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Just say yes to Peppermint Essential oil!
My goal as I get older is to find more natural remedies to common problems.  There have been many medical links to artificial products and cancers.  I try to do whatever I can to help myself naturally.  Before you go to the store and buy products full of chemicals to help with summer bugs, sunburn, allergy relief and even energy, read these great tips. I recommend that everyone have some Peppermint oil in their medicine cabinet. Did you know that peppermint oil is one of the most versatile essential oils?   It can be used aromatically, topically and even taken internally to help with a number of environmental and health concerns.  Dating back to Japanese and Chinese folk medicine it is also mentioned in Greek mythology documented back to 1,000 B.C found on Egyptian pyramids. The nymph Mentha was transformed into a sweet-smelling herb by Pluto who had fallen in love with her and wanted people to appreciate her for years to come.

Inhaling diffused peppermint oil can help to unclog your sinuses and offer relief from a scratchy throat.  It acts like an expectorant by opening your airways.  It helps clear out the muck and pollen in your airways.  It is one of the best essential oils because of its anti-inflammatory and invigorating properties.  You could also apply a few drops to your temples, chest and back of neck.  A lab study in the European Journal of medicine found that a combination of peppermint, eucalyptus oils can help with allergic rhinitis, colitis and bronchial asthma.

Sunburn protection and relief from sunburn pain is another benefit of Peppermint oil.  It has a hydrating effect on the skin as well as some SPF value.  To help heal your skin after sun exposure and to help protect your skin from sunburn mix 8-10 drops of peppermint oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.  Apply this directly to your skin.  It will not only relieve pain, it helps with healthy skin renewal!

Another great benefit of this oil is to help with itchiness.  To relieve itchiness just mix with a carrier oil such as coconut or grapeseed oil.  A few drops of lavender will make it even more effective.  This can be used for bug bites, heat rashes and is especially good for pregnant women that often suffer from pruritis.

Peppermint oil is great for repelling bugs including ants, spiders, cockroaches, mosquitos, mice and even lice.  Just add a few drops to some water in a spray bottle and spray areas that bugs invade. Using this spray around your home will not only make it smell great, it also deters those little annoying fruit flies and gnats!  Using peppermint oil with coconut oil on the skin is not only great for your skin, it repels those pesky mosquitos! Studies showed that using peppermint oil resulted in 150 minutes of protection against mosquitos.

Peppermint oil is also great for nausea.  This can be done with an inhaler or by diffusing it in the air with a diffuser or even by adding a few drops to a hot cup of water and breathing it in.

There is research that suggests that peppermint oil can be useful as a natural colic remedy.  You would want to consult with your pediatrician. but if you have a crying baby there are studies that support this as a natural remedy.

For a healthy alternative to drinking energy drinks loaded with additives try some peppermint oil. Just inhale to boost your energy before that workout, in late afternoon instead of that cup of coffee or to help you burn the midnight oil.

I teach a workshop on Aromatherapy and it’s benefits.  During this workshop you make your own natural remedies in the form of sprays, body butters and body scrubs.  Message me if you’d like more information.  SixtiesAndSexy@gmail.com

SPRING FLING

Often as we mature…don’t you like the way I say mature and not get old, we are confused on how to dress.  We want to look cotemporary and sexy but not like we are shopping at Forever 21!  As our bodies have changed so has our ability to carry off newer fashion.  Coupled with that,  our motivation has changed.  For those of us that are retired or semi-retired sometimes it just seems easier to wear some sweats and big t-shirts.  Trust me, this outfit is not flattering and makes you look older and frumpy.  Worry no more!  There are some great fashions that won’t break the bank are easy to put together and look great on the “Over the Young” crowd.

Let start at the top and work out way down.  One thing that is my “go to” look this spring and summer are the flowy tops that are available.  They hid a multitude of sins but can still show off your attributes, like a long neck or nice shoulders.  They are available in a tank top style, crew neck, cap sleeve and even ¾ sleeves.  They generally fit nicely in shoulder area and then have an empire waist.  The best part is that they are a longer cut so they flow down well past your waist area.  They are available in all kinds of great colors, patterns and designs.  Great colors for this year are corals, light pinks and different shades of blue.  You can find really flattering patterns that don’t overwhelm a smaller frame.  One rule of thumb and this is especially important for petite woman, is to make sure to pair a flowy top with a closer fitting pant or jeans.  The rest of us look like we are wearing a tent! Skip the side pockets on shorts, capris or pants. .  Unless you are slim the pocket flare open, especially when sitting and draw the eye to the area you’re usually trying to hide!  Only models in the magazines can pull off a flowy top with palazzo pants.  Now that’s not to say that there is never a time to rock that outfit.  For dressy affairs you can absolutely pull off this look.

Another great look that looks flattering in any figure is the wrap dress.  Go to a store where a clerk or a good friend can help you find the best cut for you.  I have 3 or four wrap dresses that I can dress up or down!  What is really important is the foot wear.  If you can still wear a high heel, that is best.  Keep in mind that a shoe with a little platform gives the illusion of height but the stress on your foot is less.  There are also some great insoles out there that make shoes a lot more comfortable!   A few name brands that offer great styles that are still comfortable are Softspots and Lulus and Naturalizer.  Try to stay away from any shoe with an ankle strap. Adding shoes of the same color will draw the eye down and make you look slimmer. A little heel goes a long way. It elongates the legs and defines the shape.It cut’s your leg and makes your calfs look chunky.  A great flattering look is a sling back with a kitten heel.    There are lots of cute flats available.  A  pointy toe is more flattering with a dressy outfit.

If you do pair a flowy top with shorts, make sure that there is at least 3 inches of the shorts showing.  Otherwise it will look like you forgot to put pants on! When choosing your bottoms keep it simple. Slim fitting capris are more flattering than a pair with a flared leg.  A solid pant is usually a great choice.  If you are pairing a pant or capris with a shorter top,  don’t shy away from pockets in the back. Contrary to popular belief pockets on the derriere actually make your bottom look smaller by breaking up the eye focus so it doesn’t look like you have a long butt.  Pockets actually give the illusion of curves!   Keep the pockets wide and low.  Again, we are talking optical illusion!  Stay away from too much bling but some pretty stitching is always nice.  When choosing your outfit ever combine patterns.  A great slimming technique is to have two similar colors next to one another. I call it the “rule of two”.  If you make sure that you have two of the same color next to one another it will be slimming.  It can be your top and bottom, bottom and shoes…anyway you do it, just don’t forget the “rule of two”!  If you decide on a pretty patterned top say with a coral and light blue pattern, select a solid pair of pants picking up one of the colors.  Adding shoes of the same color will draw the eye down and make you look slimmer.  Now for the shoes…a little heel goes a long way. It elongates the legs and defines the shape.  There are lots of great sneakers available that are comfortable and fashionable.  Keep the design slim, not workout style. Capri pants with a chunky shoe gives you a clam digger look…..never attractive!  For more tips and fashion ideas check out my blog at SixtiesAndSexy.Net.  Email me any questions at SixtiesAndSexy@gmail.com.

As we age the first place that it is really noticeable is in the face, neck, chest  and hands area. The reason is that the skin is the  It’s important to change your skin care routine for the warmer weather.  We go from dry and cold to humid and moist.  I like to use a system for facial skincare.   There will be a link at the bottom of this article to show you what I use and swear by!  Message me if you’d like more info…

To renew your skin for the spring I suggest using an exfoliant.  This removes dead skin cells built up over the winter and gives your skin a fresher look. For your face there are a lots of choices on the market.  Things to consider…..you want to use one that has anti-aging properties.  If you have fair skin only exfoliate your face once a week.  Darker complexions can handle two times a week.  Never exfoliate around the eyes.  The skin is the thinnest there.  That coupled with the fact that there are over 22 muscles and we blink and use them over 10,000 times a day doesn’t help!  Find a great eye cream to use and make sure it has products like alpha-hydroxy and retinol.  These both combat fine lines and wrinkles by unclogging pores and speeding up cell production.  Don’t forget the lips during your spring make-over.  Exfoliating them removes dead skin, makes them smoother and helps your lips look plumb and supple. If you don’t use lipstick a great way to protect your lips is to apply a hydrating serum and then seal it with a Vaseline or chapstick.    Now is also a good time to change your foundation you use on your face.   You can use something lighter because you will be producing more oil and sweat during the warmer months.  You may needs to adjust the color to a little darker as you get tan from the sun. This will help keep your pores from clogging and your skin clear.  Although using an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is necessary year round, it’s especially important during the warmer months.  We tend to be outside more and the sun is closer to the earth.  Remember the number on sunscreen represents the amount of time you can stay in the sun without burning.  If you would normally start burning after 10 minutes outside a product with an SPF of 15 will make it 150 minutes.  Of course this all depends on the type of skin you have.  The biggest mistake with sunscreen application on the body is people don’t apply enough.  The rule of thumb is 1 oz every two hours.  That a shot glass full!  For your face, I suggest using a sunscreen made specifically for your that area.  Lots of foundations have sunscreen built right into them.  Facial skin is more sensitive to hormonal changes in the body. … If these glands produce too much sebum it will cause oily skin and acne, if glands produce too little sebum, your skin will become dry and sensitive. That’s why your face requires it’s own products.  This is also a great time to exfoliate your body. Especially around the elbows and knew areas which tend to get extra dry in the cold months.  There are lots of products available but I teach a great workshop on making your own Aromatherapy Body Butters and Body Scrubs.  Always apply a moisturizer after your shower or bath and it’s best done on a slightly damp body.  This helps trap in moisture.  Making your own products saves you tons of money and really helps you understand the anti-aging benefits of the ingredients, the benefits of certain essential oils and what carriers work best.  I’ll also link you to that information!

Next week we will cover  how to reinvent your look for the spring and summer months and what’s hot in 2019!  See you at the beach!

Here is the link for the skin care…

Click to access 10AE93FD-80D6-4773-9C35-C82147D150A8-728230a6.pdf

Message me if you’d like info on the Aromatherapy Body Butter and Scrub Workshop!

SixtiesAndSexy@gmail.com or through this sight

I spent the weekend with my six year old granddaughter.  We had a great time going to the planetarium and out to lunch.  I did notice something…..As usual,  before we would leave someplace I would always say “Okay make sure you use the bathroom before we leave.”  Then I realized something else…..I would have to go as well!  I guess it’s a getting older thing.  As I started researching it I found that there are lots of reasons.  Some have to do with simply aging.  Low estrogen, a weak pelvic floor and even obesity.  Other reasons can be more serious.  Bladder stones, diabetes and intestinal cystitis and a urinary tract infection.  So if you find yourself having to urinate more than usual or the urgency is so strong you can barely make it to the bathroom, make an appointment with your doctor.  Better safe than sorry!

How to understand Aromatherapy….

You hear the word all the time, but what exactly does it mean?  Aromatherapy is an ancient wholistic healing technique that uses the oils extracted from herbs and plants.  These oils can be extracted from the flower, leaf and even the bark of the plants and herbs. The difficulty in extracting the oil and how common or easy the plant grows, determines the price of different essential oils.  Plants such as lavender, which is a perennial, can be grown in most regions of the world and is less expensive then say sandalwood, that is only grown in certain regions.  The way that Aromatherapy works can be equally confusing.  Essential oils work by sending messages through the neurotransmitters in your brain.  This can be done is several ways. You can diffuse them into the air with a diffusor or even a spray bottle.  You can apply them directly to the skin, diluting them with a carrier oil.  There are lots of different kinds of carrier oils such as grapeseed and coconut. You could even add some drops to your bath.  Lavender a relaxing essential oil, is a great pre-bedtime bath additive!  Some can even be ingested.  Key word, some.  These essential oils are very strong and can be harmful if not used correctly.  Check back to this blog for workshops that will be offered in the spring to help you understand Aromatherapy and make your own products!   I will also adding a short cheat sheet of common oils and their best uses..

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