EOs ~ To Go

How I travel with EOs...

I shared this photo on my Facebook the other day. It is the mess I made while organizing and refilling my travel case(s).

I don't go anywhere without my essential oils. Anywhere. I've shared a picture of my purse pack before, but here it is again.



I keep these few rollers in a separate pocket in my purse as well. These are the ones I tend to use daily while I'm out and about.





Traveling is another story. I admit, I'm a little a lot addicted to my EOs. I start to panic when I think of being without my drawer
for too long.

Now, I could buy a few of these cute bags,
and take them ALL with me. But then I get nervous about TSA raiding my suitcase.





So I compromise and make a few travel cases of my, and my family's, most used oils. It takes some planning and effort to turn the first picture above, into the organized items below. But it is so worth it to know I have what I need with me wherever we travel.

Here they are explained.

I bring my own
Bug spray - it is the Midwest
Sunburn spray - accidents happen
Allergy spray - did I mention my allergies?
As well as a small bottle of premixed Cold and Flu bomb in case anyone tries to get sick.










My purse pack has
Hand sanitizer
Emergency deodorant - I live in Phoenix in summer
Peppermint for nausea or heartburn
LXR for stress
Birch for injuries/pain
Respire for my asthma
Frankincense because - it's awesome and has soooo many uses. It just makes everything better
Lavender for burns, calming, healing

These few are in an easy access pocket of my purse
Headache roller - to catch any migraine as soon as I even think I may be getting one
Stress roller - travel with 4 boys, nuff said
Jeddy's - great for stress, stiff neck, tension headache
LLP - my allergies are constant
Lemon - for my water



This is my vacation kit
2 pain blends - pain is no fun and can put a wrinkle in vacation
2 stiff / sore muscle blends - we do a lot of walking/hiking on vacations. Strange beds cause stiffness too
Allergy roller for bug bites and strange rashes
Jeddy's for car rides, and more than one of us needs help with focus at times
Cold and flu roller - just in case
Digest - vacation food
Tennis elbow blend - I'm very prone to this and it make everything hard if it flares up. This blend can work well on other strained things too
empty capsules - for digest, cold and flu, or LLP if needed

I also pack a jar of my pain salve and one of healing salve. I know this seems like a lot, but it really is a comfort knowing that just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean I can't keep treating my family with natural remedies. 

***I take the items that are in my purse and put them in a quart ziploc before I stand in the security line if I'm flying. The other items go in my checked bag. 

If you are wanting to make your own kit you can get the tin, rollers, spray bottles, sample bottles, and any of the supplies to make it by following the links above or going to Spark Naturals. You will want to put in coupon code BENDERBOYMOM at checkout to save yourself 10% too! 

Now I'm off to pack some clothes ;)!

~Wendy

47 Days and 18 Tips from the Hotel

I learned a lot about my essential oils while living in a hotel. So much that I figured I would gather that  information into one post that is easy to find.

First, let me give you a little background...

Sunday January 11th I decided that shredded bbq chicken sandwiches sounded like a good dinner. Then I realized that this decision came too late in the day to use my trusty crock pot. Soooo, I had an epiphany and decided to put 3 pounds of organic chicken breasts on the stove to cook slowly for shredded bbq chicken sandwiches. Seemed like a good idea at the time. One hour later The Fam decided it was a good time to go shopping for supplies for the upcoming baseball season. We. All. Left. The. House. Totally forgetting about the chicken on the stove. We returned 2+ hours later to a entire home FULL of white smoke. I later learned they call this "protein smoke". Apparently the worst type to get rid of - I'm lucky like that :).

Well, being the optimists that we are, my sweet husband and I thought "we'll just throw open the windows and turn on the air. It will clear out by morning and all will be well". It didn't quite work that way. It took a good hour just to be able to see in the house again. I woke up at midnight unable to breathe, pounding headache, and coughing like crazy (I have asthma). By 5 am we realized this wasn't what we thought. We called our insurance company and were placed in a hotel for the cleanup. We finally returned home February 27th. Sheesh! Never would have thought... I guess that 20 years of paying homeowners insurance was worth it.

Living away from home for an extended amount of time, without our normal routine, has been a learning experience. That first day I packed up ALL of my EOs and a few of my supplies/accessories. Honestly, I didn't think I would need them all, or even most of them. I was nervous about my investment sitting in my home on lock box. Hey, they told me to take all valuables out of the house. As I have learned things about using my oils away from home, I have posted tips on my Facebook page. I'm now gathering all of that information into one place just in case you are ever planning to be gone for weeks on end (or heaven forbid, displaced from your home suddenly). Without further ado...

EO's in the Hotel

EOs in the hotel lesson #1:  You cannot make Shield tea in the styrofoam cups they put in your room... the Shield eats a hole right through the cup... before you even have a chance to stir it. EOs - 1,
 synthetic product - 0

EO's in the hotel lesson #2:. Read your bottles carefully. They are not necessarily in "the same order I always keep them" and lavender tastes horrible in my water.

EOs in the hotel lesson #3: Bring the diffuser. Benefits are many. Including good favor with the housekeeping staff. They told me they love cleaning my room. It smells so good and relaxing!

EOs in the hotel lesson #4: Having extra bottles of stress relieving oils already on hand was a life saver. I might be going through a little more LXR, Jeddy's, lavender, Zen, roman chamomile, and lemon than normal these last 2 weeks....

EOs in the hotel lesson #5: A drop of lemon or grapefruit can go a long way in making hotel tap water both safe and palatable. Desperate times calls for desperate measures

EOs in the hotel lesson #6: Dream sleep blend, lavender or Zen on the bottoms of my feet help overcome the "hotel noise", so I can get the rest I need

EOs in the hotel lesson #7: It is totally worth the effort to figure out how to pack and transport ALL your EOs to the hotel if you are going to be gone more than a week (4 weeks now... headed into week 5).

EOs in the hotel lesson #8: Not sure how to transport some carrier oils to the hotel, I 3/4 filled, (and labeled) a couple of roller bottles with just a carrier oil so I could add whatever EOs I needed later. I also brought a few empty sample bottles. This was a good idea...

EOs in the hotel lesson #9: Some of the most important oils I brought with me are the citrus oils - so versatile and MOOD LIFTING, I need that right now!

EOs in the hotel lesson #10: Even extra cold and flu bomb supplies may not be enough. Nothing like close quarters and stress for sharing germs! - sheesh!

EOs in the hotel lesson #11: One of the keys to EOs is consistency. This is so difficult in the hotel as my routine is changed. Setting a phone alarm for daily at the same time would have been a great idea... hindsight

EOs in the hotel lesson #12: air flow in a hotel room is often "different". Turn on your diffuser and wait to see where the mist is drifting. Then place your diffuser in the most optimal location. My son had to place the diffuser on the night stand furthest from him, not the one next to his head, to get the mist to blow near him while he slept.

EOs in the hotel lesson #13: you will go through more of everything EO related than you do at home.

EOs in the hotel lesson #14: you can receive a package/mail at the hotel. The front desk is happy to sign for it. (See lesson #13)

EOs in the hotel lesson #15: Picking a specific, convenient place to keep certain EOs will help you remember to use it daily with consistency. For example, leave the Lemon EO by the drinking glass or bottled water, leave the bottle of dream by the bedside.

EOs in the hotel lesson #16:Increased and consistent use of stress combating EOs will prevent the frequent use of antiviral and digestive support EOs.

EOs in the hotel lesson #17: Once I realized that it was the hotel towels (I suspect the detergent or bleach they use) that were making my skin itch like crazy, a few drops of LLP in my morning lotion routine fixed it! No more itching insanity!





EOs in the hotel lesson #18: EOs in general had a grounding effect on me. They were a sense of stability, normalcy, something I could count on being there and working properly :). I'm sure I could have lived this past 7 weeks without them, but the time would not have gone as smooth or as healthy.



If you find yourself wanting to stock up on some essential oils check out this link for Spark Naturals. I trust them completely and use them daily. They are a pure and very fairly priced. You can even get 10% off of every order with the coupon code BENDERBOYMOM. If you want to start an EO journey of your own and don't know where to begin, please read through this blog. Feel free to comment with any questions, Facebook message me at Mom's EOs, or email me at momseos1@gmail.com. I would love to help you get started.


~Wendyw
EOs in the hotel lesson #6: Dream sleep blend, lavender or Zen on the bottoms of my feet help overcome the "hotel noise", so I can get the rest I needink emoticon






If you are interested in 

Headaches!

Let's talk headaches - 

I hate them! I've been getting headaches as early as I can remember. 

Now, I'm not a doctor. I don't even play one on TV. There are times when a headache is the symptom of some pretty serious problems. With that in mind, you always need to be checked out by your doctor if headaches are a problem for you. Please know that this post is not about a cure and isn't a replacement for medical care. It is just my personal experiences with headaches. Phew - now that's out of the way...

In my very unofficial observations and surveys, it seems people are either prone to them or aren't. I am, for several reasons. Allergies is a biggie. I'm also prone to stress causing them. Diet plays a part.  But the brain surgery I had in 1987 is a fair contender for the top reason. 

There are so many different types of headaches I couldn't go into all of them here. Plus that is the stuff for neurologists to discuss. I get migraines and numerous other types too. The biggest point I want to make in this post is that different issues take different methods. Just because they all fall under the label of headache, doesn't mean there is one single fix. 

One of the most successful things I have learned over the years in treating (and heading off, and even preventing) my headaches is learning my body. No one, no doctor, can know YOU like you can. About 7 years ago I was seeing a naturopathic doctor on a regular basis. I think the most important thing she did for me was to teach me to pay attention to what my body was saying. To be a student of me. Take notes, keep a calendar, write lists, don't dismiss a symptom as not related, it might be. If I feel uncomfortable with what a doctor is suggesting or it "doesn't fit", question it. Get a second opinion. 

The second most important thing I learned in my headache care

a moment of silence please...

was from a neurologist. He told me a headache is a sign something is out of balance, not right, or outright wrong. It doesn't necessarily even have to be something in your head! Light bulb moment. I can eat a food (diet soda, or anything with fake sugar) and get a migraine - e v e r y t i m e! Something in my digestive track was crying foul in my head. Go figure. Or I could be getting unexplainable chronic migraines for months - like 5+ a week, and then have them disappear as soon as my previously undiagnosed, infected, full of stones, gallbladder was removed in emergency surgery on a Sunday morning. True story. 

original post

As I began my essential oil journey one of the main issues I wanted to address were my headaches. I didn't want to be on a maintenance medication (horrible side effects for me. If there is a 2% who gets the side effect, I'll be it), I didn't want to take the prescription migraine medication either, and it often didn't work! The first thing I tried was peppermint topically. It worked sometimes. Then I tried lavender. It worked sometimes. Then I tried this headache buster blend from Dori at www.richestoragsbydori.blogspot.com. It worked more often. 

Then I remembered the 2 previous things I had learned and started to apply them to using essential oils with my headaches.  Ding! Ding! Ding! "We have a winner"! That was it! I haven't taken a prescription or OTC medication for headaches since. It takes a mindset change from "my head hurts, take a pill", to "my head hurts, what have I eaten recently, what's the weather, am I stressed, etc., then treat". 

Here is the process I go through and what I use. 

• I first determine if it is a "headache", or impending "migraine" (I've had to learn to go further back in my search for migraine symptoms. Sometimes the nausea begins 12 hours prior). This determines how aggressively I attack it. 
• I decide if my seasonal allergies are bothering me. If yes - I apply LLP to my face and head where it hurts and some in my belly button. This can often eliminate the headache for me with no further treatment needed. 
• I try to recall if I have exposed myself to any of my food sensitivities. If yes - I take a capsule of digest and apply LLP to my belly button. Amazed me the first time this worked. I had done it on a hunch.
• I assess if I am stressed, anxious or tense. If yes - I apply LXR to my brain stem and temples and a little to my wrist (so I can smell it at will). This will relieve a tension headache for me often. If I am extra tense/stressed/anxious or the first application doesn't work, I layer Jeddy's blend on top.
• I check the weather. These are my toughest headaches and the most frequent cause of any migraines I still get. Any low, or quick change in pressure will cause a severe headache for me due to my prior brain surgery. For this I will apply LXR, then layer the Headache blend (SN Relief) on top. Often it is wise for me to apply these again in a 1/2 hour to kick it from the start. I will also re-apply in a few hours if I even have an inkling that it is coming back. I also make sure that the weather change didn't trigger seasonal allergies as well and cause a double whammy. If it has, I use LLP too. 
• If I am thinking I have a hormonally induced headache - Zen and Clary Sage over my heart and on my brain stem, then lavender on a warm rice bag on my head works wonders. (this requires me laying down for 10 min. hard to make myself do sometimes, but so worth it)
• Think about the cause you are treating. What is causing the head pain?

If it is a migraine (any of the previous headache causes can trigger one for me)- I hit it heavier from the get go. I wait less time between the first try of an oil and the second try or repeat layer.

I would love to say I don't get headaches anymore. Unfortunately, I do. Not quite as often now that I studied my body and its reactions. I have eliminated the diet Coke headaches for sure. Like I said, a headache is a symptom, the above list merely treats that symptom with a natural, pure product that has no side effects for me. 

The process, or the oils may be different for you. Remember YOU are the expert on your body. If one doesn't work, keep trying until you find what does. I had read several other's posts on how they treat a headache naturally, and used that as a starting point. I experimented from there. 

I can't tell you enough, trust your instincts when it comes to your health! Our body is very intuitive. Now and then I will just stand at my oils and try a single oil that "just seems right". Remember to check how it is used - the side of the Spark Natural's bottles state "for aromatic and topical use only", or "for aromatic, topical, or dietary use". You will get to know your oils and their properties by using them. 

If you decide to try any of these oils for your headaches - each are linked (affiliate link) to the Spark Natural's website. If you put in coupon code BENDERBOYMOM at checkout you will get 10% off your order.

If you have found an oil helpful to your headaches, please share in the comments!

Wendy

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