On Guard Oil Blend

I'm not kidding when I say I use this all over the house. A blend of cinnamon, wild orange, rosemary and eucalyptus these are powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and can be diffused into the air and used to clean and purify household surfaces.

Citrus oils are also very uplifting so what I love about this is when I diffuse it when we are under the weather it does give a mood boost. You can also gently inhale straight from the bottle. 

You can mix 3-5 drops with 250ml of water and use to clean countertops and other surfaces but I use our cleaner concentrate to clean pretty much everything in the house. I also love using the toothpaste at night (I use one with more whitening ooomph in the morning) and I add drops of On Guard oil with four other oils (lemon, tea tree, frankincense and oregano) to make a 'flu bomb' which helps the bodies natural defences against cold and flu viruses (and tummy problems!) 

I carry the On Guard spray in my handbag to use as a hand and surface sanitiser on the go - you know when you get on a train and your kids basically want to lick everything, well this helps with that. 

Snow Moon

🌕 The full moon for February is usually call the snow moon but can also be the ice moon, storm moon or hunger moon.

❄️ Its full moon in Aquarius thought to be an unconventional and trailblazing sign so if you are planning or journalling this full moon it's time to put your most creative and inventive ideas space. Time to think about the idea you've had but have always thought 'it will never work'. Its also very passionate so basically get thinking about something that excites you.

🌕 If you have crystals its time to super charge them in moonlight. Pop them on a windowsill - I always remember looking after my friend Katie's house when she was away and finding crystals on every window frame.

❄️ Write a list of all the things you're worried about people you'd like to forgive, burn them and release them (this can continue as a ritual as the moon wanes)

🌕 The full moon is a time of balance, it's a time to focus on the 'harvest'. Pay attention to all the things you've manifested so far and all that's yet to manifest. A full moon bath is perfect to focus on abundance and a time to relax.

Air Blend

Not as glamorous as some of the other oils I use but this one is used a lot in my house. Designed to open and soothe the tissues of the respiratory system it also has antiviral and can help with anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, congestion, and coughs

It has a really fresh and uplifting smell including bay, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon oils.

I often diffuse this either on it's own or with Purify and On Guard for extra oomph. I have also made up a rollerball (see below) which I roll on the boys chests and backs when they are blocked up, have a cold or cough. It genuinely makes a difference and it's so nice to avoid the more chemically alternatives.

• Can be applied on the chest, back or bottoms of the feet
• Diffuse into the air or apply to the palms of the hands and cup over the nose and mouth and breathe deeply.
• Inhale from the bottle
• Drop 2-3 drops on the floor of a hot shower and inhale whilst showering
• Ashtma/Bronchitis - diffuse or inhale from bottle
• Coughs - add 8 drops to 5ml fractionated coconut oil in a small roll on bottle and apply a small amount on the chest, back and forehead
• Congestion - 3-5 drops to a small bowl of hot water and inhale

It may not be the most exciting oils but it's one I would definitely not be without - great for all the family. 

Get yours here

Balance Blend

 One of the first oil blends I fell in love with this is still one of my most used oils in my diffuser, especially in my kitchen where it gives Balance to the family after a long day at work and school when we can become a bit ratty. 

The oils in this blend help establish a feeling of calm, peace and relaxation. It can aid the harmonising of various physiological systems of the body and promote tranquility and balances the body and mind

• The blend includes: Spruce, Ho Wood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense, German (Blue) Chamomile, Osmanthus
• Calming/Relaxing: Add 3 drops to 1tbsp (15ml) fractionated coconut oil and use as a soothing massage oil
• Harmonising/Grounding: Place 3 drops on the bottoms of the feet
• Balancing: Diffuse in an aromatherapy diffuser
• Primary uses include: Anxiety, Back pain, Balance, Brain Integration, Bursitis, Confusion, Depression, Energy, Fear, Grief, Hot Flashes, Herniated Discs, Mood Swings

You can check it out here 

Frankincense

 One of my favourite and most-used oils. Created through steam distillation of resin Frankincense has been used for thousands of years in cosmetics, perfumes, skincare and medicines With a rich, deep, warm scent and blends beautifully with all oils.

🌳 Focus energy, improve concentration. It eases hyperactivity, impatience, irritability and impatience.

🌳 Is great to diffuse during yoga practice and can enhance spiritual awareness. In religious ceremonies it was used to help communication with the creator.

• Arthritis: Can be massaged into joints affected by arthritis (with coconut oil)
• Depression: Can be inhaled directly from the bottle, applied neat to the temples or diluted with coconut oil for massage or diffused for depression
• Mental Fatigue: apply neat to the temples, back of neck or feet to relax
• Inflammation: 3 drops with 2 drops lavender in a bowl of cold water and using a flannel apply to the affected area.
• Focus: diffuse with lemon or citrus oils
• I use it with lemon, tea tree, oregano and On Guard in a capsule to combat any lurgy

You can purchase through my shop here

Wild & Stone Dish Cloths

I would love this to be a super glamorous post but it's not, it's a post about my quest for the perfect, sustainable washing up cloth and how by god I think I've found it. 

Eco dish cloths either work well but stain and smell or look great and last 2 weeks. But fear not, I've found you not one but two options. 

For my main kitchen sink I have gone for the Organic Cotton Dish cloth - get two one for the wash and one to be used. These hold their own, give good heft to whatever you are cleaning and don't get smelly or slimey. They are so good my mum ordered one and thus far she has been incredibly dismissive of all others I've tried often holding them between thumb and finger whilst looking pained. 

Then for the utility room sink which is mostly washing up the dogs bowls - they are fed raw so I like to keep these very specific - I have got these Swedish dishcloths. They are compostable, washable and really sturdy so as of yet, I've only used one from my pack of 4. 

January Morning Diffuser Blends

 I find one of the ways to make January more bearable is to treat it like a new season so here are some ideas for diffuser blends to make your year get going in the right way

For any oils you can check out doTerra 

Sweet Potato Salad

I'm late to the sweet potato party but I'm making up for lost time. I'm not a huge fan of potatoes in general and the name sweet potato does not do this delicious, filling healthy object justice. With both of us working from home and me doing the majority of homeschooling I handed the cooking reigns over to Joe but since moving to Hampshire just before Christmas I have taken back one reign and will occasionally do a freezer filler or a filling salad for a healthy lunch and this is one of my go to's. 

You can of course tweak it to suit your tastes - I would always add pomegranate seeds, Joe can live without them - but this should be just what you need to liven up your working-from-home lunch break and you can cook the sweet potato, keep in the fridge and then make the salad when you need to which means it takes a matter of minutes. 

This is the basic recipe - I tend to do the sweet potato, I usually have feta in the fridge and some herbs and then add whatever else I have. Avocado is delicious in this as are a few spinach leaves. 

Sweet Potato & Feta Salad
serves 2

2 sweet potatoes 
1/2 block feta, cut into cubes
Pumpkin seeds and/or pine nuts
Pecans and/or almonds, chopped
Half a head of broccoli
1 tbsp teriyaki 
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin
basil or any fresh herb you like
salt & pepper

For the dressing:
soy
honey
olive oil
fresh ginger

Pre-heat oven to 200C/

1. Peel the sweet potato and cut into cubes, you can par boil it or not. If you do it will reduce the time in the oven. Then toss in oil, cumin and turmeric and cook in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until slightly crispy. 

2. In a small frying pan over a low heat sprinkle the pumpkin seeds and pine nuts with the teriyaki and cook briefly til they are coated and the teriyaki is sort of hardened onto the pan - not too much! If you don't have teriyaki soy will do just as well. Tip into your salad bowl and using your wooden spoon get the teriyaki off the bottom of the pan into the bowl too. 

3. Add the feta and then tear off tiny mini heads of broccoli into the bowl. It can seem ponderous but small bits of raw broccoli are amazing so worth it. 

4. Mix up the dressing and then put the sweet potato into the salad bowl, add the chopped nuts and the dressing. Add the basil and toss. Season to taste.