As I am sure you have figured out by now, it is a safe bet to say that I love the potential of crystal healing. I use crystals for elevating my home, my health, my meditation, even my yoga practice! So when I learned there was a safe way to use crystals to enhance my drinking water, I jumped at the chance!

Enter VitaJuwel, the solution to all my problems. Well, maybe not all my problems since crystals have yet to pay off my bills, but I digress.

Vitajuwel creates beautiful glass vials filled with different crystal elixirs that you can place in your normal drinking water so you can enjoy all of the wonderful crystal energy without having to place gemstones directly in your water. Most recently, they created a water bottle, Via, so that you can take your crystal elixirs on the go! I'm in heaven!

The idea of creating gemstone-charged beverages has been around for centuries, dating back to when the ancient Greeks used amethyst with their wine to keep them from getting too drunk and enhance the flavor. (PS: VitaJuwel makes a wine decanter that is absolutely gorgeous!) Nowadays, we know that it can be harmful to place crystals directly in what we consume due to the potential for toxic substances to be released (copper, lead, etc.). By encasing different blends of gemstones in sealed vials, VitaJuwel lets you enjoy that beneficial energy goodness without the potential toxic nonsense.

VitaJuwel was kind enough to send me a Via to review, and to be honest, I have been addicted to it since it arrived! They sent the Five Elements bottle, which features amethyst, chalcedony, petrified wood, rose quartz, ocean chalcedony.  The description that accompanies it states: Traditional Chinese medicine has developed over 5,000 years and recognizes health as a harmonious balance of five elements: Wood for growth, water for reflection, earth for grounding, metal for strength and fire for passion. Every person is a unique blend of these elements. Following this ancient philosophy, we have included one kind of gem for each element in this blend to reflect each attribute. Get your life in balance. Experience this ancient wisdom. It is extremely beautiful... I've certainly never had a water bottle that looks like a work of art! All you have to do is fill your bottle with regular tap or filtered water, allow the water 7-10 minutes to charge, and it is good to go!

Once the water is charged, I notice a palatable difference from normal tap water... the texture and taste seems smoother and softer. (I even heard that using your VitaJuwel with juice can change the taste so that is not as acidic, and I can't wait to try it!) Sometimes people have trouble understanding the power crystals can have, so I like giving them a comparison taste test so they can taste the evidence for themselves.  I make sure I always have a full bottle of Vitajuwel water ready, and it always gets so many compliments. 

The only downside to this amazing bottle is that it is relatively fragile, so it requires a bit more thought than the typical water bottle you can just throw in your bag. It is a piece of art, so treat it like one! I like to either keep mine at my desk, beside my bed, or set aside for after my yoga/meditation practice, as to limit the risk of breaking it. If I absolutely have to pack it, I put a drink coozie on each end to protect it!
 

Drink coozies on either end before it goes in the purse!

All things considered, however, I would highly recommend purchasing one yourself and for the whole family! (There is a kids Vitajuwel that is adorable and is sure to help your kids drink more water as well! Who needs sugary drinks when you can have beautiful crystal water?)

Many thanks for the folks over at VitaJuwel for sending me a Via to review and enjoy, and keep doing the wonderful work you are doing!

Want your own? Head over to VitaJuwel's website! Or if you are a local Bozemanite, check out the amazing selection of VitaJuwel goodies at the Dari Rasa Trunk Show downtown. 

Do any of you have a VitaJuwel? Do you have any experience with gemstone elixirs?

 

This summer, I decided to take on a new challenge: a container herb and vegetable garden. Among my large, random variety of plants (I went a little overboard at the plant nursery), my mint plant is the first to produce enough to harvest!

With my abundance of mint begging to be used, I decided to make a refreshing drink to combat these toasty summer days that would have detox benefits as well.

With three ingredients, it is so easy that I can barely call it a recipe. All you need is half a lemon, 4-6 mint leaves, and water.

Slice up your lemon into wedges or slivers and add to your jar. Rinse your mint, crush it slightly to release the flavor, and add to your jar. Top off with tap, filtered, or Vitajuwel water, and you are good to go!

Mint provides delicious flavor, but it also has some wonderful health benefits as well. It soothes the stomach and digestive tract, is believed to relieve hiccups, sinus congestion, and is an incredible antioxidant.

Adding lemon to your water gives you a vitamin boost, aids your digestion, cleanses toxins, and balances the pH in your body.

I create a large jar of this in the morning to enjoy when I first wake up, because it jump-starts your metabolism and helps you wake up after a night of sleep. Once my initial glass gets low, I continue to top of my jar all day, until the lemon and mint completely lose their flavor. It has become my go to beverage for the summer, and although right now I keep it cool to beat the heat, I imagine it will be really tasty with warm water in the winter!

Enjoy your new tasty beverage!

Have you ever gotten on your trusty yoga mat, stretched up into down dog, and had your hand slip? The cause might be a dirty mat!

Over time, yoga mats can accumulate dust, dirt, and sweat, all of which imbed into the mat and create a slippery surface. To avoid slipping and causing injury (slippery mat + down dog = face plant... ouch!), I created a spray to help keep my yoga mat clean, sanitary, and a little safer!

Homemade Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe:

3 parts water (I use distilled or Vitajuwel for that extra crystal energy goodness)
1 part witch hazel
5-10 drops essential oil (depending on the size of your bottle)

Combine all ingredients in a small spray bottle (I use one with a fine mist so I get even coverage, but any spray bottle will work). Shake to mix ingredients, and you are good to go!

I use mine everyday after I practice by spraying down my entire mat, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then wiping down with a clean cloth. (After a hot yoga class, I alternate between soaking it in the tub or just heavily spraying with my cleanser, and then allow for my yoga mat to dry in the fresh air.)

Your yoga mat is always a welcoming sanctuary and home, and (as I'm sure your mother always likes to remind you if she is anything like mine) a clean home is a happy home!