May | 2014 |

Tip of the Day

Many essential oils are very costly, so when making blends we take care not to waste these essences. Here’s a great method for testing out new blends without too much waste:

You’ll need- a blotter or cotton ball, a small Ziplock bag and post-it note or scrap of paper.

Start by adding one drop of each of the oils of your choice to the cotton ball. Jot down on your post-it note the time and name of the oils you are testing out.

Smell the blend and see what is either too strong or not strong enough. Return to the baggy an hour later and sniff again, continue to add one drop at a time (taking notes on your post-it) until you have found the right combination of oils and then let them sit for 24 hours before smelling again.

By using this method you will be sure to knuckle down what is working without wasting oils. At some point you may come up with a scent pallet that is just right. The drops can be thought of in parts and then these parts can be converted into weights.

For example:
3 drops Patchouli = 3 oz Patchouli
2 drops Rose = 2 oz Rose
5 drops Orange = 5 oz Orange

Stay tuned for more tips & tricks…

8 Springtime Essential Oils

Spring is my favorite time of year with the harmony of buds popping on trees, fragrant flowers beginning to bloom, birds singing and folks humming- it just feels good to get outside and begin planting seeds! With spring here, diffusing the right essential oils elevates our space and cleans out the staleness of the season before. Picking oils that are fresh and clean will uplift the body, mind and soul. Citrus oils are wonderful top notes that, when blended with floral and green notes, will enhance the season and brighten up the longer days ahead.

This list is affordable and simple- a way to combine and blend oils that will enhance and make the season come alive.

• Sweet Orange – citrusy, sweet, helps digestion, tissue repair, soothes anxiety and insomnia

• Lemon – clean, fresh, purifying, protects immunity, antiseptic

• Grapefruit – heightening, stimulant, disinfectant, antidepressant, tonic

• Palmarosa – sweet, floral, anti-bacterial, stimulant, anti-fungal, anti-viral

• Peppermint – invigorating, stimulating, helps breathing, relieves congestion and headaches, used for flatulence and colic

• Bergamot – light, uplifting, anti-depressant, helps circulation, stimulates gland secretion

• Ylang Ylang –warmth, grounding, aromatic, promotes balance, emotional healing

• Lavender – settling, floral, promotes relaxation, eases muscle pain, and builds immunity

Uplifting Morning Blend

3 drops Lemon
5 drops Sweet Orange
7 drops Grapefruit
4 drops Palmarosa

Simple Afternoon Pleasure Blend

6 drops Grapefruit
4 drops Bergamot
2 drops Ylang Ylang

Brisk Evening Blend

4 drops Lemon
3 drops Lavender
1 drop Peppermint

Always take safety precautions before applying any oil making sure they are appropriate to use. Dilute oils before use, a good rule to follow: less is more. Citrus oils may be photo-toxic, take care even though they are blended in carrier oil they can be an irritant and harmful when outside in the sun. These are recommended uses for topical and aromatic enjoyment and are not meant to be ingested.

Ready, Set, Farmers Market Season

I believe Spring has finally come! We are spreading compost this weekend, getting seeds ready, and our indoor seedlings are popping up.

We will be rolling out a new farmers market line of products that will be seasonal and brought to our local farmers markets. New this market season is our Aloe Vera line including Lemon Verbena Kale Soap, Parsley/Citrus Soap and Bergamot Thyme Soap – look for them, they are a wonderful addition to our lineup!

Each week we are committed to sourcing local ingredients that we infuse into our olive oil soap and other skin healing products.

Introducing a wonderful addition to our cast is Baby Clementine soap in honor of a new arrival in our lives that brightens up our days and probably keeps our Production Manager up most nights. This will include a deodorant for mom and other wonderful products to follow. Having a close tie to scent between mom and baby is important and develops at the time of birth. Clem Our handmade soaps and products are always natural, never combined with anything less than 100% goodness.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the Market! You can find us at:
Daley Plaza – Thursday 7am – 3pm
Park Ridge – Saturdays 7am – 1pm
Logan Square – Sundays 10am – 3pm