10 Benefits Of Sweet Orange Essential Oil

I love the scent of oranges, so it is no surprise that sweet orange essential oil is my favorite essential oil. The benefits of sweet orange essential oils are vast and do not differ from the bitter orange essential oils also available on the market in its application.

What is the difference between bitter and sweet orange essential oil?

The difference lays in origin and preparation. While the bitter orange essential oil is derived from a hardy bitter orange tree’s fruit, via cold-pressed technique, while the sweet orange oil comes from a smaller tree, that surprisingly yields  larger fruit than the former tree. Because their chemical compound is almost identical, their therapeutic uses are no different, as I mentioned above.

There is however,  a third orange oil, the orange blossom oil, which has different uses. It is derived exclusively from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. Its therapeutic uses are for skincare, anxiety, stress and shock – via Aromatherapy.
I personally prefer the scent of the sweet orange essential oil.

Here is a list of ten benefits of sweet orange essential oils:

– mood-lifting
– relaxing
– helps in creating emotional and physical balance
– promotes detoxification
– used to clarify skin in skin care preparations
– Use several drops to the palm of your hands, and inhale for a more positive outlook
– Add several drops to bath water to calm the nerves, and enhance your immune system
– Add several drops orange oil to a clean damp washcloth and toss in the dryer to freshen your clothing, you can also add the oil to your homemade non-toxic laundry detergent.
– Add 10 drops orange oil and three drops peppermint oil to a spray bottle for a great non-toxic air freshener.
– Add orange oil to a diffuser in your office in order to ensure a calm working environment

 

Questions: What is your favorite essential oil, and what are your favorite ways to use it?

If you want to learn more about essential oils, check out bestselling book Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing by Althea Press 

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil For Dogs

——– This post contains affiliate links ———–

When administrating natural products to our pets, there are – for a good reason – some serious questions that come up
Today, I am answering the top 4 questions asked related to the health benefits of coconut oil for dogs.

Most common questions people ask me, when the topic of adding coconut oil to a dog’s diet comes up are:

1. Is coconut oil safe for dogs?
2. Why should I give my dogs coconut oil?
3. What is the best type of coconut oil for dogs?
4. How to administer coconut oil to the dog

Is coconut oil safe for dogs?
Generally speaking, it is safe for most dogs. Like people, animals can present allergies, so as with all new medication, remedies and food changes, watch your dog very closely.The most common side effects of giving coconut oil is  some greasy stool and upset stomach, which occurs most often because it was introduced too quickly to the dogs diet. If your dog shows severe signs of upset, is vomiting or has excessive diarrhea contact your vet, and disclose that you are introducing coconut oil.

 

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Why should I give my dogs coconut oil?
Coconut oil has a wide variety of health benefits for your pets as well as for you. The health benefits for your dogs
are the following:

– antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties
– aids in recovery and prevention of allergic reactions
– balances thyroid and weight issues
– reduces doggy odor
– improves digestion
– aids in healing from wounds and scrapes
– aids in the reduction and healing of dry spots
– helps reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis and joint dysfunction
– reduces bad breath
– prevents diabetes

What is the best type of coconut oil for dogs?
Make sure you read the label of your coconut oil closely. You should always use organic coconut oil that is
non-gmo (I would highly recommend that you choose the same if you are planning to use it for cooking human food)
Coconut oils vary in their flavors – some of them greatly. For your pet, you want to look for a coconut oil that has little
or no coconut flavor, like this Island Fresh Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, which is my dogs favorite. It is also cold-pressed, which assures that it is of highest quality
How to administer coconut oil to the dog:
While some dogs are eager to try new things, others – like one of my own – need a little bit of convincing. But there
are some ways to make giving coconut oil a little easier to your dog, by making your own dog treats or by purchasing
dog treats made with coconut oil. Some dogs love the taste so much so, that they will enjoy licking it off a spoon!

Coconut Smiles – Dehydrated Organic Coconut Treats for Dogs Buy It Now!

 

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER – DO NOT START WITH THE RECOMMENDED DOSE!
Gently introduce coconut oil to your dog’s diet, by including it into your homemade dog food or treats. Start with a fourth
of the dose, then slowly increase the dose over the next 4 weeks. This will prevent stomach upset, and the dreaded greasy
diarrhea, that comes from introducing coconut oil too quickly. The recommended dose of coconut oil for your dog depends on its weight:

Coconut Oil Dosage: 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight

 

 

 

Do you have any additional questions regarding coconut oil for dogs? Leave me a comment below!

 

A Deodorant For People With Aluminum Zirconium Sensitivity – Cruelty-Free And Vegan

——-This post may contain affiliate links – see disclosure page for details ——-

As many people who are allergic to certain product ingredients are aware of, it is often a hassle finding a product
you can safely use, one that does not leave bumps, redness, and itchy irritation behind. For a long time, that was my
major problem with commercial deodorants.

There are some wonderful folks on Etsy and various local shops that create perfect handcrafted beauty products for people like me, and while I am forever grateful to them, I am often left looking for another alternative after a shop closes,
or we move, which has happened rather frequently throughout the years.
So finding a deodorant that does not include Aluminum Zirconium or any other ingredient that I might have a reaction to,
and being able to order it from Amazon makes my life so much easier.

Natural Sea Spray Deodorant by Skin2Spirit  does not only fit my sensitivity needs, but is also cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, paraben free, and 100 % natural.

Instead, it contains the following wonderful ingredients:

Purified Water, Organic Aloe, Magnesium Chloride, Witch Hazel (alcohol-free), Essential Oils and / or Natural Flavors / Scents,Glycerine, Potassium Sorbate, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid (Vitamin C), Water
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE OIL: Pure and natural from the Dead Sea, antiviral, antimicrobial, helps reduce odor from bacteria

ORGANIC ALOE: Moisturizer, emollient, and excellent for scars, burns, rashes, and dry skin.

WITCH HAZEL (Alcohol-Free): Soothing, natural astringent to help alleviate stinging for sensitive skin. Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory

ESSENTIAL OILS: Including Tea Tree, a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal solution from the Melaleuca tree

SILVER CITRATE / POTASSIUM SORBATE: When combined make a powerful broad spectrum
antimicrobial that helps stop odor in its tracks

I have been using this deodorant for more than a week now, and I am very happy with the result. I  must say, that people
who use natural deodorants for the first time – which is not the case for me – should expect a detox period, meaning that
it will take about two weeks before this deodorant or any natural deodorant will bring full the full effect you may
desire. This is normal and should not discourage you from making the switch – your skin and health will
thank you for making that decision.

I highly recommend this product for anyone with allergies and sensitivities to standard and mass-produced
deodorants, even more so if you are vegan, and want to live a cruelty-free lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This product was given to me at a deep discount in return for an honest and unbiased review. See the
disclosure page for more details.

A to Z Blogging Challenge – Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary: Letter O

———- This post may contain affiliate links —————

Welcome back for another week of A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Symbols Dictionary. This week begins with the letter O. But before we get started I want to share 10 quick facts about Oolong Tea – which is suitable for tea leaf readings – that you might not have known.

Organic Oolong Tea Available on Amazon Now

1. Stabilizes blood sugar
2. Alleviates skin problems
3. promotes healthy hair
4. Prevent osteoporosis
5. prevents tooth decay
6. strengthens the immune system
7. aids digestion
8. increases mental alertness and focus
9. boosts metabolism
10. lowers cholesterol.

These reasons alone should be initiative enough to make you add some more of Oolong tea into your daily regiment!

Let’s get to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary:

Letter O

Oaktree: symbol of strength and endurance. A powerful and positive symbol that speaks of strong relationships, wealth, and achievement. A prosper and abundant marriage

Oil-Can: You are worried and concerned about something

Onions: Hidden beneath some layers are secrets that need to be revealed. These secrets will bring some discomfort and sorrow.

Organ: Not a symbol that reads well on its own. Musicians will find this a positive sign, as it speaks of achievement in their field.

Owl: This is an unfortunate symbol. Do not expect any positive movement forward at this time. If the owl is flying grief is involved. Someone is speaking ill behind your back. If you are asking about a upcoming change, this symbol is a warning to be careful as you proceed.

Ox: Your house and home is filled with abundance and domestic bliss.

I hope you enjoyed today’s symbols. See you again tomorrow!

Tea-Lightful Blessings!

Claudia

Check out Aloha’s Beauty teas, and their free trial tea boxes today! No Coupon Code Needed for the free trial! Cancel anytime!

Also makes a great Mother’s Day Gift!

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Azure Naturals: A Vegan, Cruelty-Free Skin Care Line Suitable For Sensitive Skin – A Review

 

Over the last few months, I have been looking for a suitable skin care regime for myself, that
would actually live up to my fairly stringent criteria, while being effective. While this search
has been leading to some frustrations, I have come across several products, I can actually happily endorse,
and Azure Natural skin care line happens to be one of them.

What I look for in a skin care product line:
1. Cruelty free
2. Preferably vegan, but not necessarily (I will use products containing honey, as I am already restricted on what I can safely use I will state if the product is or is not vegan)
3. Fitting for sensitive skin (I have several allergies, and never know when my face reacts to something in various degrees
4. It suits my somewhat aging skin (lets face it, I am in my early 40’s, I have different skin care needs, than a 20 year old)

I have been using the Azure Natural Ocean Minerals Skin Care Line for the last two weeks now, and wanted to share with you,  my experience with these cruelty-free products.

The skin care products I have been using are three of their products:

1. Ocean Minerals Facial Cleanser
2. Ocean Minerals Facial Toner
3. Ocean Minerals Facial Moisturizer

Ocean Minerals Facial Cleanser
This Organic Facial cleanser comes in a 4 oz pump bottle, containing wonderful ingredients such as Organic Aloe, Rosehip and
Tea Tree Oil. I love how this cleanser leaving my skin feel balanced, not overly dry, nor oily. It has a very faint scent, which for someone like me who does not like strong scented beauty products (unless I am wearing perfume), absolutely perfect.
After almost two weeks, it has not given me any adverse reaction, while cleansing my skin perfectly.

Ocean Minerals Facial Toner
Again containing ingredients that are organic and natural, in its case Aloe, Irish Moss and Sea Kelp, this toner is a nice addition to my skin care routine. I have previously always neglected using a toner, but will from now on, as it has lessened the size of my pores. Also, it adds an extra layer of protection from environmental effects, which is always a great thing. This is also only minimally scented and feels cool upon application. Comes in a 4 oz spray bottle.

Ocean Minerals Hydration Cream
I love this moisturizer. Containing Aloe, Irish Moss, and Shea Butter, this creme leaves my skin soft and smooth without producing an oily or sticky film. I find it to be the perfect way to end a morning facial routine, light enough to wear under makeup, and nongreasy. It comes in a 1.7 oz pump bottle.

All of the above products are, as I mentioned vegan, cruelty-free, organic and very natural.
If you are looking for a great gift for Mom on Mother’s Day, or want to treat yourself to a beautiful skin, I highly recommend
Azure Natural’s Ultimate Ocean Mineral Skin Care Line. It is available on Amazon now.

Meditation, Mindfulness And The Letter M: A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Symbols

Today, I want to show you how tea can become a part of a mindfulness and meditation practice. Tea ceremonies and rituals are a form of this meditation, but they do not have to be as elaborate as these. A simple, yet effective tea meditation is shown in the video below:

Letter M:

Magnet: An attraction that is to the point of irresistibility toward someone – but they will not be a good match

Magnifying Glass: Stop exaggeration the situations. You are drawn to and create drama. A bad habit that needs to be dropped.

Maltese Cross: A continued struggle, going from one place or situation of trouble, to the next situation or place that is just as much trouble.

Man: An unexpected visitor

Mask: there are some unknown factors that are about to be known to you. None of these factors will be pleasant so be prepared.

Meat: financial worry and trouble

Medal: A well-deserved reward is coming your way

Mice: someone is stealing from you. Watch your possessions.

Monk: spiritual upset or quarrel of some kind

I hope you enjoyed today’s tea meditation and symbols.

 

ho

Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary – Letter L – An A To Z Blogging Challenge Post

This post may contain affiliate links

Matcha tea might be completely useless for tea leaf reading, but should be mentioned here anyway, not just because it
seemed to be a very trendy tea at the moment, but because it is rightfully so. With multiple health benefits, this green
powder is a powerhouse of the teas.

Here are just some of the health benefits of this tea. 

1. Improves mental alertness and clarity
2. Detoxifying
3. increases strenght of immune system
4. prevents and assists in bacterial, fungal and viral infections
5. assists with cardiovascular health
6. energy booster.

(Disclaimer: I am legally required to mention that Matcha tea has not been approved to treat any aillments by the FDA. Check with your health care professional for details)

What is exactly is Matcha Tea anyway?

Grown from the shade-grown tea leaf known as tencha, this green tea is powdered, and gets added to hot water while whisking it, creating a frothy type of beverage. Originally used for health purposes only, during it’s original time in China,
Japanese Monks realized the power of this wonderful tea, and cultivated the production of this type of green tea.

A word of caution
Matcha tea contains caffein, and also has been known to cause allergic reaction in some sensitive people. Also people with hypothyroidism should stay away from Matcha tea (as well as all black and green teas) due to its fluriod content.
Let’s get back to our daily dose of Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary! Today’s letter is L. Enjoy!

Letter L:

 

Ladder: Advancement. You are climbing up the ladder. Slow but steady process toward the successful end goal you are seeking.

Lamb: A surprising success is on its way. If you were doubting your path, it will become clear soon.

Lantern: A light shining through troubled times. Better times are on its way, just keep on going.

Leaves: Leaves speak of prosperity, as a result of your hard work and self-discipline. New connections and friends are on their way.

Leg: A motion forward.

Lettuce: Depression, and lack of energy

Lighthouse: A good sign of guidance, and reassurance. If the lighthouse is broken, do not trust the advice that was given to you – as there are troubled waters on the horizon.

Lightning: check out the location of the lightning in the cup. If it is anywhere but the bottom, it indicates bad weather, if it is on the bottom of the cup it indicates property and personal damage due to weather. Next to a human figure means that electrical problems and dangers are related to that person.

Lion: A very positive symbol of prosperity and power. You are about to enter a positive season of your life. If you are looking for recognition, it is on its way.

 

If you are looking for a high-quality Matcha tea  you can trust and enjoy, check out this Organic Matcha by Kiss Me Organics. A very high-quality green tea powder that is USDA organic certified, and has a strong, welcoming flavor, that Matcha tea should have. I love that  it is also guaranteed to be non-gmo, is vegan, and simply delicious. I am a fan of Kiss Me Organic products, and this Matcha tea is no different. Try it out! Available on Amazon now!

(Disclaimer: I was given Organic Matcha by Kiss Me Organics for free in return for an honest, and unbiased review).

4 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Raw Meals

This post contains affiliate links – as well as a vegan raw food recipe, so read all the way to the end!

I do not limit my diet to a particular lifestyle, may it be raw vegan, or otherwise, but rather optimize my food that fits my life, and health the best, as long as I eat 95 % clean. I do however add quite a few vegan raw food recipes into my diet, and that of my family with very diverse eating habits (my daughter is vegan, my son vegetarian, and my husband is on a diet to prevent blood pressure issues, while being neither). The raw food diet though, is a concept I have been familiar with since childhood, growing up in Germany. Rohkost or raw food meals were used to treat certain ailments, or just simply made as  a part of our meals. At least, is was in our family.

The cool thing is, that you do not need anything fancy to start incorporating raw meals into your diet, even though many recipes can call for spiralizers and special high-speed blenders. While these are all good to have, for those who want to start out, they are not something you need. Your normal everyday tools  appliances can get you started just as well.

So why should you try to get more raw food recipes and meals into your diet?

1. The nutrients and vitamins stay intact.The main benefit of eating raw is that the nutritional integrity of the food you are preparing stays intact. Cooking foods can  ( and usually does) destroy some of those vitamins, minerals and all of the good stuff you are trying to bring into your diet, by eating more veggies in the first place. None of that occurs when preparing your meals raw.

2. There is no long meal prep.  Most raw meals are rather quick and easy to prepare. So it is easily possible to prepare an entire meal for your family within ten minutes. How cool is that!

3. It is very portable. A bento box full of veggies, and prepared sauces or dressings is a very portable meal, that does not require a microwave or a stove to be enjoyed. Raw meals are perfect for the office, and can be just as balanced as a cooked meal if planned correctly.

4. Increased focus. Many people I have talked to, who added more raw meals to their diet have spoken about their increased ability to stay focused for a longer period of time. I agree with that experience, because when I make a point of incorporating more raw meals throughout the week into my life, my ability to stay longer on task increases noticeably. While I am not aware of a specific study validating that claim, it is my personal experience, and understandably so, considering that my nutrient intake has increased, which also affects brain function positively.

Wondering how to actually turn this into a practice, now that you know why you should?

You can start simple, by a large bowl of fruit for breakfast, or a variety of cut up veggies with your favorite homemade salsa
or hummus as a dip. But you can also make yourself a soup, if you have a blender, like this creamy tomato soup

Creamy Raw Tomato Soup Recipe (Vegan) 

You will need
4 tomatoes
2 medium carrots – peeled
1 to 2 celery
1 tablespoon of your favorite almond butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 -3 dried tomatoes (not in olive oil)
2 teaspoons of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of dried  basil
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
some water

Place all of the ingredients into a blender, adding water to it, while you blend it all up, until it reaches the desired consitency.
Place into your favorite bowl and granish with arucola, or parsely – whatever you have on hand.

 

 

If you are feeling more adventurous, check out this book by a wonderful Youtuber named Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, also known as Raw Food Kristina. I absolutely adore her tips on raw foods, meal prep, her raw vegan recipes and now her book, which is a Bestseller on Amazon – for good reason. A great book to start your journey on eating more raw – get it today! Ranging from savory to sweet, there is something for everyone in her book!

The Fully Raw Diet available on Amazon now! 

 

Check out the following blog hops to connect with other bloggers, foodies and more!

Fun Friday Favorites 

Friday Home Link Up

Friday Finds And Favorites

No Rule Weekend Blog Party

Extra Veg April Linky

Be Inspired

A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary Letter G

Hi, and happy Friday! Friday’s – before this April Blogging Challenge started, used to be reserved for gratitude on this blog. So I am going to take advantage of this sentiment, and say that I am grateful for you reading my series, and for being a part of this larger blogging community! Thank you

I have compiled a list of interesting facts about tea for your today. 22 Facts to be exact. I wonder how many of those you know. Let me know which of these surprised you the most:

22 Facts about Tea

1. In Russia tea was traditionally prepared in a samovar, which is a heated metal container that keeps it warm for hours.
2. Ireland is the first nation of tea drinkers per capita, Britain is the second.
3. A tea plant needs at least 50 inches of rain each year
4. It takes 12 years for a tea plant to be able to produce seeds
5. If not harvested, a tea plant can grow up to 52 feet tall
6. Over half of the tea brewed in the US is made from tea bags – about 65 %.
7. Black tea contains tannic acid, which can remove warts
8. In order to appear that they are drinking whiskey, Actors usually get watered down black tea, which looks very similar.
9. The first book about tea comes from China, and was written in 780, and is called The Classic of Tea.
10. Black, Green, Oolong, Dark and White teas come from the same plant, called Camellia sinensis.
11. High tea originated with the working class British, who would return home at 6pm for dinner that always included strong tea
12. According to Chinese Legend, the servants of Emperor Shen Nong where purifying water by boiling it, when leaves from the tea bush fell into the water. It was at that time considered as a tonic and health drink.
13. The most expensive tea in the world is fertilized by Panda waste. It is grown in Ya’An, China, and cost about 200 dollars a cup of tea.
14. Chinese call black tea “red tea”.
15. The best-selling tea brand in the world is Lipton.
16. Tea bags were invented in the US by accident, when customers placed sample silk bags into water, instead of emptying their contents, as it was intended.
17. Tea only contains about half as much caffeine as coffee
18. The only places were tea are grown in the US are a small island off the Coast of South Carolina, and also Hawaii
19. Celestial Seasonings adds soy lecithin to your tea products, which is not good for those who are allergic to this unnecessary ingredient.
20. In Russia, India and many other places, Chai means tea, so don’t order chai tea there, they will look at you funny. Instead order Masala Chai.
21. Pickled tea is a delicately in Burma.
22. Dampened tea leaves make a great mosquito repellant.

Enjoyed reading these facts? Some are rather strange, aren’t they? Now let’s get back to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary, with the letter G

Letter G:

Geese: Geese always warn of unexpected visitors or unrest. Consider yourself warned

Giraffe: Watch what you are saying your words can have a unexpected and negative effect on situations, if you are using them carelessly.

Goat: the new adventure you are about to embark on, has some risk. Not a good sign for someone who is in the Navy or works on water

Grapes: this symbol showcases a time of enjoyment and leisure, time to enjoy the success you have earned

Guitars: a sign that there is a potential attraction in play. Maybe it is time for an exciting new relationship or a new deeper passionate phase in the current one.

Gun: A sudden change that is not for the better. Be aware, and take a close look at all of the other symbols that show up during this reading.

I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Have a wonderful day!

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5 Tips To Pamper Your Tired Feet

Chasing the kids, dogs, cat and sometimes the husband around makes my feet tired! I don’t know about you, but feet tend to be the last thing I think about, expect when it is time for a pedicure or the newest sandals. Any other time, they are
here to carry me, and that is it. And then it happens – they hurt, burn, or just feel simply miserable.

Time to take care of your feet!

Raw Honey Available On AmazonLucky for you I have five tips on how you can do just that.

1. DIY Foot Soaks Like this Honey and Cream Foot Soak
Yes, you heard me right, a foot soak that takes advantage of the powers of honey and cream. And it is simple.
Add 1 tablespoon of honey (I prefer raw honey, like this one), and 2 tablespoons of whipping cream  ( I use Organic Valley for everything I do or make with whipping cream), to the warm water you placed into your foot soaking basin or foot spa.
You can also try this wonderful DIY Lime-Mint Foot soak recipe from Tidy Mom!
You should check it out! I love it!

2. Get a foot spa
Speaking of, you really should get a foot spa. These inexpensive little machines, hold the warmth for you, and most of them, like this Conair Foot Spa (I have two of those), come with vibration and heat. My husband who spends hours in work boots every day. swears by them.
And so do I.

3. Strengthen your foot muscles by exercising your feet!
Yes, you heard me right – it is important to exercise our feet. there is not much equipment needed. Simply roll up a small towel, place it on the floor, and stand upon it, to increase your balance (caution, if you have any issues with balance, do not attempt this exercise). You can also place the same towel upon the floor, and try to pick it up with your toes. Repeat as often as you feel comfortable. Practice this daily.

4. Go barefoot.
Allow your feet to breathe, and go barefoot. Too often confined in tight shoes, and not so natural fibers, our feet hardly ever
get a chance to be placed bare upon the ground. Try walking across many different textures, from carpet to grass, sand, and gravel to strengthen the soles of your feet.

5. Gentle stretches
While you already have your shoes off, practice some gentle stretches. How about this one: Toe Stretch. Sit in a chair, with feet on the floor, and spread your toes apart. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times

What are your favorite ways to pamper your feet?

I have an amazing deal to share with you from our partner Julep!  Get an 8-piece beauty gift valued at $150+ when you join Julep beauty box – now through 4/22/16 – take advantage of this offer today! Coupon Code: COLOR8

See you soon!
Claudia