Natural Skin Care Interview with Tanja of Made with Metta

Recently, I had the good fortune to talk with my close friend Tanja, founder of Made with Metta, a fabulous line of all-natural skin care products, that I use and love. I thought my dear readers would also be interested in how the idea sparked and how the product came to be. Here is the link to the website to see all the amazing products!

The name Made with Metta – what is ‘metta’ and why is it so important in your all-natural product line name?

Metta is Sanskrit for "loving kindness" I believe that our thoughts become intentions and those intentions are infused into everything we do and everything we touch. That's why it's so important to set our intensions when we begin making our products and ensure that we're of clear mind. Every product we make is infused with loving kindness

When did you start Made with Metta?

I had been making products for myself for a while but MwM officially started in 2016

Why did you start Made with Metta?

When you start analyzing products you use in everyday life, you realize how much bad stuff we put in our bodies everyday. Just as the Renata Collective helps you ensure what you put in your body is healthy, MwM products help ensure that what you put on your body is healthy as well.

What was your first product?

Deodorant. It's actually quite funny because I was so skeptical when I made it and really didn't think it would work. I had tried ALL SORTS of "natural deodorants" and was always disappointed. NOTHING worked and there were SO EXPENSIVE. Given my hormonal issues, there are times that I struggle with odor. (especially if I'm wearing synthetic materials) I'm a massage therapist. Given my proximity to people, it's super important that I smell clean.

I made this deodorant really not expecting anything and I was amazed to see that it worked...and not just on me! People liked it, and came back for more.

It's all I wear now and I love that there's nothing harmful in it.

What ingredients do you mostly use? And where do you source your all-natural, organic ingredients from?

Shea butter and grapeseed oil are some of the ingredients I use the most. I buy my ingredients from a local coop that ensures everything is ethically sourced.

Please tell us about some of the healing properties in some of your products?

Oils, butters, essential oils, all have healing properties on their own. We can heal our bodies with stuff we find in nature and/or easily at the grocery store.

Coconut oil is great for your hair but can also be used as an anti-fungal. Tea tree oil is amazing for little infections or rashes. Oils that you would use on your salad, are great for your hair.

I love that your products are small batch. How quickly on average are you preparing new product? It must be often.

Depends on the season. I try to make enough for our orders for at least a month. The funny thing is, our stuff lasts so long, it takes forever for people to re-order!

You have such a variety of all-natural products – face creams, body butters and deodorants, soaps and body wash, mouth spray and lip balm, a line for babies, a line for pets, room sprays, sleep aids and more. Do you have any new product lines in the R&D phase that you can hint at that we can start to get excited about?

When I first started I was told I should make personal lubricant. I never did but now the call is back to make CBD lube so that's what I'm working on right now.

You ship private orders all across Canada, the US and into Europe, as well as sell your products at select massage clinics in Montreal. Are there plans to have some Pop-Up Shops later in the year?

I would love to do a Pop-Up. It really depends on what's allowed this year. I usually do local craft shows at Christmas but last year that wasn't possible.

Besides Made with Metta, you are a certified RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) and instructor with a busy studio of your own, in Montreal – TanJai, offering a myriad of different massages by your trained RMTs and yourself. Which do you find is the most popular massage?

We get a lot of people asking for a "deep tissue massage" not really realizing they don't actually want a deep tissue massage. What they want is a massage with a decent amount of pressure. :) That being said, once people try Thai massage, they usually love it.

Do you ever take your massage clinics ‘on the road’ outside of Montreal?

We have been known to travel for sure. Private events or corporate functions, anything can be arranged.

Where do you feel the need is the greatest in terms of massage therapies for relaxation and healing, especially with the past year and a half with Covid permeating our psyches?

Touch is SO important. It's part of our DNA but massage is so much more than the physical touch. For some, just taking that moment to themselves restores their vibrations. Others use it as "therapy" and come to talk about things they can't talk about at home.

How often should people be getting massages for optimal benefit?

Every 4 weeks is recommended but if there's an injury or issue, perhaps more frequently at first.

Calming the mind is a key part of relaxing into a massage to experience the full physical, mental and emotional benefits. I personally have a hard time calming my mind and have tried different meditating techniques, none of which work for me. Do you have any tips to tricks to help with that?

I hear that. I'm the same way which I why I usually talk while I'm receiving a massage. For me though, that's relaxing. Everyone is different and I encourage everyone to be themselves. That is the 1st step to relaxing, dropping the "act". The more you "try to relax" the harder it will be. We play nature sounds in the background and have lavender diffusing through out the studio.

If that still doesn't work, usually touching the feet makes people sleepy. LOL

You also offer courses and certification training through TanJai Advanced Therapeutical College. Congratulations on achieving the designation of a recognized professional College. That’s very exciting! Which course is the most popular? Your favourite to teach?

Our Thai massage courses are definitely popular and Tok sen as an Add-On. So far they've all been fun to teach. Watching students experience something new for the first time and watching them progress..that is awesome.

Any last words of wisdom for us on all natural beauty products and or massage?

You only get one body, treat it right. If you listen, it will tell you everything it needs.