DIY Recipe of the Week: Hair Spritz

We've had a few issues here at the house with our hair so I designed this hair spritz to support healthy hair.

I keep this spritz bottle in my shower caddy. I spray this on before I step out the shower after each wash so I don't forget!!

DIY Recipe of the Week: Dry Freshener

Last week I posted a recipe for a fabric freshener but that recipe was in liquid form. You can find that recipe here. 

Today I will share my all time favorite DRY multi-purpose freshener. This freshener gets many uses in places where the liquid freshener just would not do.




I use this freshener in my sinks, in my washing machine, in all our shoes, on our mattresses, and even on my carpets.

With two simple ingredients, my home (and children's feet) smell divine!



Ingredients:

Glass container of choice
Baking soda
Purification essential oil blend by Young Living

Instructions:

1. Fill glass container about 2/3 full of baking soda. (No measurements are necessary)

2. Place 5 drops of Purification essential oil blend on top of baking soda for smaller containers or 7-10 drops for larger containers.

3. Shake mixture until well blended. Open container and top off with baking soda (leaving enough space for more shaking) and shake again until well blended.

For the smaller jar, I placed a homemade pour spout from an orange juice container. Tutorial for this spout can be found here.



For the larger jar, I placed a 1/4 cup stainless steel measuring cup.

Jar label tutorial can be found here. (What they don't show in the video is that you should print your "labels" and let the ink dry for 24 hrs before proceeding. That is why mine look a little faded.)

Uses:

Washing Machine: 1/4 cup freshener to pungent loads

Shoes: sprinkle apprx 2 tablespoons freshener into each shoe coating entire inside; let sit for an hour; shake out excess over a trash can

Carpets: sprinkle lightly over carpet; let sit for an hour; vacuum

Mattresses: sprinkle lightly over mattress; let sit for an hour; vacuum

Sinks: sprinkle lightly all over inside sink; sprinkle down drain; pour 1/2 cup vinegar; wait for fizzing to stop, rinse sink

Diffusing Blend of the Week: Purification

I absolutely love the smell of Purification essential oil blend by Young Living.

As I am deep cleaning my home, I also love to take the time to diffuse Purification to fill the air with the fresh scents of Citronella, Lavandin, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Myrtle, and Tea Tree.

I also use this blend in my vehicle. I like knowing that as I give guests rides that they can enjoy the fresh scent of this amazing blend rather than enduring the stale air that can often linger in a shut up tiny space.

Essential Oil of the Day: En-R-Gee

En-R-Gee essential oil blend offers an invigorating aromatic boost when you need it most. Diffuse or apply it topically during your morning routine or before any activity to enjoy the stimulating, spicy-pine fragrance of Rosemary, Juniper, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Balsam Fir, Clove, and Black Pepper essential oils.

Benefits and Uses:

• Combine with Clarity™ essential oil blend and diffuse during long drives or late night study sessions for an invigorating aroma that will help you push through.
• Diffuse at work or home for an aromatic pick-me-up in the afternoon.
• Add a couple drops to V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex and massage into temples, bottoms of feet, or back of neck before a challenging activity for an exhilarating fragrance.
Key Constituents:
En-R-Gee contains the naturally occurring constituents alpha-pinene, eucalyptol, camphor, myristicin, and geranial.

Did You Know? Making Homemade Essential Oil Blends

If you are unsure of just how to make homemade DIY essential oil blends, then this handy dandy guide can help you remember!



Use these ratios depending on what size bottle you are reusing. This isn't a written in stone rule...more like guidelines actually....



So don't throw away those empty bottles! Keep them for future use!!

DIY Recipe of the Week: Fabric Refresher

Whenever I need to spruce up around the house, one of my go-to's is my homemade fabric refresher.

My favorite essential oil to use is Young Living's Purification, but you can substitute your favorite essential oil instead.

I have two reasons I add the witch hazel to this mixture. 1) oil and water do not mix but the witch hazel will assist in dispersing; and 2) witch hazel has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties...all which not only contribute to bad health...but also contribute to odors.

To use, mix water and witch hazel in a glass spray bottle. Add the essential oils and gently shake. Lightly spray onto whatever fabric needs attention. Do not saturate. Always test a hidden spot first if you are unsure of the outcome. Not recommended for use on wool or silk.

Diffusing Blend of the Week: For the Classroom

Sometimes, I need a little help in getting my students' attention.

You can create a calming yet powerful environment when you diffuse Cedarwood essential oil. 

Peppermint essential oil’s scent invigorates the mind and senses, while inspiring a sense of peace. The refreshing aroma will give you a boost of positivity!

Vitality Recipe of the Week: Energy Bites

An oldie but goodie go-to snack for both the kids and the adults is pop in your mouth no bake Energy Bites.

These do contain either peanut butter or tree nut butter depending on which option you choose. If you are only allergic or sensitive to one, then you may substitute with the other. I have a kid allergic to coconut so I eliminated this popular ingredient option. (I have listed in the cooking instructions how to incorporate the coconut if you indeed desire this option!!)

After I make these, I keep them in the freezer so they can last much longer...depending on how addicted you get to these.

What a great way to choose a healthier snacking option while supporting your immune system at the same time.



Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. 1 2/3 cup uncooked oatmeal (I prefer old-fashioned)
2. 1 tablespoon chia seeds
3. 1/2 cup ground flax seed
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5. 1/2 cup peanut butter (or your favorite tree nut butter)
6. 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
8. 1 to 3 drops Young Living Thieves Vitality Essential Oil (to taste)

In a large glass bowl, add all the dry ingredients (oatmeal, chia & flax seeds, cocoa) and combine these thoroughly ensuring any cocoa chunks are broken. (If you do desire the coconut option then add 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes and reduce the oatmeal by 2/3 cup.)

In a medium glass bowl, add the nut butter and sweetner and blend until completely incorporated. Add the vanilla and Thieves Vitality essential oil and blend thoroughly.

Create a well in the dry ingredients bowl, and add the wet ingredients. Mix until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly and evenly blended. Adjust this recipe with more oatmeal if this is too wet to form.

Form approximately 1 inch diameter balls and place onto a try lined with parchment paper until all recipe is used. Chill for 2 hours or freeze for later use. After a few hours of freezing, I place the bites into a freezer container for easier storage and protection from freezer burn.

Oil of the Day

My family doesn't know it...but THIS is their favorite product.

When mom is happy...everyone is happy.



Why is their a California Proposition 45 warning on the label?

DIY Recipe of the Week: Facial Toner

Facial toner is a great way to add to your beauty regiment. The benefits of a facial toner can promote pore shrinkage. Large pores are more susceptible to dirt and toxins which can lead to acne.

The best time to add facial toner is after cleansing your face.



Why magnesium flakes?

The magnesium flakes are a two fold benefit. We all learned in science class that oil and water do not mix. The magnesium flakes work as a dispersant to defy this rule. 

The second benefit is...well...magnesium! I always am in need of that. My favorite brand of magnesium flakes are Ancient Minerals. You can find this product on Amazon.

Diffusing Blend of the Week

Ring Ring

"Hello?.....Oh you need to come over 2 hours earlier than planned? No problem!"

That phone call happened about 30 seconds AFTER you discovered the new puppy just left you 3 "presents" around the house while you were filing paperwork.

Does it still smell? Are puppy molecules still floating in my air?

Never fear....diffusing is here!!

This is my go to blend when I desire a quick blast of freshness.

- Fill diffuser with water
- Add 4 drops orange essential oil
- Add 2 drops cinnamon essential oil

AHHHH...ready for company!!

Cooking with Essential Oils Recipe of the Week

Just because school has started for many of us does not mean that summer is over.

Too keep the spirit of the season alive, enjoy grilling supper this weekend.

I actually have three truly easy and delicious essential oil infused marinades to share that are sure to fire up those taste buds.

So, break out those Young Living Vitality Essential Oils and those charcoal briquettes and let us get to grillin'!!

So which flavor is your mouth in the mood for: Citrusy Marinade? Mediterranean Marinade? Honey Lime Merinade? Maybe a choice of all three?

You will find all three recipes complete with instructions in one handy place at the official Young Living Blog here.

Body System of the Week: The Nervous System Part 1

Our bodies are broken down into various body systems. Each system works both individually and collectively for overall function of our health.

The nervous system further consists of two parts, the central nervous system (the brain & the spinal chord) and the peripheral nervous system (the nerves and the ganglia outside the brain and spinal chord).

With the beginning of a new school year, I give you brain support!!

Did You Know? Cleaning Makeup Brushes

I do not need scientific research to tell me that my makeup brushes are dirty for the same reason I do not need it to tell me when my clothes, hair, and hands are dirty.

Not only does cleaning our makeup brushes get the nasties out, cleaning them also helps them to last longer.

Try using Thieves Dish Soap or Thieves Laundry Soap to clean your makeup brushes.



Just place a dab of either soap in a small glass bowl.

Dab and swirl the makeup brush around in the bowl gently. You will begin seeing all the makeup (and whatever else might be lurking) coming right off!



Use tepid water to rinse your brush. Too hot of water will melt the glue holding your brush onto its handle. Too cold of water can crack the glue. Rinse until the water runs clean. Repeat the cleaning process if necessary.



Dry your brushes flat on a towel with the tips of the brushes just hanging off the edge of the counter to allow air flow to dry all sides.



If you clean your brushes before you go to bed, your brushes should be dry in the morning depending on humidity. You can get ready for your day knowing you're only wearing today's makeup. Have an awesome day by the way!!!

Essential Oil of the Day

When my 12 year old son has a favorite essential oil I take notice. He absolutely loves the smell of Young Living's essential oil blend, Inner Child. He diffuses it in his room quite often. I have to agree with him that it is one of my favorites as well.

This unique blend includes orange, tangerine, jasmine, ylang ylang, spruce, lemongrass, sandalwood, and neroli. Well...no wonder we love it so much! Just about all my favorite essential oil singles rolled into one amazing blend.

Sometimes I can get just a tad too serious and over-adult in highly boring fashion. Do you catch yourself in those ruts as well? Young Living's sweet fragrance of Inner Child blend can be used aromatically to encourage you to connect with your authentic self. Diffuse, inhale directly, or dilute with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex to apply topically.

DIY Recipe of the Week

When was the last time you LOVED the smell of your bathroom cleaner? If your cleaner requires a gas mask, gloves, and a well ventilated room then it is definitely time to rethink this equation.

This DIY Thieves Soft Scrub recipe is just what I need for my detail cleaning of sinks, tubs, and toilets. Gentle enough to use on most surfaces, but tough enough on the stuff that daily cleaning does not remove. Like any product you would use, double make sure the ingredients are safe to use on your particular surface, and test it out...when in doubt in a small hidden area.

I find my recipe fits in a glass pint jar quite nicely. Using a wide mouth top also allows for easier usage. For even easier usage, make a batch for each bathroom for quicker clean-up access. No point looking all over the house for that one jar. You know it will ALWAYS be in the opposite end of the house of where you need it.

What you will need:

1/4 cup Thieves Household Cleaner

1 tbsp vinegar (I prefer raw apple cider vinegar)

10 drops Young Living Lemon Essential Oil (why I ONLY use Young Living EO's)

1 1/2 cups baking soda

If you have ever had to make a volcano for science, you understand why it is best to make this recipe in a medium bowl IN the order listed.

Place the baking soda in the bowl. In a small measuring glass, gently mix the liquid ingredients. SLOWLY pour the liquid mix into the bowl of baking soda in small portions and blend until you have the consistency of frosting. Usually, my measurements make the right consistency but different altitudes could change the outcome.

Place this batch in a glass jar, and cover with a lid. I do not know the shelf life of this product because I have always had to make a new batch in about 3 months time with weekly use.

If you haven't made the decision to begin using Young Living products and are ready to do so, hop on over here and I'll get you started!!

Diffusing Blend of the Week

I LOVE to diffuse essential oils into my home. Enjoying the aromatic effects these oils produce while supporting my different body systems brings a smile to my face. You can learn about the effects of smells on your brain here.

This week we are starting school. My kids are older now so the idea of school does not bring the same enthusiasm it once brought. I need to invite some extra joy into my home this week so I am diffusing a C'mon Get Happy blend:

 

Yes, I STILL Sneak Out The House

You might be a mom if.....

....you sneak out the house when you want to run a quick errand.



Why is it that the second I start brushing my teeth that my kids one by one start coming out of their hidey holes and asking me where I'm going? Can't a mom decide to brush her teach at 2:48 in the afternoon without the 3rd degree?

When my kids were little it was a no brainer that I had to take my kids every where I went. But some have turned into adults and some into young adults. "No", just doesn't seem to end the conversations like it used to when they were little. Now they want a PowerPoint presentation and a 500 word essay on how I became deceived by my "No, we're not getting that". With 4 still left at home, errands have become a barrage of can we's, please mom's, and look ma! look ma! look ma's.

Can I get a witness?

You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!

I have a new "Mommy Hero" to add to my list. Her name is Kim Sorgius. I was introduced to her blog, Not Consumed, by another great blog, ( Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies ). Kim has new freebies weekly for new subscribers to her amazing blog.

One of those freebies was a combo DIY Breakfast Station Kit. OH MY! Let me tell you how freeing this product was for me. I know it sounds silly since I am a mom to 8 and have been in this career field for 27 years, but yes indeed, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Kim's combo DIY Breakfast Station Kit includes 6 extremely yummy breakfast meals, recipes, a shopping list, assembly instructions, printing labels with heating and/or serving instructions, and a menu to post for what is available for an ending result of approximately 30 breakfast servings each 6 meal kit! I now have approximately 180 breakfasts (I've only prepared Kit 1 so far) in my freezer/pantry that only need to be either heated up or served by my kids with no extra assistance from me. I will accomplish Kit 2 with our next grocery budget. Kit 1 only cost me approximately $90 ($5 towards storage tubs and I had basic staples already on hand) so that was on average $0.50 per meal!!!

Here are some of my end results from my first cooking session. The kids were able to help me with much of the assembly and/or cooking process. This is NOT all the meals but wanted to give you a sneak peak to some of them.

Energy Balls

Muffins and Breakfast Burritos

Granola Bars

The DIY Breakfast Station Kits are no longer a freebie BUT it is still at an amazingly great price. I am hooked! If that isn't amazing enough she also has 2 different DIY Lunch Station Kits that I cannot wait to tackle next. RIGHT NOW until Oct 8 you can capture a 40% off coupon code for the DIY Lunch Station Kits only at Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies Subscription is always FREE to this site so I highly recommend subscribing to receive their awesome heads-up freebies and deals.

New Military Base Premium Starter Kit for APO/FPO/DPO

 

I am so excited that we can finally ship Premium Starter Kits to Military Base APO/FPO/DPO addresses now!!

This kit has just a slight variance to our regular Premium Starter Kits as the 5 ml essential oil Frankincense has been replaced with a 5 ml of AromaEase Blend.

AromaEase is an amazing blend of Ginger, Cardamom, Peppermint, Fennel, and Spearmint essential oils to help soothe occasional stress.

Here is a list of everything that comes in the Military Base Premium Starter Kit that will afford you the opportunity to purchase all your future Young Living products at a 24% discount:

• Everyday Oils kit, featuring soothing AromaEase™ in place of Frankincense
• Home Diffuser (110 volt)
• Stress Away™ 5-ml
• AromaGlide™ Roller Fitment
• (2) Essential Oil Sample Packets each of Lavender, Peppermint, Peace & Calming®, Lemon, and Thieves®
• (2) NingXia Red® 2-oz. samples
• Welcome to Young Living booklet
• Essential Oils at a Glance user’s guide
• Member Resource Guide
• S.E.E.D. Sharing for Success booklet
• Product Guide
• Business cards sample pack
• Member Agreement

If you are excited to get started then contact me here and I will get you started to ordering your very own!! And most importantly, thank you so much for your sacrifices and faithful service. How comforting it is to know that we still have selfless citizens willing to give it their all in order for us to continue to secure our freedoms. From one veteran to another, again, THANK YOU!!

Me and my mom!! 1990

    



Me and my husband!! 1997