Vanessa Hudgensfan

In ancient Egyptian times they used oils from flowers and herbs in their baths and for skin care, not only for their aromas but for the medicinal properties too. These oils are the volatile part of any plant and are extracted in different ways, by distillation, steam or compression. Once you have their oils they can be used individually or mixed together and can be put in the bath for a hot soak, a few drops added to a diffuser so the sweet aromas fill the air or added to a carrier or base oil for a massage. You can even get candles containing these oils or could add net oil to the melted wax as it gathers on the top of a burning candle.

All plants contain essential oils but in different quantities, some more than others. To get just one teaspoon of jasmine oil it takes 40,000 hand- picked jasmine flowers which is why this in one of the more expensive oils to buy. Rose is another flower that does not contain many oils and are usually extracted by using a solvent. The only down side with this method is that is gathers other properties from the plant as well as their oils. These are then known as absolutes and are well known in the fragrance industry and in cosmetics.

Fine essential oils are like diamonds or a fine champagne and known as the soul of any plant. Essential oils all have their own properties and used for different reasons, from rejuvenating, balancing and deep cleansing. They easily absorb in to the skin and can help psychologically and physically. Benefits of aromatherapy oils range from relief of headaches, mood swings, muscle relaxants, blood circulation and other healings.

There are hundreds of essential oils on the market and can be a daunting experience when going out to buy for the first time. Almost anyone can use essential oils but precautions do need to be taken. Because they are very potent it is important to dilute any oil before putting it on the skin and not to put too much in the batch as they can burn. You must ask yourself why you want to use these oils whether it be for a particular ailment and then how you are going to administer, either massage or inhalation so as to get the right ones. Below are a few just to get you started.

Basil – floral sweet aroma used for uplifting, energising and refreshing.

Bergamot – fresh and fruity used for uplifting and inspiring. An excellent deodoriser.

Chamomile – fruity, apple -like used for its calming properties

Clary sage – spicy, hay-like aroma for a euphoric feeling

Eucalyptus – Best known for inhalations and liniments and is very invigourating.

Geranium – A leafy-rose aroma with fruity, minty undertones. A soothing, mood lifting oil.

Grapefruit – This has a bitter citrus aroma which is very refreshing.

Lavender – A fresh almost eucalyptus aroma used in insect repellants, deodorants and room sprays. A calming and purifying influence.

Majarom sweet – Warm and spicy with a hint of nutmeg. Warming and balancing works well on sore muscles.

Orange sweet – Used for its refreshing, uplifting properties.

Rosemary – with its strong fresh, camphor aroma invigourates and clarifies.

Sandalwood – a sweet wood warm aroma. Perfect for that sensual soothing atmosphere

Ylang ylang – an intense floral almost jasmine aroma used for euphoria and sensuality.

Once you get used to the oils and their aromas you can mix your own but be careful with quantities.

Perfect isn’t the enemy when it comes to making more conscious decisions about the food we consume. Although we aim to support through purchase only the respectful treatment of food animals and only the highest quality meat production, we unfortunately find ourselves in a world that has long since abandoned these values for convenience, profit and quantity. The process of changing our course to head back into the winds of change must be looked at in the same way that a sailboat tacks across an oncoming breeze.

A complete reversion overnight to consuming only humanely treated, appropriately fed, respectfully killed and/or self-harvested animal products proves impractical and frustrating to most folks living in our modern world. Incredibly, only a few generations have removed the majority of United States citizens from the reality of sourcing meat directly from the farmer or the natural habitat of wild game. Imagine trying to get around a modern city or suburb on horseback to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel. The current infrastructure renders this method of travel obsolete. However, the impracticality of this drastic resource-conserving measure should never completely discourage the concerned citizen from utilizing carpools, planning more efficient vehicle usage and routes, and choosing to walk up to the corner store instead of driving. These measures stop short of eliminating a person’s reliance on petroleum, but certainly set a course against the common trend of an oil-dependent lifestyle.

We too can come about against the current trend and get back to a more historically normal respect of the source of our meat and the quality of food we introduce into our bodies. It doesn’t take an instantaneous reversion to achieve the goal of living in tune with the primal conscience that tells us we should know the precise source of our meat and avoid the introduction of mystery ingredients, hormones and chemicals into our bodies. Unlike the products sold on mega-store shelves, there is no simple, packaged solution to the issue of responsible meat consumption. Yet, a step today and a few more next week in the right direction move conscious carnivores along a primal and more normal path.

Education also plays an important role in the evolution of a more primal carnivore, and is of course an unending process. Never accept the simple answer and always press yourself to scratch and dig for the truth behind glamorous words and simple answers. Folks are often surprised to find that the more expensive “cage-free” chickens they’ve been consuming may never have seen a ray of sunshine, or that the high-dollar “grass-fed” beef in their burgers came from a grain-finished cow bearing meat nutrients no different than the regular beef sold at two-thirds the price. The process can be frustrating, but always carries us toward support of the animal care standards and meat quality that we demand. As disheartening as it is to learn that the extra-money shelled out for feel-good tag lines padded the profits of deceitful, morally bankrupt food industry mega-corporations, the wise meat-eater should bank this newfound knowledge and seek authentically marketed pastured animal products.

Joel Salatin, the famous lecturing farmer who turns his sustainable, pastured-meat-producing farm operations inside out for all the world to see, has published several books on the subject of returning to closer proximity food sources and reverting from our disposable, commodity-based value of resources and living creatures. Like his father before him, Joel has devoted his life to demonstrating that this reversion can work in the modern world. He knows that modern inventions and know-how can help us more efficiently consume our resources, even though there are many more people living on the planet today than ever before. He also knows that changing the course of humanity is no easy task, particularly in the face of conventional wisdom and profit raking. There is huge money in disposable convenience–you’ll always be back to purchase more! In his book Folks, This Ain’t Normal, Joel offers kind advice at the end of each chapter to help readers achieve small victories against current trends. Steps like this are the necessary course we must take in order to change our meat consumption practices. And here’s the kicker: once consumption has obviously shifted, production will have no choice but to respond. Producers follow the profits. That’s their job. Consumers make demands. That’s our job.

So start by making a small demand today. Order the wild caught salmon instead of the grilled chicken at your favorite restaurant, assuming the establishment sources chicken from factory producers. Then perhaps search for an eatery that sources its farm-raised meat from farms that allow inquisitive consumers to drop by for a tour. Begin to consider harvesting wild game for the table if you’ve never done so before. Permits, equipment and know-how must be obtained, but begin the process today by perusing your state’s wildlife commission website. Maybe now would also be a good time to look up a recipe for the butcher-papered stack of deer meat sitting in your freezer since your uncle delivered it to you last season.

Factory-produced meat products permeate our lives to be sure, but you can bet that the companies profiting from treating animals like lifeless commodities would love nothing more than for a concerned carnivore to look around once, decide sourcing meat through responsible and humane means is far too difficult, and shove his head right back into the sand of ignorance. By taking small steps a day at a time, you’ll eventually find yourself skeptically reading labels and recognizing misleading terms like “cage-free” and “free-range,” shaking hands with local farmers as you stop by to pick up your side of beef the day after harvest, and making broth, stock and gravy from every part of the wild hogs you stalked, harvested and butchered with your own capable hands.

Investing money in a heating and cooling system is a difficult decision. Although repairing an older system will cost less, how much are you really saving? The cost of installing a new up-to-date system may be higher initially, but the savings in energy cost will be significant, so the system will pay for itself in a few years. It also makes the property more valuable when it’s time to sell, especially in the desert southwest, where climate extremes are brutal on air conditioning systems.

During different seasons of the year, airborne pollution is a constant threat, especially to those with respiratory problems. Filtering the air to keep out mold, allergens, and other pollutants while maintaining a comfortable humidity level in the home are more reasons for choosing a new central heating and air conditioning system. Especially during the dry winter months, when humidity drops to almost nothing, maintaining a home properly humidified is crucial.

Train travel in 1843 lead to a need for hand-held luggage. The handbag was a derivative; it was larger and could hold the many items women feel they must carry.

In the 1920s women’s fashion changed to lighter clothing and varying hemlines and handbags no longer matched. Women carried beaded purses with silk or satin lining. Beaded belts, bracelets and necklaces complemented the outfit. If you couldn’t afford to buy the latest in beaded fashion accessories, you made your own. The “liberated” women of the 1920s were known as flappers.

The 1940s handbags were plastic and wood with new synthetics such as rayon with a shortage of leather due to the war. Also, in the 1940s as more women entered the workforce, they turned to shoulder bags. After the war, the shoulder bag was relegated to country and travel features until its revival in the 1970s.

In the 1950s important designer houses appeared. Bags in the 1950s were literally handbags and usually held by the hand or over the arm. Many handbags had side pockets, or even grip clasps or rings for a woman to keep track of her gloves.

The 1960s brought about a more relaxed look due to the women’s movement and youth culture. No longer did we have the poised look of the 1950s. Fabric shoulder bags became popular. The 70s brought buckles and zippers. In the early 80s saw a vogue for clutch handbags in many colors with matching shoes, and the bags with style were the quilted Chanel bags. The 90s brought about designer handbags in many choices, styles and materials.

Now we have a mixture of different materials and colors, some with popular accents of fur and Indian themed decorations. Large bags for their versatility and travel and the functionality of the shoulder bags. To add a bit of luxury, the designers add fox fur to the sides of handbag. Simple as well as complicated clothing can be a nice match as it goes well with any kind of clothing.

The rugged look of fringe remains popular, while the feel of leather instills a natural style.

A purse or a handbag? Today you can call it what you want. That’s what makes the 21st century so great. Women today can where a skirt any length she wants. Her blouse can be low or turtleneck. A handbag doesn’t have to match everything. It just has to be her choice, and there are so many to choose from.

Aroma-Psychology

The word Aromatherapy refers to the clinical use of essential oils usually combined with massage. Other applications are Inhalations, bathing and topical applications such as compressing, poultices and direct applications, all of which can be used in the home environment.

There is so much more to essential oils and their use in a clinical situation and here I will share what I consider to be a valuable tool that you can use to help improve your health and well-being on an emotional level.

Aroma-psychology specifically refers to the use essential oils to have a positive effect on your mind. Incorporating these natural plant pure plant extracts in to our everyday lives can uplift our moods and emotions, strengthen and stimulate our minds, aid in memory enhancement, and boost confidence. This kind of mental stimulation has a direct impact on our daily performance. Many corporations are now using essential oils to assist in improving the performance of their employees. Several years ago a study was carried out in Japan. They used lemon in the air-conditioning unit and found that the typists had made fewer errors. They also used specific oils at the end of the day having a winding down period.

Choosing the Right Essential Oil

Although they have specific properties, I believe that when we are working on an emotional level it is important to take your smell preference into consideration as you are more likely to have a positive response.

It is important to feel connected and enjoy the aroma of your chosen essential oil/s. When you inhale your favourite aromas take notice of how they make you feel emotionally and physically.

Do you instantly smile and feel uplifted?

Does a happy memory surface?

Is it as simple as just feeling good when you inhale your favourite fragrance?

Following are some recommendations to experience and boost your confidence, however if you do not resonate with these, choose ones that you personally favour.

Grapefruit is one of my favourites for me it represents, courage, boldness and confidence. It is a very emotionally uplifting and I often start my day with it.

I find all of the citrus oils to be very encouraging and uplifting ~ Lemon, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Mandarin and Neroli. These in particular are excellent for fragile people who tend to worry a lot, experience anxiety, stress and tension. Now that can be all of us at some time in our lives!

Heart oils like Rose, Jasmine, Melissa, Lavender and Ylang Ylang are very supportive they are for self acceptance, self love and love in general. When we come from a place of love we are more confident in our being.

Woody oils like Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Rosewood are strengthening and grounding.

Frankincense and Sandalwood are excellent to support us in letting go of obsessive thoughts and being stuck. They help us to move forward.

Then we have Basil, Rosemary, and Peppermint these are very emotionally strengthening and energising. They are great for confidence building.

Spicy oils such as Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Clove are strengthening, emotionally warming and invigorating. They add excitement and motivation in to our daily lives.

Most of these essential oils can be used easily and effortlessly through dry inhalations, what I call Aromatherapy on the go! I love using disposable inhalers, they fit into my purse and I can use them whenever I feel like a boost.

Here is a tip for you~ take some time to experience your favourite aromas on their own simply by inhaling them. Write down your feelings and responses in an aromatherapy journal and use this information as a tool for whenever you may feel sad, anxious, stressed lacking confidence and so on.

At the beginning of a new year, people begin to think about news years resolutions with the most common one being ‘to get fit.’ It is understandable that we all have our imperfections and want to improve our appearance, although this can be seen as a chore. With January being the busiest time for fitness centres, everybody gets enthusiastic and forks out for a gym membership along with the full attire but the novelty soon wears off after a few weeks. Most gym memberships are contracted to a minimum of 12 months which makes me wonder if it would be more beneficial and cost-effective if we trained at home. Would we slack even more? Or would we enjoy training in the comfort of our own home without strangers watching us sweat? I’ve decided to weigh out the pros and cons of working out at home.

Pros
• With most gyms contracting you to at least 12 months membership on top of paying a joining fee; attending a gym can be expensive, not to mention the amount of money it will cost you to travel to your chosen fitness centre. By training at home you will be able to spend your spare money on equipment to use in your home.

• If you want to focus on a precise part of the body, it would probably be cheaper to buy the specific machines and equipment that you will need; by doing this you could save a lot of money.

• You will not have strangers watching you work out and get sweaty. Going to the gym can be daunting, especially when you are in a room with people who have been going for years and obtain a perfect physique. To avoid embarrassment, training at home could make you feel more comfortable and able to obtain a more durable workout.

• You can wear what you want, you will not have to splurge your money on a pair of expensive designer running shoes, instead you can buy the cheaper alternatives and it does not matter if they are not attractive.

Cons
• Fitness equipment can be very expensive; you may find you will be better off joining a gym and using their top quality fitness machines. Depending on what fitness exercises you want to do.

• Extras included in your monthly or annual fee may include free access to the swimming pool and relaxation facilities, unlimited group exercise classes, free consultations or exclusive discount. Some gyms offer great extras which gives you a lot for your money.

• You will miss out on the variety of equipment and having professionals on hand to give you advice on how to use the machines properly, the best workouts to get the results you want and any nutritional information you may need to know.

• Fitness centres are a great place to meet new people; you can compare your exercise routines and give each other moral support as well as having a friend to meet up with for a coffee outside of your training hours.