Two of my favorite perfumers Annick Goutal and Mandy Aftel see their sales climb even in this economy.

Ask some folks if they prefer essential oils or fragrance oils and they have no idea what the difference is.  And often times nor do they care about the difference.  All they know is what smells good to them.  I can certainly understand that—knowing that smell and scent preferences & dislikes are very instinctive and individual choices. There’s also the fact that sense of smell is so deeply a part of us that it even plays strong roles in choices as complicated as choosing a mate and as basic as survival, e.g. “Don’t eat that, because it smells funny”…

In these days and times it seems that our sense of smell has been adulterated.  No longer can we count on what we smell to be actually what the name says it is; even if the name is something that comes from nature.  It could just as easily be a replica of something from nature—synthetic or “artificial”—just as there are artificial flavors added to foods to mimic real flavors (like vanillin instead of vanilla). We’ve all experienced the intimate biological relationship between sense of smell and sense of taste.  Today, you’ll see labels with scents like rose, pine, lemon or some other scent from nature and you’ll assume it’s the real thing.  You can no longer assume that: Artificial variants of the real thing abound, in this era of “all things natural”.

The fragrance or perfume industry is one of the largest and most lucrative industries in the world and growing bigger everyday.  And while the untrained nose may not be able to differentiate the real from the manufactured, your body knows the difference.  This is due to the fact that all essential oils come from plant materials and have medicinal properties that assist in healing.  This is one really big distinction between essential oils and fragrance oils.  Fragrance oils, while they smell good, they offer no therapeutic value.

Anything and everything you put on your body, scalp hair, seeps into your bloodstream and has an effect.   That aside, it still comes down to whether or not you like what you smell.  But I recommend that you become as aware of what you put on your body as what you put in your body.

That said—Khamit Kinks products have a new name and a new twist.  The first change is the name.  The new name is Anu Essentials and, as always, offers products that are scented with essential oils (oils from nature) and we also offer other products scented with fragrance (manufactured) oils.  In all cases, the ingredients are on the label state whether they are essential oil or fragrance oil based.

The good news is that more of our products are essential oil based.  The most recent products to get this upgrade are the Golden Blossom and Honey Suckle oils.  The Golden Blossom and Honey Suckle are now scented with essential oils only.  So along with the Medicinal and Herbal oils we now have four hair oils that are strictly essential oil based.  We also plan to upgrade some of our r butters and soaps to essential oil based.  We will keep you abreast of these changes when they occur.  In all cases, our labels clearly state whether the product is essential oil based or fragrance oil based.

We have your best interest in mind and we continue to strive towards improving all that we have to offer you.  We hope that you will enjoy our truly new and improved products infused with essential oils to help you – Smell Good, Feel Good and Look Good.

The Christmas season is a time when peppermint (candy) is ever popular.  When I was a little girl, as much as I liked candy, Christmas candy was my least favorite.  It reminded me of medicine, though without other choices, I’ll admit, I still ate it.  I now realize those Christmas candies were spiced with herbs like anise, fennel, ginger etc.  But the herbal candy that was always a treat was the abundant peppermint.  Many years passed before I learned that peppermint wasn’t a candy, but was actually a powerful and useful herb.

I’ll never forget back when I was in high school and totally ignorant about diet, healthy foods or herbs.  At the time my mother was being introduced to herbals teas and such and asked me if I’d like some peppermint tea.  My response was that I was not interested in tea that had peppermint added to it.  Boy, did I have it “bass ackwards”.

Peppermint is an awesome green leafy herb that grows profusely and has a great number of healing properties.   Although it’s classified as a stimulant it also has the dual ability of soothing you.   It’s used to treat indigestion, flatulence, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms and pain.  Not to mention, peppermint oil keeps the mice away.

We’ve all used toothpaste and mouthwash laced with Peppermint oil.  This multi-purpose herb is an antiseptic and as such is very useful for dental care.  It removes bad breath and helps teeth and gums deal with germs.  Peppermint is also found in soaps, lotions, and many other beauty products.

Over the years I have used peppermint tea to aid in digestion and to just have a soothing and relaxing experience.  So during this season when the candy canes abound, be reminded that the real unadulterated herb (minus the sugar) can be taken to address any number of concerns, or sipped as a tea to both relax and invigorate you.

Have a cup of tea for me and tell me how has peppermint peppered your life?

Happy Holy days!

I have both good news and bad news folks. First, let’s tackle the bad news, winter is here and it’s just the beginning. Now for the good news, kale is in season and in abundance! Kale is most certainly my favorite super food and I love to share the benefits I have experienced getting to know this amazing vegetable.

Nearly nine years ago, I was boasting to a friend about my transformation from a fast-food eating junkie to a nuts & seeds kind of gal. I felt good about my journey and had not realized how much more I had to learn until he offered me a green juice. Just minutes before, he had requested that we take a short meeting break so that he could make a snack. As I watched him load his juicer with spinach, an apple, some celery, parsley and kale, I grew less envious of his taste buds. At that time, my favorite snack was cheese and crackers or potato chips.

When he asked for the second time, I politely declined then smiled to assure him that I was cool. As he began to drink the green elixir, my face turned upside down; and, without thinking, I spurted out the word, Yuck! – as if to speak for his tongue. He immediately poured me the remainder and said, “Girl, you’re not a kid anymore and it won’t kill you. Drink this, it works wonders for the mind and body.” Well he was not lying. That was my first real encounter with juicing. Back then, the word juice evoked feelings of sweet goodness and fruity effervescence not green sludge. I grabbed the glass and closed my eyes as if to say, “I’m a big girl, just watch and see.” I was terrified but it didn’t taste that bad so I asked him for the recipe.

One of the main ingredients is this green sludge concoction was kale. I had rarely eaten kale while growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was not sure if it was due to in-availability or simply my family’s inexperience with food outside of the soul food paradigm i.e. collard greens, green beans, corn, yams, or carrots. I now know it was the latter.

Shortly after, I joined our neighborhood Food Coop and begin to buy bunches of kale. Today, I can’t go ten days without it — and even that’s a long time. Also, my favorite type of kale is lacinato or black kale (aka dinosaur kale); it has proven to be a source of strength, energy, and inspiration to me.

A member of the wild cabbage family and siblings to the following vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and collard greens, kale is a great source of iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K.

Twice in the last eight years, my eyeglass prescription has been changed for the better. It seems as though my eyesight is getting better with age. I am often mistaken for a twenty-five year old although I’ll be thirty-nine next summer. Most days I am able to accomplish huge TO DO lists with ease. It’s my belief that kale has a great deal to do with this. Of course, regular exercise, plenty of water and rest, plus my ability to resist eating junk or processed foods have had a huge impact as well.

Unlike last winter, I am staying in New York in order to complete a book project and I am going to need all the kale I can devour. If you are looking for a new love, then pick up a bunch of kale and give thanks for its healing powers and nutritional benefits. It is an antioxidant which means that it contains nutrients and enzymes that counteract the damaging effects of oxidation in tissue — preventing the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts.

Next time you are shopping for produce or groceries, pick up a bunch of kale and make a commitment to include more green veggies in your daily food intake. It will make all the difference this winter with regards to your skin, hair, nails, eyesight, energy levels, mood, and immune health.

Ideas for what to do with kale:

Always, chop gently, then rinse and soak thoroughly in cool water then:

• 1. Steam it or cook in a very small amount of boiling water. This takes 6 minutes.
• 2. Add it at the end of any stew or soup e.g. lentil soup, potato leek, or even chili.
• 3. Marinate overnight with some olive oil or sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, diced red onion and garlic
• 4. Sauté with olive oil and other yummy vegetables such as collard greens, corn, shredded carrots, beets, or turnips then serve with rice or quinoa on the side.

Try drinking the broth of your greens in the morning, it is much healthier than coffee and will give you an extra boost.

Servings: One bunch feeds four people depending on the size of the bunch.

(add salt and pepper if you wish but you don’t really need it)

Important Note: Kale, as well as other greens, is best eaten when it is a bright green color in order to preserve the nutritional content; therefore be careful not to over cook them. Lacinato kale takes a bit longer to cook than the other kale varieties.

Happy Winter and May all of your dreams come true!

KalaLea is a writer, photographer, world traveler, and former organic cafe owner who is currently working on her first book about her favorite past time, eating.

Have you been feeling a little down, sad, sorry for yourself?  One technique for putting these feelings in perspective is to consider your blessings.  There are those who vouch for Oprah’s idea of keeping a gratitude journal for all the reasons you have to be grateful.  We have an untold number of blessings that we take for granted every moment of every day.  But when you think of it, I guess it’s natural to do so, take so much for granted.

This past Thanksgiving weekend I was in the company of not one, but two loved ones who can no longer depend on themselves.  They are sick, very sick.  I won’t go into the details, but when was the last time you thanked God for the fact that everyday, no one helps you out of bed, or has to bathe you?  No one is required to dress you and get you into and out of a wheel chair.  Each day, most of you reading this post wake up, throw your legs off the bed, stand on your own two feet and then off you go to where ever in heaven you’d like to go.  Think about that.  That’s major!   But when was the last time you thought about the fact that that’s a pretty tremendous blessing, having that independence of movement?

Most of you are probably reading this post without any oxygen tube up your nose.  You’re breathing in and out all day on your on.  So take a long, deep breath, and Give Thanks.  Some of you may have loved ones in your life who aren’t so fortunate and you may even be their primary care takers.  In that case, you may be tired and overwhelmed.  And what I’m saying may not come close to the gravity of the challenges you face everyday.  But Give Thanks, you are on the giving instead of the receiving end of this situation.  You are blessed as many of us are.

If you’re really down in the dumps and life is feeling very difficult right now, it is not my intention to minimize your experience.  If you situation is chronic I encourage you to seek out the support you need.  The options for resources addressing your needs are many.  So do something that will honor you and your spirit.  And remember through it all to Give Thanks!

Talk about being spooked!  I don’t consider myself the scary type and I’m definitely not the immunization taking type.  I hadn’t taken vaccination shots since being a kid.  It wasn’t until I found out I had to take a heap of shots (that cost a pretty penny) before traveling to Bali, back in 2007, that I finally acquiesced.  Unfortunately, I had some adverse reactions to the shots that weren’t pleasant.  For me that was nearly a deal breaker.  I am wary of vaccines.  Not to mention the fact that I’m from the clan where most of my friends did not have their children vaccinated and those children grew up to be fine adults with no adverse childhood diseases.

Just the fall-out I experience from taking antibiotics is enough for me to chuck down a truckload of garlic, vitamin C, acidophilous and whatever other natural immune boasters I can get my hands on.

But on Sunday while watching the “60 Minutes” segment on the H1NI virus, I started having doubts and began to wonder should I re-think my position on this topic.  It was a scary notion to imagine not being armed for this potential killer.  But then the program ended and I began to come by to my senses.  I decided, I am not going to be frightened into taking this vaccine.  Though I firmly believe that now is the time to take stock of how strong are our immune systems.  I decided I’d take a closer look into what are some of the natural alternatives are for building up one’s immunity.  One of the basic things we all should remember is to get our rest.  Allowing yourself to get run-down and exhausted is one way of just asking for trouble.

In the meantime, I thought I’d check in with you and see what your plans are.  Are you going to get the H1N1 vaccine?  If so, why and if not, what are your plans to make certain you’re armed against this potential killer?

Dear friend, it’s been some time since I weighed in on “our” exercise regime.  And what I’m wondering is, are there other folks out there like me, who need to switch it up?  I know that there are those who jog nearly every day of the year and others that go to the gym on a regular basis.  But I’ve noticed over the years, there’s just no one exercise program that I can ever stick to year in and year out.  I have to switch it up.

For instance, for most of the summer, when I could get my workout on, I did power walking in the park and yoga on alternate days.  When the weather is warm and beautiful, I just cannot be cooped up indoors working out at a gym or at home.  I have to be outdoors experiencing all that nature has to offer, the rays of the sun, the flowers and the trees in bloom and all that you take in from the great outdoors, without even realizing that you do.

But as soon as it starts getting cold, I’m the first one to scamper back indoors to get my exercise on.  Friends have told me that they marvel at the fact that I can workout at home.  They’ve mentioned that they need to be in an environment where others are working out, in order to feel motivated.  But when it’s cold outside, I love working out at home because it’s simple.  I just put on my gym gear, put the DVD in the player and do the darn thing.  I don’t have to pack a gym bag, get in the car and drive to the gym, praying for a parking space on the right side of the street (a NY thing).  I don’t have to then scurry back home to get ready for work.  And working out at night after work, is out of the question; you may as well expect me to climb Mount Everett.  So working out at home in the morning, before going to work, is just convenient and saves travel time.  Now if there were a descent gym in walking distance, that would be a great option.

And guys, I’m not ashamed to admit it, I never made it through the P90X, 90-day challenge.  I did my best and I left the rest (as they say over and over on the P90X dvd).  At this point getting through the 90-day challenge is no longer a goal of mine.  It was much more than my schedule or my body could handle.  I did try over and over, but I finally decided that perhaps this wasn’t the best way for me to do P90X.  It didn’t leave me enough time to fit my yoga in.  So now I’m back to what works for me, yoga one day, P90X the next and on and on like that.  It has to work for you or you’ll end up doing nothing.  And that’s not an option!

I have to say though that the P90X workout still amazes me.  I love it! What I love about it is besides the challenge, is the unbelievable variety of exercises.  There are 12 different DVDs in a box set, so you receive almost two weeks of different exercises targeting different muscle groups everyday.  What they refer to as muscle confusion.  This is really a first class workout.  And NO, I’m not getting paid a dime to endorse them.  I just think it’s a phenomenal program.  I’m never bored, instead I’m usually giving myself a peep talk, reminding myself, that I can do this.  In addition to this workout being quite challenging, it’s also a lot of fun. The instructor is a  hoot!  He never stops encouraging you, coaching you and telling weird but funny jokes.  And when you finally reach the end of that day’s workout, you’re so proud of yourself, that you actually made it through it again.  Not all the DVDs in the set are gangbusters.  Some of the DVDs have anaerobic exercises.  But it’s very wise to go at your own rate.  BTW, if you’re considering  P90X, start with some of their other programs, like P90, Slim or 10 Minute Trainer workouts.  These are less intense and prepare you for P90X.

Another plus regarding the P90X workout is that it’s so intense that it forces you to step up your nutritional intake (supplements and the like) and get adequate sleep.  You cannot stay up all hours of the night, eat junk and do this work out.  No way!

But enough of P90X and what I’m doing.  What are you doing these days to get your exercise on?  Or what do you do on a regular?  Do you keep to one form of exercise or do you switch it up depending on your mood, the season, or when you travel or what?   I’d like to know what folks are doing out there to keep their hearts in shape, get their adrenaline flowing, and limbs and muscles stretched?  Let me know, do you switch it up or is there that one thing that just does it for you? Let me know.

There are some things that can cause you to smile and offer you a glimpse into the experience of pure joy.  And often, it’s the simple things that bring you joy.  If you’re not paying attention, you might miss the moment that delighted your heart.  I know these heart warmers can be very different for everyone, but here is a list of my favorites:

receiving a personal letter in the mail ( a very rare occurrence these days)

shelling my pistachios and then coming across those few that are already shelled – yummy

writing on beautiful stationary (like I did tonight)

Having a dear friend unexpectedly stop by for a visit (extremely rare)

having guest spend the weekend at our home

the right kind of music at the right time

a luscious kiss

inhaling intoxicating (essential oil) fragrances

a really good meal

an early morning drive

receiving unexpected money

realizing the beauty of sister love /girlfriend appreciation -having a BFF

connecting with the eyes of a baby /inhaling their sweet smell

experiencing serendipity in all its myriad forms

knowing you’re loved

wool socks

know you’ve accomplished a job/project very well done

Tell me some of your simple joy initiators.

On a little vacation with my sister friends this August I was in my glory just having hours of nothing to do but sit under an umbrella and read.  I love reading, that’s my idea of precious time.  I decided to check out Diahann Carroll’s book, “The Legs Are The Last To Go” Aging, Acting, Marrying and Other Things I Learned The Hard Way.   Honey, make no mistake Diahann Carroll is a bona-fide Diva, in every sense of the word.  And she make no qualms in telling you so.  I enjoyed her audaciousness, her decision to reveal herself warts and all; as well as to celebrate herself.

Diahann tells about her pivotal rise to fame growing up sheltered in a secure and upwardly mobile family in Harlem N.Y.  One of Diahann’s issues that she really focuses on is her revelation regarding her pattern with men.  She speaks plainly about being savvy when it came to her career, networking, moving up, living the high life.  She is  the consummate professional who is laser when it comes to her career.  She did her research, was always prepared etc.,  but when it came to men, she’d somehow loose her common sense, take out her blinders and proceed to attempt to deem her light as to not out shine her partners and to look the other way as they made life for her difficult and unbearable.  She traces this behavior back to the bewildering confusion she experienced due to a decision that her parents made when she was a wee-tot, that lead her to the unshakable feelings of abandonment.

Every woman has her reasons why she feels it’s necessary to become inauthentic to herself, just to stay in a relationship, to help a man feel secure, to keep the peace in a relationship, or avoid being alone or to hang on to this man you just have to have.  Whitney and Diahann aren’t the only ones!

Thank goodness despite our efforts, some times we are helped in these situations.  Either we come to our senses or are driven there to avoid going stock raving mad.  Some times we seek professional guidance, or our internal GPS just knows we’re on the wrong road and will help us to navigate back to self possession.  Other times guardian angels just rescue us.

Ms. Carroll, basically tells how it took her darn near to her seventies to finally get it, that she is whole, with or without a man.  Hot damn, at least she got it.  I highly recommend “The Legs Are The Last To Go“.  It’s a historical journey of a sister who remains at the top of her game in an industry that few African Americans of her generation have been able to navigate with the success and “ease” that Ms. Carroll has accomplished.  Say what you want about Ms. Carroll, she has my vote, warts and all!

One thing I’ve come to realize about myself is, how much I am affected by the seasons.   Am I stating the obvious?  I believe that some of us are much more affected by the change of season than others.  I first noticed the influence of the seasons on my moods in my first year of college, while attending Brockport University in upstate NY (8 hours north of the city).  The seasons were brilliantly different and so very extreme, colorful and magical.  At night the sky would seem to hang just above the treetops.  Most nights one could hardly see the sky it was so filled with stars.  It was as though  you could touch the sky and tug at the stars, if you just had a ladder.

I also lived in Miami for almost a year in the late ’70’s.  The fact that I actually missed the change of the seasons in Miami, floored me.  The same weather month in and month out, though nice and warm, got to be a bit boring.  The only changes were the torrential rains.

But I digress, my point is the impact of the changing seasons on my mood never ceases to amaze me; this is especially true of autumn.  The conflicting feelings that autumn evokes,  puts me in a state of emotional flux.

What I love about early autumn is the temperate nature of it not being too hot or too cold; kind of feeling just right.  Like all seasons, autumn is a great time to be in love.  You can go on long walks, go apple picking, or head out on a road trip to view the brilliant display of color of the fall foliage. It’s a great time to snuggle up and taste some exotic teas, take long baths or lay around and read a great book,  magazines or the Times or just “sleep in”.  And autumn always seems like a great time to get back get back to your art project(s).

I am also sadden by autumn, because there are those times when the wind whips up, the air gets damp and cool, and you’re reminded of the inevitable cold of late autumn and the winter that will proceed.  Not to mention that income/business always slows down in the fall.  The garden begins to dry up and the flowers look spent…

I’m remembering though, that being “Present” can help with those depressing thoughts.  I must remember that; to just be here with the here and now. Right now it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot.  It’s beautiful outside, I have some beautiful fall flowers in the garden, that autumn crispness is in the air and I’m gearing up for a road trip to see the colors on display.  Ahhh the wonders of fall…