My THM Life #1

So, one of things I really would like to do on this blog is do a weekly rundown of how my THM plan is going, and just overall, my weightloss journey in general. This will be my first post, and I, for one, think it is a wonderful idea, because not only will it help me to stay accountable, but will hopefully encourage someone else along the way........ Throughout the course of the past year, I have stuck with some of the same recipes,this year Im looking to branch out and try a few new ones every week.

   I want to start off by saying that budget wise, THM is totally doable. Our grocery budget is around 80 dollars a week for a family of three,which isn't very much. Thats a lot of beans and rice....lol.

 So, this week, I had a lot of cauliflower to use up in my freezer. This is a THM staple and is included in a ton of their recipes. I very rarely eat it in its true form,usually I blend it up and add it to soups, or grate it up to make rice. But this week, i was very excited to use in its original state, in a recipe that I have never made before, which i cannot wait to tell you about!. I love cauliflower, so you will probably see a ton of recipes on here that include it. I also came up with a new GGMS recipe. What is GGMS? Keep reading if you want to know!

Im not the most technologically advanced person....lol, but I am learning, so bear with me.

So, lets start with Monday.........

Does anyone really enjoy them, really? I know I don't .Usually I will make an "off plan choice"(we don't like to call them cheats), at least once per weekend, sometimes twice. Because of this,my Mondays usually start with a DEEP S meal of some sort. There are 2 basic types of meals on the plan, S and E ,and S breaks down into three types: Light, Heavy, and Deep. Deep S meals are your purest fat, and NO DAIRY.A Good example of a deep S meal would be eggs fried in butter. I usually put mine over spinach, add some MCT oil and sprinkle nutritional yeast on top.Deep S meals also do something to "reset" your system(so Ive been told), and make any complex sugars you may have accumulated easier to get rid of and to process. This is all much better explained in the book.

So, if you look at the pretty pictures in the top of this post,top row, middle picture, you will see what my Deep S meal was for the week. This was a shamrock shake, and you can find the recipe here . I did not have the protein powder as suggested, so I used a scoop of collagen to add more protein. Super delish!

Monday Evening, I made FAKER TOT CASSEROLE , a recipe from the Coers Family, which is also featured in the THM Cookbook, page 147. Holy Moly! I have never made this before, but I think it is a new favorite.

So, that made 2 S meals for the day. I had an E for lunch. On this plan, you want to eat as many type of meals as you can per day. For example,1 S, 1 FP, and one E.It keeps your body "guessing"
Tuesday Evening, it was Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup, which you can find here . I had to tweak it a little, but it was pretty good. Im definitely a Drive Through Sue at Heart, so it had a little too many steps for me.
Wednesday was a bit of a Blur for me, and I tend not to cook much on this day.We usually do something simple, like soup or sandwiches This week, however, I did manage to find some time to cook something, and made Mrs Criddles Cauliflower Chowder , which is a family favorite.
I usually do my grocery shopping online through Walmart. This week, i was able to purchase some riced veggies online(we have a lot of health nuts around these parts, so this item is pretty hit or miss. So, Thursday we had Cauliflower Fried, which is one of my personal favorites.
  One of the things I need to work on is incorporating more of the drinks into my plan. I truly believe that these are more helpful than anything, and I find I have lost more on the weeks that I have incorporated them. I happened to discover an amazing GGMS recipe this week. If you don't know what a GGMS is, see here.
   This week, I discovered that I could take leftover peach juice from my canned peaches, and make a really tasty GGMS out of it. I made a peach lemonade.It was delicious! I struggle with the drink portion of THM, mostly because I am lazy...lol, so the was huge!

So, that was my week in a nutshell, food wise. Next week, I will deal with how to do THM on a budget. Typically, I spend around 80$ a week for a family of three,next week I am going to attempt to cut that in half.
Also, in the works is a GGMS challenge, where I will come up with several GGMS recipes to share

STARTING WEIGHT:272    CURRENT WEIGHT:222(started the year at 232!, and have lost almost al of my holiday pounds!)

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My Weight Loss Story

My name is Rachel and here is my  THM story.I have been fat all of my life, from about the age of 7. You name it, I have tried it. Adkins, South Beach,Supermarket Diet,Paleo, Vegan,Weight watchers, Shakes,etc. In October of 2015 I weighed 270 pounds. This was my post pregnancy weight. My daughter was now 15, so I kept justifying the weight. Well, I hadn't lost any, but at least I haven't gained any either. That is what I would always say..............
This was me:

Oh boy, was I miserable. Very uncomfortable in my own skin. The sad thing is that I never really ate. Maybe one meal a day,somewhere in between 1200-1800 calories per day. People that are overweight are thought to be overweight because they overeat. This is simply not true.In fact, it was quite the opposite. I wasn't eating frequently enough, and not giving anything for my body to burn.Not only this, but I was an emotional eater. I would eat when i was sad, happy, stressed, you name it. Being in college full time causes a lot of stress, so i would eat a lot. Then i would feel soo guilty about it.

In the fall of 2015, I met a dear friend(or actually I had known her for a few months)who introduced me to THM. She let me borrow the book and on October 12,2015(I still remember the day), I began the plan. To date, I have lost 55 pounds.I also have gone from a size 22 to a size 14/16! I haven't worn that size since I was in high school! I realize that isn't a whole lot for my size, and I have a ways to go, but the best part it that I HAVEN'T GAINED IT BACK. I "cheat" several times a week and am only on plan probably about 85% of the time.THM isn't about losing weight,but its about FOOD FREEDOM. If I go"off plan" I can get back on three hours later, its that simple.I no longer feel guilty about having a slice of pizza. THM has done so much for me. I have clearer skin,no more sugar cravings. And best of all, my metabolism burns the way it is supposed to. Here recently, due to the holidays, I went off plan and gained back a whopping 12 pounds.Since, the beginning of the year, I have stayed on plan and lost 10 of that. All of my weight loss has been WITHOUT ANY EXERCISE. I am looking forward to adding some in the near future. Now, of course, there is more to it than that,and I will discuss the basics in another post at some point.

This is me today:

The picture on the left is obviously, me today.55 pounds gone and over 30 inches lost. If I can do it, and stick with it, anyone can.For more information about Trim Healthy Mama, please visit their site here . They also have several Facebook groups, which are extremely helpful.

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SOAK

Well, its Friday =) I hope everyone has had a great week. Fridays are my "off" days, and the day I take for myself just to do whatever, so more than likely I will do video and blog posting then.
   A few months ago, I had the privilege of getting to facilitate at my churches ladies Bible study,and is was such a wonderful experience.Im sharing this with you, because it was at one of these sessions where God just put something in my heart and just today I was reminded of it, so I wanted to share,

Proverbs 23:17-18 says:
                     "Don't for a minute envy careless rebels;
                       Soak yourselves in the fear of God
                       Thats where your future lies
                       Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing".

The word that stood out to me in this passage is the word soak. Soak. To make or allow something to become throughly wet by immersing it in liquid. It can also mean to impose heavy taxation on. Ive been on a particular diet for well over a year now. On this plan I eat a ton of beans. I typically just use them straight out of the can, but on this particular day I decided to cook them myself. The instructions said to soak them overnight.I thought this was really silly. Wanting them to come out just right, and being the researcher that I am, I was curious as to what the soaking process actually does, so I looked it up. When you soak beans, you remove some of the indigestible sugars that cause gas.SOAKING MAKES THE THINGS AROUND US EASIER TO DIGEST. NOT ONLY THE THINGS AROUND US, BUT GODS WORD AS WELL. Beans are dirty. When beans soak, the scum rises to the top so it can be wiped away. The scum is the anti nutrients, and all of the things that aren't good for us. I hope you can see where I am going with this. Yesterday I made a batch of beans,pinto beans. I don't know if you have ever noticed,but pinto beans are very unique looking. They have these unusual spots and stripes on them. After soaking them for hours, I made the observation that they didn't even look the same. For one, they were fuller and plumper, not a speckle or a single stripe on them. It was almost as if they had completely transformed.THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SOAK IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. This transformation process takes time, all good things do. If you take shortcuts, you won't get the full flavor and richness that was intended.
   Soaking makes things easier to digest,and makes things that would normally be uncomfortable more bearable. It also gets rid of all of the "bad things" that are unbeneficial.It removes the dirt and the scum, and after the process is all over with, we don't even look the same. We act different. We think different. We become more like the individuals that God created us to be.
  Have you felt lately like you have been left with an armload of nothing? Ill admit, at the time of this revelation, I felt like that. It is in that moment that you have to ask yourself, have I spent time soaking lately? Am I dry? Most likely the answer probably is yes.


"Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life."
Psalms 51:7(The Message)

New year, New Blog

So, Happy 2017 People! My blog is getting a facelift =)So, one of my new life resolutions (a friend of mine referred to their New years Resolutions as life resolutions, and I kindve  liked it, so it just stuck), is to be creative. I have this deep desire inside of me just to be creative whether it be to make something crafty, compose a song, or even to just write. Life and busyness has stifled this creativity inside me over the past several years. This homeschooling mom, and full time college student has been busy, ya'll.

So, about 3 years ago I decided to dedicate this blog to just essential oil related things. Well, that worked out well for awhile, but things got complicated, then there that whole FDA compliant thing......which is confusing and blah blah blah.Dont get me wrong, Im still very much pro-oil, but there are soo many other things in which I am passionate that I like to talk about. Jesus. Trim Healthy Mama(more on that in another post),homeschooling,crafts,music and worship and the list goes on and on.Im a little ADD at times(lol), so there is no sense on putting a limit on what I can talk about on here. So, in 2017 you will be seeing a lot more of a little bit of everything  on here. Im also going to do my best to make weekly videos on facespace(also known as Facebook ), and youtube.

Heres to a blessed and more creative 2017!

A Weekend with Lavender

  

       One of the most popular questions I get asked all of the time is which oils should I take when I travel? My answer to that? Lavender!!! Without a doubt it is the one oil that I recommend you have on hand,especially when traveling. It can get you out of a lot of sticky situations. This past weekend, I got to know lavender pretty well as we went on our annual family mini vacay to the beach. I usually take all of my oils, but this trip, I only brought along lavender, frankincense, and On Guard. About halfway into the drive, my daughter starts complaining about her tummy feeling funny, and then she tells me that she thinks that she got stung by a wasp. I check her belly, and sure enough, there was about a quarter sized spot on her stomach that clearly had a wasp stinger in the center. Shes never been stung by a wasp before and tends to have allergic reaction to insects that have never bitten or stung her before(she had been messing with the stung area, thus spreading the venom). By the time we get to our hotel, she is extremely lightheaded and short of breath. I dont have a pair of tweezers(another thing that I recommend always having on hand). I turn to Google for answers...lol, and find out that you can remove a stinger by using a credit card(who knew?). WE get the stinger removed amidst screams and yells and a couple of accidental punches to my face(who knew removing a stinger could be so violent?). That sucker was about a quarter of an inch long. I immediately apply lavender to the affected area and the area almost immediately drops from about a half dollar size to about the size of a dime. The puffiness reduces.Not only does the lavender do all of this, it also produced a calming affect.

   Fast forward about a day. We all decide to spend a very long day at the beach. I made sure we were all sunblocked up, but I learned something new this weekend. water Resistant does not mean the same thing as waterproof. They are very different. Not knowing this, I failed to reapply as often as I should of, and my entire family got burned pretty badly......... myself and my daughter the worst. I have heard that lavender is great for sunburn,but had never used it for that before. My immediate thought was to use the aloe/ after suncare lotions that we always use(its been a few years since we have had any kind of sunburn this bad). Guess what. THEY DIDN'T WORK. Frustrated I finally decided to give lavender a try(I was trying to hold back on it because I was low in supply), It worked almost IMMEDIATELY. The picture you see above are the blisters after treatment. I applied only once this morning, and she is about 80% better! I should also mention that I used this in conjunction with aloe plant.

    So this weekend I guess you could say lavender and myself got to know each other extremely well this weekend. Up until now I had only used it for its restful and relaxation properties. This weekend it showed me that it was soo much more than that. Its a soother as well, not only mentally, but physically. I think I will keep it around  =)

If you are interested in purchasing Lavender, you can do so at my site or you can contact me here

New Products Just released!

Its September,and that means NEW PRODUCTS RELEASE TIME!!!!!  I am super excited about the new items doTerra is offering STARTING TODAY! Last year, we saw the edition of JUniper Berry and Cedarwood oils, as well as Digestzen and On Guard softgels (love these because they have the On Guard blend plus Melissa and black pepper added to them), the aromalite diffuser(my personal favorite), Reveal facial System, Slim and Sassy V Shake, and On Guard Laundry Detergent. Here are this years new items,in no particular order:

ARBORVITAE!doTERRA is the only company with this particular species or Arborvitae, which makes it even more exciting!Known as the “tree of life,” Arborvitae is majestic in size
and abundant in therapeutic benefits. Arborvitae essential
oil has a high content of tropolones, a group of chemical
compounds that protect against environmental and
seasonal threats, have powerful purifying properties, and
promote healthy cell function. Hinokitiol, one of the
tropolones in Arborvitae, protects the body from harmful
elements while supporting normal cell activity. This
compound also contributes to Arborvitae’s natural insect
repellent properties. Thujic acid, another tropolone found
in Arborvitae, has been studied for its ability to protect
against common threats in the environment. Native to
Canada, all parts of the Arborvitae tree were used
extensively by Native Americans for health benefits and for
building vessels, totem poles, baskets, and clothing.
Because of its natural preserving properties, Arborvitae
prevents wood from rotting, which makes it popular in
woodcraft and for preserving natural wood surfaces
USES
• Apply 1–2 drops to areas of concern on the skin.
• Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spray
on surfaces or hands to protect against environmental
threats.
• Apply to pulse points to promote healthy cell function.
• Diffuse to purify the air and to repel insects inside the
home.
• Mix 4 drops of Arborvitae essential oil and 2 drops of
Lemon essential oil for a natural wood preservative
and polish.

Breathe Respiratory Drops. Think Halls, only natural. If these are anything like the On Guard Throat Drops, you can bet I will be fully stocked !

A close relative to Ginger, Cardamom is known as being
the most expensive cooking spice and for being beneficial
to the digestive system in a variety of ways. Cardamom is
commonly used to help reduce indigestion and nausea,
and to soothe stomach discomfort and promote digestion.
Its distinct scent can lessen motion sickness while
promoting a positive mood. Cardamom has profound
effects on the respiratory system due to its high
1,8-cineole content, which promotes clear breathing and
respiratory health. Native to Southeast Asia, Cardamom is
added to traditional Indian sweets and teas for its cool, yet
minty aroma and flavor. dōTERRA Cardamom essential oil
is extracted from Cardamom seeds grown in Guatemala,
using our strict CPTG® testing standards. Through a
collaborative and responsible sourcing arrangement, we
are able to have a significant impact on the lives of local
partners, ensuring that these farming communities enjoy
improved livelihoods.
USES
• Use internally as part of a daily health regimen to
support healthy gastrointestinal function.
• Diffuse or apply topically to promote clear breathing.
• Add to bread, smoothies, meats, and salads to
enhance food flavor and aid digestion.
• Diffuse or inhale to alleviate feelings of nausea or
motion sickness.

Frankincense, Helichrysm, Melaleuca, Cedarwood, and
Lavender—all CPTG® essential oils known to help assist
in soothing skin irritations—form the base of dōTERRA
Correct-X. This multi-purpose, all natural ointment helps
soothe skin and enhance the natural process of skin
returning to a healthy state after being distressed.
Correct-X provides a moisture barrier that helps protect
against additional damage while simultaneously
soothing and hydrating the skin. This petroleum-free,
preservative-free ointment absorbs quickly and is gentle
and non-irritating, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Its like Neosporin, only better!
Frankincense, Helichrysm, Melaleuca,
Cedarwood, and Lavender soothe and
purify skin and help reduce the effects
of minor skin irritations
• Bisabolol has a high concentration of
panthenol, known for its calming effects
and ability to promote cell renewal
• Similar to the natural oils found in skin,
Jojoba provides optimal hydration,
helping to improve the texture and
overall health of skin
• Phellodendron Amurense Bark extract
is used to condition the skin and
support a healthy inflammatory
response

HD CLEAR For those with very troubled skin. Think Proactiv.......but better. There is also another new skincare line, called Verage that is anti aging. Looking forward to trying it.........

 At only 41.00 wholesale, this diffuser is one of our best yet!The dōTERRA Petal Diffuser is a small, user-friendly
diffuser that delivers health-promoting benefits to
your family and home. It has a relaxing mist and
soft white ambient light, making it ideal for
nighttime diffusion, and can cover up to 100
square feet. The Petal Diffuser has three timed
settings—1, 2, and 4 hours—allowing you to
customize the release of essential oils into the air.
This convenient diffuser is stable, light, and easy to
use—perfect for home or office use.
The Petal Diffuser permeates an ultra-fine, yet
substantial mist output into the air, releasing the
aromatic and therapeutic benefits of dōTERRA
CPTG® essential oils quickly and safely. This high
quality, affordable diffuser is perfect for both novice
and experienced essential oil users who want a
reliable, easy-to-use essential oil diffuser.

dōTERRA TerraGreens is a proprietary blend of 

whole food fruits and vegetables combined with 

superfruits and dōTERRA CPTG Certified Pure 

Therapeutic Grade® Essential Oils. This powdered 

mix packs a daily boost of fruits and vegetables into 

a mix that can be stirred into 8 oz. of liquid for easy 

and convenient nutritional supplementation.  Super excited about this one! Can't wait to make this a part of my daily routine.

So, there you have it , some pretty amazing new products. To purchase, visit my site here . To get these products at a great discount,be sure to take advantage of wholesale membership. Its only 35 dollars a year! Feel free to contact me with any questions......

Essentially Yours,

Rachel

* All information in this blog post was obtained through the doTERRA website*

Oil Testimonial of the Week:Cypress

It has been a crazy busy past few weeks at mi casa. I recently just got back from a fun cross country trip with my daughter and her youth group. I was able to share my oils with a few with them, and so was my daughter,which was cool.About 34 hours total spent driving in a van. As we were on on way home however,5 hours away from home to be exact(after about 12 plus hours of driving), I noticed that my ankles were largely swollen probably to at least twice their size. To say that I was a bit freaked out is a bit of an understatement,after all my ankles never swell, at least they havent since I was pregnant 14 years ago. I managed to somehow make it home,but i was miserable. As soon as i got home, I immediately plopped on the recliner so I could prop my feet up for better circulation. All of a sudden I remembered reading something about cypress for edema(I diagnosed myself with travel related edema...lol). I'll be honest, I havent used cypress a whole bunch since I purchased it, in fact I only bought it to use in my
 

     SLIM AND SASSY WRAP    recipe. I had hubby go grab it, rub a few drops on my ankles, and within an hour the swelling had completely DISSAPEARED. I wish I would have taken photos. I was completely amazed that they worked that fast. Actually, no I wasn'y because stuff like that happens all the time.

         So, what else is Cypress good for, other than water retention related issues? It also works great for swelling period, and works to help localize blood flow. It also works great for reducing the appearance of varicose veins. True story. If you know someone who has roaches(yuk!), you can mix cypress with peppermint to make a very effective bug spray. It also works great for breathing related issues, and the list goes on..........after this week, if definately ranks higher up on my lists of "must haves". Who knew that the leaves and cones of the Cypress tree could have such a powerful effect on our health? God did! Thats who =)  Until next time.........................

For all the water haters

I will be the first to admit, I detest water.Drinking it has always left me feeling ill , giving stomach cramps. Apparently I am not alone,approximately 20 percent of the worlds population has the same reaction to water.Recently though, I have come up with a solution,an essential oil solution.I began adding oils to my drinking water. This has made it more tolerable for me to drink, and adds a a nice flavor. Since adding EOs to my water, I have not been sick once.The oils added to the water balance it out and make it safer for my tummy to tolerate.I mainly drink water before, during , or after performing to keep my vocal chords lubricated.As if this simple discovery wasn't amazing enough, I have also discovered Organic honey and Himalayan salt! HONEY! There are soo many health benefits to this amazing product from nature. It soothes coughs and throat irritations, improves memory, and is also great for allergies.Himalayan salt has amazing health benefits as well and contains over 84 minerals that are very beneficial such as calcium, potassium, and iron.Regular consumption can stabilize electrolytes(another good reason to add it to your water)as well.These three ingredients,when used individually are wonderful, but when combined together .........WOW! I cant even describe, its almost magical.

                 Soo magical in fact, I have deemed this water "Magic water". Please try it and experience the benefits for yourself! Its important to note that you should use a glass drinking container when mixing and drinking this water(EOs and plastic dont mix well).Try and Enjoy!

When Life Hands you Lemons

............make lemonade, then keep the rinds, have them distilled and turned into an essential oil. Im totally kidding. If you havent figured out already, this post is about lemon essential oil and its many uses. If you are new to oils, lemon is a must have for several reasons. It is also one of the more economical oils in the oil family,which is a plus. Dont have any oils in your cabinet yet? Well lemon oil is a good place to start. Here are some reasons why:

1. Uh oh! Did you forget about the laundry in the washing machine for a couple of days? Not a problem. Just add a couple of drops of lemon oil and rewash the cycle. Your load will come out smelling lemony fresh

2.In a sticky situation? Lemon oil is excellent for removing sticky things like pine gum and tree sap, as well as any kind of gum or sticky adhesive residue.

3.Have greasy hands(or maybe you have a husband who does)? When soap just won't do, try mixing a little bit of lemon oil with it

4.Take care of leathers. lemon oil on a cloth is excellent to use on any kind of leather to keep it from splitting.

5.Lemon oil treated cloth is an excellent way to polish your silvers and keep them looking shiny

6.Got gum in your hair(lets hope not...lol)? Lemon oil can help you get it out.

7. Lemon oil makes a wonderful furniture polish.It leaves a nice shine,prevents finishes from drying out, and replaces lost moisture.

8.Is your toothbrush tired? Add a drop of lemon to perk it up.

9. Lemon oil is a natural odor neutralizer, great for smelly gym socks,a baby blowout,or the stinkiest thing you can imagine. Stick a few drop sin a diffuser and bing, bang , boom.

10.Shoes have scuff marks? lemon oil will take care of that.

11.Add a few drops of lemon to your dish washing soap, and your dishes will come out spot free!

12.Aphids! Control the aphids in your garden by spraying some lemon oil mixed with water on your plants, and keep your roses looking lovelier even longer.

Not only can lemon be used in cleaning, but it can be used in cooking as well:

13. add some lemon oil to your water for a refreshing boost. I do this daily and it's great!

14.Preserve your fruits and veggies: Spray a lemon oil/water mixture combo onto cut veggies to make them last longer

15.Give your food some pep: Whether it be fish or asparagus,or linguine and shrimp, add a drizzle of lemon to just about any dish to give it that little bit of zing.

28.(forgot to stick this in) Make lemonade!  Add 10-25 drops to a 12oz glass, depending on how strong you like it, and add a packet of sugar. Best lemonade EVER!

And for the body:

16.Give your hair natural highlights. Just put a little bit of lemon oil on the places where you want highlighted and then go out in the sun. Be careful! This works really well, so don't overdo it.

17.Got a small cough or scratchy throat? Add a drop of lemon to some honey. Lemon fights bacteria, as well as most viruses.

18.Lemon oil is great for nail fungus

19. having trouble getting your nails to grow? Rub some lemon oil on them.

20.Have a nasty cold sore? Put some lemon oil on it, and it takes the heat out.

21.Lemon oil makes a great exfolliant, and can help remove dead skin cells . Just add 4-5 drops to some oatmeal and water.

22.Got crusty toes? Rub some lemon oil on them and after a few days, they should soften right up

23.In a bad mood? Diffuse some lemon oil, it is also known for lifting your spirits.

24. Cant concentrate? Lemon oil is also great for focus and concentration, when diffused.

25.Got a pimple? Put a dab of lemon on it, it will take the redness out.

26.Allergies got you down? Try lemon mixed with peppermint and lavender. I swear by it!

27.Gargle with lemon oil and salt for a sore throat(another sore throat remedy)

28. see the cooking section

29.I have heard that a drop of lemon under the tongue is good for a hangover(I have never been nor will I ever have this problem, so if someone tries this, please let me know if it works for you)

and..................................#30 UTI Infections. A veggie capfull of lemon oil, as well as some in your water will help the symptoms to decrease faster.

I hope you have enjoyed my little compilation of lemon oil uses. If you have, please feel free to share. If you have any other uses to add, please comment below. Thanks soo much!

Essentially Yours,

Rachel =)

Skin Problems got you Down?

One of the main reasons that I wanted to start this blog is to share my own personal journey and testimonials.In this entry, I am going to talk about using oils for various types of skincare problems.One of the many health issues I have battled with is rosacea.Rosacea is basically chronic redness of the skin. People with Rosacea often look like they have sunburn.There are various things that can trigger rosacea, including stress, varying cllimates, and even certain foods. There is no cure for it, but it can be controlled. Mine tends to flare up immediately after I get out of the shower. I took the pictures above this morning. The one on top is before Roman Chamomile,the one below is immediately after.You cannot really tell in the pic,but there was a huge difference.Roman Chamomile is great for inflammation.

  Another issue I have dealt with is oily skin, more specifically, an oily nose. By about 10 AM, I have more oil on my face than a 10 ton oil rig. Grapefruit Essential oil has done wonders for this.Grapefruit is also especially great for treating aging or loose skin.

     In a couple of weeks, I will do more specific blog posts of both of these oils, but for now I would like to address some other skin concerns.

ACNE- we have all had a breakout at some point in our lives, but for some people it is a common everyday annoyance . The oils that have been found to be the most effective in the treatment of acne are as follows: Melaleuca, Purify Blend, Geranium, and Clear Skin Blend. . Melaleuca, also known as tea tree oil is best known for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. To read about a scientific study on melaleuca vs benzoylperoxide click HERE.  Geranium has an effect similar to Roman chamomile or Lavender, as well as a pleasant scent. The Blend Purify has the oils Cilantro,Citronella,Lemon,Lime,Melaleuca alternifolia and Pine in it, and can be applied topically to the skin. DoTerras Clear Skin Blend contains the ingredients Ho Wood,Eucalyptus globulus,Geranium,Litsea,Melaleuca, and Black cumin seed. This blend is also great for Athlete's foot,Facial Blemishes,Itchy Scalp,Infected Nails,Toe Nail Fungus,and Skin Lesions.

SCARS -If you are plagued by scars then you should try Frankincense or Helichrysym . It is suggested that you apply these topically with a carrier oil 3-4 times daily until you get the desired results. For research information on EOs and scarring click HERE

DRY SKIN(ECZEMA,PSORIASIS,DERMATITIS,AND OTHER SKIN DISORDERS)

Dermatitis is often caused by  irritants, Eczema is often hereditary, and psoriasis(my whole family has this) is often a lifelong condition  . If you have or know someone who has persistant eczema or psoriasis, it often needs to be treated within. I suggest doing a good cleanse,followed by an EO regimen. I use a spray of melaleuca and oregano for mine. Since the majority of mine is on my scalp, I often mix the oils in my shampoo.

I hope you have found this post somewhat helpful, And if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. These are all regimens I have used with much success.

Essentially Yours,

Rachel =)

New blog with a New Mission

Hi everyone! Its been awhile. Just wanted to take the time to let you know that i am changing the name and theme of my blog. Instead of it being a blog where i just randomly post whatever it going on in my head, I am going to start gearing it to something I am very passionate about.......ESSENTIAL OILS! A few months ago I was introduced to them, and I have been pro-oil every since. I feel it is one of my missions in life to not only incorporate these into my home, but to educate and share with everyone else as well. So that is what I am going to do here from now on. They have been such a blessing to myself and my family,but I will get more into that later..............                                                                              
                                                                                                             Essentially Yours,

We Are the Misfits

Today I got to go back in time. To my childhood. More specifically to my early teen years. Early 90s. When the grunge look was in.Everyone you knew had a Yaga, No Fear, or Hypercolor T-shirt, or a pair of umbros.Back when television was still somewhat decent. You know,Beverly Hills 90212, Saved By the Bell, and the TGIF FRiday night line up. The shows you would totally rearrange your schedule for. Sayings like "Poof!, be gone"!, "Not", and "Talk to the Hand" were common everyday junior high jargon. Today I went back to that time period, and did so through my daughter.
      Being a teenager is rough. Being a teenage girl is even more rough. I am soo glad i don't have to relive those days and I would never in a million years. Soo much pressure to fit in, and just be accepted. Trying to conform to everyone elses ways just soo people will think your are cool and like you. We have all done it before, all the while feeling the need to put on a mask because we are worried people wont accept us for who we are. Don't deny it. Even if for a brief, fleeting second you have done it.Now add the word christian to the teenage girl, and gets even more complicated.It shouldn't be, but it is.The desire to befriend and form likeminded relationships with other girls who share your faith can often become even more difficult.
   Today I saw myself(my 13 year old self) in my daughter.I was about to see her off to church camp. Shes very shy, just as I was and has a hard time fitting in because of it. One of the girls said something very rude to her(a very common occurance), and it made her  upset.Typical jr High girl behavior. They tend to be catty and full of drama,full of hormones. Yeah, like i said, I would never want to go back there.Anyway, I pulled her to the side and said something like she couldnt focus on how people were treating her,and the fact that she was feeling left out and not accepted,because if she did, she would miss out on what God had for her.She just needed to pray for them. We exchanged tears and I hugged her and sent her on her way. This moment sent me back in time.
      As a young teenage girl, I was always trying to fit in. Especially with my fellow youth group peeps. As much as I tried,those relationships never fully developed.Never got past the surface. It was a "See you on Sunday/Wednesday" or at the next youth outing type of deal. I would sit with them at school at lunchtime on occasion. Never asked to go to their houses and spend the night or have dinner with their family.Although everyone else was. That has carried over to this day.I have friends,good christian friends who I know I can go to for just about anything,but we never call each other on the phone,never hang out, never get our families together for dinner or a fun outing.Its a deep unmet desire that has carried over from my childhood into my adulthood. There are times when I am standing in a room of like 200 people and feel soo alone. I think we have all experienced that at one time or another, for some it goes away and for others it doesn't.Its not like I haven't tried, I have put myself out there. I had a conversation with a friend of mine sometime ago, and the word that was brought up was misfit. I finally had a word to put with what i have experienced and felt for all of these years. Being a misfit though, is not necessarily a bad thing.Jeremiah 1:5 says

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” The dictionary defines the word misfit as a person not suited in behaviour or attitude to a particular social environment . In other words, a person who stands out,or is set apart. One whom doesnt blend in. As Christians, we were made to be misfits. We were made to walk differently, talk differently, to not act like everyone else acts.. As Christians, we are called to a higher purpose. We were made to stand out, to be set apart.  The enemy would love nothing more than to make you feel as if you are all alone and don't fit in. Especially among fellow Christians. This couldnt be further from the truth.I saw many young people earlier who were feeling this way, you could read it in their facial expressions and body language.I have witnessed many adults experiencing this. Like I told my daughter earlier if you arent't careful, and you dont become aware of this, you could miss out on something very important God has for you.We are all called to be misfits, to be set apart, to stand out. So do just that. And do it in a way that brings honor and glory to him.

 

Pinterest Party Part 1

Ok, so this summer I am picking 25 random things off of Pinterest(I may do more if time allows) that I want to do. These include everything from crafts i want to make, to organizing ideas, beauty things, whatever. This blog post is dedicated to the first half of my list. My goal is to have the first part of the list done by July. I am challenging all of my friends to do the same and blog about each pin that they check off of their list. These are in random order:

#1

Art   Wall
So, we are past the pre-k art stage( I think that may be what this pin was originally intended for) but I thought this would be a really great way for my 12 year old daughter, who happens to really enjoy art, to display her work. Pretty sure I am not going to do the buckets. Still not sure where we are going to put it, most likely in her room. You can find the link for this here.  I have recently discovered Jenn's Blog Clean and Scentsible on Pinterest, and I think you will enjoy it. My next pin comes fro her website as well.

#2

Lemonade Bar
also found off the clean and scentsible site, thought this was a really cute idea. Depending on what size basket you have, you could use some starbucks Frapachino bottles( I know I spelled that wrong), or some mason jars. You could also use more that three bottles for more options. She has printable labels on her site.

#3
Kitchen Command Center

Ok, so mine definately wont
't be this elaborate, being that there are only three of us, will probably only be half this size. But its definately going to happen. I am thinking this will probably be one of my more difficult projects to take on.......

#4

Apartment Therapy
I have a banister that looks somewhat similar to this. This wont take me long to do at all  =) Hooray for simple projects that make a huge difference!

#5

Pizza Box Organizer. Doesnt need much Explanation. This one is a little plain, Im sure mine will be decorated a bit more.......whew! halfway there.....

#6


I Love this!!! This one appears to have been done with paint pens. I think I just might tackle this one first.....

#7


What Pinterest Party would be complete without an Angry Bird Pizza .We may have to make some of his friends as well.

#8
Hot Dog Bar


and what summer would be complete without one of these? We have done something similar to these before, but it wasnt this fancy. Im thinking menus and everything........have family that will be down on the 4th so this should be extra fun.
#9
Greenhouse made from discarded windows
My parents recently remodeled their home, and have all of these old windows left over from that remodel. I told them to hold onto them,because I just knew that I could figure out something to do with them. Here we go! I cannot wait to tackle this. This will be a two person project, so I will have to have my husband help out. Not sure if Im going to make a big one or a little one yet, but it is going to happen!

#10
Necktie Pillows
for a list of  really cool necktie crafts visit here. These are going to be amazing.


So that, my friends, is part 1. I hope there will be a part 2, but I am not going to rush it, because I want to enjoy the experience. I look forward to posting pics of my creations.......

No Regrets

So, its official. I exhale with high velocity at this blogging thing . I mean, cmon, my last post was in August. Ridiculous.Last fall(2011) I started going back to school. This past fall, I actually started attending back  campus. Some friends thought it would be cool take a music theory course together. Music is something I have always wanted to pursue, and is a huge part of my life. I want to grow and get better at it. I have always been one to make up excuses why I couldn't and I finally got tired of that and started thinking of reasons of why I should. My biggest excuse was because it would be too hard, you know the theory and ear training part of it. Its definately been a challenging to say the least, but it has also been alot of fun. For example, this past November, i took part in an opera workshop. That was a first for me, i have never ever been exposed to opera on any level and thought that that was for a bunch of stuffy people =) but now I am in love with it to say the least.Same with jazz, had never really dabbled with that,but was able to this past spring. I was even able to attend an opera and a musical theatre show(Camelot) for the first time with my fellow students. I would not have been able to do all of this(and i am just getting started), had I continued to make up excuses. I try my best to live a life of no regrets. If there is an opportunity that comes about, and I know later that I will regret not doing it, then I do it.........
     So, why am I doing this? Well, Im glad you asked. To be honest, I have no idea....lol. I just felt led by God to do it. I dont know what plans he has for me as far as this goes, butI do know that they are good plans. I am staying very ministry focused, but alot of ideas are swirling in my mind. If I could do anything, I would want to perform. Eiether lead worship or just perform for a living, you know, make money doing it. But the reality of it is that most music majors go into some sort of teaching, so I may end up teaching voice. I wouldnt mind having my own studio......
  So,now that you know what I have been up to, in between going to school full time, and homeschooling(yes, we are still doing that,lucklily most of her stuff is eiether online or on the computer), I guess you can understand why i havent been on much. Plus my life really isnt that interesting anyway....lol.
Thats my story and Im sticking to it.

Do you beleive in magic?

     I am a woman of little words. Which is funny, being that I have a blog and everything. I am very opinionated and tend to keep my opinions to myself, because well, you know what they say about opinions,ahem. Everyone has one. It takes alot to get me upset. It really does. Currently there are two words that are getting under my skin. Those two words are Magic Mike. This movie has me all hot bothered and not in the way you would expect. What I am apalled by are the amount of married CHRISTIAN women who are flocking to the theatres to see it. I am going to address my frustration through several points of view;that of a fan, of a Christian, and that of a Christian wife and mother. I realize I may lose some facebook friends over this,but I cannot keep quiet any longer.
        For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about,let me fill you in.Set in the world of male strippers, Magic Mike is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum in a story inspired by his real life. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. It is soft porn or as I have heard some describe "mommy porn".Its disgusting.
         Channing Tatum. The very mention of his name makes women old and young alike swoon. I will admit, while I definately think he is a genetic gift to the world(after all everything God creates is beautiful), he is just a human being like the rest of us, and really isnt all that special. At least not to me. That being said I am a fan of his acting. I am also a fan of Matthew McConaughey, who co-stars in the movie. Or at least I was. He is one of my favorite actors.Speaking from a fan standpoint,Channing and  Matthew, what you did in this movie is nothing short of prostitution. Prostitution can be defined as to offer (a person, esp oneself, or a person's talent) for unworthy purposes. You guys are nothing but a bunch of glorified prostitutes in my eyes,offering your talents and your bodies in exchange for the almighty dollar. Because of you, women everywhere are cheating on their spouses(more on that in a second). It makes me soo sad.
   Its movies like this that lead women to have unrealistic expectations that will never be met. In the bible it says "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" . This scripture not only applies to men, but women as well. If you look at a man lustfully you have already committed adultery. You wouldnt be ok with your guy watching "Magic Marissa", and if you say you are, then you'd be lying.
    Id like to note, that before i end this that I wrote this over a month and a half ago....lol. But Im still pretty furious.......

Supermarket Diet

                                                             
   Ok, so this summer I have decided to try a different diet every week. You know , just for fun. =) I realize this is not healthy, but wanted to do it to get an idea of what is out there,so I could review it.  I will use a rating system and also report my success(or lack of)This week I am doing the supermarket diet. Basically, you eat a sensible breakfast(the plan recommends a cereal bar or bowl of cereal), then a 300 calorie or under frozen dinner for lunch, a 500 calorie or under dinner for supper, then a sensible snack in between meals, such as a yogurt or a pudding cup. The whole idea of this diet is portion control. Your portions are controlled for you, there is no going back to get seconds. It is also very convenient, and perfect for an individual who is constantly on the go , and who doesnt have time to plan meals, etc.  I have been on it almost a week, and have lost 7 pounds. This is with no exercise. I highly recommend exercise with any diet to increase health benefits and weight loss. Unfortunately, I haven't been taking my own advice . The following are my ratings for this particular diet:


Cost: **
this plan is very expensive,as is to be expected with already prepared meals
Convenience:*****
Health factor:***
you have to really watch the sodium content.If you are concerned about healthfulness, stick with Healthy Choice or Lean Cusine
Taste:*****
Hunger :*
my tummy was constantly growling with this diet.Dislike! Then again, this is to be expected when you are not used to a certain caloric intake. It just about drove me crazy. Nothing like being kept awake at night from a growling tummy =(
Results:****
I am overall pretty happy with the results. I would do this diet again. Its probably the same equivalent to  lets say Nutrisystem, except the options are greater.

If you do decide to try this diet, please try the dinner I have pictured above. It is amazinG!!!!!

20 out of 30 stars.
If you would like more information,check out the Good Housekeeping website.

Coming Soon   Morning Banana Diet Review

January in Review

        Nothing like a January Review in May.......lol


 Whew! What a month is has been! Where do i start? Hmm, lets see, how about Christmas? It was pretty good, I guess. I am glad its over. I have decided already that next year we are eiether not giving gifts or doing just homemade ones. I have a ton of fabric I need to do something with.....lol. I really get joy out of making things and plus they mean more. Which leads me to my first topic. This year I am thinking about making some stuff and doing some vending. Im going to get my etsy store back up and running. I am leaning towards making things out of/everyday repurposed items. I am really excited about it and working on a plan as we speak.
      Of course january is always the month to get focused on being healthy,etc.  Well, I have done just that and am off to a good start.  I decided to try going vegan for the entire month. No dairy, no sugar, no meat. I recommend everyone to try it for at least 30 days, and i promise you that you will feel better. Now, while I am not going to stay a vegan, I am going to incorporate alot more of it into my lifestyle.  I lost 17 pounds this month and would like to keep the momentum going. I would like to be 60 pounds down by my birthday, which is in May, so we will see.  I have officially subscribed to almost every health magazine there is.......lol. I am even considering going to school for holistic medicine,herbology,etc. I am still praying about that one..........but it is relatively inexpensive to get a certificate, so we shall see..........
     Speaking of school, I am now in my second semester, and it hasnt kicked my booty too much thus far. I am taking all of these classes that end in ogy, including psychology which is an area i am considering majoring in. I barely have time to do anything else, which is frustrating,hence the long pause in between blog posts. I mean no one really reads this thing anyway........lol.
     I recently got back into couponing after a long pause. Hubby hasnt worked in two months so we had no income.  I am soo thankful I had a small stockpile to lean on during that time. Looking at my records, i saved us a grand total of 3,000 dollars last year! Considering I am a beginner and I just barely got started in May, I thought that was pretty good. My goal is to save at least 10,000 this year.....
  So, thats all thats been going on in my world...........To the 2 of you who read this, thanks for stopping by =)

An Epic Fail Day

From a previous post.......

        Wow, can't beleive it is almost April already. The past few months have been a blur, filled with studying(studying =student dying.....lol) , church activities, etc. I think I may be starting to adjust to this thing called college life somewhat. This semester has been quite the challenge,I am pretty much taking all science and math related stuff which is not my strong suit. Yuck.
    This blog is an outlet for me, and no one really reads it anyway, so I can say what i feel.  At times I feel like a complete failure, I am going to be completely honest.  Its as if everything I have ever done or attempted to do, or am doing now is just going completely wrong. I have failed miserably at being a mom sometimes. At being a wife. At serving God.At serving others. At striving towards my own personal goals. Life has never come easy for me. It has its moments. There are those things I do in life and I do well, but I tend not to focus on those soo much  and just question everything around me. I just wish for once that I could see some fruit bearing in my own personal life, in myself and in my loved ones. Its there spiritually, but I soo badly want to see it in the physical and emotional sense. You know, some evidence............

Just what Im dealing with right now.Having one of those epic fail kindve days. But Our God is greater, our God is stronger.......

From the Heart

I hate December. There, I said it. No really, I do. I hate the commercialism of it. I hate the hype.......this year its just too much for me to deal with. Too many people have forgotten what it is truly about.........too many people get depressed this time of year because they think its about giving and receiving gifts. I used to be one of those people. Then I realized, hey instead of focusing on what I dont have and what I cant give, why dont I focus on the things I do have. What resources do I have in my hand? Well, for me personally I am a crafty person. God has blessed me with the gift of creativity. I have alot of fabric, a ton of two by fours in the back yard that I am sure could make some beautiful things. Not a crafty person? What about the gift of your time? People these days would rather buy someone something than actually do something for them. They "buy their time".  Time is more valuable than money. If your hands work,then why not use them? Help them clean their house or their car. Walk their dog?  I guess the point I am trying to make here, is its not the gift itself, but the condition of the heart that is behind it. The best gifts are the ones that can be given, not the ones in which you can receive. A wise man named Dr Suess once said Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."

May you be blessed this Christmas season and focus on your ability rather than your inability.


 

Back to the Basics

  Ok, its time to come clean.  I have a serious addiction. Or at least I did. Its name is Swapbot . Its basically a really fun trading site where you can trade all kinds of wonderful items from people all over the world. I have made some really awesome stuff, i have received some equally amazing items. people have sent me treasures from all over in exchange for whatever.Here are a few pics of things i have recently made:


A few altered bottles I made recently



Christmas journal made for tonie2weeks


These are just a few of the hundreds.

 I have been participating on this site for almost three years now, and do an average of 10-20 swaps a month. Like I said, its a great site. But here is my problem. Ask me how many things I have made for my family or friends in the past three years. The answer is nada. So the conclusion I have recently come to is why am i making all of these things for people I dont even know, when I could be making them for people I know will love and appreciate them?  So, Rachel is taking a break from the swap world. It has sucked up too much of my time for too long. Dont get me wrong, I am still going to do them, just in moderation. and when i do I will post pics here.        My other vice has been facebook, but with all of the recent changes it is just too exhausting to mess with, so I am going to not be on there as much eiether. I really want to devote more attention to this blog, and post about things that are important to me, what I have been making,etc. Its a good hobby, plus its free. Thats my story for now, and dog gone it, I am sticking to it..............