Solace Essentials Blog

Learn Aromatherapy Today!

2010-06-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Introduction to Aromatherapy course

Many think that Essential Oils are a mystery. I too find them incredible. The enigma surrounding essential oils holds many back from delving deeper. I'd like to give you permission to delve deeper - there is no reason why you can't buy your favorite oils and start mixing them into your favorite body oil - today!!

But, I understand your hesitancy. You'd rather use only a few oils at a time, knowing exactly how they smell, exactly how they make you feel. Some are even fearful of ruining a recipe or using them in the wrong way. The beauty is that Essential Oils are so useful, that in a brief tutorial you can dispel any fears you have of essential oils, their uses, how to blend and how to use them on the body. In essence, you can easily become an effective Aromatherapy guide.

Since 2005, I have been teaching, blending, and recommending Essential Oil formulations for clients such as National Clothing Lines (Essential Oil Perfumery), Prominent Leaders, acute symptoms, emotional disrepair, etc. all in the hopes of reaching out to more people and sharing my knowledge of the Clinical, Medicinal, and Energetic effects of Essential Oils on the body.

In a very short 2 hour presentation, I aim to give you enough knowledge to go forth and do your own blending for your purposes in effective and intentional ways. From there, you may want to continue learning about aromatherapy in my Advanced Aromatherapy course that I will be offering this summer.

So, please join me on June 6th at an exciting new spa, Indigo Fusion Spa and Gallery, from 10-12am for only $45 (an amazing discount from my usual rate!) where you will learn:

Scent design & Blending

Efficacy of Essential Oils and their effects on the body (musculoskeletal, hormonal, nervous system, skin, and emotions)

Choosing vibrant essential oils effectively - recognizing purity of essential oils

Safe Essential oils for: Pregnancy, Elderly, Children, Infancts, Hospice, Massage, etc.

Learn general principles of Aromatherapy includingapplication for use in skincare, bodycare, mental health, physical ailments, and spiritual/life goal setting.

This workshop teaches you history, current uses, developments, where to purchase oils, how to detect quality of oils, how to create formulas/remedies using essential oils, and contraindications of oils.

Leave class with your own custom-made product for your health or treat a friend!

When: Sunday, June 6, 2010

10am - 12pm

Cost: $45

Where: Indigo Fusion Spa & Gallery, UDist Seattle

Phone: 206-910-6460

Address: 4714 University Way NE Suite #111

Seattle, WA 98105

To register: email Carol at: carol@solaceessentials.com

Pangaea Organica Coffee Roaster Visit

2010-04-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today, I visited the coffee roasting facility at Pangaea Organica! It's in the back of a retail store front in Wallingford. I parked on the street and walked toward the facility through a side path with clues of coffee beans, burlap bags, brew pots, hoses and such greeting me along my way.

Rick Riehle, Owner of Pangaea Organic, welcomed me into the kitchen which smelled soooo good! I was instantly taken away to another place in my mind's eye - coffee is very ethereal for me for some reason, capturing my creative and solace-filled mind. For most, there's something visceral about the smell of very rich, complex, Ethiopian and Brazilian Coffee.

Here's a jug of coffee beans that Rick then brewed in a french press with a very special method - he says don't stir the coffee, let the water organically synergize with the beans - very similar to how I blend essential oils! He is very meticulous about recording the specs of every shipment of coffee beans and the picture above shows his notes which follow every jar - nothing is unlabeled.

He brewed some coffee for me to try before we started roasting. It was from Brazil: Cooperativa dos Agricultores Familiares de Poco Fundo. The taste was very complex, earthy, yet had notes of chocolate on the finish, if you can imagine.

Next, we headed downstairs to the roasting facility where he explained the method of air roasting. The difference between Pangaea’s coffee and other coffee roasters is that they roast their coffee on a bed of hot air, characterized as convection roasting.

It’s similar to popping corn which creates a light, fluffy snack, called , as we know, popcorn.

When you roast coffee beans this way, the beans tumble in hot air and roast the beans evenly preventing any of the beans from being burned.

Most coffee companies roast in a drum roaster, where the beans tumble around against the surface of a super hot drum. This causes the beans to char and create a ‘bitter’ taste in your coffee. Who wants that? Hot air roasting brings out the fresh flavors, unique personality and essence of each coffee bean.

Plus, when Pangaea roasts, there’s a coffee bean chaff (outer layer) left over which is light-weight and lends itself well to compost. So, instead of throwing it away, they donate it to the local Tilth where they use it in the mulch! This is a much more conscious and efficient way to process the coffee by-product.

The coffee that Rick and I roasted today will be used in the new Solace Essentials Body Scrub. Here is a picture of the beans. Mmm… they smell great and look really nurturing for the skin! These beans are not roasted fully, creating what’s called a White Bean coffee. It’s a lot more conducive to a bodyscrub being that it’s lighter and less rich in smell, but still high in anti-oxidant capabilities.

I can’t wait to get this batch of coffee back to Solace Essentials to put in the body scrub. It’s going to be great!

Recently, Rick also put me in touch with a coffee roaster in Nepal who also grows herbs for essential oils. Stay tuned for more posts about my Nepalese Essential Oil adventures!!

Breathe deeply (from a Coffee/Essential Oil Body Scrub!) and find your solace.

Best wishes,
Carol

New Inventions at Solace Essentials

2010-03-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

At Solace Essentials, we have some exciting new products coming down the pike. Stay tuned...

You may be asking, "Why?" The short answer is that I get inspired.

I came across an article today from the GCI (Global Cosmetic Industry) about creating inspiring bodycare us (http://tiny.cc/wfl3i). I am an avid reader of this publication because it tells me about the up and coming new ingredients that are popular and the trends we should expect to see. It's interesting to note that in every issue there is a huge section on organic and using whole ingredients in bodycare, rather than broken down molecules treated with other molecules.

When I was talking to my contact at Whole Foods today, we discussed the value in not only eating whole, and locally available foods, but also doing the same in our bodycare. I couldn't agree more!

Which leads me back to telling you why I have created some new products. Back in November, I was at a trade show for the WA Dental Services and I randomly met a cool new business owner from Pangaea Coffee, Rick Riehle. I knew instantly, he was the real deal. He imports fair trade organic coffee from cool places like Persatuan Petani Kopi Gayo Organik Cooperative in Indonesia, and Unión de Ejidos Comun de Caficultores Benificio Majomut, Mexico.

He sampled Solace Essentials products and was instantly hooked! He then expressed interest in collaborating on a product with Solace. After brainstorming and ruminating about coffee and aromatherapy for 4 months, it finally hit me - yes, all of my senses were screaming! And, I recognized that familiar feeling of being inspired.

I decided it would be an incredible addition to our Shower Salts, which will now be called "Body Scrub". Coffee, as it turns out, is a great partner with essential oils. And coffee has incredible anti-oxidant benefits for the skin creating healthier, more vibrant cells and offers a gentle exfoliating addition to the Dead Sea Salts. Coffee also firms skin, reduces redness and reduces the appearance of cellulite. So, smooth that scrub all over your body for best results. (Please remember to wash the tub with a quick swipe of soap afterward to keep yourself from slipping!).

Next week I will visit Pangaea Coffee to see their roasting facility in Wallingford. Stay tuned...

Seattle Humane Society's Tuxes and Tails

2010-03-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Coming up in April is Seattle Humane Society's Tuxes and Tails!

Solace Essentials is proud to donate a gift pack of goodies.

We hope to see you there!

Carol
http://www.seattlehumane.org/explore/events/tuxes

Speaking at American Herbailsts Guild on Thursday 3/4 at Rainbow Natural Remedies

2010-02-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

So much for an iPhone blog entry. At least I tried!

Ok, here's the full-fledged post about the upcoming event for the American Herbalists' Guild:

OnThursday, March 4th, I will be speaking at Rainbow Natural Remedies in Capital Hill for The American Herbalists Guild.

It is a great honor. The event will be from 7-9pm - please let me know if you're interested in attending.

Thanks,
Carol

Whole Foods, Small Business Grant & Power of Healing

2010-01-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

New Store: Bellevue Whole Foods

Solace Essentials is delivering to Bellevue Whole Foods today! You can buy the Body Balm and Shower Salts in all 6 scents as soon as they process it and get in on the shelves (give them a few days) at the very conveniently located Bellevue Whole Foods:

Whole Foods Market
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
888 116th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-1400

Do you love Solace Essentials?!

We've been nominated by Intuit (the creator of QuickBooks) to receive a Small Business Grant! Yes, a grant! But, we need help from you! We can't do it without you, in fact! Please help us to be selected by Intuit to receive this much welcomed infusion of dollars. Click here and share a few meaningful words of praise about Solace Essentials (up to just 250 words): http://tiny.cc/8ByBt!

Power of Healing

I have been seeing clients lately who are stressed out and needing grounding. At the Bastyr Workshop last Saturday, folks needed the Chakra Balancing to help them start their year with a deep breath and lower stress than in 2009.

Essential Oils help the CNS (Central Nervous System) to re-balance itself. So, when you think about the New Year and all the potential (and responsibilities - gulp!) that it holds, incorporating Essential Oils into your bodycare, room spray, and inhalation routine will help you keep yourself balanced so that when opportunities/challenges arise, you will be better equipped to handle it all!

CNS Balancing Inhalation Oil
1 Roman Chamomile
2 Clary Sage (avoid during pregnancy)
7 Lavender
5 Lavindin
2 Neroli
6 Pettigrain

Add oils to a rollerball bottle and fill rest of bottle with Jojoba Oil. As always, see your Certified Aromatherapist to customize for your needs.

As always, thank you, and here's to 2010 - full of Solace!

Recent Online Store Review

2009-12-15T15:04:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!

Our online store has been received warmly!

Here's a review from a recent customer:

Carol,

Sorry I'm waiting so long to let you know, but I like to give beauty products a good long try before giving feedback. Your lotion is the best. I will definitely be back for more. The reason I actually bought it was because it has willowbark and neem oil in it, which is good for breakouts. Yours is the first lotion I can use on my face that takes care of winter dryness without making me break out or giving me a rash, and I have tried a lot. Plus it smells great without the fragrance being so strong as to give me a headache (which is a big deal since I don't usually like scented products). This is the first winter that my skin is not a dried mess from all the cold air. You definitely have a great product and I will give you some nice feedback. Thanks!

-Julie

We'd like to extend an offer for the holidays of 10% off on orders placed by December 20th! Please mention the Solace Essentials Blog to receive this offer. You will receive a refund through the online site following your purchase.

Breathe deeply and find your solace.

Best wishes for an abundant holiday season,
Carol Walter
Owner, Solace Essentials

Lotion Making - One day class with Carol Walter of Solace Essentials

2009-12-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

I will be teaching how to make natural lotion on Saturday, December 5th, at:

Ballard Organics (www.ballardorganics.com to sign up!)

from 3-4pm
$25

You will learn:

Basics of how to make a lotion for your skin type
Which essential oils are useful to support the skin
For gift-making this holiday season or to combat skin challenges this winter
Labels and decorating materials for you to turn your lotion into a gift!

See you Saturday!

Why is Solace Essentials Paraben Free?

2009-11-29T15:14:00.000-08:00

There are many possibilities for bodycare lotion. Bodycare lotion usually has water elements and oil elements and by way of heating both liquids, these ingredients blend together into what we call lotion or cream.

This lotion or cream is vulnerable to bacteria and other microbes because water is an ingredient. To combat these microbes, lotions and creams usually have preservatives, the most effective of which is parabens. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients (Ruth Winters, 2005), parabens are "a cause for concern" in that they "act like the female hormone estrogen" which was researched by the Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004. The problem is that "in high levels estrogen can cause some women to develop breast cancer" (p. 386).

With Parabens, lotions and creams had 3-4 years of shelf life. There are alternatives to parabens which still give the lotions and creams a shelf life of 1-2 years. This is the choice I have made with the lotions at Solace Essentials. I research every ingredient and make sure they are all found to be safe. For preservatives, we use: Mannan (basically sugar), Rosemary Oleoresin (from Rosemary) and Salix Nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract. These three help our lotion to have a nice long shelf life and create a wonderful texture that helps heal your chapped skin.

We hope you love it and welcome all of your questions and feedback.

-Carol

What does organic mean?

2009-11-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

Here at Solace Essentials, our aim is to provide you with bodycare that smells good, works well and feels good. This is what makes us stand out from others.

But, why do we care so much?

Many bodycare products available on the market today claim that they're natural and yet that is not the whole truth.

**NEWS FLASH**
Just because a product says that it's organic, doesn't mean it's ALL organic. There may only be one ingredient that's organic. Is this ethical? Depends on who you ask. It's not inaccurrate to say that a product is organic if it has one organic ingredient. But, I do think it's unethical beause a normal customer like us would think that the WHOLE product is organic.

What does this mean for me?

Become a label reader! Read the label and if the ingredient is organic, the label should state this. If it's not, you will be able to see that, and move on. If the company is up on the latest USDA standards, they will tell you what percent organic and natural the product is. The USDA only has so much time in the day. If they come across a label that says it's organic when it's not above the required 87%, they will ask the manufacturer to change the label and remove the product from the shelves. However, this rarely happens currently since there's so many manufacturers. Someday, this will be more regulated.

For now, once again, become educated on the ingredients that you like in your bodycare products. Read the labels and understand what it all means. What goes on your skin goes in, so it's important to know what you're putting in your body - the more natural and organic (pesticide free) the better!

Solace Essentials uses all natural and organic ingredients where ever possible! If it exists, we are using it, in terms of Natural and Organic! We are in the process of obtaining our USDA Organic certification, so you will see this on our labels soon.

....More to come on Solace Essentials ingredients and what they do for your skin! If you have any questions, please email us at: carol@solaceessentials.com.

Purchase Solace Essentials Online!

2009-10-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

You can now purchase Solace Essentials products online at: www.solaceessentials.etsy.com. Please let me know how your purchasing experience goes!

Solace Essentials is now proud to be available at: 5Focus Gym in South Lake Union.

Also, we continue to donate to various nonprofits each month. This month was TreeSwing and Green Halloween: http://biznik.com/events/networking-with-a-cause-green-halloween-event.

-Carol Walter
Owner, Solace Essentials

Aromatherapy in the News: Business or leisure, driving or flying - travel safely naturally

2009-09-23T13:29:00.001-07:00

I like to see that others are now starting to talk about Aromatherapy and it's effectiveness for everyday life.

Here's a posting about using essential oils for driving and travel. You can add the essential oils listed to your Aromatherapy "First-Aid" kit, if you will.

Some great essential oils to have at your fingertips are:
Peppermint
Eucalyptus
Lemon
Lavender
Orange
Tea Tree

If you can find a nice mini-terra cotta jar (pictured above) or ornament, simply drop any of the below essential oils onto it and hang it from your rear-view mirror in your car. For travel, carry your oils with you and inhale anytime you feel the need!

Here's the link to the article. Please tell me what you think!

crestonnews.com | Business or leisure, driving or flying - travel safely naturally

Shared via AddThis

Here's a posting of my lastest eNewsletter

2009-09-11T17:23:00.001-07:00

Here's a posting of my lastest eNewsletter

Shared via AddThis

Who has the power in your life? Open up your Solar Plexus Chakra and Get Your Power Back!

2009-08-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt that you can't make things happen in your own life? That circumstances always define who you are and what you do each day? Do you find yourself saying things like, "that person in my life is forcing me to...", or, "my boss is making me totally unhappy!", or that you can't read people or understand why others do what they do?

You may have a case of the Solar Plexus blues! The Solar Plexus is the place in your body just below your rib cage (also includes: liver, gallbladder, middle spine, spleen, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach). It's the power and adaptability center of energy in your body that governs your sense of belonging and knowing. If this is out of balance, physically, you may experience digestion issues, indigestion, eating disorders, liver issues such as cirrhosis, fatigue caused by adrenal imbalance, colon issues, to name a few.

When you turn things around to see a mental understanding of the emotional part of your life, you may be able to achieve a greater acceptance of your place in the life stream and self-love. You may increase your self-esteem, dissolve your fears of rejection, become less sensitive to criticism, more decisive, less prone to hiding your feelings inside, and more confident in your self-image!

To open up your solar plexus chakra, you can use essential oils in a roll-on that you apply to your abdomen (avoid these oils if pregnant or nursing):

10 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil
3 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
2 drops Clove Essential Oil
5 drops Palmarosa Essential Oil

Play around with different activities during meditation using this essential oil blend. Here's a suggestion from The Awakened Heart website (http://www.theawakenedheart.com/?page_id=351):

Sitting with a straight spine or lying on your back, take a soft and deep inhale through the nose and then sharply exhale a small puff of air. You will feel as if you are pulling the solar plexus quite quickly back to the spine. Focus on the exhale only, however a small inhale will naturally come back into your body after each exhale. Do 10 exhales in fairly quick succession but modulate them so they fall in an even rhythm. At the end of 10 take a deep and soft inhale and deep and soft exhale, then rest before continuing another round. Work in this way consistently and consciously and if you feel tired, dizzy or light headed stop. Any pressure or pain in the ears or eyes stop. You should wait 2 hours after a meal. Pregnant women should do no practices which withhold the breath or sucking in the muscles of the abdomen. And women in the first three days of their period should not practice strongly. Start with 5 – 10 and build to more in a gentle and relaxed way.

Mantra – Alternately you can use sound to balance the sacral chakra the Mantra is RAM. And you say the sound in the tone which is comfortable for you, focus on the R and then let the AM fall at the end. Let the sound vibrate in the body and direct the sound down to the solar plexus chakra. Try to keep the voice low, soft and peaceful.

In closing, to learn more about the chakras, essential oils and how yoga can help in opening up and balancing your chakras, attend my upcoming seminar at East/West Books on September 20th, 2009 from 12:30 - 3:30pm. Click here to register: http://www.eastwestbookshop.com/events/single_event.php?ID=917.

Happy Birthday Balance: Build a Playground & Have fun!

2009-07-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy can help you achieve a healthy balance. Jennifer Jefferies, an Aromatherapist from Australia, tells us this about balance (www.jenniferjefferies.com) in her Sanity Saver newsletter:

Schedule the following four blocks of time into your day:
-15 minutes for relaxation
-15 minutes to play
-15 minutes to love
-15 minutes to educate yourself

I think it's important to constantly strive for balance. Though life is very demanding and busy at times, there is always an opportunity to balance yourself! Aromatherapy can help you achieve your goals with essentials oils that aid you in this balancing act. I recommend targeting the one area from above that you are lacking in each day and integrate those essential oils that correspond. You will gradually start to enjoy your new activity and associate the essential oil with that experience.

Here are my essential oil suggestions:
Relaxation: Chamomile & Lavender
Play: Mandarin & Fennel
Love: Ylang Ylang & Geranium
Educate: Eucalyptus & Juniper

For example, I thought that for my 33rd birthday (year of personal life recognition and opportunity) I would like to have a nice balance of having fun and doing good. Friday, I joined 200 volunteers in Delridge to build a playground (http://www.westseattleherald.com/2009/07/16/news/building-new-delridge-playground-begins)! Despite a big bruise on my upper right arm from a structural beam that fell on me, I had a great time! Now I'm ready for some good ol' fun at my birthday party tomorrow.

Good luck in achieving balance in your busy lives! Remember, that any habit takes about 30 days to solidify and it can be easier with the use of essential oils to aid you. Call me if you have questions about your blends or want me to make any of these for you.

Summer Time Fun: West Seattle Streetfair and Fremont Market

2009-07-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have been vending at many markets this summer and it has been a lot of fun. There is something about the atmosphere at these bohemian-inspired fairs that energizes us and gives us inspiration. I hope to see you sometime this summer to teach you about the chakras and how to unlock the power within.

This is my first blog entry directly from the rainy Fremont Market so I am hoping that it uploads easily.

Happy gypsy summer!

Solace Essentials Reviewed by Madison Market in Seattle, WA

2009-07-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Madison Market just posted their latest newsletter and Solace Essentials has been highlighted as a featured product line. We are honored to be a part of this wonderful co-op!

http://www.madisonmarket.com/index.php?page=featured_products

Solace Essentials will return to the Fremont Sunday Market this Sunday, July5th. The booth is at the front not too far from the Information Booth.

Work as Sanctuary: Tap into Your Sacral Chakra

2009-06-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

Work has been on all of our minds lately due to the downturn in the economy. Many have said that it has inspired creativity unlike any other; this is the silver lining. It corresponds to the Sacral Chakra, the Second Chakra (center of passion and creativity).

Rilke consolidated this sentiment when he said: "But how are you supposed to be unafraid when you only rarely reach your sanctuary get trapped outside in life rising up, and knock yourself numb against its obstacles? This is why I long so impatiently to get to work, to begin my workday, because life can become art only once it has become work. I know I cannot extricate my life from the fates with which it has grown intertwined, but I have to find the strengrh to lift life in its entirety, exactly the way it is and including everything, into calmness, into solitude, into the quiet of profound labor."

I witnessed work as a sanctuary through the work my friend Samia (www.karazidesign.com) does in India where jewelry makers are considered laborers, not artists. They work 12 hour days, using their whole body-even their feet! Because work is seen as connected, it is not outside of who we are - it is one in the same.

As you reach for the energy to keep working, maybe there's a shift that happens for you. Is it easier to know that your work is connecting with your greater good?

Utilize the power of essential oils in making it easier to work this week! Try the following blend for connecting with the sacral chakra: the chakra of creativity, flow and passion:

10 drops Sweet Orange
5 drops Fennel
1 drop Patchouli
Directions: Add to small bottle of water, shake and spray on body

Solace Essentials will pamper you and give you a fashion experience like no other next weekend!

2009-05-23T12:21:00.001-07:00

On Friday, get pampered at Pamper with a Purpose, then on Saturday, attend a fashion show with champagne and a signature aromatherapy experience!

Pamper with a Purpose

Join us for an evening of refreshments and renewal as 6 women in business host an interactive, educational evening on self-care and style! Purely donation based, all proceeds will go to sponsor our own Emiko Prigmore in the 'Race for the Cure' to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research.

Hosts: Sheri Miller- Nutrition/ Mona Vie, Guinevere Amadeo- Integrative Bodywork/ Massage, Emiko Prigmore- Hair Design/ Colorist, Laura DeFreitas- Meditation/ Yoga Instruction, Carol Walter- Aromatherapy/ Aroma-Insight Card Readings, Mayna Sgaramella - Wardrobe Consultant

Location: Home of Sheri Miller, 17281 13th Ave NW,Shoreline, WA 98177, 206.533.9695 (home#)

Time: Friday, May 29th 7-9:30pm
RSVP: click here

Please arrive promptly & dress comfortably to enjoy a few refreshments before introductions and festivities including a raffle with Solace Essentials Lotion and Aromatherapy Card Reading giveaway!

(Please note: Event open to ladies 15 & older)

NeoDandi Fashion Show: Billy Jean is Not My Lover
Neodandi meets Ligne Roset in Couture Living. The show explores Neodandism and Ligne Roset Lifestyle. Neodandi is incorporating Ligne Roset fabrics into dynamic presentations. Join us for wine, champagne and hor de'oeurves, Stella Italian Coffees, DJ spins eclectic grooves.

The NeoDandi aromatherapy scent at the event will be provided by Solace Essentials.

Start Time:	Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 8:30pm
End Time:	Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:	Ligne Roset Furniture Store
Street:	55 university St
City/Town:	Seattle, WA

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=86653261828&ref=mf

Essence Of Abundance

2009-05-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Essence of Abundance
Support the qualities you want to nurture in your money relationship with your own aromatherapy *anointing oil.

Monday, June 15th, 7-9pm
North Star Offices
15600 Redmond Way, Redmond WA
$49

Presented by Life Coach Debbie Lacy and Certified Aromatherapist Carol Walter

Identify where you are now on your abundance path and where you want to be.
Choose the quality you most desire in your relationship with money.
Learn about aromatherapy and its healing properties.
Blend essential oils to create your own signature abundance scent.
Learn how to use your abundance oil to set intentions and support inspired actions.

Workshop includes short journaling exercises, group discussion & instruction, and aromatherapy blending. Participants will take home a vial of their abundance oil blend. Cost includes all materials.

Online registration at www.moneymindful.com/calendar.php or email Debbie or Carol for a registration form and payment instructions.

*anoint: to bless or pass on the responsibility of spiritual purpose to a person, animal, place or thing; to dedicate to a particular purpose; to invite or welcome the sacred.

Debbie Lacy is a life coach and the creator of The Money Mindful Way^TM, a series of courses designed to help people overcome money fears, identify what they want, and move forward in tangible ways. People who take her courses and coaching services benefit from less stress, increased confidence, clearer financial decisions, and the ability to thoughtfully fund their dreams. Visit www.moneymindful.com for more information.

Carol Walter is a Certified Aromatherapist and founded Solace Essentials in 2005 after a 25-year health misdiagnosis, exacerbated by career burn-out and sudden loss of a relationship. Carol turned to natural remedies, including essential oils, to heal her body and soul. After experiencing unexpected physical healing of the mysterious medical condition accompanied by personal growth, she decided to further her knowledge and help others. Her certification in Aromatherapy—an ancient art and science that unlocks the natural healing energy of essential oils—is from the East West School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies (www.theida.com). Through her practice, Solace Essentials, she offers her healing expertise to you with custom Essential Oil Healing sessions, 100% organic essential oils, and unique, natural bodycare products that nurture both your skin and soul. For more information visit the website at www.SolaceEssentials.com.

The Essence of the Blues: Using Essential Oils for the Spring Blah's

2009-04-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

We have an expression in the Pacific NW that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. That reality is usually only characteristic of the fall, winter and spring. During the summer, the Pacific NW is the most beautiful place on earth. This year, our winter was undeniably the worst/best on the books. We actually had snow in Seattle numerous times in addition to multiple days of road closures due to the heavy snow during the pre-holiday timeframe. We Seattleites are wiped out from trying to navigate the snow-plow conditions in this usually mild city. And, we haven't seen sun in a while.

So, when Spring (the season that zippers together our Winter blues with our Summer Bliss) arrived recently, we were so happy to see the beautiful sun, we wanted to cry, and kayak, and bike, and have BBQ's on the beach all at once!

Then, the clouds zippered back in as they always do in Spring. But, this year, with economic depression and poor weather layered on top of one another, we wanted to cry for a different reason: frustration. We want nice weather back, we want our jobs back and we want our depression/sluggishness to go away.

What's my point, you ask? Only people from Seattle appreciate the sun as much as we do. And, only after the economy takes a nose dive do we appreciate our income so much (the national savings rate has increased dramatically since the recession). The contrast of sun and dark, of struggle and impetuousness is the interplay in life that we need in order to grow and progress as a full human being.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it. - Hazlitt

In the meantime, we need to get through this bump in the road and weather the storm without physical repercussions. There are a number of essential oils to support you, but first you have to ask yourself what the cause of your frustration is and what it looks like. Read below for a list of different types of oil to suit your needs:

Roman and German chamomile, sweet orange, and bergamot all work to relax nervous tension especially if you have little patience at work or if situations seem out of your control.
For frustration that's caused by the heart producing a restless, sometimes hyperactive state that results in insomnia, lavender and melissa oils are helpful.
Do you feel like relaxation could directly produce a release of tension in your body? If so, then turn to neroli, jasmine and ylang ylang (and bring them with you on your next massage!).
Are you tense and tired? Try marjoram oil and clary sage (avoid this oil if pregnant).
For tension that drives you on to the point of exhaustion, try geranium and palmarosa.

Most of all, appreciate the dissonance in life on the path to finding your solace.

Overwhelmed by the Opportunities of Spring? Learn how to use Essential Oils to be Healthier and Have more Fun!

2009-04-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Join me in May & June for an exploratory Aromatherapy experience! You will learn to use Essential Oils for healthy spring cleaning, spring detox, and creating an inspirational spring. Call me with any questions!

May/June Classes:

Intro to Aromatherapy: Learn general principles of Aromatherapy including application for use in skincare, bodycare, mental health, physical ailments, and spiritual/life goal setting. This workshop will teach you history, current uses, developments, where to purchase oils, how to detect quality of oils, how to create formulas/remedies using essential oils, and contraindications of oils. Leave class with your custom-made product!
When: (2 sessions) Saturday, May 2nd & 9th 11am - 2pm, To register: click here.

Aromatherapy Skincare: Your skin is bombarded by intense environmental aggressors every day. Combating these factors by using ordinary products can leave your skin vulnerable and possibly harm your internal health. To use natural products made for your individual needs is the only way to ensure that you have the best care possible for your unique skin type. You will learn what essential oils and natural ingredients you can use to improve your skin's texture and appearance while also nourishing your skin and protecting it from future damage. At the end of class you will create your own face wash, toner or moisturizer custom-suited to your needs!
When: Saturday, May 16th 11 -2 pm, To register: click here.

Spring Cleaning with Natural Aromatherapy Products: Do you want to "go green" with your household products, but are you confused about the information in the media and stores? We'll discuss popular products and what's in them, from cosmetics to cleaners to dog shampoo and baby cream. You will learn about the anti-microbial properties of essential oils which make them safer for your home and family. You will have the ability to create your own custom-tailored household products to address all your individual needs at the end of our class together.
When: Saturday, June 6th 9 - 11am, To register: click here.

Using Scent and Movement in Chakra Healing: Learn to use Yoga and Essential Oils on the path of discovering and balancing your 7 main chakras, or energy centers, for greater health and well-being. Certified Aromatherapist, Carol Walter, and Certified Yoga Instructor, Autumn Needles, will gently guide you through the benefits of essentials oils and a variety of yoga poses and meditations as they relate to chakra healing and balancing. Current yoga instructors, massage therapists looking to add a different dimension to their essential oil knowledge, reflexologists, ayurvedic healers, or anyone doing healing work can expect to learn new tools or to deepen their personal and professional practice. Anyone who has had exposure to yoga, essential oils or chakras, and is curious about learning more, is welcome to attend and learn! We believe that the energy created in the workshop itself will aid anyone who's interested in helping to deepen their understanding of these healing practices.
Location: 5 Focus, South Lake Union. Saturday, June 6th, 1pm - 4pm, To register: click here. $45 pre-registration, $49 on day of class.

Solace Essentials at the Fremont Market

2009-03-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Solace Essentials is getting out more!

I will be selling Solace Essentials at the Fremont Market every Sunday
Beginning Sunday, April 5th
From 10 - 5pm
(http://www.fremontmarket.com/fremont/).

Please stop by and say hi and purchase your favorite scent and bodycare product for you and your loved ones. Don't forget, Mother's day is coming up so get a head-start on gifts for the Mom's in your life!

I am also having a trunk & art show at Rising Bird Healing Arts in Ravenna on Friday May 1st. Stay tuned for details.

Stressed Out Parent? Try an aromatic Bath with Essential Oils!

2009-03-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

A fellow blogger recently wrote a good blog post about being a stressed out parent and it was very pertinent to the current state of being for many of us. She was very practical and tested out a number of different stress-relieving techniques to determine what might work best for her.

I noticed that she utilized all 5 senses:
Hear - listening to her favorite tunes
Smell - aromatherapy
Touch & See - get outside and go for a walk in nature

I would have added:
Taste - eat your favorite food!

I asked her which essential oils she utilized and suggested the following for busy parents in an aromatic bath (giving you some down time too):

"I would recommend an oil for grounding (red thyme or ginger), an oil for self-love (ylang ylang or geranium), and depending on what else is going on for you perhaps an oil for inspiration (fennel or sweet orange)!!!"

http://www.examiner.com/x-1717-Wilmington-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m3d19-Working-moms-stress-management

Thanks for your practical advice Jana!

A week of change: The Spring Equinox

2009-03-20T14:54:00.001-07:00

Are you experiencing a lot of changes this week? There may be something in the planets that explains it. Seasonally, today is the first day of Spring - called the Spring Equinox. Leading up to today, you may feel unsettled, confused, without control, or the need to tie things down all of a sudden. Have you felt it too?

When seasons change, it affects us. It's important to see all the changes around us and not grab on out of fear or lack of control. Joel & Michelle Levy had a great quote today in their meditation newsletter,

In search of balance, it is helpful to think of everything--every quality, action, or object--as inseparable from its opposite: male as inseparable from female; night and day; inside and outside, ad infinitum. No matter how much you might like to have only the positives in life--freedom, peace, love--if that static state is what you are seeking, you will always be disappointed. For every thing also contains its opposite and both sides must be balanced: form and space, creativity and receptivity, activity and rest, growth and decay, manifest creation and the unmanifest source of all creation. The good news is that, as your sense of balance grows, you'll find it easier to integrate the other side into your life and to discover the clarity in the midst of confusion, the stillness at the center of motion, and the love present behind fear and anger. What it requires is learning to dance with the innumerable paradoxes of your life while anchoring yourself in an extraordinary suppleness and flexibility that will provide the stability necessary to actually find balance in your life."
Excerpted from Joel & Michelle Levey's book Living in Balance: A Dynamic Approach for Creating Harmony and Wholeness in a Chaotic World , Available from http://www.cafepress.com/livinginbalance.90114317

Ease into Spring by utilizing the water element - the element of change and flow. Good essential oils for this are: Black Pepper, Cypress, Juniper and Benzoin (although this oil is not commonly available).

To mix them properly, let me know and I can help you. It would be nice to add a layer of oils that also address any other stress you have going on in your life.

When using this synergy you could rub it onto the bottom of your feet and do a 5-10 minute morning meditation which would give you a wonderful way to approach your day.

Have a great weekend,
Carol