We have proven all of the favorable attributes Lavender has for your health and skin. But research also shows that there are many great qualities for growing these magnificent plants in your gardens as well!
Attracts Bees and Butterflies:
Lavender’s nectar-rich flowers are a favorite food source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity and pollination.
Supports Ecosystems:
By attracting pollinators, lavender helps to support a healthy and balanced ecosystem in your garden.
Repels Certain Pests:
Lavender’s strong scent can deter mosquitoes, moths, flies, and other unwanted insects, acting as a natural pest repellent.
Deer Deterrent:
The scent of lavender can also help keep deer away from your garden.
For Garden Aesthetics and Fragrance:
Lavender offers a beautiful purple hue and a pleasant, calming fragrance that enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your garden.
Low Maintenance:
Lavender is a relatively low-maintenance plant, thriving in sunny, well-drained conditions and requiring minimal care.
Versatile Plant:
Lavender can be used in various garden settings, including borders, herb gardens, and even containers.
Companion Plant:
Lavender can be a good companion plant for other herbs and vegetables, potentially improving their growth and deterring pests.
Self-care simply means taking care of yourself. It’s about prioritizing your well-being, both physically and mentally. It can be anything that makes you feel good and helps you manage stress. Just like you care for your loved ones, it allows you to show yourself some love and attention, especially through the stress of the holidays.
Is it selfish?
Self-care is not about being selfish. In fact, taking care of yourself through the holidays and everyday allows you to be more present and supportive for the people in your life. When you’re well-rested, relaxed, and feeling good, you have more energy and patience for others.
How to practice:
Self-care is personal. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find activities you enjoy and that make you feel good. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Relaxing baths or showers: Indulge in a warm soak with bath salts or essential oils. You can also use a scrub to exfoliate your skin and a moisturizer to keep it hydrated.
Spa treatments at home: Give yourself a manicure, pedicure, or create a spa-like atmosphere with candles and calming music.
Other activities: Explore activities like reading, spending time in nature, listening to music, taking a walk, or spending some holiday time with loved ones.
Remember, this is about finding what works for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Start your self-care journey over the holidays and be the best version of yourself during whatever stress the holidays bring.
Most recipes for lavender sugar use white sugar; but there is absolutely nothing wrong in using brown sugar, as long as it is not moist! Compacted sugars will spoil quickly, so use brown sugar that is raw or any dry granulated sugars.
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of (white OR brown) granulated sugar 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare a clean/sterilized dry jar to store the sugar in, and then add your cup of sugar to the mixing bowl.
Open your package of Belvedere Lavender Culinary Lavender (or other dried lavender). You can leave the buds whole if you are going to remove them later, or, you can throw the dried Lavender buds into a blender to pulse them until the buds are a coarse cut but not a powder. Then mix together with the sugar.
Transfer the mixture into the storage jar, making sure to pack the sugar down while sealing it carefully.
Store the sugar jar in a cool, dark place for 2+ weeks (allowing the sugar to absorb the Lavender flavor – the longer, the stronger the Lavender flavor), shaking the jar every-other day to distribute the Lavender.
[Note: If using full Lavender buds, remove them after a two-week period]
Lavender Sugar is now ready to be use in cooking, teas, lemonades, baking recipes, anything that needs a hint of sweetness with a floral twist!
Lavender and skincare have a long and intertwined history, dating back to the earliest written records and even further to prehistory based on archaeological evidence.
Ancient Uses:
Egyptians: Hieroglyphs document lavender’s use in cosmetics and as an anti-aging agent. It was also an essential herb in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.
Greeks: Medical writings from the 1st century AD mention lavender’s medicinal properties.
Romans: Lavender was used for indigestion, headaches, and as an antiseptic for sore throats, wounds, and burns.
Victorian Era:
Ladies of status used lavender oil as a perfume. Even Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed lavender for both fragrance and medicinal tea.
Early America:
People would freshen wet bedding and clothing by laying them over lavender bushes to absorb the lovely scent.
Modern Uses:
Scientific research confirms lavender’s benefits for a variety of conditions, including:
Skin conditions
Stress
Anxiety
Exhaustion
Irritability
Headaches and migraines
Insomnia
Depression
Digestive issues
Colds
Breath freshening
Lavender’s Enduring Appeal:
Lavender’s benefits are well-documented and continue to make it a popular choice for skincare and alternative medicine today. At Belvedere Lavender, we combine the power of lavender with other natural ingredients to create the best possible all-natural skincare products. Learn more about our natural ingredients and their benefits here.
It’s that time of year again! Cozy nights by the fireplace, a good book, and a warm cup of hot chocolate. Unfortunately, winter also brings dry and flaky skin. Adjusting to Winter Skin Care is paramount.
The Canadian winter is harsh. With dropping temperatures, our skin naturally loses moisture (hello, chapped lips!). Cold air tightens pores and reduces circulation. Indoors, we crank up the heat, further drying and irritating our skin.
Luckily, Belvedere Lavender’s line of nourishing, all-natural products can help keep your skin happy and healthy throughout winter.
This delicate cream, suitable for slightly dry to very dry skin, melts into your skin and under-eye area. It combines moisturizing and regenerative ingredients like rose hip oil, borage seed oil, jojoba oil, peach kernel oil, and aloe vera to soothe dry winter skin. Lavender essential oil reduces inflammation, while sweet orange essential oil boosts circulation, keeping your skin soft.
For supple skin, apply a small amount to your face after cleansing and toning. Use light upward strokes and pat under your eyes with your fingertips. At night, apply serum before the cream.
Winter can lead to painful cracking and bleeding of the skin. This lotion’s ingredients, like pumpkin seed oil and peach kernel oil, nourish and soothe sensitive and chapped skin. Kokum butter and bamboo extract prevent dryness and soften the skin, keeping your hands well-hydrated.
Skip the extra-long hot showers in winter; they strip away natural oils. Instead, massage the lotion gently into your body after a warm shower or bath to seal in moisture.
Keep dry and chapped lips at bay with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm! Loaded with ingredients like rosehip seed oil, peach kernel oil, lavender essential oil, beeswax, and vitamin E, your lips will be ready to brave the winter.
Apply to lips as often as desired. How are you Adjusting to Winter Skin Care?
See our full line of all-natural lavender skincare products in our shop, read more social media or Blogs about lavender, or create a V.I.P. account to stay in the loop.
