Maltese Olive Oil - food for the skin!

As you probably realised from my previous blog, I am very much intrigued by the ever growing list of benefits of Olive Oil. Being Maltese, I am proud to say that our cold pressed olive oil is one of the best world wide, and even though it isn't known to most, (probably many people in the world don't even know about our beautiful island!), many olive oil connaisseurs appreciate its particular palate and excellent qualities.

A particular characteristic of Maltese Olive Oil is that Malta’s alkaline soil contributes to an extremely low acid content, below 0.5%. In fact, olives coming from older trees are practically devoid of all acidity.

I had been toying with the idea of incorporating Maltese Olive Oil in a range of personal care beauty products for quite a while but had always been put off by the costs. It just annoyed me to see that I could offer my clients soaps and personal care products from distant countries (even from exotic countries such as Syria for pure Aleppo soap) but not a locally made one. So I started off with recipes incorporating a blend of oils, including olive oil and typical Maltese products such as almonds, carob, fig, honey, pomegranate and goats' milk. This summer I finally took the plunge and starting experimenting with batches of Maltese Olive Oil handmade soap. The results were excellent from the start and it was really thrilling to see that my idea could become a reality.

As often happens one thing leads to another and things started moving fast... The Soap Boutique Maltese Olive Oil Collection was born and including handmade soaps, perfumed body oils and face & body scrubs. Official launching will take place end of September in less than 2 weeks' time. Just hope I'll finish all preparations in time...

Olive Oil Skin Care - A Beauty Secret from the Mediterranean

Although Olive oil skin care is recently taking ground nowadays, it is, in fact, an ancient beauty secret.

Olive oil has been an essential component of skin care since 5000 years ago. The Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans all took full advantage of this prized oil.

Olive oil skin care is pursued by those individuals who are looking for a natural way to take care of their skin. Whether you purchase olive oil skin products or mix up your own olive oil skin care recipes, your skin will benefit. The oil comes in several grades. Always look for extra virgin olive oil or organic extra virgin olive oil in olive oil skin care products or when formulating your own olive oil skincare recipes since they are the least processed and the most beneficial. Pure or light olive oil is likely chemically processed and would be lacking the beneficial skin care elements.

Olive oil is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals. The oil of this miraculous fruit will guard your body and your skin... from the inside out.

Benefits of Massage

If you are looking for an alternative method to relax, heal and help release emotions and tensions without the aid fo medication, you should consider having a MASSAGE. The power of touch has miraculous effects, whether you are young or old, sedentary or athletic, busy stay-at-home or tensed executive. As long as you do not have any serious health conditions, this alternative therapy may be the right treatment for you.

Due to a busy schedule, it is often that you hear yourself or someone you know say that you need a massage but just haven't got the time to go for one! But nowadays, there are many little handheld massage accessories on the market which could help without too much effort.

These convenient massagers provide gentle relief to aching backs, neck, shoulders and other parts where there is tension, stress, injury or pain. They help reduce the build up of toxins and increase the circulation of blood. Many body massagers are comfortable to hold, will reduce fatigue of the hands & can be used directly on clothing.

At The Soap Boutique we stock a wide range of classic wooden massagers made from sustainable Hemu wood. Our selection includes roller ball hand massagers, body massagers, foot massagers, and cellulite massagers. They make great gifts for loved ones, great treats after a busy day and great fun when added to massage oils for a sensual experience!!

Cooking with Himalayan Pink Salt

Here's a link for those who would like to know more about the benefits of Himalyan Pink Salts. There's some really good info as to the difference from table and sea salt.

Best of all there's an extensive list of healthy and easy recipes including Vegan, Gluten Free and recipes good for Celiacs as well as videos - enjoy!!
http://jeenaskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/05/benefits-of-himalayan-pink-salt.html

Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salts

Despite what you might have been led to believe, SALT is equally as important to the human body as WATER. As long as you are drinking enough water, salt is absolutely essential for the body to generate energy, maintain good blood chemistry, balance the correct amount of water in blood and cells, aid digestion and allow the nervous system and muscles to function normally.

Without salt we would not be able to think nor act!

The 84 mineral particles and trace elements (such as copper, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron to name a few) in Pink Salt are totally natural and very easily assimilated. Because of this, Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt is one of nature’s most effective natural balancers.

The best way to experience the profound cleansing properties of this salt is to drink SOLE (solay). Sole is a 1% water/salt solution (the same as our blood, tears and the ocean). In addition pink salt can also be sprinkled over food or directly added to water to aid rehydration.

Pink Crystal Salts help to restore and balance the bodies energy by eliminating toxins, rebalance acid-alkaline levels, dissolve and release crystallised deposits, help breakdown heavy metals such as mercury from dental fillings and cadium from smoking and everyday pollution, help keep the nervous system and muscles working correctly. A little bit of research will give you a long long list of benefits with simple use... Here are only a few:

• Flush sinuses to prevent runny and congested noses and sinus infections


• Use as an eye bath to restore moisture to dry eyes


• Use in a warm cleansing bath - has the same detoxifying effect as a three day fast


• Add to home made beauty masks or scrubs to rejuvenate and treat skin, joints and cellulite

If you wish to benefit from these truly marvellous salts, The Soap Boutique offers Natural Himalayan Pink Salts by the weight, even in small amounts of 100gr!

Wonderful soaps for men and about men

Men's skin can get dry and itchy too. What better way to help him feel better than the gift of all natural skin care products. Choose from handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, lotion bars and lip balm and more…

The SCENTS OF MY FATHER aromatherapy range by Susan’s Soaps and More is a collection of warm, earthy, spicy masculine scents. This collection of body and shampoo bars includes Bay Rum, Hill Country, Fresh Citrus, exotic Sandalwood and an even Sweet Tobacco soap!! Most of these scent blends are grounded with essential oils that tend to linger and last.

Pick a memory or a scent that appeals to the special man in your life and find the comfort that the Scents of My Father range brings to a bathing experience.