For the love of essential oils - Sweet Orange

The scent of orange has uplifting qualities; sweet, fresh, cheerful light and fruity.

Perfect for the 'end of winter blues'.

Think... refreshing aroma of an orange peel.

The essential oil of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) is perfect to improve your mood.

Spray some in your room - mix 15 drops of orange essential oil and distilled water (fill up) in a small 50ml - 100ml spritz bottle.

If used in massage, Sweet Orange essential oil will not only uplift but it will also stimulate lymphatic flow and move fluids (good for cellulite), calm your nervous system, help relax the muscles and stimulate the digestive system.

In skin care I use it sometimes in my bespoke blends for oily skin but be cautious, it can be irritating to the delicate skin of your face.

*Do not apply before sun exposure... it can make your skin photosensitive.

Definitely a great oil to have for the grey, slow days...:)

Face oil - how to choose the right one for your skin.

Today's market offers a wide selection of face oils but using oil on your face is hardly a new practice.
For ages, women around the World have been using healing vegetable oils to nurture and beautify their skin. The western world is just catching up.
Oils have been part of my personal care for a long time. I believe, I have never purchased a commercial body lotion. It has always been oil. I use oils on my face daily and I find them effective, versatile and simple to use. I also love working with oils and use them in every treatment I offer at my clinic. The healing potential of oils is greatly underestimated and commonly not known.
Oils are beautiful; various in colour, texture and scent. They also differ in their healing profiles and biochemical makeup. 
I would like to encourage you to give oils a try. But before you run out to buy one lets see which oil will benefit your particular skin type the most.
One more thing; there are many oil blends by various skin care companies on the market. To start with, explore pure organic cold pressed vegetable oils also known as base or carrier oils like: Rosehip, Argan and such. I believe you will like them a lot. Once you get a feel for base oils, the next step will be to add essential oils. At that point you will be able to affect much more than the health of your skin with your face oils.  Another time about this....

DRY SKIN loves oil and can benefit from a variety of oils.
Apricot kernel
Argan
Camellia
Sesame
Rosehip

MIXED/COMBINATION SKIN does not like the oily feeling, yet it can benefit from oils like:
Camellia
Meadowfoam
Jojoba
Coconut

OILY SKIN will benefit from oils which help to balance the excessive production of sebum.
Grape seed
Hazelnut
Jojoba

AGING SKIN is still either dry, sensitive or on the oily side so follow one of the above suggestions.

You can use oils daily instead of a moisturizer, as an addition to a moisturizer and/or to massage your face and neck at least once a week. Organic and cold pressed is always the way to go.
Are you using oils already? It would be great to hear about your experiences.

The lovely strawberry.

Lately, the sweet taste and beautiful scent of strawberries have been my indulgence.  Locally grown strawberries taste way different from the imported, oddly large and totally lacking aroma fruit we buy in the cold months of the year. Now is the time to truly enjoy them.

Native to North and South America, strawberries are a good source of vitamin C. They are also very good for the intestinal tract and improve elimination. They alkalize your body, are high in sodium and have a good amount of potassium.

Strawberries are delicious juiced, in fruit salads or on their own.
Try frozen banana, a handful of strawberries and almond milk in your smoothie. Very tasty!  

You can infuse their leaves to make an astringent face spray for oily and combo skin types. Prepare like an herb tea, cool and transport into a little spray bottle. It keeps for a day.

Fresh strawberry pulp will brighten the teeth and freshen the breath.

Use strawberries in a mask for oily and combination skin and to calm blemishes.

They will tighten the pores, lighten uneven complexion, eliminate dead skin cells and leave you glowing and refreshed.

Strawberry mask:

2-4 well washed organic strawberries 

1tsp of honey ( you can eat the leftovers:)) )

optional: 1tsp of green clay and a good drizzle of jojoba oil 

strawberry mask

Blend all of the ingredients, apply for 10 minutes, relax and expect the loveliness of the strawberry to rub off on you:))