Blog - Blue Bottle Passion

November 13, 2019 by Sue 5 Comments

Moving to a Smaller Home – Downsizing Lessons: Part 2

Moving to a smaller home is kind of a big deal after nearly 33 years in the same house. In 3 months we reduced our belongings to fit into the new house. Or so we hope! It still looks like we have a crazy amount of stuff!

We had just sold our house when I ended Downsizing Part 1. It’s been a whirlwind ever since. This week we have movers coming for wave 2 of moving things to storage. Next week the movers will move us into our rented townhome, and we will close on the house that’s been our home for nearly 33 years, and pass the keys on to the new owners.

I never realized decision fatigue is a thing. Moving can cause it. As I handled almost every item in our home I would ask myself, keep for townhouse, pack and store for new house, offer to kids, donate, or simply throw away? Every. Single. Item. Clothes, cleaning supplies, crafts, kitchen stuff, everything. As the days progressed, the most insignificant decisions could sometimes result in tears. Not the sad, what have I done kind of tears, but the emotions are so close to the surface and I have to let them out kind of tears.

Up until now, it’s all felt a little odd, as my heart catches up with the reality of moving. Every day is so filled with the tasks of packing, there’s been little time to reflect on what it will mean to no longer sleep, cook, watch TV, and live here. I’ve begun to feel like I will be packing for the rest of my life, and believe me that is not a fun job.

Maybe one of the reasons this feels so strange, is it’s so contrary to what we’ve done all these years. We marry, buy a home, have a family, accumulate stuff, buy a bigger home to accommodate everything, and now we are moving into a smaller home with a smaller yard.

Lessons from the last few weeks

We wanted to keep our land line through our moves, as it would be one of the few, ongoing ways to find us. Century Link would not let us keep the same phone number at our townhome rental, so we are giving up our land line. It surprised me to feel sad about losing our phone number from the last 30some years.

Deciding to what to take to the townhome rental feels a little like packing for an extended vacation. I’m hoping that’s what living there with a minimum of our possessions will be like. With no yard for Rosie, our two year old basset hound, we’ll be forced to get more walking in.

We waste a lot of food by buying ahead. Even with a pantry with pull out shelves I found salad dressing that expired 5 years ago. Note to self: stick with only buying what we need for the next week.

How do people who work full time manage to move? Denny and I are lucky we are retired, and have made packing our full time job. There is no way I could come home and pack all night after working all day at a job.

Join my Facebook Community for all the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news, as well as tips for staying healthy!

October 15, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

2019 Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Every year I look forward to the organic Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Once again this year they have surpassed all expectations! The 2019 holiday gift collection was inspired by this quote: “This year, our holiday theme is inspired by Nicholas Culpeper, a British Herbalist in the 17th century. Culpeper is credited with being the leading astrological botanist of his time. He popularized the concept of being able to harness the true power of botanicals if planted and harvested when certain planets and celestial bodies were aligned. We bring together the magical elements from the masters of apothecary and modern day remedies to help you radiate inner health and outer beauty!” Isn’t that what it’s all about and what you wish for everyone on your list?

FOR THE SPECIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE

Let’s start with the special woman in your life, and it definitely could be yourself, your mother, your grandma, best friend, or whoever is on the top of your list! Neal’s Yard Remedies created the perfect luxury gift of Frankincense. After all, frankincense was one of the top three gifts for Baby Jesus, so why not gift it to someone special? The Frankincense Intense Lift Collection contains my favorite skincare products for aging well and stressing less, making it the ultimate beauty and wellbeing gift!

STOCKING STUFFERS AND TEACHER GIFTS

Budget is important when it comes to gifts for all those people you want to thank during the holidays. Mail carriers, teachers, hair stylists, secret Santa gifts, everyone will appreciate these budget friendly gifts. The Prepare For Bed – Night Time Gift will ensure a restful night with the Relaxation Remedies to Roll and a travel sized Goodnight Pillow Mist. Priced right at $16, it’s a great gift to keep in your stash for last minute gift giving needs. The Refine & Revitalise Melissa Handcare Collection will pamper your gift recipient, leaving their hardworking hands feeling silky soft and delicately scented. Contains Melissa Hand Cream and Melissa Hand Polish for $16.

THE PERFECT HOSTESS GIFT

Whether you are hosting or you need a gift for a favorite hostess the Warm Your Soul Handcare Collection will treat family and guests to the yummy fragrance of mandarin and clove. One bottle each of Mandarin & Clove Hand Wash and Lotion in an attractive caddy for $36.

FOR THE BEGINNING ESSENTIAL OIL ENTHUSIAST

The Aromatherapy Bespoke Blending Kit will have your recipient creating their own essential oil blends in no time at all. Included is organic orange, palmarosa and lavender essential oils as well as the Little Book of Essential Oils, base oil and a mixing bottle for $41.50.

CUSTOM GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Neal’s Yard Remedies truly has something for everyone on your list. Check out the Energise Your Senses Men’s Collection for the special guys in your life. Give stocking stuffers that provide a moment of calm and mindfulness with the Meditation Remedies To Roll and restore balance and emotional harmony with Women’s Balance Remedies To Roll. If the 2019 Holiday Gift Collection doesn’t have exactly what you are looking for, choose a Neal’s Yard Remedies gift box or tote bag and fill it with personally chosen items for your special loved ones.

Getting ready for the holidays is hard work. Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum smooths, firms and evens skin tone, while enhancing well-being with frankincense essential oil. A special gift for yourself or others in gorgeous holiday packaging! Read more about Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum!

I would love to help you choose ethically sourced gifts, made with natural and organic ingredients that will nourish your loved ones inside and out. Contact me if you need any help with gift-giving this holiday season!

September 25, 2019 by Sue 4 Comments

Lessons Learned While Downsizing

We’ve been talking and debating about downsizing for a while. Stay or leave? Age in place or not? Put money into our home of nearly 33 years, or buy something newer? It’s different for everyone, but for us it came down to this. We aren’t getting any younger, so waiting didn’t seem like the best option, as packing and moving will only get harder. If something happened to one of us, the other would never stay alone in the house, and the task of moving would be overwhelming.

We’ve lived in our house for close to half my life. Yes, thinking about leaving can feel daunting, and I’ve shed a tear or two, preparing the house to go on the market. But hard as it is, it feels right to be downsizing.

Did I mention the process can be daunting? Denny and I are both savers. Our house made that easy, as we have a large attic and a pole barn. Three years ago we sold our lake home, and the buyers didn’t want the furniture. We gave most of it away, but a significant amount of items from the lake ended up here.

We’ve been talking about going through the attic for years, but there was always something that seemed more important, or more fun. We didn’t expect to find the perfect home for the next phase of our lives so soon. We swore we would not build a new house. Surely there was something already built out there that would work.

So Aug. 25 we signed on the dotted line and committed to building a new home. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of trips to the storage facility, Goodwill, and photographing items to list on Facebook Marketplace.

Our real estate agents walked through our house weeks before we found our dream home, to help us estimate its worth. Basically they advised taking half of the furniture out of our home before putting it on the market. At that point we decided we needed at least a year to get our house ready for listing. Don’t today’s home buyers have any imagination whatsoever? They also suggested painting the dining room and the guest room.

So step one for us was renting a self storage unit. We went with a 10’ X 15’ unit, which I reserved online. I got lucky and was able to take advantage of a Labor Day Sale, and got it for half price. Then we found a moving company and booked them to move the heavy furniture to our storage unit.

That led to about a week and a half of packing like crazy all the stuff in 2 hutches, a secretary, a couple of desks, and a coffee table with a couple of drawers. Once we had all the extra big stuff moved into storage, it was time to take a close look at what was left, and come up with a plan. Denny and his friend Wayne decided the only way to manage the pole barn was with a dumpster. I’m not sure I’d ever taken a look at what was out there. I thought of it as Denny’s domain.

What I’ve learned is the more space you have to store things, the more you store. Things like the stroller we bought in 1975 for our first born. Sadly all that time in hot and cold temps did a number on the upholstery. Into the dumpster it went.

Over the years we got a little casual or maybe just sloppy. Things we use every day, we left on the counters. Why put away the frying pan on the stove, when we knew we’d be making scrambled eggs the next morning? Now that we have to put things away, I decided to make some room by getting rid of coffee mugs. I pulled them all out, and decided which ones we could live without. Eight mugs should be more than enough for two people, right? At least another eight were donated. I told Denny no matter how cool a place we travel to is, we have no business bringing home a mug from there. Ever.

Picture day for photographing the house for the MLS arrived. Family pictures were packed away. Covers off the furniture. Kitchen counters cleared. The house looked great, but the closets and laundry room were strictly off limits. Not to mention the attic. No sense in scaring anyone or having something fall on someone.

Tips for Downsizing

If you think there is even a small chance you will be downsizing, start going through whatever you are storing soon.
Get your kids to take their stuff. A great way to encourage that is to tell them you are opening an Etsy shop, and you would be happy to list that “whatever” for them.
Sell the items you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace. Or Craigslist. I prefer Facebook Marketplace because you can see the profile of the buyer. This has been magic for us. Not everything sells, but I’ve been surprised more than once how quickly some items sell. And the big bonus is you don’t have to haul it anywhere but to the door.
Find out what Goodwill or other organizations will and won’t take. You don’t want to load up a heavy treadmill, and find out it’s not accepted.
Prepare to be surprised by how little your “collectibles” are worth. Right now I have 20something Bing and Grondahl Christmas plates on Facebook Marketplace for $5 each or 5 for $20, and no one has expressed any interest. Signed and numbered limited edition wildlife prints? Forget it. Grandma’s china? Nope.
As you pack, ask yourself, “how will I feel when I unpack this in my new home?” Will I be happy to see it again, or will I be asking “where the heck do I go with this?”

The house hit the MLS, and we had two showings the first day, and an offer within 24 hours. Now the challenge is finding interim housing for six months that is dog-friendly! Join me in my Facebook Community and I’ll keep you posted how it goes!

Can essential oils help sell your home?

September 19, 2019 by Sue 4 Comments

Essential Oils for Skin – Guest Post

Guest Post from ConsumersAdvocate.org

You’ve probably had friends rave to you about the benefits of essential oils lately, like how it can help you achieve healthy glowing skin at an affordable cost. Plus, it’s a natural home-remedy for almost anything. Well, they’re not wrong!

Studies show that due to their natural composition essential oils can help soothe a number of skin-related conditions when used accordingly.

As extracts from plants, essential oils possess a number of biological activities that are beneficial for all skin types. Their properties include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial components that can provide incredible results for your complexion and overall health.

For instance, lavender oil is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Used topically and diluted with a carrier oil or coconut oil, lavender oil can support healthy skin by reducing inflammation. Its rich antioxidants protect your skin from wrinkles and can even help reduce small scars when used in combination with witch hazel.

Combined with tea tree oil’s antibacterial and natural painkiller properties, both can be used as an effective wound aid for small scrapes or burns. A 2015 study revealed that lavender’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects helped soothe painful rashes caused by poison ivy or mosquito bites.

Additionally, tea tree oil has been famously used as an anti-fungal treatment. Its antiseptic properties, like that of lavender oil, also helps manage dry or oily skin when used as a home-remedy toner.

However, if used in high concentrations tea tree and lavender oil could irritate skin and be poisonous. Experts say it should never be swallowed.

Since lavender and tea tree oil aren’t highly acidic, they’re considered safe for sensitive skin types when diluted. Although, consider talking to a dermatologist or family physician to determine if essential oils are right for you.

Essential oils are mainly used through three forms of application: topical, diffused (aromatherapy), and internal. However, the use and dose are very important. The American College of Healthcare Services identified the top three common mistakes when using essential oils we recommend you take a look at.

Because they are highly concentrated chemical plant-based substances, many people make the mistake of thinking they aren’t harmful. However, misuse could be poisonous.

When choosing an essential oil, whether it’s from a large brand or farmer’s market, you should go with a company that’s transparent and clear about the safety of their oils. Your safety and that of your family and pets could depend on it.

For example, eucalyptus is used for soothing effects when inhaled and can relieve chest congestion. If swallowed it can cause seizures, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

Essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Instead, the FDA considers essential oils as cosmetics. The problem is that this may give some companies room for error when advertising their products. Since they aren’t regulated, it’s difficult to determine what species of plant, concentration, contaminants or active ingredient may be in the bottle.

The best thing you can do is discuss use with a medical professional or use the essential oil according to label instructions if found in cosmetics, or medicine. Also, keep essential oils out of reach of children or pets as they may confuse them for food. If using for the first time, try a small spot treatment before full use to see if you could have an allergic reaction.

ConsumersAdvocate.org provides a thorough study on essential oils with insight on quality and testing of certain products within the industry from the basics of adulteration, to a company’s sustainability, and how to evaluate the purity of a product.

From promoting relaxation in a comforting environment to its overall healing properties, anyone can benefit from essential oils on a daily basis when used correctly.

Thank you to ConsumersAdvocate.org for this guest post!

Neal’s Yard Remedies is committed to providing quality essential oils that are sustainably sourced, and to advocating for safety and education when using oils. Read about how Neal’s Yard Remedies are Pioneers of Essential Oils

July 30, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

NYR Organic’s Hand Treatment Serum Is Not For Everyone

Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum visibly smooths, firms and evens skin tone on your hands
to help you age well!

If you are a woman of a certain age, you know two things will give away your age besides your face. Your neck and your hands. Are you beginning to notice lines, wrinkles and age spots, also known as liver spots-ugh! or hyperpigmentation on your hands? My fair skin is more prone to aging, and I can tell you I’ve wished white gloves would come back in style more than once. Well, maybe there’s a better solution! I can’t promise your hands will look 10 years younger, but you may stop thinking about wearing white gloves. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is the Rolls Royce of hand treatments and is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of age spots! And like the Rolls Royce, it may not be for everyone.

Smooths

You will notice a visibly smoother appearance of lines and wrinkles after the first use! Restoring ribose reduces lines and wrinkles, while sodium hyaluronate acts as a moisture magnet.

Firms

Reviving narcissus extract visibly increases skins firmness.

Evens Skin Tone

Rosehip oil, rich in provitamin A, and antioxidant turmeric extract is clinically proven to even skin tone and target age spots.

Enhances Wellbeing

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) is traditionally used for its deeply relaxing, therapeutic aroma. Combined with a blend of mandarin, bergamot, neroli and myrrh essential oils, this aroma will have you slowing down and breathing deeper for a moment of pampering. Used twice a day it will enhance your wellbeing and soothe your senses.

Hand Treatment Serum Pro Tips

Exfoliate the skin on your hands once or twice a week with Nourishing Melissa Hand Polish to smooth and nourish dull, dry hands before applying Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum. Simply wet your hands and massage the polish into the skin gently. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a small amount of hand treatment serum. For extra dry hands, follow the serum with your favorite Neal’s Yard Remedies hand cream.

So why do I say isn’t Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum for everyone? Of course if you are under 40, your hands are probably baby-soft and smooth. Not everyone is prepared to splurge on improving the appearance of their hands. I just got my bottle of hand serum, so I can’t tell you how long it will last, but you only use a small amount, twice a day. I was hooked after the first treatment. Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is worth the price and will make an amazing gift for your mom!

Check out this post for more Age Well tips!

June 30, 2019 by Sue 3 Comments

7 Simple Tips for Aging Well

We can agree we all want to age well. Aging well doesn’t have to involve drastic measures like plastic surgery or liposuction. Aging well can be small, simple steps taken for big results.

1. Be Aware of the Sun

The first step is the most obvious. I personally don’t believe the sun is my enemy, but with my fair and easily burned skin, I do wear a hat and use sunscreen when I’m outdoors for an extended period during the middle of the day. Don’t choose just any sunscreen, however. Some contain questionable ingredients. Check out the sunscreens at Made Safe™

2. Use a Moisturizer

It’s a fact. As you age, your skin produces less oil. Dry skin looks older. Dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles, but aging skin becomes more dry. My favorite moisturizer protects, firms, lifts and recontours. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many wonderful moisturizers for different skin types, but I’m in love with Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream

3. Exfoliate

As you age, skin renewal slows down, leaving your face with dulling, dead skin cells on the surface. Exfoliating speeds up the process of renewing your skin, helping your skin retain its youthful glow. Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish gently exfoliates and enriches normal to dehydrated skin with wild rose seed powder, milk thistle and aloe vera.

4. Avoid Bar Soap to Cleanse the Face

I get it. I never felt my face was clean unless I washed it with Ivory soap and water. When you are young you can get by with it, but soap is too harsh for aging skin. My recommendation is Frankincense Refining Cleanser.

5. Use an Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is different from the rest of your face. Using your facial moisturizer in the eye area can cause puffiness or irritation. Eye cream is formulated for the thinner, more sensitive area around the eyes. Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that’s starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Check out my post on why you need eye cream.

6. Remove Makeup Before Bed

Going to bed without removing your makeup is a big fat no-no. Your makeup and the oils and dirt that build up over the day can settle in your pores, clogging them and causing breakouts. Your moisturizer should be applied to clean skin to work properly, especially if it has anti-aging ingredients. Eye makeup can damage your lashes. Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Makeup Remover is Dermatologically and Opthamologically tested, conditions lashes and removes even water-proof eye makeup.

7. Give Up the Products You’ve Used Since You Were a Teenager

My go to product in my teenage years was Noxzema. Great for oily teenage skin, but would not help with my lines and wrinkles. Are you using the same products you used as a teenager? Maybe it’s time to try an age-defying option. I’d love to help you choose the perfect Neal’s Yard Remedies products for your skin type. Continue the age well discussion over on Facebook.

Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

May 7, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

5 Simple Tips for Soothing Facial Redness

Facial redness is a common concern among women, and has many causes. Hormones, stress, broken capillaries, too much sun, wind, heat, cold, as well as rosacea can contribute to excessively red skin. A significant cause can also be sensitivity to synthetic fragrance or perfume. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many products to alleviate excessive facial redness, and help your skin look its best, even without makeup.

A red or ruddy complexion can simply be red, irritated skin, or redness with oily tendencies and pimples. Different types of products can be tried depending on which type of redness is occurring.

Soothing Starflower

The Soothing Starflower Collection, also known as borage, range of products is blended with calming aloe vera, licorice and alpine flower. This dermatologist-tested, alcohol and fragrance free collection soothes and calms sensitive skin.

White Tea has antioxidant properties and can calm and rehydrate all skin types. White Tea Facial Mist is perfect for sensitive skin. It contains soothing aloe vera and a quick spritz will instantly refresh and rehydrate, even over makeup.

Ease Redness With Roses

Rehydrating Rose Facial Oil soothes and balances while it locks in precious moisture and restores radiance. Many women find Wild Rose Beauty Elixir calms red, sensitive skin with wild rosehip oil. Though it may not benefit all with facial redness, some have also found relief with Wild Rose Beauty Balm, containing wild rose seed oil and starflower seed oil. Apply Wild Rose Beauty Balm as a thin, protective layer before venturing out in the cold, or even before a hot yoga class.

Clarifying Mahonia Skin Gel balances blemished skin, and is perfect to throw in your purse for on-the-spot treatment. It contains soothing calendula and aloe vera.

Beauty From Within

Supporting your skin with Frankincense Intense Beauty Boost is a great addition to your “age well” routine and supports your skin’s radiance and collagen production from within. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation. Biotin and zinc help maintain healthy skin, and copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.

Many of us are struggling with excessive facial redness. Keeping a diary about what’s going on when flare-ups occur can be beneficial in pinpointing triggers. Watch to see if hot, cold or windy weather is a factor. Diet, including hot beverages and spicy foods could worsen the condition. Read the labels on your skin care products to make sure they are free of synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Neal’s Yard Remedies products have a forty-five (45) day, 100% money-back, satisfaction guarantee so you can shop with confidence. Consult with your medical provider for treatment of any medical condition.

Let’s connect in the Perfectly Organic VIP Group and get better acquainted!

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March 12, 2019 by Sue 1 Comment

Why You Need Eye Cream

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the area around them is a billboard announcing your age. On the one hand, we women just want to age well. On the other, age discrimination in the work place is real, and no matter what age you are, you want to be taken seriously. This is the world we live in.

The skin around your eyes ages faster

I know. Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Why a separate product around the eyes? The skin around your eyes is different than the rest of your face. It’s thinner, more delicate, and less elastic. It’s prone to dryness, puffiness and dark circles, and shows signs of aging faster than other areas of your face. Regular moisturizer applied too close to your eyes can increase puffiness, and cause makeup to settle in the fine lines.

Less is more

Start with a small amount of eye cream on your ring finger, about the size of a piece of rice, then share that small amount between both of your ring fingers. Dot gently to the orbital bone area around your eyes until fully absorbed. The product will be drawn in to the areas that need it. For best results apply morning and night. Depending on the time of year and your particular skin type, you may find one product works better than another, or that once a day is all you need. If you are using a product in a jar, use a spatula. It helps prevent product contamination, and with getting the correct amount. A little goes a long way with all these products.

Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that is starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes, which are some of the second signs of aging. 71% of women agreed their eye area was visibly lifted based on consumer trials on more than 100 women after 6 weeks. This cream comes in a small jar, has a lightweight texture, and is ophthalmologist tested. Ribose, linseed extract and micro algae help to lift the eye area. Hyaluronic acid helps to plump and hydrate to smooth deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. A blend of green tea caffeine, turmeric extract, and organic green coffee seed oil, helps to revive the eye area. The Frankincense Active Phyto Complex helps to protect against environmental factors that accelerate skin aging, as well as supporting Neal’s Yard Remedies sustainability mission towards creating zero-waste products. And…it’s one of nine awards Neal’s Yard Remedies won in the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards for BEST FIRMING EYE CREAM!

Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream

A 3-Peptide Complex in Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream increases skin’s suppleness and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, which are the first signs of aging. Gardenia stem cells and sodium hyaluronate help protect and enhance skin plumpness and hydration. Green tea caffeine extract revitalizes skin and antioxidant-rich argan oil helps keep skin looking healthy, reducing puffiness around the eyes.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum hydrates the skin around the eye and lip area and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, with frankincense; baobab oil, marine algae and smoothing tripeptides. This serum is suitable for all skin types.

Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream is a light silky and easily absorbed cream suitable for all skin types. It nourishes and hydrates the delicate eye area to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle.

White Tea Toning Eye Gel

If you prefer the texture of a gel-type product, Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel is for you. Soothing and cooling witch hazel, glycerin and aloe refresh even sensitive skin. Anti-oxidant white tea limits the production of free radicals, which can damage the skin. And guys, you may want to consider giving this one a try!

So how do you know which product is best for you? You definitely want a product made with natural and non-toxic ingredients when you are dealing with a sensitive area like around the eyes. Either Frankincense Intense™ product is the way to go if you are looking for an age-defying eye cream. (My personal favorites!) White Tea Toning Eye Gel is perfect for those with sensitive skin and who prefer a gel texture. If you prefer a pump dispenser over a jar, Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream and Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum are the way to go. Whatever skin care products you use, now is the time to add an eye cream to your skin care routine!

Let’s continue the discussion over on Facebook! Join me there for a limited time special offer…

February 23, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

Simple Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

It’s been a long winter this year. Here in Minnesota, winter can arrive in October and hang around until early May. And I’m so tired of February with its record setting snowfall. Seriously the shortest month? 28 days feels like about 4 months, and I was gone for one week of it!

No wonder we get the winter blues. In fact the further north of the equator, the more likely you are to feel the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder. Women are four times more likely to have the winter blues than men.

Turn Up the Lights

One way to combat the winter blues is to increase your light. Open the curtains and sit by a bright window. Turn on more lights in your home. Consider a light box for 15-60 minutes a day. You can get a light box without a prescription, but it’s a good idea to consult a health practitioner before using one.

Check Your Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiencies are linked to depression and other health issues. Most of us simply aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. Getting out in the sun isn’t easy in the winter, so choosing a quality supplement may be the best option.

Get Moving

Getting outside to shovel snow is one way to get some exercise and sunlight all in one. I know it can really be a challenge when it’s 50 below zero windchills, and the streets are coated with ice. Even a short walk outside is beneficial. Yoga may be helpful.

Try Some Essential Oils

The chemicals in essential oils can trigger physiological responses enhancing mood. There are many essential oils to choose from that can be helpful with the winter blues. Fragrance an entire room by using a cool mist diffuser, or simply open a bottle and breathe in the fragrance for several inhalations.

Jasmine: The warm floral aroma of jasmine is powerfully uplifting and relaxing.
Bergamot: Bergamot is relaxing, uplifting and invigorating.
Frankincense: Frankincense calms and uplifts the mood while increasing energy.
Patchouli: Patchouli is stimulating and strengthening.
Ylang-ylang: Ylang-ylang has a relaxing, sedating and calming effect on the nervous system, creating a sense of wellbeing and relaxation.

Consider Your Diet

When I’m feeling down, I could eat half a loaf of toast. Processed carbs and sugars may give a temporary lift, but the let down feeling quickly follows as your blood sugar takes a nose dive, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible. Try working cold-water fish like salmon and tuna into your menu a couple of times a week. If you don’t like fish, a high-quality fish oil supplement may help. Increasing your veggie intake is always a good idea. A healthy diet most definitely improves mental health.

See a mental health professional if you are feeling seriously depressed or have suicidal feelings.

Have you tried essential oils for the winter blues? Which essential oils have helped you the most? Comment below or continue the discussion on Facebook.

January 28, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Can a meditation aromatherapy blend of essential oils help with focusing on the present and encourage mindfulness? We live such chaotic lives filled with multi-tasking. We all operate on auto-pilot way too often. When we finally have a moment to ourselves, we tend to reach for our phones, iPads or the television to relax.

Benefits of Meditation

There is evidence that meditation has been around since pre-historic times. Archeologists believe meditation practice began 5000 years ago in India. Researchers have found many benefits to meditation.

happiness; increases in feelings of positivity
stress and cortisol reduction, which is linked to cellular aging
emotional balance improvements, ability to put life in perspective
productivity; increases in focus, creativity and multitasking
reductions in pain perception
improved relaxation and a more peaceful mind
improved immune health

Tips for Beginning Meditation

An easy way to begin to meditate is through mindful breathing. Start your diffuser in a quiet place with a few drops of Meditation Aromatherapy Blend Set a timer for 5 minutes. Sit in a chair, on a bench or on a cushion. Relax, close your eyes or not, and focus on your breathing. If your mind begins to wander, gently bring it back to breathing in and out. Meditation music can be helpful, whether you are a beginner or not. The Space Between is piano meditation music. Gradually increase your meditation time.

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend

Certain essential oils are known to aid a harmonious link between mind, body and spirit that is key to meditation. The Meditation Aromatherapy Blend helps you to relax when you’re busy, which encourages slower, deeper breathing. It creates a wonderfully restful yet uplifting aroma, that can be diffused to help promote a sense of calm and focus for meditation.

Key Ingredients in Meditation Aromatherapy Blend

Frankincense: promotes deep breathing, sustainably sourced from Oman and certified organic
Vetiver: promotes relaxation, from Madagascar, Sri Lanka or Haiti
Sandalwood: promotes feelings of wellbeing, sustainably sourced from Australia
Balsam Fir: balancing and uplifting from Canada
Black Pepper: tones and stimulates from Sri Lanka
Balsam Copaiba: calming, balancing, grounding, certified organic from Brazil
Mandarin: calming, soothing, certified organic, from Brazil
Orange: uplifting, certified organic and sourced from Italy
Palmarosa: eases restlessness, balancing, certified organic from Uganda
Cedarwood: reduces stress and tension, certified organic from France

Now is the time to begin a regular meditation practice. It’s exciting to think something so simple can deliver so many benefits. With practice, you can meditate while on the go, while walking, or in a bath. Just focus on your breathing or a phrase, or a repetitive prayer. Find what works best for you, and enjoy a moment of zen each day.

Meditation Aromatherapy Blend | Neal's Yard Remedies | NYR Organic | Meditation | Essential Oils | Mindfulness | NYR Organic US

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