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.

Honored!

Thank you to Courtney at My Brown Eyed Girl for honoring me with the Versatile Blogger award!

By accepting this award I agree to do the following:

• Thank the blogger who awarded me with a link back to him/her.
• Share seven things about myself.
• Pass the award on to seven other newly discovered blogs.

So, without further ado, here is the dirt on me:

1.  My first car was a semi-classic, 1970 Ford Mustang with a 351 Cleveland engine.  It was very fast.  What were my parents thinking?
2.  I love watching What Not to Wear.  That show has transformed my wardrobe from frumpy mommy to hey, you look pretty good for __________.  (Fill in the blank -- your age, having six kids, etc.)
3.  My favorite musician is Joseph Arthur.
4.  My grandmother taught me how to body surf.
5.  I enjoy cooking ... but only if I don't have to.
6.  I've written a novel.  It remains unedited, in a box under my bed.  I'm working on my second novel, which I hope to make into a series.  Look for it in stores near you sometime around 2017.
7.  I have a bachelor's degree in Zoology.  And come to think of it, it is kind of a zoo around here.

Now check out these great new blogs that I've discovered!

Tesa at 2 Wired 2 Tired
Miranda at Not Super...Just Mom
Erica at Off My Mama Rocker
Ashley at My Front Porch Swing
Daria at Mom in Management
Samantha at Life As Wife
Jen at Buried with Children

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.

Flops

I get ambitious sometimes.  I'll see a great idea on the internet and think, hey, my kids would love that!  I'll give it a try, and sometimes it works out great.  I'm a hero.  Sometimes, however, it doesn't turn out exactly the way I'd like it to.

Hershey's Kisses Acorns

For example, I saw a really cute snack idea in a Family Fun magazine.  Hersheys' Kisses acorns.  Like this: 

See?  It doesn't look that hard, does it?  Hershey's Kisses, mini vanilla wafers, and a little chocolate frosting.  What could go wrong?  Well, my Man Child went shopping for me, and he couldn't find the mini vanilla wafers, so he got the regular-sized. 

OK, I thought, maybe we could substitute mini Ritz crackers instead.  He brought some home, and they were still too big.  I tried it anyway, and asked my Little Fashionista what she thought they were.  She gave me her best dumb blonde look and a big, "Huh?"

Likewise, I had great plans for my blog post today.  I was going to make homemade peppermint patties, taking pictures step-by-step, and then wow you with my cleverness. 

It sounds easy enough.  You take some coconut butter, add a little Stevia or powdered sugar and a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil.  Make patties and cool in the fridge while melting the chocolate.  Dip, cool, and done.

Peppermint Patties

Yeah.  But I couldn't find coconut butter and decided to make my own.  Supposedly, you put coconut chips in a blender for ten minutes and it magically turns into coconut butter.  Unless, I discovered, your blender isn't powerful enough.  Then, the motor starts to smoke and you find little flecks of melted plastic in your ground coconut.

I'm not giving up yet.  I just need to find some coconut butter.  Or buy a really good blender.

****

Do you have any good after-school snack recipes to share?

Comments Fixed

Thank you to all my new followers!  And I've been notified that my comments weren't working; I have them fixed now.  Now you'll be able to share your own adventures with me.  And I have no more excuses for the crickets chirping. :)

The Best Motivation Video

It's OK to let our kids fail sometimes.