Good Afternoon Sunshine!!

Since the full moon on Friday I've felt weary and super reflective and again, instead of sharing with you some tips about buying more mindful packaging in the grocery store I wanted to share with you my experiences. Maybe you will resonate?

These are trying times. The theme for the past few months could be called uncomfortable at best.

I've been uncomfortable many, many times, and it leads to irritation, aggravation, frustration, reaction, and sometimes sadness, grief, and fear.
I've decided to normalize all of my discomfort.

That doesn't mean it feels nice and I like it, or I do nothing to shift it. It means that I allow myself to feel it, and all of the emotions that follow in its wake. It means I make space within myself (and the day) to stop and listen to the discomfort because it often has a message for me.

When I can quiet my labelling and judging mind, I'm amazed at the wisdom that I'm given. I ask "What am I resisting?" and "What do I need to see?" and more often than not I am enlightened with some nugget like "You are resisting change.", or "You need to see that people are scared and reacting in fear." 

Our "good" feelings feel good so we just enjoy them and crave more. Our uncomfortable feelings feel "bad" so we just want them to go away without feeling them at all, but they're there for a reason. They're there to show us that something isn't ok in the world, or with our perception of it, or our perception of ourselves and others. Our "bad" feelings are informing us that something is not working.

If we can listen to that knot in our stomach before washing it away with a glass of wine, we might learn something.
We have that choice.

We are adaptable beings. If we want to we can change anything!

After being harvested during the day, these flowers bathed in spring water in the magickal light of the full moon! This month the full moon occurred at noon here in the P.S.T., so I left them out the night before and after! 
I added alcohol to them and blended them together to create the
June edition - Full Moon Auroma.
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This concoction is a sacred anointing liquor for meditating, rituals, and ceremonies. It’s also really lovely as a subtle perfume reminder of the smells of late spring. 

I use it during the day when a peaceful moment of grace is required.
A step out of time. A step back to myself.

This June blend contains red and white clover, roses, wild chamomile, arugula blossoms, and lavender! It's a rich and earthy floral scent with a hint of spice!

Pick up the Full Moon Auromas now!
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This week I'm focussing on listening. 
I'm listening to my heart, to my kids, to the birds, and to my lettuce plants.

I'm educating myself on the experiences of BIPOC and the histories of North America that have created these systems.

What would you like to listen to?

It's veil lifting time!

In gratitude, health, and love,

Sandi

Good Morning Sweet Sister!!

This week I stressed myself into a 3 day migraine! Man, just when I think I've got this self-awareness thing down, I get shown otherwise! Funny. 
I had a bunch of deep-thoughts stuff planned for this morning but, I feel like there's something more important to address.

Society's rules don't serve everyone equally, they never have.
People are suffering and that suffering seems to be getting more light shone on it right now. Some folks are outraged and angry, some are afraid, some are deeply saddened, but everyone is part of it. We are all a part of it. We are one family. Either we are easing the suffering or making it worse, there is no in between.

How can you help?

Please find your ability to love your sisters and brothers the way you love your children, and help. Please put aside the illusion that we are all separate, and connect with your neighbours. This "quarantine" doesn't have to be divisive.

Being angry and sad is ok, but take action too. Be a helper.

This week I created a couple of
Essential Oil Singles Packs.
​
A Starter Pack for $66 and an Intermediate Pack for $93,
both with ten 5ml bottles
of single essential oils.

Awesome intro. price!

Have a look...

This week I'm focussing on helping.
My heart is open to the needs of others.

How can your heart serve?

It's time!

In gratitude, health, and love,

Sandi

Good Morning Lovely!!

 How has your week been?
If it's anything like mine, you've had some highs and less-highs.
There's a lot of change happening out in the world right now and it can be overwhelming.
While skimming social media, I vacillate between hopeful and discouraged (with the odd super-cringe). I'm trying to stay focused on the good things and not get sucked down any rabbit holes! Those can be dark and scary.

Wouldn't it be nice if this hardship shifted society towards a different, new way of operating?
What if we could make the world a kinder, more just place simply by shifting a few daily habits?

If you think about it…
We vote for the type of world we want with our money.
The stores and businesses who make enough money to continue, will. And they will continue to operate with the intentions and motivations that work for them. How many companies regularly rely on slave labour, environmental atrocities, animal testing/abuse, and bribery resulting in broken laws?


When you shop at Walmart who benefits? Which practices get supported and continued?
When you buy Nestle products, who suffers as a result?
Does Amazon make the world a better place in any way?
I like to ask these questions of all the places and companies I support, because when I give them my money I’m supporting all of their business ethics.


I regularly shop at my local farmers market because I want these organic farmers to keep doing the great work they’re doing. They are making the land richer with their farming, rather than depleting and polluting. They're creating nutritionally superior foods that taste better than anything I can buy at the grocery store!  I want to support my local economy and reduce emissions that would be used to transport my food from Mexican/South American farms, where humans aren't always being treated with respect. I bring my own bags (made from old clothes) so I’m not using plastic destined for the landfill.
Just shifting a couple of decisions about the way we shop can make a big difference!

Here are some ideas of where to start:

Buy everything local that you can.
Grow your own food, or start with herbs!
Shop at the farmers markets, they're everywhere now!
Avoid buying plastic (for anything), it's forever.
Buy products made with recycled materials.
Shop at small businesses to support your neighbours.
Shop secondhand (especially for clothing-so much waste!).
Upcycle objects before recycling or throwing out.
Put unwanted items up for free online.
Learn to DIY all the things you love. (cooking, sewing, fermenting etc...)
Donate to or volunteer at a local charity/shelter.

What do you love to do that supports a kinder and more just world?

This week I'm focussing on sharing my gifts.
A wise and kind friend reminded me that we're here to shine brightly so others can light their candles in our flames.

What are your gifts?
How do you share them?

Shine on Beautiful Star!

In gratitude, health, and love,

Sandi

Good Morning Beautiful!!

I am so grateful for all this rain! The sun and heat were nice last week but I was so not ready for it! My garden on the other hand tripled in size this week! I'll be eating garden greens in no time!

Last week I shared ideas about what to do when you know what's in your products, but it feels like an extra chore to find new solutions.
Change happens slowly. It takes time to undo years of habitual shopping and make different and better choices.

Start with one product. Have another look at the list of toxic ingredients I sent and look at the products in your home. Maybe start with products used on or around the kids. Just pick one!

Ask yourself first, do I really even need this product? 
Sometimes these items are just extras, like those poison plug-in scented things! Harsh and toxic. Garbage it! Easy! 
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If you really need to scent a space there’re many other safer ways to do it! 
You can use an essential oil spray (10% essential oil in water, shake well and spritz!) using oils that can benefit your family; or if pets and children permit it, use a non-petroleum candle in the room that’s also scented naturally. There’s incense available that’s made with plants (not synthetically scented), and sometimes I just burn a sage leaf (or other herbs) to change the scent palette of the room.

Maybe you’d like to start by ditching your antiperspirant? 
We’ve been hearing for years that the aluminum in antiperspirants is harmful in so many ways. It’s been linked to cancer and Alzheimers. Here’s a link to a short and simple article by Time spelling out why antiperspirants are harmful…
https://time.com/4394051/deodorant-antiperspirant-toxic/
There are many little companies making natural deodorants these days. You can even check out my selection at…
https://www.natureinstead.com/store/p4/Moisturizing_Deodorant.html
For 20 years I looked for an effective natural deodorant but never found one to deal with my smelly armpits! I finally had to make my own and it’s the only one to ever have tamed the pits! So it’s guaranteed healthy and effective!

Or maybe you’d like to start in the kitchen? 
Sodium laurel sulphate (S.L.S.) is the main ingredient in almost all liquid soaps! Today there are many alternatives to the traditional dish soaps available in the grocery stores. Some are just greenwashed versions of your old dish soap, but some are actually made with better ingredients! This goes for all liquid soaps including hand soap, shower gel, and shampoos. Newer and cleaner options are out there! Some folks are even just using a block of soap with a brush to lather! No plastic involved!

Support the businesses trying to make a difference, and they will continue to provide better choices!

What drives you bonkers about the health and beauty industry? If you could change anything, what would it be?

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​This week I made Bath Tea! 
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Stress and anxiety have been things that I've struggled with my whole life. I've successfully used plant medicine to help me, along with stress management and lifestyle adjustments. Baths are a part of that.
I love baths! And I love filling my baths with smelly things!!
This is a blend of herbs to induce sleep, to calm the mind and soothe the nervous system.
 
This Sleep Blend contains lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, mugwort and other herbs.
The bags are pretty big and can be used for 2 quicky baths or one nice deep steep. I like a long, slow, topped-up-a-couple-of-times bath, so I just leave it in!

Pick some up now!

Good Morning Starshine!!

 Oh my goodness, the weather here in Vancouver is bloody GORGEOUS!! (Sorry east coasters.) I finally have all of my seedlings in the raised beds, and another two trays of green babies to plant outside in a couple of weeks! I’ve been picking all kinds of fresh greens for dehydrating into smoothie powder, and I even found some edible mushrooms in a local greenspace! Check out my newest video, on what to do with your bounty of early spring greens and how to make your own oregano oil!


So, what did you think of last week’s list? Were you able to cross-check it with any of the products in your home? How do you feel about the ingredients you’re using?


It's useful to keep this list somewhere in your phone to easily access while shopping! And, we need to be cautious because as soon as we have that list of harmful ingredients memorized, companies like to up and rebrand their ingredients! 
While natural ingredients are usually preferred to synthetic, there can still be a lot of wiggle room in product labels. Many companies are catching on to the greenwashing trend and renaming some of their harmful ingredients as something else. For example sodium lauryl sulfate has various other names, including sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt, hydrogen sulfate, dodecyl alcohol, sodium dodecanesulfate, and sodium monododecyl sulfate. I’ve also seen its cousin sodium laureth sulfate in its place! Blech!!


So we can either stay updated on all the labelling loopholes or avoid these products all together. It’s easier for me to avoid them rather than sort out who is the best of the worst. Which is why I decided to make all of my own products! I know what’s in them and I know they’re good for me! 

There are many people interested in making their own custom products at home, but everyone doesn’t have the time or interest to do that. Thankfully, there are many people making delicious and clean products to sell! If you don’t want to make your own, you could buy from these artisans and support a cleaner economy than what’s operating in the mainstream today. 


It’s a drag though right? Having to research and find new products that are good for us AND effective? Nobody has time for that. It’s just an extra chore that isn’t that big of a priority. I get it. 
In the long run though, it’ll be way better for you and your family. 
For me it always comes down to asking myself “Do the short term benefits of using this product outweigh the effects of its longterm use?” because we don’t really know the long term consequences some of these ingredients can have on our bodies. And, sometimes even I answer "yes"! It's all about balance!

And, habits can be hard to change. 
My mom always used Windex to clean windows and mirrors when I was growing up. So when I lived on my own and I was shopping for cleaning supplies I knew I had to pick up a bottle. I have windows and mirrors to clean now so that’s what I need, right? Under my kitchen sink looked like the cupboard I knew from childhood. It was a learned habit. 
When I researched on my own and found that in fact I did not need Windex to clean my windows (I could use vinegar or even just a damp cloth!) and it was harmful to my health, it opened up all kinds of questions and new possibilities.

What else was I buying out of habit that was harmful?
What other products can I replace with safer, healthier, and possibly cheaper alternatives?

Are there any habit-bottles under your sink? Or on your bathroom counter?

Full Moon Auroma - May
Last week the full moon was in the early morning on May 7th. Which means the May edition of the glorious Full Moon Auroma is ready! This one is incredible!

This heady and sexy blend contains lilac, bluebells, Solomon's seal, lily-of-the-vally, and wisteria! It's a quiet scent but powerfully feminine.
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​This week, while you're going about your regular business, take a minute to read the ingredients on the things you use around the house.
Maybe cross reference your findings with the list above. ​

I am on a mission to remineralize my teeth! Part of the regime/experiment is to injest mineral supplements like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. There are a lot of additives in compressed pills these days that aren't good for our bodies, so I'm playing around with healthier options. Check out what I've done now!!

If you're interested in making your own infused rose oil, here's where you start. Harvesting petals doesn't have to involve cutting or pruning any flowers or branches. This way is even better for wild roses, to ensure they develop and drop their seeds to make new bushes! 
I allow my petals to dry on a tea towel-covered baking sheet for a few days. Until they are no longer moist. The less water you have in your petals the better your oil will be! Steep petals in your vegetable oil (jojoba is my favourite as it doesn't go rancid, ever!) for a few days, drain, and repeat until it is the strength you like!