Frozen Yogurt & Berry Bark

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Summer time is in full swing and not only is it hot out there, but all the great berries and produce are in full abundance! It’s so fun to eat fresh, sweet and amazing fruits and veggies.

I love summer, but the heat is not my friend. I get easily cranky on hot days and am always looking for a healthy way to cool down. This little snack is a go to for me…I can swipe a piece mid afternoon or as a dessert and not feel guilty at all.

It’s simple to make and tastes amazing. You’ll see I add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Be sure the brand you choose to use in recipes is safe to ingest. Most aren’t and you have to be safe. The lemon oil gives a pop of summertime flavor but is also has amazing health benefits. Peek at this gorgeous ebook to learn more.

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HERE IS WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Yogurt: Use a full fat yogurt for the best texture and flavor. Vanilla yogurt is a great base to use, but you can use any flavor you like.

• Fruit: Fresh strawberries and blueberries add a great pop of color and it’s a tasty way to get some fruit into your family’s diet. You can make this bark with other fresh fruits like mango, raspberries or kiwi fruit.

HOW TO MAKE YOGURT BARK


1. Before you spread the yogurt evenly over a lined baking sheet, add two drops of lemon essential oil and stir.
2. Top with chopped strawberries.
3. Top with blueberries or any other fruits. I love kiwi!
4. Option to finish with granola and freeze until firm. I usually skip the granola but it does give it a great crunch.
5. Once it is fully frozen, slam on counter and remove pieces. You can also cut into bark shapes if it doesn’t make its own by slamming it. I store in a Tupperware up to three months, but it also never lasts that long.

TIPS FOR MAKING FROZEN BARK


1. Use full fat yogurt. Using yogurt with full fat means that the texture will less likely get icy when frozen. It will also have a better taste that’s more creamy. I have used Greek Style Coconut milk yogurt too and it’s fabulous for the dairy free people.
2. Chop everything small. Small fruits like blueberries work very well here and chopping larger fruits to be about the size of blueberries helps with cutting the bark. Make sure the fruits are not too bulky either so the bark looks flat.
3. Line your baking sheet. This will help to remove the bark easily from the tray, if you don’t line it, the yogurt will freeze to it and it will be really tough to remove. Use parchment or wax paper to line the entire surface of your sheet pan.
4. Allow time for the bark to set. It will take around 3 hours for the bark to fully set in the freezer. Make it the night before to enjoy the next day.

Enjoy!

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Easy and Fun Chokecherry Jelly

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Ever since I started gardening a few years ago I have gotten a huge thrill out of watching something grow from a tiny seeds into something that sustains me. Nothing beats fresh produce right out of your own garden. I love the constant growth and it is such a good reminder to me of having patience, providing loving presence and attention to something and enjoying the abundance that always comes.

Trying new things has always been one of my strengths. I rarely shy away from learning new skills and when it comes to trying FUN new things, I am all in. I have two really large chokecherry bushes along my back fence and for the last three or four years I have muttered to myself that I should try making chokecherry jelly. Somehow each year that thought remained just a thought.

Until this year. Last night I grabbed a bowl and off I went to pick. A great memory I have is my sweet grandmother talking about making chokecherry jelly. While I was picking I felt her spirit as my hands got sticky and red. I had no idea how many cherries I needed to pick to get enough for jelly, but I kept picking. I ended up picking three pint size mason jars and told myself that if it was easy and fun to make jelly, I can always pick more.

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Making the jelly was easy and fun. So much so that as soon as my batch was cooling, I took off with a bigger bowl to pick more!

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The first thing you do is make the juice. After rinsing and discarding leaves and big stems (don’t worry about the little ones attached to the cherries) cover your cherries with water and boil for 30-35 minutes. You can use this right away for the jelly, or you can freeze it for later. To make the jelly, just follow this simple recipe!

Chokecherry Jelly

Ingredients:

  • 3.5 cups chokecherry juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon butter or margarine
  • 1 pkg dry pectin 1.75 oz
  • 4 1/2 cups of sugar
  • Optional—I added two drops of wild orange essential oil! Bam!

Instructions:

  1. Pour juices in kettle.
  2. Add pectin, stir.
  3. Bring to a boil, add sugar.
  4. Boil and stir for 2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat, skim.
  6. Ladle into jars leaving 1/2 inch space. Add the top and the ring, twist just finger tight (not super tight).
  7. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. A hot water bath is when you add filled jars to pot of simmering water that covers the jars.
  8. Remove from bath and cool undisturbed for 24 hours.

Besides being fun and easy it is also gorgeous to look at! I cannot wait for a little toast and jelly with my coffee while sitting on the patio tomorrow morning. There is something SO satisfying about making your own food…and even more fun actually picking the ingredients to feed your people. Plus, how amazing will these little jars be for neighbor gifts come holiday time?

** update to original post. After making this two years in a row, I have some measurements that may help. You’ll need approximately 10 cups of berries to yield 4 cups juice. This recipe that calls for 3.5 cups juice yields 7 jars of jelly.

You can find some of my favorite DIY supplies and follow me for more inspiration below!

Confinement

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“The confinement that I feel is only what I ALLOW myself to feel.”

I often say that I am putting all of the amazing nuggets of wisdom that come from my students with brain injuries into my future book. Who knows, maybe someday a future Ted Talk. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Year after year I am humbled at the insights that come from people living with brain injuries. I feel so strongly that they can teach the world so many things about truly living. Over the years I have kept a little notebook with some of the teachings that they bring to my life. It is common that I often pull inspiration from that notebook and share with others.

This one is a keeper.

I have been teaching from the theme of freedom this month. According to Webster’s dictionary, freedom is defined as having the ability to think, speak and act without hindrance or restraint. As we broke down each of those areas and shared the hinderances in our lives it is easy to see that everyone has certain hinderances or restraints that keep them from living fully free. For some, it is living without the ability to move their legs, or for others it is not being able to drive or work. Although I can drive and work, I have certain physical limitations and responsibilities that keep me from being fully free in my actions.

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We then moved onto our ability to speak without hinderance or restraint and it was evident that while the idea of free speech exists, there is a limitation to what we can all say and not get into a little hot water, whether that it within our own home or in the community.

We finished our discussion with the realization that the only true place we have freedom is in our thoughts. It was decided that we are all free to think what we think. No matter what our challenges or our struggles are, it is ultimately what do with it through our mindset.

Here is the moment of ah-ha that has stayed in my heart for weeks. As we were closing up our discussion on living freedom, this was spoken:

“The confinement that I feel is only what I ALLOW myself to feel.”

Read that again.

The woman who said this is a student who lives in assisted living and occasionally comes down for yoga. Her body is riddled with pain so her practice is breathing and sharing. She is brave and wise.

She also lost her independence, her family, her ability to work and drive, and do things that feed her soul. And yet, she has the insight to see that despite all of her lack of freedoms, she can escape the cage with her thoughts.  She is one of the most insightful and grateful people I have ever met.

To think that I am called the teacher. I disagree.

The truth is, I am a conduit for their wisdom. I get to be the messenger. 

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Freedom Is

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Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

We have all heard of the metaphors of feeling stuck in a cage and not able to be free to fly, or the imprisoning walls that have been built around us. Sadly, it seems that the brick and mortar is often what we place around ourselves that create our own version of prison.  This can include negativity, questions of worthiness, regrets of the past and worries of the future. Similarly the key to the cage that we so often feel trapped in resides in our own hands. It is our choice to stay in the cage or take the key and unlock it.  No matter what circumstance we are in, we ultimately have choice in what we do with it.

There are a million examples of how we can feel stuck, trapped, locked in, or caged.  Whether it is a relationship, a job, a location or a belief you have about yourself, freedom truly means that WE have the power to act, speak and think without restraint and hindrance. 

We are in control of what we do with our circumstances. Certainly opening the cage door or tearing down the walls that give us a false sense of safety takes incredible courage and sometimes can be the scariest thing we ever do, but the payoff is much better than feeling closed in and stuck.

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I hope through a practice of mindfulness and yoga, I can help others to see the freedom that is available through the spaciousness of our hearts and minds. This month we are going to chisel away the beliefs and fear that build a wall around ourselves.  We are going to slip the key into the lock and learn to fly. We are going to feel free. Just as the little finch sits on a branch that perhaps has no insects or is not protective enough, she has the freedom to find a branch that is and we too can jump from a negative thought to a positive thought.

Consider what it would be to take a look at some hard questions and then prepare to take flight.

Do you feel imprisoned?  Are you the one laying the bricks down and filling them with mortar?  Do you hold the key in your hand and refuse to unlock the door?

What would freedom feel like for you?

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The Benefits of Cleanliness

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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.

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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?

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Thistle

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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.

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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.

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Losing and Lessons

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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.

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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.

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Citrus Bliss Blend

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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.

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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!

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Balance Essential Oil Blend

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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:

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Zen Diffuser Blend

?

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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!

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Breathe Essential Oil Blend

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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!

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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?

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Adaptiv Essential Blend

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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…”

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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?

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Rose Essential Oil

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“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!

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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!

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