THANK YOU!

It feels great to give back... Thank you for all of the support!!

Tell EVERYONE you know... In 2011, Eco- Glow Candles has supported 10 unique charities, participated in 3 different charity races, and raised over $1,100 to raise awareness for diabetes, Angelman Syndrome, and breast cancer!

Eco-Glow Website

Eco-Glow Candles Facebook

The verdict is in....

The blog stays! This blog has been such a great creative outlet to give advice, find products and embrace life & it's authenticity. I will continue to find entertaining topics and keep you up-to-date with Innovative Aesthetics!

Try to discover

The road to success

And you'll seek but never find,

But blaze your own path

And the road to success

Will trail right behind.

~Robert Brault,

Cocktails!

Not all fun cocktails have to be high in calories (Hellloooo~ Pina Colada!) or low in taste (Ahem~ Vodka tonic!). This cocktail is delicious, low in calories and great for your skin. Consume in moderation, of course. And Enjoy!!

4 c. seedless watermelon, cubed

3 lemons, juiced

1 1/2 oz. vodka

Ice

Mint leaves

Puree watermelon and lemon in a blender until smooth. Add vodka and pour over ice. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon and mint leaf. Yields four 8-oz. servings.

Watermelon and lemons are both Vitamin C powerhouses! Vitamin C is incredibly important in producing new collagen, which keeps your skin firm and supple. Watermelon is also a great source of lycopene, which provides an incredible amount of antioxidant protection from an environmental aggressors.

Authentic Self

I took some time out of my evening to meditate and do some yoga hip-openers. The Amana duathalon is coming up in 9 days (EEEEK!) and I needed a night off from heavy cardio. As I reached Supta Virusana, I took a deep breath and felt a blanket of calm surround me. It was as if my body released the tension and stress of the last couple weeks. I feel complete. 

I am.... embracing life, one day at a time. Embracing the change that inevitable. Soaking up the beauty in each day, the beauty of simple things. Indulging in the free time I have now that my class has finished (I passed with flying colors! :D) Stealing precious moments to explore this new identity. Expressing gratitude to friends and family who have encouraged me to pursue my goals. I am choosing to blossom, my creative energy, my hopes and dreams are taking shape. I am thankful for the person that I am becoming.

Until you know that life is interesting - and find it so - you haven't found your soul. ~Geoffrey Fisher

Find yourself today, tomorrow, this weekend... Take time out from the hustle & bustle. Even if it's a quick moment you steal away. Become your authentic self.

Honey-Do!

DIY Body Scrub

1/4 ripe honeydew melon or cantaloupe

3 chopped mint leaves

2 Tbsp.- 1/2 C. minced oats (your preference)

Start by seeding the melon. Mash together until it's pulpy and add your mint leaves. Stir in the oats until you've reached a desired consistency! (Thick scrubs works best for the body). Apply in gentle circles.

Honeydew is jam-packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C, so take a deep breath of this sweet fruit and let your skin reap the benefits!

Bittersweet

I've sat in front of my computer for the last 10 minutes trying to think of something witty and catchy to say to make this easier on me. Surprise, surprise there's really nothing that I can say to lessen the toll that this decision takes on my life. I decided to completely switch gears and pursued an opportunity that has presented itself. I came upon a crossroads and had to make the tough decision to leave Innovative Aesthetics Medical Spa & Laser Center. This decision did not come easily. 

Working at Innovative Aesthetics for the past 2 ½ years has been very satisfying and rewarding. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the help and support I’ve had from Dr. Rexroth and Courtney Albritton, PA-C, MPA along the way. I have enjoyed working with everyone and appreciate the opportunities I have been given. While I have been very satisfied at Innovative Aesthetics, I decided to make this move to advance my career. I feel so grateful to have gotten to know so many great people, I can honestly say my clients have truly changed my life. I will miss many things (daily doses of knowledge from Courtney, Hanna's witty quips, Dusty's delicious recipes, Cork 'n' Fork lunches) but most of all it will be my wonderful clients! Thank you for your trust, patience and enthusiasm in my passion for aesthetics!

I wish everyone nothing but the best and it is my sincere wish that Innovative Aesthetics continues to grow (I know I'll still be getting services!!) and thrive!

TO BE CONTINUED.....

My Sunday Thought

Life has been so busy lately, both personally and professionally. I'm getting ready to finish up with my Summer class, which is a great feeling! This class has taught me so much about how to diligently think about what to put into my body. Training for the Bix and now a duathalon and possibly a half marathon in the Fall, has definitely taken a toll on my body. I really relish the moments that I can stretch out and relax. Professionally, my cancellation list has filled an entire page and I'm booked out weeks in advance. I've worked very hard to be where I am at today.... I'm making more and more of an effort to find myself and really enjoy the fruits of my labor (in all aspects).

Finding your way-in the woods, as in life- requires strategy, precision and a dose of optimism.

Bix7, Baby!

I came, I saw, I conquered!

With temperatures in the high-90's, I ran the hilly Bix7 in Davenport, Iowa last Saturday. I feel accomplished, refreshed and an overall sense of well-being. I keep telling myself "I did it, I did it!" And if I can accomplish that (especially in the weather conditions) what else can I accomplish?! This month, I will compete in my first duathalon!! I am so ready and excited! I am raising awareness for The Foundation for Angelman Therapeutics, a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Please check out my website:

Ashley's Duathalon

On another note, these harsh conditions can really take a toll on your body. Here's a couple inexpensive product recommendations I have to keep you feeling GREAT:

~ Aura Cacia Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath- Once you soak in a tub of this you'll never go back to bubble bath! The milk extracts will reduce inflammation, while oatmeal naturally moisturizes sun-parched skin. I purchased my packet at Hy-Vee for $3.30.

~ OLIVE OIL- This is an awesome moisturizer for dry hair! Mix a tablespoon with 2 drops of rosemary, apply to your hair and leave on for 1 hour. Wash out and your hair will feel amazing!

~ Skin Organics Cucumber Sage Balancing Mist - Put your bottle in the fridge and it's amazing after a workout or a long cardio session outside! It's cool and clean and smells fresh and light. $13 http://www.skinorganicsaw.com/

~ Aloe Plants - This is a great, natural, affordable way to soothe your skin! Aloe reduces inflammation and swelling, and if dabbed in a scrape can activate immune cells that fight bacteria!

~ Load up on antioxidants - These will help increase your skin's natural sunburn protection. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables have free-radical fighting antioxidant properties- think peppers, spinach, blueberries etc.