Essential oils have been a staple in personal care since biblical times and even with our "advances" in science and medicine, they should be an essential now. After all, in biblical times, they were living much, much longer than we are now, that body had to last! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite essential oils and their healing properties.
Tea Tree Oil: It is great for soothing blotchy skin and I have heard it works for Rosacea, although I have never tried it for that. Tea Tree oil makes a great cleanser with antibiotic properties. It will cleans your skin and kill the bacteria that causes blemishes.
Clary Sage: This is a new one to me, so take this advice with caution. I was told that Clary Sage mimics human hormones and can be converted into what ever your skin currently needs. Clary Sage would be helpful when hormone imbalances are a factor, as they are in teenagers and menopausal women.
Lemon: A kitchen favorite for disinfecting everything from the sink to the cutting board, Lemon essential oils are also great for clearing up your skin. One of the quickest acting acne treatment, a dab of Lemon oil on a blemish will clear it up almost overnight. But beware, the citric acid in Lemon oil will weaken your skin and make it more prone to damage, especially from the sun, for up to 72 hours after application. So remember your sunscreen!
Eucalyptus: With a wonderful calming scent, Eucalyptus oil works great as a cleanser, clearing away blackheads and blemishes and working to smooth the skin. Add a very small amount of spearmint for a firming effect and you have the perfect de-stress, before bed facial treatment.
Sandalwood: A light, semi-masculine scented oil has been around since ancient times as a healer and moisturizer. Sandalwood oil is perfect for smoothing out wrinkles, firming skin and softening scars.
Please remember to test your skin for allergies to any of these by first testing on a small, soft spot that is not always visible and as with anything you put on your face, keep it out of your eyes, nose and mouth, use small amounts and caution.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
No Early Morning for me on Black Friday
When the turkey was gone and the dishes cleared, I plopped myself down on the couch and I scoured the ads, just like everyone else. I found some amazing deals! Some I just couldn't pass up. Then I saw the temperature outside. Ouch! No huge amount of savings or awesome coupons are going to get me to stand in any line in 15 degree weather. Sorry, not going to happen!
Instead, I decided to sleep in late, 8am anyway, and head out after the insanity. Toys R Us, not happening! They had been open since 10pm the night before and the checkout line still wrapped around the store. Thanks anyway. Next stop, Target. Much better. They were not as busy and they were only sold out of two of the items I wanted. Plus I got Levis for Little Man for only $6, Levis for Big C for $8, a DVD player for $20 and the best part was the Easy Bake I got for Ladybug was only $19! I had not seen any of those in the ad. Sweet deals!
After Target, I met up with my Mother and we headed over to big lots for my family gifts and stocking stuffers. I don't know why, but that has never been one of my favorite stores, but I got what I wanted and we headed to Ross. Yeah, that cost me, but then Ross Dress for Less always does. We finished up our shopping, stopped at ihop for breakfast and headed for home.
I picked up a few last minute items online before starting dinner. We rushed through dinner and zoomed down to the theater to catch Tangled in 3D. When we got there, there were still seats left for the next show time, but not together, so we opted to wait for the next one. We drove over to Denny's to get some hot cocoa while we waited and found Mindy and Chris having dinner. Of course, we crashed their dinner! It was great to see them and spend some time with them.
We stopped at the mall to kill a little more time and ended up in Radio Shack where I was introduced to a new phenomenon called Tea Cup Piggys. Wow. What to say about Tea Cup Piggys.... I got nothing, sorry. But Baby loves them! Unfortunately all the kids were with me so I had to shoo them out of the store so I could pick up the "essentials" I needed there.
Shopping done, it was back to the movies to get some treats and into our seats before the show started. It was such a cute show and watching my little ones reaching out as things floated by them was adorable. I loved spending time with my family. All in all, this was one of the best Black Fridays ever.
Instead, I decided to sleep in late, 8am anyway, and head out after the insanity. Toys R Us, not happening! They had been open since 10pm the night before and the checkout line still wrapped around the store. Thanks anyway. Next stop, Target. Much better. They were not as busy and they were only sold out of two of the items I wanted. Plus I got Levis for Little Man for only $6, Levis for Big C for $8, a DVD player for $20 and the best part was the Easy Bake I got for Ladybug was only $19! I had not seen any of those in the ad. Sweet deals!
After Target, I met up with my Mother and we headed over to big lots for my family gifts and stocking stuffers. I don't know why, but that has never been one of my favorite stores, but I got what I wanted and we headed to Ross. Yeah, that cost me, but then Ross Dress for Less always does. We finished up our shopping, stopped at ihop for breakfast and headed for home.
I picked up a few last minute items online before starting dinner. We rushed through dinner and zoomed down to the theater to catch Tangled in 3D. When we got there, there were still seats left for the next show time, but not together, so we opted to wait for the next one. We drove over to Denny's to get some hot cocoa while we waited and found Mindy and Chris having dinner. Of course, we crashed their dinner! It was great to see them and spend some time with them.
We stopped at the mall to kill a little more time and ended up in Radio Shack where I was introduced to a new phenomenon called Tea Cup Piggys. Wow. What to say about Tea Cup Piggys.... I got nothing, sorry. But Baby loves them! Unfortunately all the kids were with me so I had to shoo them out of the store so I could pick up the "essentials" I needed there.
Shopping done, it was back to the movies to get some treats and into our seats before the show started. It was such a cute show and watching my little ones reaching out as things floated by them was adorable. I loved spending time with my family. All in all, this was one of the best Black Fridays ever.
Monday, November 22, 2010
My babies are growing up...
Being a young mother tends to form a very strong bond between you and your newborn baby. Suddenly you can no longer be the child and you have to protect this helpless little, completely adorable phenomenon. That bond seems to last a very long time. Here I am, nearly 15 years later and my sweet angel baby is now an amazing young man. I get to watch him play football and I still get to wipe his tears, but only when girl troubles arise. Every day I am amazed at how grown up he is getting, but never so much as when I am buying him clothes. Gone are the days of shopping for darling little footie pajamas and striped and collard shirt sets. Now he wears men's clothing, huge shoes and fedora hats. He has his own, unique style and his clothes are expensive, but much nicer. He wants to look good, he wants to be in fashion, he wants his hair long and he wants me to be less involved. This makes me feel sad and proud, excited and weary. It's bitter sweet watching him grow, learn and become a man in his own right.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Traveling in 2011
2010 is nearly gone and 2011 is much closer that we would like to admit. Bring on the New Year's Resolutions and promises to ourselves and families. A common New Year's Resolution is travel. "I'm going to take my family on an amazing vacation this year!" The trick to that has been the economy these last few years. Lost jobs, cuts in pay and benefits have caused consumers to spend less and budget more. This kind of "protecting ourselves" actually hurts us in the long run by forcing companies to raise prices on the things that we require to survive as well as on leisure products.
Here's the good news! Some analyst somewhere has said that the recession is ending! We can again pull out our wallets and start having fun! Whoa... Just a minute there. Before you go spending your life savings, use some of that frugality you learned during this recent depression and spend, but spend wisely my friend.
When it comes to vacationing, it can be fun, elegant, relaxing and memorable without breaking the bank! Don't believe me? Check out Cruising! The price to spend 7 sun soaked days and 6 fun filled nights on a Caribbean cruise will most likely cost you less than a 5-day pass to Disneyland! Now we are talking amazing food, beautiful beaches, exotic destinations and fun for the whole family, all wrapped up in to one nice little package, often times with gratuities already included! Leave your wallet in your stateroom and head to the pool, the restaurant or the beach. You'll only need it when you dock at some of the most exotic destinations and the fun and flavor of the islands overwhelm you and you find shopping and bargains, the likes of which you would never find on the mainland! Try it. Once you've cruised, you'll never forget it!
Here's the good news! Some analyst somewhere has said that the recession is ending! We can again pull out our wallets and start having fun! Whoa... Just a minute there. Before you go spending your life savings, use some of that frugality you learned during this recent depression and spend, but spend wisely my friend.
When it comes to vacationing, it can be fun, elegant, relaxing and memorable without breaking the bank! Don't believe me? Check out Cruising! The price to spend 7 sun soaked days and 6 fun filled nights on a Caribbean cruise will most likely cost you less than a 5-day pass to Disneyland! Now we are talking amazing food, beautiful beaches, exotic destinations and fun for the whole family, all wrapped up in to one nice little package, often times with gratuities already included! Leave your wallet in your stateroom and head to the pool, the restaurant or the beach. You'll only need it when you dock at some of the most exotic destinations and the fun and flavor of the islands overwhelm you and you find shopping and bargains, the likes of which you would never find on the mainland! Try it. Once you've cruised, you'll never forget it!
Acai Berry Benefits or Scam?
You know I am a huge fan of natural remedies. I love what you can do for your body without the aid of chemicals and preservatives. I honestly believe that what we do to our food is killing us, creating disease, lowering our energy levels and generally desecrating our bodies. However, some companies will latch onto something that is pure and naturally healthful and "enhance" it. They will chemically alter it, add unhealthy preservatives and other things that can harm your body. Then they bill it under the natural name. The Acai Berry is no different. Watch out for acai scams, read the ingredients list and how it is processed. Heat treating anything, will almost always render it's antioxidants non-existant and breakdown all healthy properties it ever had. Adding chemicals or chemically altering a product, may make it perform better, but what is performing? The natural agent or the chemicals? What do you want in your body? Beware of products claiming to be natural remedies.
Loving San Diego!
What an amazing place to vacation! San Diego has the best of everything, beautiful sunsets, tropical flora & fauna, hip downtown districts, fabelous shopping, amazing food and georgeous views. There are not any appetite suppressors known to man that can help you here! The fresh fruit, simmering meats and decedant desserts are heavenly. San Diego is the perfect place to plan a weekend get away or even to spend a couple of days winding down after a high energy, exciting Disneyland vacation. But no matter how you play it, romantic weekend, bff get away or family fun, San Diego has something for everyone!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Christmas' A'coming!: Getting Ready
If you do a little pre-planning, the holidays do not have to be as stressful as everyone makes them out to be. I am going to create a weekly list of ideas to help you get through the holidays with the least amount of stress possible.
Here goes the planning part:
1. Make a list of everyone that you need to buy for and assign them an amout that you are willing to spend on them. Remember to list office parties and family parties that include the "$5 gift clause". This will help you know how much money you will need and help you not to forget anyone.
2. Look for bargains and shop simply for friends and family. Gift Certificates really do make great gifts. Especially when paired with a nice fruit basket or bottle of sparkling cider. Look for discount coupon sites like Citydeals.com, LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com.
3. Thanksgiving is the next big holiday. Use it to feel out your family members. What are their hobbies, interests, even favorite color. This will help alot in the gift buying process.
4. Think personal. Most of the people on your list are people that care about you. Most people love getting pictures as Christmas gifts, especially grandparents, aunts and uncles. Get family pictures done now. Black Bird Photography still has openings, has great prices and offers a different kind of photography. This will definately not be your typical "everyone smile" kind of portrait.
5. Vacation. Think about giving the gift of a vacation this holiday. Heaven knows that you could use a few days to relax after everything is said and done. A San Diego vacation can be very inexpensive for families and offers you a Hawaiian vacation without the 6 hour flight. Call Stephanie @ Get Away Today Vacations (1-800-523-6116) to get the best prices!
Here goes the planning part:
1. Make a list of everyone that you need to buy for and assign them an amout that you are willing to spend on them. Remember to list office parties and family parties that include the "$5 gift clause". This will help you know how much money you will need and help you not to forget anyone.
2. Look for bargains and shop simply for friends and family. Gift Certificates really do make great gifts. Especially when paired with a nice fruit basket or bottle of sparkling cider. Look for discount coupon sites like Citydeals.com, LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com.
3. Thanksgiving is the next big holiday. Use it to feel out your family members. What are their hobbies, interests, even favorite color. This will help alot in the gift buying process.
4. Think personal. Most of the people on your list are people that care about you. Most people love getting pictures as Christmas gifts, especially grandparents, aunts and uncles. Get family pictures done now. Black Bird Photography still has openings, has great prices and offers a different kind of photography. This will definately not be your typical "everyone smile" kind of portrait.
5. Vacation. Think about giving the gift of a vacation this holiday. Heaven knows that you could use a few days to relax after everything is said and done. A San Diego vacation can be very inexpensive for families and offers you a Hawaiian vacation without the 6 hour flight. Call Stephanie @ Get Away Today Vacations (1-800-523-6116) to get the best prices!
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