28 December 2013

little personal note today

have been feeling discontent with many aspects to my life lately, complaining to friends and generally succumbing to the negativity. I was thinking surely there is more to life, some other way to live.

Then I had a talk with my 15 year old daughter. She was talking about a friend that had been texting her, down on life, unhappy with his parents treatment of him and hating his body. She gave him some advice which I took to heart.

She told him to think happy. When she is feeling down at times, she reminds herself that she is a decent person that she doesn't "throw pebbles at babies or anything". Sometimes you have to "fake it til you make it" and it works.

She reminded me that happiness is a choice and that every day we wake up is a gift.

I don't know where she gets her wisdom from but I am so grateful to have been on the receiving end today ♥


17 December 2013

Wishes in the Air



i feel you there beyond sight
where the spark drifts, ignites
i feel you where i won't breathe
in the earth, underneath,
in a hole in the ground I keep, water-filled
where heart strings lay spilled
waiting to be played by your stare
through to bone still in stitches
and lips that speak wishes
to air

21Aug2013; 27Aug2013; 17Dec2013

8 December 2013


BEESWAX RECIPES
From:  http://www.rachelssupply.com/bwax.htm

Moisturing Vitamin E Cream 

4 oz. sweet almond oil
1 oz. beeswax 
2 oz. water
10 drops Vitamin E oil
10 drops lavender essential oil

Melt the oil and the wax in a double boiler, Remove from heat, add water, and stir thoroughly. 
Add your Vitamin E, essential oil and stir continuously until cool. This cream is very moisturizing and emollient. 
It is nice for rough, dry, or chapped complexions and should help promote healthy looking skin. 
After you have added the essential oil and the cream is still warm enough to pour, carefully pour it into Salve Jars or Metal Tins.

Antiseptic Balm ( Use instead of antiseptic ointment, this is far superior! )
Ingredients:
2 ounces Beeswax
3 ounces Sweet Almond Oil
1 ounce Jojoba Oil
20 drops Wheatgerm Oil
20 drops Myrrh Essential Oil
20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

( Makes enough to fill 4 each 1 ounce salve jars or 1 ounce metal tins )

A rule of thumb is 2 parts oil to one part beeswax. Simply heat the Sweet Almond and Jojoba oil in a saucepan and add Beeswax. If you want a thin consistency ( such as a cream or Vaseline ) add only a little bit of Beeswax. Want it thicker like wax? Just add more Beeswax.
Allow the base to cool down to see what the consistency is like. If it's too thick, add more Sweet Almond oil and reheat, too thin?, add more Beeswax.
As the base is cooling add the essential oils to enhance the healing effect of the balm.
After you have added the essential oil and the lip balm is still warm enough to pour, carefully pour it into Salve Jars or Metal Tins.

Herbal Salve 
Make different Herbal Salves simply by changing/mixing different essential oils!
Ingredients:
2 ounces Beeswax
3 ounces Sweet Almond Oil
1 ounce Jojoba Oil
1/2 oz. Canola oil
40 drops total essential oil of your preference

( Makes enough to fill 4 each 1 ounce salve jars or 1 ounce metal tins )

Simply heat the Sweet Almond, Canola oil and Jojoba oil in a saucepan and add Beeswax. If you want a thin consistency ( such as a cream or Vaseline ) add only a little bit of Beeswax. Want it thicker like wax? Just add more Beeswax.

Allow the base to cool down to see what the consistency is like. If it's too thick, add more Sweet Almond oil and reheat, too thin?, add more Beeswax.

As the base is cooling add the essential oils to enhance the healing effect of the balm.
After you have added the essential oil and the lip balm is still warm enough to pour, carefully pour it into Salve Jars or Metal Tins.


Use Bayleaf Essential oil for relieving rheumatism.
Use Bergamot Essential oil for colds, bronchitis systems, i.e. chest rub.
Use Caraway Essential oil for antiseptic quality.
Use Cardamon Essential oil for aphrodisiac quality. Use Clary Sage Essential oil for anti-ainflammatory, aphrodisiac and scalp problems
Use Cedar Essential oil for relieving Chronic anxiety and stress.
Use Citronella Essential oil for making a insect repellent salve.
Use Eucalyptus Essential oil for chest rub, relieves congestion, eases breathing.
Use Frankincense Essential oil for asthma and other respiratory problems.
Use Gardenia Essential oil for chest rub, said to relieve flu conditions, fever, hypertension and palpitations.
Use Juniper Essential oil for emotionally cleansing effect. Calms the nerves.
Use Orange Essential oil for a lighter body lotion, said to relax, relieve sexual apprehension, and is antiseptic and antibactericidal.
Use Patchouli Essential oil for antiseptic, aphrodisiac qualities.
Use Rosemary Essential oil for relieving tired muscles.
Use Tea Tree Essential oil for Antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral qualities.

Coconut Butter Body Moisturizer ( Good for wind and sunburned skin )
Ingredients
2 tablespoons beeswax
2 teaspoons distilled water
4 oz. cocoa butter
4 tablespoons sweet almond
2 tablespoons coconut oil

Melt the beeswax over low heat with the water. Spoon in cocoa butter and blend. Gradually blend in oils. Pour into glass jar.
The lotion will thicken as it cools.

HAND CREAM
2 ounces beeswax
1 cup sweet almond oil
1 cup water
10 drops essential oil (if desired, for fragrance)
Heat beeswax and sweet almond oil until the wax melts. In another container, heat water until warm. Both mixtures should be warm, but not so hot as to be uncomfortable to the touch.
Place warm water in a blender. Cover the blender, leaving open the small opening in the cover. With the blender running on high speed, slowly pour in the beeswax-oil mixture in a thin stream. When most of the oil has been added, the mixture should begin to thicken.
At this point, add the essential oil. Continue to add oil and blend until the mixture is sufficiently thickened. Turn off the blender. You should have a thick cream. Spoon into salve jars or metal tins. 

Body Lotion
This is a great recipe that does not spoil easily without the aid of refrigeration. It makes about 2 cups of lotion.

1 cup of aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon of lanolin 1 teaspoon of pure vitamin E oil
1/3 cup of coconut oil
1/2 ounce of beeswax
3/4 cup of almond oil
Up to 1 and 1/2 teapoons of essential oil of your choice or more to prolong scent

Place aloe vera gel, lanolin and vitamin E oil in a blender or food processor. Place coconut oil and beeswax in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup, microwave on high for 30 second and stir. Repeat in ten second blocks until fully melted.

Stir in almond oil, reheating if necessary. Run blender at low to medium speed, then pour in melted oils in a thin stream. As the oils is blended in the cream will turn white and the blender's motor will begin to grind. As soon as you have a mayonaise-like consistency, stop motor, add essential oils and pulse blend. (do not overblend) Transfer cream to glass jars while still warm because it thickens quickly. 

Sweet Lavender Ointment

4 ounces sweet olive oil
3 to 4 ounces beeswax
1 ounce cocoa butter
15 drops vitamin e oil
25 drops lavender oil

Combine the sweet olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and heat thoroughly in the top of a double boiler. Remove from the heat. Add the vitamin e, lavender oil and beat well. Pour into salve jars and allow the mixture to cool before covering.

Basic Lotion Bar

Ingredients:
3 ounces beeswax
2 ounces cocoa butter
3 ounces sweet almond oil

Melt and mix all ingredients thoroughly. Mold into desired shape.

LIP GLOSS
2 teaspoons beeswax
2 tablespoons, sweet almond oil or coconut oil
5 drops essential oil (such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, coconut or mint)
2 drops vitamin E capsule
(optional: to tint, up to 1/4 teaspoon lipstick)
Melt the oil and beeswax together. Remove from heat. If coloring, stir in the lipstick. When the mixture has cooled to lukewarm, stir in essential oil and the vitamin E. Transfer to a small container.
Stir occasionally while cooling . If a thicker gloss is desired, increase the amount of beeswax. (Experiment with other additions such as baking chocolate, crushed peppermint candy, cocoa butter, vanilla bean, oil of cinnamon, oil of camphor or eucalyptus for soothing chapped lips, wheat germ oil, etc.
Add oil-based ingredients to the oil phase, and water-soluble ingredients to the water phase.) This is a great way to use up leftover or too-dark lipstick. 

BEESWAX WOOD FINISH (for bare wood)
1 pound beeswax
1 pint turpentine (odorless, if you can find it)
1 pint boiled linseed oil
Melt wax. Remove wax from heat source, then stir in turpentine and oil. Before applying to bare wood, warm the mixture to achieve better penetration. Apply with a soft cloth, let dry, then buff with a wool cloth. Old coats can be removed with an organic solvent such as turpentine. This can also be used on leather. (Another wood finish can be made with 1 pound beeswax and 1 pint turpentine, omitting the linseed oil.)

BEESWAX WOOD CONDITIONER (for previously finished wood) 
1 ounce beeswax
1 pint turpentine
2 cups water
1 ounce Ivory soap flakes
Shred wax into turpentine; cover and leave in a warm spot. Shake container from time to time.
Bring 2 cups water to a boil.
Add soap and stir until dissolved. Add it to the wax/turpentine, stirring briskly until an emulsion forms.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: Beeswax melts at 143-148 degrees. It is pliable at 100 degrees. All waxes will ignite explosively when they reach their flash point temperature. To melt beeswax safely, place it in the top of a double boiler, or place the container of wax in a larger container of hot water. Do not melt beeswax in a microwave, as it could become hot enough to ignite. Do not cover the beeswax while melting in a container of water, as steam may condense on the inside of the cover resulting in water in the wax.

MEASURING TIP : To measure a small amount of beeswax, grate it before melting.

4 December 2013

Look to this day


Look to this day,
The very life of life,
In its brief course lies all,
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power.

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.

But today well lived,
Makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope.

Look well, therefore,
To this day.

     Sanskrit Proverb

6 November 2013

Butterfly Symbolism

From: http://www.spiritanimal.info/butterfly-spirit-animal/

Butterfly Symbolism

What is the meaning of the butterfly? This animal totem is primarily associated with symbolism of change and transformation.

Powerful transformation, metamorphosis in your life, personality
Moving through different life cycles
Renewal, rebirth
Lightness of being, playfulness
Elevation from earthly matters, tuning into emotional or spiritual
The world of the soul, the psyche
A secondary meaning of the butterfly is about finding joy in life and lightness of being.

Butterfly totem and transformation

The butterfly is a symbol of powerful transformations. By analogy to the development of this animal, the meaning associated with the butterfly emphasizes the ability to move from one state, perspective, lifestyle to another.

Mark Anthony Jacobson, 2009
When the butterfly comes into your life as spirit guide, you may be going through or expect important changes in your life. More than changes in your environment, the transformation the butterfly totem points to are more internal: They could be related to your own perspective on a subject, aspects of your personality, or personal habits. Personal transformation is emblematic of the butterfly symbolism.

Butterfly totem symbol of joy and lightness of being

When the butterfly shows up in your life as a spirit animal or totem, it might indicate the need to look at a conflicting situation with more lightness and different perspective. This totem animal is symbolic of lightness of being and elevation from the heaviness of tensions.

This power animal invites those who have a connection with it to bring joy and bliss into their lives. Butterflies often have bright colors. By extension, they are associated with aliveness and brightness. The message of this totem animal is to lighten up and add more color to your life. Perhaps it’s time to express yourself more fully and show your colorful personality.

The Butterfly and the world of the Soul

In many traditions around the world, the butterfly is a symbol of the soul or soul world. For example, in Chinese symbology, it can represent immortality. For the Japanese, a white butterfly symbolizes the soul the departed ones.

In Ancient Greece, butterflies represent the psyche or soul, and its attribute of immortality.

Calling the butterfly totem for support

The butterfly is a powerful animal to call when you need support in times of transition, whether it’s at work, in a relationship, or when you’re doing inner work. Great ally during intense periods of personal transformation, it will add ease and lightness to the process.

This power animal is a good inspiration for adding more color into your life and self-expression. Those who have the butterfly as a totem animal may be naturally inclined to express themselves openly, to reflect their colors into their environment.

24 June 2013

Easy Nutty Cream Sauce


Easy Nutty Cream Sauce
Makes about 1 cup

2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1-2 tbs oil (coconut, vegetable or olive)
1/3 cup cashew butter (unroasted unsalted will have a neutral taste, and roasted will be more nutty)
1/2 - 1 cup vegetable stock (or water, add more salt if using water)to reach desired consistency
1 tbs nutritional yeast
Salt (or Braggs liquid aminos, or soy sauce)

Sautee garlic and onions in oil until tender. Add in cashew butter to melt and wisk in water until the mixture becomes very smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and salt to taste. You can use peanut butter and sesame oil instead of cashew to make a peanut sauce, and serve with hot sauce. 

If you want really CHEESY creamy sauce, use Mad Faux Cheese instead of cashew butter! 
Serve over steamed veggies, baked or broiled tofu and noodles. Try zucchini noodles for extra health points!

http://madisonconlin.com/Home_Page.html


5 June 2013

Seeds, part two

I tell myself, "this is but
   one moment in Time
Remember my indigenous Mind
   set into Earth
with Sunrises and Falls
   cause Change happens slowly after all"

"Share breath with the Wind
   and walk
Cleanse thoughts with the Water
   and talk
to Creator, connect spirit,
   and soul

Let the Love
   that has seeded
Take root
   and Grow"

Mickie
May 16, 2013
(started November 4, 2011)