Sweet Orange Oil

I live deep in the woods, so as we head into bug season I am always on the lookout for a new, natural way to keep bugs out of my house.  I recently ran across an article in Mother Earth Living on how to repel pests naturally in your home.  What struck me was a recipe for a natural window cleaner that can repel insects.  I like this recipe because if you notice: all those pesky flying bugs (i.e. mosquito's, cluster flies, etc..) all flock to the windows.  This works very well at keeping them at bay:

Natural Insect-repellent Glass Cleaner

2 cups white vinegar

10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Add to a labeled spray bottle and use to clean windows and mirrors.  Shake well before each use.

I decided to do some research on the aromatherapy aspects of orange oil and discovered a lot of other great uses for it.  I won't list them all here (because there are many), but what I found the most interesting to all of us up here trying to survive this very long winter is that it helps alleviate: chronic fatique syndrome, depression, fear, mental exhaustion, nervous tension, stress, premenstrual syndrome, seasonal effective disorder and it inspires creativity!  

According to "Aromatherapy for Everyone" by PJ Pierson and Mary Shipley, they recommend 2-3 drops in a diffuser, or 8-10 drops in your bath to help alleviate these conditions.  I was thinking that if you are already cleaning your windows with this versatile oil it seems you would still be gaining the aromatherapeutic properties while ridding your house of pesky insects!

A True Superfood: Moringa

I start every morning with a protein shake complete with a healthy dose of powdered greens.  I am used to the usual mix of greens: spinach, broccoli, chlorella, spirulina, etc.  So I was very interested when a new powdered green hit the market.

Moringa, native to India, is now being touted as the cure for malnutrition worldwide.  Gram for gram, it has more B12 than a steak, more vitamin A than eggs, and more calcium than milk!  And it can be harvested every 45-60 days during the warm seasons.  It also holds a spectrum of trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids,  and antioxidants.  In India, Moringa was traditionally eaten as a vegetable for stamina and strength.  Now it is believed to protect the liver, boost immunity, support healthy blood sugar levels, heart health.... the list goes on and on.

Here at the Co-op our Moringa comes from the Organic India company where  it is sustainably harvested and organically grown.  With over 96 nutrients and 46 antioxidants it truly is a Superfood.