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Organic Living

When you want to incorporate dried flowers or any botanical in skincare products, it’s essential that they be dried sufficiently to eliminate water content so as to prevent any fungus or bacteria from growing in your skincare creation.  This specifically applies in regards to recipes where there is an oil content.  Oil and water generally do not […]

One of my favorite past-times is finding unique books about plants and flowers.  Here are some of my latest finds: “Weeds and Wildflowers”, which is a compilation of poems by Alice Oswald and botanical etchings by Jessica Greenman.  This book is beautifully bound and filled with lovely poems about some enchanting botanicals. “In Pursuit of Plants” by […]

If you are thinking of starting a little herb garden lemon balm is one to include.  It’s truly a healing herb.  It’s most commonly found in herbal bedtime/calming teas, but it can also be applied to the skin.  As it is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, it is great for cleansing pores and alleviating redness of the skin.  Lemon balm grows […]

Facial steams are a great way to cleanse and soften the skin.  You can customize the steam to whatever skin type you have or whatever skin imbalance you are experiencing.  All you need are some skin-friendly botanicals of your choosing, a large bowl, some warm water and a towel.   First, place warm water (the warmer the better) […]

I often get asked when the best time is to harvest lavender.  The answer really depends on what you want to use it for.  Right now, in the southwest the buds should be about 25%-40% open by now.  Just depending on the variety.  I grow English lavender and the buds are about 35% open right now as a whole.  If […]

Sometimes when I am feeling overwhelmed and need to relax, I like to make bath teas. Bath teas are essentially a mix of flowers, herbs and sometimes sea salt that are placed in a cotton bag, cheesecloth, organza bag, nylon sock or strainer.  I like to tie the bag onto the nozzle of the bathtub so […]

One of my favorite things to do when I’m by the ocean is to gather up sea water, boil it down to the sea salt and use it in homemade salt scrubs.  Sea salt has so many skin-friendly minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium.  These minerals work to speed up healing and combat bacterial and skin infections.  If […]

Yarrow has been used for thousands of years for skin healing.  Interestingly, these plants have been used on battle-fields since the time of Achilles through the Civil War to stop bleeding in wounds.  In modern times, herbalists continue to use yarrow for healing treatments, due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and pain relieving properties.  Yarrow contains silica, which helps […]

It’s been quite awhile since I have done a post. Life has been busy, but I’m committed to doing at least one post a week now.  As life has been so hectic, I have been relying on my meditation and yoga practice a lot more to bring balance and grounding to my life. An early morning meditation […]

This time of year, I like to make a potpourri and give it out as gifts so they can be enjoyed during Thanksgiving through the New Year.  I generally use ingredients that can be found at the grocery store, but sometimes I like to make a few unique additions.  Here is how you make it: Ingredients: Oranges […]

Sunflower seed oil is such an amazing oil for the skin.  We use it in two of our products—our Mint Balm for Lips and our Rose Peppermint Lip & Cheek Tint.  It is truly a magical oil.  It is incredibly moisturizing and it has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, as well.  One of its most powerful attributes is that […]

Delphinium are one of my favorite flowers.  Their history is just as rich as their beauty.  It’s rounding off the season for them so I thought I’d do a little post about them.  They are native to Europe and North America and their blue blossoms were used by the Native Americans and settlers alike to create blue dye […]

Up close with these country kids.  There is a lot of wisdom in their eyes.  Being around animals brings a lot of serenity to my life.  What brings serenity to your life?  Having a serene and peaceful inner state not only uplifts your spirits, but it can also bring tremendous benefits to your body and skin. It helps to reduce […]

This face mask is particularly nourishing during autumn. As the weather cools off and our skin gets a little drier, it’s important to apply a skincare regimen that is extra moisturizing.  This face mask fits well into that regimen.  Pumpkin contains zinc, beta carotene and fatty acids, which are all incredibly beneficial for the maintenance of a clear, […]

Claude Monet once said, “I must have flowers always and always”. The flower was his muse for his greatest works and unsurprisingly so.  Flowers have the power to make our days a little brighter, and a little more beautiful.  They give you a greater appreciation for the beauty of life and nature.  I know that when I have flowers […]

This past weekend, I picked a bunch of tomatillos and husked them. Tomatillos are full of minerals, vitamins and proteins, which are very beneficial for the skin and body.  What’s the best way to use tomatillos you may ask. Well, I love to make a green salsa with them.  It goes perfect with tortilla chips this time of year.  Here […]

Making herbal or floral infused oils is a fun and rewarding process.  This time of year is the best time to get picking your flowers and herbs for drying.  So once you pick them (one of my favorite flowers to pick and dry is chamomile and calendula) then lay them out on a clean surface covered with […]

I think that one of the most lovely things about summer is gathering flowers and herbs in June and July, drying them out, and by August incorporating them into a Summertime Potpourri that you can enjoy in your home for up to four months. This is one of my favorite potpourri recipes. You, of course, […]

Yarrow is one of my favorite little herbs because it has so many healing properties.  It is so beneficial in treating minor cuts, burns, and rashes.  Some people have skin reactions to yarrow so its best to ensure that your skin doesn’t react negatively to it prior to use.  I love to leave this healing salve handy in […]

Can doing yoga benefit the skin?  Yes, indeed!  Practicing yoga postures (asanas) can increase blood circulation and lead to a reduction of toxins in the body.  Poses that increase blood flow and oxygen to the face, such as forward bends and inversions, help to provide you with a gentle radiance, due to the increase in blood circulation to […]