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

A bottle of...

Frankincense has a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one's spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks.

Some of the main uses of Frankincense:
It slows the signs of aging, it can aid in maintaining normal cellular regeneration, it supports skin health, it calms the body and mind, it helps overcome despair and occasional depressed moods, it boosts immunity, it supports and promotes a healthy immune system, and it supports and promotes healthy lung function.

Frankincense is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God.  Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness.  The gift of Frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.

"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  Matthew 2:11

I pray everyone has a very Merry Christmas and may you always remember the reason we celebrate!

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

A bottle of...

Christmas Spirit is a sweet, spicy blend of orange, cinnamon, and spruce essential oils that tap into the happiness, joy, and security associated with the holiday season.  With Christmas Spirit on hand, simply open a bottle and start diffusing.

For aromatic use. Diffuse or sprinkle on logs in the fireplace, on Christmas trees, on cedar chips for dresser drawers, or on potpourri. Use all year round.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Eve!!

"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."  
Isaiah 61:3

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

A bottle of...

Myrrh has a rich, smokey, balsamic aroma that is purifying, restorative, revitalizing, and uplifting.  It is a helpful aid to meditation, having one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes available.  Sesquiterpenes are a class of compounds that have a direct effect on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, the seat of our emotions.  Today, myrrh is widely used in oral hygiene products.

Obviously, I added Myrrh to my twelve oils of Christmas because it was given to Baby Jesus, at his birth, by the Magi (along with Frankincense and Gold). So, Myrrh and Frankincense were considered luxury items used by the wealthy and highly regarded next to gold.

Myrrh is also highly regarded for its effect on the skin. Since the Egyptians it has been used to maintain healthy skin, prevent skin aging and sooth chapped or cracked skin. It is great in a homemade face lotion combined with coconut oil, shea butter, frankincense, and lavender!

You can use Myrrh as a dietary supplement by putting two drops in a capsule and taking it as needed.  You can also apply 2-4 drops (undiluted) to desired area.  You can also diffuse it as desired!

Myrrh was combined with wine as an analgesic offered to Jesus on the cross:

"Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it."
Mark 15:23

So I encourage you, during this Christmas season, to not only remember Jesus' birth, but why he was born.  He was born to live like us and then die like us, so that he could be a fair and just High Priest:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:19-25

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

A bottle of...

Evergreen Essence has a refreshing, crisp scent that is invigorating and emotionally strengthening.  With an arrangement of popular evergreen trees, the scents of pine, fir, and spruce complement one another and may assist in the release of occasional emotional blocks.  Refreshing to the sense, Evergreen Essence may bring a feeling of balance, peace, and security.  The relaxing scent may also help clear the mind for a calming sense of meditation and reflection.  
Not to mention it smells like a Christmas tree!!!  At this stage in life, being on a low budget and having two small children, we are just not able to get a real Christmas tree each year.   So, we have a tiny little fake one that we put up on a table every year.  Evergreen Essence is going to be a staple Christmas oil for us to help it feel like we have a real Christmas tree up.  That was always one of my favorite smells growing up and it brings back so many memories!  I want my boys to start getting used to that smell, so that when we are able to get a fresh tree it will already be a scent they remember!

Interesting Fact:

Evergreen trees can grow up to 220 feet tall and 14 feet wide!

"The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious."  Isaiah 60:13

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

A bottle of...

Clove has a sweet, spicy fragrance that is stimulating and revitalizing. An important ingredient in Young Living's Thieves blend due to its wonderful immune-enhancing properties, its principal constituent is eugenol, which is used in the dental industry to numb the gums. Clove is the highest-scoring single ingredient ever tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale. It can also soothe toothaches, stop bad breath, ease nausea and vomiting, improve digestion, relieve joint pain, improve respiratory conditions, ease headaches and earaches, treat acne, and fight stress. Clove may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.

I love the smell of clove.  Yet another smell that reminds me of the holidays. I used to boil orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks on the stove to give off a yummy Christmas smell but now I just diffuse my oils!  

Always dilute clove for topical use because it is a hot oil.  Dilute it 1:4 with a carrier oil and apply to location needed (including gums or mouth).  For a tickling cough you can put a drop on the back of the tongue.  You can also diffuse for a yummy smell.

Interesting Fact:
The people on the island of Ternate were free from epidemics until the 16th century, when Dutch conquerors destroyed the clove trees that flourished on the islands.  many of the islanders died from the epidemics that followed.

"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him." Mark 16:1

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

A bottle of...

Joy is a luxuriously exotic blend with uplifting overtones that creates magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart, mind, and soul. When worn as cologne or perfume, Joy exudes an alluring and irresistible fragrance that inspires romance and togetherness. When diffused, it can be refreshing and uplifting.  It can also ease occasional depressed moods, ease bodily tension and stress, and help relieve cramping and moodiness associated with menstrual cycle.

I love joy essential oil so I just had to put it in my 12 oils of Christmas, and who doesn't want a little Joy during the Christmas season!?  I put this over my heart most mornings to give myself a little extra joy throughout the day.  I might put a double dose on through the holidays ;-)

Joy is made up of Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Bergamont, Tangerine, Palmarosa, Geranium, Coriander, Jasmine, Lemon, and Rose.

It really is a beautiful scent and one I use as my perfume often.

You can dilute is 1:15 with a carrier oil for a full-body massage, put 2 drops on a wet cloth and put it in your clothes dryer, put 4-8 drops on a cotton ball and put it on your vents, diffuse it, directly inhale it, add 2-4 drops to bath water, and/or apply it over your heart, thymus, temples, or wrists.  

"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."  Hebrews 1:9

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

A bottle of...

Nutmeg has a sweet, warm, spicy scent similar to the spice commonly used in cooking. Comforting and soothing, nutmeg helps boost energy. It also supports nervous and endocrine systems and prostaglandin balance.  It also supports a healthy digestive system and can be used for occasional nausea, flatulence, and diarrhea.

Who doesn't like a little sprinkle of nutmeg on their eggnog?  Oh my, i just love nutmeg.  It is so fun to bake with, especially around Christmas!   Hence, the reason it's in my top 12!

Another fun fact:  Nutmeg is contained in Hildegard's Medicine Book.  Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was known as the first herbalist and naturopath of the middle ages.  Her book documented over 12,000 remedies for symptoms and diseases.

To use, dilute Nutmeg 1:1 with a carrier oil then apply a few drops to locations needed or vitaflex points.  You can also inhale directly, diffuse, or use as a dietary supplement.

"Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment."  Luke 23:56

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

A bottle of....

Peppermint has a strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, it may also restore digestive efficiency.* It has a supportive effect on the liver and respiratory systems. It may improve taste and smell when inhaled. Could improve concentration and mental sharpness.  It has the ability to directly affect the brain's satiety center, which triggers a sensation of fullness after meals. 

Peppermint can also aid the relief of heartburn and nausea, minimize joint and muscle discomfort, help with occasional headaches, boost stamina, and repel against common insects, bugs, and rodents.  Peppermint may also be used to enhance the flavor of food and water.

The reason I picked it to be in my 12 oils of Christmas because who can think of Christmas and not think of candy canes and peppermint bark!?  YUM.  This year, I might just try to make my own peppermint bark with my peppermint essential oil!  Why not?  

Other fun facts:
- It takes 1 lb of peppermint plant to make one bottle of essential oil.
- One bottle of Young Living's peppermint oil is roughly 4 times more concentrated than peppermint extract (extract is liquid alcohol flavored with peppermint).
- You can substitute 1/8 tsp of peppermint oil for every tsp of peppermint extract.
-Peppermint is a naturally occurring hybrid between watermint and spearmint plants.

This powerful essential oil is often diluted before topical application because it is a "hot" oil.

To use you can dilute one part peppermint oil to two parts carrier oil and massage into abdomen, temples, or other location.  You can also inhale it directly, diffuse it for a yummy peppermint scent, or take it as a dietary supplement.

You can inhale it 5-10 times a day to curb appetite!

"Is anyone sick among you?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."  James 5:14

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

A bottle of....

Ginger Essential Oil has a warm, spicy fragrance that is energizing. Ginger is another scent that makes me think of Christmas!  Hello....GINGER BREAD!  Making ginger bread houses is a family tradition that we do every year!  We love decorating a house and then nibbling off of it throughout the holidays! 

Ginger is supportive of the digestive system.  It is commonly used to soothe, comfort, and balance digestive discomfort.  It soothes achy joints and muscle tension in the head and neck.  It contains many essential nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin B-3, B-6, vitamin C, potassium, copper, and magnesium. It supports immune and circulatory systems.  * It may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.

Women in the West African country of Senegal weave belts of ginger root to restore their mates' sexual potency.

You can dilute ginger oil 1:1 with carrier oil and apply to stomach or other location.
You can take it as a dietary supplement.
You can also diffuse it and enjoy the yummy aroma. 

"Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment." 
Ecclesiastes 9:8

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

A bottle of...

Orange essential oil has a rich, fruity scent that lifts the spirit while providing a calming influence on the body. Orange brings peace and happiness to the mind. It is rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene and aids in maintaining normal cellular regeneration.  It also supports the immune system, the digestive system, the circulatory system, promotes restful sleep, and eases bodily tension and stress. * Orange may also be used to enhance the flavor of food and water.

Do you the know the Christmas story of old?  It is such a neat story and one of the reasons I always link oranges to Christmas.  Not to mention, I just love the smell of orange paired with cinnamon and a few other yummy essential oils.  It just makes me happy :-)

You can take 1 to 2 drops a day as a dietary supplement, dilute is 1:1 with a carrier oil and  use it topically or diffuse it to freshen the air.

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
Genesis 1:29

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

A bottle of...

The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon has been sought throughout the ages, both as a valuable commodity and for its ability to improve wellness.  And lets face it, who doesn't love the smell of cinnamon during the holidays?  It is one of those scents that just screams Christmas to me! 

Not only does it smell so yummy, but this essential oil has many wonderful medicinal properties.  Cinnamon is thought to promote healthy cardiovascular and immune function, and acts as an antiseptic. It promotes slowing of the loss of blood (possibly associated with menstruation),  supports the digestive system,  freshens breath, and relieves pain.  You can also use it to enhance your cooking, or dilute and massage to create a soothing, relaxing sensation.

For dietary use dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.
For topical use dilute one part essential oil to 4 parts carrier oil, then apply 1-2 drops on area needed or vita-flex points.  
Also creates a lovely aroma when diffusing.

I say, put a few drops in a diffuser with a few other yummy Christmas smells (I will be suggestion a few in the next few days), cozy up by the fire and just breathe in the season!  Not only will you be enjoying the scent but you will be purifying the air around you with your cinnamon bark oil!

"There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it."
Proverbs 21:20

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

A bottle of.....

Gratitude is a soothing blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils designed to elevate the spirit, calm emotions, and bring relief to the body while helping to foster a grateful attitude.  And who doesn't need that during the Christmas Season!?  There is so much to be grateful for and I think this blend is great for helping us to slow down and remember the reason for the season!!

The New Testament tells us that on one occasion, Christ healed 10 lepers (Luke 17:12-19), but only one returned to express his thanks.  This blend embodies the spirit of that grateful leper.

This blend of oils is also nourishing and supportive to the skin. 

It is a blend of Idaho Balsam Fir, Frankincense, Coriander, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, Galbanum, Bergamot, and Geranium Essential Oils.

You can diffuse, directly inhale, or add 2-4 drops to your bath water.

You can also apply 1 to 2 drops behind your ears, over your heart, on your wrists, at the base of your neck, on your temples, or on the base of your spine.

Or you can put 4 to 8 drops on cotton balls or tissues and put in or on your vents.

So get a little "gratitude" and give thanks this Christmas season for all the blessings in your life!

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  Colossians 3:17

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Gratitude#sthash.vELBnH2h.dpuf

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Gratitude#sthash.vELBnH2h.dpuf

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Gratitude#sthash.vELBnH2h.dpuf

The Twelve Oils of Christmas

Join me for the next 12 days as I teach about my 12 favorite essential oil Christmas scents!
 

Looking forward to it!

Essential Oils 101 Class, Tuesday the 16th at 8:30 pm

So,  I am having an a free Essential Oils 101 Class on Tuesday the 16th at 8:30 pm, here: https://www.facebook.com/events/735705559854416/

It will be on Facebook so you can come an learn from the comfort of your couch.  If you can't make it at that time that's fine.  Just join the event and you can go back to it anytime to review the information I go over.

I will be going over some of the more commonly used oils of today and there will also be some biblical emphasis on oils!

There will also be a free drawing at the end of the class for a prize!!!

I would love for you to come join us!!!

God's Medicine

I was going to write a long post about essential oils of the Bible.  Then I read this
http://www.essential-oil-mama.com/healing-oils-of-the-bible.html and this http://simplelifeabundantlife.com/2013/09/26/biblical-look-use-essential-oils-can-apply-lives/ and thought....eh...they pretty much covered it!  I do believe essential oils are God's gift to us.  They are God's medicine and we have forgotten this!  We rely so much on pills and antibiotics and current medicine (which I think are sometimes needed....I am a Registered Nurse) but I think prayer and oils should be our first course of action.  The more my family uses essential oils the more we see God's hand in them! Amen!

Warm Lemon Water

I love warm lemon water in the morning!  I have been drinking it every morning for quite a while now and I can really tell a difference (especially in my digestive health).  There are so many awesome benefits!  Here are 21:

1. Boosts your immune system because it is an excellent source of vitamin C
2. Excellent source of citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
3. Aids Digestion because it encourages the production of bile.
4. Cleanses your system
5. Freshens Breath
6. Keeps your skin blemish-free
7. Helps with weight loss
8. Reduces inflammation
9. Boosts energy
10. Can help when you are trying to reduce your intake of coffee
11. Helps fight viral infections because it helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria
12. It keeps your colon healthy because it contains pectin fiber which is a powerful antibacterial
13. It balances pH levels in your body
14. Drinking it first thing in the mornings flushes toxins from your body.
15. It helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid
16. Helps cure the common cold
17. The potassium helps nourish brain and nerve cells
18. It strengthens the liver by providing energy to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute
19. It helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver.  In case of a heart burn, taking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief.
20. Can help prevent wrinkles
21. Helps maintain the health of the eyes and fights against eye problems

The lemon juice worked well for me but I could tell a HUGE difference when I started using 1-2 drops of Lemon Essential Oil instead of lemon juice.  I wanted to see why this seemed to work so much better and so I did a little research and found this information:

1.  The juice of a lemon is taken from pulp, while Young Living's essential oil is distilled from the rind.  The rind does not contain citric acid which avoids the sour taste and makes it easier to ingest and easier on delicate stomachs.
2.  The molecules of essential oils are very small so they penetrate the body's cells quickly and easily.
3.  Essential oils are highly concentrated.,
4.  Each essential oil is a complex structure of hundreds of chemical constituents, including phenols, terpenes, esters, alcohols, and oxides which provide the oil with antiseptic and antitumoral properties, improve microcirculation and memory, and stimulate the immune system to increase white blood cells.
5.  Essential oils stimulate the body internally and help activate the production of antibodies, endorphins, enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters.

Think about adding this to your daily routine!  You won't be sorry!

Wrapping Presents

Can I be honest and say that I loathe wrapping presents?  I am a gift bag girl all the way!  So much easier and quicker.  Most Birthdays and holidays, that's what I do.  I just throw the gift in a cute bag.  But there is something about Christmas.  I just feel this intense need to wrap gifts with a cute holiday wrapping paper (usually found at the dollar tree because I can't bring myself to pay $5 for a tube of paper, even if it is a better deal).

So let me be honest again and say that a big reason I dislike wrapping so much is because I may be the worst wrapper ever.  I am just so bad at it even when I try so hard to make it look cute.  I will tie string on it to make it look rustic or ribbon to make it look elegant, but usually it just ends up looking like my son wrapped it.  I gaze at the magazines with these extravagantly wrapped presents (don't even get me started on the decorations) and so strongly desire to make my gifts look just like those.

Then I stop and ask myself "why?"  All they are going to do is tear into it and throw the wrapping away anyway right?  Why do I kill myself to try to make these presents look so nice?  Especially the oddly shaped toys!  Those are the worst!  I can barely wrap a square box much less a transformer with an unclosed box and an arm sticking out!  You know the ones I am talking about right!?

 So here ya go.  A picture of my fine craftsmanship.  You're welcome.

Thieves Oil Success Story

Ok, I promise this blog won't just be about essential oils, but I have to share the story of my husband (the biggest skeptic in the world) becoming an essential oil believer! So yeah, my husband thought I was going crazy when I told him I wanted to get some oils and try to treat our family naturally before resorting to medications. Especially since I am a Registered Nurse :-/. Ha. But then one day he woke up with a sore throat. Everytime my husband wakes up with a sore throat it means he is coming down with the boys cold and everytime he gets the boys cold he is a miserable patient for at least a week!! So I jumped on this regimen:

Thieves Jump Start

Put one drop of Thieves on the inside of your cheek once every minute for 10 minutes. Then, put a drop in the same area once every ten minutes for an hour. After that, apply Thieves once an hour for the rest of the day.
(NOTE: Because the clove and cinnamon in Thieves gives a spicy hot sensation, children may not like it. In that case, I put a drop in a glass of water or rub Thieves on the bottom of the feet. Children typically have no trouble with this.)

 The next morning Aaron woke up feeling fine and became a believer! YAY!! I no longer feel like a crazy hippie! These days he now asks me what essential oils he can use (even if he has nothing wrong ;-).

 Bonus: There are a number of other possible ways to use essential oils to comfort the throat naturally. Besides Thieves, other single oils and blends that have brought sore throat relief are: tea tree, ravansara, cypress, eucalyptus radiata, lemon, thyme, oregano, peppermint, myrrh, wintergreen, melrose, and raven. These oils can be used individually, or in a specially made sore throat blend.

I bet my Monday morning was worse than yours!

So you think you had a rough Monday morning?  Let me just make you feel a little better by sharing mine with you!  It all started with the boys waking up a little earlier than usual, which is always a fun surprise! I got all the boys fed, Aaron off to work, and Eli off to school.  Eli goes to school on MWF, so i usually look forward to getting a few chores done around the house on these mornings, but here lately, it is getting much more difficult.  Abram (my one year old) is literally INTO EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME!!!  Today just happened to be a bit worse than most.

Now, my first chore was to sweep and it is SO difficult to sweep with a one year old, especially if your one year old is anything like mine!  I swept up a nice little pile of dirt, which he then proceeded to sit on and played in (flinging it all over the place).  I took him out, brushed him off, and watched him pitch a fit, throwing his head back, and hitting it on the kitchen floor.  Nice!  Once I finished the sweeping challenge, I hung the broom up, but he had decided that he wanted to play with the broom and smack it into the walls, breaking a glass that was sitting on the counter in the meantime.  Awesome.  I closed the door to the laudry room so he could no longer get the broom, turned around and watched him pitch yet another fit and yep, you guessed it, throw his head back onto the kitchen floor (I promise this child is going to have brain damage from the amount of times he hits his head a day.  Its scary!).

So then its onto vacuuming the living room.  Abram is notorious for unplugging the vacuum.  Nothing else.  Just the vacuum.  Which he did again this time.  Why would I expect anything less?  As I go to plug the vacuum back in he finds my cup of coffee and proceeds to pour it out onto my couch and phone!  YES!  Fortunately, our couch already looks like a pile of trash (bc of so many events like this one) so i just cleaned it up and worried about my phone.  I took the case off, dried it off, and prayed it would be fine!  So far, so good.  My sanity on the other hand? Thats a different story!

Then I moved onto the toy room where I step (bare footed) onto, of all places, the heal of Woody's boot.  Yep, thats right, the spur.  OUCH!  Limping around I continued to pick up toys as Abram was behind me pulling them all back out.

I give up.  That's enough cleaning for right now.

Ok, so I know in hindsight it doesn't look so bad, but in the midst of it all I thought I was going to pull my hair out!

But, let me end on a high note.  During this type of morning I have so many things to be thankful for including:

-  A home to clean
- A helpful husband
- Two very energetic, happy, and healthy boys
- Essential Oils to help me keep my cool
- And that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  AMEN

Here is my little menace (don't let the adorable face fool you):

 Because this is where he is as I type...

 

Joy over my heart and Valor on  my wrists help me get through the day without pulling all my hair out!

 I diffuse lemon and peppermint to give me the energy to make it....

Sleepless Nights No More!!

So I have a four year old named Eli and a one year old named Abram.  Eli has always been a pretty good sleeper, but lately, not so much.  He has been waking up a couple times a night and coming into our room.  One of us usually ends up getting up, taking him back to his bed, and laying with him until he falls back to sleep.  Abram has never been a good sleeper and still ends up waking up at least once a night for no reason.  I weaned him around 14 months but I think he still wakes up thinking I might decide to start feeding him again.  Not gonna happen but don't worry, I am not starving him.  The kid eats ALL DAY LONG!

Anyway, we decided to move them into the same room and try out some essential oils.  I have used a few different combos and this seems to be the one that has worked the best for us!  2 drops of Valor, 2 drops of Peace and Calming, and 2 drops of Lavender in the diffuser on the intermittent setting throughout the night.  Both slept through the entire night each time I used this mix! 

Aaah....I love waking up after a FULL night sleep!  Nothing better.

I am also ordering the Cedarwood Oil because I have read that it is good to rub on feet before bedtime!  I can't wait to get it!

*Disclaimer:  I decided to try the Valor because Eli says he is scared when he wakes up.  Since Valor is supposed to help with feelings of confidence I thought I would give it a try and I am glad I did.

My All Purpose Cleaner

Ok, so here is one of my first attempts at doing things naturally.  My all purpose cleaner.  Truth:  I initially started making a recipe I found on Pinterest (of course) that had baking soda and white vinegar in the ingredients.  Little did I know that those two ingredients would react and explode all over my kitchen.  My husband just happened to walk in right at that moment!  He proceeded to laugh at me for a bit and then asked " Didn't you ever make a volcano in school?"  My immediate response was "NO!  Obviously not!  Now what do I do!?"  So what i did was dump it and start over.

I then decided that I was going to mix two different recipes and nix the baking soda all together.  Here is what I came up with and so far I really like it!!

Fill the spray bottle with vinegar (almost half way), put in 1 tsp dish soap, about 15-20 drops of tea trea oil, and about 15-20 drops of lemongrass oil, then fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.  Shake it and watch it work baby!

Tea tree oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral.
Lemongrass is antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, fungicidal but I mainly use it because it smells good.

Disclaimer #1:  You can use lemon oil instead of lemongrass but if you do that you have to put it in a glass bottle (especially if its pure grade).

Disclaimer # 2: I am not artsy and I am a mom of two busy boys so you will rarely see a perfect picture with really cutesy, artistic projects.  I am a realist and I really don't have time for all that.  I did big bold red letters on a Walmart cheapo brand spray bottle because red is my four year old's favorite color, and he happened to be in the room insisting that I write in red.  I choose my battles.  He won this one.

Disclaimer #3:  You can use a few tablespoons of lemon juice instead of the dish soap.

Welcome to Twelve Oils!

Welcome to Twelve Oils!  I am so excited to be starting this blog!  I am Aaron's wife, Eli and Abram's mom, I have a chocolate lab named Tuck, and I am a Christian saved by grace! Thats me in a nutshell.

But the reason I have started this blog is because I am sick of all the "perfect mom" blogs!  Anyone with me?  I am NOT perfect.  I live on a budget, my home is not always clean, I make 1000 lists a day and fullfill zero of them. I try to make a wholesome, healthy, perfect meal for my family every night but lets face it I usually succeed 20% of the time.  But I am doing the best I can!  Or am I?  Let's just say I am going to try to do better but this blog is NOT going to be everything I do RIGHT.  Its's going to be everything I do.  Sometimes I won't get it right.  Pinterest fails anyone?  Parent fails?  Yeah.  I got em!  I want this just to be a place you can come and laugh, learn, and have fun reading about a mom that doesn't always get it right!

I named my blog twelve oils because I have recently started using essential oils to keep our family healthy naturally.  So far, so good.  I will give you updates on that journey and let you know whats working for me and whats not!  (and if you are ever interested in learning more just contact me)

As I have been writing this my one year old (Abram) literally climbed on top of me, then onto the desk and came very close to pushing the entire computer screen off the desk and onto the floor.  So my solution?  Give him the home phone to play with.  He likes to push the buttons and it keeps him busy (don't judge).  Just pray he doesn't call Tokyo!

I must also warn you that I am not a writer!  I write how I think.  So bear with me!

Looking foward to laughing with you!

Beth