7QT (Vol. 26)

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Now what would be a first post that would really wow you and wouldn't bore you to death that you would be required to click the "x" out of fear of falling out of your seat asleep.  Yeah I don't know either.

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Laura @ A Drop in the Ocean won my Lavender essential oil giveaway so that is probably exciting to no one else but her.

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Thursday morning I was driving to work and about 5 minutes away from my house there was an accident, it looked like someone going straight hit some in the opposite direction trying to turn left.  I drove past it.  Everyone seemed to be out of the car and someone else was stopped.  My fear/exhilaration of being the most qualified medical professional at a scene is another post for another day.  Anyway about 2 more minutes down the street is the town fire/EMT/police department.  The fire truck, ambulance, and fire SUV began to pull out.  As I moved to the side of the road I started to cry about the whole incident.  The point of this whole story isn't some profound spiritual revelation but merely the realization that I have the potential to be a basket case when I am pregnant.

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I recently wrote a Dave Ramsey post on the bloggity.  I am gearing up to be aggressive with paying my student loan debt.  Currently almost all of the money I am earning is going straight to my loans but especially once I have a RN job I want to hit them like they never saw what was coming.  Because of this, I want to ask you what is your biggest money saving tip-obvious or creative I want to hear it. I have a lot of loans and I am going to need to cut dollar and cents everywhere and want your help to see ways that I haven't thought of before.  Please comment telling me your tips.

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If you haven't heard, CVS pharmacy has decided to stop selling tobacco products and change it's name to CVS Health.  Your thoughts? I am going to tell you mine, naturally.  I think it is great.  There are still more than enough places for people to buy their cigarettes.  I think it was awesome marketing because they have now set themselves apart from other drug stores and done something unique.  Previously I would have gone to CVS and another store such as Walgreens interchangeably.  However with this recent announcement I am much more likely to purposely go to CVS just to support them.

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The gardens around these parts here are overflowing with yummy yummyness.  So naturally I picked up a new hobby.  Canning, like mason jar boiling water like your grandma or my Amish cleaning lady canning.  I thought it was going to be super tiring and alot of work but I have actually been really enjoying it.  Lots of pasta sauce and some tomato soup put up.  I beat I am going to like this hobby even more on a cold February night when I can pop open a jar of summer.

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My mom is having her left knee replaced on Monday. Her right knee went great back in May but that doesn't mean it has to go great this time.  So any spare prayers for her surgery and recovery would be greatly appreciated.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary! 

Let's Talk Oils: Giveaway and Doterra

Guys I made the plunge.  But really it wasn't that big of a plunge.  I signed up as a Doterra wellness advocate and bought their Physicians Kit.

So why did I finally make the plunge into one of the big name oil companies? Well their is a number of reasons.  First of all their was enough unique to Doterra blends that I was buying or wanted to buy that it was time to get the discounts that come with being a wellness advocate.  Also I felt more comfortable using Doterra because of the transparency of their plant to bottle process.  If they were going to tell me all the details along the way then you know they are good.  Because of this and their food safe stance I feel a little bit safer ingesting their oils.  Now to be honest some or the more expensive oils, like Frankinscense, that I don't ingest I will probably still look for cheaper brands because I just cannot spend that much money on an oil.

If you are interested in learning more about essential oils and/or want to become a Doterra wellness advocate yourself please let me know in the comments below and we can get in contact.  This includes if you just want to try out an oil or two.  I would be thrilled to help you start your oil journey whether you want to become a wellness advocate yourself or just give oils a try please let me know.

  

Now I want to pass some of this on to you with a giveaway.  I am giving away a 5ml bottle of Lavender. This oils has so many uses from acne and burns to helping you relax and sleep at night.  If you want to be entered into the giveaway leave a comment below to let me know.  You will get another entry if you already follow me on bloglovin' or begin to follow me on bloglovin'--just mention it in the comment.  I will be choosing a winner the old fashioned way-picking a slip of paper from a bowl.  If you win and have a blog please (pretty please) write a post about your experience with the oil.  The giveaway ends at noon EST on Thursday August 28, 2014 and I will contact the winner pronto.  I am excited for the winner!

Disclaimer:  This giveaway is not sponsored by Doterra. 

Let's Talk Oils III

I seriously cannot keep up with the questions you guys ask on these oils posts and that is awesome.  I am so excited that so many people are interested in essential oils.

You can check out my previous essential oils posts---the first one here and the second one here.

So here are some questions from Laura at A Drop in the Ocean....

Does the brand really matter?  Ahh this is the question that I asked from the very beginning and still ask myself now.  If you do some research, minus the companies themselves, there is little conclusive evidence.  I would recommend doing some of your own research and see what you think.  And I would love to know what you find and your own opinion. For me the verdict is still out.  On one side it is really hard for me to pay alot more knowing part of the money goes to a triangle company (consultant type company......economist I am not) but are the oils better, more effective, and safer than a company that is a fraction of the cost.  I just am not sure yet.   

 Is there a go-to place to learn what the heck to use specific ones for before purchasing them? Do your research---search pinterest and google.  For me it has been a learn as you go and all started when I was getting sick too much for my liking.  If you a specific concern like acne, cramps, or allergies search "essential oils and _____".  Start with a few oils and give them a try.  You will probably love them and want to find more and more ways they can be incorporated into your life.   I will recommend a few sources that I really enjoy.  The first is CandidMommy on youtube.  In addition two blogs (each with one of the "big name" companies), Nesting Gypsy and The Anderson Crew.

Which would you suggest as starters? I think one of the most versatile oils is Lavender.  Doterra sells their starter kits with Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemon and I would have to agree that those are three great starter oils.  Also, I hate to say it, but those colder months aren't too far away so some version of Thieves Oil would be another good one.  

Do you know the science behind them? I can't lie.  I don't know a ton about the science behind essential oils except I do know that when you use essential oils they enter every cell of your body which is why they are so powerful.  Here is a really good article about more of the science behind it.  

I'm also really interested in facial care you talked about: how much did it help with pores and how much/often did you apply? How much did it help with pores is a really hard question.  I naturally have really large pores, especially on my check bones right below my eyes, next to my nose.  You know, one of those things that probably no one else notices but you do.  My pores are still larger but it did help shrink them.  Vague but there really isn't a good gauge.  To lead into your other questions the oils do work better the more I apply them.  I apply them as often as I think of it.  Naturally, when my skin is flaring up, thank you hormones, I use it more often (like 3-6 times a day) but when it is glowing, thank you hormones, I will often forget to use any for a few days.  I will be honest.  I don't wear makeup over the summer except for some occasional mascara and lipstick so it is a little easier to put it on it without makeup interfering.  I don't yet know how essential oils would work with foundation. if I could use it throughout the day or would be limited to morning and evening.

Now onto some questions from Bek at The Contemplation of a Daughter.....

Do you find that applying oils is messy or easy or slimey or whatever? I usually apply lotion after I shower {at night} because I don't mind the lotion getting onto my pjs, but I am curious about applying oil to my skin for the daytime.  Nope not at all. Because essential oils don't have mineral oil (stick a cracker in mineral oil and you will also be checking ingredient lists before you buy a lotion) they are absorbed right into the skin.  You only need a drop or two of oil to spread across most of your face.  Now like I said I do put essential oil mixed with Vitamin E oil on my legs sometimes and when I do that I don't go under the covers for 15 minutes-ish so that the oils can absorb.  

Also, do you consume/ingest any oils regularly? Have you cooked with them?  A little disclaimer, technically you should not ingest oils that are not food grade.  Food grade oils are unfortunately the more expensive ones.  I try to put lemon or grapefruit oil in my water regularly (1-2 drops), not every glass but once a day at least.  If you are doing this, it is preferable to use a glass water bottle or glass because citrus essential oils can cause a breakdown of the plastic.  I currently do not cook with oils but it is something I want to get into.  

I am so excited that so many people are interested in essential oils that I plan to do a essential oils giveaway in the next week or two!!!  Stay tune for that.  And please keep the questions coming,  I am only a beginner novice when it comes to essential oils but I enjoy answering your questions.  

Let's Talk Oils II

My original essential oil post got a good number of reads and comments. Alot of you are interested about what all the essential oil fuss is about and I continue to enjoy old and new oils in new ways so why not keep a good thing going.  Thus I bring you "Let's Talk Oils" part two.

 Let's start with a few questions Bek had.

What led you to start using oils? I mentioned this in my first oils post but basically I was getting sick too much for my liking and it was time to try something new because nothing I normally do was helping enough and there was talk about essential oils on blogs, vlogs and the gram.  You can read more about it at the first post.

What is your favorite oil to use? Oh this is hard.  My favorite smelling is my new Frankincense oil but the oil that I use the most currently and I get the best results from has to be Lavender.  Ask me again in a few months and it might have changed.  First off with Lavender, I recently got a diffuser to help with some mild allergies I was dealing with. (Essential oil diffusers are unique in that they use ultrasonic something (technical term and double parenthesis) because heating oils causes them to lose their healing properties.) I mix some water and Lavender oil in the diffuser at night for 60 minutes and badaboom not only does Lavender lull me to sleep but no pesky allergy symptoms.  

A peak at the top of my nightstand.

Secondly, my legs.  During the summer I always gets this pesky rashy irritation on my legs.  Because it happens during the summer I can only assume it is a result of the increased shaving that occurs over the summer (because lets be honest who shaves more than once a week a during the winter) and just in general being more exposed in shorts and skirts.  I have to be very vigilant with it exfoliating, applying Vitamin E oil and now Lavender to help with the irritation.  Bet you didn't know that the same oil that helps you sleep and with allergies also helps with miner skin irritations.  That is the great thing about oils, they are not one oil, one problem.  The Lavender doesn't solve the problem but it does help considerably. Thirdly, Lavender helps with acne.  Because I have recently stopped taking the medication that helped with my acne I was having some flare up that I was not ok with.  Rub some Lavender on the problem areas throughout the day and my skin is as clear if not clearer than it was on the medication.  I also put Lemon oil on my face that helps with pores and brightening.      

Did you encounter any oils in your nursing studies? No, I wish!

Do people think you're a total and complete hippy because of oils?  Haha this is a funny one.  When I was still at school I had a friend who if I used oils and walked into her room or she walked onto the hall she would tell me I smell like a hippy.  You tell me, does oils=hippy?

Now lets talk oil fail.  Or for now, oil not so much like.  I mentioned above that I love the smell of Frankincense.  In addition,  I mixed it with some Vitamin E oil and my mom has been putting it on her scar from her recent knee replacement.  So that is not the "not so much like".  It is the other one in this picture. 

I purchased Cedarwood off of Ebay because it is another oil that is supposed to help with allergies and I thought I would use it during the day if I needed some additional allergy help.  I used it once on the way out the door and I felt like my car smelled like a cedar chest for a week.  I am sure it has a lot of potential but for right now we are just going to keep it closed-thank-you-very-much.  

Please hit me with more questions because if part two is good, a part three would of course be better.  And don't forget, does oils=hippy?

Let's Talk Oils

Let's talk essential oils.  And when I say let's talk I mean very basic.  So when I confessed I was a crunchy hippy, I had numerous people comment that they wanted to know more about essential oils.  I am no expert on how or why they work but I do want to show you what a beginner essential oiler looks like to show you it doesn't have to be hard or overwhelming.

Now lets talk brands.  Before I started buying essential oils I did a ton of research.  The two really popular brands are DoTerra and Young Living.  And really my research didn't find one clearly victorious over the other.  Many other less expensive brands were in the running, one being Eden's Garden.  Personally, my verdict is still out.  My Thieves is Young Living and my Grapefruit DoTerra, both bought off ebay.  All the rest I have bought through Eden's Garden.  They are significantly cheaper and defiantly a great choice when you don't have alot of money to spend and want to try out essential oils however some of them don't smell as good as the more expensive brands (I have a friend who is a big fan of essential oils and has a good amount of Young Living oils, hence how I could compare).  I don't regret buying oils from Eden's Garden and will continue  to do so but will probably mix in more Young Living and DoTerra once I start getting real nurse paychecks.

They call Thieves the gateway oil and there is a reason.  It is the first oil that I used and it hooked me.  It is called Thieves because during the Bubonic Plague there were four thieves running around cities stealing from the sick.  When the authorities caught them they were told they could only be released if they revealed how they weren't getting sick even though they were exposed to all these people who were sick.  They spilled the beans and reported that they rubbed this blend of oils on themselves.  To this day people are still protecting themselves from illness with this oil blend.

So why did I even start using it?  If any of you remember I got sick twice over winter break and had been sick multiple times during the fall.  It wasn't ok with me and I had to do something because I couldn't keep getting sick.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to try Thieves.  Through the winter and cold and flu season I would roll this oil onto my feet every morning before I put my socks on.  (Sidenote:  You can put oil on "neat" meaning directly on your skin or you can dilute it with a carrier oil, I use Grapeseed oil from Kroger.  Some oils for some people irritate and burn the skin if applied neat.  I keep my Thieves in a roller bottle diluted just to make it easier in the morning.)  My roommate is currently battling a cold so I have put it on my feet the past few nights just to protect myself even though I have stopped using it daily now that the weather is nicer.  I am happy to report that since using it I have only gotten one mild cold and call me crazy hippy but I really believe the Thieves oil is to thank for not getting sick the rest of winter.

My second most used oil would be Lavender.  This oil is pretty self exclamatory and most people have used it in some way.  I use it to help me sleep when I have night shift or just to help me sleep deeper.  I put it on my wrists and pillows a few nights week and as needed.

Other oils I use a few days a week are my lemon and grapefruit oil.  The main reason I use grapefruit oil is it helps with water retention.  I was having some issues with water retention and between grapefruit oil, putting my feet up when possible and being consciousnesses of my sodium intake it has been so much better.  

When I have a stress headache or just particularly anxious I will rub stress relief oil blend on my temples and wrists, respectively.  Deep breaths....

I use Peppermint in my chocolate protein shakes for taste and a little wake me up.  I have also rubbed Peppermint in my navel to help with nausea and indigestion.  Recently I had an unusually bad headache so I rubbed some Peppermint oil on my temples and the headache melted away.  I was in disbelief.  Do not underestimate this oil, a little goes a long way.

When I had that little cold I mentioned I added a few drops of Breathe Easy oil blend to coconut oil and rubbed it on my chest to help me breath easier through the congestion and cough.  Think Vick's here.

So did I spit enough information at you?  What more do you want to know?  I really want to share with you as much as I know so that you can see how beneficial, easy, and inexpensive essential oils can be.  Anyone else an oil user?  Anyone want to try them out?