Got Teens?

Oil of the Month!

dōTERRA Clear Skin Topical Blend is formulated with CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils and black cumin seed oil, each specifically targeted to improve the texture and tone of skin. Beneficial properties include controlling overactive sebaceous glands, soothing irritated skin and assisting in cell rejuvenation. Clear Skin Topical Blend successfully creates an unfriendly environment for bacteria and microbes without drying out skin and promotes healthy and clear skin. It’s the answer to troubled skin.

And it's on sale!  During the month of August, 2012, take 10% off Clear Skin Topical Blend.  Your teens will love you!

Time for Thyme

Oil of the Month!

I love discovering new essential oils, so I'm always exciting when something I haven't yet tried goes on sale.  This month, Thyme essential oil is 10% off (July 2012).  

Thyme Essential Oil

Some of the benefits of thyme are:

*  Thyme combats infection and improves immunity by increasing the production of white blood cells.
*  Thyme reduces the inflammation and irritation of skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis, as well as eczema and other types of dermatitis.
*  It can accelerate the healing of bruises, burns, cuts, sores, and wounds.
*  Thyme oil stimulates menstrual flow, it increases circulation and can elevate low blood pressure.
*  It can relieve the pain of arthritis, sore muscles, sprains and injuries and it can ease the pain of headaches, including migraines.
*  Thyme oil also helps fight candida such as yeast infections, athlete’s foot and jock itch.
*  Thyme oil is stimulating, although when used in a bath, it helps overcome insomnia.

Emotionally, Thyme oil can be effective with poor self-confidence, apathy, and fear. Thyme can strengthen your nerves when you are experiencing emotional fatigue. It eases nervousness, stress, and some stress-related complaints. It can reduce the severity or frequency of anxiety attacks. It enhances memory and increases concentration. Whether demoralized, apprehensive, or alienated reach for Thyme’s warm and virile strength.

Thyme is, of course, great to use in cooking.  Simply substitute a drop or two for the seasonings called for in your recipes.  Cooking with essential oils enhances the aroma and flavor of your foods.

 Caution: Avoid during pregnancy, and always dilute for small children and sensitive skin (1:5).  Use with caution if high blood pressure is diagnosed.  Like Oregano, Thyme is a very hot oil. 

Toxin Hunter

Toxin Hunter

Have you ever seen that documentary about bedbugs? I remember the first time I saw it.  They zeroed in on a seemingly perfectly clean bed, with lovely bedding and fluffy pillows, only to reveal hundreds of creepy, crawling, monstrous bugs. I itched for weeks after watching that.

Well, it's the same thing for me with toxins. For years I've been oblivious to invisible toxins, following the five-second rule, allowing my children to keep their shoes on in the house, feeding them convenience foods, and cleaning with products that promise to KILL, KILL, KILL.

But then I started to hear whispers: Chemical toxins responsible for the global obesity epidemic. Astronomical increase in auto-immune diseases linked to toxins. Children reaching puberty earlier and earlier due to toxins. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Sleep disturbances, depression, sexual (*gulp*) problems linked to toxins. Suddenly, I'm seeing toxins all around me, and I fear that I am poisoning my family on a daily basis.

It's not easy to switch to a less-toxic lifestyle. So many of our conveniences are rife with toxicity. But I know that taking baby steps now will benefit me and my family for years to come.

Here is my action plan:

Buy foods only with ingredients that I recognize.

Use organic or natural products on my lawn and garden.

Use homemade household and beauty products.

Now, of course, you can't avoid all the toxins all the time. So, I'll continue to add a couple of drops of lemon, lime, or grapefruit essential oil to my drinking water. Citrus oils are wonderfully detoxifying and help support liver function.

I'll share some of the recipes I find for homemade household and beauty products.  In the meantime, here's a recipe for a moisturizing detoxifying salt scrub.

Detoxifying Salt Scrub

Detoxifying Salt Scrub

1/2 cup sea salt
2 Tbsp. fractionated coconut oil or almond oil
20 drops Slim and Sassy essential oil blend

Mix ingredients together.  Rub on in the shower and rinse off.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have a confession to make: I love gardening, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

My boys helped me plant a few plants this year.  We got some tomato, basil, cucumber, zucchini, and yellow squash.  They might be kind of squished together.  I added some nice compost to the soil, and I ordered 200 worms.  That should do it, right?  Now, we're just sitting back (picking at weeds) and watching them grow.

Zucchini or yellow squash

Tomato

Zucchini or yellow squash

But the other day, I noticed that something was beating me to my harvest.

Basil

I don't want to turn to traditional pesticides. The whole purpose of growing my own veggies is to enjoy healthier options. Instead, I got a small bottle of water and added about 20 drops of TerraShield essential oil blend. I sprayed all my plants. I'll check back from time to time to make sure it's doing its job.  And hopefully, within a few weeks, there will be enough basil for pesto. :)

Do you have any gardening tips for someone with a not-so-green thumb?  I'd love to hear them!

Summer Kick-Off!

Summer Kick-Off

Memorial Day has always felt like the first day of summer for me. We spend it around the pool, with the smell of barbecue wafting in the air. My children are giddy with excitement, knowing that school will be over in a week or two and then they will truly be free.

However, with the kick-off of summer comes summer worries. Back in the olden days when I was a kid, sunscreen was a novelty. Each year, my skin would burn, and then peel, before turning into an acceptable tan. I was still susceptible to sunburn as the summer wore on, especially on those days we spent sun up til sun down at the beach. My older sister, slathered in baby oil, would develop a deep, dark tan without my hazards. How I envied her.

Today we have lotions that tout 80+ SPF, and you'd think we were wearing invisible armor when out in the sun. Yet, skin cancer rates have not gone down. What's up with that? Perhaps the ingredients in many sunscreens are just as bad for us as the sunburns they are meant to prevent.

Sunburn

Sounds like a catch-22. What's a mom to do? This year, I'm going to try an all-natural, homemade sunscreen. Coconut oil naturally has sun-blocking properties, as well as several essential oils.

Sunscreen

1 oz. Coconut oil (fractionated is fine)

5-10 drops helichrysum, myrrh, roman chamomile, or lavender essential oil

Use a little more essential oil per ounce at the beginning of summer, when you are not yet used to the sun, and a little less once your skin has become habituated.

Now, I have some very fair-skinned children who seem to get a sunburn no matter what I do. For them, I keep a spray bottle of distilled water and 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil on hand. I just spritz it on the burn, and it soothes and helps rapidly heal the skin.

Enjoy your Memorial Day, and remember to take a moment with your family to remember the real reason for this holiday, the men and women who serve our country and put their lives on the line to give us the freedoms that are uniquely ours.

20 Health Benefits of Essential Oils

Here's a challenge for you:  Go to your medicine cabinet and pull out the first medication you see.  Read the ingredients, and then read the side effects.  Hm.  Maybe they don't seem so bad.  Or maybe something surprised you.  But what if, instead of a list of warnings, you saw this?

1. Positively affects the psyche
   
2. Supports immune function
   
3. Supplies potent antimicrobials
   
4. Provides natural pain relief
   
5. Reduces inflammation
   
6. Eases stress and anxiety
   
7. Decreases insomnia
   
8. Rejuvenates skin
   
9. Protects against colds and influenza
   
10. Soothes digestive disorders
    
11. Improves the circulatory system
    
12. Promotes optimal endocrine function
    
13. Supports the urinary system
    
14. Soothes burns, sunburns, minor cuts, and scrapes
    
15. Supports muscles and bones
    
16. Provides oral and dental care
    
17. Nourishes and strengthens hair
    
18. Improves mental clarity
    
19. Protects against cancer
    
20. Provides safe and natural alternatives to household cleaners
    

Which would you choose?  That's why I always choose essential oils as my first line of defense for my and my family's health care.

doTerra Medicine Cabinet Makeover

Essential Oils 101

As essential oils gain in popularity, I get a lot of questions from people just starting out.  What do you need to know about essential oils?

Essential Oils are the aromatic liquid extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other parts of a plant. They are highly concentrated and are 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs.

Essential Oils possess complex constituents that are highly beneficial to wellness.

Essential Oils kill viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses because they cannot penetrate the cell membrane. Due to their size and make-up, essential oil molecules can penetrate cells to kill bacteria and viruses.

Essential Oils are science-based. There are many clinical studies that show the efficacy of essential oils. Many synthetically produced pharmaceutical products are inspired by essential oils.

Essential Oils are a natural way to take care of our health. They have similar properties to synthetic drugs with no side effects.

Essential Oils can be used aromatically, topically, or internally*. Aromatically, they can affect mood, cleanse the air, and open airways. Topically, they give immediate comfort and immune support. They work quickly, as they pass into the blood stream within 30 seconds. They have both systemic and localized results. Internally*, they detoxify the body, improve the digestive system, and support internal organs.

Essential Oils are not all created equal. There is no governing body that determines what constitutes “100% pure.” Avoid those that say “not for internal use.” Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) oils have been rigorously, independently tested for purity and potency.

*Only use essential oils that have been laboratory-tested for purity and potency for internal use.  Refer to the label for instructions.

The Perfect Mother's Day

Mother's Day

I have a confession. You know what I want for Mother's Day? A break from being a mom. Not from the good stuff – I can never get enough of the hugs and kisses and “Mom, you're the best!” I'm talking about the cooking, the cleaning, the refereeing, the unrelenting expectation that whatever the problem, Mom can fix it. My idea of the perfect Mother's Day is instead of an endless chorus of “Mo-om,” I hear “Da-ad” instead.

I've been a parent for almost 21 years, and I have yet to experience even one such day. I suppose I'll have to wait until my youngest leaves the nest – but by then, I imagine my “perfect” Mother's Day won't seem so perfect then.

I guess it's up to me to make sure that my Mother's Day is the kind of day I want. So, I'll curl up in bed while my kids prepare my breakfast (and leave the mess for me to clean later), reading homemade cards and unwrapping gifts made at school. I will take a nap. I'll eat through half the box of chocolates from my husband, and at the end of the day, when the house is finally quiet, I'll slip into a warm bath and be thankful for this beautiful chaos that I'm sure I'll miss one day.

Relaxing Bath Salts

Relaxing Bath Salts

4 cups sea salt, kosher salt, or Epsom salts
5-10 drops essential oil (lavender, Serenity, Whisper, or Balance)
Dried fragrant plants such as lavender or eucalyptus (optional)

Mix ingredients together.  Pour into decorative container for yourself or as a gift for others.  Use a few spoonfuls of salts per bath.

Pocket Hand Warmers

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Pocket hand warmers!

I'm one of those people that does not do well in the cold.  No matter how high I turn up the thermostat, my hands and toes are always frozen.  Here's a great idea to keep warm during these chilly winter days.  And these are the perfect size for stocking stuffers.

Pocket Hand Warmers

Pocket Hand Warmers

flannel fabric
thread
uncooked rice
essential oil (optional)

Cut two pieces of fabric 5 1/2" by 4 1/2".  Sew right sides together, leaving an opening at one end.  Turn right side out and fill with uncooked rice.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  OnGuard and Holiday Joy essential oil blends have a nice Christmas-y smell.  Lavender is always soothing.  And Balance has a nice, woodsy scent.  Sew the open end up, and you are finished.  Include a small card with instructions to heat in the microwave for 1 minute.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of your choice of essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas!

Peppermint Ribbon Cake

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Peppermint ribbon cake!

And on a personal note, my true love and I are celebrating our 23rd anniversary today. :)  True love lasts.

Peppermint Ribbon Cake

Peppermint Ribbon Cake

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
3-4 drops peppermint essential oil*
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies, divided
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon 2% milk

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Transfer 1 cup to a small bowl; stir in the extract, food coloring and 1/2 cup crushed candies.
Spoon 2 cups of remaining batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Carefully top with peppermint batter; do not swirl. Top with remaining plain batter.
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with remaining crushed candies. Yield: 12 servings.

Recipe adapted from A Taste of Home

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils. Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential oil. And be sure to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Lavender Eye Pillow

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A soothing lavender eye pillow!

The scent of lavender helps you fall asleep.  This eye pillow is great for a quick nap, relaxation, to ease a stress headache, or to add scent to your lingerie drawer.  Make some to give away, but be sure to keep one for yourself!

Lavender Eye Pillow

Lavender Eye Pillow

Fabric of choice
Flax seed or dry rice
3-4 drops lavender essential oil

Cut fabric approximately 8" x 10".  Fold in half and sew inside out three sides.  Turn right side out and fill with flax seed or dry rice.  Add lavender oil.  Finish sewing the fourth side.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of lavender essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Peppermint Bark

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Peppermint bark!

This is such a simple, easy way to bring the holiday spirit into your home.  It's a great gift for others, and it's a wonderful treat to add to your cookie platter.

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark

• 12 oz. of high-quality white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
• 5 regular sized candy canes, crushed up
• 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil*

1. Break up peppermint candy into little pieces. Melt the chocolate according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once melted, add the peppermint oil and stir.

2. Pour the melted chocolate out onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and spread out with a spatula or wooden spoon. Sprinkle the peppermint candy chunks on to the chocolate and gently press them in with yours hands.

3. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes or until hardened. Break into pieces and serve or store in the fridge in an airtight container.

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential.  And be sure to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Thin Mint Cookies

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Thin mint cookies!

One of our favorite family traditions is baking and giving cookies.  In years past, I've hosted a cookie exchange.  The rules are simple -- you invite five of your friends and have them each bake 12 dozen cookies.  Then you meet together and divide the cookies amongst you, which means that you each go home with 12 dozen cookies of different varieties.  It's not only fun getting together, but it's a great way to discover new cookie recipes.

Once all our cookies are baked and plated, we don our gay apparel -- which in our case means reindeer antlers.  :)  And then we deliver them to our friends and neighbors, accompanied by our best off-tune rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." 

Thin Mint Cookies

Thin Mint Cookies
Makes 36 cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
•   4-6drops peppermint essential oil*
• 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter

1. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter or margarine until creamy. Add the sugar, and beat until mixed well. Beat in egg and mint extract.
2. Sift flour, cocoa, and salt together into a small bowl. Add flour mixture by halves into creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
3. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface roll dough into two 1 1/2 inch diameter cylinders. Wrap each cylinder in waxed paper, and refrigerate 5 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thirty minutes prior to baking, place both cylinders in freezer.
5. Remove one cylinder at a time, and slice 1/4 inch thick pieces with very sharp knife. Place on cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.
6. Melt 1/4 cup butter or margarine and the semisweet chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Drizzle over warm cookies. Place on wire racks, and let cool and harden completely.   From Allrecipes.com.

What are some of your favorite holiday treats?

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to make sure they are safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Sugar Scrub

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Moisturizing sugar scrub!

Sugar Scrub

Here's a super simple recipe for making a great moisturizing sugar scrub.

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup oil (fractionated coconut, almond, or olive are all good choices)
3-5 drops essential oil

Combine all ingredients together and pour into a decorative container.

Chocolate mint truffle:  add 1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and use peppermint essential oil.  Remember, peppermint is a strong oil, so use sparingly.
Lavender eucalyptus:  use lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.
Dreamsicle:  use Citrus Bliss blend essential oil.

Give this with yesterday's scented bath salts for a Night and Day Spa gift.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Christmas Fudge

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Fudge!  Fudge is a great treat to have on hand for those unexpected carolers, or to give as a gift.  Try this twist on traditional fudge to give it an extra Christmas-y flavor.

Orange or Peppermint Fudge

Orange or Peppermint Fudge

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. evaporated milk
¼ c. butter
¾ c. chocolate chips
1 c. marshmallows
1 tsp. vanilla
6-8 drops peppermint or wild orange essential oil*


In a saucepan combine sugar, milk and butter at medium heat. Boil, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, pour into buttered pan. Cut when cool.  Enjoy!

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to make sure they are safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of  peppermint or wild orange essential oil.  And come back tomorrow for Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas!

Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Christmas potpourri.

This time of year always brings out the kid in me. My mom loved Christmas. There were eight children in our family, and each year, my mother would buy each child ten gifts. You can imagine what it looked like when we came downstairs on Christmas morning to see our tree overflowing with presents. It was magical.

Nothing got me into the Christmas spirit more than my mom's special "Christmas smell," a homemade potpourri simmering on the stove. I remember coming home from school and having the delicious spicy scent waft over me. It was a reminder that Santa was watching, and we all were a little more thoughtful and a little kinder to one another.

I've duplicated the potpourri in my own home, but it does have its setbacks. I can be a bit absent-minded, and sometimes I've forgotten to add water to the pot. Burned Christmas is not quite as appealing. These days, I like to diffuse a couple of essential oils that smell just like Mom's potpourri.

You don't have to have a diffuser to enjoy the aroma of essential oils. I also like to keep a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of my favorite scent to use as a room spray. And I love to sprinkle a couple of drops on a bowlful of pine cones and on my holiday wreath.

Mom's Christmas Potpourri

orange peels
cinnamon sticks
whole cloves

What do you do to get in the mood for Christmas?

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of Holiday Joy.  And come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Sick Day

“Mom, I don't feel so good,” said my Little Monkey, just seconds before he started to throw up on the floor. He looked up at me apologetically, and I think if I hadn't stopped him, he would have started cleaning up. But I could tell he wasn't done, so I whisked him into the bathroom.

While my poor little guy retched, I rubbed his back and smoothed his hair, trying my best to comfort him. In between heaves, he said, “I love you, Mom!” I don't think he has ever meant it more.

In bed with the flu

When he finished, I cleaned him up and made a bed for him on the couch in front of the TV. I rubbed some DigestZen essential oil blend on his stomach, then rubbed some OnGuard blend on his feet. He had a bit of a fever, so I took a cool wet washcloth and added a drop of lavender oil. It seemed to soothe him.

I have spent many, many nights tending one child after another as the stomach flu swept through our family. This time, I planned on nipping it in the bud. I ordered everyone in the house to use the OnGuard, too, and I had it running in the diffuser. I returned to give my son a couple more treatments. By dinner, he felt well enough for a little chicken soup.

I kept him home from school the next day, which annoyed him, because it messed up his perfect attendance. He was back to normal within twenty-four hours – and no one else in the family got sick!

I think that's what I love most about having essential oils in the house. Sure, we still get sick from time to time, but with early intervention, it is short-lived and never very severe. It sure makes being a mom a little bit easier.

The Problem with Pink Eye

“Mom. I think I have pink eye.”

I pried my eyes open to see my Little Thinker standing next to my bed. I inspected his face. Red, goopy eyelid – symptoms universally recognized. Yep, he had pink eye.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is usually more of a nuisance than an actual health concern, but it is highly contagious. So, coming down with a case means a free vacation from school.

I sent him into the bathroom to dab a little lavender and melaleuca around his eye. Then, he ate breakfast and settled in for a video game marathon.

I interrupted his play at lunch time.

“I think it's gone already, Mom.”

Once again, I inspected his face. His eyes were clear. I couldn't even tell which one had been a problem. We put the oils on a couple more times, to be sure.

I checked one more time before bed. Everything was just fine.

“Maybe I should stay home one more day, just in case,” my Little Thinker said hopefully.

Nice try, sweetie. Nice try.

*****

Don't forget, you can e-mail me for a free sample of any of the essential oils mentioned on my blog.

Oil of the Month!

The oil of the month (drum roll, please) is...

Cassia!

Cassia (cinnamomum cassia) may seem like an unusual essential oil, but you are probably more familiar with it than you think. Cassia is from the cinnamon family and is very similar to cinnamon essential oil.

Cassia oil is a great mood lifter. You've probably noticed this anytime you've been baking cinnamon rolls. Adding a drop of cassia essential oil to a citrus oil like wild orange is a wonderful pick me up.

Cassia essential oil is anti-viral and anti-microbial. It is great for fighting colds and the flu. Add a drop to your favorite tea to help kick your illness faster. Because it fights the illnesses that cause fever, it is also a good fever reducer.

Cassia is a warming oil, which is wonderful leading into winter. Rub a drop between your palms or add a drop to warm tea or water. It is also beneficial for circulation. Perhaps that is why it helps loss of libido and sexual disorders such as frigidity and impotence. You could add a small amount to your favorite massage oil for a warming and sensual sensation. Cassia oil is also helpful for rheumatism and arthritis.

Cassia essential oil is very good for digestive issues, especially diarrhea. Because it is microbial, it curbs the growth of microorganisms in the digestive tract which protects against diarrhea and dysentery. It is carminitive, which means it gives relief from gas forming in the intestines and stops further formation of gas.

Cassia essential oil is also beneficial for menstrual cramps, helps stop hemorrhaging by contracting the blood vessels, strengthens gums and hair roots, tightens muscles and lifts skin.

Use caution with cassia essential oil, as it can produce irritation and sensitization in skin. It is not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing.

Cassia essential oil is on sale now, 10% off during the month of October, 2011. Click here to order. You may also e-mail me for a free sample.

Bluesy

My Little Monkey came home from church the other day looking a little melancholy.  Usually, he's optimistic and happy, kind of mischievous and always looking to get a laugh out of you.  But this time his shoulders slumped a little and he was very quiet.

Worried, I asked him if anything had happened at church -- Did anyone hurt your feelings?  Did you get into trouble?  No, no, he assured me.  Nothing like that.  He just felt a little bluesy for no good reason.

Citrus Bliss

What do you do when your go-to guy for cheering people up needs cheering himself?  My hugs and hovering weren't helping.  I remembered that citrus oils are helpful for lifting your mood.  I'd used them a few times myself during my down days.  They rank right up there with chocolate.

So, I got one of my little plastic inhalers and added a few drops of Citrus Bliss blend essential oil to it.  I gave it to him, and told him that whenever he felt kind of sad, he could twist the cap and take a whiff of it to feel better.  He tried it, and gave me his lovey smile, then slipped it into his pocket.

I noticed him pulling it out of his pocket and sniffing throughout the rest of the day.  I don't know if it was the oil that helped, or just having a small talisman reminding him that his mother loves him, but his spirits did seem to lift little by little.  Soon, he was playing videos games and laughing with his brother, just like normal.  He gave me a hug before bed and said thanks.

"Can I take some of this to school?" he asked.

Of course.  I can't be there to shield him from every disappointment, bump and bruise throughout his days.  But with Citrus Bliss in his pocket, a little part of me can.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of Wild Orange essential oil today.