Make your Home smell like a Spa!

Contact me to find out how you can get an essential oil diffuser for free ; )

Why & How To Diffuse Essential Oils

The Ultimate Home Health Care Defense Against Infectious Disease

To diffuse essential oils in your home or office is a perfect way to help you relieve tension, dispel odors, and create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. When diffusing, essential oils have been reported to support the immune system and create a feeling of balance and wellbeing.

The Story - Why

When the great flu epidemic of 1918 was in full swing, gauze masks were worn over the face in attempts to keep from inhaling the lethal virus. It didn't work ...

The virus was many times smaller than the openings in the gauze. Many volunteers who wore those masks lost their lives, thinking they were safe, in removing the dead from homes and city morgues. They simply inhaled the virus right through their masks.

Today, we know that by diffusing a micro-fine, vaporized mist of therapeutic-grade essential oils into an enclosed atmosphere, potentially life-threatening viruses and bacteria are rendered harmless.

With the threat of super bugs growing ever more resistant to vaccines and antibiotics, diffusing essential oils makes more and more sense. It simply is the ultimate home health care defense against life-threatening organisms.

While diffusing essential oils will not stop a person from being infected outside of the home, it does create an infectious free zone of air within the home you can use to protect your loved ones. Breathing air diffused with essential oils attacks any virus or bacteria lining the respiratory tract which may have been inhaled outside of the infectious free zone. It also keeps the infection from spreading to other family members.

It may be years before every household routinely diffuses to keep the air purified and free of infectious organisms, but these devises are available today.

The Diffuser - How

The Lotus diffuser has a special air pump designed to disburse essential oils in a micro-fine vapor where they stay suspended for several hours to reduce airborne infectious pathogens, fungus, mold, and freshen the air with natural fragrances. When essential oils are diffused, the molecules are broken up into micro-fine mist particles. These mist particles stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. Not only does this reduce bacteria, mold and odors in the air, but these micro-mist particles also benefit those who inhale them.

Diffused oils don't just mask odors; they actually alter the structure of the molecules that create odors - rendering them harmless! They also increase the available oxygen in the room and produce negative ions.

Diffusing releases oxygenating molecules as well as negative ions, which kill microbes. Testing at Weber State University proves conclusively that diffusing essential oils kills life-threatening airborne micro-organisms.

Research also shows that cold-air diffusing certain oils may:

• Reduce bacteria, fungus, mold, and unpleasant odors.
• Relax the mind and body, relieve tension, and clear the mind.
• Help with weight management.
• Improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity.
• Dispel odors.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtjAQTm51RQfFl98iQ6DLxVQ8zvZTRbyQHEM3I7ecaHudoZAMTv1_1VCBpIMbCwxPW3ZBtd1ZM6zw36eSVXxbt7qhFIsbF40E4-r0MElJiFF1ikJ77RF1WChCRiKfHMHZoBboup4ekaw/s1600/aromatherapy-smell.jpg

Diffusing Ideas

1. When Cassia is diffused it can assist with fevers, colds, flu, low vitality, chills and will support the digestive system.
2. Cinnamon can assist with colds, coughs, and flu when diffused.
3. Put a few drops of Eucalyptus in a diffuser to assist with bronchitis, flu, and hay fever.
4. Frankincense when diffused creates a YUMMY pleasant fragrance, yet at the same time can be beneficial with bronchitis, headaches, and pneumonia.
5. If headaches, mental exhaustion, and depression is something you’d like to rid from your life, Grapefruit is the oil you will want to diffuse.
6. Diffusing Lavender oil may support the body’s natural defense against air borne sensitivities to the skin and immune system.  It can create a very relaxing atmosphere.
7. Lemongrass oil diffused can be used for nervousness and as an insect repellant.  It is also great to revive the mind when feeling lethargic and to energize as well as relieving fatigue.
8. To promote sleep and feelings of peace, diffuse Marjoram. Can also prove to be beneficial when diffused for asthma, bronchitis, poor circulation, coughs, physical exhaustion, headaches, tension, insomnia, sinusitis, anxiety, nervous tension and stress.
9. Wild Orange when diffused can assist with colds, flu, nervous tension, and relaxing for children at bedtime.
10.  Diffuse Peppermint oil in the room while studying to improve concentration and accuracy. 
11. If you want a calming and relaxing atmosphere, diffuse Ylang Ylang.
12. Diffuse Purify to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale odors.
13. To help stop nocturnal teeth grinding, diffuse Serenity while sleeping, also to calm overactive or hard to manage children.

dōTERRA - Essential Oils for Newborns

dōTERRA - Are Essential Oils Safe for my Kids?

Essential Oils for Children & Babies

The information on this blog entry was taken from

http://www.aromatools.com/Essential_Oils_Care_for_Babies_and_Children_s/40.htm

My baby boy 1 week old

Essential Oil Care for Children & Babies

---

The information on this page is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to be used to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injury. Seek professional medical attention if your child appears to have any disease, illness or injury.

When using essential oils on babies and children, it is always best to dilute 1-2 drops of pure essential oils with 1/2-1 tsp. vegetable oil. If the oils are used in a bath, always use a bath gel base as a dispersing agent for the oils.
Keep essential oils out of children's reach. If an oil is ever ingested, give the child an oil-soluble liquid such as milk, cream, or half & half. Then call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. A few drops of pure essential oil shouldn't be life-threatening, but for your protection, it is best to take these precautions.


 
In Shirley Price's book, Aromatherapy for Babies and Children, she mentions 19 oils that are safe for children. These oils are:

• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)*
• Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)**
• Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Lemon (Citrus limon)*
• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)*
• Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
• Melaleuca-Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• Orange (Citrus aurantium)*
• Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)**
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)
• Thyme (Thumus vulgaris CT linalol)
• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

*These oils are photosensative; always dilute. To prevent a rash or pigmentation of the skin, do not use citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight.
**These oils should never be used undiluted on babies and children.
Caution: Do not use synthetic or adulterated oils. Do not use oils with different botanical names until the safety data has been thoroughly reviewed. The only oils I feel safe using with my children are DoTerra oils

My little angel's hand

Essential Oil Uses for Babies and Children
See the Common and Botanical Name Index for the botanical name of each oil listed below.
Colic: Bergamot, ginger, mandarin, marjoram, Roman chamomile, rosemary, or ylang ylang. Blend: Combine 2 Tbsp. Almond oil with 1 drop Roman chamomile, 1 drop lavender, and 1 drop geranium. Mix and apply to stomach and back. Note: Burping the baby, and keeping the abdomen warm with a warm (not hot) water bottle will often bring relief.
Common Cold: Cedarwood, lemon, Melaleuca ericifolia, rosemary, rose, sandalwood, or thyme. Blend: Combine 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil with 2 drops melaleuca (Tea Tree), 1 drop lemon, and 1 drop rose otto. Massage a little of the blend on neck and chest.
Constipation: Ginger, mandarin, orange, or rosemary. Dilute one of the oils and massage on stomach and feet.
Cradle Cap: Blend: Combine 2 Tbsp. almond oil with 1 drop lemon and 1 drop geranium or with 1 drop cedarwood and 1 sandalwood. Mix and apply a small amount on head.
Croup: Marjoram, ravensara, rosewood, sandalwood, or thyme. Dilute for massage or diffuse. Bundle baby or child up and take outside to breathe cold air.
Crying: Cypress, frankincense, geranium, lavender, Roman chamomile, rose otto, or ylang ylang. Dilute for massage or diffuse.
Diaper Rash: Lavender (dilute and apply). Blend: Combine 1 drop Roman chamomile and 1 drop lavender with vegetable oil and apply.
Digestion (sluggish): Lemon or orange. Dilute and massage feet and stomach.
Dry Skin: Rosewood or sandalwood. Dilute and apply.
Earache: Lavender, melaleuca (Tea Tree), Melaleuca ericifolia, Roman chamomile, or thyme (sweet). Put a diluted drop of oil on a cotton ball and place on the surface of the ear; rub a little bit of diluted oil behind the ear. Blend: Combine 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil with 2 drops lavender, 1 drop Roman chamomile, and 1 drop melaleuca (Tea Tree). Put a drop on a cotton ball and put on surface of the ear, rub behind the ear and on the ear Vita Flex feet points.
Fever: Lavender. Dilute in vegetable oil and massage baby or child (back of neck, feet, behind ear, etc.). Peppermint (diffuse only).
Flu: Cypress, lemon, Melaleuca ericifolia. Dilute 1 drop of each in 1 Tbsp. bath gel base for a bath or diffuse.
Hiccoughs: Mandarin. Diffuse
Jaundice: Geranium, lemon, lime, mandarin, or rosemary. Dilute and apply on the liver area and on the liver Vita Flex feet points.
Premature: Since premature babies have very thin and sensitive skin, it is best to avoid the use of essential oils.
Rashes: Lavender, Roman chamomile, rose otto, or sandalwood. Dilute and apply.
Teeth Grinding: Lavender (rub on feet).
Tonsillitis: Ginger, lavender, lemon, or melaleuca (Tea Tree), Roman chamomile. Dilute and apply.
Thrush: Geranium, lavender, lemon, melaleuca (Tea Tree), Melaleuca ericifolia, rosewood, or thyme. Dilute and apply. Blend: 2 Tbsp. garlic oil, 8 drops lavender, 8 drops Melaleuca ericifolia, 1 ml. Vitamin E oil. Apply to nipples just before nursing, or with a clean finger into baby's mouth.

For more information on the use of essential oils and aromatherapy for babies and children, see also the books Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England, and Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child by Valerie Ann Worwood.
The information on this page is an abridgement from the Reference Guide for Essential Oils "Personal Guide" section by Connie and Alan Higley, ©1998-2002. This information has been designed to help educate the reader in regard to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that the publisher, the authors, and Abundant Health, LLC are not liable for the misconception or misuse of the information provided. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. The authors, publisher, and Abundant Health LLC shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this information. The information presented is in no way inteded as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.

Cleaning without chemicals : )

Taken from: http://www.howdoesshe.com/3-all-natural-cleaning-recipes-you-will-love 

Until recently, I kept whatever company owns Windex in business. The father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding had nothing on me. I used it to clean almost everything. So a couple years ago when my friend told me she cleaned her windows, mirrors, floors, counters, etc. with water and vinegar I thought she was CRAZY! Until I tried it, that is. Ever since then I have studied and learned more and more about how harmful some commercial cleaners are. Through experimenting with different natural cleaners, I have come to LOVE these 3 recipes and I know you will as well! They have no chemicals, no artificial anything, you can feel totally good about having your kids use them, in fact it just may improve their attitudes in the process from the ingredient’s aromatherapy benefits!

These recipes were given to me from my friend Jennifer, who just happens to be a registered Aromatherapist and has a Master’s Diploma in Aromatherapy from the American College of Healthcare Sciences (the only one in Idaho, I might add). She knows her stuff! I love asking questions and learning from her – she is amazing. I will share more about Jennifer at the end of the post, but let’s get on with the recipes!

This first one is BY FAR my kid’s favorite! When I first introduced this to my kids, they were fighting over who got to clean the toilet! Who wouldn’t with a name like this.

Toilet Bomb

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup white vinegar

5 – 10 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil

Combine all ingredients in at least a quart-size container. Add vinegar to the baking soda to create the explosion your kids are going to love! To make this a no-brainer for the kids, Jennifer uses a canning jar with a sticker at the fill line for the vinegar. She writes the rest of the ingredients on a blank mailing label covered with packing tape. She leaves a ½ cup measure in a big bag (Costco version) of baking soda near the jug of white vinegar and the Melaleuca essential oil in the laundry room. You can also just dump the ingredients right into the toilet and skip the jar, but the reaction isn’t quite as fun. 

Basic Sink Cleaning

Baking soda

Lemon essential oil

Sprinkle baking soda, about 1 tablespoon, in a wet sink.  Add 1-2 drops of the lemon oil. Scrub the sink with a damp, not wet, sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly.

This is easy for the kids to do and you don’t have to worry about them getting it on their hands or breathing it. They love the smell of citrus and it’s antibacterial!  You can also clean adhesive off nearly anything with Lemon oil.

(To clean my tub, I use baking soda and this next recipe together. Works great!)

Mirror Bright

Move over Windex!

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

8 drops citrus oil (Lemon, Wild Orange, Lime, Grapefruit)

Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before use.

Spray solution onto mirror and wipe with a dry cloth or towel.

I love cleaning with this, just so I can smell it. mmm. The hardest part is deciding which oil to choose – they all smell SO GOOD!! I went with wild orange this time.

This mixture not only cleans the mirror (and faucets) to a shine, but it will help to prevent fogging while the shower is running.

After you clean your bathroom, you won’t have to evacuate for a couple hours while the chemical smells die down, in fact you might want to camp out for a while just to enjoy the fragrance. Seriously. OR you could make up a batch of this last recipe to enjoy anywhere in your house.

 BONUS RECIPE:

Air Freshener

8 ounces water

5-7 drops of essential oils**

Great for use in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. Avoid wood surfaces.

**Pre-made essential oil blends you can use from doTERRA areCitrus Bliss*, Serenity, or On Guard*.

*On Guard & Citrus Bliss can be used to disinfect door knobs, switch plates, sick rooms, etc. due to their antibacterial nature, especially On Guard.

It's about TAKING ACTION

Yesterday I went to a meeting.
There were over 20 people at that meeting.
Everyone there had received a gift previously with the direction to do certain things related to that gift.
When asked how many people had 'done' what they were supposed to have done, guess how many people raised their hand?
Two!
And I couldn't help but think: Come on people! Act on life instead of waiting for life to act upon you.

"The Universe doesn't pay you for what you know, it pays you for what you do." 

It is time we become doers. If we want the benefits, blessings, prosperity, gain (you name it) that is out there we need to stop being passive passengers in the train of life. And we must commit to being actively "engaged in a good cause", moving forward, putting our knowledge to action! Act people! Sitting and waiting for happiness (or whatever it is that you desire) to come to you is NOT HOW IT WORKS.

we can choose to:
1. Be positive or negative;
2. Be happy or sad;
3. Be caring or mean;
4. Be enthusiastic or dull;
5. Be ambitious or lazy;
6. Be goal-directed or adrift;
7. Be green and growing or ripe and rotting;
8. Focus on what we can do or what we can’t do;
9. Help or hurt;
10. Build up or tear down;
11. Keep the main thing the main thing or do the wrong things;
12. Act our way to a new set of feelings or be frozen with procrastination or fear;
13. Take responsibility for our actions or make excuses;
14. Look for ways to learn and improve or be satisfied with the status quo;
15. Have fun or be glum;
16. Unleash someone’s potential or squash it;
17. Do our best or settle for good enough;
18. Encourage or discourage;
19. Help people be right or point out how and why they are wrong;
20. Expect, encourage & embrace change or resist change.

It's my life... and I ain't gonna live forever...

 

Wow, the other day I was driving all by myself and this song started playing on the radio... so what did I do?

I did the only decent thing a girl raised in the 80s could do ---- I turned the volume way up (that way my voice sounds great in the background) and sang like no one was listening : )

It was A W E S O M E !

I felt alive, and I felt like I really want to live my life according to my beliefs, honoring my ancestors, my dreams and feeling happy for who I am. 

I have such a bad tendency to think too much about opportunities that I've missed in the past, or about worries of the future - when honestly, life is good! I need to 'live while I'm alive', and be here, in the present with my husband, with my children, my family and my brothers and sisters.

It's My Life lyrics
Songwriters: Bon Jovi, Jon; Martin, Max; Sambora, Richard S;

This ain't a song for the brokenhearted
No silent prayer for the faith departed
And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud

It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks

It's my life
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bon-jovi-lyrics/it_s-my-life-lyrics.html ]

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

You better stand tall
When they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break
Baby, don't back down

It's my life
It's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!

Can a good HUG make you healthier?

At college a roommate told me once that giving/receiving 10 HUGS per day was linked to being healthier. Since we were all pretty friendly in that apartment we started making sure that no one would go to bed without receiving their share of hugs per day. This was fun, cute, and it definitely made me (a foreign student away from home) feel happy : )

I’ve never forgotten about it (it’s been more than 10 years – shhh don’t tell anyone I’m that young) and I’ve always wondered if there was any… real evidence.

Well, I’ve done a little bit of research and:

·      Human contact through hugs lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, which cuts the risk of heart disease.

·      Hugs have also been shown to improve overall mood, increase nerve activity, and a host of other beneficial effects.

·      Positive physical touch has an immediate anti-stress effect, slowing breathing and heart rate

·      "A good hug speaks directly to your body and soul, making you feel loved and special," says Mihalko Baczynski, a relationship coach.

·      "Hugging is all natural; it is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, non-fattening, no carbohydrates, no preservatives, no artificial or genetically engineered ingredients, and 100% wholesome" says Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD.

·      A University of North Carolina study showed that hugs increased levels of the hormone oxytocin and reduced blood pressure.

·      Several sources suggest that everyone needs at least four hugs a day for healthy survival, eight hugs a day for emotional strength, and 12 hugs a day to really grow and be empowered.

Elevated blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for heart disease - about one in three US adults has high blood pressure! If hugs lower blood pressure (and they do), just think of the positive benefits of a whole lot of hugging! Start by giving your love a healthy hug today. Include more hugs in your daily routine. Ask yourself whose day could I improve by giving them one or more hugs today? Not only will you be helping them, but you'll benefit too.
Some people don't like their personal space to be invaded. Others may feel too vulnerable at times to want to be touched. So proceed with caution if you feel this way or if you sense discomfort in someone else. For some people, it may take a bit of getting used to! Live alone? No one to hug? Volunteer with children or old folks. That will give you an opportunity for healthy hugging.

 Not only are hugs completely natural, they don't cost anything either! Hugs are free! And best of all, the supply is endless.

My personal theory about hugs

"Although my research has confirmed that there's a positive link between hugs and heart health, I came up with my own theory about why we like being hugged years and years ago when I was pregnant. It occurred to me that a hug simulates the periodic squeezing we all feel as babies in the womb - the ultimate place of security. A hug takes us back to the very start of our lives when we knew no fear, no hardship, and no threats."

"Hugs are not only nice, they are needed. Hugs can help relieve pain and depression, make the healthy healthier, the happy happier, and the most secure among us even more so.
Hugging feels good, overcomes fears, eases tension, it provides stretching exercises if you are tall. Hugging also does not upset the environment, saves heat, is portable, requires no special equipment, it makes happy days happier and impossible days possible."

Source: http://www.smart-heart-living.com/hugs-and-heart.html   © Copyright 2007-2011 Thornton Holdings Ltd.
Information presented here is not intended to replace the advice of your
doctor. Consult your physician prior to changing diet or exercise programs.
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I use Essentail Oils - was does that mean?

I have been using Essential Oils on myself and on my family and we not only love their smell but we also love how they help us feel better. 

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They give plants their distinctive smells, and provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.  In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.

dōTERRA (CPTG) Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® essential oils represent the safest, purest, and most beneficial essential oils available today. They are gently and skillfully distilled from plants that have been patiently harvested at the perfect moment by experienced growers from around the world for ideal extract composition and efficacy. Experienced essential oil users will immediately recognize dōTERRA's superior quality standard for naturally safe, purely effective therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Uses of Essential Oils

Essential oils are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Some oils and how they help you:

Peppermint – allergies, apply to neck/forehead for headaches & fever, invigorates lungs and alertness

Lavender – calming, helps w/ sleep, anxiety, emotions, apply to burns, bee sting, bug bite

Digestzen – digestive blend, rub on stomach for nausea/motion sickness/discomfort/digestion problems

Melaleuca – apply to skin blemishes/rashes, great for athletes foot, eczema, psoriasis, it disinfects

Elevation – joyful blend, to invigorate and elevate mood and vitality

Breathe – respiratory problems, helps sinus, allergies, clears lungs, asthma

Geranium – sooths the skin, good for joint support, tempering minor aches and pains, calming effect

 

If you have any other questions about Essential Oils go ahead and ask : ) If I don't know the answer we can both do some research on it! 

source of the info on the oils: DoTerra's website

Dis-ease, ER, Chiropractor & Essential Oils

At the end of January, on a Friday evening I started feeling sick. And my intuition told me this wasn't just a little something but that my body was indeed experiencing something serious. Based on that feeling I decided to ask for a blessing and assumed that the next morning (after a restful night of sleep) my body would be feeling a lot better. This was not the case.
Sat. morning I woke up (from barely sleeping the previous night) and had a terrible headache and I could barely move my neck. Jay helped me cancel my Zumba class and he took care of our children so that I could just stay in bed and allow rest to help heal my body. I felt positive that one day of 'doing nothing' would help me get back on my feet - literally!
Again to my surprise, on Sunday morning I still had a type of headache that made me think that my brain was going to implode, it hurt to move, to get out of bed, and even to look in certain directions. We decided I should keep resting and 'doing nothing', I felt, again, that this would give my body the opportunity to recover from whatever bug, virus or bacteria was affecting my well being.
Sunday afternoon we had a chance to talk to my brother (who is a chiropractor in England) and he guided Jay in putting pressure and squeezing some parts of my neck and head. I believe as a result of this, on Monday I was feeling a lot better - still didn't overdo (didn't teach my Zumba classes, etc). However; that night I went back to feeling horrible. My head hurt like it had never hurt before, my whole body felt uncomfortable, and now my hears and throat were hurting a lot as well. I got barely any sleep and when I did manage to fall asleep I woke up to the noise of someone playing outside with a basketball. When I looked at our alarm clock I noticed that it was only 4am and thought to myself: "Who on earth is outside at this hour playing basketball??????". After listening a little closer I was chocked to realize that the sound that was 'banging' in my head was not that of a ball but the beating of my heart!
Tuesday morning when Jay and the children woke up I was feeling so so miserable that I asked Jay to take me to the ER. We were starting to feel scared with what was going on and with how poorly I was feeling. The type of headaches I was having were particularly scary. With the type of person I am, I was already starting to think about scenarios of brain tumors, or cancer....
We went to the Gilbert ER and felt blessed that everyone was nice and thoughtful towards me. The doctor didn't want to scare us (but we could see the worry all over his face), they thought I had meningitis. After several exams - including a spinal tap (not something fun to go through), they ruled out meningitis and a few other things but still had no answers.
While at the ER I got well acquainted with morphine : )  Do you know that song: "Diamonds are a girls' best friend"? Well... I think it should be - Morphine is a girls' best friend!!!!
We came home, I stayed in bed for the next 2 days (by then I had been in bed for a total of 6 days) and there was still NO IMPROVEMENT!
We were blessed with the help of Human Angels (friends, brothers and sisters from our Church, positive energy and concern from people that usually take my fitness classes, etc). And I am so thankful for these Human Angels. I believe this is exactly how our Father in Heaven wants His children to act. We are all brothers and sisters and we need to watch out for and take care of each other here on Earth. There are times when we are the givers - we offer help, prayers, concern, support, encouragement... - and then, there are other times when we are on the receiving end of it!
Because I was still not feeling better, we felt inspired to go see a chiropractor. Someone we knew previously and who had caused a good impression on us (Will Jarman). He too was a Human Angel who blessed us with his knowledge. I got an adjustment, started feeling better and went back to his office for another two visits. During these visits he talked to me about using Essential Oils (I'll explain more about what these are in my next blog entry).
When we got home I started putting Eucalyptus essential oil on my forehead, my neck, by my ears and lymph nodes and we immediately started seeing results. My headaches went away, so did the stiffness on my  neck, and earaches.
Being ill always makes me feel so grateful for when I feel healthy.
I am thankful for my body, and for my Spirit. I am also thankful that Father has given us ways to heal, to grow faith and trust, and to serve and be served.