Coraline's Triplets Pt. 2 - Life and Death

In part 1 of this post, I covered the happy part of Coraline's birth story -- the labor and delivery. If you haven't yet, go read it first before you start part 2.

Coraline and two of her triplets, the doe (left) and second buck (right).

Late Wednesday morning, after I overslept a bit from having such a wacky sleep pattern in the nights leading up to Coraline's kidding, I noticed that Coraline's afterbirth was still hanging. It had been a bit over 24 hours, which is when it's officially considered "retained" (at least based on what I have read). She was standing eating hay, and seemed just a little bit not like herself. I thought at the time that it was just because the rest of her placenta needed to clear out, so I called the vet's and let them know what was going on. A retained afterbirth had happened with one other doe previously, so I wasn't too terribly concerned at this point. The vet gave us a shot of oxytocin to make her body flush the rest of the afterbirth out.

However, after we gave her the oxytocin, I realized something more was wrong. Coraline was not herself. She was shivering a little, hadn't eaten all of her alfalfa pellets, and just seemed..."off." I find myself using that term a lot. Sometimes it's hard to describe to someone else how a goat is when it's not itself, but not showing overt symptoms. I knew something was up, but the best way I could describe it was "off" and a little listless. So we loaded her up and took her to the vet.

Upon arrival, Coraline passed the rest of the afterbirth. The vet did a check on her and found everything pretty much as it should be. Her heart rate was a little elevated, but she thought that was likely due to stress. Her temperature was normal, her rumen was functioning, her udder was warm and pliable. The vet did an ultrasound to be sure there wasn't a retained fetus, and that was all clear. The only obvious symptom was the "off-ness." A little listless, not interested in food, head hanging a bit, not really interested in walking around. Then she passed a bit of foul-smelling uterine fluid, and we all thought we had our answer -- a uterine infection. The vet gave us the option of having lab work drawn or just administering banamine and Nuflor (an antibiotic). We thought that infection was the culprit, and talking to the vet it seemed like the antibiotic and banamine should clear her up, so we declined additional lab work at that time. I had personally suspected hypocalcemia due to the mild shivering and had already given some calcium drench, so I asked about giving another dose later, and the vet said she thought that would be a good idea. Typically hypocalcemia is associated with a low body temp, so it seemed that it could be ruled out at that point, but I did administer the additional calcium later than night anyway.

After that point, there seemed to be ups and downs. She actually ate a bite of her alfalfa pellets as soon as we got her home, and I thought that was a good sign. When I checked her a little later, she was laying down again, and that is when I unknowingly snapped the last picture I would ever take of her. I could tell that she still did not feel good. (If you have goats yourself, you know how unusual it is for them to lay with their head down like this.) However, she had just recently come in from the vet check and I was still hopeful at this point that the Nuflor would kick in and get rid of whatever was making her ill. I almost wish I hadn't snapped this picture, and I actually almost didn't, but the way her little buckling was standing was so precious that I couldn't resist. But I do hate that my last picture of her was one in which she was not herself.

I checked on her again later that night (I believe it was around midnight) and decided at that point to pull the kids and bottle feed them. I had been wrestling with whether or not to do that from the beginning. Half of me knew that mom's milk is always the best food for babies, but the other half of me was concerned that their nursing would tax her body more and either slow her healing process, or, if she was hypocalcemic, would drain her of more calcium. I finally made the decision to pull them because I noticed her walking away from them after only letting them nurse a couple of seconds. Normally does won't do that until they're starting to wean them. I still didn't know if I was making the right decision, but I thought it would be better to be safe than sorry. I realize now in hindsight that her walking away from them was probably the first sign of discomfort in her udder, but I didn't make that connection at first. I now believe that I did make the right decision in pulling the kids.

The next day my dad fed the kids' their breakfast for me and checked Coraline early in the morning. He sent me a text that she was walking around more than she had been and seemed to be improving, so I went ahead and slept a couple more hours, thinking that the medicine was working. Then I got up and fed the kids their next meal while dad went to check her again, but this time she had taken a turn for the worse. He came in and told me she was just standing and shivering again, and then we switched places and I went to check on her. It was obvious that something was very, very wrong and the medicine was not working. She was just laying down and shivering worse than she had been before. Despite antibiotics and Banamine, her condition had declined rather than improved. (I think the brief moments of improvement may have been her feeling a little better because of the Banamine, but not actually improving health wise.) I called the vet immediately to let her know we were going to bring Coraline back in, and the first thing she said was that she had just talked to my dad, who had already called her while I went to the barn. I had just gotten off the phone and was loading Coraline into the kennel when Dad showed up to help me carry her to the car.

I don't know that I have ever seen an animal as sick as Coraline was at this point. In fact, I have seen animals pass away that appeared healthier than Coraline did. It's hard to explain just how frustrated I felt. I was angry that we couldn't figure out what was wrong with her or how to fix it. That was the probably the worst part about the whole thing -- the not knowing. I felt more confused than I have about any of my goat's health in a long time. I have lost goats in the past, dealt with difficult situations, and experienced the typical steep learning curve of goat ownership. But after several years of being a goatherd, a ton of time spent researching and reaching out to mentors, and a few mistakes, I can now usually make at least a somewhat educated guess when a problem arises. With Coraline, though, I just had no clue. It didn't make any sense to me.

Then, at the vet's office, I finally found a concrete clue: she had mastitis. Her udder was bruised, and when I milked the affected side, nothing but clear liquid came out. At first, I thought the mastitis was a new thing caused by me pulling her kids and bottle feeding them -- talk about feeling like even more of a dunce. Then, when the vet said that it had likely been working from the inside all along, I felt a brief moment of relief. Finally! We had the answer! The mastitis, previously invisible to all of us because it was originating from within her udder, was what was making her sick. We knew what was wrong and could finally fix it!

Then the vet said that it was gangrenous mastitis, and my relief faded. I'd never personally seen gangrene mastitis before, but I had seen pictures of it on the internet. I knew it was the kind that caused the udder to slough off. Coraline had freshened with such a beautiful, soft, capacious udder. My only complaint was that her teats were small. I knew that now there was the chance she might lose her udder. But one thing I did not yet know was that gangrene mastitis could also cause sepsis, and that was what was happening to Coraline. Previously I had believed that gangrene mastitis could be fatal because of the necrosis working its way up the body and away from the udder. I didn't know that the infection actually worked from within the body, sending the infection into the blood and damaging other organs before we could even see or feel it on the outside of her udder. 

The vet told us that the best thing we could do was take her to the "goat gurus" at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. That three-ish hour drive felt much longer. Every time I heard Coraline move in her crate I would think, "good, at least she's still alive." I still felt better than I had before, because we at least had a plan of action. But in the back of my mind I knew it wasn't good. 

I do want to pause here and say that I am really grateful that timing worked out the way it did. My dad had just gotten his temporary lay off that his company does once or twice each year, so he was able to help me carry Coraline to and from the vet and do early morning checks and kid feeding after I did the late night ones. It would have been even harder of a situation if I hadn't had his help. I can't imagine trying to drive to MSU on my own having never been there. My navigational skills are not the best to begin with, and it was a little tricky to find. I am not very good with directions, so I probably would have gotten lost. I also normally clean houses on Thursday, but as it worked out my friend/cleaning partner was able to do one on her own and the other person sent a text Wednesday night -- before I even knew what I would be doing Thursday -- that something had come up and she didn't need us to come that week. Everything worked out in the best way possible considering the situation. 

When we finally got to MSU, the staff were all extremely helpful and kind. Perhaps because it is a learning environment, they went above and beyond to explain everything. These are the things I learned about septic gangrene mastitis:

• Coraline had most likely contracted the bacteria during her labor. Often the timeline of the infection is about 3 days post-labor, which is about when Coraline started to get ill. The release of oxytocin that occurs when they give birth causes them to "drop" their milk for the babies and open their orifices to allow milk out, which unfortunately can also allow bacteria in. Then the bacteria grows inside the udder at a rapid rate. The vet at MSU said that he had once done a check on a cow one morning and she appeared fine, but the very same cow was down that afternoon from septic mastitis.
• The bacteria can be found in any organic surfaces, from "clean" straw to dirt to our hands. He said that there is no good way to prevent it, simply because the bacteria is everywhere.
• He said that this is a very rare thing, and we will probably never see it again in our lives. I certainly hope he is right about that!
• In addition to the necrotic infection of the udder, the bacteria that causes septic gangrene mastitis also creates toxins that go throughout the body and affect other organs. Coraline's kidneys and liver were already affected, and it sounded like she had a little fluid or damage in her lungs. Her albumin level was very low.
• Because the infection grows so fast and becomes systemic, it is very hard to treat and the odds, he said, were about 50/50. One of the other people there used the word "grave" when referring to her prognosis. The best case scenario was that she would lose part of her udder. Surgery was not an option because of her septic state. 

After giving us all of the information, they quickly wrote up an estimate for us. Then they put her on IV antibiotics and fluids and anti-inflammatory medication. We knew at that time that they were going to keep her for at least 24 hours, but we found out later that they were actually going to keep her at least over the weekend (which was good news, in my opinion, because I knew she would be in good hands and I did not feel capable in the least to treat her at home).

We got back home around 11:30 pm. I knew the odds were not good, but it still felt much better to know that Coraline was in the best possible hands. Our local vet, who is very good but is more of an equine expert, had told us that the people at MSU had much more expertise for treating cases like Coraline's. It was also one of those situations where I could tell the people really cared and wanted to see her get better. Really, if anyone could have saved her, it would have been them. 

The next morning the update was that the IV was helping, but her udder had ruptured (which they expected). They were applying salve to it and had an udder catheter in to drain it. Then the following morning she was still holding her own, but she was not out of the woods yet and still would not eat, though she was drinking. They had taken her on a walk to try to stimulate her appetite. I started to feel a little more hope at this point, just knowing that she was drinking on her own and still able to walk. On Saturday there was a new spot on her udder that they were concerned about, but otherwise she was the same. Then Sunday rolled around. They called with an update that morning that she was still the same. She still was not eating. Then, just an hour or two later, they called to let us know that she was gone.

The whole thing has honestly felt surreal. Part of me still can't believe that Coraline, the first homegrown doeling I ever kept, who had never been sick before in her life, is gone at only four years old and after only kidding one time. Mixed in with the typical sadness and grief associated with death is a profound sense of disappointment. How and why could this rare thing happen to Coraline? She had such a sweet personality. Coraline was always a reserved, quiet doe, and never one to butt her way to the center of attention. Instead, she was the kind who would sneak up quietly while the other goats were distracted and demand scratches or nibble my clothes -- which she is depicted doing in my farm logo picture (featured at the top of this blog and elsewhere). It's just such a shock.

Coraline a week or so before she kidded, wanting some attention.

I typically believe that something can be learned from every bad situation such as this, and that the wisdom gained is one positive thing that comes from the negative. I hate to say, though, that the main thing I learned from this experience is that gangrene mastitis is a horrific illness. 

I don't know how much I can change in the future based on this experience. If the very same thing were to happen again, exactly as it did this time, I still probably would expect it to be something more common like hypocalcemia, ketosis, uterine infection, or even an unborn kid or uterine tear before I would expect septic mastitis. I honestly just don't know how I, or anyone, would be able to diagnose the illness before it showed up physically in the udder. Maybe I could check the quality of the milk sooner, but I don't know that there's any guarantee that it would be abnormal by appearance before the udder itself began to change. Taste wouldn't be of much help, because colostrum (which I have never tasted, for the record) is supposed to have a wonky taste to begin with, so what would that help me? I want to research the topic more, because even after this I honestly feel like there's much about it that I don't know or understand.

I do plan on changing a few things, though. First, as time and money allow, I want to replace the dirt floors of our barn with concrete in the kidding area. This won't remove organic material from our barn completely, because we will still be using bedding of course, but at least I will be able to bleach the floor before the does give birth. There's no good way to disinfect dirt.

Second, I am going to apply a teat dip/udder wash to each doe immediately after she kids. I feel like that would be the best time to do so, because most of the time (though not always) the does lay down to deliver the kids, then stand up to allow them to nurse. I want to catch them right after they stand up and clean their udders then to remove the bacteria they no doubt collected while laying down. It's not a perfect solution, since obviously the does will lay down again, but at least it's something.

And third, if I ever again have a goat that gets very sick, I will take them straight to MSU. Not because our local vet is not good, because she is, but because at MSU they really are small ruminant experts. I don't know that getting Coraline to MSU faster would have changed her outcome, but I also don't find that a very useful question because I can't change the past, so why dwell on "what if's?" But one thing I do know is that MSU is the best place for a sick goat. 

I hope that something in Coraline's story is helpful or useful to you, or maybe just lets you know that you are not alone if you experience something like this. The main reason I chose to share Coraline's story in detail is because there's a chance it might help someone else. There have been so many times that I have known what to do in a situation only because someone else who had been there before was willing to share their experiences, and I feel it's only fair that I pass it on. Plus, it's always nice to know you are not the only one to experience a bad situation. And if Coraline's story helps someone else, that also allows something good to come from her death. 

Rest in peace, Coraline. Tell Clara I said hi.

Left: Coraline and her doeling, Mattie.                    Right: Coraline as a baby with her mother, Clara. 

Coraline's Triplets Pt. 1 - Labor and Delivery

If you follow me on Facebook, you know by now that Coraline passed away four short days after kidding. However, I don't want to talk about that in this post! Instead I have decided to split her kidding story into two separate posts: one for the happy tale and one for the sad. In this post is the story of Coraline's labor and delivery.

In true goat fashion, Coraline waited to kid until the middle of the night. I first noticed the early signs of labor around 9:00 pm Monday January 12th. I sent a text to my dad, "Coraline is in labor. Can you please bring me my kidding bag?" and I parked myself in the pen with her for the next several hours, with the delightful hum of a portable propane heater buzzing in my ear. (Can I just say, bless the person who invented portable heaters that require no electricity!)

You've heard of midwives, but have you heard of a midcat? Muse kept me company while I waited.

Had she not been a first freshener and had it not been so cold, I might have gone inside and come back every hour to check on her. The first stages of labor can last quite some time. But it was so cold, and she was a first freshener, and an older one at that. Being four years old rather than the typical one or two at which most goats kid for the first time, I was more concerned about her having labor complications. I don't know that such concern is founded in reality, but I was concerned nonetheless. I was also worried about the kids getting dry fast enough in our chilly January weather. So, I waited.

The first buckling was the biggest kid.

Around 2:00 am Tuesday, January 13th, I called my friend Katelyn, who wanted to be present at the birth, to let her know things were getting serious. She lives about 15-20 minutes away, and before she even arrived at my barn Coraline had delivered her first kid: a strapping little buckling. He came out with gusto. I'm pretty positive that he was the one who kept kicking and seeming to do cartwheels in the womb. Before Coraline's pregnancy, I had never seen or felt a kid move in the mother's stomach. Maybe I was just not as observant of that in the past, or maybe her kids were extra active, but it was still a pretty awesome experience. A little creepy, but still cool.

Big brother is being an attention hog, but sister is visible to his left.

My dad got to witness the birth of the first buckling, and Katie arrived while he was still wet. I got his mouth suctioned and dried him as quickly as I could. Coraline took to being a mother right away. Occasionally first timers can be kind of clueless, but Coraline knew exactly what she was supposed to do. And in just a few minutes, out came the much awaited doeling! Katie and I had both been hoping and praying for two does from Coraline, because I wanted one to retain myself and Katie is getting a doeling from me in exchange for the training she did for my mare, Lady.

I thought for a moment that Coraline was done after the girl. My "official" guess, which I posted on Facebook, was that she would have twins. However, as she got closer to kidding she seemed to just keep getting bigger and bigger. The day before she went into labor I told my dad that I wouldn't be surprised if she had triplets. In the moment, I was actually a little surprised when I thought she'd only had twins. However, while I was dipping the kids umbilical cords in iodine to prevent navel ill, I heard Katie say, "Uh, Rachel? Did she just have another kid?" Yep, she did! The third kid, another buckling, was quite a bit smaller than the first two. As the runt, he was a little bit slower to stand up and get going than his siblings, but he was on his feet soon. I told Katie, "I foresee a bottle baby in this one. I bet when they're a little bit older the other two will start pushing him off the teat."

Unfortunately, my camera died before I got to take a picture of the second buckling while he was still "fresh."

Everything about Coraline's delivery was absolutely textbook. She was very stoic about the whole thing, and would nibble hay in between contractions. I remember telling her at one point, "Coraline, is now really the time?" when she was munching and I wanted her to hurry it along! But of course, everything happens according to the mother's timing, not the midwife's. I couldn't complain, though, because it's fine with me if a doe wants to take her sweet time just so long as everything goes smoothly, and for Coraline, it did. Each kid presented with a nose and two feet just like they're supposed to. Each kid came out easily with no need for intervention. They were all up and wobbling around quickly, and everyone had their first colostrum within two hours of the birth. As I said, Coraline was being a great mom and was very attentive.

Coraline with her doeling to the left and the little last-born buckling to the right.

Katelyn left for home and I went to bed at exactly 5:15 am, exhausted but very happy that things had gone smoothly and all three kids were tucked in safe with full bellies and a mom who was acting like an old pro. Everything seemed right with the world until Wednesday, January 14th.

To be continued in Part 2.

Joy and Buck Infertility

My luck this year with breeding the goats just will not hold out. It's been abysmal, really. If you've been following along on Facebook, you know that I bred four does to kid this fall and none conceived. You might also know that a doe I had not bred started to develop an udder -- nope, she wasn't pregnant either, just precocious. And lastly, you may also know that I bred four more does to kid in the spring and purchased a bred doe (not to be confused with bread dough), and only one of those does is currently pregnant!

First, I should introduce you to Joy, my newly purchased doe who is, unfortunately, not pregnant. Meet CapraKoza SG Joy to the World, aka Joy:

I struggled to get a good photo of her, because she was always either a) following me around or b) staring at and following the dogs around outside of the quarantine pen. The latter is what she was doing when I snapped this picture. So, since my picture stinks, here is one more that her breeder has given me permission to use:

       

My dad and I made an eight hour round-trip to Indiana to pick Joy up this past Sunday, after waiting three long months for circumstances to work out with her breeder where we could finally come get her. (They were in the process of moving from northern Indiana to Evansville.) I wasn't really in the market when I purchased Joy back in August, but I could not pass this girl up when I happened upon her. Her pedigree is just incredible. Her sire is PGCH Brush Creek Smoking Gun (Caesar's Villa FD Sugar Foot *S x Jeanne's Jewel Opal) and her dam is Rosasharn SP Jump for Joy 6*D 6*M (ARMCH Rosasharn SW Saporro *S E x ARMCH Rosasharn TL Almond Joy 5*D 5*M). And that is just the tip of the iceberg! In all, Joy has 5 does in her four generation pedigree that have made it onto the Top Ten Breed List for milk production (not including her full littermate sister, Caprakoza SG Silent Night 7*D 7*M, who has also made the list).

Joy herself is just a beautiful doe with so many of the qualities I value. She is also such a well mannered sweetheart. She had to endure four hours of transport (in a large dog kennel that had to be assembled in the back of my car, no less -- the heater broke on our van), but she was not phased. She stood very still to let us draw her blood for the pregnancy test and routine disease testing, and she settled right into her temporary home in our quarantine pen. She is not happy about being away from other goats, but no goat likes to be alone. It won't be too long before she will get to meet her new herd.

I am disappointed that she is not pregnant. I will breed her to Bazinga for spring kids, but I was hoping to get a doeling out of her who would not be related to the rest of the herd other than her dam. I think I have mentioned before that I am in the process of diversifying my herd. Joy is part of that process -- bringing in Rosasharn lines, which I have always admired so much -- and I was hoping her offspring would be as well. No such luck!

And diversifying my herd just got a little more difficult. The only doe that was successfully bred is Coraline, who was bred to Bazinga. Can you guess what the common denominator was for the other failed breedings (at least five or six of them, though I'd have to look at my planner to know the exact number)? 

Sigh.

The one factor that was the same for each failed breeding was my first homegrown bottle baby buck, Wybie.

This was to be his first year breeding, but apparently it is instead going to be his last year as a buck. I am considering having his fertility checked out, but with so many failed attempts, the point seems moot. He is healthy and up to date on all his mineral supplements, so there is no probable cause other than simple infertility. And since he was bred to several different does, the problem clearly does not rest with the does, either.

This is good news for Bazinga, because he is going to go on a lot more dates this year than originally planned! However, it's not so good news for me. I didn't want all of next year's kids to be by the same buck, but now that is unavoidable with Wybie being infertile and Joy not conceiving before leaving her breeder's. I will be purchasing a new herd sire next year, but for now Bazinga will have to get the job done all on his own. (I'm sure he won't be complaining.) 

I am glad I started breeding the does earlier than usual this year, because I at least have time to get most of the does bred to kid in April and May. I don't want to have any summer babies, as the weather tends to just be too miserable at that time, so any does that don't quite make the deadline will be bred to kid next fall. 

Here's to hoping, praying, crossing fingers, and doing a rain dance in hopes that my girls will cooperate with me this time! 

Cheers!

How to Use Essential Oils

I originally posted this guide as a file on my essential oil Facebook group, Let's Talk Essential Oils! Click the link to join in the conversation!

There are three main ways in which essential oils are used: Aromatically, Topically, and Internally.

Aromatically

Oils have long been treasured in aromatherapy practices. Using oils aromatically can cleanse the air, remove odors, and promote better moods. Plus, they smell good and are a healthier, safer way to scent your home than chemical fragrances.

There are several ways to reap the benefits of oils aromatically:

∙ Diffuse either by using an electric cold-air mist diffuser (this is the best kind) or by steam in either a candle-powered diffuser or pot of steaming water. A cold mist diffuser is the better choice, because the heat in a candle diffuser degrades the oils the a certain extent and makes them evaporate more quickly. However, I have used a candle diffuser, and it's not a bad option if you can't purchase a mist diffuser right away. Use 2-4 drops.

∙ Oils can also be diffused in your car, by using either a terracotta diffuser or a felt or leather pad placed in a locket of some sort. One simple and easy way to do this is to purchase a stainless steel tea strainer and place a felt pad inside. You can also purchase car diffusers that plug into your cigarette lighter, but personally I find that the aroma diffuses quickly using the tea strainer method. Use 1-3 drops, and start on the smaller side. In such a tight space the aroma can become overpowering if you use too much (ask me how I know!).

∙ Similarly, you can purchase or make diffusing jewelry made with terracotta or with a filigree locket in which a pad of felt or leather can be placed. Put 1-2 drops in your necklace and wear to diffuse about you for several hours to all day, depending on the oil and your sensitivity to smell.  

When diffusing using felt, leather, or terracotta, allow your oil to completely evaporate before applying a different oil unless you want to mix the fragrances. This usually at least 24 hours and often longer. 

Topically

Essential oils can be used topically for many reasons, including but not limited to using in massage, applying to minor skin abrasions, soothing sore muscles, minimizing scars or blemishes, or simply using as a perfume. Some essential oils are even useful for minimizing the effects of aging!

Most essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, before applying directly to the skin. Some milder oils can be applied "neat" (with no carrier oil).  Follow doTERRA guidelines for each oil to determine whether or not to dilute.

You should also test a small area of skin on your forearm to check for sensitivity before using a new oil. Always dilute essential oils when applying to children.

Oils can be applied topically using your hands or by adding the EO to fracionated coconut oil in a roller bottle. You can also add essential oils to lotions, balms, toothpastes, and salves.

If you apply an oil and begin to have a negative reaction, such as a burning sensation, apply a carrier oil like coconut to dilute and remove the oil. Water will not dilute or remove an essential oil from your skin.

Internally

Certain essential oils can be taken internally for various benefits. However, you should always research an oil before ingesting it as certain oils, like wintergreen, are toxic when ingested. Always follow doTERRA's guidelines and only ingest an oil approved for internal use. Any doTERRA oil considered generally safe for ingesting will have nutritional information and instructions for ingesting on its bottle and in the product information guides.

When taking oils internally, the most common ways are to place the correct amount of oils in an empty vegetable capsule or to mix with liquid. Oils should always be taken with plenty of water, and don't forget that less is more with oils!

Other Uses 

Essential oils are used in various other ways as well. They can be used in homemade cleaning products (lemon is a very popular cleaning oil), as perfumes, in cooking, and in homemade items such as lip balms or lotions. The uses of essential oils are really almost endless!

One thing that I love about doTERRA is that they list the appropriate uses for each and every oil they sell, so if I am unfamiliar with a particular oil and its uses I am not left to figure it out on my own. As a Wellness Advocate with a wholesale account, I also have access to my "upline," which consists of the people on my team who have been with doTERRA longer than I and have more experience whenever I need or want some first hand advice. Although EOs are generally safe, it is important to use them appropriately and according to the recommended usage. It's also important to use them in a way you feel comfortable. Each person is different, so if you are not comfortable using an oil in a certain way -- even if other people are doing it without any problems -- follow your own preferences.

As always, you can contact me with any questions, or click the images below to join doTERRA or purchase oils!

         

Cheers!

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