Protect Yourself with a Protective Blend

Back to my "series" on profiling my favorite oils. I love the protective blends. This one is a little harder to profile, since most are proprietary blends - a mixture of oils with a top secret recipe. Hopefully, this gives you enough general information.

What is a protective blend: A protective blend is a mixture of several essential oils that, when combined, help protect you from germs - harmful bacteria, mold and viruses. 
These blends can be diffused into the air or used to clean around your home. They may also be used topically, with a carrier oil. 
Protective blends typically affect your immune system, to boost it and help your body protect itself. 

The Essential Oil Gym Bag

For the first time in my life, I joined a gym. Although, when I was in college, I took step and weight classes...but that's not the same, because they were for credit. 

Like most people, I have struggled with my weight and the idea of looking and feeling a certain way. Three years ago, I got the motivation to make a life change. I refused to say that I was going on a diet. Instead, I told everyone the change was my "healthy living concept." Eating better and working out.  So, for the past three years I have been working out 6 days a week for 20-25 minutes a day at home on the elliptical or doing aerobic videos (I'm a Denise Austin fanatic). 

Recently my "healthy living concept" needed a jump start - so my friend Victoria encouraged me (for months) to join the gym. She teaches step aerobics and attends Zumba classes. To start August off right, I finally joined. 

After my first class, I realized I need to get my gym bag set up.  

Magical Melaleuca (Tea Tree)

In the spotlight this week - magical melaleuca, often call tea tree. 

Scientific name: Melaleuca alternifolia
(Not to be confused with Melaleuca quinquenervia.)

Common extraction method: steam distillation from its leaves

Properties: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immune stimulant, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, insecticidal, stimulate and analgesic (pain management). 

Lovely Lavender

Over the next few weeks (or months), I am going to showcase some of my favorite - and most used - essential oils. In the spotlight this week - lovely lavender. 

Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia
There are other species of lavender out there, but this is the one I'm talking about today. 

Common extraction method: steam distillation

Properties: anti-coagulant, anticonvulsant, anti-depressant, anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, antiseptic, sedative, anti-toxic, antispasmodic, anti-tumor, cardiotonic, regenerative, and analgesic (pain management). 

Eye Serum + a spill = Face Serum by accident

As you know, I have an awesome behind-the-scenes gal, Krysta. She even wrote a post the other day {click here}. She is always experimenting in the kitchen, making potions and delicious foods. We send each other fun packages every month or so and usually included is a creation of a new or improved potion. 

Last month, I got this delicious smelling eye serum from her. Since it's summer, it was in more of a liquid state than a solid state, but I keep forgetting about that, and it spilled...all over. I was NOT going to waste a homemade potion that might help with my wrinkles. I commenced to rub the spillage on my face. The next night, forgetting again, I did the same thing. I noticed my face was GLOWING (not like radioactive, but in healthy way). From that point forward, I started using it on my face every night and, guess what? The glow continues! I sent her a text to tell her and she's been doing the same thing! 

Good Night, Sleep Tight

Everyone needs sleep - at least 7 hours per night - but often we don't get that amount because we can't seem to fall asleep. Whether it's noises we hear outside, the inability to shut off our brains, or too much stimulation before bed, sometimes it just seems like sleep will never come.

Summer Wreath - Flip Flops in the Grass

This is the year of the wreath at my house. Aside from Christmas wreaths, I've never had one for any other holiday. This year is different, I've made one for each season. I saw an idea for this a few years ago on a friend's door. This is my attempt to duplicate it. There are also many detailed instructions for similar wreathes on Pinterest. 

Here's a short and easy tutorial on how to make this 

Summer Flip Flops in the Grass wreath.