September 1, 2, 3 & 4

September 1

We went biking.

September 2

 What I wore for church.

 September 3

We went for a boat ride... and I convinced Lilia that we needed some crazy hair pictures. :D

September 4

My hair today.

(More pictures here.)

How I Kicked The Bottled Water Habit!!

For some time now, I've been hooked on bottled water.  I know, there are worse things to be hooked on but seriously, what about all that plastic?!  Now that's serious!

Plastic pollutes the earth.
Plastic corrodes my body.
Plastic is expensive.
Plastic is wasteful.

Plastic is devious.  I had no ideas how much I was consuming until I started recycling!  It was a wake~up call and I had to do something about it.



A few weeks ago, after decades of buying bottled water I  found a secret that's been working and, it's so simple!  Simple works for me.  In fact, have you ever noticed how a Win/Win situation is always S I M P L E?
   

Here's my story, my simple story :)  Two weeks ago, my family was in Newport Beach, CA for my brother's wedding.  One morning my sister, JoAnn and I wandered into this place... 

...and this "tall drink of water" caught my eye!

An attractive, streamlined glass bottle with a pop-up lid and a locking handle.  {Glass} being the key word here because plastic and essential oils DO NOT play well together.  I justified this purchase by deciding I might drink more water if could add essential oils.  And hey, what about all that plastic I have to dump at the recycle center.  What are the health benefits and, would I commit to this?  

My bottle of Lemon essential oil came to mind, Grapefruit joined the conversation too!  As I already mentioned, simple just works and it's almost ALWAYS a Win Win outcome.  Here's a list of Lemon's winning ways when mixed with plain old tap water.

A couple drops of Lemon in my reusable {glass} water bottle brings me so many benefits that include beauty, health, healing and an instant hit of revitalizing aromatherapy every time I pop the lid for a drink of Lemon water!


Or, a couple drops of Grapefruit (my fav!) in my reusable {glass} water bottle for  a cleansing and refreshing, fat chasing cocktail.  It's also a great diuretic, stimulant and, one of the few essential oils that can cut a Diet Coke withdrawal headache.  Grapefruit is one of the essential oils I'm drawn to, I also moisturize with it!  {click here} to learn more about the beautifying attributes of Grapefruit essential oil.



For an extra treat, add some of the citrus oils to sparkling water and suddenly a glass of water takes on new meaning!

Once again, here's even more proof that doTERRA essential oils are fabulous for changing lives and improving the planet.  I'm relieved that I've cut my plastic bottle consumption to almost nothing...I regretted every bottle I threw away!  Now that I know Lemon or Grapefruit is gracing my drinking water, I no longer have an aversion to tap water!  

Yet another S I M P L E change you can make in your life with ground breaking benefits!  

doTERRA essential oils are my kind of  S I M P L E.

Hunter's Care Package ~ Be Wilderness Ready!

Call of the Wild.

I just dropped Mike off at the Killgore Creek trailhead in the Hoback mountain range of Wyoming to scout for elk.  In 4 short weeks, he'll be outfitting for family and friends headed west to spend 2 weeks elk hunting.  Picture this will you?  Three old mature men, two younger, horses, guns, whiskey and beer.  Should I be worried??  Probably!

Truth be told, I always worry when Mike's camped in the wilderness because our bear population has all but exploded in WY.  Bears aren't the only worry though, there are LOTS of other things that can come up too!  I like to think I've got his back in the preparedness department, here are 3 ways to ensure a safe and sane camp.

First and foremost, I'll be sending a few essential oils in Mikes daypack.  The CW Travel Pack is PERFECT for tucking into the daypack because it's light and rugged.  Packaged in an Altoids tin, it's easy to have on the trail if needed.

Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, On Guard and Melaleuca  

....a few doTERRA On Guard Throat Drops and some Dora Bandaids (that's all I had in the house okay?)

With 5 essential oils he's prepared for:

Stomach issues
Restful sleep
Cuts and wounds
Muscle ache (you saw those mountains, they'll be hurting for sure)
Blisters
Burns
Hangover Headaches
Fever
Water purification
Sore throat
Allergies
Ear ache
Insect bites

P.S.  I'll be sending a cheat sheet with Mike too, just so he knows how and what to use for these various maladies.  

Light their way with Solar Lanterns!

Our son in law gave me this idea!  He mentioned that our backyard solar lights would be great for elk camp.  Great idea!  Often, the weary hunters are stumbling into camp at dusk after a LONG day of hiking and hunting.  I like knowing that the solar lanterns are lighting up camp (latrine included) welcoming them home!  I fill Mike's Solar Lantern with emergency essentials like matches, fire starters and a candle.  I also keep one of these in my car at all times.

All Purpose Healing Balm {for men & horses!)

I've made gallons of this!  With over 20 drops of Lavender, Lemon and Melaleuca doTERRA essential oil in each 4 oz jar, this balm is packed with healing and disinfecting oils!  Not only disinfecting but, anti microbial, anti fungal and antibacterial too!  I feel confident that if man or horse gets a cut or abrasion, this balm will do the trick of getting the "ick" out, protecting the wound and healing tissue.  

Make sure your hunter's prepared this season with a few essential oils to cover a myriad of symptoms or situations!  Light their way with fire hazard free solar lanterns packed with emergency essentials, and be ready for wound care, be they man or beast with All Purpose Healing Balm!

August 28, 29, 30 & 31

August 28

Peaches! Yummy. :)

August 29

Night sky.

August 30

Touch-Me-Not flowers.

August 31

 

Pretty eyeshadow... :)

Fast Relief from Heartburn and Acid Reflux

“I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people on the street rushing around looking for action, love, and the world's greatest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance.” 

― Nora Ephron, Heartburn

Romance and Food, what else is there?

My Mom always said,  "Honey, all's fair in love and war...especially when a pan of the world's greatest chocolate chip cookie is fresh out of the oven and no one's looking!  

(I believe Mom meant for this to pertain to all men, dogs and neighborhood kids too!)

Okay, so you ate the whole pan of cookies, finished that carton of ice cream or, politely cleaned your plate of something unrecognizable so as not to be rude.  What's a romantic, health conscious foodie such as yourself to do?? 

Pop a pill?  Chew a tablet?  Drink a nasty fizzy drink?

I say NO!

Why take over the counter medication when you can simply pop a drop of refreshing peppermint essential oil?

Make the peppermint plant your go to remedy for those burning moments of regret!

When the burn begins or the tide is rising, reach for a Peppermint Beadlet by doTERRA!  Pop a drop or two of pure Peppermint essential oil in your mouth and feel it start to work immediately.  It works!  Here's a testimonial from my 33 yr. old son to his buddies on Facebook:

"I put 4 drops of it (doTERRA Peppermint EO) in a tiny glass of almond milk before bed.  Bye Bye heartburn!".

P.S.  He's a BBQ Pitmaster, he's acquainted with heartburn :)

Sold in a little glass jar, the beadlets are perfect to keep in your purse, car, nightstand, briefcase, desk or backpack!  





Safe for pregnant women!  And, as you quell your heartburn with Peppermint essential oil you'll be freshening your breath too!  Soooooo....

Eat, Drink & Be Merry...

for now you know about doTERRA Peppermint Beadlets!  

Rope Bun

This is usually my go-to hairstyle when nothing else will work.
It's also one of my very favorite hairdos. Ever.

Top 3 DIY Lavender Laundry Essentials!

In the house of Camp Wander there's an on-going evolution of all things laundry.  Pinterest is partly to blame, my sister is mostly to blame :)  

Jillee, of One Good Thing by Jillee, the queen of all things clean, tidy and super economical is a laundry savant.  I've learned to accept and embrace it and, steal her stuff.

A few weeks ago, I walked into Jillee's laundry room.  OH MY Holy Dryer Sheeeet!!  Angels were perched on the appliances and a lilting scent was wafting from stacks of brilliant white stacks of folded laundry, not an armpit stain to be found!   Her latest laundry creation was born and I was there to smell it!  This is an actual photo of the actual jar of the actual laundry detergent that summons angels...really, it does! 

Make a Year's Worth of Laundry Soap for $30!

A lofty claim!  But it's great stuff and insanely economical so even if it didn't last a whole year, I'm in!

I made my second batch today because of course I gave away most of my first batch.  This happens when you have a herd like we do.  I did make one change to my recipe however, I omitted the Purex Softening Crystals because I love my vinegar and lavender softener which I'll share in a sec!

~ PROVISIONS ~


One of my favorite presentations for sharing (and it's likely you'll share too) are 1/2 gal mason jars.  I found mine at Ace Hardware.

Laundry Essential #1

1 Box of Washing Soda
1 Box of Borax
3 Bars of Felsnaptha Soap
2 Tubs of Oxygenated Bleach
2 Cups Baking Soda





Grate soap in a food processor or blender w/ a little powdered bleach.  Jillee's right...it helps the processing go a little smoother.

Now for the fun part!  

Start dumping your boxes of ingredients and the processed soap into a very large tub and mix.  I would suggest you do this outside because it's a dry mix.  You'll have a bit of flyaway powder while mixing.  I enlisted my favorite garden trug for the task!

Now you can fill those awesome jars with your ridiculously easy and affordable #1 Laundry Essential ~ the detergent.

Laundry Essential #2 is a new and exciting discovery for me! {Thanks to Lorrie on Camp Wander Facebook!}

How easy is this?

Purchase a one quart glass bottle of white vinegar, add 25 drops of doTERRA Lavender essential oil + 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol (for emulsion).  You now have a quart of naturally softening fabric softener!  Good for your skin, good for your appliance and good for the planet!  

Pour 1/2 cup into the rinse cycle or into a fabric softener receptacle and start the wash cycle.

Laundry Essential #3 is easy, fun and practical.  The Lavender Dryer Ball, is made with a pair of crew socks.  You can find the directions {HERE}.

Did I mention what a great gift the Lavender Laundry Essentials make?

Give the gift that keeps on giving and ...

Whistle

While 

You

Work!