dryer balls and roll-ons

Hey everyone!

So, my last post I talked about how you can use your essential oils to make things for your house. I am trying to make more things for my house in order to not use chemicals! So, here is something that I have made to use in my house. 

http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/homemade-wool-dryer-balls/

Dryer balls! I really like them! You just put them in your dryer to dry with your clothes and it helps dry your clothes faster, and they smell really good because of the oils!!

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FELTED WOOL DRYER BALLS

Here’s what you need for your homemade wool dryer balls: 

• 1 skein of 100% wool yarn (I used Fishermen’s Wool yarn)
• pantyhose
• scissors
• string or washable yarn
• optional, a few drops of essential oils for scent

A quick note about yarn: You need 100% wool yarn for the wool dryer balls themselves. No acrylic, no blend, no wool yarn that is labeled as “machine washable”; these types of yarns won’t “felt” and then your dryer balls will just unravel the first time you try to use them! Make sure the label says 100% wool yarn! You also need a few pieces of acrylic or washable yarn or string to tie up the dryer balls in the pantyhose. You don’t want to use the same 100% wool yarn for this step or the strings tying off the pantyhose sections will “felt” into your dryer balls and it will be really hard to get the dryer balls apart later on!

- Start by wrapping the 100% wool yarn around two fingers a few times.

- Then pull the yarn loops off your fingers and start wrapping more yarn around the loops in the opposite direction.

- Continue wrapping yarn around the loops, squishing them up and rotating the directions of your loops until a small ball forms.

- Continue wrapping yarn around the ball, changing up the direction every once in a while, until the ball of yarn is about baseball sized.

- Cut the yarn, leaving about a six inch tail. Wind the tail in and around other strands of yarn in the ball to secure it. Then tuck the very end inside the ball as far as you can. You can use a blunt-tipped needle for this, or just tuck it in with your fingers.

- Repeat the steps above to make as many dryer balls as you want! If you run out of yarn halfway through winding a ball, just start a new skein, tie the two ends together, and keep winding! It will all hold together later so it won’t matter if it’s two separate pieces of yarn.

- Once you have all your dryer balls made, it’s time to “felt” them! Stick one of the balls down into the toe of some pantyhose. Then tie off the pantyhose with a piece of string or washable (acrylic) yarn. Then add another ball and tie off the pantyhose again. Continue until all of your dryer balls are in the pantyhose, and make sure to tie off the pantyhose again after the last ball is added!

Wash and dry your dryer ball “snake” on the hottest wash and dry settings 4 or 5 times. I just washed a bunch of sheets and towels along with the snake so that I wasn’t wasting water! Keep checking the dryer balls between each load of laundry; you should see the wool starting to “felt”, meaning the wool strands start to mesh and meld with the rest of the strands, smoothing out the surface of the ball.

After 4 or 5 wash and dry cycles, the individual strands of the balls should be much less visible; just remove the wool dryer balls from the pantyhose and you’re done!

When you’re ready to dry a load of laundry, toss 4 or 5 wool dryer balls in with the load and start it up just like normal. The ball will bounce around as your laundry dries, and when the clothes are completely dry, just pull the dryer balls out and set them aside for the next load!

Add a drop or two of essential oil to each dryer ball before tossing them in the dryer to help naturally scent your laundry! I love using Lavender essential oil and Purification essential oil for this!

So, I just got my order of oils in the mail! I was so excited for this order, I got so many different things! One thing I got was for my husband! It's called Breathe Again roll-on.

Last night was his first time using it, and he really thinks it helped him be able to breathe! I love Young Living's roll-ons! I want to get more of them, but right now I just have Breathe Again and Tranquil. I loveeeee Tranquil! It smells soooo good!! I'll put it on my temples right before bed!

Let me know if you would want to try making your own dryer balls and you need oils or if you want to buy some of the roll-ons. They are amazing!! Also, if you have any questions or anything, don't hesitate to ask!

Independent Distributor # 2210504

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.

breathing with oils

Hey everyone!

I know it has been a really long time since I have done a post...sorry! I've been super busy. We just moved into a new house, but I want to share really quick some of the oils that I've been using lately. So far, I've been using my diffusers like 5 times a day!! CRAZY!! 

My husband has really bad allergies, he has a hard time breathing at night. So, I've been trying different ones that help open him up. So far the ones that help are 4 drops of Melaleuca and 3 drops of Lavender at night in the diffuser. We have been doing that each night since being at this new house, and it seems to help. During the day, I've been using ones that either purify the air like Purification or helps relieve stress like Stress Away. But mostly ones that help promote a stronger immune system since the weather is changing, like Thieves. I've been trying to use different ones each day to just cover my bases. Also of course, every night in my daughter's diffuser we use Cedarwood to help promote restful sleep! I absolutely LOVE using my diffusers!! It really is my all time favorite way to use oils!

I wanted to tell you all about the online Facebook oils class that I will be having in a little over a week! I'm really excited about it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/897239943683733/

Here is the link! Please come! It's going to be awesome! There really will be so much information! Also, giveaways!! I will be giving away Young Living products, so if you are wanting to try some...maybe you can win it for free!

Oh, I just ordered my own empty roll-on bottles, and I can't wait to make my own!! Especially the one for my husband and his allergies: Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, and Copaiba.

Did you know that you can make things that you use to clean your house with essential oils?

How would you like to clean your home chemical free? Essential oils can help you do that! 

Also, if you have a baby, you can make baby powder!

Homemade Calming Baby Powder

Author: Naturally MindfulIngredients2 oz Bentonite Clay6 Tbs arrowroot flour (sometimes found as “powder”)1/2 dry calendula petals10 drops pure essential oils of chamomile or lavender, optionalInstructionsIn a food processor or a high speed blender blank the calndendula petals into a very fine powder and set asideMeasure the clay and arrowroot flourAdd all three ingredients into an empty and clean spice jar or bottle.Add essential oils if desired

I know this is pretty scattered...but I just wanted to show you that there is so much you can do with essential oils! I also wanted to tell you about my class! If you can join, that'll be awesome!! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! I really love talking about oils!

Independent Distributor # 2210504

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.

Oil Safety & Tips

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share some facts that everyone should know when using essential oils!

1. The oils are 100% pure and therapeutic grade that is why they have such amazing affects. They are the only oils I would suggest ingested and taken orally.

2 The oils have the ability to get pull junk out of your system, they also think plastic is junk and start breaking it down. Please do not use oils in plastic bottles or Styrofoam when you will be ingesting them. An exception to this rule is the harder plastic grade containers like what the Thieves cleaner, massage oils, and ointment are in; those are a special grade of hard plastic. Also, those blends are diluted and not full strength in the plastic. I like to reuse the Thieves cleaner bottles, and add a sprayer to it.  It is ok to use them in spray bottles for short amounts of time, when you are making air freshener but the oils will eventually cause you to use another sprayer top on it. 

3. It is best to use oils in ceramic, stainless steel, or glass. In the Swiftfire store on swiftfire.org has stainless steel bottles for purchase. I love the new YL& Swiftfire mugs!

4. To keep the oils smelling like the original smell, it is best to not touch the top of the oil bottles when dispensing. You want to drop oils into your hands and not to touch the tops, so you do not dilute or change the smell of the oils. Your hands have natural oils and we do not want them in your Young Living oils. You do not want the tops to smell like many different oils. 

5. Oil sensation: If oil has gotten in eye, or if any area is too cool or too hot sensation occurs. Please put cooking oil, olive oil, or v-6 to dilute the sensation. Do NOT use water. OIL & WATER do not mix, and water will push oil further into the skin.

6.  Strength & SMELL of OILS- The oils that your body needs usually stink to you, or smell really strong. This is a strange concept, but has been proven true in my life. When I really need an oil, it will smell really strong, and/or I will think it stinks. Sometimes the people who are chemically overloaded have a strong dislike of the oils’ smell. In these cases, on feet, or in capsules might be a good way to start them using the product. As I use the oils that I find stink, over time they start smelling better, and I know I am starting to need them less. Also taking sulfurzyme will help the cells transportors (ligans) and make the oils more effective. 

I tell people to put on their feet, and add an oil you like on top of it afterwards. :) The smell will improve as you need it less. 

7.     You only need 1 to 2 drops per application. A 5 ml oil bottle has approx 75-100 drops, and a 15 ml has approximately 250-300 drops of oil. It is super concentrated, 1 peppermint drop is the equivalent of 15 cups of tea.

8.    Oil Intelligence/Body Intelligence- The oil goes/is taken by the cells to where it is needed in the body. It goes to the areas that need help. I witnessed this a few times in a very clear manner. I had someone swab their nose with RC, and a few minutes later she said she felt it in her chest. I told her it goes where it is needed and asked what issues she was having in her chest. She said she was dealing with a chest infection. Another time, I had a friend put oils on her stomach. She was currently having bladder and kidney issues. She was amazed and said she felt them all the way through her skin all the way into her back.

by: Danielle T Jackson

If any of you want some more information, please don't hesitate to ask! I'd be more than happy to help! Oils are really fun and interesting to learn about!

Independent Distributor # 2210504

roll away your allergies

Hello everyone!

I'm really excited because lately I've been using my oils everyday a couple times a day, plus every night in my daughter's room while she sleeps. So, I was on Pinterest today, and I found a post that had to do with allergies and Young Living essential oils. That was the one thing that my husband asked me about before I bought my kit, was if they would help with his allergies. He's a lawn guy, and he always has such bad allergies because of it. My favorite oils to diffuse are Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint. Well, I have been out of Lavender for awhile now, but I just reordered it. Sooooo excited! Lavender really is my favorite. But I've been trying not to use Peppermint because I'm breast feeding my baby, and Peppermint has been known to dry up a woman's milk supply. So, back to Pinterest, I can't believe I didn't think about doing it myself. I found a recipe to make a roll-on bottle for allergies. My husband always wants me to put in oils that help with his allergies, so I'm so excited about making him a roll-on. He will be able to roll in onto himself anytime he wants, and it won't impact my milk supply. Yay!

So, here is what I will be making!!

- Lavender is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory

- Lemon is an anti-inflammatory

- Peppermint is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory and relieves nasal congestion

- Copaiba is also an anti-inflammatory, but it also will enhance the other oils and make them more powerful

Recipe:

- 25 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

- 25 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

- 25 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

- 25 drops of Copaiba Essential Oil

- Carrier Oil (i.e. Coconut Oil)

Add the essential oils to a 10-ml glass roll-on bottle and then fill the rest of the way with your choice of carrier oil, and then shake gently. You will want to use an amber or frosted blue bottle to help shield your oil from direct sunlight. 

If you don't want to make the roll-on, you can use these oils other ways to help with your allergies.

- diffuse 3 drops of each: Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint essential oils

- apply 1 drop of each: Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, and Copaiba essential oils, mixed with a carrier oil to the back of the neck, behind the ears, and/or on the bottoms of the feet, as often as needed

- dip a cotton swab into a mixture of one drop of Lavender essential oil and one drop of a carrier oil, swab just inside the nose

- rub R.C., Breathe Again, or Eucalyptus essential oil on either side of your nose when your symptoms are really bad, but stay far away from your eyes as possible

- you can also make your own capsules to ingest the oils

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! I love talking about oils even if you don't want to order. :)

Distributor: 2210504

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.

Relax and get relief with oils

Hello everyone!

So, it's been a crazy couple of weeks! I threw a baby shower for my sister-in-law, and we are trying to move! Also to have a four month old, running around with you to look at houses! Wow! So, I've gotten a little stressed and had a few headaches! (all worth it hehe) I miss being so busy! :) So, of course, I used my amazing oils to help with the stress and headaches!

My amazing Stress Away oil! Last night, I was trying to get things all finished for the baby shower and get things put together for the realtor to rent a different house. Yes, I got it all done, but I was stressed! So, this was my first time using this oil! I liked how I didn't feel like the smell was super strong, it was subtle! I really enjoyed it! Within minutes, my headache was gone and I felt better! Normally after finishing things, it takes me a long time to calm down, but this was so fast! I loved it!! 

Sometimes during the day, my stomach would be upset, and one night I couldn't sleep because of it. Of course, I went to get my DiGize essential oil! I used to always hate the smell, but it always worked so I just ignored it. Now, I don't hate it so much. But seriously, when I say instant relief, I'm not lying! I love how you can see and feel the oils work! I also put it in my diffuser one day when I wasn't feeling good! Amazing!

So, I've been using Cedarwood for my daughter in her diffuser and rubbing on her for when she goes to bed at night, well I'm starting to basically run out, and I didn't realize that I needed more when I placed my order, and I normally order at the end of the month. So, I have needed to find another oil that I have to use. I really have run out of quite a few of them that I would normally use. I talked to my sister-in-law, and she recommended Valor! I have never used it before. I seem to get into a routine of the same oils and not trying my others. Well, I loved the smell!! My daughter also slept just as well as any other night! 

Valor can be used for many different things! But, I'm using it for its feeling of calmness, peace, and relaxation. Valor is so popular that they made a Valor II because they couldn't keep up with all of the demand of the product. They kept running out of a certain ingredient, so they made a very similar version of it for when Valor is out of stock. 

The oils that are contained in Valor are:

- Spruce

- Rosewood

- Blue Tansy

- Frankincense

- and the carrier oil is Almond Oil

I have really been loving using different oils lately since I'm almost out of all of my normal ones! haha! If you know of something that you have or someone you know has a problem with, and you want to know if there's an oil that might help relieve it or something. Please let me know! I'd love to help! 

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.

oils in the kitchen

Hey everyone!

Did you know that you can cook with essential oils? Young Living offers many oils that you can put in your recipes! These are healthy, 100% pure oils, why not put them in your food?

- Basil

- Black Pepper

- Cinnamon Bark

- Clove

- Coriander

- Dill

- Ginger

- Lemon

- Lime

- Marjoram

- Nutmeg

- Orange

- Oregano

- Peppermint

- Rosemary

- Sage

- Spearmint

- Tangerine

- Thyme

Here are some recipes that Young Living provides that gives you an idea of how to use your oils when you are cooking!

Breakfast

1. Waffles: Add 1–4 drops of Orange essential oil to wet waffle mix.
2. Oatmeal: Add 1 drop of Cinnamon Bark and 2 drops of Orange essential oil to a bowl of oatmeal or oat bran, and then sweeten with Blue Agave.
3. Lemon with Berries: Add Lemon essential oil to berry protein shakes or to plain yogurt and top with berries.

Dinner

1. Tomato Pasta Sauce: Add 2 drops of Basil essential oil and 1 drop each of Rosemary and Thyme essential oil to tomato sauce base.
2. Potato Salad: Add 1–2 drops of Dill essential oil to potato salad.
3. Rice Pilaf: Add 4 drops of Lemon essential oil to water before adding rice.
4. Salad and Fruit Rinse: Use 3 drops of Lemon essential oil in a bowl of water when rinsing lettuce, grapes, berries, and greens.
5. Tuna Salad Sandwiches: Add 2 drops of Lemon essential oil per can of tuna and mix with mayonnaise and freshly ground pepper. Spoon onto bread and serve topped with alfalfa sprouts.

Beverages 

1. Hot Lemon Tea: In 1 cup of hot water, mix in 3 drops of Lemon essential oil and Blue Agave to taste.
2. Horchata with a Twist: Add 1 drop of Cinnamon Bark essential oil to a tall glass filled with ice and vanilla rice milk.
3. Vanilla Protein Shake: Add 2 drops of Lemon or Peppermint essential oil to any vanilla protein shake.
4. Flavored Water: Add 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil to your gym water bottle.

Who wants to learn more about essential oils? Essential oils are used for so many different things! Just let me know if you want more information about oils, diffusers, etc. I love sharing about them! Don't forget that the Premium Starter Kit is still on sale for a few more days! Don't miss out on this opportunity to buy it for less! You won't regret it! 

Distributor # 2210504

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.

cleaning air with Thieves

Hello everyone!

Yes, I know it's been awhile. Sorry about that! :) I really want to not only share about what oils can do for you but what they have done for me. I've been trying to use my oils a lot lately, and try ones that I don't normally use. I love my oils, but I have my favorites and it's hard for me to try ones that don't smell as good as my favorites. But, I'm working on it!

So, this week has been crazy! My landlords, who I do not really care for, were over a lot. They were installing a new stove and fixing our kitchen faucet. They really were unkind, and they just made me mad. I kept trying to just not be home when they were going to be there because I didn't want to talk or see them. It also was frustrating because they were making my house dirty. I have an almost 4 month old, and I'm a first time mom. I'm still trying to figure mommy life out, especially being a stay at home mom. It's different. One thing I don't like doing is house work. But, it needs to be done, some days I'm more motivated than others. Well, these people kept coming into my house and walking all through it with their dirty hands and dirty boots. All I could think of was how dirty they were, and how dirty they were making my house! (oh and how mean they were) Anyways, when they were finally almost done one day, I decided to start my diffuser! All I smelled was them! So, I put on my amazing Thieves essential blend! It was already smelling better in the house the moment I started it! I also felt better about them making my house dirty because of how Thieves is used for cleaning! I know that I would have to clean too, but I felt like the oils were helping clean the air around me!

Another experience with Thieves essential blend was today! We went to church, and it's a small church that we attended, it's the one my mom attends. Someone there was sick and I mean, it was bad. Lately, I've been really paranoid about Charley getting sick! She's so young, and I just know it's not going to be fun when she eventually gets sick. I'm dreading it! As soon as I got home, I put in Thieves! I want it to kill anything that might be starting to grow, like germs! I haven't been sick for a long time, and she has never been sick! I would like to keep it that way! These oils helped me not get sick while I was pregnant with her, and I was around a lot of sick people at one point, even strep! Have I said that I love my oils? :) Eventually, I'm going to buy more Thieves products because I love it, and I know it helps! I try not to use Thieves essential blend all the time because I have a little bottle of it, and I need to order more! But, in cases like these, I won't hesitate! 

I'm going to try some more of my oils that I don't use often tomorrow! I'll keep you posted! Don't forget that Thieves comes in the Premium Starter Kit! It's on sale till the end of the month! Don't miss out on this great deal! Let these oils change your daily life! You will love them just as much as I do! Oh and I just placed my order for more oils that I've never had, tried, or smelled before and I can't wait for them to get here!

Distributor # 2210504

Disclosure: The information on this site is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice.