Reiki

 As energetic practices such as Reiki, become more mainstream, the biggest question is still ‘What is it and what is it good for?’ Well, the word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". This reference to ‘Life force energy’ is found all around the world. Chinese tradition calls it Qi or Chi, in Sanskrit it’s Prana, Nikola Tesla referred to it as Tachyon Energy, Alchemists call it Universal Gur. Whatever we call it, the ideology is universally the same. It is the vital energy that sustains and flows through all life. Energy practitioners essentially tap into this life force energy to help the recipient release areas where the energy is stagnant, and help the overall flow of energy throughout the recipient's body and field (aura). When this life force energy is not free flowing, it can lead to physical and emotional imbalances, or dis-ease. We help the recipient to relax so the body can release and heal, and the body only heals when it is in a state of relaxation. This would be why we are always told to rest when we are feeling unwell. As practitioners, we will always say that we do not heal you. We awaken your own bodys’ ability to heal. Every ‘body’, right down to the cellular level, will accept and release only what it is ready to, which is why it can do harm. Our bodies are far smarter and intune with the natural flow of life than our egoic brains. Although conventional science struggles to explain Energetic practices such as Reiki, in 2014 the Washington Post reported an estimated 60 hospitals in the U.S. (including the Mayo Clinic) that had adopted Reiki as part of their patient care. The latest reports suggest that today those numbers have grown to well over 800 hospitals and clinics in North America, that use Reiki or other forms of energetic practices in their facilities. The first time I heard of Reiki and energy healing I just happened to be at a hospital visiting a friend, and it was her nurse that mentioned it. So, although it is truly hard to explain how it works or why it works, it is, without a doubt, growing in its popularity and it’s functionality as a positive addition to any conventional treatment to help aid and speed up the recovery process. From mental health, oncology, neurological disorders, pediatrics and everything in between, Reiki has proven to be an essential part of health care and personal care. It’s no longer just for those weird hippies! From the garden to pets to kids to the elderly, it can do no harm. Give it a go. Worse case scenario? Perhaps you’ll simply feel a little

Magnesium oil

 I get a lot of questions pertaining to the different muscle rubs and sprays that I make. Lately  Magnesium oil has been the hot topic. People want to know what it is, what it does, what it is made of and what is the difference between Epsom salt and Magnesium oil. To start, magnesium is one of the minerals thought to help in various conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, muscle cramps and much more. The premise is that most of us have a magnesium deficiency due to diet and other environmental factors. Epsom salts, being high in magnesium, is one way to help alleviate symptoms, that is why it is often recommended to soak in a warm epsom salt bath. Although Epsom salts (sulphate) contain the same level of trace mineral magnesium as Magnesium oil (chloride), magnesium chloride has a better rate of absorption, by about 35%. It is for this reason that Magnesium oil is the go to for more chronic issues. Magnesium oil is not actually an oil. It is magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in distilled water. It’s called an oil because it does, initially, feel like oil going on, but when it dries it actually leaves a salt-like deposit on the skin. Magnesium oil is commonly found in a spray that you can spritz on the areas that are giving you grief. I typically use it on my calves to help with restless legs. You do want to avoid getting it on sensitive areas as it will cause a temporary itchy burning feeling. It is for that reason that I would refrain from using magnesium chloride flakes in your bath. Best to stick with the epsom salts for that! Magnesium oil can also be found in the form of a lotion which greatly reduces the minor irritation. Whether you choose the spray or the lotion, Magnesium oil is definitely one to keep in your medicine cabinet. From headaches to muscle cramps it is definitely worth a try!

Clays

 I am really enjoying working with clays.There are a whole host of different clays. Kaolin, rhassoul, french, bentonite, morrocan, just to name a few, and you can blend them with oils, waters, honey and any other skin friendly liquid you can think of. Each is full of trace minerals that is both good for your skin and body. I imagine this is why we were always told that playing in the dirt is good for us! Historically many cultures used clays for their medicinal uses. Ingesting clays was first mentioned by Aristotle (384-322 BC) who had made the reference of eating it for religious and therapeutic reasons. In fact, many indigenous cultures used clays in healing ceremonies for fevers and healing of the skin. The Romans had long used clays for their high mineral content and soothing effect it had on the skin. Thankfully, we haven’t forgotten the importance of clay and we now commonly use them for spa treatments and to help combat oily and acne prone skin. Clays, however, are good for so much more than to help with acne and oily skin. As I mentioned earlier clays are really versatile. You can blend them with each other, add salts, and herbs and, depending on your skin type and area you want to treat, you can mix in floral waters and or oils. This really customizes your product for your individual needs. If you're using a clay mask for your feet and body, and you suffer from dry skin, blending your clay with oils instead of water, is a really great way to gain the benefits of both the moisturising effect of the oils and the minerals in the clays. Before washing it off, you can gently massage it in and it will help gently exfoliate away the dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth as a baby's bottom! A blend of green clay, epsom salts and rosemary powder mixed with coconut and olive oil makes for a scrumptious foot and leg mask and exfoliator! A face mask for normal to dry skin might have kaolin clay, ground rose petals blended with some chamomile water and apricot kernel oil. The blends are truly endless! From soaking up excess oil, to exfoliating, to mineral replacement, clays are a great way to pamper yourself and nourish that beautiful skin you inhabit!

No life is seen through the same eyes

 It’s a struggle these days to be sure. Everyone wants you doing what they're doing. People shaming others. People trying to be right, do right, and trying to control the actions and outcome of another, because of course, they’re right. It is incredibly stressful and really unachievable.  I was reminded of a painting class I took. There were twenty five of us, all with different life experiences and backgrounds. All of us received a canvas with the same pencilled in shapes. The canvases varied in sizes. We all got black and white paint, and could choose 3 other colours. All received the same instructions from the same instructor.  Each person was free to create thier own masterpieces using the tools and colours available. At the end of class we took all our paintings and placed them on a wall. Every single painting was different. Even though there were similarities, not one painting looked like the other. Placed together we had turned a rather dull wall into a feast for the eyes. And that’s true for life itself. We are all given a canvas in which to create a life, a work of art. We all come from different backgrounds and that gives us all a different perspective. When we can come together with openness and understanding we create a magnificent mural. Neither right nor wrong, good or bad. Beautiful together. It has never been more important to be understanding and kind to eachother. We all come from a different set of experiences. A different set of eyes in which we view the world, which is why no two people will see things the exact same way. By choosing to have just a little bit of understanding, patience and kindness with one another, we can come together and create the most stunning mural of life. No matter how you operate in this life, no one will ever be you, nor think like you, and that’s a great thing! Murals are boring when everythings the same! We cannot live or paint the exact same picture, because no picture or life is seen through the same set of eyes. 

Oil infusions

 I make most of my own oil infusions for my salves and such. Everything from dandelion and comfrey to rose hip and yarrow. Infusing oils is an excellent way to harness the nutritive and healing value of herbs. I primarily work with food grade ingredients to keep the nourishing value of the oils and herbs. They tend to be stripped away with cosmetic grade products. Doing it this way allows the same infused oil that I’d use for a salve or body oil, to also be used as the base oil for my vinaigrettes, marinades and cooking oils! Health does start from the inside and I do love it when things are multipurpose! A proper infused herb oil requires the oils to be heated and the herbs to be steeped, like you would tea. It is the warming process that allows the nutrients of the herbs to release into the oil. There are several methods of doing this, but the one I like to use takes roughly a week. It's a rather soothing and fascinating process for me to watch the oils slowly take on the colours of the herbs. It is not labour intensive, but it does require a bit of time and patience. You can do this by using a hot water bath, placing your jars in a sunny window, or the quick method, heating your oil infusion on the stove for a couple of hours. When it comes to the oils you can use any of your cooking oils. Avocado, coconut, olive oil, sesame, a blend of a couple of different ones, the choice is yours. When you are done infusing, you strain out the herbs and store in a cool dark place, then you can use it for any of your dressing and marinade recipes. I like to take infused dandelion, bladderwrack or ginger oil as my base for recipes, then I mix in my kitchen herbs and other ingredients and voila!  Now you have a nutrient power house dressing or marinade. You can mix and match your oils and herbs and really play! The combinations are endless and let’s face it, you can’t beat the taste of homemade!

Let the fear slip away

 How do we grasp a little piece of sanity and peace during these times when everywhere you  turn, Covid is seemingly the only thing permeating our sights. Plastered on the news and on our doors. Our emails, and meetings have become an endless stream of ‘Latest updates’. Our social media and conversations, a loop of despair and panic. Infiltration of fear around every corner. The separation from friends and family feels like the return of the dark ages. For a moment I too, had begun to succumb to the outpouring of fear and panic, but in the end that’s not really my style. I took a step back, a deep breath and looked around. I was then reminded of one of my favorite phrases, ‘where your attention goes, it grows’. Ah, yes! I began placing my sights on all the wonderful things I see happening around me. Neighbours, friends, family, businesses stepping up to help and nurture. People allowing themselves to ask and receive help and support. Families and friends heading out for a daily stroll instead of racing to the next activity. People finding new ways to connect. Kids reaching out to each other for help with school work. Teachers popping up online and rising to the occasion. Love and support cropping up all over. Yes, life does go on. Covid is very real, and it feels like a darkness that will never end, but the earth continues her orbit anyway. Wherever we choose to place our attention, is what we will see more of and I see our community coming together and rising to new heights in new and inventive ways. The webbing of love and kindness is astounding! That’s where my attention goes. Now, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t hear or witness a new act of genuine love, and I would rather Live in joy and appreciation than merely survive in fear. So, turn off the news, the ‘update’ emails and scroll past the social media fear. By all means be aware and do what you need to do to feel safe, but I invite you to breathe in and redirect your attention to all the good happening in our community. You may just find the fear slipping away and the warmth of life within you again.