Get on the bus, it's back to school time!

As summer winds down....based on the calendar, not the weather.....I am having a whole new set of emotions surface.  My oldest child will start Pre-K in just a couple weeks.  In my mind, she was just born.  It is truly bittersweet for me.  I am so glad she is growing up but at the same time, full REAL school....oh my!  Before I know it, she will be driving and dating.....bring on the anxiety.  

Despite my mild case of denial, I know that I have to get ready for the "back to school" frenzy that is upon us.  I will get the new pencils, crayons, backpacks, lunch boxes and this year....essential oils!

Let's face it, you put kids in a room together, add a change in weather and Boom!!! you have germs.  To help my kids fight off as many as possible, we are using a daily dose of OnGuard as well as the A2Z Vitamins..  This year, we are using OnGuard beadlets.  They are tiny beads that are easy to swallow.  If you don't have the beadlets, a drop of OnGuard on each foot will help beat down the germs as well.

Diffusing the oils will be another big thing to help with the transition to school.  doTERRA Living magazine has a great article to help with kids in the classroom.  Citrus Bliss in the morning will help everyone get up and go.  More importantly, they will be happier.  Peppermint can help them wake up as well.  It puts pep in your step!  I find it is a great afternoon pick me up.  Just a drop with some Frankincense on the back of your neck and you won't want that energy drink.

                 

Topically, the kids will get their daily dose of Balance!  Everyone needs a little balance in their life don't they?!  1 drop down the back of the neck and on the spine is a great way to get it into their system fast. Another great place to apply is the feet.  Balance has a great scent too.  It helps them stay calm and grounded and yet be kids.  

When bedtime rolls around, the go to oils are Lavender or Serenity.  If you have a really tough time getting to sleep there is a great blend called The Hibernation Blend that will do wonders for your sleep.  Many people swear by this blend for sleep because it just helps them relax and drift off to dreamland.

Hibernation Blend

• 20 drops Frankincense
• 20 drops Bergamot
• 20 drops Roman Chamomile
• 20 drops Vetiver

Add to a roller ball topped bottle.  Top with Fractionated Coconut Oil.

For kids, use a 10 mL bottle.

For adults, use a 5 mL bottle.

I pray for an easy transition to "big girl school" for my oldest and quite frankly, me.  I know I will need a little Elevation blend to get through the first day.  

Here is to a happy, new, school year filled with lots of learning fun!!!!

Mother Nature, I shake my fist at you!

Ladies, this one of for you.  Guys, I apologize but think of this post as a way to help the women in your  life.  Just forward this blog to the ladies in your life and don't say another word.  It is for your protection!  Today, we are talking about that time of the month and woes of womanhood.

I am unhappily reporting that my benefits of pregnancy seem to have come to an end.  I have found bruises from bumping into things again.  When I am pregnant I never seem to bruise.  It is a beautiful thing.  Thank goodness for Helichrysum now that superpower has faded.  But this is not about bruising, it is about that dreaded visitor, Aunt Flow.  Despite breastfeeding and pumping my little heart out, my cycles have returned.  It is amazing how a year off can make you forget just how bad cramps, bloating and headaches can suck the life out of you.

I have read on Facebook posts and from fellow oilers that you can get through your time of the month using oils.  So since the time was right, I gave it a shot.  My oils of choice...Citrus Bliss, Past Tense, DigestZen and Solace.

Why?  Glad you asked!

Citrus Bliss makes me happy.  Let's face it, I was pretty darn grumpy at this event taking place just 3 months into breastfeeding.  I mean seriously, the people who keep from getting a period the entire time they breastfeed are probably those who "the weight just fell off."  OK.....BITTER party of one, your table is ready.  I hear  ya!  Moving on.....

I applied a drop to each temple and the back of my neck.  It did help me to feel the more bliss.  I call Citrus Bliss sunshine in a bottle for good reason.

Past Tense helped relief my headache.  I rolled that blend across my forehead.  It has a nice minty smell and really knocks out a headache.  It will help kick a migraine too.  Luckily, I don't need it much but it really does the trick.

DigestZen might be the one that surprises everyone.  They typical use of DigestZen is for tummy trouble and it works great.  After numerous Facebook suggestions, I gave it a try.  I rubbed a couple drops on my abdomen.  You know what?  The cramps went away.  It was amazing.  

Finally, I used the Solace.  Solace is a blend especially designed to help women with all sorts of hormonal issues.  It can help with PMS, hot flashes, cramps, you name it.  I rolled it across my abdomen and soon after I found I just felt better.  Less of the ick feeling I always get.   It will be my go to oil during the next round of monthly ick.  





Although, I was truly hoping not to need any of the oils for quite a bit longer, I am glad I had them on hand.  I made it through without taking any OTC meds.  I felt better since I am still breastfeeding that I only used natural products that will not hurt my little boy.  The oils did not mess with my supply issues either.  They truly are a gift from the earth!  

Need some retail therapy during your time of the month, check out my website!  But contact me so you don't have to pay retail.  

Yoga is not for wimps!

About a month ago, I started back on my weight loss journey.  I joined Weight Watchers and started using Slim & Sassy essential oil blend to help with my intense sugar cravings.  You can reread it all right here if you desire.

Well, I am happy to report a few things.....
I have lost 5 pounds.  
I have been able to keep my breastfeeding going through the whole thing.  

The weight loss is much slower than I would like but I am assured by both my doctor and other super moms out there that slower is better when you are trying feed a baby.  Losing too fast can release lots of junk into your milk which is not good for babykins.  So I will learn to be content that the scale though slowly moving is slowly moving down.

Now that I am established on the eating portion of it, I started adding exercise.

Let me say, 3 C-sections in 4 years have taken a huge toll on my midsection and core stength.  I have had to start with baby steps.  No Jillian Michaels style training here.  I don't want to risk an injury that would keep me from taking care of my household, going to work, being on some silly pain medcine or worse.  So walking....specifically Walk Away the Pounds and Yoga have been my go to workouts.

Yoga envokes a picture in my mind of blissful, happy, strength and stretching.  You come out of the workout feeling uplifted and glowing.  Namaste!!!!  Ohmmmmmmmm

Reality.....after doing a 15 minutes with Rodney Yee I am sweating like pig,  panting like a dog and wondering what have I done to myself?!

Then I wake up at 3:30 am to feed my baby and OUCH!  I felt stuck in bed.  My back, my legs, my abs, even my earlobes were sore.  OK OK, maybe not my earlobes but my goodness was I sore.  I did YOGA!  Not crossfit.  I was supposed to be rejuvinated not mamed!

Break out the Deep Blue Rub.  I dab about a nickel size amount along my lower back and within minutes I feel the back loosen up.  I can bend and twist again.  I can pick up a hungry baby.  Good things!  Deep Blue rub saves that "morning" or do we still call 3:30am night?  haha

Straight from doTERRA:

DEEP BLUE^® RUB

dō̄TERRA’s Deep Blue Rub is a rich, topical cream infused with Deep Blue Soothing Blend of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils that provides targeted comfort to tired and sore joints and muscles. Formulated with a proprietary blend of natural plant extracts and other powerful ingredients,Deep Blue Rub provides a comforting sensation of cooling and warmth to problem areas. With close to 5 ml of dōTERRA’s top-selling Deep Blue essential oil blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, bluetansy, German chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus, Deep Blue Rub is an essential addition to your bathroom cabinet, gym bag, or first aid kit. Deep Blue Rub is blended in a base of moisturizing emollients that leave your skin feeling soft, not greasy and is the choice of massage therapists and sports practitioners for applying dō̄TERRA’s Deep Blue essential oil blend.

I woke up this morning still sore but mobile.  I can tell I got in a good workout.  I have not needed any OTC medications to deal with my discomfort.  I can't really call it pain but discomfort fits the bill.  Not enough that I won't be doing another workout tonight. 

Deep Blue also comes as an oil blend in a 5mL bottle or a 10mL roll on.  It is great to help with sore joints and muscles.  If the pain is more arthritic, add some Frankincense with the Deep Blue for a more powerful pain killer.  My mother uses that combo on her knee frequently.

For more information on how you can use the oils to transform your gym bag check out the  Gym Bag makeover from doTERRA.  

To me, if I am going to bust my butt to get in shape, I really don't want to add a bunch of chemicals to the mix.  Exercise releases toxins.  Why add more?  Go natural and use Mother Nature to help you get healthy and happy!

Oh Frank, I love you!

Frank is not the name of my husband, it is the nickname of one of my favorite oils.  Frankincense.   Many call it "The King of Oils" for good reason.  

Many of you know Frank from the Bible.  Three wisemen journeyed to bring Baby Jesus the gifts of Frankincense, Myrhh and Gold.  Three precious gifts for one precious child.  Have you ever wondered why?

Well, one researcher said it this way:

 "Frankincense has been touted for it’s medicinal and soothing properties. Herbalists say it is calming, restorative, gently clarifying, and meditative. Frankincense oil is thought to have stimulating, toning, and warming properties. The ancient world used it for treating depression. We recognize the word “incense” in its name and we understand that ancient people burned frankincense, believing it to carry their prayers to heaven."

In our modern world,we can still use Frank for many of the same reasons.  It does have calming and restorative properties.  Here is a video showing the power of Frankincense.

How do I use Frank?  I do 2 drops under my tongue once a day.  I will be perfectly honest and tell you it is not the best taste.  It is short lived in taste but provides long term benefits.  As a woman with hypothryroidism,  I have noticed over the years my eye brows and lashes thinning.  As a mother of three kids under 4, I have noticed my brain feeling scattered.  When I take the Frankincense under my tongue I notice my head is clearer and my eye lashes and brows are thickening.

I have read testimonies of sciatica and carpel tunnel pains disappearing after daily use.  Studies have been conducted showing the power of Frank over cancer.  There are so many benefits.  Add a drop of Frank to your Deep Blue rub to enhance the pain killing properties.  Feeling the afternoon drag...check out this video:

I have heard so many times from other oil users, "when in doubt, go with Frank!"  I now know why!  What a precious, potent oil to use daily.