Cleansing Body and Mind with Grapefruit Essential Oil

With so many people getting sick lately, I have spent a lot of time helping my friends deal with their illnesses (or hopefully avoiding them) in a more natural way. More and more people are avoiding the antibiotics, vaccines and other traditional methods. All week I extolled the virtues of elderberry, elderflower, garlic and honey.

But essential oils are at the top of my list for avoiding getting sick, or quickly dealing with problems once they arise. Essential oils are absorbed within every cell of the body within about 30 seconds, and the body processes what it needs and detoxes the rest very quickly. In, addition they smell good and also affect your mood in a positive way.

I chose to feature Grapefruit Essential Oil because it is not discussed very often, and I absolutely love its healing power and its scent. Grapefruit is very uplifting and can even promote a euphoric state of mind. I can’t think of any better way to feel especially if your sick.

Grapefruit oil is derived from the rind of the fruit, and is a top note. It is highly anti-toxic, astringent, antiseptic, and diuretic. It stimulates the lymphatic system and the gall bladder, a key element in its ability to detoxify the body. It is often used in anti-cellulite products because of its ability to break down fat cells, and in weight loss supplements because of its action as a diuretic. That is why the “fad” grapefruit diet was popular for a while.

I use it blended with almond oil (20 drops per oz of carrier oil) as a lymphatic massage oil when I feel a cold or flu coming on. The lymphatic system is the “mother” of our entire immune system. It acts as a network in the body whose job is to cleanse it of toxins and maintain a healthy source of lymphatic fluid. Unlike, the heart it does not have a pump to keep things moving. That is why it can help to support it through a lymphatic massage (particularly if you are sick and your lymph nodes as swollen) with grapefruit oil. Your lymph nodes are located on the side of the neck, under the armpits, at the crease of the groin and behind the knees. You can massage these areas with the oil, VERY VERY GENTLY and always moving towards the heart. When you are done be sure to drink lots of water and do not be surprised if you urinate frequently.

I also use grapefruit oil as a compress on the forehead (be sure to keep far away from the eyes) to reduce a fever, this has always worked in our house. This method can also be used to relieve menopausal hot flashes. Or the compress can be wrapped around the neck to relieve a sore throat.

It can be diluted in witch hazel and used as a toner to bring life to your skin. Or used this way in places where there is cellulite present.

I just love to smell grapefruit oil, I diffuse it in the kitchen because it quickly gets rid of food odors; at the same time putting me in a great mood!

As with any other essential oil, always dilute, respect mother nature and the powers of the oils. Also, this is one to avoid during pregnancy.

Also, as I tell my friends and clients when I make these recommendations; buy your products when you don’t need them because you want to have them on hand when you do. The last thing you want is to be sick and searching your neighborhood healthfood store for grapefruit oil.

To order a high quality oil, just click on the Mountain Rose Herbs banner on this blog.

 

The Goddess Keeps Banging Me on the Head Its Time to Listen!

I plan on directing a lot of people to this post; so I will start out with what I am not doing.

1.) What I am doing is not going to make me rich; initially I will charge nothing. I may get a few products and services gratis but that is it.

2.) I will be gaining many karma points.

3.) If I begin to make money on this; it will be spent on making the site better and bringing more traffic to us all, exotic botanicals that I can make medicine from, yarn, and some cool stuff for my son. In that order.

OK so now that I’ve got you here it is. I have spent many years building businesses to make big businesses wealthy. Then I moved on to make my own small business successful and did; but my passion has always been to make “the small girl (or guy)” big. I have wanted to do product reviews on my blog for a long time. But your typical mom blog/product review sites are somewhat saturated. I keep being told by my guides that I need to support pagan owned businesses, and support them I will!

So I am currently creating a second blog to do just that. Support pagan owned businesses, and in this post I am going to lay out the process.

First and foremost, I will write a review on any pagan owned business whether it be product or service (as long as service can be provided via distance….or if you are in the Denver Metro area). You do NOT have to provide a pagan product or service but I will not do reviews on network marketing companies. They already have branding and millions of dollars for marketing. This MUST be your brainchild.

I will do a business interview and spotlight on this blog with a link to your blog or website. Secondly, I will review your product/service on www.thedancingmusereviews.blogspot.com. That means you will have to send me one of your products or provide me with a service (reading, energy healing, etc).  You will get your blog button or website banner posted to both blogs for 30 days.

If you choose you can do a giveaway of your product or service  I will post it on both blogs. The entrants will have to go to your site and tell me what they love about it. They will get extra entries if they choose to follow either of us. So you get more traffic.

That’s it. You have to give me an interview and one or two of your products and services. In addition, you post on your blog and website (and any other place you are visible to the internet world) that I am featuring you. And the link to the posts.

At some point, I may begin to charge for advertising dollars, but not until I feel like I have enough traffic to make it beneficial to both of us. (which means its in your interest to promote my blog too).

Blessed Be,

Scheherazade

I Can’t Live With This Clutter!!!

This is my den!

This is the culprit of this chaos!

This room used to be my refuge, it is the place where we spend most of our time. Unfortunately every other room in this house is also in chaos. I have let it get out of control, and being a SAHM we spend a lot of time here. This is really getting to me, and yet I can’t get motivated to do something about it.

I am starting to get depressed living amongst this. No wonder I can’t write a word in this environment, it is an assault on my senses.

I want my home to be an enjoyable place to live in again! And yet, when my son is at school the last thing I want to do is sit here organizing.

This house used to be warm and inviting, it used to be a healing space and I had my sanctuary. Now I don’t and I am the only one to blame for letting it get like this. I can’t believe I have let it get like this.

Initially, I was considering booking a trip to mexico as our family christmas gift, because we don’t need anything. Now, I have realized I do need something; to be peaceful in my own home. So I will be hiring and organizer and spending that money on things that will make my home more beautiful.

Aromas of Autumn

The Aromas of Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of year and the topic of aromatherapy and scent is one of my favorite topics. The sense of scent is our most powerful and the smell of things can conjure up memories of days long ago; some even say past lives. There are certain scents that immediately bring thoughts of autumn to mind; earthy scents, scents reminiscent of the last harvest. These may bring us memories of Halloween celebrations, a roaring fireplace, and maybe even the first snow. For those of us who follow pagan paths autumn is a very spiritual time of year, and often Samhain is our biggest holiday. This the time when the veils between the worlds are thinnest and we honor our ancestors. It is steeped in ritual and merriment.

I am going to discuss some of my favorite scents for fall and both their health and therapeutic benefits, as well as, their magical and ritual uses. I know that pumpkins and apples often bring thoughts of fall, but I will only address those plant spirits that are available in essential oil or loose herb form. I caution anyone; in particular witches from avoiding synthetic scents. The can often be toxic and will not provide any physical, mental or spiritual benefit. In addition, if you follow an Earth based path please honor the mother by using her gifts and not lab created candles and so- called magical oils. When using essential oils by the highest quality therapeutic and organic oils you can afford.

Cinnamon Bark- Cinnamon is probably one of the most recognizable scents in history and definitely is a scent for fall. However if the essential oil is used, caution must also be used. The oil should be avoided in pregnancy, and should not be used on the skin or in baths because it is an irritant. It can however be used by dropping some oil on a cottonball and sniffing, or you can buy cinnamon sticks and crush them and leave little bowls throughout the house. Because this is a highly potent oil I do not recommend beginners to use it for health and healing (just stick to using the spice and bark), but inhaling it and using visualization aids in tapping into the psychic mind and can also be used to ward off spite and malice.

Cypress Oil- An ancient Mediterranean pine tree that has great affect on the respiratory and circulatory system. It is an oil that can be both stimulating and relaxing depending on frame of mind, and amount used. Add 10-20 drops to a bath or to an ounce of carrier oil and massage in to relief sore muscles or menstrual cramps. It can also be blended with other oils (such as ravensara and naiuoli) and massaged into the back or feet to relieve respiratory congestion and coughs. Magically, cypress oil when inhaled or diffused helps to smooth transitions, particular the loss of friends or loved ones; therefore this is a perfect oil to celebrate our elders with during Samhain. Cypress is also an oil that can be used to honor the Goddess Hecate.

Myrrh Oil or Resin- Myrrh the mother of spiritual plants (frankincense being the father) has been revered since the beginning of time. Beyond ritual its health benefits are cooling and cleansing, and it can be used as an anti-fungal. I also use it to calm tense muscles. It can be used in a bath, diffused, or mixed with a massage oil. It will stimulate the 6^th and 7^th chakras. Myrrh can be used to consecrate objects or inhaled to awaken your awareness into the spiritual realm. It also wards off negativity and will protect you during a ritual. Again, for Samhain if Hecate is the Goddess you want, myrrh will certainly make her happy.

Oak Moss Oil- Oak the sacred tree of the Druids is one of my favorite scents; there is no comparing the earthiness. Oak Moss is actually a lichen taken from the base of an oak tree and is an extremely viscous oil. It is difficult to get even one drop out of a bottle, but it’s worth it and that is all you need. Normally used as a perfume fixative I also use it on the sinus points to clear congestion. Inhaling oak moss promotes fertility, power, balance and protection.

Orange Oil – (sweet never bitter) Oranges always remind me of fall, being Italian we ate more fruit and nuts than sweets for dessert and there were always oranges and tangerines at our Thanksgiving table. Orange oil helps the digestive system and is an anti-depressive and nerve sedative. I diffuse it in the house and add it to my bathwater any chance I get. It is also highly anti-viral and dissipates bad odors quickly so I use it in my cleaning products. Orange increases you bioelectric energy field so it is an ideal oil to use during divination practice, and will ensure you are entering into your divination without depression and at peace with yourself.

Patchouli Oil- Yeah, yeah I know so many people laugh at patchouli because it was so overused in the 60’s but it really is such a glorious earthy-musky scent that I encourage people to give it another try. It can be an aphrodisiac so I encourage wearing it, putting it into the bath or diffusing it if you would like at little romance to culminate your Samhain Sabbat. It is also a nerve sedative and anti-depressant. It also great for dry, oil or wrinkled skin just blend a few drops in vitamin E and jojoba oil and apply. Patchouli can also be used to manifest money if inhaled and proper visualizations are done. Patchouli is also associated with Samhain, Hecate and the Underworld.

I hope you enjoyed this list of oils and their uses. I chose to feature oils associated with the Samhain Sabbat and the Goddess Hecate as the honored Goddess for the holiday. These oils can all be used at the altar, or if you do a bathing ritual prior to celebrating all oils (except cinnamon) can be put in the bath. If there are any questions on the use or where to get these oils feel free to email me. I normally use Mountain Rose Herbs because there oils are all organic or responsibly wildcrafted and the prices are reasonable. There is a link to their page

I am A Glassblower

I am getting ready to sit down and write my bio for the keepsake book that will be given out at my 20 year reunion. 20 years!! Some days it feels like high school was just yesterday. Thank Goddess it wasn’t, I don’t think I would want to do that time all over again. I am looking forward to seeing many people. Especially those from elementary school. I went to a regional high school, so I made new friends and did not hang out with the grammar school kids as much. But I think they were the ones that left the biggest impression on me and I regret not staying friends with them in high school.

So I am wondering how snarky I should get in this bio, maybe add a little fiction in there and make it fun. Tell them I have worked as a phone sex operator, or maybe tell them I am a professional skydiver. Maybe tell them I am a polygamist and instead of bringing my husband; bring a friend cleverly disguised as one of the other wives. Tell everyone we left the husband home with the 18 kids.

Maybe I will tell them I am a glass blower and own my own head shop, and that I gave birth to my son at Burning Man while riding a giant paper mache whale. I could have a lot of fun with this. Comments and suggestions welcome!

Breakfast Quiche Muffins

I never planned on posting recipes to this blog, but people keep asking me for them so I guess its time to start!!! Here is a great recipe for on the go breakfast quiches. My son who does not eat veggies, is eating one (with spinach) as I type this, telling me he likes the green stuff! I guess I will have to start taking pictures too.

Breakfast Quiche Muffins

4 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

10 slices of bacon cooked and chopped

1 cup cheese of your choice- I use Havarti Dill

Small onion chopped

1 cup spinach or broccoli (or both)

Salt, pepper, ground mustard powder and smoked paprika

Preheat oven to 375.

Sauté onions and vegetables in the bacon grease and a tablespoon of butter, set aside

In bowl whisk the eggs, add the cream and seasoning & whisk some more. Add cheese, bacon and vegetables (with slotted spoon so it’s not too soggy).

Coat muffin tin with cooking spray, and pour quiche batter into each cup (about ½ way)

Bake for 20 minutes and check with a toothpick to see if it comes clean. I generally cook these for 30 minutes but oven temperatures vary.

These freeze well so you can make several batches.

some semblance of normalcy

whew, what a summer! took a whirlwind tour of new jersey with my son and saw friends and family, it was a blast but very tiring. I am yearning for some semblance of a routine again, and that is just around the corner. at the same time some changes are on the horizon. there was a recent post by a friend asking if your a summer mother or a school year mother. I have to say for sure “school year” it may be busier but I need the structure and so does my son. I am also really looking forward to autumn, my favorite season.

i have not written a word except tweets in months, it seems that my head just doesn’t have room for an original thought…that sucks.

my bellydance teacher unfortunately had to stop teaching day classes, i am really bummed, but i am excited about going back to Indian Classical dance and possibly taking a contemporary class, as well as evening bellydance classes.

this will free me up to pursue some other interests, least of all writing. I will begin to volunteer at my library in the new few weeks and begin to embark on the next chapter of my life. this will include, hopefully a paid library job and going back to school.

i also need to bring my funny back, i read some blogs that are so hysterical and i really need to bring my sense of humor and imagination back into my writing. i feel like a bore lately, that may be because i have not spent very much time with my spirit which also must change.  i think i have been spending too much time with wine, and not enough with spirit. i drink wine to de-stress but its really making me a person i don’t want to be; not a bad person mind you, but one that is not as sharp, and that is bothering me.

i think i am bored, it sounds bad but i can’t wait for this year to fly by and my son start kindergarten. he can’t wait either, i think we both need some more stimulation.

that’s it for now, i will be writing more, i promise, and hopefully some good stuff.