Sunday, April 20, 2014


APRIL 20th 2014

TRADITIONS OF EARTH DAY musings...

This Earth Day gather your family together and have an Earth Day circle... talking and sharing about the need of caring for our beautiful planet. Because the truth is...if you take care of the Earth and her resources...you are also taking care of yourself...and future generations.

After you and your family share your thoughts on taking care of the planet and your concerns about pollution etc. ask each family member to make a promise to themselves...and to the Earth...about one thing they can do each day to care for the environment...and have them write that down on a piece of paper you have provided.

Make each one... responsible for their written promise and hold them accountable... including yourself.

After you have your Earth circle... take the family for a walk around your neighborhood... and pick up any trash you might find... and take any items that could be recycled... and place in your recycling bins.

Earth Day is a perfect day to look into using natural organic products to clean and disinfect your home. Do your research... on essential oils and herbs... to clean with and for use of pest control inside and outside of your home...including pet areas. You will be amazed how easy...affordable and simple it is to make your own cleaning products... once you have the basic ingredients and supplies.

Natural...organic fertilizers are are easily available now...so please start using them on your lawns and flower beds instead of harmful...toxic chemicals...that are polluting our water systems and the land.

And of course it goes without saying to monitor how much gas you consume by constantly running errands and driving unnecessarily. Do all your errands in one area...in one driving time...and resist the urge to drive without it having to be a necessary trip in your car.

Make or purchase handcrafted gifts for your family and friends... instead of buying all those cute...cheap products made in China...that end up in landfills.

Make a enlightened decision to STOP using paper plates ...plastic cups and plastic silverware. It is just wrong to use these...use your own china or at least use recycled... green picnic ware please.

Only buy local...fresh and organic food...in season. Think before you buy those peaches grown and shipped from Chile etc.

If you want to redecorate your home...buy antique...flea or vintage stores...use Earth friendly paint...and put houseplants throughout your home...to balance out toxins and have better air quality in your home.

Respect yourself...others...and all living things...and practice mindful living.

Love and happy Earth Day,
Victoria




Monday, April 14, 2014

APRIL 14th

THE TRADITIONS of  HONEY musings...

Honey is thought to be one of the oldest foods found on the planet... and will not ever spoil... which to me means it is a near perfect natural food... besides being ever so good to eat... as well as good for you too.

Besides being a great food source... it is also great for other uses around the house...including using for minor medicinal uses...and personal care.

Be sure to find and use local honey...to be sure to get pure honey...as some honey that is sold...is filtered ... which means all those good nutrients are gone...and fruit or corn fructose syrup might be added. So be sure to read the label.... before buying anything that is not pure honey.

Give bees a good home in your yards...and help bee colonies bounce back... from the recent decline of the last few years... by planting bee attracting plants in your yards. Lavender... thyme...mint...borage...bee balm... honeysuckle...and flowering bushes...are all good choices to attract these sweet creatures.

HONEY MASK

Oh my... who knew the wonders of using honey as a face mask... here is how you do it. Just pour about 2 tablespoons honey into a small glass bowl...and then gently dab the honey all over your face. Allow the honey to stay on your face about 15 minutes...and then using a clean...wet washcloth...that you have run warm water over...gently wipe off the honey. Rinse off with warm water...followed by a cold rinse.
That's it! Your skin will be so soft... and the honey will also pull out toxins from your skin.

BLEMISH POWER

If you have a pimple... just tab a bit of honey on it... and the honey will pull out the pimple.Now that is sweet!

HONEY HAIR SHINER

For a beautiful... shine to your  hair... just combine 1 teaspoon honey to 4 cups warm water... and then pour over your hair... and DO NOT RINSE OUT.

HONEY BATH

For a soothing and healing bath... try adding 1 tablespoon honey... combined with 10 drops lavender essential oil...into your bath water...and then soak in calming bliss for at least 30 minutes.

Bee happy
Victoria


HONEY BURN BALM

Because honey has anti-inflammatory properties... pure honey can help heal minor burns. If you or someone you care about gets a burn...just place a cold compress on the area...run cold water over the burn...gently dry off...apply a coat of honey.. then cover with gauze. Apply fresh honey daily...until healed.  

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS FOR YOUR... HOME...HEARTH... AND HEART APRIL 2014

April musings...

It is always with deepest pleasure that I welcome April... as my wonderful daughter Aurora was born this month...in the wee hours of the morning.

I gave birth to her at home... in my bathroom actually... with the help of my mid-wife...my husband and my older daughter. I didn't choose this natural way of bringing forth new life into the world... because I had to... but because I wanted to... and because my soul asked me to do this. I know this might sound odd to you... but a soul does speak to a person... if you silent yourself to listen.

The month of April is a month of rebirth... and awakening to something bigger than yourself...that you have to still yourself to "listen" to.. for your guidance... direction...knowledge and wisdom... that only your soul...your heart...and the voice of The Higher Power... gently whispers to you.

That are your answers... for what you are seeking.

It seems to me... the more I seek... a meaningful life...a life of authenticity... that resonates with my inner core... the more I have come to understand that judging myself and others... is so wrong... if there is such a thing. Everyone seems to point fingers...or poke at... anything or anyone that doesn't fit into their way of doing things... or what they WANT.

I must admit... to be honest here... I do this too... but I have come to realize... it is because I am insecure in that moment... or fearful... instead of being connected to my heart.

As I move into my sixth decade here on this beautiful earth... I crave more and more... a peaceful life... harmony and a sense of meaning in my daily life. I want to strive to be "me" in the highest possible way... for myself... and to that whisper... that voice... that to me is the Creator of all things.

I am reminded each moment... to take that part of me... that trusted so deeply in my ability to birth my daughter without even an aspirin to dull the pain of childbirth... in my own bathroom ... in present time. To focus my energy on deeply trusting and having a faith that I am guided each living... breathing second... by a force... nudging me...forward... to what is right for me...and what is best for me.

I also understand... that not everyone will accept my choices...or support them...and although it would be great if they did... I do not expect it... or need approval from anyone...only my own.

Truth is...my inner voice... never fails me.

May this lovely month of April... be the perfect days and beautiful evenings... that you begin your journey of becoming still... of silent spaces to listen to your own voice... and reclaiming self- trust and growing your faith ... in something bigger than yourself...in whatever understanding that means to you.

You are stronger than you believe you are... more powerful...and so much more deserving... and you will find that knowledge when you still your mind and stand in silence.... and "listen" to the truth of your soul. Do not allow other people who judge you... or question what is right for you...keep you from your inner knowing... or your own answers for what you need or want to do. It is your life... honor that... and stand tall.

Work with the supportive energy and teachings of this month... to reclaim parts of you lost...hidden or just plain denied by you... and go within to seek your own truth...and rebirth your life.

Be the best you... on your own terms...guided by your own inner light... and re-create your life...from the "inside"  out. Not because you have to... but because you want to.

Just listen.

Blessings to you,
Victoria


WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS IN APRIL


April 15th...Passover begins... April 18th...Good Friday...April 20th...Easter


April 15th there will be a Lunar eclipse...on April 29th there will be a Solar eclipse



FACTS ABOUT APRIL

The flower of April is the daisy... and the sweetpea

Gems for this month are the ruby...and garnet

The Romans called this month Aprilis...a time of unfolding leaves and flowers

In Victorian times the 1st Sunday in April was Daffodil Sunday... a day set aside to give sick patients handpicked daffodils at local hospitals.



APRIL HANDCRAFTED PROJECT

There is something so nurturing about creating your own bath salts or oils...to use for your personal use or make as a gift to someone you care about. Below is a simple wonderfully scented Bath Salt with essential oils for you to enjoy.

APRIL BATH OIL

1 cup epsom salt
8 drops pure honeysuckle oil
8 drops pure rose oil
4 drops patchouli oil

Blend all ingredients in a glass bowl...then either use right away in a hot bath...or place in a glass container with a lid for future use.



FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS

...FOR YOUR HOME

Use pure Lemon essential oil to clean off your counter tops in your kitchen and bathrooms...leaving these areas squeaky clean... and your whole house smelling like the lovely scent of citrus.

Clean all the windows in your home... using a natural and organic window cleaner...and dry off with recycled newspaper.

Be sure to clean and sweep your front and back porches... for an inviting and dirt free welcome to your home.

Clean your washing machine this month...by running it with hot water...with 1 quart white vinegar...on an EMPTY  cycle (no clothes or other items).

Make your own LAVENDER drier sheets...by purchasing muslin cotton bags...and filling them with dried Lavender... double tie the string to close the bag...and then throw these into the drier while drying clothes and towels. Your laundry... will smell like a lavender field!



...FOR YOUR HEARTH

Make your own herbal infused beverages this month...using lovely fresh organic herbs from your garden or local organic store...a real treat that you will love making and drinking too!

ROSEMARY LEMONADE

Wash off a handful (about 1 cup) of fresh rosemary leaves and stems.Place in a medium-size pan. Add water to cover and bring to a boil.Turn off heat....cover pan...and let mixture cool completely. Discard rosemary and strain liquid through a coffee filter...or even a paper towel. Make your favorite Lemonade recipe...adding the steeped rosemary water... a bit at a time.Serve with fresh lemon slices and small sprigs of fresh rosemary. Any leftover rosemary water can be stored in fridge for a few days. This rosemary water is strong so add to taste only.


ROSEMARY SPRINKLED FRUIT

The next time you want a real treat...or an easy dessert...just place fresh organic fruit into a bowl...that you have already cut or sliced and sprinkle just a bit of finely chopped organic rosemary on top... and serve. So very good...great as a healthy snack or as a company dessert too.


...FOR YOUR HEART

Begin each day... making a choice  to be  HAPPY.

Make a promise to yourself to stop JUDGING yourself and others.

Do deep breathing exercises each morning or evening... exhaling deeply negative thoughts or feelings...and inhale deeply... life affirming feelings and positive thoughts.

Plant a container garden...on your back porch...of herbs...tomatoes and lovely lettuce.

Bird watch.

Sit outside and feel the Sun.

Meditate or pray outside.









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