Aromatherapy Mysteries Unraveled

July 9, 2009 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 

Aromatherapy is one of the world’s most ancient healing arts.  The ancient Egyptians used the essential oils from plant materials in their offerings to their gods and in their embalming process.  There is evidence of aromatherapy in Chinese medicine manuscripts and there are numerous accounts of aromatherapy in the Bible.

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using pure essential oils to calm, balance and rejuvenate the skin, mind, body and spirit.  Essential oils are extracted from natural botanical materials.  The most common extraction method is steam distillation.  The chemical properties of the essential oils have the power to relax the nervous system, stimulate circulation, lift depression, reduce inflammation and ease aches and pains.  The essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and are analgesic.   Essential oils are highly concentrated.  They can not be applied directly on the skin.  They must be diluted with a carrier oil – an unscented massage oil, or a vegetable oil.  Not all oils are safe for all people.  Anyone pregnant needs to be especially careful about the essential oils she is using.  There are a number of oils that are not safe for young children and frail older adults.  People with certain medical conditions should consult an aromatherapist before using certain essential oils.

There are four pathways of aromatherapy that can be used in order to gain the most benefit from the essential oils.

  • Aesthetic: Essential oils can revitalize and rejuvenate skin of all ages.  This is also the pathway for burns and skin disorders.
  • Olfactory/psychological: Essential oils can enhance emotional well-being.
  • Massage: Essential oils, combined with touch, have considerable benefits for the mind and body.
  • Therapeutic: The antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oils encourage natural healing from within.

Aromatherapy is a powerful healing modality.  Consulting an aromatherapist is the best way to start on this aromatic journey. For more information about Aromatherapy, contact Patricia Faust of be! innovative wellness solutions, http://www.besimplybe.com.

If you are interested in learning more about Aromatherapy, please join us in West Chester on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 PM for an Aromatherapy experience.  The cost is $5.00 per person, and reservations are required by calling Julie at 779.7360.

Intuition Development Series

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under Events, Feature · Comment 

Have you ever thought of someone and out of the blue they contact you? Maybe you just want to learn how to be tuned into yourself and others. Intuitive Deborah Herron will lead you on a journey filled with personal growth and development.  Deborah will teach the group how to be more in touch with one’s self through a series of intuitive exercises. Classes are Thursdays in July, beginning July 9, at 7:00 PM at the West Chester Prime Club, 9090 Cox Road. Cost is $15/class. To register contact Julie McCarthy at 779-7360.

5K Run/Walk in West Chester

June 17, 2009 · Filed Under Events, Feature · Comment 

Ready for a fun time this fall when the leaves are turning and the temperature is perfect? Want to try out those new walking shoes? Join us for the 3rd annual Oh My Achin’ Arches 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at Voice of America Park. Registration will begin at 7:30 AM, with a 9:00 AM start time. This year’s race is presented by the Barrington and Heritagespring at West Chester, with all proceeds benefiting Partners in Prime. The $20 entrance fee covers both the race and breakfast. For more information, call 867-1998.

Elderly Transportation Needing Support

December 5, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · 1 Comment 


Transportation service provides rides to seniors 65 and older, and for many people, these rides determine the difference between dependence and independence.

Seniors who remain at home but no longer drive, depend on transportation for doctor visits, pharmacy stops, dialysis appointments, grocery trips and visits to the post office. Read more

Behind the Chair

November 13, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 

I have been in the beauty industry since 1980 and have been a practicing hair stylist for 27 years. I love my job, but the best part is when I can totally change someone’s hair style and color taking years off their appearance. There is nothing more exhilarating for me as a designer than to send someone on their way that feels totally confident and fabulous..

I have seen many changes over the last 27 years. Classic styles, fad styles. Perm, straight, big curls, tight curls, reds, blondes, brunettes, pinks and purple. With that said the one thing in the beauty Iindustry that remains the same throughout time is “woman, as they age, want to remain attractive”..

As we age our skin, hair and nails change. It seems we loose the shine and the thickness to our hair and skin and it gives us a aged dullness. Although we cannot change everything back to the way it once was, we can obtain a youthful appearance as we age. My hopes in future blogs are that I can address issues that trouble us as we move through our lives. I hope to give you information about How to obtain shine, why we loose hair density, Hair colors that flatter our skin and much more. Please feel free to ask questions and I will do my best to answer them for you.

My tip for today:

When spraying hairspray on your hair try to keep a distance of 12″ from your head.

This allows the spray to fall gently on the hair. Spraying the hair too close or overlapping to many layers of spray causes the hair to look and feel dull and causes hairspray buildup.

Until next time, you will find me Behind the Chair.

Elaine Osborne

Beaux Monde Salon

7132 Cincinnati-Dayton RoadSuite 500

West Chester, Ohio 45069

513-755-2555

“It’s beginning to smell a lot like Autumn…….Every where we go……”

October 15, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 


I know, I know, that’s supposed to be a Christmas song, but I LOVE Fall!!! The smell of pumpkin spice, the kids in their Ghosty costumes, the colors all around, the cool, crisp air…well, three out of four ain’t bad. Although I hear it’s going to cool off soon. Jack-o-lanterns, Corn mazes, Apple picking….Of course, you have to go to Graeters for pumpkin pie ice cream. And, of course, that big yellow bus, hauling off all the neighborhood kids. No, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

I’ve been working on recipes for harvest time. Of course there are a plethora of apple and pumpkin recipes. I wanted something different, though, so I had to create my own. One of the best ones I’ve made so far has been Roasted Root Veggies with a Pumpkin Vinaigrette. I couldn’t stop eating it. In fact, I’m not sure my husband ever got to try it, even though I made it twice! He just hates it when it’s recipe testing time in our house.

There are so many good root veggies right now. And you can use any of them for this dish. I cut up carrots, turnips, parsnips, sweet potatoes, onions and squash. Parsnips are a little tricky, you have to cut out the woody stem in the middle. They are worth it, though. I cut all the veggies fairly small, maybe ½ inch to ¾ inch. I just tumble them in a plastic bag to coat well with olive oil, salt and a little brown sugar and then pour onto a foil lined cookie sheet. All of these veggies caramelize nicely at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Be sure to watch them closely and stir at about 15 minutes into cooking.

The vinaigrette is quite simple. Just save about 4 tablespoons of your canned pumpkin and add to 4 oz. olive oil, 2 oz. balsamic vinegar, one clove minced garlic, a dash of sugar, salt and pepper. It’s fantastic. Just drizzle over hot or cold veggies, and enjoy! [Editor's note: if you are looking for local vegetables, check out the events listed in this article.]

If this sounds too complicated, I can make this dish for you. I just happen to be teaching a class on harvest cooking at The Barrington of West Chester on October 21st. There will be cocktails from 6-7 p.m. and then a one hour class/demonstration and tasting immediately following. Just call Bonnie at 777-4457 to RSVP. I would love to hear from you, if you make this dish or not. Send me some of your favorite fall recipes, or better yet, bring them to the Barrington event!

Lori Cole

lori@savorymelodies.com
Personal Chef Service

513-227-2099

Savory Melodies

Fall Events in Southwest Ohio

October 14, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 

There are a couple of Fall Events I thought I’d share with you.

Niederman Farm

Niederman Farm is a working farm that hosts a variety of family activities throughout the year including the Harvest Moon Corn Maze and a Christmas light display. The Farm also features antique farm equipment, paint ball fields, and farm animals. The event and parking are free.

Hours
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

5110 Lesourdsville-West Chester Rd.
Liberty Township, OH 45011

(513) 779-6184

Windmill Farm Market

Pick your own pumpkin hayride! Spooktacular is offered every weekend in October.

Beautiful fall colors and decorations, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, corn stalks, and straw bales are plentiful!

The Haunted House, face painting, and outdoor grill are available on weekends throughout the fall festival!

Hayride? Windmill Farm Market has given the word new meaning. They offer the most incredible, jaw-dropping fall hayride that you can hope for!

Thousands of children, teenagers parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents return each year for the festival. We encourage you to join them. We can guarantee visiting Windmill Farm Market is a worthwhile experience.

1454 E State Route 73
Springboro, OH 45066
(937) 885-3965

www.windmillfarmmarket.com

http://www.windmillfarmmarket.com/Fall.html

[Editor's note: Please comment on other fall events you have enjoyed in the area.]

Celebrate 15 years of Community Service

October 6, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 


Fall Festival in Liberty Township this weekend

October 3, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 



Date
10/4/2008


Location: Liberty Park
6757 Yankee Road
Liberty Township, OH 45044
Phone: 513-759-7500
Website: www.liberty-township.com
Admission: Free

Celebrate autumn with the Fall Festival in Liberty Township. This family event features carnival games and prizes, SuperGames activities such as 3-in-1 castle and a blow-up slide, vendors, and food. Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center is the event’s gold sponsor, with Duke Energy sponsoring the main stage. The festival will also include a free, kids activity zone where kids can paint pumpkins and enjoy other crafts!

Food Snob of West Chester

September 16, 2008 · Filed Under Feature · Comment 


Food snob of West Chester here; I try to deny it, but for the past decade or so, my family hasn’t spent much time in restaurants because my food is, of course, way better than anything I’ve found out and about. In fact, when I was asked to review a restaurant once a month I dragged my feet, thinking it would be painful.
But, armed with my great taste, my husband, a few friends, and a babysitter to watch the kids, we ventured out to try something new. Now I wish I would have done it sooner because, it turns out, there are spots in Butler County worth your while. The lesson for the day is when craving Italian, go Greek! There is a little Italian restaurant named Antonio’s located on Cincinnati-Dayton, near Highway 129 that is owned by a Greek family. I was impressed as soon as I got to the door and sniffed.
The smell was amazing, as was the atmosphere. The cooking area was open and the people were warm and inviting. Nick, the bar-tender, seated us and recommended fabulous cosmopolitans for the pre-dinner cocktail. We were then introduced to our hosts, the Marco family, by our waiter Scott. He had many fine things to say about them, as well as some excellent menu recommendations. The chef was the owner’s son and turned out to be gracious as well as talented. We helped ourselves to the house Red and ordered.
My hubby had the evening special, Chicken and Shrimp Tuscany and we have never had more tender, tasty chicken. The Veal Marsala was the true hit of the night. The veal was moist and tender and the flavors were to die for. Even our guests, who consider themselves connoisseurs, said it was the best they’ve ever had. Right on. The desserts were imported from the West Side, Gary’s Cheesecakes. Let me just say, Gary knows his desserts.
I just can’t think of one negative thing to say about Antonio’s except that there was no doggie bag…..For my dog, of course.

Lori Cole
lori@savorymelodies.com
Personal Chef Service

513-227-2099

Savory Melodies

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