In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we prepped with her for the trip and today, we're at the first stop! Thankfully, Keren will share her journey which will provide a little insight into our needs of finding our equilibrium.

For this full-time working mom that lacks sunshine, serenity and nature, a jolt back to equilibrium begins with detoxing from the jungles of NYC into the warm soothing arms of the Sonoran Dessert.

Sunshine. Straight up for me please. Dry. No olives.

And ‘according to the Tucson locals’, I was actually in the sunniest state in the U.S. (& one of the sunniest places on earth)…. Sorry Florida I love ya dearly & I know you have Sunshine State plastered on your drivers licenses but I did get the gossip on how Arizona really outsunned you but let you keep the title ‘Sunshine State’ back in the 70’s since they had the Grand Canyon as one of the world’s natural wonder’s to boast (& of course the added bonus title of ‘Copper State’ for their mineral wealth).

Their proof they claim is in the Biosphere.

As in, the choice to build the famed Biosphere 2 in Arizona because it most resembled outer space (ala’ lots of sunshine!) . Biosphere 2 is a glass dome which contains the largest closed man-made ecosystem ever created in order to study the interactions between humans, farming and technology with the rest of nature and to explore the possibility of humans living in one of these in space – talk about a destination spa fit for Jane Jetson, I’d love to go there!). And yes, this Biosphere is the place George Costanza referred to on Seinfeld when he lied and said “Elaine has been chosen to represent the Upper West Side in the next Biosphere project”.

Stepping out of Tucson Airport into the bright early morning sun was more like stepping in to a detoxifying sauna. You instantly feel your body melt away the stress in the dry desert heat.

This is the moment when you close your eyes and take it all in. (..and I mean Really close your eyes as you don’t have to keep one eye open to watch over your lil one!!)

The solitude. The heat. The stillness. The scent (gosh that clean scent! of mesquite, cactus, sun, rain, flora).

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of a very rare & beautiful sight: The flower bloom of the Organ Pipe Cactus situated right at the airport taxi station. This cactus blooms only at night and once a year but I was able to see it! Not only was it early morning and the flower didn’t close yet from the night but since it has many buds that open up on different days between May and July there is a span of a few shorts weeks out of the year where you can catch a glimpse of one of the buds blooming at the tip of the cactus’ arm.

It was one of those moments.

Now that I am back home to my busy urban life I infuse that detoxifying moment into my every day by simply lighting my Cactus Cream Travel Candle, closing my eyes and allowing the heat and scent transport me to Tucson.

Staging moments in a tin can.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling