Scents and Sensibility

​I love things that smell good - food, flowers, and essential oils.  I got the chance to work on two of my friends recently. I am also a Massage Therapist and Energy Healer. COVID brought my massage and Energy Work to a halt, so it was really nice to bust out all my “tools”. Along with my oils, I have crystals and singing crystal bowls.  I had forgotten how fun they all can be.  It’s fascinating all the properties they have to calm, soothe and heal. 

Scents travel directly to the limbic system where the amygdala and the hippocampus are in our brains. These regions are related to emotion and memory.  That’s why a certain scent can take you right back to a special moment in time or remind you of a loved one. Isn’t that fascinating? Whenever I smell Bengay, I think of my Grandpa.  His muscles and joints were sore a lot, so he always smelled like Bengay.

It makes sense to use scents you love to bless yourself and others. You can brighten your home with the look and smell of flowers, take a bath with scented Epsom salts, and breathe in your favorite perfume.  These are all simple ways to add peace and happiness to your day.

Here is my recipe for aromatic Lavender dressing which I serve on my Burrata Bliss salad.

Ingredients

• 2 small rounds of Burrata
• 2 cups baby arugula or greens
• 2 cups variety of grape tomatoes
• 2 crusty ciabattas cut in half and grilled with butter (4 halves)
• Lavender dressing or strawberry vinaigrette

Preparation

1. Make the lavender dressing ahead of time or purchase a nice strawberry vinaigrette.
2. Drain burrata.
3. Arrange greens, tomatoes and burrata in a nice serving bowl.
4. Toast ciabatta. Spread butter on ciabatta and grill in pan with 1 Tbsp butter.
5. Mix greens and tomatoes with 4-5 Tbsp of dressing. Spread about 1 Tbsp of burrata on bread, top with mixed salad.
6. Serve immediately.

Lavender Dressing

1. Mix 2 heaping Tbsp dried lavender with 1 cup of high-quality olive oil. 
2. Put in a place where the sun will hit it for a good part of the day. Let sit for 2 days.
3. Strain out lavender.
4. Heat 1⁄4 cup of white sugar with 1⁄4 cup rice wine vinegar until melted.
5. Mix with olive oil mixture.  Absolutely delicious!

Video:
Lavender Dressing with Burrata Bliss Salad

Recipe:
Lavender Dressing with Burrata Bliss Salad