My Top 10 Essential Oils

I started my oil journey a couple of years ago, but mainly keep it to myself because of the controversy.

Essential oils have a dark side when used incorrectly, but when used safely it can definitely help improve health.  Some ways essential oils are used; to improve immunity, speed illness recovery, hormone imbalances, in homemade cleaning- and beauty products, as an air-cleaners, and topically when dilute - just to name a few.

My favorite way to use essential oils is to diffuse it, the oil gets released into the environment and everyone benefits.  I do this everyday instead of using candles.

 I thought it would be fun and helpful to share my ten favorite essential oils, and what I use them for.

I am a minimalist oil user, and do not have a ton of oils. I think it is important to stick with what you need/want in an oil, what works for you, what works for your budget, and what you are comfortable using.  I do not recommend ingesting essential oils, and always dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil before applying it topically.

No two essential oils are the same, and it is important to find pure therapeutic graded essential oils with no added fillers, and or synthetic fragrances.

My two favorite companies to buy oils from is Neil's Yard Remedies and doTERRA.

1. Wild Orange - This oil is uplifting and considered cleansing, it is also said to stimulate the immune system.  I diffuse this a lot for a fresh fragrance around the house - and honestly it just makes me feel happy.
* I don't use it on sun exposed skin or in skincare products since it can increase sun sensitivity.

2. On Guard - This oil smells like fall in a bottle, I love the combo of all the oils blended together, it contains a mix of sweet orange, rosemary, clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. The smell is amazing and it is natural disinfectant. I diffuse this oil a lot during the fall and winter months, especially when have people over (hello small group) since it is great air freshener.  It supports healthy immune function, it cleanses the air, and helps protect against environmental threats. Another way I use it is to dilute it with a carrier oil and then to rub it onto the soles of the kids feet to support their immune system - for example when they are in class set up with other kids like Sunday school.

3. Lavender - I use lavender oil every single night in our diffusers in the bedrooms (with a drop of wild orange) since it has calming and relaxing properties. It promotes peaceful sleep, and I just love the ritual.  Lavender oil also soothes the occasional skin irritation like bug bites, or even sunburn.

4. Peppermint - I use peppermint oil (ALWAYS diluted) for low grade fevers, nausea, upset stomach, congestion, and for headaches.  Peppermint oil promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing.  It can be diffused for an energizing and cooling aroma.

5. Lemon - I diffuse lemon and other citrus essential oils aromatically.  I use lemon oil in most of my cleaning product for a clean and fresh smell without all the chemicals.  Lemon oil cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces since it contains natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antihistamine properties. It is also great for insect bites as well as for salves used on wounds. 
* I don't use it on sun exposed skin or in skincare products since it can increase sun sensitivity. 

6. Melaleuca - Also known as tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial. It is best know for it's purifying properties.  I use tea tree oil in all my cleaning products to help eliminate environmental threats.  Tea tree oil is also great for the occasional skin irritations.

7. Deep Blue - I love the smell of this oil, it is a blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, ylang ylang, helichrysum, blue tansy, blue chamomile, and osmanthus,  It is soothing and cooling to skin.  This my favorite blend (ALWAYS diluted) for migraines, as well as muscle aches and pains.

8. Frankincense -  I love the smell of frankincense, it is in my favorite safer perfume.  Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, it has extraordinary health benefits.  It can be used for pretty much anything from perfume to salves and soothing skin.  It's beautifying properties are to rejuvenate the skin and to help reduce the appearance of imperfections.  When diffused it promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.  This oil is a little pricey, so I use sparingly.   I use it when we are sick - a drop on the fingertips gently rubbed behind the ears, to help with congestion - and the smell just makes us feel slightly better.

9. Eucalyptus - The main chemical components of Eucalyptus radiata are eucalyptol and elpha-terpineol, making it ideal to promote feelings of clear breathing and relaxation.  It also has purifying properties.  I mainly use this oil for congestion, and for pestering coughs by diffusing, or diluted on the soles of our feet.

10. Purify - This combination of lemon peel, siberian fir needle, citronella grass, lime peel, melaleuca leaf, and cilantro herb purify and eradicate odors in a safe and natural way.  It has a refreshing aroma.  I diffuse this oil (or just plain citronella oil) to deter mosquitoes in the summer and it is also great for soothing insect bites.

  From fighting allergies, to relieving skin irritations, to promoting peaceful sleep, and disinfecting your home essential oils can provide safe and natural remedies for your home.

I like to keep it basic and simple.

Let me know your favorite essential oils and why.

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Hello February

I can't believe it is February all ready...

I am currently sitting her with my back doors wide open, all the windows in the house are open, and the kids are up all sorts of adventures in the back yard...

My current view inside the house.

  Come on in fresh air,

West Texas weather is one of the weirdest things I have ever experience - but I am so happy that it haven't been super cold this winter.

The kids are loving playing outside and we are seeing the first little signs of Spring emerge.  It is such a wonderful feeling.

first sign of weeds.

millie is on watch.

  I can't wait for Spring - I have been so busy planning our little vegetable garden - I have missed gardening so much since moving back to the States - and since our lives have  slowed down tremendously - I can't wait to get started.

We have also implemented a little food challenge with the kids.  My kids use to be pretty great eaters when we still lived in Germany (we had so many opportunities of exposure to great food and cultures) well since we have gotten to the States - they have become the pickiest of eaters - and it was even more apparent during our recent visit to South Africa.

Talk about frustrating the hell out of me.  I can't stand it when the kids just refuse to eat any and everything.

So once have settle back into our own form of normal - we created this chart together one morning - it was a ton of fun.

  So basically each week when we go and buy groceries, they each get to pick one new fruit or vegetable to try.  It has been such a game changer for us - and it has been so much fun, sparking lots of conversation about real food, eating in general, and cooking together.

  I am so happy to report - that Ian is now a huge fan of all bell peppers - hopefully he will just fall head over hills with most fruits and vegetables.

Hayleigh have been super into cooking the last couple of weeks, the moment i head to the kitchen she is there, ready to help with any and everything.

I have been taking deep breathes as I allow her into my favourite space - because it is necessary for her to learn but sometimes I just love being in the kitchen all by myself  - it is extremely relaxing.

We made granola together the other day.  Well we tend to make it once a week for a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or sometimes we even eat it for dinner when Nate is at work.

  We have been loving the little African aprons my mom gave us - thanks mom.

Hayleigh is also excellent with a knife - her cutting skills have saved me hours in the kitchen,

Best gift ever - thanks ouma!

  We have continued our weekly or every ten day trips to the library - and the kids love it.  I am also happy to report that we finally have our first little reader - I am so proud of him - it took him a while to get over his frustration - but once it all click for him - man it is over.  I can't believe my little guy is growing up so fast.

With the new reading milestone - he has also lost his second tooth - time slow down!

  I love the seemingly endless rows of books in the library!  It makes me so happy.


Nate and I were able to go to his annual Fire Awards Banquet.  It was a nice night out without the kids.

I am once again so proud of Nate for everything he has accomplished in our two years here.

  I  just love him so much - he makes life one crazy adventure all of the time.  You never know what is coming....

I still can't believe it is February all ready - get ready for everything pink, red, white and full of hearts.

We decked out the living area with hearts and stuff today - it makes me so happy - and the kids are so excited!

  I am the luckiest - these two beauties - all mine!

  I have been slowly settling into and embracing the change of no more babies and toddlers - it is slow process - but since I have shifted my mind set - I have enjoyed them so much more.

I will try to be better with all the updates - I still take way to many pictures but I get distracted experimenting in the kitchen and before I know it several weeks have passed with no blog - I am sorry!!

Happy Wednesday!

Little Changes, New Habits

I can't believe we have been in our house for two months already.  It has gone by so fast, and we have been loving every minute of settling in, and making it our own,

Well actually we took a long much needed break from finishing up the last touches to just catch up on some tv shows, playing with legos for hours, reading more books then I can remember, and just spending time together.

With the new house. motivation comes to make small changes here and there, to be inspired and to just go with it.

One of the things I love about our house, is the fact that it is a block and half away from the duck pond, that become one of the kids and my favourite places soon after arriving in Andrews.  It is small escape to trees, and green grass, and life in all different forms, we do avoid it over the weekends (it's a mess.)

Anyways Nate and I decided it is time to get back into our walking groove (well he has been running again - I am not that brave or motivated) but we use to go for beautiful long walks in the woods and our cute little village in Germany, the kids use to love it.

So we decided it is time, and for the past two weeks, we eat breakfast put on our shoes and head out for our little morning walk.  The kids are more then content to just ride along in the stroller.

I decided to take my camera one morning to share how we begin our day, and it has made such a different in all of our attitudes.

We have had so much rain here lately that it has been gray and gloomy, but yesterday we had some sun!

We usually see a bunch of squirrels, and the kids squeal and giggle every single time, that alone makes it worth it to just get there, and the rest will take care of its self.

These birds fascinate me...

We are eagerly greeted by this sweet baby (every morning) I think they all know that we bring our breakfast leftover goodies from the previous day.  We have watched it grow so quickly.

After a few laps, we stop, we let the kids out and watch them feed the ducks.  They giggle and laugh, and occasionally freak out when a goose comes to close.  But for the most part, they are not terrified anymore...

I have really grown to love doing this with Nate and the kids, and I do hope that we will keep with it.  It has changed our moods and attitudes, we have more energy and motivation, and well fresh air does everyone some good.

It is simply beautiful and cool in the early mornings (another thing to help us embrace our early risers.)

I am trying to find the beauty in small town living, but it is somewhat of a challenge, and one that I am not sure I will completely get use to.  But for now I will continue to search....

Happy rainy Saturday!