Essential Oils Men Will Embrace!

If you're like me and a bunch of other women, your man cringes when you bring out those little brown bottles of essential oils. 

He's convinced they're filled with witchcraft~voodoo medicine.  Yes?  Okay, I'm here to help you with that.  When dealing with men, give them something they can relate to like football, beer, his truck or a favorite old flannel shirt or, Lord help us, old sweatpants.  Can you see where I'm going with this?  It's like camo, in the beginning, you can't be obvious! 

Let's start with appearances, because men care what other men think...I don't care what they say otherwise.  When you're plotting planning your essential oil conversion, it's all in the presentation.  Make sure it doesn't resemble anything crafty or shiny...absolutely no glitter or glue guns should be involved.

The more beat up and shabby looking, the better!  Thankfully guys are accepting of repurposing, recycling or just plain cheap, and I have just the thing that will look right at home in his truck or briefcase.

The humble Altoid tin.

FYI ~ should you have a hipster on your hands, consider spray painting the tin silver and stenciling a white Apple on the lid ;)

Believe it or not, there are several essential oils that men get excited about.  However, their excitement usually only occurs after they've actually used an essential oil.  Especially, when they're no longer in discomfort. 

Peppermint.

This is my first recommendation, it's a great oil to ease your guy into your world of essential oils.  Why?  Here's why!

• Kicks heartburn outta the ball park, 
• Instant cool down when they're hot and sweaty (gym bag!)
• Good for headaches, fever reducer
• Super breath freshener

All these remedies in one little brown bottle??  His sense of frugality is going to register this, mark my word!

DigestZen.

doTERRA's DigestZen blend is man's best friend...and even his dog can use it.  

• digestive upset 
• nausea
• overindulgence of food or drink
• diarrhea 
• wretched gas 
• food poisoning
• stomach cramps

Your guy might just love you forever for introducing him to DigestZen!

Lemon.

This awesomeness is sourced from Italy.  Lemon EO is an easy oil for men to embrace because its, well....Lemon!  How threatening can a lemon be?  How can it improve his life?

• Add 2 drops to water for a gentle detox
• Cold sore?  Dab some Lemon EO for quick recovery
• Shine up gun barrels, remove gum, oil and grease stains.
• Purifies water and 1 drop tastes great in a Coke!

Lavender.

In my experience, Lavender is loved by all!  You'll need to be the first one to help him along in the use of Lavender...it's not the most masculine of essential oils but it's properties fit men to a T!

• Men like to sleep.  Lavender on the bottom of his feet.
• Men get bumps and bruises.  Lavender for tissue restoration!
• Men burn themselves on the grill etc.  Lavender again.
• Man's best friend has fleas (dog, that is).  Lavender on his dog's bed, back of dog's collar.  Say goodbyes to his best friend's arch enemy!
• Man has hayfever:  2 drops ea of Lavender, Lemon & Peppermint downed in a shot glass will help!

Remember when I said it's all about the presentation?  It is, however, it's also about being the example and walking the walk!  If your guy senses your passion for essential oils, he'll soon follow, trust me on this.  If you'd like the accelerated program...start rubbing oils on his feet, he'll soon have all kinds of maladies that require a foot rub LOL.

In addition to the 4 doTERRA EOs, I've added a tube of lip balm, 4 bandaids and an extra dose of our life changer:  doTERRA's Life Long Vitality Pack!  If he's in a bad way, over indulged perhaps?  An extra dose of his supplements along with a tall glass or two of Lemon water are the ticket to feeling a heck of a lot better in the morning!

FYI!  Greatest Stocking Stuffer EVER for the guys.

Use in Good Health!

September 24, 25, 26 & 27

September 24

 Amanda and I husked a bunch of corn for drying.

 September 25

Arachnus Deathicus. ;D

September 26

Since we had exactly a pint and 13 quarts of pickles, Amanda and I decided they were Bilbo, Thorin Oakenshield &Co. 

Who, us? Excited about "The Hobbit" coming out in December? Maybe just a leeettle bit... ;D

September 27

Sunshine & autumn leaves.

Blender Salsa with Cilantro & Lime Essential Oils!

This happens to be my favorite snack of the century...

Chips & Blender Salsa!

I love the new blender trend in salsa making, it's genius!  Who has time for all that slicing and dicing anyway?  I also have bunches and bunches of juicy homegrown tomatoes that we can't possibly eat...why not roast a few for salsa!

Originally, it was my sister that brought Blender Salsa into my life.  We were in her kitchen munching away on chips and  a new Salsa she had made then blogged about on One Good Thing by Jillee.  This salsa is SO easy, flavorful and spicy, it's now my new go to recipe from now to eternity. 

I do LOVE Jill's recipe but I can't help myself, I mess with perfection.  With just a dash of doTERRA's Cilantro and Lime essential oils this salsa really gets kicked up a notch!

Blender Salsa with Cilantro & Lime EOs

1  14 oz. can Fire Roasted Tomatoes

1  10 oz. can Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes

1/2  onion rough chop

1  clove garlic peeled and smashed

1 small jalapeno rough chopped seeds optional

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Small handful of washed and dried cilantro

**2  drops of Cilantro essential oil

**2 drops of Lime essential oil

Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or a good blender.  Pulse a good 20 t0 30 times until everything is finely chopped and blended to your desired consistency.  Season to taste and serve with chips!

**Quick run down of how you're enhancing your salsa besides just flavor!  Cilantro essential oil is an antioxidant that helps control free radicals.  It also helps to leach or chelate the presence of heavy metals in our systems.  Lime essential oil is a powerful internal cleanser, mood enhancer and beneficial for joints.

  

Because doTERRA's Essential Oils are so pure we're able to use them internally.  What better way to get essential oils into your system than with delicious, nutritious FOOD!  

Essential oils aren't just for the medicine cabinet anymore!

Daybook 26

Outside my window- The sun's sinking behind the orange leaves... & it's really pretty. :D

I am thinking about- I have a cold. It's almost gone, but still, bleh. :(

From the kitchen- Today Amanda and I put away all the jars of produce we've canned (a whole table full+), steam-juiced some elderberries, and froze the last of the corn.

I am creating- So far this week I haven't done any crafting...

I am reading- I listened to a book called "Dragon Princess" by E. D. Baker over the weekend. It was alright.

I am hearing- "Deer In The Headlights" -by Owl City.

I am planning- Amanda and I are going to make egg rolls for supper! :)

I am wearing- Jeans, a black t-shirt, and a grey&white plaid button-up over that.

My hair is- In a knotted updo.

Around the house- Dad and Mum left yesterday for Alaska- they won't be home for about a week and a half...  PAR-TAY TIME!! ;)

...since I know you're reading this, Mum, don't worry. We're being good. So far. ;P

Make Your Own Astringent, Toner & Makeup Finisher + 15 Ways to Use Witch Hazel!

The perfect blend for a great astringent if you have skin prone to break outs.  After washing your face or taking a shower, spritz this blend on a freshly washed face and let dry.

Per 1 oz glass spray bottle add:
4 drops Melaleuca
4 drops Lavender
Witch Hazel

Add the EOs to the glass bottle and top off with Witch Hazel. While we're on the subject of Witch Hazel, I found a list of wonderful ways to use the brilliant stuff from Wisebread that's worthy of sharing!

15 Uses for Witch Hazel

1. The big one: Spot and blemish control

Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many over-the-counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this, though.

2. Soothe and heal diaper rash

If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution (Dickinson's is good) with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

3. Shrink bags under the eyes

Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It's not an old wives' tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess. And that leads nicely to…

4. Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids

Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it's also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.

5. Varicose vein relief

Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

6. Soothe poison ivy and poison oak

Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.

7. Treat chicken pox blisters

A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of chicken pox blisters. And it's all-natural. Here's what to do:

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.

Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the chicken pox than traditional calamine lotion.

8. Heal your bruises faster

Been in a fight recently? Well, maybe not. But if you bang your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.

Witch Hazel is good stuff, don't forget to keep a bottle!

Ahhhh...the wonders of Grapefruit essential oil!

As many of you already know, Grapefruit is one of my go~to essential oils for many things, including a headache!  I also use it to moisturize after a shower by adding a whole bottle of essential oil to a whole bottle of Fractionated Coconut Oil, the best moisturizer for my skin!

  

A simple and wonderful toner to spritz on your clean face can easily be made with Grapefruit EO and water per 1 oz glass bottle.

8 drops of Grapefruit essential oil

Distilled Water (I've used plain ol tap water too)

Is there any essential oil more versatile than Lavender?

I've been using this product for years to set my makeup.  It's pricey!  However, when I  set my make~up with a spritz of essential oil enhanced water, it makes all the difference!  Make~up artists are never without this simple, yet effective tool!  

I've since discovered that a blend of Lavender and water as a make~up finisher works amazingly well!  Lavender makes perfect sense because of it's soothing, healing and restorative properties for skin tissue!  Have you ever put Lavender on a fresh burn?  It stops the burn and restores the skin, it's incredible for burns!  

Add 8 drops of Lavender essential oil to 1 oz of distilled water in a glass spray bottle and spritz your face after applying make~up to set your artistry :)  

You'll love it!  Your make~up will look smoother and last longer!

Enjoy!

September 18 - 23

September 18

Hops vine draped over our deck arbor.

September 19

Our kitchen is full of tomatoes and peppers.

September 20

My "To Do" list for the day...

September 21

Elinor turned 4! 

Happy Birthday, girly! :D

September 22

 We went to visit our friends in Wisconsin again.

I'm quite jealous that we haven't got waterfalls around here. ;D

September 23

Mollie explored the riverbank after we went canoeing on Sunday.

How to Stop a Stress Migraine With Peppermint!

You'll need this and this...

Peppermint!

This particular remedy is for those times when you need a little more than the standard technique of a "stop and drop" application of essential oil!  Sometimes when we're plagued by persistent headaches, it's our body trying to tell us to slow down and rest the mind AND, the body!  That's tough to do I know but, it's always a very good idea to listen to your body.

Fill the bath with very warm water.  Grab a clean towel, hand towel size works well and, a bottle of doTERRA Peppermint essential oil.  Why doTERRA?  Because doTERRA essential oils are nothing but pure plant essence, no traces of impurities or additives therefore, 100% therapeutic.  Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, in fact.

Peppermint essential oil can be used for it's calming properties to relieve stress and tension.  It's also effective for relieving headaches associated with stress and or digestive upset, as well as for migraines.

Once the bath is full, and you can slide down into the warm water, grab your towel and get it wet.  Wring it out and drip 4 to 5 drops of peppermint in the middle of the towel...an inch apart.  Place the very warm, minty towel around the back of your neck so that the Peppermint is exposed to your skin.  Lay back, close your eyes and relax your mind and body.  Breathe deeply to let the blend of steam and Peppermint expand your lungs and oxygenate your blood.  

The beauty of this migraine treatment is twofold; while you're relieving stress and pain naturally, you're also quieting your mind for a few meditative moments.  This is important to note, as it's yet another lesson that essential oils can teach us.  What is that lesson pray tell?

Balance.

Keepin It Simple With Essential Oils!

Daybook 25

Outside my window- Grey skies, and yellow leaves blowing off the trees in the wind.

I am thinking about- Cakes. 'Cause I've just discovered the show "Next Great Baker". It kinda makes me feel like baking... :D

From the kitchen- Amanda and I made pickles this morning with the last of our cucumbers.

I am creating- I did some sketching this afternoon...

I am reading- "Gentle Julia" by Booth Tarkington.

I am hearing- The general sort of commotion that comes with a large household- plus a little extra 'cause my nieces & nephew are over.

I am planning- No plans for today really- which is kinda nice, because this week has been/is going to be pretty busy. Awesome busy, but still, busy. :D

I am wearing- A blue plaid shirt with a belt, & a long denim tiered skirt.

My hair is- Knotted, and pinned up.

Around the house- It frosted on Tuesday, so the kitchen is full of all the green tomatoes and peppers that we had to pick before the frost.

September 14 - 17

September 14

Fall colors.

September 15

Susan! 

She's not quite big enough to push herself around in the walker yet.

September 16

Sunday outfit.

September 17

Picking raspberries...