May 19, 2015
With the return of the sun, meaning longer and warmer days, the end of May is the perfect time to finalize your garden preparations for spring. It brings a renewed vigor to be getting out into the soil and being among nature, not to mention the anticipation of fresh delectable aromatic herbs and vegetables. The sun, the wind, and the rain largely play a role in […]
April 23, 2015
Spring has sprung! Along with the change of seasons, we feel a change that ignites within us; more energy, clearer thinking, and a more upbeat perspective on life. It is indeed an exciting time of year as we welcome the warmer, longer days. The term “spring cleaning” does not stop in the home; your body naturally begins to cleanse itself this time of year as well. […]
April 18, 2015
Nutrition and green living are on the climb in beauty trends. The connection between what you put into your body and the vitality of your outer being (the one you present to the world) is becoming stronger. Plus, the idea of slathering your skin in toxic chemicals to achieve beauty is losing steam, fast. The skin is one of the truest representations of health simply because […]
March 1, 2015
“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.” ― Patrick Süskind Having grown up on a ranch, the perfume of the prairies is a primary element of […]
February 27, 2015
by Nicola If our Apothecary walls could speak – I am so curious what they would say. In the past decade, our herbal sanctuary has journeyed through many different settings only now reaching its final destination: Kolya’s Apothecary – where Optimum Health Vitamins and Kolya Naturals Skincare meet. The story actually began in 1994, when my husband John started Optimum Health Vitamins, occupying a humble 400 […]
February 20, 2015
Here in our Botanical Apothecary, it is not uncommon to find healthy mama’s (and mama to be’s) to be pursuing our essential oil collection seeking advice and tips for using oils for a healthy pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. As a Doula and Herbalist, I believe in the power and healing of these powerful botanical oils for pregnancy and childbirth. Here are my top six favorite […]
February 2, 2015
The pace of life today is fast. Amidst all of the areas of our life that constantly need our attention, it seems our romantic relationships are most easily neglected. This is not because they aren’t important, but simply because we feel our partners are the most understanding. They are the ones who will kiss us on the forehead at the end of a crazy day and […]
January 30, 2015
This “beat the blues” diy room spray enlightens the darkest of rooms. The days are getting shorter and with less light, we might feel our regular moods dimming too. What better way to bring some light back into those dark winter months than to freshen up the house with a hand-made room spray? Light citrus flavours in the Beat the Blues blend offer a wonderful […]
January 30, 2015
This beautiful Herbal Tea Blend for Immunity not only tastes great, but it fortifies the immune system and helps to wake up, with no coffee crash!
January 23, 2015
It’s really not your fault. Your hands are getting itchy, and your lips getting parched. Your cuticles are peeling and your cheeks are sporting that dull, chapped “winter” layer of skin. (Welcome to the next few months…). So how do you keep a winter glow – read on… We essentially live in an inhospitable winter environment, and our coping mechanisms, though they may keep us toasty warm, […]
November 21, 2014
The coming holiday season stirs emotions like no other; whether it be childhood nostalgia, longings for those no longer with us, memories of joy and delight, or dread about the many details that need to get done. We rollercoaster through these days, seemingly with little control over how to react, or keep up the pace. Sometimes it takes a toll on our health, and exhaustion cloaks […]
August 25, 2014
Not a lot of people realize that we have Do-It-Yourself classes in the Kolya Apothecary for everything from making your spa products from scratch to crafting teas for flavour and medicinal properties. The growing trends of getting back to the basics and learning to do things ourselves are exemplified in the popularity of websites like Pinterest, where people share their homemade projects and crafts. But besides […]
May 28, 2014
Some things we hold are tangible, like dark chocolate or a glass of red wine! But other things we hold are somewhere inside of us, living in the soft spaces of our hearts and minds that ensure our well-being. From time to time, we may need to ask ourselves, “Am I holding onto the things that make me happy?” Today let’s take time to think about […]
February 4, 2014
This massage bar infuses your body with chocolate smells while leaving the skin soft and smooth. Grab all of your Apothecary needs here! Chocolate Massage Bar Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Add to Shopping List This recipe is in your Shopping List Print Recipe Print Shopping List Servings Prep Time small heart molds Ingredients 1/4 cup Grated Cocoa Butter1 tbsp Grated Dark Chocolate2 […]
February 17, 2012
Create calmness, soothe anxiety, and discover clarity with aroma-therapeutic properties delivered by this DIY room spray packed with essential oils, flower essence and witch hazel. Grab all of your Apothecary needs here! Peace of Mind Room Spray Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Add to Shopping List This recipe is in your Shopping List Print Recipe Print Shopping List Servings Prep Time Ingredients 7 […]