Before the internet, a lot of family homes had an encyclopedia set and a family medical reference book. Both were resources families would use to find information and look up home remedies and basic First Aid before calling the doctor. Today, the Internet dominates when it comes to research and reference needs but there is something to be said for having a real book on hand for some level of assurance the information you are seeking is accurate.  I personally still prefer occasionally to have a real book for some things. There are two books I use frequently to build my knowledge of essential oils. When I’m asked what I use or would recommend for oils, these are my go-to books for information.  When I’m looking for a new roller ball blend to treat something, I refer to these books. When I’m not sure what diffuser blend would be best, I start here. The Essential Life 3rd Edition and Emotions & Essential Oils 6th Edition. These books are a wealth of information and have quickly become my version of going to WedMD.com for health information. The Essential Life 3rd Edition comes in both a hardback and spiral bound copy. Each page is beautifully laid out with pictures, lists, information, and resources to safely use, apply, and blend essential oils. Specific physical and emotional concerns and how essential oils can be used in these situations is also included.  There is a quick reference chart in the front section of all kinds of conditions and references to specific oils and conditions throughout the book. There is also a really large reference source in the back of the book if you want to do further research on the information. Emotions & Essential Oils 6th Edition is a wonderful book! It comes with a two sided laminated circle chart outlining which oils to use when you feel good (yellow side of card) or blue (blue side of card). Inside the book is a thoughtful description of oils and oil uses for managing a very wide range of emotional concerns.  I really love that it speaks to blends of oils as well as singular oils.  There is also a good deal of information about the history of each oil and how it helps support our emotional state. These books can be purchased online at a variety of retailers. Prices will vary from $12 – $30.  I purchased both of these from OilLife.com as I found the best prices there. Interested in more? If you’re looking for resources to guide your oil journey, I highly recommend The Essential Life 3rd Edition, in hardback or spiral bound copy, and Emotions & Essential Oils 6th Edition. If you’re ready to start your oil journey, please let me know! I’m happy to get you started with a Home Essentials Kit that contains the 10  more used oils and a high quality diffuser. Contact me at my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary Online class available tomorrow!!! This will be a Facebook Live event in a closed group. To participate you must email me at amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com to be added to the group. #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

#health #alternativehealth #wellness #essentialoil #EssentialOils #home #natural #family #lifestyle

Recently, I changed the daily vitamin we give our son to the doTERRA A2Z Chewable and IQ Mega supplements. It was really an experiment to see what would happen. We had been giving him the gummy daily vitamin that you can pick up in the grocery store. I had noticed the first ingredient of this daily gummy vitamin was sugar. Now, I know it’s been awhile since I was a student but I don’t recall sugar being on the table of vitamins and minerals. The more I read about it, the more I realized this “vitamin” was basically a piece of candy. When I first gave our son the chewable from doTERRA he said it was sour tasting. I tried one and it was a little tart but as labeled on the bottle it tasted like watermelon. I think compared to the sugar vitamin he was taking this one probably did taste different. After a couple days though he takes it just like he did the other one without complaint.  The benefits of this vitamin include: Safe for children 4 years of age and older and adults who prefer a chewable to capsules Cognitive Blend: Choline, Phosphatidylserine, Inositol Great watermelon flavor No high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors Contains a superfood blend that helps support overall health and wellness Formulated with doTERRA’s proprietary Alpha CRS®+ Blend A balanced blend of essential vitamins including the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, and a cellular energy complex of B vitamins* Includes a blend of bioavailable minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese Specially formulated to be used daily with IQ Mega® as a comprehensive dietary supplement foundation for a lifetime of vitality and wellness* The IQ Mega is a liquid that we keep in the refrigerator. We call it the brain vitamin as everything contained in the bottle supports healthy brain function and growth. I told him it was liquid so it can surround his brain faster and make it strong.   This supplement in fact does that and then some: Promotes cardiovascular health* Supports healthy joint function and comfort* Provides important modulating nutrients for healthy immune function* Protects against lipid oxidation and supports healthy function of the brain* Promotes healthy skin* Supports healthy function of the eyes and nervous system* Delivers 1,300 mg of pure, concentrated, molecularly-filtered, and completely deodorized marine lipids with 900 mg of DHA and 400 mg of EPA per daily serving Formulated with doTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Wild Orange essential oil Specifically formulated to use daily with doTERRA a2z Chewable™ as a comprehensive dietary supplement foundation for a lifetime of vitality and wellness* The dosage of the children’s supplements says 2 times a day but to date we’ve only been giving him 1 dose at nighttime after dinner.  I would say the results I’ve seen so far are that for one he’s getting one less sugary item per day in his diet. Secondly, I know he’s getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are truly going to support his growth. A 30 day supply of both cost $39.50 (wholesale) and $52.67 (retail). However, when you purchase the adult Life Long Vitality Pack consisting of the vitamins and minerals we need as adults you can get as one of the promotional items to this purchase the 30 day children’s supplement pack (both A2Z Chewable and IQ Mega) for $10! The Life Long Vitality pack of vitamins are by far the best vitamins I’ve ever taken. There is none of that horrible aftertaste you get with some vitamins and it doesn’t upset your stomach. The fish oil blend does not smell at all. I also notice I actually feel good. As in more energetic and not sleepy, sluggish and achy.  Like children, we too need all the good vitamins and minerals we can get with so much of our diets not providing that on a daily basis. Interested in more? The Life Long Vitality pack is the number one product sold at doTERRA. Even above the essential oils! The nutrients, vitamins and minerals contained in their supplements for adults and children are 100% authentic, pure and free of synthetics, dyes, chemicals and fillers. Like the essential oils by doTERRA, their supplements are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade tested for quality and purity. If you’d like to clean up your vitamins and supplements you must try the Life Long Vitality vitamins or Children’s supplement. I’m happy to answer any questions and help you select the right doTERRA products and oils for your needs. my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

Ah! The smell of fresh warm air coming through open windows, trees and plants in bloom spreading green pollen everywhere and home vacuums running non-stop. Yes, my friends it is the smells and sounds of spring cleaning in full swing. It is time to freshen, spruce and scrub the dwelling as we prepare for the flurry of spring and arrival of hot sunny days of summer. Spring cleaning is a labor of love, intended to help us shed excess and seek more simple ways to live. For me, part of this transformation is also reducing the toxic load in our home and applying more natural cleaning methods to my routine. Here are a few of my spring cleaning tricks with essential oils: When you change the air filter in your home, add 3-4 drops of Melaleuca to the filter. This will purify the air throughout your home when the air conditioner or furnace kicks on. Also on the air filter, you can instead add your favorite diffuser blend. I personally like Lemon-Rosemary when I’m looking to spread the smell of cheer and clean throughout the house.  (NOTE: This is also my secret to having the house smell clean if I’ve not done a lot of actual cleaning.) Making up a blend of Peppermint and water in a spray bottle can be used as a surface cleaner to eliminate ants, spiders and pests you can find in your home as the weather starts to warm. Linen spray and laundry freshener is super easy and can be customized to your taste. I like to use a small spray bottle to add Lavender and Lemon with Witch Hazel to spray fresh laundry and freshen sheets in between washing. Lavender and Lemon can also be added to your washing machine to help with especially dirty clothes and stains. Alternatively, you can put a couple drops of oils on your dryer balls or non-scented fabric sheets to spread the scent that way Area rugs can be lightly sprayed with Purify to eliminate odors Carpet shampooing benefits from a few drops of Purify to eliminate odors as well as break down stains for more easier cleaning Surface cleaner to disinfect consists of an easy mix of Melaleuca and water. This fights germs on door knobs, light switches, counters, window sills and bathrooms Window cleaner is just a mix of lemon and vinegar in a spray bottle. Using newspaper rather than paper towel reduces streaks Baseboards, ceiling fan blades and floors benefit from a good wipe down of On Guard Concentrate Cleaner and warm water So, get your bucket, mop and dusting cloths and let’s do Spring! Updates: Here are some additional oils to consider adding in your Spring Cleaning regime: Interested in more? If you’d like to change how you spring or routine clean to a natural approach, let me know! I’m happy to help you find the right essential oils for your cleaning fun! my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

It’s that time of the year. You know that “special” time of the year where we get to reconcile our income and hard earned wages to settle up with the government for their fair share.  The time of year when even the most kind person can get testy at the bill charge for what it took to figure out their taxes or the depressing time for those of us who always have to write a check instead of receive one. To help us get through this unpleasantness I’ve listed out an armory of essential oils to help soothe, comfort, reassure, build confidence and increase focus. All of these are necessary to muddle through the endless forms, fields, questions and dollar signs. Organization and Centering If you’re needing to find receipts and organize paperwork in preparation for tax work, there are oils that can help you in this tedious task. Lime Melissa Wile Orange Roman Chamomile Vetiver Fennel Tangerine Motivate These oils are great for that discouragement we all feel when we cannot find something we need. They are uplifting while balanced to help you stay clear minded and attentive. I recommend diffusing them throughout this task to keep discouragement for the drudgery at bay. I would also apply some Motivate to your wrists and neck to uplift you before you start this task. Figuring and Factoring To settle into the mode needed to figure out your taxes, whether self-filing or working with someone, I recommend these oils to enhance your concentration, focus and ability to think clearly. Peppermint Spearmint Lemon Balance Rosemary Each of these oils have qualities to help you concentrate and be calm during stressful times when you need to focus. My personal recommendation on using these oils for focus would be: Diffuse Rosemary and Lemon while working on your taxes Apply Balance to back of your neck before starting to center your thoughts Rub Peppermint on your temples and forehead when the headache starts Waiting and Wondering Humans have limited patience when it comes to things that impact us directly. Modern humans are even worse with our need to know now condition and dependency for having information readily available when we want it. To resist the urge to pull your hair while you wait the results here are some oils to calm your nerves. Thyme Neroli Balance Peace Hope Frankincense Siberian Fir Copaiba Dill Juniper Berry These oils are great diffused to help soothe frayed nerves and improve our patience tolerance and are perfect for meditating on a optimal outcome. I also recommend applying Hope and Peace to your neck and wrists to bring calm peace to your being. Sending Checks Once you know the results, some of us are going to have to write checks for payment either to the person who did our taxes or the government for our tax bill. If we’re lucky we’ll get to pay both! Given that these amounts can be tough to put in writing on a check or see drafted from your account, I recommend these oils: Thyme Geranium Ylang Ylang Cardamom Petitgrain Spikenard Clove Fennel Sandalwood These oils will reassure you it will be OK and this too will soon be over. Diffusing these oils before you begin check writing is a great way to restore yourself before, during and after. These oils restore our hope, ground us in wisdom and peace that we are worthy and valuable. Spreading the Wealth If you’re lucky to receive a refund, then you are well into thinking about where those lucky dollars will get spent. Dream vacation? Home repair or improvement project? Special new outfit? Before you venture out to spread the wealth, here are some oils to help support your happy money green glow: Eucalyptus Fennel Lemon Lime Wild Orange Peppermint Ylang Ylang Lavender Jasmine These oils uplift our feelings of joy, happiness, confidence, security and responsibility to spend and save wisely. Diffuse them and spend some time meditating on the feelings you have and finding a true cause for how best to use your new found riches. Interested in more? May the oils be with you my friend and the tax man well behind you! If you’d like to prepare yourself for tax season then you need some essential oils! Let me help you get these oils or any others you’d like to try. my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #finance #family #lifestyle

The thyroid is an interesting gland that controls so much in our bodies. Located in our necks and sitting comfortably between our larynx and trachea the thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that is the central command throughout our body. There is very little this gland is not involved in when it comes to daily operations of our body. Virtually every cell in the human body is controlled by this gland and helps regulate human body functions. Many will not realize when their thyroid isn’t working properly or stops working all together. There are signs and these should be discussed with your provider. The signs may be fatigue, weight gain or loss, hair loss, hand tremors, coldness in extremities, mood swings, anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be misdiagnosed easily for other problems. The only way to know the health and function of your thyroid is through a blood test. Men and women are both likely to have thyroid problems. Once diagnosed with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism there is a treatment available that often brings significant improvements to how you feel. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism several years ago when a doctor noticed my hands always shook and we were having problems with fertility. Medication helps tremendously but I have recently started using essential oils to supplement the medication. Where my hands were noticeably shaky before, even with medication, I have noticed small improvements as well as just a general sense of more energy and alertness. My preferred essential oil blend for is to take a roller ball container and add: 5 drops Myrrh 5 drops Basil 10 drops Lemongrass 10 drops Marjoram Fill rest with fractionated coconut oil Each evening when I take my prescribed medication, I also apply the roller ball directly to my neck in a couple quick swipes over the area where my thyroid is located. There are different oils that can be used for thyroid support. It is highly recommended you do your research and find what works best for you. I also recommend you inform your provider that you are complimenting prescribed treatment with essential oils so they can track differences in your blood work.   Please know some providers may not believe or support alternative health options such as essential oils. However, there are many that do and many are open to the discussion. It is better to find a provider that is open to the idea rather than not tell them what you are complimenting prescribed medical treatment with. They need to know so you can openly discuss any side effects and changes you are experiencing. Interested in more? If you are interested in using essential oils as part of your alternative health journey, please let me know. I’m very happy to help you find the oils that are perfect for you. amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com Order your oils from me! doTERRA’s oils are CPTG tested to ensure they are always 100% free of synthetics, chemicals or fillers.  my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #alternativehealth #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

With over 70% of our health being derived from our digestive system it is important to support and strengthen this area of the body regularly. There are a few tricks I’ve learned to help in this area and have resulted in great improvements in reducing heart burn and improving how I feel. Occasional Discomforts When bouts of unpleasantness hits my stomach I reach for the doTERRA DigestZen. This oil works fast to calm, soothe and comfort. It has a licorice taste so if you’re not a fan of that there is a soft gel form that can also be used.  I attest it works extremely well with tacos and other things that make your stomach make scary noises later. Apply 1 drop under your tongue for instant help Apply with a carrier lotion to your chest and stomach to relieve heart burn, indigestion, upset tummy, diarrhea and other stomach related needs Routine Care Nightly I take a DigestZen TerraZyme to support my digestion in breaking down foods that I’ve eaten during the day. It is a great supplement to compliment the healthy and unhealthy foods we eat. Unless you’ve grown, washed, cooked and served the food yourself there can be no assurance what is contained in that meal. TerraZyme helps ensure our digestive systems are equipped to handle these situations. Digestive Do-Over Occasionally, it may even help to reset our digestive system and help it heal. Let’s face it our digestive system goes through quite an ordeal with the amount of processed foods the average American will intake as part of their daily diet. When I’ve been traveling a lot and not eating as well as I should I like to start out a new month with a healthy dose of detox that includes adding in doTERRA’s GX Assist.  This supplement is taken for 2 weeks to clean out and rid the digestive system of toxins that prevent good digestion from occurring. Then for the next two weeks, I work on resetting my digestion to work properly and build up healthy acids and bacteria using the doTERRA PB Assist supplement. Knowing how to support your digestive system is one of the best ways to spread health to the rest of the areas in your life. When you feel good inside you’re more likely to feel better outside. Interested in more? If you want to improve your digestive health reach out to me! I’m happy to answer any questions your have and find the right doTERRA supplements for your needs. You can email me at amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com To enroll and purchase these supplements at wholesale pricing, contact me! my.dottera.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #alternativehealth #wellness #wellbeing #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

Doterra rolled out an incredible special this month. It’s different and has everyone in a flurry. So everyone was expecting the usual Deep Blue promotion that has occurred for the past couple years in March. Usually it is for a 200PV order you get a free 4 ounce tube of the Deep Blue lotion. It’s an incredible product and well worth a large monthly order to get this freebie. However, super sleuths caught on quick that doTERRA actually had as one of the Buy One Get One promotions the last week of February the Buy a 5ml bottle of Deep Blue essential oil and get the 4 ounce Deep Blue lotion for free. That was an incredible BOGO that maxed out the quantities people could order. So this left everyone wondering… What’s going to be the March promotion? Will doTERRA offer the Deep Blue lotion as they have in the past couple years? Come on March! Let’s see what’s going on here! In fact, everyone has been quite over the top excited at what did roll out as the Product of the Month, Special Sale Item and Super Special SURPRISE items! PRODUCT OF THE MONTH First of all the free product of the month is Grapefruit. This is a perfect oil for March in so many ways. It’s a great cleaner around the house The oil can be diffused to lift spirts Supports emotional healing for healthy relationships with food Is great to add into water for detoxing and eliminating water bloat Helps reduce sugar cravings Supports gallbladder health Balances cell health for breast, uterine and progesterone concerns Great oil right? Well it only got better from there for this month…. SALE ITEM OF THE MONTH doTerra also has Cypress on sale this month for an additional 10% off the wholesale price. Cypress is supreme! It helps with young children who are working through growing out of bedwetting Supports restless leg syndrome and circulation improvement Improves lymph node functions Reduces varicose veins and hemrrhoids Breaks down cellulite Supports prostate and ovary functions Relief for heavy periods, endometriosis and fibroid pain What a powerhouse oil! THEN JUST LIKE THE DISNEY VAULT OF GREAT MOVIES The awesome fairy godmother leaders at doTERRA pulled out for public sale the incredible Aspire AND One oil blends. This is pure madness! These oils have never been offered publicly before. They were only given as gifts for those attending the doTERRA Galas in 2015 and 2016. These were the coveted oils most of us had only heard rumors about and wondered, “Do they really exist?” The awe, the magic and the spectacle rumors of these awesome oils finally making a debut for all to enjoy! (DISCLAIMER: Quantities are limited) I have been fortunate to smell these fabulous oils from my upline and attest to their beauty and dazzle. You must try these for yourself and like Disney says best, “These offers won’t last long and once the vault closes it may never open again.” Interested in more? If you’d like to experience the magic of Aspire and One, enroll today! I will help you select the right enrollment kit for your needs and we can get you these fabulous oils to go with it. my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

Too often with network market products there is a fear you have to invest more than you want to get the product. There’s a push to host parties, buy couple hundred dollars of product or sell product. It can be a turnoff financially and emotionally for potential customers. I think doTERRA got it right. There are options and freedom to do want is right for you financially, emotionally and spiritually. Wellness Advocates are encouraged to educate, share and support people on their journey wherever that is instead of trying to fit them into the doTERRA framework. First let’s look at the differences between a Wellness Advocate and a Wholesale Customer. Both can access sales, products of the month, earn points on their purchases and receive support Both enjoy wholesale prices that are 25% less than retail The only difference is a Wellness Advocate can enroll others and earn commissions on sales made A Wellness Advocate and Wholesale Customer can choose to change their role from one to the other at any time You do not have to host a party or bug your friends to buy in order to get a host gift or special For both, the best way to maximize benefits with doTerra is to enroll as either a Wellness Advocate or Wholesale Customer and participate in the Loyalty Rewards Program. Enrollment options Enrollment can occur by purchasing an enrollment kit or paying the $35 enrollment fee. Economically the enrollment kits are the better deal if you’re interested in using oils and starting with a good solid selection. Purchasing the oils individually can be done but as a new member you come out with a greater value for your dollar with an enrollment kit. For example, the Home Essentials Kit contains the top 10  most commonly used oils and a couple bonuses that are commonly purchased by oil users with doTERRA. Let’s look at the price between buying these oils as a kit versus individually. This kit sells wholesale for $275.00 and $366.67 retail. A new enrollee would get the $275 pricing. If you were to buy the products shown above at wholesale or retail individually it would cost:WholesaleRetailFrankincense69.7593Lemon1013.33Lavender2128Melaleuca1925.33Oregano2432Peppermint20.527.33Breathe2026.66DigestZen3141.33On Guard3242.67Deep Blue3242.67Petal Diffuser4762.66326.25434.98 The difference being quite significant in cost! ($51.25 wholesale and a whopping $159.68 retail) Membership Renewal Each year you renew your membership there is an annual fee of $25. As a gift for renewing, doterra gives you a free 15ml bottle of Peppermint that wholesale prices at $20.50. This of course makes your membership fee a total cost of $5.50 each year. That’s a tough bargain to beat with any other club membership. Loyalty Rewards Program After enrollment the next way to maximize benefits is with the Loyalty Rewards Program (LRP). This is basically an auto shipment of doTERRA products that you can customize each month with what you like. There is no minimum order requirements. Order Points Each month you have an LRP setup you earn a percentage of points back from your monthly order. As the chart shows basically every 3 months on LRP you earn an increase of points from your purchases up to 30%. These points can be used for most doTERRA products. There are a couple exceptions being the products offered in a Buy One Get One sale or other special limitations stated by doTERRA. To earn LRP order points your LRP must be at least $50 product value (PV). PV is typically the same as the dollar value of the oils. Products will have a slight difference in cost to PV. Shipping Points Another way to earn points is with your shipping. This benefit makes shipping free on all LRP orders. Regardless of shipping preference selected, an LRP order will get the equivalent returned in the form of points. No minimum PV order value required to earn shipping points. Product of the Month A product of the month is a free product added to your LRP order automatically when the PV is at least 125 and the order processes by the 15th of the month. This is a fantastic way to try new products and save on favorites. Monthly specials There are two types of monthly specials that could be offered 1. On sale item. Typically a product that is another 10% off on top of the 25% wholesale pricing. This can be added to any LRP order and is usually limited to a quantity of 5 total. 2. Free product with a 200 PV LRP order. The free product is usually a higher value oil or product that will be automatically added to the LRP order if it has at least 200 PV.  Economically this is a good deal for something like frankincense that costs wholesale $69.75 but can be earned free with an 200 PV order. Buy One Get One Promotion (BOGO) Two to three times a year doTERRA will have a BOGO week that provides the opportunity to purchase an oil at wholesale price and receive a different oil or product for free. This too is a great way to try new oils and stock up on favorites. Points can be earned on BOGO when purchased via an LRP order form and containing 50 PV. Shipping points are also earned. At the end of the day, doTERRA rewards are very attractive and come with a nice peace of mind their oils are 100% pure. Interested in more? If you’re interested in taking advantage of great pricing and fantastic pure oils, let me know! I’m happy to help you find the best oils for your needs. my. doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary #health #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

Whether going across town or across the country I will have a travel sized setup of essential oils with me. These oils are my first aid for a multitude of situations. In fact, I am writing this post while sitting on a layover in Dallas and was inspired to talk about this after a trip to a not so clean public restroom. Travel setup is key for taking oils. Airport security is no joke and there would be nothing worse than having to throw away oils because they were not able to pass security. I purchased a small travel zippered pouch with 8 small drams in it for oils I carry in my purse. These will go through airport security as part of allowed liquids or through TSA pre-check. Rollerballs and sprays I typically put in my checked luggage but they too could be put in your allowance of liquid if put all together in a quart sized bag. Travel containers and accessories for oil travel are readily available on many websites including doterra. My best advice is to stay updated on the rules for allowed liquids and amounts. Always err on side of caution and when in doubt put oils in your checked bag to avoid problems. In my 8 dram travel pouch I always have with me: Frankincense for my facial routine and to help soothe travel rattled nerves Melaleuca again as part of my facial routine and for any cuts, scrapes, and disinfection needs Lavender for travel stress, sleep support and skin rashes, bug bites, sunburns Lemon for drinking water detox and cleaning surfaces Digestzen for digestion support on the road Peppermint for headaches, focus and centering On Guard for hand sanitizer, cleaning, immunity boost while traveling Jasmine purely because I love it and enjoy using it as an uplifting oil I apply to my hair and back of neck before starting my day In my luggage I will carry some additional rollerballs and sprays including: Hotel spray ( see prior post for recipe) On Guard spray for backup cleaning and sanitizer Thyroid blend (rollerball of Lemongrass, Basil, Myrrh and Marjoram) Peace roller all for encouragement and reassurance I’ve tried different combinations of oils when traveling and eventually realized I needed to focus on some key areas: Germ fighting Immunity booster Digestion support Sleep support Stress management Daily routine maintenance Cleaning Some other ideas include: Covering these areas helps define what oils to take on travel and how best to pack them. What’s in your travel kit? Interested in more? If you’d like to assemble your travel kit I’d be happy to help you! Reach out to me via this blog or dragonspitapothecary@aol.com If you’d like to purchase oils, please use my website at my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary I will be happy to help you purchase oils at wholesale prices if interested. #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle

There is a bin near the cutting station in every fabric store that is a gold mine. Sure you may have to spend a little time digging but there is gold there my friend. Fabric Gold. This special bin at my local fabric store is usually full especially after there’s been a sale or busy weekend. There is always a reason to check this bin but it is my favorite time to check it when there is 50% off sale that includes clearance fabrics. My usual pattern in the store is to walk up and down every aisle casually leading me to the back where the clearance fabrics are piled up.  There are so many cute fabrics you can find in this section of the store, including higher priced fabrics that you would never dream of paying what the price says on the end of the bolt. I wait for those luxuries to be delivered nicely to this section of the store and then patiently wait for the clearance of the clearance sale. For instance the two folded fabrics below were recently found in this section of the store. The black and white dotted fabric in the photo below, I just used on the back of an over sized baby quilt. It was a designer fabric that carried an original price tag of $15.99 per yard. I got 3 yards of it for 60% off. Yes, that’s right $19.20 for 3 yards on clearance. This is the perfect section to look for backing fabrics in. You can find lots of yards to fit larger quilts and pay a fraction of the original price. The ticket stub fabric was also in this section. This fabric caught my eye and I’m dying to find a fabulous project to use it on. I picked up some of this fabric at 50% and have more than enough to make a guest quilt for visitors, some travel accessories that would be fun to have packed for at trip or any other numerous items. It too would make a very cute quilt backing. When I go to have fabric cut that’s come from the clearance section, I will also pay attention if the fabric is almost at the end of the bolt. If I’ve asked for 2 yards and there is another yard on the bolt or less then I’ll usually take that too. If you ask, the person doing your cutting and there is not a line behind you, they will usually give you the end of the bolt pricing or a remnant price for the difference, especially if it’s just at a yard or less. It saves them from having to cut and make a remnant and you walk away with a little extra fabric. After I had these two great fabrics cut, I go to THE best place in the whole store. It’s the equivalent of going down the candy and chip aisle at the market. The remnant bin. On this trip, five very cute fabrics at almost 1 yard each for 60% off the yellow sticker price. They practically jumped in my bag as freebies by the time I applied coupons. EVERY fabric store will have one of these bins. The best remnant bin I ever found is up in the northern part of my state, a couple hours away. It is a commercial distribution fabric warehouse that opens to the public one time every couple months and it is very worth the drive to see what they have in stock.  People line up to get into this place on the Friday and Saturday they are open. Everything from charm packs, large bolts of fabric, and every possible fabric type can be found in this warehouse. My favorite is the remnant bins which are large warehouse tubs of rolled up remnants ranging in sizes from a few inches to 3 yards.  All marked down significantly and waiting to be turned into something fabulous.  I could literally spend the entire weekend roaming this warehouse. There are so many projects you can make with 1/2 to 1 yard of fabric!  You could make some beautiful quilt blocks or combine several of these and make an entire quilt! That’s on top of the numerous little cute projects that are perfect for this size of fabric. My Pinterest board for sewing projects is filled with ideas that would work for any number of fabrics found in the remnant bin. I also have a board setup with just bags and bins! Seriously, you can never have too many baskets, bins and bags. The remnant bin is the perfect place for beginners to pick up some adorable fabric to practice on.  I always have a couple scraps from this bin specifically set aside for practicing a new free motion quilt design or some other technique I’m using. This is the place to be creative, open yourself to new possibilities and have a little fun. The yellow tags are your invitation. What’s your favorite fabric find and what have you made? Share photos! #quilting #sewing #home #family #crafts #lifestyle

There is a love affair with lavender underway. Maybe it’s the result of the essential oil phenomenon. Maybe it’s something deeper. So many of us are stressed, overworked, uber busy and running at level 10 all the time we are seeking relief where we can get it. Often that means spritzing a little lavender in the air for the appearance of being calm if nothing else. Intrinsically, people understand nature and plants can help them. Yet, we often miss the boat on what and how to use nature in the best possible way to achieve those desired results. We see pretty labels with the purple flowers, commercials with calm babies and happy homes all packaged with the reasonable price tag and think we are answering our need. The trouble is, using lavender scented products is not the same as using lavender. Products with a lavender scent are most likely chemically and synthetic produced scents that only temporarily give you a smell that is similar to lavender but does not provide any benefit or value. It’s the equivalent of tossing sugar in the air and hoping life becomes instantly sweeter. How It Happens Marketing people have figured out they can influence shoppers by playing certain types of music at certain times of the day to influence purchases. This same technique is applied to the soap and cleaner aisle of the market to first draw you into the aisle by acknowledging it smells nice, even clean, and second to draw your eyes to the brightly marked bottles with pretty labels. http://www.organicauthority.com/7-sneaky-supermarket-marketing-strategies-to-stop-falling-for/ http://www.businessinsider.com/supermarkets-make-you-spend-money-2011-7 https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/supermarket-tricks/ As a result, we follow these pushes to buy billions of dollars of products each year that contain not one twig of real lavender and can be actually bad for us, bad for our homes and bad for the environment. The sad part is we end up missing out on something that could actually help us relax, center ourselves and be healthier, happier people! Lavender has so many benefits that will never be realized from a lavender scented air freshener you purchase in the market. Anything that says lavender scented can be 99.9% read as not having lavender contained in that product. DON’T MISS OUT! Some of the benefits of using real lavender include: Sunburn and skin burns relief Scar and scrape healing Acne treatment Teeth grinding help Allergy and hay fever relief Colic help Bug bite relief Stopping a nosebleed Pink eye treatment High blood pressure management Anxiety support Stress and panic relief Laundry freshener Relaxation enhancement Mood management Sleep One little 15ml essential oil bottle of lavender does all of that and more!  So why would you purchase a litany of individual products that only  promise you a chemical smelling version of lavender and no actual benefit? It’s not hard and it doesn’t take much time at all. For example, here are some fun air freshener spray recipes using essential oils from my Pinterest board: I challenge you to take a look around your home and see how many lavender scented products you have around your home and check the ingredients for yourself. Interested in more? If you want to try real lavender and see for yourself the benefits derived from this plant, let me know! I’m happy to send you a sample. Email me at dragonspitapothecary@aol.com If you’re ready to get real with lavender, purchase it here at my.doterra.com/dragonspitapothecary I can help you get your lavender at wholesale pricing without having to sell it yourself. Contact me via email or my website for information. #health #alternativehealth #wellness #EssentialOils #home #family #lifestyle