The Benefits of Tidiness

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 Saucha. 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?

Breathe Essential Oil Blend

Breathe 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– or grab Breathe Touch). Rub on neck, chest, back, or bottom of feet for a restful sleep. Breathe 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!

This blend is a powerhouse:

💙 Laurel

💙 Eucalyptus

💙 Peppermint

💙 Melaleuca

💙 Lemon

💙 Cardamom

💙 Ravintsara & Ravensara

Ready to get this one in your home?

Air-X Essential Oil Blend

If you could bottle up a crisp, sunny morning in a bottle, it would smell exactly like Air-X.

This blend is made up of:

💙 Litsea → Refreshing & uplifting

💙 Tangerine → Calming & uplifting

💙 Grapefruit → Citrusy & fresh

💙 Frankincense → Woody & calming

💙 Cardamom → Invigorating & relaxing

The purpose of this combination is to freshen the air around you. Not only will this smell amazing in your home, but it will also provide immune and respiratory support. It has a fresh and uplifting aroma, promotes clarity and openness, may be cleansing to your environment. Living in Colorado means we sadly have to deal with wild fires way more often than I would like. Sometimes the smoke is so thick we are encouraged to stay indoors! This blend helps to reduce the irritation to our respiratory system and just smells amazing. By the way, if you are not diffusing pure, quality essential oils in your home we really need to talk.

I love diffusing this blend all by itself, or sometimes by adding Lavender and Wild Orange to the mix.

Try this in your diffuser:

Spring Air

💧 3 drops Air-X

💧 2 drops Lavender

💧 2 drops Wild Orange

Would you love to try some? Easy enough!

Principles to Live By

In the Yoga world, Pantanjali wrote ancient texts thousands and thousands of year ago and have become the “rules” in which a Yogi attempts to live by. Part of the texts include the Yamas and Niyamas. The Yamas focus on the ethical standards of how we should conduct ourselves in daily life and the behavior to develop during interactions with the self and others. The five Yamas include truthfulness, non violence, non stealing, non greed, right energy. The five Niyamas are constructive tools for cultivating happiness and self-confidence and they are purification, contentment, self-discipline, self study, and self surrender.

As I have been going back to studying the Sutras, reviewing these principles is always a rich self exploration, especially during this month as I have been teaching my classes around the concept of understanding the foundation of our spirit.

In contemplative questions, it is useful to ask yourself what are some of the core principles in which you live by. I like to think of the foundation of a home being what sustains the rest of the structure when storms come by, or the roots of tree that holds it upright during turmoil.

As I have been looking inward and reviewing the Yamas/Niyamas, I spent a few weeks discovering the ten principles in which I live by.

I have come to learn that when we know who we are, we can begin to show up in life through our thoughts, words, and actions in alignment with that inner truth. Knowing who we are is very different than what we are. To learn more about labels, check out this post.

I know when I am showing up outside of these parameters or guidelines because I get easily rattled, I am quick with sharp words, I am impatient and easily overwhelmed. When I am in my truth and aligned with these principles, I feel the wholeness of who I am and know that I am showing up in my most authentic self.

Have you ever thought about what guides you? What your foundation is?

After several weeks of pondering, here are my ten principles.

My Ten Principles

  1. Faith (in my purpose)
  2. Service (to do without gain)
  3. Kindness (just be kind)
  4. Acceptance (for everything)
  5. Diligence (don’t half ass)
  6. Action (necessary for success)
  7. Awareness (stay awake to now)
  8. Belief (knowing, empowering)
  9. Fulfillment (attention to good)
  10. Love (act in alignment with my heart)

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DIY Liquid Dish Soap

Everyone uses liquid dish soap, so why not make your own? This super simple recipe is great for removing grease, adding shine, and waking up your senses.

 Ingredients

2 cups unscented castile soap

20 drops Lime oil

8 drops Lemon oil

6 drops Citrus Bliss

Instructions

  1. Fill a large, clean bottle with castle soap
    Note: Dilute according to instructions if using a concentrate
  2. Add essential oils
  3. To use, shake and add 1–2 tablespoons to dish water

Photosensitive Oils

When I first started using essential oils I had no idea that some oils could cause a burn. Crazy, right?

As we head into warmer months and more outside time, remember that some oils are photosensitive and cause a reaction that is uncomfortable when combined with sunlight.

Be mindful when applying the following if you plan to be in the sun. You can still use them, just apply on the feet or a covered area or take internally (I only ingest pure, certified therapeutic grade oils that I am positive have been tested).

Check out this gorgeous ebook for the basics and be sure to drop me a message if you’re not sure which oils are safe  I’m happy to help.

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Calming Essential Oils

Among the countless benefits of essential oils, one of their most appealing attributes is that they can be used to create a calming atmosphere and promote feelings of peace and harmony. And who doesn’t need some feelings of peace and harmony?

I am a huge believer and supporter of aromatic use for emotional and mood management benefits. During stressful times, I turn to some of my favorite calming essential oils.

Keep reading to discover some of the most calming essential oils and how to use them.

Lavender

Lavender oil is known as one of the most calming essential oils because it has significant calming and relaxing properties when used aromatically, topically, and internally. The calming nature of Lavender essential oil makes it useful for easing feelings of tension and can help to promote soothing, positive feelings.

Bergamot

An incredibly unique essential oil, Bergamot is known to have both calming and uplifting properties. When stress levels or tensions are high, Bergamot oil provides a wonderful way to promote a calming atmosphere, while simultaneously encouraging uplifting feelings. With its light, citrusy aroma, Bergamot oil is an extremely useful calming essential oil, especially when it comes to dispelling feelings of stress and uplifting mood.

Clary Sage

The chemical profile of Clary Sage oil makes it one of the most relaxing, soothing, and balancing essential oils—something that people knew even long ago. In the Middle Ages, the Clary Sage plant was used for several purposes because of its soothing properties. Today, Clary Sage essential oil can be highly useful for promoting feelings of relaxation and calm.

Roman Chamomile

Not only is Roman Chamomile oil known to have calming effects on the skin, mind, and body, but it has a sweet, floral aroma as well. In ancient times, the Romans used chamomile oil to promote calming feelings of courage before going off to war. Thankfully, these same calming properties can still be useful today.

Ylang Ylang

Derived from yellow, star-shaped flowers found on the tropical Ylang Ylang tree, Ylang Ylang oil has several impressive qualities—including its ability to uplift the mood while also having a calming effect. The sweet and spicy floral aroma of Ylang Ylang oil has been known to lessen feelings of stress and tension, while simultaneously promoting a positive outlook.

Petitgrain

The fresh, floral aroma of Petitgrain oil is not only inviting and comforting, but the oil also provides calming and relaxing benefits that can help to ease feelings of stress. In addition to calming feelings of stress and tension, Petitgrain oil can also be useful at bedtime when you want to create a serene environment for restful sleep.

Vetiver

Vetiver oil is known for its grounding, calming effect on the emotions, and for its calming nature. The rich, exotic aroma of Vetiver is quite unique, however, it has the ability to promote grounded, calm feelings after a busy or frazzled day. Whether you are trying to create a calm atmosphere at home for your family, or need to feel grounded again after an emotional day, Vetiver can be very useful for promoting the type of calm feelings you desire.

Fruit and Veggie Wash

We tend to often be worried about washing our hands, but are you also making sure to wash your produce? If you don’t have a fruit and veggie wash, try this!

✔️Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to a large bowl of cold water
✔️Add 5 -8 drops of doTERRA LEMON essential oil
✔️Add produce and soak for 10-15 minutes
✔️Rinse and dry

It feels good knowing that my fruit is fresh and clean for my family.😃 And my kitchen always smells amazing afterwards! You can also make a spray bottle up with 20 drops, a splash of vinegar and fill the rest with water for quick cleanings like apples!

Ready to learn more about essential oils? Enjoy this gorgeous ebook!

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Toxin Free Living

Have you ever thought about all the toxins you come into contact throughout a given day? And I don’t just mean physically. 😉

Over the last few years I have learned how to swap out natural things for the common and usually toxin filled things both in my household but also personal care. AND, I have created habits to get rid of emotional toxins, too.

Here is a sampling of what I have done:

🌼100% cleaning with oils and natural ingredients
🌼make my own body butter with shea & coconut oil
🌼a drop of lemon in my water everyday
🌼probiotics every day
🌼consume mostly organic foods
🌼twice yearly cleanse (more to come on that soon)
🌼wash my produce with lemon EO
🌼digestive enzymes
🌼diffusers in almost every room for clean air
🌼time in nature to re-fuel and connect
🌼wish angry drivers peace while driving
🌼limit screen time (what a toxic overload!)
🌼minimal TV, and never crime or drama
🌼practice discernment and have boundaries
🌼only headlines of news to stay informed
🌼give others the benefit of the doubt
🌼love as much as I can

Do you have toxins in your life? What can you do to eliminate them?

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Toxins in the Home

Recent studies point to certain “cleaning” chemicals having a link to asthma and reproductive harm. Children, pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant, and those who already have asthma are especially vulnerable to these chemicals.
Also, certain chemicals may interfere with the development of a child’s neurological, endocrine and immune systems, a pediatric problem that can be detrimental to even their adult lives.
The overuse of disinfectant chemicals in our homes has contributed to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Scientists agree that castille soap and water are effective for most routine cleaning jobs, and research has demonstrated that safer alternatives have disinfectant properties that may be used in place of harsh chemicals.
We know very little about the long-term health impacts of chronic exposure to chemicals in household cleaning products
Ammonia is often included in glass and other hard-surface cleaners and can be irritating to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. It can also burn skin, and damage eyes (including blindness) upon contact.
When ammonia enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing or skin contact, it reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide. This chemical is very corrosive and damages cells in the body immediately.
Chlorine bleach is commonly used to treat drinking water, sanitize swimming pools, and to whiten laundry, yet is a known eye, skin, and respiratory irritant.
I clean exclusively with essential oils in my home. I know that I am not just breathing in safe products, but my skin is also not absorbing chemicals.
Be sure to check out some research at http://www.womensvoices.org.
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