Coming of Age Gift Ideas and Remedies for Young Women

This blog post is part of my Unique Women in Business Networking group's monthly blog hop. Our theme this month is Celebrating Womanhood. I'm really curious to read what the other ladies in the group have to say on this topic. You can find links to their blogs at the end of this post.

Celebrating womanhood to me is about celebrating the coming of age for pre-teen and teenage girls. Many traditional cultures have rituals or ceremonies for girls at coming of age. However you choose to honor a young woman at this stage her her life, you may wish to offer something practical for the physical and emotional changes she may be experiencing.

Warm heat can help to relax the uterus to prevent cramping pain. These flax and lavender wraps are great for relieving cramps when heated in the microwave.



No microwave? This warming pain relief balm is also great for reducing pain from cramping. Both of these are all natural pain relief methods that may help avert a cycle of Ibuproferin, Advil or Motrin use which can be hard on the Liver.

Another natural remedy I like for emotional issues around menstruation is Leonurus cardiaca AKA Motherwort. Motherwort is exceptionally helpful for balancing emotional issues in women such as anxiety or irritability, whether related to PMS or menopause. It also helps smooth the menstrual flow for uterine cramping. For heavy bleeding or pregnancy this herb should be avoided. This is a picture of one of my Motherwort plants from this winter season. It likes the Central Florida Winter Weather. I have been making Motherwort tincture with these plants and will have it available in the Extracts Section of my Etsy shop later this month. You can leave a comment below if you would like to be updated when my Motherwort tincture is ready.

Rita Wetzel http://RitasCreativeNest.com
Audrey Fetterhoff http://AudreyGardenLady.blogspot.com
Linda Stranger http://capecodjewel.blogspot.com
Judy Woodley http://WellspringCreations.blogspot.com
Janet Bocciardi http://www.honeyfromthebee.com
Ann Rinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com
Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri http://ElephunksTrunk.blogspot.com
Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com
Karen Terry http://jmjcreations.blogspot.com

Spring Seeds Free with Purchase

Spring planting is well underway here in Central Florida. I had most of my seeds planted by the beginning of March including Holy Basils, Musk Melon, Amaranth, Tomato, Black Eyed Peas, Squash, and Pumpkin. The latest garden adventure was a pineapple planting frenzy. We found some live pineapple tops discarded for compost and decided to plant them at Lions Share Community Garden. Here is part of the row.



The sweet pea spiral is coming along. No flowers yet, but we are watching closely:

For most of the US and Canada you still have plenty of time to get your Spring Garden on. I would love to help you out with that. When you make any purchase from my Aquarian Bath Etsy shop, just request a free seed pack in the comments section at check out. I currently have Musk melon, Thai Basil, Dotted Horsemint, Candlebush, and Luffa seeds in stock.



Since it is Spring planting time if you mention this blog post at check out you may request up to 3 seed packs for free with purchase instead of the usual 1 free seed pack with purchase.

Be sure to check out all my fun new Spring items like this sweet Honey Bunny Castile Soap on a Rope while you are seed shopping.

This blog post is a part of the Unique Women in Business Networking Group's Spring Blog Hop. You can visit the other Spring blog posts by other ladies who participated this month by following these links:

Audrey Fetterhoff http://AudreyGardenLady.blogspot.com
AnnRinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com

Birgitte Hendrickshttp://SewDanish.blogspot.com

JanetBocciardi http://www.honeyfromthebee.com
RitaWetzel http://RitasCreativeNest.com
JennNolda http://brynnsbeautifulbows.blogspot.com
RobinKoehler http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
LindaReynolds http://bellalindadesigns.net
Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com
LindaStranger http://capecodjewel.blogspot.com
KarenTerry/McDuffie http://jmjcreations.blogspot.com
JudyWoodley http://wellspringcreations.blogspot.com
TrudyMiller http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com/
Nancy Pace http://nancyswildwirejewelry.blogspot.com
Lois Stifel http://foxygknits.com
Jenn Brockman http://alexshares.com

You can join the UWIB team on Etsy. Mention my blog post when you join.

February Blog Hop! See What's Green!

My Unique Women in Business Networking Group is sponsoring a February blog hop with the theme "Something Green." Green is my favorite color and I can't wait to check out everyone's items.

For this blog post I would like to show off my fresh batch of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Pain Relief Balm. It's of lovely green, but you still might get a pinch if you wear only that on St. Patrick's Day. Whenever I make this salve I use herbs that are fresh from my garden, so depending on the time of year the base herbal infused will be different. The essential oils that I use in the salve are the same from batch to batch. This batch of salve was infused with Rosemary trimmings from my large potted Christmas tree, and the Rosemary is what gives this batch the lovely green color. Look how intense this Rosemary is up close under our microscope.

In addition to the fresh Rosemary, I also added whole cracked dry black pepper. With added essential oils of Eucalytpus, Lemongrass, Lavender, Myrrh, Ginger, Sweet Birch, and Frankincense, this warming balm gives fabulous relief for aches and pains, especially pains that are worse during cold weather.

You can find this salve for sale in my Etsy shop:

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Warming Pain Relief Balm.

Be sure to check out the other blog participants in the Green Blog hop. Maybe you will find something there that will save you a pinch on St. Patrick's Day.

Participants
Karen Terry-McDuffie http://www.jmjcreations.blogspot.com
Robin Koehler http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
Linda Reynolds http://bellalindadesigns.net/
Birgitte Hendricks http://SewDanish.blogspot.com
Judy Woodley http://www.WellspringCreations.blogspot.com
Rita Wetzel http://ritascreativenest.com
Audrey F http://AudreyGardenLady.blogspot.com
Robin Maria Pedrero http://www.pocketfullofcolors.blogspot.com
Ann Rinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com
Trudy Miller http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com
Cory Trusty http://delicateadornments.blogspot.com
Nancy Pace http://nancyswildwirejewelry.blogspot.com
Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com/

You can find the Unique Women in Business Etsy Team also at:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/6263/unique-women-in-business-uwib

Frog photo by Brian Gratwicke.

Baby Cakes!

I guess I am a typical mom with baby on the brain.  Now instead of hallucinating that some one is calling "mom, mom" sometimes I think I am hearing crying.  I have already gotten up once from this quicky blog post to check out the crying that I am hearing (only in my mind)...I think...or maybe not.  Anyway, I love this cry baby necklace from CobwebCorner.  It makes me chuckle.  Cry babies are cute.

I swear I can still have an adult conversation about something other than baby, but please indulge me as I share my newly created baby cakes treasury with selections from my Unique Women in Business group members.  Visit the treasury on Etsy to click through the individual items.  

Three of the items in this treasury are from Kim of BeautifulBridget in her beautiful photo props shop you can find more items such as these.  All her items are her own original designs or patterns.  She is a true handmade artisan.  This is my current favorite from her shop.  Be sure also to check out Kim's daughter's shop: Miss Indie.  Quite a talented family:

Here is the newest picture of my little baby cake in a basket.  She's actually a very happy baby, not too much crying.

I also included in this treasury my Zi Cao Herbal Salve which is very great for baby diaper rash. Luckily I haven't had to use it for Tessa yet. It comes in very handy though if a baby ever has a rash or hurting bottom from diarrhea.  I have blogged about this specialty herbal salve previously and you can read all about it's many uses including to relieve burns, vaginitis pain, and insect bite itch here here.

Think Spring! Spring Sale with Unique Women in Business

UNIQUE WOMEN IN BUSINESS THINK SPRING SALE MARCH 5TH - 8TH

All floral items from Aquarian Bath are on sale 20% off on Etsy: Floral soaps, floral perfumes, lavender neck pillows and more. Natural scents of Jasmine sambac, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Rose Geranium, Vanilla. To receive your discount place your etsy order as usual and I will send a revised paypal invoice. Alternatively place your order and paypal as usual; I will refund 20% off your floral products.

Search 'UWIBSPRING' on Etsy for more sale items from other Unique Women in Business and visit our blog. I've included some of my favorites here which will be on sale or have discounted shipping from other UWIB members, the first of which is the Bleeding Hearts print from Lindentreephotograph.

Love Birds Necklace by Garden Vibe.


Green romantic shrug by Ayca


Spring Flowers Necklace by CobwebCorner.


Happiness by RobinMariaPedrero


Sea Grapes bracelet by AudreyGardenLady

Valentines Treasury!

I just made my first treasury on Etsy and had to share it. This is a collection of items from my friends in the Unique Women in Business group. Enjoy!

Cotton Reuseable Face Scrubbies from Brie Durkin of BDK Signature

I recently received a great batch of cotton face scrubbies from another Unique Women in Business Member, Brie Durkin of BDK Signature. I'm very happy with them and love to use them once or twice a day with my black charcoal clarifying soap. In addition to hand made face scrubbies, Brie also makes wash cloths and glass pendants. Brie is currently attending college in McMinnville, Oregon where she is studying Psychology and Studio Art. "I am in a sorority and absolutely love it. My favorite color is blue and I am addicted to Etsy! I am motivated by my love of creating and my passion for handmade. I love learning how to make everything, so I am constantly expanding my skill set. When I see a medium that I like, I strive to learn how to use it. I want to be the person that knows how to do everything. What also motivates me is the fact that I can earn money to pay for college."