Health & Lifestyle: What Are The Health Benefits of Essential Oils & How Do I Use Them With An Aroma Lamp? #AD

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a liquid which is a concentrate that is extracted from a plant. The reason they extract these oils is for their health benefits and aromatic smell. Essential oils are often linked with aromatherapy. The use of essential oils have been around for thousands of years, people used them as perfume, a way to fragrance their home, and to repeal insects. Over the last few years, there has been a huge increase of people using these oils, as an alternative way to fragrance their home instead of using chemicals.

To use essential oils in this manner, you simply heat them up. There are a few products out there can help you to achieve this. You can use an oil burner, you simply ignite a tea light, and place the essential oils in a bowl at the top. The heat from the candle will cause the oils to vaporize producing natural aromatic smell in your home. This is a much more traditional way of heating up your essential oils.

There are aroma lamps which can also be used to heat up these oils. The one as pictured above can be used by simply switching the lamp on as the base of the lamp is touch-sensitive. The heat from the bulb will then heat up the essential oils. The benefits of using aroma lamps are that there is no need for a candle, making this a much safer product to use.

Essential Oils Health Benefits

• Stress and Anxiety - There are have been studies showing that around half of people struggle from stress and anxiety use alternative methods to help them. Many people found with the use of some essential oils can help them with their therapy.
• Headaches - A study showed the use of peppermint essential oils can help reduce headaches, simply dilute the essential oil with water and place on the forehead.
• Helps with sleep - Using lavender essential oils can help people sleep.
• Inflammation - The use of oregano and thyme essential oils can reduce inflammation.
• Non-chemical - Using essential oils is a great way to avoid chemical and provide a natural aromatic fragrance to your home.
• Repel insects - Some essential oils are proven to hold off mosquito for up to 3 hours.
• Perfume - They can be used as a natural perfume, simply dilute with water.

There are hundreds of different types of essential oils out there and each one has its own health benefits. If you are looking for aromatherapy product be sure to check this website.

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Foodie Friday: Vegan Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash & Applewood Vegan Smoky Cheese (Dairy Free recipe)

It's the ultimate comfort food - Mac & Cheese. Few things hit the spot better when you're craving a big bowl of carbs and cheesy goodness and this recipe allows you to sneak in some extra veg as well, without missing out on any of the indulgence. Oh, and it's vegan too!

With the pasta shelves now being readily restocked by the supermarkets (hooray!) after the stockpiling madness of recent weeks, it's finally time that I feel able to share one of my favourite comfort food recipes to enjoy whilst in lockdown and beyond. 

I love everything about a classic Mac & Cheese but sometimes it can be a little heavy going, so this version includes some cleverly hiden veg (so it's great to share with fussy kids as you can't really taste it) and skips out all of the dairy to make it vegan. Don't worry though - it's still got an awesome layer of cheese thanks to the best vegan cheese out there - Applewood Vegan Smoky Cheese. Seriously, if you haven't tried it yet, make it part of your next essential shop ASAP. It's a game-changer!

This recipe is really easy, as most pasta-based meals are, and it's also amazing heated up the next day for a quick lunch with or without a salad - I'll leave that decision up to you ;)

Ingredients (makes 3-4 portions depending on how hungry you are):-

• 200g Macaroni Pasta
• 150ml Passata
• 250g Butternut Squash
• Generous handful of Petit Pois Peas
• 150ml Cashew or Almond Milk
• 1 tbsp Dairy-Free Butter
• 1 clove Garlic (peeled & crushed)
• 200g Vegan Cheese of your choice
• Pinch of Salt & Pepper to season
• Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4. Cut the Butternut Squash into chunks and add to a baking tray with a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Roast for around 30 minutes until soft and tender. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to cut up Butter Squash, skip this step and get some ready chopped frozen Butternut Squash to use instead.
• Cook the Macaroni Pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a saucepan, add the Butternut Squash (roasted as above or frozen), 50g of the grated Vegan Cheese, Passata, Almond Milk, Dairy-Free Butter and crushed Garlic, and simmer over a medium heat for 10 minutes, until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Next, use a hand blender or a potato masher to break down the Butternut Squash into the sauce so that you have a smooth consistency. Season with Salt & Pepper to taste.
• Add the cooked Macaroni Pasta to the sauce. Throw in a generous handful of Petit Pois Peas and stir to combine. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and top with a layer of the remaining grated Vegan Cheese. 
• Cook in the oven at 180C for around 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve immediately - enjoy!

Storage tip: Once thoroughly cooled, you can store any remaining Mac & Cheese in the fridge in an airtight container for about 2-3 days.

What's your favourite Mac & Cheese recipe?

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Introducing: Tabitha James Kraan Organic Haircare + 10% Discount Code

When it comes to luxury organic haircare, there has been one British name that's stood out in green beauty circles for a few years now and that name is Tabitha James Kraan.

As is often the basis for many a woman's journey towards a healthier and more organic lifestyle, Tabitha James Kraan became aware of the link between what she was putting on her body and how certain ingredients could be passed onto her unborn child when she first became pregnant back in 1999. An entrepreneurial hair artist by trade, Tabitha already had her own established salon, and this light bulb moment led her to realise that she could be putting her clients at risk through the chemicals that she was routinely using during their appointments.

She completely transformed her brand to fully reflect her new natural and organic lifestyle and reopened her pioneering organic hair salon in the Cotswolds which was the first of its kind in the UK. Fast forward to 2013 and Tabitha began to experiment with creating her own line of natural and organic haircare products that were tested on her loyal client base, before being officially launched to the public in 2015.  

Last month, I was asked to be part of the Tabitha James Kraan ambassador programme and I can't wait to share some of her award-winning, Soil Association certified products with you all which you can read about below.

Tabitha James Kraan Golden Citrus Clean Shampoo* (250ml, £25, link) & Golden Citrus Clean Conditioner* (200ml, £32, link)

In sleek black packaging that instantly stands out in your bathroom, TJK's Golden Citrus Clean Shampoo and Conditioner is a match made in eco-luxe heaven. Developed for all hair types, including coloured hair, both the shampoo and conditioner are made from 100% natural ingredients, a high proportion of which are also certified organic (73% for the shampoo and 85% for the conditioner). 

The Shampoo boasts an ultra-gentle and nourishing formula which is great for anyone who has a dry and itchy scalp as it instantly soothes and hydrates. It also helps to rebalance an oily scalp, whilst leaving your hair thoroughly clean but not feeling stripped. The Golden Citrus aromatherapy scent adds a beautiful luxury spa-like feeling to the often mundane act of washing your hair, and with zero silicones, harsh detergents or synthetic ingredients, it's a shampoo that truly cares for the overall health of your hair.

The matching Conditioner is really more like an intensive and hydrating hair mask treatment. It's deeply moisturising in every sense of the word and left my dry hair feeling the silkiest and softest it's been in a long time, plus that Golden Citrus scent is just so addictive! Leave on for 2 minutes if you wash your hair often or bump it up to 10 minutes for a once-a-week masking treat. 

Tabitha James Kraan Organic Hair Cleanser in Amber Rose* (60ml, £9.50, link) & Organic 4-in-1 Conditioner in Amber Rose* (60ml, £9.50, link)

If you're new to the world of natural and organic haircare and don't know where to start, why not try these handy travel-size options first? I'm particularly fond of the Tabitha James Kraan's Hair Cleansers and 4-in-1 Conditioners which are an interesting alternative to regular daily haircare and can be used as the first stepping stone to detoxifying your hair.

The Hair Cleanser helps to restore the health of your scalp and hair so it's a good place to start if you're making the switch to including more green beauty products in your routine. It feels lighter than a normal shampoo, yet efficiently and gently cleanses the scalp, getting rid of build-up and impurities with a clever formula of Organic Aloe Vera, Oatmilk, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil.

Follow up with the 4-in-1 Conditioner which can be used as a light conditioner, nourishing scalp cream to soothe any irritations, a leave-in conditioner and a styling aid to smooth away frizz and flyaways. And like the Golden Citrus scent above, this Amber Rose range smells equally alluring and beautiful.

Tabitha James Kraan Scented Organic Hair Oil* (30ml, £38, link)

Speaking of beautifully scented hair, TJK's Scented Hair Oil marries together the brand's signature Amber Rose fragrance with a truly exceptional hair oil that is bursting full of 100% natural (and 99% organic) ingredients. Designed to be used as a pre-wash treatment to revive all hair types, it adds instant shine and smoothness, whilst star ingredients such as Organic Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip, Safflower, Goji Berry and Argan Oils, all work together to strengthen and nourish the hair with regular use. Say hello to glossy, healthier locks in next to no time!

Tabitha James Kraan Organic Dry Shampoo for Fair Hair* (75g, £29, link) & Compact Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair* (15g, £19, link)

No modern haircare range is complete without a dedicated line of Dry Shampoo products these days and if you've been struggling to find a natural and organic replacement, Tabitha James Kraan has the answer! Crafted from 100% natural ingredients, there are options for both Fair and Dark Hair to cleanse, restore, refresh and volumise your hair in between your shampoo sessions.

This is one of the best natural Dry Shampoo formulas that I've tried and I also love the super-luxe gold metallic packaging - the regular size looks great on vanity tables and bathroom shelves, whilst the compact version is ultra-convenient for keeping in work desk drawers and handbags to plump up and refresh your hair on the go. Plus, this Dry Shampoo smells amazing too, but you've probably already guessed that, right?!

Shop the full range of Tabitha James Kraan Organic Haircare at tabithajameskraan.com and get 10% off your first order with the code evelynn10 - enjoy!

Have you tried anything from Tabitha James Kraan yet?

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April Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time again! An Empties round-up of everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts on which ones I'll be repurchasing in the near future.

Lavera Self-Tanning Lotion* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a more natural and affordable Self-Tanning Lotion to try out, Lavera's is a good one to pick up as it's easy to use and gives a gorgeous sunkissed glow to the skin with not a hint of orange in sight! This is my second or third tube. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant (reviewed here)

Long time readers may be familiar with this one as I've been using it on and off for years now. I love the scent of it and it's free from lots of common nasties. Repurchase? I'm using up one from Evolve at the moment but will happily buy this again at some point.

Tropic Blue Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum* (reviewed here)

Anyone else suffering from spotty skin since lockdown began? Luckily, this little gem from Tropic has been stopping my complexion from having a full-blown breakout! I tend to use it as a preventative measure twice a week as part of my evening routine. Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Easy Breathe Balm* (reviewed here)

First featured in one of my Winter Wellness posts at the start of the year (link above), I've now finished off Herbfarmacy's fantastic chesty balm which came in so handy whenever I was suffering from a stuffy nose and blocked sinuses. Repurchase? Yes.

S5 Neutralise Cleanser* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite high-end cleansers, I can't recommend this enough if you have oily or sensitive skin. It's a super lightweight oil-free cleanser that just works so well for my troublesome skin. Particularly lovely for soothing any irritation or redness. Repurchase? Definitely!

Badger Balm Sleep Balm* (reviewed here)

Like many, I haven't been sleeping well at all recently so I've been using Badger's Sleep Balm every single night to try and help calm my stressed mind. It's lasted a long time as you only need to apply a tiny amount to wrists/pulse points and then breathe in the relaxing scent. Repurchase? I'm testing out a few other similar products at the moment so we'll see.

Human+Kind Watermelon 3-in-1 Cream

No surprises to see a hand cream in this round-up! I finished off this multi-purpose moisturiser from Human+Kind which has a fresh and fruity watermelon fragrance. Perfect for dry hands, rough elbows and cracked feet. Repurchase? Might do in the future.

Trilogy Blemish Control Gel* (reviewed here)

I like to use a targeted blemish treatment on those pesky 'under the skin' spots and Trilogy's Blemish Control Gel has been my go-to for quite some time. It works but doesn't sting or dry out the skin like similar products do. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist* (reviewed here)

If someone asked me to only choose to use one toner product for the rest of my life, you guys all know it would be this beauty! Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides, it never fails to give my skin a hydrating boost! Repurchase? I'm currently using the new formula here.

Dafna's Eye Care* (reviewed here)

It sure was a sad day when I reached the bottle of this one recently :( It's such a gorgeous formula with a silky texture that smooths out fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. If you can afford it, it's definitely worth the investment. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil* (reviewed here)

Anyone know how many of Antipodes Divine Face Oil bottles I've gone through over the past couple of years? I have no idea, I've simply lost count! Here's another empty to add to that growing list - it's amazing for fussy combination skin types. Repurchase? Yes.

Badger Balm Cuticle Care* (reviewed here)

All that handwashing has left my cuticles feeling cracked and sore so I've been giving them some much needed TLC with this Cuticle Balm from Badger. I try to remember to use a small amount each night before going to bed to help soothe and rehydrate. Repurchase? Yes.

Soapology Secret Garden Soap

Speaking of washing your hands, I finished off this lovely bar of soap from Soapology which I kept next to the kitchen sink. This one's specially formulated for gardeners so it's extra gentle and caring, plus it's palm-oil free.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass, aluminium tins and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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