Learn About Essential Oils From The World's Leader In The Science Of Essential Oils

Take a quick 25 minute class with Dr. Pappas to understand and learn more about essential oils than you ever have before.

 

Dr. Pappas has spent over 20 years dedicated to the study of essential oils and their chemistry.  He is the world's leader in the science of essential oil chemistry...AND he is the individual overseeing the quality of doTERRA's essential oils!  Thus giving us all the surety of the purity of the oils that we are using in our daily lives.  Personally I am thrilled to know that the world leader in essential oil chemistry is the man making sure that we are not getting an adulterated version of these precious oils.

 

Click HERE to view complete post & video!

Vicks Chest Rubs vs. Natural Chest Rub

It's that time of year when many (MANY) mothers are pulling out the VICKS VapoRub to help their little ones breathe easier through the night.  You just may want to think twice before doing it. 

Have you actually read the list of active ingredients in this product?  I have to admit that until my son was born, I really never did. I just took a look at the VICKS Baby Rub that I've used in the past on my children...mostly because they couldn't breathe easily when I had used the VICKS VapoRub. (My girls are now 8 & 10 and I had to use the baby brand back in Spring 2014 for the same reasons.) 

VICKS VapoRub:

Active Ingredients: Label reads: Special Vick medications (camphor, menthol, spirits of turpentine, eucalyptus oil, cedar leaf oil, myristica oil, thymol) compounded by the original Vick process VICK CHEMICAL COMPANY Div of Richardson-Merrell Inc

VICKS Baby Rub:

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Fragrance, Aloe Extract, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil.

Petrolatum, commonly known as petroleum jelly, is a byproduct of petroleum. Petrolatum is a soft paraffin or wax mixture sold as a topical skin ointment. It is acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an approved over-the-counter skin protectant and is used in the manufacturing of cosmetic skin care. However the side effects of petrolatum include finding the petroleum byproduct in breast tumors, suffocation of the skin, premature aging and aggravated acne. (LiveStrong.com)

There is NO WAY that I am putting these products on the chest of my girls or son ever again.  The U.S. already out ranks !
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Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

Oh my goodness!!!  I can not even begin to tell you how amazing my home has smells as I write this post.  There is Christmas floating through the air...the scent of apples, cinnamon, and wild orange are intoxicating.

We decided to make these ornaments for my girls' teachers this year.  It just might become an obsession to my daughter Rose.  She enjoyed mixing and rolling out the dough so much. I think that she would have played with it all night if I had let her. Thankfully it was way past bedtime and as soon as they went into the oven my girls were ushered off to bed.

They really are extremely easy to make and appropriate for any child 3 years old or older to help with. 
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DYI Teacher, Co-worker or Just Plain Ole Friend Giftings

Every year I try to find some cute little gifts that I can make at home to share with my girls' teachers and our family friends. 

And every year I fail in getting everyone on our list covered. *boooo*  This year I am again making a valiant effort to accomplish one gift for everyone on my list.  *YAAAAY!*  Say a prayer for me because with my 8 month old son it's going to be quite a feat to accomplish this year.

Here are some of the wonderful homemade gifts that I have come across in my searching for the perfect gift...not to mention easy. I hope that this list inspires and perhaps takes care of your search at the same time.

Merry Christmas & Happy Gifting!

Diaper Bag Makeover

There are plenty of creams, ointments, and wipes that contain chemicals that aren't necessary especially when you have a natural alternative.  Here are some simple ways to makeover your diaper bag with essential oils.

1.  For Momma - Keep hydrated.  Dehydration can lead to exhaustion.  Add essential oils like Lemon or Wild Orange to your water throughout the day.

 

2.  Diaper Cream  -  This recipe is free of petroleum and artificial ingredients that can cause even more irritation to baby's skin.

 

3.  Peppermint Beadlet -  A burst of Peppermint will freshen breath and soothe tummy discomfort.

 

4.  Essential Oils -  Gentle oils like Lavender and Melaleuca are must haves.

 

5.  Coconut Oil -  Moisturize and protect skin without any oily residue.

 

6.  Baby Wipes -  Commercial wipes are made with ingredients that can actually irritate a baby's sensitive skin.  This easy recipe is good on the go, just place the wipes in a wet bag.

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DYI Dryer Sheet - Static Free & Chemical Free!

 I love the smell in the air when I walk past dryer vents in my apartment complex.  They instantly lighten the air with wonderful smells...but all those chemicals are not doing the air any good really.  Yes, they smell good, but as you breath them in what is it that you're letting into your body under the disguise of lovely fragrances?

 

Fragranced dryer sheets do not do the skin of a person with sensitive skin any good at all.  Any time that I have given in and placed one of those sheets in my dryer to make my clothes smell "pretty" and kill static-cling I have paid the price with irritated skin, headaches, and sinus irritation. 

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Diffuser Blends For The Holidays

I love diffusing different concoctions of essential oils in my home.  Not only do they make the air in the home smell lovely, they also clean it and my family receive benefits from the oils aromatically.  It's a win, win, win situation!

Here are some of the blends that I have been enjoying in my home lately.  Each blend also has a breakdown of the benefits that come from diffusing them.

 

I hope that you enjoy them as much in your home as I have in mine.

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PTSD Blend - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

My husband served in the Navy during the first Gulf War.  So many of our service men  & women have paid a high cost while serving our country. 

My husband was recently diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome...which is not the same as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but is still a price that was paid while in the service.  While the two differ from one another, we have a great deal of respect for all of our military servicemen and anything that I can pass along to help one will be shared.  There is something about being able to give back to those who have been willing to sign their lives away for our freedoms.  (It's the very least I can do.)

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Teething & Flu...Oh My!

Last week was a real drainer.  There's nothing like  a 7 month old teething and two little girls with the flu bug to get a week started.

It started with my little James and his teething.  I'm convinced that teething is parental  abuse.  It's horrible for the baby and I hate that they have to go through it, but it's also a terrible time for the parents.

Sunday it all started at around 9:00pm with a fever of 100.3F.  Fortunately I had my arsenal ready with Peppermint and Lavender oils.  Peppermint to bring down the fever and lavender to calm some of the pain his poor little gums were experiencing.  It was amazing how quickly the Peppermint worked to start bringing down his fever!  Literally .5-1.0 degree lower within 5-10 minutes! 

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Tummy Troubles Big and Small

James at 7 months

As all of us moms know, tummy trouble does not hit at the best of times.  It tends to rise up in the middle of making dinner, sleeping or while we're out and about.  Neither do they only attack the young, but us more matured as well.

 

This is my little James.  At 7 months old I have had countless battles with tummy trouble since the day he was born.  All of my children have had tummy troubles as babies, my oldest Grace and youngest James had it the worst.  They couldn't tolerate my milk...which is so frustrating as a new mommy.  Our milk is supposed to be the best thing for them and yet mine caused so much pain.  Was I watching what I ate?  Absolutely.  I was ridiculously careful about what I ate.
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Wrap Yourself ~ Slim & Sassy Body Wrap

It seems like body wraps are featured at a booth during every festival or street fair I've been to in the past 2 years.  I recently came across a recipe for making your own body wrap using doTERRA's Essential Oils! 

I have never done a body wrap. Three babies later, I am willing to do just about anything to get rid of the baby weight I still have.  We're talking about the baby weight that has hung around from my first baby...who will be 10 years old this December.  Yes, it is shameful...well, more like frustrating.  Really frustrating. I've exercised, dieted and still am in a battle to lose the last 15 remaining pounds of baby weight.
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DIY - Toxin-Free Household Cleaning Solution

Lemon and On Guard® Essential Oils ~ The One-Two Punch!

This weekend I decided to try something new.  My sister-in-law has been cleaning her house with a non-toxic solution and loves it.  I had to try it.  Let's face it, housework is no fun and I don't particularly enjoy breathing in all of the fumes and chemicals from the cleaning solutions.  A solution made with essential oils that could get everything clean and disinfected AND smell good?! I'm in!  Not to mention the fact that with the amount of coughing that had started the following Thursday, I really needed to attack things and get our surfaces free of any bacteria lurking about.  (I was already cleaning our air by diffusing Lemon & On Guard®)

 

Now I was desperate and had not ordered my container yet, and to be honest really didn't have much time to
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A New Season And The Return Of An Old Love

Alright, I know that it has been a long time since I've posted anything but it's because sometimes my life is a bit hectic.  It must be said that turning 40 has brought changes in my life...a new baby boy, girls entering 3rd and 4th grade, and a return of a long lost love of essential oils. I love my family and will do anything I can to help us all stay healthy and functioning at the top of our game.  Sometimes it's harder than it sounds...okay, it can be a downright battle.

I feel so blessed to have an old love of mine work it's way back into my life, at what I feel is the right season, for me to empower my family with knowledge that can help change our daily lives.  Enter ESSENTIAL OILS! 

I have loved EOs since I was introduced to them when I worked in a little shop adding fragrance grade oils into lotions, shampoo, conditioner, massage oils, and more.  I don't know how, but at some point I let them slip out of my life.  What a fool I was!!  I just did not have an understanding of what was being sown into my life or how powerful therapeutic grade oils really were on a daily basis. Right now, I am most excited to see the impact they will have on my family as we enter flu season once again. 

What are essential oils? 

Here is a quick 2 minute video to briefly explain ~