Blog Posts

A Day in Autumn

10/24/2017

A Day in Autumn
by R.S. Thomas

It will not always be like this,
The air windless, a few last
Leaves adding their decoration
To the tree's shoulders, braiding the cuffs
Of the boughs with gold;
Let the mind take its photograph
Of the bright scene, something to wear
Against the heart in the long cold.

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Aromatherapy for Healing Grief and Loss

8/1/2017

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“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love,
the only survival, the only meaning.”
- Thornton Wilder

Lately there are many people I know who are experiencing some kind of loss, including the death of a loved one. Two weeks ago I lost my beloved dog, Robey. I have turned to aromatherapy and my aromatic garden to help ease my heartache. One thing I've noticed about grief is that a new loss can reactivate prior, unhealed losses. Give yourself permission to mend it all. I hope these tips are helpful for you . . .

A Few of My Favorite Aromatics for Grief and Loss:

Rose - A must have oil for heartbreak and loss. Rose has an affinity to the heart and brings a sweet, gentle comfort. Available as an essential oil, an absolute, and a hydrosol (an aromatic water).
Helichrysum - Helpful for the initial shock and trauma that loss can bring. Apply one drop to the chest.
Neroli - Also known as orange blossom, this exquisite oil is soothing and calming to the nervous system. It assists in the relief of repressed emotions and promotes a lightness of being.
Roman Chamomile - Calms anger. Soothes restlessness and irritability.
Blue Lotus - A rare and precious absolute with a delicate, otherworldly fragrance. "The lotus symbolizes the purity of the spiritual life of man, for as the flowers have their roots in the water, but float above in sunlight, so the soul of man rises above the earth life." - Eleanor Rohde
Lavender - Lavender is a classic for a reason! Gently calms and aides restful sleep.
Cypress - A great oil for going forward when one feels weary. Gives strength, centers, and helps one cope with and accept difficult change.
Frankincense - Stills the mind and is helpful for meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a custom tailored aromatherapy blend for your unique situation. I also make an aromatherapy spritzer called Ethereal Light that features Blue Lotus and other healing oils for loss.

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You Reading This, Be Ready

7/11/2017

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You Reading This, Be Ready
By William Stafford

Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?

When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life --

What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?

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Time for a Ramble

4/11/2017

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Not that a ramble afield makes everything
okay, just like that. But going out, alert
and open, causes some chamber of the heart
that has temporarily drained to pump
again. You can remember that you can
harbor loss, hold tight to sorrow, and honor
grief, while still rejoicing in the rich gifts of
the Earth . . . in a world deeply flawed . . .
this is no small potatoes.

- Robert M. Pyle

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Celebrating the Spring Equinox

3/20/2017

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This year, the Spring Equinox falls on Monday, March 20. The Spring Equinox is a celebration of fertility and new life. It marks the beginning of Spring and a time when day and night are balanced.

New growth is stimulated and supported in Spring; now is an excellent time for making a new start. Heightened creativity and enthusiasm naturally emerge to support you.

Here are a few ideas for welcoming the Spring Equinox:

Think of a new intention you have for the year ahead. Tie a colored ribbon around the branch of a nearby tree to remind you of this intention.

Anoint yourself with jasmine, rose, or any other natural sweet scents. Journal intentions about how you wish to feel in this new season. You can then continue to anoint yourself with these aromas throughout spring to deepen your connection to your wishes.

Plan ideas for your garden. What would you like to clear away? What will you plant anew?

Invite friends over for an equinox celebration. A potluck can feature seasonal foods like radishes, parsley, beets, avocado, artichokes, rhubarb, etc.

Have an Equinox adventure. Set out into nature on your own and be open to whatever the day brings. You may want to take a small journal with you to jot down any thoughts or inspiration that emerges.

Plan a seed swap with friends who like to garden.

Spring clean with essential oils. Clear out the old to welcome in the new. Find a recipe for an all natural cleaner here.

The equinox is a time when day and night are roughly equal. Reflect on what ways your life is in or out of balance. What could you do to bring about more balance?

Be open to change. The future may be filled with experiences, people, and places you've never seen. It may be benevolent in ways you've never imagined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Reader,

What is your favorite way to celebrate the arrival of Spring?

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3 Reasons to Join NAHA in 2017

3/2/2017

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1. Subscription to NAHA's Aromatherapy Journal.
The quarterly e-journal is filled with articles written by the world's leading aromatherapy experts.
I love their aromatherapy blending recipes (you can find some of my own recipes in the journal too!)

2. Community.
The NAHA community is warm and welcoming. You can make new friends and network at our NAHA state meetings. I serve as the Illinois District Director and would love to see you at our Spring 2017 meeting which will be held in the North Chicago area. Feel free to contact me with any questions. As a NAHA member, you can also join in on live, educational aromatherapy webinars which are held online every month.

3. Attend the 2018 NAHA Aromatherapy Conference!
Our last conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event was so outstanding that NAHA has decided to hold it there again for the 2018 conference. You will love the Red Butte Botanical Garden on campus. 2018 will be here before you know it. Mark your calendar!

Here are some pictures from our last conference . . .

Join NAHA today and save $10.00 on NEW Membership
To learn more, visit:

naha.org/?/membership/become-a-member

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Building Ojas (Vitality) in 2017

1/10/2017

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Ayurveda is an ancient traditional healing modality from India. My clinical aromatherapy education included learning an Ayurvedic perspective on wellness.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, Ojas represents our wellness, vigor, and vitality. You could also say it's what gives us a "glow" that radiates out to others.

As I continue to delve into Ayurveda, I've discovered that certain practices really do add to my life and wellness. I hope you will find these tips useful!

Ways to Build Ojas:

Loving others
Laughing
Acting on what you are passionate about
Giving and serving others
Yoga
Abhyanga (self massage with warm herbal oils)
Aromatherapy
Meditation
Nasal breathing exercises
Being in nature
Practice surrendering to what is
Keep good company - surround yourself with positive, compassionate people
Eating fresh, wholesome foods in a relaxed manner
Getting ample rest – 7-8 hours of sleep with the cycles (up early, to bed early)
Eating dates and ghee (in moderate quantites)
Drinking golden milk. My favorite version consists of almond milk, raw honey, loads of turmeric, a pinch of black pepper, and adaptogenic herbs.

If you are interested in more Ayurvedic wisdom, take a look at my personal aromatherapy consultations. I offer an Ayurvedic intake and blends that are custom tailored to your own dosha (your unique constitution).

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Favorite Essential Oil Diffusor Blends for Winter

12/25/2016

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Winter scene with a blue sky and snow covered trees.

Winter can be a challenging season, but it is also a peaceful time with an opportunity for rest and inward reflection. I find that creating a feeling of coziness helps me savor winter. I love lighting beeswax candles and gazing out the window at the majestic, quiet trees.

Inhalation of essential oils reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and supports a healthy immune system. Diffusing also helps lift the winter blues.

I hope you enjoy trying out these Winter essential oil diffusor recipes!

Gingerbread Manor
5 drops of ginger
2 drops of clove bud
2 drops of cinnamon bark
1 drop of black pepper

Citrus Bliss
5 drops of red mandarin
3 drops of pink grapefruit
2 drops of tangerine

Winter Immune Support
(for healthy adults only)
4 drops of sweet orange
3 drops of ravintsara
2 drops of elemi
1 drop of clove bud

Joyful & Energizing
(for healthy adults only)
7 drops of pink grapefruit
3 drops of holy basil (tulsi)

Heart Opening
5 drops of bergamot
3 drops of rose
2 drops of patchouli

Do you have a favorite essential oil or blend for Winter?
Feel free to share in the comments below!

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The Peace of Wild Things

11/15/2016

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The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

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Feelings Return for Love

10/31/2016

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You do not heal feelings.
They heal you, when you allow them
to guide you back
to your original Wholeness,
your loving nature,
your breath,
your place on this Earth,
your Indestructible Presence.

- Jeff Foster

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