How to Boost your Immune System with Essential Oils

It's fall!!!!

I love fall.

I love the colors, the temperature, even the wind!  

I love pulling my sweaters and scarves out, wearing socks when I get out of bed, and talking about the changing color of the leaves with my girls.

It ALSO means that we start noticing our need for a stronger immune system!  

I've already mentioned in my first post about essential oils that the day after I received my starter kit I woke up with a COLD!  Or at least the start of one.

So I asked my best friend, who got me into these things which ones to use!

I started a regimen and it worked!  

So here's how to give your immune system a BOOST with Young Living Essential Oils.

At FIRST SIGN of immune system compromise:

THIEVES Essential Oil

Rub Thieves on the bottom of your feet.  Also, rub it on the feet of the rest of the family.  It will help support a healthy immune system for everyone!!  Do this several times each day until no longer needed.

Also diffuse Thieves 2-3 times a day until no longer needed.  Then continue once a day to protect the body and contribute to better overall health!

Sore throat?  Gargle a drop or two of Thieves in several drops of water, then swallow!  You can do this a couple times a day.

RC Essential Oil

Massage RC onto the bridge of your nose and onto sinuses above the eyebrows.  Always follow dilution instructions.  

I choose to put oil "neat" onto my face (without a carrier oil).  But start out diluting it with a little carrier oil (I use coconut oil) and go from there.  

Massage RC with your carrier oil onto your chest and back as well if you're at all in need of some lung, nasal, or sinus support.  Apply RC every few hours until no longer needed.

**This can be really helpful if the kiddos are up coughing at night!**

Diffuse RC after Thieves.  This will fill the air with the same benefits it provides when applied topically.!

PEPPERMINT Essential Oil

This stuff is so cool!  haha...literally!

Massage into the sinuses (make sure to avoid the eyes!), on forehead, and concentrate on the temples and the back of your neck if you have sinus pressure or some discomfort in your head due to that as well.  I really massaged this into my sinuses and it worked great!  I actually did this right after I put the RC on.  Again, follow instructions with carrier oils and use your discernment.

Massage Peppermint oil onto your chest also!  This can also help your cough!

You can also diffuse this!


LEMON Essential Oil

Put a drop or two in your water (ALWAYS use a glass container!  Essential Oils will damage plastic and literally draw the plastic out into your water!  Crazy!).

Lemon can help cleanse and reduce mucous.  (TMI, I know....but I can attest to the fact that Lemon does indeed CLEANSE!)

And of course, double up on Vitamin C AND D when needing an immune system BOOST!

So there ya go!  Sound better than popping pills?  Enduring the side effects of those?

Does to me!

All the oils listed EXCEPT for RC are included in the starter kit I told you about in this post.

Convinced?  I am!

If you haven't read them yet, here's the links to my previous posts:

**Essential Oils - The basics
**If you want to order some, read my post: Essential Oils - Why use Them and Where to Get Them!
**Christmas Spirit Essential Oil Giveaway!


 Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Essential Oils - Why Use them and Where to Get Them

Alrighty.  

Yesterday I shared why I'm starting this series and some very very basic information about essential oils. (read it here)

I've spent the morning trying to get the right literature to explain WHY and how these oils work.  I finally found someone else who did more research than I have time or energy for!

The VERY basic understanding is that oils have the unique ability to effect actual cells in our body.  They can penetrate cells that other common substances cannot. 

AAANNDDD I'm sure we all are reading our labels more now and we see all those ingredients that are potentially harmful!  The only ingredient in these little bottles will be an essential oil, and in some cases, a carrier oil!

The health benefits essential oils are pretty incredible!!!  Studies have shown that Thieves essential oil blend from Young Living Oils have killed a remarkable amount of AIRBORNE virus and bacteria!!  

Airborne...meaning stuff in your home waiting for you to inhale it!

If you'd like to know more of the science behind it, please refer to this lovely lady's blog who took the time to study it and put it in layman's terms for us!

I can personally attest to them improving our overall health and wellbeing!  

I'll document some ways we've used them starting this coming week.

And I'm sure I'll have found more uses by tomorrow night :)

Now.  

Where do you get them?

As I said, I'm not even going to address other companies! I can only vouch for what we use, and honestly, it's a darn good deal!!!

What you do, is sign up to be a Young Living Distributor.

By doing so, you are able to get the oils at a wholesale price, get the amazing value of the starter kit that I have, and be able to share these little miracle bottles with your friends and family!

A LOT is included in this kit!!!

source

**Everyday Essential Oil Collection:

1 - 5 ml Joy
1 - 5 ml Frankincense
1 - 5 ml Lemon
1 - 5 ml Lavender
1 - 5 ml Peppermint
1 - 5 ml Melaleuca
1 - 5 ml Purification
1 - 5 ml Panaway
1 - 5 ml Stress Away
1 - 5 ml Thieves®

PLUS a 5ml bottle of Citrus Fresh!

Joy: Joy™ is a luxuriously exotic blend with uplifting overtones that creates magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart.

Frankincense: More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin

Lemon:Lemon consists of 68 percent dlimonene, a powerful antioxidant. It is delightfully refreshing in water and may be beneficial for the skin.

Lavender:Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and promote natural healing of skin irritations

Peppermint: One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, it may also restore digestive efficiency.
Melaleuca: This oil is highly regarded for it's wide range of uses!  It is very beneficial for the skin. 

Purification: Purification® can be used directly on the skin to cleanse and soothe. When diffused, it helps to purify and cleanse the air from environmental impurities including cigarette smoke and other disagreeable odors.

PanAway:Containing wintergreen essential oil, which is often used for massage, PanAway is soothing to the skin while providing comforting warmth to muscles after exercise.

Stress Away:A natural solution created to combat normal stresses that creep into everday life.  This blend can help induce relaxation and reduce occasional nervous tension. 

Thieves:This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.*
Citrus Fresh: A relaxing and calming blend loved by kids and adults alike.  It supports the immune system while also working at an air purifier!  



**Home Diffuser

source

Young Living’s newly designed Home Diffuser combines a humidifier, air purifier, atomizer, and aromatherapy diffuser into one product that safely releases essential oils into the air to eliminate odors and create a spa-like atmosphere. 

**The kit also includes an AromaGlide Roller Fitment - to be fitted on any of your favorite oils for easy application!

**They include literature on how to use each oil included, as well as the uses of their other oils.

**There's also a handful of samples thrown in!!!

Value of this kit?  

$300!!!!!

Yea.

And you can grab this for $150.

***Update***
There is now an option to get a Premium Starter Kit with an Aroma Diffuser instead of the Home Diffuser.  They are both great diffusers, now you have a choice of which one you like best!  The new kit with the Aroma Diffuser is $10 more.

We also chose to purchase RC Essentil Oil separately, which is amazing for support of lung, sinus, and nasal function!  It's also supportive of the immune system during the winter months!

So here's how you purchase.

Click here to order now.
    
       OR
Go to my website here and click on "Get Started."

*Make sure you sign up as a Wholesale Member.  That is how you get your oils at wholesale cost.  There are NO other requirements for being a distributor!!!  If you wish to continue being one, simply make sure you purchase $50 worth of product per year....not real tough ;)

Make sure the box "A member referred me and I have his/her information" is selected

And make sure the member number 1529374 is in both the Enroller and Sponser Id field.


Then choose the PREMIUM Starter Kit! (The original kit or the Premium Kit with the Aroma Diffuser)


It is BY FAR the best value.


You are NOT required to choose an Essential Reward Kit.  I selected "No Thank You".

***If you would just like to try it out by choosing one or two individual oils or oil blends, you can sign up as a "customer" using the same process.  But your cost will be retail, not wholesale.

I know $150 sounds like alot.  And to our family it is.

But not only have we been able to not make as many trips to the drugstore for other products, these oils have also helped to build our immune systems which is so valuable during the colder months.

We are also trying to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of products in our home that contain harmful ingredients.  We're moving towards using more natural products in our home for cooking, cleaning, and eating!

Anyway.  I believe it's worth it.  And if you choose to purchase, you'll agree!!!


Also read:
**How to boost your Immune System with Essential Oils
**Christmas Spirit Essential Oil Giveaway! 
**Premium Starter Kit Series 

  

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**If you use my member number to enroll in Young Living Essential Oils and make purchases, I may receive compensation.  The price remains the same as always, for you! 

Essential Oils - The Basics

(source)

Ok.  So a small handful have shown interest in this series!  

Great!

If for no other reason than for my own benefit, I'll be starting to share what I'm learning about these oils!

I find that I learn best by documenting and telling others!

So I'll start by saying this.

I am FAR from an expert.  Probably never will be!

I have not researched any other essential oil companies so I can't vouch for or recommend ANY other oils than the brand we are using, Young Living Essential Oils.  

If you choose to follow the same methods that we do with a different brand, you could have VERY different results that could possibly be harmful.

For now, I'm not going to document all the different ways that one can possibly use any of these oils.  They are endless!

What I'll do is simply share how our family has found use of them as we go...

Which will probably be every week...or day...or hour ;)

For today I'll give you some information about Young Living Essential Oils.

Young Living was founded by Gary Young in 1993 and developed his first organic herb farming and distillation operation.  As Gary developed more farmland in Utah and Idaho, he began cultivating lavender, peppermint, melissa, clary sage, and many other herbs. Fueled by a growing demand for pure essential oils, Young Living designed and built the largest, most technologically advanced distillery for the production of essential oils in North America. At the same time, their burgeoning company also developed the groundbreaking Young Living Therapeutic Grade standard, which preserves the integrity and potency of natural essential oils. source

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are the aromatic liquids found within shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, resins, and seeds.  These oils contain unique constituents that provide the therapeutic results.  By following their instructional guide, along with the instructions on each label, you can experience the amazing, health-promoting benefits of essential oils.  -taken from their product guide.

Most of us have experienced the incredible power of essential oils without even realizing it!  Plants play an important role in defending against insects, desase, and harsh environmental conditions.  Pure, unadulterated essential oils have many potential benefits and are used daily to enhance the lives of millions. - taken from "An Introduction to Essential Oils Every Day Essentials"

Why do they work?

Essential oils contain oxygen molecules which help to transport nutrients to the starving human cells. Because a nutritional deficiency is an oxygen deficiency, disease begins when the cells lack the oxygen for proper nutrient assimilation. By providing the needed oxygen, essential oils also work to stimulate the immune system.  -source

There is much for me to learn yet.  And I hope you will learn right along with me!

Tomorrow I will share how you can purchase the same oils that I have, what they are, and some of their helpful properties.

Then I'll start sharing how we've used them!!  I'm excited! 

Does anyone already use oils?  Please share!

Oh yea.  You'll also find this disclaimer on all my posts regarding essential oils! :)

Also read:
**How to Boost your Immune System with Essential Oils

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. - See more at: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/10-must-try-essential-oil-recipes-for-your-diffuser.html#sthash.Ycvw4KcB.dpuf

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. - See more at: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/10-must-try-essential-oil-recipes-for-your-diffuser.html#sthash.Ycvw4KcB.dpuf

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease - See more at: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/10-must-try-essential-oil-recipes-for-your-diffuser.html#sthash.Ycvw4KcB.dpuf

Essential Oils - A new Journey!

Ever heard of essential oils?

I'm not talking about the oils you buy on eBay or Amazon to put in you homemade laundry detergent or shampoo (although I have those).

I'm talking about therapeutic grade essential oils that can be taken internally, diffused, inhaled, and used topically to improve your overall health and wellness.

Sound too good to be true?

I thought so too :)

My best friend Ashley just introduced these to me.  She was a skeptic at first too.

But after dealing with intense sinus issues due to allergies, migraines that lasted days, and using antibiotics, herbs, and medications for several weeks, nothing was working. 

A relative told her to give the oils a chance.  At this point, Ash would try anything to feel like herself and get back to chasing after her two crazy boys!

Her sister-in-law brought over two oils for her to use and within a half hour, her head finally felt better and by the next day she was back to normal.

She was convinced.  This wasn't just psychological!  Rubbing oils into her hands and forehead actually worked!

Now she's got me started on them.  For a day.  lol...I got my kit yesterday and have been experimenting all morning!

I actually woke up congested, and considering the fact that I hung out with a friend who has a cold last night, I assume that's what I'm fighting.  

PERFECT!  I can put these oils to the test!

I started out by rubbing some on the bottoms of my feet and the bridge of my nose, cheeks, and above my eyebrows.  I put a different one on my temples and forehead, and then a couple drops of another one in my water.  Then I've been diffusing them all morning.

Oh!  And I've rubbed them on the kids' feet as well to start supporting their immune systems.

Does this all sound weird?  I know....it's weird typing it!  And it's really weird explaining it to my husband!

But these have been proven over and over again to WORK!  And they provide health benefits in so many ways.

What I'd like to do is see if anyone would be interested in learning more with me.

As I learn different ways to use these, I'd like to document them here on the blog. 

They have really helped assist my best friend in eliminating over the counter medications from their home and countless others have not had to go to the doctor, use certain medications, or have to deal with illness that used to be a normal part of their lives!  

I think I'd like to be one of those families!! 

So this is a new journey for us!  Please comment below or on the Facebook link and let me know if you'd read along with me as I post new information about these oils!

You can read more about these Young Living Essential Oils here.

If I do start this series, I'll post the specific types of oils used, how they are used, and where you can get them.

Please provide me with some feedback!

I'm super excited to start this with my family and would love to share with you all!

Hurry up and WAIT!

So, we have some news regarding our adoption.

It's actually news regarding adoption in general from DRC.

You can read the information here, but I'll summarize it for you.

Once Tobias gets his passport, visa, and passes the investigation (talked about that here), we can go get him!

Once we're there, we apply to DGM (Congo's government office that oversees immigration) for exit letters.  From that point on, we are at their disposal....we have to wait in Congo for them to grant the letters and then we will immediately travel HOME!

So here's what happened.

DGM has suspended issuance of ALL exit letters....for up to 12 months.

They aren't letting adopted children leave with their parents.

Does this sound scary?

Yea.

But I need to be honest and say it is much scarier for parents who are closer to this than we are.

There are parents IN CONGO that are trying to bring their kids back.

There are children and parents who already have their visas and are getting ready to travel any day now.

These kids are kid of in limbo right now.

We are hearing rumors that children that fall into these categories might have an exception and I pray that is the case.

Are we scared?

Surprisingly, I'm not, really. (keep in mind, I received this information Saturday...we've had a  few days to pray about it and let it sink in.)

I know The Lord holds this in His all powerful hands.

He is far bigger than Congo and their government.

However, we are getting less confidant that we'll have Tobias home this year.  
We're trying to be realistic in our expectations...if you've been following our story for any length of time, you'll know that we've gotten our hopes up more than once.

We've now learned to be wise in guarding our hearts.
We want our little guy home so badly, and we know that this wait will just make our togetherness that much sweeter!

So please continue to pray for us.  We are not in despair over this, but we know that it can quite possibly change things yet again for us.
It is very likely that when DGM gets back up and running, that there will be stricter guidelines.  
So we are praying that things continue to fall into place once that happens.




And so the waiting continues....
***JUST FYI...in case you were wondering, we have found out that nothing changes with adoptions at all in the case of a U.S. government shut down :)

Am I a Couch Potato Mom?

*******update*******The original post magically disappeared, and reverted back to an unedited version.  So I've tried my best to rewrite what was written before!

So a few weeks ago, my cousin's wife over at Becoming//M asked me to write a guest blog post for her!

I was completely honored and flattered as she has a much larger following than I do!

Her and her husband, (my cousin....well, my 3rd cousin) are missionaries to Tanzania that have been on furlough for several months here in the States while their precious little girl was born!

Anyway, like I said, I was flattered!

You can read the post here.

But as I have been writing a little more about parenting, I'm realizing how convicting it is.

In my guest post, I talked about how I'm not called to be a "couch potato mom".

Why did I write that post?

Why did I use those words?

Because it is a struggle of mine.

Pretty much anyone that knows me is already aware of this.

But JUST in case you aren't, I want to share this with you.

I do NOT want to be the mom that posts things and makes her life look like something that it is not.

I am not the mom that thrives off of organization and cleanliness. (my husband IS!)

I am the mom that can sit at my desk, covered in receipts, coupons, kid's drawings, glue sticks, and random pieces of my jewelry that haven't quite made it back to my armoire and be completely content and able to concentrate on whatever task is at hand. (Now you know what my desk looks like this very minute ;)

I am the mom that can look at the pile of clothes waiting to be put away for 4 days straight and finally put them away 3 1/2 minutes before the kids' bedtime.

I am also the mom that can wait until the last minute before planning the girls' school week for them and realize that I don't even have some of the necessary supplies for it...when it's already too late to run and get them.

And....I am a mom who has to fight against being a "couch potato."

I don't know if this is common, normal, or the rarity for stay at home moms, but it is a struggle that I've always had.  I have been ashamed of it and saddened by how it affects me, my kids, and even my husband.

I am so so grateful for my husband.  I have confessed my struggle to him and he has prayed with me, for me, encouraged me, asked what he can do to assist me, and sometimes most importantly, he has admonished me.

Why would my husband admonish me in this area?

Because I AM NOT CALLED TO BE A COUCH POTATO MOM!!!

And I can confidently say that neither are you.

Phew.

I said it.

How do I know us moms aren't called to chill on the couch all day while the kids watch t.v., play on the iPad, read books by themselves, play with toys by themselves, play outside BY THEMSELVES, or any other activity that keeps them occupied without my intervention? (pleeeease not that I said all day.  I do not think these things are inappropriate when done in moderation!!)


Well, Scripture tells us in
Titus 2 says "



^"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

 


So read that passage again with me.

As women, (some of these are specific to wives and mothers) we are to love our husbands and children, be self-controlled, be pure, kind, submissive to our husbands, and be working at home.

 
"Working at home" doesn't sound like laziness, carelessness, or slothfulness.  I looked this word up in its original language and it is not referring to hard labor.  It means "keeping up" or "caring for" the home.

Now I certainly cannot define exactly what this should look like in every home....each family is different.

In our home, it means that I keep a decent routine with the kids, get school work done with the girls, spend quality time with them, attend to their needs, and try my best to make sure the house is somewhat presentable with my husband gets home!  I also take care of the finances, bills, adoption paperwork, medical necessities for the family (my husband is a type 1 diabetic), plan meals, shop, prep meals and feed the family.  

**Now, my husband is FAR from absent in all of this.  While he wouldn't know what to do if I sat my online bill pay page in front of him, he is more than just "involved" in our kids' everyday activities.  He is much more of a help to me than I could ever ask for!!!**

Do we have lazy days?  Yup!  And when that lazy day is over and we've just not done a whole lot that day, I'm ready to get back up and start the next!

Now just for the record, "self-control" in the passage above is NOT just referring to anger.  It's whatever is waging war against the Spirit!  It's whatever is getting in the way of your sanctification...whether it's laziness, anger, pride, our speech, our time management (or lack thereof), or whatever else may be in our lives that we are constantly having to control for His glory.

So I pray that what you have read has encouraged you to be the woman, wife, and mother that The Lord has called you to be.  Like I said, we may not always have the same exact job description, but we are all called to keep up, and care for our home.

I understand it is not easy.

But it would be most unwise to neglect this precious calling.

So fight against your flesh.
Be self-controlled.
Enjoy keeping up your home.
Put the phone down (talking to myself too, remember!)
Turn off the computer.
Pour yourself into your kids.

Only The Lord knows how long you'll have them.

 

 
 

Another Weekend Wrap-Up!

So, today marks the end of basically an 8 day fundraiser.

It was supposed to be two separate weekend fundraisers, but it turned out differently.

Here's a re-cap:

Last Saturday, we had a car wash that raised $820. (blogged about it here )
Then, Sunday a friend pledged $800 to us for our adoption fund!

Next, on Monday, my sister handed us $100!!

THEN, we received an extra $500 from another friend!!!!!
 (The same day, we got updated finance info.  Read about it here)

That led up to our Yard Sale we just had.

We had lots of donations which were all great!
A friend of ours helped price the items, put up signs, and donated a bunch of cool stuff!

By the end of Saturday, we had an extra $615 JUST from the yard sale!  

WOW!

We honestly were hoping for more like $300!  The Lord keeps surprising us :)

Oh yea, and Friday a friend donated an ADDITIONAL $130!!!!

SO, here's a breakdown of the last 8 days:

Car Wash:        $820
Friend Donation: $800
Sister Donation: $100
Friend Donation: $500
Yard Sale:       $615
Friend Donation: $130
Week's Total:    $2,965 

So excited, so blessed, so reminded of His faithfulness.

Please continue to pray with us.  We are looking at about $3,000 left to raise.

I feel like we always need $3,000!
But prayerfully this will be the last time we say that and the need will continue to dwindle until we are fully funded!!

Does $3,000 seem like alot to you?  It IS alot to our family.
However...look at the total above.  
God has given almost $3,000 in EIGHT DAYS!
Who knows what He has in store for us in the NEXT 8 days!

He knows and He will choose how to provide for us.
In the meantime, we will wait, work our hardest, and praise Him for it.

Remember, you can donate anytime at our donation site at adopttogether.org/teaglefam  or just click here. 

You can also read my post from yesterday called "Raising Hope."
A friend of mine is doing what she can to help us bring Tobias home as well!  You can take part in a unique way and have a beautiful token in return.

Below I've added some photos of our car wash.  Sometimes I post too many words and not enough smiles :)

***BTW, all these were taken by my sisters-in-law!  I may have a blog, but I'm a TERRIBLE photographer!*** 

Getting ready for the Car Wash!

The girls enjoying the treats their Auntie brought

Watching daddy put up the "flailing guy"...sadly we had to take him down :(

Family and friends taking a breather...and my husband...being himself.