One of the questions I am most commonly asked is "What are the main crystals I should have?"

Although there are always some of the more popular stones you can always turn to, such as amethyst, clear quartz, and rose quartz, every person's energy and situation is unique, and that dictates what stones would be most beneficial.

Regardless, I always love to share what crystals I have connected with best and feel the most benefit from wearing everyday.

First off, I have an amethyst bracelet, which is a fantastic crystal to protect, heal, calm, and helps calm and focus a worried mind during meditation.

On my opposite wrist, I have an aventurine bracelet, which helps release anxiety and stress, aids in love relationships, and manifest luck and prosperity.

On my pointer finger, I have a large chrysocolla ring. Chrysocolla benefits all the chakras by providing calming, cleansing, and energizing vibrations. In addition, it increases self confidence, self-awareness, and inner-balance.

Around my neck, I have my labradorite necklace and my rainbow moonstone necklace, both by Joyful Jewelry (

click here to read more about Jenn's beautiful jewelry

). I wear both of these stones together as they encourage a harmonious balance: yin/yang, new moon/full moon, masculine/feminine energy. Both stones are crystals assist in the creation of creative ideas,  aid in transformation, and are useful companions through change as they encourage strength and perseverance. Labradorite is a power stone which helps determine the form of your dreams and goals. Moonstone is a wonderful crystal to assist in meditation, especially when attempting to connect with ones self and ones goddess/emotional side.

My current "daily crystal" essentials have accumulated over time to reflect where I am in my life and what energy I want to draw in. On the days that I require a little extra help, I find combining other crystal energy can be beneficial, usually by placing gemstones in my pockets. (P.S. Ladies: Your bra can actually an awesome place to keep small crystals... I have had friends and clients frequently admit it's their favorite place to keep them because it centralizes the energy right near your heart center... but obviously, to each their own.) However, I'm sure as I change and my energy changes there may be a shift of what crystals I will be drawn towards and wear.

What crystals do you like to keep with you every day?

As I am sure you have figured out by now, it is a safe bet to say that I love the potential of crystal healing. I use crystals for elevating my home, my health, my meditation, even my yoga practice! So when I learned there was a safe way to use crystals to enhance my drinking water, I jumped at the chance!

Enter VitaJuwel, the solution to all my problems. Well, maybe not all my problems since crystals have yet to pay off my bills, but I digress.

Vitajuwel creates beautiful glass vials filled with different crystal elixirs that you can place in your normal drinking water so you can enjoy all of the wonderful crystal energy without having to place gemstones directly in your water. Most recently, they created a water bottle, Via, so that you can take your crystal elixirs on the go! I'm in heaven!

The idea of creating gemstone-charged beverages has been around for centuries, dating back to when the ancient Greeks used amethyst with their wine to keep them from getting too drunk and enhance the flavor. (PS: VitaJuwel makes a wine decanter that is absolutely gorgeous!) Nowadays, we know that it can be harmful to place crystals directly in what we consume due to the potential for toxic substances to be released (copper, lead, etc.). By encasing different blends of gemstones in sealed vials, VitaJuwel lets you enjoy that beneficial energy goodness without the potential toxic nonsense.

VitaJuwel was kind enough to send me a Via to review, and to be honest, I have been addicted to it since it arrived! They sent the Five Elements bottle, which features amethyst, chalcedony, petrified wood, rose quartz, ocean chalcedony.  The description that accompanies it states: Traditional Chinese medicine has developed over 5,000 years and recognizes health as a harmonious balance of five elements: Wood for growth, water for reflection, earth for grounding, metal for strength and fire for passion. Every person is a unique blend of these elements. Following this ancient philosophy, we have included one kind of gem for each element in this blend to reflect each attribute. Get your life in balance. Experience this ancient wisdom. It is extremely beautiful... I've certainly never had a water bottle that looks like a work of art! All you have to do is fill your bottle with regular tap or filtered water, allow the water 7-10 minutes to charge, and it is good to go!

Once the water is charged, I notice a palatable difference from normal tap water... the texture and taste seems smoother and softer. (I even heard that using your VitaJuwel with juice can change the taste so that is not as acidic, and I can't wait to try it!) Sometimes people have trouble understanding the power crystals can have, so I like giving them a comparison taste test so they can taste the evidence for themselves.  I make sure I always have a full bottle of Vitajuwel water ready, and it always gets so many compliments. 

The only downside to this amazing bottle is that it is relatively fragile, so it requires a bit more thought than the typical water bottle you can just throw in your bag. It is a piece of art, so treat it like one! I like to either keep mine at my desk, beside my bed, or set aside for after my yoga/meditation practice, as to limit the risk of breaking it. If I absolutely have to pack it, I put a drink coozie on each end to protect it!
 

Drink coozies on either end before it goes in the purse!

All things considered, however, I would highly recommend purchasing one yourself and for the whole family! (There is a kids Vitajuwel that is adorable and is sure to help your kids drink more water as well! Who needs sugary drinks when you can have beautiful crystal water?)

Many thanks for the folks over at VitaJuwel for sending me a Via to review and enjoy, and keep doing the wonderful work you are doing!

Want your own? Head over to VitaJuwel's website! Or if you are a local Bozemanite, check out the amazing selection of VitaJuwel goodies at the Dari Rasa Trunk Show downtown. 

Do any of you have a VitaJuwel? Do you have any experience with gemstone elixirs?

"Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet."
Paul Klee

I have always been a doodler. As a kid, I loved to color. In school, the corners of my notes always held little drawings or patterns. My journals are covered in a vast array of sketches and designs. It always seemed like a great way to settle an anxious mind and help me let go of stress.

Lately, there has been a trend encouraging both young and old alike to sit down and color! Its likely that your last experience coloring was as a child, but research shows that coloring has a similar effect on the mind that meditation does. It quiets the mind, relieves stress, and lowers anxiety.

Some days, I enjoy relaxing with a cup of tea and a few pages to color in. Other times, I love having a bunch of blank sheets available for friends to come gather around the table and get to coloring with me! Can you say COLORING PARTY? Whoo-hoo!

Remember: there is no wrong way to color! Find a quieter time, possibly with some relaxing music, and let it flow! Inside the lines or out, let intuitive and creative self take over! Many people like to color mandalas, whose sacred geometry patterns can be very zen and relaxing. However, any coloring will work! Not surprisingly, adult coloring books are becoming incredibly popular, and you can find a large variety of beautiful designs and themes. Check out your local book store for a few fun coloring books, or look online for books and printables!

Take advantage of these short, winter days, and instead of reaching for the remote, reach for a colored pencil!

Have you jumped on the meditative coloring train? What are your favorite materials to use?

Over the past few months, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support for Blue Lotus! To show my appreciation and return the love, I'm doing a giveaway! Yippee!

I am giving away a Joyful essential oil spray, Rose Quartz pendulum, and a bundle of amazing tumbled gemstones!

First up is a Joyful essential oil spray! With a base of Vitajuwel crystal infused water (with a mix of amethyst, clear quartz, and rose quartz), it mixes essential oils of lemon, mandarin, bergamot, ylang ylang, rose geranium, and rose. This uplifting mix can be used as a cheering room spray, and I love using it as a daily perfume! Spray some in your hair, and you can smell wonderful all day!

Next is the rose quartz pendulum. Rose quartz is a beautiful crystal that encourages love for yourself and others! Since it corresponds directly with the heart chakra, this could be a great pendulum if you find yourself needing help finding answers that come directly from the heart. To learn more about how to use a pendulum, click here to check out my previous post! 

Finally, lets check out the assortment of crystals you will receive! They have all been cleansed and charged with a crystal singing bowl session, so you can be assured they have some fabulous energy to them. 

From left to right, starting from the top row:
- gold tiger eye (a protecting, grounding stone which enhances integrity, willpower, and confidence)
- hematite (protects and connects us to the earth that improves memory and concentration)
- rose quartz (stone of universal love, trust, harmony, peace, and self-acceptance)
- unakite (enhances your third eye, assists in sleep, and balances your emotions)
- sodalite (calms the mind, encourages intuition, and releases fear, phobias, and guilt)
- green aventurine (helps with love relationships, releases stress, and brings good luck)
- banded amethyst (boosts intuition, cleanses the aura, and repels negativity)
- apache tears (absorbs negative energy and comforts grief)
- green moss agate (balances emotional energy and enhances concentration)
- quartz (opens the mind and heart to higher guidance and is a good overall healing stone)
- snowflake obsidian (calming and soothing, and gives awareness of negative patterns)
- blue lace agate (calming, gives a sense of peace and tranquility, helps with expression)
- green fluorite (highly protective and enhances personal growth)

Enter below, and don't forget to share this giveaway with your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lots of love! 

For me, a good night's sleep is always a priority. Pull an all nighter, or even have a super late night, and I am not my usual charming self (imagine someone on the brink of a meltdown who will also bite your head off... it's not pretty). So for everyone's sake, including my own, I ensure I get those 8 hours.

For Z, however, alternating between super late night work hours and attempting to match my sleep schedule has been putting his sleep cycle through the ringer. Throw in college stress, and he's more zombie than man, especially before a few cups of coffee.

I created a small bundle of helpful sleep aid's in hopes that he would be able to get a better night's rest. Within it, I put a tumbled Scolecite crystal, a few small points of Amethyst, and a handful of lavender buds.

Scolecite is a wonderful crystal that promotes inner peace and deep relaxation. Placing a tumbled stone under your pillow has been found to help promote a more restful night's sleep.

Amethyst is a popular stone for sleep aid, as it is known to help calm a restless mind.

Lavender is a well known sleep aid that, according to University of Maryland Medical Center, "may slow the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality, promote relaxation and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders". (It has always been a favorite of mine, and I personally find the nights that I use a lavender essential oil or body wash result in a more relaxing night's sleep.)

Combined within a small drawstring pouch, he's able to place it under his pillow. After a week, his answer to "How'd you sleep?" has started to shift from "not great." to "actually pretty well" to "ZzzzzZZZzzz" because he's still out cold. I'm taking that as a good sign.

Do you have a favorite crystal to put under your pillow at night?