Aspire....to be all that you want to be.

I am back from doTERRA's Aspire Global convention.  It was in one word amazing.  It was my first convention but will not be my last.  Words cannot truly express the excitement I had leading up to the flight westbound....which is partly why I had writer's block.  

I was warned that Utah's weather could be all over the place in September so I packed expecting to be a bit cooler than our Savannah heat and humidity.  Lucky for them, I bought some heat with me...but it was a dry heat.  haha  Record temperatures the first day of 94! Hello, Peppermint oil!

I have been to smaller events so I know the feel of doTERRA well and that deep caring for the people and planet held true thoughout the entire week.  What took me a bit by surprise was how much my emotions stirred and the tears ran down my face.  Seriously...no one warned me to pack tissue!

Hearing the growers tell how they are so pleased to be able to offer jobs to people in their areas where poverty has been so much a part of life, other Wellness Advocates share their success stories, being educated on the products I love, and seeing all the new stuff had me reaching for my Balance and Lavender oils often.

My mother and sister were recogonized for some awesome rank achievements of Gold and Silver!  It was so awesome to see them walk across the stage in front of 18,000 people.  

So what did I learn.....

Arborvitae is an amazing new oil for giving me a bit of a filter.  It allowed me to take a second, formulate the right phrase and say the right thing.  Now, it has lots of other great properties they discussed but for me this was huge.






The new Breathe formula is great for me in dry air and on bad pillows.  My poor roomies!  If you snore, give it a go to help those around you get better rest as well as you.  It has the new Cardamom oil in it.

It was awesome to see myself in doTERRA Living Magazine!

Most importantly, I learned I have readers of this blog which is truly humbling. Honestly, this blog was just my little creative outlet.  Never did I think I would have people approaching me to tell me how much they enjoyed it or wanted to me my sweet boy from "The Spot" (who by the way will be 18 months is a climber!)  I guess I should be careful what I write...haha.  What happens in a blog....no that is just Vegas right?  

I will give you insight to a future blog.....electric hedge trimmers, a pointer finger and CorrectX......just give me a few more weeks.  

Oh Baby!

Oh Baby!

One week ago, I welcomed my third baby into the world.  I was scheduled for a C-section on April 11 but he decided he wanted a different birthday.  On Thursday, I had contractions all day and went to get checked out at Labor & Delivery.  They sent me home but said if he wasn't moving much or the contractions got closer come back.  Friday morning, I didn't feel he was moving enough so we headed back to the hospital.  The doctor said it was time for him to join the big world!  

Now, I will say I am not a doctor, doula or a birth expert but I will share how we used the oils during recovery.  The oils worked great for me but know this is one woman's experience.

After I was rolled from recovery to my room for a few days, I asked my husband to set up the diffuser.  We brought our entire bag of oils and the Ace Diffuser so we could set it and forget it essentially.  I wanted On Guard but that was left at home so we turned on Serenity.  The room filled with the lovely smell of lavender and vanilla.  It helped me chill out after the excitement of having a new baby.  The next morning, the OnGuard was started.  I didn't want to pick up any mega germs from the hospital.

                                               

Every doctor, nurse and tech that came into my room commented on how nice the whole hallway smelled.  The really liked to come in a check on us since it didn't smell like a hospital.  I made sure no one was bothered by it and they assured me other patients were enjoying the smell.  I actually passed out material about the oils while staying in the hospital!  (I tell everyone how easy the oils are to talk about and share!)  

On the second night in the hospital, I noticed my baby boy was really stuffy.  He seemed to have trouble nursing because of such a stuffy nose.  I asked the nurse to check him out and she offered saline and the nose sucker.  "There isn't much we can do for them at this age."  I asked my husband to get the Breathe oil out and apply some to his feet and my chest.  Not even 10 minutes later, my sweet boy was breathing better and nursing like a champ again.  The nurse noticed and asked what I had done.  I proudly told her.  She wanted more information!  She was pregnant too.  I felt empowered!  I had helped my child when modern medicine could not due to safety.  

                                               

Nursing was a huge struggle with my first two children.  I was determined to find a better way with this baby.  Say hello to Clary Sage.  Clary Sage is known to help women through labor by enhancing contractions.  I didn't need that but Clary Sage also is known to help bring in a mother's milk.  I immediately started applying 2 drops to the breast area twice a day.  My milk has come in strong!  My baby boy is happily eating away and I couldn't be happier.

Now that we are home, I have used Balance and Lavender on the baby.   It helps calm his tummy.  For myself, I applied Helichrysum to my incision to help with healing, Elevation to have energy and keep the happy feelings going, Grapefruit in my water to reduce the swelling and Fennel to help boost my milk supply.  After having two previous C-sections, I have to say this has been my easiest recovery.  I want to get out and do stuff although I know I must get some rest and not push it for now.  

My ode to Breathe!

My ode to Breathe!

As I write this blog, I will admit, my oldest kid went to the doctor yesterday.  I love my doTERRA oils but I use them in conjunction with today's Modern Western medicine.  My philosophy is both can do great things!

What I have found is that I can usually get relief and healing just from the oils.  I always go to them first.  If I can't seem to kick whatever ails me, THEN we head to the doctor.  After all, I am not a doctor.  I did not spend years and years and thousands of dollars to get an education as a doctor.  I did that to be a pilot.

But back to my ode to Breathe......

My oldest has been suffered with respiratory issues since 6 months of age.  Ear infections, coughing, runny noses, you name it.  The poor child has been on so many rounds of antibiotics, allergy medicine and other drugs.  I know that cannot be great for her body, especially her liver.  If too much Tylenol can kill you, think of all the other side effects or just watch a commercial.  YIKES!

Breathe is a proprietary blend of CPTG oils - laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, melaleuca, lemon, and ravensara.  They are potent.

We apply it to her chest and feet almost daily.  Her breathing would improve for hours with just a few drops.  The bonus, she loves the smell of Breathe.  She will actually ask for her oils.  In my book, that is a huge win!

I am also a huge user of Breathe!  Being pregnant, I am probably overly cautious about taking most medicines.  Call it paranoia but I will use a nasal wash and suffer a bit over taking loads of medications.  I read the side effects and they scare me but I suffer from allergies. Living in south Georgia does not help my situation.  

A few weeks ago, my head was just congested and I was miserable.  I applied a couple drops on my chest and a couple drops in my hands. I rubbed my hands together and cupped around my nose and mouth.  5 deep breaths later and I felt open and relieved.  My husband walked in on me and asked what the heck I was doing..."sniffing glue?!"  was part of the phrase.  Silly man, he does not suffer the sinus issues I do.  But he saw the dramatic difference in me.

Now, some of you might read this and think, the cost is going to stop you from trying this.  After all, you can go to a local drugstore and pick up Cold/Sinus medicine for about $10-20.  I know a daily chewable allergy medicine for kids is about $22 for  25 pills at my local pharmacy.  It is more for the adult version.  

A bottle of Breathe, which you can use on anyone in your family, comes in a 15mL bottle...about 250 drops for 11 cents (retail)/ 8 cents (wholesale) per drop.  You could care for your whole family for under $30 for an entire bottle.  

Add in the benefit that the shelf life of the oils is 7 to 10 years as opposed to most over the counter medicine that is about a year.  What becomes cheaper?  

There are no side effects of the oils either.  So although they are potent, they are extremely safe.  

If Breathe can kick my cough without OTC meds, you better believe this girl is going the natural way with my doTERRA oils.

Want more information on doTERRA's amazing oils, check out my website http://www.mydoterra.com/stephaniebader/