10,000 Steps to a Better Me!

So the buzz of New Year's resolutions have come and gone.  How have you done with yours?

I would venture to guess that "Losing Weight" is the #1 resolution made in the US.  If not #1 then it is in the top 5.  

Every year, I know I have made this a resolution for myself in some fashion.  Yeah, I have worded it many different ways but it all boiled down to the same thing.  I need to drop weight and be healthier.  My motivations have usually been for vanity.  Yes, I know my health will improve but honestly I just wanted to look better.

Year after year, I have failed.  Oh, one year I managed to drop 40 pounds.  It was awesome.  People noticed.  The positive reinforcement was amazing.  Then, I had baby #3.  Yes, I have been blessed but the fact remains, I need to drop the baby weight and beyond.  

Many months ago I blogged about breaking up with sugar.  Let me tell you, that is no easy process.  Sugar is addictive.  I have really struggled.

Now back to resolutions......

This year, AGAIN, I decided I would get healthier and lose weight.  The difference?  I asked for a FITBIT.   My birthday is in January so my lovely mom got me a Flex.  Why?  Because I needed accountability and the fact that I can wear this day and night lets me know exactly how much I am moving during the day.  My goal....10,000 steps everyday.  

Is it hard?  YEP!  My job has me trapped in a seated position for hours per day so now to get my steps I HAVE to exercise.  And since I am pretty determined to meet my goal, I now have to move to do that.  No more excuses to sit on the couch.

So how does this all apply to oils?  Well, directly it really doesn't.   

Walking is one of those exercises that for me doesn't turn into a sore body.  If I am at work for the majority of the day I have to find a way to get those steps and that is where I have turned to my elliptical.  It does make me sore.  Thank goodness for Deep Blue.

Through this journey to learn all I can about the oils I have come across two books I just love for emotions and well being. 

Let's look at the oils that might help you have more resolve for those resolutions......

From Living Healthy & Happily Ever After

If you need help curbing cravings:
Blend 6 drops Fennel, 3 drops Ginger, 2 drops Rosemary and 1 drop Black Pepper into a wick inhaler.  Whenever the craving strikes.....take a sniff!


To help you with Transition and Change:  (which of course you have to do if you make a resolution)
Mix 3 drops each in a roll-on bottle of Balance, Roman Chamomile, Thyme, Vetiver, and White Fir PLUS 1 drop of Lavender.

Roll on the top of the foot between the big toe and the index toe.  Roll on the back of your neck.

2 drops of Melissa under your tongue can help you more if the internal struggles are really bad.


From Emotions:

For Perserverance try Helichyrsum or Balance.

To help you center yourself try Vetiver, Roman Chamomile or Clove.

Resolutions really should be thought of as long term goals.  I think making a series of small changes will lead to big changes.  Baby steps to running a marathon!  

Lotions and Potions!

Just a few days ago, I celebrated a milestone kind of birthday.  While I stared in the mirror wondering just how I got to be this age, my wonderful friends and family commented how I really don't look my age.  It  made me feel a little better….but I put on some Balance and Citrus Bliss to help me believe their comments.

I do think I have been blessed with good genetics in the area of aging.  My grandmother is in her 90's but most people guess her in her late 70's to early 80's.  

My mother is often asked if she is my sister. 

I tend to laugh when people comment and just feel it is my lack of maturity that shines through.  haha Afterall, I do laugh at many things 12 year old boys find funny!

But genetics aside, both my mother and grandmother instilled in my the need to take care of your skin.  After all, it is your largest organ!

As much as I like my still youthful skin, I tend to suffer from the same things I did in my youth.  Breakouts.  Personally, I think it is a crime that breakouts happen over the age of 20 but Mother Nature didn't ask me.  

doTERRA made me take a look at the way I was caring for my skin. 

Prior to doTERRA, I used many of the skin clearing blends.  I tried it all.  Proactiv, Clean & Clear, etc etc.  My skin did look better but there would be times I would have a reaction to the clearing agents in the formulas.  So imagine…..a couple big pimples and then red face to top that off.  Oh yeah, don't forget the oily T-zone shining away!  Just lovely.  ugh

Which type are you?  

As I got more and more into doTERRA, I saw the skin care line.  I was intrigued.  After all I would call myself and "lotions and potions" kind of girl.  I do want to stay looking youthful for a while.  Yes, it is pure vanity!  

I decided to order the Clear Skin set and the Invigorating Scrub.  The only issue, there was no moisturizer that seemed right at the time.  I was pregnant and avoiding as much "stuff" as I could.  A friend of mine said, "just use your FCO. It works great!"  

I politely said, "Thanks for the tip."  

In my head went something more like this….."OIL ON MY FACE!  Are you insane?  I will breakout like a kid in puberty! You are nuts!"

But…..since I was on a mission to try new things, reduce the chemicals I exposed the family to, I thought, alright, I will give it one week.  If my skin looks worse, I go back to my old regime.

After a week, my face felt smoother and softer.  No breakouts.  The one issue I was having was that using coconut oil was with my makeup.  My makeup just would not stay put through the day.  I adjusted to only using the FCO at night time instead of twice a day. 

The Result:  

Clear, soft, acne free skin for the remainder of my pregnancy.  Happy times!  Did I mention….NO BREAKOUTS!

The baby arrived and I decided it was back to helping prevent the wrinkles and aging again so I bought the Skin Care with Anti Aging Moisturizer Kit along with Immortelle.  

Immortelle intrigued me the most.  Since I was over the "oil on my oily skin", I really wanted to see how this oil would work around my eyes.  It has really helped lighten my dark circles and keep me from looking tired.  But this little roller ball bottle of oil can do much much more!

Today, I am still using this system.  I have used Immortelle on my scars from the C-section and seen a decrease in the appearance of the scar tissue.  Nice!

Then doTERRA did it again…..the released another skin care product.  The Reveal System.  As hard as I tried to resist, I just had to try it.  It was promoted as a spa like facial to help you with a healthy glow.  The pregnancy glow was gone and I missed it!  Add one set to the Loyalty Rewards order please and thank you!

I love this product!  It is easy to use, doesn't make a huge mess.  It doesn't ruin your washcloths and it works.  I use it a couple times a week and my makeup goes on so smooth.  

Until the end of January, this product is 10% off the retail price.  You should try it especially if you are on the fence.  

So the girl….yes I still feel like a girl!…..who was petrified to put oil on her face puts oil on her face and my skin has never looked better.  It still amazes me that it works, but it does.  

Shop for the skin care line here!

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Shhhh....Let's just Whisper

Happy New Year everyone!  Life as I know it resumes again.

The holidays are wonderful.  They bring about so many things that remind me of all I have to be grateful for.  During my travels, I was able to meet so many new friends who love doTERRA and reconnect with so many family and friends I rarely get to see.  I even scored some jewelry.  Check out the awesome necklace I won at a doTERRA event between Christmas and New Years.

  

One "person" reconnected with me with very poor timing.  Aunt Flow.  She has the worst timing.  She loves to make me feel lousy.  This time around she gave me a hormonal headache from hell!  The common term is the Menstrual Migraine.  

The drop of estrogen and progesterone can trigger these migraines in some women and it appears I am one of many.  Some find relief by taking birth control.  Many will recommend taking NSAIDs such as Advil or Aleve.  I can tell you, neither option touched my headache.  I was miserable.  

Imagine packing up your family of 5 with a migraine that makes you want to hurl your breakfast while your 4 and 3 year old repeat your name every 5 seconds.  It was a rough day and on top of it, we were headed to a wedding.  On New Year's Eve!  I know you are jealous!

So you have the picture and my husband has asked me why we were packed so crazy!  haha

I pushed through.  I tried my normal headache rememdies....Past Tense, Peppermint & Lavender, Frankincense.  The relief was only minutes.  The headache would roar back.

Finally, I decided to sit and try evaluate my options.  I had this new oil for women I got from doTERRA for free...ask me how later......it is called Whisper.

Through my doTERRA research I vaguely remembered someone pointing out that it was good for hormonal balance.  Since I knew this was a menstrual migraine, I thought it was worth a shot.  I was desperate.  So after I hopped out of the shower to get myself ready to shine at a wedding, I put a drop on each wrist.

20 minutes later.....my headache was not the only thing on my mind.  I could think, I could hold a conversation, I could manage, my head was not throbbing.  

I get myself all gorgeous...well as gorgeous as you can get when you apply makeup with migraine blinding you.  Pictures will tell the truth later.  I applied 2 more drops.  My headache decreased even more.  It was obviously noticeable since my husband said he could tell I was feeling better.  

So that little bottle went in my purse.  JUST IN CASE!  Off to drop off the kids and watch a wonderful couple say "I DO!"

Before dinner was served, I decided on two more drops.  Headache was GONE.  I felt like eating, I felt like chatting, I felt like laughing, I felt like dancing,  It was time to party!  

6 little drops changed my entire New Year's Eve!  Wholesale...the cost of my saved night was $1.74.  Totally worth it!  I can honestly say, nothing I did the rest of the night cost less.

I have read that Whisper can be your natural perfume.  It really does smell lovely but there is so much more to this little bottle of Whisper than smelling good.  EverythingEssential.me goes into some great detail.  

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DigestZen is a Superhero Oil!

DigestZen is one of the first oils I tried from the doTERRA line of products.  I was pregnant and had intense heartburn.  It was miserable.  I had tried everything!  Just 1 drop over my stomach and 1 drop down my breastbone and all that misery disappeared.  It was unbelievable.  So much that it took me 3 days to believe it was that simple.

Actually, I hear that same sort of result from many people that I share DisgestZen with them.  They too are amazed that it works so fast and effective.  

But what if you lucky and never suffer from heartburn, is this oil going to do anything for you?  Absolutely.  Read on to the many uses.

As the name implies, DigestZen is a great blend of oils to help with digestive issues.  One oil can handle many issues of the GI tract instead of loading up your medicine cabinet with multiple OTC medicines.  If you system is stuck and not moving, 1-2 drops rubbed around your belly button in a clockwise motion will help get moving again.  

A testimony from my own family is my nephew who is now 6.  He was born a preemie and has long suffered with acid reflux and constipation.  He has had doctors examine just about every part of his GI tract to find a way to control his acid reflux and constipation.  The poor kid has , changed his diet completely and continued to suffered.  By age 4, the constipation was so bad it led doctors to put him on high, mulitple daily doses of an OTC and that still didn't work.  He would have some good days and some bad days.   The bad days could last weeks.

Fast forward to our introduction to the oils.  My sister put 1 drop of DigestZen on his belly and my nephew needed a bathroom after multiple days of not going.  She applied the one drop to his tummy daily ever since and he feels so much better.  At age 6, he ASKS for his oil daily because he knows he feels better.

If your issue isn't a system that is backed up but one that moves too quickly, DigestZen can help that as well.  It helps the body balance the water in the bowels to slow things back down and rescue you from the potty prison.

Congested sinuses from a nasty cold?  DigestZen is your friend.  1 drop over the sinus area will help to reduce the inflamation and open your head up.  Be VERY careful around your eyes.  It will burn like fire if you get it in your eye.  You might need tissues close by too since that reduction in inflammation may result in your nose running.  To dry it up….Lemon oil down the back of your neck will dry that up.

Ladies, do you get nasty cramps?  DigestZen….yes, DigestZen.  This one was discovered by accident. To help control an upset tummy during her monthly cycle, a friend of mine rubbed her tummy down and viola' her cramps were gone.  In disbelief, when the cramps came back, she did it again and BAM…gone.  You might need 2-3 drops for this one.  And as with other OTC menstural relief, you may need to reapply just as you would take a pill again.


doTERRA has introduced a new product that convienently puts the oil in an easy to carry and quick to take soft gel.  I personally used this little gem after overindulging at Thanksgiving.  

I have been on a low sugar, slower burning carbohydrate diet lately.  Kind a hybrid of Slow Carb and Clean Eating.  I threw it all out the window at Thanksgiving where I ate Sugar Cream Pie, Pumpkin Pie, cheesy potatoes, and on and on.  Too much of it all.  My body revolted and I just felt lousy.  Anyone else?  I know I can't be the only one.  



DigestZen softgels were my super hero!  I took one soft gel with a glass of water and felt better.  I didn't suffer all night with heartburn or the ick feeling that can keep you from getting a restful night's sleep. 

For the rest of your holiday plans, keep in mind DigestZen can help keep stomach issues from a bit of overindulgence from alcohol as well.  Rehydrate yourself with lemon water to wash down either a soft gel or a veggie cap filled with 6 drops and shorten that hangover time.

Take care of your tummy and more with DigestZen and have a wondeful holiday season!

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Emotion Commotion

Essential oils have been used for aromatherapy for centuries.  It wasn't until the 20th century that the term was adopted.  Most people are familiar with Lavender oil and it's calming properties.  But, the oils are extremely versatile for many other emotional issues.  Today's entry is just a few combos I have found helpful.

Lavender….it is a lovely scent and really can help you sleep better.  Why do you think there are so many nighttime lotions scented with it?  If you are like me, those lotions didn't do much for you.  Why?  Because they are using synthetic lavender and it lacks many of the natural properties to calm and soothe.  For the most effective use, you need pure essential oil.

Emotionally, lavender can help you be more verbally expressive by helping your body calm those pesky insecurities you might have.  Unlock your true self, release tension and be more honest in your own thoughts.  All this from one little oil.  How wonderful.

What can you mix Lavender?

Have a huge tension headache?  1 drop Lavender and 1 drop Peppermint rubbed on your forehead and the back of your neck will.  It works fast and effectively.  Bonus, you smell nice! 

I mentioned Peppermint.  Peppermint is a pick me up.  Just think of how the smell of candy canes can bring a smile to your face.  The scent can bring about joy, help overcome depression or pessimistic thoughts, and give you that boost you might need to get stuff done.   Both of these oils are included in the Intro to Oils kit.  Convenient!

A great mixture I love to diffuse:  Peppermint and Wild Orange.  I put 3 drops of each oil in a diffuser and as Peter Pan says, "Think happy thoughts."  Now, will you be off and flying to Neverland….probably not but you might get your house cleaned quicker!  This is also a great one for the back of your neck if you cannot diffuse. 

For a few weeks now, I will admit my level of frustration has been up.  Sometimes being a  work outside the home mother of 3 who is struggling to lose baby weight gets me.  And gets me GOOD!  When I am feeling completely done with it all, I have found Roman Chamomile and Geranium will do the trick.

Roman Chamomile helps to soften things.  Again, there is a reason calming teas sold everywhere are usually Chamomile based.  The scent is floral and lovely.  Add that to Geranium which has a rose like scent and you will feel the frustration wash away.  Geranium is great for restore goodness and trust in yourself and others.  

I apply this mixture to my chest and neck area.  

A book I have found to be quite helpful in my managment of emotions is in fact called Emotions & Essential Oils.  You can find the book on a number of sites.

For those of you not looking to stock up on a ton of oils just to blend for the occasional emotional outburst, doTERRA offers many blends.  The oils of the Mood Matrix is a great place to start.  If you have read this blog at all, you know my admiration of Elevation.

My sister and her family have recently made a huge move.  The stress of moving and the unknown of a new area have all been issues.  My sister admitted to me that without Balance and Serenity, she might not have stayed sane.  She did not want a drug like Xanax because of the many side effects.  Instead she used her natural "Liquid Xanax". Potent and pleasant smelling.

With holiday stress just a week away from overtaking our lives, arm yourself with natural alternatives.  Having just a few select oils can really help you remain calm, find the joy and keep your anxiety and stress down.  You have the power to enjoy your life!

To hear more about how essential oils can transform your healthcare, register to listen to the free webinar.  

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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The Hairdo Hall of Fame!

As much as I try to do things organic and natural, I need and want my hair done.  I mean professionally cut and colored.  I fully admit, I am not ready to embrace the silver that makes an appearance now and again.  

Now, it takes a few dollars to get your hair colored by a stylist.  For me, it is worth it considering I have had some "self coloring mishaps".  It was not pretty!  I choose to not repeat those mistakes again.

Now, I started using the Wen products to help my color last.  It worked great and I was convinced I would never use another product.  Fast forward to the East Coast Conference in May.  They had this conference package available so I bought it.  In that box, was the doTERRA Spa Essentials hair care system.  Hesitant, I gave it a shot.  It smelled great, my hair looked great, my color still looked good and that was it.  I was hooked!

What did it?  Well, the smell.  The shampoo has Wild Orange essential oil in it.  It is bright, sunny and really helps wake you up.  The blend of oils in the conditioner is just lovely too.  My hair was silky and smooth.  

I was a little afraid of the Root to Tip Serum.  Oil on my fine hair has usually resulted in my hair feeling very greasy.  Just one pump of the serum and my hair smooth and frizz free but not weighted down.   Along with the Healthy Hair glaze which is like a great smelling hair gel, my hair held curl and style better than before.  

Root to Tip Serum is great for those who have dry scalp or dandruff.  

From the website....

"dōTERRA Salon Essentials Root to Tip Serum is a professional formula infused with carefully chosen CPTG essential oils oflavender, peppermint, marjoram, cedar wood, lavandin, rosemary, niaouli, and eucalyptus China. Providing a healthy environment for scalp and maximizing the strength and shine of hair, this serum is powerful and lightweight for extended protection and hydration without weighing hair down or leaving an oily residue."

Other oils that help control dandruff is Melaleuca.  Just add 2-3 drops into your shampoo daily.  

Babies with Cradle Cap can benefit as well.  Just use Lavender, Melaleuca and Fractionated Coconut oil rubbed on their head, let set then gently brush away the loose skin.  We used this protocol on my son for two days and he has never needed another treatment.  My middle daughter had to be treated over and over again for her cradle cap.  Boy, what I would given to have had my oils back then!

Now some of you out there are thinking, great but what about hair loss.  Is there an oil for that?

YES!

For mild hair loss, use 1-2 drops of Rosemary in your shampoo daily.

For more serious loss consider one of these blends added to your shampoo:

Blend 1:

•  3 drops Rosemary

•  5 drops Lavender

•  4 drops Cypress

•  4 drops Clary Sage

Blend 2:

•  8 drops Rosemary

•  10 drops Lavender

•  10 drops Sandalwood

Check out the doTERRA blog as well!  It shows how the pros use the products.

And just because I still think this video is hilarious....check out Rob Young and his day at the spa!

For all the products of doTERRA click here!

For daily use ideas click here!