Healthy Journey Update

Many of you have followed my journey of health from the start.  The past 3 months things have been changed up some and I wanted to update everyone.

Last June I started on a journey with Plexus.  I love the company, I love the products.  The only downside was the cost....  We now have 3 kids all in sports so money is a big issue.  I had to make a decision to stop taking the products and find cheaper alternatives.  

Now let me tell you there are some CRAP products out there!!!  But I Have found some that have me feeling amazing again.

The first thing I noticed as I went off plexus was the lack of energy and motivation.  That is when I turned to my oils.

doTERRA Motivate is an amazing oil.  This oil helps to ease stress, and has an uplifting aroma.  I apply the roller over my heart and within half an hour I am ready to go.  

doTERRA Peace was the next oil I turned to with help resting at night.  Bailey has used this a couple of times as well and both of us are very impressed.


Now, multivitamin.    This was a tricky one for me and took me up until a week ago to find one that even came close to the Plexus one.  I visited Tim at Sage on Sage in town and finally found my answer. 

Solaray High Energy Multi Vitamin with Iron.  They do offer an iron free version.  This is a once a day multivitamin capsule.  That was the first big selling point.  I have to have a capsule.  Tablets tear up my stomach.  The next selling point was the ingredients.  It contains Chromium!!!  This is what is in the pink drink by Plexus.  I have taken these for just over a week and can tell a huge difference in my energy level.  I am loving this pill.  Price point is amazing too.  I paid $18.69 for a 2 month supply.  This is the most recent thing I added and it has made a world of difference for energy for me.

Magnesium is another thing I can't go with out.  If I don't take it I am not regular at all.  It is bad!!!  I found an amazing supplement for this as well.

Now the label recommends 3 a day.  I only take one and that is perfect for me.  Ronnie takes this as well from time to time.  Only downside is they are a bigger sized softgel.  Since I only take one it is not to bad.  

Now there are some other supplements I take but will do a separate post on those.  It has taken me a long time to get the right combination that worked for me.  Because lets face it, not all supplements are created equal!!!

Oil Spotlight: Whisper

I don’t know about you, but I love the sweet aroma of spring flowers! doTERRA Whisper Blend for Women contains some of the leading floral fragrances used in perfume and aromatherapy industries. When these fragrances are combined together in doTERRA Whisper Blend for Women, it gives off a musky, spicy, and sweet aroma that is soft and warm. This blend is great for everyday occasions and also makes the perfect fragrance for a special night out. Dispense one to two drops in the palm of the hand and rub on clothing, scarves, and coats to experience calming emotions throughout the day.

This oil smells different on everyone.  IT works with your body chemistry for a unique scent.

Here is a blog on making your own perfume with it.  I for one am going to try this.  My whisper is sitting untouched in the box!!!  

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-floral-perfume-spray

Purchase HERE

Head Cootie Spray

It is back to school time and what does that mean?  Them little, pesky head cooties!!!!!

What do we do in our house?  We have an all natural cootie hair spray that we use every morning on our hair to help prevent and deter them.

Here is my recipe that I have used almost 4 years now:

Grab a 6 or 8 ounce spray bottle

Fill almost to the top with water

Add a splash of Witch hazel (helps mix oil into the water)

15 Drops of Melaleuca

10 Drops Lavender

10 Drops Rosemary

5 Drops Peppermint

Shake before each use

Now, not only can this be used on someones hair, it can be used on coats, backpacks, or lunch boxes.  You name it you can spray in on it without fear of an oily residue being left.  The Lavender also has some detangling properties so it works great on my girls hair in the mornings to help get the tangles out.  

Here is a video explanation as well:

Head Cootie Spray Video

Here is a link to my oil page if you would like to purchase the oils:

Purchase Oils HERE

Buy one, Get one free Oils

This week is the buy one get one free special with doTERRA.  I will spotlight each special each day.  The specials are only good for one day and you must order it the day of the special.  This is a great way to build your oils as well

7/17/2017

Buy a 15 mL Melaleuca, get a 15 mL Purify for free

Here is a little about each oil.  These are 2 of my all time favorites that is for sure.  I use Melaleuca on a daily basis almost and purify goes in my laundry :)  It helps combat stinky odors in the laundry.  Especially from my puppies.

BUY HERE

Spotlight on Wild Orange Essential Oil

Wild Orange oil is one of dōTERRA’s most popular oils—and with good reason! Not only does Wild Orange oil have a variety of uses, but its invigorating, energizing aroma is hard to resist. One of my favorite ways to use Wild Orange is to add a few drops to my drinking water for a flavorful beverage. I also love to combine a few drops of Wild Orange oil with water in a spray bottle and use the mixture as an all-purpose spray for cleaning the surfaces around my home. As a citrus oil, Wild Orange has cleansing properties that make it useful for purifying surfaces like countertops and tables throughout the home. Not only do I love having clean surfaces, but the all-purpose spray leaves behind a lovely citrus aroma! To learn more about dōTERRA orange oil, visit the Wild Orange product information page on dōterra.com.

Here is a recipe for an Orange Blossom Panna Cotta with Orange Gelee that uses the Wild Orange essential oil.  I know I love to add Wild Orange to my oatmeal in the morning or to my tea for a yummy addition to them.  

**Always remember any citrus oil is uv sensitive when applied to the skin.  IF you apply to your skin and will be in the sunlight always wait at least 12 hours after applying or cover the area.**

DoTERRA Certified

I am proud to announce that my site has been officially approved
to hold the DoTERRA seal of approval.

I am very proud to be able to hold this seal.  It means I am in compliance with all the regulations put forth by the FDA :)

Stomach bug and oils

So yesterday at 530 am I get woke up by Colton.  Not in a great way but to him getting ready to get sick.  Fever of 101.  Great the stomach bug that is going around has hit......

This bug going around is the nastiest thing I have heard of for a while.  Lasting 3-4 days and is relentless.

So as an oil mom the first thing I did was run to the kitchen and grab the DigestZen oil and applied this to his stomach.  This oil  helps to ease queasiness.  This greatly helped me the last time I had the stomach bug so I knew this was my go to oil.

Purchase Here

Once we awoke around 730 mom went to work.  The next thing I did was get out the OnGuard roller and OnGuard oil.  This oil is an effective alternative to a more natural way to boost immunity.  You can diffuse in the air to cleanse it.  It supports healthy immune function.  

Purchase here

I rolled this on Colton's feet and my feet.  To help support both of our immune systems.  I then started to diffuse it to cleanse the air.  

Colton slept most of the day.  When he would wake up I would oil his belly and feet again.  Luckily he only felt unwell one time  and had minimal diarrhea.  

Before bed I oiled him up  again and added Lavender and Frankincense to his chest.  Frank is another great oil to help support healthy cellular function.  It can also be used to help promote relaxation.  Lavender is also used to help relaxation.    I would say they worked well we slept all night and today he woke up and says mommy my belly is all better!!!!!!!!!

I am a firm believer of these oils.  Everyone who has had this bug it has lasted days and has been nasty!!.  I really believe had we not had the oils he would have been much worse and it wold have lasted way longer.  

I love my oils!!!!!  If you would like to purchase them you can go here.

New Year, New Me

Hello Hello!!!!  So last year I failed t my blogging goal :(   This year I am going to try again.  I did help on another blogging website get some blogs out though :)  And still send from time to time to her.

So this year I am going to try the whole blogging thing again.  Blogging on a little bit of everything as usual.

I have noticed in the past year since my major surgery I am still working on alot of issues caused from the nasty little things they removed.  One major thing is hormone balance.  So I have been researching some all natural oil options and have a plan in line I think.   IT works I will be sharing.

What else is new....  Lets see Bailey is in full ballet mode gearing up for her competitions.  Hailey is loving being back in tumbling.  And Colton loves Pre K.  And I absolutely love my new job at Animal control

We have a new animal in the house.

Meet Nemo.  HE came to us at the shelter on 9/27 barely 3 days old.  Eyes still shut.  The girls and I thought for sure this was going to be a bad outcome but I would give it a hell of  a shot syringe and bottle feeding him.   Low and behold I am a cat whisperer!!!  Who knew?!?!?!  Well now he is my baby and I his mommy.  We have a tru mother "son" relationship.  HE will even whine until I lean over and pick him up and he stands up on his hind legs to be picked up!!!!!  HE is now a full fledge Christian.  We adopted him on the girls Birthday.  There was no way with the bond we had I cold take him back to the shelter.  So he is our Foster Fail lol

IF there is anything you would like me to blog on let me know!!  I have some ideas in the works hoping to get to this once a week or more

DIY Lavender Bath Salt Soak (Sleepy bath soak)

So today I am getting together a basket of goodies and decide to make a bath salt for it.   I then remembered our new local store has fresh herbs.....  YAY!!!!!  Sent him a message I was in need of a little bit of lavender.   

Today's mixture is a sleepy salt bath soak.  

Epsom Salt

Baking Soda

20-30 Drops Lavender Essential oil

10-15 drops Rosemary Essential oil (this was a late addition so not pictured)

And then I added fresh dried lavender

I used a pint jar so I measured half a cup of baking soda then filled the rest with epsom salt.

Once measured I dumped it into a glass jar and added the oils and mixed.  Once done I added in approx. 1/4 cup of lavender and stirred.  Then I spooned it into my jar.  I will add a label and such as well.  

Add approx. 1 cup to your tub and relax.

New item for Glasstic's bottles and 2 specials

Glasstic's bottles has come out with an accessory for your water bottles!!!!   Check out the new tea filter!!!!  For those who have not seen my blog on these bottles here is a quick run down.

These are shatterproof bottles that are safe to use with essential oils.  They also have a lifetime warranty.

ORDER HERE

The filter comes with 5 free tea samples when you order it.  This is also great for fruit infusions.  Place the fruit in the bottle.  Fill with water and insert the basket.  This keeps the fruit away from your mouth when drinking.  You can use loose leaf tea as well. 
 For Loose Leaf tea:  Remove the cap and pour in your tea packet.  Fill the bottle half way with hot water (approx. 8oz).  Insert the tea filter with the holes down and replace the cap.  Let the tea brew (approx. 2 minutes) then drink and enjoy!

ORDER HERE

Specials that are on the site at this moment:

I am super excited about the new tea filter and will be ordering this ASAP!!!!  

ORDER HERE

Ways to diffuse without a diffuser

We all love our diffusers!!!  But what if you do not have one or can not afford one just yet.  There are ways around this ;) 

1.  Inhale them directly from the bottle.  
     Go straight to the source.  Crack open that bottle and deeply inhale the          aroma of the oil.  

2.  Place a drop or 2 in your hand, cup and inhale.  

3.  Make essential oil inhalers.  Very convenient to carry in a purse or bag.  

4.  Furnace filter.   Add a few drops to your filter in the furnace for a whole    house effect.  You will have to add oils every of couple days to keep up this  effect.  

5.  Room Sprays.  room sprays are a great way to add some scent to a room very quickly.  Here is a simple basic recipe:

16 oz Glass Spray Bottle

8 oz water (distilled works the best)

2 oz witch hazel or vodka

20-30 drops of your favorite oil

6.  Jewelry.  There are all kinds of diffuser jewelry on the market today that you can were.  

7.  Cotton ball.   Place a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and place where you want to be able to smell the oil.

8.  Pillow or stuffed animal method.  Place the oil directly on the pillow or the stuffed animal for a diffuser affect as you go to sleep

9.Baking soda in a jar with oils.  I do this around the cat litter box.  Get a small mason jar and place baking soda in it.  Add a few drops of your favorite oil and mix.  Put some holes in your lid and screw on and place where you would like to eliminate odors.  

These are just the tip of the ice berg on how to diffuse without a diffuser.  I will do some special blogs on specific recipes and ways to diffuse in the near future.  One will be an aromatherapy play doh.  

Being Sick and Being a mom

Being sick and being a mom do NOT go well together because we do not get to have time off.  At least I don't.  I have so much going on I can't afford to be sick.  Well guess what.....  Last weekend we worked outside all weekend long.   And I mean worked.  Tilled up dirt, planted flowers, yard work......  You name it we did it I bet.

Sunday....  I noticed a little runny nose and a scratchy throat.   Ehhh  Allergies we have been outside all day.  Popped a Triese allergy pill and an OnGuard pill.

Monday....  Hmmmmmm still bugging me...  So I added the bomb towards the end of the day.... And some ibuprofen for the throat.

Now this blend will kick a minor bug fairly quickly typically.

Tuesday......  Oh dear lord did you get the name of the Mack truck that totally ran me over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   My body just ached and my throat hurt.  I had chills and would break in a sweat but no fever....  Did the bomb again. Since I only got one in the night before.  I normally notice a difference after 4.   #4 hit and I was worse.......

Wednesday...   Dr bound I was.  My throat was super icky nasty.  Tested for strep (even though I have no tonsils) and was negative.  Was treat for a pharyngitis.  After 2 of those magic pills on Wednesday Thursday I felt like a new woman again.  Now I had to keep telling myself to rest because I knew I was still sick...

Now you may be saying ok Brandi what is the purpose to this blog....   Well here it is.....

I am not a Dr.   Do I use oils to ease feeling under the weather or scrapes and such...  Yes...  But there is a time and a place where you have to go the Dr.  And this was it.  I told my PA that I had used oils, gotten worse and her I am.  She laughed, she said I am glad you see when you need to come in.  I am very lucky to have a dr that is into the essential oils like we are.  Some Drs. do not like EO users.  I am straight forward and will tell them what we have tried.  If it has worked or if it hasn't.  They love to here success stories and usually make a note of it.

So please remember, never just stop a medication and opt for essential oils.  If you want to do this I will recommend the oil to try and then I will advise you to speak to your Dr about stopping any medication.  I do not recommend that at all.  And if you have tried something and it has not worked or has even gotten worse....   Go to the dr. Tell them what you tried and what has happened.

I am happy to report today I am better.  Still sore throat but most other symptoms gone.  We went to Springfield to get some Girl Scout Items and are now taking it easy.  :)

Babies and Essential Oils

Let's talk about babies and using essential oils.   There are many benefits of using oils on our little ones.   

Did you know that talc is found in most baby powders and in known as being an irritant to the lungs.
Or that many baby products use synthetic fragrances that can cause neurological, respiratory or even eye damage.

You can make safe, all natural baby products using essential oils that are safe, gentle and a fraction of the cost!!!!

I used many many many products made with oils after Colton was born.  Not only was his skin healthier, but the oils cleared up anything he had faster than any OTC product.

Tips

• To clean baby toys use 2 drops of lemon essential oil and 4 ounces of white vinegar in a glass spray bottle.  Fill remaining with water and clean.  
• Colic: Apply 1-2 drops of digestion blend on baby's feet
• Crying or overly tired baby: 1 drop of lavender or calming blend under their nose and forehead
• You can add any scent to a cotton ball and place in children's drawers for a sweet scent
• Soothing bath:  2-4 drops of roman chamomile or calming blend in the tub
• Sore gums: mix 1-2 drops of roman chamomile, white fir, or clove essential oil with fractionated coconut oil and massage into babies gums.  

Recipes

Diaper Rash Blend

1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil

15 drops melaleuca essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

15 drops frankincense essential oil

In a small glass spray bottle mix all the above together.  Spray a thin layer directly on the diaper rash area and reapply as needed.

(I personally did this and with one spray GONE)

Calming Colic Blend

3 drops digestion blend essential oil

2 drops ginger essential oil

1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil

Mix together the above oils and massage over the tummy and lower back.  Repeat 3-5 times a day.

Cradle Cap Moisturizer

1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix the oils together in the palms of your hands and rub on the baby's scalp.  Add cocoa butter if additional softening is needed.  

Winter Cheeks Balm

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoon beeswax

20 drops lavender essential oil

IN a small mason jar mix the ingredients together, and lower the jar into a warm saucepan partially filled with water.  On low heat melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and olive oil together stirring every few minutes.  After the wax is completely melted remove from the heat and add lavender.  Mix together and cool until hardened.  Rub the balm over reddened cheeks to ease and protect.  

Baby Stain Remover

8 ounces of water

2 tablespoon borax

20 drops lemon essential oil

Add borax and oils to a spray bottle.  Add water and shake thoroughly.  Spray directly on stain and wash.

These are just some of the most common things I seem to get asked for.  There are some great recipes here and they all work wonders.  

Here is a link to purchase the oils:

Purchase Oils Here

**The proceeding statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. These are simply things that have worked for me personally, and my friends.

Carrier Oils

Ok, so this is a very common question I get.  What carrier oil should I use?  Common answer, Fractioneted coconut oil.  But there are so many others our there and they work for different things so lets dive into them. 

So first things first, What is a carrier oil?  Well technically it does not have to be an oil. It is something that "carries" the oil that is added to an essential oil to spread it over a larger surface and dilute it.  So what is considered a carrier oil?  Here is a list:

Almond oil, jojoba oil, mango butter, beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, rosewater, castile soap, grapeseed oil, hemp seed oil, hazelnut oil, rosehips oil, argan oil, aloe vera gel, salt, V6, sugar, and many many more.  

I would like to point out at this point that Mineral oil is NOT a carrier oil.  

Ok now onto specifics.  You may be making a beauty product and are in need of a carrier oil to use.  You may be looking for something to help with aging, or moisturizing. 

So to start you need to narrow down what type of skin you have.  This will help you narrow down what kind of carrier oil to choose.

• Normal Skin: Any light carrier oil such as Hempseed, Coconut oil, Grapeseed, Sunflower, Sweet Almond
• Oily Skin:Grapeseed, Sweet Almond, Apricot Oil, Jojoba, Sunflower, Hempseed, Tung oil
• Dry Skin: Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond, Olive Oil, Rosehips
• Sensitive Skin: Jojoba Oil, Sesame seed, Sweet Almond, Apricot, 
• Mature Skin: Jojoba, Avocado, Apricot, Sesame seed, Rosehips

Now as always if you have an allergy, do not use that specific oil.  Find another that will work with your skin type.

Now when you start to look at carriers for the body your options open up a bit more.  You can add beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe, rose water, castile soap, coconut oil, etc. 

It all depends on what you are looking for.  If you want your product to resemble a lotion you will go with the lotion style carriers.  If you want a body spray you will go with the liquids. 

One of my favorite things to do is make lotions.   IF you take coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and blend in a blender with a whisk attachment on high for close to 10 minutes it gets light a fluffy and will stay easy to spread.  Here is a general chart to help you.

Now if you are looking to just dilute an essential oil, you can use any carrier oil.  Most bottles will give you the dilution ration on them.  

If you have a question on dilution ratios feel free to shoot me a message I would be glad to answer it. 

Aroma Ace Diffuser

I just recently received an Aroma Ace Diffuser and set it up in my living room.  I was a little on the fence about getting one because I had heard that the atomizer diffusers use up more oils than a regular diffuser does.  With that being said I wanted to do my personal review of the diffuser.

So here is the diffuser.  You attach the oil bottle directly to the diffuser to diffuse the oils.  I can see this is how it would tend to use more oils.  It has a 15 mL capacity

Here is the back side.   You will notice 3 knobs.  Starting from the top:

The first knob is for how long you want the diffuser to run.  From 1 all the way up to 20 minutes.

Next is the pause time.  After the diffuser runs you can have it pause for 1-20 minutes.  

The bottom knob is for how much mist you want toe diffuser to give off.  

So pretty easy set up.  I set mine up for diffuse 5 minutes, pause 10 minutes and a medium stream of mist.  I turn it off at night and only run during the day and I am on 3 days use of the same bottle!!  

But I did not use straight oils ;)  I was looking for more of the aroma affect at this point.  Now when it comes time for sickness in the house I will diffuse straight oils.  So here is my little trick that I used.

When I make my air freshener in the spray bottle I mix with witch hazel so I thought hmmm why not.  I filled the bottle with witch hazel, added 3 drops spearmint and 5 drops tangerine (dreamsicle mix) shook and placed on the diffuser........  And hot damn it worked great!!!!!!   Smelled just how I wanted it to smell and I didn't have to use a ton of oils.  

You will notice it is the same diffuser that Vanderbilt Hospital uses in the you tube video.  

Now the only downside to the diffuser is it is not as quit as a regular diffuser.  You can here it kick on and off.  It is not a loud diffuser per say but you can hear it if you are paying attention.  I have drowned it out now over the past few days of getting use to it.  

Over all I am really enjoying the Aroma Ace Diffuser.  If you would like to purchase this diffuser or any other product you can go here.   

My Life

My Life

I have had a lot of more people start to read my blog so I thought I would do another post on who I am and what my life involves.  

Above is a photo of my kids; Bailey, Colton, and Hailey.  Beside that is me and my husband Ronnie.  This is my life, well besides these other 3 things lol

Rhonin and Max stealing my bed

Sassy 

I am very proud of my kids.  They always try their hardest and are always up for a challenge.

Hailey at Dance

Bailey in Ballet and dancer of the month for March

Bailey ran for little miss and received 1st runner up :)

She was very happy and proud and had a lot of fun

Colton is only 3 so he is not in any activities yet but he has a way of making himself stand out anyway ;)

Yup the tongue sums him up lol

Loves his Hulk costume and sleeping under a chair I guess lol

Bailey and Colton are very "graceful" I can say.  Colton has yet to get injured to bad but Bailey on the other hand......  This is just the most recent injury......

She defiantly keeps me on my toes.  

Daddy is in the Military and is actually getting ready to go for his promotion to E5.  We have not had to go through a deployment thankful, but he has been to Germany for some training.  Once he is promoted there may be a chance of deployment I think, but not for sure.  As you can see Colton likes to run the big equipment just like daddy.  He had been dying to go out to the big equipment all day but it was a hard hat zone.  Finally one of the higher ups so oooo take that boy out there!!!  So he got to climb on the equipment and was in heaven.

My days are spent at home with the 4 legged babies and Colton.  I decided to stay at home with the kids when the daycare/babysitter bill ate up my entire pay check.  I do sell dōTERRA essential oils and love to educate on essential oils.  I dabble in photography and love getting crafty.  Just don't ask me to sew lol.  I hope this helps you get to  know me and my family a little better  :)