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.

Best Father's Day Ever

If you were to ask me what I'd like for Mother's Day, the list might look something like this:

* Flowers
* Chocolate
* Jewelry
* Mani/Pedi
* Dinner out
* Cookware
* Gardening supplies

Now, if you were to ask my husband what he'd like for Father's Day, the list would look more like this:

* Food
* Sex

Ah, men.  They're so easy to please, aren't they?  Well, here are a few recipes to help make this the best Father's Day ever.



Blender Salsa

½ sweet onion
½ red onion
2 serrano peppers
1 jalapeño
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tomato
3 large red tomatoes (quartered)
2 Roma tomatoes (halved)
5 tomatillos
1 green bell pepper (quartered)
1 bunch of cilantro
Garlic salt
2 drops dōTERRA lime essential oil
2 drops dōTERRA cilantro essential oil

Add all ingredients to your blender. Puree ingredients until smooth. Leave the lid on your blender 5 minutes after blending. Pour and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
 

Chocolate Mint or Chocolate Orange Brownie Frosting

 

½ cube butter softened

3 c powdered sugar

3 Tbsp milk

3 Tbsp cocoa

3-6 drops peppermint oil (To Taste)
Or
3-6 drops Orange Oil (To Taste)

Mix together until well blended. Frost over your favorite cooled brownie recipe.

 Sugar and Spice Sensual Massage Oil 

 8 drops Sandalwood essential oil
3 drops Orange essential oil
2 drops Patchouli essential oil
1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil
1 drop Ginger essential oil
1/4 cup (60ml) carrier oil of your choice such as apricot, jojoba, fractionated coconut, or sunflower oil.

Combine the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. (I recommend using one with an oil or lotion dispenser cap so you don't accidentally pour it all over everything in the excitement of getting a massage.)

Wait at least 24 hours after blending to let the mixture 'cure'. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place. Use within three months.

Enjoy!  Happy Father's Day!

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!

Bug Off!

Bug Off!

With the summer heat come unwanted visitors. I'm not talking about your in-laws (I'm sure you have lovely in-laws)  – I'm talking about bugs. Whether it's ants invading your backyard picnic or mosquitoes crashing your garden party, you want to find a way to banish them forever.

Everyone loves being outdoors, but nobody likes becoming lunch for pesky bugs that can ruin your camp out in the woods. Even more dangerous than an itchy bite are the nasty pathogens insects can transmit. To prevent the spread of insect-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus, experts recommend using an effective insect repellent.

You could turn to sticky, smelly, toxic bug repellent. Most common repellents are products that contain DEET, a powerful and toxic chemical that is known to cause negative side-effects, including seizures. Or you could choose an all natural alternative.

DoTerra’s TerraShield™ Repellent Blend is an all-natural, super-concentrated insect repellent formulated with a proprietary blend of 15 Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils that have been scientifically shown to repel insects more effectively than other synthetic insect repellents. The 15 essential oils in TerraShield are blended in a base of 100% pure fractionated coconut oil leaving your skin renewed after each application. TerraShield’s fresh, light citrus smell is wonderfully invigorating and can be used safely by everyone in the family without worry.

TerraShield is 10% off through June 30, 2012. Shop our products here.

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.

Every Day Heroes -- A Mother's Day Tribute

I received this e-mail from my mother, and I had to share.  She says,

"This is a Mother's Day tribute from the daughter of one of my friends who passed away last year.  My friend is Rita Schroeder and she was diagnosed with cancer four years ago.  It is not only a beautiful tribute to Rita, but to the impact all mothers have on their children, each in our own ways.  Rita's was though music.  Makes me stop and think about what gift did I give my children.  Sometimes I think we overlook our strengths and focus mostly on our weakness.  This mother's day, I hope you remember all the good you did and why you are loved.  Happy Mother's Day. "

Thank you, Mom, for sharing this and for all you have done for me over the years.  I still strive to be as good a mother as you each day.

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.

Nip It In the Bud!

Sick Kids

A tale of two sicklies:

Last night, my Little Monkey wasn't feeling very well.  He had a little bit of a fever, and he said he felt like throwing up.  I pounced with my oils -- rubbed some DigestZen blend on his tummy, some OnGuard blend on his feet, and a little PastTense blend on the back of his neck for his headache.

Ms. Grace, my teenager, also complained of a tummy ache, but we didn't connect the dots.  I attributed it to swallowing too much water (she plays water polo).  I suggested she use some DigestZen, but I didn't follow up.  She fell asleep on the couch before she used any oils.  Again, I thought it was just being worn out from water polo.

My Little Monkey slept well and woke up feeling much better.  He still has a little bit of a fever, but he's active and playing video games with his brother.

His sister?  Not so lucky.  She woke up vomiting in the middle of the night.  She was still very feverish and listless this morning.  Better late than never, she got some DigestZen and OnGuard and has been sleeping it off today.

Now, back in the day, I would be trembling with fear, bracing myself for a nasty stomach flu making its way through all eight of us.  But this time, I'm spritzing lemon oil water in every room, diffusing OnGuard in the main living area, and  making sure everyone, including those of us still healthy, are getting doses of OnGuard.

Getting sick is a miserable thing.  Thankfully, my oils let me nip it in the bud so we can all get back to normal.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.

Slim N Sassy

Oil of the Month!

Slim N Sassy Metabolic Blend

Just in time for the most common New Year's resolution: Slim N Sassy metabolic blend is designed to help manage appetite between meals.  It includes a blend of grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, and cinnamon essential oils.

Most unhealthy "diet" potions use diuretics that cause the body to release water, resulting in short-term weight loss -- but also dehydration and other negative health consequences.

Primary Benefits

* Helps your body adjust to reduced calorie intake.
* Helps manage appetite between meals
* Helps calm stomach and gastrointestinal stress related to diet.
* Lifts and elevates mood.
* Encourages healthy hydration.

What makes this product unique?  Slim N Sassy contains no caffeine or other stimulants.  It contains no sugar, so it has zero calories.  It has no artificial colors, flavors, or ingredients.  It is easy to use and with no harmful side effects.

AND... because Slim N Sassy breaks down toxins in fat tissue, it is also effective against cellulite.  Try a Slim N Sassy sugar scrub for a luxuriant way to fight the battle of the bulge.

Lose weight the healthy way!  Slim N Sassy metabolic blend is 10% off during the month of January, 2012.  Visit www.doTerraIE.com for ordering information.

Celebrating the Old and the New

Happy New Year!

Every year as I approach the New Year, I feel as though I'm an out-of-shape marathon runner crawling across the finish line.  I feel such a sense of relief to reach it.  I give myself permission to lay down the burden of all the "good enough," "oh, well," and "oops" moments that have accumulated over the year.  I face the New Year hopefully, believing it will be different this time... somehow.

Well, this year will be different.  Because I'm going to try something new.  I've decided to end the year gently.  Before I celebrate the New Year, I am taking the time to celebrate the old one first.  Here are the things I am contemplating today.

• What have been your personal or business achievements this year?
• What new products, courses, websites, sales strategies, etc have you created or implemented this year?
• What events or training did you attend?
• What books have you read?
• Did you increase your income or pay off some debts?
• Did you move or upgrade anything in your life, home, or business?
• What charitable causes did you support?
  
• Did you make new friends? Or reconnect with an old one?
  
• Did you forgive someone or patch up an disagreement?
  
• Did you exercise or try a new sport?
  
• Did you invest in your marriage or your relationships with your kids?
  
• Did you travel anywhere?
  
• Did you do kind things for yourself for your own self care?
  
• Did you try anything outside your comfort zone?

My resolutions can wait for a day.

What were your greatest accomplishments last year?