After I mentioned Essential Oils yesterday, I was thinking of ways to share them and how I use them. I think that sometimes people assume the EO use is on the hippie/crunchy side of life. And for a lot of users that would be in line with their thinking. I don't really see myself that way. We are just run of the mill average family. We eat pizza and McDonald's (on occasion) and we have fruit snacks in the snack drawer. I drink wine, we have soda in the house. I've never eaten a chia seed. Or had a desire to try kombucha. But EOs fit in my fit-ish lifestyle.
Yesterday evening, I started to get a sore throat. Then I noticed an bit of a body ache and slight headache. A couple years ago I would have immediately run to the medicine cabinet and popped some ibuprofen followed a couple hours later by some acetaminophen. Now though, instead of a medicine cabinet, I have an EO shelf. I was worried that this was more than just a simple sore throat, it felt like I was coming down with something more than that. So, I made a capsule of Rosemary, Oregano, and Frankincense. I put Lemon, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Cedarwood in the diffuser and I topically applied OnGuard to my feet and throat. I woke up this morning completely symptom free.
I didn't start off using them so liberally, or being so willing to rely on EOs solely. I maybe would have used some OnGuard or Peppermint and probably would have still taken an ibuprofen to be on the safe side.
To make sure that nothing will rear up again, I will have another capsule today, and will apply OnGuard to the feet. I won't have to just treat symptoms. I can actually help my body to perform at an optimal level to eliminate the attack. I can make myself better.
I think over the next few days I will post more ways that I use essential oils and how we use them when we are well as part of a daily routine too.
Riley and Davis at Silver Dollar City
Look!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Small bites of life and a recipe
Did a bit a of calendar and planning session this morning and realized that we are going to be home in our own beds less days in July than we are going to be other places. I am so thankful that I have the summer off to be home with the kids and that we are able to give them new experiences. But I freaked out a bit too.
When I freak out I make lists. Packing lists, menu lists, shopping lists, to do lists. It gets a bit out of hand, really. And I used to let the freak-out and panic take control and I ended up freezing and not getting anything done. However since I added essential oils to our lives, I can use their support to clear the fog and focus on accomplishing the things on the list (s).
So, I rolled on my stress relief and focus oil blends, made my lists and realized that I don't need to eat the whole elephant today. Instead, I looked at the next three days, reorganized my thoughts and focused on what I can do, rather than what I can't.
One of the goals I have for myself over the next few months is to remember that I have tools to cope with a great many things. I have changed so many things in our lives because of essential oils and I want to keep making those small changes and keep relying on them as important tools in our lives.
Anyway, I am sure that I will be talking about my oils journey in the space again. They are practically a member of the family at this point.
So, back to the plan for the next few days. I LOVE the Independence Day holiday. Everyone is outside, relaxing, hanging out. No one makes anyone else feel guilty for how they celebrate. We all put on a bit of an air of pride at our patriotism and we celebrate. It helps that I also happen to really like fireworks too. We're not going to do anything fancy or special. We are going to relax. Then when the weekend is over, I'll focus on the next little piece of July.
When we get really busy, I try to have healthy and easy snacks on hand. My kids are definitely meat eaters, so I often make beef jerky for them. I have a batch on the dehydrator now, so I wanted to share our recipe. I prefer eye of round and have it sliced thin at the meat counter of our locally owned grocery store.
Beef Jerky
1 pound, boneless, thinly sliced beef
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash of liquid smoke
Combine all ingredients and soak meat overnight.
So simple and delicious.
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend filled with relaxation!
When I freak out I make lists. Packing lists, menu lists, shopping lists, to do lists. It gets a bit out of hand, really. And I used to let the freak-out and panic take control and I ended up freezing and not getting anything done. However since I added essential oils to our lives, I can use their support to clear the fog and focus on accomplishing the things on the list (s).
So, I rolled on my stress relief and focus oil blends, made my lists and realized that I don't need to eat the whole elephant today. Instead, I looked at the next three days, reorganized my thoughts and focused on what I can do, rather than what I can't.
One of the goals I have for myself over the next few months is to remember that I have tools to cope with a great many things. I have changed so many things in our lives because of essential oils and I want to keep making those small changes and keep relying on them as important tools in our lives.
Anyway, I am sure that I will be talking about my oils journey in the space again. They are practically a member of the family at this point.
So, back to the plan for the next few days. I LOVE the Independence Day holiday. Everyone is outside, relaxing, hanging out. No one makes anyone else feel guilty for how they celebrate. We all put on a bit of an air of pride at our patriotism and we celebrate. It helps that I also happen to really like fireworks too. We're not going to do anything fancy or special. We are going to relax. Then when the weekend is over, I'll focus on the next little piece of July.
When we get really busy, I try to have healthy and easy snacks on hand. My kids are definitely meat eaters, so I often make beef jerky for them. I have a batch on the dehydrator now, so I wanted to share our recipe. I prefer eye of round and have it sliced thin at the meat counter of our locally owned grocery store.
Beef Jerky
1 pound, boneless, thinly sliced beef
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash of liquid smoke
Combine all ingredients and soak meat overnight.
So simple and delicious.
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend filled with relaxation!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Defining my Circles
I recently had the chance to watch an amazing Periscope that really gave me some inspiration to be a better version of myself. And while the point of the 'scope wasn't about this at all, a moment in it spoke to me. It was about defining your circles of priority.
I go through most days with the whole world, and all of the hustle, and all of the noise, and I treat all of that input as having the same value. And that creates a constant sense of panic for me, because I try to respond to all of it. So, I sat down and wrote down who and what is in varying circles of priority.
In my primary circle, it is my husband, my children, our home and our families. That's it.
In my secondary circle, it is my close friends, and my work commitments.
In my tertiary circle, is everything else. Email, texts, social media, TV, acquaintances, and everything else.
But here is the challenge. Until the primary circle has been taken care of, you don't give time and energy to the other things. So, no email, no texts, to TV, no noise and input from anywhere other than my family, until they have been taken care of. Once they are all ready for their day and I have gotten our course set, then I can look towards my work commitments for the day, or reach out to a friend. Then once work is over, and I am back home with my primary circle, and I have carefully committed to them, I can look toward those least meaningful things.
I started to look at tangible ways to do this. Because it isn't easy. It turns out that I am capable of taking a cute picture of the kids, and not posting it to social media immediately. I can get up and take my shower and cook breakfast and plan dinner without looking at my email first. I can let text messages wait until I am not with my primary people.
This is all about forming new habits for myself so that I can feel more present and more calm.
I know that there are a lot of people who are great at keeping themselves focused and centered and present in a moment. I am not. I am determined to feel less like I am living my life like a squirrel, darting about from thing to thing and thought to thought.
How do you turn off the noise in your life? What are your circles of priority?
I go through most days with the whole world, and all of the hustle, and all of the noise, and I treat all of that input as having the same value. And that creates a constant sense of panic for me, because I try to respond to all of it. So, I sat down and wrote down who and what is in varying circles of priority.
In my primary circle, it is my husband, my children, our home and our families. That's it.
In my secondary circle, it is my close friends, and my work commitments.
In my tertiary circle, is everything else. Email, texts, social media, TV, acquaintances, and everything else.
But here is the challenge. Until the primary circle has been taken care of, you don't give time and energy to the other things. So, no email, no texts, to TV, no noise and input from anywhere other than my family, until they have been taken care of. Once they are all ready for their day and I have gotten our course set, then I can look towards my work commitments for the day, or reach out to a friend. Then once work is over, and I am back home with my primary circle, and I have carefully committed to them, I can look toward those least meaningful things.
I started to look at tangible ways to do this. Because it isn't easy. It turns out that I am capable of taking a cute picture of the kids, and not posting it to social media immediately. I can get up and take my shower and cook breakfast and plan dinner without looking at my email first. I can let text messages wait until I am not with my primary people.
This is all about forming new habits for myself so that I can feel more present and more calm.
I know that there are a lot of people who are great at keeping themselves focused and centered and present in a moment. I am not. I am determined to feel less like I am living my life like a squirrel, darting about from thing to thing and thought to thought.
How do you turn off the noise in your life? What are your circles of priority?
Friday, June 24, 2016
Revitalization
So, obviously, it has been a long time since I have written anything here. I kind of had a wake up call this week. I realized that when I am at my best and most energetic, I am doing the things that I enjoy and not just trudging. And writing is one of the things that I enjoy.
I have been and done a lot of things in my life. And this blog has been a lot of things.
Now, it is going to be my outlet. My positive push into the world.
I am going to really focus on picking up on the good things around me.
I am going to share the heck out of the things that are making me happy.
And I am going to revitalize.
I have been and done a lot of things in my life. And this blog has been a lot of things.
Now, it is going to be my outlet. My positive push into the world.
I am going to really focus on picking up on the good things around me.
I am going to share the heck out of the things that are making me happy.
And I am going to revitalize.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Easter
As we get ready to wrap up Spring Break, my first Spring Break in more than a decade, I can't help but be thankful. We got some projects done, we had some days of pure relaxation, and we had time to hang out as a family. It was glorious!
The kids and I were talking about the Easter story yesterday, and of course it is important, but what I really wanted to tell them was about some of my favorite Easter memories. Of course the first year Riley was old enough to hunt for eggs is a favorite because as we were arriving at mom and dad's we came around the corner, and their whole yard was sprinkled with brightly colored eggs. Riley was so excited. It was so fun to watch her run from egg to egg and each one beimg treated as a treasure.
My very favorite though, was when I was a kid. We had done sunrise service, and doughnuts, then full church service. So when we sat down to lunch everyone was hungry. I cant remember what all was on the table, but it was a late Easter and asparagus was abundant, so a large asparagus casserole was served. And Alicia just kept asking for more, several adults tried to tell her to take it easy, that the casserole was rich, but she was having none of it, she wanted more. I was probably 7 and she 9. So after lunch we had our egg hunt and the day had warmed nicely, so we talked everyone into going mushroom hunting. As we all toed our way delicately through a small patch of timber across the road from Papa and Grandma's house, we were all having some success. Then I remember looking over at Jerry, who was near Alicia, and seeing his face as she started throwing up. Alot. Repeatedly. I still can't explain why I found this hilarious. But Dad left and took her back to the house while we continued our hunt, giving the asparagus vomit a wide berth, until it cooled off a bit and it was nearly time for dinner. We walk in the house and there Lish is at the table eating asparagus casserole. It made me laugh all over again. I don't know why that day is such a vivid memory for me, but definitely one of my favorite Easters.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and fun with family!
The kids and I were talking about the Easter story yesterday, and of course it is important, but what I really wanted to tell them was about some of my favorite Easter memories. Of course the first year Riley was old enough to hunt for eggs is a favorite because as we were arriving at mom and dad's we came around the corner, and their whole yard was sprinkled with brightly colored eggs. Riley was so excited. It was so fun to watch her run from egg to egg and each one beimg treated as a treasure.
My very favorite though, was when I was a kid. We had done sunrise service, and doughnuts, then full church service. So when we sat down to lunch everyone was hungry. I cant remember what all was on the table, but it was a late Easter and asparagus was abundant, so a large asparagus casserole was served. And Alicia just kept asking for more, several adults tried to tell her to take it easy, that the casserole was rich, but she was having none of it, she wanted more. I was probably 7 and she 9. So after lunch we had our egg hunt and the day had warmed nicely, so we talked everyone into going mushroom hunting. As we all toed our way delicately through a small patch of timber across the road from Papa and Grandma's house, we were all having some success. Then I remember looking over at Jerry, who was near Alicia, and seeing his face as she started throwing up. Alot. Repeatedly. I still can't explain why I found this hilarious. But Dad left and took her back to the house while we continued our hunt, giving the asparagus vomit a wide berth, until it cooled off a bit and it was nearly time for dinner. We walk in the house and there Lish is at the table eating asparagus casserole. It made me laugh all over again. I don't know why that day is such a vivid memory for me, but definitely one of my favorite Easters.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and fun with family!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Work life...
As I close the chapter of my work life at the Missouri Department of Agriculture and I prepare to begin a new work chapter, I have mixed feelings. I am good at my job, I enjoy the work that I do, but it is my personal life that fills the well of happiness in my heart. So, with my new job giving me summers off, and breaks throughout the year, I will have more time to fill the well. More time with my family. I can't imagine anything better than that. I am sad to walk away from relationships. I am afraid that my brain won't be used ever again that way that I use it now. But I am hopeful.
And maybe I can use this space more. Maybe I can remember what unfiltered writing feels like. Or maybe you will all just have to read about my kids driving me wonderfully crazy. Or about them making me furiously happy. Or maybe I will just post pictures of the dogs. Probably none of that.
And maybe I can use this space more. Maybe I can remember what unfiltered writing feels like. Or maybe you will all just have to read about my kids driving me wonderfully crazy. Or about them making me furiously happy. Or maybe I will just post pictures of the dogs. Probably none of that.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Time
I live my life in numbers. I am 31, my husband is 39, our kids are 7 and 5. It has been 13 years since I was in high school. I have known my husband for 10 years. This is our 9th Christmas as a couple. We have been married 8 years. My half birthday is October 28. I count the hours from arriving at work until I am home again. I count down days and minutes. This week we have 4 days until we go to Silver Dollar City, 9 days until Christmas, 13 days until vacation. Each night I give the kids warning countdowns to bedtime. 9 years ago we got Millie, 3 years ago we got Lizzy. Bo is 20 months old. My sister died 6 months ago.
I think about numbers and the passing of time constantly. And I can’t wrap my head around the fact that it has been 6 months. There are days when Alicia doesn’t cross my mind. There are others when she refuses to leave my thoughts. I worry that I will forget some little detail about her. I hope that some details of her illness I do forget.
I had a lot more to say it seemed like before I started writing this. But now that the words are on the page, I have no more to say. Just that 6 months has never passed so quickly before.
I think about numbers and the passing of time constantly. And I can’t wrap my head around the fact that it has been 6 months. There are days when Alicia doesn’t cross my mind. There are others when she refuses to leave my thoughts. I worry that I will forget some little detail about her. I hope that some details of her illness I do forget.
I had a lot more to say it seemed like before I started writing this. But now that the words are on the page, I have no more to say. Just that 6 months has never passed so quickly before.
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