Author: lannholmes

Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness Tip: Let’s Liven Our Lives with Aromatherapy!

lannholmes

Aren’t oils the best?  If you haven’t gotten your hands on some, now is the time!  So many benefits.  They sure will bring you joy!  Here are some specific ways on how to use them.  🙂

For those of you that love baths…

Looking for more energy?  Add peppermint and lemon: Juice five lemons into the water, then add 5 to 10 drops of peppermint oil.  Inhale.  And, feel refreshed!

Got a bad cold?  Add eucalyptus and tea tree oils: Add 5 to 10 drops of each.  Now, watch those sinuses open!

Want softer skin?  Add powdered milk, honey and oatmeal: Combine 1 cup of finely ground oatmeal, 1/2 cup of honey and 1 cup of whole powdered milk, then pour into bath.  Ooh, la, la!

Have sore muscles?  Add lavender and epsom salt: Mix 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1/2 cup cup of dried lavender into a full bath: soak for 20 minutes.

Want a good night’s sleep?  Add chamomile and lavender: Put 1/2 cup of dried crushed lavender and five chamomile tea bags into the tub.  Steep for five minutes; remove tea bags before bathing.

Cleaning of the tub can be made easy when you use a mesh bath tea ball to keep your ingredients contained.  Also!  A quick wipe of the tub with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water will leave your tub sparkly and clean!  🙂

Futhermore…

Maybe we ought to ‘sniff our way to a more motivated Monday, happier hump day, and fiercer Friday with aromatherapy‘!  Here’s how:

Monday

Put a drop of frankincense and peppermint on a tissue and take five long deep breaths.  Your mind will feel sharper and you’ll have an increase in alertness…a great way to start the work week!  🙂

Tuesday

Apply lavender behind your ears, the top of your shoulders and the back of your neck using a massaging rollerball.  This will decrease your stress and anxiety…great particularly for TUESDAYS.  :/, 😛

Wednesday

Mix two drops of eucalyptus into your shampoo and massage into your scalp, helping to clear your mind and leave you feeling inspired!…great for that ‘hump-day slump’!

Thursday

Apply flowery ylang-ylang to your pulse points (middle of chest, side of neck, inside of wrists) to bring about happiness and lower your blood pressure.

Friday

Add a few drops of sensual sandalwood and jasmine (aphrodisiacs) to your diffuser 30 minutes before entering the bedroom…ooh la, la!

Have fun with these suggestions and enjoy reaping the rewards!

Love,

Lisa

xoxo

 

Advertisements
Food

Family Favorite Recipe: Rachel Ray’s Veggie Chili – So Deelish!

lannholmes

We make this quite often!  Do try!

  • 2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan) olive or vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow skinned onion, chopped
  • 1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
  • 1 cup pale beer or vegetable stock/broth (we use broth)
  • 1 (32oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14oz.) can black beans
  • 1 (14 oz.) can dark red kidney beans
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne hot pepper sauce, several drops
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 cup spicy vegetarian refried beans

Over moderate heat, add oil to a deep pot and combine onion, peppers, and garlic.  Saute for 3 to 5 minutes to soften vegetables.  Deglaze pan with beer or broth, add tomatoes, black beans, red kidney beans, and stirring to combine.

Season chili with cumin, chili powder, hot sauce, and salt.  Thicken chili by stirring in refried beans.  Simmer over low heat about 5 to 10 minutes longer, then serve up bowls of chili and top with shredded cheese, scallions and tomatoes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy waking up lots of your taste buds!

Your friend,

Lisa

Faith

Steadily and Confidently. -today’s Bread.

lannholmes

How many times have you said to yourself or out loud to others, “Gosh, where did the time go?  Gosh, the year went by so fast!, or, “Man, so much to do, but, so little time!”.  And, we all know why we say that!  Because we are always on the go!  Our list of “duties” is never ending.  And, if you deal with anxiety, then, whew…”If I don’t keep on moving along down my list, then, the anxiety is going to kick in, and, who wants that?!”

But, you know what?  When we remain constantly on the go, we’re missing out on the every day “conversations” that we could be having with Papa.  You know, the guy that gives us strength, focus, confidence.  Whoa.  The Tortoise and the Hare fable just came to mind.  ;).  Maybe it really is the ‘slow and steady’ that really do win the race.

Our “duties”, if you will, aren’t going away, but, as we move through our days and tackle our responsibilities, are we doing them with grace…with peace…and, steadily?  They will get done.  They always do.  It would be silly to miss out on Papa’s signs that help us as we are having to make the hundreds of daily decisions.  The more we LISTEN, the more we “obey”, the more rewards we’ll reap…we’ll have the confidence needed to successfully manage ourselves while on our path.  We’ll be more conscientious of our choices and more certain of what needs to get done, the steps that are needed to take, the turns to make and/or the stillness that is required at a particular moment(s).

Do you take the time to remain still in between “duties”?  Let His love and power be heard, please.  He’s the one to provide the answers we’re looking for.

Your friend,

Lisa

P.S.

Please do not let too many people’s opinions affect your decision making too much.  We really ought to listen to The One and Only.  He really does know what’s best.

 

Psalm 46:1 – 11     The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.

“Heavenly Father, we bring our noisy lives and our cluttered minds to You so that we can learn to be still and know that You are God.”

Food, Organic

Blueberry Muffins, Vegan Style!

lannholmes
Hi, friends!  Just made these and, they are yummeeee!…light, fluffy, a little bit of crunch, yet smooth…all at the same time.  🙂
Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 160 kcal
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup plant-based milk
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1½ – 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a muffin tin with baking cups and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl combine soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside to allow milk to curdle.
  3. In a larger bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  4. Mix together sugar, canola oil, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Add soymilk/vinegar mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients until well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are okay. Fold in blueberries.
  5. Spoon into muffin tins, filling each cup about ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  6. Remove from heat and allow muffins to cool before removing from pan.

Love,

Lisa

www.mydarlingvegan.com