Is There Anybody Out There?

Wow!  I can't believe its already March!  So where have I been since December?

Oh, mostly snowed in as per usual, but its been productive!

I've been making lots of all-natural, earth-friendly beauty products and cleansers, jams, jellies and bowls full of stove-top popcorn.

I've been studying the works of great Yoga Masters like Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Ramakrishna and the classic Upanishads. (More on all that coming soon!)

And I've been busy teaching yoga to some wonderful private clients and the awesome kids and staff of the Children's Psychiatric Units at the Glenrose and Royal Alexandra Hospitals.

Its been a great winter and now that the sun is shining and things are brightening up, I'm excited to share it all with you!  So stay tuned for recipes, events, tips, classes, workshops and more!

Namaste and Happy 2015!

Natural Beauty: Rosy Cheeks Facial Scrub

Wild Rose Petals, Coconut Oil, and Sandalwood Powder

Here's a variation of the Ayurvedic Sandalwood and Marigold Scrub I shared with you last summer.

What you need:

- 1 Tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil

- 1 tsp. Sandalwood Powder

- Petals from 3 Wild Roses

What to do:

- Grind together with a mortar and pestle.

- Scrub a small amount gently onto your face.

- Rinse or wipe off with a warm, damp, cotton or silk cloth.

Store in the fridge for up to a week. 

This recipe makes enough for 4 - 6 facial scrubs or masks, enough to share with a friend!



Natural Beauty: Wild Rose Sugar Scrub

Wild Rose Sugar

What you need:

- A jar or container

- White sugar (Don't worry, its for scrubbing the surface of your skin, not eating!)

- Wild rose petals

- Oil (Coconut and sesame are my personal favorites.)

What to do:

- Fill the jar most of the way with layers of sugar and rose petals.

- Pour your oil in slowly and mix with a fork.

- Seal tightly.
- Leave overnight for the petals to break down a bit.

- Scrub onto skin in the shower, and rinse!

Voila!  Petal-fresh skin!

Wild Rose Vinegar

Wild Rose Vinegar (Day 1)

Wild Rose Vinegar is easy to make and extremely versatile!

What you need:

- A glass jar

- Clean, dry, organically grown rose petals

- Vinegar (any kind, its up to you)

What to do:

- Fill the jar with rose petals.

- Top it up with vinegar, making sure all the petals are covered.
- Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for a few weeks, until the color from the petals has transferred to the vinegar.
- Strain and use for natural beauty, cooking and cleaning!

What to do with it:

You can use this vinegar as is in your favorite salad dressing, or dilute it 1 part Wild Rose Vinegar to 4-8 parts water for a natural cleaning spray, bug bite soother, sunburn cooler, conditioning hair rinse, softening foot soak, or facial toner.

Care2 Reaches 25 Million Members

Image Source: oneloveorigami.blogspot.ca

Today I became a member of Care2.com and helped them reach 25 million members!

Care2 is "the largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare."

Its free to join, and as a member you earn Butterfly Rewards for commenting on articles, starting and signing petitions, sending free e-cards and more. 

Butterfly Rewards can be redeemed to make a difference in the world by protecting the rainforest, providing food, water, and education for children, protecting wild, shelter and farm animals, and even helping farmers grow food crops and organic cotton!

Here are just a few links to recent articles you yogis and yoginis may find interesting:

The New and Improved Vegetarian and Vegan Food Pyramid

Gender Discrimination and Child Mortality in India

Ayurveda: Oil Pulling Heals Gums and Whitens Teeth Naturally

4 Ways Mindfulness Transforms Your Life

Thanks to Care2 for offering one more way to "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Natural Beauty: DIY Sugar Scrub

My homemade Vanilla Sugar Face and Body Scrub

Ugh, winter skin.  Need I say more?

You can do something about it without a trip to the beach, the spa, or even the mall. 

Creating and customizing your own Lip, Face and Body Scrub is easy and fun.  The main ingredient?  Sugar! 

Yes!  Sugar (when used externally) is alpha-hydroxy rich which promotes healthy glowing skin. 

Sugar scrubs gently clean and exfoliate, promote healthy circulation, moisturize and soften the skin.  They eliminate the need for separate body wash and moisturizer, and are far less dehydrating than salt scrubs. 

Making your own bath and body products from natural, food-based ingredients means no yucky toxins absorbed into the skin or harming the environment.  You'd be surprised how many commonly used cosmetics you can make at home.  Check out these 15 DIY Beauty Recipes from Food-based Ingredients from Care2. 

This Sugar Scrub is safe for all skin types and gentle enough for use on body, face, and even lips. 

What you need:

1/2 cup sugar.  You can use white sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, whatever you've got.

2 Tbsp. oil.  My favorite is coconut but any will work.

1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional).

You are welcome to use essential oils instead, but I like to use food grade extracts for this recipe.  For one thing, they're less expensive.  After all, you're just going to rub this on your skin and wash it down the drain.  And second, they're edible.. you know... ummm... just in case a little bit of your sweet, yummy smelling lip scrub accidentally gets past your lips...

What to do:

- Mix the sugar, oil and vanilla together with a fork or your fingers. 

- Put it in a non-breakable container.  (No glass or ceramics in the shower please.) 

- Gently scrub all over wet skin a little bit at a time. 

- Rinse off and pat yourself dry.

This recipe makes enough for two full-body scrubs.  Enjoy!

Natural Beauty: Sandalwood and Marigold Scrub

Thank you Rul, for this Ayurvedic beauty recipe!

What you need:

- One fresh, organically grown Marigold flower
- 1/4 tsp. Sandalwood Powder
- 1 tsp. Virgin Coconut Oil

What to do:

- Remove the petals from the blossom and place them in the mortar.

- Add the sandalwood powder and coconut oil.

- Crush/grind together with the pestle until you have a smooth paste.

- Rub gently onto your face and body.

- Rinse off, or wipe with a wet washcloth.


Enjoy your soft, glowing skin!