Oil of the Month Club

Why participate in Oil of the Month Club (OOTM)?

First, let's go over what is OOTM with Spark Naturals? Per the web site

"The Oil of the Month Club is the best value out there - all oils are 15ml bottles - shipped out to you once a month (on the same date you ordered the product). The price is $US 15.99 a month and includes shipping and tax. This is a great way to collect oils at a discounted price."


I've been getting OOTM for almost a year now. So cool, it is like a monthly gift! Even if I didn't have the funds to otherwise expand my collection that month, I knew I would get at least one new oil.  Once I knew I was an essential oil 'believer' I wanted to start building my collection. This is a  great value way to do it. This past year each of the oils was retail priced more than the $15.99 price I paid, and shipping was included (so it's like free shipping). Awesome deal! 

They post a list of the oil for each month for the year, so you know what is coming and you can plan accordingly. For example, I use LLP monthly, but I knew it was coming in April and I didn't have to place an extra order that month (did I mention it was discounted too!). Also, there are no contracts, so you can cancel at any time. 

This was the awesome 2014 list :)

January - Peppermint 

February - Marjoram 

March - Lavender 

April - LLP 

May - Geranium 

June - Respire 

July - Oregano 

August - Melaleuca 

September - Bergamot 

October - Coriander 

November - Basil 

December - White Fir

I've gotten to learn about oils I may not have researched otherwise. I've found how versatile some oils can be. I've also learned alternative oils for certain properties. For example, I learned I can use Basil as an anti-inflammatory as well as Frankincense. I didn't even know what Bergamot was but I like it diffused to lift moods. I didn't know that Coriander is the seeds of Cilantro and they have different properties. 

FYI - Since the oils are already discounted AND they include shipping you cannot use any coupon code for them.

In order to qualify for the current Oil of the Month, you’ll need to sign up on or before the 25th of that month! So right now 10/31/14 - your first oil would be Basil.
No risk - You can cancel at any time. 
$15.99/mo. no surprise costs. 

If you are looking to build your collection at a discounted rate - this is a great place to start. Just follow this link OOTM

Updated: The 2015 list is below!!
All oils are 15ml bottles 

January - 5ml bottles of Lemon, Peppermint, Lavender and Melaleuca 
February - Cedarwood 
March - Peppermint 
April - LLP 
May - Rosemary 
June - Lavender
July - Birch 
August - Shield 
September - Oregano 
October - Melaleuca 
November - Respire 
December - Clove

Wendy

Improved Health....

Blood test results 10 Months later...

Just in case this information looks familiar, I posted this information to my Facebook a while ago. But for all of you who didn't know me back then, I figured I would share again. And honestly, I am behind on posting and just don't have the time at hand to re-create the wheel right now. Truth. There it is. 

So my husband's work asks us to get a biometrics test annually. If we comply, they give us a discount on our health insurance. Um, yeah. We can use that. So, for the past few years I let them weigh, measure and take blood from me. Of course they expect you to make lifestyle changes to get healthier. This past year, their evil plan worked! In all reality, I'm regularly trying to be healthier, have been for years. My heredity didn't deal me the greatest cards on this one. Anyway, This is the first year my efforts have actually shown in my biometrics! Can I get an Amen?!

Funny thing is, I saw less doctors and took fewer medications this past year. Hmmmmmm, let's think about that for a minute. 

I have been making little life changes as I can. I am not eating fully --- organic, grass fed, grain free, or sugar free but I live with the mentality that anything little I do today is better than before. I'm working on all of those things.  My biggest diet change was to try and eliminate processed foods, preservatives, and chemicals. Progress not perfection as we say in recovery. 

I followed the same "progress not perfection" premise with essential oils starting in about October of 2013. I started with LLP for allergies and lemon
in my water. 

I have been able to get off of most of my medications (that I now believe were causing more harm than good - but please know I am not a doctor, you should consult your doctor before any medication changes). 

I use Pure Essential Oils for most everything in my life. They are just part of my daily routine and my first go to when ANY issue arises (physical and emotional health, personal care, cleaning, etc). Below is a picture of the blood test results from last year and this year. The flower this year's results. I was not following any specific "cholesterol lowering" EO regimen. But I will tell you that using essential oils for my different medical conditions' symptoms allowed me to wean off the prescriptions. (I can't stress enough you need to talk to your doctor first on that). 

I cut out some of the personal parts of the report, but suffice it to say my height & weight have not changed and neither has my activity level. My BMI went down .1% (read 1/10th) and I lost 2 inches in my hips. 

I wanted to share how much "little changes" can help. Thank you Camp Wander for getting me started on a journey of health! 

What little changes are you starting to incorporate? Please share with us in the comments so we can all be encouraged.

Where to start...

Starting Out With Essential Oils...

So the most common question it seems is "where do I start?" I get it, really I do. The world of essential oils can seem overwhelming. I've even had one person tell me it is like reading another language. I felt that way too in the beginning. It is hard to believe how far I've come in the past 8 months. You see, I am a researcher. Not by trade or anything. But I research something to death before I begin. Call it caution, informed decision, or neuroticism :). But if I have any inkling that I am going to get sucked into something, I want to know how badly I'm gonna be hooked before I commit. This is a long standing pattern in my life. (Usually) It serves me well. Starting my journey with essential oils was no different. One of the things I love about Camp Wander is how she cites reference articles in many of her posts. Facts - love it! 

I shared last week how I started with Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint, or LLP, for my allergies. After researching oils and how people use them, I decided to attack a problem, my allergies. But it doesn't have to start that way. You can just start with appreciating the way something smells. Aromatherapy. There are so many health benefits to be had while enjoying a scent from a pure essential oil. Or maybe you just need to start with a few drops of lemon, or lime, or orange, in your water. Our Citrus Kit is great for that. 

With all of that said....

I usually say to start with the Essential 4 pack  because you can do so much with it. Here is a great printable from OGT , and another. 

However, If you have any anxiety - diffusing LXR is the BEST! I also dab a little on the back of my neck, over my heart, and on my wrists.  

At this time of year I might suggest starting with a bottle of Shield  and a diffuser. It is great for killing germs and keeping the whole house healthy. 

One of the benefits of Spark Naturals is that they offer their oils in both a 5 ml and 15 ml size. I would start with the 5 ml bottles of things so you can tell if you like it. There are certain ones I knew right away my re-order would be a 15ml because I love it so much **read I cannot live without my LXR**

If you just want to jump in and buy several oils to start, than the Health and Wellness kit is the best place to start.  It is 10 - 5ml bottles of 7 single oils and 3 blends all focused on your health and staying well.

What I would have done different now that I'm "all in". 

*Buy a diffuser right at the start. I waited several months. I now realize it would have been better if I had postponed a few of the oils I bought in the beginning to redirect those funds to a diffuser. It is an investment, but well worth it and everyone benefits from diffusing. I wouldn't be without it now. Plus it is a great way to ease yourself (and family) in. I know I often post of my topical and internal use of some oils, but diffusing is very effective as well.

*Try the blends early in your journey. Spark Naturals has already done the work for you on these. They are so easy! Why reinvent the wheel.

*Try some of the single oils for their properties listed in their description on the website. I was excited to make blends at the start and always felt I was "missing" an oil I needed. I've discovered that sometimes less is more. 

*Key Point!!!  If you hear nothing else in this post, please here this. The purity of your essential oils matters. A lot! I started with a few cheaper oils from the health food store. I did not get the results I had read about. Even though they said "pure", they weren't. Scary to think what chemicals I may have exposed myself to as well. I could instantly tell the difference with the first Spark Naturals oils I ordered. I trust Spark Naturals. They are tested pure. Here is the excerpt from their web site:

Pharmagrade:

Spark Naturals  products are Certified Pure PharmaGrade – CPPG™ – a physical standard ensuring our products are of the appropriate identity, strength, quality, purity, and consistency standards used internationally for quality and purity. Our raw materials are tested and authenticated to be of pharmaceutical grade purity. 

But more than that I trust the experience of others I respect, who trust Spark Naturals too. Whatever brand essential oils you use, please make sure they are tested, high quality, pure, oils. Here is a great post of a simple way to check

.

However you decide to start, just start. It will begin to open your eyes to some great tools for health. If you have questions please contact me. I am happy to try to answer them or help you find the answer. 

Happy Beginnings!

Wendy

Allergies of all kinds

Allergies...

I've had them all my life. At a very young age (4-5?) I can remember crying on my mom's lap because my sinuses hurt. I had chronic ear infections, puffy eyes, and headaches as a child. I have always had seasonal allergies, except I'm so lucky I get to be allergic to something in every season!. I also have food sensitivities, allergic to mold, maple trees, grass, and even my dog.

Allergies are what got me started on essential oils. My whole family has at least seasonal allergies, and a few members got my lucky 'extras'.  I have to admit, I was open to alternative medicine long before learning about essential oils. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to the allopathic practice of medicine. It saved my life at age 17.   But over the years I have sought more traditional and natural methods time and again. I'm just not happy with the side effects that most medications have on me. I'm one of those people that is in the 2.5%. You know, the "less than 3% of people suffer this side effect" person.

When I ran across essential oils we were spending quite a bit on allergies medicine and other OTC drugs for the symptoms that weren't helped by the prescriptions. However, when I really looked at the big picture, I felt the prescriptions weren't helping at all. We spent $50/mo copay each on nasal sprays for 3 people. We used to pay a $60 (then $30 generic) copay for Claritin for 2 of us but then it became OTC. Our cost tripled for that. I paid $15 for prescription steroid eczema creme that 2 of us shared (shhhhh....). We bought Advil and Tylenol at Costco for the headaches/sinus pain and Sudafed at the drug store. My hubby was taking anywhere from 2-4 Sudafed and Tylenol/Advil doses a day depending on the season. I was doing at least 2. Then there was the frequent cost of antibiotics for when it all didn't work and we got sinus infections. Mine and my husband's liver function numbers were "concerning" to the doctors when we had our annual blood test. I was sure there had to be a better way.

Enter essential oils and Rebecca's blog www.campwander.com. I ran across her blog from Jill at www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com, her sister. I love these girls! They have awesome ideas. Anyway I began to read Camp Wander daily and liked what I read. I had always believed if there was a natural solution to something, it was the better route. I searched her blog for allergies and found a great post! I bought the supplies; a bottle of Lemon, bottle of Lavender, a bottle of  Peppermint (LLP), roller bottle and some fractionated coconut oil) and got started. I made my first allergy roller bottle, immediately used it, and IMMEDIATELY it started working on my congestion! I kid you not, right away my sinuses began to drain! Nothing over the years has ever worked that fast or that well on my allergies. It isn't perfect by any means, and it isn't a cure. I still have allergies. But when it comes to managing the symptoms, nothing beats LLP - hands down! The best part is it is natural, so if any allergies are really still bugging me an hour later I can reapply with no worries, no overdose risk, no negative side effects.

I keep this LLP roller with me at all times. I use it rolled on my sinuses for typical allergy congestion. I also roll it on my temples for allergy headaches, behind and in front of my ears for ear congestion, on my eyebrows when my eyes are itchy or watery (not too close, it will burn), on bug bites, in my navel if I'm having an allergic food reaction, or in my navel if my dog is making me itch all over. My husband and I also take a capsule of 6 drops LLP internally daily for allergies. We up it to 9 drops a capsule if it is a particularly bad time of the season.

It does seems to have had one side effect. It has improved both my husband and my digestion - go figure! I'm sure it is the daily peppermint and lemon.

Lucky for us -

Spark Naturals makes LLP all ready for you in a blend called, wait for it....LLP! 

To celebrate how awesome this blend is, and to get someone out there started on essential oils, I'm giving away a 5ml bottle of LLP and a 10ml  roller bottle. 

To make the roller I use:

Place 30 drops LLP in the roller then fill the remainder of the space with fractionated coconut oil. That easy!

(You can also use 10 drops each of lemon, lavender and peppermint if you use your bottle all up and don't have any super, duper, easy LLP)

You can use fractionated coconut oil, or any carrier oil that works for you, in the roller. Almond seed oil, grape seed, hemp seed oil, your choice.