Pure Essential Oils for your Headache * PastTense

Let me introduce you to my life saver. It's the doTerra PastTense- a blend of pure essential oils I use for my headaches. For me it works fast and better than pain killers. I carry it in my purse AT. ALL. TIMES. I am writing this post because I just used it on my head and the back of my neck because I had a headache coming on and wanted to stop is right way! If you get headaches give it a try.

Is there something you like to use for your headaches?

This is what doTerra has to say about it.

"PastTense dōTERRA's proprietary blend for tension and the discomforts associated with headaches, provides calming comfort with the strength of CPTG essential oils of wintergreen, lavender, peppermint, frankincense, cilantro, marjoram, roman chamomile, basil, and rosemary. Packaged for convenient application in a roll-on bottle. For aromatic and topical use."


p.s. I am an independent doTerra distributor but as always unless I believe in something and really love it I write about it other wise it wouldn't be on my blog. All opinions are my own :) 
I decided to sell doTerra pure essential oils because first, I tried them and love them and got hooked on using them for everything from making my own cleaners to adding them to my recipes to helping my headaches.  I needed to support my addiction. Second, I needed something to keep Sweet Life in The Valley thriving as in an income since I am a single mom doing it all on my own.

Lifestyle * How to Make All Natural Foot Balm

After weeks of wearing sandals feet start to get dry. Here is an all natural foot balm you can make at home. It's very simple. Since school is starting why not make some for all of your kids teachers as a back to school gift. The peppermint will refresh and the lavender will relax after a long day of teaching. It also makes a great hostess gift.

You will need:

• organic coconut oil
• pure essential peppermint oil and lavender oil
• jars
• card stock paper
• glue
• ribbon
• printable labels
• decorative paper punch 

In a glass measuring cup add 1 cup of organic coconut oil. I used Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin coconut oil. Melt in microwave checking and stirring every 10 seconds. It will take no more than 25 seconds to melt completely. Add 10-15 drops of both peppermint and lavender pure essential oils. Stir in oils. Pour into glass container. Cool in refrigerator. Your all natural peppermint and lavender foot balm is now ready. 

For labels print our Sweet Life Labels like the ones pictured. 

Click here for printable labels- Foot Balm Labels. 

Cut out your labels. I use a paper cutter to get nice straight cuts. 

Using a decorative paper edge punch cut side edges of bottom label. I used my wonderful Martha Stewart Loops Edge Punch I received from Martha and her staff at the Martha Stewart Bloggers Party while I was in New York City. I really love these punches because you can line up your edge pattern and get it perfect edge every time.

Glue your labels to the glass jar as shown. 

Tie a coordinating ribbon around the top of the jar. You are now ready to give some of these as gift or keep one for your self. 

Bonus: The coconut oil in your refreshing foot balm is a natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antimicrobial which will keep your feet healthy as well as moisturized and soothed. Enjoy!

coconut oil provided by Tropical Traditions. I only write about products I love. Do you have something you think I would love email me at sweetlifeinthevalley @ gmail

Sweet Gardening * Oakdell Farms Organic Compost

It's time to get out in the garden, pull the weeds that have crept in and get the soil ready for planting. We have an organic garden. It is safer and healthier and much less expensive than buying organic at the store. I was so excited to find out that Oakdell egg farms has organic compost. This is such a great compose. It's rich dark and guess what? Smells pretty much like regular soil. Did you know it is also the only certified compost manufactured in Utah?

We started our seeds in a mix with the compost and recycled egg cartons. I have to tell you, a couple of years ago we did an experiment with compost. We planted two tomato plants each in their own bucket. One bucket had compost the other didn't. The difference in the plant with the compost was amazing. The tomato plant with the compost was more than double in size and production that the one without.

Do you want to try some for your garden? We are giving away some bags for Oakdell Egg Farms Organic Compost to one of you but you must be in Utah to win.

To Enter:
- fill out the Oakdell Egg Farms Organic Compost Giveaway form
- extra entry tweet: Win Oakdell Organic Compost on @sweetlifeinthe http://goo.gl/fb/tXk9V
- extra entry blog about this giveaway with a link to this post
- extra entry follow @sweetlifeinthe and @crazibeautifulw on twitter
- extra entry become a fan of CraziBeautiful on Facebook
- giveaway ends May 3rd 2010 at midnight




Giveaway and samples provided by Oakdell Egg Farms.

Sweet Relaxation * Giveaway * Sanctuary Day Spa

I had the pleasure to visit Sanctuary Day Spa for a relaxing day of massage, facial and pedicuring. For those who have never had the spa experience I highly recommended it. I was in the South Towne Mall location and once I entered past the doors there was no way to know I was in a mall. As you enter Sanctuary Day Spa you change into a plush roomy robe then you are seated in a relaxation room. You are greeted with a drink and snack followed by a warm foot bath  by one of the friendly staff. Sanctuary Day Spa goes above and beyond to create a relaxing atmosphere. The pedicure was one of the best I have even had. The massage started off with an aromatherapy session. The facial included even more relaxing massage and aromatherapy.
Guess what? We are giving away a one hour {60 minute} relaxation massage to one of you to experience the relaxation of Sanctuary Day Spa.

Massage Giveaway Enter to Win:
- fill out this form Spa Massage Giveaway this giveaway is now closed

-get extra entries by tweeting, posting Facebook update with link to this post, posting on your blog about this giveaway with link to this post -be sure to include a link to our giveaway in your posts!
-giveaway ends Wednesday February 3rd 2010 at midnight


Sanctuary Day Spa at The Gateway
42 South Rio Grande Street
Gateway Plaza
Salt Lake City, UT
801.456.2375
Sanctuary Day Spa at the Fashion Place Mall
6191 South State Street,
Murray, UT
801.747.3801
Sanctuary Day Spa at the South Towne Mall
10450 South State Street
Sandy, UT
801.495.9252




Given sample by vendor/agency/brand to review

Favorites in The Valley * Communal in Provo

We would like to welcome one of our new Favorites in The Valley Communal restaurant. If you haven't had a chance to try their food please do. Everything from the beautiful wood floors and the custom tables to the locally grown food Communal is one of The places to eat in The Valley. You can see my review and more pictures here: 
Communal* Good Eats in Provo

Communal
100 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
801.373.8000

Hours Of Operation
Dinner..
Tuesday through Saturday
5:30 pm to 10 pm

Lunch..
Tuesday through Friday
11:30 am to 2:30 pm

{Communal Blog}


If you would like to be considered for our Favorites in The Valley listing please contact me at sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com

Sweet Home Life * Eco-Me Natural Cleaning Products

We, as I posted last year, have gone natural and non-toxic in our home. We only use cleaning products that are all natural and safe for our family as well as our water supplies. I recently found Eco- Me Natural Cleaning Products and think they are a great addition to our under the sink cleaning cache. Since the colds, the flu and more are going around in full force this time of year I also wanted to be sure my natural cleaning supplies killed those little buggers. Check, Eco Me uses vinegar which is a natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal natural cleaner.  With all natural cleaning supplies you keep your family free from germs and also toxic chemicals.

Given sample by vendor/agency/brand to review

Organic and Natural * Flowers

{image by Organic Bouquet}

A lot of us are striving to fill our homes with natural, earth friendly and organic items. We do this with the clothing we wear, the food we put in our bodies and the products we put on our bodies, along with many other ways.

Our family sends a good amount of flowers to family members in the state of Utah and also in other states throughout the year. When I went online to check out some floral arrangement and ordering services, I started thinking about how I never have been terribly impressed with the flowers. Then, all of the sudden, it occurred to me: why wasn't I looking for eco-friendly organic all natural flowers like I do with everything else? Were they even out there? Would they be terribly expensive?

Well they ARE out there, they ARE affordable and the quality is much much higher. They strive to meet the highest social and environmental product standards set forth by the following certifying agencies: USDA certified Organic, Veriflora certified sustainable, Demeter certified Biodynamic, Fair Trade, Smart Certified, and Green-e. And they work hard to employ eco-friendly practices whenever possible by using recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, wild-crafted, and/or all-natural materials, printing with vegetable-based inks, and using carbon offsets, renewable or efficient energy, and minimal toxic chemicals.

{image by California Organic Flowers}

Here are my two favorite companies:

California Organic Flowers is a wonderful company that prides itself on growing and then selling their own organic flowers from their farm. They also go by the motto that, "Flowers are our way of celebrating nature, and celebrating ourselves, so they just have to be grown in a way that cares for the environment or it defeats their whole purpose."

Organic Bouquet is a company that has been around since 2001 and works with their partner farms in providing their customers with organic and beautiful flowers to deliver. The company has played a key role in "the transformation of the floral industry by promoting and living up to the highest social and environmental standards—developing the most eco-friendly floral packaging, initiating the industry's first carbon offset program, and growing our flowers in a way that is gentle on the earth and that safeguards the ecology and the well-being of wildlife and farm workers"

Happy Flower Shopping!

by Vanessa {Sweet Life Contributor-click here to learn more about Vanessa}

Fun Free Fridays Giveaway * Zermatt Resort Cooking Classes

{photos by KDphotography.org}

Delicious Health Cooking Classes at Zermatt Resort

This fall join Leslie Smoot & Chef Steven Tory Robinson at the beautiful Zermatt Resort in Midaway for the Delicious Health Cooking Classes. Their cooking series is based on tasty healthy eating starting with fresh foods to create delicious meals.
Classes will be on Oct. 8th , 22nd, & 29th. For times and menus click here Delicious Health Cooking Classes.
This week on our Fun Free Fridays Giveaway we are giving away 6 tickets to each of the October classes. Yes! Six for each class.

{ To Enter to Win }

you must follow all the steps to be entered to win

-Send me an email with as Cooking Classes the subject to sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com

-Answer the question of the week: What is your favorite fall food?

- Include your name & address (so we can send you your prize if you win)

-You have until midnight Thursday October 8th 2009 to enter the giveaway for a ticket to the Delicious Health Cooking Classes at Zermatt Resort in Midaway Utah


BONUS Entries:
1} Refer someone & get an extra entry 1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry 2. They enter you get an extra entry for each person who enters

2} Post this Giveaway on your Blog

3} Twitter about it include @sweetlifeinthe in your tweet

4} Post on Facebook
5} Put our Sweet Life button on your blog

Back to School Week * Goodbyn Lunch Boxes

Although we start our home school after Labor Day most of the kids here in The Valley are about to start school next week. There are so many thing to buy and to prepare for the new school year and so many choices to make. Here at Sweet Life in The Valley we are devoting a week to Back to School.
Lunch is a big deal for moms. Do we pack a lunch or do we buy lunch? Are they giving our kids a healthy lunch at school? What do we pack if we decide to pack a lunch and then what do we pack the lunch in? I love this brand spankin' new lunchbox by Goodbyn.
First I love the reusable juice/milk box. It will save tons of money throughout the year as well as waste in the trash can. Juices boxes can get expensive!
Next I love that each compartment is sealed separately for each part of your child's lunch. You can fill one with great foods like pasta salad or mixed fruit and another with a sandwich or a roll. They even have a tiny bin space for a treat or a note to your little sweetie.
It has a great eco-friendly green feature. Less trash in the garbage. It is also 100% recyclable.
A biggie for most moms- It will save you a lot of money throughout the year. Did you know that you can save over $190 per kid on just plastic bags and drink boxes alone.
For the kids- They get to decorate their Goodbyn lunchbox with stickers that are included.
To wash it all you have to do it put it in the dishwasher.
For all the homeschooling moms, these are great to take with you when you have a day trip. We are sure to use ours often throughout the year.
Goodbyn is my lunch box winner for this school year!

My Favorite Things * Badger Lip & Body Balm

Have you ever used Badger Balm? I love it. They only use the best all natural and organic ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, pure essential oils, and honey scented golden yellow beeswax. It is great for the lips as well as your hands, cuticles or other dry skin areas. In Utah we all know about dry skin and cuticles. I even rub a little on my dry heels. I keep a tin of it in my purse. Try it.
You can get it locally at Harmons, Good Earth, Sunflower Market and other stores that carry natural skin care products.

Sweet Family Life * Hidden Treasures at the Farmers Market

Our local farmers markets are FULL of hidden treasures but I wanted to share some of my favorites from the Salt Lake, Provo and St. George Farmers Markets. Attending them is our favorite family outing! My husband and older daughter run off as soon as we arrive to find fresh cheese from a local dairy farmer. My baby and I run off to find fresh berries we can carry around and snack on the rest of the trip. We always try to find some handmade soaps for our mothers and stock up on fresh organic produce for the rest of the week’s worth of dinners. I love talking to the owners of each booth and hearing their stories. It makes me feel good to know more about where my family’s food is coming from.

Provo Farmers Market

Drake Family Farms (also sold at Salt Lake Farmers Market) sells amazing goat-milk-based cheveres, cheeses, yogurts and soaps. When I want to brighten up my husband's day I bring him home a big bag full of their products. They put their heart and soul into their company and pride themselves on:

~Preserving their rural American Heritage by continuing to operate their family-owned Century Farm located in Salt Lake County.

~Producing the world's finest, safe, wholesome food products free of: antibiotics, pesticides, preservatives, hormones, artificial colors and artificial flavorings.

~Preserving our nation's environment and natural resources by producing food in an urban area, thereby reducing the consumption of fossil fuels used in excessive transportation and storage of food.

~Educating children and the urban public of respectable and responsible animal agriculture through displays and exhibitions.

~Providing a high quality of life for our livestock by providing humane and loving care.

~Making farming decisions that will preserve and conserve our environment.

St. George Farmers Market
I had never tasted a fresh pickle until walking through the beautiful Farmers Market in St. George. Who knew pickles could be so sweet, delectable and addicting! Be sure to find this little stand and pick yourself up a few bottles.

Salt Lake Farmers Market
You have not tasted pure full-flavored balsamic vinegar or olive oil until you buy a bottle from the Tony Caputos booth. The Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Pesto and Artichoke Pesto are to die for! They have the best Parimigano Reggiano in the state---and we should know since we are obsessed with cheese. Don't forget all the packaged Italian meat cuts, vacuumed pack so it stays fresh.

One of our most favorite things to do at all farmers markets is grab breakfast. Every farmers market has fabulous cookies and freshly squeezed lemonades or juices; they’re pure heaven, I tell you.

Can you tell farmers markets make us happy?

What are your favorite vendors and items at your local farmers market?
From Vanessa {Sweet Life contributor}

Happy Earth Day * Some Sites & Posts

{click here to make a tote-shopping bag}

In the spirit of Earth Day we have some past post & a few sites that are Earth friendly. Remember to bring your reusable bags to the store with you. I know I need to. Happy Earth Day.

Sweet Life in The Valley Post by Topic:

Green Living
Organic & Natural
Recycle Reuse Reduce
Sweet Gardening

Why Organic?
Organic.org

Why Buy Local?
Localfirst.org {if you are not in Utah looking for your buy local program

Why Recycle? epa.gov

P.S.
Soel at the Riverwoods Mall is having a bring your own bag sale. Bring your own bag & get 20% off any one item

Find of The Week * Yes to Carrots * Pretty Lips

I love these new C Me Blush lip tints & C Me Shine lip glosses from Yes To Carrots. Since I hit my 30's I have said to good bye to my favorite red lipstick (feathering is not a good thing) and started wearing lip gloss for my lip color. I always look for natural products with a nice tint of color. I was excited to see that Yes To Carrots just came out with a great line of both lip tints and glosses with just the right amount of color. They are minty fresh, 95% organic, and contain all sorts of things that are good for your lips including vitamin E. Click here to find out where to get some for yourself: Yes To Carrots

P.S. I tried their Eye can C Cleary NowEye Contour Cream loved it too. Just like a lip balm for your eyes.

Visit Yes To Carrots Fan Page on Facebook

Sweet Holidays * Easter Wheatgrass

{Photo by Southern Living Magazine}

Reminder: It's time to plant your wheatgrass for Easter.

Tips:
-Soak your seeds for about 8 hours in water to sprout

-mix half potting soil half peat moss for planting

-sprinkle soaked seeds close together in container for full Easter grass then cover with a light layer of soil

-keep moist the first couple of days by putting plastic wrap over contain to for a terrarium effect

-place in a sunny location

-should be ready in just over a week

-wheatgrass seeds can be found at your local health food store

-great alternative to plastic or paper grass in your Easter baskets


Cheat: if you don't have time or you forget many local health food store have trays of wheat grass already grown

Fun Free Fridays Giveaway * Dr. Mom Kit * dōTERRA Essential Oils

After being asked about where to get essential oils for our All Natural Spray Cleaning Recipe we posted a little while back I decided to do a little research. I came across dō TERRA oils. I have been sitting at my desk all week inhaling my small set of essential oils from dō TERRA. I have a bottle of the lavender, lemon and peppermint right next to my laptop. Depending on how I am feeling I put a few drops into a tiny clay pot son made. I use the peppermint if I am starting to get a headache and the lemon if I need a little boost plus I love lemon. I have been rubbing a couple of drops of the lavender on my kids' necks to calm them down at bed time. I was really surprised about at all the uses for these three basic essential oils. I like dō TERRA's oils because you can use the lemon & peppermint in your cooking so when I am making my lemon cupcakes I can use this strong pure lemon essential oil to flavor it. You can use them to make your own bath sugar or salt scrubs. There are so many ways you can use these pure oils.

This we are giving away the new Dr. Mom Kit -worth $146.67- from dō TERRA. It includes a 5 ml bottle of Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Oregano, Deep Blue(TM), Breathe, DigestZen(TM), and On Guard(TM).

{To Enter to Win a Dr. Mom Kit}
you must sign-up & follow all the steps to be entered to win

-Subscribe to Sweet Life in the Valley Utah Valley Provo Orem by Email

-Send me an email with doTerra as the subject to sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com

-Answer the question of the week: Which do Terra essential oils would you use? Click here to look at them all: doTerra

- Include your name & address

-Open to anyone is the U.S

-You have until midnight Thursday April 2nd 2009 to enter this giveaway

-Don't forget to get extra entries (not required to win but a great way to win)!

1} Refer someone & get an extra entry 1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry 2 They enter you get an extra entry for each person who enters
2} Post this Giveaway on your Blog
3} Twitter about it include @sweetlifeinthe in your tweet
4} Post on Facebook


{The winners of the Dash & Diesel Onsie & Hat Sets are Ashley P & Melanie K-thanks to random.org for helping us choose our winner! note: all winners will be notified via email}

Sweet House Keeping * Spring Cleaning Fresh Scents

I have been feeling the bug to do some spring cleaning. I love to burn scented candles while I am cleaning the house, while working and getting ready in the morning. I look for clean burning candles. One of my favorite is the Sweet Grass Farms 100% cotton wicks soy candles that are fragranced with essential oils. Some of my favorite scents are the Ripe Melon, Lemon Verbena, Tangerine Bergamot and Blueberry. Don't they just sound like fresh warm weather.

Other Stuff * Freshly Picked Oranges

{photo & styling by me - Sweet Life Photography}

My mom just got back from a trip to California. She brought a whole bag of freshly picked oranges, stems and all, home with her from my sister-in-laws parent's tree. As my son peered into the bag he said "Oranges really are orange!" I said"Well of course they are." He said "Someone told me that they were dyed orange before they are put on the shelves at the store but they were wrong!" Thanks Mom, Joanie & Joanie's parents. They really hit the spot on this dreary stormy day. Yes, Oranges really are Orange!

Sweet Eats in The Valley * Blue Lemon Bistro

{Chelle's famous vegetable lasagna with herbed garlic bread}

{photography & styling by me-April Atwater- Sweet Life Photography}

I am thoroughly impressed with the Blue Lemon Bistro. Every single detail of this Clean Food eatery is amazing. From start to finish you will be see the details and care owners Lychelle and Aaron have taken to create a pleasant eco responsible, fresh food eating experience. As you walk in you walk around a modern designed room with it's large windows, glass fixtures, and circular booths to order your meal. As a casual gourmet restaurant you order then sit and wait for your food to arrive. I had a chance to sample several of their menu items from the sweet potato fries, which are totally addicting, to the special of the day a lightly crusted chicken stuffed with cheese, topped with a green chili sauce ( for St. Patrick's Day), with a side of smashed potatoes and perfectly sauteed garlic and herb julienned vegetables. Wonder of all wonders they have Blue Sky Sodas, which is made with real sugar (raspberry vanilla shown above) on tap with a finely crushed ice! For the family they offer large booths and tables. The children's menu has real fresh food on it such as their baked mac & cheese as well as a three cheese quesadilla at a great price. They offer salads, sandwiches, entrees, soups, sides as well as a nice selection of desserts. A fresh atmosphere, views on the west mountain ,with Nora Jones playing you will feel like you are in Seattle or Portland. Even if you don't live in Alpine it is worth a drive over to our new favorite eatery in The Valley. Sweet Eating!

Blue Lemon

Address 11073 N Alpine Hwy

Highland Utah 84003

Phone 801-756-7993

Hours M-Th 11.30a-10p F-Sat: 11.30a-11p

Happenin' in The Valley * Arts Food & Fun!

Sego Arts Festival:

Featuring arts musicians, & film makers the Sego Arts Festival is the place to be this weekend. All events are free! The festivities start on Friday September 26th at 8PM in downtown Provo. Events will take place from 2-11PM on Saturday September 27th at the Rock Castle Amphitheater in Provo at the very east end of center street. They are always looking for volunteers.

Check out the Sego Festival site here & the Sego Arts Center site here.

Provo's Farmers Market:

Every Saturday, June- October from 9-2 at Pioneer Park, 500 W 100 S

Soel Sale for Nie:

Soel Boutique - at The Shops at Riverwoods801 426 9644 - soelboutique.com

Startup Princess Touch Point Event:

Startup Princess Touchpoint Annual Event for Women Entrepreneurs
Sandy Miller Innovation Center at the Salt Lake City Community College
Friday Sept 26th 8AM-5PM

Sandy, Utah

Click here to register

{If you have an event you would like us to add please email me at sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com }

One Great Recipe * Pizza Toasts

We had these Pizza Toasts for lunch today. It is one of our favorite lunches. We used Harper's Homemade Whole Wheat Bread. It is all natural with only the same ingredients you would use if you made it yourself. Bertolli's Organic olive oil garlic & basil sauce because we had some in the cupboard. Fresh chopped organic basil from our garden. Mixed white Canadian cheddar, medium cheddar & mozzarella also because it is what we had in the fridge.

{photo by me}

Pizza Toasts:

Easy as can be for a quick lunch or dinner

-You favorite bread

-Pasta Sauce

-Your favorite cheese

-Toppings of your choice we added fresh basil

Layer sauce then cheese then toppings. Be sparing on the sauce so your toasts will be nice and crisp. Toast until cheese is melted.

Tips:

For a yummy appetizer slice a fresh crusty French baguette add sauce a slice of fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese fresh crushed garlic then top with fresh basil leaf. Toast until cheese is melted.

A favorite kitchen tool- Microplane graters from William Sonoma. A good grater makes the job so much easier & pleasurable.