Antidote To The Blues

Eastern Canada is being hit HARD by Old Man Winter! To my family and friends back East, 'I feel for you, make sure you go for a snoeshow!' ;-)

But winter can bring about 'The Blues', Depression, SAD, and the like, and no wonder! Hardly any sun, its too cold to go outside for a walk, so we just languish around in our 'cozies' with hot chocolate in front of the fire. Sounds kind of nice...

Except, sunlight, fresh air and activity all produce wonderful endorphins which make us feel happy and full of light! When we don't get that, at first its fine, it's good to relax (I'm all for it!), but too much relaxation makes us sluggish and kind of bummed out.

So, get outside when you can. Let the sun (if there is any) hit your face for 15 minutes or so, breathe in the fresh air - in through your nose, out through your mouth - and get active! Whether its walking the dog, building a snowman with the kids, or a full-on jog - you'll feel better for it. You'll feel better, look better, sleep better, and be happier! What could be better?

The following blend is EASY and will help you along the road to a happier you:

Blues Buster
To a tissue drop one drop of Lemon essential oil and one drop of Rose Geranium essential oil. Breathe it in! Ahhhh!

You could also mix up a 5ml (or more) quantity at a 1:1 ratio and have it ready to go - carry it in your purse to help you get through those long days in the office!

Until next time, Happy Scents!

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Sometimes all you need is a little Lavender...

There are four essential oils that can be used neat on the skin without being blended in a carrier such as lotion before application, they are: ravintsara, roman chamomile, tea tree, and LAVENDER!

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, has been used for thousands of years beginning with the Ancient Egyptians and Romans who used it in their bath water; the word lavender comes from the Roman ‘lavera’ which means 'to wash'.

Lavender essential oil is known as the 'mother' oil and is cultivated in France, China, England, Tasmania, Bulgaria, Russia, and Croatia. Lavender is a bushy plant that can reach heights of three to four feet; the leaves are spiked, green-grey; the flowers can be a variety of shades of mauve to violet-lavender and are packed around a single stem. The method in which lavender essential oil is extracted is through steam distillation of the flowering tops. It has a fresh, floral scent, it is clear to pale yellow in colour, has a watery consistency, and has a middle perfume note. It blends harmoniously with all other essential oils, absolutes and essences because it is a natural balancer.

Lavender essential oil is treasured for use on cuts, burns, dermatitis, eczema, sunburn and insect bites; for rheumatism, arthritis, inflammation, tension, spasms and dysmenorrhoea; for headaches and migraines, insomnia, anxiety, panic, hysteria, fatigue, and nervousness. It is said, ‘when in doubt, use lavender’ and it is known to soother the inner child. Every household should have lavender essential on hand in their First Aid Kit because of its fabulous properties and because it can be used safely on children when diluted in a carrier like unscented lotion. In Jeanne Rose’s Herbs and Things: A Compendium of Practical and Exotic Love she writes:

‘The buds [Lavender], mixed with marjoram, clove, carnation, betony and rose leaves and worn around the neck in a bag will cure headache.’

One more interesting note to remember about lavender essential oil, it is said to be an antidote for the bite of the funnel web and black widow spiders as well as viper and adder snakes.

Lavender Essential Oil can be used as an inhalant, can be burned in an essential oil burner, or up to eight drops can be added to your bath water.

Mom's Time

Since giving birth to my second baboonsky almost 3 months ago, I have found myself wondering 'What was I complaining about when I only had one kidlet? I had TONS of time!' ;-) Not so now.

But I still try to find time for myself once a week where I'm not doing something for someone else, like laundry, grocery shopping or reading 'Purple Eyes' for the umpteenth time! Usually I simply have a bit of a mini-spa experience in the bathroom, pruning what needs to be pruned. ;-)

Today I'm going to share one of my favourite recipes! I call it 'Mommy Tree'.

Mommy Tree Scrub

1/2 Cup Oatmeal
1/2 Cup Skinned Almonds
1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
1 drop Neroli Essential Oil
2 drops Petitgrain Essential Oil
3 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil



In a blender grind oatmeal and almonds as finely as possible. Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly breaking up any clumps. Then mix in oil to develop a paste, adding more oil if necessary.

Rub the paste all over your body starting at your feet and working your way up using gentle circular motions.

Rinse well either in a warm bath or a warm shower.

Neroli, orange and petitgrain essential oils all come from the same tree - the orange tree. These essential oils were used in combination to help you feel ‘whole’ again. Neroli has a calming, almost euphoric effect; orange has an uplifting, anti-depressant effect; and petitgrain has the ability to calm anger and stress.

Your skin will thank you, and so will you mind and spirit!