Gardening

The Lure of Lavender to Enhance our Lives

May 17, 2019 by Susan

Lavender is not just your grandmother’s scent. The lure of Lavender includes a myriad of effective uses that make our lives easier – especially those of us who are ultra sensitive to their intimate environments.

The Lovely Ways Lavender Enhances our Lives

The Origin and Uses

The fresh, clean smell of lavender is used in air sprays, soaps, shampoos, and many other everyday items. So, it’s no wonder that the Latin name of Lavender is “Lavare”, which means “to wash”.

I use Lavender essential oils to calm and soothe myself when experiencing social anxiety or before going to bed. I just dab a few drops on my upper lip and it works like a charm.

The Enhanced Benefits

Lavender is known to ease nervousness, enhance blood circulation, improve respiratory issues, and is widely used for disinfection of the scalp and skin. It is also proven to improve hair growth.

One use that I absolutely love is that it is a natural insect repellent. It has no toxic side effects for you or your pets which makes it an excellent choice to replace the icky, toxic, insect repellents on the market today.

In my research, I’ve also discovered that it is great when used on burned skin, which is a nice thing to know if you’re a foodie and love to cook. Keep a spray or bottle of essential oil on hand around the stove!

The Locations

While Lavender is a native of the Mediterranean and therefore most at home in sunny, dry climates, it has proved to be adaptable to most environments. Here are a few guidelines for growing Lavender.

Grow Your Own Lavender

Primarily, Lavender plants thrive in warm, well-drained soil, and full sunlight. If you grow the plants or their essential oils, a lean soil will encourage a higher concentration of oils. An alkaline or especially chalky soil will enhance lavender’s fragrance.

You can grow Lavender indoors successfully with well-drained soil and pots that allow the root ball to have a few inches to spare. Remember that lavender, grown in a container, requires more water than in the garden.

Tip ‘o the Hat: TheSpruce for their excellent suggestions on how to grow Lavender.

Lavender Essential Oil

Here is a link to Lavender essential oil that you can use right away for your aromatherapy. VIA DoTERRA Essential Oils

This essential oil is distilled only from the flowers of the plant, harnessing the most potent and pure aromas from the petals.

Often employed as a scent for soaps, lotions, and cosmetics, it is instantly recognized by its alluring earthy scent with a subtly spicy undertone. Today it is widely used for homeopathic remedies and aromatherapy.

Greetings! I believe in holistic health and essential oils are a key ingredient in my life. Together we light the way through our beautiful lives with spirit, mind, and body balance. Warmly, Susan

8 Facts About the Beneficial Uses of Sage

December 15, 2018 by Susan

Sage has been used for thousands of years as a medium for spiritual cleansing of an area or place. It is said to bring about purification and cleansing of our life patterns, particularly those patterns that defeat oneself.

8 Essential Ways to Benefit from Sage

The Excellent Anti-bacterial Benefit

It is a fact that it contains antiseptic properties so that when you smudge, you are, in every scientific sense, cleansing the air of unwanted bacteria in addition to the spiritual cleansing effect. Therefore, the smudging process is cleansing the air you breathe and eliminating odors naturally and without toxicity.

Other Varied Benefits

Here are some of the lovely facts about the use of Sage in your everyday beautiful life:

Draws out anxiety and decompresses you for the release of negative energy.
Enhances memory and is used as an Alzheimer’s treatment.
Excellent source of vitamin K and a good source of vitamin A.
Reduces the effects of exposure to toxins and narcotics.
Cleans wounds, surgical incisions, sores, and ulcers.
Regulates menstrual cycles and activates hormones like estrogen
Assists in the metabolism of food.
Stimulates the brain, nervous system, liver and circulatory and excretory systems.

Grow Your Own Sage

If you’d like to grow your own organic plant at home, you will be pleased to know that it is very easy.

Sage prefers direct sunlight and well-drained, average soil with a tolerance for dry-soil conditions. Wait until the soil is dry before you water your plant, once or twice per week.

Another nice way to reap the benefits of sage is through the use of essential oil and aromatherapy.

For quick help during a time of negativity, mix 1 teaspoon of Sage essential oil with 1/4 cup olive oil and place in a small amber container. Use this mixture on your pulse points and center of your forehead to draw out anxiety and decompress.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary Sage is a biennial or perennial herb that grows up to six feet in height. It is known for its calming properties and benefits to the skin. The main chemical component of this essential oil is linalyl acetate, part of the esters group, making it one of the most relaxing, soothing, and balancing essential oils. In the Middle Ages, the this plant was frequently used to soothe skin. Inhaling this essential oil promotes feelings of relaxation, allowing for a restful night’s sleep. VIA dōTERRAEssential Oils

Sage Sticks with an Abalone Shell and Stand

A stunning abalone shell is a perfect place to hold your sticks before, during, and after smudging. Each hand-picked shell is at least 5 inches wide and polished on the inside to reveal swirling blue, green, and pink opalescent hues. An elegant, hand-carved wooden tripod stand completes this value-priced bundle. Alternative Imagination California White Sage smudge sticks are grown and packaged in the United States.

7 Techniques & Tips on How I Strive for Balance

November 4, 2018 by Susan

To balance our life is a great topic as the world becomes more complex with each new traumatic event around the world. Especially on social media, we are exposed to so much negativity on a daily basis. So, how do we find balance? Good question, isn’t it?

7 Tips to Help You Find Daily Balance

Individual Balance

I believe the answer is different for each individual, but I also suggest that there are common threads of activities in which we can all participate and benefit. Keep in mind that less is more and don’t overwhelm yourself with a sudden change in your daily routine. Instead, make little changes over a period of time that are specifically tuned into you and your circumstances.

“There is a fine line between multi-tasking and being completely fragmented.”
— Susan Daniels

As someone who burned out three times on the JOB over the last 40 years and subsequently, while working from home, I am living proof that balance is crucial to a healthy life. While I didn’t know I suffered from burn out until I went into therapy wherein it was patiently explained to me, I know now and I take it very seriously.

The ironic thing for me is that when I experienced these burnouts, I simply did not have the knowledge to recognize my symptoms as a burnout. I only knew that I felt miserable and could not cope. This is a good example of why I am so compelled to write about my experiences so that others might gain some enlightenment and avoid these traps.

A well-balanced person has a far greater ability to focus their attention and energy on attaining their goals, taking productive actions and moving forward in a meaningful way. VIA Lifehack

What I Do Now

Yes, I work on the weekends because I work through social media. But, I work less and do more things to relax and enjoy myself. And, I don’t worry about taking days off when I feel a need. I’m not perfect but I am work in progress!

I can’t emphasize enough the ease of most techniques for balance that I write about. I keep things simple and low-cost so that everyone who reads my blog is able to benefit. Below is a brief outline of how I manage most of my days.

Meditation

You’ll get tired of me talking about meditation, that is until you try it. 💡 Then, you will understand completely. With so many various types of meditation freely taught in today’s world, you’re sure to find one or more types of meditation that suit your lifestyle.

Daily Dose of Sunshine

We all know we feel better when the sun is shining, but how does that happen? It happens when exposure to sunlight increases the release of serotonin in the brain which makes the sun a natural antidepressant. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Healthy Diets Make a Huge Difference

Some of you already know that I lost 75 pounds over the last 2 years on a Paleo diet. I suffered for years from gluten and dairy intolerance without a clue that they were the reason for my morning mood swings. Find what works for your body and stick to it. Low carbs and high protein are what works for me.

Take Those Daily Morning Walks or Runs

If we neglect our bodies, they will neglect us. Morning walks are what I prefer and they lift my spirits with the fresh air and increased ions from the air around me.

Daily Routines are Important

For those of us who experienced trauma during our lifetime, daily routines give a level of comfort and security in our minds. But, don’t get too rigid with your routine. Leave room for surprises and learn techniques to roll with sudden changes.

Set a Reasonable Limit on Your Hours of Work

Thank goodness we don’t all have jobs that require any more than 8 hours per day. JOB burn out is no laughing matter and must be respected. I speak from experience. Set your own limits, be flexible, and strive for balance.

Listen to Your Body

Most importantly, let’s all resolve to listen to our bodies, be mindful of our behaviors and know when enough is enough.

We all need lessons in being gentle and kind to ourselves, especially when we’ve suffered from those who do not extend those kindnesses. Striving for balance in our daily activities will help us feel better, love better, and heal better. Together we light the way. 🔥

Gardening

The Lure of Lavender to Enhance our Lives

The Lovely Ways Lavender Enhances our Lives