Whew!  I’m sure many of you will agree with me that 2009 was a crazy year…For my family it involved lots of change; a lot for the better, and a little for the worse.  All of it was hectic, though!  I am definitely looking forward to all of the positive changes that are sure to come in 2010.

As I’m sweeping out the old year and ringing in the new, I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you know what I’ll be doing with Love: The Element during the beginning of the New Year.  Currently, I’m planning on a series of blog posts called “A Beginner’s Journey into Aromatherapy”.  Until recently, aromatherapy was one of my interests, but I knew little about it.  I have a hunch that I am not the only one J.

This series will cover the things that can be confusing to novice aromatherapists, such as what common essential and carrier oils are and how to use them.  Different methods of using aromatherapy will be one of the things I focus on as well.

Another main focus of my blog posts will be how to use aromatherapy to pamper yourself or another. Believe it or not, the possibilities are limitless…

Since this is my New Year’s Eve post, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what my resolution is for the year of 2010, especially since it directly relates to Love: The Element.

This year I resolve to spend more time pampering myself.

For at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week, I will do something that makes me feel special and girly.  I find that even in the worst of times, if I focus a little on myself, my health and my appearance, I feel much better about everything.  It also seems to be that at the times when I need to care for myself the most, I get so caught up in my life and my family that I neglect my own needs.

So I vow to take care of me this year, for the benefit of my sanity and everyone else’s.

What are your resolutions for this year?  Is there anything in particular I can include in “A Beginner’s Journey into Aromatherapy” for you?

Happy New Year!!!  I hope this year brings you every blessing you are praying for…

Long hours at the mall have likely left you with tired aching feet.  After all that holiday shopping, you’re over due for some time to sit down, be still and unwind.  Treat yourself to a minty foot soak that will help you leave the aches and pains of the holiday hustle and bustle behind.

You will need:

1. A foot tub or basin
2. 1 cup of epsom or dead sea salts
3. 2 drops of tea tree essential oil
4. 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
5. 5 – 6 drops of peppermint oil* (not recommended for pregnant women, substitute with peppermint fragrance oil is needed)
6. Towel
7. Loofa or pumice stone (optional)

Fill tub or bain with water as warm as you can tolerate without scalding.  Pour salts into water and drop in essesntial oils.  Don’t worry, one or two extra drops of one or another oil wont hurt if you accidentally drop in one too many.  Aloow salt to dissove into water.

Step into tub or basin and have a seat with your favorite mind relaxing activity. Be still for approximately 20 mintues, allowing your feet to soak, and be soothed by the healing properties of the salts and essential oils.   Scrub dry areas with loofa or pumice stone if desired and then remove feet, drying with towel.

This soak should help bring some soothing relife to your tired feet. Treat yourself to a candy cane and a moment of peace and solitude for you to enjoy your break from the chores that the holiday brings.

Happy holidays!

I know many of you reading this are wives and mothers who put their all into their families.  For many of us, it becomes more difficult to spend time on ourselves as our families increase in size.  Even those women without little ones become busier as they get older, leaving less time for themselves.  During busy times like the holiday seasons, it becomes extra important to reserve time for yourself.

Doing things for yourself, no matter how small they are, can positively affect your mood and outlook on life.  You feel refreshed. You feel loved. You ARE both refreshed and loved by spending your precious energy on you.

This includes doing everyday things that we often forget, such as taking vitamins and eating right, to things that are considered primping and make us feel pretty. You may, after something like a manicure or mini-facial, feel prettier or more attractive.  This, of course, makes you feel better about yourself, which shows from the inside, even if the signs of your recent facial are not visible to others.

Whether you’ve been neglecting yourself due to lack of time, lack of money or lack of energy, it is extremely important to take little moments to yourself to read, take a soak in the bath or to do your nails.  Whatever makes you happy.

If time and/or money are the issue, a home pedicure can be as gratifying as one at the salon. You can be in the comfort of your own home, taking your time.  Even doing something as small as lighting incense and simply breathing for a few moments can help you re-center yourself.

There are some really great bath and beauty recipes, both in this blog and other places online, that use ingredients you can find in your kitchen to produce spa quality results.  Tyrika’s sugar scrub is to-die-for and there are some really great ideas for aromatherapy (another inexpensive mood-lifter) as well.

Anything you can do for yourself (by yourself, moms!) has the potential to heal and decompress some of your stress.  The holidays can be notoriously stressful, for many different reasons.  No matter what those reasons may be, it is especially important to take care of yourself while trying to make everyone else smile during the season of giving.  As my brother in law says…”If Mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy!”

I am revving up my skin care routine…What are the things that you will take the time to do for yourself this season?

Eucalyptus essential oil has a fresh, woodsy, medicinal scent that most people associate with cough drops.  Eucalyptus is not only useful for coughs, however, but has numerous other uses around the home as well.  Included in its many helpful properties is that it is an antiseptic, astringent, analgesic, anti-bacterial and anti-septic.  Let’s investigate some of the ways that this can be utilized.

• Respiratory Ailments – As stated above, the most commonly known use for eucalyptus is in cough drops.  This is because it can be a powerful decongestant and relieve some of the throat pain associated with coughing.  It can help people with colds, sinusitis, hay fever and bronchitis.  In addition to using cough drops, a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil can be added to a vaporizer, put in a chest rub, or it can be used in a gargle.  To gargle, make sure the eucalyptus is VERY diluted, as it can cause irritation if it is too strong, 5 drops in an 8 oz. glass of water should do it.
• Muscular Pain – Eucalyptus essential oil’s analgesic properties make it very useful as a compress, in baths, massage oils, and lotions to relieve the muscle and joint pain associated with problems such as rheumatism, fever, and arthritis, as well as the everyday aches and pains associated with busy lives.

• Skin Ailments – Bburns, blisters, cuts, wounds, and infections can benefit from the anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of eucalyptus essential oil.  To treat these, soak a compress pad in a eucalyptus and water solution of 5 drops to 8 ozs of water and apply directly to the affected area.

• Boost Immunity – Eucalyptus is not only useful for respiratory infections, but in infections of the immune system in general.  People with ailments such as fever, the common cold, influenza and the measles can also benefit from eucalyptus.

• Aromatherapy – The fresh, sharp scent of eucalyptus is invigorating and purifying to those who come into contact with it, and is added to lotions and candles for this reason as well.

A note of caution:  Eucalyptus should be not be used by individuals with high blood pressure and/or epilepsy, as it can exacerbate these problems.  It can also lower blood sugar; therefore, diabetics should be cautious as well.

That being said, eucalyptus really is a versatile little essential oil, and is a staple in my house.  I have used it for ages in my baths and vaporizer when my asthma is acting up for almost instant relief.  I am sure there has been some hospital trips avoided because of this wonderful little herb.  I hope this article has helped you find some more ways eucalyptus can be of use around your home!