Beeing Lou

Blending nature into wellbeing

Author: Louise

  • Unlock the Power of Nature: The Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Essential Oils into Your Daily Routine

    Unlock the Power of Nature: The Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Essential Oils into Your Daily Routine

    Essential oils have been used for centuries for their healing properties and to promote overall wellness. Today, more and more people are turning to these natural remedies for everything from stress relief to skin care. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of using essential oils in their daily lives and the reasons why you should incorporate them into your daily routine.

    First and foremost, essential oils are incredibly versatile. They can be used in a variety of ways, including aromatherapy, massage, and topical application. This makes them an easy and convenient option for incorporating into your daily routine. For example, you can add a few drops of lavender oil to your bathwater to promote relaxation and calm before bedtime. Or, you can use peppermint oil to help clear your sinuses and alleviate headaches making these natural remedies perfect for every day use.

    Another benefit of essential oils is that they are all natural and free from harsh chemicals. Conventional over-the-counter medications and beauty products often contain harsh chemicals that can harm the skin and body. Essential oils, on the other hand, are derived from plants and are completely natural. This means they are gentler on the skin and body and are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.

    Roll On Remedies Bee Calm. Natural remedies.

    Essential oils also have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. For example, lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties, making it a great choice for reducing stress and anxiety. Peppermint oil, on the other hand, is known for its ability to alleviate headaches and clear the sinuses, making it a popular choice for treating colds and flu. Other essential oils, such as tea tree oil, are known for their antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, making them an excellent choice for treating skin conditions such as acne.

    One of the reasons essential oils are so popular is because they can easily be used in the home. They can be diffused into the air to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, or they can be added to homemade cleaning solutions to give them a fresh and natural scent. Essential oils can also be used in cooking, adding a unique and natural flavour to dishes.

    Another benefit of using essential oils is that they are relatively inexpensive. A small bottle of essential oil will last for months, even with daily use, making them a cost-effective option for incorporating into your daily routine.

    In conclusion, essential oils are a natural, versatile, and cost-effective option for promoting overall wellness and improving your daily routine. Whether you are looking for stress relief, skincare, or a natural cleaning solution, essential oils have something to offer. Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine is a simple and easy way to improve your overall health and well-being.

    hand running over growing lavender

    Are you looking for a natural and effective way to improve your overall health and well-being? Look no further than our specially crafted blend of essential oils blends available on our website. Our expertly blended oils are carefully crafted to provide maximum therapeutic benefits, whether you’re looking to reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate headaches, or improve your skin. Our premium quality essential oils are sourced from the finest plants and are completely natural, free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. They are easy to use and can be incorporated into your daily routine with ease. Don’t wait any longer, visit our online shop and buy your blend of essential oils today, and experience the benefits of nature at its best.

    natural remedies Pinterest Pin

  • Meditation

    Today my blog is on Meditation and the benefits.

    I need to schedule in some meditation time into my days . Does anyone else structure their days? .. anyone…?

    We all need to slow down, life is hectic, we are all expected to move at a faster pace and some of us will forget or not even think about taking a breather. If we are racing to the next moment, what happens to the one we are in?

    We need to realise that the present moment is all we ever have. Life is not a race but more like a marathon. We need to slow down, live, breathe,learn, and to take a moment to look around whenever we can.

    Meditation is a great way to slow down and recoup and it’s honestly an amazing process. It gives a sense of calm, peace and can benefit both your mental well-being and over all health, it reduces stress, controls anxiety and enhances self awareness.

    Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well. Its like learning any other skill.

    Think of it like exercising a muscle that you’ve never really worked out before.it will take practice and may take a bit if time to feel comfortable.

    I personally need a lead meditation which involves someone guiding me through. I don’t seem to have much discipline over my thoughts yet and I have such an imagination I end up feeling more tired if I let my mind run free!!

    It’s all about discipline so I find it easier and concentrate much better when someone is guiding me; otherwise I’m overloaded with a very busy meditation, usually filled with creatures from a fantasy world ( quite fun but defeats the object of slowing down).

    It does takes time to get comfortable with your mind. Of course, it’s completely normal when we start to meditate for the mind to jump all over the place.

    The mind’s nature is to think, so it’s going to think — meditation is not about stopping thoughts. It’s one of those things where the journey is more important than the destination.

    The mind becomes more comfortable as time goes on with this idea of sitting still, and we can begin to learn how to integrate the qualities experienced during meditation practice calmness, focus, compassion, and mindfulness into the rest of our day.

    There are many online guided meditation videos out there, it’s all about finding what works for you. Be patient with yourself and persevere with it if you find it difficult; I promise you it will be worth it!

    Most meditations begin by sitting in a quiet place, closing the eyes, calming the mind, and focusing on the breath.it’s important to create a space for yourself where you won’t be disturbed.

    You will need to decide on a time and place that works for you. Decide on an amount of time to meditate. Make sure you’re sitting comfortably and decide whether you want the meditation to be guided or unguided. ( lots about it online on YouTube )

    Now for the science bit that I researched and found quite interesting :-

    During meditation, activity in the parietal lobe slows down; the gatekeeper for the senses. This organ focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the brain and stopping other signals in their tracks.

    Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to a trickle. It helps focus the body to relax in order to heal properly.

    So please; pause;slow down and take a moment just to breathe.

    Please find my rollerball essential oil blends in my shop which helps create the perfect ambience for meditation. I highly recommend my Bee Calm or my Bee Cwtched; perfect to help you relax.

  • Christmas blends

    As we are gearing up for Christmas in these uncertain, confusing and forever-changing times, we have to stay as positive as we can and somehow create our own happiness.

    Feeling all fuzzy inside

    I have previously spoken about how Aromatherapy can help lift the spirits and help with certain ailments, but it can also create a perfect ambience and set the right atmospheric feels in a room, especially at Christmas time. It all adds to set the scene and aids in feeling all fuzzy inside.

    Christmas for me is my favourite time of year. I love setting the right scene; creating my own happiness and that for me begins with lovely aromas in my rooms.

    Essential oils diffusers are a fabulous way to enhance the mood, freshen the home and invigorate the senses for sure. Lots of us can smell a scent or a certain smell that instantly sparks a memory within us. For me, the smell of oranges and cloves and cinnamon reminds me of Christmas time when my mother often prepared oranges to dehydrate along with cloves for Christmas decorations around our family home. The aroma of Christmas cake, those beautiful spices and fruit give me an instant sense of calm; and a rumbly tummy! It still amazes me how a quick sniff of a certain smell can trigger all sorts of in your brain!

    I have a few blends I am going to share with you that will create a cosy and homely smell in your home. I usually use a diffuser to disperse beautiful oils into the air but alternatively, you can use an oil burner or you could even drop some onto some pot puri around your home.

    If you haven’t got all of the oils mentioned in these blends then I am pretty sure you can get pre-blended ones online.

    The first blend that I’m going to recommend to you I feel is Christmas in a bottle.

    Nothing screams Christmas more than cinnamon, orange and clove oil.

    You will need:-

    • 3 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

    • 1 drop Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

    • 1 drop Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllata)

    (If you search for Christmas oil blends online you can more than likely come across a pre-blended oil with these oils in as they are often used in Christmas scents)

    Drop the oils in your diffuser for hours of pure comfort.

    The benefits of diffusing these oils, orange or sweet orange through inhalation are that it can ease anxieties and stress.

    Cinnamon through inhalation is known to be relaxing and calming.

    Clove bud oil through inhalation helps rid of bacteria and helps reduce coughing. Besides these benefits, they smell divine together.

    Want to take a trip down Candycane lane? Then why not try this blend:-

    • 4 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

    • 2 drops Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)

    • 1 drop Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

    The benefits of these oils through diffusion are:- peppermint helps clear congestion, nausea and headaches.

    Grapefruit is great for balancing the mood.

    Spearmint through diffusion helps clear the mind and helps fatigue.

    Or if you feel like you’d want to take a stroll through a pine tree forest then why not try this blend of an evergreen melody:-

    3 drops of Eucalyptus

    3 drops of pine

    3 drops of lavender

    2 drops of sage

    By diffusing these oils in the air

    Eucalyptus helps you breathe easily and helps with coughs.

    Pine diminishes airborne bacteria.

    Lavender soothes and relieves headaches and nausea and sage calms the mind and reduces feelings of anxiety.

    Feeling fruity? What about a warm comforting citrusy blend?

    4 drops of Bergamot

    3 drops of sweet orange

    1 drop of cinnamon

    Bergamot

    The benefits of diffusing these oils are:-

    Bergamot lifts the mood, again sweet orange can ease anxiety and stress. Cinnamon relaxes and calms as mentioned above, and adds that comfort too.

    Not everyone has these oils to hand, and they can be expensive. I personally use essential oils a lot for myself and my family and use them as an alternative therapy therefore have a big collection. There are lots of pre-blends as I have mentioned online. So why don’t you treat yourselves; and your noses to a comforting Christmas and envelope yourselves in the non-synthetic comforting fragrances that Mother Nature provides? After the year we’ve all had; why not!

    Have yourselves a lovely safe Christmas, and may 2023 bring us good health and happiness.

    You can purchase my 4 oil rollerball blends in my shop. Perfect aromatherapy on the go. Pure comfort in a bottle.

  • Moon milk

    I’m sat here winding down gearing myself up ready for a restful night, I can’t help but wonder, ponder and overthink. With today’s new worries and my brain constantly on full speed, it can be tricky to fall asleep. We all know sleep is important for us and there are so many tips out there to help get our full 40winks; but do these claims to better sleep actually work? I personally believe that people will find their own preferences and some will find certain things work better for them than others ; after all we are all programmed differently, that’s what makes us unique.

    Sleep is important

    In studies of humans and other animals, they have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions. Sleep is definitely important!

    Being chronically tired to the point of fatigue or exhaustion means that we are less likely to perform well and

    Low-quality sleep and sleep deprivation also negatively impacts on your mood. ( This is definitely me right now).

    Trying a new routine

    As with everything , different people find different things that help them as individuals. Personally I find a nice relaxing bubble bath; my favourite Beeing Lou essential oil rollerball blend and some calming music before going to bed a nice time to wind down .(Check my oil blends out in my shop)

    I have discovered a night time drink called moon milk . Not only is it comforting , it has properties to help you sleep better and has nutritious benefits too.

    There are a few recipes out there but I have found one on that I personally like, but you can play around with the ingredients to your preference .

    Moon milk recipe

    The ingredients are as follows :-

    • 1 cup whole milk. Or you can use unsweetened nut milk such as hemp, cashew, or almond (actually you can use any alternative milks for this )

    • 1⁄2-teaspoon ground cinnamon

    • 1⁄2-teaspoon ground turmeric

    • 1⁄4-teaspoon ground ashwagandha.

    • 2 pinches of ground cardamom

    •  1 pinch of ground ginger (optional)

    •  1 pinch of ground nutmeg

    • Pinch of black pepper freshly ground

    • 1-teaspoon virgin coconut oil or ghee

    • 1-teaspoon (preferably raw) honey

    I found this recipe online at wholelifestylenutrition.com

    Method

    Method:-

    1. Simmer milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

    2.  Then whisk in turmeric, cinnamon, ashwagandha, ginger, and cardamom, and nutmeg; seasoning with black pepper.

    3. Whisk vigorously so as to avoid any lumps and clumps.

    4. Next, add the coconut oil, reducing the heat to low, and then continuing to cook until warm; about 5-10 minutes, because the longer you go, the stronger the medicine is.

    5. Then remove from the heat and allow it to cool.

    6.  Stir in the honey. Don’t cook the honey because honey that is cooked loses all its healing goodness.

    Now for the benefits of these special ingredients to make up the perfect moonmilk.The following Information I’ll is also taken from the wholelifestylenutrition.com site.

    The health benefits

    Ashwagandah-

    is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing and has been used since ancient times for a wide variety of conditions. It is most well-known for its restorative health benefits. The herb is a member of the nightshade family and is also called winter cherry and aids relaxation.

    Ashwagandha is calming, restorative, and grounding which supports the sleep cycle.

    It promotes good levels of cortisol as well as healthy inflammatory processes which get stimulated when undergoing stress.

    Ashwagandha supports a healthy nervous system, promoting calmness and a stable mood because the natural cortisol rhythms are regulated.

    Not only is ashwagandha good for the reproductive hormones, but it supports healthy thyroid function.

    Ashwagandha root is good for joint health too.

    2. TURMERIC:

    Another spice that makes up golden milk or moon milk is turmeric, probably one of the most widely used spice to fight inflammation.

    Turmeric (or Curcuma longa) is a wonderful bright yellow culinary spice, in fact, a relative of ginger. This spice has been used medicinally for centuries, highly prized for its anti-inflammatory properties.

    The main component of turmeric is curcumin. The tea is actually a favorite drink in Okinawa where some of the longest living residents are known to live – and it is suggested that the reason for this might well be linked to their drinking turmeric tea.

    3. OTHER SPICES:

    Depending on what ailments you have, will be what herbs and spices you will add to your moon milk so that your body can derive the benefits to match the ailments, while you sleep.

    Nutmeg: When you use nutmeg sparingly you get just a perfect spicy note without it being too overwhelming if you add too much.

    Cinnamon: This is probably the most popular spice, giving your moon milk a lovely, strong, sweet flavor.

    Cardamom: Cardamom is very aromatic, with woody flavors, adding a pungent note to the moon milk, but it pairs wonderfully with nutmeg and cinnamon.

    Allspice: The dried berries from a plant called the Pimenta dioica make you think of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg.

    Traditionally, you will use whole cow’s milk to make your drink, but if you are not a fan of dairy, you can still enjoy the benefit of moon milk by substituting with other products.

    Milk

    • Cow’s Milk: In Ayurveda, which is an ancient system of natural healing; drinking warm milk is a typical well used remedy to counter sleeplessness.

    • Coconut Milk: Choosing coconut milk, you will achieve quite a creamy vegan flavor and you get 2 g of protein per serving.

    • Almond Milk: With almond milk, your moon milk will get a nice nutty flavor.

    • Cashew Milk: Add cashew milk if you like, and as it has a neutral flavor, it won’t upstage all the other spicy flavors you have added.

    Coconut oil is a true key player in a moon milk recipe. Its healthy saturated fats are capable of helping to protect the brain from degenerative diseases.

    It also helps to keep you feeling less hungry and goes so far as to help you lose weight.

    Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it is considered the perfect food for maintaining top gut flora balance.

    The final touches

    And finally Honey

    Honey is natures true miracle. It is best to buy raw honey to receive all the benefits that honey has to offer.

    Try looking at your local farmers market for some, or alternatively in your local health food shops.

    With my next mug of moonmilk I am going to try and infuse some dried lavender in it to give it a twist.

    Personally I am enjoying moonmilk, it’s strangely very comforting and has a uniquely satisfying taste. I am now incorporating it into my bedtime routine and it is definitely helping me settle down quicker. I’m not sure whether these autumn darker evenings are helping add to the ambience but none the less there’s something very cosy and comforting clutching into a hot mug whilst snuggling down.

    I hope I have inspired some of you to try moonmilk.

    Sleep well all of you, and sweet dreams.

  • Fire cider

    Cold and flu season is here and we all have our worries about Covid -19 on top of everything else!! This is such an important time for us to re-evaluate our food intake and fuel our bodies with fresh foods to give our immune system a boost to overcome what may face us over the winter months.

    I have come across a homemade tonic called fire cracker cider, an immune-boosting health tonic with fresh horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar and honey.

    It has been used for decades to naturally protect against cold and flu and ease sinus congestion.

    Now it does sound yucky to drink, but don’t worry, you do add honey at the end product to your taste and it’s meant to be pleasantly nice.

    From what I have researched about it its an amazing balance of spicy, sour, sweet, sharp, herbal; all the tasting experiences you can have in one! My batch is in a dark cool place infusing for the next 4-6 weeks; and I can not wait to try it!

    Beyond the flavour comes a whole load of health benefits; hence why it’s called a folk remedy.

    Below are what’s in it with a brief description on some of the health benefits.

    Apple Cider Vinegar —has various healthful properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. What’s more, evidence suggests it may offer health benefits, such as aiding weight loss, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, and improving the symptoms of diabetes.

    Horseradish — helps alleviate sinus congestion and headaches.

    Ginger — helps with digestion, infections and nausea.

    Garlic — a secret superpower with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

    Onion — has similar properties to garlic but is also great for preventing (or recovering from!) colds and the flu.

    Cayenne Pepper — helps move blood through your cardiovascular system. Blood circulation = healing.

    Honey — soothes inflamed tissues and organs. Using local honey can also help with allergies.

    There are so so so many ways to enjoy this elixir from what I’ve researched. You can :-

    • Take a shot (about 1-2 Tablespoons) straight up.

    • Dilute the fire cider tonic with warm water, juice or apple cider.

    • Swap vinegar in a salad dressing for fire cider.

    • Drizzle over steamed veggies.

    • Use as a marinade for tofu, meat, etc.

    • Add to soup or chili.

    • Use as a hangover cure.

    NGREDIENTS

    • 1/2 cup freshly peeled and grated ginger root

    • 1/2 cup freshly grated horseradish root

    • 1 medium onion, chopped

    • 10 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped

    • 2 organic jalapeño peppers, chopped

    • 1 lemon, zest and juice

    • 2 Tablespoons dried rosemary leaves

    • 1 Tablespoon turmeric powder or 2 Tablespoons freshly grated turmeric root

    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder

    • organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar

    • 1/4 cup raw honey, or to taste

    •

    The method:-

    1. Add ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers ( I used red chillis) lemon zest and juice, rosemary ( I used dried), turmeric and cayenne( I used tobasco sauce) powder into quart-sized glass jar.

    2. Pour apple cider vinegar in the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered and the vinegar reaches the top of the jar. You want to be sure all the ingredients are covered to prevent spoilage.

    3. Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or use a plastic lid if you have one.

    4. Shake jar to combine all the ingredients and store in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks, remembering to shake the jar a few seconds every day.

    5. After one month, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the solids, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can. The solids can be used in a stir-fry or you can compost/discard them.

    Add honey to the liquid and stir until incorporated.

    Taste your fire cider and add more honey if needed until you reach your desired sweetness.

    Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator or in a cold, dark place.

    Drink 1-2 Tablespoons when needed.

  • We are not broken

    Sometimes I feel so low that it feels as though the gravity is pulling me out of this earth. In this moment I feel so tired; it’s a weird kind of tired, the kind of tired where you can’t find the right words to express yourself.

    I think we have all got to quieten the voice within ourselves that tell us to keep doing more and more each day.

    There are times when we all feel like this, and it’s ok to, we are not broken!

    Sometimes life just seems harder and sometimes for no reason at all. Let’s just breathe a moment, acknowledge how we are feeling, and know it’s ok.

    Be gentle with yourself

    It’s often I’m posting uplifting things so I wanted to make sure you all know that even the optimistic, the positive people, the ones that lift others up can feel like this too; and it’s ok.

    know feeling like this won’t last and just pause and be gentle with yourself; fill yourself up full of love; not hate.

    Today whatever you do, let it be enough. Let’s be kind to ourselves and accept that we are only human trying to do the best we can do.

  • Infusing herbs

    Herbal infused oil

    Herbal infused oils are base oils (e.g. sunflower, olive, grapeseed etc etc) that have had herbs soaked in them for a period of time.

    Some medicinal qualities of the herbs infuse into the oils.

    These are then used topically, on the outside of the body, as a rub.

    Infused oils keep for long period of time, usually 1-2 years.

    Choosing your herbs

    Some herbs are only seasonal for a few weeks or months, so if you infuse them into oils when they are at their peak, they can be used all year round.

    Infused oils are also more convenient to use, they are ‘ready to go’.

    Common infused oils include calendula, Lavender, chamomile and Daisy’s . You can research what herbs are good for what. There is lots of information out there

    Using oil to infuse herbs also adds warming properties that stimulate and soothe the body part when rubbed on. 

    Infused oils can also be used in other recipes: massage oil, bath oil, balms, ointments and creams.

    The sun method

    The method I use is a simple one which is known as The Sun method .

    This traditional method allows the herb to steep in the sunlight over a period of time, usually 4-8 weeks.

    Pros: enables all the constituents of the plant to thoroughly infuse the oil in the most traditional, heat-free and gentle method without the hassle of having to attend to a pan for hours such as with the heated pan method.

    Cons: Though quick to start off, this takes time, and the lack of British sunshine can be frustrating (though bright days are sufficient).

    I have taken this information from handmadeapothecary.co.uk

    Which oils are best?

    Which oils can be used?

    Any carrier oil can be used to infuse herbs.

    Here are some common examples:

    • Sunflower oil – cheap and fairly neutral in scent and often comes from Europe, so more ‘local’ to UK buyers. For body rather than face use.

    •

    • Rapeseed oil/Canola oil – cheap and neutral in scent. Also a more ‘local’ oil for UK buyers. For body rather than face use.

    •

    • Olive oil – cheap, nourishing and good for those with nut/seed allergies. Thick, more moisturising for dry skin, slight scent. For body rather than face use.

    •

    • Almond oil – for dry and sensitive skins, light scent. More expensive than the first two. Suitable for face.

    •

    • Grapeseed oil – for oily skins, light and easily absorbed. More expensive than the first two. Suitable for face.

    •

    • Jojoba oil – for all skin types, including oily. Matches natural skin sebum and therefore great for facial use.

    •

    • Butters: In the UK shea, cocoa and coconut oil/butters are solid on purchase, with a consistency like very firm butter. When infusing butters, it is therefore best to use the heating methods to melt them to get the herb in. Once strained and cooled, butters also make a ‘cheat’s ointment’ suitable for vegans who avoid beeswax.

    What you will need

    What you need:

    • Good quality oil, such as vegetable or olive oil

    • Quantity of your chosen fresh or dried herbs, e.g. lavender, chamomile , marigolds, rose petals, thyme, St. Johns Wort (use fresh herb here)

    • Clear glass jar or a wide mouthed bottle

    Method

    Fill a container half way with your dried herbs.

    Cover them over with the oil, shaking slightly to get rid of air bubbles and ensure all plant material is covered. Any material sticking out of oil may go mouldy so press it down and use a small ramekin or glass marbles.

    Place on the lid.

    If you do choose to use fresh herbs, tie a piece of muslin over the mouth of the jar to allow any water to escape.

    Leave the jar in a sunny place and shake slightly every day for 2-4 weeks until the herb has infused the oil, you will know this because it should take on a colour. E.g. you will find calendula oil will take on a golden hue, St. Johns wort will turn a ruby red, and rose oil will infuse a deliciously scented pink.

    Old herbs can be strained out at this point and replaced with fresh to obtain a stronger oil. This would be the case especially for rose petals.

    Make it stronger

    Strain into a sterilised glass container.

    Label and date.

    Cautions

    Caution:

    NEVER take infused herbs internally (that is, eating or drinking them). When using FRESH HERBS and oil, a toxic bacteria called botulism can grow in the anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions of an infused oil and cause fatal poisoning if eaten.

    Don’t worry about using it on the outside though: Infused oils are perfectly safe to use ON the body as long as the user is not sensitive/allergic to any ingredients.

    I hope you’ve found this infuriation as useful as I have.

    I tend to make some balms with my oils; they also make great gifts. Keep an eye out for some recipes in the future

  • Aromatherapy play doh

    Therapeutic Aromatherapy Play doh

    As your child plays with the play dough, they will reap the benefits of the essential oils aromatically. The oil scent will be released as they squeeze and mold the play dough.

    It’s very easy to make. Some use the pan method to cook it but I personally find it just as good and easier to add boiling water to form the doh rather than cooking it on a cooker.

    I have added in a gluten free recipe too. The method is the same

    Recipe

    2 cups of plain flour

    2 cups of boiling water

    1 cup of salt

    A few drops of food colouring ( optional)

    1 tablespoon coconut oil  (vegetable oil, olive oil..any oil will do)

    1 teaspoon of cream of tartar

    5 drops of your chosen essential oil

    Store in an airtight container or ziplock bags.

    Gluten free recipe

    • 1 cup baking soda 

    • 1/2 cup corn starch

    • 3/4 cup water

    • 5-10 drops essential oils 

    • OPTIONAL: food coloring 

    Method

    Put all of the dried ingredients food colouring and olive oil into a large bowl.

    Pour in the boiling water and Mix thoroughly until you get a dough.

    You can use your hands to bring it all together more if needed once cooked a bit, but please be careful as it is hot!!

    One cooled down, add 5 drops of essential oil of your choice and knead in.

    And there you have it, a nice therapeutic doh for your children to play with ♥️🐝♥️

    *Top tip

    If you want to use some calming oils then here are some ideas:-

    Lavender , chamomile, rose, bergamot,lemon and frankincense

    Peppermint and lemon is a good combination if you want to promote concentration.Rosemary is good to aid in good memory.

    Cinnamon, ginger, wild orange is a great combo that have immune boosting properties ( smells like Christmas too)

    Respiratory Support- Peppermint, eucalyptus, lime, and thyme

    Uplift mood- Bergamot, tangerine, wild orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit

    Ground emotions- Frankincense,roman chamomile, and bergamot

    *safety warning* https://www.lovingessentialoils.com/blogs/essential-oil-tips/64673667-7-must-know-essential-oil-safety-tips

    Here is a link to must know essential oil safety tips. Please give this a read if you are not familiar on how to use essential oils.

  • Bee-ing Happy

    Self -care is super important. Finding the balance is definitely key to live a happier and healthier life. What we can do is be in charge of creating ourselves as happy as we can. We can not reply on others to give it to us, we need to create it for ourselves and it can be different for each and everyone of us.

    Create yourself happy by surrounding yourself in the things you love and do what you love to do.

    Eat that slice of cake

    Cooking or making a special dish- I absolutely love cooking and, of course, I love to eat. And I don’t know about you, but if I am feeling sensitive, or have had a bad day, I will often crave a certain type of food; usually it’s something sweet in my case, or I may have an urge to make a certain meal for dinner.

    Take this opportunity and go and create what you are craving. Cooking is a way of winding down and it’s a real treat to sit and take pleasure in that special meal or snack you’ve made for yourself. After all, enjoying food is one of the best parts of life, right?

    Obviously I don’t recommend eating things that are not so good for you all of the time, but it’s ok to treat yourself too. Whenever I’ve baked or cooked it feels good and it’s even better sharing anything left over with family and friends .

    Go on; Treat yourself from time to time!

    Music is therapy

    Blasting some tunes- now this often helps me with my moods! Have you noticed if we are feeling gloomy we tend to listen to sadder songs?..why? There’s a reason for this! When we are feeling certain emotions, we need to release them, it’s our natural way of wanting to bring the emotion out to let it go ( we have these emotions for a reason). If we suppress these emotions they just pent up and will come out in other ways ( not good), so listen to those songs and cry, or scream or just dance about! It’s my way of processing emotions and expressing them, while switching my brain off from the world. Music is definitely a therapy in itself.

    And breathe …

    Breathe- yes, it’s simple, but do we take time out just to breathe? It doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds either.

    We often spend our days on the go, so I find meditating just for 5 -10 minutes a day absolutely great! Taking this time to stop, breathe, focus, and let go of your thoughts, ironically gives me more time in my day to be productive, thoughtful, energetic and capable. There are lots of YouTube videos to listen to and guide you to do this . All you need is a quiet space. I tend to do it when I’m in the bath with some tranquil music on, it’s part of my self care regime. Go on try it, it gets easier the more you do it and it quietens your racing mind. The brain is like a muscle and needs training; in my case a lot if training but I’m getting there

    Some days, I really don’t want to do it but this tiny moment of my day is a small drop in the ocean, but it has a huge ripple effect on how I feel.

    Get outside in nature for some fresh air and feel the benefits

    Putting down your phones

    Put down your phones! Now I’m not ashamed to say this but I am definitely addicted to my phone. It’s my comforter, my friend, my work, my inspiration, and I’m often on it socialising ( especially in this climate that we are facing) , and researching, learning new things etc. I LOVE my phone. I can go anywhere in the world and not leave my house, it’s amazing and technology is rapidly evolving, but there is a big BUT; I also am on it out of habit .It’s incredible the impact mindlessly scrolling and looking at a screen can have on your mentality, especially before bed, so I would highly recommend you don’t have your phones in your bedroom before you go to sleep. I have been practising this ( it’s hard) and I have found I sleep better and easier . It has really improved my sleep, the amount of books I have started to read has enabled me to switch off from the online world when I’m winding down. I tend to fall asleep a lot easier and earlier, get a more restful sleep, and therefore feel a lot better the next day. Try it, you will feel the benefits .

    Hygge

    Getting cosy aka Hygge- I am a cosy person. I take great pleasure and make great efforts in creating a cosy space wherever I am in the house. I’m one of those snuggly jumper people with a mug of something hot in one hand and a hot water bottle on my belly. Even thinking about it makes me feel calm. So if I am feeling a little fragile, I know making myself feel cosy will immediately relax me and boost my mood. I personally need a lot of cosines in my life, and I will light candles, put my diffuser with essential oils in, watch things that make me feel soothed and that is part of my self care routine.

    I didn’t realise this was actually a thing until recently; and it has a name; Hygge. It’s a Scandinavian way of living… they’ve definitely got it sorted!!

    Get all cosy in a bath of Epsom salts and your favourite essential oils

    How are you?

    Talking about it- Now this is very important! As humans we are good at pretending that we are ok. We don’t tend to tell people that we feel a bit crappy. We are always asking “ how are you?”, but we never answer honestly because “ I’m good thanks”, or “ I’m fine” has become a default in our lives. Communicate with people, reach out with the people in your life that are there for you and tell them how you are feeling.

    It had made me realise that being open and vulnerable has so many positive rewards for my mental health and well-being. Talking about our feelings is one of the best ways to overcome and process them.

    I have recently attended a short course on counselling for the non councillor. To begin with I was doing it to support my children but in fact I took more away from it for myself. I learned a lot about why I am the way I am , and knowing the reasons, I can accept it and move on. But it is liberating when you’re going through something, to be honest and open about it with the people you love and trust. Often they’ll have been through something similar and can offer you words of advice, or at the very least, be a listening ear. 

    It’s about pushing yourself

    Self-care is something I push myself to practise every day, to maintain good mental health. These habits have slowly helped me overcome many of my mental health problems, and the longer I practise them, the better I get at dealing with life. It can take some effort especially on those low days ,sometimes it’s really hard but the more I push myself the more confident I feel in myself and the more sure I feel of who I am, what I’m doing and why. It takes practise and will power but even making small changes can have a big positive impact .

    So if you’ve not been taking care of your body and mind, realise that you are worth it!!

    Once you make self-love your number one, everything else started to fall into place.

    It had made me realise that being open and vulnerable has so many positive rewards for my mental health and well-being. Talking about our feelings is one of the best ways to overcome and process them.

    So if you’ve not been taking care of your body and mind, realise that you are worth it!!

  • Nettle Crisps Recipe

    What you need to make Stinging Nettle Crisps:

    • A bowl full of young nettle leaves
    • 2 tablespoons oil of your choice
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • Freshly ground pepper
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

    How to make Nettle Crisps

    1. Wash and dry the nettles, stripping the leaves from any stem.
    2. Combine all the seasoning ingredients in a large bowl. Toss in your leaves, so they get a good coating. Place the nettles on a baking sheet in a single layer. Note the leaves will still sting at this stage so take care and DON’T be tempted to try one yet! (Cooking the leaves will denature the sting).
    3. Bake in a low oven at around 130C until they crisp up. How long the nettle crisps take will depend on how much moisture is in the leaves.
      The nettle crisps shown below took about 25 minutes, and I turned them over once during that time. Pop the nettle chips in a bowl and tuck in.
    4. Nettle crisps are not only packed with nutrients, they also taste amazing. Crisps made from wild greens are best eaten on the day they are made as they tend to lose their crunch over time.

    Let me know if you make any yourself and your thoughts below.