lifestyle

Gardener’s Hand Balm

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This gardeners hand balm is a traditional balm; it is firm in the jar and will melt into the skin as you rub it in (salves are usually softer in consistency).  If you prefer the consistency of a salve vs a balm, you could lower the amount of beeswax in the recipe.

Gardeners hand balm soothes dryness, heals cracks and generally helps tired hands.

If you garden or work outside you know how hard the dirt, sun, sweat, etc can be on your hands. This is a great balm to put on after you get inside. But you’ll find it hard to keep everyone out of the jar because it just feels so good on the skin.

The gardeners hand balm isn’t just for HANDS – elbows, knees, heels; anything that needs a little extra hydration and healing.  It can also be good for those with eczema.

These little jars are great for gifts too – just wrap some raffia or a pretty ribbon around it.

Easy Peasy!

GARDENERS HAND BALM RECIPE WITH HEALING LAVENDER

  • 2.5 oz of Beeswax
    ~Firms the balm and adds a layer of protection to the skin when applied.
  • 2.5 oz of Shea Butter
    ~Healing, protecting, fights aging and deeply moisturizing to the skin
  • 5.5 oz of Coconut Oil
    ~Naturally moisturizing with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
  • 2.5 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
    ~Filled with Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium and zinc
  • 30 – 40 drops of high quality Lavender Essential Oil
    ~Known to clean and soothe cuts. burns and other skin irritations. The scent is also calming to the mind and body.

GARDENERS HAND BALM RECIPE – DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare your double boiler
  2. Add your Beeswax to the double boiler and melt completely
  3. Add Shea Butter to the Beeswax and allow it to melt completely
  4. Add in Coconut oil, I stir with a fork that I only use for making balms, lotions, etc
  5. Add in Sweet Almond Oil, stir
  6. Once everything look completely meshed together remove from the heat and allow it to cool for 2 – 3 minutes
  7. Add in your essential oil, optional
  8. Pour into your containers—I love these.
  9. Allow it to harden for a few hours – or put it in the refrigerator, like I do, to speed up the process

Your Gardeners Hand Balm is now ready to use.  Keep some for yourself and share as gifts. FYI, I often keep a jar in the fridge because I find it extra soothing in the summer heat.

Enjoy! To learn more about the many uses of essential oils, check out this free gorgeous ebook.

Follow me for more goodness!

Be Here Now

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Earlier this week I was sitting in the drive up waiting for my coffee and I got to thinking about how much time I spend thinking about the future. Where we are going next, what task is next, what bite of food is next, what class to teach is next, what thing to do is next, what worry is next, what dreadful event is next, what is next?!

Wait.

What if instead I just sat with the sun blinding me, enjoying the song on my radio (Bruce of course), and allowed myself to BE.

I am all for planning and strategizing but sinking in to the moment was awesome.

Lesson of the day? Don’t rush the moment to get to the next thing. Enjoy this thing!

Vision Statement

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When I took a course with Brene Brown in 2016 I learned the power of a personal manifesto and have fallen back on the beautiful creation that I wrote during the class many times since then.

Manifesto

I recently returned to the manifesto through the lens of my business and how I want to show up in the world, and who I want to surround myself with.

Being self employed is hard and it requires diligence that cannot be explained unless you know first hand the ups and downs. By linking arms with people who share an equal vision for humanity, for compassion, for striving to be the best human possible, I know that I am living in alignment with my deepest truths.

I would love to share visions with you—whether that is through yoga, wellness, business mentoring, or just giving goodness. If you’re looking for a passionate way to make a difference, let’s talk.

Be light. Be of service. Be kind.

Choosing a Crystal

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I remember about 18 years ago I stumbled into a gemstone store and was drawn to have my first of many little goodies. I chose a carnelian—a gemstone that I still love and now have many of them.

People tell me when they come into my house, it feels so peaceful. I believe having crystals and gemstones around have so much to do with that. They have become powerful tools in my life. I have them lining my windows, on my body, in my car, used during meditation and I add them to essential oil blends. When I choose one to work with, I set the intention of what I am needing or wanting to achieve (a state or peace, cleansing, energy etc). And I let it do the work.

Buying Crystals

When choosing a crystal either go to a local metaphysical shop or browse a crystal website online. Scan the shop (or the page) and see what catches your eye. What crystal stands out to you? Which one are you drawn to? Then, read the meaning and properties of that crystal. Nine times out of 10 you will find that the meaning of that crystal correlates to your life in some way, shape, or form. And at this time, that is the crystal for you!

The reason that crystals are so effective in energy work, is the same reason that cleansing them is essential—crystals pick up energy. Cleansing your crystals resets their energy, so that every time you work with them, you are starting from an energetically clean slate. If you never clean your crystals, they will continue to store energy they’ve picked up from their environment or people they’ve come into contact with. Think of it like this: A towel can wipe a mess clean, but if you never wash the towel, it will begin to add to the mess. Crystals are similar.

There are a few different ways that you can set about purifying the energy of your crystals:

Moonlight: Let your crystals bathe outside in light of full moon (or sun) for at least 4 hours.

Pair Your Crystal With Selenite or Quartz: Act as a crystal matchmaker and pair your crystal with either a selenite or quartz crystal! Both of these crystals have the ability to charge and purify other crystals, without ever losing any of their own energy. Lay your crystal on a piece of quartz or selenite for six hours

Smoke: Not only will burning sage and palo santo clear the energy of your space, they’ll also have your crystals feeling great. Immerse your crystal with the sacred smoke until you feel its energy and vibrancy return.

Return to Nature: We could all use the energetic reset that comes with a return to nature. To give your crystal that revitalizing pleasure, place it on the Earth or in the branches/soil of a healthy houseplant for 24 hours.

Which one are you most drawn to?

DIY Dry Shampoo

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I love how my hair looks and feels about two days after a washing but by day three it is starting to show some signs of needing some help and this natural DIY is my favorite. No nasty chemicals and smells like traditional dry shampoo in this one! Super easy and affordable!

For light hair:

For dark hair:

For red hair:

Combine ingredients in a glass jar.

To use, apply powder with old make-up brush to roots and oily parts of hair.

Are you curious to learn more ways to swap natural items and essential oils into your life? Check out this gorgeous ebook!

Self-Care

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Over the years I have learned the value of self care. While raising three humans I developed some really unhealthy habits.

I made a decision about 18 years ago to start taking care of me. Not only did I shed 100 pounds, I got rid of a ton of negative self talk and old beliefs.

It all started with a gratitude practice, daily walks and feeding myself more mindfully. I didn’t begin yoga or even any sort of group exercise for several years. I had so much internal dialogue work to repair before I had the courage to walk into a gym!

My self care practice now looks much the same with some added things—a daily bubble bath (or two), time to read and connect with something meaningful, using my oils mindfully, enjoying collecting gems and working a jigsaw puzzle.

These are just a few of the ways I take care of my mind, body and spirit. I can say my authentic self has indeed gotten stronger!

Tell me your self care! I’d love to know!

Magnolia

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High in linalool, magnolia essential oil is known for its calming, soothing, and relaxing properties. It uplifts the spirit and instills a sense of natural wonder in the world around us.

It is also pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, sedative, and antiseptic.

Magnolia flower essential oil is also known to:

• Alleviate rashes, hives, eczema, and psoriasis
• Calm worry, tension, and feelings of stress
• Ease anxiety
• Ease inflammation
• Ease menstrual discomfort
• Encourage better communication
• Heal dry skin
• Help heal minor wounds
• Improve memory and focus
• Increase appetite
• Increase circulation
• Increase confidence
• Inspire romance
• Instill a sense of well-being
• Reduce scars
• Relieve respiratory congestion
• Relieve symptoms of PMS
• Relieve feelings of depression
• Soothe cough
• Stimulate the lymphatic system

And, it smells amazing.

Learn more here! And if you are curious about how to use essential oils in your home, check out this gorgeous ebook!

Empower Yourself

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Each month I am loving crafting gorgeous blends of essential oils and gems to inspire and bring a deeper sense of mind, body and spirit healing to the user.

I created this blend to fuel those who wear it to be empowered to live within their deepest wishes and desires. Also to be driven to live each day with a sense of purpose and a drive to be their very best.

The oils in this blend are synergistically powerful in doing just that.

Each oil has its own unique physical and emotional properties, while also working together to bring about a great sense of personal power. The added lapis lazuli, or commonly known as the ‘wisdom keeper’ helps guide each of us on our path. Check out all the emotional benefits of this blend. You can grab yours here.

Empower Blend

  • Clove: empowered, clear boundaries, protected
  • Ginger: empowered, capable, responsible
  • Cardamom: objective, respectful, self-control
  • Ylang ylang: freedom, playful, intuitive
  • Basil: energized, renewed, rested
  • Bergamot: self-acceptance, optimistic, confident
  • Peppermint: buoyant, optimistic, relieved
  • Arborvitae: grace-filled, trusting, peaceful
  • Frankincense: wisdom, discerning, connected
  • Lapis Lazuli—”THE WISDOM KEEPER” Assists individuals in taking the lead n your own life and is a natural immune system booster.

Yoga, Essential Oils and Gratitude

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I have been spending a lot of time in recent weeks looking at my business and figuring out what matters the most to me.

Yoga is my heart and soul.

The practice goes far beyond touching your toes. In fact, I won’t focus as much on the physical aspect of the practice as I will on how we actually show up in the world. We use the physical stuff to help us see areas that might offer growth and healing.

Essential oils are a beautiful compliment to the deeper states of awareness that yoga offers.

Plus they are a natural, safe and effective way to treat our mind and body. You can also clean your homes in a non-toxic way. And, they bring people together in a beautiful way. I have met some of my dearest friends through sharing essential oils and helping others see their is a choice to their families well-being.

Gratitude is at the heart of who I am and something I teach other people to practice.

Developing a formal gratitude practice can be an amazing way to transform your life from a place of not enough, to more than enough.

This is my year of refining my business (and myself) and focusing on the areas that bring me the greatest joy. I realize I need to let some things go, and adjust slightly what is proving to work well. You know, take all that is good and sand off the rough edges to make it all great.

Want to be part of something I might offer? I’d love to connect.

Healthy Start

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Have you been seeing essential oils popping up everywhere? Even the dollar store! Ack! When it comes to putting anything in, on or around my body, I want to make sure it is pure and safe.

For years I grabbed oils wherever and had no idea they could be unsafe for me or my kids (including the furry ones)!!

I did my research and chose a company with high ethics and a deep desire to change lives.

What I love the most is the co-impacting sourcing. This means the farmers and their families and communities all over the world are paid and treated with honor and integrity. Every drop I use is helping someone else benefit too. Whether it is building a school or hospital, getting fresh water available, teaching communities how to better themselves, the growers lives are improved.

I also wanted to make sure what I was investing in was pure and unadulterated essential oils.

I didn’t want additives or false claims of purity. I wanted the stuff hospitals use.

I know you can get oils anywhere, but I hope that you’d consider linking up with me and my tribe. This means you have support using the oils, you’re part of a community of like minded health seeking people with a heart of service. Helping others find solutions and light in their lives is what I am all about.

If that resonates with you then let’s get going!

I love this starter kit because it has everything a household needs! Plus the diffuser is a perfect one for bedrooms, kitchens, etc. I love that it runs for 11 hours!

This bundle comes with:

  • On Guard—Energizing, Daily Immune Support
  • Oregano—purifying, Mega Immune Support
  • Lavender— Calming, Skin, Sleep, Babies
  • Frankincense—Renewing, Relaxing, Brain & Immune Support
  • Lemon— Revitalizing, Cleansing, Uplifting, Detoxing
  • Tea Tree—Cleansing, Ear and Skin Support, Lice
  • Peppermint—Stimulating, Cooling, Focus, Bug Repellent
  • DigestZen—Relieving, Digestive Support, Bloating, Gas
  • Breathe—Invigorating, Respiratory Support, Clear Breathing
  • Deep Blue—Soothing, Aches and Pains, Muscle Support
  • Stone Diffuser—Diffuse 5 hours Continuously or 10 hours Intermittently

Plus, you’ll get access to my VIP group, ongoing mentoring, free wellness consultation, and an amazing welcome package.

You can also gift this to someone! The gift of health and wellness–how awesome!

Grab this bundle – Healthy Start Kit