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Does Stressed Mom Need a Gift or Some Love?

You are a mother.  You are a mother who is stressed.  You are a mother who is not only stressed, but don't feel so good about the upcoming holiday.  Whether your own mother is alive or not, you realize that another celebration of mom and/or you is not what you need right now.  Then say so.  Maybe you have decided you are not cooking, visiting, party planning, or expecting anything from anyone. 

You just want love, Mom, I get it.  A hug will do, an "I love you" is sweet, and some time alone is also good.  A cheap husband, boyfriend or relative will applaud your simple request, but if one feels it in his or her heart to do something nice so be it--embrace it.  Yet, these days love is what you and others most likely appreciate more.

We  have lived in a world of much confusion, anger, bitterness, jealousy and more and with each passing day it seems to be getting worse.  A stressed mother feels like she is the sun revolving around the world rather than the sun revolving around her.  She is trying very hard to make a partner, children, co-workers, relatives, and others happy and bring light to the darkness that maybe in their lives.  Yet, Mom is not only tired, but angry because the more she does for others, the more they expect from her even when a holiday approaches. 

When Mother decides to retreat, take a break, and distance herself from people, she is viewed as not a nice person and is "God with her."  Her anticipated break she takes for herself may be days, weeks, or even years depending on how worn out she is emotionally and/or physically.  Sometimes there is no break, she has simply made up in her mind she is so over people, places and things that she remains distant.

A Mother's Day gift is nice for you or someone that you know, but what is most important is love near or from afar.  Love conquers all.  You don't have to know the mom who needs love and she doesn't have to know you, simply wish her well, say a prayer and put her in God's hands.  Think of  those around you who are experiencing much pressure from parenting to work and then along comes another holiday that might not be so positive for them (many people no longer have their moms around due to distance or death).  And you thought you had it bad?

You attract love when you are willing to receive it, so welcome it and allow peaceful moments to revive you.  Avoid the temptation to fill every moment of the day with activity.  When you need an extra pair of hands, use them.  The benefit to this upcoming season is that there are those who will be willing to help you just because it is Mother's Day.  So appreciate them and make those requests.

Nicholl McGuire

Mother's Day Gift Idea - What should you look for in an essential oil diffuser?

Diffusers

Before we begin with the topic of what to look for in an essential oil diffuser, let’s quickly go over what an essential oil actually is. This is a natural substance that carries the fragrance of a herb or flower in a concentrated form following its distillation. Essential oils have been used to make perfume and other cosmetic products for millennia. Their fragrances are still considered wholesome supplements that are an inseparable part of a clean and natural way of life.

Not all perfume is made with essential oils. A lot of cosmetic companies rely on preservatives and artificial chemicals, as they are cheaper. Of course, this is not the best option. As the benefits of inhaling powerful essential oils are widely recognized, even undeniable, a lot of people purchase diffusers.

A diffuser helps disperse an essential oil into interior space. The welcoming, pleasant fragrance is slowly released, resulting in a sense of calm and relaxation that would not be so easy to achieve otherwise, i.e. by relying on fully natural scents.

Unobtrusive and elegant

Aesthetic appeal is a top consideration when it comes to selecting the right diffuser. This is understandable, as essential oils appeal not only to our sense of smell but also to our eyes. If you are reading this, you are someone who knows the importance of the appeal to the senses, so you will agree that the design of the diffuser should be a key consideration.

One model of the Young Living Aria essential oil diffuser, for example, is shaped like a rosebud and looks great on a mantelpiece or natural wood table. It's off-white and purple exterior is aesthetically pleasing, efficient and functional.  Alternatively, you could opt for the Deneve Riverock, which is black and white, also unobtrusive, and specifically safe to use with citrus oils (not all essential oil diffusers are).

Tank size, runtime, light features

The Riverock has a runtime of up to 5 hours and a tank size of 70 ml. This is a relatively short runtime and a small tank size, which some may see as a disadvantage. It can cover an area of 250 sq. ft. It is elegant and modern, making it perfect if you are planning to place it in a visible location in your home or office. It’s even great for the bedroom because the LED light band around it isn’t too bright, and if the LED is turned off, it emits no light at all. The black model features a nice light effect due to the color-changing light band reflected by the dark hemispheres. It shuts off automatically when the tank is empty, making it safe to use when you are busy or asleep.

Another option is the PureSpa Deluxe. It's light band changes color, a pleasant and vibrant effect. It has the edge over the Riverock when it comes to runtime and tank size - up to 10 hours and 120 ml. It covers approximately the same area as the Riverock. It also shuts off automatically, but should not be used with citrus oils.

DIY Mother's Day Gifts

Compost Tumbler Review

Do you feel frustrated in your search for the right compost tumbler? You decided to start making compost, but are struggling with the vast choice of tumblers that is available? Read on to learn more about the different types of tumbles and some top ideas!

Growing vegetables and fruit in your garden with organic, fresh, homemade compost is an amazing experience. You know what you are eating, because you are making it yourself. No more overpriced greenhouse “food.” No more standard, terrible, chock full of nitrates, mass produced stuff.

Our health depends on us. We are what we eat. Growing your food, real, healthy food, is a reasonable and great thing to do. You are helping save the planet by recycling and reusing your  organic waste; and you aren’t using any fossil fuels to achieve this, because composting is an entirely natural process. Compost can be used to improve the health of your plants. This compost covers the circle of life, especially if you're growing edibles.

Now moving on to the tumblers – it's why you came here. We’ll start with an excellent professional review. The Jora 70 Gallon 270 Compost Tumbler makes it easy to produce  fertilizer. It has two chambers, enabling prolonged use. You can add organic materials to one chamber, while the ones in the other compartment mature. This  compost means you can make and use it at the same time.

Thanks to its full insulation, the tumbler can make compost in less than a month. In comparison, some take up to 9 months to make. It can also compost in winter.

Jora is ideal for large families and larger households in general as well as restaurants and schools. It will last for years, because it's from galvanized steel. On the downside, it's more expensive than mulch, but worth it. Its high capacity makes it unsuitable for smaller homes. You need some technical skills to mount it (with screws on the wall, screws sold separately).

Jora comes with rodent proof features and can operate in different climates. Because composting produces heat and the various materials you use work at different temperatures, it can be challenging to achieve a rich, even compost. The Jora heats up to 160 degrees, which is sufficient to composts any and all organic materials. These will start breaking down, before they rot and begin to attract rodents.

The fact that you have to rotate the tumbler regularly can be a bit frustrating, but this is key to the creation of good compost. You must ensure that air is getting into the mixture to make composting faster. The tumbler’s full insulation keeps rodents out. It also reduces odors and is elevated. All you need to do is add organic waste and turn the tumbler by hand. New waste comes into contact with forming compost. Turning the compost bin ensures supply of oxygen, so that the microbes carrying out the decomposition survive. Do not put animal waste, fish or meat in.