Soulful Sister Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Ecstasy in a bottle...

2011-10-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

Essential Oils and Sensuality

When people hear aromatherapy or essential oils, they think of it as an alternative form of medicine. Aromatherapy has been used since the ancient times for its ability to awaken sensual feelings and desires. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that there is a growing number of people who are turning to aromatherapy for its aphrodisiac benefits during modern times. In fact, those commercially manufactured aphrodisiac products are often made out of essential oils and certain herbs.

Dating as far back as during Cleopatra's time, roses, jasmines, and other types of essential oils have been used to symbolize love, passion, and desire. Beyond mere symbolism as it does have physiological effects that stimulate both mind and body.

The introduction of certain types of scent into the body triggers a response that gradually alters the processes of the mind and body. You might be wondering why perfumes and colognes are hot commodities in the market. This is for the exact same reason stated above since the scent produced by one's body is able to stimulate the senses of an individual who inhales those scent and produce sexual or intimate stimulation.

Soulful Sister Aromatherapy uses Essential Oils with Aphrodisiac qualities to make it's Pure Ecstasy Aromatherapy Mister. With Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Patchouli and Frankincense, this is a rich and sensuous blend sure to please your sensual nature.

Happy New Year

2011-09-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all you Soulful Sisters!

Today is September 1st.
This day is a more powerful driver of change than January 1st. Yet instead of popping the bubbly, we are shopping for new clothes, new books, new workout clothes and planning Holiday trips to see loved ones.

It's the first day of the new year.....well, that's how my year works anyways. Sept. 1 indicates that summer is coming to an end and fall is approaching. It heralds the beginning of the school year. New fitness programs are declared and signed up for.....old ones improved upon or forgotten. We start a new list of goals to attain in work, home and relationships.

Have you made your New Years goals yet?

What's In Your Lip Balm?

2011-06-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

Give your lips the good stuff this summer....make sure you're using a Natural Lip Balm.

You want to avoid anything that adds Petroleum products like Petrolatum or Mineral Oil. There are lots of big brands for sale that STILL USE PETROLEUM in lip products. It's really hard to believe that companies can still use petroleum in body care after everything we know.

Here's some info from this website called "Natural Skin Care Authority" http://www.natural-skincare-authority.com/chapstick-lip-balm.html

"The biggest controversy in the lip balm world is manufacturers using petroleum derivatives in their products. However this is not a new thing, this practice has been going on for decades.
The recent move by the EU to outlaw petroleum in lip balm has added fuel to the debate. From a common sense perspective the risks of putting petroleum on your lips is not rocket science.
Petrolatum, the ingredient used in ChapStick lip balm has been linked to breast cancer. In spite of this ChapStick does not warn their customers in any of their literature."

What's crazy is that it's so easy to make a fabulous Lip Balm. They are basically a combination of different fats like Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter, some nourishing oils like Vitamin E, Apricot Kernel and Castor (for the shine), and at the end a little beeswax to hold it all together.

At Soulful Sister we use an organic and fair trade Shea Butter in our Lip Balms. Shea Butter has a natural SPF helping to protect your lips as well as nourish them. On top of all the other great ingredients, we also add a little Jojoba Oil to give your lips that extra softness and conditioning.

So....before you smear it on this summer...check your pockets and make sure your lip balms are worthy of your Soulful Self.

Linen Water is New Again....

2011-04-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

Linen Water is new again.
Used originally to spray on linens and clothes before ironing to instill a hint of aroma. Nowadays that is not the only thing people use linen water for.
Linen Water can be sprayed directly on linens to freshen them either in the morning or in the evening before bed. Linen water doesn't just make your bedding smell fabulous, it can also be used as a natural room spray. If the Linen Water has a calming scent it can create a relaxing and calming environment.
Linen Waters are not made equally, so you must check the labels to make sure what you're getting is a safe, natural product. Ensure that the product you're using contains only Pure Essential Oils for scent, if it doesn't it will list 'Fragrace' or 'Parfum'. You should steer away from the following ingredients on Linen Water and any sprays you use in your house.

SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulphate)
Parabens
Parfum or Frangrance (chemically made scents)
Diethylene Glycol
Acetone

There are so many nasty ingredients on the market. If you don't recognize it, don't buy it!

Bitchy Babe....New and Improved....

2011-02-18T08:58:00.000-08:00

The new Bitchy Babe is here.
This is our most popular Aromtherapy Mister at Soulful Sister, so you might ask "why would you change such a great thing".
Have no fear...we only 'tweaked' the recipe, not changed it entirely. We have taken the 'Clary-Sage' Essential Oil out of our Bitchy Babe formula and added Ylang Ylang in it's place. It gives it a softer scent and will still 'Keep those Wild Female Emotions Under Control'.
Another great thing about removing the Clary-Sage is now it is also safe in pregnancy.

We are sure you will love the new look of Bitchy Babe, now sold in Brushed Aluminum Bottles.....and the new scent of Bitchy Babe, now with Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Grapefruit.

Just Shake, Spray and Breathe....keep those wild emotions under control with Bitchy Babe from Soulful Sister.

A Mindful New Year

2010-12-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

We have come to that time of year again. The time when we try and make some positive changes for the new year.

I love this ritual. Time to start anew, to make new choices and take new directions. A time to look inside and think of what you could add to your life to make it more complete.

...may you have great choices.

A great Happy New Years to all you Soulful Souls.

BE MINDFUL
BE WONDERFUL
BE SOULFUL

New Lotion

2010-11-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

Our New Lotion is here!!

Soulful Sister has been hard at work developing a new line of body lotion. The result is two new lotions that are made with organic, natural ingredients that feels amazingly soft and nourishing on your skin....and no parabens, petroleums or perfumes were used. Good for us - Good for you!

Our two lotions are WomanKind and ManKind. They both have the same great base, but are scented with two different blends of Essential Oils.

Woman Kind has an intoxicating floral scent using a Neroli, and Geranium blend of Essential Oils.

ManKind has a blend of Essential Oils that give it a Warm, Lemon Scent using a Lemongrass and Benzoin blend. This lotion was not made just for ManKind but for all of HumanKind.

Bath Time with Essential Oils

2010-10-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's officially Fall. As the days get darker and the nights colder, who can help but think of Hot Baths....and when we think of Hot Baths, we automatically think of relaxing.

Using Essential Oils in the bath takes the relaxing bath experience from good to amazing. Just breathing in the aroma of pure essences can significantly release stress, anxiety and tension.

Here's a list of some bath essentials:

Hot water, bubbles and candles.
Add a little Aromatherapy to the experience (bath salts or bath teas).
A favorite drink of your choice is always a nice addition.
You could bring in some music (away from the water please).
Magazines or a good book seems a natural fit.
A special bath pillow would be icing on the cake.

We love baths at Soulful Sister Aromatherapy.
We make an amazing line of Bath Salts, Bath Teas and Pure Essential Oils to add to the bath.

Only a few things to remember with Essential Oils in the bath. Stay away from pure citrus oils (as they could easily irritate your skin in a hot bath). Whatever oil you choose, only use a few drops, sometimes less is more.

How to Use Your Calendula

2010-05-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Soulful Sister is based on the West Coast of BC and we are fortunate enough to have a year long supply of this fabulous flower.

Calendula flowers are very healing. It is a staple in most healing salves and lotions. Best of all, it's really easy to make something great for yourself or for gifts for others.

The next few blogs will offer some information on this plant, how to harvest and use your Calendula flowers to make a healing oil and salve.

Great are some great things about Calendula:

Promotes wound healing
Reduces Inflammation
Used for Sunburns, rashes, eczema, acne & bruising
Great for treating itchy/uncomfortable skin.
Used in skincare for it's soothing and regenerative properties.
Easy to grow.

Essential Oils for Your Home

2010-04-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

I often have people ask me how they should use Essential Oils at home.
Well, one of the best ways is to get an Essential Oil Diffuser. They come
in all shapes and sizes. The one shown here is a solid brass diffuser (fair trade too). But they could be made of ceramic or glass.

Using a diffuser is easy. Just pour water into the top bowl. Add a few drops of your chosen Essential Oil. Light the candle on the bottom....and then just sit back and enjoy the aromatherapy.

The candle heats up the water in the bowl, the steam from the water releases the essential oils into the air.
Please keep in mind that we are using pure Essential Oils and NOT FRAGRANCES. Fragrances are not natural, and a lot of people have a hard time breathing them.
In these photos I use 'Clarity' Essential Oil. This is a blend of Peppermint, Lavender & Rosemary Oils.
Peppermint is a great oil because it is de-stressing and very clean smelling. It's also a scent that both Women and Men enjoy.

There is such a variety of Essential oils to choose from. You can buy them blended already or just in a single oil.
Most people begin with a blended oil (pure essential oils mixed together).

Everybody has their own favorite oil, here's a list of the more popular ones:

Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary
Lemongrass
Sweet Orange
Ylang Ylang
Patchouli

The Power of Peppermint

2010-03-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

Peppermint Essential Oil is one of the most commonly used and versatile oils in the world and for good reason, it's got so many amazing properties and is inexpensive.

Peppermint (and all the mints) have an amazing menthol scent that is stimulating, both physically and mentally. Basically, the scent makes you feel good. It clears your head, relaxes your body, sharpens your memory and provides you with a fresh look on things.

This easy to grow herb can be used in a ton of ways. Find it in essential oil, tea, fresh herb for cooking and body products.

In aromatherapy peppermint is usually blended with other oils. Soulful Sister uses it in the 'Headache Relief'' because peppermint is also amazing on sore muscles, like the ones around the neck.

Here's a longer list of some things you could use Peppermint for:

Arthritis
Concentration
Digestion issues
Eczema
Fungal infections
Headaches
Inflammation
Memory
Nausea
Obesity
Respiratory infections
Skin conditions
Weight control

Like all natural products, it may not be good for everyone. If you are pregnant you should avoid using peppermint topically....smelling is fine.

Lavender Essential Oil (EO)

2010-03-01T23:01:00.000-08:00

Great things it does for your Body:

Skin care – especially dry or acne prone skin
Headaches – great when mixed with Peppermint Oil
Burns – The cooling, soothing and skin restorative effects are good for anti-inflammatory sunburn care.
Insect Repellent/Bites and Stings – Repel bugs and takes the sting away from bites.
Blood Pressure and Heart – Lowers blood pressure because of anti-stress properties
Congestion/Asthma – Anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties make lavender good for respiratory support.
Dandruff – Stimulating and moisturizing effects help with hair shine and dry scalp.

Mind & Body Properties of Lavender EO

Anti-Stress – The scent of Lavender calms stressful feelings.
Antidepressant – Lavender is well-documented as an antidepressant EO. oil.
Refreshing and Uplifting – Help's balance mood swings and PMS symptoms
Insomnia – A mild sedative effect for those who need their sleep

Precautions for Using Lavender: There aren't too many things to worry about with Lavender. As always, if you have super sensitive skin...even to natural products, then please test on a patch of skin first. If you're pregnant, Lavender is one of the few essential oils you can use. Just don't apply neat, mix it with a carrier oil first.

Here are a few more things you can do with Lavender EO:

Add a few drops to your cleaning water (great to kill germs, odors & the relaxing scent makes you feel better about cleaning).

Put in rinse water of washing machine.

Put a few drops on your pillow at night to aid in sleeping.

Add a few drops to your bath (best added after the water has filled).

Yoga Aromatherapy.....Keeping it Clean....

2010-02-16T10:15:00.001-08:00

Is your Yoga Mat Clean?

It's true, we need to keep the mats clean. After yoga, it's a good idea to spray with a disinfectant or wipe down with a gentle cleaner (soap and water is fine).

Here's what I do. I drape my mat over a railing in the house. I take the "OM" Yoga Mat Spray and spray so the mist falls on the mat. I flip the mat over and do the same on the other side. I just let it dry on the mat....and voila, a fresh, clean mat. You can easily do this in the yoga studio after class, just keep the bottle in your yoga bag.

The disinfectants are Witch Hazel with Tea Tree, Lavender and Bergamot Essential Oils. Tea Tree and Lavender have amazing disinfecting qualities. All you need to do is spray it over the mat.

Ideally you should wipe down your mat with soap and water every 3-6 months.

Remember.... it's better to get into your poses on a fresh mat.

OM Yoga Mat Spray is available at www.soulfulsister.com

Jen Kivari

2009-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Meet Jen Kivari ..... another Soulful Sister.

Jen is an award winning artist who specializes in mosaics. Now, we've all seen mosaic art, but Jen's art is nothing like a normal mosaic. It's intricate layers of mosaic art, collage and 3D. Her work is inspirational to say the least. There is so much detail and fascination in every piece she creates.

I went to her studio for a visit last week. Her house, farm and studio are in Metchosin, BC. Her homestead is gorgeous, inviting and magical. I parked by her house and walked past the gardens, chickens, ducks and peacocks and up the stairs to her studio.

The studio sits atop the barn in a converted hayloft. It has been a labour of love for the past three years for Jen and her family. It's hard to imagine a hayloft now, as her studio has a pristine, clean white and inviting feel. Jen was working on a smaller piece when I arrived, but by the look of her studio, she likes to work in large pieces.

I asked Jen a few questions about her work and philosophies:

1. What is your favorite time of day to work in your studio?
Morning, after the kids are at school and the dog has had some exercise.

2. What treats do you hide in your studio?
Well....chocolate covered coffee beans (a good pick me up), licorice and dried apricots.

3. What do you feel passionate about?
I'm passionate about art and music, raising a caring compassionate family and finding balance in my life.

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would love to go to the Mediterranean for it's food, climate and people. Africa too, for all reasons.

5. What makes you a "Soulful Sister"?
There are many layers; first being comfortable and honoring oneself as a woman, respecting the earth and utilizing it's goodness. Choosing natural products, eating organic/healthy, growing our own food and recycling.
I feel I am a Soulful Sister because I have a Soulful mother who has and still believes beauty comes from within and is so important to "tune in" and listen to your playful spirit and soul which is inside all of us. I weave these messages within my art and is truly a reflection of my soulful journey I am on as a woman, mother and wife.

Jen is part of the Annual "Stinking Fish" Studio tour in Metchosin. This year it's from November 27 - 29. This a great chance to meet Jen and check out her artwork, studio and homestead. You'll find all the details at www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com

You can also check out her personal website, www.kivaristudio.com. There you can see her work and ask about commissions. I commissioned Jen to make a house number sign for me. Having her bright mosaic sign by the front door changed my house completely. There really is nothing quite like original artwork.

Thanks Jen.

Headache Relief

2009-09-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

Headaches are not fun. Just ask anyone who suffers from them.

I used to be one of them
....until I discovered the recipe
for 'Headache Relief'.

Now, I do alot of selling at Christmas shows, Art Shows, Summer Festivals etc. What most people say after seeing the Headache Relief is "Oh, that will never work for me." So I reply "Why don't you try it. It takes only two minutes to feel the relief. What do you have to lose (except for your headache)."

So reluctantly they try it. Most often they try it then leave my booth and say they'll come back if it worked. So off they go, sure that they'll never see me again....now wait about five minutes....Oh my gosh they're back. Usually they buy a few bottles because they are so amazed that something so natural can make such a difference with their pain.

I've had one woman say, "I've taken pills for this headache for the past three days, and after I roll this on, my headache is gone. That's amazing."

So now you must be asking yourselves...How does this work so well. The answer...Essential oils. Specfically, Peppermint, Lavender and Rosemary. The Peppermint really does most of the work. It gives that cooling relief to the neck and shoulders. Lavender also helps with Headache Relief, and Rosemary aids in circulation, so helps the blood flow.

The best place to roll on this Headache Relief wonder is the back of the neck and shoulders. Roll it liberally up, down, and all around...then don't massage it in...just wait until the effects are felt....and they will feel good.

2009-06-29T00:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever built a website?

Well, I have. I really wanted a content management website so that I could make any changes I wanted myself.

I didn't think it would take me this long to get all my products photographed, uploaded and descriptions added to my website. But it has.

It's worth it of course...just not what I had intended to spend my time on.

Alas, it's now a pay on line site....and best of all I can change anything I want....anytime I want....and now I'm off to make some changes...because I can.

Check out my new site.

www.soulfulsister.com

Lady Dragon Glassworks

2009-05-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Meet Vanessa, she is the owner and head artist of Lady Dragon Glassworks in Victoria, BC....... And she is definitely a 'Soulful Sister'.

She makes incredible glass jewelery which she sells to retail outlets across Canada. Each pendant you get is an original, one of a kind piece.

I got to visit Vanessa while she was working in her studio. The
photos show the process of making a glass starfish pendent, and then me wearing the necklace in the last shot. It was so neat to
watch a tube of glass get transformed into a beautiful starfish necklace.

I interviewed Vanessa, asking some detailed and meaningful questions.

1. What colour would you love to paint your studio?
I've always painted it orange, but these days I feel that it needs
a lime green and crimson makeover.

2. What instrument do you play, or would you love to play?
I barely play the guitar, but would love to be talented enough
to play the piano.

3. When are you most creative in the day?
First thing in the morning.

4. What store would you love to have carry your glasswork?
I have always wanted to be in the Vancouver Art Gallery but they
are recently carrying my work, so I'll have to think of another
dream store to work towards.

5. What snacks do you hide in your studio?
Chocolate, chips, nuts....oh the list goes on....

6. What makes you feel 'Soulful'?
When I help my friends.

Check out Vanessa's website at Lady Dragon Glassworks. She has some great photos of her wonderful jewelery and the process of creation.

http://web.me.com/ladydragonglassworks/Site/welcome.html

Cherry Blossoms....

2009-04-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

Spring has arrived at last to Vancouver Island. This shot was taken at Royal Roads University Gardens.

When I feel a little stuck in my creative process...I head somewhere beautiful to replenish my spirit.

Why not find a place to replenish yours?

Anytime is Time for the Beach...

2009-04-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

In discussing Soulful Things in life, it's pretty much impossible for me not to mention the Beach. Seeing as how I live on an Island, the beach is intrinsically part of my life.

I love the Beach, and my friends and family go there often. Here are some Soulful things to do at the beach......actually hard to make a beach visit 'Unsoulful'.

Bring amazing food. Everyone's hungry at the beach, and nothings better than eating really great, homemade (or good storebought) food. This should also include a thermos of hot coffee/tea/hot chocolate for those cold beach days.

Build a fort...good for the young and the old

Look for treasures...and who doesn't want treasures?

Take your shoes off....toes in the sand is a must

Dig in the sand....who knows what you'll create?

Play a game....even if it's throwing rocks at a log....games are good for the soul.

The beach reminds us of the simple beauties in life.

We are all Soulful at the beach.

Soulful Living

2009-03-20T23:01:00.001-07:00

Greetings from the West Coast of Canada. We like to think of ourselves as soulful creatures here on Vancouver Island.

....But wait. Don't get your knickers in a knot. I know that there are Soulful people all over the world, and in worlds unknown I'm sure.

What I'm trying to say is that there is something special here, with the ocean air and big trees. It constantly reminds me that life is indeed a 'Soulful' event.

Somehow, when you stand on the edge of land and water....your problems seem smaller.