Doing the laundry is a big part of my daily routine as Mother and Wife. After spending the last four years dealing with cloth nappies and all the associated wet clothing, my youngest child has finally potty trained and the load has lessened – mostly. We still have a few “accidents” while she is learning bladder control. It is easy to forget what a challenge our bodies face when we are growing.
Finding the right laundry detergent is a big challenge when there are so many aspects to consider: is it suitable for sensitive skin? Does it smell nice and fresh? Is is environmentally friendly?
#ProductReview Ecover Washing Liquid eco-friendly laundry care
That Zen Feeling with #EcoverLaundry
Now it seems I have the answer. I was very excited to receive a new bottle of Non-Bio Concentrated Laundry Detergent from Ecover in the post last week. They have developed a new fragrance, Lavender and Sandalwood, and I love it! This morning I put our bed covers in the wash, and now my kitchen smells like an aromatherapy sanctuary. So the detergent had a dual purpose – it washed my clothes, and it makes everything smell beautiful. Bonus!
#MummyMonday Ecover Washing Liquid
Washing school uniforms
So far I have tried my new detergent on the school uniform, and it seems to be working well. My elder daughter developed a little rash around her neck early last week, possibly a result of wearing her polo shirts and cardigans every day. It seems to have calmed down now, and I think it was assisted by the change in detergent, which left her school clothes feeling soft, smelling pretty, and evidently, not rubbing her sensitive skin.
Ecover is a favoured brand for me and my husband because of its mission to work with Nature as much as possible. We prefer to use environmentally friendly household products wherever we can, and this sweet-smelling detergent could be the answer to our laundry quest. Now, I wonder if I may get some sheets on the washing line before it rains again…
#MummyMonday Washing on the Line on laundry day
*This post is an entry for BritMums #EcoverLaundry Challenge, sponsored by Ecover. <ecover.co.uk >
It seems that the world is in a state of transition once again. Does it ever really stand still?
I am intrigued by the headline news that a once-revered figure in the New Age world has now renounced her previous work involving Tarot, fairies and fortune telling. Doreen Virtue has fully embraced her Christian religion, and is now wholly aligned with God and Jesus.
I read a very interesting article on The Wild Hunt blog last week, and I find myself both a little bemused, and a little concerned about the messages being perpetuated by Doreen Virtue and her organisation.
Mermaid Oracle card reading by Catherine Green
Is this the Death of the New Age Movement?
Doreen Virtue was a very influential teacher for me many years ago, when I first discovered Hay House and its authors. I began to collect Doreen Virtue’s Oracle card decks, I read her books, and I followed her meditations. I would even have signed up for her Angel Practitioner training course, if I had enough funds at the time. There must have been a reason why I did not pursue it… Now, I accept that throughout all of her teachings, Doreen Virtue has talked about God and the angels. I always knew that she was Christian, and that was fine. I come from a Christian background myself, so she offered comfort and guidance when I ventured into something that my family might consider “the dark arts.”
Now it seems that Doreen Virtue is actively encouraging people to stop using Tarot cards, to rid themselves of her earlier books and card decks, and to embrace Christianity just like she has. That sounds very oppressive to me, and I do not feel a connection at all. But will I stop using my Doreen Virtue oracle cards? No. They were made at a time when she fully believed in what she was doing, or at least, she convinced me and millions of other people that she did, and I like to work with them on my own intuitive level. I will certainly never give up using Tarot cards, that’s for sure.
Farewell, Louise Hay
Moving on from that story, we also heard the sad news that Louise Hay, founder of Hay House, has died at the ripe old age of 90. Although I never met her, I felt a kindred spirit connection to Louise Hay, as did so many other people all around the world. Her affirmations brought me out of many dark places, and her book You Can Heal Your Life remains the single most inspirational handbook on my bookshelf. I discovered her at a time when my life was dark and I was deeply unhappy, and she brought me out of it. I used Louise Hay’s affirmation and meditation techniques to release old hurts, refresh my Self, and for lots of self-healing.
Now that Louise Hay is gone, while her company remains huge and influential in the New Age world, I wonder if perhaps it is time for a change? We have moved on from those dark days when we needed a guiding light and a starting point. Many of us in the New Age world regularly practice meditation, affirmations and energy healing. Perhaps it is time for us to step up and become the teachers, now that our elders are moving on. Do you agree? Could I be a teacher?
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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During the school summer holidays, I finally found time to catch up with my reading. I took a non-fiction book on holiday that I had been meaning to read for a few months, but never quite found the right time.
It seems that “Perilous Path: A Writer’s Journey” by S.C. Skillman, was waiting for a time when I was feeling out of the writing habit and needed a pick-me-up. It was great!
“Perilous Path: A Writers Journey” by SC Skillman
My Review of “Perilous Path: A Writer’s Journey” by S.C. Skillman
As an experienced writer, I found this book very enjoyable to read at a time when my writing practice had stalled. It inspired me to get back to work, and it reminded me of why I write, and what a wonderful process we engage in when we explore words and prose. This book is great for people at all levels in the writing world, being both entertaining and informative.
You can find more about S.C. Skillman and her books on her website, and she has a new release out this week: Mystical Circles.
#BookTalk feature for Mystical Circles by S.C. Skillman#BookReview “Paranormal Warwickshire” by S.C. SkillmanExplore books by S.C. Skillman
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Well, I suppose really I should not be contributing to Zero Waste Week, if you get my meaning! Have you heard of the challenge?
Environmental waste management is a big deal in the Green household, because my husband is a Chartered Waste Manager. He scrutinizes every item that we use, he monitors the products we buy (and refuses to purchase items with excessive, unrecyclable packaging), and he tries to encourage reuse as often as possible.
Read on to see how we contribute for Zero Waste Week.
#MummyMonday One Small Family Doing Our Bit for #Recycling #WATWB
How I Contribute for #ZeroWasteWeek
When I received the Zero Waste Week newsletter inviting us to do a waste audit, I decided that wasn’t really an issue for me. As a family of four, we dispose of just one black plastic bin-bag of general waste each fortnight. Our biggest waste challenge is plastic food containers and cardboard packaging, but we recycle almost all of it. But there is an area that I feel needs improvement. I am the only person in our household that eats salad, and I often throw out half a bag of the stuff because I cannot eat it quickly enough before it spoils and goes soggy.
My solution to the salad issue is a little wild, quite literally. I like the idea of foraging for food, just like our ancient ancestors used to. I want to break free from the supermarkets, and find my own natural, vegetarian food. I just haven’t been brave enough, because from a young age I have been taught that anything growing wild could be poisonous, or carries germs, or is otherwise bad for me. That is a cultural issue, I believe. There are lots of green plants, berries and flowers growing alongside the canal and river in my hometown, and most of those contain edible components.
So here is my challenge, and this seems the best time of year to try it out, with Autumn fast approaching and all those winter fruits and berries beginning to ripen. I will seek out overgrown and little used places, and I will attempt to forage for foods that can accompany my meals. I’m not sure how successful I will be, or indeed when I will try it out, but that is my plan. Watch this space for updates!
I recently read a blog post from a pagan who was very keen to assert her practice of “real paganism.” Now, she professes that most people who identify as pagan don’t do it properly.
By that she means they don’t get out in nature, they don’t truly appreciate or try to help Mother Earth, and all they do is buy into the consumerism from a capitalist society. At least, that is what I inferred from her article.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green
What is “Real Paganism” Anyway?
I must admit I found myself feeling rather irritated about her judgments. I come from the background of consumerist pagans. I like to surround myself with crystals, incense, singing bowls and other trinkets, because I use them in my spiritual practice. Does that mean I am not a real pagan? Absolutely not! I make time to sit out in nature, even if only in my back garden. I walk barefoot in the grass, on the beach, in the mud on some occasions.
But I cannot get into a mine and carve out my very own piece of Quartz crystal, for example. I do not have the tools, the materials, or even the knowledge to create a singing bowl (unless I utilize a kitchen pot). And I do not know how to make incense or candles. I tried to make candles once. It did not go well. Besides, I would rather support small, independent businesses and allow those people to earn a living doing something they feel is fulfilling, while providing me with the items that I desire.
Something you feel inside
Being pagan is something that you feel inside, just like it is to identify as religious or non-religious according to your personal beliefs. I do believe that we all embark on a path of self-discovery and learning when we “come out” as pagan. Some of us identify as witches, warlocks, fairies, mermaids, shamans and any number of other mystical beings. It is our personal choice to purchase items that enhance our spiritual practise as we desire. After all, I believe that being pagan is about choosing to live in harmony with nature as much as possible, while feeling free to live life the way we want. What do you think?
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
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Earlier this month, my family and I enjoyed a holiday in North Norfolk. We stayed in the beautiful, picturesque town of Wells-Next-The-Sea, and enjoyed walks along the seafront, days on the beach, and explored all sorts of hidden places and local nature reserves.
There is something about the beach, and the sea, that brings peace. I have to holiday by the sea in order to feel that I have enjoyed a break. I mean, I love the countryside, but we are fortunate to live among some beautiful forest land and green spaces in Cheshire. I like to explore further afield.
Spooky Family Holidays on the Beach
Rockpools on Brancaster Beach
One day while on holiday, we visited Brancaster Beach. Owned by the National Trust, this hidden gem is absolutely gorgeous. You have a huge expanse of dry sand, then the wet sand when the tide retreats, and there is such an interesting mix of terrain to explore. We set up camp near the sand dunes, and my daughters and I set off to try and reach a shipwreck that we could see in the distance. A fellow beach visitor informed me that the boat was sunk on purpose for military training, but I haven’t yet explored that story further. Anyway, I was fascinated.
We never got close to the shipwreck because we were concerned about the tide turning. And besides, we got a little bit distracted by rockpools. There were several sea pools dotted about on the beach, and we had fun wading and splashing in the warm water. We even splashed about with tiny little fish that scattered around our feet. Then we explored rock pools with crabs and seaweed. I picked up what I thought was an empty shell at one point, only to disturb a tiny little crab. We put it back down again very quickly! I loved the colours of shells, pebbles and rocks that lined these pools we found, and I loved the undulations in the sand. I loved all of it. And so did my girls. We will return to Brancaster Beach one day…
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
This week I feel broken. There are many conflicting demands on my time at the moment, and I have had to let something lapse. That was my work.
While I am desperate to continue building my freelance writing business, and growing the audience for my novels, I just cannot do it all alone, and I do not have the means to pay someone else. So it will have to wait, while I tend to more domestic challenges.
Love Hurts A Redcliffe Novel by paranormal author Catherine Green
When Life is a Challenge
My marriage is struggling due to my husband’s mental health condition. I cannot do more to help, so now I am helpless. The demon is winning this particular battle. But I will not be defeated. And I will not back down. My children are ready for school to resume (or in the case of my youngest daughter, start). They enjoyed our family holiday, we have had days out with friends, caught up with people we haven’t seen for a while. Now we need to move on.
In a fortnight’s time, all of this will be just a distant memory. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. We might manifest that magical, elusive buyer for our house. My husband might suddenly and miraculously come to his senses and take control of his work/life (im)balance. I might land a lucrative freelance job that will both boost my self-confidence, give me a sense of purpose, and help to further my career. Or nothing could happen. We could simply stumble along, day after day, wondering when it will change. How is your summer?
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
We are back from our holiday, and a lovely one it was, too. I will be writing about our days at the beach soon enough, but for today I want to talk about energy, specifically, a very strange feeling that took hold at the weekend.
It sort of came to a head yesterday, when I found myself moping around the house, not knowing what to do. I just felt out of sorts, and I couldn’t explain it. There are a lot of emotional challenges in my life right now, so I thought it was those. But now I am not so sure.
#WitchyWednesday
It’s All A Little Bit Strange
You see, I learned that Mercury is in retrograde again, and I have picked up a few snippets of information online in my social networks. I read somewhere that now will be a time to learn the true nature of a person, or to see them in a different light. That struck a chord, and while I cannot go into detail, it helped me to make sense of something that happened recently. I also discovered that some of my friends are experiencing strange feelings and emotions that they cannot explain. They are already aware that it could be related to the planetary shift and the change of season.
We are in a state of a transformation, inside and out. You can see it all around us, in many ways. Eventually, my friends came to the rescue and gave my daughters and I a sociable outing. We went to a local park where there is open, green space, lots of room for the children to play, and the weather stayed dry and mild. After a couple of hours in the fresh air, I began to feel a whole lot better, and today I have woken up feeling much more life myself, instead of this strange, floating, confused creature that I was before.
Can you feel a shift in the energy around you? Have you been struggling with extreme emotions, increased agitation, or a feeling that something is just not quite right? Please do share your experiences, and be gentle with yourself.
#RedcliffeNovels LGBT Fantasy Book Series for Adults
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
You must have already heard of Himalayan salt lamp, the latest trend among people that is indeed becoming increasingly popular. If you are wondering whether the Himalayan salt lamp is actually of any good or beneficial for your health and not just a mere decoration for your house then keep reading to find out more details on it!
To start with, before diving into the topic of the actual benefits of Himalayan salt lamps let’s first get an idea of what they are and how they are made.
Crystal meditation with Catherine Green
Benefits of the Himalayan Salt Lamp @ReviewsBee
The basis of these lamps, that is Himalayan sea salt is said to be comprised of the dried remnants of the primal sea that dates back to the very creation of the Earth. This might be half-true, half mythical but still sounds promising, doesn’t it? In both cases, the real fact is that Himalayan salt lamps are made of the pink Himalayan salt and people buy them so much not because they look very pretty when lit in the night-time but rather because they believe in the beneficial power of these lamps from a number of aspects.
So let’s get a closer look at the making process of these lamps.
Himalayan Salt Lamps – Mystery Revealed
Himalayan salt lamps are hand carved from solid Himalayan sea salt in the deep underground mines of Khewra, Pakistan. The latter is located on the western side of the Himalayan mountains which are the only natural source of genuine Himalayan pink salt. So what makes a solid salt into a lamp – when the salt block is hand-carved, it gets a deep hollowed-out place in its centre where a light-bulb is put making the salt into a beautiful lamp.
As for the colour of the lamps, it varies from light pink to orange depending on the mineral concentration. The lamps are themselves a good way of relaxation because just looking at light they emit can be very soothing and calming.
At this point it should also be mentioned that salt has a hygroscopic character i.e. it “catches the attention” of water molecules. The latter feature is attributed to Himalayan salt lamps too. So, it’s believed that as soon as the water molecules get in touch with the salt lamp, such pollutants as bacteria, mold and allergens get trapped in the salt. The cycle of attracting this water vapor continues due to the fact that lamp is heated which results in the drying of the salt.
Though there are no factual and scientific studies proving the beneficial character of Himalayan salt lamps, still, given the many other studies carried out on the health benefits of salt as well as the greatly positive feedback from the consumers we can freely assume that a Himalayan salt lamp does come with some really essential benefits.
Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits
So, let’s now see what health and other benefits you’ll gain if you purchase a real Himalayan salt lamp:
Cleaner Air: This is probably one of the main reasons why people want to have a Himalayan salt lamp at their houses. Of course, you might say there are plants for that purpose but some people can be allergic to plants or simply too busy to take care of them, and if there is another, again a natural way of purifying the air in your house, why not use it? Himalayan salt lamps are able to keep the air at your place clean due to the water vapor character described above.
The Best Night Light You Can Ever Have: What’s better than having a natural light at your house during the night-time. The blue light that all these computers and smart-phones emit can be very harmful for the sight and will surely decrease your motivation to work better at the same time reducing your concentration power. On the contrary, Himalayan salt lamps emit a pleasant and warm pinkish orange glow that’s quite close to the colour of candlelight or campfire hence is incredibly soothing and relaxing. Having a Himalayan salt lamp by your desk or bed will decrease the stress of the daily routine thus motivating you for the new day.
Negative Ions: The modern technology era, with all its benefits, has also a great number of disadvantages among which is the fact that cities have now become real bunkers of positive ions that affect our physical and mental health badly. Nature is the main source of negative ions that increases the flow of oxygen into the human brain leading to decreased drowsiness and higher mental and physical energy, in other words, the feeling you have when breathing the fresh air of mountains or seas and oceans. In the city or at your house where you are surrounded with tablets, phones, laptops and TVs it’s hard to experience this feeling due to the lack of negative ions but you could have a very small amount of them if you got a Himalayan salt lamp. They do generate negative ions, though in very small amounts. In any case, it’s better than nothing and you can at least be sure that due to their light you will have the soothing feeling of nature at your house.
Reduction in the Symptoms of Asthma and Allergy: Many users of Himalayan salt lamps have proved this fact. The lamps do have the power of making the life of people suffering from asthma and allergies easier. Above all, Himalayan salt is used in inhalers and there are a number of salt therapies against asthma and allergies, or for a better health gain. Keep a Himalayan salt lamp in a place at your house you spend time most or at your office, if possible and you’ll see the positive results soon.
Other benefits of Himalayan salt lamps include the following:
Less colds and flu
Less stress and anxiety
Better concentration ability
Motivation to work/study longer hours
Decrease in headaches and migraines
Decrease in the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis
Improvement in skin diseases
A good source of sound sleep
Everything that is natural, is surely of some benefit to your mind and body. Choose the right and genuine Himalayan salt lamp and keep it at your house or office – it will give you both an aesthetic pleasure and an incredible amount of health benefits that will surpass all your expectations!
