Wax and Bubbles

Essential oils are all around us, just like with herbs. The benefits of essential oils goes beyond what most modern-day medicine practicing doctors can prescribe, but getting the benefits of the essential oils in your own home is really very easy. A holistic approach to your ills and moods is the main area where essential oils shine through. With using essential oils in your products you can create custom blends as well as products within your own home. They are very earth-friendly and super easy to make at home. No basic knowledge of making products needs to be known. All you will need to make your custom blends is the essential oils, a carrier oil as well as some patience.

Blending of essential oils:

• Calm Alert Blend:
13 drops of lavender essential oil
8 drops of coriander essential oil
4 drops of grapefruit essential oil

• Invigorating Blend:
17 drops of rosemary essential oil
8 drops of peppermint essential oil

• Relaxation Blend:
20 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops of ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops of frankincense essential oil or can be substituted for sandal wood essential oil

• Sensual Blend:
10 drops of sweet orange essential oil
10 drops of sandalwood essential oil or can be substituted for cedar wood essential oil
5 drops of ylang ylang essential oil

• Calming into sleep Blend:
10 drops sweet almond oil
10 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

• Anti-Depression Blend:
1 drop Rose essential oil
3 drops sandalwood essential oil
1 drop sweet orange essential oil

Treatment time: 80 Minutes
Products Needed:
• Salt body polish infused with juniper, cedarwood and jojoba oils
• Sedona clay
• Body polish infused with juniper, cedarwood and jojoba
• A desert inspired facial massage serum

Equpiment Needed:
• Shower facilities
• Woolen blankets
• Thermal blanket
• Sheets
• Plastic sheet (if desired)
• Bath towels, hand towels, wash clothes and bath mats
• Fetish stones
• Sage wands
• Feather
• Lighter
• Rainstick
• Disposable Gloves
• A willing partcipant

Step 1: The Juniper, Cedarwaood Desert Salt Body Polish:

The actual treatment begins with an application of the juniper, cedarwood desert salt body polish, enveloping the body in the rich , earthy scents of the desert woods and aromatic herbs. The person needs to lay down on a table dressed with a n open sheet, folded sheet and a woolen blanked, and the polish is applied to the entire body with gloved hands. As relaxation and rejuvenation are at the center of this treatment, soothing strokes and relaxing massage techniques should be utilized here. At the end of this step, allow the person a few minutes to shower off the scrub.

Step 2: The Juniper, Cedarwood Sacred Desert Sedona Clay Mask:

Again, have the person lie down on the table and apply a full-body mask of the detoxifying, enriching, energizing Sedona clay to them. The clay mask is also put into the body with gloved hands. The scent of the clay mask will help the person to find innter peaceful calm that centers her. After the clay is applied, a new set of sheets, as well as wool and thermal blankers, are used to wrap the person mummy-style.

Step 3: The Cocoon Wrap and Sage Smudging:

While the person is wrapped in the warm cocoon and experiencing the effects of the Sedona clay, the Fetish stones are used in this step. By plaing one on their hear to help them relax and mediate on the experince. To enhance detoxification, the smoke of burning sage wand is fanned over the person with feathers. This helps to clear out olf energies, as well as being balnace to the body, mind and spirit. After the completion of this step, help the p[erson unwrap and allow them to shower off the clay. Change the sheets at this point yet again.

Step 4: The Juniper, Cedarwood Jojoba Body Lotion:

For the final step in this ritual, have the person again lie on the table, and juniper, cedarwood and jojoba body lotion is applied. Rub the lotion completely into the skin on the entire body. This step ensures a final release of stress and causes relaxation to be reached.

**Having trouble with your toddler? Over at Parenting Toddlers, Randi has some suggestions for using “Time Outs”. Read about it here.**

A massage with aromatic oils can soothe sore muscles, stimulate circulation or promote relaxation. To make your own scented massage oil, you can use either essential oils or fresh or dried herbs mixed with an additional light oil. If you use dried herbs, use half the amount of fresh herbs. For a stimulating massage oil, try rosemary, oregano or mint. For relaxing massage oil, try chamomile, lavender or basil.

This massage oil recipe also can be used as bath oil; simply pour a tablespoon or two of the prepared oil into the bath water.

• 1/2 cup light oil such as almond, apricot, sunflower, or light olive oil will all work as great based for your essential oils.
• 50 drops of essential oil, 1/4 cup fresh herbs or 1/8 cup dried herbs of your choice.

If using essential oils, simple mix the two oils in a clean bottle and shake gently. If using fresh or dried herbs, mix the oil and herbs and heat gently in the microwaver or on the stovetop, but do not let them start to boil. Cool the oil mixture completely and filter out the solids.

To use, pour a small amount onto your clean hands. Rub your hands together to warm the oils, then massage into the skin and muscles. Be sure to comtinue to rub until the essential oils benefits have fully been incorporated into the skin. Also you can use this same mixture on your temples or pulse points of the body for relaxation needs or stress relief. Makes 4 ounces. (Source: Herb Companion 2007)

**Wonder what Wendy Withers has been up to? Over at Artists Passion she tells you. Read about it here.**

To make a perfume blend, choose three to five oils that you like the smell of. Include at least one each top, middle and base note to add to this mixture. You will also need a clean one-ounce bottle with a lid for each blended mixture you make. Also an eyedropper. Be sure and use one that is clean, and have one for each oil you add to your blend so not to mix the smells. You will need a coffee filter and cut it into strips to test your blend.

Using a clean eyedropper, begin by dropping two drops of each of your oils into on of the one-ounce bottles. To repvent crossing the scents, use those seperate eye droppers. Some essential oils come in a dropper top so to make it easier for dispensing. Cap the bottle. shake slowly. Wait a few minutes an uncap the bottle and inhale the scent. Place a drop on the coffee filter strip and inhale. If it is missing more of a scent then another, add a few drops of the essential oil that is missing.

Continue adding the essential oils, drop by drop, until you have a scent you like. Once you have the oil blend you like, you will need to add 15 drops of your oil blend to one ounce of vodka. Add these together in a glass bottle and shake well. You will need to let your perfume combinatio If you would like, you can add the oil blend to a spray top bottle to make it easier to use.

Here are some blends to try:

• Calming Musk:
8 drops sandalwood
3 drops frankincense
2 drops rose
2 drops sweet orange
2 drops tangerine

• Uplifting Citrus:
6 drops grapefruit
5 drops lavender
3 drops tangerine
1 drop ylang ylang
3 drops lemon

• Instant Vacation:
15 drops of rose otto
15 drops of neroli
5 drops of lemon
5 drops of verbena
3 drops of benzoin
3 drops of marjoram
2 drops of clove
2 drops of mimosa

• Summer Breeze:
10 drops of bergamot
10 drops of melissa
10 drops of neroli
5 drops of lanvender
5 drops of petitgrain
7 drops of frankincense
3 drops of juniper

• Spicy Sparkler:
10 drops of grapefruit
10 drops of ginger
10 drops of ylang ylang
10 drops of melissa
5 drops of patchouli
3 drops of cardamom
2 drops of holy basil

• Sweet Floral:
12 drops of Roman chmomile
12 drops of frankincese
12 drops of lavender
4 drops of marjoram
4 drops of melissa
4 drops of linden blossom
2 drops of vetiver

• Fragrant Salvation:
10 drops of frankincense
10 drops of lavender
10 drops of marjoram
10 drops of grapefruit
6 drops of jasmine
4 drops of violet leaf

(For more ideas on oil blended, leave me a comment of what you are seeking and I will be glad to share with you some oil blends that will deliver the mood you are wanting.)

**Ever wondered what it would be like pulling up to a red light next any of the main celebrities? Over at Brad Pitt Watch, Randi has some pictures that were taken by someone who did just that. Read about it here.**
_________________________________________________
Wax and Bubbles Product Spotlight:

Zionsville Candle Company.
Their natural soy candles are made using lead-free wicks, soy bean wax, high quality fragrance, and quality color dyes. In fact, they are considered to be one of the best soy candle companies for making truly natural soy candles.

A facial stream made with fresh parsley (Petroselinum crispum), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinaluis), mint and lemon cuts through the oil and cleans the face throughly. Use a facial steam once or twice a week, and follow with a gently facial scrub and then a facial moisturizer.

Herbal Facial Steam how-to:

2 quarts water
1/2 cup fresh parsley, coarsley chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 cup fresh mint, coarsley chopped
1/2 lemon, sliced
1/2 lime or grapefruit, sliced or diced

Place water, herbs and fruit in a large pot, cover with a lid and bring to a boil over medium/high heat. Remove from the heat and steep for 5 minutes more. Place the pot on a table and remove the lid. Using a large bath towel or tea-towel, make a tent over your head and the pot together. Make sure your head has enough clearance from the pot, for it will be rather hot still from boiling. Steam your face for 10 minutes, using care to not burn yourself. Finish with a gently facial scrub or a mask. Follow those steps with a good skin-balancing facial moisturizer.

**Writers return to the bargining table and over at Watching CSI, KD Griffin has the low-down on what the next steps may be for the networks and writers that are at odds over pay. Read the whole story by clicking here.**

FUTURE POST LOOK-ON:

• Herbal Massage Oil

• Burt’s Bees New Men’s Line

• Spicy Mouthwash

• Herbal Body Soak