The start to spring has been a rather chilly one this year and I’m certainly glad that I hadn’t packed away the winter woollies before this latest blast of icy air descended on us. Snow, frost and icy mornings aside, spring remains my favourite season. I love watching the garden awaken after the winter, and the change in light somehow inspires me to do a deep spring clean. I like my home to smell as fresh as possible and, whilst cleaning is the first step to achieving this, I love to add natural fragrances that will give my rooms a gorgeous aroma. In the same way that I don’t want to put anything synthetic onto my skin, I don't like to have any synthetic fragrances in my home – when I created our much-loved Rosemary, Lemongrass & Blood Orange Essential Oil Reed Diffuser, this was uppermost in my mind. Unlike many other diffusers, ours doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances. This product has become one of our best sellers at events and pop-up shops – we find that people enjoy its citrusy, warming aroma. I chose a blend of essential oils that are known to boost mood and wellbeing, and that will create a happy and uplifting atmosphere wherever placed. |
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I truly believe in the therapeutic powers of essential oils and use them in all aspects of my life. Whilst studying for my organic skincare formulation exams, I would diffuse a blend of rosemary, peppermint & lemon essential oils in my office to aid memory retention – in Ancient Greece, scholars wore rosemary wreaths around their heads to encourage recollection and clear thinking and I figured that, if it worked for them, it’s good enough for me! |
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I have also discovered that essential oils have many practical uses. Below are some great ideas of how to use essential oils around the home: |
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Rug/carpet freshener Place 100g bicarbonate of soda into a clean jar and add in 10-15 drops of the essential oil of your choice (any will work but my favourites are lemon, lavender or pine). Shake vigorously until combined and then sprinkle liberally on the carpet/rug before leaving it to work its magic for a couple of hours. Vacuum and enjoy the fresh aroma! I’ve also used this on furniture to remove pet odours. Always test a small area of the carpet first.
Toilet paper roll diffuser This is a simple way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh. Just put a few drops of essential oil on the inner cardboard roll of your toilet paper. You could also put a few drops in the bin or on the toilet brush holder.
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I’ve been reading: ‘Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well’, by Tim Spector. As I’m a massive fan of Tim Spector and the pioneering work he has done in the field of gut health, this book was a real treat to read. It consolidated a lot of the information he has shared on numerous podcasts. As poor diet is responsible for more deaths globally than any other health risk, urgent action really needs to be taken. This book explains how to improve our health through food. Whilst the chapters are detailed, the message is simple and very easy to implement: no stupid diets – just good food choices. Ideally, we should all aim to consume thirty different whole foods a week. I manage to pack in over ten whole foods with my breakfast of mixed fresh fruits, nuts, seeds and yoghurt, so it’s easier than you think. |
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I’ve been cooking: My mother-in-law’s amazing dal recipe. It’s super simple, extremely healthy, and a firm favourite in the Ray household. Here's a photo of the dal I made earlier this week – it certainly warmed me up during the cold snap! I have shared the recipe with lots of friends who now cook it regularly; please email me at helen@cotswoldremedies.co.uk if you would like a copy of it. Tim Spector would be impressed as this dal recipe contains a whopping eight whole foods! |
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I’ve been listening to: ‘Strangeland: Murder in Maple Shade’. As a bit of a crime junkie, I was very excited when my sister-in-law (Tinku Ray) told me she was co-presenting this gripping crime podcast which explores the unsolved murder of Sasikala Narra and her son Anish in the quaint, suburban town of Maple Shade, New Jersey. The podcast brings a fresh perspective to the case and uncovers new hypotheses and possible motives, as well as shining a light on the debatable actions of the local authorities. |
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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, please do contact me at helen@cotswoldremedies.co.uk if you would like me to create you a custom gift box. Just let me know which products you would like to include from our range and I will package them in a sustainable gift box. I will also include a sample of a new nourishing lip gloss I’ve been developing. |
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Make your own natural lip balm and personalised lip/cheek tint workshop: |
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I’m really looking forward to hosting a one-hour workshop at the Cheltenham branch of John Lewis on April 20th 2023. In the workshop you will have the opportunity to make your own lip balm and lip/cheek tint using natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, honey and a range of carrier oils, including jojoba and apricot kernel oil. You can also blend your own colour for the lip/cheek tint so that it works perfectly with your skin tone. There will be an in-depth discussion on the various natural ingredients used, their function and how they work to keep your skin and lips looking healthy. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to explore their creativity in making natural skincare products, or for those of you wanting to make unique gifts for friends and family. More details, including the timings, to follow. |
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Thank you for reading the second edition of The Blend. I can't wait to share more ideas and updates with you from the Cotswold Remedies workshop next month. |
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Cotswold Remedies, 58 Albert Road, Cheltenham GL52 2QX |
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