McIntosh Apple on Sale

Why this is the best time of year!
Ahhhh, the scensation of walking through the bright foliage on a bright, sunny, fall day. Picture it - you're wearing your favorite sweatshirt, your skinny jeans, walking with your favorite person without a worry in the world.
You've picked the pumkins you want for your front porch, you got the perfect giant mums, and the farm stand has fresh baked apple pies - you don't have to peel, slice, bake or clean a darn thing!
On the way home, stop by Soyfire Candle for 20% off the cleanest, most natural scented McIntosh Apple you've ever smelled.

Now when you get back home, you light your Beanpod soy candle from Soyfire Candle in North Conway, put on some soft music, pour a glass of hot apple cider... maybe you earned a hard cider? The rest is up to you!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Sizzling Summer!

There's something about Summer which just makes me want to burn citrus scents all season. Is smelling Lemon Citrus as refreshing as drinking a tall glass of lemonade? Perhaps psychologically. At least for me. So whenever that mercury starts to rise, I abandon all the sweet and flowery scents and devote my fragrance selection exclusively to citrus. At the moment, I am enjoying a blend of Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Citrus and Fruit Slices. Now since, Beanpod doesn't manufacture Pink Grapefruit in soy beads, you can do one of two things: Either start with a Pink Grapefruit jar candle and "Season" it with a blend of Lemon Citrus and Fruit Slices soy beads - OR - burn one jar candle of each scent in the same space. Either way you will get all three scents mingling together creating a blissfully fresh citrus blend. Enjoy!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Mid-Summer's Night

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but it is SWELTERING here in the East. Temps have been between 88 and 100 degrees with high humidity for well over a week now. So what is a person to do? You might not think that this kind of weather lends itself to burning candles - and you'd be right - but what I've noticed in my un-air conditioned arrangement, with all this humidity, our house gets very stuffy and stagnant smelling, especially after being closed up for the day to keep the heat out. Electric bead melters to the rescue!

Electric melters have gained popularity lately for those who don't want to worry about open flames. They're great for people with pets, or young children, or college students whose dorms don't allow flames. "Plug In" melters, which fit directly into an outlet are very much the rage nowadays, too. Bottom line: electric melters are not difficult to find, but can be just the thing to fragrance your house without adding even half a degree of heat on a hot day!

So what's my recommendation for a nice scent for a stuffy house? Stick with citrus! Blend equal parts Raspberry Lemonade, Lime Citrus, and Fruit Slices soy beads and click that electric melter on. Then draw those blinds, turn on a fan and grab a chilled glass of white wine sangria! Ooh la la!

And don't worry... January will be here before we know it!

This Just In: Beanpod Candle changing their jar design!

Coming soon to Soyfire, look for Beanpod's new, sleek design!

The Best Ways to Burn

Lighting a candle seems like a pretty straight forward activity, but what you may not know about burning candles might be preventing you from getting the longest, cleanest, most effective burn for your money. Here's just a few tips everyone should know before lighting their next candle:

Jar Candles:

*The first time you light up your soy candle, you should be prepared to let it burn for a while. The preferred time is to allow a soy candle to burn one hour for each inch in diameter of the candle. For many soy jar candles that would equate to 3-4 hours of burning, as they are 3-4 inches wide. The reason for this is to get the best burn pool going. As it burns you will notice there is a slow spread of the melted oil from the center towards the edge of the jar. You don't want to extinguish you candle until the pool has reached the edges of the jar each and every time you light it. If you plan on going to bed an hour after you light your candle, start burning smaller-sized candles.

*We frequently say, "Candles have a memory and they love to carry a grudge!" Candles 'remember' how wide their oil pool was in the past, and they will grow to that size in the future. That means if you only burn them a little while the first time around, they will stick to that size burn pool and burn down through the candle, instead of making use of the wax around the edges. This is the primary source of candles "tunneling" or leaving excess wax stuck to the sides of the jar.

*Your scent comes from this burn pool. The larger it is, the better the scent. You will get more fragrance from a larger candle than a smaller one and you will get more fragrance from your candles if you burn them for long periods of time before extinguishing them.


Pillar Candles:

To prevent dripping, when candle burns down to the point that you can no longer see the flame, allow to cool completely then slice off the top of the outer wall of the pillar to allow proper burning to continue. If you choose, you can throw the excess wax into the top of a melter to get the most from it!

Taper Candles:
Our palm wax tapers are dripless, but to ensure this: avoid drafts, excessive vibrations or nearby heat sources and be sure tapers are straight and set firmly in their holders. (We sell Taper "huggers" in our store to help achieve a straight, wobble-free taper.)

Votives:
Votives are made to liquefy; burn them only in appropriate holders, never burn a votive without a container that reaches up to the top of the candle.

Avoiding soot:

Although soy wax burns much cleaner, the all cotton wick may cause some soot. Also, if you light your soy candle with matches or a typical lighter (even a budget candle lighter) the flame usually paints the jar black. Use a candle lighter with an adjustable flame that can be kept only large enough to light the wick, not blacken the jar.

*Keep your wick trimmed only when it's too long and has a mushroom top on it. Avoid burning candles in drafts (ie. outdoors, near a fan or heater/ AC unit).

*When putting your soy candles out, pinch the wick with your fingers or a Candle Quencher. This will virtually eliminate smoldering and soot residue caused from blowing or snuffing out wicks.

If you follow these simple tricks of the trade, you will be able to get much more burn time for your money, as well as an optimal candle-burning experience!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Relaxing Retreat

We all need a little retreat once in a while. Maybe we can't always arrange for that long-spa weekend that we feel we deserve, but maybe just a mini-vacation in your own bathroom will be enough to rejuvenate your spirit until you can make that trip a reality! To create your own Relaxing Retreat you will need:

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1 quiet hour
1 large bathtub
1 bottle of bubble bath
1 fluffy towel
Assorted glass holders
(2) boxes of Beanpod Candle Solitude tealights


Mix it up a little and grab a book, or beverage if you'd like. Maybe pop in a relaxing CD to listen to - whatever is going to help you relax. Everyone is entitled to a little "me" time, you're no exception! Make your own retreat today!

Weddings and Candles

June is a very popular time for weddings. If you are helping to decorate for one of these weddings, you may be looking for a unique way to 'say Spring' in the decor. Instead of traditional centerpieces, why not use candles appropriate to the season? Every season has it's themes, colors and scents to match.
In the early planning stages of your wedding it is important to choose the theme, and within that theme are the flowers. Your choice of flowers also produces a scent and you can add to that theme by adding specially scented candles to augment the desired aroma of your flowers. Even the Unity Candles, if selected as part of your ceremony, can be scented! Using candles in your wedding adds the aroma of your selected scent to the witnessing of your union. Together they will make your day one to remember.

Favors:

Weddings are a special time for the Bride and Groom. The unity of two becoming one through marriage is a special celebration that you want your guest to remember long after it is over. Wedding favors are traditionally given to remind your guests of your happy moment of unity. What better gift than candles as a wedding favor? That candle you gave as a thank you may be far more than a memento of your wedding. The sight and aroma of the special scent you chose, surrounded by the romantic moments of a wedding may rekindle the romance in married couples, or stimulate those seeking a romantic relationship. What a way to say thanks and be remembered at the same time!

The ceremony:

Selecting a candle for use in your wedding ceremony doesn’t have to be white. If you choose to use the Unity Ceremony, you will need three candles. Two candles are lit in the ceremony area with one larger or taller candle remaining unlit between the smaller candles. Traditionally the Unity candles are white tapered candles. Our palm wax tapers burn for over 10 hours and are unscented and dripless, so they make a wonderful addition to any ceremony, but don't feel compelled to stick with white. Feel free to use whatever color you'd like!

Normally the unlit and larger candle is placed higher than the others. This is traditionally a pillar candle, but could also be a jar candle if you prefer. You could even decorate the jar or pillar with a pretty ribbon or other ornaments to personalize the unity candle that much more. As the Ceremony begins and the two are joined as one, a predetermined point is chosen when the Bride and Groom together light the middle or larger candle from the two smaller candles as a sign they have joined together.

Again, in choosing candles it is best to coordinate the scent you desire with the flowers you have decided upon. Secondly you want the colors of the candles also to blend with the flower colors of your choice. The idea is to fill the room or chapel with your desired sight and aroma to help your guests to remember your wedding. Also, remember to have someone save your Unity Ceremony Candles. Two you can light just to remember your day, and one to be your Anniversary Candle!

The Reception:

Small crystal bowls, or even large mouthed crystal goblets can be filled with water and glass tealight floaters for a romantic effect and pleasing scent. Traditional candles arrangements are very nice, but using the glass tealight floaters can transform an event. Beanpod Candle brand tealights burn for 8-10 hours a piece, so they are extremely useful in illuminated wedding receptions - no need to worry about re-lighting! Plus, using glass floaters, you don't have to worry about the troubles that come along with wax floating candles: melting, burning out, capsizing, etc.

When the glass candle floaters are placed in a larger container, bringing out the optimum mix of colors, shapes and sizes, they can create a gorgeous centerpiece. Goblets, or martini glasses can be displayed down the center of banquet tables, or along gift tables, or even the cakes table to provide illumination and atmosphere.

Food coloring can even be added to the water to re-enforce your wedding colors or themes. Stones, marbles, shells or other ornaments can be added into the bottom of your containers to further personalize things. With floating tealight holders, you can be as creative as you like and make a truly memorable event.

There are endless ways you can use candles in your wedding. Explore them. Combining sights, sounds, and aroma will make your reception very memorable for everyone, and mostly for you. It’s your wedding. Fill it with the senses you will remember all your life.

Springtime Fragrances

Spring has sprung. It's time to change the air in your home from the hum-drum of winter and brighten things up a bit. For many people, spring is a time to open their home to friends and family and start to enjoy the fact that it's warm enough to entertain outdoors once again.
No matter how you choose to welcome spring into your home, there are a lot of ways candles and can be worked in to help you welcome the season.

The main thing people think about in Spring is flowering blooms and nature coming back to life. While you may not have the greenest thumb, and also may not have a flowering paradise in your yard, you can use candles to take part in the season. Purchase candles scented with appropriate flowers of the season such as lilac, and enjoy the scent of the blooms.

One thing many people expect in spring is the rain that will keep those flowers blossoming throughout the season. After all, where do you think the 'April showers bring May flowers" line came from. If you don't want a house overtaken by the scent of flowery blooms, you instead may choose to appreciate the rain that will bring those flowers to life outside.

Beanpod Candle offers light, water-scented candles like Ocean Mist and Fresh Water that can be lit in your home to fill the air with the scent of air that has been cleaned by a soft spring shower. Additionally, these candles come in beautiful shades of blue that can be used not only to scent the room, but also as an attractive addition to your décor.

Of course, some fruits and vegetables start to bloom this time of year as well. These are scents that can be brought into your home to make the air always appetizing. Among the fruits that are in season now are raspberries and strawberries. Additionally, vegetables such as cucumbers are in season at this time as well. Beanpod's Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Cream or Herb Garden might just be what your looking for to fit his bill! Additionally, scents like Beanpod's Aloe Vera and Bonsai Tree embrace the earthly, light scent of new fresh, grass and greenery.

Any combination of these scents can be put together in your home to give it an air of a spring harvest. More than anything, just focus on whatever scents fill you & your home with energy and vitality, that's what Spring is all about!

This Just In! Beanpod Candlescape Jars now available in-store

This week we got our first shipment of Beanpod's brand new Candlescape jar collection. These gorgeous candles feature exotic blended fragrances and all come in sleek, tall cylinder jars with shiny, silver tops.

Fragrances include "Fireside Chat," a dark-taupe colored candle featuring a fresh and woodsy blend of cedar and eucalyptus. The soft-green "Smiles & Laughs" candle is a clean blend of lotus, ginger and waterlily. "Summer Nights" is a fiery red and combines the energizing fragrances of grapefruit and raspberry. The creamy-orange colored "Cocktail Delight" will transport you to a tropical oasis with notes of citrus & cilantro. Lastly, the peaceful blue "Evening Glow" is a relaxing combination of fir needle, orange & lemon.

Candlescape jars are available in 10.5 oz, 18.5 oz & 25 oz. sizes and can be purchased in our store or ordered by phone.

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: May Day

Happy May Day, everyone! Boy, you couldn't ask for a nicer one here in the Mount Washington Valley. It's pushing 80, the winds and chilly temps from earlier in the week are just memories now, and the sun is making everything bloom and sparkle! The Lilacs are even beginning to bloom - almost 3 weeks ahead of schedule! Truly, this has been an amazing Spring! So, on this amazingly gorgeous May Day, one's thoughts naturally lean toward the fresh, fragrant smells of Spring which inspires today's recipe. Blend Beanpod Candle's Lilac and Pink Petals soy beads in an Aloe Vera candle and light! In but moments, you will be instantly transported to a sunny, mountainside oasis!

Soyfire Candle Announces Month-long Fundraiser for Jen’s Friends

Wouldn’t it be nice to help out your friends and neighbors just by doing something nice for yourself? For the month of May, mention Jen’s Friends when you make a purchase at Soyfire and Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation will receive 20% of your total purchase price! Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation provides supplemental financial assistance and other resources to cancer patients and their families who are uninsured, underinsured, or financially challenged, allowing them to focus on battling cancer without worrying about the indirect financial burdens that often arise. Financial support is tailored to the individual’s needs, and may include support for housing, utilities, groceries, pharmaceuticals, childcare and travel costs.

“We at Soyfire are proud to have this opportunity to help one of the most important charities in our community. In this economy, non-profit organizations need more help than ever,” said owner, Michael Kline. Soyfire just completed its first-ever month-long fundraiser for the White Mountain Community Health Center this April. “We decided that setting aside a whole month to raise funds for a deserving organization was the best way we could truly help support those in need in the Mount Washington Valley.”

There is no limit on purchase amounts, or the amount of times you may stop in throughout the month. Even orders made through Soyfire’s website count. Just enter "Jen's Friends" in the address 2 field during checkout and we'll do the rest.

Soyfire Candle is located in the Red Barn Outlet Center on Route 16 in North Conway. Soyfire offers over 50 fragrances of Beanpod brand candles: 100% soy wax candles cost less, burn cleaner, toxin free and last longer than even the best paraffin brands. For more information, please stop by any day from 10 am – 6pm, or call 603-356-8969.

This Just In! Beanpod announces Hang-a-Bean Air Fresheners to be discontinued

Get 'em while you can: Beanpod has announced it will be retiring the Hang-a Bean Air Fresheners as of May 2010.

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: A Perfect Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is coming up next week and have you given thought yet as to the best way to celebrate? Throwing a perfect gathering for friends is pretty easy, just gather the following:



1 colorful tablecloth
10 servings of fajita fixings
10 hungry friends
10 casual place settings
2 Buckets of Margaritas or the beverage of your choice
1 pinata
1 hot grill
1 CD of mariachi music
4 NEW! Beanpod Candle "Cocktail Delight" Candlescape jars

Place the tablecloths over picnic tables before guests arrive. Heat grill and begin cooking 45 minutes prior to dinner. Light candles at least 20 minutes before guests arrive to fill the air with the fruity aromas. Preset the pinata. Turn on your music. When your guests arrive, fill their glasses, serve the food and have a blast!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Raspberry Margaritas

Mmmmmm.... margaritas. Is there something I like more than a margarita on a warm sunny day? I don't think so! Of course it's not always "appropriate" to carry tequila with you everywhere, so if you want to enjoy the aromas of a tall pitcher of Raspberry Margaritas, just try this: burn on candle each of Beanpod's Raspberry Lemonade, Lime Cooler, and Lemon Citrus and suddenly you're on a warm Mexican beach being served a frosty glass by your favorite pool boy, Juan Carlos. Hold the salt, please Juan!

Traditional Candle Color Meanings

It's never bee easier to compliment your mood. Just pick a candle to go with the energy you want to bring into your home!

Green: Abundance, growth, money, success, wealth, physical healing, health, marriage, fertility, employment, balance, Stimulates growth, healing, financial success, good luck, new job, good harvest, nature appreciation, love.

Yellow: Intellect, wisdom and honor, action, inspiration and creativity, studying and intelligence, concentration, memory, logic, learning, attraction, confidence, intellect, inspiration, energy, cheerfulness, sunny disposition, changes, endurance, stability and security.

Red: Energy, vitality, and strength, health, passion, love, protection, fire, fertility, fast action, strength, potency, physical love, courage, warmth, energy, attraction, magnetism, desire, action, power, willpower.

White: The Balance of all colors: Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvoyance, healing, truth-seeking, purity, innocence, clarity and unity, Dawn, purification, peace, truth, protection, spirituality.

Pink: Devotion, love, tenderness and faith, friendship, romance, honor, spiritual healing, caring, affection, forming partnerships, peace, emotional healing, Universal love, purest form of love, love that is unconditional, spiritual love, sensitivity, healing, enhances joyful and lively conversation.

Gold: Enlightenment, protection, success, wealth, money, masculinity, playfulness, luck, divination, victory.

Silver: (Light Grey) Victory, Stability, meditation, Developing Psychic Ability, Removal of Negative Power, Repelling Destruction, Cancellation, Neutrality, Stalemate.

Peach: restoration and rejuvenation

Violet: Independence and financial success

Ivory: (beige): neutrality, balance and harmlessness

Lavender: Manifestation and selflessness, spirituality, compassion, understanding, inspiration, very calming.

Blue: Communication, truth, peace, calm, losing weight, wisdom, understanding, protection, harmony, inspiration, patience, health and happiness, luck, communication, loyalty, peaceful, cooling, contentment, harmony, devotion, meditation.

Orange: Cleanses negative attitudes, situations and places, happiness, business deals, attracting good things, success, career, goals, stimulation, attraction, power, luck, sudden changes, Warmth, energy building, enthusiasm, attracts success and prosperity, emotional healing, attracts friends, courage and ambition.

Brown: Earth, a balanced color. Rituals for material gain, eliminates indecisiveness, furthers powers of concentration, learning, telepathy. Expands financial success, finds lost items. Material prosperity, Home, friendships, balance, concentration and studying, wealth, success, intuition, psychic powers and ESP. Protecting pets, Said to help find lost items.

Purple: Meditation, spirituality, success, confidence, hidden knowledge, protection, divination, All forms of expansion, expands what you already have, spiritual protection, power, wisdom, healing, recognition, enhances psychic ability

Rose: Compassion for self and others, humor, Love, romance, opening the heart, forgiveness, compassion, healing, joy, creativity, endurance, strength, stability and security.

Black: Burning black with any other color dissolves negative energies!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Banana Split

Mmmmmmm... I could go for something sweet. Anyone for a banana split? OK, maybe not an actual banana split. That would be a lot of calories. Plus it's not quite warm enough out there to truly indulge in an ice cream treat. But that doesn't mean we can't surround ourselves with the decadent fragrances! This is a fun one, because - just like making a real sundae - you can go as crazy as you want. I recommend starting with Beanpod Candle's Vanilla, Chocolate & Banana Cream Pie flavored soy beads. Depending on your preferences, you can also add Toasted Hazelnut, Strawberry Cream, Orange Vanilla, Angel Amaretto or Whipped Cream! Have fun with it!

What to do about Mothers Day?

Mother. Is there any other word in the English language which so instantly conjures a feeling of complete love and gratitude? The bond between a mother and her child is truly an amazing and sacred thing. Sure, we try to tell our Mothers how much we love and appreciate them throughout the year, but somehow picking a gift out for Mothers day can be a daunting experience - as though we needed to find just the thing to sum up everything she has ever done for us.

First: relax! One of the best things about Mothers is that they do everything they do not expecting lavish gifts and heaps of gratitude. That's one of the reasons we love them so much! With Mothers, truly it is the thought that counts. Find something that expresses a sentiment you couldn't quite put into words yourself, one that hearkens back to a shared memory or experience, or one that simply shows you know her preferences and you are all set!

At our Soyfire store we carry a beautiful line of Pavilion brand gifts, each comes in a gorgeous gift box (no wrapping is always a bonus in my opinion!) and inscribed with a simple, but genuine, sentiment. Different styles and shapes are available, come in and check them out!

You could also pick out a special scent that you reminds you of Mom: Did your mom make the best Apple Pies in the world? Did you vacation at the Seashore when you were little? Is she mad for Lilacs? Or maybe she's a coffee-fanatic? Pick a fragrance that says something special. Something "her."

If you're creative, why not use candles as a jumping off point? You can use tealights, empty jars, colored sand, beads, and some wire to string together homemade patio lanterns! Or start with some tealights, glass floaters, and glass cylinder vases to create a gorgeous display for her. You can fill your cylinder with fresh fruit or flowers, or just colored water. The choice is yours! Moms love it when you express your creativity!

Whatever you choose, just make it from your heart. She'll love it. Trust me... I'm a Mom myself.

April 2010 Fundraiser: The White Mountain Community Health Center

Soyfire is proud to announce its first-ever monthly fundraiser: The White Mountain Community Health Center!


The White Mountain Community Health Center (WMCHC) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 health care provider located in Conway, New Hampshire. The health center is the "safety net" provider of the greater Mount Washington Valley meaning it provides care to the under-insured and uninsured population of the region.

Today, the health center provides services to over 3,500 area men, women and children. Patients have access to a wide array of medical and social services.


This April stop in or log on and treat yourself or someone you love to a Soy candle or gift and we'll donate 20% of your purchase to the health center - just mention the center and it's done!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Mountain Oasis

It's such a joy to live in the White Mountains, constantly surrounded by beauty. Even on a rainy, Spring day like this, the sights and smells are just amazing. With the trees budding and flowers blooming, and the evergreens glazed with raindrops, there's no better time to get out and take a walk through nature. Still, if you'd prefer to stay dry, just try this mix: Burn one candle each of Beanpod's Fresh Water, Evergreen & Bonsai Tree fragrances. It's a soft, fresh blend that will instantly transport you to the top of a mountain ... and you don't have to leave your living room! Even if you don't have these scents, you still don't have to leave your house - just order them online!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Spring Thaw

What an amazing, glorious Spring we've been having! We've been truly spoiled. Never in all my years of New England living have I experienced an actual Spring. I could get used to this! Windows opened, sleeping with fans on, dining on the porch for dinner? These are things that usually don't happen in New Hampshire until late May! Normally, in April we are thick in the middle of "Mud Season," that quintessentially New England time period where the melting snow disappears into the soft, thawing earth and you're left with that earthy hopeful scent lingering everywhere you turn. Since we sort of skipped this "fifth season" this year, I thought I'd recreate it with Beanpod. Just melt Beanpod's Bonsai Tree, Herb Garden, & Pink Petals soy beads in a melter and enjoy! Then just make sure you go outside and play afterward!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Spring Rain

Create the clean, light scent of Spring Rain with Beanpod Candle! If you enjoy using soy beads, simply cobine Beanpod's Fresh Water, Bonsai Tree & Lilac beads in your favorite melter. Not a fan of melters? No problem! Just burn one candle in each scent in the same area and enjoy the same benefit!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Long Winter’s Nap

Boy, oh boy have we been spoiled? The Northeast has had a positively spectacular end to winter with unheard of warmth and snow melt starting in late February and continuing right through this past week. Never can I remember packing up my snow shovels and rock salt as early as St. Patrick's Day, so this week's wintry chill should not surprise me. Surely, we're not heading full-force back into winter, but it's enough to give us pause and enjoy this last throes of winter as it waves goodbye. It makes me think of those restful, clean fragrances I love to burn on chilly winter days and inspired today's recipe: Long Winter's Nap. To make this scent, start with Beanpod Candle's Solitude scent and combine it with their new 2010 fragrance, Pink Petals & calming favorite Lavender. Now curl up and dream of those warm Spring days which are waiting in the wings!

The Health Effects of Burning Candles

Are burning Soy Candles Really Better for Your Home and Your Health?

Two popular issues surrounding the use of scented candles are one, the positive environment and effects of aromatherapy treatment and two, the threat of soot and toxins creating an unhealthy environment. Evidence suggests that if you not careful, it is possible to create an unhealthy environment while trying to create just the opposite.

Let's deal momentarily with the topic of aromatherapy. One of the basic concepts of mind/body medicine is that a positive frame of mind helps to keep people in good health. Aromatherapy is thought to improve a person's mental outlook and sense of well-being by affecting the area of the brain that regulates emotions. Relaxing and pleasant smells stimulate emotional responses of pleasure and relaxation. Without any technical qualifications to endorse or reject the ideas for any particular health result, I'll leave that debate to the trained professional aroma-therapists.

Now let's explore the second matter - soot and toxins. With 7 out of 10 households enjoying candles on a regular basis and scented candles being a popular gift, we should know if we're giving poisons to our loved ones. Paraffin candles, even expensive or popular brands, produce toxins, probable cancer causing agents, and nasty black soot that leaves visible trails in your home. While most candles made in the US do not use metal in their wicks, there are no laws governing it and many candles, especially imported candles may still contain lead wicks. A University of Michigan School of Public Health study revealed that after one hour, one third of the candles tested emitted unsafe levels of lead into the air. We recommend that you never burn a candle with a metal core wick.

How much damage can one candle cause? According to David Krause, of Indoor Air Solutions, results of recent experiments have shown that certain paraffin candles can produce up to 100 times more soot than low-soot producing candles. The American Lung Association also warns that burning paraffin candles can emit toxins in measurable amounts, into your home's air and testing by the EPA has confirmed that paraffin candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. These chemicals include known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.

No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with paraffin candles. The EPA lists these chemicals on their website:

1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human carcinogen).

2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).

3) Trichloroethane (EPA classification as Group C, possible human carcinogen).

4) Toluene (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).

So what's the alternative to petroleum based candles? The long-standing favorite has been beeswax, but beeswax is very expensive and is generally not an option for the most popular candle variations - scented jar candles, tea lights and votives. The relatively new petroleum alternative comes from soybeans grown in Iowa. Be forewarned, many large candle makers are offering so-called soy candles, that may be as much as ninety percent paraffin (petroleum based) and 10% soy wax. Soy "blend" is not the same as a 100% soy wax candle. Candles made entirely from soy wax burn cooler and last longer than paraffin wax. Soy wax is derived from plants and is a renewable resource that's non-toxic, biodegradable and better for the environment.

As more people learn about the effects of burning paraffin candles in their homes, they're switching to soy candles and coming back for more while sharing great success stories. So the next time you want to create a relaxing, inviting or romantic atmosphere in your home, don't do so at the risk of your health or home. Choose natural soy candles as a healthy alternative.

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Spa Day

I don't know about you, but it seems like the weather in this country has done a flip-flop. I'm hearing reports of snow in Tallahassee, and up here in New Hampshire, it's practically Spring-like. To that end, it puts me in the mood for new, Spring-y scents like this one using one of Beanpod's newest fragrances: Fresh Water. To make Spa day, just combine Aloe Vera, Fresh Water & Lavender soybeads in your favorite melter and breath in the soft, fresh aroma. It's as relaxing and rejuvenating as an early Spring!

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Bananas Foster

It's time to start playing with Beanpod's new 2010 scents! Today we'll experiment with the scrumptious new Banana Cream Pie fcragrance. Ooooh, it's a keeper. Now if you tend to induldge in desserts as I do, you'll love this recipe for Bananas Foster. Just start with an Angel Amaretto candle and "season" it with Whipped Cream, Banana Cream Pie soy beads.

Beanpod Soy Candle Recipe of the Day: Winter Forest

We've had nearly a foot of new, fresh powder fall over the past week in New Hampshire. There's nothing us snow bunnies like more than reading a sentence like that! Whether you're hitting the slopes, breaking a new cross country trail, or just strapping on the snowshoes, you simply can't get enough of that fresh, crisp smell of being immersed in a snowy forest. Well, if the time comes when you simply must go inside and warm up, here's how to recreate that scent: Start with Beanpod's Adirondack Mountains candle and "season" it with Evergreen and Solitude soy beads.

New Specialty Line Available!

This just in! We are proud to announce that we now carry all 8 scents in the Oasis Pure Soy line at our flagship North Conway location. These gorgeous candles are made in the USA and feature soft coloring, double wicks, and - of course - 100% pure soy wax. The scents are very unique and just heavenly when burned. Fragrances available are: Lilac Bamboo, Warm Vanilla, Toasted Vanilla, Sweet Orange & Mango, Kiwi Apple, Aloe Spa, Amber Rose, and Mandarin Clove. Each 13 oz. jar will burn for approximately 60 hours and retails for $19.99.