Scentsational: Sniff Your Way to Bliss

I recently read about a study of the power that citrus scents have over us. Our sense of smell is a part of our limbic system, and this is what processes memories and emotions. There are billions of perfumes and colones out there with various hints of flowers, herbs, fruits and more. But did you know that studies find that "citrus notes have been found to have an uplifting, antidepressant effect" as mentioned by Karen Gilbert, author of A Green Guide to Natural Beauty? 

My own little sniffer has always been more attracted to perfumes that have a light citrus scent to them, but I never would have guessed that these favorite scents may be helping to spiff up my mood. Maybe our little noses are naturally attracted to what our mind and bodies need sometimes :o). 

My favorite chemical free perfume is Pacifica. They have so many fun combinations to choose from and it makes my skin happy just knowing that I'm not putting harmful toxins on my body. I have been using their California Star Jasmine roll-on for about a year now and I absolutely love it. I actually found out from a gal in my holistic nutrition course last year that Jasmine oil is great for women to connect with their femininity and also helps in when dealing with grief.

In the article I read they gave some great suggestions for healthy beauty products that are citrus scented. They included Pacifica's Tuscan Blood Orange Perfume in their list and I am super excited to try this one now that Spring and Summer are on their way!

So not only is it good to eat lots of oranges, lemons and the like, but don't be afraid to smell like a walking fruit stand while you're at it as well :o). 

Cheers to citrus bliss!

Also, check out my favorite face wash by Avalon Organic- Vitamin C

(This was a fruit stand near the hotel we stayed in for our recent honeymoon in Paris.)

Love, Meg

Unwanted Feelings Can Make Room for Blossoms of Hope

My wonderful friend Jenn shared this poem with me the other day and it was the perfect reminder that even the ugly and sorrowful emotions that visit me can make things beautiful, whether or not they are invited.  I'm slowly learning that it is in welcoming those often unwanted feelings that I can clean out space and make a little more room inside to let love and positive thoughts grow in my heart. Be encouraged and let's not be afraid to make some room for new blossoms of hope.

-Meg

(This was a flower shoppe near our hotel in Paris when we were there on our honeymoon. Looking at this always makes me smile and adds a little color to my day.)

The Guest House by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Emotional Laundry

"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present."  ~Jan Glidewell

Today I am reminding myself to never cling to the sorrow and hurt in my past; because if my arms are too busy holding onto the pain in my past, then I am unable to offer or receive love in the present. I've realized recently that choosing to carry my hurt and grief around is a lot like trying to transport an over sized load of laundry from the dryer. Sometimes you can keep it all together, and other times you drop random pieces all over the place and make a huge mess. I would much rather be able to offer and receive love, as I face each new day, than be dropping all my 'emotional laudry' all over the place.

It's not easy to move forward from emotional pain, but if we choose to cling to it then we will end up suffocating ourselves, as well as the ones we love, in a pile of dirty emotional laundry that will just grow taller and taller as we continue to drop pieces here and there.


Arms Wide Open,
Meg

Raw Food= Probiotics, Happiness, Longevity

I just watched this video by my favorite raw foodie Ani Phyo. I always feel so inspired and encouraged after watching her videos, or readings through her ‘uncook books'. One of the things I really love about her is how she all about doing what is best for each individual body. She understands that eating raw is usually a gradual process and that life needs to be about what works best for each person’s health and happiness.

In this video Ani talks a little about the reasons why raw organic foods are best for our bodies, and how they can heal us and restore our bodies from stress. She also talks about how to restore balance to your body after taking antibiotics. Our bodies are bombarded with toxins every day that stress our systems out, not to mentions the stress we put ourselves through with all the worries that float into our hearts and minds.

Eating raw organic fruits, veggies, nuts, and more, with or without organic grass fed meat added, is the best way to restore our bodies with the much needed vitamins, minerals, and herbs that we need in order to live long happy lives.

Check out the video and be inspired :o)...

Video Link- Ani’s Raw Food Asia – Probiotics, Happiness, Longevity

Meg

New Ways to Think About Grief

Sometimes I feel so lost as I go through the difficult 'stages' of grief. This article made me feel a little hopeful and shed some light on the fact there maybe really aren't any 'stages' to grief at all. We are all different and we need to be gentle with our hearts as we continue to heal.

No one, well intentioned or not, should make you doubt what healing or moving on should look like for you. With this said those of us who grieve for whatever loss, also need to make sure we keep our chins up high and take care of our wounded hearts and minds.


Link- New Ways to Think About Grief


Love and Blessings, Meg

How to Be Alone

I subscribe to Dr. Mercola and his daily e-mail which is always so full of great advice for maintaining physical and mental health in the most organic and chemical free way possible. If you haven't ever been to his website I highly suggest you take a moment to check out some postings and what he is all about. There is a wealth of wonderful information on all subjects.

http://www.mercola.com/

Today there was a link titled 'How to Be Alone', and it caught my eye. I decided to check it out, so I clicked on the link and was surprised to find a charming little video of a poem by inspiring poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis. Find a quiet moment to watch it and I'm sure you will feel a smile on your face just as I did.

Video Link to Poem:  How To Be Alone


Much love, Meg

Courage to Explore Your Heart

Hi friends,

It's been a while since I've written or posted on here, so I wanted to at least share a little something from the book I've been reading, the Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart, by Stephen Levine.I bought the book about 4 months ago and it has been a slow process to mentally digest the words as I turn each page. Even though I've only made it through 10 of the small chapters, there are already so many things that I have underlined and feel as though he was writing specifically to me. Some of my favorites in chapters 2 and 3 are:

"So we must bear loss as deeply as we cared."

 "...grief is like driving at night: though you can see only a few feet ahead of you, you can make the whole journey that way."

"Healing is replacing our merciless reactions with a merciful response."

There are so many quotes and words of wisdom that I have found in this little jem of a book. Some of the chapters have been a little emotionally draining because there are words that have opened my wounds a little more than I was prepared to feel. I was about to stop readying because of the rising emotion I felt each time I open the cover, but then I reached this sentence; and I became determined to finish the whole book no matter how long it might take me to process emotionally....

"In order to balance our fear with our courage, we must trust our pain enough to explore it."

That sentence has become part of my pep talk that I give myself on more difficult days. I hope that it inspires and encourages you just a little too. When you find yourself in a moment that seams to heavy, remember that you are not alone and that each painful moment can make you more courageous.

Much Love, Meg