How I Use Essential Oils

I started using essential oils back in February. I think I mentioned it and said I'd do a post soon. I didn't want to write a post on it until I had a few months under my belt. I think seven months is enough time, yes? Personally I don't like to read reviews on blogs unless someone has been using something for a while. So I try to follow that here. I don't want to recommend something to you that I lose interest in after a month, you know? I don't sell oils, no one sent me oils for free and I'm not getting anything for writing this post. I'm just sharing my personal use here. 

I was really overwhelmed with all the info out there about oils. So I basically started by looking at my OTC meds, figuring out what I was using them for, and looking to replace them with oils. 

A few notes:

1. I am not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV. As with anything you use on or in your body, do your research, consult a physician, etc. 

2. There's a crap ton of conflicting info about essential oils out there. Whenever I see essential oil posts on the internet, the comments are full of know it alls wanting to tell others where they're wrong and what all the dangers are. People are insane and cultish over this shit but will not think twice about other normal things that have the potential to be much more dangerous.  If I die from using essential oils, you can be the first to say I told you so to my cold dead body. I promise. Otherwise, let me do me and you do you.

3. I use doTERRA oils and have had success with them. I know friends who use other brands and have had similar success. I have also purchased some cheapos from the grocery store that I use on cleaning but not on my body.

4. I'm covering the ones I use the most here. Before I started using them, I knew what they were but wanted to know exactly how people used them daily. What works for me may not work for you. There's a big divide over ingesting essential oils - some think you can, some think you are an idiot if you do. I've done it with no problem while I've had problems with OTC medication widely accepted by the world. That being said, I mostly use them automatically and topically.

This is a doTERRA blend of 10 single oils. I never take headache pills anymore, I just use this. I roll it on my temples and the back of my neck and it's awesome. If I don't have this handy, I use 1-2 drops of peppermint and lavender and apply it to the back of my neck, temples, and forehead.

Deep Blue is another doTERRA blend that I apply with a carrier oil to muscle and bone aches. If it's really bad and bone related, I add a few drops of frankincense to it. This has been helpful with MFD's lingering ankle issues after his accident. 

Essential oils applied directly to the skin can be too much or cause severe irritation and reactions for some people. I play it safe and use a carrier oil to dilute them. 

I grouped these together because I most often ingest them in an empty veggie cap. 

DigestZen is a doTERRA blend that alleviates heartburn and improves overall digestion. Sometimes I also apply this directly to my stomach with a bit of carrier oil. I take it when I feel like heartburn is looming.

Oregano helps colds and strengthens your respiratory system. It's antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and an immune stimulant. I take this if I start to feel puny.

Frankincense is cray. It does one million things and is great for neurological health and overall immunity. It's also good for scars and wrinkles. 

Lemon should also be on here, because I put a drop in my water. It's an antioxidant. 

Eucalpytus oil - I use this on counters to deter ants. It's also good for removing stickers/decals and residue from glass. Add it to the wash to kill dust mites. This oil is also key for my number one nemesis: sinus issues. I put a dab under each nostril and haven't had to use my OTC sinus meds at all.

Melaleuca (we typically call it tea tree oil) - Aside from being awesome for your face, this is great for cleaning. It's antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, all the clean things. You can add it to any homemade cleaner to amp it up. If the smell is too much, add some lavender or orange. Great for cleaning toilets and bathrooms in general. On the body, I add some of this and some clove essential oil to a carrier oil and use it as I'd use neosporin.

Peppermint - Invigorating and stimulating as well as antiseptic.

Lemon - Antiseptic and antimicrobial. It cuts through grease like a pro. I usually formulate my countertop spray with water, rubbing alcohol, and lemon, peppermint, and basil.

Before bed, I sprinkle my pillow with lavender oil (it doesn't stain), apply it to the bottom of my feet with Vitamin E lotion from The Body Shop, and diffuse it. It's freaking awesome.

Another doTERRA blend, this is awesome for cramps. Apply directly to skin, recline and eat naughty foods. I don't even feel like killing anyone over inconsequential things. Magic.

The bugs have been bullshit in our backyard this summer. I rub some of this right on my legs and feet and they avoid me. Sweet relief. A zillion times better than OFF. This is second only to the Guardian product I got for free from Influenster to try out recently.

I have other oils and use them in a variety of ways for a variety of things, but much less frequently than I use the ones in this post. I've pretty much stopped buying and using OTC medications except when I travel - these leak and don't travel well. 

I probably use past tense, lavender, peppermint oil, and lemon the most. If I was going to dip my feet in the essential oils pool all over again, I'd start with lavender, peppermint oil, and lemon. 

Lest you think I'm some Johnny on the spot concerning essential oils, I have a guidebook from doTERRA that I refer to - I look up what's wrong with me and figure out what oil to use, just like I might read labels on OTC meds in my closet. I can also refer to my doTERRA lady Holly - her facebook page is here. 

And that's how I'm using essential oils. Do you use them? 

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Haikuesday

She getting married

(name this movie, eighties fans)

to oily bohunk

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When it comes to weight loss, let's go back to basics.

A good Saturday to you, dear reader. A while back I asked people to let me know what they wanted to see on this blog, and one of the answers was fitness stuff. I am not a guru on that, so I went straight to the source, my friend Kathy at Vodka and Soda. Kathy fucking rocks and she's really knowledgeable about fitness, clean eating, and weight loss. She totally kicks ass. And uses the term fitness boner to describe when work out things go awesome so hello you know you'll love her, sickos. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. And follow her on her blog, she's been doing Fitness Fridays. Get your fitness fix from the source. 

Visit Kathy at Vodka & Soda / Twitter / Instagram

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Hello amazing readers of Life According to Steph! I’m Kathy and I blog over at Vodka and Soda.  I’m a 38 year old mother to an adorable and brilliant 5 year old, a total geek at heart (I work in the IT industry) and an avid lover of all things health and fitness.  Today, Steph was crazy enough to let me take over this space so we’re going to talk about something that gives me a major boner – fitness.  Listen up fast because I’m about to impart some mad wisdom in your faces.

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It’s the end of January and a lot of people have started weight loss challenges or making positive changes in their lives.  All of this – whether you’re a newbie or a guru – is awesome because any change, no matter how small it is, can make a difference.  And here’s where I get on my soapbox to say what needs to be said:    All that shit you read or hear on the TV/internet about this diet or that diet or juicing or detoxing or whatever – IGNORE IT.  It’s nothing but dumb marketing schemes put out by marketing companies who want nothing but to take your money.  Do not buy into their shit!

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In my personal opinion (and experience), when it comes to weight loss, we need to go back to the basics - no fancy blenders or juicers.  No powders or meal replacements or pills.  No diets that cut out major food groups or restrict food consumption.  No food that comes out of a box, bag or can - just the basic stuff:  fresh, wholesome food and exercise.  That’s it. 

There is no magic behind weight loss. Nothing that any marketing company can put out on the shelf will make you accelerate or burn fat any faster than your body will allow which is why I say to avoid all those fad diets and crazy machines – your body will burn fat if you return to the basics, make the right choices and exercise.  All you need to do start and then give it time to work.

And carbs – what is with all the demonizing of carbohydrates?  Time and time again, I read about women cutting out carbs because “that’s the reason i can’t lose weight.”  This is one of the biggest misconceptions of all! Carbs are NOT the reason why you can’t lose weight – bad choices are the reasons why one can’t lose weight.   Yes, carbs are caloric dense but are also is a great source of energy.  Cutting out carbs will do nothing but make you feel tired, miserable and crazy.  Our bodies need carbohydrates to function so instead of eating the white, starchy kinds, just select healthy alternatives like sweet potatoes, quinoa or whole grains. Eat them in controlled portions, eat within your caloric range for weight loss and you will lose inches and weight.

The biggest challenge for anyone wanting to lose weight is making the change; the starting point.  You’re now changing the way you eat and changing your daily routine which is instead of sitting on the couch, you get up and exercise. Who said change is easy?  It’s not!  Humans are naturally resistant to change because it’s different from what we do on a daily basis.  We also put too much pressure on ourselves to become fitness gurus or healthy in a couple of weeks when really, it takes at least a month to feel and see the changes.  Did you know that it takes humans on average 4 weeks to form new habits?  This means that we need to repeat an activity at approximately the same time every day for at least 4 weeks in order for it to become a habit.  So give yourself a break; if you’ve just started a healthy change or a new workout program, give yourself time to adjust and adapt.  Be patient.  Go back to the basics of clean eating and exercise.  Most of all, remember that it’s not the outside that only counts but what’s happening on the inside that counts most.

Are you currently working to make a healthy change in your life? 

Kathy - Vodka and Soda

The Meal Plan/Food Prep Linkup Shebang

Hello neighbors! Before we get down to business, I want to wish my brother Stephen a very happy 30th birthday. Here's his blog from last year. You'll hear some pearls of wisdom from him tomorrow.

Every weekend I do my food prep for the week to ensure I have easily accessible healthy options, and then I do my food prep so that I don't have to come home from work and cook most nights.

Do I get up excited to do meal planning and food prep on Sundays? No, I do not. In fact this Sunday I wanted to sit my fat ass on the couch all day and watch 80s movies, but I finally got into the kitchen with a frown on my face and 40 minutes later I was back to the beloved couch. I knew if I didn't get in there and do it I'd be kicking myself all week while eating cookies and tortilla chips for dinner, and regretskies are not for me.

This week was a bit different since I'm only going to be here for three days, but I still did enough to get me through the shortened week.

Breakfasts: egg salad (lots of celery) made with avocado and plain greek yogurt instead of mayo on whole wheat sandwich rounds and strawberries. I need my eggs in the morning and have been doing egg bakes for a few weeks so it was time to switch it up.

Lunches: Quinoa with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and a bit of feta. I flavored it with some onion powder and a dijon/olive oil/white wine vinegar dressing.

Snacks: Sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks, grape tomatoes. I prep the cucumbers in the morning, I don't like for them to get gross. I have some hummus to take to work and leave there as well.

Sunday dinner: homemade pizza topped with pizza sauce (made on Monday), homemade dough (made Saturday), olives, baby bellas, and sliced mozzarella.
Monday dinner: Orzo caprese salad (just orzo, halved grape tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella and a balsamic vinegar dressing), steamed broccoli, rotisserie chicken
Tuesday dinner: black bean quesadillas from the freezer
Wednesday dinner: leftovers!

Quinoa and orzo going simultaneously to save time / caprese pasta salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing I whipped together / pizza toppings

All set for the week in 40 minutes of prep time on Sunday. What's on your menu?

Link up with me and Nichole from Casa de Crews!!