Diffuser Blends & Wedding Wishes!

Wedding bells are ringing...

My niece Britta is getting married today!  Lots of family and good friends are about to gather to celebrate Neil and Britta getting hitched in the mountains of Utah.  Camp Wander started celebrating a little early by gathering favorite diffuser blends for the happy couple to use with their new Zaq Noor diffuser.  Enjoy the list!

Special thanks to all the campers who contributed!!

Rule of Thumb:  Diffuse 6 to 8 drops 

SandyKay: Cinnamon, Wild Orange and/or Lemon.  Add a little Ginger and you get a fresh baked aroma.

Heather:  5 drops Peppermint, 3 drops Wild Orange

Sandy:  Just plain Wild Orange, so fresh!

Tanya:  4 drops Lavender, 2 drops each Peppermint & Eucalyptus

Alicia:  Diffuse Lime and Lavender together

Christy:  Equal parts Lavender, Clary Sage, Bergamot and Geranium to relax.

Tammi:  Her Peace and Harmony blend ~ Zen and Wild Orange

Lori:  Eucalyptus

Karin:  2 drops each Zen, Lavender, Bergamot and Peppermint

Patti:  Woodsy Winter Day!  An exclusive blend from Patti's Place

Mahina:  Bergamot and Grapefruit

Deb:  Lime and Peppermint

Katie:  Grapefruit and Peppermint

Lisa Marie:  Frankincense, Geranium and Wild Orange

Colee:  Lemon and Lavender

Tonya:  Citrus Forest, an exclusive blend from Created2Fly!

Larraine:  dT's Balance, Holiday Blend or Immortelle

Jules:  Lemon, Bergamot and Cardomom

Melanie:  Peppermint and Orange

Enjoy!

:buttercup and humperdinck:

"Me Princess Buttercup." says my four-year old niece, arrayed in the finest our dress-up box can offer. "An' this is mine frog. Him Prince Humperdinck frog." 

She points to her little brother, who is only too happy to play the part of the Humperdinck-frog prince.

Hair Helpers for Thicker, Longer Hair Naturally!

CW Hair Faves All in One Place!

 In my search for remedies to improve my hair happenings like thinning, slow growth and dryness ~ these are the best of the best {for me} IMHO.  Not only are they all natural and pretty darn inexpensive, they're time savers too!

Dry Shampoo!

My beloved hair stylist McCall @ Lunatic Fringe in Park City, UT has been on board with dry shampoo for a long time, gently "advising" me to get on board too.  Well, I haven't...until recently.  I'll tell you why in a minute :)

RECIPES

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I've been using the basic recipe of my dry shampoo for our dog, Bart {click here}.  It certainly lends itself to human use and since I don't have fleas, I forego the Melaleuca and add Rosemary (hair loves Rosemary!) instead ha!  

Basically, you have a dry base of your choosing...in my case, I chose arrowroot starch and, a few drops of whatever EOs you need or want.  Add the wet and dry to a blender or processor, blend, spread out on a baking dish and let dry.  That's it!  I used to use a shaker container but I've found I prefer a small mason jar so I can use a pinch at a time.

C O L O R:  

There are ways to add "tint" to dry shampoo and it's impressed the heck outta me!  Check out the difference.  On the left my dirty, sweaty hair (dry, after a workout).  On the right is my hair after a "dry poo" treatment with a little color added for blondies.  Amazing huh?  The tint was accomplished by simply putting a dried herb in the food processor and pulverizing until powdery then adding to the arowroot starch.  I used 2 parts arrowroot, 1 part herb powder for tint.

Now the hard part, the exact recipe can't be unveiled quite yet.  I was asked to be part of a group test but, very soon I'll be able to share more :)

THICKER HAIR BLEND

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I've been using this EO blend for months now, it's helping so much!  Even McCall (hair stylist) agrees as she's seeing more new growth.  Let me tell you, I've saved myself hundred's of dollars in expensive hair serums with this blend!

5 drops Lavender

5 drops Rosemary

4 drops Clary Sage

4 drops Cypress

I multiply this recipe by 10x and fill a roller bottle for spot application every night!  You can also add 6 drops of the blend to a handful of shampoo.  I started to appreciate dry shampoo after a nightly application of this blend.  I only wash my hair twice a week now.

LAVENDER ROSEMARY FINAL RINSE

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You can find an entire blog post on this wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL final hair rinse {HERE}.  

However, I have some NEW notes on this rinse that the blog post doesn't cover because it's a fairly new discovery!  

People are finding that after long term use their hair is growing longer and there's more of it.  SandyKay of APIYOL shared another method of application, this is a great idea too!  

{SPRAY the final rinse on after washing your hair.  Part your hair and spritz, part your hair and spritz until head has been covered.  Now my recipe lasts a lot longer than when I used to pour it on.}

Whatever would we do without Mother Nature's Beauty School?

The End!

Enjoy a 10% discount on every order of Spark Naturals products with the CW discount code:  campwander

Beat Vaginitis with Coconut Oil Tampons

I didn't mean to make you squirm.

To all the guys (if any), my apologies ~ it's a "girl's only" blogpost today!  This is a subject I've been wanting to address for awhile now because it's a common bacterial condition with an easy remedy.  All you will need are few EOs, good organic coconut oil and a box of organic tampons {learn more here}.

Most of us will experience vaginitis at one time or another, as annoying as it is.  Briefly, there's usually a discharge, that's commonly grey or white and has an unpleasant odor but, not everyone with bacterial vaginosis will experience this.  Itching of the vulvar or vaginal area is also common.  

How can we find natural...

R E L I E F?

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Bacterial Vaginitis Remedy

4 drops Lavender

4 drops Melaleuca

4 drops Frankincense

{frankincense is optional but always a good idea!}

1 tablespoon organic Coconut Oil

Blend the ingredients together and smear all over tampon.  Insert the magic bullet (feels amazing!) right before bed and remove in the morning.  Relief is pretty swift, you should feel better by the morning but, you'll want to keep this routine up for at least a week. FYI:  For an ahhhh moment ~ refrigerate the coconut oil tampons!

I found these online: hand crafted, rolled tampons...interesting!  

I know, I have the same questions you do ~ disposable?

Here's a free pattern {CLICK}

Daytime Tips!

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Keep a very small jar of coconut oil with the EO blend mixed in. Whenever you get uncomfortable, apply topically.  You can insert another coconut oil tampon during the day if you like too.

Important to note:  Toddlers to young girls are safe to use this blend topically for bacterial vaginitis.  Reduce the Lavender and Melaleuca by half.

Don't forget to drink lots of water with a dash of Lemon EO throughout the day!

Enjoy a 10% discount on every Spark Naturals order with the discount code:  campwander

For External Use Only? Not Anymore!

I get this a lot...

  

"Essential oils should NEVER be applied directly to the skin.

or

"Are you crazy? I heard that you were never supposed to take essential oils internally."

These statements never offend me because in the essential oil world, traditional use of oils has gravitated to the model "for external use only" and, for good reason...until now.  Why now?  Here's a very brief history of how the apprehension and caution took hold.




A french chemist, Rene'-Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950) studied the medicinal properties of essential oils for years while working in his family's perfume business. He wrote a book, "Aromatherapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones vegetales" that inspired Madam Marguerite Maury, an Austrian born biochemist. She pioneered and was passionate about the use of essential oils in massage therapy.

Maury's focus was the aromatherapy component, which was tied closely with the perfume industry which was beginning to introduce synthetic oils typically used in perfume or food.  

Because of the manipulation of purity, many cautions and contra-indications for the use of essential oils applied "neat" (undiluted) or orally became the norm.




When an essential oil is manufactured, mixed with solvents to increase yield or manipulated from it's complete constituency, it's no longer safe and these cautions are absolutely correct.

Dr. Jean Valnet, M.D.

The french physician, Dr. Jean Valnet came onto the scene in World War II, healing many soldiers wounds and psyche with pure, unadulterated essential oils ie: pure plant essence.  He observed that when essential oils are extracted naturally and gently with respect to how nature provided it, from the correct place at the correct time of harvest, these same oils were no longer toxic and provided profound health benefits.

Therapeutic Grade essential oils like Spark Natural's essential oils are a powerful tool to improve your family's health and wellness.  Pure plant essence has the ability to communicate with the nervous system, calling it to action.  The essence or essential oils have a natural intelligence and are selective in how they kill bacteria, only killing the harmful and leaving the rest to help maintain our health.  God gave us a gift and if we respect it, it will and does improve lives. 

There's a vast amount of information available on the origin and history of essential oils which I encourage to you research, it's fascinating and so very important in our day and age!  

However, I'll stop here.  Hopefully, I've given you a little insight into the confusion of "why" cautions are issued. Those cautions are in place for a good reason, when essential oils when the purity and potency of essential oils has been compromised.

Be Well, Seek Understanding, Embrace Change.

In the words of Theodore Roosevelt:

"Dare Greatly..."

...and begin your own essential oil journey!

Enjoy a 10% discount on every Spark Naturals order with a CW coupon code:  campwander

Back to School With Essential Oils!

So much for the carefree days of summer!  Back to the tired and grumpy mornings, lots of homework and exposure to sick kids and nasty viruses.  Guess what?  Essential oils can make all the difference this year! 

Here we go!!

What parent wouldn't like to know how to promote better focus, retention, happy mornings and relaxed evenings?  And, just as important, how to keep your kids well and resistant to all the viruses and bacteria that congregate in schools.  This goes for anybody going back to school...college students included! 

** The MORNING Routine **

I love this strategy.  When you're trying to roust your kids out of bed to get ready for school.  Bring along a pretty little spray bottle of:

Wild Orange and Lavender

with water and or alcohol free witch hazel.  Spray a fine mist into the bedroom to awaken their sleepy heads!

  

IMPORTANT!  If you're fighting sickness or there's a bug making the rounds at school, make sure to put a drop of Shield Protection Blend on your kids feet before they leave the house!  Why the feet?  The bottoms of your feet have the largest pores, essentials oils can penetrate the bloodstream quickly via the feet.

Shield: is a blend of immunity boosting oils:  Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon Bark and Rosemary.  This protective blend wards off colds and flu, it's a must in every household in my book.  

My kids use it for their littles ones now and doctor visits are almost non-existent during the school year. Shield can be applied topically, ingested or diffused.
  



When exposed to someone with a cold or the flu, diffuse Shield at home or work and always apply to your feet before you leave the house.  I can't recommend this product enough, this blend has saved our family missed school and work, not to mention the savings in doctor visits and prescriptions!

For the month of August ~ you can purchase a 15ml bottle of Shield for only $15.99 (shipping included) if you join Spark Naturals Oil of the Month Club!


ADD & ADHD
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There is help with ADD and ADHD for children and adults alike using EOs.
  

Jeddy's Blend is a natural alternative to medication for ADD or ADHD. 

Please {Click Here} to learn more about Jeddy's Blend: read testimonials and a blogpost written by my sister Jillee explaining how adults can benefit from Jeddy's Blend too.

Roll Jeddy's Blend on the bottom of feet and back of the neck at the brain stem every morning and as needed during the day.

** AFTERNOON Routine**

Things should be pretty calm during this time of day, the kids are in school.  However, here's a few ideas...

For stay at home Mom's, shortly before school gets out start diffusing various oils depending on the situation you're dealing with.  

If you're fighting sickness, diffuse Shield Protection Blend.  

If your routine is to get homework done first thing, diffuse Peppermint and Wild Orange to keep their minds stimulated and alert.  If they've had a bad day, Zen, a grounding blend works wonders to calm and relax. 

You can buy diffusers online.  I like the Zaq Noor! Diffusers emit a fine mist of EOs with water, fine enough to be inhaled.  I recommend keeping at least one in your home! 

** NIGHT-TIME Routine **

One word:  Lavender!  Diffuse it, spray it on linens but by all means, put a drop or two on your kids feet before bedtime.  It's safe for babies, simply dilute with a little carrier oil before applying topically.  Adults reap the benefits as well!  Once again, if warding off illness, you can layer Shield Protective Blend with a layer of Lavender on big and little feet at bedtime for a restful night.

I will go so far as to "promise" you that if you bring PURE essential oils into your home you will wonder how you ever got by without them and you'll soon find out what an incredible value those little blue bottles really are...

EOs are HIGHLY concentrated and a drop or two is all that's needed for most any use.  Keep in mind that essential oils are all of these: medicinal, cleaning agents, aromatherapy tools, disinfectants, purifiers, pain relievers, mood enhancers all wrapped up in a small blue glass bottle.  

This is a lot of information and, it's natural to feel overwhelmed in the beginning but, there's no time like the present to jump in and begin your family's new journey of wellness!  

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, it's hard to relearn and reprogram our thinking...but your family is worth your efforts to learn more about essential oils and start down the natural path to wellness and becoming the Healer in your home :)

The End... 

As always, enjoy a 10% discount on every Spark Naturals order with this coupon code:  campwander

Yeah, I'm still alive.

I do apologize for leaving you with no news of my exciting life for two whole months. ;P

I wore this outfit into town this morning (library book sale!!), and on the way home stopped by the nursing home my grandparents recently moved into to visit. 

As my sister stepped through the door, this random old lady exclaims- "Oh, what a pretty dress!" & then as I came through the door- "Oh! That one is even prettier!"

Which was kinda funny, but not necessarily true- 'cause Amanda's outfit was really cute. :D

What I'm Wearing: 

 Tunic/Dress ~Mossimo Supply CO -Thrifted 

Skinny Jeans ~Blue Spice -Thrifted 

Combat Boots ~Mossimo Supply CO -Thrifted 

Belt -Thrifted 

Necklace -Gift 

Earrings -Claire's