The Benefits of Cleanliness

According to researchers, multiple environmental factors determine how you feel. These include physical factors around you as well as the community spirit. Your housing environment, for instance, can have an effect. People tend to have higher levels of well-being when they live in attractive, warm, and cozy properties. Their homes recharge their batteries, so to speak, enabling them to take on the challenges of the world with more confidence. Well-being tends to decline when properties are dilapidated, dirty, or affected by dampness.

In the Yoga world, we call the practice of purity and cleanliness Suacha. It is the practice of cleaning up our thoughts and our space and eliminating clutter in both areas of our lives.

The level of tidiness can also make a substantial difference in how you feel. When your rooms are tidy, it has an influence on your unconscious. The less cluttered your environment — the less you have to think about — and the more you can ease into life.

The lighting, smells, and color of an environment can also profoundly affect your mood. Shutter companies know this very well. They understand that the level of light that gets into a room determines how the occupants feel. When light levels are high — as they should be in the daytime — it helps to calibrate the your natural sleep-wake cycle.

The people you spend time with also have a profound impact on how you feel. If you are around elevating people who support you, you’ll feel like you can do just about anything you want with your life. Likewise, if you are around negative individuals who bring you down — life will feel like a constant series of battles.

Surrounding ourselves with people, calm colors and a clean and serene space can play a big part in our overall wellbeing.

How do you control your environment to better your mind, body and spirit?

Thistle

Did you know that thistle is actually part of the sunflower family!?

I saw this thistle today and was amazed by its beauty. It is one plant I enjoy in other peoples garden or in nature that is for sure.

I did a little digging about this plant that is stubborn and plentiful.

Here is what I found:

Considered one of nature’s toughest flowers, it’s one of the most debated plants by most gardeners. Some call it a weed while others view it as an excellent source of medicine and food, as well as a beautiful ornamental plant. Certain varieties are considered beneficial to wildlife because they produce a substantial amount of food for insects and birds and their foliage is also used by butterflies.

The thistle represents overcoming adversity and difficult situations. It’s a symbol of resilience. In Celtic regions, the thistle represents devotion, bravery, determination, and strength. In the Basque region of France, the thistle is considered a symbol of protection. It is also called the “flower of the sun“ and the “herb of witches”. It’s used as protection against evildoers because people believe that witches cannot look directly at the sun. The thistle is often seen on the front doors of the homes of this region. The flower’s pink and purple colors represent nobility and royalty.

Milk thistle, another variety, contains a chemical known as silymarin. Research suggests that it has bolstering effects on the liver and it is widely sold in various cleansing and detox products. Full of nutrients, the thistle has been found to contain higher vitamins and minerals compared to other more common vegetables. Various parts of the plant can make excellent additions to stews and salads, albeit with careful preparation.

I appreciate taking milk thistle for my health and observing her beauty, but I try to avoid them in my yard.

Losing and Lessons

It is fair to say that every human on the planet has lost something or someone. We have all had events or people in our lives that invited us to feel loss. For some it has been the actual loss of a person, or perhaps the loss of an opportunity, or even the loss of a dream.

For this past month or so I have circled back as I do so often every year around my daughter’s birthday.

In my own process of evolving and working to be the best version of myself that I can be. I have given myself permission to feel anything and everything when it comes to her birthday. For years I stuffed the emotions that I thought some might see as an ungrateful and resentful mom. I have since learned that nobody’s opinion really matters when it comes to how I feel. My feelings are valid and real whatever they are.

I am able to now openly share with myself and others that there is indeed a loss when it comes to her.

She was born this little perfect sweet little baby girl but within a few years was identified with multiple developmental disabilities and the reality that my relationship with my only daughter was not going to be that of my friends you had a “typical” daughter. We were not going to have typical conversations and mother daughter outings. Instead, I would forever be her mode of transportation and decision maker. There would not be the moments to plan her dream wedding, but instead I would be arranging where she will live when I am too old to care for her. I wouldn’t be celebrating her college degree and career path. Instead I will be finding appropriate day programs for her to feel some resemblance of purpose and meaning in her life.

That is a huge loss.

Through the process of my wakeup years ago, I realized that within the loss is a great lesson.

I am now able to see all that I have gained. Learning to take the loss and create something amazing and powerful through the lesson of acceptance and grace has been amazing. You can hear my whole story here on this awesome podcast. I chose to accept and do something with this amazing gift I was given, through her and as her.

The point is the lesson I have learned was that life doesn’t always give us what we may see as the ideal, but if we open our hearts to seeing the lesson, it may just rock your world.

When my children’s father died in 2014 I experienced another huge life changing lesson through the process of loss. I had already lost him in many ways as we divorced when things got too much for him related to our daughter and the vastness of what our life had become. To be completely honest, he wasn’t the greatest dad and he definitely was not able to show up for himself, or the kids, however I was willing to see the lesson in his unfortunate death. One of the greatest days in my life as a mom was witnessing my boys show up for him, regardless of his inability to show up for them. You can read about that pivotal day in my life here.

When he died, he was alone. He had made decisions in the last year of his life that prompted his last few days to be that where he was not surrounded by anyone as he transitioned. The painful reality of his last few years was just too much for my kids once they had said their beautiful goodbye days before, and he was estranged from his friends and family.

That was a big loss. Not just for him, but for my children, and in a way myself.

The lesson I learned from that loss has become a huge part of my life and service work. Within a few months of his death, I had a mystical and powerful yearning to volunteer in hospice. Knowing that I had to serve those dying and that nobody should die alone became my mission.

This week, one of my yoga students whom I have been spending time with every two weeks fell gravely ill and when I arrived at his group home I was told he was intubated and in the ICU. Due to his previous injures our yoga sessions are essential me rubbing his feet and moving his paralyzed limbs. When I heard about his his current condition, it didn’t not occur to me to NOT go. I jumped in my car and off I went with my magic hands and open heart.

The smells of an ICU and the sensory overload within the space can easily overtake you, if you allow it. Tubes. Alarms. Machines. So much to be distracted by.

I walked in and he was awake but obviously unable to speak. Grabbing his hand I watched as his eyes twinkled with recognition. When I went to say goodbye a single tear fell from his eye.

All alone.

The lesson of acceptance and regardless-of-what-someone-did-or-didn’t-do-you-show-up came from those two losses in my life. I know with every fiber of my being that had my girl been born not as she was and had their father not been who he was and not died the way that he did, I would not have been there for my student, and the countless other strangers who I have had the honor to rub their feet.

I know that.

Loss? Yes, for sure.

Lesson? Absolutely.

Citrus Bliss Blend

Mmmm!!! This is one of my all time favorite essential oil blends and my easy diffuser “go-to”. I reach for Citrus Bliss in the mornings more than any other. I love to share this blend with my students because it is an instant smile generator.

When I share this one, I like to have people close their eyes and imagine being a little kid and hearing the sound of the ice cream truck and then as they inhale this blend, I ask them to think of something on the truck that it smells like and 99% of the time I get an excited “creamsicle!” answer.

Citrus Bliss is also known as the Invigorating Blend.

This blend expertly combines the powerful scents of Wild Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Bergamot, Tangerine, and Clementine with a hint of Vanilla Absolute. This unique and harmonious blend is uplifting and an instant mood changer. If you have a case of the grumps, this is a great choice.

While it smells like creamsicle…Citrus Bliss has incredibly potent yet natural cleansing properties. All those citrus oils in one bottle make for a great surface spray cleaner. Diffuse for an uplifting aroma that cleanses the air, or add it to a spray bottle of water to wipe down countertops and sinks.

Would you love to add this to your collection? To learn the basics of using oils, check out this awesome ebook, too!

Balance Essential Oil Blend

Feeling a little crazed? Need a bit more grounding in your life? Balance essential oil blend is one that every single person should have at their fingertips for daily use (in my humble opinion).

What is Balance Essential Oil Blend?

The combination of Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile and Osmanthus will keep you feeling grounded all day long. I like to share this one and as we breathe into the palms of our hands imagine that we are deep in the forest. It is amazing how aromas can transport us into memories and adjust our mood.

Diffusing this blend is one of my favorite ways to use it. I love the calm, forest like smells that fill my space. I especially like to use this one after a long day while I am chilling in the evening. Try this diffuser blend for a zen-like atmosphere:

Zen Diffuser Blend

?

3 drops Balance

? 3 drops Serenity

Also, before your feet even touch the floor, ground yourself first thing in the morning by applying Balance to the bottoms of your feet. Use throughout the day as needed. I double-up and use this as an all-natural pure-fume! I love to add a few drops to my unscented lotion. The woodsy, grounding aroma of this blend is an instant calmer.

And my best tip… if you struggle with natural deodorants, try a drop of Balance directly on your armpit! It’s amazing!

Would you love to use Balance? Easy! Also, check out this amazing ebook for the basics of using essential oils!

Breathe Essential Oil Blend

Breathe essential oil blend makes it easy to take simple respiratory support on the go when seasonal threats are high (just swipe on the bottoms of your feet or over your chest with a bit of carrier oil. Rub on neck, chest, back, or bottom of feet for a restful sleep.

Breathe essential oil blend is my go to when I feeling stuffy or have any sort of breathing discomfort. It is also amazing for those who sleep with a snorer. Just have that person apply a little on their mustache area or pop in your diffuser*!

This blend is safe for all ages too, with proper dilution of course. I like to apply this one to the bottoms of feet and not only do the feet feel amazing but breathing gets a little easier! Perfect for little ones!

Breathe Essential Oil Blend includes:

  • Laurel Leaf
  • Eucalyptus
  • Peppermint
  • Tea Tree*
  • Lemon
  • Cardamom
  • Ravintsara
  • Ravensara

* be mindful using this around dogs and cats. Never apply to animals directly and make sure if diffusing the animals have a way to leave the room.

Ready to get this one in your home?

Adaptiv Essential Blend

Feeling all the stress of life? Me too. I am grateful that I have some awesome tools to help me during stressful time, including aromatherapy. This blend in particular is one of my most used both in my home and in my work. How aromatherapy influences the brain and emotions is fascinating and truly remarkable. This blog post explains how.

Adaptiv essential oil blend is perfect for relaxing the mind and body. Use it for your most stressful moments – a big day at work, PTA meetings, potty training – or other big events! Adaptiv is perfect for studying to increase focus, and to calm any nerves. I love diffusing this one in the morning to get the mood around the house to be positive and hopeful.

Adaptiv offers a soothing and calming aroma. This blend is made up of:

  • Wild Orange-Invigorating & sweet
  • Lavender-Calming & soothing
  • Copaiba- Calm & steady
  • Spearmint-Relieving & uplifting
  • Magnolia-Opening & heavenly
  • Rosemary-Refreshing & clearing
  • Neroli-Rejuvenating & tranquil
  • Sweetgum-Floral & spicy

In clinical research done by doTERRA, participants repeatedly commented feelings of calm, content, positive, and happy. “Participants self-reported having lower levels of stress and anxious feelings…”

Adaptiv Essential Oil Blend is Known For:

  • Mood support
  • Complementing effective work and study
  • Increasing feelings of tranquility
  • Being soothing and uplifting
  • It’s calming and relaxing aroma

Need this blend in your life?

Rose Essential Oil

“A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses” Chinese Proverb

It is mentioned many times in ancient scripture and holy writings that rose essential oil is the most divine. Rose has been used since the beginning of time for its therapeutic and medicinal value…as well as enjoyed for its glorious fragrance and beauty.

Did you know that rose essential oil is known as the “Queen of Flowers” and it takes about 12,000 rose blossoms to make a single 5ml bottle of pure essential oil?

Why is Rose so special?

Researchers in Washington State, using Tainio Technology measured the vibrational frequency of essential oils and found them to be the highest of any natural substance known to man. And ROSE oil tops that list!

In fact, their technology showed the following vibrational frequencies:

Dead Foods: Hamburger/Chicken: 3-5MHz
Raw Almonds 50MHz
Greens Like Broccoli & Wheatgrass – 70MHz
Healthy Human – 62-70MHz
Colds or Flu Present – 58MHz
Candida Yeast Overgrowth Present – 55MHz
Epstein-Barr Virus Present – 52MHz
Cancer Present – 42MHz
Death Process Begins – 20MHz
Lavender – 118MHz
Sandalwood – 96MHz

That being said…guess what Rose Essential Oil measured in at? A Whopping 320MHz!!!

That fact alone makes me pull out rose essential oils and use it every day!

I also use it on challenging skin issues that need extra attention! From an Emotional Standpoint…the vibrational information alone makes it the #1 Emotional GO TO oil!

Essential oils and emotions

Emotions also have vibrational frequencies and you guessed it, the low MHz vibrational frequencies include Shame, Guilt, Apathy, Grief, Fear, Anger…etc…. and higher frequencies include Courage, Acceptance, Contentment, Love, Joy, Peace.

Rose is the Oil of Divine Love…of which there IS NO HIGHER LOVE.

This oil helps us let go of any and all lower vibrational frequency emotions such as grief, sadness, anxiety, apathy and a host of others. Rose oil allows us to exchange those low vibration emotions for higher, emotions that flow from Divine alignment and love…such as Contentment, Bliss, Joy, Gratitude, Peace and Love.

This oil is amazing when used in prayer, meditation or any time you desire to open your heart and receive an outpouring of Divine Grace & Love into your soul!

How To Use Rose:


Topically on area of concern, or on area of body where emotional congestion feels tight…ie…forehead, temples, behind ears, chest, gut area, neck…also applying it to wrists and elbow creases, bottoms of feet, inner ankles and bottom of big toe are also super amazing places to apply. I apply directly under my nose….for aromatic benefits too.

Aromatically – This is the MOST recommended way to use Rose, especially for Emotions. Inhaling rose deeply 3-4-5 or six times will shift the chemical messages to the Limbic Brain and shift your emotions, memories, stress responses, and even your hormones.

Internally – This is fine to take internally, although doTERRA’s only offering of Rose is in a diluted roller bottle, so it makes the process of taking a drop or two internally…more tricky. I personally stick to aromatic and topical just for the sake of ease.

Ready to get one of these precious oils into your life? Just order here. I can’t wait for you to start using it. You’ll love it!

Always Enough

I have come to realize again that our culture wants us to believe that there are not enough resources, not enough time, not enough love, not enough money, not enough opportunities, or whatever else we desire. Our minds want to keep telling the same old story that there isn’t enough which in turn causes us to act as if we live in a mindset of scarcity and lack. Spend an afternoon at Costco and you will agree with me! The overconsumption that happens within those four walls is startling. Also, think about the storage units on every corner, jumbo size everything, jammed packed big box stores where people get more, more, more, more.

Sickening isn’t it?

The truth is the human spirit and inner heart KNOWS that there is always, always, ALWAYS enough. When we sink into faith and trust that truth we can start to make more mindful choices. Aligning with the greater good of universal love we can actually feel that there IS indeed enough.

Always.

How many times have you been going through a really hard time and felt you’d never make it through? Or when you felt you didn’t have enough and suddenly random blessings show up.

Open your heart, open your mind and get ready to receive all that there is.

Trust that there is ALWAYS enough.

Clove Wellness Tea

Are you feeling under the weather? Did you know some simple spices that you probably have in your cabinet can give you the perfect potion for wellness. This yummy clove wellness tea will warm you from the inside and its powerful ingredients can help support the immune system.

Whenever I feel a little sniffle coming on, I pour myself some of this and take in the benefits. I especially love to use clove essential oil in place of the clove spice. I only use pure essential oils that are safe for internal use. You can learn more about the brand that hospitals and I use here.

Check out these interesting facts about clove oil:

In a study from 2012, researchers found that clove oil had the ability to kill staph bacteria cells in liquid culture and in biofilm. A biofilm is a community of bacteria that lives together, shielded by a protective, slimy film.

Most antibiotics aren’t effective at penetrating the biofilm and killing staph bacteria but, according to this study, clove oil seems to be able to. 

2017 studyTrusted Source looked at the antifungal activity of several essential oils. Of the oils tested, clove oil was the most effective at stopping the growth of a range of fungi with environmental origins. 

In a 2005 studyTrusted Source, researchers investigated the effect of eugenol, a major component of clove oil, on the yeast Candida albicans. This yeast can cause fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, oral thrush, and vaginal yeast infections.

According to the authors of the study, eugenol had the ability to kill the yeast, both in culture and in a rat model.

2018 studyTrusted Source looked at the effect of essential oils on a variety of bacteria that cause respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and influenza.

Although the effects were lower than the antibiotics tested, clove oil did have antibacterial activity when added to liquid culture or introduced as a vapor.

Pretty amazing, eh? If you’d like to have a sample of clove oil or talk about your own health and wellness needs, send me a message.

An Old Friend

It has been awhile since a certain old friend of mine made a strong appearance in my life. Honestly, I can say that I have felt her presence for months. A decade ago she had stuck around for many years and then disappeared. Or maybe she just stepped into the shadows for a while. I always knew though that in a moment of vulnerability she could easily step back into my life.

This friend of mine is smart, as well as sneaky, in how she can slip into my life and easily take over. Her presence is big even though she has a tendency to come incognito and honestly, I didn’t really recognize her this time until the middle of the night whispers invited me to take off the blinders and see the truth.

My old friend has name and it is control with a middle name of addiction.

Last fall as I was starting to experience more physical pain than I liked. I also started walking far more than I normally do. My old friend convinced me that this was to manage pain. She told me that the more I walked the better I would feel. She was right. For months and months I walked further and further each day. Indeed the pain felt less. My mind felt clearer and I was more content. Being outside for a couple hours a day walking was balm to my pain.

At first my old friend cheered me on and celebrated with me the miles and miles I would walk. She was step by step with me and the conversations we had were about overcoming the physical pain and building confidence in my body while not letting the pain be the focus.

She told me instead to see and celebrate what my body could do.

In her incredibly manipulative way, soon the walks weren’t enough. She convinced me that I had to have more. My friend persuaded me to attach an outcome to a number of steps and if I wasn’t there, then I was shamed and begrudged for letting pain win. Years ago she had convinced me that if I could just walk a certain amount of steps a day I would be amazing and that anything less than that number was weakness. It took a real friend at a beautiful restaurant in Sedona to shed light on the fact that a silly number was stealing joy from my life. That day, I let my friend control go and she stayed away until last fall.

I have been teaching the yoga principles called yamas and niyamas this month. I realized in the quiet moments of the night that I was allowing this so called friend to blind me from ahimsa (non-harming) and asteya (non-stealing). In demanding my body to perform at a certain level each and every day, I was stealing joy from myself. My walks have become no longer about nature, quiet meditation, health or connection. Instead they became about speed, distance and numbers.

Control + Addiction = Stealing joy.

In doing this for months, I have also turned an eye to non-harming. Yes, walking is the best thing I can do for myself. It DOES reduce my pain greatly. It does clear my head and help my mood. But many of my recent walking has also become a space for shame, anxiety and unworthiness. The addiction to performance and outcomes has begun to overshadow the benefits. The panic that takes over when I am not close to the target increases my agitation and negative thoughts.

One the best feelings in the world is my ability to trust in my inner wisdom to acknowledge it, listen to it, share it and own it. This awareness is the antidote to control and addiction. It also helps to have the real and honest friends who rather than join the negativity and shame, just listen and give advice that is from the heart and from that space of truly seeing me.

This morning as I walked that old friend called control and addiction was thanked because I know that she shows up every once in a while to reel me back into living the authentic life I want to live.

She comes around occasionally to help me peel away another layer of self-worth and doubt to reveal an even clearer and brighter version of myself.

I will keep walking everyday to manage my pain and to bring me joy. I will no longer allow the numbers to steal my joy and harm my heart. Instead I will notice the birds, the changes of the season, the aliveness that is in and around me.

I told control and addiction thanks for the insights and until next time…

Floral Essential Oils

I have never been a huge floral essential oil fan. Somehow the essential oils in this category are growing on me more and more. It is interesting that the primary benefit of all floral essential oils are calming and soothing, so maybe that explains it.

Florals are calming for skin, joints and mood. Sounds like a perfect solution for many things, right?

Clary Sage, GeraniumHelichrysumLavenderRoman Chamomile, and Ylang Ylang are all considered some of the doTERRA floral oils. Frequently used in perfumes, these oils come from the flower of their plant of origin, whether it be an herb or tree. This is with the exception of Geranium that comes from the flower as well as the rest of the plant.

About Floral Essential Oils


The common properties that the floral oils share include emotional benefits as well as benefits to the skin and hair. Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Clary Sage have calming properties when you need stress-relief. To smooth or improve the appearance of skin, all you need is Geranium, Helichrysum, or Roman Chamomile. Clary Sage, Geranium, Roman Chamomile, or Ylang Ylang can all be added shampoo or conditioner (or massaged directly onto your scalp) to give your hair and scalp a healthy appearance.

A few of the best floral essential oils:

Clary Sage

  • During your menstrual cycle, apply two to four drops to abdomen for a soothing abdominal massage
  • Apply one to two drops to the bottom of your feet or on pulse points to take advantage of the powerfully soothing aroma
  • Apply one to two drops to your pillow for a restful night’s sleep

Geranium

  • Combine with Fractionated Coconut Oil to give your partner a sensual massage
  • Apply under your arms after a sweaty workout or a day in the sun
  • Place one drop in the palm of your hands, rub hands together, and cup over nose and mouth and breathe slowly for a grounding effect
  • Add to your next DIY potpourri
  • Put a few drops on a cotton ball and place around your home to naturally repel insects

Helichrysum

  • Apply topically to reduce the appearance of blemishes
  • Apply to the face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to promote a glowing, youthful complexion
  • Use Helichrysum in conjunction with a full body massage to promote vitality and energy
  • Massage into the temples and back of neck for a soothing sensation
  • Take two drops in a veggie capsule, as it may help promote a healthy metabolism*

Lavender

  • Use directly on skin to soothe the occasional skin irritation, or to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections
  • Take in water or a veggie capsule to reduce anxious feelings and help ease feelings of tension
  • Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet for a restful night’s sleep
  • Refresh your mattress, car, or even the air with a light mist of a few drops Lavender combined with water in a spray bottle
  • Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts
  • Take one to two drops internally in a veggie capsule for a peaceful sleep

Roman Chamomile

  • Take one to two drops in water to soothe the systems of the body
  • Has a calming effect on the mind and body when taken internally
  • Taking one to two drops in a veggie capsule may help to support healthy immune system function
  • Set the stage for sleep by diffusing one to two drops, or apply to the bottom of your feet at bedtime
  • Diffuse to soothe away feelings of anger and irritability
  • Apply to wrists and neck for a peaceful evening at home
  • Apply to chest over heart for feelings of well-being

Ylang Ylang

  • Add to doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil for a deep hair conditioner and beat the damaging summer heat
  • Diffuse two to four drops to promote a positive outlook
  • Take one to two drops internally for antioxidant support
  • Create relaxing atmosphere by adding it to an Epsom salt bath to help you unwind

How to get floral essential oils in your home

If you are curious how to use essential oils and need to basics, check out this gorgeous ebook and then reach out to me for some guidance and samples.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.