Okay, I get it: Valentines’ Day is totally a made up holiday that helps to sell greeting cards. But, I love that there is a day set aside for us to deliberately show our affection and appreciation for our loved ones. And while I try to do this on a daily basis, what’s the harm in everyone celebrating their relationships for one day a year? These roll-ons are perfect for giving this Valentines’ Day, as well as pampering and loving on yourself a bit too.
General Instructions
Combine essential oils listed in a 10 mL roller bottle.
Fill the bottle the rest of the way with a neutral carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil, being careful to leave space to attach the roller top.
Attach roller fitment, give it a gentle shake, and you’re ready to use! Often, blends like these intensify and smell even better after a few days.
Love Yo Self Roll-On
4 drops blue spruce
4 drops bergamot
8 drops tangerine
8 drops lavender
3 drops spearmint
Add rose quartz crystal chips to your roller for an additional layer of compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
Kindness Roll-On
5 drops peppermint
4 drops geranium
8 drops lemon
8 drops orange
5 drops frankincense
Drop in tiger’s eye crystal chips to protect you when others are mean and remind you to be kind even when others aren’t.
I am an Aquarius. It has always fascinated me that the day I was born actually shapes who I am to an extent. It just goes to show you that every little detail of our lives has bearing. Because I am interested in all things natural and planned and un-coincidental, here’s a look at some Aquarius ups and downs, as well as some things that can benefit everyone this time of year.
Personality
Aquarians are free-spirited and tend to be blunt and to-the-point. They are humanitarians who don’t sit by and wait for opportunities. Instead, they are revolutionists who create the opportunities themselves. They are also independent, future-focused, stubborn, and set on having things their way. This makes them great at overcoming obstacles. Aquarians are typically introverted and have trouble opening up. For this reason, they tend to have few friends, but the relationships they have are strong and deep. Yep, that’s me.
Harnessing Your Inner Aquarian
Aquarian energy gets us out of our comfort zone and reminds us of the bigger picture. It’s at play when you are focused on your mission in the world. It’s about looking past yourself and your desires, dreams, and goals and examining what you are doing for the collective. This energy is about acknowledging the power inside of you to inspire change around you.
As the most forward-thinking sign of the zodiac, Aquarius seeks to find a plan for the future that benefits everyone. This is a good time to take some time to reflect and examine the higher purpose of whatever you are called to do. Seek out meaningful connections to your work and your ability to instigate change in the world. Evaluate and explore the power you have to impact others.
Ask yourself: What am I passionate about? How can I make a difference for someone today, this week, this year? What changes can I implement right now that will have lasting future impact? What really bothers me, and how can I be part of the solution to the problem? You may even want to journal some of your ideas and dreams. Now, time to get to work.
The Root Chakra
The root chakra is the most powerful chakra for Aquarians. During this time of year, many people are focused on goals and beginning new habits. Nurturing your root chakra can help you maintain focus and keep your sense of security, while approaching financial matters with confidence. Balancing the root chakra is key to staying grounded and balanced as you pursue your higher purpose. For more reading about balancing chakras, check out this post.
Crystals and Stones
Certain stones appeal to aquarians specifically, as well as everyone else during this time of year.
Aquamarine
Amethyst
Amber
Moonstone
Hematite (for balancing the root chakra)
Quickly and easy inject some Aquarian crystal energy with an amethyst water bottle. Amethyst is thought to provide mental clarity, and drinking crystal elixirs is thought to bring the energy of the crystal internally.
Don’t get me wrong, there is zero scientific evidence to conclude that any of the claims about crystals in the water bottle works, but the bottles are absolutely gorgeous, and, as I tell people when they visit my home and ask about my huge collection of crystals, I don’t surround myself with crystals because they make me feel bad.
Crystals bring a soothing and calming energy to the environment, and I notice so many bubbles inside the water bottle that something might be happening.
Essential Oils
Because Aquarians are creative thinkers, sometimes they need something to help them focus and rein in the barrage of ideas running through their heads. Essential oils that can help include many oils that are herbaceous and spicy.
Basil
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Cedarwood
Cinnamon bark
Clove
Fennel
Frankincense
Ginger
Juniper
Neroli
Petitgrain
Pine
Rosemary
Thyme
Aquarius Roller Blend
Try this blend during this time of year to help promote focus and balance.
We all have times when we know the pedal needs to hit the metal. When I’m faced with a crunch time, I reach for my beast mode roll-on. I know that it packs the extra punch I need to help me plow through those times when I can barely stop for a moment’s rest.
The spicy heat and lively citrus in this blend provide energy and alertness, while the frankincense keeps me grounded and focused. Because sometimes a girl can’t get anywhere without focus.
Combine all essential oils in a 10 mL roller bottle. Top off with fractionated coconut oil, leaving enough space to attach the roller. Apply liberally and get ready to tackle the mountain in front of you!
After you make that deadline, or conquer your insurmountable task, you may want to wind down with a little self care. Reward yourself with a long soak with these Calming Bath Salts.
Looking for more essential oil and health and wellness education? You’ve come to the right place! To access all of the essential oil encyclopedia, come !
Americans consume a whopping 29 billion gallons of energy drink liquid every year. Not surprisingly, teenagers and young adults are responsible for most of this consumption. Instead of proper rest and nutrition, the tendency to grab a quick jolt of energy to keep us going and sustain us throughout the day is all too real. But what is the truth about energy drinks? Are they just high doses of caffeine and sugar that provide our bodies with fuel to get through the day, or is it even worse than that?
Ask any energy drink addict, and they’ll tell you they are willing to accept the risks associated with the high doses of caffeine and sugar in their energy drinks. But what most people do not realize is that there are many other risky ingredients in their beverages. Shockingly, several reports suggest that the combination of certain ingredients is where the real concern lies. Let’s look at some common ingredients in energy drinks.
Ingredient Risks
Most of the ingredients in the following list have some benefits for human health. The problem is that too much of a good thing is not good for the body in most cases. It is important to take into consideration the cumulative effect of multiple ingredients, as well as the effects of repeated usage. Most energy drink users don’t just have one pick-me-up beverage on occasion. The addictive nature of the drinks creates a chemical dependence, causing the energy-deprived users to keep coming back for more.
Checking the labels won’t always help either. With the exception of caffeine, energy drink labels don’t typically specify the proportions of other ingredients. Instead, they are described as an “energy blend” or “proprietary blend” of multiple ingredients.
Caffeine
Caffeine has the ability to boost concentration and memory, as well as enhance physical performance. It also affects the cardiovascular system with positive inotropic and chronotropic effects that stimulate stronger heart contractions. The problem arises when one becomes addicted to or abuses caffeine and when it is combined with other chemicals that further enhance its effects.
After ingestion, the body quickly absorbs caffeine into the circulatory system. It is distributed through body tissues, including the blood-brain barrier. As an ergogenic compound, it increases heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine metabolism takes place in the liver, and its effects last for anywhere from 2-12 hours, depending on the person’s metabolism and the amount consumed.
While modest doses of caffeine may actually be good for your heart, high doses, like those found in many energy drinks, can lead to palpitations and arrhythmias. Not only that, coupling caffeine with other ingredients often compounds the effects.
Guarana
Guarana is another common ingredient found in energy drinks. The seeds of this plant contain up to four times the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans, along with the stimulants theophylline and theobromine. Both of these compounds have numerous therapeutic benefits in moderate doses, but high doses contribute to cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.
Similarly to caffeine, guarana, theophylline, and theobromine are not dangerous in and of themselves. But when we combine these substances with other stimulants, problems can arise. Energy drinks with a blend of caffeine and guarana pose a risk of being just too much.
B Vitamins
Our bodies need B vitamins for many important metabolic and cellular functions. B vitamins not only combat fatigue and increase alertness, they can actually help improve mood and reduce stress. It’s no wonder energy drink manufacturers are adding hefty doses of B vitamins in their products. Overt overdosages can cause vitamin toxicity affecting various body systems, including the nervous system.
Because B vitamins are water soluble, your body flushes out what it doesn’t use. The body typically excretes an excess of B vitamins in urine. However, some studies suggest that certain B vitamins cause neurological issues and have detrimental effects on the immune system and cardiovascular system, and even increase carcinogenesis at higher concentrations.
Sugar and Other Sweeteners
Many energy drinks contain massive amounts of sugar. The average 8 oz. can of energy drink contains 24-30 grams of sugar. (That’s about 2-3 tablespoons!) While it may provide a quick jolt of energy, this is not without a price. High doses of sugar carry many known health consequences:
Kidney disease
Obesity
Cardiovascular issues
Cancer
Metabolic dysfunction
Tooth decay
Increased bodily inflammation
Stimulation of the brain’s hedonic pathway, causing addictive behavior
Even if your energy drink does not contain sugar, it likely has some other artificial sweetener. Common sweeteners, like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, carry their own set of health risks.
Ginseng
Many energy drinks contain ginseng for its purported abilities to boost athletic performance, strengthen the immune system and improve mood. However, some studies show that there are numerous side effects of high or repeated dosages of ginseng, including mood disorders, cardiovascular, liver, and renal toxicity, interference with estrogen receptors in women, hypertension, reproductive issues, and various drug interactions.
Alternatives
The good news is that there are healthier alternatives out there. It requires careful research and label reading, but better options are available.
What about you? Do you love energy drinks, or have you found a healthier alternative? Comment below and share your favorite pick-me-up!
Looking for more no-nonsense research-based health and wellness education that is broken down and easily understood? Come check out !
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Gut Health Impacts Your Overall Health In So Many Ways.
If you experience any of these conditions, it may be time for you to take a closer look at the health of your gut and microbiome:
Acne
Anxiety
Autoimmune Conditions
Brain Fog
Fatigue
Joint & Muscle Pain
Chronic Headaches & Migraines
This handout breaks down the 5 R's of Healing Leaky Gut to walk you through 5 steps to getting your gut health under control to experience better overall health.
