Welcome to our December Blog to help you Press Pause
Lots of love, Maggie & Jennifer
Lots of love, Maggie & Jennifer
Let us help you navigate this month to create moments of memorable calm in the chaos of traditions and gathering
Here’s a customised list to help you press pause during the busyness of this month
- Turn Your Shower Into a Spa
- Feng Shui Tips for December
- Choose Your Superpowers to Enjoy the Holiday Season
- What the Winter Solstice Means for You
- Recipe of the Month - Festive Spray
- A Massive Thank You
Turn your Shower Into A Spa
In the middle of the busyness of December, we bring you one of the best simple oiling tips! If you feel like us, we’d love a reset but don’t have the time or mindset for full self-care.
We want to share with you a gorgeous simple tip to benefit from your oils by attaching them to another daily habit – your shower.
Add a few drops of essential oils directly on the shower floor just before you get in – it’s a game changer.
Let the steam of your shower do all the work – turning your bathroom into a luxurious aromatherapy spa!
There is no wrong oil to choose so grab one and drop away.
Here are some of our favourites we reach for again and again.
Peppermint — This may not seem an obvious choice for a shower, but it’s surprising how pleasant it makes the experience. It boosts your energy and clears your head. I thought it would feel cool, but it doesn’t at all – it’s perfect for those early mornings when coffee hasn’t quite kicked in yet.
Stressaway – Such a beautiful aroma that temporarily transports you to a tropical island. It’s calming and uplifting and melts all stress and tension. This makes your shower an incredibly happy experience!
R.C. — Respiratory Care is a blend of three kinds of Eucalyptusm Myrtle, Pine, Peppermint and more. It's helpful if you’re stuffy. It targets upper respiratory so it’s perfect for deep breathing in the shower. We use this one lots in the fall and winter.
Eucalyptus Radiata — Instantly turns your shower into a mini spa session! It’s refreshing, cleansing and stimulating. This encourages taking deep, clear breaths.
Lavender — a perfect oil to choose if you’re in need of calming. This one is our favourite if you’re particularly stressed or shower in the evening. It offers a real sense of calm. Flowers like lavender are skin-loving and pampering all over.
How to do it:
Add 2-4 drops on the shower floor before you turn the water on. Try to aim for the corners so the scent lasts longer as the steam builds.
Add 2-4 drops on the shower floor before you turn the water on. Try to aim for the corners so the scent lasts longer as the steam builds.
It’s one of those small, effortless things that can completely shift your mood, and make your everyday routine feel a little more special. We’d love to know if you try it!
Where Attention Goes, Energy Flows
Our goal is to encourage positive energy from the outside into and around your home.
The approach to our homes, important at any time of year, become particularly important in December as we welcome the Winter Solstice - the gateway between the past year and the present year. We want to leave the path for positive Qi clear.
In Feng Shui, the front door is called the mouth of the home. It is where vital energy enters. Make your main door as generous as possible, always clean and well maintained.
If you add a Wreath or Christmas door decoration, add the colour red, which represents the fire element. It will bring warmth and balance the water element of Winter.
If you have a Christmas tree, bring intention when decorating the tree. Use decorations that truly bring joy and avoid any that are attached to negative feelings or energies.
On the night of the Winter Solstice (21st December), open your curtains when you sleep and meditate on all you wish for, for the coming year.
As this is the darkest time of year, make sure you encourage maximum light into your home. Keep windows clean and throw open the windows when you can to refresh any stagnant energy.
Use scent intentionally!
In Feng Shui, essential oils can be a powerful way to enhance the energetic atmosphere through scent and frequency. They have a powerful effect on mood and can move stagnant energy, elevate the vibrational atmosphere, balance the five elements, purify the space and amplify intention.
We’ll be reaching for Grapefruit, Orange and Lemon to cleanse and lift Qi. For serenity, we recommend Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata and Sandalwood.
Choose your Superpowers to Enjoy the Holiday Season
Behind every memorable holiday are private (or sometimes not so private) challenges. What challenges you most?
For some, it can be boundaries, sleep, digestion, feeling the absence of loved ones, expectations, depletion of energy, guilt, stress…to name a few.
It’s easy to focus on making sure everyone else is having a great holiday – and let your own needs take a back seat. People say they want the ‘magic’ of the holiday season, but what does that mean for you?
We have a suggestion to help bridge the dream of the holidays with the reality. Give yourself some superpowers to prioritise YOU – even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Using essential oils in our simple daily self-care rituals can create moments of calm amid the chaos. When you’re starting to feel exhausted or overwhelmed by the relentless ‘to-do’ list, this is how to press pause.
Our December Toolkit:
- Sacred Frankincense to protect our own energy so we don’t get depleted by giving away too much. Dab it on to wrists as a perfume
- White Angelica – made with oils used during ancient times to enhance the body’s aura which brings about a sense of strength and endurance. Many use this as protection against negative energy. Diffuse or wear as a perfume.
- Peppermint brings immediate relief from digestive discomfort, combats fatigue, soothes areas of tension and boosts focus. Apply topically over areas that need relief. For digestion, rub directly on the abdomen or drop into your tummy button. It’s a strong oil so dilute with a carrier oil if you are sensitive and keep away from eyes.
- Lemon is your best friend for detoxing and cleansing the body. It’s a happy, uplifting oil and profound on the body. Add 2 drops to your water and drink to cleanse your digestive track. Or add directly over the liver before morning and night to counteract the excesses of festive parties.
- Gathering to be truly present with the people around you and feel all wrapped in a cashmere blanket. Diffuse and wear as a perfume.
- Thieves (always) to boost your immunity and stay above the wellness line whether hosting at home or travelling. Lots of hugs and kisses can lead to unwanted germs. Diffuse and apply liberally to feet, spine and glands. Add a drop to your tea to feel warm and soothed.
The best thing…it only takes a few moments to take care of yourself. Grab your oils in your toolkit and take some deep breaths. You only need to sniff the bottle to change your frequency.
What The Winter Solstice Means for You
The word “yule” comes from the Norse Celebration known as “Jól” or “Jul” (pronounced “yoh-l” or “yule”), meaning “wheel.” It is thought to refer to either the “wheel” of the sun or the “wheel” of the calendar year. The holiday itself is a celebration of the winter solstice.
This year, we welcome the Winter Solstice on Sunday 21 December, at 3:03pm in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time, the Northern hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun (as the Earth leans at an angle of 23.5 degrees, we are sometimes tilted towards and sometimes away from the sun).
I love the poetic word Solstice, from the Latin Sol (sun) Sistere (to stand still). The sun stands still and in addition, the sun’s path across the sky appears to freeze for a few days before and after the Solstice.
The actual Solstice lasts only a moment, so, if you can, be somewhere you can reflect on this magical time. Pause…appreciate the beauty of this season of introspection, the maximum Yin within Yin.
Depending on your mood, our oils of choice for you would be:
Cinnamon, clove and spices to add warmth.
Evergreens to represent enduring life.
Citrus oils for hope and light.
and, for grounding...Frankincense and Sandalwood
Add the oils to your diffuser and sit with it, in quiet space and give gratitude for the year gone by. Focus on your plans for the year to come.
We are meeting to discuss the Winter Solstice and celebrate with our Moon Group on Thursday 11 December.
Recipe of the Month: Festive Spray
As the holiday swoops into full flight, there's nothing quite like filling your rooms with the fresh, earthy aroma of a real Christmas tree. Think of it as a shortcut to Forest Bathing.
Whether you’re at home or a hotel, we recommend you use the power of scent to elevate your mood and intentionally enhance your space with a simple DIY room spray. It's perfect for immediate magic and uplifting spirit.
This is a quick and easy recipe that only takes a few minutes to make but has a lasting effect. The pace of this month can be relentless, but this DIY not only freshens the air, but it promotes a sense of calm and grounding.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup witch hazel (for better oil dispersion and a clean base)
- 10-15 drops Young Living Idaho Grand Fir essential oil (for that authentic, prized Christmas tree scent to transport you to a calming evergreen forest.)
- 5-10 drops Young Living Pine essential oil (forest-fresh crispness)
- Optional: 5 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil (for an invigorating woodsy boost).
How to make and use:
In a clean 8-oz (240ml) spray bottle, add the essential oils: Start with the Idaho Grand Fir, followed by the Pine, and the Northern Lights Black Spruce if you're using it. Gently roll/twirl the bottle to blend the oils
Next add the witch hazel and gently mix with the oils.
Finally add the water and mix with the oils and witch hazel.
Give it a test spritz in the air—adjust the drops if you want a stronger scent.
Before family and friends arrive, spray a few pumps around your entryway, living room, or kitchen for an inviting, holiday-ready home.
This spray isn't just about the scent—it's about creating memorable moments with the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Trees oil can be extremely grounding and calming.
A Massive Thank You
Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Growth and Connection
As we close the final chapter of 2025, we wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude for being part of a year filled with learning, connection, and new friendships. Your presence has made it truly meaningful.
This year, we've delighted in guiding you towards incorporating simple, joyful rituals and gentle practices into your daily routine.
Our mission has always been to encourage a plant-first approach, helping you use your oils and feel increasingly better every day.
This year, we’ve heard rewarding testimonials from you about....
- easing big emotions
- supporting hormone balance
- boosting post-op recovery
- finding calm during exams
- blending beautiful natural perfumes
- navigating summer insects and sun protection
- transforming homes into intentional sanctuaries where you can truly thrive
- easing big emotions
- supporting hormone balance
- boosting post-op recovery
- finding calm during exams
- blending beautiful natural perfumes
- navigating summer insects and sun protection
- transforming homes into intentional sanctuaries where you can truly thrive
We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who joined our gatherings — we love hosting you. Some of our favourite moments from the year included: Spring Equinox Oil Club, Spring Cleaning: A Natural Home Workshop, Summer Prep Oily Coffee Morning, Summer Solstice Oil Club, Summer Simplified, The Autumn Sanctuary Workshop, Autumn Equinox Oil Club, Balancing Chakras Workshop, our Oils & More Holiday Coffee Morning, our Full Moon gatherings, and our session on Lymphatic and Liver Health.
Looking ahead to 2026, we can't wait to host you again, usually with two events each month. These gatherings are designed to demystify plant-based changes in personal habits and home care, aligning with the natural rhythms of the seasons and lunar energy. Keep an eye out for new dates!
Our Wish for 2026 is that you Continue Taking Simple, Nourishing Steps to Support Yourself and your Health
Return to the plants. Trust their pure oils. Let’s do this together.
Return to the plants. Trust their pure oils. Let’s do this together.
Wishing you a joyful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year
Essential Oils - Simplified. We don't just teach oils, we teach you how to use them
We love hosting and our guests request their favourites every year. These three recipes get thumbs up by everyone who tastes them. They all use Young Living Essential Oils (if you want to use essential oils to turn up the flavours).
Only choose Young Living Vitality (Plus) Oils in these recipes IF you're going to use essential oils in your recipe. They are the only essential oils approved by the FDA as safe for consumption. It's such an authentic flavour burst - worth trying!
Orange Chocolate Pots
I was never a big fan of orange and chocolate together.....until this recipe! It's velvety smooth, dairy free, easy to make and loved by all who taste it.
It's rich so you only need small teacups or ramekins to serve it.
You'll need Orange Essential Oil for this one. You'll want this oil over the holidays to diffuse and bring on the happy moods.
We've been talking with you about replacing the Orange for Peppermint and am certain this would make a fantastic recipe if you wanted to swap the two oils.
Pumpkin BreadI know many of you think pumpkin season ends with Halloween, but being American, I love using pumpkin in my savoury and sweet dishes throughout the year.
Tinned pumpkin is an unsung hero!
This is the best recipe – I know because I’ve been told by friends and family. Don’t bother to Google it, trust me it’s a winner.
It can be made in advance and freezes beautifully.
Uncooked Cranberry Orange RelishWe are fond of traditional cranberry sauce, but this lighter and brighter recipe has become a family favourite.
It's an easy, old-fashioned recipe made with a few simple ingredients and comes together in seconds in your food processor.
With just the right sweet/tart combination, it compliments everything on your plate.
It needs to be made in advance for the flavours to develop – trust me, it changes overnight!
We make extra so we have leftovers (bonus!). Let us know what you do with yours!
Essential oils can be life-changing when you know how to use them
