DIY Facial Mask

Last Friday, Tiffany taught a class on skin care. The highlight was definitely the DIY Facial Mask. She mixed up the recipe above. She was careful to use a non-metal bowl and utensil. We had two wonderful volunteers. The rest of us were amazed by the results. I went out the next day to Sprouts and purchased one of the ingredients (Bentonite clay). Together, the clay and the vinegar pictured below are about $10. It is amazing how little you use, so it ends up being VERY inexpensive.

 Of course, I already had the Geranium essential oil. It is one of my favorite oils for skin care.

I mixed the recipe up and put the mask on as soon as I had the ingredients. I also put some on my kids' noses. We had it on for about 15 minutes and then washed it off. My skin was flushed and felt warm to the touch for a little over 30 minutes. I have heard that this reaction is a good thing because it is stimulating the collagen. I know for sure that my face was smoother and looked healthier.

Over the last few days, quite a few people from the class rushed right out to buy the Bentonite Clay and Apple Cider Vinegar as well. I'll definitely be doing it again.  

Labels with Recipes

I enjoy making blends, but I really enjoy making stickers for those blends. It seems to make it feel like the roller bottle blends are just a tad more professional with them. I like creating the labels so I might as well share the designs. You can save them to your computer and have them printed by moo.com (http://www.moo.com/us/products/stickerbooks.html). Here are a few:

I started off with this one because it really is the one I use the MOST. I named it Super J Mix after my son. He is very high energy and quite distracted. This roller mix is used on the bottom of his feet (especially his big toe), down his spine, on his wrists and under his nose. I also use it on anyone that definitely needs a good night of sleep. It is just that calming. 

Super J Mix recipe:

15 drops of Vetiver

10 drops of Cedarwood

10 drops of Lavender

2 - 5 drops of Ylang Ylang

2 - 5 drops of Bergamot

Fill the rest with fracionated coconut oil (FCO)

The  Calm the Witch Blend is quite a popular blend. It is plastered all over the internet and I have posted about it on here before. This definitely screams for a label, right?

Where I live, the Spring Sniffles Blend is useful during several months of the year even the fall. It is basically an allergy support blend. It contains 10 drops each of lemon, lavender, & peppermint (LLP) topped off with fractionated coconut oil (FCO). It is best rolled around the sinus areas of the face. 

When someone mentions to me that they haven't been sleeping well because of nightmares, I usually make them the Sleep Well Mix. It has 10 drops of cedarwood (to promote restful sleep), 5 drops of juniper berry (to promote sweet dreams) and is topped off with FCO. I instruct them to roll it on the bottom of their feet starting with the big toes.  

Bug Repellent & Sunburn Spray DIY Recipes

A few weeks ago, Tiffany hosted a make & take class that featured Bug Away Spray and After Sun Spray. She shared the recipes she uses for both. Everyone got a chance to buy the blue bottles and make the items themselves. They were quite a hit and we thought it might be nice to share them on here.

I made labels for the bottles that I decided to share with you for free.  Here are the jpgs:

The best thing to do is to save them to your computer and place an order from Moo.com.  Essential oils aren't particularly friendly with regularly printed labels. This way, you can have high quality stickers with a vinyl coating.  

Memorial Day 2015

4 Tips for Essential Oils Safety

When reading about essential oils, we come across a lot of varying opinions about the safety of them. Through my research, I have decided that it really comes down to following the tips listed in the getting started with essential oils. Because that is a great basis for safety, I haven’t taken the time to write a post specifically on safety.

However, I realized that maybe it is time to explain my personal safety viewpoints. My kids and I have been using essential oils on a regular basis for almost two years. I kicked it up a notch about a year ago and from that point on we use them enough for other people to notice. I can’t tell you how many times random people have told me that one of us smells great or ask us what it is that they smell. I’m pretty sure that not all of them LOVED the scent, but we are definitely noticeable. People that are aware of the oils, even some that don’t use them regularly, have told me that they can always tell when I show up to a place with my kids because they smell us first. This always makes me laugh.  Yes, we are walking diffusers. I definitely put my money where my mouth is. Oils aren’t something that I use every once in a while.

To understand safety, learning about the grades of essential oils is key.  The grades truly determine what the oils should be used for. I made this chart to help clarify this topic.  

Essential oils can be categorized into four different grades. The first two categories are the ones everyone has used probably unknowingly. The lowest grade is for oils that are mostly synthetic. Like the chart indicates, these are used in cleaning products, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, candles, air fresheners and other similar items. Synthetic lavender, lemon and orange are a common scents that come to mind in these products although many others are too. The food grade is next.  It is the only one regulated by the FDA. Examples of these include peppermint candy, vanilla extract, wintergreen gum, spices, drink flavoring, etc.    

The last 2 categories are the ones that people who are interested in essential oils need a basic understanding of.  Like the chart indicates, these are what we think of when we talk about essential oils.  They come in a bottle labeled essential oil. Almost all of them claim to be 100% pure, but Dr. Pappas (a well-recognized chemist specializing in essential oils) has stated that 75% of essential oils on the market are adulterated (impure). The oils that are categorized as therapeutic usually have a label that indicates that they are for aromatherapy use and definitely “not for internal use.” On the other hand, the medicinal grade oils are for aromatic, topical or dietary use.  Here is the FDA’s list of essential oils on their approved list for internal use: FDA List.  

To make safety the least confusing as possible, I recommend mainly focusing on the label. According to Poison Control, their guide to essential oils includes: 

• Use products containing essential oils ONLY for their intended purpose (all about what the label says)
• For medicinal products, use ONLY the amount stated on the label
• For household products, store where children (and pets) cannot see or reach them

Safety with essential oils, for me, comes down to:

1. Read the label 

2. Less more often

3. Use carrier oils

4. Avoid plastics

You can read about the last 3 here: 5 Tips to Getting Started With Essential Oils

For more information on the topic, check out:

Toxicity Myths

How Big is a Drop?

Dilution & Safety

Are Essential Oils Safe?
Bandaids and Essential Oils

The Best Containers For Your Essential Oils

Essential oils are a natural way to infuse your homemade products with aromatic and medicinal uniqueness.  Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from plants and can pack a punch not only in aromatic intensity, but in your container.  To prevent deterioration and permeation, it is imperative that the products containing essential oils are packaged in the right kind of container.  Pure essential oils are very potent.  Care should be taken to ensure they are stored in an airtight container.  All oils have different properties and caution and experimentation should be used in determining what kind of container will work best.  Glass bottles with airtight lids are recommended.  Rubber and plastic containers and cap components can be damaged and deteriorated by pure essential oils.  Prolong the life of your pure essential oils by storing in a cool, dark, dry place.  Citrus essential oils are the most prone to oxidation, so to avoid the damage caused by temperature variation you could store them in your refrigerator if you have the space.  Carrier oils and massage oils will also benefit by being stored in this way.  Both essential oils and vegetable oils do not like extreme or repeated changes in temperature.  Essential oils are moderately volatile and will evaporate fairly quickly so be sure to replace the cap tightly when you have finished using them.  They are also flammable, so keep them away from sources of ignition such as fires, candles, and flames.

Glass is impervious to essential oils and essential oils are not damaged by the glass, so it is the number one choice for storage of your essential oils and the recipes you blend yourself.  It is recommended that you use dark amber or cobalt blue colored glass bottles since this filters out the sun’s ultra-violet light.  Dark amber was always the color of choice, but today dark shades of blue, green, and violet have become popular and they all offer some protection to your oils.  Using clear glass does not harm the essential oils, but it does not offer any protection from the deteriorating effect of any direct sunlight.  Glass mixing bowls, stirring rods and beakers are perfect for stirring and blending oils when you are making lotions and creams.

Some metals can react with various essential oils.  Never store undiluted essential oils in Aluminum as some of them have chemical constituents that can cause the aluminum to be damaged and leach into the oils themselves, particularly strong oils like Cinnamon or Thyme.  Aluminum can be used for products containing “diluted” essential oils.  If you need to use a metal bowl or container, it is best to use a high grade stainless steel.  Stainless steel whisks, spatulas and steel spoons are great for stirring and mixing.  Do not use plastic or wooden spoons.  Stainless steel spray bottles are hard to find and expensive, but there are some available.

Some types of plastic bowls can be used for blending and mixing, but most plastics have a tendency to absorb the essential oils, making it near impossible to clean afterwards.  Undiluted essential oils should not be stored in plastic containers, as some properties in many essential oils will break down the plastic, which can destroy the oil and often cause leakage.  If the oils are diluted with carrier oil, they may be stored in high quality plastic bottles and containers for several months. 

PET or HDPE Plastics can be used to store blended products such as lotion and massage oils.  PET or PETE is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is commonly used for beverage, food and other liquid containers.  PET does not contain BPA or any estrogen-like chemicals.  It is not known to leak any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.  However, as with many plastic products, if reused multiple times, the chemicals can start to break down over time.  PET has the number ‘’1” as its recycling symbol.  PET has a high permeability resistance rating is an alternative to glass for some products as it is less expensive, weighs less, and recycles well.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) has a high density and high chemical resistance  As with PTE HDPE is not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but reuse may cause plastic to begin to break down over time.  HDPE has the number “2” as its recycling symbol.  Once they are used with the essential oils the plastic container may not be able to be used for other scented products because of the absorption of the scent.  Essential oils can ruin rubber, so it is best to use silicone or nylon scrapers to scoop out all of your mixtures. 

If you want to reuse your essential oil bottles be sure to clean them thoroughly.  Be sure to use the hottest water available and some soap or detergent.  Let them soak for a few minutes and then use a cleaning brush to clean the insides to remove any stubborn remnants.  On tiny bottles you can use a Q-tip or a tooth pick.  Rinse with hot water and turn upside down on clean paper towels to drain.

For your bowls and other containers, you can rinse them with hot soapy water and then run them through the dishwasher.  Be certain the majority of the oil has been completely rinsed to avoid damaging the rubber-based parts in the internal workings of your dishwasher.

After cleaning and rinsing, the last thing to do for making sure the residue has been removed from your bottles or equipment is to rinse them with a little alcohol.  Rubbing and denatured alcohol have a lot of water and impurities in them, so you can use a “high proof” alcohol such as a cheap vodka which is odorless and free of impurities.  This high-proof alcohol dissolves and helps remove any residual essential oil or carrier oil that might be left in your bottles or droppers.  It also helps them to dry quickly because of the high alcohol content.  Again let them dry upside down on paper toweling.

Here are some links to sites where these can be purchased:
AromaTools
My Oil Business
Amazon
Specialty Bottle
My Oil Gear

Happy Mother's Day!

Health Risks Of Hand Sanitizers

Over-the-counter hand sanitizers seem such a quick and logical fix to disinfect hands, but when used on a regular basis or improperly they can cause adverse health effects. Health experts recommend washing hands with soap and water whenever possible, but even commercial hand soaps are full of toxic chemicals. Most hand sanitizers are made with potent toxic chemicals for the purpose of killing germs. The majority of hand sanitizers contain 60-90% of either ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, a concentration much higher than what is found in most hard liquors! Therefore, even small doses of sanitizer, when ingested, can cause headaches, dizziness, and slurred speech. Extreme cases of hand sanitizer poisoning include brain damage and death. Hand sanitizer poisoning is most common among children who are drawn to the bright colors and sweet scents. Children who ingest even a small amount of hand sanitizer can become intoxicated and be at risk for alcohol poisoning. 

Parents should teach children to keep hands out of mouths, eyes, ears, and noses when out in public such as at school, at the store, at a friend’s house and so on, and to wash hands immediately upon arriving home as well as frequently as possible. Parents themselves should be models of frequent hand washing as well as doing so for their own health. But, teaching children to keep hands out of mouths is especially important if children use sanitizers at school, at home, at friends’, and so on. It’s also important to keep hand sanitizers out of children’s reach as with any other chemical.

Since hand sanitizers contain a high amount of alcohol they are also highly flammable. Small quantities of hand sanitizer burn "very hot, very quickly" if set on fire. Keep sanitizers out of the hot sun, cars overheated by the sun, and away from incandescent light bulbs and heaters. Should you choose to use hand sanitizers when cooking or grilling make sure hands are completely dry before getting near a hot stove or grill!

Furthermore, due to their high alcohol content, sanitizers can cause dry skin, which in turn means skin can become cracked and broken. Broken skin exposes the body to "the same contagions hand sanitizers are trying to prevent." Do not use sanitizers if you have any open cuts and scrapes on your hands, including hangnails and paper cuts. Sanitizers can irritate cuts and scrapes, which can cause infection, burning, itching, and rashes. Health experts discourage the biting of fingernails or any touching of the mouth and lips with hands after using sanitizers.

Another problem with hand sanitizers is that they may not leave hands completely clean after use. Should hands be visibly dirty or have dirt under the fingernails hand sanitizers will not be very effective. Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for using soap and water, especially if the body is fighting illness. Sanitizers will not clean hands if hands are greasy, wet, or are covered with food residue.so washing hands is important.

Chemical hand sanitizers do in fact kill both the good and the bad bacteria. While, it is good to kill the bad, it is not so great to kill the good. The good bacteria protects our body from infection as well has helping it to fight the bad bacteria. If we get rid of the good, how will we fight the bad?? 

Ultimately hand sanitizers will not protect you from getting sick and some of the ingredients may actually make you sick. So a more preferable way to stay healthy and avoid viral and bacterial infections is to take plenty of natural vitamin C and vitamin D, eat powerful super-foods, drink plenty of clean water and use essential oils to support your body.   

Everyone knows how important it is to have clean hands. Cleaning them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best method but there are times when you could use a quick cleaning.

Most folks would love to have a hand cleaner and hand sanitizer to use when they don’t have access to soap and water. Making your own sanitizer using essential oils is very simple to do. There are many recipes available to make your own.

Common essential oils for use in any type of sanitizer include but are not limited to the following: Tea Tree (aka Melaleuca); Oregano; Thyme; Eucalyptus; Cinnamon leaf; Geranium; Rosemary; Lavender; & Peppermint.

Happy Easter!

It is a good day to diffuse spring scented oils.  I am using uplifting ones - lemongrass and wild orange.

Making Lotion Bars & Lip Balm

A good friend, Sarah, taught us a class on Friday.  She demonstrated how to make lotion bars and lip balm, which she has been doing for several months.  Sarah has been suffering from problem skin on her hands for several decades.  When her hands come into contact with almost anything, she ends up with blisters, cracks, bleeding, and horribly itchy hands.  She wears gloves to clean and do quite a few things because most things including creams from doctors have only made it worse.  She has been reluctant to use anything on her hands.

About six months ago, I suggested that she try coconut oil.  She was hesitant at first, but tested it out and was pleasantly surprised.  Since then, she did some research and started making lotion bars and lip balm.  The lotion bars actually act as a protect-ant so that she is able to do some of the normal things we all do without her gloves.  She decided to share her technique with us last Friday.

First, she melted equal parts of cocoa butter, lip balm and coconut oil.  She poured the melted mixture into molds and chap-stick containers.  Next, 3 -5 drops of essential oils were added.  She swirled them in with a toothpick.  The last step was letting them cool.  Sarah also had a shrink wrap for the chap-stick that was adorable.  We cut out scrapbook paper for a label and melted the shrink wrap around it.  

The lotion bars and lip balm are great for anyone to use.  Some essential oils that soothe skin include helichrysum, juniper berry, thyme, geranium, melaleuca, lavender, and patchouli.  

Chivalry Cologne for Men

For Valentines day, I decided to make up a special cologne for a male family member.  I had the perfume making notes in mind when I started and wanted to incorporate oils from each category (link to perfume post).  I also definitely wanted it to smell masculine and attractive.

Here is my recipe:

10 drops of vetiver
20 drops of white fir
10 drops of clove
5 drops of thyme
25 drops of bergamot
5 drops of lemon
fill the rest with fractionated coconut oil

When I made it, I didn't have plans to share the recipe other than with the person it was for.  However, it seems to be a huge hit.  I gave it a name this evening and decided to post it.  

 

Perfume Making Guide

We just wrapped up a very fun, informative essential oil class on how to create breath and perfume sprays using essential oils.  We felt like chemists making our different concoctions for their therapeutic and just pleasurable benefits.

Perfume making all starts with the classification of notes. Oils from each of the classifications of notes are blended for the best desired perfume.  Base notes consist of large molecules that evaporate slowly.  The scent of these oils are rich and they are not usually perceived until about 30 minutes after it is applied.  Some of these can extend the scent of the perfume to over 24 hours.  Middle notes are often referred to as the body of the perfume. They are usually more mellow and bind the tops notes with the base notes to round out the perfume.  These oils usually appear between 2 - 60 minutes after the application.  The top notes contain small/light molecules that evaporate quickly.  They are the first scents to be perceived.  The citrus oils fall into this category.

Here are a  few DIY "how to" links that we referred to in the class that will give some helpful hints and recipes on getting started on this super simple, fun process!! Once you experiment with some recipes, you will be ready to create your very own unique combinations.  Don't forget to give your trade secret breath sprays and perfumes/colognes a great name!

A few DIY recipe links for Perfume Making:
DIY Essential Cologne
15 Tantalizing Perfume Recipes
Make Perfume

If you are wondering why anyone would go to the effort to make perfumes and colognes, it is more than just a fun hobby or creating a unique scent.  Commercial perfumes are known to have toxic chemicals.  Here are a few links about toxic chemicals in perfumes and colognes:

What's In Your Perfume or Cologne?
Is Your Perfume Toxic?
21 Most Common Chemicals in 31 Fragrance Products
Toxic Perfume Chemicals
Scent of Danger
Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne
  

Essential Oils for Kidney Support

Back in 2003, I started experiencing strange pains in my back. They were easy enough to
ignore, so I did. Not too long after that, I started having sharper pains just below my
stomach on the sides. I remember the time frame, because it started before we came to
Houston for my brother's wedding at Christmas. I mentioned it to my mom. I decided that
it hurt more when I was drinking soda, so I stopped drinking soda.

A month later, the pain increased, so I went to the doctor. He had me pee in a cup. He told
me that nothing was wrong because there were no white blood cells in my urine. I didn't
know what to think about that, so I just left and went about life. Fortunately, the pain didn't
continue hurting too much longer after that.

Fast forward to the spring of 2008. I had a toddler and little baby only a few months old,
when I started having the same pains again. This time, they were MUCH worse. One
Saturday, we went to a party for a friend's son. On the way back, I was in excruciating
pain. I called my mom and she told me that it is probably kidney stones. She told me to
drink lots of water and go to the doctor or hospital. I decided I would call a doctor on
Monday. I am one of those silly people that only go to the doctor if I am on my death bed,
so you can only imagine what it would take to get me to go to the emergency room at
midnight. Apparently, a tiny (4mm) kidney stone will do the trick.

There is a reason that most people compare this pain to giving birth. I had just given birth a
few months before, so it was easy to compare. I can tell you that I would rather give birth
because at least you get something positive out of that agonizing experience. The hospital
gave me a CT scan and a prescription for pain killers. I left the hospital not feeling any
better. Pain killers may be great for someone who feels like they are dying of pain, but not
the best thing for a woman who is nursing a baby. The next few days were less than fun for
me. Trying to pass that huge stone was NOT pleasant. I visited a urologist after that and it
all came down to the fact that I don't drink enough water.

Fast forward again to 2013. Do you see a pattern here? It is not that I wasn't trying to
drink more water. I guess I am just not that successful at it. This time, as soon as the
pains started, I knew exactly what it was. I also knew that if I went to the doctor, I'd most likely be
told to drink lots of water and let it pass. I looked up remedies online and came across the
olive oillemon juice remedy. I put 2 TBS of olive oil and another TBS of lemon juice in a
shot glass and downed it. The pain subsided rather quickly. When it came back, I did it
again.

I also mentioned my kidney pains to a friend, Tiffany. She had recently started
using essential oils and was kind enough to give me my first bottle of lemon oil. She told
me to add a drop or 2 to my water to support my kidneys. Within a few days of doing these 2 things, my pain was gone. I finally felt like I had a good solution.

I guess I have to wait to 2018 to see if the pattern is completely broken, but I am doing my part to support my kidneys in the mean time. I drink lemon oil in my water on a regular basis, which
makes drinking water more appealing.

I have mentioned what I have used and liked. There are other great oils to support kidney function including lemongrass, cinnamon, juniper berry, clary sage, wild orange, rosemary and coriander.

Ramping Up Romance with Essential Oils

Happy Valentines Day!

In honor of this special day of romance, I'm posting about how you can use oils to ramp up your romance.  I, like most women, have close friends that share some of the more intimate details of their lives.  Fortunately, this kind of sharing helps us come up with ideas and share solutions for issues.  One of these topics is definitely romance in the bedroom.

Men, in general, tend to be more amorous. They are very physical and visual. It usually doesn't take a lot to get them in the mood. Although, men have issues too or drugs like Viagra wouldn't be a household word.  

Women seem to have lots of things that become obstacles for feeling that desire.  Some of these obstacles could be related to stress, fatigue, worry, anxiety, feeling ugly or fat, sensory overload from kids, etc.

No matter what the difficulty is, people crave love and romance, so this post is dedicated to ramping your love life up.  Here are some oils that can do that:

1. Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon Bark is often called the Oil of Sexual Harmony. I put it at the top of the list because it nurtures healthy sexuality.  It invites people to be genuine and unguarded so that pure intimacy can surface.  This is a good one to diffuse because it helps to normalize amorous feelings, whether that means increasing or decreasing feelings.

2.  Ylang Ylang

This oil is on my list because it encourages play and joy.  It allows emotional mending to progress while healing the heart.  Ylang ylang is commonly used as an aphrodisiac as well as for exhaustion, hormonal balance, and libido.

3. Wild Orange

I am listing wild orange because it adds fun, joy, relaxation, and energy into life.  It assists individuals to give without thought of benefit.

4. Blend for Women

This blend is one of my favorites.  It has patchouli, bergamot, sandalwood, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, vetiver, ylang ylang, geranium and others. This blend helps women and men connect with their feminine side and encourages flexibility.

5. Grapefruit

Grapefruit oil is often used as an appetite suppressant or weight loss, but it is also known as the oil of Inner Beauty. It inspires individuals to discover feelings of self-worth and acceptance of physical appearance.

6. Geranium

Geranium oil definitely belongs on this list because it is the Oil of Love & Trust.  It mends the heart and instills unconditional love as well as cultivating trust. Some people are more logically minded and this oil helps to nurture the warmth in the heart.

7. Bergamot

Bergamot happens to be one of my favorite oils.  I love the way it smells and I am definitely drawn to it.  It is also known as the Oil of Self-Acceptance.  This oil encourages optimism and diminishes feelings of gloom and low self-esteem.


Reading through the list of oil and what kinds of feelings they generally foster, it is apparent why these would help with romance.  I hope you try them and smile more.  

       

Health Benefits of Cherries

Face Map

Just like reflexology, face maps come from Chinese medical practitioners. They swear that internal health issues manifest themselves on the face.  They believe that the face is basically a map of health issues.  This comes from centuries of observations.  Since reflexology is so accurate, I tend to accept their wisdom for face maps at least for adults (teenagers probably have lots of different things going on).  These issues show up as rashes, dark circles and acne. If these are persistent or there is a cluster of pimples in one area, getting to the root of the problem and solving it will improve your health and in turn help your face clear up.  Healing is where oils come in.  I made this diagram of the zones and listed the issues below along with suggested oils.

1. Neck = Illness/Infection

It is believed, that pimples or rashes in this area signal that there is an illness or bacterial infection that the body is fighting.  My first go-to oil would be a blend. I would take it internally in capsules and use 20 drops in my 10 ml roller bottle with FCO on the bottom of my feet. Other oils to consider would be cinnamon, oregano, melaleuca, rosemary, clove and frankincense.

2. Chin = Stomach

The stomach is responsible for disintegrating food using stomach acid.  Oils that help are basil, peppermint, and lemongrass.  These can be taken in a capsule or diluted and applied topically.

3. & 4. Side of the Chin = Hormones/Endocrine System

For support with hormone balance, females usually turn to several different blends for women.  Oils that help with hormones are rose, geranium, ylang ylang, clary sage, jasmine, ginger, fennel, and thyme. Oils for the endocrine system are frankincense, sandalwood, geranium, ylang ylang, clove, lemongrass and rosemary.

5. & 6. Cheeks = Respiratory System

My favorite oil to support the respiratory system is ....respiratory blend.  Other popular oils include eucalyptus, peppermint, white fir, cinnamon, and protective blend.

7. & 8.  Ears = Kidneys

Kidneys are organs that filter waste and extra water from the blood. They convert waste into urine.  They also play an important role in hormone production.  Oils that are used to support kidneys include lemongrass, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and juniper berry.

9. Nose = Cardiovascular System

There are many components to the cardiovascular system.  This system is responsible for transporting blood to the various tissues throughout the body.  Wild orange and cypress are beneficial for the overall system. Other oils include ginger, Ylang Ylang, lavender, lemon and lavender. General circulation can be supported using cypress.  The heart tends to benefit from ylang ylang, marjoram, and geranium.  

10. & 11. Under the Eyes = Kidneys

See 7 & 8

12. Between the Eyes = Liver

The liver helps with digestion, produces cholesterol, removes waste products and old cells from the blood, and metabolizes harmful substances and toxins into harmless chemicals. Oils for supporting the liver include clove, geranium, helichrysum, and digestive blend. Frankincense and myrrh helps too.

13. & 14.  Lower Forehead = Bladder and Digestive System

Lemongrass, rosemary, cypress, juniper berry, and thyme aid with bladder support. The digestive system is comprised of a series of organs and glands. Overall health of the system benefits from peppermint, ginger, lemongrass,and fennel.

DIY Cleaning Supplies

Last Friday, a group of us got together to make cleaning supplies.  We had several different labels to choose from and recipes.  I thought I would share them here.

Here are the recipes:

Here are the labels, in case you are interested in having them printed from moo.com. **By the way, I don't make any money from them.  I just like their stickers.

Natural Sweeteners

More and more people are learning that artificial sweeteners are extremely harmful to your health.  I have read article after article saying the number 1 thing that should not be consumed is diet soda mostly because of the artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are a common ingredient in most processed food. That doesn't mean that we can't eat sweetened food.  We just should be wise about the ones we choose.  My favorites happen to be honey and pure maple syrup.  I found this article by Whole Foods for tips:

No Artificial Sweeteners

Here is a clip from their article:

Exploring Natural Sweeteners
Remember that sweeteners are sweet, natural or not – and are best when eaten in moderation. Unsolicited nutritional advice aside, here’s a rundown on 10 of the natural sweeteners you’ll find in our stores.

Agave Nectar: This popular sweetener comes from the Mexican Agave cactus plant (also used to make tequila). Similar to honey but not quite as thick, it's about 25% sweeter than sugar and is sweeter than honey, too.

Barley malt syrup: Soaked and sprouted barley is dried and cooked down to make a thick syrup. Barley malt is digested slower than other sweeteners so it’s gentler on blood sugar levels.

Cane syrup: A traditional sweetener made from crushing and boiling sugar cane.

Date sugar: Dehydrated dates that are ground into a coarse, granular sugar. The mild flavor works well in recipes and is about 2/3 as sweet as conventional sugar.

Honey: This time-honored syrup comes from flower nectar collected by bees. Honey ranges in flavor and color with the darker varieties being stronger in flavor. Do not feed honey to children less than one year old because it can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that creates the toxin that causes botulism.

Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar: Maple syrup is the boiled down tree sap of the sugar maple tree. Granulated maple sugar is crystalized maple syrup. It’s twice as sweet as white sugar and has a caramel flavor. Both maple syrup and maple sugar are among the least refined sweeteners.

Molasses: This syrup is what remains after the available sucrose is crystallized from sugar cane juice. Light molasses is from the first boiling of the cane, dark molasses is from the second, and blackstrap is from the third. Not as sweet as sugar, it's often combined in recipes with other sugars.

Palm Sugar: Also called coconut sugar, this comes from the nectar of the coconut palm blossom but doesn’t taste like coconut at all. With a lower glycemic index, palm sugar doesn't cause as large a spike in blood sugar as other sweeteners.

Rice syrup: Made in the same way as barley malt syrup and is usually a combination of rice and barley.

Stevia: A powdered extract derived from a Paraguayan plant known as yerba dulce or “sweet leaf.” Certain forms of stevia extract (sometimes labeled as “rebiana” or “reb-a”) are used in food. Stevia is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Food manufacturers are creating unique stevia extracts to solve for it’s slightly bitter aftertaste. Some blend it with other sweeteners like monk fruit and erythritol (a sugar alcohol) with good results.

If you’re looking for a little something extra, some spices — such as cinnamon, vanilla and cardamom — can add a quality of sweetness without adding actual sugar.

Antiperspirant Makes You Smell Worse???

My friend, Tiffany, has spent the last few years cutting back on products that are filled with toxins.  One of the products she has been focusing on is deodorants and antiperspirants.  She has been testing out different recipes.  My brother has also been doing some mixing of his own.  I have been waiting to see if they come up with a real winner before I jump on board.

I saw this video today & thought of them:



I guess that makes me think a little more seriously about trying a recipe.  Here is one that another friend recommended:

I also found this promising blog post with a recipe & instructions:

Homemade Deodorant

Basic Guide to Essential Oils for Foot Reflexology

Most of us like a nice foot rub.  By providing a basic map of the foot (aka reflexology) and suggested essential oils, a simple foot rub could evolve into an amazing foot massage. This should help:

Plastic Microbeads

Back in the middle of September, quite a few news stories were done about harmful little microbeads that are in some of the top toothpastes.  Here is one of the articles:

Dental Discovery May Prompt You to Change Your Toothpaste

I copied this interesting little quote from the article:

Dentist Justin Phillip said the microbeads shouldn't be anywhere near your mouth.
“They’ll trap bacteria in the gums which leads to gingivitis, and over time that infection moves from the gum into the bone that holds your teeth, and that becomes periodontal disease, Phillips said. “Periodontal disease is scary.”

Not only are the microbeads in toothpaste, but they are used in face wash to help with exfoliation.  While some people are bothered by possible health issues, others hate what the microbeads are doing to the environment.  They are polluting waterways.  Here is a video clip explaining:


Beat the Bead from 5 Gyres on Vimeo.

I don't consider myself an environmentalist.  I recycle my garbage and if I hear or read that something is particularly bad, I avoid it.  I can tell you that these beads are not necessary in products.  In fact, there are plant based products that are actually more effective and provide positive healthy solutions.  Don't settle.

Increase Your Energy Naturally

I know I am not the only one, at least around here, that tends to want to hide-out and hibernate in January and possibly February. I believe that most of it has to do with a slight aversion to chilly weather. My house just feels so cozy compared to the chills I'll get outside. I can't complain about it too much because I live in Texas and it certainly isn't bone chilling or frost bite causing weather. Besides the cold, I think the holidays tend to be a bit overwhelming. I may not feel like that while I am preparing or enjoying them, but I certainly feel that way in January when I just want to take it easy.

Because of this slower pace, I think it is the perfect time to do a post on natural ways to boost your energy.

1. Don't Skip Meals (especially breakfast)

It is not a good idea to skip meals on a regular basis. I know several people that skip breakfast and lunch every day and then go overboard from 3 to 9 pm, because they are starving. Keep your metabolism revved up with protein and fiber. Start your day off with eggs and fruit. Several years ago, I read a study about how adding an egg to your morning meal lowers your calorie count for the day.  People tend to eat less throughout the day if they have had an egg for breakfast. After that, I became a much bigger fan of eggs for breakfast. I am also a huge fan of fruits and vegetables in a person's diet. Juice them, eat them raw, cook them or whatever you can to increase your plant intake all day long. Those macro-nutrients are vital.

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

The average adult should be getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Your body needs that time to relax, heal and regenerate. I know that there is never enough time in the day to get everything done, but at least shoot for 7 hours of sleep even if that means you leave a few things undone until tomorrow.

3. Stay Hydrated

I have to admit that this is a huge challenge for me. I think I spent most of my school years training myself not to drink so that I didn't have to take many bathroom breaks. There just wasn't enough time.  Now, I feel like I have to make conscious efforts to even remember to drink water. Adult ladies need roughly 8 - 11 cups of water a day. Warm weather or exercising would of course increase that requirement. Adult males need about 10 - 16 cups.

4. Take a Brisk Walk

A little walk is a quick way to get the heart pumping and the blood flowing.  I think it is even better if you can do it outside so you get the benefit of fresh air and hopefully sunshine.

5. Consider Supplements

Deficiencies in magnesium, iron, iodine, niacin, vitamin B & D, and several others have been linked to lower energy levels along with many other issues. I have been taking supplements made by the essential oil company that I use. I take half of the recommended dose and they still really boost my energy levels. I shared some with my sister last summer and she noticed the increased energy immediately. She now takes them too.

6. Avoid things that cause a spike and then crash

When aiming for an overall more energetic way of life, it is best to avoid things that cause a spike or rush of energy because a crash usually follows. This includes caffeine, cigarettes, drugs, and even sugar (10 Disturbing Reasons Why Sugar is Bad).

7. Essential Oils

In case you were beginning to wonder, there are certainly oils that help with increasing energy levels.  Energizing oils include lemon, peppermint, sandalwood, white fir, spearmint, and wild orange. Applying them topically or diffusing them can really enhance a persons energy level.

Happy New Year!

May 2015 be full of amazing opportunities and healthy habits.