Thursday, December 27, 2012

Sinus Season



It's that dreaded time of year, sinus season!  Although sinus problems can haunt many all year long, they seem magnified during these cold, dry months.  I have found that the best solution is a neti pot. 

A neti pot is a safe and effective way to maintain healthy sinus processes.  It helps to flush the nasal passages of bacteria and irritants, and to relieve  pain, pressure and congestion.  The Co-op currently carries neti pots made by a small company in northern California called Baraka.  Increasingly miserable from chronic sinus problems, Baraka's founder, Sue Libby,  recieved a neti pot from her mother.  It helped tremendously, and she began a new path to create a high quality neti pot.

Baraka is a small company, but they carry a healthy, sustainable line of neti pots and neti pot products like salt rinses and sinus oils.  They strive to minimize packaging and source organic ingredients.  The clay for the pots come from Ohio and their salts are sourced from an environmentally protected area off the coast of France.

I have to say that my Baraka neti pot has rid me of sinus problems for awhile now.  When I first moved to Grand Marais I suffered from some serious sinus problems.  I bought my first neti pot years later and I have not regretted it.  I rarely suffer sinus problems now and swear by Baraka's products.  My personal favorite is the Dry Nose Oil.  With wood heat and dry winter condition, the Dry Nose Oil has been a lifesaver.

We are expecting a big shipment of Baraka products next week, so look for them on your next trip to the Co-op!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Smells Like The Holidays

The holidays are in full swing, and there is nothing I love more than the smells of Christmas.  A sticky sweet ham, freshly baked cookies to the fresh, crisp scent of the Christmas tree, all heighten the senses and set the mood for a wonderful holiday.  On those days when the cookies aren't baking in the oven and you can't quite smell the tree, a do-it-yourself room spray can bring those scents to life without also creating lots of dirty dishes.

 You'll need to start with a mist bottle (available at the Co-op).  With that at the ready, all you need is some water and the essential oils of your choosing.  The typical dilution for a room spray is 48 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of water.  Mix in the mist bottle,shake well, and spray throughout your room. 

Here are some great recipes I've found that truly capture that smell of fresh baked goodies and that great pine scent of the Christmas tree:

Holiday Fruit & Spice Spray
12 drops sweet orange essential oil
12 drops lemon essential oil
4 drops cinnamon essential oil
4 drops clove essential oil
4 ounces water

Forest Room Spray
14 drops pine essential oil
6 drops sweet orange essential oil
4 ounces water

Happy Holidays!