you missed our poultice making class, we will be posting the video later this week....stay tuned.....

Visit our booth at the Farmer's Market in Payson this Saturday! If you would like to pick up your order at the market, give us a call and we will bring it down to Payson for you! 928.476.4144

Visit our booth at the Farmer's Market in Payson this Saturday! If you would like to pick up your order at the market, give us a call and we will bring it down to Payson for you! 928.476.4144

Visit our booth at the Farmer's Market in Payson today!

Listen to us live on the radio today at 9 a.m. (Arizona Time). Visit KMOG 1420AM to hear the live stream.

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Watch our videos on Herb Stop's YouTube Channel:
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In the last few weeks I have had many inquiries about what to do for dry skin.

When I moved from cold and moist Canada to hot and dry Arizona my skin turned from youthful and hydrated to aged and dry. I felt I aged 10 years in six months, so I needed to act quickly, before the damage was permanent. I whipped up aloe vera, castor oil, vitamin A plus essential oils (Herb Stop makes this particular blend called Dry Skin Formula)and my skin recovered pretty quickly. Actually, some of my friends say that it plumps up their skin and the wrinkles are considerably diminished.

In addition, I drink much more water than I did when I lived in Canada. Hydrating from the inside out is essential to treat dry skin.
~Leilah

My name is Leilah Breitler and in 1992 I founded The Herb Stop. It has been an exciting journey for me working with herbs and meeting great people throughout the years. In this blog I would like to share some of my thoughts and ideas. Please join me with your ideas, comments and questions. Visit our Contact Page. ~Leilah

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