I'm Diffused!

Typically, most people think of essential oils and immediately think of Aromatherapy.  They imagine gorgeous scents that help them to relax, sleep or conjure up visions of happiness and tranquility.  And, yes, it can do that!  It is just one of the many things I love about the oils.

The nose is an amazing organ where just a scent can activate the olfactory system.  It can trigger great memories and feelings.  

I spent many years buying the candles scented with Vanilla or Christmas cookies or spring flowers.  And they were nice, don't get me wrong.  My mother once burned this lovely candle in the house and the bird she had sitting near it fell over dead.  Why?  Birds are very sensitive when it comes to respiratory issues.  This candle was labelled all natural and was actually a bundle of chemicals manufactured to smell great.

But think about this.....if burning a candle is so toxic it can kill a bird, do you think that is great for you as the human as well?  

An article in How Stuff Works reports, "Indoor air pollution, the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials, can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution [source: Dunn]. This is because contained areas enable potential pollutants to build up more than open spaces do. "

Not just candles can increase this pollution, the Teflon cookware you use daily, the stuffing in your sofa, pesitcides you use in the garden all get trapped under your very energy efficiently sealed home.  

This type of pollution can lead to a toxic build up in your body leading to headaches, allergies, asthma and even worse.  It all depends on the toxins you are exposed to daily.

There are many simple ways to help improve the air quality of your home.   During nice weather, open the windows.  It can really blow out the junk including cold and flu viruses!  If you live in a high humidity area like I do, make sure to keep your levels inside 30-50% and use good air filters in your HVAC systems.

"But I want that great smell of fresh flowers I got for my candle, how do I get that?"

Diffusing essential oils!  That's how.

If you don't have a diffuser, I highly reccommend one.  Anywhere you are allowed to use air freshener or candles, you should be allowed to use a diffuser.  Chemical free fabulousness!

Citrus oils are a great economical option and used in many hosptials including Vanderbilt ER.  They are expanding the use throughout their healthcare network and patients are loving it.  Citrus oils are a great disinfectant and anti-depressant.  

Other great oils to improve air quality would be OnGuard, Breathe & Frankincense.

Some combos that smell great:

OnGuard & Lime

Cassia & Citrus Bliss

Frankincense & OnGuard

Breathe & Lime.

Your house will smell fantastic and you can get the health benefits for cleaner air as well as the health benefits from the oils themselves.

Since it is Spring, I am loving combining my floral oils together.  A little bit of heaven is the combination of Lavender, Geranium and Jasmine.  I earned Jasmine last year and hope to again this year.  It is truly a precious oil!  I really want to earn Rose too.  Fingers crossed!

Check out this video on how they harvest those precious Jasmine flowers.  About 30,000 flowers are needed to make 1 5mL bottle!  

Life 101 - Manage Stress or Suffer the Consequences

It has been a crazy couple of days around my house…..well I am sure it has but I wasn't here to witness.  I spent those days in the hospital.  This is truly not a post I really want to write but I am sure I am not alone in this little adventure we call life.

Last week it all started.  Well to be perfectly honest, this has all been building for some time now.  My stress level.  On top of my jobs as Mom and doTERRA Wellness Advocate, I also work full time.  Lately, that full time job has had an overwhelming schedule.  

I have missed so many of my kids events, dinners with my family, weekends, good sleep, convsersations with my husband, time with my friends etc etc.  This is nothing new for a typical working family but I have not been handling it well.  

Back to the events leading to the hospital…..I laid down to go to bed after telling my husband I was exhausted.  Major right side body cramp from ear to ankle.  It hurt but I was too tired and not really willing to deal with the issue.  I fell asleep.  Next night…..a slightly lighter repeat only this time I asked my husband for some help.

Then I worked over the weekend…yes on Easter I went to work.  Like I said, crazy schedule.  Finally, Tuesday night my sister came to visit and said I didn't look right and she thought I needed to go to the ER.  My right eye looked droopy or puffy in her opinion.

If you don't know the signs of a stroke…you should!  This is a big one!

So off I go to the ER….extremely scared, with a massive headache and arm weakness.  Not a good combo if you ask me.

The doctors were quite mad at me for waiting so long to get checked out.  If you suspect stroke, you need to be in the ER in less than 4 hours they told me.  Test after test showed I was normal which made the doctors very happy but complicated the diagnosis.  One of the doctors finally said, I think this is a complex migraine.  A term I have never heard.  After, looking into this term I remember the news reporter who everyone thought was having a stroke on live tv. Actually, she was having a complex migraine.  Dr. Oz references her here.  

Luckily, the neurologist thinks this is what I had but just a really intense migraine brought on by stress.  He is suggesting more Physical Therapy than drugs.  I like a doctor who thinks like that, especially if this type of Physical Therapy includes more a massage type thing.  

Now, here is the time where my loyal blog readers will tell me…..you did a blog on stress…don't you listen to your own advice.  To which I humbly say, apparently not very well.  

Although, I have faithfully used my oils to help keep all things in check, I obviously was not doing the other things to relieve stress….good exercise, good diet and good sleep.  My Fitbit does not lie!  Also, a balancing of my thyroid is very much in needed so hopefully my doctor will help me a bit more in this area.

Some things I have learned from this little thing….

1.  The drugs in the hospital helped relieve the pain but at a price of intense sweating and extreme drowsiness.  It is no way to live.  I prefer my oil recipes over their choices any day.

2.  My own bed and pillows are the best thing on the planet!

3.  I am not a superhero who can do it all.  I am human and I have to call "Uncle" before I break.  AND not feel guilty afterwards.  More Cassia for the courage to say no.  More Bergamot to keep guilt out of the picture.  And a whole lotta Balance!!! 

Keep in mind there are many options and everyone will react differently to the oils.  If you are in need of some Mood Management there are great blends….Elevation and Serenity will become more prominent in my life as well.

Here is to a happier, more balanced life!  

The Power of Touch

Recently, I had the priviledge to be trained in the Aromatouch Technique.   It was truly a wonderful day of learning and experiencing such a wonderful way to share my oils with people I care about. 

I am not a liscensed massage therapist so I will not be drumming up business using this technique but I will be using it on people I care about.  I know they will benefit from this simple process of touch.  

It was created by Dr. David Hill who is the Chief Medical Officer for doTERRA. I have had the pleasure of meeting him as well.  He is a very caring man who has a true passion to help others feel well.  His passion is rather infectious!

A few big points stood out as my instructor spoke.  One was simply a question, "Do you hear the same people complaining they are always sick?"  Most of us are exposed to the same bunch of germs and toxins so why are some people always sick where as some rarely get sick?  

The answer….Balance or more of a medical term….Homeostasis

Homeostasis is simply put, your body's balance of the autonomic nervous system.  The autonomic nervous system is kind of like autopilot in our bodies.  Think body temperature.  You don't have to do much to raise and lower your temperature, you body typically does a great job on it's own based on many factors.

When your are out of balance, your body can struggle with these processes leading to illness.  An overload of toxins or stress is usually the cause for lack of homeostasis.  

The Aromatouch Technique (AT) can help bring that back into balance.  But how does it actually do that?  

Our Autonomic Nervous System is a two part system.  It gives you the "Fight or Flight" response using the Sympathetic Nervous System.  It helps calm you back down using the Parasympathetic Nervous System.  

People who are constantly getting sick are off balance where their Sympathetic Nervous System is chronically stimulated. I would bet stress would be their biggest stimulant sending them over the edge.  

A constant Fight or Flight condition in the body is known to lead to weight gain, mental fatigue, and hormonal imbalances.  

The AT will help the body reduce the Cortisol levels and destress both the person recieving and the person giving.  It is a great benefit to both.


If you are finding people who have just given up on life, they are being driven more by their Parasympathetic System.  Calming your system down from a life threatening event is very important.  But remaining in a deep low is not good for the body.  Again, toxins such as pharmaceuticals can cause this to take over and keeping the person in a state of not wanting to get out of bed because they just don't care anymore.  That is not healthy either.

Using the AT to modulate the physical and emotional stressors, will help improve your overall well-being by helping to restore the autonomic tone or homeostasis.  The power of touch is very powerful!

The other statement my instructor made was how beneficial this technique is for the person giving.  She said "leave your junk on the table and focus on your connection to this person."  That too was actually remphasized when I was at church the following day.  

The phrase "Want more for others than you want FROM them" just solidified the whole thing for me.  I had just learned a technique to help the people I care about and helping them feel better is what I truly want FOR them.  Yes, I want to build my business with the oils but truly, I want everyone around me to feel better.  

I encourage any of you reading this blog, take that last quote to heart in all that you do.  Do what you can do to help those around you without expecting much from them.  You will keep your stress and anxiety more in check, build stronger relationships and truly feel better.

There are 10 oils needed for this technique along with Fractionated Coconut Oil.  The Aromatouch Technique Kit has everything you need.

Addicted!

I have admitted to all that in my past I was a huge Diet Coke addict.  I would joke to everyone that all I really needed to keep going was an IV of DC to start my day.  One day, long before I was ever introduced to doTERRA I made the decision to kick that habit.  It was tough and here is the blog about it.  One of the best choices I have ever made!

I was addicted!  Addictions come in many shapes and sizes.  The definition to addiction is:

A dependence on a substance or behavior that appears necessary to preserve what appears as normalcy in disregard to the adverse consequences.  

TV and Movies often focus addictions on drugs or alcohol but often they can be sugar, food, or other behavioral type things.  One of the most common in our society today caffeine.  

Symptoms or side effects of addictions is the feeling of a compelling need to continue the negative activity. This then can lead to feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and anxiety. As addictions are addressed withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability, headaches, nausea, etc. can develop.

In my area, we finally got a Starbucks.  People were celebrating on social media with pictures, countdowns, etc.  It cracked me up but also made me think.  Don't get me wrong, I like a good cup of coffee in the morning.  I also love a great Latte but over the years, I have really cut back on my caffeine intake.  Pregnancy will cause you to cut back since it is reccommended to have no more than 2 cups of coffee per day.  My body adjusted and now I just can't seem to go back to more without feeling really jittery.

According to the Mayo Clinic an average adult will have no adverse affects with moderate caffeine intake.  What is moderate?  200-300 mg or about 2-4 cups of brewed coffee per day.  What does that look like if you aren't a coffee drinker?

http://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-safe-limits

Heavy (500-600mg) use can result in a host of unpleasantness. 

• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Stomach upset
• Fast heartbeat
• Muscle tremors

So how do you cut back and not feel awful…..well honestly, you probably will have some sluggish days but there are lots of tools to help you.  First, drink a ton of water!  Hydration solves many of life's ailments.  Flavor that water with Grapefruit oil or the Metabolic blend.  These options are also good for those who are sugar addicts as well.  Personally, I use Mito 2 Max as well.  You can take up to 4 per day but I only need 2.  Works great to help feel I have my stamina all day.

Grapefruit oil can help you conquer the cravings of those energy drinks on the market.  They are loaded with lots of junk and can be quite dangerous for you.  I love all the citrus oils in my water.  Just make sure you are using glass or metal containers to drink your citrus water.  

Now if you are dealing with another type addiction, there are oils that can help as well.  Laura Jacobs  has some general guidelines for recovery:

The Grounding Blend – restored sense of solidity/grounded in life

Bergamot – self love

Frankincense – restore connection to divine love and acceptance

Peppermint – sense of recovery

The Cleansing Blend – cleansing and detoxifying both physically and emotionally

The Calming Blend – calming and quieting

White Fir – if passed on generation to generation

Vetiver – get to the root of it

The Detoxing Blend – detoxifying

Specific addiction use:

Alcohol – Helichrysum

Alcohol, Sugar – Helichrysum

Appetite Suppressant – Grapefruit, The Metabolic Blend

Appetite Stimulant – Ginger, Myrrh, The Metabolic Blend

Cravings – Grapefruit, The Metabolic Blend

Drugs – Grapefruit, Roman Chamomile 

Entertainment – The Grounding Blend, Serenity, Vetiver

Pornography – Frankincense, Helichrysm

Sex – Geranium, Sandalwood

Smoking/Tobacco – Clove, The Protective Blend, Black Pepper

Withdrawal – Grapefruit, Lavender, Sandalwood

Work – Basil, Geranium, Lavender, Wild Orange, Ylang Ylang

Adopt the habits and make the choice of a healthy lifestyle!

Your body will thank you….maybe not days 1-3 but it will thank you.

Busy Busy Busy

This morning I was watching The Today Show when they asked the question, "Is saying you are 'so busy' a new buzzword of our society?" or something along those lines.  The discussion they had went on for a minute or so but it got me thinking…..how many times do I respond with "Oh been busy" to the question of "How have you been?"

Then I thought, it really is a bit of a silly answer.  Everyone is busy.  Somehow it seems that using the term, "Oh gosh, I have been so busy" has become more of a competition.  For me, I think that term has come to really mean, "I am stressed and please don't get mad at me if I have forgotten something."  For others, I think it might be a way to say no when they are just too afraid to use the two little letters with tons of power.  Maybe they don't want to hurt feelings because like I said, everyone in our society is busy.  

So today's blog is all about using that phrase "I am so busy" when you really are busy and just saying what you want to say the rest of the time.  Be authentic, be truthful, be confident that when you are asked "How have you been?" you can answer with your own personal truth.  The person asking more than likely cares about you and really wants to know.  

Now, the Oil of Truth is one of my all time faves…..Frank!  I have blogged a few times about the power of Frankincense.  From the book Emotions & Essential Oils it says, " This oil helps creat new perspective based on light and truth."  Light and truth…..doesn't that sound much more appealing than "busy".

Inhale directly from the bottle at regular intervals through the day or place 1-4 drops in a diffuser.

Topically, you can apply 1-3 drops on the crown of your head, forehead, behind the ears or on the bottoms of the feet.

If you are one that just can't say no, you need the Oil of Boundaries….Clove.  "It reignites the inner soul-fire and can assist anytime there has been damage to the Self,…"  Clove can help you say no and not fear rejection for being true to yourself.

This often comes up when I invite people to experience the oils.  They say yes but then give me reason after reason why they cannot attend a class, meet one on one or even try to use samples for 3-5 days.  Me, being a somewhat hopeful but rather direct person hears the "yes" then is confused by the behavior later.  Then a bit of frustration kicks in because I would rather hear, "no that isn't my thing."  Often, I hear, "I am really just so busy I can't meet you."  Then social media gives them away……damn that social media.  

That is where Thyme comes into play….the Oil of Releasing & Forgiving.  Funny how Thyme helps you heal over time.  Serenity is another great one for forgiving.

Now, if you are busy and really thriving because of it then keep that motivation going.  Empower yourself!  Ginger is the way to go.  Ginger has a purpose and will fulfill it!  Now that definetly sounds awesome to me.  This oil can help you be successful in life when you fully commit to it.

Again, inhale directly from the bottle at regular intervals through the day or place 1-4 drops in a diffuser.

Topcially, apply 1-3 drops over the stomach.  Dilute with a carrier oil is you desire.  Bonus…..no more tummy aches.












My goal in all of this is to actually say how I feel.  I remember my grandpa griping that "You kids say FINE when I ask you how your day went or how you are.  Don't you have anything else to say?"  I love that man!  He just wanted to talk to us.  He wanted to listen to us.  Isn't that really what we all want?!  Let your friends and family hear you so they feel connected to you.


Life is best when spent with people you love.  Be authentic and abundant!

Oh yes….there is an Oil of Abundance….Wild Orange!  Love it!

I've Got a New "Secret" - Purify

If you are part of doTERRA's Oil of the Month club, you are getting Purify this month.  Not in the oil of the month club, you should be!  This oil came in my initial kit but I wasn't really sure how to use it.  At that time, I didn't think much of it but I was glad to have it in my oil arsenal.  

Now, it is back on my radar so I decided to look into the many uses of this one little bottle.

My first stop is always my Modern Essentials book and everythingessential.me.  

Everythingessential.me gave me so great ideas including:

• Diffuse in living areas and office to kill pathogens.
• Diffuse to strengthen the immune system.
• Use topically for people who work in or have spent time in hospitals or around people that are ill.
• Apply topically at the onset of blemishes and cold sores.
• Prepare a spray and spritz bed sheets 1 hour prior to bedtime to disinfect, protect against and repel dust mites, bed bugs and other insects.
• Spritz your pet to guard against fleas and mites.
• Spritz in shoes to deodorize and combat odors.
• Place drops on a cotton ball and place in car vents to purify the air in the car.
• Place drops on the intake vent of a home HVAC system and run the fan for 1 hour. Do the same in a hotel room HVAC room filter.

Still it seemed to me that I wasn't going to use this one very much.  I don't work in a hospital, I don't have pets, and since my travelling days have slowed down the exposure to bed bugs in hotels has diminshed.  

Then I found this blog by doTERRA. I love their DIY series.  "Purify will aid in inhibiting bacterial growth and help the body detox"  Dr. Hales.  It made me think but I admit, I quickly dismissed it.

  

For years I have used your standard selection of antiperspirants so the idea of just using a natural deodarant made me think twice.  

But in my quest to really be more natural and less exposed to chemicals I thought I would switch.  My first step was to go another store bought option for deodarant.  

It was nice but I admit, it felt weird to feel wet under my arms even though I didn't smell bad.  

Why would I want to sweat especially under my arms?   Glad you asked.

Sweating is your body's way to detox daily.  About 10% of your daily water loss comes just from sweat, even if you are not exercising.  Sweating helps your skin remove the dirt and other junk which leads to healthier skin.  Finally, sweat helps regulate body temperature.  

Since sweat is mostly water, it is all the other toxic build up that cause the odor.  

Then they announced our Product of the Month - Purify and I was reminded of that DIY article above.

I say this all the time, what you put ON your skin will go into your body….quickly.  So it made sense to see what was in the standard deodorant/antiperspirants.  There are lots of chemicals…which keep you from sweating. 

Aluminum

Aluminum-based compounds are often the active ingredients in antiperspirants. They block the sweat glands to keep sweat from getting to the skin’s surface. Some research has suggested that these compounds may be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. 

Parabens

Parabens in their many forms are a class of artificial preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products that are being investigated for their possible role in breast cancer. Parabens mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. 

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol—a humectant which means it keeps substances from drying out, and it was originally developed as an anti-freeze, but is now included in some deodorants and antiperspirants. It is a neurotoxin known to cause contact dermatitis, kidney damage, and liver damage. 

Your underarm area is filled with lymph nodes which are essential in cleansing the body of toxins.  By putting on something that prevents them from working as designed, you can get a toxic build up and that can result in any number is issues.  

For me, it seemed like the right idea to make the change.  If I didn't like it after a few months, I change back.  No harm no foul.  

After I shower, I apply 1-2 drops per arm pit of Purify then apply my store bought deodarant.  I don't plan on wasting it.  Maybe later I will make my own….we shall see.  The scent of Purify is a strong citrus but has a clean scent.  I wasn't a huge fan when I smelled it in the bottle but I have started to like it as a deodarant.  

Bonus, it helps boost immunity and with it's blend of oils  - Lemon, Lime, Cilantro, Citronella and Melaleuca - helps my body detox gently.  Trying to that "Reduce Toxic Load"  lifestyle going…..

Oh Sweet Melissa!

Such a pretty flower but when distilled it becomes a potent essential oil!  What is it?  Melissa.  Another common name is Lemon Balm.  This is one of the most expensive essential oils you can buy.  It is doTERRA's most expensive oil.  

But what do you use it for?  Why would I want to spend all that money on such a tiny bottle?  Why is it so darn expensive?  Those were questions I had before I really looked into buying this oil.  

The uses as listed by everythingessential.me

• Analgesic
• Antidepressant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Antiparasitic
• Antiviral
• Digestive
• Sedative

Around my house, we have used it successfully for it's antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.   I have had a very very busy Feburary and ended up starting my March with feeling rundown and lousy.  Along with my OnGuard + soft gels, I applied a swipe or two of Melissa to a tingly spot on my lip .  It is day two and the pain is down.  The nasty flare up that I usually got from events leaving me overstressed, overtired and exposed to every germ my kids brought home from school has not happened.  

Dr. Hill states on everything essential.me "Because it has now been confirmed that essential oils do penetrate the cells in our body and Melissa is 60% a phenylpropanoid (an organic compound associated with the structural components of the body’s cellular walls).  Therefore, Melissa, with its antiviral property can inactivate a virus before it enters a cell.  This is important since a virus needs a host cell before it can multiply and do its damage in the body.  This makes Melissa very very effective against the herpes virus that 98% of us have."

Dr. Hill also notes that Melissa is a great oil for calming and an antidepressant.  By diffusing Melissa at night you can help with depression, anger, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitive impairments.  Layer with Frankincense for depression and Patchoili for other cognitive disorders.  

The biggest amazement I have seen with this oil has come from one of my IPC's.  Her son is an adorable little guy but had a rough start to life.  Just 3 months old and major skin issues started then snowballed into serious health concerns.  He had eczema but there was way more to it.  He was finally diagnosed with Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) and Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).  After doing her research she found essential oils.  His mother contacted me and asked to buy some Melissa oil from me.  Knowing the cost, I was so afraid to tell her it would be expensive.  When I told her the price, she asked when I could meet her.  I was floored.  

She then shared this article from Spririt Newspaper with me and I just melted.  Good and bad.  Good in that I might be someone who was helpful for this adorable guy and bad because I never like to hear a story about a child who is sick.  I think I am like most mothers who just want the world filled with carefree, healthy kids.

His mom is quite a rockstar in making all sorts of awesome salves to help all sorts of issues.  Feel free to check her out Etsy.   She started by using Lemongrass.  She told me, "The lemongrass is what kicked the infection that 2 round of oral antibiotics, bactroban, chlorine baths etc, would not phase!"  Now she adds Melissa to the salve for its antihistamine properties.  I am happy to report this little guy looks and feels great.  He even is starting to just have those normal toddler issues like bumps and bruises from exploring his world.  It truly gives me chills to think how he is thriving.  Completely steroid and antihistamine free!  Read her full story in her own blog.  The pictures are amazing.

So why is it so expensive?  Because it is really difficult to produce.  3.5 to7.5 tons of plant material is needed to get just 1 pound of essential oil.  

If you are out shopping and find "Melissa" or "Lemon Balm" and it is really cheap, BEWARE.  More than likely it is a blend of Cintronella & Lemongrass.  It will smell similar but it will not work the same.

Melissa oil can irritate the skin so be cautious using on pregnant women, those with sensitive skin and children.  The great thing about this oil is that even in a diluted state, it is extremely effective.