I am always on the hunt for new essential oil products and brands. Essential oils are a fantastic way to naturally improve our well-being on a mental, emotional, and physical level. 

I most recently discovered 21 Drops, and was immediately intrigued. When asked what set them apart from other essential oil companies, their response was what sealed the deal! 

1. All of the essential oils used in our blends are therapeutic-grade, 100% natural, sourced from artisan distillers, organic or wild-crafted, and GC-MS tested to ensure their upmost purity and effectiveness.
2. We focused on the molecular chemistry, so you can focus on the physical. Our remedies are pre-blended to treat some of the most common conditions, allowing you more time to spend time with your partner or try that new yoga class.
3. All of our essential oils are safely diluted in 100% jojoba carrier oil.
4. Our bright, colorful rollerball packaging makes our blends easy to toss into a purse, place aside your bed or at your desk at work. Basically, they're way more fun and simple to use.  

What's not to love? Unable to narrow it down to just one oil (how can you choose between 21 amazing blends?), the wonderful folks over at 21 Drops were kind enough to send me over the Let's Celebrate Trio to review, and I am in love!

The Let's Celebrate kit includes three 3ml oil blends: Invigorate, Passion, and De-Stress. Each blend is formulated specifically for inhalation and topical application, and every one comes with a fantastic affirmation!

Invigorate (#01) is a combination of black pepper (enlivens & motivates), cedarwood (maximizes endurance), juniper (energizes & invigorates), and rosemary (stimulates the mind). The affirmation that comes with this oil is "I initiate. I act. I deliver." This has been my go-to oil for early mornings and mid-afternoon for when I need a pick-me-up! Caffeine never seems to agree with me (if you ever see me with super shaky hands and looking a little grey, its likely the barista accidentally switched my decaf for something higher octane), so coffee is usually too strong for the usual slow-moving moments. However, one whiff of this blend is enough to get me moving, and once I put a little on my wrists, I am getting things done! I've started keeping this one on my desk so that whenever I feel myself loosing steam, I can have it within reach so I can get back in action! 

Passion (#06) is a combination of cardamom (enlivens & refreshes), jasmine (diminishes fears & inhibitions, rose (invites feelings of love), and sandalwood encourages self-acceptance. The affirmation that comes with the blend is "I am open. I am playful. I am inspired." If sunshine came in the form of an essential oil, this would be it. When wearing Passion, I feel radiant and goddess-like. The floral aspects make it a great date night scent, but I love wearing it anytime I want to feel sunshine-y and special!

De-stress (#11) is a combination of frankincense (quiets the mind), German chamomile (reduces tension), lavender (reduces anxiety), and ylang ylang (helps ease panic attacks). The affirmation is "I accept. I bend. I release." This oil is my new signature scent, hands down. I usually have an affinity for similar blends (as an old flame once proclaimed: "You always smell like tea... It is a good thing, I swear!"), but 21 Drops De-Stress takes the cake. Every time I put on this essential oil, I can feel all of the tension in my body melt away, and I am left relaxed and smiling. 

After the success of these three blends, I cannot wait to try their others! The next ones I have my eye on are #03 Strength, #07 Equalize, #12 Uplift, and #17 Digest, not to mention getting bigger sizes of what I already have!

Have you tried 21 Drops yet? Check them out on their website, and enjoy!

 

Since switching to a (mostly) paleo diet last year, I have been two variation of a paleo pancake recipe for breakfast that I absolutely love. Unlike most recipes that you can find online, this recipe has minimal ingredients and takes just a few minutes to whip up. Plus, these pancakes are little energy pucks fill me up and get me ready to take on the day. Either variation is delicious, and I usually decide between the two based on what ingredients are more readily available!


Super Duper Easy Paleo Pancakes

Using an electric mixer, stir together:

Variation A: 
one egg
one banana (the fresher the banana, the better it will hold together... if you use a ripe banana, add a spoonful of coconut flour to help hold it together)
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup almond flour (different brands will absorb differently)
a dash of cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
a itty-bitty pinch of clove

Variation B:
three eggs
2 bananas
1/4 cup - 1/2 cup coconut flour (add 1/4 cup, mix, then see if more is needed to thicken)
a dash of cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
a itty-bitty pinch of clove 

Heat a nonstick pan to medium high heat. Add a spoonful of coconut oil, and once melted, scoop batter into pan into small pancakes. I have found it easier to flip the pancakes if they aren't much bigger than my spatula. Cook until you can easily slide a spatula underneath and see a nice golden brown, then flip!

To be honest, I typically cook this while multitasking, and don't measure exactly or keep a watchful eye while it cooks. The result is darker, less "cute" pancakes (alright, slightly burnt), but they still taste delicious! (However, if "pretty pancakes" is what your after, try Variation B.)

Once you get the hang of either variation, try mixing it up with added fruit! I love to add blueberries into the pancakes, and next I am going to try a few small cut up pieces of apple.

Try at first not to add additional sugar to this; it has plenty of yummy flavor all on its own! If you want a little extra, try frying a few banana slices in the left over coconut oil and putting those on top. Or keep a tiny dish of pure maple syrup on the side. Also, I like to fry up some turkey bacon as well for a real breakfast feast!

Happy cooking!

“The real payoff of a yoga practice, I came to see, is not a perfect handstand or a deeper forward bend—it is the newly born self that each day steps off the yoga mat and back into life.” 

Rolf Gates

Last fall, I began attending a small weekly yoga class, run by a wonderfully kind and experienced yogini who converted her home into a working yoga studio. After about an hour long class (which ranges from yin to ashtanga style, and always includes laughter and helpful assistance), we settle in for savasana. Once our instructor Chris ensures that we are all comfortable and relaxed (she provides all props, including cozy blankets and hot massage rocks to lay on for sore muscles), she typically reads us an excerpt from an article or book. While completely surrendered in savasana, I felt the words met no resistance and poured directly into my soul. By what I am convinced is some sort of yogini mind-reading magic, she would somehow choose passages that spoke directly to my current situations. I recall one day that the passage was so timely and encouraged me to release my fear, and I found myself needing a few moments extra to wipe away a few tears as well. On the days that I was particularly moved, I would ask where the passage came from. Her answer: Meditations from the Mat.

Meditations from the Mat is a book by Rolf Gates, and I recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in yoga. Divided into 365 passages for daily reading, each chapter studies all of the aspects of the 8 limbs of yoga in a very approachable manner, with tips and insights along the way.

I like to have it close to my yoga mat each day, so that once I finish savasana, I can sit with my tea and read a passage. Here is a quote I came across today that I absolutely love:

“Love is not a thought, it is an action. And each loving action that we take infuses us with more energy for loving action in the future.” 

Do you have a favorite yoga book right now? 

Looking around my home, you will notice a common theme... lavender hand soap, lavender bubble bath, lavender room spray, lavender candles, even lavender tea! Needless to say, I am absolutely in love with lavender!

Lavandula angustifolia, aka lavender, is known for its powerful relaxing qualities. Good for both the body and the mind, it should be staple in every household. I have always loved the variety of ways you can use it, and its positive effect on my life. In case you are in need of some inspiration, I compiled a quick list on how to add lavender into your life!

Drink a cup of lavender tea each evening, or whenever you are overwhelmed with stress. If you can, get the highest quality of loose lavender buds, brew it in a tea infuser like this one, add a tiny smidge of honey (if you must), and enjoy it about 20-40 minutes before bedtime. If you're like me, you might fall asleep before you even finish your cup!

Soak in a hot bath with a couple cups of epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil. When my body feels tense, soaking in a lavender bath for at least 20 minutes releases any tension I have, softens the skin, and inhaling the lavender aroma calms my mind as well. When I am done soaking, the lavender scent stays with me long after I dry off.

In the summer, combine a drop of lavender oil with coconut oil, and apply it to sunburns or insect bites. This calms the skin and relieves itching, therefore allowing the skin a better chance to heal.

When doing laundry, insert a satchel of lavender buds to the dryer to result in yummy smelling clothing and sheets. 

Lavender plants are beautiful, smell wonderful, and are pretty hardy, so plant a few bushes in your garden so you always have access to some!

Use an essential oil diffuser to diffuse lavender into your bedroom at night, or to create a relaxing atmosphere in an office or treatment room. 

Put a sprig of dried lavender or a satchel of dried lavender buds in your car to freshen it up instead of using chemical-based air-fresheners.

Put a drop of lavender mixed with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) on the bottom of your feet at night for a deep, restful night's sleep.

I rotate in a coconut oil/lavender oil combination into my skincare routine a few times a week to give my face a break from salicylic acid treatments, while still fighting off acne and clogged pores. I moisturize my face, then use the mixture for the rest of my body as well!

When sick, inhaling the steam of lavender can help fight of bacteria and infections due to its antibiotic and expectorant properties. If you are feeling under the weather and stuffy, fill a bowl full of hot water, add a drop of lavender essential oil, and lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and the bowl (trapping in the steam). Be careful the water is not too hot, as to not burn your face with the steam. 

If you are prone to depression, anxiety, or constant stress, keeping a vial of lavender essential oil nearby can be helpful. When I feel like my mental health could use a tune up, either wearing lavender or just smelling it seems to be the emotional boost I need. (Obviously, if your need of a "mental health tuneup" is severe, consult a professional.) Put a drop or two in your hands, cup them to your face, and breathe in slowly and deeply. 

Well, now that lavender is on my brain, I'm going to go put the kettle on to make a cup of tea!

Do you love lavender as well? What is your favorite use for it?

"I honor the place in your where the entire universe resides... a place of light, of love, of truth, of peace, of wisdom. I honor the place in you where when you are in that place and I am in that place there is only one of us."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

If you've been to a yoga class (or probably even if you haven't), you've heard the term: "Namaste."

What does it mean?

In Sanskrit, the word ‘namah' means bow, ‘as’ means I, and ‘te’ means you, translating into “I bow to you.” Due to a varying language translations, there are many additional interpretations, but every translation contains the same essential intention:

The Divine light in me honors the Divine light in you.

Used by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, and other religions, it is commonly said with a slight bow and hands in prayer position either at the heart or raised to the forehead. It can be a greeting or a closing, or simply a way to acknowledge someone's blessed spirit.

So namaste, my beautiful friends, and may the light, love, beauty, power, gratitude, spirit, and strength in me honor that within you.

"There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."

Sylvia Plath

Over the past year, I have experienced a lot of "life" (career changes, moving, medical emergencies, family death, etc.), and it was easy to find myself occasionally overwhelmed with stress.

Have you ever noticed how when you have a lot weighing on you emotionally, your body feels physically weighed down as well? It almost feels as if you are wearing a heavy coat of negativity. Not so fun...

When you are stressed, it can be hard to carve out time to just sit down and meditate. Therefore, I have found a quick solution that lets you (literally) scrub off some of those heavy thoughts: shower-time or bath-time meditation!

Since it is something that everyone does everyday (give or take), it can be a great way to squeeze in a little mental tuneup. Many times, people rush through washing up on autopilot: shampoo, soap, scrub, shave, done. This basic meditation allows you to bring a little mindfulness to your day, and do a little good for your emotional self as well. Depending on whether you prefer showers or baths, you can chose between the two meditations.

If you are showering: As you stand under the stream of water, envision it washing away all of your negative thoughts, as if they were mud stuck to your skin. Some emotions might take a little extra scrubbing, but as you lather up, release all of your fear, anger, and regret so that it may go swirling down the drain.

If you are soaking in the tub: Allow all of your muscles to sink into the hot water. Using a loofa or wash cloth, massage your skin from head to toe, visualizing any negativity within being released into the water. Once you feel truely relaxed and surrendered, unplug the drain and send the water that now carries all that detrimental energy away.

By the time I dry off after a shower or tub meditation, I always feel a lot better, both inside and out!

I always like bringing a cup of yummy tea in the tub with me as well!

I love to use natural bath and shower products, such as Epsom salts, essential oils, Jason shower gel, and my favorite homemade sugar scrub. What are your favorite natural products? Have you ever meditated in the tub before?

Once you begin learning about crystals, you may find yourself... accumulating. Gemstones in the windows, on table tops, in bowls, in your jewelry box, in your garden... everywhere! So what do you do with your collection?

The answer: crystal grids!

Crystal grids are a powerful tool that allow you to harness the energy of multiple stones and direct it towards a specific intention. By aligning crystals strategically, you can create!

The first step is deciding on what goal or creation you would like to manifest. Do you want to improve your overall health? To bring more prosperity and abundance into your life? To sleep better? To improve self-esteem? To bring about world peace? There are endless possibilities, but whatever you choose, make sure that it possesses a positive intention.

Next, find a place where the grid will be set up. They can go anywhere that feels pertinent, such as a sacred space, an alter, a desk, your garden, or even under your bed! Ensure that the space will be undisturbed so the grid can do its work, and that it is clean both physically and energetically (I like to use a cleansing essential oil spray on the surface and in the air).

Now comes my favorite step: collecting and placing your crystals! (Make sure your crystals have been cleansed recently... learn how here.) With most crystal grids, there is a central crystal, typically larger and occasionally pointed as to direct the energy. The central crystal's properties and purpose are amplified by the other crystals present, and is chosen due to its pertinence to the grid's intention.

After placing the central crystal, place your surrounding crystals that will enhance the intention of the grid. By following a sacred geometry pattern (either printed below or intuitively), symmetrically spread the surrounding crystals around the center crystal. While placing your gemstones, focus on what the grid is intended to achieve, and once all the crystals have been arranged, link the crystals (either with a crystal wand or your finger) to get the energy flowing.

When I first started learning about crystal grids, I found them a little intimating... How do I do it? How many crystals do I need? Where do I put them exactly? Now, I love trying different grids and creating my own! Now, I love to incorporate crystal grids with other elements, such as candles, oracle cards, written intentions, you name it! So if you are just starting out, until you get to the point where you feel you can create grids intuitively, I will share a few grid combinations so you can get creating!

 Crystal grids ideas are coming your way soon, so stay tuned!

Until then, I would love to hear: What grids would you like to see examples of? Do you have any experience with crystal grids?

"It’s time to be uplifted and liberated to take your next step towards passionate purpose and divine destiny."

Alana Fairchild

When I was younger, my grandmother and I would choose cards from her Angel Card deck and snuggle up to talk about what they could mean. I have always valued the memories of those times, and nowadays, I own a few different decks, including The Goddess Oracle, Animal Medicine Cards, and Wild Kuan Yin. Like tarot, oracle cards are great tools that you can use to find out information and gain insight to situations. For those new to oracle cards, I thought I would give a brief tutorial on how to use them!

Find a time and space where you feel at peace, without outside distractions (cellphones, loud music, television, etc.) I like to use oracle cards before or after meditation, or sometimes I will spread them out on my bed before I go to sleep.

Take the deck in your hands and shuffle while focusing on your intention behind drawing cards... What areas in my life do I need guidance in? What am I not paying attention to? What information am I in need of? The questions can be vague or specific. Although most of the time I ask for general guidance in life, other times I will use a specific spread. My favorite spread is to have three categories I draw for: what guidance do I need in my personal life, what guidance do I need in my romantic life, and what guidance do I need in my work life. Many oracle card books suggest alternate spreads, so feel free to experiment and use ones that work best for you at that time!

Once shuffled and intention decided upon, spread the cards out in front of you face down. To chose a card, there are a variety of techniques. I like to close my eyes, slowly sweep my hand over the cards, and see which ones my hand touches down on. My close friend is a very visual person, so she can which cards she should select just through looking. Another friend has a strong inner compass, and feels directed to the cards she needs. With practice, you will feel your intuition grow and find which technique works best for you. With general questions, and occasionally with spreads, you will find yourself drawn to multiple cards. This is okay! I have found some days I only need one card, others I pick out half a dozen!

Once you have selected your card(s), set the others aside. Turn over what you have selected, and use your reference book (usually included within the deck box) to decode the message. Some information is easier to decode than others, so if you feel puzzled, I like to write down what cards I have drawn and study them for a few days.Other times, I have even texted my friends asking for their interpretations!

If you draw cards often, you might find a certain card pops up more frequently than the others. With The Goddess Oracle deck, I chose Sophia so often that it seems to pop up almost every other drawing! This card is important to you and your life's journey, and likely is information you should always keep in the forefront of your mind. Pay attention!

Oracle cards can be wonderful tools to help you learn more about yourself and guide you when you feel lost, but they can also be a fun thing to do with your friends! On nights-in with friends, we will pour some wine, spread out the cards, and all pick one! It is interesting to see which cards everyone chooses, and gives a little insight!

My favorite oracle card drawing was when I once asked for specific information about the future of a relationship. It wasn't really something I wanted a direct answer for, but curiosity got the best of me... I found myself drawing seven Goddess cards, and when I turned them over, I started laughing. The cards told me to enjoy the amazing present, leave it a mystery, trust in the way of life, and to mind my own dang business! These ladies have some sass!

Do you have any experiences with oracle cards? What was your most powerful reading?