doTERRA Allyse Sedivy speaks on "Why Now?" Why now is the perfect time ...

Frankincense and cancer...

I have been using Essential Oils instead of synthetic medicines and I've been amazed at how these oils are blessing my life.

Have you ever smelled Frankincense?

I hadn't until I got my own bottle from DoTerra.  When I first smelled it I though: "humm, interesting... pleasant..." It was a smell I had never encountered before. Today it is one of my favorite oils. It has so many uses (maybe I'll go over this on another entry). And this was a cool article I found with information about Frankincense and cancer.

Frankincense: Could it be a cure for cancer?

From the Middle East Business Report on BBC World News by Jeremy Howell

The gift given by the wise men to the baby Jesus probably came across the deserts from Oman. The BBC's Jeremy Howell visits the country to ask whether a commodity that was once worth its weight in gold could be reborn as a treatment for cancer.

Oman's Land of Frankincense is an 11-hour drive southwards from the capital, Muscat.  Most of the journey is through Arabia's Empty Quarter - hundreds of kilometres of flat, dun-coloured desert. Just when you are starting to think this is the only scenery you will ever see again, the Dhofar mountains appear in the distance.  On the other side are green valleys, with cows grazing in them. The Dhofar region catches the tail-end of India's summer monsoons, and they make this the most verdant place on the Arabian peninsula.
Warm winters and showery summers are the perfect conditions for the Boswellia sacra tree to produce the sap called frankincense. These trees grow wild in Dhofar. A tour guide, Mohammed Al-Shahri took me to Wadi Dawkah, a valley 20 km inland from the main city of Salalah, to see a forest of them.
"The records show that frankincense was produced here as far back as 7,000 BC," he says. He produces an army knife. He used to be a member of the Sultan's Special Forces. With a practised flick, he cuts a strip of bark from the trunk of one of the Boswellia sacra trees. Pinpricks of milky-white sap appear on the wood and, very slowly, start to ooze out.
"This is the first cut. But you don't gather this sap," he says. "It releases whatever impurities are in the wood. The farmers return after two or three weeks and make a second, and a third, cut. Then the sap comes out yellow, or bright green, or brown or even black. They take this."
Shortly afterwards, a frankincense farmer arrives in a pick-up truck. He is white-bearded, wearing a brown thobe and the traditional Omani, paisley-patterned turban.  He is 67-year-old Salem Mohammed from the Gidad family. Most of the Boswellia sacra trees grow on public land, but custom dictates that each forest is given to one of the local families to farm, and Wadi Dawkah is his turf.

Camel train

He has an old, black, iron chisel with which he gouges out clumps of dried frankincense.  "We learnt about frankincense from our forefathers and they learnt it from theirs" he says. "The practice has been passed down through the generations. We exported the frankincense, and that's how the families in Dhofar made their livings."  And what an export trade it was. Frankincense was sent by camel train to Egypt, and from there to Europe. It was shipped from the ancient port of Sumharan to Persia, India and China. Religions adopted frankincense as a burnt offering.
That is why, according to Matthew's Gospel in the Bible, the Wise Men brought it as a gift to the infant Jesus. Gold: for a king. Frankincense: for God. Myrrh: to embalm Jesus' body after death.  The Roman Empire coveted the frankincense trade. In the first century BCE, Augustus Caesar sent 10,000 troops to invade what the Romans called Arabia Felix to find the source of frankincense and to control its production. The legions, marching from Yemen, were driven back by the heat and the aridity of the desert. They never found their Eldorado.
Oman's frankincense trade went into decline three centuries ago, when Portugal fought Oman for dominance of the sea routes in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.  Nowadays, hardly any Omani frankincense is exported. Partly, this is because bulk buyers, such as the Roman Catholic Church, buy cheaper Somalian varieties. Partly, it is because Omanis now produce so little.  "Years ago, 20 families farmed frankincense in this area," says Salem Mohammed Gidad. "But the younger generation can get well-paid jobs in the government and the oil companies, with pensions. Now, only three people still produce frankincense around here. The trade is really, really tiny!"

Cancer hope

But immunologist Mahmoud Suhail is hoping to open a new chapter in the history of frankincense. Scientists have observed that there is some agent within frankincense which stops cancer spreading, and which induces cancerous cells to close themselves down. He is trying to find out what this is. "Cancer starts when the DNA code within the cell's nucleus becomes corrupted," he says. "It seems frankincense has a re-set function. It can tell the cell what the right DNA code should be. "Frankincense separates the 'brain' of the cancerous cell - the nucleus - from the 'body' - the cytoplasm, and closes down the nucleus to stop it reproducing corrupted DNA codes."
Working with frankincense could revolutionize the treatment of cancer. Currently, with chemotherapy, doctors blast the area around a tumor to kill the cancer, but that also kills healthy cells, and weakens the patient. Treatment with frankincense could eradicate the cancerous cells alone and let the others live. The task now is to isolate the agent within frankincense which, apparently, works this wonder. Some ingredients of frankincense are allergenic, so you cannot give a patient the whole thing.
Dr Suhail (who is originally from Iraq) has teamed up with medical scientists from the University of Oklahoma for the task.  In his laboratory in Salalah, he extracts the essential oil from locally produced frankincense. Then, he separates the oil into its constituent agents, such as Boswellic acid.  "There are 17 active agents in frankincense essential oil," says Dr Suhail. "We are using a process of elimination. We have cancer sufferers - for example, a horse in South Africa - and we are giving them tiny doses of each agent until we find the one which works."  "Some scientists think Boswellic acid is the key ingredient. But I think this is wrong. Many other essential oils - like oil from sandalwood - contain Boswellic acid, but they don't have this effect on cancer cells. So we are starting afresh."
The trials will take months to conduct and whatever results come out of them will take longer still to be verified. But this is a blink of the eye in the history of frankincense.  Nine thousand years ago, Omanis gathered it and burnt it for its curative and cleansing properties. It could be a key to the medical science of tomorrow.

FRANKINCENSE FACTS

·    Boswellia sacra grows in Oman, Yemen and Somalia

·    Other Boswellia species grow in Africa and India

·    The tree may have been named after John Boswell, the uncle of Samuel Johnson's biographer

·    In ancient Egypt frankincense was thought to be sweat of the gods

Properties

Analgesic
Antidepressant
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Astringent
Diuretic
Sedative

Wellness Uses

Calm and Stress Relief
Cold and Flu Season
Emergency Salve
Immune Strengthener
Skin Care

Common
Health Concerns

Asthma
Brochitis
Dermatitis
Indigestion
Skin Disorders
Sore Throat
Stomach Ache

information taken from: http://www.everythingessential.me/Oils/Frankincense.html

Depression & Essential Oils

Some of you know that I have struggled with post partumdepression after both of my pregnancies (to others this may come as a surprise). Going through depression STINKS. I could write pages about what it feels like but I don't feel like spending time writing something that is not uplifting...

What I want to share here though is that I've done a lot of research about different sources of help for those suffering from depression and I feel blessed to have discovered that essential oils can help in a natural, non-invasive, non-addicting way without ANY negative side effects. Keep reading...

 (Written by: Daniel Macdonald and taken directly from http://discovertruthwithin.wordpress.com/2011/03)

Depression & Essential Oils

What essential oils would you suggest for feelings of nervousness, anxiety and depression?

In my practice I have learned that feelings of depression are often localized within one or more of the seven energy centers of the body. Each center has a distinct and separate energy to it. These may include;

 Spiritual Depression

Feelings of being cut off from God, abandonment, feeling alone, not wanting to be here on the earth, are all connected with the seventh center of the body. Spiritual transitions (such as birth, periods of extreme growth where our material security is threatened, & death) are more difficult for some people than others.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Frankincense, White Fir

 Spiritual Blindness, Apathy, Lethargy and Despair

When the sixth center is stressed or shut down, there is a feeling of “being in the dark.” Life seems dreary and it is difficult to focus. In this state our perceptions of reality may be skewed, making it difficult to “see the light at the end of the tunnel.” In this state we need light, sunshine and hope.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Lemongrass, Purify

 Swallowed Emotional Hurts

Many of us have learned to swallow our pain. Statements such as, “if you do not have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” teach children to suppress their emotional hurts. Though many people believe they do not hold on to their emotional issues… the body remembers. We cannot hide from our  suppressed emotions. We learn from Karol Truman in the book, “Feelings Buried Alive Never Die,” that in time suppressed feelings can manifest through poor health, illness and disease. The body acts as a compass, perfectly mirroring the deeper emotional/spiritual issues that are going on inside of us. Instead of covering up the information (symptoms) the body is giving us, we can learn to feel gratitude for the information that the body is providing us. It is through learning these valuable lessons that we can restore the body to balance.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Lavender  

 Feeling Unloved and Unloving Toward Others

The fourth center is connected to the fifth center and swallowing emotional hurts. When we do not express our feelings they can become buried in the heart. Feeling unloving towards others is simply information that we are not fully loving and accepting ourselves. When we do not feel self-love we may also block God’s love because we feel we are not “lovable.”

Suggested oils for emotional support: White fir, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Rose

 Self-Judgment, Suppressed Anger & Not Feeling Good Enough

This is perhaps the most important energy center in our society. The third center relates to how we feel about ourselves. Many people struggle with feelings of judgment and self condemnation. Feelings of “depression,” in this center look like the inability to digest feelings, life, and situations. Another theme here is ANGER. Suppressed anger literally causes our energy to be De-Pressed or to feel “deeply pressed.” When anger arises many people transmute these feelings into sadness, and feelings of low self-worth. We do this out of a need to protect others from our anger, but in doing so we destroy our own sense of self. We do not have to hurt others to be honest about our emotions. Also anger is a more positive emotion than sadness, judgment and guilt. Anger moves us out of our stuck, hopeless feelings into a more lively state willing to act and change.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Bergamot, Citrus Bliss

 Loneliness, Poor Emotional Circulation

Feelings of loneliness, withdrawal, and isolation often get stored in the second center. This center relates to our ability to circulate feelings, energy, and even blood through our system. If we do not keep an emotional “flow,” we may begin to feel bogged down, stagnant and depressed.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Cypress, Whisper

Fear, Unsupported, Family Issues, Feelings of Not Belonging

The first center represents our relationship with our tribe (family). Sometimes living in integrity with self causes us to go against spoken or unspoken family patterns and traditions. Some family traditions represent old ways of thinking and doing things that are detrimental to our health and happiness. While some families are open to change, most “tribes,” do not feel comfortable when others choose step out of the mold they have created. It takes courage to live according to truth irregardless of other people’s response. The lesson in this center is that we can learn to both live our own life while also feeling connection, love, and a sense of belonging in our family/tribe of origin.

Suggested oils for emotional support: Balance, White Fir 

 

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!