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Essential Oils and Stress / Question?

D-Lee — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:42:38 -0800

Stress is the imbalance created in the body natural equilibrium due to any reaction to a physical, mental and/ or emotional stimulus. The most common form of stress, experienced by many of us, is work stress. Boardroom meetings, hectic schedules, deadlines, and work backlogs usually leave us physically and mentally drained. Sitting for long hours staring at the computer screen can cause anxiety and stress. This usually leaves us with tired eyes, headaches and body pain.
Massage techniques act as stress relievers, ease muscle tension, and help in revitalizing the mind. These techniques are ideal for undoing the knots caused by tension especially through the keyboard posture.

Aromatherapy massage works in three ways:

a) by improving muscle tone
b) by stimulating the circulation
c) by helping in eliminating waste products.

Thought to be an ancient Chinese science, aromatherapy is based on the healing properties of plants, from which concentrated aromatic oils are extracted. The vapors of these essential oils when inhaled are carried by the bloodstream both to the nervous system and to the and to the parts of the brain that control the release of hormones and emotions.The following is recommended to treat common stress related symptoms:

Body aches and other pains
20 drops lavender oil
10 drops rosemary oil
10 drops black pepper oil
5 drops peppermint oil
5 drops cypress oil
Add the ingredients to the entire bottle of Basic Massage Oil. Shake well to mix.

Mental exhaustion
10 drops bergamot oil
20 drops geranium oil
10 drops ylang-ylang oil
5 drops frankincense oil
5 drops cedarwood oil
Add the ingredients to the entire bottle of Basic Massage Oil. Shake well to mix.

Anger, Anxiety
Basil, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, geranium, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lavender, marjoram, melissa, neroli, ylang-ylang

Depression
Basil, clary sage, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang-ylang

Insomnia
Basil, chamomile, lavender, mandarin, marjoram, melissa, neroli, petitgrain, rose, sandalwood, thyme, ylang-ylang

Nervous Exhaustion
Basil, cinnamon, citronella, coriander, ginger, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, lemon grass, peppermint, nutmeg, rosemary, ylang-ylang

Nervous Tension
Basil, bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, melissa, neroli, palmarosa, rosemary, vetiver, ylang-ylang
In addition to stress-induced ailments, Essential oils are also used for treating respiratory problems, digestive disorders and allergies.
Other than massaging, the goodness of Essential oils can also be availed by:
Inhaling a few drops placed on a handkerchief or pillow, or in a bowl of hot water.
Spraying a few drops onto a cotton ball placed on a hot radiator, or a vaporizing ring placed on a light bulb.
Alternately, a few drops in a hot bath can relax muscles and ease aches, insomnia and arthritis.
Use of essential oils should be done strictly under medical advice if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.

HAS ANYONE TRIED ESSENTIAL OILS? IF YES, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND! IF NO, WOULD YOU TRY IT?

OPEC Ministers Confident at Oil Price Below $75

gugan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:34:55 -0800

Oil prices fell below $75 a barrel Monday as the dollar strengthened and several OPEC ministers said they don’t expect their group to change production levels at a meeting later this month.
Read The Complete Article Here

How to Make Sex Oil !

PinkNC — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:44:28 -0800

By G. Diamond

Many people like extra lubrication during sex and normally reach out for the Vaseline, baby oil, and even cooking oil. However, though it is highly pleasurable, using such lubricants is not safe since they interfere with the latex in condoms and could cause unwanted pregnancies and even allow the spread of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

What is the alternative? Do not worry. There are many ways to make your own sex oil, which you could use anytime you want, happy in the knowledge that it is completely safe.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A. One teaspoon of sodium alginate / 4 teaspoons of corn starch
B. Once medium size (200 ml) cup of water – one for each of the homemade oils
C. A non-metallic pan; if you do it simultaneously, you need two
D. Wooden spoons to mix
E. A little time to wait until it is done
F. Refrigerator to store the excess amount

1. Step 1

Get mixing. These are the ingredients for two separate types of homemade oils or lubricants that work exceptionally well. For the first one, mix the one teaspoon sodium alginate and water in the non-metallic pan and heat it slowly. For the second, mix the cornstarch with one cup of water in a non-metallic dish and heat it slowly.

2. Step 2

Stir continuously until you get a jelly type mix. For the first type mix, you need to be patient as this takes a long time to get the correct consistency of gelatin.

3. Step 3

Remove it from the fire, once it's the right consistency, and allow to cool at room temperature. Take the mix and put it into jars. If there is anything left, it can be easily refrigerated for later use.

4. Step 4

Use either of these mixtures whenever you need an additional lubricant during sex without worrying whether this will interfere with the latex of the condom. This is perfectly safe for the body and even for eating .

5. Step 5

Do not use the mixtures for longer than three months, even if it is refrigerated. Make fresh batches and use within one to two months.

Tips & Warnings

• In case you need something fast, and you have nothing to help you immediately (no homemade stuff available), some excellent substitutes would be aloe Vera ointment.

• Half a spoon of progesterone cream applied into the vagina on a daily basis will eliminate the requirement of lubricant.

• Take a vitamin E capsule, break it open, and remove the oil inside onto the tip of your fingers; gently insert this oil into the vagina. This is an excellent substitute for regular lubricants.

• When you use glycerin based lubricants, you invite yeast infection. Avoid at all costs such lubricants because once you get a yeast infection, it would take ages to get rid of it.

• Any cooking oils along with pathogens that can cause painful infection.

• Many use ginger juice, which is also known as an aphrodisiac; however, this is not a lubricant but a sexual feeling enhancer.

Why Use Blended Oils?

suzanne — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:41:09 -0700

You can buy blended oils or you can make your own, but why would you want to blend?

I can give you lots of healthful reasons, like monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids (and I will if you want me to) but the reason that chefs like to cook blended oil is because it is economical... and because canola oil has a higher smoking/burn point than olive oil - so things don't burn as easily as they would with just olive oil.

Both are healthful, and you still get the flavor of the olive oil, but the flavor is lighter - which is a plus, especially when cooking asian foods.

The ratio is 3/4 canola oil to 1/4 olive oil. I like to use Smart Balance, because it's canola oil with an omega-3 boost.

If you tend to burn your stir fry, this might be the trick for you!Use a ratio of 3/4 canola oil to 1/4 olive oil.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and Olive Oil Soap

areidz — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:09:58 -0700

DHC Skincare

I have fallen in love with these two new skincare products. I have samples of a ton of their items and am purchasing them one by one as I see how they work for me.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Superstar. Try this amazing cleanser and you’ll see why it’s our most popular product worldwide. Dirt, excess oil, makeup-even waterproof mascara-and other pore-cloggers dissolve easily, leaving your face a grime-free zone that is soft to the touch. Its unique water-soluble formula rinses completely, so you’ll never see a greasy residue. Olive oil and vitamin E help ensure you won’t see dryness either. -their words, not mine.

I have found this to be Amazing. It does exactly as it describes. The oil is purely refined olive oil, and doesn't give an oily feeling at all! It takes off every single bit of makeup off of my face! Truly amazing. The hardest part of my skincare routine is taking off my makeup and I was using Lancome's Bi-Facil until I discovered this. The only downside is that I felt a slight tingle afterwards, but it went away quickly. It claims to be good for everyone's skin. I did wash my face afterwards with their Olive Oil Soap.

DHC Olive Oil Soap

Clear advantage. Olive Soap’s bevy of botanicals come together to create a fierce antioxidant and vitamin-rich cleanser that’s gentle on sensitive and dry complexions. Olive leaves are naturally fortified with coenzyme Q10 (a nutrient that also exists naturally in human tissue) and give Olive Soap the power to fight free radicals and help prevent damage to collagen and elastin fibers from UV rays. This botanical bar works to free your skin’s surface of dirt and excess oil while vitamins and antioxidants go to the cellular level for skin strength reinforcement. Wash regularly with its generous lather and never again will skin have to feel tight after washing. -again, their words, not mine.

This soap is really great. I got it as a sample as well and both my husband and I use it. I have combination skin and his is dry. It definitely cleans well, but you need to use a makeup remover first. I used to use Cetaphil for Normal to Oily skin. I'm not going back. It claims to be good for everyone's skin, and I'm sure it is.

If you're interested in their skincare line and wish to try things out that are suitable for your skin type, you can try out their My Skin Type to see what they have in store specifically for your needs.

I am sold! Like I said, I'm trying out their products as samples, and plan on making their skincare line part of my regimen even though I will continue to use my Sea Kelp Bioferment Moisturizer with additives from Skinactives.

Also, every time you place an order you get to select 4 free samples to try. I won an e-bay auction that had 37 samples, which is where I found which products I like the most. I will do more reviews as I try each one over time. I'm giving these a 4.5 star rating because the prices are a little bit high.

Has anyone else tried these and/or other of their products? Do you have any interest in trying out DHC products?

*Note: I am not affiliated with them in any way.

Burning Question: How Come Recipes Call For Oil and Butter?

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:30:13 -0800

When chef Cal Stamenov showed us how to make the perfect scallop at Chefs' Holidays, I learned a lot about different types of mollusks and the key to preparing them. But the best part of the demo was chef Cal's answer to a long-standing burning question of mine. Why is it that recipes often call for both olive oil and butter?

To prevent burning, Stamenov heated up a pan first before adding olive oil; then, he threw in some butter. The chef explained that the sugars in butter boost flavor, but butter has a low smoke point. Adding olive oil helps to further impede the fat from scorching.

Got a burning question? Then post it in the Burning Question group in the YumSugar Community! It's your place to ask the most pressing questions about the culinary world.

Alpha Keri Shower and Bath Moisture Rich Oil - 8 oz

rachel777 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:09:26 -0700
Indulge your skin and pamper your senses each time you shower or bathe with Alpha Keri Moisture Rich Oil.

Click Here to Get this product

INDICATIONS:
Curel Anti Aging Lotion, Restore And Reviveis white,thick and has a strong flowery scent. Itcontains antioxidants as well as vitamins A, C & E, and it naturally exfoliates the skin. Lotion with pump has a wide top surface on it so that it is easy to press down on the pump to squeeze lotion into the hand. Some of the product claims are that the non-greasy lotion absorbs quickly and will not clog pores. This dermatologist tested lotion is designed as gentle enough to use on the face. INGREDIENTS: Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dicapryl Ether, Lactamide MEA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Gelatin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, PEG 150/Stearyl Alcohol/SMDI Copolymer . DIRECTIONS: Use daily as your body moisturizer. For best results, use immediately after shower or bath. For more intense treatment, reapply liberally to problem areas.

Alpha Keri Shower and Bath Moisture Rich Oil - 8 oz

rachel777 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:06:00 -0700
Indulge your skin and pamper your senses each time you shower or bathe with Alpha Keri Moisture Rich Oil. Click Here to Get this product INDICATIONS: Curel Anti Aging Lotion, Restore And Reviveis white,thick and has a strong flowery scent. Itcontains antioxidants as well as vitamins A, C & E, and it naturally exfoliates the skin. Lotion with pump has a wide top surface on it so that it is easy to press down on the pump to squeeze lotion into the hand. Some of the product claims are that the non-greasy lotion absorbs quickly and will not clog pores. This dermatologist tested lotion is designed as gentle enough to use on the face. INGREDIENTS: Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dicapryl Ether, Lactamide MEA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Gelatin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, PEG 150/Stearyl Alcohol/SMDI Copolymer . DIRECTIONS: Use daily as your body moisturizer. For best results, use immediately after shower or bath. For more intense treatment, reapply liberally to problem areas.

Oil Change instructions

ccpdm — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:03:41 -0800

For Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.

2) Drink a cup of coffee .

3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:

Oil Change: $20.00
Coffee: $1.00
Total: $21.00

For Men:

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.

2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, drive home.

3) Open a beer and drink it.

4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.

5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.

6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

7) Place drain pan under engine.

Look for 9/16 box end wrench.

9) Give up and use crescent wrench.

10) Unscrew drain plug.

11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.

12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.

13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.

14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.

15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.

16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly, hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.

17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.

18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.

19) Remember drain plug from step 11.

20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.

21) Drink beer.

22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.

23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.

24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.

25) Begin cussing fit.

26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.

27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.

28) Beer.

29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.

30) Beer.

31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.

32) Beer.

33) Lower car from jack stands.

34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.

35) Beer.

36) Test drive car.

37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.

38) Car is impounded.

39) Call loving wife, make bail.

40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $20.00
Total: $4,145.00

But you know the job was done right!

More on Oil in Iraq......

mymellowman — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:34:45 -0700

As many of you know, lately I have been discussing my beliefs on why I do not believe that Oil was/is our main motivation for Iraq.

A recent post on Citizen was used to try and show that the big oil Companies were winning large contracts and this was the reason for the war, but I argued that this was not showed.

This discussion was here:

http://www.citizensugar.com/1722395#comments

Anyhow, I have more information which I believe needs to be brought to light:

Article 1 (From the Independent in the UK):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/oil-giants-return-to...

This article raises some new details that The New York Times seemed not to go into:

a. These contracts were technical support agreements. These are contracts being awarded for repair and technical support on some of the larger fields as Inoc's (Iraq's Oil Company) "technical expertise has deteriorated sharply during the long years of sanctions."

So, these contracts are for repairs and technical expertise on fields that are already operating to try and boost the amount of oil they are able to pump. The Oil Companies (of which are not even all American Companies) are not acquiring any rights to any oil fields, but are being paid to help bring in new technology, repair the fields and boost output.

b. It seems Iraq is expected to be making about $70Billion Dollars this year from Oil. The previous discussion on Citizen was supposed to show me how the Oil Companies and the US will be taking all of Iraq's oil money and how this is why we went to war.

The article posted on Citizen did not give any financial numbers for the contracts. This article has.

For the 2-year, short-term, no-bid contracts, each of the oil companies will receive $500Million. This breaks down to $250Million per year.

I'm not saying that $250Million Dollars isn't a lot of money, but considering the cost of the war, the amount of money the oil companies have made in the past year and the amount the Iraqi government will make vs. these contracts, I have a hard time seeing how these minor contracts prove we went to war for mainly for the oil.

c. While noted in the original article, I do feel it is important to bring up again that these are 2-year, short-term, no-bid contracts that will be followed up by a regular bidded contract after the completion of the two years.

While the Oil Companies hope that this will lead them to long term contracts that will make them much money, it will still go through a bidding system which does not guarantee they will see these contracts.

Article 2 (from Breitbart):

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080622113024.5rfe5v9s&show_artic...

It seems that Iraq is awarding contracts to 41 Foreign Oil Firms to develop oil fields. 35 International Companies and 6 state owned companies from Algeria, Angola, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

So this article shows that not only American Companies have been brought into the oil game in Iraqi (Well, actually the New York Times article showed that as Shell, BP and Total are not American Companies, but who's counting?) but that we have companies from all over being brought into Iraq for Oil.

Does this mean that America went to war to secure oil rights and profits from the Iraq's for Algeria, Angola, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam also?