Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Tips For Planning Great Baby Showers

Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned.

Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn’t abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.

Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.

If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother’s first time.

The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.

You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.

What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.

Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.

When to Throw a Baby Shower
Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.

Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.

A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.


Resource: Maria Schasteen is editor of aromatherapy4moms.com, the online resource with articles, tips and recipes from moms for moms.

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Basics of Eating Well When Pregnant

It is hard to believe that women do have a hard time eating healthy when they are expecting a visit from the stork.  The sad truth is some women find it very hard.  There is a trick though to remember how to eat throughout your pregnancy and it is as easy as ABC. 

Assortment is the first key.  It's been said that variety is the spice of life.  Keeping your diet filled with assortment of fruits, vegetables and protein will help make sure that you and your baby don't get too much of one nutrient and not enough of another.  Eating a daily variety of healthy foods will give your growing baby and daily assortment of necessary nutrients. 

Balance is the next thing to keep in mind.  We all know that balance and moderation is the key to any diet.   There is no reason to deny yourself  a bowl of ice cream but the whole container is over doing it.  You want to keep all your meals as balanced as possible and make sure you are getting enough vitamins, whole grains and lean protein.  Eating one and not the other is not going to help you or your baby in any way shape or form. Indulging in cravings is fine every now and then as long as you keep it in moderation, if you want a cookie, have one.  If potato chips are your craving, have a few.  It is when you eat the whole box of cookies and the whole bag of chips in one sitting that you might have a problem.

The third key is color.  You want to make your plate look as colorful as possible.  Look at fresh fruit and veggies to paint your plate.  The more colorful your plate is, the more appeasing it is going to look to your eyes.  Have you ever noticed in magazines and cooking shows the dishes always look so tasty?  This is because of the variety of color that are used in these dishes.  You can get red strawberries and tomatoes to yellow peppers and squash.  Pick your favorite colors and create your dishes based on that.

Forget about dieting while you are pregnant.  You and your baby need a steady supply of calories and nutrients through out the nine months of pregnancy and beyond.  Pregnancy is one of the only times where a woman is expected to gain weight.  Trying to prevent that weight gain can not only put you at risk, but also your baby at risk.  You will have all the time in the world after your baby comes to lose the weight, but for nine months don't even think about the word diet. 

If you find you that you are getting sick of the food you have been eating, then it's time to start experimenting with different foods.  Pregnancy is a time to expand your eating horizons as well as your waistbands.  Plus with food aversions, you might find yourself turning green at some of your favorite foods and craving foods you never dreamed you would eat.  You may find that the thought of pizza can send you running for the toilet, but place a dish of brussel sprouts in front of you and you are in heaven. 

Lastly, have fun with your food.  Eating should be fun.  Nothing will ruin your good habits faster than boredom.   Add little touches like a dip for your veggies.  Enjoy your food and try not to gulp it down.  This will help avoid heartburn too!  When you decide to treat yourself, leave the guilt at the door.  After all, you are growing a person inside of you and decide a treat now and then for all your hard work.

Resource: Maria Schasteen is editor of aromatherapy4moms.com, the online resource with articles, tips and recipes from moms for moms.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Candle Making Basics by Aroma-Essence.com

The use of candles for light and heat is known to have existed in ancient times. The remains of candles have been found in the caves of France. It is believed that cavemen used them while painting and etching on the walls. It is believed those candles where made out of animal fat. The Egyptians used candles as well by dripping beeswax onto leave stems. The burning process of a candle involves the four basic elements of matter which are solids, liquids, gas, and plasma.

Today candle making is a fun hobby or craft. For some, it is a very profitable business venture. Candle making provides you with they ability to create wonderful designs and crafts out of your candles. There is no limit to the shapes, sizes, and colors you can make your candles in. A candle is a device to provide light or fragrance. Candles have become very popular for the wonderful aromas more than for their ability to produce light. Some candles give off a popular smell such as vanilla or jasmine. Others smell like a chocolate cake or cinnamon rolls.

The body of a candle is generally made of paraffin wax. It can also be made out of beeswax. Paraffin wax is a natural wax that comes from plants. This wax can be purchased from Petroleum Refinery or the Specialty Wax Processor. Beeswax is also considered a natural wax, and is taken from honeybees. This is the substance the bees use to construct their honeycombs. A wick is placed in the center of the wax before it dries. The wick is made of cotton fibers that have been braided together. The wick is very thin, but also very powerful. Sometimes candle makers will use a wick that is wider than normal to increase the size of the flame.

Brought to you by Aroma-Essence.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

Positive Energy and the Feelings Collection

Let go of those negative emotions once and for all and replace that space with positive light and energy. A very effective way to release negative emotions is with the essential oils found in Young Living’s Feelings® collection. Here are a few ways to easily work these oils into your daily routine. It’s surprisingly easy and a lot of fun!

Valor®
Apply Valor to the shoulders to relax the body, find courage, and discover your inner strength.

Release™
Put Release over the liver then focus on any negative stress, tragedy, or bad memories. Bring your awareness to the liver area, connect with your inner self, and let go of the emotions. Feel how free it is to let go of unwanted emotions!

Inner Child™
Place Inner Child over the navel to help connect with your inner power. Give yourself time, open your awareness, and allow yourself to let go.

Read the whole story of Positive Energy and the Feelings Collection, click here!

Brought to you by Aroma-Essence.com

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sexual Abuse and Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture

Many who have dealt with sexual abuse have difficulties working through lasting emotional distress. People have basic defenses when managing negative emotions due to sexual abuse. They are often angry or want to be left alone. Some live silently and may lack trust in others. When a person fails to effectively deal with these negative emotions, they distance themselves, which may lead to deeper emotional pain.

Here are a few easy steps on how to use Young Living’s Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture to naturally overcome emotional effects of sexual abuse. While applying the oils, give yourself permission to release fears of the unknown. Take your emotional power back by letting yourself forgive. See a new purpose, a new you. Step forward and claim your true self. Believe that you are becoming a new person that is no longer chained down from unwanted emotions. Claim your emotional freedom!

For the full story, click here! Thank you!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Healthy Hair Starts at the Scalp

There’s been a lot of talk about hair recently, especially with the launch of our new Signature Hair Care line. We’re very proud of our new lavender-mint and copaiba-vanilla blends, and love sharing their benefits with you! But when you really get down to it, if your scalp isn’t healthy, no shampoo or conditioner can get your hair where you want it to be. So here are a few natural recipes we’ve found for tackling the most common hair-care complaints where they start: at your scalp. If your scalp is in great condition, your hair can be too!

The Issue—Dry Scalp

  • Description: Dry, moisture-sapped skin surrounding hair follicles
  • Symptoms: Tight-feeling or itchy scalp; small flakes of dry skin that land on the shoulders
  • Healthy recommendation: Mix 10 drops of moisturizing, pure essential oil such as lavender or sandalwood with 1 ounce of sweet almond or jojoba oil. For sensitive scalps, use straight jojoba oil. Massage in for five minutes before showering.
Nutrition tip: To help nourish a dry scalp, take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement like Young Living’s Omega Blue™.

Other blends to try:

For fine hair:
  1. Heat a half cup of apple-cider vinegar.
  2. While vinegar is warm, gently massage it into your scalp. The acid in the apple-cider vinegar helps restore the scalp’s pH balance.
  3. Cover your head with a towel or shower cap.
  4. Rinse with water after 30–40 minutes.
For normal to coarse hair:
  1. After shampooing, massage 1 tablespoon of olive oil into your scalp and onto your hair from roots to ends.
  2. Wrap head with plastic wrap or a damp towel heated in the microwave. This will trap the oil and let it soak in. Wait at least five minutes.
  3. Rinse out thoroughly and follow with conditioner.
  4. Repeat once a week if hair is coarse; once a month for normal hair.
The Issue—Dandruff
  • Description: An overgrowth of bacteria that causes dead skin cells to accumulate; dandruff can flair up on both oily and dry scalps
  • Symptoms: Flakes on your shoulders
  • Healthy recommendation: Blend 10 drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, or bergamot essential oil with 1 ounce of jojoba or sweet-almond oil. Massage for 5–10 minutes before showering. For a leave-in anti-flaking treatment, mix a small amount of witch hazel with a little mouthwash and rub your scalp after shampooing, conditioning, and towel drying. Then dry and style as usual.
Nutrition tip: To combat dandruff, it’s also recommended to consume 8 milligrams of zinc (found in clams, crab meat, lean meats, lobster, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds, and salmon) per day.

Extra exfoliating recipes to try:
For oily scalp:
  1. Dip a clean, natural-bristle brush into a bowl filled with cornstarch, a natural oil absorber. Brush through dry hair from roots to ends.
  2. Part hair into sections. With clean fingertips, rub cornstarch into your scalp and use a brush to work through your hair for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove coating of cornstarch with a clean brush or comb and rinse.
For dry scalp:
  1. Add 4–5 tablespoons of dried thyme to 2 cups of water and boil for 10 minutes.
  2. Allow mixture to cool and strain thyme leaves.
  3. Massage the liquid into your scalp for 10 minutes, wait 30 minutes, rinse, and apply conditioner.
By Rebecca
Product Manager, Essential Care

SOURCE: Young Living Blog
Brought to you by Aroma-Essence.com