Monthly Archives: May 2016

Read more about the article Cistus Essential Oil

Cistus Essential Oil

Do you remember reading that phrase in the Song of Solomon ("I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys"). and picturing a rose?!  I was shocked to learn that this is likely not a rose at all, but rather the flower ladanum or rock rose or commonly cistus (hence cistus essential oil!). Albert Barnes writes, "The etymology is in favor of its being a bulbous plant (the white narcissus, Conder). “Sharon” is usually the proper name of the celebrated plain from Joppa to Caesarea, between the hill-country and the sea, and travelers have remarked the abundance of flowers with which this plain is still carpeted in spring." [1]  I love that it is a white flower - since white represents purity its more fitting for Christ then a red rose.  The fact that this flower has a sweet, honey-like scent  reminds…

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Read more about the article Summer Essentials

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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Read more about the article Summer Fun

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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Read more about the article Cedarwood Essential Oil

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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Read more about the article Cassia Essential Oil

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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Read more about the article Aloes (Sandalwood)

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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Read more about the article Oils of the Bible

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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Read more about the article May Rewards

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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