Aromatic Delights, Blossoming in New Directions, Neal's Yard Remedies and Special Announcements!

Everybody needs beauty .......places to play in and pray in, 

where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. 

John Muir (Naturalist,Author and Preservationist 1838-1914)

Hello my blossoming beauty! I have some exciting news!


 I have decided to return to my first love of Aromatherapy and reintroduce it back into my practice. I have also become a consultant for Neal's Yard Organic Range. This combination has provided me with a wonderful new direction for my therapy practice, will work beautifully with the concept behind 'Blossoming' and will also have some fabulous benefits and offers for you too, which I will be sharing with you very shortly.....hurrah!


Firstly, if you can bear with me, I just wanted to tell you a little about my personal journey into the world of  Holistic Aromatherapy , the reason for my love of and connection to Neal's Yard Remedies and also what this will all mean for 'Blossoming' , my therapy practice and you, my late blooming beauty! 


The aromatic world of essential oils was something I was drawn to and intrigued in from fairly early on.Whilst pursuing an acting career and travelling, I continued feeling a strong instinctive pull towards working in the field of complimentary healing. I began with studying Reiki level 1 and 2 and working with energy healing, which I found to be astonishingly powerful. However it was Aromatherapy and the sensory pleasure of working with these beautiful but potent oils which continued to appeal.Opening each little bottle, inhaling their aromatic aroma's, creating heady blends that not only delighted the senses but which worked gently but powerfully together to heal the body by utilising the healing power of nature. 

NB I now work with both these healing energies together.

"..the art and science, of using essential oils in treatments. Aromatherapy is truly a holistic therapy, taking into account the mind, body and spirit of the person seeking help..." Patricia Davis

Sandalwood

Whilst appealing to my more esoteric, spiritual, sensual, right brained side I am also by nature quite a grounded person (despite a few friend's view to the contrary!) and Aromatherapy has its roots deep within the science of chemistry. The volatile oils are carefully extracted from the flowers, leaves, nut kernels, seeds, peel, roots, bark and wood of plants, trees and fruits. The chemistry of each oil means that it can have a multitude of different actions within the body including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, cytophalatic, decongestant....etc The list of the positive actions the oils have is endless and it is the art of the Aromatherapist ,with their understanding of essential oils science and chemistry, to carefully blend oils together to have the most synergistic healing effect on the body. 


However Aromatherapy is so much more than that.The effect that just inhaling these oils can have can be quite profound too.Their scents have the power to evoke deep emotional response within people by working directly through the olfactory system straight to the limbic system. They have also been used throughout their rich history in spiritual and religious practise throughout the world to connect to the spirit world and transport us to heavenly realms. 


An Aromatherapy treatment can be one of these most blissful, sensual, delicious and delightful experiences you can have!

Neals Yard London

Anyway one day nearly twelve years ago, I happened to walk into a Neal's Yard shop, picked up a leaflet about a new Diploma they were offering in 'Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Science.' and everything fell into place.There was no doubt in my mind and in my heart that this was exactly what I was meant to do.It was the first year they had run their 'Diploma in Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Science' and I look back at that year of intense study with huge fondness. Not only were we blessed with fantastic teachers and lecturers but we got to study right in the heart of Neal's Yard in Covent Garden and at Chelsea Physic Garden.


 My happiest memory was our week long study trip to a herb farm located in the fragrant and picturesque foot hills of the Pyrenees near the old fortressed town of Carcassonne in southern France. There we received advanced level training in the French tradition of aromatic medicine from French Doctors/ Naturopaths on how to use the oils internally (orally and anally!) to treat illness. In the UK our practice is restricted to the use of massage, poultices and inhalation as our means of allowing these potent, volatile oils to enter the body. The french have a much more advanced system.

Lavender Fields of Provence

 We spent the week living together and studying in a wonderful old french farmhouse, surrounded by fields of wild lavender .Time off from study saw us relaxing over long lunches and leisurely evening meals made from fresh ingredients sourced locally, lovingly prepared by the staff and washed down with local red wine and fresh mint tea. After lessons  we enjoyed walks and early evening ambles through vibrant purple lavender fields and clambered up hill sides breathing in the warm scent of wild rosemary, thyme, mint and basil deep into our nostrils. Absolute heaven and the highlight of my wonderful course.


 Having qualified as a Holistic Aromatherapist and having gained my membership of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (MIFPA) I left the UK to set up an Aromatherapy Practice and help run a Health Club in Southern Spain.

Aromatherapy Practice, Elviria, Spain
(Notice the beautiful Neal's Yard blue bottles in the background!)

After returning to the UK I left my Aromatherapy practice for a while. I decided to re qualify in Rejuvanessence (www.in-essence.co.uk) which has became the main focus for my therapy practice for the last two years.  However the universe has continued gently nudging me to return to my first love again and  recent events have served to reawaken this desire in me again. I will be starting to offer relaxing aromatherapy massage and clinical Aromatherapy in my practice very shortly. However this time I would like to particularly focus on oils for skincare particularly for skin rejuvenation and for the beautiful healthy glowing skin so desired and treasured by us 'Blossoming' late bloomers!


Becoming a consultant for Neal's Yard beautiful range of products works perfectly with this too.


I will go into depth about this over the next few days, weeks and months but briefly I will now be offering the following.

• Neal's Yard Organic Parties with wonderful free gifts and benefits for the hostess and as an extra special gift of a free Aromatherapy massage to win from me for one lucky lady! 
• Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage at Knowle Grange from April and Clinical Aromatherapy too by special arrangement
• Special articles about which oils I believe are most beneficial for beauty to all us blossoming beauties and suggested Neal's Yard products that contain these oils.
• Offering special personalised Aromatherapy Facial Blends for clients to use at home
• Neal's Yard/ Aromatherapy Facials in the future.

For further details on  hosting parties, the Neal's Yard Organic range or even opportunities to become a consultant yourself please visit my NYR website.

https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/SamanthaComfort

Speak soon!


Love Sam xxx

Nine simple secrets for a long, happy and healthy life from the 'Village of Eternal Youth'

Simple Pleasures

' I came to Camodimele hoping 

I might learn how to live longer, 

but discovered something much 

more important- how to live well'

We all want to live long and healthy lives but, if you are like me, the wealth of information out there as to what actually constitutes a healthy optimum diet can feel overwhelming! In the last few years,whilst pursuing a diet to optimise fertility, I discovered that interest in a raw food way of eating had blossomed and was becoming an increasingly more popular choice amongst nutritionist and optimum health and longevity seekers.  

The arguments as to why this is the optimum diet are absolutely sound. In simple terms unlike all others animals, apart from domesticated pets, we eat our food cooked. It makes no sense on many levels to cook food as we destroy many of the enzymes, vitamins, minerals and macro and micro nutrients available to us. A live food bursting with nutritional goodness is transformed into a dead depleted version of its true self .The raw food diet/living food is about eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wild edible greens, sprouts, superfoods (which includes raw chocolate!) and herbs and oils in their raw unprocessed form. Raw food cuisine has burst onto the health scene all over the world with a wealth of information, delicious recipes, restaurants (check out London and Brighton!) and even raw food coaches are available to help you transition to a high raw way of eating.  I am completely sold that for optimum health, healing, glowing skin and eyes, vitality and boundless energy this diet is the ultimate. 

I would thoroughly recommend (if this subject interests you) that you begin with Karen Knowler on her website www.therawfoodcoach.com

HOWEVER !! 


Whilst agreeing that including lots of raw/ living foods into our diet is the best way forward, I also became aware that all of the long living cultures in the world do include cooked food in their diet as well. I want to eat healthily and well but I do want some flexibility to include and enjoy cooked foods and various cuisines. I don't want it to be about strict denial nor becoming obsessive.


 So what are the simple rules about diet which experts agree on and which all longer living communities throughout the world (who often eat different foods because of whats available in their particular environment) share in common.Let me introduce you to our very own long living cousins living on a hyper Mediterranean diet in a village in the mountains of Italy!

'La Montagna ti da tutto'  The mountain gives you everything

I am enchanted by Italy. It is a place that warms my heart and makes all my senses come alive. Its not just about the beauty of its landscapes, its extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, its architecture, its stunning works of art but its about the people and lifestyle. A zest and passion for life, a love of family, a value in friendship , a joy in simple pleasures and a cuisine for which they are famed.

  So with my love of good food, my interest in healthy living combined with my love of  Italy I was delighted to discover the book ' A Year in the Village of Eternity' by Tracy Lawson. Campodimele is  a village perched high in the Italian Mountains. Made famous in Europe for the long and vital life of its inhabitants the people remain extraordinarily active into their eighties and beyond with the average live expectancy being 95. Tracy lived amongst the villagers for a few years and was welcomed into the hearts and homes. She shared their lives, was taught their recipes (nutritious, simple and tasty, perfect!) and how they prepared and preserved their food. She learnt about their deep connection to the land, respect of the seasons ' Ogni cosa ha il suo momento' (everything has its time) and their approach to life. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8627933/The-secrets-to-a-long-life.html

Aaaah to sample the local olive oil that 'tastes like the scent of the mountains on a warm summer days - fruity, grassy, perhaps a hint of herbs, strong and distinctive' 

So what can we learn from the villagers about the 'Cibo Genuino' genuine food that they prize so highly and their tips for longevity and abundant health and happiness.

• Eat locally grown produce that is organic and in season. The people of Campodimele grow much of their own produce on land that is free from chemicals, harvested at the peak of perfection and eaten in season. They do use preserving techniques to store their produce but living by their rules of Cibo Genuino  means that is preserved using natural techniques without chemicals, such as freezing or in olive oil, natural salt etc. They eat their fruits and vegetables raw and cooked but they eat lots of them. So to follow their example eat an abundance of colourful fruits and vegetables. Make these the heart of your diet. Learn to make smoothies and explore the world of juicing. Really enjoy natures abundance but always choose, local organic and in season when you can  and if not frozen berries out of season are great for smoothies! Better still learn to grow your own or source a good supplier locally.  

• Eat Wild Edibles. The people of Campodimele have a philosophy that the mountain will provide and harvest fresh green edibles all year round. They also include a simple green salad in their diet everyday. Green and most particularly wild greens pack a power punch of nutrition and they are the best secret to great health. Again an easy way to get more of those into your diet is through green smoothies and juices. A wonderful start would be to access the work of Victoria Boutenco and her green smoothie revolution (!) and her son Sergei who is an expert on picking and living on wild green edibles.www.rawfamily.com

• Drink clean mountain water . Difficult to access I know! So when possible choose spring water as much as you can, preferably from organic land in glass bottles unless you can find a local supplier!! I know its expensive but good clean water is absolutely vital to our health.

• Breathe clean air, free of air pollution.Try to get out into nature, into the woods, by the beach, climb some hills and breathe deeply as much as you can right from your belly!

• Eat meat, eggs and dairy that is free range and from lean, healthy animals. The people of Campodimele eat chicken, wild boar and hare that live wild in the mountains and free range oily fish from coastal area nearby. Meat is also limited and lots of legumes are eaten by the locals which are high in protein and low in saturated fat. If you choose to eat meat or fish always choose free range/wild and organic and limit your consumption 

• Simplify your life and reduce your stress. Really prioritise whats truly important

.....and relax

• Take lots of physical activity. Walk, cycle, run, swim, skip, dance, play sport, do yoga, just do lots of it particularly outside and enjoy moving your body.

• Find a sense of belonging and community. Cultivate friendships. Build family bonds. Live with passion and purpose. Become part of the community, local and global through others with shared interests.

• Find a sense of spiritual connection. Cultivate inner peace and connectedness in whatever way sings to your soul.

• Recognise your connection to nature Cutivate a respect for the earth, for animals, the seasons and living in harmony with natures rythmes.

There is no place for processed acidic chemical and additive laden foods and drinks. The food is produced in soil free from pesticides and nourished with clean pure water. They eat the food within hours of it being harvested or use natural methods to preserve their food. They prepare food that is a delight to the senses, is simple and highly nutritious.They do drink coffee, they do enjoy wine but not too much. They live low stress lives, connected to the land, the seasons, their family, community and their God. 


That is the simple secret to a  healthy happy and active life until very old age Campodimele style. 

I raise a glass to that :)