Daybook 30

Outside my window- All the snow we got on Sunday has melted...

I am thinking about- Wow. Tomorrow is November. Only two months left of Project 365. :)

From the kitchen- We got a new faucet! :D

I am creating- I did some sketching the other day.

I am reading- I finished reading another missionary book this morning.

I am hearing- Just the usual household noises...

I am planning- Amanda and I are going shopping tomorrow. :)

I am wearing- A brown skirt, and aqua sweater.

My hair is- In a side ponytail. With a large aqua flower. And bobby pins are my new best friend- ever since I got my hair cut. :D

Around the house- I have to finish folding all the laundry I washed yesterday...

Sinus & Strep Remedies

It's that time of year when the seasons are changing, sinuses rebel and strep virus runs amuck!  When school starts and the weather cools, we're all spending more time indoors thereby enabling viruses to spread quickly.

I've discussed various remedies in my Big Fat Lists of Great Ways to Use Essential Oils  but, it's time for a special blog post to help all of you out there suffering with sinus issues and strep.

This is where you need to start, the infection has to go!

This WORKS!

doTERRA Oregano is nature's most powerful antibiotic.  On Guard, doTERRA's protective blend containing Cinnamon, Clove, Wild Orange, Eucalyptus Radiata and Rosemary...all packed with powerful anti-bacterial and anti -infectious properties.  Melaleuca is a strong antiseptic, antiviral and expectorant.

For extra *punch*, take 2 drops of Frankincense under your tongue each day!  If you follow this protocol (I do this daily) and are consistent, you will save yourself days of misery and missed work AND keep the rest of your family healthy and well!

You can use this protocol for children too, just apply a 1/2 dose to their feet diluted with a carrier oil.

A diffuser in their bedroom at night with doTERRA's Breathe Blend is a godsend too!

Very IMPORTANT!

Drink lots of fluids, especially Lemon water!  

Remember that a glass of water with a couple drops of doTERRA Lemon EO acts as a gentle detox, relieves sore throats and keeps your lymphatic system moving.  Superior cleansing properties!


For a strep virus the above protocols are sufficient!  I would also start actively diffusing in the home, office or classroom.

When you feel that a bug is trying to grab hold, chances are other members of your family are being hit at the same time.  Take preventative measures by diffusing EOs such as On Guard, Lemon or Purify.  By doing this, you can kill airborne pathogens which are often how viruses move about!

I can't say enough about the benefits of a diffuser in your home.   A diffuser and a few key EOs such as On Guard, Breathe and Lavender will pay for themselves in no time in when you no longer need all those Doctor visits, co-pays and prescription antibiotics!  

Sinus Issues

Now that we've addressed how to stop the infection, let's take a look at how we can ease symptoms and reinforce efforts to fight the infection.  

Light Infection and Symptoms:

• 1 drop On Guard
• 1 drop Breathe
• 2 drops carrier oil

Massage into sinus area, repeat as needed.  Inhale doTERRA Breathe blend to help open airways.

Medium Infection and Symptoms:

• 2 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Melaleuca
• 2 drops Rosemary

You can apply this combination topically, swab inside nostrils and if possible, add to a Neti Pot filled with warm water to irrigate nasal passages.

Heavy Duty Infection and Symptoms:

• 1 - 4 drops Melaleuca  (1 recommended, 4 = very strong)
• 2  drops Rosemary
• 2  drops Frankincense
• 1 - 2 teaspoons sea salt

Mix the above with 2 cups of warm water, add to a Neti Pot and irrigate twice a day.

One last suggestion and remedy:

If you're suffering from allergies and it's the allergies that are causing your sinuses to flare up, please begin the Allergy Protocol:

• 2 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Peppermint

Add this combination to a capsule, take every 3 hrs as needed.  You can also add the EOs to a small glass of water and drink up!

If you get no other benefit from this post...please take this advice to heart:  Bring a diffuser and, these recommended essential oils by doTERRA into your home!  I promise you that if you use them, your cold and flu season will be a breeze and your Holidays will be a heck of a lot MORE Merry!

To Your Health!!

October 26, 27 & 28

October 26

Pretty sky.

October 27

I went to a Halloween party. 

Came home with a bunch of candy, and a candle that I won for winning a game. :)

October 28

This is what I saw when I opened my curtains in the morning. Snow! :)

6 Roller Bottle Blends for EASY Everyday Use!

I had an epiphany a while back when I was trying to juggle a bottle of essential oil, my phone and feet!  I know, just put down the phone and concentrate on one thing at a time, especially EO application, but I don't live in that perfect world!

God bless the inventor of the roller bottle because this little bottle is a "smart" tool that will simplify your ever lovin essential oil world!

Today, I propose 6 roller bottle blends to keep in your home for easy everyday use! 

On Guard:  
This is doTERRA's Protective Blend.  If you want to protect your family from cold or flu, this is your go-to EO!  For families and individuals alike, On Guard in a roller bottle gives you assembly line speed when oiling up the family!  Line the kids up barefoot and roll the On Guard on before they leave the house and don't forget your own feet too!  Note:  If you already have the cold or flu, keep rolling, On Guard can cut the duration of sick time dramatically!

doTERRA Breathe and Frankincense:  
2 parts Breathe, 2 parts Frankincense, 1 part Fractionated Coconut Oil.  This is my favorite combination for dry cough.  Apply it to the throat and chest as needed.  Breathe will open up the airways and soothe tissue.  Frankincense will enhance the properties of Breathe while adding it's own superior regenerative properties.

doTERRA Lavender, Lemon & Peppermint:  
1 part each.  Blend these EOs together and you have yourself a powerful, natural antihistamine!  When suffering from allergies, roll this blend on your feet morning and night.  During the day, on your chest.  This blend is also very beneficial to take internally but if you just don't have the time to open 3 bottles to fill a capsule or add to water, LLP in a roller bottle makes life a little easier!

Jeddy's Blend:  Recipe & more info {Here}
For hyperactivity ADHD, anxiety, behavioral and cognitive disorders, neurological disorders.  Calming, soothing, stabilizing the central nervous system. Creates a deep, quiet calm, sedative properties, frees the nerves from excessive tension.  Nourishes and protects the brain and nervous system.  Restores feelings of hope and mental strength and promotes a positive outlook on life.  Eases the pain behind anger and quiets mind chatter.

Jeddy's Blend is truly an essential blend of EOs for those families challenged with ADD, ADHD and anxiety issues in the home.  Please note that it's excellent for adults as well!

Sleep Blend

The Sleep Blend includes some of my favorite EOs, I appreciate the centering qualities of Balance and Ylang Ylang, with the grounding properties of Vetiver!  Roll on feet and wrists before bedtime.  You can certainly keep things simple and fill your roller bottle with Lavender or Serenity too!

Sleep Blend:

15  drops Balance

15  drops Serenity

15  drops Ylang Ylang

15  drops Vetiver

15  drops  Bergamot

15  drops Roman Chamomile

  3  drops Patchouli

Top off the roller bottle with Fractionated Coconut Oil

Focus Blend:
2 parts Wild Orange, 2 parts Peppermint, 1 part Fractionated Coconut Oil.  This is such a bright, lively blend, it's a good one to put on the kids right before school and, after school when it's time for homework.  The blend of orange and peppermint will wake them up and help them focus on the task at hand!  Roll a bit on the back of their neck as needed.

Sizes shown are 1/6 oz and 1/3 oz.  You can find roller bottles at www.aromatools.com

I hope I've inspired you to make your essential oil use a little easier by keeping a few roller blends at the ready!  I'm sure you'll be able to think a few yourself that could serve you and your family well!  These bottles and blends make thoughtful gifts for friends and family and they're a wonderful way for you to share essential oils!

Be Well!

5 Remedies to Calm the Snore Monster

I'm not picking on men, this could be me!

If you're looking for remedies to calm your snore monster whether that monster is you or your partner in sleep, I have a few remedies using doTERRA's essential oils for you to try!

1.  Apply 1 drop Breathe over the sinuses, down the bridge of nose and with what's left on your finger...under your nose before retiring for the night. 

2.  Rub 2 drops of Cypress over throat and neck.  Diffuse Breathe too if you have a stubborn snore monster on your hands.

3.  You might need a set of extra hands for this remedy!

4 drops Marjoram

3 drops Chamomile

3 drops White Fir

3 drops Lavender

2 drops Thyme

2 drops Eucalyptus

4 teaspoons carrier oil

Protocol from the new book "Living Healthy and Happily Ever After" by Rebecca Hintze and Dr. Susan Lawton.

Massage into the chest, back of neck, shoulders and upper back before bedtime.  For convenience, this recipe could be tripled and kept in a glass roller bottle.  You can find roller bottles {Here}.

4. DIFFUSE one of these! 

On Guard

Marjoram

Breathe

Serenity or Lavender for restful sleep!

5.  10 drops Citrus Bliss

     10 drops Ylang Ylang

     10 drops Frankincense

Use 4 to drops of blend, massage on throat and neck area before bedtime.  The properties of this blend reduce movement of soft tissue and, reduce inflammation to reduce snoring.

Kindly remember that there are different kinds of sleep apnea. ''Obstructive sleep apnea'' may represent cessation of breathing due to mechanical blockage of the airway; ''central sleep apnea'' is related to the brain’s malfunction of sending a normal signal to breathe. Symptoms of sleep apnea may include loud or heavy snoring (sometimes leading to cessation of breathing, followed by gasping for air),  restless sleep, morning headaches, loss of energy, falling asleep while driving and/or during the day (at work, watching TV, meetings, etc.), trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression or obesity. Serious problems associated with untreated sleep apnea include hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, and death.

Essential oils have in fact found a place with those who suffer from sleep apnea. Because everyone is different and because there are different types and causes of sleep apnea, it is important to be patient and consistent as you try different oils and therapies.

October 22, 23, 24 & 25

October 22

Jeremiah 29:11

October 23

Nummy biscuits. :)

October 24

Yup... I chopped off 30 inches of my hair and sold it.

October 25

Some of my Tea Stuffs. :)

We Interrupt Our Regular Programing For A Special Announcement...

Haircut!!

DIY Hot Pix! Cinnamon Toothpicks for Dudes :)

Flashback...

Vintage Kettering Elementary, my first introduction to cinnamon toothpicks.  If anyone was caught with these in their mouth it was a guaranteed visit to the principal's office.  Of course, we rode our bikes to the pharmacy, bought our own cinnamon oil and sold them at school.  They were a dangerous attraction!

Lately, there seems to be a resurgence of cinnamon toothpick popularity!  I've heard that cinnamon toothpicks are great if you're trying to quit smoking or chewing tobacco, they're really good breath fresheners, low in calories {zero} and somewhat attractive.  No??

Cinnamon is darn healthy for you too!  Rest assured when your guy reaches for his Hot Pix, he's choosing wellness, mental acuity and a really hot snack. 

How to Make Your Own Cinnamon Toothpicks

1  small glass jar with a lid

1  5ml bottle of doTERRA Cinnamon Bark essential oil

Fractionated Coconut Oil

Lots of toothpicks, flat or round

Pour a generous amount of Cinnamon Bark EO into the small glass jar, add a bit of fractionated coconut oil to help disperse the essential oil and add the toothpicks.  Put the lid on snugly and shake like crazy.  Let soak overnight, then set out to dry the next day.  You can keep the remaining Cinnamon mixture for a long time to use later, just keep the jar sealed!

Two great container ideas for Hot Pix on the go!

An EMPTY Peppermint Beadlets Bottle.

The ever popular Altoids tin.

Wouldn't your guy love to see these in his Stocking??
Enjoy!

Autumn Scented Homemade Woolen Hand Warmers

What says Autumn better than the warm scents of cinnamon and orange, a cozy wool blanket and warm hands? 

Now you can combine the lovely Autumn scents of doTERRA's Cinnamon Bark and Wild Orange essential oils and the cozy warmth of a woolen blanket with homemade hand warmers!  Many thanks to the Etsy shop, WormeWoole for the beautiful photos and great gift idea :)

Recycled felted sweater wool teams up with rice to keep your hands toasty warm!  Put them in the microwave for 30 seconds and slip them into coat pockets to keep hands warm and roasty :)  Super for chilly winter walks, evening football games, waiting at the bus stop or any chilly event!  Slip into mittens, boots and slippers and feel the AHHHHH...

Since woolen fabrics and blankets can be pricey, stop in your nearest thrift store and look for 100% wool clothing items like this 80's sweater!  Wash the sweater in HOT water with a little soap and my Vinegar & Lavender Laundry softener.


Now pop the sweater into the dryer and and your sweater will shrink up nicely, leaving a tight weave that's perfect to use for your Homemade Hand Warmers, they're great looking as well as economical because they're reusable many times over!  

*Instructions for TWO Homemade Hand Warmers*

Cut four pieces of felted wool:  6" X 4"

Layer the two pieces and sew 3 sides with a 1/4" "exposed seam", no need to turn inside out.  Another upside to using wool, the edges won't fray!  Mix together 1/2 C rice, 8 drops of doTERRA Wild Orange and 6 drops of doTERRA Cinnamon Bark essential oils.

Fill each hand warmer with rice then sew up the remaining side!

No time to sew?  Pop in WormeWoole's Etsy shop!

Your Fragrant Homemade Woolen Hand Warmers make wonderful gifts for teachers, coworkers, stocking stuffers and party favors!

Enjoy and happy crafting with your doTERRA essential oils!

October 18 - 21

October 18

Window reflection. :)

October 19

Instead of making holes in my bedroom walls, I hang my picture frames on ribbons from my

 around-the-ceiling bookshelf. 

October 20

We went for a walk at a State Park.

October 21

Sunday outfit. 

Says my eight year-old sister looking longingly at my aqua stockings: "Is it fun to be you?"

lol lol lol