Blue Lapis Lazuli:
Blue Lapis Lazuli Navy to royal blue with gold flecks is a stone of truthfulness and it strengthens both the mind and body. It makes us more open in all ways, including openness to psychic experiences.
Chakra:
Third Eye
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MOONWOLF
Mel’s Weekly Challenge
Write your own story
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This week has been a bit strange after my wee puss passed. I come home and expect to be greeted by a hungry boy miaowing for his dinner and there’s a space under my arm that he used to occupy when I was chilling on the sofa. It's sad, but also lovely the memories we have of him. He had a great story!
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One evening I was watching yet another re-run of Doctor Who (I’ve seen the whole series through at least 30 times and I can almost recite the script along with the actors!) In one episode, the Doctor, Matt Smith, speaks to a young Amy Pond asleep in bed telling her to have a wonderful life and dream of him and the tardis – but the one line that really gets me every time is when he says “We're all stories in the end!”
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And that’s so true when you think about it. We all have our own story. Yes, we’re on this earth and we are born, work, retire if we’re lucky and then pass on.... but we each have our own story. Some of our stories are influenced by our experiences growing up, but ultimately much of our own story is up to us to write. WE decide what we do, WE decide who to be with, WE decide what we believe....and so on. So we write our own story don’t we?
Yes there are twists and turns, there are unforeseen events that we couldn’t possibly write, there are influences outwith our control – but ultimately – they still add to our story. To how we choose to live our lives and relate to others. And to a great extent – we CAN write our own story. We can choose to work towards leaving that job we hate, to saving for that holiday we’ve been dreaming of and to study for that qualification or to learn about that subject that’s always fascinated you!
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So my challenge this week is to ask yourself – are you happy with your story so far? And if the answer is not fully yes, then ask yourself how you can begin to change things and write some amazing chapters. Because one day, the story will end and we really want to make it a good one! With love and blessings Mel xx
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Taylor Made Holistics
If you’d like more information on how to use essential oils safely at home, book a treatment or have a particular ailment you would like a blend for please drop Claire an email taylormadeholistics@gmail.com.
*Remember essential oils are highly concentrated & recommended dosage should never be exceeded. Always follow the safety information & never take internally. Treat as medicines and keep out of reach of children*.
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Basil – Ocimum Basilicum
from the Labiatae family
Buy your essential oils direct from Soraya here
http://www.soraya.co.uk/EssentialOils.htm
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Basil
With its name derived from the Greek ‘basilicon’ meaning royal, Basil is widely used in Far Eastern Ayurvedic medicine where it is known as Tulsi. It is held to be sacred to the Hindu Gods Krishna and Vishnu. It was once thought to ward off evil spirits and is still worn tucked in the hat to scare away insects in the Mediterranean. It is also a popular culinary herb.
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Properties:
With its light, fresh sweet/spicy scent, Basil has antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic and expectorant properties amongst others. It blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender, Geranium, Lemon, Lime, Cedarwood and Lemon Verbena
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Mental Health/Nervous System Benefits:
Basil is possibly one of the best aromatic nerve tonics. It is useful in treating anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia and nervous tension. It helps to clear the mind, strengthen the memory and relieve mental fatigue during times requiring a lot of mental effort (e.g. during study times). It can help you feel alert in the morning but also help towards a sound sleep at night. It is also effective in relieving headaches and migraines.
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Physical Health Benefits:
Use Basil in a skin lotion for insect bites and as an insect repellent. You can also use in the vaporisation method to keep the insects at bay.
Basil is great for tired and overworked muscles, especially after strenuous exercise. It can help ease aches and pains, gout and rheumatism. Use in massage, in the bath or in a compress.
Basil has an affinity with the respiratory & immune systems and helps relieve the symptoms of bronchitis, sinusitis and coughs. Use in massage, bath, vaporisation or inhalation to help colds, flu and fevers.
For help to ease nausea, menstrual and abdominal cramps and swelling caused by indigestion and flatulence massage the abdomen (always in a clockwise direction), or the bath.
Spiritual Benefits:
A cleansing and protecting oil, use to banish negativity and to align the Sacral Chakra.
How to use:
Massage
Mix with a carrier oil such as grapeseed for massage (as a general rule use 1 drop of essential oil to 2 mls carrier oil based on a healthy adult.
Bath
Add 5-10 drops to a full bath and agitate well, the oil can be dissolved first in a teaspoon of bubble bath, carrier oil or full-fat milk.
Vaporisation
Add to a diffuser or oil burner. Alternatively, add a few drops to a small bowl of water and place on a radiator or pop a few drops on a tissue and inhale.
Steam Inhalation
Add around 5 drops of oil to a bowl of hot water, cover the head and bowl with a towel and breathe deeply for a minute - then repeat. Always remember to close the eyes when using this method.
Skin Lotion
For skin issues oil can be added to a plain skin lotion for topical use. Or to a more nourishing oil such as Jojoba or Apricot Kernel oil. Follow the same dilution guidelines as massage.
Compress
Put 4 drops of oil into a bowl of hot or very cold water, take a flannel/facecloth and soak up the oil floating on the surface without fully immersing the cloth. Wring out the excess water and apply to the affected area.
SPECIAL CAUTION
Avoid throughout pregnancy.
Can be an irritant to people with sensitive skin – best used in lower concentrations.
Do not use for prolonged periods – Basil can build up in the body and can end up causing the opposite of the desired effect. If using, try and rotate with another herb which has the same properties.
**Remember essential oils are highly concentrated & recommended dosage should never be exceeded. Always follow safety information and never take internally. Treat as medicines and keep out of reach of children. Some essential oils are not suitable for certain medical conditions – always seek advice if unsure**
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This Weeks Recipe - Sochniki
You will see why in a bit...
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Originally from northern Russia, sochniki were a true hit in Soviet canteens and buffets, and are still popular today. You will be unable to resist the temptation to taste these crispy dough wraps with a very creamy tender filling.
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Ingredients
210g flour
200g cottage cheese
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
100g butter
2 eggs
70g sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
1 tablespoon semolina
1 tablespoon farina
Method - The dough
Mix the butter with 40g of sugar and one teaspoon of vanilla sugar. Blend well and add one egg. Stir thoroughly.
Mix the flour with the salt and baking powder, then pour into the butter-and-egg blend. Mix the dough. Then put it into a plastic wrap and leave to cool in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Method - The filling
Mix the cottage cheese with the remaining 30g of sugar and one teaspoon of vanilla sugar. Stir the blend.
Take one egg, separate the yolk from the white. Add the white to the cottage cheese blend and stir. Keep the yolk, you need it later. Once the filling is mixed add the semolina and farina, and stir again.
Roll out the dough, cut into pieces, and then roll out each of them into a thin oval shape. Put the filling on top of each dough piece. Wrap the dough leaving a bit of spacing. Oil the surface of each sochnik and brush with the egg yolk.
Put the pastry into the oven, preheated to 190C (374F). Bake for 20-25 minutes.
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Sandras Smiles.
Tired of Listening to politics
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