Authenticity, Book Promotions And Sticking With My Own Darn Voice

looking honestly
at authentic reflection
taking off the mask

Have you ever done or written something because you think it would be what is expected? Something that might make for a good promo, but is absolutely not you? And has it left you with the same hollow feeling than it does when you go to regular nine to five, a feeling of obligatory motion, but no authentic connection?

That is how I have been feeling writing the A to Z challenge this month. Not the content, I love the content of herbs and spices, but I wrote all of these parts a few weeks ago, long before this challenge started. I wrote it in conjunction with my book, when it felt right, when it felt powerful.

But I do not think about spices every day. Once I make myself a mason jar filled with the mixtures I need, I pretty much forget about them. There are other things to think about. Like creating stories through words or images.

So copying and pasting the individual herbs for you here was a motion I went through, thinking about the result of it being a good book promo. And it bored me to death. Instead of showing you my face, my authentic self, I gave you what I thought was the right thing to do.

Well, guess what, it wasn’t. And it stops today. I will write again whatever feels right at the moment, allowing you to hear me speak through a day’s event, a thought about a book, an uplifting message. I abandoned the ship of A to Z Challenge and offer you instead, that if you want to read that guide, you can subscribe to me, and I will send it to you. Free, all of it, in a few days. No strings attached. We both benefit from that much more than if I continue to bore myself and my readers.

I think, I will benefit you more this way. Benefit you, by sharing a story as it develops, write about what moves me, shakes me, scares me, rather than give you something in a neat little-themed box.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the merit in a challenge like the A to Z Challenge. I just don’t see the merit in it for this space. And hope to give you something more valuable in return. Authenticity.

You can have the entire PDF of the A to Z Guide to Herbs and Spices by subcribing to my newsletter below. It will arrive in your email April 30th. Thank you

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Mask – A Haiku

 

do you want to see
beyond the mask I choose to
wear when you are here?

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This blog post was inspired by today’s daily prompt post, which asked us to find a random image via google search, and write about it. The above image is what came up in my search.

 

Time to De-Stress! Make Your Own Facial Masks!

Business, school, and work – often leaves us stressed out, overwhelmed and in dire need of a break. Add kids and a husband to that mix and a few minutes (or a couple of hours) of alone-time are a dream come true, even if a seldom realized one. So every once in a while it is essential to allow yourself a few moments for some pampering activities!

Treating ourselves with  natural beauty treatments, which are so easy and fun,  would be wonderful for a girl’s night (or afternoon)  in.

How about some simple facial masks?

Here two examples of simple, yet effective (and most importantly) de-stressing facial mask you can create at home. Use only the best ingredients available, of course organic.

Simply Delicious Olive-oil-Sugar Peeling Mask

You will need:
3 Tablespoons of high-quality olive oil
2 tablespoons of sugar (unbleached, raw vegan sugar is the best for this)
Mix and GENTLY rub into your face in circular motion, careful not to rub too hard. A gentle, all over rub is efficient, careful to avoid the eyes and the lips. Thoroughly rinse your face, to remove the peeling mask. Dry your face by padding, not rubbing the skin.

 

 

Cool-Calm Yogurt-Lemon-Honey Mask

You will need

6 Tablespoons of organic greek yogurt
the juice of a lemon (again organic)
1 teaspoon of raw honey

Apply mask leave it on 20 to 30 minutes (not longer). Rinse thoroughly with warm – not hot! – water. This mask is a  good remedy for dry skin, as the honey and yogurt are hydrating.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please be advised that you should not use this or any products or natural remedies, without consulting with your health care provider, and avoid them at all cost, if you have allergies. As tempting as these masks sound, keep them out of the reach of children. It also contained affiliate links, see disclosure page for details.