How to Make “Heavenly Scent” Holiday Pomanders

Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles
and all the years you have lived.”

~Helen Keller

A Holiday Decoration to Delight the Senses

The first pomanders (from the French pomme d’ambre, “apple of amber”) were balls made of perfumes and they were one of the earliest forms of aromatherapy. Modern day pomanders are often made during the holiday season by studding oranges or other citrus fruits with whole dried cloves and curing them in fragrant spices. They can be left out to scent and freshen the air, used as beautiful tabletop decorations or tree ornaments, or placed in drawers to keep linens and clothing fresh and pleasant-smelling.

A Simple, Powerful Breathing Technique: 4-7-8 Breathing

When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady.
But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still,
and the yogi achieves long life.
Therefore, one should learn to control the breath.

~ Svatmarama; The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Breath Work

I was totally smitten with yoga after taking my very first class many, many moons ago, and I’ve been a regular practitioner ever since. I loved it so much, I became a certified yoga teacher and taught for a few years. I haven’t taught for a long time now, but yoga will always be part of my daily life.

Most people think of yoga as simply stretching exercises, but the true practice of yoga is so much more than that. While the physical yoga postures make up what most people call yoga, pranayama, or breath work, is as important and as beneficial to any yoga practice as the yoga poses.

While breath work is a big part of yoga, it is not unique to yoga practice. Historically, many cultures and disciplines have recognized the value of the breath as the interface between the body and the spirit and many have integrated the concept into the language and fabric of their cultures.

Ode to Asparagus

Succulent Green Spears

I love this time of year, when the earliest of our locally grown produce becomes available at our farmers markets. If you aren’t lucky enough (like some people I know) to grow your own asparagus or to have access to them in your mother’s garden, the next best thing is to find some fresh locally grown asparagus at the farmers market.

The arrival of the asparagus contains the promise of summer and heralds the beginning of the outrageous bounty that will soon follow. These beautiful succulent green shoots turn up in the markets in mid-May, just as the last of the previous season’s local root vegetables disappear from the stands. Happily, for the next six weeks or so, the markets are chock-full of gorgeous, incredibly fresh (picked the night before), locally grown asparagus. There is always an air of excitement when we spot the first ones.

Meditation on a Clear Mountain Pond

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”

~ Jean Shinoda Bolen

Envision Something Beautiful

Few things ground us more, or help us to get back in touch with who we really are, than being outside in nature. Interestingly, our brains don’t distinguish between actually being somewhere, watching a peaceful scene, or just imagining it with our mind’s eye. Whether you are actually there seeing a beautiful scene or whether you are envisioning it, your brain responds in the same way. Whenever you elicit a feeling of peace within you, beneficial neurochemicals flood your whole body, helping you to feel more relaxed, calm and peaceful. And the more relaxed and at ease we feel, the more our bodies, minds and spirit benefit.