Online Yoga

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz and click on online yoga.  You will find many different styles of yoga to choose from.  It is $5.00 now and $10.00 a month after that.  Enjoy yoga in the privacy of your own home.

10 Ways to Destress during the Holidays

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. With family time and festive holiday parties, also comes shopping in crowded department stores, planning epic dinners and completing work deadlines before the New Year. But don’t wait until January to get your head screwed on straight again. Take just ten minutes out of your day to try these simple stress reducers — we guarantee you’ll feel much better.
1. Take a Walk
The easiest way to beat stress is to walk away from the immediate source. Even if you only have five minutes to spare, get up and take a quick stroll to gather your thoughts, get your blood flowing and release mood-boosting endorphins.
2. Meditate
Just five minutes of meditating will lower your heart rate and blood pressure and relax your muscles. To get started, find a quiet place to sit and try to clear your mind of any thoughts. Then focus on one thing — your breathing, a picture in your head or repeating a mantra. Still having trouble? Follow an app, like iMindfulness, to keep you on track.
3. Pour Some Tea
Decaffeinated green tea is soothing because it contains theanine, an amindo acid that promotes relaxation. Avoid caffeinated versions because they can worsen stress.
4. Take Deep Breaths
Only have one minute? Stop whatever you’re doing, close your eyes and focus on your breath as it goes in and out.
5. Make a To-Do List 
Running down a long list of deadlines in your head is the worst thing you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Instead, choose the three most important tasks and jot them down. Work on one at a time and check them off as you go. If you have time leftover, plop down a few more and keep going.
6. Pick Up a Trashy Novel
Ok, well it doesn’t have to be trashy. Reading any type of fiction will take your mind away from the present and essentially allow you to enter a new world. Sometimes, a little distraction is all you need.
7. Get in Some Pet Time
A study done by the University of Buffalo found that subjects who spent time with a cat or dog during times of high stress (the subjects were stockbrokers, go figure), their blood pressure was lowered. So grab your pet and get in some quick cuddle time. Don’t have a furry friend of your own? Take a trip to the local shelter.
8. Light a Lavender Candle
Light a lavender candle right before bed to help relax and clear your mind. A study by researchers at the University of Miami followed brain activity with an EEG machine, finding that those who were subjected to lavender aromatherapy showed brainwaves associated with drowsiness. The subjects also felt less depressed and had a mood boost.
9. Eat Chocolate
When you’re stressed you have low serotonin, a brain chemical that controls calmness. Sweet and starchy foods, such as chocolate, pretzels and ice cream, actually boost serotonin levels which in turn relaxes the body. A trial published in the Journal of Proteome Research found that eating an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks helps to reduce levels of stress hormones.
10. Listen to Music 
A 2010 study by researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that subjects who listened to their favorite music had better circulation as a result. Their blood vessels actually opened wider — slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, relaxing the muscles and creating an overall feeling of relaxation. Interesting word of advice: no matter how much you love a song, don’t put it on repeat. The doctors claimed that listening to the same song over and over will decrease the effects.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress with Essential Oils

We set ourselves up for some intensity this season don’t we? The pace of life speeds up and we expect so much from ourselves and others. Our feelings and emotions can quickly get out of control and lead to some pretty serious stress. Here are 5 holiday situations that may bring on additional stress and some oil suggestions that can help stabilize our emotional health.
Why essential oils? Oils can create change in mood quickly and safely. Perfect for this time of year.
1. Shopping meltdowns. You’ve been to 5 stores already and haven’t found what you are looking for. You are trying to stick to your budget and not finding anything for the loved ones on your list.  Add in the crowds and dragging kids around with you, and it can be enough to make you want to sit down and cry. Whether it’s you or your kids who are in the midst of a meltdown, oils can be a great way to calm anger, frustration, and lift the mood.
Tip: Find a quiet corner and pull out your oils. Place a drop of your chosen oil in your hand and rub together. Place them in front of your mouth and nose, close your eyes, and breath deeply for a few minutes.
Some oils great for helping calm are:
•Wild Orange
•Geranium
•Grounding Blend (Balance)
2. Feeling Inadequate. I think it’s normal to want to create a perfect memory making holiday. We get a picture of what we want (looking at you Martha Stewart) and we can be really hard on ourselves if it doesn’t quite turn out the way we’d hoped.  Some wonderful oils to promote letting go, enjoying the present moment, buoyant feelings, reducing perfectionism, etc.
•Cypress
•Lime
•Peppermint
Tip: Inhale from the bottle in regular intervals throughout the day. Use a carrier oil and add a drop then apply the oils topically just below the navel, on the feet, and back of the neck.
3. Scarcity Mentality.  Money can be a hot topic during the holidays. The desired feelings of abundance and generosity can sometimes battle with whisperings of fear, lack, and scarcity. Try these oils to help us work through a scarcity mentality and live in a more abundant mindset.
•Wild Orange
•Invigorating Blend (Citrus Bliss)
•Joyful Blend (Elevation)
Tip: Diffuse your chosen oil throughout the day.  Inhale from the bottle, or apply topically with a carrier oil. Use an uplifting mantra to repeat while inhaling your chosen scent- “There is more where this came from” or “I have plenty” or something that brings you feelings of peace.
4. Overdoing it.  Yikes. It can be so hard to stick to health plan during the holidays. Excess and decadence is everywhere. We can do the best we can and try to avoid the feelings of next morning regret using essential oils as a support tool.
•Metabolic Blend (Slim and Sassy)
•Grapefruit
•Digestion Blend (DigestZen)
•Juniper Berry
Tip: Diffuse oils or apply topically. Add a drop of metabolic blend, or other citrus oil to your water. Drink throughout the day.
5. Late Nights and Little Sleep.  There is way more to do in the allotted 24 hours during this time of year. Sleep usually suffers. Lack of sleep is one of the biggest triggers to seasonal illnesses.  Essential oils can help support our system in good sleep.
•Lavender
•Calming Blend (Serenity)
•Vetiver
Tip: Diffuse, apply topically to the back of your neck and feet before bedtime. Add drops to a tissue and put in your pillow case.
—
Here are a few DIY Roller Bottle Blend recipes to try for general holiday stress relief.
Happy and Calm
7 drops Lavender
3 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Peppermint
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Add drops to a 10 ML roller bottle and place on pulse points.

Quick Relief
3 drops Roman Chamomile
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Marjoram
2 drops Thyme
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Add drops to a 10 ML roller bottle and place on pulse points.

Fresh Winter
3 drops Peppermint
2 drops Wild Orange
1 drop Clove
1 drop Wintergreen
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Add drops to a 10 ML roller bottle and apply to the feet.
Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for all of your essential oil needs.

Elevate your Mood with doTerra Essential Oils

                            

One of the BEST things about essential oils is their ability to impact your mood. The science behind scent and emotion is pretty cool.
Basically, smells pass right into your olfactory cortex which contain your limbic system and amygdala- the place where emotions and memories are stored.
Because of their unique molecular structure, essential oils can help trigger a memory, change an emotion, alleviate stress, and help heal emotional trauma. This is why diffusing, or aromatic use, of essential oils is the best way to utilize smell to stabilize or enhance emotions.

doTerra Blends that can help your Mood:

Citrus Blend (Citrus Bliss)-Uplifting, Stimulating, Motivating, Amazing Aroma, Calming and Elevating
Calming Blend (Serenity)-Peaceful, Calming, Helps with Anxiety, Stress and Sleep
Uplifting Blend (Elevation)-Peaceful and Calming, Inspiring, Encouraging, Helps with Anxiety, Stress and Sleep
Grounding Blend (Balance)-Grounding, Reassuring, Balances the body, Helps with Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Nervousness

Additional Beneficial doTerra Single Essential Oils:

Bergamot- Antidepressant, Helps with insomnia, Relieves anxiety, Relaxing and calming, Feelings of Self-Appreciation and Love
Frankincense- Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Sedative, Helps create new perspectives, Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier, Eases Impatience & Restlessness
Geranium- Antidepressant, Refreshing, Relaxing, Ease Nervous Tension, Balance the Emotions, Lift the Spirit, Foster Peace and Hope
Melissa- Assists in soothing action on heart and nerves, Benefits restlessness, insomnia and nervous agitation, Acts as mild tranquilizer, Penetrates deepest layers of human psyche, Restores clarity and security, Fights depression and feeling of foreboding, Eases grief and soothes sadness, Uplifting and calming
Patchouli- Allows oxygen to cross the brain barrier, Helpful with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Helps with ADHD and Autism, Reduces anxiety, Antidepressant, Stimulates the senses, Uplifts the mind, Calms the body, Reduces mental fatigue and lethargy, Helps manage anger
Peppermint- Reduces mental stress, Induces a state of relaxation and regeneration, Alleviates anxiety, Calming effect on the central nervous system, Reduces blood pressure, Decreases pain, Decreases depression levels, Helps with insomnia,
Roman Chamomile- Reduces anxiety, Antidepressant, Calming in distressed situations, Helps with insomnia, Muscle relaxant
Vetiver- Brain oxygenating, Increases production of white blood cells, Stimulates production of red blood cells, Brings thoughts and actions into focus, Helps stabilize mental and physical energy, Restores balance and harmony, Antidepressant, Relieves anxiety, Relieves absentmindedness, creates clarity, Helps with ADHD
Wild Orange- Antidepressant, Calming, Uplifting, Feelings of Abundance, Creativity
Ylang Ylang- Relieves depression, Soothes anger and frustration, Uplifts and creates sense of peace, Minimizes aggressive behavior, Stimulates enthusiasm, Helps to improve harmony and confidence, Helps to recognize enjoyable experiences
Experiment with what oils you like, what ones help you feel balanced, uplifted, and happy. Here’s a fun DIY blend from the spring edition of doTerra Living Magazine:
In a 1 oz. roller bottle:
10 drops Peppermint
5 drops Roman Chamomile
10 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Frankincense
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Add essential oils to your roller bottle and top with FCO.
—
On the go methods of aromatic use for when you don’t have a diffuser handy.
Rub between your palms and cup your hands around your mouth and nose. Close your eyes and inhale.
Place on a tissue and put it over a fan, A/C unit, etc.
Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for all of your essential oil needs.

Online Yoga Classes

Practice Yoga with Christina.  The online yoga classes are now available.  Visit www.simplepleasure.biz and click on the Online Yoga link.  The first 30 days are free and $10.00/month afterwards.  Hope you enjoy the classes.

Autumn essential oil blends

Autumn brings a certain excitement, it is time for sweaters, hot cocoa, pumpkin flavored everything, football games, corn mazes, and so much more. The cool crisp air bring the blessings of harvest, and feelings of gratitude and thankfulness. This season also marks the time where trees, plans and animals prepare for winter rest.
Essential oils bring wonderful benefits and aromas into the home that can help one another embrace the fall excitement. Here are a few diffusing blends that we enjoy during the fall. What do you diffuse during the fall?

 

 

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for all your essential oil needs.  

Essential Oils during Pregnancy

Using Essential Oils for Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with many ups and downs. Essential oils can be very beneficial for pregnancy, birth, babies and children. Learning to use essential oils correctly particularly during these time periods can be challenging but well worth the effort.  The journey to motherhood can be overwhelming emotionally and physically. Essential oils can aid in the experience and help it be less overwhelming.  There are some essential oils that it is important that you avoid when pregnant.  As Listed in the Modern Essentials 5th Edition Do Not Use These Oils During Pregnancy:  - Birch  - Cassia (Topically or Internally) - Cedarwood (Internally)  - Cinnamon (Topically or Internally) - Cypress (Internally) - Eucalyptus (Internally)  - Rosemary  - Thyme  - Wintergreen - Clary Calm - Clear Skin  - DDR Prime  - Deep Blue (Consult a Doctor First)  - Digestzen (Consult a Doctor First)  - OnGuard (Consult a Doctor First)  - Slim & Sassy  - Zendocrine  Also when using the blends it is best to use them topically or aromatically. When using them topically make sure to dilute them well, and that you consult your doctor before using any essential oils.  The overall goal is to keep you and your baby safe. Whatever essential oils you use on your skin  and take internally will also influence the babies nutrition and overall health. Because the babies are small, and essential oils are potent they can be harmful if not used properly during pregnancy and it is very important you consult a physician before use.  Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oils. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA or a Certified Physician. Before using essential oils during pregnancy, or during birth, or on babies and children please contact a Certified Physician.

Learn about Ayurveda and how to eat.

There is much more to Ayurveda but here are a few simple steps.

Instructions

1. Preparing Ayurveda Meals

   • 1

     

     Determine your Ayurveda type. The three body types or doshas are Vata (space and air), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth). Although you can find ways to know what your dosha is, you should consult an Ayurveda expert.
   • 2

     

     Explore Ayurveda's wellness potential in your diet. Try a refreshing and healthy Rosehips Lassi, a blended yogurt, rosehips and cardamom drink. Recipe link below.
   • 
     

     •  
   • Balance Vata's airy, dryness with cooked foods such as soups or puddings. If you are Vata and feel worried or have dry skin, cook in ghee or drizzle olive oil over your food. These will weigh you down from the ill effects of Vata.
   • 4

     

     Enjoy cooling foods to balance Pitta, which when extreme, includes symptoms of irritability and insomnia. Juicy fruits, milk shakes and rice cakes are some of the foods that help restore balance to the Pitta dosha.
   • 5

     

     Harmonize Kapha's heaviness and lack of motivation with steamed foods and very little oils. Warming, pungent foods bring relief to Kapha extremes. Eat carrots, bitter greens, apples and other similar foods for balance.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2312577_prepare-ayurveda-meals.html

Using Essential Oils with Kids

Using Essential Oils with Kids

Using essential oils is a great way to naturally help support the body. Essential oils support the body on many levels and in many systems, including a cellular level, the immune system, the lymph system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, and more. Each essential oil has different properties which influence and support different systems. And each essential oil will interact differently with each individual. Using essential oils with kids can be tricky, because their bodies are still developing and their bodies are small, so how the essential oils interact with them is important. Because of the potency of essential oils it is always necessary to dilute essential oils when you use them on children and babies. We recommend diluting with a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, etc.) as this is not only what mixes the best with the essential oil but it is also what tones down the potency the best. Some of the easiest ways to use essential oils with kids is with roll-on bottles which make pre-mixing the essential oils with the carrier oils much easier, and it is easy to use for application to the feet, stomach, and neck of a child. Another great way to use essential oils with kids is to make sprays that are diluted and ready to use. There are also some essential oils that are very potent and must be heavily diluted before use with children, these include but are not limited too: Oregano, Thyme, OnGuard, Cassia, Cinnamon, and Clove.  The best dilution to start with is 1-2 drops of essential oil with 1 TBSP of a carrier oil. Essential oils are safe to use with children and it can be challenging to use them because children's bodies are always growing and changing. The good news is that it is never to early to start teaching children how essential oils can help their lives be focused on natural health and preventative care. Visit www.simplepleasure.biz and click on doTerra for all your essential oil needs.

A Deeper Look at Skin Care with dōTERRA

Skin care is important for many reasons, not only is the skin the largest organ in the body, but skin acts like a sponge and it really absorbs everything around it. Whether it be toxins in the air, your laundry detergent that is on your clothes, the additives in the lotion you use, your skin absorbs all of these. Taking care of you skin is an important step for overall health and wellness.
I have very sensitive skin and I have tried many things when it comes to keeping my skin healthy. I have not had a lot of good luck when it comes to face wash, and moisturizer that does not make my skin react badly.
I was very hesitant to try the dōTERRA skin care line. I had come to the conclusion, that washing my face with warm water every night was better for my sensitive skin. The cleansers and moisturizers made my skin itchy, I would break out, and my skin would still feel very dry.
My experience with the skin care line has actually been a very good experience, and the healthiness of my skin has definitely improved. I still only wash my face a couple times a week because I am still sensitive but my skin doesn’t get dry, and best of all I don’t get itchy or break out with ache as often.
Some of the Products I Use Regularly from dōTERRA:  

• Facial Cleanser (Melaleuca & Peppermint)
• Pore Reducing Toner (Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and German Chamomile)
• Hydrating Cream (Lavender & Geranium)
• Clear Skin Essential Oil Blend (Eucalyptus, Globus, and Geranium)

I think what makes these products different is truly the natural ingredients in each of them, and the essential oils that are used together to really bring the best benefits to my skin.
Natural Ingredients in dōTERRA Skin Care: 

• Vitamins A, C, D, and E – Promotes healthy skin, and balanced levels of moisture in the skin.
• Black Cumin Seed -Great for moisturizing, cleansing and protecting the skin (anti-aging).
• Milk Peptide Complex – Specifically helpful for anti-aging because of its properties.
• Biomimetic Peptides – These allow the different parts of the skin to communicate better, increasing collagen, which is a protein that influences growth of new skin cells.
• Hyaluronic Acid – Increases cell migration which is helpful for tissue healing.

Other dōTERRA Skin Care Items: 

• Immortelle (Frankincense, Helichrysum and Rose)
• Tightening Serum (Sandalwood & Myrrh)
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer (Frankincense & Jasmine)
• Clear Skin Fomaing Face Wash (Roswood & Melaleuca)
• Invigorating Scrub (Grapefruit & Peppermint)

Overall, skin health is important because our skin is very absorbent of the things we put on it, the things in the air, and what is on our clothes. This skin care line is different, it is all natural and it uses the best essential oils to bring you healthier skin.

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your skin care needs.

Homemade Sunscreen

This summer use all natural sunscreen without the extra add ins and toxins that can be found in typical sunscreen. This recipe is not only great for protecting your skin from the sun but also at giving your skin moisture that the sun takes out of it.
Sunscreen

• 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
• 1 Tbs. Shea Butter
• 3-5 drops Jojoba Oil
• 3-5 drops Vitamin E Oil
• 15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 1 Tbs. Zinc Oxide Powder

First, Add coconut oil, Shea butter and jojoba oil to a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler put a pan with water in it on the stove, turn the stove onto medium or medium low heat and then put a metal bowl on top of the pan with the water in it.) Heat gently until Shea Butter is just melted.
Second, remove from double boiler and allow to cool a little. Then add Zinc Oxide Powder, Vitamin E Oil (which can be taken from capsules), Jojoba Oil, and Essential Oils.
Third, Stir well to combine. Store in a dark jar in the fridge. Lasts 6 months.
When using this sunscreen apply liberally to skin exposed to the sun. Reapply every few hours or more often if swimming or sweating.

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz and click on doterra for all your essential oil needs.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Laundry Detergent

4 lbs Borax
4 lbs Baking Soda
1 Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soap
3 Grated Bars of Fels-Naptha (use a cheese grater with the small grating size/side)
2 Containers of OxiClean 3.5 lbs each
Use 2 tsp. of soap detergent per load (good for HE washers and drum washers) 
For a specific scent add 10 to 15 drops of Essential Oil on a damp rag toss in and wash and dry with clothes.
I used to have a lot of problems with my laundry detergent making my skin itchy and dry. I decided about a year and a half ago to switch to making my own laundry detergent and this is the recipe that one of my friends moms sent my way. I have been using it ever since. I have only needed to make two batches, it has been less expensive my clothes are clean, and most importantly they don’t make me itchy and dry all of the time.
I always use Purify to help clean my clothes but you could also try Lavender, Lemon or any other Essential Oils that you love the smell of.
Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oil needs.

Cinnamon Muffinus and Lemon Curd recipes

Cinnamon Muffins

• Servings: Yield = 18 muffins
• Time: 20 minutes active; 20 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

Muffin Batter

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups flour
• 1 Tbs baking powder
• 2 drops cassia essential oil

Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbs flour
• 2 Tbs butter, softened

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Batter: Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl, and stir until well combined.  Pour batter into greased muffin tins, filling each tin about 3/4 full.
Topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter. Spoon topping evenly over muffins.
Bake muffins for 12–16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Lemon Curd

• Servings: Yield = three cups
• Time: 30 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Lemon Curd

Ingredients:

• 9–10 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 extra large eggs or 4 large eggs and 1 yolk
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (3–4 lemons)
• 1/8 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Pour sugar and lemon essential oil into a bowl, and mix until well combined. Cream the butter in a separate bowl, and then beat in the lemon sugar mixture. Add the eggs, 1 at a time; then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into a 2 quart saucepan, and cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. The lemon curd will thicken at about 170 degrees F, or just below simmer. Remove from the heat, and cool or refrigerate. Serve with cinnamon muffins.

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for all of your essential oil needs.

Homemade Playdough and Spongeball with essential oils.

Playdough with Essential Oils 

2 cups flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
5 drops essential oils (Peppermint, Lavender, Wild Orange, Balance, Grapefruit, Lemon, etc.)
2 drops of food coloring

 

- Mix together all ingredients in a large pan except for the essential oils.
- Once mixed stir over medium heat until it forms into a ball.
- Remove from heat and cool on parchment or wax paper.
- Once cool add in 5 drops of Essential Oil and kneed until well mixed.
- Play and then store in an airtight container in the fridge to use again next week.

DIY Spongeball for Water Fights Outside

3 Sponges (1/2-by-2 3/4-by-4 1/4-inches)
Pen
Ruler
Scissors
String

 

- With a pen and a ruler, make five lines lengthwise on a sponge, each 1/2 inch apart.
- Use scissors to cut the sponge, using the lines as a guide, into six rods.
-Repeat first two steps the other two sponges.
-Lay strips on top of each other in three layers, five to six to a layer. Cinch them across the middle with a piece of string; knot it tightly. Fluff pieces out into a ball.

 

For your essential oil needs visit www.simplepleasure.biz

200 Hour Yoga School, Yoga in the Park and more...

We will have yoga here at Simple Pleasures this Friday and Sunday:
Friday, June 20th at 5:30 – 7:00
Sunday, June 22nd at 9:00 – 10:30
$5.00/Class
Saturday, June 21st is Yoga in the Park at 9:00am.

Next 200 Hour Teacher Training begins the weekend of June 20th. Completion date is in November. This is a fast track training, if you complete all classes. You may take classes as available according... to your schedule.
The fall 200 Hour training begins September 12th, 13th and 14th, 2014.

Simple Pleasures will be closed the following dates:

June 26th and 27th
July 3rd, 4th, 7th and the 8th
Please plan to come to yoga around those dates.

Yoga in the Park is every Saturday during the Summer at 9am. We haven’t seen too many people try it out so please spread the news. We would like to make this a successful community event. It is held in the Veterans Park next to the Legion in La Crescent. No yoga July 5th.

If you have any questions, please call 608-780-7909.

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for more info.

Pamper yourself and your body with these recipes.

Body Spray: 1 tbsp. Witch Hazel 20 drops Essential Oils of Choice 1 cup Water Combine ingredients, and pour into a spray bottle. Here's a tip to try different oil combinations to see what you like- hold open bottles in front of your nose and move the bottles around while sniffing. You'll get a good idea if they go together or not.
Foaming Hand & Body Wash 6 cups Water 1 cup Castile Soap 2 tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin 1/4 cup Olive, Almond, or Jojoba oil 70 drops Essential Oils of Choice (10 or so per bottle) I use this recipe to make 7 bottles of hand soap at once. If you need less, just reduce the recipe. Mix the first three ingredients and pour into foaming pumps. Add 10 drops of Essential Oil to each pump. Shake and use.
Lotion Bar: 1/2 cup Coconut Oil 1/2 cup Shea Butter or Coconut Butter 1/2 cup Beeswax 1/2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil 50 drops Essential Oil(s) of choice In a double boiler, combine all ingredients except essential oils. Stir ingredients until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and add Essential Oils. Stir to incorporate E.O.'s. Carefully pour into molds such as a silicon muffin pan. Or pour into a wax paper lined pan and cut into bars when cool.
Basic Sugar Scrub: 1 cup Organic Sugar 1/3 cup Olive, Almond, Jojoba Oil 10 drops Essential Oils of Choice Combine all ingredients. You can get creative with your essential oils and sugars too. My favorite is grapefruit oil in the sugar .
Basic Bath Salts: 1 cup Epsom Salts 10 drops Essential Oils of Choice Just mix your oils into the salts and store in a sealed jar. Try lavender for a relaxing bath soak, try peppermint for an invigorating foot soak, or try a post sports muscle soak with marjoram, chamomile, and rose- mary.
Lip Balm: 1 tbsp. Coconut Oil 2 tbsp. Almond, Jojoba, or Olive Oil 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. Beeswax 10 drops Essential Oil of Choice Chop or grate the beeswax or buy the beeswax pastilles. Place beeswax, coconut, and other oils except for essential oils in the upper part of a double boiler or place a bowl on top of a pan of boiling water. Melt the wax into the oils. Gently stir in essential oils and pour into lip balm containers. Let cool.
Body Butter: 1 cup Shea or Cocoa Butter 1/2 cup Coconut Oil 1/2 cup Almond, Jojoba, or Olive Oil 45 drops Essential Oil of choice In a double boiler melt the shea or cocoa butter and coconut oils together. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Gently stir in the other oils till combined. Wait until it cools and starts to solidify. Add to a mixer and whip until the consistency of butter. Store in sealed glass jars.

Homemade Solid Perfume

Enjoy the many benefits of essential oil in a long-lasting solid perfume.  Just simply add your favorite essential oil to the mixture and  pour into any container of your choice for a personalized perfume you will love.

What You Need:

2 tablespoons beeswax
2 tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil
20 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend

Click here to get some great perfume and cologne recipes.

Directions:

1. Add beeswax and Fractionated Coconut Oil to glass jar and place in saucepan with 1-1.5 inches of boiling water.

2. Stir ingredients until combined (around 5-10 minutes).
Note: Use a popsicle stick for easy cleanup.

3. Once melted, remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes.

4. Add essential oil and stir.

5. Pour into containers.
Note: Pour perfume into an empty locket or metal container for easy on-the-go access.

6. To use, apply small amount to skin.

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oil needs.

All Natural Powder Cleanser

Deep cleaning doesn’t have to mean hours of scrubbing on  your hands and knees. This powdered cleanser makes it easy to clean even the grimiest of surfaces with little to no work. Just sprinkle on the surface, walk away for 15-30 minutes, and then wipe clean. It’s that easy! - See more at: http://doterrablog.com/diy-powder-cleanser/#sthash.wltWgf6G.dpuf

 

What You Need: 2 cups borax 1 cup baking soda ½ cup citric acid ½ cup kosher salt 20 drops Lemon essential oil Note: Although borax is natural, it can be toxic when ingested and should be kept away from children and pets. If you are concerned about using borax, you can omit it.

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and stir until combined.

2. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil

3.  Store in a large shaker bottle. Tip: Use an old spice or Parmesan cheese shaker.

4. To use, dampen surface and sprinkle powder over area you want to clean.

5. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. For an extra cleansing boost, spray distilled vinegar on powder and wipe clean.

6. You’re done! Enjoy your new sparkly-clean surface. -

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oil needs.

Homemade Sunburn Spray

Just in time for the sunny season.  Try to prevent sunburns by using a sunscreen lotion at all times while you are outside.  If you do get a sunburn, follow the recipe for better healing results.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Aloe Vera Gel
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 4 oz Glass Spray Bottle

Mix all ingredients together in a glass measuring cup or bowl. Carefully pour the solution into the glass spray bottle.  Spray on sunburned skin as often as needed. Solution may feel sticky on skin at first but it dries with time.

Lavender is known for is healing properties specifically for burns, and healing skin.

Some other essential oils to try with the mix include Frankincense and Melaleuca, which is also known for its healing properties.

Tips for Preventing a Sunburn:

- Remember to reapply sunscreen if you spend more than 2 hours in the sun in a day.

- For sunscreen to protect your skin apply up to 30 minutes before entering the sun.

- Sunscreen should be worn even on a cloudy day because UV rays the rays that cause us to get a sunburn are capable of going through clouds.

 What else do you do to help when you have a sunburn?

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oil needs.

Thyme Essentail Oil

Thyme is common to most people as it is a spice for seasoning. It is used widespread for cooking but it is also valuable for cleansing and clarifying.
Properties: Antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic.
Historical Oil Uses: Thyme was used during the embalming process, respiratory problems, bronchitis, chronic gastritis, against infectious diseases and illnesses, infections, dyspepsia, laryngitis, digestive complaints, pertussis, asthma and tonsillitis.
Possible Oil Uses: Thyme essential oil can help with colds, depression, bacterial infections, digestion, rheumatism, circulation, wounds, flue, immunological functions, headaches, insomnia, viruses along the spine, and urinary infections.

Application:

• Topically – Dilute before placing on skin with carrier oil.
• Internally – Take the oil using a gel capsule or can be used with food and drink.
• Aromatically – You may diffuse Thyme essential oil by Doterra.

To order visit:  www.simplepleasure.biz

Get a Dog and Lose Weight

1. Exercise at night.
According to one study in the journal Obesity, our circadian system makes us hungriest a few hours before bedtime. But you may feel fuller after working out: A separate study in the journal Metabolism found that perceived fullness was higher among participants after 12 weeks of aerobic training than before they were exercising. A brisk walk after dinner each night may make you less likely to snack before bed.
2. Break up your regular meals.
If you usually top your breakfast oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts, eat the oatmeal plain when you wake up, and save the blueberries and nuts for a snack later, suggests registered dietitian Jen Brewer, author of Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight. Brewer explains that it’s the same amount of calories divided throughout the day, so you’re able to snack healthfully and still feel satiated — without adding more calories to your “three” meals a day.
3. Get a dog.Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that having a pooch is linked with burning 200 extra calories per week. Registered dietitian Keeley Mezzancello says people who own and walk their dogs are 34% more likely than people who don’t to meet the American Heart Association's recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Dog-walkers generally strolled about an hour longer per week than non-dog-walkers, which translates to an additional 230 calories burned a week.

4. Brush your teeth after dinner.
Cutting calories may be less about what you’re devouring and more about how much of it’s going in your mouth. Tara DelloIacono Thies, a registered dietitian and nutritional strategist at Clif Bar & Company, recommends using cues to let your mind and body know that mealtime is over. She suggests that you’re less likely to snack if you always plan for a post-meal brush, indicating that eating time is over.
5. Use social media.
“If you have to post that you ate M&M’s, you’re less likely to actually eat them,” says DelloIacono Thies. “That social aspect makes you more accountable.” Using social media apps to track calories and workouts — and share those results — can also help you consume fewer calories, according to a study by LUNA and Institute for the Future.
6. Sit while you eat.
You may want to skip even occasional on-your-feet eating. A Canadian study found that people who ate from plastic containers while standing consumed 30% more calories later in the day than those who ate an identical plated meal while seated. Hunger and fullness cues can be skewed if you’re not in the proper meal environment, says Mezzancello, so have a seat to eat mindfully.

7. Eat fruit first.
An easy, healthy way to avoid extra calories is to reach for an apple or other fruit before a meal. DelloIacono Thies says that if you’re bored, the fruit won’t sound good and you won’t want it, but if you’re truly hungry, you’ll want the fruit. “The worst that will happen is that you’ve eaten an apple — not a doughnut,” she says. She recommends choosing a fruit with a peel because they take longer to eat — giving your brain ample time to recognize you’re satiated — and drinking a glass of water with it so you feel fuller.
8. Laugh.
A good giggle boosts your mood and alleviates stress, which may be at the root of your comfort-food hankerings: “Laughter has been associated with a reduction in cortisol, a stress hormone associated with cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods,” says Mezzancello. A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that laughing increases both heart rate and calorie expenditure by up to 20%, with 15 minutes of chuckling burning up to 40 calories.

Make your own Sauces

Homemade Ketchup      

• 1 pound yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 1 pound bell peppers (any color), seeded, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar (5 percent acidity)
• 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 10 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, roughly chopped $
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Preparation

1. 1. Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a large heavy-bottom pot; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
2. 2. Stir in tomatoes, raise heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until mixture begins to thicken, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes.
3. 3. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth. Mixture will be thin. (Alternatively, remove pot from heat, let mixture cool slightly and puree it in batches in a blender.) Return mixture to pot, return pot to heat and boil over medium heat until very thick, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, 2 to 2 1/2 hours longer. Ketchup is ready when a dollop spooned onto a plate does not weep liquid. (Cooking time might vary based on width of pot and juiciness of tomatoes.)
4. 4. Ladle ketchup into prepared half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace, and process for 15 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
5. Boiling-water method:
6. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
7. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
8. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
9. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
10. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
11. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
12. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
13. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
14. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.
15. 1 cup cider vinegar
16. 2 tablespoons sugar                          
     
     
 

Homemade Pickles

 

1. 1 teaspoon salt
2. 2 small cloves garlic, crushed
3. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
4. 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
5. 1 small red or green chili pepper, halved and seeded
6. 1 large cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

7. Preparation

   1. 1. Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt.
   2. 2. Place remaining ingredients in a large heatproof bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over. Add water to completely cover cucumbers, if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Pickles will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Peach Jam

1/2 cup bottled lemon juice

4 pounds firm peaches, peeled, pitted

6 cups sugar                               

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation

1. 1. Combine juice and 1 cup water in a wide, heavy-bottom pot. Roughly chop peaches; add to pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until peaches are tender and just beginning to break down, 10 to 30 minutes, depending on ripeness. Slightly crush mixture with a masher, leaving some large chunks.
2. 2. Add sugar and cinnamon; cook, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high and boil rapidly, stirring constantly, until thickened and at the gel stage (see below), 20 to 30 minutes. Skim off any foam from the top and discard.
3. 3. Ladle jam into half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Process for 10 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
4. How to test for the gel stage:
5. When preserves hit that magical jammy consistency--spreadable but not runny--it's considered the gel stage. Jam sets at 220ºF. Use a candy thermometer or these visual cues.
6. Watch the jam as it cooks. Bubbles will increase in size as the gel stage nears.
7. Lift some jam with a wooden spoon and tip it back into the pot. When it runs off in drips that thicken into a flat sheet before coming off the spoon, it is a sign that the jam has reached the gel stage.
8. Drip a bit of hot jam onto a frozen plate. Give it a minute, then push it with your finger. If the cool jam wrinkles as you nudge it, your jam has reached the gel stage.
9. Boiling-water method:
10. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
11. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
12. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
13. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
14. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
15. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
16. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
17. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
18. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.   

Garden Relish

1/4 cup kosher salt

2 pounds tomatoes, preferably plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, diced                               

3 lbs Zuchini

1 pound bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch dice                

1 pound yellow onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice

3 cups distilled white vinegar (5 percent acidity)

1 cup sugar                               

1 tablespoon mustard seed                

1 tablespoon celery seed

Preparation

1. 1. Trim zucchini and halve lengthwise. Scrape out and discard seeds. Cut into 1/4-inch dice, toss with salt and set in a colander to drain for 1 hour.
2. 2. Rinse and drain zucchini. Combine with remaining ingredients and 2 cups water in a large, heavy-bottom pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then simmer until vegetables have softened and mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. If mixture begins to dry out, add up to 1 cup water.
3. 3. Ladle into prepared half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace, and process for 10 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
4. Boiling-water method:
5. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
6. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
7. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
8. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
9. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
10. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
11. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
12. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
13. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.

What to drink and what not to drink by Dr. Weil

4 Healthy Beverages
Published: 5/7/2014

 

 

 

1. Green tea. Dr. Weil's beverage of choice, green tea is a potent source of catechins - healthy antioxidants that can inhibit cancer cell activity and help boost immunity. Look for an organic and fair trade version ideally and try to replace your morning coffee with a cup of tea for a healthier wake-up.
2. Cranberry juice. Cranberries are a rich source of vitamin C and contain a substance that hinders the attachment of bacteria to bladder walls, which can help prevent urinary tract infections. Instead of cranberry juice cocktail, opt for unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate and dilute with water or sparkling water. Diluted blueberry juice is a healthy choice as well.
3. Red wine. The antioxidant activity of red wine has been linked to heart health benefits, reduced stress, and even preserving memory. If you enjoy an occasional drink, limit your intake to one to two glasses a day. If you don't drink, don't start - there are other ways to get antioxidants in your diet, including fresh whole fruits and vegetables.
4. Pure, filtered water. Staying well hydrated is essential to optimal health and overall functioning. Sip water throughout the day, and in the warmer months, be sure to drink water before and after exercising to avoid dehydration.

4 Unhealthy Beverages
Published: 5/6/2014

 

Whether you are watching your weight or just want to eat healthier, taking a look at what you drink is key. Empty calories can lurk in all types of beverages - especially these:

1. Coffee drinks with extras such as sugar or flavored syrup. These deliver a concentrated dose of quick-digesting carbohydrates that can lead to weight gain. A better option is a plain coffee with a little half-and-half, or, better yet, enjoy antioxidant-rich green tea instead of coffee.
2. Frothy summer cocktails. Whether it's a margarita or a piña colada, sugary drinks pack a double dose of calories due to alcohol and sugar - some can top 800 calories in one drink! A better option is a glass of red wine (60-100 calories) or a light beer (about 100 calories).
3. Non-juice "juice drinks." Before buying bottled juice, read the label and make sure it is 100% juice (not just "made with" real juice) and check for added sweeteners and calories. Many of these products are no better than drinking sugared water. The best juices are fresh, not bottled, and made partially or wholly from vegetables rather than fruits. If you consume fruit juice, I recommend adding purified or sparkling water to reduce the sugar content. 
4. Soda. There just isn't anything nutritious about soda, whether it's diet or regular. If you're a soda addict, breaking the habit is among the best moves you can make for your weight and your health. Consider switching to sparkling water with a slice of citrus.

An Oil Blend for Happiness

Recipe for the blend:
• 20 drops Bergamot
• 10 drops Grapefruit
• 10 drops Cypress
• 10 Drops Frankincense
• 5 drops Ylang Ylang
• 2 drops Ginger
• Fractionated Coconut Oil
Combine all essential oils in a clean roller bottle (fill the remainder with FCO if needed) and apply topically or combine & diffuse as you would other essential oil blends.

16 Ways to Feel Happy

Smile. A 2011 study showed that thinking about something positive that makes you smile can actually make you happier (fake smiles don't do the trick), while 2003 Clark University research found that smiling activates positive memories.

Go for a run. Physical activity boosts the brain's release of endorphins, feel-good neurotransmitters that can improve mood and well-being.

Pray. Spirituality and religious involvement is linked with greater well-being and happiness, according to a review of more than 300 studies on the connection between spirituality and health, while prayer is thought to relieve stress.

Laugh. In addition to relieving stress, laughter can boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Go for a stroll in the park. There are many health benefits to spending time in nature, including, perhaps, increased well-being. One UK study showed that subjects were significantly happier when in natural environments as compared to when they were in urban environments.

Perform an act of kindness. Do something nice for someone else today -- it could make you happier, according to University of California research.

Listen to happy music. Students who listened to "happy" music while making a concerted effort to feel happier experienced elevations in mood, according to a small study published this year in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

Walk tall. Walking with an upbeat stride might make you feel happier, according to Florida Atlantic University research. In the study, walkers who were told to take long strides with their arms swinging and heads held high reported feeling happier after a three-minute jaunt than a group that shuffled and looked downwards while walking.

Meditate. Meditation may be helpful in lowering stress levels and reducing symptoms of mild depression, and has been linked with emotional well-being and improved sleep.

Keep a gratitude journal. Be thankful for what you have! A number of studies have found a strong correlation between gratitude and well-being, starting at a young age. Teaching kids gratitude in schools has been linked to boosts in positive emotions and optimism.

Go on vacation. The mere anticipation of an upcoming trip can boost overall happiness for up to eight weeks before you take off, according to a 2010 Dutch study.

Play with a puppy. Your brain may be wired to enjoy playing with puppies. One study suggested that petting a furry friend can increase activity in the left-side of the brain, which is associated with pleasure and happiness, and pet ownership has been linked with increased well-being.

Take a nap. Sleep deprivation can up your stress levels. One experiment showed that after memorizing a list of words, sleep-deprived college students could remember 81 percent of words with a negative connotation ("cancer"), and only 41 percent of positive or neutral words ("sunshine"). What's more, researchers have linked catnaps with improved mood.

Enjoy a nice cup of tea. Noticing and appreciating life's small pleasures can literally rewire the brain for happiness by shifting the brain's negativity bias, according to psychologist Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness. "We're surrounded by opportunities -- 10 seconds here or 20 seconds there -- to just register useful experiences and learn from them," Hanson told The Huffington Post.

Volunteer. Helping others could go a long way towards helping yourself. A recent University of Exeter study found that volunteering can boost happiness, ease depression and even help you live longer, Everyday Health reported.

Have sex. Sex might just help you relieve stress and boost well-being. A study by the Institute For The Study of Labor found that people who have sex at least four times a week tend to be happier and less depressed -- not to mention make more money. Plus, it could even keep your heart and immune system healthy!

Think of happy times. Feeling nostalgic about the past can make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future, according to a recent University of Southampton study.