Living Essential Oils

This is a very filling soup with one of my favorite oils- perfect for a fall day.  Best of all my kids ate it - scraping their bowls and singing my praises.  :)  Enjoy!!

Roasted Cauliflower and Rosemary Soup

Leia Mais…

There was an article on the Forbes website talking about Network marketing in a very positive light - which is no surprise to me. It was called : "Would You Join A Multi-Level Marketing Company For Retirement Income?"  Click on the link to read the entire article.

The article was written by Robert Laura, with this description under his name: "I am a retirement activist." He is NOT a network marketer. Instead, he's "a social worker turned financial planner who uses both skill sets to help folks prepare for the mental, social, and physical, as well as the financial aspects of retirement. "

I added the red and underlined emphasis but the entire article is a great read.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE COMMENTS IN THE ARTICLE:
"... there is a seemingly endless debate over whether these companies and programs are legitimate business opportunities or not, so I dug in and got the real scoop. As a result, I believe that the entire industry is poised for explosive growth and can be one of the most significant solutions to America’s current retirement savings crisis."

"Initially, that may sound like a bold statement, but it’s not if you understand retirement the way I do. The reality is, making a successful transition into retirement has more to do with psychology than with money… and the same may hold true for multi-level and network marketing."

"... more and more people are coming to terms with the fact that they probably aren’t going to be able to save enough money to just sit around and slowly deplete their nest egg from age 62 to 100."

VITAL STATS IN THE ARTICLE:
AARP estimates "that half of all baby boomers (76 million) are interested in starting a business."
"The average 50 year-old estimated to have less than $50,000 in retirement savings," which leads to his conclusion that "there is an obvious need to find alternative ways to either save more or generate supplemental income starting now, and continuing throughout retirement."

"... the increasing number of baby boomers who are disenchanted with their current careers. They’re worn-out from years of the corporate grind and don’t feel the connection between their job and the people it impacts outside their office walls or company grounds. They’re shifting their focus from accumulating a giant nest egg to a desire to be part of something bigger and better… to have a positive effect on others… and working in retirement."

SPECIFICS ON THE DIRECT SELLING INDUSTRY:
"MLM and direct selling programs also offer very low barriers into entrepreneurship, often providing training, support, and ample encouragement along the way. As retirees begin to realize they need activities that keep them busy, relevant, in good health, and connected to others, the time, energy and cost to participate in these kinds of companies make them very appealing to large segments of the population caught up in these dynamics."

"This is not a ringing endorsement for the entire industry. Like any investment of time, money, and energy, people need to be aware of what they are getting into and do their homework."

"Having studied the psychology and behavior of boomers, this example represents a major shift in my thinking about the industry. I no longer perceive these types of opportunities as money-making pyramid schemes. Instead, I now see it as a way to enhance many of the personal aspects of retirement that are rarely discussed let alone planned for, with the added benefit of supplementing other popular retirement income sources such as pension and social security."

REPS HE INTERVIEWED:
He quotes Daria M. Brezinski, Ph.D, a practicing psychologist and former marketing director for a multi-level marketing magazine: "Many people don’t realize that multi-level marketing companies are successful because they help people satisfy a number of important human needs, including feeling significant, having connections, learning something new, and making a difference."

Then he quotes from an interview with Lorene Hochstetler, a network marketing rep from Ohio, who "recommends keeping your current job while slowly making the transition into MLM. She’s been able to replace her full-time income but explains, 'It didn’t happen overnight, and I still work every day. I am very disciplined with my business and wake up every day knowing what I have to do in order to succeed at this. You have to treat it like a business and be willing to follow advice from others who have made it.'"

Another rep he interviewed said, "'If you treat it like a hobby it won’t pay you like a business.' She also acknowledged that, in spite of her success, she doesn’t sit around eating bonbons every day waiting for residual checks to hit the mailbox. 'That’s a common misconception,' she said. 'I work hard at my business every day, although it doesn’t always feel like work.'"

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TRENDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY!
He concludes by saying, "I believe the concept of starting a business for retirement income will become one of the most significant trends impacting retirement in the 21st century. But it has to start with redefining entrepreneurship and framing it into a retirement lifestyle. That means helping people find ways to turn a passion, hobby, or personal desire into extra money in their pocket… not to mention helping people see the importance of planning for the non-financial aspects of retirement such as replacing a work identity, staying relevant and connected, as well as keeping mentally and physically fit."

I love being a part of doTERRA because I know I'm making a difference in the lives of others.  It has helped me redefine myself outside of "mommy-hood."  (I love being a mom - it's my most important job...but I'm more than the cook, chauffeur, task master, etc.)  It's hard to explain how it's given me a better definition of myself and as a result has helped me be a better mom.  And it helps that's it's setting me up for a better financial retirement.

If you're looking to start your own business and are passionate about health and helping others - please feel free to contact me.

Leia Mais…

There are certain oils that I frequently use together.  Meleleuca, Lavender and Frankincense are my top 3 oils that I combine ALL. THE.TIME.  Last month my son was climbing a rope and it ended up wrapping around his leg.  This was a good thing as he ended up losing his grip and falling - the rope around his leg caught him.  But of course this took a toll on his skin!  I applied essential oils immediately.  Meleleuca, Frankincense, and Lavender to support his temporary skin irritation.  I applied lavender and frankincense every day, twice a day.  I'm pretty amazed at how it has improved in appearance in just 5 days.  This is a photo of day 1,3, and 5.

Leia Mais…

Leia Mais…

This comes from Kimberly Keizur (June 2014):

My son, who just turned 12 years old, [he needed some support with focusing] in the 2nd grade. When I started with doTERRA, I was very skeptical but decided to give the oils a try anyway. I started him on 1/4 dose of the LLV(Life Long Vitality Supplements) and the Intune every morning before school.

He just finished his 6th grade year and let me tell you.....BEST YEAR EVER! With the LLV and Intune ... he stayed focused in school, his social life at school went from horrible (I hate school mom) to amazing (I love school), and he is HAPPY. No more walking around like he needs to take a nap; he is again the happy out-going boy... Oh! and by the way.... They told me he was doing so well he didn't need the extra help! I am one proud and happy momma. Thank you doTERRA for giving me back my little boy!

Leia Mais…

A while back someone contacted me wanting to know more about essential oils and their health benefits.  I was more than happy to help them out but when they found out that I'm a dōTERRA rep they said that they would "never want to be associated with a company like THAT."  Then I never heard from her again and never got a chance to tell her of the benefits of the oils.  Well...that's really just so sad.  I love dōTERRA and everything they stand for and I love being a dōTERRA Rep.  Here's why:

They have the highest quality of essential oils on the market.
    dōTERRA takes great care in obtaining only the highest quality of oils from around the world.  Their oils come from plants that grow in their native lands.  Location (humidity, altitude, etc) makes a huge difference in the chemical constituents that are in the oils.  They do not contain fillers or artificial ingredients that would dilute their active qualities. Proper extraction and quality control methods also ensure that dōTERRA essential oils are free of any contaminants, such as pesticides or other chemical residues. In addition to being pure and natural, CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are subjected to additional quality testing that ensures the correct composition of the active natural compounds found in each oil.
   Having used a few essential oils prior to finding dōTERRA, I could tell a huge difference in the effectiveness of the oils.  The oils I first used didn't really seem to work at all which is why I stopped using them for years - just figured their healing properties were hocus pocus.  The last few years, I would hear people talk, post, blog, now and then about dōTERRA's oils and how much they loved them so when I saw my friend hosting a class, I gave essential oils another shot.  I am so very glad I did!!  They are THE BEST oils and they work so well!
   
A company that has high standards and gives back
     dōTERRA is the best company I have ever worked for - MLM or corporate - Period!  You can take a look at my ABOUT page and see the company's mission statement.  It's not just a bunch of words but if you get the opportunity to meet the founders and executives they truly stand by these high morals and standards.  The other reason it's the best company is because of the business model - which I will get to in a second...

     The other thing I love is that they formed the Healing Hands Foundation, which is a non-profit organization committed to improving lives through partnering with organizations that offer hope to millions around the world.  They have organized projects and have helped in various countries with dōTERRA reps offering their time, talents, and financial help in the process.  Check out their past projects if you want to know more.  They're really cool and I'm in awe.  There are other dōTERRA reps, ones I know personally, who also involve themselves in humanitarian projects outside of dōTERRA - it's just the kind of people they are.  The company and it's reps truly want to make the world a better place.

WHY dōTERRA® is different and why I love their business model - the MLM!
   I'm assuming that lady did not know any of the things listed above (or didn't care to know) or she wouldn't have run away so quickly.   But perhaps the biggest "problem" she saw (and one most people roll their eyes at) is the business model of the company - the MLM.   (duhn-Duhn- DUUUUHN!)  It's unfortunate that there are a lot of MLM companies out there who give the business model a really bad name.  They sell on hype and a promise of a lucrative opportunity without offering the consumer anything of value.  That's where the pushy- salesy MLM people go....The ones who are always in to the new and latest MLM (because their previous one probably went bankrupt) and all they care about is making a quick buck for themselves.  (Sorry I'm being overly general but we've all experienced at least one person like that - I know I have).  Those companies don't usually last long.

  In my experience, the people in doTERRA come from a place of truly wanting to serve and help others.  Now, that's not to say there aren't people in doTERRA who are in it just for the money - but I haven't personally come across them in my team.  I love the personal developement, mentorship and leadership those in my upline have helped me to cultivate.  I am glad I am being stretched out of my comfort zone - I don't always love it but I know it's good for me.

Desk jobs were never my thing.  I always did well at my jobs and worked my hardest but I hated the environment, hated having a boss to please, hated the inner office gossip and jealousy that sometimes occurred.  Especially hated the "I'm going to climb over your back to get a higher position" mentality that sometimes occurred.  Anyway, I was very happy to leave that world.  I love being my own boss and experiencing personal growth and being rewarded not only monetarily but by helping people.  Next to being a Mom - it's the best job I've ever had. :)


For more information enjoy this webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd-z_gG4R3A

Leia Mais…

I first read her story on Facebook and was just amazed.  I had to share it here (with her permission of course)  I'll use her words:

We cut processed foods and his behavior improved but still wasn't saying more than Momma and Daddy. I attended a (doTERRA) class in late April 2013 and it changed all of our lives in a truly awesome way. We started using frankincense and melaleuca, rubbing it down his spine and oregano on his feet (7 days out of the month). I was on fire and reading everything I could find on the internet about speech and developmental delays and doterra products. I read about the pituitary gland and how to activate the gland with frankincense. DDR Prime essential oil blend too. I started doing the DDR starting at the base of his skull and rubbed it in down his spine and on his tummy and doing the pituitary treatment and within 2 days of doing this he was talking. Within 2 weeks he was potty trained. Less than a year later he has "aged" 3 years. He plays with his siblings and has started following them around. He can count and say all of his letters and their sounds, he can even read level 1 and 2 words. He is doing so well and making amazing progress. I know that doTerra is the answer to our prayers."

Leia Mais…

I don't know if you're like me but if I walk through the perfume section of the department store I get a huge headache or I sneeze a ton.  I try and avoid that department at all costs or hold my breath as I walk through very briskly.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrances are considered the leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. As a health problem, this sensitivity alone affects more than 2 million people, and studies suggest that sensitivity is on the rise. These reactions are caused by the hundreds of synthetic chemicals in the perfumes.

Because of the Federal Fair Packaging Act of 1973, a loophole was created where fragrance companies don’t have to list all of the ingredients in their products, unlike every other cosmetic industry where they are required to list all ingredients on product labels.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) did a study that revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 of some of the most popular name brand fragrance products. In this study, EWG also noted that a fragrance can be made from any number of the fragrance industry’s 3,100 stock chemical ingredients that can be mixed to mimic almost any smell.   The EWG also found that “the average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.”

It's not just perfume that's a problem but the myriad of other scented beauty products that many women and men use on a daily basis that are causing long term health problems.  A new study out of the University of Rochester finds that the more beauty products women use, the more chemical byproducts turn up in their urine. Why is this significant? Because it’s long been known that certain chemicals found in household and cosmetic products, like BPA and phthalates, can cause birth defects in mice, and a growing body of evidence suggests that those same chemicals can cause similar developmental problems (and a slew of other health issues) in humans.

So how can you avoid these products and all their secret chemicals but still smell great?  While you can't control what scents other people wear or what a department store sells, you can choose what you put on.  Essential oils are a great alternative to synthetic scents.  They actually have therapeutic benefits as well so long as they are certified pure therapeutic grade oils like dōTERRA essential oils.  No point in putting cheap oils on that also have hidden chemicals and fragrances in them.

You can wear a single oil as a perfume (I love Wild Orange) or even make your own blend that's unique to you.

How to make your own perfume blend


I found a great tutorial on dōTERRA's blog on how to make your own blend which I will explain here as well.

There are top, middle, and base notes to perfumes. Below explains what each note is and essential oils that can be classified in each category.

Top Note: the first scent you will smell when applied. These are usually lighter scents that can fade quickly.
Essential oil top notes could include: basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, coriander, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, lime, wild orange, peppermint, melaleuca, and thyme.

Middle Note: sometimes referred to as “heart notes,” make up the majority of the blend. You can usually smell the aroma when first applied, but usually takes 10-30 minutes to fully develop. The middle note is usually what classifies it to their fragrance family (floral, musky, oriental, fruity…).
Essential oil middle notes could include: black pepper, cypress, fennel, geranium, lavender, marjoram, melissa, rosemary, and white fir.

Base Note: are the ones that last the longest and have the greatest molecular weight. These are the notes that make the fragrance last longer and help the evaporation rates of the top and middle notes slow down.
Essential oil base notes could include: cassia, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, ginger, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and ylang ylang.

Materials Needed:

• Top, middle, and base note essential oils of your choice.
• Glass bottle to hold perfume mixture. (You can find different bottle choices at online retailers. Some bottle options include a spray bottle, glass vial, or roll-on vial).
• Carrier oil (dōTERRA fractionated coconut oil is recommended for best results but you could also use jojoba oil or a high proof alcohol).
• Dropper for carrier oil. (Here is one option).
• Pen and paper to record drop amounts.

Instructions:

1. Starting with your base note essential oil, put a few drops in the glass bottle. Record number of drops on paper.
2. Next use your middle note essential oil and put desired drops in the glass bottle. Smell as you go along and add more if you want the middle note to be stronger. Record number of drops on paper.
3.  Drop your top note essential oils into the glass bottle. Smell and adjust your perfume to your desired fragrance, add more base or middle notes if needed. Record number of drops on paper.
4. Once you have the essential oil blend as you would like it, multiply the drops in the glass bottle by 4 to calculate the total amount of carrier oil drops (or alcohol) to add next. For example, if you did 10 base note drops, 10 middle note drops, and 10 high note drops then you have 30 drops of essential oil. Multiply the 30 drops by 4 to get the amount of drops of carrier oil you need to add. In this case it would be 120 drops (30 x 4 = 120). Use your dropper for the carrier oil and put the correct amount of drops into the glass bottle.
5. Let the blend mature for 2-4 days before using. You can still adjust and add oils to your perfume after this “perfume maturing” stage to get your desired results.

Leia Mais…

This is one of my favorite salad dressing recipes.  It's so fresh and clean and reminds me that summer is just around the corner even if there's 15 inches of snow outside.  Enjoy!

Winter Fruit Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried and torn into bite
4 ounces shredded cheese – Swiss or Mozzerella
1 cup nuts – cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 apple, peeled, cored and cubed
1 pear, cubed (optional)

Combine all ingredients and toss.  Drizzle with lemon essential oil dressing




Lemon Essential Oil Dressing


1/4 cup honey
6-8 drops lemon essential oil (doTERRA's CPTG oil only)
2 teaspoons diced onions
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon poppy seed

In a blender or food processor, combine honey, olive oil, lemon oil, onion, mustard and salt. Process until well blended.  Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more to mix.  Store in an airtight container. It will keep for several weeks in the fridge.

Leia Mais…

There are several oils that are my super heroes.   They have come to my rescue a whole lot more than I ever thought they would.  One of my oil heroes is Lavender.  I  used it not only for my daughter's occasional skin irritations- see my previous post - but I also use it daily to help calm emotions for my son.  This oil never ceases to amaze me!

It was dinner time as usual and the kids were around the table. They were "starving" - as usual... I set the pan of taco meat on the table.  It was fresh off the stove top and my son grabbed for it - not by the handle but by the pan.  He immediately started screaming!! That villainous pan was hot! Hot! Hot! and that doesn't feel good on the skin.  So I grabbed my lavender oil, which I happen to keep in the kitchen on the window sill, and put 2 drops on his hand.  His crying stopped almost instantly and he went about happily eating dinner.  Thank you lavender oil! You saved the day again!! (And it didn't have to change costume in a phone booth). :)

Leia Mais…

One snack my kids love after school is On Guard Apples.  It's simple and delicious.  My kids say it tastes like apple pie. On Guard contains oils like cinnamon, clove, wild orange, rosemary, and eucalyptus. These oils are really great at supporting the immune system - perfect after school snack!  I thought I would share the "recipe" (if you can call it that) so you can also enjoy this simple snack for an easy immune system boost.  

1. Cut up an apple (or 2)



2. Grab a glass bowl and fill it 2/3 full of water.



3.  Add a drop or 2 (depending on taste) of doTERRA OnGuard essential oil blend.



4. Add your apples to your water.



5.  Let them sit in there for a moment.  Really, the oils get on them fairly instantaneously.






6. ENJOY!  She can't even let me have a second to take a picture for you!

Leia Mais…

Peppermint is an oil that has a wide variety of uses.  One thing I learned recently is that peppermint can help curb your appetite.  It also helps you with your sugar cravings.  In 2007, there was a study done at the Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia on the affects of Peppermint on appetite control and caloric intake.  Those who used peppermint in the study consumed 2800 fewer calories a week than those who did not use peppermint.  Participants who used the oil also noted that they were not as hungry and did not crave sugar.

Peppermint also increases the sense of fullness after eating - also known as satiety.  It also happens to enhance the flavors and tastes of the food you eat.

There you go.  Every day I learn more and more about these oils and I'm amazed at what they can do.  I've always loved peppermint for head and neck tension and for aiding your digestive system etc but now that I know it can help me with my Weight Loss Plan it makes it all the more awesome!!

Leia Mais…

My daughter (now age 7) has had skin irritations off an on her whole life.  Her first major reaction was when she would eat a popular brand of Ranch Dressing.  She would break out around her mouth and on her face.  It took me a while to figure out it was the dressing that caused it.  We finally narrowed it down when she had a blop of it smeared on her cheek and we wiped it off and her skin was red in the exact shape of the blop of dressing.  It stayed that way for a day or so.  I figured she was allergic to some preservative in the dressing.  So, I switched to an organic Ranch dressing - no more irritated face - but still skin irritations would pop up on her stomach and other areas quite often.

Last fall the skin all over her body was irritated  I mean all over - arms, legs, torso, front, back.  She would scratch it and it had gotten infected.  We took her to the doctor - he prescribed an antibiotic to clear the infection and was sure that her skin would clear up.  Took it for 10 days, and the rash got worse.  The only good thing (if you can call it that) was that her sores were no longer infected.  We went back to the doctor and he prescribed even more drugs - steroids internally and externally.  But I was done.  I felt like there had to be a better option - a natural way to help my daughter.

After some internet searching, and looking back at her health history, I decided to go with my instincts and assume she had a major candida problem.  When she started pre-school (age 4) she got strep throat and had to take antibiotics.  Every year after that she got it once and sometimes twice a year.  Killing off the gut flora like that is not good.  Her rashes went back farther than that but that age is when I saw it start to get worse and worse.

I decided to use essential oils and follow a cleansing program as a family. Every day she would soak in a bath with baking soda and lavender oil.   For about 10 days we slowly eliminated foods from our diet - dairy, gluten, yeast, and other processed foods.  To help with die-off from the yeast we drank water with lemon oil in it.  We took Terrazyme (food enzyme supplement) with meals.  The adults took Life Long Vitality Supplements and the kids took vitamin chewables.  During this phase her rash disappeared dramatically.  It was gone from her back, torso and one of her legs.  Her skin was no longer hard and swollen.  The only evidence at the end of this stage was a slight discoloration on her legs where it had been.

For another 10 days we were super strict with the diet and ate lots of vegetables, some lean chicken, brown rice, nuts and seeds, drank green smoothies, and lots of water.  We continued the lemon water but also took GXAssist.  She still took lavender oil baths but not every day during this phase - it was just every so often.

For the last 10 days we re-introduced things back in to our diet - gluten first and then dairy.  There are some things that we decided we liked better than our old eating habits - my 5 yr old prefers almond milk over dairy now.  By the end of this last phase her skin had no discolorations and she has not had any skin issues since.

I feel that the baths alone would have cleared up the rash temporarily but something else would come along later and we'd start all over again.  I didn't want her to continue to battle this for months and years - I wanted it gone for good!  I don't think that would have happened without changing our diet, using essential oils, and utilizing doTERRA's natural supplements.  I'm so grateful for essential oils and clean healthy foods!

Leia Mais…