All Natural Recipes - Drinks

Frozen Melon Bliss

serves one

Recipe:

1/2 cantaloupe, diced and frozen

1/2 cup bottled or canned apricot nectar

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 cup chopped ice

banana slice for garnish

Place cantaloupe, apricot nectar, honey and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a slice of banana.

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Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

serves one

Recipe:

1 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 frozen sliced banana

1/2 cup nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt

1/2 cup chopped ice

slice of orange for garnish

Place orange juice, banana, frozen yogurt and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a slice of orange.

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Kiwi Fizz

serves one

Recipe:

2 medium kiwis, peeled

1 tablespoon honey

8 ounces mineral water, chilled

ice cubes

kiwi slices for garnish

Place kiwis and honey in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass, add sparkling water and ice. Garnish with a kiwi slice.

Hand & Foot Scrubs, Exfoliators and Washes

Lavender Flower Hand & Foot Wash

Recipe:

1/2 cup dried lavender flowers

1/2 cup fresh sage, finely chopped

2 cups of water

8 drops of lavender oil

In a saucepan combine lavender flowers, sage and water and simmer, covered, on low heat for about 20 min. Strain mixture through cheese cloth and let cool. Discard solids. Add lavender oil and pat on hands and feet with a wash cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Use this wash to relieve red and inflamed hands and feet.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis): Use with caution during 1st trimester of pregnancy.

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Peppermint and Soy Oil Leg Rub

Recipe:

1/2 cup soy oil

4 drops peppermint essential oil

Combine oils and massage into tired legs. Follow with a warm foot bath. Pat dry.

Peppermint possesses anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, stimulating, decongesting and soothing properties. Soy oil is an effective carrier oil and is absorbed quickly when applied to the skin. Rub provides relief for tired, congested and cramped legs.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Caution or avoid in pregnancy; avoid with known epilepsy.

Thought for the Day

"Grace has been defined as the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul."

- William Hazlitt -

Herbal Baths

Stimulating Basil, Eucalyptus and Peppermint Bath

Recipe:

1/2 cup dried basil to regenerate mental powers

1/2 cup dried eucalyptus for treating lack of concentration

1/2 cup dried peppermint to alleviate mental fatigue and lack of concentration

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Soothing Linden Bath

Recipe:

1/4 cup dried linden for soothing frayed nerves

1/4 cup dried comfrey for healing skin irritations

1/4 cup dried yarrow (an ancient Chinese herb valued for its astringent as well as muscle-soothing properties)

2 tablespoons oatmeal to soften the water

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Revitalizing Ginger, Lemon and Parsley Bath Combination

Recipe:

1/4 minced ginger root for promoting circulation

1/4 cup dried parsley, and herb valued by the ancient Romans as a tonic for the skin

1/2 cup lemon peel (grated) for a cleansing and aromatic effect

2 tablespoons oatmeal to soften the water

All Natural Toners

Rosewater Astringent:

Recipe:

1 cup fresh rose petals

1 cup distilled water

Place fresh petals in a bowl. Bring water to a boil and pour over rose petals. Let steep for 30 min. Strain petals from liquid and store in a glass bottle (amber) in the refrigerator.

Rosewater is a by-product of rose essential oil and can also be made by distilling fresh rose petals in water. Rosewater is a natural astringent and is easy to apply with a cotton ball. Since certain roses are chemically treated to enhance color and prolong their longevity, make sure the petals you use are ENTIRELY chemical free.

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Green Tea Tonic

Recipe:

2 teaspoons powdered green tea

1/2 cup boiling water

Steep green tea in boiling water for 10 minutes and allow to cool. Apply tonic to face with a cotton or gaze. Use aily for best results

This simple tonic cleanses, tones and soothes. It is recommended for aging and tired skin.

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Lemon Mint Toner

Recipe:

1 peppermint tea bag

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup witch hazel

1 talespoon lemon juice

Place tea bag in boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Discard tea bag and allow liquid to cool. Add witch hazel and lemon juice and stre in a glass container in the refrigerator. Apply daily after cleansing the face.

This toner is ideal for normal or slightly oily skin. It will remove any residue, close pores and restore balance to the skin.

What are Chakras?

The word chakra comes from Sanskrit (the secret language of ancient India) and means wheel or turning. As a matter of fact, the chakras resolve continuously. Through the chakras we take in energy from our surroundings. Chakras are the center of awareness in our body. They are energy centers that are neither physical nor anatomical, but metaphysical. Chakras influence our cells, organs, entire hormon system, as well as our feeling and thoughts. We have seven chakras and all of them are aligned on the spinal column. Each of the chakras has its own specific color, name, and symbol. The seven chakras are: root-chakra, sacral-chakra, solar plexus aka naval-chakra, heart-chakra, throat-chakra, third eye aka forehead-chakra, and crown-chakras.

What is Reiki?

As a Reiki Master Teacher I encounter numerous questions concerning Reiki. A lot of information can be found on the Internet - however, some of the information is misleading, inaccurate, other just plain biased. It's almost impossible trying to describe Reiki in a couple of short sentences - but this description sums it up pretty neatly.


Reiki was rediscovered in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800's or early 1900's. He went to Mt. Kurama on a 21-day fasting retreat. On the last day he had a satori (enlightenment).

Reiki is a Japanese form of stress reduction that also promotes healing at the same time. Reiki is based on the Asian concept of life energy. It is done by laying hands on. A subtle energy flows from the hand of the practitioner into the client and it is this energy that creates the relaxation and healing effect. Reiki works on all levels of our being and focuses on the 4 levels of existence: the physical level (the body and manifested pain), mental level (what you are allowing others to think and believe), emotional level (what you are feeling), and spiritual level (your capacity to love yourself and others).

What is Aromatherapy?

Since ancient times essential oils have been thought to benefit the body and mind. Our bodies like all living things, need to be nurtured in order to prosper and function properly. Aromatherapy which uses essential oils derived from plant material restores this balance between body, soul, and mind. Many essential oils are believed to have special properties ranging from aphrodisiac to antiseptic. Others are known to stimulate, rejuvenate, or promote relaxation.

There are many ways to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. Essential oils can be used in/for/as  a steambaths and/or saunas, steam inhalations, aromatic baths and/or showers, sitz baths, aromatherapy massages,  body scrubs, body sprays, body wraps,  compress and/or  poultices, room fragrances and mist spray.

Since essential oils are highly concentrated they should never be applied directly to ones skin or taken internally.

Free Reiki Distance Healing

Please send me an email with the name of the person requesting healing, what he/she is suffering from, and their location. The only requirement is that the person is willing and grateful to receive the energy.


Distance healing works on the spiritual level. We are all connected. Divine law knows no time or space.

Please send email to:

holistictouch@rocketmail.com

Essential Oils Around the House

There are a variety of ways in which one can utilize essential oils around the house.

Air Freshners :

Fill a 120ml mist spray bottle with distilled water and add 120 drops of essential oils or blend of oils. Tighten cap, shake well, and spary the mist into the air. The scent improves and becomes stonger as the mist ages inside the bottle. Hint: To see whether or not 120 drops would be too much - try first 60 drops and gradually increase by 20 drops until you reach 120 drops total. Some people are more sensitive than others. Please keep this in mind when mixing!

Mist Sprays (one of my favorites):

This uses less essential oil, but can quickly freshen up any room or help on a long drive. Add up to 18 drops of essential oil to 125 ml of water. Shake the bottle well before use!

Laundry/Clothes Cupboard:

Put 2-3 drops of essential oil or blend of oils on a cotten ball and place these between linnen and clothes.

Milk Bath

Do you want a soft and silky skin but don't have a lot of money to spare? Why not try this milk bath. It's simple, very affective, and best of all - very affordable.

Mix together well 1 cup (250 ml) instant powdered milk and 1 cup (250 ml) Epsom salt. To this you can add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend of essential oils.

Enjoy!

Headaches

Are you suffering from headaches? Migrane? Is the weather getting to you? Are you influenced by the moon cycles? Maybe this little blend will help. Try it in your aromatherapy lamp.

2 drops of peppermint
4 drops of rosewood
2 drops of lavender

Colds and Flu

WINTER - It's the time of the year we are most prone to catch a cold. This is a wonderful blend you can use in your aromatherapy lamp.

4 drops of eucalyptus
4 drops of lavender
2 drops of peppermint
1 drop of tea tree

Why not enjoy a hot cup of ginger tea at the same time.

Calming Blend

Does life get a hold of you? Are you running in circles? Do you need a little break? This blend might just do the trick:

4 drops of chamomille
3 drops of rosemary
2 drops of ylang ylang

Anxiety Buster

This is a wonderful uplifting blend:

2 drops of clary sage
1 drop of chamomille
1 drop of sandalwood

Coca-Cola - Not Just a Soda or Pop!

The Scientia Potentia Store

Boy, where have I been all this time!! I had no idea that Coca-Cola could be used not only as a leisurely drink (enjoyed by so many) but also as a powerful cleaning solution. Does this mean I have spent hundreds of dollars on environmentally friendly cleaning products while Coca-Cola is doing the same trick, just cheaper? I just had to try. Here are some of my favorite uses for Coca-Cola. I will never look at my Coke the same way!!!!!!


Unclog a drain!
Pour 3 cups of warm cola down your drain and let sit overnight; the soda's citric acid will break up any buildup in your pipes. In the morning just run hot water to help flush the debris. Makes me wonder what it does to my stomach?????

Clean your toilet!
Pour Coca-Cola into your toilet bowl, let it sit there for a couple of hours, then flush. Your toilet will be sparkling clean.

Clean rust in a bathtub!
Saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca-Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in cola will remove the rust.

Clean oil spots from your driveway or inside your garage!
As we all know, grease and oil spilled on your driveway or inside your garage will leave ugly dark stains. A very simple and effective way to remove those stains is to pour Coca-Cola on them and let penetrate overnight. Rinse off with soapy water the following morning. The ugly, unsightly stains will magically have disappeared.

Clean your eyeglasses!
The phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola will clean the dirt from your eyeglasses. Just pour on cola, clean, and rinse with water. Voila -you're done!

Clean tarnished pennies!
What about those pennies we all find in parking lots, alongside sidewalks, malls, etc. Most of them are tarnished. Cleaning them can be a breeze with Coca-Cola. Just fill a glass or cup with Coca-Cola, drop in your penny or pennies (if you're lucky). Let sit for one hour or so, then wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Are You Suffering from a Cold and/or Sore Throat?

The Scientia Potentia Store

It's this time of the year. We feel it coming. Our bones ache, we suffer from headaches, our nose is running, we sniffle.......we just feel MISERABLE. Nasty, tiny, cold "bugs" are attacking us and our immune system. Now it's time for us to bring out our "defense shield - vitamin C". While vitamin C may not prevent colds, it might shorten the length we suffer from common cold symptoms. Fruits and vegetables such as lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, guava, green peppers, red peppers, limes, and cantaloupe are excellent sources of Vitamin C.

Furthermore, why not try a nice cup of hot ginger tea. If you don't like the taste of pure ginger tea, you can mix it with some mint or chamomille tea. Ginger has the ability to tackle viruses and is also known for its anti-inflammatory compounds. Your sore throat will feel better instantly as well due to its anti-inflammatory compounds. Others find relief for their soar throat by gargling with salt water. Just try it and see which one works best for you or which one you like best. Just don't drink the salt water!

And don't forget: Drink lots of liquids (water to prevent dehydration, or tea), enjoy plenty of rest, and eat good, healthy food (such as hot chicken soup with a dash of pepper and/or chilli, and garlic,) so you'll recover faster. I know most people don't appreciate garlic (bad breath) but this herb is a powerful tool to prevent cold and flu viruses from invading and damaging your tissue.

Then, after you have overcome your cold try to gargle daily with this liquid: Water. It will reduce the risks of catching another nasty "cold bug" especially if combined with a healthy diet that contains lots of beta carotene such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes (don't ever ask my son to try this one), spinach, apricots, broccoli, mangoes, cantaloupe, and mangoes.

Remember: Avoid dairy products when you have a cold because they might increase and thicken mucus!

Let the Journey Begin!

Finally, after contemplating whether or not I should join the ranks of bloggers for almost a year - I have jumped the "band wagon." Here I am with a new blog, millions of ideas and thoughts, and a feeling of "what have you done." Please tell me I'm not the only one with feelings like this? Even though I consider myself a more introvert person I enjoy the idea of being a blogger. I believe it's easier to "jot" down a thought or communicate with others through the help of the internet.