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Seafood & Veggie Lavender Skewers on the BBQ!

I use recipes as inspirations – to get an idea of what “goes” together. I detest long lists of ingredients and seldom do I read the instructions ...

On that note ... I hope this “photo-ecipe” inspires you to use lavender in your outdoor cooking as it truly adds an unusual PUNCH of flavour ... for further flavour inspirations there are a few more detailed recipes on our culinary page.

1. Lavender “goes” with seafood very well – especially on the BBQ. In this recipe we even used dried lavender stems as skewers to add an extra touch of flavour. When using dried lavender stems for skewers soak them in warm water for 1 hour before use.

2. I like to make a quick marinade for the shrimp and scallops as well as the veggies: olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon, salt, pepper, spring onions & culinary LAVENDER buds (in the case of lavender a little goes a long way – try a pinch of buds)

3. Marinade for 1 hour – place veggies, shrimp and scallops on skewers

4. BBQ for 10 min – serve with rice or quinoa

Creepy Crawlies, Animals and Lavender

The abundance of qualities lavender possesses never ceases to amaze me. While compiling research information for this article I was once again made aware of this herb’s versatility. Lavender must be one of Mother Nature’s most appealing and appeasing creations: gently shooing the mosquitoes and scorpions away – while welcoming bumblebees and the butterflies ... all in one breath! Here are some other qualities lavender is known for in the animal and creepy crawly world:

Lavender keeps the pesky “creatures” at Bay

• Keeps Moths at bay – store lavender sachets or sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil with your winter clothes, comforters etc.
• Keeps Fleas at bay – a few drops of lavender essential oil rubbed onto a dog’s shaggy coat will keep the fleas away.  You can easily make a bandana filled with lavender buds to tie around their neck. Natural pet shampoos often opt for the scent of lavender for this reason and for its calming and soothing qualities.
• Keeps Scorpions at bay – don’t take my word for it as I live in Ontario, Canada – however the people from Arizona as well as from the South of France that deal with these pesky visitors on a regular basis say it is true – lavender deters scorpions. To deter scorpions from entering your shoes ... keep a sachet in each shoe when visiting scorpion country. Another little trick to keep them away from your bed is to use essential oil diffusers or spray bottles with diluted essential oil and water mixtures. Spray the “lavender water” on the bed linens as well as the walls to keeps the scorpions from entering.  
• Keeps Mosquitoes at bay – the more lavender in your garden or on your balcony – the less you will encounter those pesky biters. Essential oil of lavender is used very often together with citronella and cloves in natural mosquito repellents. 

Lavender helps household pets

Cats, Dogs as well as horses and farm animals benefit from the healing and calming qualities of lavender.

• Calms animals if they are hyper or are experiencing trauma, distress or anxiety
• Helps heal wounds – rub a few drops of essential oil on the cut or scrape
• The aroma of lavender works to combat car sickness – make a dog bandanna by sewing some lavender into a large square bandana and tie it around the dog’s collar
• Keeps fleas at bay -  used in many natural pet shampoos – rubbing some lavender essential oil into their coats also helps
• Calms thunder phobic dogs
• Many veterinary clinics use lavender oil to scent their offices and rooms to calm the animals

Lavender attracts beneficial “creepy crawlies"

• Attracts butterflies to your garden
• Attracts bees - bees are gentle creatures that pollinate flowers and should be every gardener's friend.
• Neither bunnies nor deer like the taste of lavender and therefore they will not nibble at your country garden – they literally come only to smell the flowers!
  
  
  

Lavender Love Lore

Throughout history the scent of lavender has been celebrated for its clean, refreshing scent and is also mentioned in historical – as well as modern references as the scent of love and romance.

Here are some examples:

• Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt used rose and lavender in aromatic mixtures to seduce both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

• To find out the identity of their true love, 16th century young maidens would sip a brew of lavender on St. Luke’s Day while repeating the following verse: “St Luke, St Luke, be kind to me, In dreams let my true love see.”

• Alpine girls tucked lavender under their lovers’ pillows, hoping to turn their thoughts to romance.

• Once married, newly-weds would put bunches of dried lavender under their mattresses to ensure marital passion.

• Victorian England incorporated lavender into wedding ceremonies as “that something blue”.

• In 2007 researchers at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago concluded that, among others, the smell of lavender “put men in the mood”.

So, this Valentine’s Day celebrate lavender – and if romance is on your mind, forget roses and choose the thorn-free mauve beauty of lavender instead.

Send a unique Lavender Valentine!

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Lavender Sleep Therapy

In folklore, pillows were filled with lavender flowers to help the restless fall asleep. There is now scientific evidence to suggest that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders.

Studies also suggest that massage with essential oils, particularly lavender, may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, increased mental capacity, and reduced anxiety. In one recent study, participants who received massage with lavender felt less anxious and more positive than participants who received massage alone.

Lavender flowers have also been approved in Germany as a tea for insomnia, restlessness, and nervous stomach irritations. (See Source)

With this research in mind I have designed a new collection of lavender sachet pillows – they are a part of the Natural Elements Collection. Each pillow is hand-crafted by me using natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk. Perfect for under your pillow, your dresser drawer or tucked away in between your linens. Each sachet measures 3.5”x3.5”. Set of 3 - $20. Shop

Follow these links for more news articles!

News Archive 2009

News Archive 2008

News Archive 2007