Summer Essentials

Don't you wish you had a place where you could easily reference all the summer essentials you need to take a vacation or plan a party with some awesome drinks?!  Well, thankfully you have found the right place!  And if you are looking for insight on recipes, tips and tricks for surviving the summer outdoors, from sun-kissed skin, to those pesky outdoor annoyances, to having flip-flop ready feet, then you need to read my first post here. Summer is full of Road Trips.  We are planning to our own Road Trip (Project #wildwildwest is commencing mid-June with three kids 4 and under in a car for two weeks while we terrorize NM, AZ, and Utah while visiting every national park we can possibly squeeze in during that time period!), and trust me part of my summer essentials includes having not one,…

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Summer Fun

It’s that time of the year, where summer is just around the corner.  The sun is shining strongly already, mosquitoes and bees are out, the water and splash pads are calling our names, and the kids are itching to be out of school.  Yes, friends, summer is almost upon us.  Are you ready with your essential oils and non-toxic options for a safe and awesome summer? Today, I want to just focus on some of my favorite ideas and recipes for Enjoying the Outdoors.  I'll continue the rest of this series in a later post.....so stay tuned! Up first.....Sun-Kissed Skin!  If you are anything like me, it is so easy to get caught up in the fiasco of fun and you came home with sun-kissed skin.  So how do you maintain healthy skin after a day out in the sun?  Lavaderm contains…

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Cedarwood Essential Oil

There are few things I cherish more in life then a great night's sleep. :)  With a baby that still gets up every few hours to nurse, I need my sleep.  Looking through various materials, I was on the hunt for a great oil that promoted a calm environment and restful sleep and stumbled upon Cedarwood Essential Oil.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered there were also 25 references in Scripture to cedar because it was the lumber that was used for construction, and another 40 references to live cedar trees (King Solomon had planted cedar trees all throughout Jerusalem). Cedarwood essential oil (Cedrus atlantica) is a woodsy, warm, balsamic aroma that can be added to your favorite skin care products and applied topically. This essential oil includes sesquiterpenes and its powerful scent creates a relaxing, calming, and comforting atmosphere when diffused. Cedarwood  is…

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Cassia Essential Oil

I have to confess something.  Prior to studying the oils of the Bible I had never heard of Cassia, and for sure never Cassia Essential Oil.  Not once in all my years studying the Bible, pouring over every word with a fine tooth comb for seminary papers or Old Testament finals did I ever once see this word recorded.  And yet - here it is in Exodus 30:22-25 (ESV) in the recipe given to Moses by God. 22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, 24 and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. 25 And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall…

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Aloes (Sandalwood)

I am probably the most disorganized and least structured person I know.  haha  However, I thought for sake of trying to provide a semblance of a workable outline I would cover the 12 oils of the Bible alphabetically, meaning first up is Aloes. Aloes - [pronounced all-oss so this is not aloe vera] is the same essential oil also referred to as Sandalwood (Santalum album). It has a rich, sweet, warm, and woody aroma that is sensual and romantic. Used traditionally as incense in religious ceremonies and for meditation, it is uplifting and relaxing. It is valued in skin care for its moisturizing and normalizing properties. Sandalwood has an approximate ORAC of 1,655 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter. A BIT OF HISTORY Sandalwood has an ancient history, and is seen in Sanskrit and Chinese manuscripts from up to 4,000…

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Oils of the Bible

Nothing has been more important to me in my life than my relationship with Jesus.  Once we started using essential oils, it was so amazing to learn about God and the Oils of the Bible.  I met the Lord for the first time in a very real way in Feb 1998, thanks to some sweet friends who kept loving me and sharing with me about what He was doing in their life.  I love reading my Bible and discovering a new truth every day, so imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that in the pages of this amazing inspired work, were all these references to essential oils! Coming to a consensus on just how many times oils are mentioned throughout scripture can be a challenge since there is so much we don’t know. For example, a reference to gum or…

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May Rewards

Oh. My. Stars.  You know how you are always trying to figure out what to get your Mom for Mother's Day?!?!  Or is just me??? :)  Thankfully, Young Living's May Rewards promotion this month is amazingly awesome in every way, with tons of great free stuff, culminating in the ART Skin Care System which will be an incredible gift for any Mom (including yourself, even if you are not a mom!) Reach any of the following PV minimums with your May order and earn these great free products: 425 PV (Retail Value: $334.88): ART Skin Care System, Dew Drop Diffuser, 20 Essential Rewards Points, bonus Essential Reward exclusive 5-ml Cedarwood, 5-ml Manuka, and 15-ml Melrose 325 PV (Retail Value: $190.47): Dew Drop Diffuser, 20 Essential Rewards Points, bonus Essential Reward exclusive 5-ml Cedarwood, 5-ml Manuka, and 15-ml Melrose 250 PV (Retail Value: $106.59):…

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Essential Oils in the Bible

Have you ever looked at how essential oils were used in history, especially in Scripture? While many people know that Frankincense and Myrrh were brought as gifts to Jesus, there are so many references to Essential Oils in the Bible.   I love to read.  I make it a goal each year to try to get through 52 books, although I have yet to hit that goal.  Yet every year I set that goal simply because I love to read and I come close most years and have read some great books!  My favorite book is the Bible.  Every time I open it up, the Truth that is contained in it and the way it can minister to my heart, or encourage me, or admonish me, or remind me of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, I'm reminded…

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Squish is ONE

My dearest little boy.  Today my Squish is One. How is it possible that you are one already?  Why does the first year fly by so fast?!  I wish babyhood lasted two years so I could just fully soak up every cute, quality baby-goodness moment. Before I get into those moments.  I just need to remember the goodness of God that I get to enjoy life with you.  All morning I've been thinking about what I would feel or think about the moment when time stood still for forty minutes. When it would take an act of God, a quick acting, wise thinking midwife, and the right people praying and running things. Amazing that the testimony is this sweet boy who loves to laugh and brings so much joy to our lives.  And today I get to say Happy Birthday my sweet, full-of-life Squish, who came…

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April Rewards

Who loves free stuff?!  The coolest thing every month with Young Living is the ability to receive free products just for ordering my normal household stuff I was going to order anyway.  As a thank you for placing my order with them, Young Living sends me all kinds of FREE stuff every month.  The April Rewards this month are spectacular, especially if you have kiddos in your home, grandkiddos you love or special littles in your life that would benefit from some oily support. Owie is one of our more frequently used oils in this home.  It is used every single time my kiddos meet the pavement.  I love that it is prediluted. It is a blend of: Caprylic/capric glycerides, Abiesbalsamea (Idaho balsam fir) needle oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree) leaf oil, Helichrysum italicum flower oil, Canarium luzonicum (Elemi) gum oil, Cistus ladaniferus (Cistus)…

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