Essential Oil Diffuser Blends

I have a confession to make.  I love to mix up my oils for diffusing, and test them out on my family.  Some are wonderful, exciting, and uplifting!  Some smell like what you might find in a barn.  No matter, my kids are forgiving.

But here are a few of the blends we love most.  Some are my own concoction, some I found on the net.  I admit, I have a diffuser in every room.  Kids' rooms, living room, kitchen......  The trick is to not have too many diffuser blends going at once or your house might smell suspicious.  If you know what I mean.


Relaxing Sleep
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Cedarwood

Calming
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Vetiver
2 drops Frankincense

Allergy Season
4 drops RC
2 drops Eucalyptus Blue

Clean Day
4 drops Citrus Fresh
3 drops Lime Oil

Invigorating
4 drops Peppermint
3 drops Orange

Flower Garden
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Geranium
1 drop Roman Chamomile

Spring
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Lemon
1 drop Rosemary

Summer
4 drops Tangerine
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Lime
1 drop Spearmint

Fall
4 drops Orange
2 drops Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Nutmeg

Winter
balsam fir
orange
cinnamon bark

Sometimes, after a cleaning day, I like to use just orange or lemon oil in the diffuser for a fresh scent.  And Christmas Spirit with an added drop or two of orange oil is our favorite during Christmas time.

If you have any questions about Young Living Essential Oils, you can contact me to learn more, or go to my personal website.

Experiment with your own blends.  What are your favorites?  I'm always looking for new ideas!

You can also find out more by browsing my Pinterest Essentail Oils board!

Thieves Essential Oil

Thieves

This is one essential oil I am never without.

Thieves oil is a blend of five essential oils: Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils.  If you aren't using it as a disinfectant, this blend is great to diffuse.  

There is a legend behind the Thieves blend.  And as the facts of legends tend to vary, you may have heard a rendition before.  The story I heard goes like this.  (very short version)  There were four thieves (or spice traders or spice merchants) who understood the potent protective powers of herbs and spices.  They made a concoction of the five spices and herbs in the Thieves blend in vinegar and put them on their body.  The plague struck, people died in the streets, and the thieves made their way through the towns, covered in their vinegar oil blend, and basically pick pocketed dead bodies.  Supposedly they never caught the plague.  Interesting, right?

How Our Family Uses Thieves Essential Oil

We have used Thieves as a cleaner, in toothpaste, and deodorant.

The powerful cleaning abilities of Thieves makes it a handy oil to add to your natural cleaners.  We fill a spray bottle with 1/2 white vinegar, 1/2 distilled water, and several drops of Thieves oil.  I use it to spray down counters, toilets, bathtubs, and kitchen table.   I also add it in my mop water, and put a drop or two in my toilet.  I have also put a couple of drops on my throw rugs in the bathroom and kitchen.  It leaves a nice, clean, cinnamony scent!

We gargle with a couple of drops of Thieves oil diluted in a little water.  It supports a healthy mouth, gums, and throat.

My family takes Thieves oil internally.  I put a couple of drops of thieves and a couple of drops of honey in a gelatin capsule and swallow.  We take this to support our health during seasonal illnesses and to help encourage a healthy immune system.

Diffusing it?  Of course!  I love the cinnamon smell, which is the strongest to me.  We especially like to diffuse Thieves in the fall.  It has a holiday seasonal scent!

Disclaimer:  Again, I am not allowed to share with you the full benefits of Thieves oil to our family.  Do some research and decide for yourself how this amazing blend can fit into your family's lifestyle.  Also, Thieves can be kind of hot on the skin, so be careful and you should consider diluting with a carrier oil before applying or taking internally.  And as always, please consult your doctor especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils, please feel free to contact me!

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender

Oh my, the many uses.  When I hear the word Lavender, I think of a relaxing, English garden.  Or fields full of purple blooms in the Hill Country of Texas.  But mostly, I think of my mom. It was her favorite scent.  She had sachets, lotions, soaps, and linens fragranced with lavender.  So, besides it's many benefits, I'm kind of sentimentally partial to it.

Lavender oil can be used in skin care products, your daily cleaning regimen, refreshing your linens, and offers a myriad of skin supporting benefits.

We use a couple of drops of lavender in baby bath water for its relaxing effect, and as part of a nightly routine.  Rubbing lavender on the back of your neck or bottom of your feet can aid in a restful sleep.  You can try a couple of drops on your pillow.  It's also great in a diffuser as it leaves a clean, fresh floral fragrance in your home.

I add a few drops of lavender to my moisturizer and try to take a relaxing detox soak once a week.  For my bath, I add 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup baking soda, and about 10 drops of lavender oil. 

We also have used lavender oil for pest control.  Most bugs and rodents hate the smell.  When we store our seasonal clothes, I place about 4 cotton balls in the top of the clothing container with a couple of drops of lavender each in them.  We've never had an issue with silverfish or roaches or moths getting into those containers.

And if you want to make a room or linen spray, all you need is a small spray bottle filled with a mixture of 2T vodka or witch hazel, 6T of water, and 10 - 12 drops of lavender essential oil.

Also, I use it on my animals.  We have made a spray like the one above, and we have also just rubbed it on neat.  It makes a good "in-between bath" freshener for my dogs, and it's also beneficial for repelling fleas and ticks.

Disclaimer:  Once again, exercise caution and common sense when using essential oils.  Some people have skin sensitivity issues so you may need to test the oils out on a non-sensitive area of your skin, or consider diluting with a carrier oil.  Before using essential oils, always consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

Essential Oils.........Peppermint

Peppermint

Gotta be my all-time favorite.

Maybe it's because it was the first oil I was ever introduced to, or because the smell is uplifting and refreshing.  For many reasons, it's always a staple in my oil cabinet!

And, who hasn't heard of peppermint?

Here comes my disclaimer...

Annoying, but has to be done.

Now, because the FDA will not allow me to share with you a detailed account of the amazing health supporting properties essential oils have brought into my life, I will have to leave the research and common sense up to you to determine the needs of your family and how oils can fit into your lifestyle.  Use wisdom and exercise caution.

Moving on.  For our family, peppermint plays an essential role.

How we use Peppermint Oil.

After exercising.  I love to rub peppermint on my muscles after a workout.  It leaves a tingly, refreshing feel on my legs and arms, and leaves me feeling invigorated.

To support our respiratory health.  Peppermint is refreshing in a steamy bath or shower, and perfect for use in a diffuser.

Cleaning.  We clean with peppermint oil, as well as diffuse for a refreshed smelling household.  You can add peppermint oil to any soap, shampoo, and other natural cleaning products.  And if you use wool dryer balls, put a couple of drops onto the balls before you throw them in the dryer!

Toiletries.  My daughter makes toothpaste, deodorant, and lip balm, and loves to add peppermint oil to all of her recipes.

Cooking.  Peppermint oil is great for cooking with.  And since Young Living Oils are pure, and the oil properties are strong, peppermint will go a looooong way.  I put a drop or two in hot chocolate, and I have made a peppermint mocha coffee creamer.  Delicious!

Uplifting.  And no lie, peppermint makes me feel alive and energetic. Like how my twins feel when they find get ahold of sugar.  I enjoy just opening up the bottle and sniffing it.  Makes my senses come to attention.  And did you know that if I need to clean out my sniffer, like if I've been sniffing a lot of other fragrances or oils, peppermint clears out and reboots my smeller.  Kind of like coffee does.

I do warn you, be careful if you get peppermint oil on your skin, some people can be a bit sensitive to it.  It's best to dilute with a little V-6 oil, or olive oil, or coconut oil before putting it on your skin.

And as always, if you have any questions about essential oils, please feel free to contact me!

Why We Love Essential Oils

The first time I used essential oils, a friend gave me a sample of peppermint, and I was more than skeptical.

I was told of the many health benefits of using essential oils, heard their glories sung, yet I still had a hard time believing that just a drop of peppermint oil could do so much.

Then I tried it.

And WOW!

But then I made a major mistake.  I went searching for peppermint oil outside of Young Living. Cheaper?  Yes.  Quality?  Could not compare.  Where I used one drop of YL peppermint oil, I had to use 15 drops of the "other brand" to get an even close comparison.  And then I realized.  The other brand was diluted.  Sub-par.  Unequal.  Inadequate.  The quality just was not there.  And as far price goes......YL was far more cost effective, besides the fact you are saving on your health in the long run!

So, I called my friend, and told her I wanted to sign up with Young Living.  That simple sample of peppermint oil had forever changed my life.

I have been using Young Living Essential Oils for 10 years now.  There is no going back.

How do we use essential oils?

We use them for everything from supporting our health to cleaning to aromatherapy.

And honestly, sometimes the smell just makes me happy!

No more harsh cleaners

No more toxic candles

No more perfumes
No more personal care items full of chemicals

We use them in our garden, on our pets and livestock, and in bedding, barn, and coops.  The health of our family is a witness to the many supporting benefits of using essential oils.

I love that everything we make can be all natural, including using the oils as a fragrance. You can even cook with them!

Seriously, what better way to utilize the gifts God has packed inside all of those marvelous plants He created?  For our benefit and pleasure!

Do you have questions on how to get started?

There are so many essential oil companies to choose from.  You should choose your essential oils based on quality, ethics, and support.  I have used Young Living Essential Oils for 10 years.  I trust the company, without a doubt.

If you are interested in oils for your family or personal use, you can visit my Young Living personal website.  And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will answer all that I can!

But, did you know that you could sign up as a distributor and save up to 20% off your essential oils?! 

Premium Starter Kit

At sign up, you can save big by purchasing a Premium Starter Kit containing a collection of 10 Essential Oils, plus a handy bottle of Stress Away, AND a home diffuser.  I LOVE my diffusers!  This set also includes all the resources you need to help you get started in sharing Young Living Essential Oils!  An exceptional value!

Basic Starter Kit

You can also save when you purchase a Basic Starter Kit, at sign up, containing a set of basic essential oils.

As a Young Living Distributor, you are not required to order every month.  You can order as much or as little as you need or want.  But I do suggest signing up for Young Living's Essential Rewards program if you plan on making a consistent order each month.  It saves you on shipping, and you can earn points towards free products. You also are not obligated to sell essential oils, but I warn you, once you begin using them and benefit from their amazing and powerful effects on your household, you will want to share the news with everyone!

Are you interested?!  Are you ready to get started?

Sign up HERE!

Again, please feel free to contact me with any questions, I am eager to help!

If you're still not sure, stick around, I'll be sharing my top 5 favorite oils.  Those that truly made a believer out of me!


Disclaimer: The information on this website is based upon my research and personal use of Young Living essential oils.  I am an Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils.  The statements made and the products mentioned have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

The Journey Begins Part 4 and Final

Howdy!

The fall came and we decided to put our house on the market.  What was the worst that could happen?  My husband was looking for a job in IT in a good sized city, the houses in our neighborhood were selling FAST, and we would be able to leave it all behind and move to the country.  A reasonable assumption........right?

Thankfully our house in Houston was still young, not too many repairs, with the exception of an eyesore of a tree that was literally falling apart.  So, hubby and some of the older kids took it down and cut it up.  Too bad we don't have a use for firewood in deep Texas.

After a flood of showings and a couple of contracts on our house that fell through, hubby got antsy and rented the biggest truck he could find, and he and some dear friends filled the truck and our trailer and we were off.  Taking (almost) all of our worldly possessions with us.  I didn't know I had so much stuff...

We still didn't stay, but came back to Houston to spend the holidays in town and with family and friends.  We did make a quick trip in November to check on things.  And were excited about the actual "fall" that we don't get down south.  The pastures were brown and the trees were leafless, but it was still beautiful.

The hay barn was full from the summer's cutting, and that is exactly where I found my kids.  All the time.  I drew the line at eating and sleeping up there.  Although, not a terrible idea!

When my husband discovered he had several vacation days left for the year, we all agreed, we wanted to spend Christmas on the farm.  And we also agreed, that despite our frequent trips to the farm, we never really had the time to start and finish a project.  Or to unpack and sort through boxes.  Our visits lasted 2 or 3 days at a time.  Not enough to get things done!  The garage was stuffed full of boxes from our October move, and the workshop was in desperate need of a good cleaning so we could store tools.  So, hubby took all of us up, stayed a couple of days and headed home to work with the intent to come back at the end of the week.  I was without him for a week.  And THIS time.......I stayed.

Of course we cut a Christmas tree from our land.  As much as I hate cedar trees, they are useful once a year.

The big Christmas gift, a 4 wheeler.  Which has come in handy for work, as well as has been a blast to ride around the property on.  And through very little prodding, we even got my 90 year old mother-in-law on the thing and showed her around!

We did take it easy for some Christmas time, but otherwise, we worked all day, every day.  In the 2 and a half weeks were were there, almost every single box was emptied, the workshop cleaned and stocked with hubby's tools, the attic was floored for storage, and we were easily able to clean, sort, and organize.  And there's still so much to do!

I also found the time to spend a couple of afternoons in the pasture, collecting aged black gold to start as a compost in my garden bed.  Oh yes, and I set up my garden spot, complete with TWO compost bins!  There's nothing like poop and rotting food...

From this post on, I will excitedly begin my actual journey on the farm!  Looking forward to sharing my upcoming garden, livestock, home renovations, and much more!