Happy Feet

The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons.

They get squished into shoes that don't fit, they don't get massaged enough and sometimes we let them get unusually stinky.

And every single day, our feet take us everywhere we need to go. For that reason alone, we need to give back to our feet... simple ways to make sure we have Happy Feet.

Weekly Foot Soak: While you're watching TV, reading a book or magazine, paying bills... Soak your feet in a tub of warm water and 2 cups Epsom salts for 10 - 15 minutes. Epsom salts sooth and relax muscle tissue. If you like, add 3 total drops of your favorite Essential Oil.

Weekly Foot Scrub: Blend 1 cup carrier oil (jojoba, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil) with 1/2 cup sea salt or mineral salts and massage well into feet. Rinse well. Pat dry.

Schedule an appointment for Reflexology or a Foot Massage: If you're feeling out of kilter
Don't know why or what about
Let your feet reveal the answer
Find the sore spot work it out
By Eunice D Ingham
Foot Massage Lotion Recipe: In a 1-ounce glass container filled with all-natural, unscented lotion (I love and use Unscented Aromalotion from Elizabeth Van Buren, available by the gallon), add 4 total drops of Peppermint Essential Oil *Peppermint Essential Oil is cooling, analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and helps clear stinky feet odors* Shake well before using. Avoid direct eye contact.

Toe Fungus: Lemongrass and Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oils have both shown to have anti-fungal properties. By placing 1 total drop of each of these Essential Oils on the cotton pad of a band aid and placing over the nail bed daily may help inhibit toe nail fungus. If irritation occurs, dilute with pure Vitamin E oil.

Treat yourself to a Pedicure.
You have the option to opt out for the nail polish. Men, too!
photo source: flickr emerson12

Goodbye Glade, Febreze and Yankee

If you're ready to say good-bye to synthetic, unhealthy air fresheners, plug ins, reed diffusers, candles and hello to all-natural deodorizers that work, here's one simple way with pure, plant extracts, i.e., Essential Oils.

How to create an Essential Oil Room Spray
In a 1-ounce glass spray bottle, fill with water, leaving a bit of room at the top for Essential Oils.

For every one ounce of water, add 5 total drops of your favorite Essential Oil. Some of my favorite Essential Oils for natural room sprays are:

• Christmas Spirit (essential oil blend from Young Living)
• Believe (essential oil blend from Young Living)
• Lemon and Peppermint (blended together)

What are yours?
Blending Guidelines
2 ounces of water: add 10 Total drops of Essential Oils
3 ounces of water: add 15 Total drops of Essential Oils
4 ounces of water: add 20 Total drops of Essential Oils
Did You Know
When using truly pure Essential Oils in your room sprays, not only are you clearing odors naturally but improving air quality, inhibiting pathogens and boosting mood!
Fun
Add a label, giving your Essential Oil Room Spray a name and add a pretty ribbon!
Safety & Storage
Before using these natural room sprays, be sure to shake well, avoiding direct eye contact. Keep out of reach of children and pets and store in cool, dark place.

Resources

• Essential Oils are available at: https://www.youngliving.org/amy

• Glass Spray bottles are available at: http://www.sks-bottle.com/GlassBottles/GlassBottles1.html

Ho What? Jojoba, pronounced Ho Ho Ba.

BACKGROUNDI was first formally introduced to Jojoba back in 2004 when I was completing my Certification in Aromatherapy. At first sight, I believed it was an oil, like Sweet Almond oil or olive oil. We learned quickly that it was not. We used it as our base (or carrier) to create essential oil products and these products could be massaged both into the body AND face, without causing zits!

After reading about it over and over, I decided to include it in my best-selling product, which is called Face and Body Butter and in all of my roll-on blends for clients. It’s immediately softening to the skin, there’s no smell, and I really like its color when it’s held up to the light.

ABOUTJojoba is actually a liquid wax obtained from cold pressing a seed (Simmondsia chinensis) NOT a nut. Jojoba doesn’t contain triglycerides, which are fragile, oxidize and break down, so it doesn't turn rancid. It has an indefinite shelf life. Isn't that cool?!

Here are some other cool things about this amazing non-oily, liquid wax substance.

• SPF of 2 - 4
• Non-allergenic
• Conditions the skin
• Relieves cradle cap
• Soothes chafed / dry skin
• Does not not clog pores
• Conditions and softens cuticles
• Removes make-up and mascara
• Provides soothing relief of Psoriasis
• Transports essential oils into the skin
• Superior for scalp, face or whole body
• Conditions hair and scalp, prevents dryness
• Soothes and conditions skin after sun exposure
• May be blended with wheat germ oil for face care
• Improves skin’s absorption of facial mask nutrients
• Strengthens the hair shaft and restores manageability
• Gentle enough for newborns after bath, diaper changes
• Penetrates into the skin and is an appropriate carrier for diluting for Essential Oils
• Does not stain and washes out with hot water and natural soap

HOW DO I USE IT?
Clients often ask what to use in place of commercial, synthetic moisturizers or products recommended by Dermatologists. I recommend jojoba - straight up on the face, body, in hair - or with Essential Oils.

If you're blending jojoba with Essential Oils, please follow these guidelines:

• 5 total drops of Essential Oils in 1 ounce of jojoba for children, pregnancy, elderly, face care
• 10 total drops of Essential Oils in 1 ounce of jojoba for adults, daily use, massage
• 15 total drops of Essential Oils in 1 ounce of jojoba for acute injury or illness

Click HERE to see recipes using jojoba and other ways to use it

WHERE CAN I GET SOME?
Most health food stores and Wegmans carry jojoba. You may find, like me, that it's quite pricey to purchase it this way. I purchase it in gallons - the Certified Organic version - directly from The Jojoba Company.

I suggest buying jojoba in large quantities and breaking it down into small glass containers for everyone in the home to enjoy.

photo source: http://www.jojobacompany.com/

Recipes: Essential Oil Blending Holiday Open House

Creating Essential Oil gifts for family and friends is a very special process because it involves the heart AND our sense of smell - a sense that is unique to each of us.

The gifts that that were created today were magical, personal - and smelled just amazing! Here is just a small sample of the amazing gifts that were created today.LAURA'S BLENDSBody Scrub 8 oz glass jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
5 drops of Grapefruit
5 drops of Lavender
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Lemongrass

Blend for a friend with Restless Leg2 oz jar filled with Unscented Aromalotion
10 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Cypress
7 drops of Cedarwood
5 drops of Marjoram
5 drops of Tangerine

ANNE'S BLENDS
Hand Sanitizer for Natural Protection from Cooties2 oz snap top filled with pure aloe vera gel
4 drops of Cinnamon
4 drops of Orange
4 drops of Clove

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
6 drops of Balsam Fir
5 drops of Thyme ct thymol
9 drops of Grapefruit
7 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Eucalyptus radiata

CATHY'S BLENDSBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
6 drops of Grapefruit
6 drops of Tangerine
6 drops of Ginger

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
7 drops of Lemon
7 drops of Orange
6 drops of Peppermint
4 drops of Melaleuca alternifolia
7 drops of Eucalyptus globulus

HANNAH & ELLIOT'S BLEND
Morning Shower Gel for Dad
2 oz Dr. Bronner's castile soap baby mild
3 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Siberian Fir
5 drops of Lemon

ANN'S BLENDSSalve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
4 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Jasmine
3 drops of Cinnamon
2 drops of Clove

Salve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
5 drops of Ginger
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Vanilla absolute

Body Massage Oil / Natural Perfume 2 oz glass dropper jar filled with jojoba 5 drops of Bergamot
6 drops of Frankincense
3 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Vintage Patchouli
4 drops of Sandalwood

PATTY'S BLENDBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
10 drops of Vanilla absolute
5 drops of Orange