Aromatherapy Steam

People have been utilizing the benefits of Aromatherapy for centuries. One of the methods of nourishing the face is the inhalation of steam that is infused with the essences of herbs. People receive inhalation treatments at spas but you can give yourself a good Aromatherapy steam inexpensively right in your own home. All you will need is a pot, a bowl, and an ordinary bath or kitchen towel along with your herbs of choice.

The inhalation of steam in and of itself is very beneficial to the sinuses because it hydrates the cilia in the nasal passages which keeps mucous moving along. If the cilia become dried out they do not work properly and the mucous stops moving properly and painful congestion can occur. Also, many people find that the heat of the steam relaxes the muscles and improves sinus headaches.

Herbs such as chammomile and lavender have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial when used in a steam inhalation. Lavender is also believed to relieve headaches. Herbs such as rosemary and mint have stimulating properties and can leave people feeling refreshed after an inhalation.

For an Aromatherapy steam inhalation boil water in a pot on the stovetop and add your herbs of choice to the boiling water. Remove the pot from the heat, pour the water in a bowl and place it on a table. Sit by the bowl and lean your head over it with the towel draping over you and the bowl so that the steam does not escape. Make sure to hold your head 6 to 8 inches above the bowl. Inhale the herb infused steam for about 10 minutes. Be sure to remove the towel and breathe fresh air if you need to. The steam will open your pores, hydrate your skin as well as give you the benefits of the herbs that you have infused it with. You may also use essential oils to dilute in the water instead of the actual herbs. Herbal and floral essential oils can be found in health food stores and bath/body supply stores. The only drawback is that they can be quite expensive.

* The information here is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or malady nor is it meant to replace the advice of your doctor. Take extra precautions with herbal steam inhalations if you suffer from allergies, asthma, have sensitive skin, are pregnant or nursing. Always seek the advice of your doctor if you are unsure about anything.

Floral Waters

Floral water contains the essence of flowers and herbs. This aromatic water can be used for cooking, as an astringent, as an after-bath-splash, or for decorative purposes. When placed in attractive glass jars or bottles, floral water makes a wonderful bathroom or kitchen accessory.

This lovely fragrant water is relatively simple and inexpensive to make. The most popular kinds of floral waters are rose and lavender but you can use flowers and herbs of your choice. The simplest method to make floral water consists of 3 basic elements: water, alcohol, and flower petals (or herbs). It is best to use distilled water which can be found at your local drug store or supermarket. Make sure that your flower petals or herbs are fresh, they are best when picked before the heat of the afternoon sun. Rubbing alcohol can be used but it has a powerful scent that can interfere with your floral fragrance. It is best to use vodka for the alcohol part.

- 3 cups distilled water
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 ounce flower petals

Combine the water and vodka in a bowl or jar. In a separate jar, place the flower petals. Pour the water/vodka mixture into the flower jar making sure that the petals are completely covered and immersed. Cover the jar tightly and place it in shaded area for about 2 to 3 weeks. Shake the jar occasionally while the mixture is curing. When the mixture is ready and the water has taken the scent and essence of your flowers, strain it to remove the petals and place the fragrant water in a decorative bottle or jar. You may add some flower petals to float in the water for a beautiful decorative effect.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

You can create a lovely Thanksgiving table centerpiece using natural items that will not cost you anything. You can use things found in your own backyard or at your local park. It is the perfect time of year to collect the beautiful, colorful leaves falling from the trees. Collect unblemished leaves of different sizes and colors. You can also find pinecones and acorns for your display. In order to make a beautiful centerpiece, you can arrange your leaves around a seasonal jar candle and decorate them with your pinecones and acorns. You can also add oranges and gourds to complete your centerpiece.

Fragrant Seasonal Display

You can dress up your Thanksgiving table with a decorative/seasonal bowl filled with anise stars, rosehips, dried flowers, and dried oranges. You can also add spices like cinnamon sticks, whole allspice, and whole cloves to your display. It is perfect for the Fall/Thanksgiving and makes a wonderful home accent filled with seasonal fragrances.

What Is Your Birth Flower?

Birth Flowers

Every month of the year is represented by a particular flower. Some months have 2 or 3 flowers. Flowers have meanings according to historical tradition and folklore. To find your birth flower and it's meaning, locate the month of your birth below.



January- Carnation and Snowdrop. Carnations represents pride, affection, fidelity, beauty, and distinction. Snowdrops represents hope and consolation.



February- Violet and Iris. Violets represent faithfulness, chastity, and modesty. Iris represent valor and wisdom.



March- Daffodil. Daffodils represent friendship, domestic happiness, rebirth, and hope in love.



April- Daisy and Sweetpea. Daisies. represent innocence, youthful attitude, and childlike playfulness. Sweetpeas represent delicay, bliss, and pleasure.



May- Lily and Hawthorne. Lilies represent virtue, honor, humility, and chastity. Hawthornes represent hope.



June- Rose. Roses represent love, passion, and perfection.



July- Larkspur and Water Lily. Larkpurs represent openness, joy, and levity. Water Lilies represent purity of heart.



August- Gladioulus. Gladioli represent stregnth, courage, and sincerity.



September- Aster and Morning Glory. Asters represent faith, wisdom, and bravery. Morning Glorys represent love and affection.



October- Marigolds (Calendula). Marigolds represent grace and affection.



November- Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums represent friendship, perfection, longing for a secret love, and optimism.



December- Poinsettia, Holly, and Narcissi. Poinsettias represent good cheer and merriment. Holly represents foresight. Narcissi represent fidelity and constancy.

Festive Pinecones

You can transform ordinary pinecones into beautiful festive decorations. It is a fun project where you can use your creativity and spice up your holiday decor. You will need:

- Pinecones (Available in you local craft store)

- Acrylic Craft Paint (Non-Toxic) in holiday colors like red and green

- Artist Paint Brushes (Available in your local craft store or pharmacy)

Begin by making sure you remove any loose wood splinters from the pinecones. Brush with a clean cloth to make sure that surfaces are smooth and free of splints. Paint the entire pinecones red. Use the elongated brushes to make sure you get into all of the crevices of the pinecones. You will probably have to apply 2 to 3 coats to get a nice color. After the paint has dried, dip your paintbrush in green paint and paint just the outer edges of the pinecones. Of course you can reverse the colors as you like, or use entirely different colors.

When your pinecones are finished, you can wrap string around them and hang them as festive decorations or you can place them in a bowl or basket with dried fruit, dried fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves for a lovely fragrant holiday display.

Christmas Cookie Recipes

If you are looking for yummy Christmas cookie recipes, look no further than Christmas-Cookies.com, a database filled with wonderful recipes not just for cookies, but all kinds of holiday baked goods and candies. You're sure to find what you're looking for and more.

~ Christmas-Cookies.com ~

Orange Pomanders

Orange pomanders are a wonderful way to add fragrance to a room. They are pretty and fragrant. They can be hung with a decorative ribbon or placed in bowls with potpourri and/or country fixins. They look great during the Fall season and the Christmas holidays.

They are very simple to make. You will need:

-Oranges

-Cloves

-Powdered Cinnamon

-Powdered Allspice

-Powdered Nutmeg

-A round toothpick or skewer

-Decorative Ribbon (optional)

-Dried or artificial flowers (optional)

-Pins (optional)

Before you begin, decide what design you would like to make on your orange with the cloves. You can make lines, swirls, or cover the entire orange with cloves. If you plan on hanging your completed pomander it is a good idea to place the ribbon around the orange and secure it in place with pins before you start adding the cloves. In this way the cloves will not get in the way of your ribbon and it will fit snugly around your orange for hanging. When you have decided on your design, create your pattern by making the holes in your orange with the toothpick or skewer. After you have completed the holes, insert the cloves into the holes you have made. After you have inserted all of the cloves, remove the ribbon if you are using one, and sprinkle your orange with the powdered cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, and wrap it in tissue paper. Store it in a cool dry place for a few weeks (2 to 3) until the skin becomes hard. As the orange begins to dry the natural scent will blend with the scent of the cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon resulting in a wonderful orange spice fragrance. Check your orange regularly during the drying process to see whether it is ready. When it is ready, it will have shrunk a bit and it will be dry and hard. Your pomander is complete.

If you want to hang it, place your ribbon around the pattern that you have made. You can also decorate your pomander with dried flowers or artificial flowers in seasonal/holiday colors. *Our pomander in the photo above is decorated with dried carnations.

Insect Theme Gardens: Bees

You can create fun and interesting theme gardens by planting certain plants together to attract beneficial insects such as bees. Bees perform the essential task of pollinating the plants in your garden. They are attracted to plants by scent and color (except for red - they cannot perceive the color red. They are mainly attracted to flowers that are yellow, blue, and purple.) You can plant a variety of fragrant herbs and flowers for a bee garden. They are very much attracted to the scent of Basil, Chamomile, Dill, Borage, Bergamot, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Sage, Mint, Thyme, Daisies, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Larkspur, and Snapdragons.

Bees are pretty little creatures as you watch them hovering around your garden, landing from plant to plant. Even though bees are beneficial to the garden, some people fear their presence becuse of the possibility of being stung, (some people even have allergic reactions to stings from bees & wasps). It is important to remember, however, that bees are not aggessive insects, they will not sting unless they feel threatened. If you are around bees, please remember to use the proper precautions to avoid being stung.

Insect Theme Gardens: Ladybugs & Butterflies

You can create fun and interesting theme gardens by planting certain plants together to attract ladybugs and butterflies.

Pretty little spotted ladybugs are are not only attractive but they are also very beneficial to the garden because they control aphids and other plant pests. If you would like to attract ladybugs to your garden, plant flowers such as Dandelions, Marigolds, Tansy, and Yarrow. Ladybugs are also attracted to fragrant herbs such as Dill, Fennel, Coriander, Angelica, Cilantro, and Parsley.

You can also attract beautiful, colorful butterflies to your garden by planting flowers rich in nectar such as Aster, Lillies, Violets, Thistle, Cyprus Vine, and Liatris. Butterflies also like aromatic herbs such as Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Mint, and Creeping Thyme.

Are Candles Made From Gel Wax Dangerous?

Are Candles Made From Gel Wax Dangerous?
There have been chain emails circulating around the internet claiming that gel candles are dangerous because they explode while they are burning. Here is an example of one of the emails:

"Thought you all need to know about this since you love to burn candles. This came from a friend in Texas. jw

My former secretary had a gel candle burning in her bathroom ... it exploded and caught her house on fire. The house burned down and they lost everything. The Fire Marshall told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire.

Another incident, "Mary" had one burning on her mantle and it caught fire just like the message above. She has at home at the time and saw it happen and grabbed the candle to keep it from setting her home on fire and it came apart in her hand. She saved her home but suffered 3rd degree burns to her hand and 3 fingers.

And as if those two stories weren't enough...My husband was home on vacation and had a gel candle lit on the top of the entertainment center. He too saw the candle burst into flames. His first instinct was to blow the candle out. Well, that didn't work; so he blew harder.... the gel from the candle splattered and went everywhere; everywhere including his face. He had 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns all over his face. The gel doesn't cool like wax does, so the bits that were still on his face continued to burn him. And you can't wipe the stuff off; it just rolls up and keeps burning. Another friend had a similar experience. She received as a gift a gel candle from Avon. It was contained in a wine goblet, was sort of purple gel with glitter in the gel. She had it on her dresser in the bedroom. Once when it was burning, the entire solid turned to liquid and the glitter pieces "jumped" randomly out of the wine glass, taking drops of gel with it, getting all over the dresser and window curtain. A weird scene to say the least. Needless to say, she put the flame out and emptied the remaining liquefied gel into the toilet."

The truth is that gel wax does not build up any type of gas that causes it to explode. But the burning of certain gel candles does pose a risk - candles that are in glass containers. Gel wax does not explode as is stated in the emails. But gel wax is not really a wax per se, like soy, paraffin, or beeswax. It burns much hotter than all of the other waxes and if the candle is in a glass container that is not heat resistant or has slight cracks or imperfections, the intense heat of the gel wax will cause it to shatter. So the gel itself is not dangerous and does not explode, but if it is in a weak container, the strong heat may cause it to break apart. Gel candles in strong heat resistant containers are safe to burn. Make sure you purchase your gel candles from a reputable source.

Candle Waxes

Wax is the material that fuels a candle as it burns. Throughout history, people used many various substances as candle waxes. Various fats and oils were used, as well as materials obtained from animals and insects. Nowadays there are several different candle waxes from which scented candles are made. Different waxes have different properties.

Paraffin Wax: The most common wax is paraffin wax. Most scented candles are paraffin candles. Paraffin wax is a white odorless wax. It is a blend of organic compounds and it is derived from filtered petroleum.

Soy Wax: Soy wax is made from the oil of soy beans. After soy beans are harvested, they are washed, crushed, and rolled and the oil is drawn out and hydrogenated in order to be used as wax.

Beeswax: Beeswax is the most expensive wax. It is made from the material that honey bees use to build the honeycomb. It is produced from the glands of worker bees. It has a naturally sweet scent. Beeswax is yellow due to the natural coloration from the pollen and propolis that the bees gathered. But beeswax is often refined to remove the yellow coloring and therefore is available in both yellow and white.

Gel Wax: Gel wax is not really a wax at all. It is a clear jelly-like substance that consists of 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin. Gel candles burn much slower than regular waxes and last longer. Due to it's transparency, gel wax is used to make many beautiful designer candles and because it has a jelly-like consistency, objects can be embedded inside the candles.

Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe

Stuffed grape leaves, also known as "Dolmathes" are a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delicacy made with tasty and fragrant herbs like dill, fennel, and parsley. They are usually served as an appetizer. There are many variations to the recipe, some include meat. This is a family recipe from Greece. It is meatless and contains fresh herbs. The rolls are traditionally accompanied by Feta cheese and olives.

- 1 Cup Rice

- 1 Jar ( 8 ounces) Grape Leaves

- 3 or 4 Scallions, chopped

- 4 Cups Water

- 1/4 Cup Chopped Fennel

- 1/4 Cup Chopped Dill

- 1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley

- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, Plus 2 Tablespoons

- Juice of 1 Lemon

Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet and saute the scallions until tender. Add the herbs, rice and 2 cups water, cover and simmer for about 10 or 15 minutes, until water is absorbed and rice is al dente. Salt the mixture to taste.

Remove the grape leaves from the jar and wash gently and remove the stems. Place the leaves in a saucepan and blanche for a few minutes until they are tender. Remove them from the saucepan and place them in a collander to drain and cool. When they have drained and cooled, begin by laying out a grape leaf with the shiny side down. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture on the stem end of the leaf - bottom section of the leaf where the stem was. Begin rolling the stem end of the leaf over the rice mixture and folding. Take the 2 sides of the leaf and fold towards the middle. Now continue rolling the leaf like a cigar. Don't roll it too tightly though, because the rice will expand when it cooks further and it will break out of the roll. Repeat the process with the rest of the grape leaves and rice mixture. When the mixture is done, you will have some grape leaves left over.

Take a large saucepan and line the bottom with your remaining grape leaves. You can use imperfect/torn leaves that you could not use for rolling the mixture, to line the bottom of your saucepan. After your saucepan is lined, take your stuffed rolls and begin arranging them on the bottom of the saucepan side by side. Make sure that the seam side is down. Arrange them snugly but not too tightly together. Continue making layers of rolls in the saucepan. It's best to have 3 or 4 layers, if you have more than 4 layers, the rolls will not cook properly. When you are finished arranging your rolls, pour in the remaining water (2 cups), the remaining olive oil (1/4 cup) and the lemon juice (1 lemon). In order to keep the rolls from jumping about during the cooking process and the rice possibly breaking through the roll, take a heat-proof plate that is slightly smaller than the width of the saucepan and place it upside down on top of the rolls. This will weigh down the rolls and keep them together. Cover the saucepan with a lid and cook gently for about 30 minutes, until the rolls are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the rolls from the saucepan, let cool and serve garnished with fresh herbs.

Lemon Scented Herbs

There are 3 herbs whose leaves give off a lovely lemon fragrance. In addition to their fragrance, their leaves have a lemon flavor and they are used to season foods and drinks. Their fragrant leaves are also used in fragrance crafts like soap, bath products, and potpourris.

Lemon Grass

Lemon Grass is a perennial herb that grows in clumps with long, thin, grass-like leaves. It usually grows 3 to 4 feet tall although it can grow to 6 feet tall. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade. When the leaves are broken, they release a lemon-flavored oil. Lemon Grass is mostly used as a seasoning in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It also has antiseptic properties and is used in cosmetics. When dried, the fragrant leaves can be added to citrus potpourri blends.

Lemon Verbena

Lemon Verbena is a deciduous woody shrub with pretty elongated leaves and tiny pale flowers. It grows to 4 feet tall although it has been known to grow up to 10 feet tall. It grows best when planted in full sun. Since it is a decidous herb it drops all of it's leaves during the winter. It does not survive well in cold weather and therefore should be potted and brought indoors during the winter. Lemon Verbena leaves have a strong lemony flavor and can be used instead of lemon juice to flavor both hot and iced teas. The leaves themselves can be made into a flavorful tea that is soothing and calming to the digestive tract. The flavorful leaves are used to season pastires, jams & jellies, chicken, and fish. Lemon Verbena is a soothing gentle herb and it's fragrant leaves are used as additives to soap and bath products.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a perennial herb with oval shaped leaves that have a delicate lemon scent and taste. In late summer, it grows tiny white flowers that attract bees. Due to the fact that bees are attracted to the fragrant flowers, the scientific name for Lemon Balm is Melissa Officinalis, the Greek word for bee is Melissa. Lemon Balm grows about 2 feet, and does best when planted in full sun, although it can grow in partial shade. It's lemon flavored leaves are used to season chicken, fish, vegetables, pastries, custards, and ice cream. The fresh leaves are used to add a lemony flavor so cool summer drinks like iced tea, punch, and lemonade. The large oval shaped leaves look very attractive in a glass with a cool summer drink. The fragrant dried leaves can be added to citrus scented potpourri blends.

Dried Flowers

Dried flowers are not just to be enjoyed in the winter months when there are no fresh blooms. They can be enjoyed all year round, and if they are cared for properly, dried flower arrangements can last for years. Dried flowers come in many shapes, sizes, and bright colors, they are not small, faded, crusty blooms. Dried flower arrangements are just as colorful and vibrant as their fresh counterparts, and they last much longer. They can brighten up any room and fit style of home decor.

Dried flower arrangements must be cared for properly. They should be kept out of direct sunlight. They should not be allowed to become damp, rooms with alot of consensation should be avoided. In order to clean any dust that may collect on the flowers, a simple hairdryer can be used, it should be set on low speed with the cool temperature setting.

Flower Pot Arrangement with Oranges

I created a flower pot arrangement using a mix of flowers with hues of orange, yellow, tan, and white. This arrangement also has real dried whole slit oranges. It comes in decorated terra cotta flower pot.





I added a cute little embellishment to the arrangement - little orange and black faux insects on the flower petals.





This arrangement can be purchased at TC Fragrance Crafts.

February Sale

Throughout the month of February, all orders with a total of $20.00 or more (before shipping) will get a discount of 15% off at our store TC Fragrance Crafts.

TC Fragrance Crafts
http://www.tcfragrancecrafts.com