We are a Christian homeschooling family of 10! We are answering God's call to train up our children in the way they should go. Every day brings new adventures and new ways to understand a little more of who God is and what His purpose is for our lives. This blog is my life at home homeschooling my kids. I write book and product reviews and thoughts on homeschooling and raising eight children, and hopefully encouraging others along the way. Join us!
I don't know about you, but this Winter of 2015 has been a really tough Winter! We have had SO. MUCH. SNOW! It has been SO COLD! I am ready for Spring!
(This is a photo I snapped of my father's garden LAST Spring 2014)
I thought I would share some of my family's ideas inspired by tips from the new Living magazine on "Getting the Most Out of the Spring Season" on pages 16-17. Here are your 8 Ways to Jump Start Your Spring!
1. Make A Plan
Grab a pen and start writing down the things you would like to accomplish this Spring. Are you going to tackle a garden this year, or maybe try a new method of planting tomatoes? Write it down and set some goals! Other items on your list might be clean out the garage, or maybe you're going to be adventurous and build a chicken coop like us! Whatever project you have been dreaming of, make a list and develop a plan, or it won't happen.
2. Declutter and Organize
Every home will feel brand new with a bit of clutter removed and better organization. In our family with seven kids this is our biggest issue, clutter and lack of organization, but I'm working on it! Shoes, muddy boots, Spring jackets mixed in with snow pants (are we really going to need these again next week?!), along with toys and homeschool clutter, ugh! My new motto after having baby number seven became this:
"If you come to my home and it's clean, you are blessed. You are a special guest! If you come to my home and it's messy, you are blessed. You are family!
However, I really do enjoy living in a clean home ALL THE TIME! Our new essential way of living has truly inspired me to tackle this daily chore of cleaning and organizing one small project at a time.
Here are a few of my favorite natural cleaner recipes you can try for yourself at home.
Floor Cleaner 10 drops of Melaleuca essential oil 1/4 cup Castile soap 1/4 cup Baking Soda Mix in a bucket of water and mop.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner 12 Drops of any citrus essential oil 4 tsp white vinegar Water to fill a 16-20 oz spray bottle
Read the rest on getting a jump into Spring over at my new blog dedicated to just living naturally, EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL FOR ME
Let's face it, a breast infection, aka, mastitis, is no picnic on the lake!
This is my seventh baby I have nursed and inevitably I always come down with mastitis at some point with each breastfeeding baby.
Sometimes several times throughout the months we are nursing I will get these infections seemingly out of the blue. They are quite painful and frankly, this is why men do not nurse babies, mastitis HURTS!
But I press on and thankfully I know the early signs of mastitis so I've never had to go on antibiotics to clear them up.
What it is:"Mastitis is a breast inflammation usually caused by infection. It can happen to any woman, although mastitis is most common during the first 6 months of breast-feeding. It can leave a new mother feeling very tired and run-down. Add the illness to the demands of taking care of a newborn, and many women quit breast-feeding altogether." (WEB MD)
Pain, swelling, redness, tenderness in the breast tissue are all telltale signs of a breast infection for me.
How it happens: "Mastitis most often happens when bacteria enter the breast through the nipple. This can happen when a nursing mother has a cracked or sore nipple. Going for long stretches between nursing or failing to empty the breast completely may also contribute to mastitis. Using different breast-feeding techniques and making sure your baby is latched on properly when nursing will help with emptying the breast and avoiding cracked nipples." (Web MD)
So this morning when I woke up with these symptoms I knew I had better take care of myself today and fight this head on.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I'm just a mom to seven kids whose found a way to manage mastitis at home without wrangling my kids to a doctor's appointment for a seemingly embarrassing issue that can turn quite painful and lead to further complications Oh, my breasts! But for the love of these precious babies I will not quit! Talk to your medical provider if you have serious health concerns. This blog is not meant to diagnose or treat just to share my experience with essential oils!
(Here is baby number 7, Julia Rebecca)
At the first sign of a breast infection, the first thing I always remind myself to do is DRINK WATER and NURSE, NURSE, NURSE, on the very breast that hurts. It hurts like heck, but it's the only way to guarantee the breast is being emptied of the infection. I don't worry though. That little precious germ harboring child who probably gave me the infection to start will not be harmed by nursing from the infected breast. She will still be getting all my amazing healing properties from the breast milk.
A warm shower and rest will often help with the soreness and I've even applied a warm compress I make by simply taking a wet washcloth, warming it in the microwave and placing it in a ziploc bag and applying it to the swollen, tender breast.
Today, however, I have even more options! Since using essential oils I have a whole host of new natural options to help whatever is ailing me!
Lavender and Invigorating Blend are recommended. I just so happen to have BOTH on hand and I was doing my little happy dance (despite my pain) because I LOVE knowing I actually have an oil on hand WHEN I need it!
Lavender is a very soothing essential oil.
It helps calm and promote freedom from pain.
Invigorating Blend is a blend of oils that help to soothe the skin and the senses.
With its powerful blend of Wild Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin,
Bergamot, Tangerine,Clementine, as well as a hint of Vanilla
this works to knock out infection and soothe the breast tissue.
I also placed a few drops of Oregano, Maleleuca, Protective Blend and Frankincense in a gel capsule and took these internally to help my body fight off infection. Again, LOTS of water on top of this and I am feeling a lot better this afternoon!
I have been vaccinating my kids on schedule for 18 years.
All of seven of my kids are up to date on their shots. In the last few years I have been questioning vaccines though. As a homeschool mom, I am always studying! With such high rates of autism and other neurological disorders how can a parent NOT be concerned about what we are allowing nurses to inject into our precious little babies? But with the newest outbreak across the country of measles many parents are rethinking their desire to NOT vaccinate.
After signing up as a Wellness Advocate in July of 2014 I am learning so many more natural alternatives exist to help in so many areas of health concerns. First and foremost, our bodies are amazing! God gave us these incredible bodies to help heal from injuries and ward off disease. It really amazes me and I actually blew my doctor away at my 6 week post-partum check up after my 7th c-section how quickly my stomach healed from surgery. So I'm joining this vaccine discussion. I'm researching a TON! I don't want to subject my healthy children to anything just because the doctor says it is safe. I am completely aware of all the potential toxins put into vaccinations as well. That information is readily available on the internet. We do not get flu shots as I feel they are unnecessary and don't often work to prevent the flu. I have also begun to space out vaccinations on my babies. It's hard to ignore the reports and side effects of these vaccinations from parents across America though. There are many health concerns that could possibly be from vaccine injury but it's hard to prove.
I'm so thankful I have discovered essential oils and I can help my children both before and after their vaccinations. You may be against vaccinations, or sitting on the fence about them. It's a hard call for a parent to know what the right answer is. My decision has finally come down to this, take it slow, you can always go back and vaccinate, but you can't undo damage done from a vaccination. Eat healthy and use detox protocols to help your children rid their bodies of anything that could harm them. Here are a few things to look into when considering a detox for your kids or helping them heal from vaccines.
Frankincense Essential Oil prevents infections and repairs DNA damage, and can also soothe pain and inflammation around the injection site. Helichrysum Essential Oil has anti-catarrhal, (anti-mucous), anti-coagulant properties which make it effective for detoxification of the blood, lymph, and liver. Lavender on injection site to relieve pain. Protective Blend starting one month before vaccines to build immune system. Lemon in water to help protect the brain from neurotoxins. Digestive Blend to ease "tummy trouble" following vaccines. Respiratory Blend to open airways following vaccines. Cilantro Essential Oil to rid the body of heavy metal toxins contained in vaccines.
Another step often overlooked is that even before you vaccinate you might want to also consider reducing your overall family's toxic load by decreasing environmental toxins from conventional household cleaners, synthetic personal care products and processed foods.
Protective Blend toothpaste: fights harmful microbes in your mouth. Adheres to a strict "none of the bad" philosophy and is safe for children.
Protective Blend Cleaner Concentrate: use for all household cleaning to fight harmful pathogens without destroying the beneficial colonization. A little bit goes a very long way!
Protective Blend Throat Lozenges: These are NOT your average throat lozenges! They are worth every penny! I take these when I feel a tickle in my throat, meaning a cold is coming on. I used these last week while my kids were sick and really felt it act like a powerful karate kick to knock out my cold coming on!
Protective Blend Foaming Handwash: Better than antibacterial soaps for killing harmful pathogens on your hands without getting rid of the good microbes your body needs to stay healthy.
If you are ready to help YOUR family on a natural journey to wellness, your purchases today help my family too! Become a wholesale customer to begin purchasing these oils above today!
I was first introduced to essential oils after the birth of my seventh baby last Christmas.
My cousin had begun using them in her own family to support them through environmental and seasonal issues. She gave me a sample of Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, and Digestzen (and a cute little pair of baby shoes too!).
I fell in love with the Lemon right away and began using it in my water. I liked the Lavender too!
I attended one of my cousin's classes on making over your family bathroom cabinet and thought it would be wonderful to use all natural products!
I eventually signed up with my own wholesale account to save money on my oils and I began to do more research on my own and learned about so many more health benefits from using essential oils. It seemed endless the possibilities and the uses of these amazing oils and what they can do for a body, especially one like mine that has been through seven, (UPDATE now EIGHT, yes EIGHT C-sections) and an appendectomy AND a tubal reversal!
We began applying the ten oils and learned how to use them! We put the On Guard to the bottoms of our feet, Digestzen on upset tummies, Lavender on cuts and scrapes, inhaled Peppermint for occasional nausea on car rides, Lemon in my water, Oregano and Melaleuca in the diffuser for environmental threats, and the Deep Blue! Now that stuff is AMAZING! It really sold me after I applied it to a hurting wrist and it took the pain away in less than 5 MINUTES!
I started my own Facebook Page to save all my research and invited everyone I knew to join along with me! I never intended to build a thriving team with doTERRA, but I couldn't help sharing!
Why should I keep this to myself?!
I got a FREE bottle of Immortelle for purchasing 200 PV (product value) on my LRP (Loyalty Rewards Program, super way to save on oils!) back in early September of 2014. I thought, "well, I'm 40 now, I'm going to need help with wrinkles! I'll jump on the deal of the FREE bottle!)
Then I read somewhere on one of the Facebook groups I follow that someone uses this for their c-section scar. I thought, "I'll have to try it!" So I did!
"A proprietary blend of powerfully renewing, rare essential oils used throughout history for their beautifying benefits, Immortelle Anti-Aging Blend is formulated to protect and nourish skin while helping to reduce contributing factors to the appearance of aging skin. These powerful essential oils help sustain smoother, more radiant, and youthful-looking skin. Immortelle easily absorbs into the skin and can be used on the face, neck, and décolletage to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and aging skin."-doTERRA blog.
After less than two weeks, I noticed much of the redness had disappeared in my top c-section scar.
(I have two c-section scars from 9 surgeries). My lower scar had become less lumpy and less sensitive and in general, after 10 years, looked less "angry". This stuff is incredible and a true gift from God in my opinion!
(I am not a medical professional and I make NO claims that this WILL work for you, but it has worked for me. If you have been wondering how you'll ever get back to normal after your c-section, you might want to give this amazing essential oil blend a try! After placing your order, it will come straight to your home and arrive in only 2-5 business days! )
With less sensitivity I may even begin doing this massage technique, although the video below is kind of hard to watch the whole thing!
If you would like to know where to purchase this amazing essential oil and help your c-section scar, go to my website to order.
There are two ways to order Imortelle, Retail or wholesale.
I am not a medical professional and I make NO claims that this WILL work for you, but it has really diminished my redness and supported my body in its recovery process. Your order will come straight to your home and arrive in only 2-5 business days! If you have been wondering how you'll move on after your c-section, you might want to give this amazing essential oil blend a try!
If you are here on my page and read this far, you might be interested in the emotional piece that comes from recovering from delivering by cesarean. DoTERRA is working on the scientific research on the significance of how essential oils work through our olfactory senses to help our bodies recover and support our emotional health as well as our physical health. I will be writing and sharing about this more soon! But I am excited to announce that doTERRA has just released an entire roller bottle "Touch" kit with all of their emotional oils!
This kit is simply splendid and contains six unique essential oil blends combined with Fractionated Coconut Oil in 10 mL Roll-Ons. They are super convenient and have are meant for a gentle topical application. "These proprietary blends provide targeted emotional health benefits for the entire family and can be applied every day to specific points on the body to help balance and brighten your changing moods."-doTERRA blog-***COMING OCTOBER 3, 2016*** (Because I went to convention we got to purchase these products before they are available for purchase, and they are wonderful! More details to come)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
"Few people in mainstream medicine will want me to share this post with you. First, they’ll say it’s because they have an aversion to all things quackery. Then, they’ll have a change of heart and try to classify essential oils as “medicine,” of which nobody else can give advice on because these oils are used to “prevent or treat disease” – along with carrots, garlic, herbal tea, and wheat grass. Then, they’ll make an exception for reading package inserts and make up one on the spot to warn you about the potential atrocity that could result from you using something natural that has little to no side effects and is responsible for zero hospitalizations and deaths each year. While they’re busy scaring your socks off, they’ll forget to tell you they’ve had no training on essential oils and have no clue what they’re talking about. No worries. I’m not going to diagnose you with a disease today, nor am I going to treat you. I’m not going to try to sell you essential oils either. I’m just going to sell you on them because really, life just seems incomplete without a good essential oil in your back pocket. I know what you’re thinking…what are my qualifications for speaking on this “trend?” No worries guys. My quack degree in quack medicine taught me everything I needed to know, and what I didn’t pick up in one quack school I picked up at another, and what I didn’t pick up there, I picked up from Google University. Rest assured, you are in good hands. Pleasantries aside. Let’s talk. Essential oils are not a trend. They’re not voodoo, woo woo, or foo foo. They’ve been around a long time, are mentioned over 188 times in the Bible, were referenced in Chinese manuscripts and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and were even used during the time of the ancient Egyptians as medicine. People survived the bubonic plague thanks to this stuff. No joke.
An essential oil is a volatile liquid carefully extracted from a plant that’s used medicinally for all sorts of health imbalances. Once carefully extracted these oils can be used for inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and are used for all sorts of household and personal products like laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, and lotion. It’s the chemical properties in these oils that provide the benefit and once applied to the skin these benefits hit the blood stream within three seconds. Essential oils are amazing. They’re powerful, and they’re safe when used appropriately. You shouldn’t take my word for it though." Read the rest here. www.livingwhole.org Help nurture your family today! Ask me how to get these oils! Join the essential oil discussion! Sing Over Me Essential Oils
