Shake it Baby

Without plants we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the wonderful benefits of aromatherapy, therefore the garden plays important role. With a little thought and time along with routine maintenance anyone can reap aromatherapy benefits right in their own garden, no matter what the size.

Here are a few tips to help get you started.

Soil Quality – If you’re looking for the best quality plants then making sure you have good quality soil is essential. Before you start buying any plants or seeds, test your soil. Make sure it’s the correct consistency, has good drainage and is full of nutrients. If there are any problems, these can usually be resolved fairly easily. Ask at your local garden centre or nursery for advice.

Fresh over Dried – Growing herbs is very easy so is something that many people do. Fresh herbs are simply wonderful compared to dried herbs when cooking. Herbs and even flowers can be infused in oils, water or mixed with butter.

Evoke Nostalgia – Always plant flowers you love to smell. Aromatherapy has an amazing affect on the brain in that it can even recall memories and can give you a sense of nostalgia. Scents that you experienced as a child will have memories flooding back to your more innocent days of youth.

Growing Herbs in Containers – If you lack space to grow herbs outside then containers are ideal. They are great especially in colder months because you can use them to grow plants inside. If you want a really cottage style garden then planting seeds between the cracks of you paths and patio can be really quaint.

Scent and Practicality – Go wild with what you plant in your aromatherapy garden. Although it can help if you read more on the properties of the different plants. The reason for this is that you will grow plants you enjoy smelling but also ones that you can put to practical use.

No Comments » Posted by April / Home and Garden

As with most things you buy for your home, you will need to think about comfort, style, comfort, cost and of course style when selecting bedding.  You’d think it would be quite simple.  What’s difficult about bedding I hear you ask.  But when you consider that there are blankets, bedspreads, comforters, sheets and pillowcases suddenly you head will start to ache.

Think: integrated.

Like other furniture for your home, bedding will need to compliment each other.  Think of it as creating a meal.  Some foods go great with each other whilst other combinations could only be stomached by pregnant women!

Some people have a natural sense of style and will select items that go great with each other.  Luckily those of you who aren’t naturally gifted in this department as long as you follow a few simple guidelines.

First of all think about colour.  Don’t simply look at colours in isolation.  In other words, think about how it will fit into the entire colour scheme of your room.  Colours can leap out at you or sit quietly depending on the shade and intensity.  Some colours will be bright and vivid whilst others will be natural and muted.  Decide what type you like and stick to it.  A muted russet will look horrific next to screaming pink.  Also think about what colour you want to dominate a room.  You may just want whites and creams with the occasional splash of colour.  Alternatively you may have a more bold and vivacious sense of style.

Pattern can really make or break bedding.  Some patterns such as op art from the ’60s can make you feel dizzy, whilst natural forms can make you feel peaceful.  Think about what emotions you want to create with your patterns.

Luckily many shops sell sets of bedding which are designed to go together and suit any taste.  Of course, you will need to think about what type of bedroom furniture you have and what size of bedroom you own.  If you live in a Georgian property with high ceilings then you may want to look for natural, heritage colours.  Whereas if you have a contemporary loft apartment you can afford to go for something a bit more cutting edge and daring.

You also need to be practical because there are lots of people who have allergies to such things as dust mites and fleas.  Yes that’s right, you might have a flea allergy.  If you have fleas in your bed you will need to use certain products to get rid of them.

No Comments » Posted by April / Home and Garden

So many people who feel over-worked or stressed turn to coffee for an energy boost.  But is this the best option?  The caffeine in coffee often makes people suffer from the “jitters” so they’re now turning to other drinks instead.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate (pronounced yerba-mateh) is believed to be another alternative.  The leaves of the Yerba Mate’ tree are dried along with some of the twigs. After the leaves are dried they can be steeped in hot, not boiling, water. The taste is similar to green tea with a more herbal, bitter flavor.

What is Yerba Mate?

The Yerba mate tree is found in South America and is part of the holly family.  It has long green leaves, whitish flowers and bears a small red berry.

Health Benefits of Yerba Mate’

If you take a daily multi-vitamin you may want to consider taking Yerba Mate instead as it is packed with loads of vitamins and minerals such as A, B1, B2, B3, B5 and C, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, and phosphorus.

Caffeine is in Yerba Mate’

OK, so there’s caffeine in Yerba Mate but it’s been found that people who are sensitive to caffeine are not so with Yerba Mate’ even though it does have caffeine in it.

Mate’ also is easier on the stomach then coffee and some teas. This added with all the nutrients it has makes it a great alternative to coffee beans.

No Comments » Posted by April / Food and Drink and Home and Garden