Homemade incense.....yeah, it's a thing!

I have some amazing incense, purchased from a website where things are hand made and fresh.  I also have some incense from the store....some from Walmart, some from Planet K, some from a metaphysical store in Sedona, some from Amazon.  

There is a HUUUUGE difference between the incense I purchased from the website where the woman hand makes things and all the other sources.  Huge.  Did I mention how vast the difference is?  The scent is true, not headache inducing overpowering like I've run into from other sources.  Well worth the cost and yes, I know it's "handmade" but never stopped to ponder that handmade meant that me, with my aromatherapy background and love, could make it myself.

Until today, that is.  I take classes through Aromahead Institute and am working on my Aromatherapy Specialist designation.  I read the Aromahead Blog as well as the Aromatics International Blog (one of my absolute favorite oil suppliers as they have extremely complete info on their site).  Guess what?  I found a great post from Aromahead that explains how to make your own incense sticks.  It details out why many of the mass produced blank incense sticks are NOT good due to ingredients in them.  The resource for Thai Punk Sticks she recommends is from Scents of the Earth. 

I know this hand made incense won't be as inexpensive as what I'd been purchasing in stores, but that's not my end goal.  I look to have more natural ingredients about me, things that do me and my psyche good, are good for my world.  In pursuing this, I have less and better quality and truly enjoy it more.

It's not for everyone, making your own incense, but I wanted to share.  I haven't tried it yet as I've just ordered my punk, but I'm moving my little used olive dish into my "laboratory" or studio as I prefer to call it, and am anxiously awaiting to make my own!

If you try it out, please let me know what you think.....dobré zdraví.

...let the cleaning begin!

I'm all about natural, thus my push to get chemicals out of my life.  Fabrics?  COTTON!!!   Well, I'll take linen as well but 100 percent cotton is my hands down favorite.  I know it wrinkles, but the most important thing to me is that it breathes!

I have a tendency to be warm so clothing and bedding must be 100 percent cotton.  Sometimes, like in pillows, I do have to give in a bit.  I found pillows that are cotton shells and interior are hypoallergenic and washable.  Guess what was washed today?

If you haven't washed your pillows lately, please do.  They get filled with dust mites, oils and moisture from our faces and goddess only knows what else.  So today.....pillow cases off, as well as pillow protectors (you do have pillow protectors between your pillows and pillow cases, don't you?  Or am I simply a bit more germophobe/clean freak than most?  Me and Sheldon....).

Unfortunately, I saw some yellowish stains on my pillows.  Sweat, saliva, I don't really want to know but it creeped me out.  And I wash my pillows every three months or so.  Pillow cases every week, protectors not as often as the cases.  Ugh.  HOT water into the machine, two pillows to keep the load balanced and Seventh Generation detergent.  Then a cap of Thieves Concentrate from Young Living.  Moved my pillows into the dryer and tossed in my wool dryer balls (see older post) that I had put lavender on and push that dryer button.  About 30 minutes later, I HAVE THE FLUFFIEST, CLEANEST, MOST WONDERFUL SMELLING PILLOWS!!!  Those dryer balls do wonders - smashing around inside the dryer, putting pockets of air between items allowing them to dry faster and fluffing up those pillows!  

Did you catch all that natural stuff?  Yes I used laundry "detergent" but it was Seventh Generation at least.  Haven't gotten to making my own yet.  No more dryer sheets in my house, simply oversized wool dryer balls with essential oils on them (added about 15 minutes before being tossed into the dryer, the oil that is....so oil spots don't get on your items).  

Well, spring has already sprung and the spring cleaning has started.  Are you joining me?  If you have any specific questions on cleaning without chemicals, email or message me and I'll be happy to guide you!

Have you cleaned your diffuser lately?

We all talk about wonderful diffuser recipes, but I really don’t see discussions on diffuser care.   You do realize you need to take regular care of your diffuser, right?

Each week, take time to wipe your diffuser down, inside and out.  If you’re a fanatical cleaner, after each use is best, but who has time for that?  Wish I did….

First unplug your diffuse — leave cord in the wall and unplug at the diffuser point.  By wipe down, I mean take a cloth and put a bit of alcohol on it and wipe the inside and out of the diffuser.  Get those fingerprints off and the oil drops, as well as the dust that has collected.  Use a cotton swap dipped in alcohol to get inside really good – the nooks and crannies as well as the ultrasonic plate or chip in the bottom.  That’s the minimum you should do.

Once a month it’s a great idea to clean it a bit deeper, like you would your coffee pot.  Fill the diffuser about halfway with water and add about 10 drops of white vinegar.  Turn on the diffuser and run for about 10 minutes.  Unplug and wipe it all down.  Voila!

Ever hear your diffuser start to make grinding noises or sound like a little choo choo train starting up?  Yup….deep cleaning time, you’ve waited a bit too long.  Regular care and five minutes a week can extend the life of your diffuser.  You are doing so much good for yourself using it, give it a bit of TLC as well.