Hello! I hope you’re doing fantastic and enjoying the weather. No matter your age, I think we can agree that warmer weather just makes us happier people. The feel of the sun shining on our skin or the smell of freshly cut grass puts me in the best mood! If you suffer with allergies be sure to read my article on natural allergy remedies found here. They have helped so many people, including my own family.
There are so many things to do outdoors right now in this part of spring. If you’re like me you’re also looking forward to the possibilities of summer. We can get out and find a great deal at a garage sale or see our kids or grandkids play in their sporting events. Maybe, you’re getting out camping or fishing or tending your garden. Whatever your outdoor adventures include you’re sure to have to deal with some of the world’s most annoying little creatures. BUGS!
Do you ever wish you could create a safety shield around you to keep them away? For sure! My hand is always raised at that question but the catch here is the word “safety.” Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of most store bought bug repellents and wondered “What are some of these ingredients?” I certainly have and I’ve thought to myself that most don’t sound the least bit natural or safe to use.
Plus, who has time to research that long list?! If you’re like me, you don’t want to take any chances with your or your family’s health. Especially when there are other options that are safe, effective and have additional benefits! Also, they smell great unlike store bought bug repellents that smell awful.
So, “How can I get these natural remedies” you might ask? All you have to do is gather the desired ingredients and spray bottles to make your very own natural bug repellent. I use 2 oz. spray bottles I found on Amazon.com which is hyperlinked in the recipes below for you to easily find. You’ll also see these recipes are very easy to make and are ready to use immediately!
Watch our quick video and then download the info sheet about these oils and a separate pdf if you want to print your own labels.
Here is the printable PDF of these recipes and a Printable PDF of the bottle labels.
We used Avery labels 8160. Here is a link to those as well if you would like:
Avery Address Labels for Inkjet Printers, 1″ x 2-5/8″, 750 Labels, (8160)
*Tip: Adding 1/2 tsp rubbing alcohol to your 2 oz bottle will allow oils and water to blend better.
Continue reading
These are the days. The days many of us have been patiently waiting for through winter. The days when we can get outside and enjoy beautiful weather. It’s when children come outside to play. When people get out to walk their dogs more and go to parks. It just feels so good. So good to get out of our stuffy houses or even just open the windows to let in fresh air. For me, time spent outdoors lightens my soul and gives me an energized youthfulness inside.
And it’s no wonder! There’s scientific research to back it up. Being outdoors reduces stress and blood pressure. It increases endorphin levels and dopamine production leading to an increased mood. Vitamin D is provided by the sun, which also increases our moods. There’s just this amazing happiness provided by the outdoors that can’t be found anywhere else. It makes me feel like this little girl.
But pollen is high this time of year. Sadly, many of us simply watch from indoors with windows closed or buy expensive medications that only last a few weeks, at most. Do you dread even going outside because of your allergies? I feel for you. I really do. Staying indoors would ransack my drive and steal my joy. I don’t know about you, but I count on this time of year to pick me back up after the long dreary winter. It’s not like we all haven’t had to do enough of that in the last year. Am I right?!
So, a friend of mine who struggles with allergies asked me, “Mary, what kind of things would you use if you were struggling with allergies right now?” Right away my mind went back to the basics. Lemon, Lavender & Peppermint. They have such an amazing synergistic effect. Together, they smell just amazing. Not only do they provide allergy defense but they also have additional benefits you can read about further down. So hang tight.
Lemon, Lavender & Peppermint are all 3 natural antihistamines! Combining the three together is like an allergy fighting super power and they complement each other well. Not only can they help get rid of those pesky allergies but they can also leave you feeling refreshed, calm and uplifted. What allergy medication can do that?
If you would prefer to listen to Lemon, Lavender & Peppermint content here is a handy video:
Hello my friend,
We want to welcome you to set up an iTOVi Scan Appointment.
We have some dates available in the next few months to see how this will all work. The appointment only takes about 30 minutes. We will be testing you to see what essential oils could help you the most.
Ingredients:
Method:
Place bones in the pot and cover with water. Add apple cider vinegar. Pre-soak bones for one hour minimum.
After the pre-soak add the remaining ingredients.
Bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 8-12 hours, longer if you have the time to do so. It will give you a richer flavor.
Once time is up turn off the heat and allow the broth to rest in the pot to cool.
Remove bones with tongs and leave any meaty residue in the pot.
Now you have 2 options – strain everything and have a clear broth or have a bone/veggie soup type broth.
You can also make broth in the slow cooker – use the low heat setting.
At bit about bone Broth:
Bone Broth is very healing to the stomach – when you heal the body from the inside out you may notice few problems with all things related to inflammation. Bone Broth also supplies a healthy dose of collogen which is very healing to tendons and joints. This is also a hardy low carb option as part of a weight loss program. Weight loss is often easier when you heal your tummy from the inside out.
Make quick work of this with an Instant Pot
On those days when stopping to cook is a problem this Bone Broth Protein Powder is a good choice:
Essential Oils have many different usages. Knowing what essential oils should be diluted on sensitive skin (S), what essential oils should always be diluted (D) and what essential are safe to use directly on the skin – Neat (N) – is very important.
Along with that information, it is also important to know what Oils can be used where. We have put together a list of Application Methods.
All the oils can be used Aromatically (A) this would mean things like smelling them from the bottle, placing them in a diffuser or applying them to a natural diffuser, like jewelry, reed diffuser or other items. Many oils are safe to use Topically (T) on the skin. Then several essential oils can be used internally (I) if the oils are a Therapeutic grade of essential oils.
| . | SKIN SENSITIVITY | APPLICATION METHODS | . |
|---|---|---|---|
| N - Neat - Can be used topically without dilution | A - Can be used aromatically | ||
| S - Sensitive - Dilute for young or sensitive skin | T - Can be used topically | ||
| D - Dilute - Always dilute before using Topically | I - Can be used internally |
We have put together an extensive chart below for your reference. This Video will help describe some of these details. It will also show you how you can easily use this quick reference chart.
I found this great recipe for a home-made vegetable wash. This is so easy to make and so handy to use. Vinegar and lemon essential oil have many antimicrobial properties so it works well to your vegetables with.
Lemon Essential Oil helps cut through the oily and waxy substances that are used on fruit and vegetables. Some of those substances on the fruits and vegetables are pesticides, some are substances stores use to make the fruit shine and stay fresh-looking longer.
Spray this on your fruit or vegetables and wait a little bit – then wash. The other way is to put a 2 teaspoons in a basin of water and wash fruit with it.
The essential oils tend to float to the top of your spray so be sure to shake well before each use. Unless you emulsify the oils into the baking soda – We will show you how to do that on the video.
Vinegar and Baking Soda are important ingredients to help remove the pesticides from the fruit. While lemon has powerful abilities to kill bacteria.
Essential Oils are Natural, Effective & Safe but most importantly they work with the body to address issues and root causes on a cellular level.
We have put together a short video for you to explain this process.
by Mary Howard RN
Photosensitivity and Essential Oils
When certain essential oils, mostly the citrus oils are exposed to untraviolet light (UVA) they cause inflammation, blistering, reddening and burning to the skin. (1)
Distilled essential oils do not have this side effect. Cold pressed essential oils or Expressed essential oils can be photosensitive to the skin. doTERRA’s citrus essential oils are expressed (cold pressed) so we do need to be careful.
Now the question is how careful? for how long after application?
It is recommended not to use the citrus oils to areas of the skin that will have extended, direct exposure to sunlight within 12 hrs. (1) You can have reactions to sunshine up to 36 hrs after the essential oils have been applied (2)
It is fine to use citrus oil in shampoos. Also if you wash your skin before sun exposure you should be fine.
Some oils are more likely to cause photosensitity that others. For example in a base lotion of 30 ml (2 Tablespoons):
Sauerkraut is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by the formation of natural lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor. During the fermentation process the natura sugars in the cabage leaves are used up leaving a tangy, crunchy, Kraut.
Here is a short video we did that explains what we did and the health benefits.
Our video will show how to make Sauerkraut in a Jar
Petitgrain Essential Oils is used both in colognes and to help create a restful environment before bed.
Petitgrain is from the bark of the bitter orange tree. Petitgrain oil is taken from the tree’s twigs and leaves and steam distilled to produce a refreshing, floral, and herbaceous essential oil. Neroli essential oil is derived from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, and bitter orange essential oil comes from the rinds of the fruit through the process of expression. Petitgrain oil has been used historically for traditional health practices and has been a popular ingredient for the perfume industry since the 18th century.
Due to its chemical makeup, Petitgrain essential oil can be helpful in creating a calm, relaxed environment to promote feelings of relaxation.