Determination

Losing a battle or losing everything we possessed will bring us moments of sadness. But when those moments pass, we will discover the hidden strength that exists in each of us, a strength that will surprise us and increase our self-respect. —Paulo Coelho

Determination is defined as the ability to continue trying to do something.

Do you have what it takes to push through even the hardest and most unlikely circumstances to succeed? Do you have the will to make things happen despite being faced with struggle? Do you give up because it is challenging?

What if the things that you think limit you could instead inspire you?

It took allowing myself to feel like I lost it all to find my inner determination and strength. And just like this little sunflower, I found my way through the tiniest cracks of hope.

Natural Fabric Freshener

There is nothing better than fresh sheets on the bed. Did you know that fabric softener sheets is one of the most toxic things in your home??

Switching to a natural fabric softener is easy and so much more cost effective. Your clothes and bed sheets will smell amazing and be less staticky and no toxins!

Recipe for natural fabric softener:

  • 1 tsp Witch Hazel or Vodka
  • Water
  • 30 drops Lavender (or essential oil of choice)

Directions:

Add witch hazel, water, and essential oil into a 2 oz spray bottle and spray linens! You can also use wool dryer balls and either spray the balls, or add essential oils straight from the bottles onto the dryer balls! This helps reduce static clean AND makes your sheets (or clothes) smell amazing and no awful toxins!

Bonus: the lavender will help you relax and drift off to dreamland.

Curious how essential oils can work into your world? Check this gorgeous ebook out. Plus, I offer some amazing mentoring and education along the way.

DIY Dish Soap

Did you know that liquid dish soap is another one with a high score on the Think Dirty app. We all use it though, so it might be nice to just make our own!

Recipe for DIY dish soap

2 cups unscented castile soap
20 drops Lime oil
8 drops Lemon oil
6 drops Citrus Bliss

Directions to make DIY dish soap:

Fill a large, clean bottle with castile soap and essential oils
To use, shake and add 1-2 tbsp to dishwater or a small amount to a natural sponge

So simple, yet again, MASSIVE impact!

Once you start to swap out these super expensive grocery store products with an easy DIY one, you will be shocked at why it took you so long to jump on board!

Not a DIY-er??? Whip out that On Guard concentrate cleaner! It has instructions right on the bottle for how to use it as dish soap!???

Ready to learn more about essential oils? This gorgeous ebook will give you the basics!

DIY Dishwasher Tabs

Unfortunately, commercial dish detergent is loaded with awful chemicals that coat everything you eat off of. So here is an alternative that you can make right at home and have comfort knowing you aren’t washing your dishes in harmful chemicals!

Recipe for DIY dishwasher tabs:

1 cup baking soda
¼ cup citric acid
1 tbsp On Guard Cleaner Concentrate
5 drops Grapefruit essential oil (or any citrus)

Directions:

  1. Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix together until the mixture is an even consistency.
  2. Place in silicone molds and let sit for 4 hours.
  3. Remove tabs and store them in an airtight container. Use in place of store-bought tablets!

This is a MAJOR impact DIY and a MAJOR money saver!

Are these types of non-toxic swaps important to you? Would you like to know more about the basic uses of essential oils? Check out this gorgeous ebook!

After Sun Spray

I just spent five glorious days in Florida and spent four of them at the beach! Being a natural redhead offers me a challenge when it comes to my skin and the sun. I am a rare redhead that actually tans–if I use sunscreen and take it slow. I try to take breaks in the shade and not spend hours in the sun on the first day.

I am so thankful to have this simple and affordable DIY spray to sooth the skin. This is safe for kids and adults and the oils in this combo are also great for sleep, anxious feelings, cleaning, aches and pains, and MUCH more. Seriously.

Depending on the size of the glass bottle, you add:

  • lavender—soothing to the skin
  • melaleuca—keeps skin germ free
  • peppermint—provides a natural cool
  • Top off with water

Spray as needed following time in the sun! You can grab all three of these oils HERE and find my favorite glass bottles in my amazon shop!

You can learn more about the endless other ways to use these three versatile essential oils in this free ebook.

Gardener’s Hand Balm

This gardeners hand balm is a traditional balm; it is firm in the jar and will melt into the skin as you rub it in (salves are usually softer in consistency).  If you prefer the consistency of a salve vs a balm, you could lower the amount of beeswax in the recipe.

Gardeners hand balm soothes dryness, heals cracks and generally helps tired hands.

If you garden or work outside you know how hard the dirt, sun, sweat, etc can be on your hands. This is a great balm to put on after you get inside. But you’ll find it hard to keep everyone out of the jar because it just feels so good on the skin.

The gardeners hand balm isn’t just for HANDS – elbows, knees, heels; anything that needs a little extra hydration and healing.  It can also be good for those with eczema.

These little jars are great for gifts too – just wrap some raffia or a pretty ribbon around it.

Easy Peasy!

GARDENERS HAND BALM RECIPE WITH HEALING LAVENDER

  • 2.5 oz of Beeswax
    ~Firms the balm and adds a layer of protection to the skin when applied.
  • 2.5 oz of Shea Butter
    ~Healing, protecting, fights aging and deeply moisturizing to the skin
  • 5.5 oz of Coconut Oil
    ~Naturally moisturizing with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
  • 2.5 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
    ~Filled with Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium and zinc
  • 30 – 40 drops of high quality Lavender Essential Oil
    ~Known to clean and soothe cuts. burns and other skin irritations. The scent is also calming to the mind and body.

GARDENERS HAND BALM RECIPE – DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare your double boiler
  2. Add your Beeswax to the double boiler and melt completely
  3. Add Shea Butter to the Beeswax and allow it to melt completely
  4. Add in Coconut oil, I stir with a fork that I only use for making balms, lotions, etc
  5. Add in Sweet Almond Oil, stir
  6. Once everything look completely meshed together remove from the heat and allow it to cool for 2 – 3 minutes
  7. Add in your essential oil, optional
  8. Pour into your containers—I love these.
  9. Allow it to harden for a few hours – or put it in the refrigerator, like I do, to speed up the process

Your Gardeners Hand Balm is now ready to use.  Keep some for yourself and share as gifts. FYI, I often keep a jar in the fridge because I find it extra soothing in the summer heat.

Enjoy! To learn more about the many uses of essential oils, check out this free gorgeous ebook.

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Be Here Now

Earlier this week I was sitting in the drive up waiting for my coffee and I got to thinking about how much time I spend thinking about the future. Where we are going next, what task is next, what bite of food is next, what class to teach is next, what thing to do is next, what worry is next, what dreadful event is next, what is next?!

Wait.

What if instead I just sat with the sun blinding me, enjoying the song on my radio (Bruce of course), and allowed myself to BE.

I am all for planning and strategizing but sinking in to the moment was awesome.

Lesson of the day? Don’t rush the moment to get to the next thing. Enjoy this thing!

The Top Ten Essential Oils

The Immune System and the Lymphatic System work synergistically to protect the body from harmful pathogens and disease. 

What are these systems?

These systems include many aspects to our body; white blood cells, bone marrow, the spleen, tonsils, adenoids, appendix, thymus, lymph, and lymph nodes. When our immune system is working properly, it is able to identify a threat and engage in a series of responses designed to eliminate the pathogen from entering targeted cells and tissues.

Lifestyle choices can either strengthen or weaken the immune response.

Nutrition is an important factor in having a healthy immune system because cells need vital nutrients to safeguard the body. 

Did you know  your essential oils have a chemical footprint similar to the human body, therefore, they have the unique ability to help the immune system bring itself to balance? Essential oils are fat-soluble (lipophilic) so they are able to penetrate the cell membrane and back up your immune system when you are feeling a bit run down.

There are so many uses for just these ten essential oils! And the great news is these come in two of my favorite starter bundles. Plus, when you get started with me, I hook you up with some awesome education and mentoring so that you know exactly how to use them, a free wellness coaching session, and a welcome package to get your started! You will also be part of a great community of people striving for wholeness.

Vision Statement

When I took a course with Brene Brown in 2016 I learned the power of a personal manifesto and have fallen back on the beautiful creation that I wrote during the class many times since then.

Manifesto

I recently returned to the manifesto through the lens of my business and how I want to show up in the world, and who I want to surround myself with.

Being self employed is hard and it requires diligence that cannot be explained unless you know first hand the ups and downs. By linking arms with people who share an equal vision for humanity, for compassion, for striving to be the best human possible, I know that I am living in alignment with my deepest truths.

I would love to share visions with you—whether that is through yoga, wellness, business mentoring, or just giving goodness. If you’re looking for a passionate way to make a difference, let’s talk.

Be light. Be of service. Be kind.

Glowing Face Serum

Let’s face it aging is something that must be embraced but I think it can be done with a little help along the way, too. I have noticed as my skin ages, it has lost some elasticity. I have even found some fine lines. I have experimented with a bunch of serums, creams, masks over the years.

I always return to this serum because it is natural, smells amazing and gives my face a glorious glow,

We know that florals are going to be the best essential oils for the skin and this combo does not disappoint. I find it to be just what my skin is looking for. The neat thing is if you do not have all these oils, no worries, just use the ones you do have until you get the others.

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

Apply at least a nickel size amount to your face and neck. For an even better response, try a gua sha method or rose quartz facial roller.

To learn more about the many uses of essential oils beyond skin care, check out this free gorgeous ebook.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

A Simple Guide to Essential Oils

I am going to be honest. When I was first using essential oils I was so overwhelmed. I wasn’t sure what did what, if I was going to mess up or if I was going to make a horrible concoction, so I got a great resource book and starting learning. In no time I gained confidence and was able to learn how to use them safely and effectively.

Learning new things is exciting to me and this topic still excites me. When I am helping new people get started I often say, “remember when you had to learn how to cook?? You needed a recipe or cookbook, right?”…..Oils are so similar! We all need the equivalent to the Joy of Cooking when it comes to using essential oils. Here is my fave resource book to learn from.

Grab your resource book and commit to learning 1-2 oils a week! In no time you will be making up remedies, creating fabulous diffuser blends to switch up the mood in your space, tossing together a cool DIY and probably sharing your new knowledge with just about anyone!

If you are not quite sure how to even start using essential oils, check out this gorgeous ebook. It covers the basics and the cool thing is, when you get started I connect you to tons of free education and mentoring in my community and send you an amazing welcome package.

Keep this handy chart because it really can be asa simple as this, too.

DIY Face Wash

I don’t know about you, but as much as I love all the good smells of some face washes some of the ingredients can cause a break out or irritation to my face. Instead of dealing with that, I make this super affordable and clean foaming face wash. It’s amazing.

Ingredients for Homemade Face Wash

For an 8 ounce/1 cup size pump:

How to Make Homemade Foaming Face Wash

  1. Pour water into foaming soap pump.
  2. Add soap, glycerin and oil.
  3. Shake gently and use on your face in place of your usual routine.

So easy and affordable. if you are curious how essential oils can be used throughout your entire home, check out this free ebook.