Herbal Tea for the Skin

Americans seem to love their coffee and you will hardly ever see people in the US sitting around drinking tea...yet, tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world (water is #1). Whether you are a strict java lover or not, it would be rare if you haven't heard all the benefits of tea: cancer-fighting properties, antioxidant properties, help prevent blood clotting, help lower cholesterol levels, help neutralize enzymes that aid in the growth of tumors, delays aging, etc.

What about benefits of tea on the external body? Facial Herbal Teas are also excellent for steaming your face to deep cleanse your skin and help fight the effects of aging. A herbal blend of chammomile, calendula, lavender, comfrey leaf, and roses is exactly what your skin is thirsty for. The herbal steam is a mini-sauna for the skin.

Chamomile: Replenishes dry skin
Calendula helps eczema, burns, insect bites and other skin problems, moisturizes dry skin.
Comfrey: Aids in skin regeneration
Rose: helps combat dry skin, eczema, and wrinkles and helps maintain a more youthful complexion
Lavender: antibacterial, antiseptic, penetrates and deep cleans the pores.

To use, bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil in a pot. Add 2 tbsp of the herb mixture and let simmer with the lid on for just a couple minutes. Remove the pot from the heat source; steam for 5-8 minutes by draping a large, thick towel over your head and place your face over the steaming herb water.

Spring Clean Your Cosmetics -- 6 ingredients to Go Without

I found an article written by Leeann Brown that discusses the what to avoid in your cosmetics and whys you should avoid them. Honestly, she does such a great job summing all the information together, I would rather direct you to her than do a hack-job paraphrase.
Check it out!!

Transformation and Change

"Without entering and leaving there is no development; without ascending and descending, no transformation, absorption, and storing." - Nei Ching

Basically, if you want to create something -- manifest a dream, thought, vision -- into reality, you must move yourself in a different direction, get yourself out of your routine and regular habits.

Try something new today -- even if it is a different way of driving, or walking, to the store.

Furry Babies

Most of us have 'em; almost all of us love 'em. Pets, or what I often refer to as furry babies. Although, these love bundles are fun, furry, and often crazy, they can be smelly and wreak havoc on your carpet. I don't know about you, but I don't like to use carpet deodorizer -- I worry about chemicals getting in the paws of my wee ones. So, I have searched long and wide and have found this all natural, DIY carpet deodorizer that is the closest to doing nothing I can find and the essential oils HELP TO REPEL FLEAS (can it get more perfect???):

1 cup borax (you can find this in your grocery store and is a common ingredient in lots of DIY, natural home cleaning kits)
1 cup baking soda
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil Combine ingredients in a plastic, or glass, container.
TO USE: Sprinkle over your carpet; let sit 20 minutes. Vacuum as usual.

ENJOY playing tug-a-war or rubbing the belly of your furry baby while enjoying a nice smelling, flea-repelling carpet.