Tag Archives: aromatherapy

Unnatural Necessity: Making the Daily Commute Delightful!

Delightful Commuting? Okay, that may always be a bit of stretch but there are ways to make the daily crawl better. Trust me, I’m an expert! I’ve been driving on average three hours a day, five days a week for two years and 10 months. The first year really sucked but I have learned a few tips and tricks that I will now pass onto you.

Tip #1: Be prepared

Shit happens sometimes. When you have over 30 miles to cover each way like I do, you’re going to be late from time to time. I live on an island. So, when there’s an accident (or two or three) you just sit at a total standstill for a half hour, utterly trapped. However, if you’re already running late when you encounter a mess like that… you’re going to be massively late and you don’t want that to happen. So, make sure you are out the door in enough time to reasonably make it to work.

Tip #2: Get as much as you can done before you leave

This is something I just learned recently. The morning is when you will have the most energy. If you are like me and spend easily half the day at work or going to and from it, you’re going to be tired at night. I usually come home, shower, eat dinner, relax a little and go to sleep. Exercise is not going to happen at night for me. I would also recommend that you do something every day that makes you happy before you leave. So, you’ll have something to smile about on your way to work.

Tip #3 Make your nose happy

I am a fan of aromatherapy. I have an arsenal of essential oils that I use daily on me, around me and sometimes in me. I diffuse scent in my car as well as my home. You can too. All it takes is a little diffuser that you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter socket. I can change the scent in the car to suit my mood (or improve it.) Stuck in traffic, I might go with lavender. If I feel sluggish, I might reach for grapefruit or peppermint. Peppermint, by the way, is really great for motion sickness!

Tip #4 Make your ears happy

I used to listen to news throughout my whole commute. Big mistake! I often felt crabby and irritable or sad by the time I got to work, about all the miserable things being reported that I felt helpless to change. Now, I mostly listen to audiobooks. A long commute is a great time to indulge in your favorite genre, finally “read” the classics you never seem to get to or take time for self-improvement. Of course, there is always music. Just make sure you’re paying attention and not playing a big air guitar or dashboard drum solo!

Tip#5 Stretch when you get out of the car

When you are stuck, seated, in your car for a long time, you tend to want to jump out of the car and run into your destination. Try slowly making your way out of your vehicle. Stretch your legs and rotate your feet before standing. Then stretch your arms overhead, shifting your weight to both sides and stretching up from center. Rotate your shoulders. Twist from side to side. Have you ever noticed your dog or cat doing this when they have been curled up for a while? It’s natural for them. Try it. You’ll like it!

Tip #6 Change up your route from time to time

Familiarity breeds contempt. Taking the same route five days a week, every week, year after year, can feel relentless, repetitive… boring! Change it up sometimes. Every once in a while, I’ll go a little out of my way and drive home along the water. Seeing the water always makes me happy. Instead of stopping for gas when you get home, pull off the parkway where the traffic backs up and get it early. You’ll get a little break and ensure you won’t leave it off until tomorrow because you were too tired when you got home. Also, it’s good for your brain! (More on this in another post.)

I hope you found some of these tips helpful. What do you do to make your commute bearable? Please leave a reply in the comments section. I would love to hear from you!

Blessings to all,

 

Cynthia

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justdragonfly

Lavender Muffin Update!

The lavender muffins turned out beautifully!  They are just sweet enough: a beautiful balance of vanilla and lavender.  The taste is like a little bit of edible springtime.  Yum yum yum!

Want the recipe?

I started out with Lovely Lavender Muffins from Very Hungry Vegans.

I adapted it though because I thought the maple syrup would overpower the lavender.  So, I used about a quarter to a third of a cup of agave nectar instead.  I would have preferred honey but my jar was running low and I need it for my tea tomorrow.  The agave did quite nicely and keeps the recipe strictly plant-based.  I also opted for a heaping tablespoon of coconut oil rather than a full 1/3 cup of oil.  (With all the apple sauce in the recipe, I suspect it may be possible to skip the oil altogether.)  I don’t measure vanilla extract because I love it and one tablespoon would never be enough for me!

Whether you stick to the original or use my adaptations (or your own) I am certain you will find lavender muffins to be delightful.  Added bonus, your house will smell amazing!

Love and Blessings to All,

Cynthia

 

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justdragonfly

Natural Scents: Baking with Lavender

Lavender muffins are in the oven right now and they smell HEAVENLY!  Oh my goodness, I wish you could smell these.

I have been using lavender for many years.  Usually, I use the essential oil in my diffuser, blended with other oils.  (Aromatherapy sounds kind of airy fairy but if you were in the kitchen with me right now, you’d be a believer.)  I use it as a healing aid.  I put it in my bath and mix it with almond oil for massaging. I also use culinary lavender in my morning tea , mixed with Earl Grey or Lady Grey. I have even sprinkled it on vanilla ice cream (vegan, in my case) and then drizzled honey over it.  This is the first time I am baking with it though.

Oooh, there is the timer!   I’ll let you know how they turn out.  Do you use lavender or other herbs and flowers in your cooking and baking?

Love and Blessings to All,

Cynthia

 

Please follow me on Twitter.  Also, please LIKE my Facebook Page.

justdragonfly