1. Opt for Healthy Edible Bouquets vs. Cut Flowers in your Kitchen
Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet inside and out. Enjoy the vibrancy of fresh cut herbs in your kitchen before you consume them by putting them in a vase of water as you would a bouquet of roses. You can watch them perk up in the water before your very eyes! Make a vase out of a clear drinking glass or Mason jar to bring a more casual look to your space. Much of the effort in staying healthy is keeping reminders top of mind. Having a bouquet of mint nearby will make it easy for you to grab a few leaves to dress up your water, making hydration a treat. We love keeping a vase of fresh parsley near the cutting board. Just use some kitchen scissors to trim some tops off, and then cut them into confetti for a show-stopping touch of freshness on top of the dish you’re serving or even on the plate. Edible bouquet selections are endless: basil, cilantro, mint, parsley, thyme, and even edible flowers!
TIP: Rinse the herbs or flowers off completely before putting them in the vase, so they will be ready to eat when you want them. Fill the glass with water so that most of the stems are covered, leaving the leaves or flowers above the water. Change the water daily to keep them fresh. Be sure not to eat any leaves or stems that become wilty or slimy over time. They should last several days at room temperature.
2. Reward Yourself with The Power of One
Commit to cleaning out just one thing (drawer, closet, even your purse or backpack) and reward yourself by leaving a bit of botanical bliss behind. Place a sachet in your newly organized space with a few drops of your favorite essential oil on it. It will make your clothes smell great, and it will remind you each time you open that drawer, closet, or bag of the benefit your action created. We process smells in the limbic system of our brain, in the same place where memories, emotions, and instinctual drives exist. You will literally reinforce your good behavior through the profound power of smell each time you revisit that cleansed space. It might just be even better than rewarding yourself with chocolate!
TIP: Place a few drops of essential oils on some cotton balls and place them in a muslin bag. You could even use that stray sock that lost its match, in place of a muslin bag. Tie some ribbon or twine around it, and voila…a one-of-a-kind sachet!
3. Transform Daily House Cleaning into a Botanical Treat
Swap synthetic surface cleaners with vinegar infused with botanicals. Vinegar, an inexpensive and time-tested staple for all-purpose cleaning, is the perfect base to customize with your favorite botanical scents.
Add essential oils to a glass bottle filled with vinegar and water and transform your cleaning chores into something you look forward to.
Here are some excellent essential oils to consider with fresh aromas and antimicrobial qualities: Lavandin, Palmarosa, Rosemary, Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit),and Eucalyptus. These are all fabulous singularly or blended together. If blending them, start with equal parts and go from there. You can explore other essential oils, too. We recommend starting with widely available, cost-effective ones like these so that you will use them as often as needed to keep your home sparkling and fresh while keeping germs away!
Place a sprig of your favorite herb (like rosemary, lavender, or geranium) into the bottle to add a touch of botanical artistry to your product and remind you of the beauty you bring to your new cleaning ritual.
TIP: Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water. Add 30-40 drops of essential oil per 1 oz of vinegar/water solution.
Salt has been celebrated throughout time and cultures for its ability to clear negative energy. Centuries old healing practices like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognize energy centers in and around the body as Chakras and Qi (Chi), respectively. One of the key goals is to keep that energy moving (avoiding stagnation), and salt is one of many tools used to encourage flow. Feng Shui is an example of a Chinese practice that recognizes salt’s ability to clear negative energy and allow for the flow of life force throughout a dwelling space.
Even superstitions like throwing salt over the left shoulder for good luck have made their way through the ages. In addition to flavoring food, salt is a preservative that allowed people to keep food on-hand for long periods of time when there was no refrigeration. In Ancient Rome, specific salaries (derived from the Latin word salarium, with sal at its root) were allocated to purchase salt, since it was such an important part of survival.
Whether you are drawn to cleansing with salt for its legendary lore, its energetic properties, or its skin-loving benefits, it is an essential part of self-care.
Sprinkle some salt in your bath (or even in a foot bath) to clear stagnant energy fields that are no longer serving you and bring in fresh, positive energy. Enjoy the physical benefits of increased circulation, detoxification, and hydration as you soak. Add a few drops of a nourishing oil like Everlush Head-to-Toe Anointing Oil to soothe and smooth your damp or dry skin to complete your salt cleansing ritual.
TIP: Add 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite salt (we love Epsom Salt, Dead Sea Salt, and Himalayan Salt) to your bath water. For a nourishing and aromatic experience, add 5-10 drops of Everlush to your salt water. After drying off, treat yourself to an anointing ritual by massaging Everlush into your skin from head to toe.
5. Diffuse Essential Oils in your Home and Workspace to Clean and Inspire
Literally clean the air around you as you surround yourself with gorgeous botanical aromas. Essential oils are antimicrobial by nature. They can be antiviral, antifungal, or antibacterial. Some are all of the above. They keep pathogens at bay by zapping them right out of the air, so diffusing essential oils is a way to keep you from getting sick…and to speed up the recovery process if you are sick.
Aside from keeping your air clean, essential oils also create ambiance by eliciting feelings of wellbeing (uplifting, relaxing, stimulating, and beyond).
Some diffusers even have light features on them, so you can enhance your mood with colors. Diffuse aromas like Lavender with a blue light to bring a sense of calm. Feel uplifted by citrus aromas like Lemon and Bergamot with a glowing orange light. Create a sensual mood with aromas like Sandalwood and Rose enhanced by a scarlet light.
TIP: Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (or blend) to your diffuser. Breathe in and let your senses transport you.
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