And AWAYYYY We Go!

Some of you following this blog know that my real identity...aka day job, is as a pilot.  Yes, like big airplanes.  I was a huge fan of the phrase, "If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going."  But check out my current bird!  She is one awesome machine.   I spend more time teaching others how to fly her than I actually get flying but that is alright.  

How does this apply to essential oils?  Great question!  I am not exactly the person you think would be into natural medicine.  That is the thing about doTERRA!  It works.  You use it, it does what it says and you just want to keep using it.

But that is not what this blog is about today.  It is about oils and travelling.  

If you love to travel, hate to travel, travel for work or just take a yearly vacation the oils can really help you.  First off, you can take them through security.  The TSA does not restrict them as long as you follow the 3-1-1 Rule.

Most bottles of doTERRA are 15mL and you can fit many in a quart size Ziploc bag.  There are also great ways to carry them if you want to take just a little bit for a short trip.  You can use either a travel size carrier or recycle/re-purpose a Altoid mint tin.  They work great.  But what do you pack?

 

Well, there are a couple of options.  If you have a daily protocol, obviously you want those oils.  Let's say you don't but you want to be prepared.  The doTERRA blog has some great ideas how to make kits.

Now, since that blog entry was made, there have been some new, cool products announced.  One being DigestZen softgels.  DigestZen oil would work great too.  The softgels are just very portable!

This little gem will help keep you from suffering from stomach issues that can result from a change in water, soil, food, etc.  Let's face it, no one wants to travel across this awesome planet to end up seeing only a bathroom.

Then there is OnGuard+ softgels.  If you feel rundown or worry you have been exposed to a virus, this is the product for you.  I am testing it's potency out right now with the start of a sinus issue.  This little soft gel is my new protect and defender!

So far, I like the fact that if I feel a bit lousy it is very easy to take.  It will be just as easy to pack in your bag.

Now back to oils that I would take.  Peppermint!  It is going to help tackle headaches, upset tummies, and fevers.  The other great benefit of Peppermint is that it will help you perk up and tackle Jet Lag!  Add a little Frankincense or Wild Orange and really see a big boost.  As a mother of three, I use that little blend frequently to keep going around 3 pm.

Mix peppermint with a bit of water and spray down any hotel bed to help kill bed bugs as well!  

Let's say it is bedtime locally but your internal clock does not agree.  That is where I would break out Lavender, Serenity or maybe even Geranium.  All are great at promoting sleep.  

The best way I found to handle sleep issues on the road was to sleep when I was tired.  Of course as a pilot, I was never staying anywhere too long.  Sleep prevailed over sightseeing.  If you are on vacation more than likely you really want to see the sights.  Do your best to adjust to the time zone you are visiting.  If you land and it is 8 am, try to stay up and do all the normal daytime activities you want and possibly get to bed a bit early if you get tired.  It really does help you reset. 

OnGuard would be in my travel kit as well.  You can mix it with water in a spray bottle to make hand sanitizer.  8 drops to 3 oz of water is a potent mixture to help ward off those unwanted travel bugs.  It will just help you everyday keep the germs away.  Apply it to your feet daily for overall immune support.

I spend many days wandering how my world travel would have been very different if the oils were in my life "back in the day".  I am quite positive, my overall health would have been much better.  I am certain the many times I ended up with some nasty stomach bugs, I could have suffered far less.  At least I have them now and they will travel everywhere I go.

Now, who is ready to go here?

This is the Maldives....yes please!

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Operation....not really fun and games!

Last Thursday I went under the knife.  I am going to be perfectly honest and say it just sucked!  I am not the best patient.  I try very hard to remain calm and cool but really I am just big ball of nerves inside.  The internal voice that has helped protect me from harm and dismay in my "real job" kicks in high gear.  Let's just say, it isn't good.

So hernia surgery.  Umbilical hernia.  Thank you pregnancy.  I love my children with all my heart but a woman's body takes a huge hit through it all.  Luckily, mine was small but causing me some significant pain.  See my blog "It's the Bomb Baby" for more on the pain.

Prior to surgery it was recommended to me to stop using  my Long Life Vitality (LLV) pack and limit the use of Deep Blue.   LLV really helps your body regenerate cells so during a surgical procedure it can cause your blood to flow a bit more than you want.  Deep Blue is a blend of oils that help to with pain.  It works great but it has Wintergreen in the blend.  Wintergreen is amazing but can cause the blood to thin a bit.  

     

So for a week prior to surgery, none of the good stuff.  I will tell you, I felt the difference.  My energy levels went way down, my level on concentration suffered, and I got a bit of a cold.  Then top that with, no pain control for the stupid hernia.  Yes, it is stupid!!!

Surgery day arrived.  I was nervous.  I knew I couldn't use a ton of oils but I knew that had a couple options that no one would say anything about.  Lavender was the perfume of the day.  I needed to calm down.  I added a couple drops of Citrus Bliss because it just makes me happy. Finally, a drop of Balance down my neck. 

Surgery went well and we headed home that afternoon.  

The IV usually results in a HUGE bruise for me.  After gall bladder surgery, they missed on a couple attempts and I had 3 large bruises for over a month.  I had a great nurse this time but even great nurses leave me with a big bruise.  When I got home,  I used the Deep Blue around the area.  No bruise!  See for yourself.  

Now pain management......the doctor gave me great drugs.  Not gonna lie.  Of course, with the great pain control, you lose most of your other bodily control.  Percocet knocks me out.  COLD.  Day 1, I was OK since I was still under the influence of the anesthesia.  Day 2, I was ready to be a bit more awake.  My 4 year old was ready for me to be more awake.  But I couldn't beat the drugs and keep my eyes open.  There is no driving or operating heavy machinery when on the either.  Knowing I had to go to work meant not using them by Monday morning.  

Hello Frank & Marj! We meet again.   6 drops each of Marjoram and Frank in a veggie cap.  I took it every 3 to 4 hours as I needed to help me feel less pain.  

Today, that is all I have needed.  It has kept the soreness down and I have stayed "with it".  Love that.

On my incision, I applied a couple of things.  Helichrysum, Frank and Deep Blue.  Helichrysum acts like natural liquid bandaid.  Frank well is Frank....good for everything.  Both will help with reducing the scar tissue.   Deep Blue again was added for bruising and soreness.  My incision is looking pretty good for an incision.

Finally, I have taken On Guard both internally, around my incision and on my feet twice a day.  I was still run down and surgery always puts you at a big disadvantage to fight off germs.  I am giving my body everything I can to fight.  Rest, fluids and On Guard!

Am I sore 4 days post op?  Yep.  Will tomorrow better?  Yep.  Do I believe that using my oils have helped me recover faster?  Yep.  Mostly, because I was asked about a dozen times today "why are you at work?"   Now here is to another week and a half of "don't pick up anything over 10 lbs."  Do I really need to weigh my purse?