Essential Oil Safety 101

If you've been following along with previous blog post or on my Facebook page, you know that I am a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and completely head over heels in love with their products. I seriously cannot get enough of doTERRA. I use their essential oils and other products every single day, and I really love sharing doTERRA with others. I even created a Facebook group for people to join and ask questions, share ideas, and generally discuss essential oils!

In order to better share my passion, I am also going to be posting blogs pertaining to essential oils and their uses. This post is the first one of that nature!

One major concern for people new to essential oils is their safety. Essential oils, though growing in popularity for very good reasons, are not mainstream. People aren't automatically familiar with how to use them, and that makes trying them a bit scary for some. Imagine if you had never heard of over the counter pain medicine, and someone out of the blue told you to swallow a strange pill to alleviate your headache. Having no idea what it was, you'd be a little cautious before taking it! 

Most people are in that position when it comes to essential oils. In fact, it takes on average at least four interactions before a person new to essential oils decides to finally try them. Although EOs are effective and natural wellness aids, they are a little bit foreign to most people. 

If you are in that place where you are new to essential oils and aren't sure how to use them safely, hopefully this blog post will shed some light on how you can incorporate oils into your life and the life of your family safely. 

The good news is this: Essential oils are generally safe. However, like with any health supplement, there are some guidelines to be followed and things to keep in mind when using essential oils.

Here a Few Basic Do's and Don't's of Essential Oils:

Do buy from a reputable company such as doTERRA. DoTERRA has rigid standards of sourcing, collecting, and testing their oils at an independent laboratory to ensure that each oil is 100% pure, free from pesticides or other impurities, and consists of the correct properties. This means that doTERRA essential oils are beyond organic and the safest and most effective EOs on the market. 

Whatever brand you buy, make sure that you can trust their quality. An impure or contaminated essential oil will be less effective at best and may even be harmful at worst.

Do follow the appropriate use guidelines for each specific oil or oil blend. Each oil has specific intended and safe uses. Oils can be used aromatically, topically, or internally, and many can be used in more than one way. However, some oils like wintergreen are toxic when ingested. DoTERRA provides guidelines for each oil and oil blend they sell, and all of their oils which are safe for consumption have nutritional information and internal use instructions on the bottle. Never disregard this safety information! DoTERRA's team of experts have determined the best and safest ways to use their oils; always follow their guidelines and warnings.

If you purchase oils from a different company, be sure to research how each particular oil can be used safely.

Do test new oils on a small patch of skin before using. If you've never used an essential oil, it's a good idea to test it on your forearm for a few hours before applying to larger area of your body. Each body is different, and some people may have sensitivities to certain oils. 

Don't continue use of an oil if you have an allergic reaction. If you test an oil and experience a negative effect, discontinue use. 

If you place an oil on your skin and experience a negative reactions, such as burning, dilute the oil with a fatty carrier oil, not water. Water and essential oils do not mix, and adding water to the oil on your skin may actually make your reaction worsen.

Do dilute oils with a carrier oil. While some oils can be used neat (without a carrier oil), most will need to be diluted with a fatty carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil. When using EOs on sensitive skin or children, they should be diluted even further. As with almost everything, children need a smaller dose than adults. 

Again, doTERRA is super helpful and provides guidelines for whether or not an oil can be used neat or must be diluted before use.

Don't use oils on cats or small pets like hamsters. While essential oils can be used safely on some pets, cats and small animals are a different story. Always research carefully before using an EO on any pet.

Do research each oil or blend carefully before use. This goes back to knowing the appropriate use of each oil before using it. You also need to be sure that the oil you want to use is safe during pregnancy, or if it can cause sun sensitivity, and the general safety protocols for that particular oil.

It's also important to know what an oil supports or promotes before using it. For example, if you were on a long drive and wanted to diffuse an oil to promote alertness, you certainly wouldn't want to reach for a relaxing oil such as lavender! (You might, however, want to diffuse some peppermint in that situation!)

Don't use oils in a way that makes you uncomfortable, even if someone else does so without any problems. If you are not comfortable with a certain usage of an oil, don't let the fact that others use it that way make you go against your own personal feelings. Each body is different, and each person should use their oils not only in the appropriate way for the oil, but also in the appropriate way for the person. 

Do remember that essential oils are health supplements, not medicines. The basic difference between a health supplement and a medicine is this: supplements promote wellness while medicines treat illness or disease. There is a reason that we are called doTERRA Wellness Advocates! Essential oils are not approved to prevent, treat, or cure any illness, ailment, or disease. Essential oils work with your body to promote its proper functions and help it maintain health. 

Don't support Wellness Advocates who do not follow doTERRA's guidelines. This goes along with previous point. DoTERRA (and FDA) guidelines prohibit Wellness Advocates from diagnosing illness or prescribing essential oils to treat, prevent, or cure an ailment. Again, EOs are supplements, not drugs. We are Wellness Advocates, not doctors. If a Wellness Advocate says something to you like, "this oil will cure your asthma!" you should discontinue your support of that person and find a Wellness Advocate who follows doTERRA's rules and speaks about essential oils in an appropriate manner.

Do keep essential oils in a safe place away from children, pets, flames, and sunlight. They should also be stored in dark bottles like the ones they are originally packaged in. Keeping your oils in a safe place keeps your children and pets safe and prevents the EOs (which last a minimum of 5-10 years if stored correctly) safe from damage caused by directly sunlight or extreme heat. 

Don't forget that essential oils are highly concentrated. A drop goes a long way! You literally only need a drop or two at a time for most essential oils. Using them in larger amounts is unnecessary and may increase the chance of a negative reaction.

Do be careful about buying essential oils (particularly online) from anywhere other than the actual source. A legitimate Wellness Advocate's site will contain "mydoterra.com" in the web address (it will look like this: http://www.mydoterra.com/tiramarfarms). Alternatively, you can also purchase through a Wellness Advocate in person or by contacting them directly to place your order.

Sometimes individuals who sell EOs on places like Amazon or Ebay tamper with the EOs and dilute them with fillers before replacing the cap to make it appear that the bottle is unopened. DoTERRA also requires that any Wellness Advocates selling through a site like Amazon must sell their products at a minimum retail price, so if you see someone selling doTERRA oils for an unusually cheap price online, that is a red flag. To be safe, always buy directly from a reputable Wellness Advocate rather than through sites like Amazon.

Don't use essentials oils in your eyes or ear canal. These areas of your body are especially sensitive. EOs can be used around the outside of your ear, however, just not inside your ear.

Do use caution and consult your physician before using essential oil if you are pregnant or otherwise under a doctor's care. Some oils are not safe to use during pregnancy.

And finally....

Do remember that each body is different. I have pointed this out a couple of times already, but it bears repeating. Your body may respond differently to certain essential oils than mine does. Always keep this in mind when someone tells you about how a particular oil works for them, because it may not work in the exact same way for you. 

I hope this helps you better understand how you can incorporate essential oils into your daily life in a way that is safe and comfortable for you. If you have any questions, want to purchase essential oils, or want to join my doTERRA essential oil team, contact me or click the images below! 

          

Cheers!

My Favorite Household Cleaning Tools

Homestead homes get dirty. Like, really dirty. Chicken feathers in the kitchen utensil drawer kind of dirty. Keeping house clean when animals (shout out to all those who have had live chickens and/or goats in their homes on more than one occasion!), muddy boots, and other miscellaneous messes traipse through on a routine basis is not easy. Or even possible. If you saw my house right now, then read this post, you would think that I have gone bonkers. There are saddles in the living room, for Pete's sake.

But, I have a secret that makes my cleaning advice more valid! One of the things that I do to earn a little extra cash is clean houses. It doesn't bring in the big bucks, but it's an oddly satisfying job, and one I've been doing about a month now. In that time, I've used several different cleaning products with varied success. I've even tried some new things I've never used before that make cleaning so much easier. I enjoyed (is that the right word?) some of these tools so much that I wanted to share a few of my favorites. (And these really are my favorites -- I'm not affiliated with or sponsored by any of these products!)

1. Swiffer Sweep & Trap. This baby rocks and rolls. It has rotating blades on the front that capture bigger pieces of trash in a compartment, and a Swiffer dust pad on the back that collects all the dust and hair that would run away from the traditional broom and dustpan. This tool is my absolute favorite. It not only picks up dust and small fuzzies better than a traditional broom, but it is also way easier on my back. With a traditional broom, I typically have to hunch a bit. I'm not super tall by any means, but I'm just above average enough that brooms and mops tend to be a little too short for me to use them correctly and remain upright. But with this tool, because it doesn't require the typical two-handed sweeping motion, I can stand perfectly straight and still get the job done. It's also super maneuverable. If you're tired of ye olde broom and pan, give the Sweep & Trap a try! 

For cleaning other people's homes, I also like that the dust pads are disposable and the plastic sweeper itself can easily be cleaned and disinfected. Most homeowners do not want mops, brooms, and the like to be reused in their home after being used in someone else's. However, if you are crafty and into reusable, it wouldn't be hard to sew a reusable dust pad for the broom with some microfiber cloth.

2. Shark Light and Easy Steam Mop. Mopping was once my least favorite chore, but with new-fangled tools such as this, it is no longer so unbearable. This mop has a reusable microfiber cleaning pads which sticks on very simply, and it relies on steam to get floors shiny and clean. It is light weight and easy to use (hence the name!). You simply fill up the water container, plug it in, and go to work. When you push forward, the handle presses down and releases steam. It's as simple as that: no buttons to push, no spray triggers to pull, and -- best of all -- no buckets. 

It is also designed to be used completely chemical-free, which is a huge plus in my book and for my personal use. I have on occasion added a touch of white vinegar to the fluid compartment, however, to deal with especially difficult messes. It's also a huge plus that the microfiber pad can be thrown in the washer and completely cleaned. Overall, I feel that products like this result in a much cleaner floor and more sanitary mop than the traditional mop n' bucket routine. 

The one downside to this product is that it relies on electricity to work, so it has to be plugged in. That's not a huge problem, but it does add an extra step when changing rooms.

3. Rubbermaid Reveal. This is a similar product to the Shark mop, but is, in my opinion, slightly less impressive. Like the shark, this has a reusable, washable microfiber cleaning pad. It also uses a refillable liquid compartment rather than a bucket. With this mop you must pull a trigger and squirt your liquid onto the floor as you go; it doesn't create the effortless steam like the shark. 

The definite bonuses to this design are the same as the Shark: easy to use, light weight, no buckets, washable, reusable. Another plus is that you can use whatever cleaning agent in the sprayer that you prefer. At home, that would be vinegar. In other people's homes, it is what product they prefer. It is also a plus that this mop does not need to be plugged into the wall outlet. It also has a scrub pad on top that can be used when a spot needs some elbow grease.

However, the downsides are that pulling the trigger to squirt water on the floor gets old fast. The water also seems to not last as long as the steam water does in the Shark, and using plain water is not an option because there is no sanitizing heat.

4. Swiffer Sweeper. This basic little tool barely made the list, but it does have a few things going for it. It can be used with wet or dry cloths. Swiffer dry cloths are exceptionally good at picking up dust and other fine debris that can be difficult to get with a broom (their dusters are great, too). When cleaning houses for others, the disposable pads are nice. There is also the option to make your own reusable pads if you're crafty. 

What I don't like about the Sweeper is that it's a lightweight in the sense that it isn't as tough on grime as other products listed. It's good for small, quick clean ups where the floor is already pretty clean but still needs a touch up. However, for bigger messes, I find myself going through multiple pads when I use one of these. There is also no option for customization when using it as a wet mop (unless you make your own pads), because the wet cloths designed for it come pre-soaked in whatever chemical cleaning concoction Swiffer uses. So, while this is arguably the easiest to use, it isn't necessarily the best.

What's your favorite household cleaning tool?

Cheers!

Why I Became a doTERRA Wellness Advocate (And Why I Love Their Products)

If you follow me over on my Facebook page (and you should!), then you know that I recently joined doTERRA as a Wellness Advocate, which is simply their term for Independent Consultant and Wholesale Account member. What seems out of the blue has really been building over quite some time. Today I want to share with you my own journey with essential oils (EOs), why I chose doTERRA, how I use oils in my day to day life, and why I ultimately decided to become a consultant.

How I Got Started with Essential Oils and Why I Chose doTERRA

The first purchase I ever made of essential oils was lavender essential oil to fragrance my goat milk soap. I immediately fell in love with lavender. This is not surprising, considering that lavender is the overall favorite of EO consumers. It is a beautiful, soothing, and calming scent, and one that I use every single day. Since then, I have used several other EOs in my soapmaking, purely for their divine scents. Although I still use fragrance oils (FO) in my soap for certain scents, when choosing between a lavender EO or a lavender FO, the EO wins hands down every time...and that's not even a therapeutic grade EO.

This use of EOs for fragrance purposes sparked an interest in me for their other uses, primarily as aromatherapy and for topical application. So I experimented with store-bought oils. I used peppermint to repel spiders and for headaches and lavender for its peaceful aroma. And, most importantly, I began to research EOs and their uses. Boy, did that open up a whole new world for me!

Why did I chose doTERRA?

I found out that store brand EOs are not as high a grade as the oils made by doTERRA. At first I assumed these brand-wars were just a marketing ploy by companies. I can now attest from further research and personal use that nothing could be farther from the truth. When my first doTERRA order finally arrived, the first oil I opened was my beloved lavender. And you know what? I could smell the difference.

So, why is there such a big difference in potency and quality?

It all has to do with the high standards that doTERRA sets for itself. They carefully test their oils at independent laboratories for purity and quality to assure that each bottle is 100% pure essential oil. They also source their oils from the highest quality sources available. They make sure that their oils are harvested from the right plants at the right time, extracted correctly, and proven to be free from contaminants such as pesticides or fillers that would water-down the oils. Read more about this HERE.

The higher quality of doTERRA oils means that they are purer, safer, and more effective. Because they are more effective, I need to use less of them than I would a lower quality oil. Using less means that I can save money in the long run.

In short, I use doTERRA oils because I believe them to be the highest quality essential oils on the market. 

Why and How I Use Oils

Essential oils work. And they smell good doing it, too. The more that I use them, the more I grow to love them. And the more that I read about them, the more I want to use them in new and different ways that I haven't tried yet! For just one example, check out THIS STUDY that found that doTERRA's blend, On Guard, effectively attenuated influenza virus in vitro.

So, why I use oils is pretty simple. They smell great, they are completely plant-based and natural, and most importantly, they are effective. Investing in oils is investing in health.

But how do I use them in my daily life?

I am personally a big fan of diffusing oils into the air for aromatherapy, delicious scents, and air purification. Diffusing in my home also provides the added benefit of adding moisture to the air, which is especially important during winter.

Diffusing is super easy. DoTERRA offers a wide range of diffusers which can be purchased HERE. You can also use a simple tealight candle-based diffuser like the one pictured below. Simply put a few drops of your favorite oil in the top and fill with hot water. Light the tea candle below and enjoy! (The oil pictured is doTERRA's blend, Balance.)

I diffuse in my car using felt pads in a stainless steel tea strainer. The oils make my car smell heavenly, and depending on which oil I'm using, they can promote calm or alertness for long drives.

I also use the oils topically. Most oils need to be mixed into a carrier oil such as coconut oil (water does not dilute EOs), before being applied topically, but some -- such as my old favorite, lavender -- can be applied neat. DoTERRA provides instructions with each oil they sell to let you know how they can be used: by diffusing, topically with oil, topically neat, or internally. (If you have not used a specific oil topically before, it is recommended to apply a small amount to your forearm and wait 24 hours to test for sensitivity.)

One of my long-time favorite oily routines is to put a few drops of lavender on my pillow each night before going to sleep.

To learn more about essential oils and how to use them, go HERE.

Slim and Sassy Weight Loss Shakes 

Oils aren't the only doTERRA products I use! DoTERRA offers a wide range of health and wellness products from supplements to skincare to weight loss support products. One such product is their Slim and Sassy Trim Shakes.

Those who know me personally know that I am on a weight loss journey, and like any journey, it has had its ups and downs. I have been on a shake plan once before with minimal success, so I was skeptical when I saw the Trim Shake. However, reading further, I was really impressed. These doTERRA shakes are unlike any I've tried before.

First and foremost, these shakes contain no soy, no sugar, and no artificial flavors or colors. I can speak from first hand experience that it is really hard to find a shake mix without soy proteins. The ones I have found have been highly unpalatable. But these Trim Shakes not only have no soy, they taste great, too!

The Trim Shakes are sweetened with Stevia and come in both chocolate and vanilla. They blend smoothly, contain a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, and have 8 grams of protein in one scoop (just the powder). But what I really love about these shakes is doTERRA's two special ingredients: EssentraTrim and Solathin.

EssentraTrim is a extract from ashwagandha leaves and roots and has been shown to support weight loss by controlling the release of the stress hormone cortisol. It has also shown to help curb carbohydrate cravings (a huge struggle of mine), stress-induced appetite, and overeating while supporting healthy blood sugar levels and energy.

Solathin is a special protein derived from potatoes that supports increased feelings of satiety. It has demonstrated an ability to help control snacking and overeating and to make you feel full longer. I can personally attest to the fact that I can go hours after drinking a Trim Shake and not feel hungry -- something that never happened with previous shakes I have tried. I don't get hungry two hours after finishing a Trim Shake. On one busy day, I drank a shake between 9 and 10:00 am, but wasn't able to drink my next shake until about 3:00 pm. Although I was certainly hungry by the time I got to lunch, it was a manageable hunger -- I wasn't starving.

I love that doTERRA didn't just make a meal-replacement shake...they made a meal-replacement shake that helps promote appropriate eating habits and weight loss even after it has been consumed. I have never personally had a shake that I felt was actually benefiting me in ways other than limiting my caloric intake until Trim Shake.

I understand that weight loss shakes, no matter how awesome, are not a long-term solution or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. However, I feel that using these shakes in conjunction with developing overall healthier habits will be a huge help in my weight loss journey. They could also be useful for maintaining a healthy weight by providing a quick and easy breakfast or lunch on the run as an alternative to fast food. And at just $1 per serving,* you can't find a cheaper meal! (*Price calculated using the wholesale account price for the shakes and not including the cost of your liquid of choice.)

I personally mix my shakes using raw pastured cow's milk, which I feel nicely rounds out my "meal" by adding additional vitamins and minerals and sufficient calories for meal-replacement (if mixed with water, the Trim Shakes would only contain 70 calories per serving, which is not sufficient for meal replacement). I'm drinking a chocolate raw milk Trim Shake for lunch as I type right now!

Learn more about these awesome shakes HERE and purchase HERE.

The Loyalty Rewards Program

The Loyalty Rewards Program (LRP)  may be my favorite thing about this company. When I joined as a Wellness Advocate, I set up my monthly order of Trim Shakes to ship automatically. By joining the LRP, I automatically receive points toward free products every time my order ships! This means that simply by making a purchase I would be making anyway, I get to earn free doTERRA products (with the added convenience that I don't have to worry about forgetting to re-order my shakes on time and running out!) I can also earn the free product of the month if my order totals 125 pv and is placed prior to the 15th!

The LRP also does not require a minimum purchase order! Although there is a minimum order to receive product points -- 50 pv -- there is not a minimum order to stay in the program. If at any time I need or want to make a smaller purchase I can simply go into my doTERRA online office and edit my monthly order. No stress! Learn more HERE.

Why I Became a Wellness Advocate 

Finally, the million dollar question!

Setting up a wholesale account just makes sense. It is the wisest and most affordable way to purchase from doTERRA. It allows me access to the awesome Loyalty Rewards Program and provides a hefty discount on all products. For just $35 a year, I get to earn free products and get a 25% discount off of the retail price! To give you a real-life example of how much this benefits me, and can benefit YOU, Trim Shakes (which I am using daily and ordering monthly) retail for $52.67. With a wholesale account, they are only $39.50! That means that if I were to buy just one shake mix a month for only three months, I would save $39.51 and more than pay for my yearly membership fee.

Being a Wellness Advocate also allows me to share doTERRA with others and earn bonus products and even commission in the process..but without any pressure. I have been a consultant for another company in the past, and although I loved their products, I didn't love the minimum sales requirement in order to stay in the program. With doTERRA, I don't have to sell anything, buy anything, or sign anyone else on in order to continue being a Wellness Advocate and reaping the benefits of the wholesale account. This program is truly all rewards and no pressure.

Hey Wait! I Want In On This!

I thought you might!

                               

Any Questions?

If you are unsure how to purchase or sign on for a Wholesale Account or the Loyalty Rewards Program, or if you have any questions at all, CONTACT ME. I am here to answer any questions you have!

Cheers!

Rachel

The Lost Art of Doing What Has to be Done

A strange thing sparked this thought in me. I have been reading a book about the women of the Bible. It's really a fascinating read. Sadly the women of the Bible often get downplayed, but they have incredible stories which show how much God listens to, uses, and loves women -- from prostitutes to princesses. But that's not really the point of this post.

Okay, back to topic. After the story of of how Jael killed Sisera by driving a tent stake through his head, one of the questions the book asked was along the lines of, "how was Jael able to do what she did?" One of my first thoughts was, "she did what had to be done." And that thought led me down a rabbit trail, as thoughts often do.

Doing what has to be done has become a lost art in our society. We don't really have a need to do what has to be done, because there are others who do most of the hard work for us. It's so easy to step away from the hard reality of responsibility and pretend that it doesn't exist. We don't have to butcher our own meat, because other people do that for us. We don't have to harvest our own food, because it comes in nice little packages in the grocery store. We don't have to do so many things anymore, because there are handfuls of people in each community that do it for everyone else. It's so easy to turn a blind eye to the facts of life...and death.

But when we homestead, we pull back the curtain. We come face to face with our food, with our responsibilities, and with the really difficult stuff that most other people ignore. Homesteading is a resuscitation of the lost art of doing what has to be done. Homesteaders and small farmers are reintroducing the real-life knowledge and skills of where and how we get our food. Homesteading is learning how to do what has to be done...whether that means breaking ice in the middle of winter, selling an animal you had planned to keep, or butchering your own meat. "As needs, must."

Sometimes, it's easy peasy and fun, other times it's hard. But I think it's a good thing. I think we, as a society, need to re-learn what it means to be truly responsible and intentional. We need to stop letting the man behind the curtain make all the tough calls and do all the grunt work. It's better for us as individuals and for the earth when we step up and mindfully play a part in the production of our own food.

So let's learn to do what has to be done.

Cheers.