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The Sweet Smells of the Holidays: Cinnamon (part 1)

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Nothing evokes holiday memories than that of the aromas of holidays past. This series of blogs will focus on some of the most traditional and comforting essences surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will discuss how you can specifically add these essential oil aromas to your home to produce the warmth and joy of the holidays.

Let’s start with one of the oldest and most well known aromas: Cinnamon. History has it that at one time it was considered a popular aphrodisiac, spice and antiseptic. It was originally used by the people of Ceylon in 1505. To this day it is still a popular aroma used in oriental inspired perfumes and colognes.

Aroma: Sweet, spicy, peppery, comforting, woody, herbaceous, oriental and warm.

Aromatherapy Properties: Restorative, uplifting, comforting, provokes past memories and emotions. Medicinally, cinnamon is used for digestive and intestinal discomfort, wasp stings, sore muscles and stress related conditions. It is a wonderful house-warming scent. Cinnamon is one of the most widely used and accepted aromas because of it’s prominence in culinary practices. The scent of cinnamon will conjure up past comforting memories of “cookies baking at grandma’s house and past holiday gatherings.”

How to use it:

  • Bake and cook with it and the smell will fill your home for hours.
  • Use pure essential oils of cinnamon on a sponge and place in the microwave for 1 minute. You will sanitize your sponge and also diffuse the cinnamon smell.
  • Use pure essential oils of cinnamon in a spritz bottle and spray frequently to keep the essence fresh.

 

 

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New Experiences at a Discount!

November 8, 2011 By 1 Comment

For years my husband and I argued about money, I mean….who doesn’t. Whether you are a young couple just starting out, maybe with a baby on the way, a middle-aged couple with kids in college, or an older couple in retirement, and unless you are independently wealthy, money plays a role in almost everything we do or don’t do!

In today’s economy, it’s especially important to watch the purse-strings and keep them as tight as possible, right? But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. Did you know that as we age, we literally forget how to play, how to have fun and when we do just blow off a day, doing whatever we want, there is usually some sort of guilt that follows.

I’m here to tell you to make time for play. Make time to do some of the things on your bucket list. Make time investing in the relationships that mean the most by creating memories of good times. Make time going on a date with your spouse. Make time to find new interests, see new places and eat new foods. Because there is truth and reality in the old saying, “you can’t take it with you.”

What I really want to talk about are today’s new deep discounts for doing just about anything from sky-diving to zip-line riding to trap shooting to a simple elegant dinner at a Tapas Bar. If you just put in a little effort, using you computer or smart phone, you can hunt for great bargains by using some of the most popular discount sites, such as ScoutMob, Living Social or Groupon. Most of the discounts are 50% or more and the intent is to make it more affordable for people to try new businesses who are having a difficult time getting customers in this really crappy economy.

My husband has surprised me with a sky-diving coupon and yes, at 50+ years old, it was on my “bucket-list,” and I’ve done it. We recently went trap-shooting. We have tried so many new restaurants, that we would have never found otherwise.

So if you’ve been skeptical, don’t be….get out there and live life, create some memories and build some relationships and don’t break the bank!

 

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Eat More Chocolate!

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With today being the day after Halloween, the night of tricks and mostly treats…..as in candy, and hopefully chocolate candy, I thought I’d write this article.

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

 

A new Harvard study found that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension. It found that dark chocolate, the kind that contains at least 50 to 70 percent cocoa, lowered blood pressure in all participants, but most notably in those with hypertension. Dark chocolate also appears to affect cholesterol. The Harvard researchers found some evidence for a small decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a significant increase in HDL (good) cholesterol.

 

But it doesn’t stop there….More benefits of eating dark chocolate include:

  • ·         it tastes good
  • ·         it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure
  • ·         it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant
  • ·         it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants

 

Yes, but isn’t chocolate fattening? Not Dark Chocolate…..

Some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid:

  • ·         Oleic Acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil.
  • ·         Stearic Acid is a saturated fat but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol.
  • ·         Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk.

That means only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. The fattest and highest carbohydrate chocolates are milk chocolate, because cream and sugar are primary ingredients. And did you know that white chocolate, isn’t chocolate at all? There is no cocoa in white chocolate and this is the most fattening of all.

So enjoy raiding your kid’s treat bags, hope you find some good chocolate.

Hope you have a less stressed day. Mercedes.

 

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Proper Sleep Essential for Feeling Refreshed!

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

No one really thinks about the mattress they sleep on. Often times it’s a piece of forgotten and taken for granted furniture.

People generally change out the dining and living room furniture before they buy a new mattress and box springs. At least my husband and I fell into that category. But let me ask you a question….how long do you generally sit at the dining room table or on the sofa? My guess is probably anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on how long the football game goes into overtime. Now, answer the same question about your bed? The answer should be at least 6 to 8 hours per night, every night of the year, with the exception of vacations. And by the way, if you stay at even a moderately priced hotel, chances are their mattress is more comfortable than the old thing, you failed to replace.

My husband and I had our mattress for 17 years….now before you all start with the OMG’s, think about when you last switched out your mattress? I guess with us, the feeling was, “there is something more important we need to spend that money on….” I mean, our children had a better mattress set than us. So where am I going with this?

OK, we finally bit the bullet, bought a Simmons Beautyrest firm mattress with pillow-top. We shopped around for a couple of days, and by the way….I found out, you have to lay down on those mattresses in the store. Don’t be shy about it either, take off your shoes and really lay down….like you would at home. Do you test drive a car before you buy it? Expect to pay in the range of $1,000.00 to $1,500.00, for a pretty good one and if you have to have the “sponge mattress,” that sucks your body into it….what’s it called? Tempurpedic….well then, you’re talking $4,000.00 minimum.

What I’m getting at fellow stress reducers…is that ever since we got that new mattress, we have both been sleeping like babies. My husband has back issues, and he has not complained once since sleeping on this mattress. The bottom line, is you need good rest to be able to face the next day. You need a retreat, a bed that is comfy, cozy and inviting. And other than the actual mattress set, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the headboard and pillows. As a matter of fact, I reused my original headboard and painted it. Purchased the pillows for cheap at the local Hobby Lobby on sale.

So next time you are considering a new sofa set, think about your own comfort and the amount of time you sleep on that old worn out mattress.

Please have a less stressed day. Mercedes.

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Photography as a Hobby can be very Relaxing

October 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How many of you out in the blogosphere have a hobby? Something that you really enjoy engaging in and investing your time in?

One of the most important aspects of relaxation is taking up a hobby as a means of enjoyment and personal fulfillment. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate, although those of you who golf and need to have a set of those Calloway Clubs….well, have at it! Whatever makes you happy….right? But for now, let’s talk photography, taking digital pictures of anything you want and experiencing the immediate gratification that only a Polaroid could produce once invented by Edwin H. Land in 1944.

Digital photography has come along way, and digital cameras can do truly amazing things now. I use a Panasonic Lumix, DCM-ZS8 with a 16x Optical Zoom. It can take photos up to 14 mega-pixels, although I rarely use that setting and am normally happy with the quality of a 5 mega-pixel photo. My daughter, Amanda uses a Canon Rebel T….something which is much more expensive but can do much more than my Panasonic, including changing the lenses. Her photos can be seen at her blog Mandy Moon.

Anyway, if you don’t have a hobby or even if you do, like feeding the birds or gardening, it can be so gratifying to wander around your yard at different times of the year shooting pictures and seeing the beauty in what you have created.

Please have a less stressed day and week ahead. Mercedes.

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It’s Jacuzzi Hot Tub Time!

October 2, 2011 By 3 Comments

No time like the present to take advantage of the combination of the cool breezy weather and a Jacuzzi / hot tub.

Now I know everyone doesn’t have one, but maybe this might be a good time to introduce yourself to the neighbor who does.

My husband and I bought our hot tub years ago and have always said it was the single best investment we ever made in terms of our physical and mental health. We work very hard, usually every weekend on our acre of wooded land. Cutting down trees, weeding, digging out stumps….you name it! So it is not uncommon to have sore and stressed muscles by the end of the week. A hot tub helps to relieve muscle strain which can lead to headaches and mental stress if left untreated.

Additionally, there is something just plain relaxing about having a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at dusk, while enjoying the sun rise or set, being a part of nature in a tub of hot churning water. If you ever thought about purchasing a hot tub, there is no time like the present.

There is one more thing I’d like to add to this equation and that is the use of essential oils. Pure essential oils are safe to use in the hot tub, because they are not really oils at all, they are water soluble and can add to the relaxing experience of sitting in your hot tub. We like to use lavender, orange or eucalyptus. You’ll need to add approximately 20 drops in order to gain the benefit of the essential oil, evaporating in the steam. So sit back, take in nature, feel the cool breeze on your face and inhale deeply.

Hoping your day is less stressed. Mercedes.

 

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Take Pleasure in the Little Things

September 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday morning, after I dropped my daughter off at school, I got home, grabbed another cup of hot coffee and took a walk outside around our property.

We have a fairly large piece of land, lots of woods and foliage. Several gardens and all kinds of little nooks and crannies to explore. The problem is I rarely explore them, because I’m just too busy. Every day I rush by the beauty around me, neglecting to admire what has been put on this earth in it’s simplest form.

So, yesterday morning, camera in hand….I stopped to take a look. It was early morning, probably about 8:45 and slightly foggy and definitely dewy…if that’s a word? I switched to the close-up lens on my little Panasonic Lumix and went exploring.

Now I know spiders may not be very relaxing to most people, but if you leave them undisturbed and really take the time to see their handiwork, mostly done in an evening’s time….it’s really quite magnificent!

As I wandered around my own yard, I felt a calmness as I connected to nature. The Fall season is my favorite time of year with the cool crisp weather and the vibrant hues of nature falling from the tallest tree tops.

I challenge you to take 10 minutes out of your busy day to do the same. Grab your cup of coffee and walk and observe what is right in front of you. Take some time to consider the little things in it’s simplest form.

Wishing you a less stressed day, Mercedes.

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Adding Color can Lift your Mood.

September 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There has been extensive research done in the realm of color and mood. Similarly, different aromas affect the limbic system and mood, as does color. Blue and green hues are thought to be calming, whereas hot pink and red can affect the mood, ranging from exciting to agitating.

But I’m not here to necessarily talk about a specific color in respect to lifting the mood. I’m here to talk about any and all colors during the fall season. Simple decorating with color to add inspiration and energy as we embark upon the next holiday season.

The “kick-off” holiday, in my opinion is Halloween. Full of mystique and fun, Halloween can be any kind of holiday to any individual. This is a holiday of real choice….do I wear a costume or not? What sort of costume? Should I decorate the house full-tilt? Inside? Outside? What kind of treats will I offer the little witches, ghosts and princesses that arrive at my door-step? Or should I bother at all?

First of all, I have to say that Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. I used to go full-tilt on decorations, especially when my children were young. Then after a tragic death in my family, I lost my motivation to decorate at all. And although I missed my colorful handiwork, I just could not muster the strength. But I found myself longing for those days again, even on a smaller and simpler scale. I found I was even more depressed without the color of the holidays surrounding me.

This year I added just a bit of Halloween decor to our front yard. It took me just 45 minutes to complete the project and I was so giddy with pride and happiness that I found myself going to the front yard over and over to admire it. I look forward to driving out and in the driveway so I can see the pumpkins from all angles. And at night, I just can’t wait to turn on the orange lights that delicately balance on the limbs of the little Oak tree out front. So you see, a little can go a long way to lift the mood during this holiday season. Just add a little color!

Please feel free to share any decorating ideas you may have by subscribing and commenting here. Happy Holidays!

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Eucalyptus Essential Oil, just in time for cold and cough season.

September 12, 2011 By 1 Comment

Eucalyptus is one of those essential oils that has been around for centuries. It has commonly been used in Vick’s Vapo-rub for years and the scent is easily recognizable as one of minty freshness which helps to clear congestion in the chest and nasal passages.

Aromatherapy Properties: Penetrating, stimulating, refreshing, clearing, purifying. Medicinally, eucalyptus is widely used in a variety of product to combat the common cold and upper respiratory congestion. Eucalyptus is also used for insect bites and headaches. It is a natural insect repellent.

Suggested Uses: Eucalyptus is extremely effective in decreasing upper respiratory congestion when used in a steamy shower. Just sprinkle a few drops of pure eucalyptus on the shower walls, (it will not stain), turn on the hot water and step into a refreshing steam bath. Also use in a bed-side vaporizer. Eucalyptus can be used neat (which means in it’s pure form,) on sore muscles.

If you have other ideas or questions about eucalyptus, please comment here.

 

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Bed and Breakfast Inn offers a most unique and relaxing atmosphere!

September 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 One of the most relaxing activities for me is to get away from my daily environment. It’s an opportunity to not be reminded of all the laundry that needs to be washed, weeds that need to be pulled and dishes that should be washed.

Whether you’re an impulsive soul or someone who plans every detail, one of the joys in life is the ability to take long weekend vacations. A long weekend consists of either taking the preceeding Friday or the next Monday off if you can swing it, packing a small bag and driving a distance of no more than five to six hours. I challenge you now to look at a map of where you live, and draw a circumference of approximately 350 miles around it and you will find hundreds of cities and activities just within your reach for a wonderfully relaxing weekend.

One such city is Alford, Florida and the activity  is staying at the La Maison de Lucy Bed and Breakfast Inn. It is located approximately 45 miles north of Panama City Beach.

I don’t even know where to start….the unique and imaginative decor, or the beautiful grounds and pool, or the warm family-like hospitality of the owner/operator, or the delicious and detailed foods that are served?

The B&B was once an old brick school-house, so it does not look like your typical Victorian-style Inn, but don’t let that dissuade you. The minute you walk through the front door, look down the long hallway, smell fresh herbs cooking and meet Michael and Mary Alice, you will be hooked! You will immediately feel better than being at home. Your stress will melt like a Popsicle in the sun and you will be well on your way to one of the most relaxing times of your life. (This is NOT a paid advertisement!)  What is most unique about this B&B is that every room has been decorated to represent a different country or city. So for example, one can choose to stay in Italy, Morocco or Hollywood. The link above gives full details about all the rooms available.

If you have never stayed at a B&B, you really need to give it a try. It is totally different than the hotel/motel experience. It’s quaint, quiet, smaller, friendlier and personal. Breakfast is always included and is usually very scrumptious. Dining is usually family-style, so you will meet the other individuals who are also staying. Activities such as playing games or local sight-seeing are encouraged. And hopefully at the end of your visit you will feel like family and want to return as soon as possible, as I did.

If you have experienced staying at a Bed and Breakfast, have a suggestion or just want to comment, please feel free.

 

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