Pilgrimage Studio

Tag: Alternative Health

  • Rose Hip Seed Oil

    Rose Hip Seed Oil

    by Beth Haley

    Rose hip seed oil is different from rose essential oil which comes from the rose petals. Rose hip seed oil is found in the rose fruit left behind when the flowers have finished blooming, and does not contain the typical rose fragrance found in the flowers. Rose hip seed oil goes rancid quickly, and should be stored in a cool, dark place or stored in the refrigerator.

    This oil was used by ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans because of its healing qualities, and was even used as a wound healer. Today, most of the oil from the rosa canina rose bush, comes from Chile although it is also grown in parts of Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia – or from the sweetbriar and musk rose in the Southern Andes.

    It has been called a “dry” oil because it absorbs quickly into the skin and helps to return the skin’s natural balance, making it a good choice for all skin types.

    Full of many Skin-Nourishing Vitamins and Fatty Acids

    Vitamin E – known for calming and hydrating dry and sensitive skin

    Essential fatty acids such as omega 3, 6 and 9 – known to help repair skin and help with skin cell regeneration

    Vitamin C – known for its skin-brightening properties, can help improve the appearance of pigmentation (age spots/ dark spots) and restores skin tone

    Vitamin A – also known to improve skin tone along with improving the skin’s texture

    Both vitamins A and C are beneficial in the production of collagen, which we make less of as we age. This makes the oil a powerful anti-aging addition to your skin care regimen. Synergistically, vitamins A, C and E help to combat the visible signs of sun damage and reduces the harmful effects of UV exposure.

    Overall

    Rose hip seed oil helps to hydrate, moisturize, brighten and replenish your skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been helpful for acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It softens skin and gives a brighter and more radiant complexion while also reducing the appearance of scarring, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles.

    Patch Test

    Test rose hip oil on a small patch of skin before using. After a day, if the skin does not show any irritation it should be safe to use elsewhere.

    Cold pressed, organic rose hip seed oil is recommended for its purity and quality of benefits.

    Note: If you are allergic to roses, chances are you’ll also be allergic to the oil, so make sure and do the patch test if in doubt.

    Preparation

    Rose hip seed oil can be used as a carrier (or base) oil to which you can add essential oils to.

    This bottle has been disinfected, as you would do for baby bottles. To this I will add mostly rose hip oil and a few drops of frankincense essential oil. Frankincense also helps to rejuvenate, tone and firm. It balances oily/dry skin, helps deter wrinkles, and is healing. The roller bottle makes it easy to apply the oil to face, neck, and hands before bed.

    Store in a dark cupboard or refrigerator. You can roll some of this oil onto the palms of your hands and let it warm up before massaging it into your skin.

    Sources:

    Women’s Health

    MUN

    Photo@unsplash

  • Sacred Land

    Sacred Land

    by Thela 🦊 Foxgood

    We hear it in the water
    Flowing into the fjord
    Blood of this earth
    Soul of our soul

    We hear it in the wood
    Dancing in the fire
    Passion and form
    Bone of our bone

    We hear it in the iron
    Muscle and grit
    Earth born
    Strength of our strength

    We hear it in the stone
    Shards in soil
    Flesh of our flesh
    Earth of our earth

    A song for water
    A prayer for wood
    A dance for fire
    A call for Iron
    Drums beat for stone

    I send a prayer for the caretakers of a sacred land, and a prayer for the land, which is in the hands of caretakers.

    For those who have been in the grips of the storm. And, even more: a prayer for people in the hands of hate.

    Photo@Unsplash

  • Zen Retreat

    Zen Retreat

    by Beth Haley

    Sleeping Quarters

    Turn your sleep space into your very own Zen Retreat! Find the tone, the mood, and the ambiance that makes it your peaceful haven and vacation from life.

    “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” -Irish Proverb

    Sleep is such a huge key for our health. I wish you peaceful rest.

  • Challenge 2

    Challenge 2

    by Beth Haley

    Looking at the big-picture of health is to look at our health holistically. It’s what we eat but so much more. Elements such as sleep and relationships are just as important.

    If you were to scan the whole picture of your health, what is one challenge you’d like to work on?

    1. Write your challenge in the middle of a piece of paper.

    2. Write down all the possible contributing factors around your challenge. For example, if your challenge is “sleep,” contributing factors may include not going to bed early enough, not taking enough time before bed to get into a relaxed state, atmosphere, stress, worry, or chronic pain – all things that could contribute to not getting enough quality sleep.

    3. Choose a contributing factor and write down an action step you can take this weekend, and over the next week, that supports sleep, or your challenge area.

    4. At the end of a week, notice any changes. How do you feel? Did anything change?

    Atmosphere and Sleep

    Preparing your sleep space is as important as preparing your mind and body for rest. Allowing the shift from the busy day to tranquil rest time, mentally and physically, is a process that continues as you step into your sleeping space.

    Are the colors restful?

    Do you need it completely quiet or do you need the sound of a stream flowing softly?

    Is it dark enough?

    What fragrances are restful to you?

    Is there anything that causes a disturbance in this space?

    Is the lighting right? Do candles help?

    What makes your sleep space a restful retreat?

    One disturbance to sleep I have remedied is with certain pets wandering in and out and making noise. They now have their own sleep room.

    Photos@Unsplash

  • Letting go

    Letting go

    by Beth Haley

    Walking through the swamp

    I catch a glimpse of change

    It’s in the air

    Its stamped on the leaves

    They show us how

    Transformation is beautiful

    From one form to the next

    From new birth, to growth

    From harvest to restful winter

    Each season has a purpose

    In nature and in life

    Embrace each change

    With the grace and beauty of autumn’s leaf

    “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”

    -Unknown

  • Dorian

    Dorian

    Today I made a stop in Valdosta, GA. Although they don’t expect to see too much from Hurricane Dorian, they have been preparing. People have been advised to gas their vehicles up and have extra water.

    Besides checking out the news, I got a few more swamp shots.

    I pray everyone is prepared and stays safe 💗

    Tracking Hurricane Dorian

  • Swamp Lands

    Swamp Lands

    by Thela 🦊 Foxgood

    We went wandering through swamp lands this weekend. It was nice to let nature soak into our souls for a bit and take a break from the bustle and hustle of daily life.

    “It would be an ill thing if wonders were for the seeing and we without the seeing them.”

    -Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, in The Fates of the Princes of Dyfed by Kenneth Morris

    “The fire divine in all things burning
    Seeks the mystic heart anew,
    From its wandering far again returning
    Child, to you.”

    -George Russell, Benediction

    I’ve seen this written in two different ways. Here is one version:

    *****

    “The first time I saw him he was cooking mushrooms for himself.

    The next time he was asleep under a hedge, smiling to himself.

    Assuredly, some joy not quite of this steadfast earth lightens in those eyes…”

    -William Butler Yeats, Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry

    The Water Lily

    The botanical name Nymphaea is from Nymphe, the goddess of springs. Some believe that water lilies are nymphs and it is said that water lilies grow where nymphs play.

    My photos are taken 💖 with IPhone

  • Post-It Notes 12

    Post-It Notes 12

    Patience takes a gardener’s mentality. You plant the seed, then wait and trust the process.

    Know that growth is happening, even when you can’t see it right away.

    Photo@Pixabay

  • Coherent Narrative

    Coherent Narrative

    by Beth Haley

    I was asked the other day, “How do you make sense of your past?”

    My initial response was:

    What does it mean, “to make sense of your past?” I really didn’t know what to say and so the quest began. Making sense of our past could begin with this question:

    How do we explain who we are in the present?

    How we feel about the past shapes our present.

    How do we feel about the past?

    What is our understanding of why things happened the way that they did?

    What has been the impact of past events on our development?

    These answers tell our story. Especially, the story we tell ourselves. This story can show how the past may be limiting us today. Which is why this question is asked:

    “How do you make sense of the past?”

    Why else would we want to make sense of the past?

    “…if you don’t make sense of your life and you’ve had really, really difficult things in the past, the research shows that you’re likely just to repeat them.”

    -Dr. Dan Siegel

    This explains why this question could be asked, so my question is: How does one do this?

    I found this writing prompt today for writing a coherent narrative of the stories from your past. It is at, Psychalive.org

    “Making sense is a source of strength and resilience. In my twenty- five years as a therapist, I’ve also come to believe that making sense is essential to our well-being and happiness.”

    – Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation 2010, New York, NY: Bantam Books

    Photo@Unsplash

  • “Spicy” Inspiration!

    “Spicy” Inspiration!

    by Beth Haley

    Doing the things you love, is to share your gifts and talents with the world. There are things that only you can do. Just because you’re you. Barbara Sher believes that, “If you’re doing what you love, you’re doing what you were born to do.”

    “I don’t want you happy because I’m the best mom that ever lived. I want you happy because if you’re doing what makes you happy, you are contributing your talent to the world.”

    -Barbara Sher

    Each of us is exceptionally good at something!

    Barbara Sher has a very spicy way of sharing this message!

    What do you love to do? Spend some time journaling all the things you love!

    Photo@Unsplash