Want To End Your Day Right?

Today was our 5th day on our evening journey. 

Walking the Daily Stress Away 

We have found it the best way to relax at the end of our day.....and, too sleep really well. 

We took, get this, our GPS with us to map out the route. The GPS recorded the time of walk and gave total mileage of our walk. 

We walk for one (1) full hour and our walk is 3 full miles and some change...lol.

Please enjoy these photos taken on today's evening walk.
I love taking my camera with me

You never know what nature will share with you.

When walking - always make sure you bring water and a friend!

Have a Blessed Night!

What is Aromatherapy

AROMATHERAPY

WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY? Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils in order to take advantage of their benefits for the body, mind and spirit. Essential oils have been used therapeutically for hundreds of years but as modern medicines began to appear around the turn of the century, the use of essential oils declined.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PURCHASING. Some products sold as "essential oils" are diluted in cheaper "carrier" oils. Become familiar with the botanical names of the oils you want to use and never purchase an essential oil that is not labeled with the botanical name, as well as the common name.



STORAGE: The shelf-life of most essential oils is about 12 months, with proper handling. Oils should be stored in a cool (not cold) place, where they are not exposed to sunlight. Refrigeration of essential oils is not recommended since some can be spoiled by this procedure. Open bottles only for use and keep caps securely closed, as exposure to air speeds the deterioration of any botanical product, including essential oils.

Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users and practitioners make exceptions to this precaution, but only once significant essential oil knowledge is gained should you ever attempt to apply undiluted oil on the skin. Lavender and tea tree are listed by a large number of aromatherapy sources as being oils that can be used undiluted. Undiluted use of lavender and tea tree, however, should be avoided as severe sensitivity still could occur in some individuals. Again, the safest rule of thumb is to never use any essential oil undiluted.

Blends to Enhance Happiness

Blend #1
• 3 drops Bergamot
• 1 drop Ylang Ylang
• 1 drop Grapefruit

Blend #2
• 1 drop Geranium
• 2 drops Frankincense
• 2 drops Orange

Blend #3
• 2 drops Sandalwood
• 1 drop Rose
• 2 drops Bergamot

Blend #4
• 2 drops Lemon, Orange or Bergamot
• 2 drops Grapefruit
• 1 drop Ylang Ylang, Rose or Neroli

Directions: Select one of the blends shown above. Then, choose which method you'd like to use the blend and follow the directions below:

Bath Oil:

Multiply your blend by 3 to obtain a total of 15 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 15 drop blend in the Bath Oil recipe.

Bath Salts:

Continue by using the 5 drop blend in the Bath Salts recipe.

Massage Oil:

Multiply your blend by 2 to obtain a total of 10 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 10 drop blend in the Massage Oil recipe.

Air Freshener:

Multiply your blend by 6 to obtain a total of 30 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 30 drop blend in the Air Freshener recipe.

Blends to Enhance Memory and Concentration

The below blends can help enhance memory recollections, memory retention, and help concentrate. When selecting and using oils, be sure to follow all safety precautions and remember that aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.

Blend #1
• 3 drops Rosemary
• 2 drops Lemon

Blend #2
• 4 drops Cypress
• 1 drops Peppermint

Blend #3
• 1 drop Basil
• 2 drops Rosemary
• 2 drops Cypress

Blend #4
• 3 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Hyssop

Blend #5
• 2 drops Peppermint
• 3 drops Lemon

Directions: Select one of the blends shown above. Then, choose which method you'd like to use the blend and follow the directions below:

Diffuser Blend:

Multiply your blend by 4 to obtain a total of 20 drops of your chosen blend. Add your oils to a dark colored glass bottle and mix well by rollling the bottle in between your hands. Add the appropriate number of drops from your created blend to your diffuser by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Bath Oil:

Multiply your blend by 3 to obtain a total of 15 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 15 drop blend in the Bath Oil recipe.

Bath Salts:

Continue by using the 5 drop blend in the Bath Salts recipe.

Massage Oil:

Multiply your blend by 2 to obtain a total of 10 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 10 drop blend in the Massage Oil recipe.

Air Freshener:

Multiply your blend by 6 to obtain a total of 30 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 30 drop blend in the Air Freshener recipe.

Safety Precautions

• Some oils can cause sensitization or allergic reactions in some individuals. When using new oil for the first time, do a skin patch on a small area of skin. Place a small amount of the diluted essential oil (never use essential oils undiluted on the skin) on the inside of your elbow and apply a bandage. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any form of reaction. Even if a particular essential oil is not known to cause irritation, this step should not be ignored. Even if oil does not irritate you, it still can irritate someone else. It is important that you always keep that in mind.

• Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy or by those with asthma, epilepsy, or with other health conditions.

• Less IS More. When using essential oils, use the smallest amount of essential oils that will get the job done. If one drop will get the job done, for example, don't use two drops.

• Not all essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy. Wormwood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras are some of the essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners, if ever at all.

• Never let children use essential oils without the presence of an adult knowledgeable about their use. Most essential oils smell wonderful and many essential oils such as citrus oils can smell like they are safe to drink. Keep your essential oils away from children. Treat the oils like medicines that are poison in unknowing hands.

• Essential oils should not be taken internally. Essential oils should only be taken internally after receiving a detailed consultation and prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

• Essential oils are flammable. Keep them out of the way of fire hazards.

Starting Your Day Off Right

Always set your alarm 1 hour before everyone else in your home is scheduled to rise.  This time is set aside for, "You" time.  I must admit, it took me several times before it became second nature, and sometimes I still have difficulty getting up this early.  Mostly on heavy...rainey days. However, the days that I miss this time, my days never go the same. Nor do I feel the same. 

I have my alarm set for 4:30am eastern time.  Everyone in my home is still asleep...but it is my quiet time to focus on me physically, mentally and spirtitually. Starting off with simple meditation or prayer is the best way to start anyone's day.  Afterwards I like to do my A.M. Yoga by Gaiam with Rodney Yee. This DVD provides me with five (5) 20 minute workouts....strictly focused on morning routines.  They help to loosen, relax and energize.  I do one workout Monday - Friday.

Because of our natural rhythms, daybreak is the perfect time to open up our bodies and center our minds. Each workout focuses on a specific area to loosen your muscles, relax your mind and energize you for the day ahead. Choose from standing poses, twists, backbends, forward bends and hip openers. You will complete each workout with deep breathing and meditation guide. It's simple enough for beginners, but effective for everyone. If you have experience working out with Rodney Yee's DVD's in the past, may I also suggest Gaiam Body Target Abs.  With Workout by Rodney and Pilates instructor Ana Caban. It's the best of both workout worlds.

  

Please note, I am not being paid to recommend these DVD's

I use them, love them and love the way they make me feel.

Rosemary - botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary is a hardy, sun loving perennial shrub.  There are two main varieties: an upright plant growing about 5 ft tall, with a stiff bushy appearance - suitable for hedges and a low-growing prostrate variety that is no higher than 12 inches. However, there are some other varieties of rosemary - one with white flowers and another with gold-edged leaves, these are rarely seen or used for culinary purposes.

Origin of this herb is native to the Mediterranean region and gets its botanical name from ros (dew) and marinus (sea), in reference to the areas around the Mediterranean where it grows abundantly.

Rosemary grows very well in sandy, well-drained soils and in misty sea-spray filled air.

Here is one legend I recently learned of while reading about my favorite herb, "Rosemary".
In first century AD, many legends surround rosemary, a herb that has been respected for all its virtues for thousands of years.  This is one of the legends I found most interesting:  It is that rosemary had plain white flowers until Mary, fleeing into Egypt with the Christ child, threw her blue robe over a rosemary bush while they rested beside it.  The flowers then ceased to be white and turned forever into the blue color of her garment; since the herb has been referred to as "rose of Mary".

Rosemary leaves, when bruised, give off an aroma that is fragrant, pine-like, cooling, minty and refreshingly head clearing with hints of eucalyptus. The flavor is astringent, pine like, peppery, warming woody and hereby, with a lingering camphor like aftertaste. Compliments the following: Scones, dumplings and breads, pork, lamb and/or duck, mashed potatoes, soybeans, pate's and game, zucchini and eggplant.  Combines well with: ajowan, basil, bay leaves, coriander seed, garlic, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, sage, savory, tarragon and thyme.

Rosemary twigs were also burnt as incense in the 17th century.English courtrooms to protect the court officials from diseases and jail fevers carried by the unfortunate prisoners. Hospitals would similarly burn rosemary and juniper, thereby preventing the spread of infections by sanitizing the air.

Still more to come on this fascinating herb......

Mind and Body

Did you know there is strong connection between your mind and body?  Emotional change has been found to be a link in manifesting physical illness.  The way you think and feel can create activity in the brain that will affect messages sent to the rest of your body.  Not only does your mood affect you, but so do the foods you eat. Next time you eat, try to remember the following:

1). What time of day?

2). What type of food?

3). What was my mood when consuming?

4). How fast did I chew?

5). How did I feel after eating?

Remember, You should always start your day with a good healthy breakfast. It truly is the most important meal of the day.  Try to stay away from anything containing over 3 grams sugar as well as white starchy foods and baked goods.  To many bad carbs will give you a slight boost, but most will make you feel tired after eating.

When we feel stressed, scared or threatened these messages are relayed to the adrenal glands which alerts us to "fight or flight".  Adrenaline andnoradrenaline are secreted by adrenal glands producing a variety of changes in our bodies:

(Fight Alert - Protect- Stand Ground)

Increased heart rate or palpitations, increased respiration, tightened muscles ready for action, increase in blood pressure, goose-bumps as blood  supply to the skin is restricted to increase blood supply to the muscles.  Diversion of blood away from the digestive tract so that the digestive system stops working properly and temporarily shuts down. Dry mouth, enlargement of the pupils and it also affects mobilization of the liver's energy to store and release of glucose into the bloodstream.  Decrease of urine output as blood flow to the  kidneys is reduced and inhibition o f the  immune system.

(Flight Alert - Scared - Nervousness)

High blood pressure, heart problems, hyper acidity in the stomach, gastritis and peptic ulcers, bowel problems such as: irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and colitis, recurrent infection or yeast infections, headache or migraine, skin problems,menstrual pain and irregularities mescletension or back problems, insomnia (especially when you have a lot on your mind) depression, fatigue, poor mental performance, poor circulation as well as sexual problems.

So, it is not hard for us to see how our thoughts and feelings can profoundly influence our metabolism, our hormone balance and fertility.  If you are prone to stress, there is plenty you can do to help your ability to cope, and not lead you to emotional or physical problems.

It is  also important to eat regularly to prevent falls in blood sugar which can alter feelings of stress.

Still in the works on this article - Motherly duty calls - Will update article soon!

Insect Repellant

Essential Oil Blend for Insect Repellent



Description

Aromatherapy's insect repellent blend of organic essential oils creates a fresh, antiseptic perfume for the home. The insect repellent blend of organic essential oils is highly effective at warding off mosquitoes, flies and other insects and should be used throughout the home, conservatory and office during spring, summer and autumn. The insect repellent blend of organic essential oils can also be administered directly to insect bites and nettle stings to reduce itching, soreness and inflammation. Or, it can be used in a range of aromatherapy diffusers including: electric aromatherapy diffusers, bulb ring aromatherapy diffusers and clay essential oil aromatherapy diffusers. Essential oil blends are the perfect aromatherapy choice for those who either want to perfume their rooms, house or office with wonderful, natural aromas of organic essential oils or who require a blend of organic essential oils to help treat everyday issues such as stress, tiredness and so on. Always use 100% organic or 100% essential oil. It does make a difference in the effectiveness or use.


Insect Repellent Essential oil blend

Organic lavender essential oil, citronella organic essential oil, geranium organic essential oil, peppermint organic essential oil, pine organic essential oil, clove organic essential oil. Use 4 drops lavender – 8 drops citronella – 4 drops geranium – 4 drops peppermint – 4 drops pine and 4 drops clove. Place in spray bottle with warm water to spray – can be sprayed on skin, but do not spray near face/eyes. (If using in a diffuser, you will need to increase amounts (½ bottle lavender – whole bottle of citronella – ½ bottle of geranium - ½ bottle of peppermint – ½ bottle of pine and ½ bottle of clove)

Citronella essential oil has a spicy, slightly anti-septic lemon scent. It is perfect for diffusing in a guest cloakroom or in a small conservatory or greenhouse to ward off mosquitoes, midges and gnats and to prevent musty odors.



If you want to make a diffuser, you will need to find a place that sells the diffuser sticks or, you can use Popsicle sticks (these can be found in any craft store) and a decorative glass bottle. (See above for quantity)

Place the essential oil in bottle of choice and then place in sticks, arranging accordingly. Place in open area to diffuser inside a compact area. It usually last approximately 6 weeks before the bottle of essential oil runs dry.

Once finished, discard wooden diffuser sticks. (By Laurie Uzee 10/9/2010)

Relax - Buddhist Meditation Music - Zen Garden - Kokin Gumi

Food For Thought

Just as old furniture has wear & tear….
with wisdom comes wrinkles and a few grey hairs.

The road maps of our life…do we dare to erase? 

Or do we accept these things and live them in grace?

Just because we may have a few dents and dings.,,

does not mean we are not amongst the beautiful things.

After all beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so let’s behold our beauty within…..not out!

Photo & Quote by: Laurie O Uzee

6/2/10