by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 22, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, At Home, Products
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“Relax, it’s Soy Wax!” Lavender and Geranium Aromatherapy Candle
Lavender & Geranium
I admit I cheated here and bought a kit. Lavender, as we know, kicks butt at making us chill out. Geranium is a floral scent which sooths tension, uplifts moods and reduces stress. I say mix them together for a sensory mood booster after the chaos of Christmas and New Year!
In my 10-candle kit from All Australian Candle Making I got:
♥ 10 little glass candle containers with lids
♥ 1kg soy wax
♥ Wick assemblies (wicks with a metal disc at the bottom)
♥ You’ll also need pegs from the washing line and essential oils
In a double boiler, or in a big metal or glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, melt the soy wax by stirring continuously. When it has all melted, add your essential oils. I kept adding my lavender and geranium until it was strong enough for me.
Tricky bit #1: Getting wax into containers, not all over kitchen bench. I ended up using a ladle to fill them to about 1.5cm from the top.
Now, let them sit for a little but keep your eye on them. You’ll notice the melted wax, which looks similar to egg whites, will start to solidify and turn white.
Tricky bit #2: Setting the wicks. When the bottoms of the containers have about 1cm of white wax, carefully place a wick in the middle and squash the metal disc into the “muddy” wax at the bottom. You can use a wooden skewer to help push the metal disc down, and if you do so it’s easy to see the wax encasing the disc. Once you’ve got the disc in the solid wax, peg the wick so that the peg rests on the edges of the container, keeping the wick straight.
If the wax solidifies at the bottom too much and the wick won’t set, pop the candle (without wick!) into the microwave for a quick blast, or dip it in some hot water.
When the candles are completely white, you can remove the pegs and cut the wicks.
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Make sure you pop a glass plate or coaster under the candle when you burn it. If the aromatherapy doesn’t relax you, surely a candle lit room will!
By Gemma Clark, an 8-hours-a-night sleeper with soft lips whose entire house smells like a lavender bush.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 22, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, At Home, Products
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Citrus Buzz Beeswax Lip Balm
Grapefruit, orange & mandarin
This one is for those who can’t leave the house without a stick of Burt’s Bees, the citrus is lip-smackingly yummy and refreshing.
You will need:
♥ Orange essential oil
♥ Grapefruit essential oil (I used pink rather than yellow)
♥ Mandarin essential oil
♥ Cosmetic beeswax pellets (1/2 tablespoon for every tube/tub you want to make)
♥ Carrier oil – I used sweet almond oil (1 tablespoon for every tube/tub you want to make)
♥ Lipstick shavings from your favourite colour (use a paring or peeling knife to keep the lippy in shape)
♥ 5mL plastic lip balm tubes or tubs (you can use an old lippy tub or buy new)
♥ Pipette or small funnel
♥ A glass jar with a metal clasp fastener, not a screw lid
Put the beeswax and carrier oil in a jar and snap the lid closed. Pop the jar in a pot of water on medium-low heat and the wax will start to melt. Once all melted, remove the jar from the water and pop it on a tea towel. Stir the mixture with a metal spoon and add your essential oils until the scent is strong enough for your liking. Stir in the lipstick shavings until you’ve got the colour intensity you’d like.
Use a pipette or funnel to transfer the mixture to your tubes or pots and let it set for an hour with the lids off.
Eat your heart out, Burt’s Bees!
By Gemma Clark, an 8-hours-a-night sleeper with soft lips whose entire house smells like a lavender bush.
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 21, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, At Home, Products
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I’ve always been intrigued by the senses we have, and losing even one would be life changing. No tasting mum’s cooking, no watching your favourite trash TV, no cuddling with your dog and feeling how soft his ears are, no listening to your girlfriends re-cap a bad date, no smelling the roses/the coffee/clean laundry.
Which is why I think we should make the most of our senses and push them to the sensory limits.
My grandad went blind a few years ago. He was a computer nut, a woodworker and loved watching the cricket at the WACA. Fast forward to now, his life is completely different. Really, all he wants is a good nights’ sleep because the sun no longer controls his body clock.
This got me thinking about ways to relax and calm the mind to drift off to sleep when you’re limited by the senses you do, or don’t, have. I always breathe very deeply to fall asleep, so to enhance the benefits of focusing on breathing for relaxation I started to look into aromatherapy.
After all my research, I ended up realising I’d get more bang for my buck making a few different natural products if I was going to invest in essential oils and other aromatherapy supplies. The three below work out as nice cost-effective Christmas presents if you make them in bulk (around 10 or more of each) and use similar essential oils in each.
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“Dream On” Pillow Spray
Lavender, orange & lemongrass
According to Smell Boffins & Researchers, lavender produces calming, soothing and sedative effects when the scent is inhaled. Lemongrass revitalises the body and relieves the symptoms of jetlag, clears headaches and helps to combat exhaustion and stress-related conditions. Just what grandpa ordered!
You will need:
♥ Lavender essential oil
♥ Orange essential oil
♥ Lemongrass essential oil
♥ Water
♥ 30-50mL plastic spray bottle (re-use an old hair product container, or buy new)
This is dead easy. Fill the bottle up to about 1cm from the top (excl. where the cap screws on). Either straight from the bottles, or using a pipette, add:
6ish drops of Lavender
4ish drops of Orange
4ish drops of Lemongrass.
You might need more if you’re bottle is bigger than about 50mL, or if you want a bit more oomph!
Shake well, spritz on pillows and bed linen, sleep tight all night!
Stay tuned for 2 more posts and yummy recipes to try! x
By Gemma Clark, an 8-hours-a-night sleeper with soft lips whose entire house smells like a lavender bush.
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 20, 2011 | Interviews, Organic, Products
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
Well hello! My name is Haley but I get called Peachy-my nanna was called Pinky as she only ever wore Pink…not just any pink ‘HOT’ Pink! From head to toe! She knew what she loved and so do I. I’m a total nerd for organic skincare! Give me a Friday night researching the effects of things like bromonitrodioxane and diethanolamine and I’m one content little peach! I’m one of those annoying people who won’t let you pull a tube of Lucas Paw Paw ointment out of your pocket without giving you a 15 minute speech on why it’s so toxic- I’ll then make you buy an organic replacement before I let you out of my sight (here’s one we reviewed earlier – Ed.)…I’m also one of those people you call 2 days later saying “thank god you converted me to natural products-I look and feel so much better” ha!
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I’ve been a Television Presenter, Radio Announcer, Columnist and MC for the last 10 years so I’ve used a lot of products in that time. I can honestly say that since learning about and switching to natural products-my skin has never been so clear, hydrated and smooth. My passion is my new business Peachy Clean Organic Beauty Boutique! I have personally tried every single product on the site and only sell the brands I find really luxurious and effective!
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
My daily beauty routine is a total treat! I’m lucky I get to wake when the sun is peeping through the trees (and not to some loud beeping-although I do occasionally wake to some loud snoring thanks to my boyfriend!) I believe a good nights sleep and plenty of water are two of the best beauty treatments you can get-but who really ever gets enough of either?
That’s where good skin care comes in. In the morning I use the Vanessa Megan Organic Rose Spray to freshen up and throughout the day I can’t live without my Savi Organic Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (you can’t get too much of a good thing and a beautiful face mist is definitely a good thing!).
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In the shower I love the Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash (It feels like whipped cream and leaves your skin so silky), Vanessa Megan Love Scrub (with rose and lavender petals um-mar it’s good!) usually followed by my Sodashi face care routine of-Rejuvenating Concentrate, Clay Cleanser with Lavender (just the best clay cleanser available!), Calming Rose Face Mist (yes-more mist!), Rejuvenating Face and Neck Moisturiser and either Sodashi Vanilla Body Butter or Vanessa Megan Peruvian Flower Body Moisturiser. My skin care is so natural that if I ever got stranded on an island I could eat it!
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
My favourite beauty treatment is an all over exfoliation with just 3 drops of Sodashi Rejuvenating Concentrate. Just a little of this liquid gem goes a long way and after using it on my face, I use the rest of the mixture to exfoliate from head to toe (using my Dr Hauschka Organic Cotton Compress)-it’s the only product that is as gentle on your face as it is tough on dry legs and heels! Seriously-it’s a miracle treatment that takes place right in my own bathroom. You should wear a cape and wave a little wand while using it (a ‘Ta-Da!’ is optional but always encouraged).
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
For years I have searched and spent outrageous amounts of money on fancy hair salons with big advertising campaigns and now I’m finally satisfied! One of my best friends is Natasha Walker-an amazing at home hairdresser and getting my hair done is now fun. A good chat and then whip your hair over the laundry sink before driving home with your head hanging out the car window like a pampered puppy! She listens and has saved me a small fortune too!
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
The best and cheapest beauty treatment is so simple. Be grateful, be loving and be kind. Flip everything on it’s head and be positive. The most beautiful people in the world are happy people. Corny-but so true! Be as healthy as you can but also realise you can’t do everything right all the time-switching to natural skin care is an effortless way to make sure you’re doing something healthy for your body everyday.
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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Just three?? I’m a total product addict-you should see my bathroom cabinet and bedside table! I can’t live without my Savi Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (I keep it in the fridge on hot days), Sodashi rejuvenating concentrate and the certified organic Eco Tan fake tan-it doesn’t smell or stain and contains chocolate as an ingredient! It gives the most amazing bronze colour. (My 4th would be a beautiful Floriosa soy candle burning in the living room-my fave is the Blackcurrant, Rose Petal and Nectarine-that’s one helluva candle! I have one burning right now!).
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♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Definitely! I only use ALL-natural products. The preservatives in most ‘commercial’ skin care actively dry your skin out and cause fine lines and skin irritations. Ever used a lip balm only to feel like you need to keep applying? It’s the parabens (preservative) that dry your lips out! When your lips are so dry, the feeling of putting the balm on your lips makes you feel like it’s working when it’s actually what’s causing the problem! It’s such a mean cycle-and it’s the same in most moisturisers and cleansers. Natural products are the only way to treat the largest organ of your body (your skin) if you want genuine long lasting results. The medicinal Organic Soothing Cream has done wonders to reverse skin irritations caused by sub-par products on many friends! If you have dry or itchy skin problems I recommend it.
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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I would love to go on a retreat for a few days. Massages, good food, peace and more massages! They get so pricey though! Using luxury products, even just a nice hand cream or room spray is how I bring the day spa to me! It’s important to treat yourself!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
I’m terrible in the mornings-before I notice it’s 1pm and I haven’t had breakfast and then I usually have a massive meal at bedtime! It’s not a good habit so I’m currently sorting it out by having protein shakes with chia seeds and blueberries in the morning, a bigger lunch and then eating lots of fish and veggies for dinner. I naturally prefer healthy foods (nutritionist and cookbook author Janella Purcell is my kindred food spirit-I totally recommend her books – Janella Purcell’s Elixir: How to Use Food as Medicine
) but I don’t deny myself either! I love a fancy champagne and if you take cheese away from me I cry! You gotta enjoy yourself too 😉 (my ‘happy people are beautiful” comment earlier justifies me being naughty whenever I want ha ha!)
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
My fitness routine is…a little on the whimsical and inconsistent side! I live near the beach so I go for a big walk along the coast daily or just as often as I can-it’s just so good for my heart and my head. I sing quite loudly and often skip and grin like an idiot the whole way. It’s great when you smile at someone, then they smile, then someone else smiles back-it’s contagious! It makes looking a bit silly totally worth it!
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♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I try to use food as medicine (my fave nutritionist Janella Purcell has an amazing book called ‘Elixer‘ about this). Your body responds so well to nature! I try to enjoy as many superfoods as I can every day! I do love to get regular massages-I take my own Savi Organic Wellbeing Massage Oil with me to ensure I get a natural treatment-even the masseuse now buys it to use on other clients!
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
A head to toe beauty treat using products that I know are good for me and smell like heaven in a jar relaxes me every time! I also love to cook and potter in the veggie patch! My boyfriend and I treat ourselves to some fun when we can too-camping in Esperance or a sunset with some oysters and bubbly never fails to re-boot the system and remind you that little worries are never as important as being loved, being healthy and having a giggle!
Thanks to Haley for taking time out of her super busy schedule to have a chat with us and share her deliciously natural routine! 🙂
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 13, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, Food, Wellness Tips
I used to think that having a large meal for breakfast would give me the most energy for an enthusiastic and energetic day, but for the last 2 years or so my breakfast has pretty much always been a smoothie. I feel lighter, more focused and full of calm vitality rather than bogged down looking for that caffeine kick which I used to.
If my body isn’t working hard to digest a big, dense meal, then that energy can be put towards living an amazing life. The amount of vitamins and minerals, good quality omega 3 fats, easily absorbable sprouted proteins and just enough low glycemic index carbs in this smoothie keeps me full, yet light and energetic for hours.
I’m not saying I don’t like a delicious meal. I love to eat! But after playing with different ways to start the day, this definitely works best for me. Imagine trying to get all of this goodness in solid food form as you get ready for work in the morning! It would be like having a huge bowl of greens, a hand full of olives, a whole bunch of sprouted seeds and nuts, mushrooms, herbs etc. If you down this smoothie all that goodness is straight into your system.
♥ Stu’s Smoothie
The recipe!
♥ However big you want your smoothie, put that much water in the blender.
♥ A serving of Sunwarrior protein which I get at Prana Healthfoods or a serving of Garden of Life Raw Protein
♥ 1 teaspoon of Spirulina and 1 teaspoon of Chlorella, both which I get at Prana or Organic on Charles.
♥ About 1 teaspoon of Himalayan Crystal Salt, which I get at Prana.
♥ 1 teaspoon of maca root
♥ 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you like a little kick.
** ♥ ½ teaspoon of ashwagandha
** ♥ ½ teaspoon of triphala
** ♥ 1 teaspoon of reishi mushrooms, all of which I often get directly from India or from https://herbsupplies.com.au/ or http://www.indiaabundance.com
** With these herbs, do your research or see an ayurvedic practitioner and/or naturopath to find out if these herbs are suited to you. Every body is different. As for the rest of the herbs they’re suited to most people.
Blend all of this up and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of either agave nectar or honey for sweetness and if you want extra thickness and carbs add a banana.
Next step; enjoy!
Stu’s smoothie will give you enough energy for THIS!
Stuart is a yoga teacher and holistic life coach based in Perth, Western Australia. He is known for his unique, heart-felt self expression and inspirational style of teaching. Stuart’s classes incorporate Vinyasa Flow Asana and Akhanda Yoga with most of the emphasis being on transformation and healing.
He teaches with raw yet compassionate honesty which helps his students and clients bring the qualities practiced on the mat into daily life.
The combination of the ancient wisdom of yoga coupled with Western approaches to wellness, such as life coaching and fitness training has allowed Stuart to form a highly effective and unique approach to wellness and to life itself.
Pics by http://nkphotographyblog.com/
What do you think of this super smoothie?
Be well,
xoxo
