Are you aware of all the unnecessary chemicals are in commercial deodorants? We've covered this before on our blog, but we're thrilled to share this new natural deodorant recipe that is free of parabens, aluminum, and other harmful chemicals.
All you need is:
1. 1/4 cup of shea butter
2. 2 tb of coconut oil
3. 3 tb of beeswax
4. 2 tb of arrowroot powder
5. 20 drops of Soulful Essence Ouh-La-Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions:
1. Add shea butter, coconut oil to top bowl of double boiler. One these melt, add the beeswax and stir until all ingredients are liquid.
2. Quickly add baking soda, arrowroot powder.
3. Remove from heat and add essential oil
4. Pour deodorant into mason jar and let cool.
5. Once cool, scoop small amount of deoderant from jar and apply underarms.
Super easy and so healthy for you and your family. Give it a try and let us know how it works out in the comments below.
I love that there is so much information available today about essential oils! It makes me so happy to know that people have access to such good information on how to use them and how each oil can be used.
If you google “essential oil benefits” You’ll probably find that the results are all pretty much the same. Usually you’ll find a list of 10 – 20 oils and their medicinal and sometimes emotional properties. You might also find a few DIY recipes for skin care or various health ailments. I love this. I love seeing what other people do with oils, it’s such a source an inspiration to me. It’s my goal to be a source of inspiration to you and help you incorporate essential oils into your daily life.
So today I’ve decided to give you a sneak peak into the Soulful Essence Philosophy of essential oils. You may have noticed that I only sell essential oil bends (with one exception). There’s a reason for that. It’s because not everyone knows how to combine essential oils in an effective way and not everyone has access to a variety of essential oils. It can get quite expensive to buy a bottle of essential oil and only use a few drops of it in a blend.
At this point you may be wondering if I ever use single essential oils and the answer is yes. There is one oil that is so amazing and powerful that it can stand on it’s own. The oil is lavender. However, I think this is a great time to remind you that not all essential oils are created equal. Just like anything else, quality can vary greatly. Ensuring the oils you use are high quality is not rocket science, but it does dive deep into chemistry. I’m not going to bore you with details on the chemical analysis (GC/MS) that must be completed on every oil I use, but I will tell you that these chemical tests are used to determine a couple of things:
OK, I think that’s enough geeking out on essential oil science, but the moral of the story is, be sure you’re essential oils are tested to ensure maximum effectiveness. Otherwise you could just be wasting your money.
Blending:
To me, blending is more of an art, rather than a science. Determining what oils go together is very similar to cooking a nice dinner. Once you spend a little bit of time with the ingredients you are able to understand how to best put them together and you are always looking for new and interesting ways to do it.
I also have a few secret tricks up my sleeve that I use when blending that ensures maximum potency. Depending on the blend, I’ll use plants with similar and complimentary properties. I know that sounds contradictory but because I’m using the whole plant, and not chemical isolates, I’m able to take advantage of not only the predominate benefits each plant has to offer, but I also consider the lesser occurring components and use them to round out the blend and provide depth. This translates into more versatile blends and allows for a much deeper and more powerful experience for you.
This may sound a bit complicated, but once you spend enough time with the oils and get to know them, it really just boils down to understanding the properties of each oil and letting your intuition guide you.
I hope I’ve been able to give you a little insight into my world of essential oils and I invite you to share in the experience and give them a try. I would also love to hear any questions you may have. Please leave them in the comments below.
XO
JMB
I haven’t practiced yoga for almost two weeks! I’ve been down with a cold that I just couldn’t kick. I was taking every supplement, juicing and doing everything else I could think of, but I guess it just had to run its course. It’s times like this I have to remind myself to slow down and rest or I’ll never get over it. After much protest, that’s what I ended up doing.
I finally got over it late last week and my body was screaming to move and stretch, but part of me was still in lazy mode. I knew how much better I would feel if I got on the mat, so I decided to check out a class at Love Life Yoga Wellness Center, that recently opened in my neighborhood. I’m so happy I did! I decided to take a vinyasa class with Jessie Potter and it was divine.
I do have to admit that I still wasn’t thrilled with the idea of moving my butt when I got there. I laid down my mat and did a few stretches but I couldn’t bring my head into the present moment. It was a rainy day outside and that wasn’t helping either. Then I had a brilliant idea: Wait! I own an aromatherapy company and I make blends for this! (Sometimes it is true what they say about the cobblers’ children having no shoes!). So I dove into my bag and thankfully I had my Yoga Bliss mat spray with me. I spritzed it all over me and inhaled deeply. It was awesome. Don’t you just love how lemongrass makes everything better? I was starting to wake up and become aware of the room around me! I started talking to the other people in the class and we all played with the spray. I love making new friends! Then I had the best idea ever: I sprayed my hand towel (aka sweat towel. sexy, I know.) with that all that botanical goodness. Can I tell you how wonderful it was!?
Every time I used my towel to wipe my face I got a brand new breath of lemongrass. It really helped me stay present during the class and I was really able to focus on my breath (something I find challenging) so I was beyond thrilled! I think it’s funny that I can spend so much time around a product, and talking about it all the time, something I invented; yet I still can become so disconnected from it. That’s nuts! Another lesson in mindfulness strikes again!
So I guess the lesson for me is, take time to pause and remember why I started this business: to help people and to help myself live a more happy and contented life.
Do any of you use a tool to help you stay mindful during your practice? I’d love to hear what methods you use. Let me know in the comments below.
Finding it difficult to sleep?
Have trouble drifting off every night?
Wake up feeling exhausted and tired?
You need a sleep intervention, the natural way.
That ís right. Essential oils for sleep are the perfect way to make sleeping an easy and effortless task, when insomnia, restlessness, stress keep you awake.
Causes of Sleep Problems
Most sleep issues are caused by stress and an over-active mind that refuses to go quiet and relax.
According to WebMD, Short-term or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses (such as job loss or change, death of a loved one, or moving), illness, or environmental factors, such as light, noise, or extreme temperatures. Long-term or chronic insomnia (insomnia that occurs at least three nights a week for a month or longer) can be caused by factors such as depression, chronic stress, and pain or discomfort at night.
In other words, stresses, physical illness or your sleep environment are the key ìculpritsî when it comes to ruining your sleep.
Using Essential Oils for Sleep
Essential oils are great sleep therapy because theyíre not invasive, donít take any time and yes, most importantly, may help improve your sleep quality and ease sleeping troubles.
Here are my favorite recommendations for essential oils for sleeping soundly:
1. Lavender
Studies have shown the efficacy of lavender in providing relief from anxiety and depression as well as improving the quality of sleep in hospitalized patients. {source, Mayo Clinic}
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ìScientific evidence suggests that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders. Studies also suggest that massage with essential oils, particularly lavender, may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, better concentration, and reduced anxiety. ì {Source: Lavender | University of Maryland Medical Center}
2. Frankincense
The calming, soothing effect of frankincense helps to ease stress and also, gets the mind to relax allowing you to drift to sleep easily.
It helps open breathing passages, allows your body to reach an ideal sleeping temperature, and can eliminate pain that keeps you awake. Frankincense can inhibit the production of key inflammatory molecules associated with conditions like arthritis, asthma, painful bowel disorders like IBS, and many more conditions. {Source: Dr. Axe}
3. Meditation Station Blend for Better Sleep
Our own meditation station blend is brimming with the goodness of frankincense and juniper, both of which are perfect for soothing the mind, easing stress, reducing pain and most importantly, helping you sleep better too.
4. Ouh La Lavender for Sleeping Serenely
Calming and relaxing, our gorgeous French lavender blend Ouh La Lavender is rich with the benefits of lavender essential oil.
Its soothing and comforting effects will help you drift off gently to sleep.
Do you have sleep troubles keeping you awake?
If you’ve been wondering why there’s so much of fuss about aluminum-free deodorants, you aren’t alone. The fact is that aluminum is a key component on many antiperspirants and deodorants that grace the store aisles and shelves.
Aluminum, along with a nasty cocktail of chemicals including parabens, phthalates, triclosan, talc and more, is what makes a commercial deodorant do its job.
While these chemicals may sure help stop your armpits from getting sweaty while you sit in an interview chair, they do much more harm than good.
These chemicals are proven toxic, linked to a variety of conditions, including breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, endocrine disruptions and more.
Applying aluminum-laden deodorants to our skin only gives them unhindered access to our bloodstream and if it is an antiperspirant, then it blocks the sweat ducts so you can’t really purge them out as well. Nice, huh?!
Here are 5 major reasons why you need to switch to a natural, aluminum-free deodorant right now:
Parabens and phthalates present in commercial deodorants have been repeatedly linked to breast cancer. [source:Rodale News] Switching to aluminum-free deodorants will help you keep these nasties out of your bathroom cabinet too.
Unlike aluminum-laced deodorants, organic and all-natural solutions allow your skin to smell scrumptious without clogging up or closing off your sweat ducts.
Plus the fragrance created with essential oils is more subtle and natural.
If you have an allergy-prone skin, switching to a natural aromatherapy deodorant, will be the best thing ever. According to an article in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, deodorants and antiperspirants are among the most common products causing cosmetic allergy.
Free of parabens, phthalates, triclosan, talc and other toxic chemicals, which irritate sensitive skin, these natural roll-on deodorants will keep you feeling and smelling fresh without any breakouts.
Several studies have linked aluminum with breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, bone disorders, and liver toxicity. With everything else that is burdening our bodies, it is definitely safer and better to switch to natural, aluminum-free deodorants.
Another major benefit of switching to natural deodorants is that you don’t get those yellowish or whitish patches on your clothes. These patches show up when aluminum and other chemicals get mixed with your sweat.
So, are you ready to make the switch to natural deodorants?
Now that it's spring time, take the opportunity to nourish your body with all of the fresh produce that is available. Try incorporating meatless monday's into your routine. One meat free day a week can make a huge difference on our environment and our health!
Take a trip to the farmers market and create a meal as you shop. Use what's in season and ask the vendors for advise, they love to help! It's a fun, weekday adventure the entire family can enjoy.
Do you have a favorite meatless monday dish?
We all have the tendency to try and do too much. This spring be sure to make an effort to schedule some time for yourself. It's important to replenish your spirit and your body. Allow yourself a bit of time every day to catch up. Let your body and mind rest and recuperate.
Take a break from electronics and go for a stroll or sneak in a meditation or yoga class. You can even spend a few hours in bed with a book. It's up to you.
If you have trouble letting go and allowing yourself to settle down, try inhaling some Meditation Station essential oil blend. It will help to stop your racing mind and is excellent for stress relief. It's been specially designed to help bring on a relaxing frame of mind.
Try diffusing it in your space or inhale right from the bottle if you need a quick hit.
What's our favorite way to unwind?
It's spring time and that means it's time to plant! Have you thought about starting a garden? Even if you live in an apartment, you can still have an amazing container garden that will server you all summer long!
I love planting herbs for cooking and making teas. They are easy to grow and don't require much attention. This year I'm also planning on starting a sprout garden in some old wooden wine boxes. I love to use sprouts in my smoothies and in salads! Greens are another easy and fun addition to your garden. I love to plant arugula, romaine and spinach!
What's in your spring garden?
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