Hello everyone!

Today is the first day of Advent! For Christians like me, Advent is a time in which we prepare for the celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas!

I've been busy last week, and unfortunately, I did not stick to my usual blogging schedule. Nonetheless, I did manage to write two posts.  

On Wednesday, I wrote about Himalayan salt lamps and their health claims. And on Friday, I shared some essential oil blends (for your diffuser) to help ease cold and flu symptoms.

This week, I promise to try my best and stick to my blogging schedule. To remind you: I post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Then, I post a blog recap, just like this one, every Sunday.

Links:

November 24, 2021 - Himalayan salt lamps: Do they really work?

November 27, 2021 - Essential oil blends for cold and flu

Please subscribe if you haven't already!

Thank you for reading; come back tomorrow for a new post! 

Hello everyone!

In most cases, having the flu means increasing self-care and waiting for the infection to run its course. The go-to solution for many people is to reach for over-the-counter medicines. However, another effective method is using essential oils as a topical rub or for aromatherapy. I already shared my recipe for a homemade vapour rub in a previous post. In this post, I will focus on aromatherapy!

Certain essential oils can help alleviate flu symptoms by clearing your nasal passage and reducing headaches. Some oils may even have antiviral benefits to help treat infections and reduce fever. Essential oils can be a great ally in keeping viruses, bacteria and germs at bay. As we are currently facing a pandemic, these oils can come in handy to help you keep your home a safe place for you and your loved ones. That is why today, I'm sharing the best antiviral essential oils to diffuse in your home.

Inhalation is the most beneficial way to use essential oils for the flu. A diffuser can be an easy way to get the benefits of aromatherapy, any time of day or night. Purifying your indoor air is very easy to do. Using pure essential oils is a natural and safe way to do so. 

Add essential oils blends below to your diffuser with recommended water for your diffuser tank!

There are some blends for cleaning the air:

• Eucalyptus/Lavender 
• Eucalyptus/Geranium
• Eucalyptus/Lemon
• Eucalyptus/Lemon/Thyme
• Lavender/Geranium/Lemon
• Clove/Cinnamon/Thyme
• Tea Tree/Lemon

These are blends to help relieve common cold and flu symptoms like sneezing, coughing, congestion and sore throat:

Blend #1

• 3 drops Lavender
• 3 drops Eucalyptus
• 2 drops Tea Tree
• 1 drop Peppermint

Blend #2

• 3 drops Lavender
• 3 drops Bergamot
• 2 drops Siberian Fir
• 2 drops Rosalina

 Blend #3

• 3 drops Cypress
• 2 drops Bergamot
• 1 drop Sandalwood
• 1 drop Copaiba

Blend #4

• 4 drops Lavender
• 3 drops Marjoram
• 3 drops White Fir (aka Silver Fir or Fir Needle)

 Blend #5

• 4 drops Eucalyptus
• 2 drops Wintergreen
• 1 drop Frankincense
• 1 drop Rosemary

 

I hope you find this helpful. Stay safe and healthy!

Hello everyone!

Lately, I've been contemplating purchasing a Himalayan salt lamp. Himalayan salt lamps are crystals carved from amber-coloured rock salt. They are lit from the inside with a bulb, and the combination gives off a relatively dim, amber light.

The appeal is not just visual. Many believe that salt lamps have health benefits too. Sellers of these decorative pieces say they do more than light up a room. They claim the lamps can boost mood, improve sleep, ease allergies, help people with asthma breathe better, and clean the air, among other benefits.

These are the primary health claims made about Himalayan salt lamps:

1. They reduce the humidity of the environment.
2. They purify the air within the room and charge it with positive energies.
3. They emit negative ions in the air and create a relaxing atmosphere.
4. They favour concentration and productivity.
5. They help protect from electromagnetic pollution.

The idea behind salt lamps is that the salt will act as a natural ionizer and attract water from the air, which carries pollutants, such as bacteria and allergens. Although some of their health claims are not supported by science, Himalayan salt lamps may have other benefits, including:

• They create a nice ambience - A salt lamp could help create a relaxing atmosphere that helps you relax and unwind.
• They might help limit light in the evening - If you struggle to sleep, using dim lights in the evening may help you get to sleep faster.

A Himalayan salt lamp might bring a nice decorative touch and a warming glow to your space, but at the moment, no research says it will improve your health. Much like a lit candle, these lamps can be relaxing to look at. If you find the light soothing or enjoy its style, there is no harm in using a salt lamp.

Do you have a salt lamp at home? Do you enjoy using it? I would love to know. Leave a comment below! 

Related post:

The health benefits of lighting candles

Hello everyone!

Happy Sunday - It's time for my weekly blog recap; in case you did not have time to read all my blog posts this week. Here’s what you might have missed:

Last Monday, I started a new Q&A series, in which I will be answering your questions! The first question I answered was: What is the difference between a face oil and a serum? If you have any questions you want me to answer in future Q&A posts, leave your questions in the comments section!

And finally, on Friday, I posted four (4) easy DIY vegan scalp scrub recipes that can cure and prevent dry, flaky scalp, improve scalp health and overall hair health.  Keep reading...

Thank you for reading; come back tomorrow for a new post! 

 Hello everyone!

Many of us regularly use face and body scrubs to remove dead skin cells. However, we may be neglecting a part of our body that needs exfoliation just as much. The scalp is no different than the skin on the rest of our body. Our scalp can benefit from a little extra TLC as well!

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! Daily use of hair products can cause build-up. In addition to typical dead skin cells accumulating on the scalp. This can result in clogged hair follicles, dull, greasy hair, and slower hair growth. To return the scalp to a healthy state, you need to free hair follicles from what’s building up at the roots. A scalp scrub might be the best solution. 

If you’re looking for natural DIY scalp scrubs, here are four (4) easy DIY vegan recipes that can cure and prevent dry, flaky scalp, improve scalp health and overall hair health. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of vegan shampoo
• a few drops of lavender essential oil 

• 2 tablespoons sea salt (ideal for oily scalp)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon of vegan conditioner or coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of sea salt (for oily scalp) or raw sugar 

• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of raw sugar
• a few drops of tea tree essential oil 

Because of its high level of acidity, apple cider vinegar can help balance the scalp’s pH. This is especially helpful if you need to clarify your scalp of hard water build-up.

Method:

1. Choose one of the DIY recipes.
2. Mix all of these ingredients together.
3. Gently massage the scrub into your scalp. 
4. Leave it on for about 5 minutes. 
5. Rinse it out with warm water.
6. Shampoo and condition.

By massaging a scrub into your scalp, you’ll stimulate blood circulation, remove stubborn oil and build-up, and deliver oxygen to your scalp. In turn, this encourages hair growth. Give it a try! 

 Hello everyone!

All dog guardians know that our pups need a beauty routine too. Dogs are more than just man’s best friend; these furry companions are members of our family. And what proud pet guardian wouldn’t want their family to look their best?  Grooming consists of several tasks. Rascal (my Maltipoo) needs regular grooming! I brush his coat daily, and at least two or three times a week, I need to clean his teeth and remove tear stains. He hates having his face touched, so this is a nightmare every time! Then, once a month, I bathe him, trim his nails, clean his ears and give him a haircut! Keep reading to see Rascal's before and after pictures...

Here are ten (10) tips to help with at-home grooming:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rascal (@rascal.the.maltipoo)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rascal (@rascal.the.maltipoo)

Do you have a furry companion as well? Leave a comment with your pets' names below!