[DIY] Homemade "Febreeze"

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of water
• 1 tbsp of baking soda, or 2 tbsp of vinegar
• 1-2 tbsp of fabric softener
• few drops (~6-10) of essential oil (optional)

Direction:

• Add all ingredients into container of choice and shake well.
• Shake before each use, and... enjoy. :)

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Alternative measurement ratio (in 32oz spray bottle):

• 1/8 cup fabric softener : 2 tbsp baking soda : the rest of bottle with water
• 2 tbsp fabric softener : 2 tbsp white vinegar : the rest of bottle with water

[DIY] Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of hot water
• 3 cups of vinegar
• 1 cup of hair conditioner
• few drops essential oil (optional)

Direction:

• Mix hot water and conditioner together in a medium bowl. Smooth out clumps in conditioner.
• Add in vinegar (and essential oil) and pour into container of choice.
• Enjoy. :)

Yoga Poses

Resources:
1. http://www.yogacards.com/yoga-postures.html
2. http://www.theyogaposes.com
3. http://www.yogaspace-ct.com/sp/YogaPoseGallery.htm

Yoga for Posture (Back) #1

1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Notes:
- Stand tall, and feel the feet on the ground.
- Open up the chest with arms by the sides.
- Slightly tuck in the tailbone, an engage the thighs.
- Roll the shoulders back and down to lower the shoulder blades.
- Bring the chin back, so the ears are above the shoulders.
- It's all in the chin - align the body from feet to head.


 2. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Notes:
- Feel the spine lengthen as you fold over towards the feet
- Just hang there, grab the elbows with opposite hands, and breathe.
- After releasing the arms, try looking up by opening the chest and flattening the back on an inhale.
- Then exhale and fold again.


3. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Notes:
- Lay on the stomach and place hands on the mat.
- Engage back muscles to lift head and upper torso.
- Slowly straighten the arms into a full extension of cobra.
- Align elbows underneath shoulders for support.
- Bring shoulders away from the ears.
- Keep pelvis and toes on the mat.
- Look straight ahead.
- Ideal pose for strengthening the back and opening the chest.


4. Virasana (Hero Pose)

Notes:
- Sit on heels and sit up straight.
- Position the crown of the head towards the sky.
- Seated yoga pose - difficult to slouch.


5. Balasana (Child's Pose)

Notes:
- Sit back on heels and reach arm out in front.
- Alternatively, bring arms alongside the body towards the feet.
- Also known as resting pose.


6. Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

Notes:
- Lay on the stomach.
- Open the chest and lift not arms and legs off the mat.
- Keep the pelvis on the mat.
- If necessary, lift just the chest and aim arms towards the feet.



Other suggested asanas:
- Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
- Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)
- Plank Pose
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward- Facing Dog)
- Supported Supine Backbend
- Virabhareasana 1 (Warrior 1)
- Lizard Pose

Essential Oil Aroma Blend

Refresh

• Rosemary (2 drops)  + Lemon (1 drop) 
• Eucalyptus (1 drop) + Orange (2 drops) ~ for lucid wake up
• Ylang Ylang (2 drops) + Cedarwood (2 drops) ~ warm & calm
• Peppermint (1 drop) + Grapefruit (2 drops) ~ for clear mind
• Lemon + Sweet Orange + Eucalyptus

Revive

• Eucalyptus (1 drop) + Lemon (2 drops) ~ energised wake up
• Lemon (2 drops) + Lemongrass (1 drop) ~ focus & concentrate
• Bergamot (2 drops) + Lemongrass (1 drop) ~ uplifting
• Blood Orange + Lemon + Juniper Berry ~ fruity blend

Relax

• Lavender (2-3 drops) + Sweet Orange (1-2drops) 
• Peppermint (1-2drops)  + Orange (2-3 drops) ~ to unwind
• Pine (1-2drops) + Grapefruit (2-3 drops) ~ to feel homely
• Lavender + Sweet Orange + Geranium + Ho Wood 

Sleeping

• Orange (2-3 drops) + Lavendin (2-3 drops) ~ to feel rested
• Bergamot + Sweet Orange + Ho Wood + Cypress

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RELAX Series
- Bergamot 佛手柚
- Japanese Cypress 檜木
- Lavender 薰衣草
- Sweet Orange 甜柑橘
- Yuzu 柚子

REFRESH Series
- Eucalyptus 尤加利
- Lemon 檸檬
- Lemongrass 檸檬香茅
- Lime 萊姆
- Peppermint 胡椒薄荷
- Rosemary 迷迭香

POWER UP Series
- Blood Orange 血橘
- Geranium 天竺葵
- Grapefruit 葡萄柚
- Spearmint 綠薄荷
- Tea Tree 茶樹
- Ylang Ylang 依蘭

ESSENTIAL OIL

Bergamot 佛手柑
Chamomile 洋甘菊
Cedarwood 雪松
Cinnamon 肉桂
Citronella 香茅
Cypress 檜木／絲柏
Eucalyptus 尤加利
Geranium 天竺葵
Grapefruit 葡萄柚
Ho Wood (Horwood) 芳樟
Lavender 薰衣草
Lemon 檸檬
Lemongrass 檸檬草／檸檬香茅
Lime 青檸／萊姆
Mandarin 橘子
Orange 甜橙
Peppermint 薄荷
Rosemary 迷迭香
Sandalwood 檀香
Spearmint 綠薄荷
Tangerine 紅柑/ 紅桔
Tea tree 茶樹
Ylang-ylang 依蘭

Carrier Oil 基底油

1. Olive oil 橄欖油 (virgin 初榨, first cold pressed)
- heavily viscosity, oily
- strong aroma (may overpower blend)
- may cause sensitivity or allergic reactions

 2. Sunflower oil 向日葵油/ 葵花籽油 (unrefined 未精製/ 未精煉)
- thin viscosity, penetrates well, almost no oily residue
- faint and sweet aroma

3. Coconut oil 椰子油 (virgin 初榨, least moisture)
- solid/creamy at room temperature, slightly oily
- distinct aroma
- usually used on it's own
- fractionated VCO 分餾椰子油: liquid coconut oil without coconut aroma

 4. Jojoba oil 荷荷芭油/ 荷荷巴油 (wax 液態蠟)
- medium viscosity, absorbs well
- light, distinct but pleasant aroma
- natural anti-inflammatory, similar to skin's natural serum
- good for oily, acne prone or inflamed skin
- never rancid

5. Avocado oil 酪梨油/ 鰐梨油
- thick viscosity, fatty almost waxy feel
- sweet, fatty and nutty aroma
- nourishing, rich in essentials, minerals and Vit A
- suitable for use in hair care
- cannot be refrigerated

6. Sweet Almond oil 甜杏仁油
- medium viscosity, absorbs semi-quickly, leaves slight hint of oil
- light, sweet and nutty aroma

7. Apricot Kernel oil 杏桃核仁油
- medium viscosity, oily texture
 - faint aroma
 - similar to sweet almond oil in properties and consistency

8. Evening Primrose oil 月見草油/ 晚櫻草油
- thin viscosity, leaves trace of oil
- light and sweet aroma
- expensive

9. Hazelnut oil 榛果油
- thin viscosity, leaves slight oily film
- light, nutty and sweet aroma
- good for oilier skin

10. Macadamia Nut oil 夏威夷核果油/ 夏威夷堅果油/ 澳洲胡桃油
- thick viscosity, leaves oily film
- sweet, nutty; most fragrant nut oil (may overpower blend)
- possible natural anti-inflammatory action

11. Camellia Seed oil 油茶籽油/ 山茶油/ 茶籽油/ 茶花籽油/ 野山茶油
- medium viscosity
- light and herbaceous aroma
- rich in anti-oxidant, Vit E, essential & non-essential fatty acids
- offers good skin penetration
 - also known as Tea oil (NOT Tea Tree oil)