Eco-Friendly Candles

In these dark winter months, the glow of a fragrant candle can warm the room with its gentle light and scent. The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is turn on the fireplace and light a candle to create a serene space for silence, meditation or prayer. However, many of the commercially prepared candles available on the market contain petrolium and synthetic fragrances that can cause environmental damage and allergic reactions.

You can find eco-friendly candles at your local health food store, Whole Foods Market and other boutiques. If you have asthma or chemical sensitivities, check the label on your candles to check out the contents and ensure they don't contain synthetic fragrances or other potentially harmful compounds.

My favorite eco-friendly candle brand is from Ascents Candle Company. Their candles are beautiful, burn evenly and smell devine. One of my favorite scents is Renewal, made with essential oils of peppermint, rosemary and clary sage.

Ascents Candle Company, based in Seattle, Washington, makes and sells beautiful candles made from 100% palm based vegetable wax, pure essential oils, eco-friendly pigments and lead-free wicks. The owner and creator, Julianna Batho, sells her candles directly to her loyal customers at Seattle-area farmers markets and events.

I love these candles, so luckily for me I can still enjoy Julianna's candles by placing an order through her website. I recently received my order for half-a-dozen candles to warm these cold, Ohio days.

For more information about Ascents Candle Company, or to place an order, visit their website,

http://www.ascentscandle.com/.