by bringmebliss | May 9, 2016 | Inspiration
It May Seem Like a No-Brainer
Family First. Maybe it isn't the first thing you would think to meditate on. This idea came to me when we had family come to town for 10 days and life got put "on hold".
We had such a fun time, having drinks and dinner together every night and traveling from one place to another. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what it's like to have family come in town for a week or so…it's just…different.
But it's a great different. It's a time to reconnect with the people you grew up with, where you share a common history and maybe even some of the same interests. And while you're sort of vacationing with your family, you might be tempted to feel guilty about not getting to your chores or concentrating on your work or business. It's a reasonable temptation, but you have to take everything into consideration – the risk of taking a little time off – to the risk of not enjoying your family.
Life is short. Last summer we spent time with my aunt and uncle with whom I've always been close. This year, they are both dying slowly at the same time and I am so grateful I had the time with them last year to stay connected.
I've always been a family girl. I'm independent to a degree, but I love having a close-knit family. My siblings and I always call each other on our birthdays and we try and get together every year in spite of the long distance between us. And next to my husband, my kids are the most important people in my life. Without them, I would not have learned as much about life as I have had the privilege to learn. We are very close and at this point in time, I'm so lucky we all live in the same city.
I'm not asking you to sit quietly this time and say "Family First". You already know this mantra in your heart. What I'm asking you to do is remember the importance of spending time with your family and to enjoy the short time you have together bonded in love and relationship. Allow yourself to enjoy TIME and give up on the idea that you have to be tied to work 24/7.
Self-Care Tip: Here's a Bring Me Bliss idea >>> Plan a special family trip – one that you haven't done before and one you're not likely to do again. You will never regret the time spent with those you love dearly.
by bringmebliss | May 8, 2016 | Inspiration
Happy Mother's Day!
It never hurts to have a few nudges if inspiration or new ideas to help jump-start your special day. If you aren't a mother or don't have a mother, do not lose heart. Be a mother to someone – your dog, your neighbor's dog, someone in a nursing home, yourself! Bring someone bliss…nurture today and you will find peace in your heart. Here are 10 Self-Care Tips for Moms on Mother's Day!
1) Upon waking up…take several deep breaths and say, "thank you, thank you, thank you." A few words of gratitude for having the amazing privilege of being a mom will go a loooong way!
2) Grab your favorite beverage – whether it's a Starbucks lalalalalattee or your own home brewed tea…start your day with a liquid treat.
3) Hug your kids and tell them you love them. Even if they're 26 and 23. They will never get tired of hearing it. If your kids are grown and out of town, I know you'll connect. It's what families do.
4) If you aren't having brunch at an expensive all-you-can-eat buffet, enjoy a nice quiet space while sipping a cappucino and munch on one beautiful crisp croissant. Oh my…it's the simple things.
5) Go for a hike or walk with someone you love.
6) Take in a movie. Could be pretty relaxing on a Sunday afternoon.
7) For God's sake, don't cook! Let God know you are completely trusting that someone besides you will take care of you today. And…if you aren't exactly a mother, take yourself out to dinner!
8) If your mother has passed (as mine has), buy yourself 3 flowers. One for her, one for you and one for the next closest woman in your life.
9) Take at least one hour to do something totally relaxing or rejuvinating. You might take in a yoga class or sit and read one of the 6 books on your nightstand. Do something you love.
10) End your day with another prayer of thanksgiving. There are many women who long to be mothers. Some are never able to realize that dream. Live well for them and remember that you will be leaving an imprint for future generations.
Self Care starts with gratitude for this life, this body we are given and the opportunitiy to evolve into the best human being we can be. God bless you and Happy Mother's Day!
by bringmebliss | May 6, 2016 | Nature's Way
The Oil of a Buoyant Heart
Peppermint essential oil has a very distinct and popular aroma, and it is used in a variety of things such as gum, mints and candy. But there are many other uses for this cool oil.
I use it in the morning for an invigorating start to my day and again in the middle of the day with Wild Orange and Frankincense for a quick Pick-Me-Up.
Peppermint is also known as Mentha Piperita, having to do with its chemical constituents. These are the consituents found in Peppermint: Phenolic Alcohols (up to 44%), menthol, piperitols, Ketones, Monoterpenes, Furanoids, Phenols, Alcohols, Sesquiterpene Alcohols, etc. To understand what each of these constituents do, you can consult wikipedia for individual descriptions.
Here are some aromatherapy ideas for using Peppermint:
*Rub on temples after you wake up for a morning energy boost.
*Diffuse when feeling fatigued or low on energy.
*Take one to two drops in a Veggie Capsule to alleviate occasional stomach upset.*
*Promotes digestive health.*
*Place one drop in your mouth to help freshen your breath.
*Add two to three drops to your favorite smoothie recipe for a refreshing twist.
*Place one drop in palm of hand with one drop Wild Orange and one drop Frankincense and
inhale for a mid-day pick-me-up.
*Helps reduce bloating, gas, and occasional indigestion.*
*Promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing.*
*Commonly found in oral health products.
*Promotes feelings of clear airways and easy breathing when diffused.
*Blends well with Lavender for a soothing massage blend.
*Add to cold water compress or foot bath to cool off when overheated.
*Inhale for a non-stimulant, invigorating pick-me-up on long drives.
*Add to shampoo or conditioner for a stimulating hair massage.
*Repels bugs naturally.
*Spritz around windows and doors.
*Diffuse during study-time.
*Apply topically to relieve feelings of tension.
I like to use Peppermint Oil in my brownies to make them unique. Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate is my favorite mix. Add 3-4 drops of doTERRA Peppermint essential oil to your batter mix and bake as usual. Some people prefer putting the oil in the frosting…you decide!
Another oil I enjoy in my brownies – and this is actually my favorite – is adding a few drops of Cinnamon essential oil to the batter. Yum!
*Not all oils are created equal. To learn more about 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, Click Here or fill out the form below.
by bringmebliss | Apr 29, 2016 | Nature's Way
The Oil of Empowerment
One whiff of Ginger Essential Oil and you will understand why this is called The Oil of Empowerment. It is one strong oil!
The last time I went to California Adventure and rode the California Screamin’ ride, my Ginger oil saved my stomach. Known for its ability to ease nausea, I made sure it was in my pocket as I nervously waited to board the ride and I probably used 2-3 drops under my tongue, just in case. It worked like a charm.
Historically speaking, the ancients esteemed this root as a spice and a balm for the digestive system. It was used in gingerbread (up to 4,000 years ago in Greece), in Egyptian cuisine (to ward off epidemics), in Roman wine (for its aphrodisiac powers), in Indian tea (to soothe upset stomachs) and in Chinese tonics (to strengthen the heart and relieve congestion).
Personally, I use Ginger oil in my tea (1 drop or 1 toothpick dip) and in my Asian marinades and saute cooking.
Ginger (Zingiber Officinals) is steam distilled from rhizomes. The chemical constituents found in Ginger are Sesquiterpenes, Monoterpenes, Alcohols, Ketones and Aldehydes. For more scientific information on essential oils, look up some of these terms on wikipedia.
Ginger blends well with Lemon, Frankincense, Cinnamon and Grapefruit.
Allow this powerful essential oil to assist you with nausea, morning sickness, loss of appetite, motion sickness, vertigo, or emotional balance.
Emotionally, ginger is empowering. It addresses victim mentality and feelings of powerlessness. Next time you have to have a serious or sensitive conversation with someone, consider having ginger tea or inhaling straight from the bottle. Ginger helps individuals with a sense of control. It encourages being in the present moment and participating in life. It fosters commitment and dedication.
Cooking with Ginger Essential Oil
This is one of my favorite dishes made with Ginger Essential Oil:
Spicy and Delicious Green Beans
Try this for an Asian marinade:
Blend 1-2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1-2 drops Ginger Essential Oil, 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, 2 green onions sliced and 2 Tablespoons water. Pour over chicken, beef or tofu and marinate in a baggie or other container for at least 1 hour.
Not all essential oils are created equal. To get 100% Pure Certified Therapeutic Grade Oils, Click Here or fill out the form below.
by bringmebliss | Apr 24, 2016 | Inspiration, Mind/Body
How AWAKE are you?
Did you notice how you're feeling today? Have you checked in with your mood or emotional side? What kind of energy are you dealing with? Have you noticed how your family is feeling? Did you hear the birds this morning? Did you notice the sky? Can you feel your toes now as you're reading this message?
Is you breath shallow or deep right now? I'm guessing it's shallow because we don't naturally breathe deep. We have to notice our shortness of breath before we can lengthen it. Being awake means being present to all that is going on within you and around you. Noticing everything means you see, hear or feel what's going on yet you don't necessarily attend to everything. You decide where to place your attention.
Sometimes when I'm walking towards the amazing spa I teach yoga at, I'm thinking about what I'm going to teach that day. Sometimes I will notice the weather; sometimes the beautiful landscape. Other times I will pray on my way towards the building. Other days I will notice how tired I am and then give myself a pep talk to say I can rest later.
When you practice mindfulness – being in the present moment – you tend to notice more what's going on around you and inside of you. It's a discipline; a practice. The natural state of bliss is only realized when you are still enough to pay attention. Being present with your thoughts and where they come from is helpful in deciding how you're going to move about your day or night.
Being AWAKE is being fully conscious – or as much as you can – on a 24/7 basis. When I'm fully conscious I notice everything! Aroma, landscape, temperature, body aches and pains, body positives, other people's behavior/moods/situations, surrounding energy. My antennae is up all the time.
Sit quietly and try this before closing your eyes: Widen your peripheral vision. In other words, see how much more of your environment you can take in and notice what you can see. As I write these words I can see my bookshelf to the right and a lighting fixture to my left. The carpet is in view also. Above me I see my bulletin board – even though I'm not looking at it. The arms on this chair I'm sitting on are just barely in my vision.
Now that you've expanded your vision, remember that you can do that anytime you want. Close your eyes now and repeat to yourself, "I notice everything, because I'm AWAKE." Sit for 10-15 minutes and enjoy this quiet meditation that is sure to expand what you take into your consciousness. Remember, you can choose what you hold onto and what you release. As you meditate, notice the thoughts that come your way other than the mantra, then give attention only to the ones that are necessary. Maybe come back to those thoughts later after your meditation time.
A great companion oil for this mantra is Peppermint. Peppermint essential oil is The Oil of a Buoyant Heart and is very invigorating. I use this oil every morning on the back of my neck to help me wake up! I also use it before a yoga practice myself and with my students.
Not all essential oils are created equal. If you want 100% Pure Certified Therapeutic Grade essential oils, fill out the form below and I will send you information on how to get them.
