Sugar, we are breaking up!

Yes, I said it.  I have set a new goal to break up with sugar.  I fully accept that it might just result in a long distance relationship.  Let's face it, sugar is in so much stuff and it makes things taste better.  The problem, it makes my backside only available in a widescreen shot.  

Overall, my diet is healthy.  We eat organic, well balanced, lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  My problem is I want to finish these healthy meal with a sweet treat.  I don't stop at a small portion though.  One bite and I become a less blue version of Cookie Monster!  One cookie is never enough.  Yum yum yum cooooooookies!!! 

This week I joined Weight Watchers.  My excuse of "I just had a baby" will only be acceptable for so long.  To be perfectly honest with you, I had to start this because I just feel so lumpy.  I fully accept that my body will need time to recover but I decided I am helping it along this road.

So how does this all relate to the oils?  What have I chosen?  

There is a lovely little blend offered by doTERRA called Slim & Sassy.    From the official doTERRA site:

SLIM & SASSY®
METABOLIC BLEND

dōTERRA’s Slim & Sassy is a proprietary formula of grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, and cinnamon essential oils. Just add 8 drops to 16 oz. of water and drink between your healthy meals throughout the day to help manage hunger, calm your stomach, and lift your mood. Slim & Sassy is 100% pure essential oils, does not contain diuretics or stimulants, and has zero calories.

There are a few ways to take this product.  You can add it to your water as suggested above.  I have chosen to add 5-7 drops to a veggie cap and  drink with a large glass of water 3 times a day.  

After one week of using the product I have noticed my craving for sugar is more controllable. I can resist as I walk by the large tray of donuts at work or the cake at work or the candy the kids bring in the house.  I do like the taste of the blend, though I have heard some do not.  It gives my mouth a tingly feeling because of the cinnamon.  For me, the veggie cap makes it easier for me to get the product in my body.  I drink water all day but my job can make it tough to add oils to the water.  

Another thing I have noticed after the first week is a large reduction in my water weight.  My ankles are back in view and I couldn't be happier.  This is due to the grapefruit in the blend.  It helps the body release retained fluid.  It is effective!  

Sugar not only can make your backside bigger it can contribute to an overgrowth of yeast.  It is called Candida.  This overgrowth of yeast can cause skin issues, thrush, and a whole list of health issues.  

Vaginal infections

Urinary tract infections

Body rashes

Acne

Oral thrush

Allergies

Cystitis

PMS

Joint pains

Asthma

Hayfever and other respiratory illness

Athlete’s foot

weight gain or weight loss

Fatigue

Taking sugar out of the equation could truly help me transform my body to a healthier, leaner and hopefully not meaner me!  Slim & Sassy will help you control that urge for sugar.  Controlling that urge can transform your body inside and out.

I will update the progress over the journey to drop the weight.  I have a large amount to lose.  Like 60 pounds, maybe more.  I am not looking to be super model skinny, just a healthy maintainable weight for long term health and happiness.  

Here is to the journey!  One pound at a time!

Nutrition matters!

For years and years I have taken a daily multivitamin.  You have seen the commercials telling you that taking their daily vitamin will help keep you healthy, full of energy and happy.  I eat a pretty balanced diet which is mostly organic.  I truly feel that we can achieve better health by eating real food in a balanced diet and avoiding processed GMO free food.  It is a shame my sweet tooth rears it's ugly head so often but I am working on that. Thank you grapefruit oil!!!!

Prior to starting doTERRA's oils, I had tried both the store bought one a day type vitamins, the vitamin store specialty vitamin packs, and a vitamin company's line of "superior nutrition".  All worked well for me and my family.

I have been with doTERRA and loving their oils since October.  During my pregnancy, I took the store bought prenatal vitamins but knew I wanted to see what the hype about the doTERRA Lifelong Vitality pack was all about.  Many women use the LLV as their prenatal but I had a BIG bottle and needed extra iron.  My baby boy was born in April so in May I decided to give them a shot.

The doTERRA description goes as follows:

LIFELONG VITALITY SUPPLEMENTS

dōTERRA’s Lifelong Vitality supplements are formulated with potent levels of essential nutrients and powerful metabolic factors for optimal health, energy, and longevity. Coupled with dōTERRA’s CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils and a lifelong commitment to dōTERRA’s Wellness Lifestyle, they naturally support a lifetime of looking, feeling, and living younger, longer.

The dosage is 2 of each pill for a total of 6 in the morning and the same at night.  If you have never taken vitamins, you might want to start with a half dose.

So after a month of using them you are probably asking, do I notice any difference?   Do I like them?

YES! I really do.  The XEomega has a strong fishy smell but that can easily be dulled by storing the bottle in the fridge.  All are formulated with a "tummy tamer" so you don't have that vitamin taste in your mouth after taking them.  They are the first vitamins I can take before I eat breakfast without ruining my appetite.

What changes have I noticed?  I could give you the standard...more energy blah blah blah and that is true but my biggest change is in my skin, nails and hair.  I have never had exceptionally strong nails.  My hair has always grown normally.  After a month on the LLV, my hair and nails are growing exceptionally fast and remaining strong.  It kind of freaks me out to be perfectly honest.  But I have always heard, you can judge your health on the state of your hair, skin and nails.  I am less sick and have more stamina which is helpful for survival with 3 kids.

Today while getting things ready for work, I hit my thumb nail in such a way I expected to have the nail break and hurt.  Instead, it took a tiny notch out of it and the rest of the nail stayed intact and strong. I have had to cut them back weekly because they are just growing and too long to function.

I had my hair cut two weeks ago and my bangs have already needed to be trimmed.  Prior to the vitamins, it would have easily been 4 to 6 weeks before I had anything to worry about.  Being two months postpartum, I have expected to lose significant amounts of hair. So far, it isn't happening.  Fingers crossed that continues since I have never had exceptionally thick hair.  I am not asking for super thick hair but just a nice shiny head of hair.  Is that too much????

My mother has started giving the half dose to my 90+ year old grandfather.  He is a healthy guy but starting to suffer from dementia.  After a month on the vitamins, he actually came to her and told her he wasn't sure what she was giving him but he felt better than he had in years.  This from a man of very few words!

Finally a testimonial from my husband....another man of few words.  He is an oil user but just doesn't have much to say.  I know he likes things when he continues to use them and not just to be nice.  He actually started the vitamins before I did.  I would ask him, "do you feel different? better? blah blah blah"  His response was usually, "no, I don't feel bad but I can't say I see a huge difference."  And then, he ran out of them for two weeks.  He actually asked me when I was placing the next order because he needed his vitamins.  He had picked up a cold, felt tired and generally lousy in the two weeks of being off the vitamins.  He has not run out since!

So yes, I love the vitamins.  They are the best selling product offered by doTERRA and I now know why.

Melaleuca and the Pressure Washer

Melaleuca......quite a name huh?  Did you see that word on your SATs?  Word of the day calendar?  Ever heard of Tea Tree Oil?  Same thing.  

DoTERRA's official definition:

Melaleuca Essential Oil 
Melaleuca alternifolia

Recognized by its more common name, ‘tea tree’, melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties*, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications.

I was first introduced to "tea tree oil" in Paul Mitchell shampoo.  My head tingled so nicely when I used it.  My scalp felt revitalized.  My hair looked great....for the time period.  

Melaleuca is a great for skin conditions like dandruff and psoriasis.  It is anti-fungal so it will help with all skin issues that can stay warm and moist festering yeast and other gunk. 

There are hundreds of uses for this wonderful oil. 

Fast forward to the present.  I wake up with all the indications of a sinus infection.  Last weekend's fun followed by a newborn growth spurt have left me a bit rundown.  I became a prime target of the germs that always lead to a major sinus infection.  

Before I found the oils, I would have dosed myself with an OTC or head to the doctor for and evaluation.  This time is different.  I am nursing a baby. I have natural remedies to try to take down the germs in my doTERRA oil bag.  If they don't work, I can do the same as before.

Consulting my trusted Modern Essentials book.....anyone using oils should really have one.....and other suggestions from doTERRA IPC's around the world I thought about a using my sinus "pressure washer" and adding a few drops of the Melaleuca oil to the saline wash.  

I avoided oils like peppermint because of the fear of burning the delicate tissue of the sinus cavity.  It didn't give me the tingly feeling my head once felt but it did help open my head up and clear out my sinuses.  The biggest change to this time, I took ZERO OTC medicines this time but felt good all day.  I won't say I felt fantastic, my body is fighting off this junk.  With the help of the awesome Pinterest recipes, I am confident I will beat these bugs without any antibiotics or doctor's visits!

It is day two of the pressure washing and oil combos and I have to tell you I feel so much better.   I will call this a success.  After a typical start to my sinus infection...and I have had enough I ended up with sinus surgery....I have never felt great day 2.  

Now to teach this baby boy to sleep in his crib!  

Mighty Max & Melissa

It has been a whirlwind of a weekend around my house.  We celebrated a 4th birthday, first dance recital and loads of family in town to experience it all with us.  It was fantastic!  Oh, and I taught an oil class on Friday with a bit of help from my family.  You should come to one!  Really!  

With so much going on, I felt stressed and didn't get the right amount of sleep.  Pair that with the fact I am nursing a 6 week old and it is amazing that I was not a zombie the entire time.  I only went on 2 cups of coffee per day as well and no sweet tea!  "Scarlet, I do declare!"

What saved me this weekend?  Mito2 Max  

The official description from doTERRA is:

dōTERRA’s Mito2Max is a proprietary formula of standardized plant extracts and metabolic cofactors of cellular energy. Mito2Max supports healthy mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity, and improves stamina naturally without the use of harmful stimulants. Use Mito2Max as a healthy long-term alternative to caffeinated drinks and supplements for increased energy and vitality.*

My definition.....the amazing life saver!

Saturday was the busiest day.  We had the birthday party with about 30 adults and children that morning.  My idea of a bounce house was fantastic if I might say so.   It was just sad the opening of the bounce house was so small.  Sorry parents!  That afternoon was The Wizard of Oz presented by some really cute and awesome dancers.  

I decided since Friday night was long, Saturday would be a 2 dose Mito 2 Max kind of day.  You can take up to 4 per day but I have only ever needed 1 per day.  The 2nd pill was just what I needed.  I ended my day feeling tired but not exhausted.  Since I am nursing, caffiene really wasn't an option I wanted to risk.  Mito  2 Max is safe for nursing mothers so I thought heck ya!  This is my new go to energy sustainer.  I never felt "buzzed" or jittery.  Just calm, sustained energy.  

But as with any stressful event in my life, I could feel a tingle on my lip.  I was really not in the mood to deal with some giant sore on my mouth so I called on Melissa.  Oh sweet Melissa.

Melissa Essential Oil 
Melissa officinalis

Our most expensive and rare oil, melissa essential oil has a sweet, fresh, citrus-like fragrance and is steam distilled from the fresh flowering tops, leaves and stems of the Melissa officinalis plant. With a wide range of therapeutic properties, melissa can be used for calming the nerves, addressing stomach discomfort, mood support, and seasonal bugs. Because the Melissa officinalis plant has an oil yield of less than 1/10 of 1%, it is one of the most commonly adulterated oils.

I applied 1 drop twice a day for 3 days...it was a busy weekend....when I felt that tingle.  For anyone who gets a cold sore,  you know what I mean.  By the third day, the tingle was gone and no cold sore has shown up.  Triumph!!!!  I am quite certain that had I applied the ointment I had always used in the past, I would still be applying it to a painful cold sore that woud "have a shortened" life span.  With Melissa, it never really had a life span!  

Melissa is an amazing oil!  

Topically, Aromatically, Internally Oh my!

One of the most common questions I get about the oils is "how do you use them?"  I try to explain that you can take them internally, apply them to your skin topically or diffuse them in the air.  After attending the East Coast Conference and learning and sharing with many others, I thought I might expand on this topic.

Let's take on common oil with hundreds of uses....Lemon oil.  On the doTERRA everyday website they have a link to the 101 Uses of the Intro kit.   The intro kit includes Lemon, Peppermint and Lavender.

Personally, I love the lemon oil in my water.  It is one way I take it internally.  I usually add 2-4 drops to my water for flavoring.  You have different taste buds, so you might want more or less.  But that isn't the only way to take an essential oil.

To get an oil into your system like an IV, place the drops under your tongue.  I do this daily with Frankincense.  No, it isn't the best tasting event of my day but the benefits outweigh the taste for me.

Now if you can't take the taste of some of the oils, there are veggie caps that will allow you to take them in pill form.

Back to lemon oil, you can use it topically.  They oils will absorb into your skin within seconds and enter your bloodstream shortly after.  Many of the citrus oils are great at boosting mood.  Applying it as you would with perfume can help you feel happier.  A few of my friends call Wild Orange their happy juice!  Lemon also works as the best goo gone I have ever seen!

When in doubt on where to put the oils topically, there are basically two things I tell people.  Bottoms of your feet or location location location.  If you have a pain, rub the oil where the pain is located.  Avoid putting the oils IN your eyes and ears though.  TRUST me on the eye one!  OUCH!  Peppermint is hot!

Aroma is the most common way people think to use the oils.  There are lots of ways to do this as well.  Many places sell diffusers.  We have 4 in my house and honestly, they are on a good portion of the time we are at home.  Stressful day, Citrus Bliss can help everyone chill out.  Need better sleep, Serenity it is.  Everyone getting sick......you know it is On Guard.  

By diffusing them, the oils can clean and purify the air.  As you breathe them in, you take those tiny droplets of oils into your body through the nose, skin and mouth.  The room not only smells better, it benefits you health wise.

There are options to wear the oils in jewelry.  They allow you to take the scent with you and be stylish.  Many kids with ADHD and autism have benefited from this method.

What do I do daily?
Topically I apply Lemongrass & Myrrh over my thyroid to help with my hypothyroidism, and Elevation as my perfume.  I swear everyone is nicer to me when I wear it.

Internally, I take 2 drops of Frankincense under my tongue, 10 drops of Grapefruit in a Veggie cap as well as my Long Life Vitality vitamins.

Throughout the morning and evening we often diffuse Citrus Bliss, Serenity, OnGuard and Lavender depending on how everyone in the house is feeling.

In my house I have noticed my family is less stressed, happier (sillier if you are my kids), and less likely to pick up every germ at the daycare.  We invested in our health naturally and I couldn't be happier.

Got milk?

  

Breastfeeding is such a natural thing for a mother to do for her child.  No one ever tells you that being natural may not be easy.  Somehow they forget to add that caveat.  Well, I will tell you that breastfeeding can be a huge struggle.  I know, I have three wonderful kids and I struggled with my first two.  Finally, on my third I have found success.   

A little background on my struggles with breastfeeding.

I welcomed daughter #1 just about 4 years ago.  She was tiny and perfect.  I had read all the advice to use the lactation consultants in the hospital.  I requested they come to visit my room numerous times.  The nurses, although wonderful, kept telling me it would just happen and to not worry.  Well, finally the lactation consultant arrived and realized 3 days after giving birth, I was struggling.  Breastfeeding lasted 1 month.  The day I gave up, I pumped every 2 hours for 25 minutes and produced 1 whole ounce the entire day.  I was reduced to tears.

Despite the trouble, I gave it a shot with daughter #2.  This time, I requested the lactation hours after she was born and explained the trouble I had experienced with my previous attempt.  Luckily, the nurses listened.  The lactation consultant remembered me and was extremely helpful.  Even with  help and encouragement, I had to take numerous lactation supplements, eat lactation cookies, and drink mother's milk teas.  I truly loved the cookies...I won't lie!  My production was a struggle to really get going.  I had to talk myself into the "your milk is in"  and I never felt the tingle of let down.  After 3 months, we moved to formula.  No matter what I did,  I just dried up.  Frustration.

Fast forward to the week prior to delivery of my son.  I was having some contractions but they were not regular.  I thought I would give my breast pump a try to see if helped regulate them.  

I will admit, I used Clary Sage occasionally prior to my contractions.  You have to be very careful with Clary Sage during pregnancy since it can stimulate uterine contractions.  Great for labor though!  Anyway, I was 38 weeks and knew I only had one week left so I gave it a try.  1 drop on each breast rubbed with a bit of Fractionated Coconut oil.  I tried this every third day. 

To my surprise, I pumped a little over a teaspoon of colostrum on the day I had contractions.

So what is so different this time?  My doTERRA essential oils.  Specifically, Clary Sage, Fennel, Basil and Roman Chamomile. 

 

After I delivered my son, I told my husband to hand me the Clary Sage and Fennel.  1 drop of each oil on each breast once a day and it was amazing how much colostrum I made in the hospital.  A few days later, my milk really came in and I did not have to guess or talk myself into believing it.  

Today, we have been home a little over 2 weeks.  My son is over birth weight by 2 oz!  I feel the major tingle of "let down" and have even had leaking!  A few nights ago, I was curious about my production levels.  My baby boy was happily sleeping so I pumped.  I pumped over 2 oz!!!  This amount never happened with either of my girls at this point.  

To help with my sore nipples, Roman Chamomile has been a savior.  One drop on each nipple and my soreness is gone by the next feeding.  

I have made a few batches of the lactation cookies.  I am telling you...they are good even if you aren't breastfeeding.  As we have started a bit of a growth spurt, I have used Fennel to help my supply keep up.  No supplements or teas...which have lots of Fennel taste and made my baby girl very gassy.  I have also used Basil to break up the use of Fennel.  There are some cautions using Fennel too many days in a row.

I feel wonderful and confident that by using my doTERRA oils, I will be able to keep my supply going strong.  I am also not worried about taking something that could be harmful to my baby boy.  It is a great feeling as a mother to know you are doing great things for your children.

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.