diffusers – Earthy Girl Living

No! Don’t Do It!!

Posted on April 25, 2016May 16, 2016 by lisawilkins15@yahoo.com

Picture this…friends are coming over for dinner and you’re getting ready for an awesome evening grilling out! You’ve gone to the grocery store and gotten all the ingredients you need to make the perfect meal. You have a nice bottle of wine chilling on ice and you decide to light a few candles before your guests arrival. NO! Don’t do it!!

I know there is something romantic about the ambiance and flicker of a candle, but candles can be very toxic to your health! People don’t realize that most fragrances used in candles, lotions, etc. are synthetic and are actually made from petrochemicals. So you basically are lighting a candle made from crude oil inside your house. Nasty! The fumes release harmful toxins that may cause headaches, sinus issues, asthma, and even cancer!

Hard to believe that simply lighting a candle can cause so much harm, but it’s true and you can read more about the link between airborne toxins and health issues. Go to www.mercola.com and enter “danger of airborne toxins” in the blue search box.

Soy candles are safer to burn, so look for them if you just have to have that candle fix! Many folks have switched over to using a battery operated candle that look like a candle, flickers like a candle, but they release no harmful chemicals. Smart move if you’ve already made that change!!

I’ve always been attracted to smells. I guess that’s why I’ve always loved candles too! I’m just as guilty as the next person about using candles in my house. Since being on this health journey and changing my lifestyle to a more holistic approach, I actually rounded up all my candles and took them either to Good Will or threw them away! I actually feel guilty taking them for someone else to use after all the information I’ve found out about their dangers. I encourage you to have a candle round up at your house too! Get rid of them!

Now if you just love fragrance like I do, there is another option. Use a diffuser and 100% natural, organic, essential oils! Diffusers are safe and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are not only omitting a fantastic fragrance but they are also cleaning the air and adding a health benefit to you and your family. I have them in almost every room in the house!

Most diffusers require water, an outlet to work, and of course, your favorite essential oil. A few drops and you are on your way to better health. I have just ordered a few diffusers that actually plug into a laptop and run off USB power. If you are interested, I can hook you up!

They make diffusers for your car too! Please do not use those air fresheners that hang from your rear view mirror or the ones that clip on the vent! Bad stuff! Those toxic chemicals that you are breathing in, as you sit in your car that’s all closed up, are very dangerous to your health! If you have kids, you really need to throw those smelly air fresheners away!

You can combine oils to help with any situation you are going through in life. If you need a pick me up to get moving, a calming blend to rest, an immune builder, or something romantic for the bedroom, (Oh La La!) there is an oil for you and many combos that will work. I encourage you to give it a try.

A simple morning blend to get you moving and make you happy to start the day is: 2 drops of Wild Orange, 2 drops of Citrus Oil and 2 drops of Peppermint oil. One of my favorites for immune building is 3 drops of Wild Orange and 3 drops of Protective Blend. (This is a must have oil for any house.)

For a restful night’s sleep and calming down I love Calming Blend, Vetiver, and Cedarwood. I diffuse this most every night! To add a spark to your romance, diffuse Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, and Vetiver. Long ago Ylang Ylang was put on the bed of newly married couples for their wedding night. Vetiver is a great balancing oil and helps slow the nervous system down, which we can all use from our stressful lives!!! (I’ve touched on many of the other oils on past blogs so check them out!)

My favorite oil company offers fantastic oil for women. It is a blend of patchouli, bergamot, sandalwood, rose, jasmine, cinnamon bark, vetiver, ylang ylang, geranium, and cocoa and vanilla bean extracts. I like to wear it as a perfume. It adjusts to individual body chemistry and smells different on everyone. It’s crazy but it does. Let me know if you would like more info on it.

These are just a few examples of some blends to use in your diffuser. The list is really endless. Any issue you might have, there is a solution with my favorite oil company. If you would like more information on them, please let me know. If you need a diffuser, I have them! Talk to me before you order on line!

Remember all oils are not the same. Please contact me before you go out there an purchase oils from a chain store.

Until next week, make sure to be kind to someone! (even if you think they don’t deserve it!!)

Naturally, Lisa

Spring is Sprouting, So Can YOU!

Posted on March 20, 2016May 16, 2016 by lisawilkins15@yahoo.com

Happy first day of spring!

The flowers are bursting out around here and it is so beautiful!! Spring has sprung! I decided I wanted to get on the bandwagon too!

I have started to grow my own sprouts. It is really super easy to do and it only takes a few days until you have sprouts ready to eat! I double dog dare you to try it!!

Last week I spoke about the rise of diabetes in our country. If you didn’t read my blog from last week, make sure to check it out! I listened to Dr. Greger’s book on Audible. It’s called How Not To Die. It was very in depth but well worth listening to; if you are really serious about making a change in your diet and your health. I highly recommend it!

One key idea I picked up on in the book was how beneficial broccoli is to our health. It helps with many types of cancers. He suggests to eat it every day. He also mentions that broccoli sprouts help reduce the risk of type II diabetes. He recommends 1/4 cup of broccoli sprouts a day.

So you want to get started!?!?! You only need a few things: You will need a couple of ball jars, a screen for each jar to put over the top of the opening to strain the water off, and some seeds of your choice. I started with broccoli and sunflower seeds. They are yummy!

You can, of course, order a set that includes everything you need, but I wanted to try it with what I had available. I wasn’t sure if I’d like this whole sprouting seeds business and I didn’t want to invest much money if it was awful. I have to say I like using the jars and they are super easy. Maybe one day I’ll get the trays and the set, but right now I like using the jars.

To start, you will need to rinse the jars and place a little bit of the seeds in the bottom of the jar. The broccoli seeds are so tiny only about 1 teaspoon is needed. I just usually guess and pour. Screw on the lid with the screen in place. Rinse the seeds and place upside down to strain the water off. I place mine in a bowl upside down at an angle so the water can continue to drain.

I put them in a dark spot for the first 24 hours. You could throw a towel over them if you want. I usually put mine in my pantry. Then after 24 hours, bring them out, or uncover, and let them sit on your counter. I rinse them several times throughout the day and follow the same procedure.

Rinse, strain, place upside down on counter. I do this for several days until they sprout and completely fill up the jar. Then, they are ready to eat!!! I take them out of the jar and place them in a container and keep them in the refrigerator. Add them to your salad or to any meal. You can even juice them! Who knew right?

Here’s a great Caesar salad dressing recipe from Dr. Michael Kluper. This recipe was from the book How Not to Die.

2Tbsp almond meal
3 crushed garlic cloves
3Tbsp dijon mustard
3Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
2Tbsp white miso
3Tbsp lemon juice
1/3 cup of water

Blend and enjoy! If you have a high speed mixer it might be best to use whole almonds in place of the almond meal.

Here’s another way to use your sprouts. Try this stir fry recipe.It’s yummo!

Cook 1 cup of white rice. While it’s cooking, scramble an egg. Add oil to a pan, add rice, shred a bit of carrot, a little onion, add the egg, salt and pepper to taste, and of course add your broccoli and sunflower sprouts. Add a little dab of butter while this is all cooking. Stir and brown, Add Bragg’s Liquid Amino (soy sauce alternative) and you have a fabulous meal! It’s super easy! You of course could add some chicken or steak too!

Here’s a great diffuser recipe to try this spring. It will take you to paradise!!

2 drops citrus or wild orange

2 drops Sandalwood

3 drops Grapefruit

If you need a diffuser, or any oils, I would love to talk with you about them! Just let me know!

I hope you have a fantastic week! Get out there and move around! Spring is here!!

Naturally, Lisa

It was a Tough Breakup!!

Posted on February 1, 2016May 16, 2016 by lisawilkins15@yahoo.com

Can you believe the month of January is already over?! This month I have accomplished a few of my many goals for the new year, and it makes me feel really good! Were you able to make any changes this month? Start small, baby steps are all it takes! Remember it’s a new year, so you can be a New YOU!

Last week, I touched on one way to make a change for a healthier YOU by using homemade laundry detergent. I am so happy to hear that many of you are trying it out! Did your triceps hurt after making it?! I have another idea for you this week that will be beneficial to your health and wellness. This one is really easy and does not involve getting physical! All it requires is the push of a button!

I’m sure, if you’re like me, you have your go to aromas and fragrances that you just absolutely love! Smells are very powerful and can trigger memories from your past and make you think of special occasions. For me, and I’m sure many of you, there’s nothing like walking into the aroma of fresh baked bread or cookies. A realtor once told me to bake cookies right before showing our house to create a more inviting, homey space! It actually worked!

I have always used the popular wall plug-in air fresheners, as well as candles to spice up my life. After being on this wellness journey, I have learned that most of these products are toxic and harmful to our bodies. They are no longer welcome in my house! It was like a tough break up with all those nasty products; but it had to be done!!

(Read here how you can de-pollute the funk in your house. A helpful tip: If your product does not have the latin name of the fragrance on it, then it is synthetic. Which basically means that it is man-made in a laboratory and it is dangerous for you. Talk about polluting the air in your home and your body!)

I’m not going cold turkey though! OH NO NO! Even though I banned those other products from my house, I love aromas too much! I have replaced all those toxic, smelly, items with several diffusers!! You may think “Oh I use to put one of those on the end of my hair dryer to diffuse the air and it made me look like that girl from the movie Flashdance.” Does that bring back memories or what?! If your behind that generation then all you young whipper snappers should check it out. It was one of my faves!! But this is no hair diffuser, this is a type of diffuser that you put essential oil into.

The cool thing is my family and I actually benefit from diffusing oils. Now let me say one quick word about essential oils. All essential oils are not the same. You have to be very careful about what and where you are purchasing oils. You want to buy an oil that is pure therapeutic grade! My favorite oil company has pure therapeutic grade oils. Their oils are 100% pure with nothing added and nothing taken away! My favorite oil company tests their oils 7 different ways! They are by far the best oils on the market!

Let me know if you’d like more info and how you can get started with a 25% discount and over the course of a year, up to a 55% discount on my favorite oil products!! Now that’s what I’m talking about!

So back to diffusers!

Diffusers are so easy to use. You add a small amount of water (read your manufacturers instructions) and then add 4-5 drops of Essential Oil. Turn it on and voila! It works its magic!

Basically, a diffuser transmits the essential oils therapeutic qualities into the air. The oils not only smell nice, but they are cleaning the air and benefiting your body too, without any toxic side effects! There are many varieties of diffusers available, but I prefer to use a cold air diffuser since warming the oil will change the chemistry and effect its benefits.

I typically run mine daily, refilling it every time it runs out. I have several throughout the house and one in my first grade classroom too! I just can’t get enough of them!!!

Depending on the style, diffusers run anywhere from 4-16 hours and usually will turn off by themselves. They work great in kids rooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and in the kitchen too! I like to use one that runs longer in my bedroom. At night, I love to use respiration blend, as well as calming blend. These two oils help me get a more restful night’s sleep and keep my airways open! If you have someone keeping you awake at night because of closed airways and loud noises beside you in bed, you should give the respiration blend a try!! Let me know if I can help you!

During the day, I love to diffuse Wild Orange and a very popular blend known as the Protective Blend. It is a great, uplifting, energizing, combo that gives me that extra boost throughout the day! This blend supports immune system function and protects against seasonal threats, so its especially great in the classroom.

You can diffuse so many different combinations of oils that it is almost endless. You will first need a diffuser and then some oils.

Here are a few of my favorites to try:

For seasonal support:

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

For respiratory support:

1 drop Lemon Essential Oil
1 drop Eucalyptus Essential Oil
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
1 drop Rosemary Essential Oil

How about a more manly smell you say? :

2 drops Wintergreen
2 drops White Fir
2 drops Cypress

The list is endless. You just need to play! I will continue to add ideas for you.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like a sample! I can hook you up! I also have a few diffusers, so if you are in the market for one, let me know!

This simple addition to my house has changed my families lives for the better!!! I am positive that you will fall in love as well! Let me know what your favorite blends are!

Naturally, Lisa

Who has time for that?!?!

Posted on January 25, 2016May 16, 2016 by lisawilkins15@yahoo.com

It’s true, people always look at me like I’m crazy and think I’m off my rocker when I tell them I make my own laundry detergent! I know they laugh and mumble under their breath, “Who has time for that?” Well I can tell you, you do!! YES YOU! It only takes about 20-30 minutes to make a batch, just like a batch of cookies. But let me tell you, this detergent will last you way longer than those cookies. I’m talking at least 4 ENTIRE MONTHS!!! It is well worth the investment! It is cheaper and so much safer for you!!

The holistic approach encompasses not only thinking about what your are putting on the inside of your body, but also what you are putting on the outside too! Just recently I’ve switched many things in my home from the traditional, store bought products and cleaners, and I have started making my own concoctions!!

About 2 years ago, I started making my own homemade laundry detergent. Store bought laundry detergents actually have quite a few chemicals that pollute not only the air in your house but also have chemicals that are being absorbed into your skin. Yes, even the ones that say “fragrance free!” Remember biology class taught us that our skin is the largest organ in the body? So, let’s start protecting it!

I encourage you to visit: www.ewg.org and check out the laundry detergent you currently use. If you have not checked out this website yet, you really need too! It will give you the low down on almost any product you use in your house. It rates the items on how toxic they are. So use it to check out any cleaning items you use or even things like your make-ups and shampoos! I looked up Tide with Febreeze and it was rated “F.” It was at the highest category for toxins. It showed high risk for asthma, skin irritation, and even a slight risk for cancer! Check it out!

I hope I’ve gotten those gears to start turning and have helped you to consider making a change! So if you’re ready, you’ll need to round up the following items to get started! You can buy your supplies at your local grocery store and even on Amazon! It just takes a little pre-planning!

Earthy Girl Laundry Detergent

1 (4 lb 12 oz) box of Borax- found in the detergent aisle (got mine on Amazon)
1 (3 lb 7 oz) box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda– found in the detergent aisle. (I got mine on Amazon.)
1 (3 lb) container of Oxi Clean- can find on the detergent aisle.
2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap– I used lavender, but there are several scents to pick from. (I ordered on-line at Amazon and got 6 bars at one time.) Have seen them at Target too.
1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- found on the cooking aisle. I found a big bag at Sam’s and Costco. It was a 13.5 lb bag. I’ve been able to use it for several batches. It was about $7.00.

Supplies:

A cheese grater/shredder. I bought an extra one to use only for the soap.
A large bucket with a lid. I recycled one of my wheat buckets (6 gallon) The ingredients only fill it up about 1/2 way.

Well, get your elbow grease ready. You actually are going to shred 2 bars of soap!! When you shred the soap, it’s a little bit of a work out. You might actually feel your triceps working, that’s basically going to the gym right?! Be safe when you’re shredding the soap to make sure you don’t cut your fingers! Ouch!

Instructions

Grate soap with a cheese grater or food processor. I do both. I grate first, then, put it in my food processor; so it’s super fine. I found it works best, especially if you use cold water in your laundry loads.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.
Use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load. I put it right on my clothes or in the soap dispenser. Sometimes both!
Add a few drops of cleansing blend (from my favorite Essential Oil company) if you have smelly clothes, towels, or shoes. While the laundry is filling up, just add a few drops right in the water. It eliminates odors!! Sometimes I have kitchen towels that just have a weird odor. After I use this blend of essential oil, the smell is gone! You can also add your choice of essential oil to your laundry for additional fragrance. A couple of my favorites are lemon oil and wild orange oil.

If you’re going all natural you might as well get rid of your dryer sheets too! Switch over to using wool dryer balls! I bought a pack of six and I typically use 4 in each load. I place a few drops of whichever essential oils that I would like that day on each dryer ball! I usually like to add the Wild Orange or lavender oil. Start your dryer and let the balls do their magic. It may sound like you put tennis shoes in your dryer, but your clothes will be softer than ever, and even better, there will be no chemical residue. It’s a great change! That means no synthetic chemicals on your skin or pollutants in your house!

I made my last batch of laundry detergent on September 10, 2015 and I just made a new batch on January 20, 2016. It lasted a little longer than 4 months! I have a family of 4 and do on average 6-8 loads a week! Talk about bang for you buck! Just think, if you have a smaller family it will last you longer!

These minor changes have been a positive change in my life!!!

I hope I have inspired you and maybe you’ll try it too!

Next week I’ll talk about de-polluting the funk in your house by using a simple product called a diffuser.

Naturally, Lisa