Author: Tracy

Easy~Peasy DIY Dryer Sheets

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Did you know that fabric softener is one of the most toxic things in your home? It is.

Toxins

Many of us are waking up to the dangers of the chemicals and toxins that seem to surround us. They are literally everywhere, from the products we clean with, to the products we use for personal care, to the air that we breathe, and even the food we eat.

What about our skin though? Many people don’t realize that their skin is their largest organ. The pores on our skin allow outside elements into our body and blood stream. This is not always a bad thing ~ there are many things that are good for us that pass through. It is important to remember though, whatever we put on our skin, we put in our skin. The good and the bad. That’s not a particularly comforting thought, is it?

Toxins Affect Health

So then, what’s a health-conscious person to do? Removing chemicals and toxins from our lives can be overwhelming ~ after all, they are everywhere. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming though, meaning it doesn’t have to all be done at once. Start small, take baby steps. Every time we make a change to remove toxins, we are better off than we were before. One easy way to start is ditching the fabric softener and dryer sheets.

How bad are fabric softener and dryer sheets? Well, this for starters:

Fabric Softener Toxins

If you want more information, I recommend checking this out.

The good news is that these items are easy to replace, naturally! I haven’t used fabric softener or commercial dryer sheets for years. Instead, I use dryer balls (to expedite the drying process) and my own easy-peasy DIY dryer sheets.

DIY Dryer Sheets

Making your own dryer sheets is incredibly easy. They’re customizable. And it saves money!

Supplies:

  1. Glass jar with lid
  2. Cloth strips (I used 3 old t-shirts, as they don’t collect lint).
  3. 1 1/2 C vinegar
  4. 1/2 C water
  5. 20 drops of your favorite essential oils ((Lemon, Lavender, Tangerine, Purification, Rosemary, Thieves, etc. Any single or combo you like.)

Directions:

First, you want to cut your cloth into strips (old towels, t-shirts, microfiber cloths, whatever). Then mix the vinegar, water, and essential oils together in your glass jar. Add your cloth strips (sideways, so all strips are exposed to the mixture from one end) and seal lid. Allow to sit for a few hours, while the strips absorb all of the moisture.

To use, simply grab 2 strips and toss into the dryer. Collect your cloth strips after removing from the dryer and set aside to be used again when needed. Easy~peasy!

Dryer Sheets

 

Why Do They Work?

  • Vinegar is a natural softener and a natural static reducer.  And your clothes won’t smell vinegar-y when they come out … I promise.
  • Your ‘personalized, customizable’ scent of Essential Oils will give your clothes a very subtle (and all natural) scent.  One that’s all your own and not overwhelming.

These DIY dryer sheets are easy, economical, healthful, customizable, and smell pleasant. You want to do this. Trust me.

Crock Pot Ranch Chicken

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Okay, so I made this new dish yesterday. And it was AMAZING! It’s a recipe that’s been making the rounds on the internet and has even achieved the coveted “viral” status. It’s Mississippi Chicken ~ have you heard of it? This is that recipe ~ only I changed the name.

See, I have an uber picky eater, and anything with “Ranch” in it, is far more palatable than anything with “Mississippi” in it. So this is my “soon to be famous,” child-approved Crock Pot Ranch Chicken. And yes, she LOVED it! Win-win for Ranch Chicken!

Doing my deep and arduous research for this recipe, I discovered there are two ways to make it and two ways to serve it. Some recipes called for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, while others opted for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Since I’m a rebel, I used both!

As for serving, some recipes kept the chicken whole, plating it with fantastic sides. It works really well this way, as the chicken is both juicy and flavorful.

Ranch Chicken 1

Others went the extra mile and shredded it. When shredded, it is excellent over rice or mashed potatoes, on top of a salad, or wrapped in a tortilla. I decided to shred it and served it over rice, with steamed veggies.  I’m of the opinion that you should do whatever works for you!

Ranch Chicken 2

This recipe was easy-peasy and totally delish!

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (or any combination of the two)
  • 1 stick butter (I didn’t say it was healthy!)
  • 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix (thus the new name)
  • 1 packet gravy mix (I used au jus)
  • 10 pepperoncinis (and just because I like to live on the wild side, I added 1 Tbsp of the pepperoncini juice from the jar)

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in Crock Pot, and sprinkle dry ranch mix and gravy packet over the top.
  2. Slice butter into even-ish slices, and place on top of chicken.
  3. Toss pepperoncinis on top (and add a little juice if you like).
  4. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours.
  5. If desired, shred chicken in the juices. Otherwise, serve the chicken with a little of the sauce drizzled on top.

As I said, it was well-liked and will be added to the preferred meals lineup! A word of caution ~ do not, I repeat… DO NOT withhold the pepperoncinis, it would completely change the flavor (if you don’t like them, just pull ’em out after it’s done cooking)!

The Sacredness of the Pinky Promise

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Mother n Daughter Swing

I blinked. I must have. I didn’t mean to, but surely that’s what happened. Just yesterday my darling daughter was a baby… it was yesterday, right? And now she’s eight (and a half, she would tell me), which may not seem too drastic, but it is to this Mama’s heart. I know she’s growing up. I know she needs to grow up, that it is all part of God’s plan, but does it have to be so soon?

It seems like every day, she needs me a little less. And while I’m happy that she is growing into a smart, independent, capable, young lady, I am also saddened because I know that each step toward independence takes her a step further from me. I look at this beautiful, sweet girl of mine, and I see the child less and less. It’s as if I’m looking at an image that is dancing in shimmering transformation, there, yet not there; the child fading into the future young lady, who elusively, isn’t quite there yet.

She knows I’m a wreck over this experiencing challenges with this, so she tries to help me. She reassures me that her growing up, and learning to do more on her own is all part of God’s plan. She tells me that she still needs me, that she’ll always need me, just in different ways. And then there’s this:

Pinky Promise

The pinky promise comes straight from the heart and is the most sacred, serious, vow anyone can ever swear to. If broken, the consequences are serious, devastating… life-changing, even. They are not meant to be entered into lightly. THIS is the promise my daughter has made to me… She has made this solemn oath to never leave me, to never move out, and to always need me. She has sworn upon the sanctity of the pinky promise, that when she gets married, her husband and children also have to love, need, obey, and want to live with me.

I must admit, this makes me happy! Perhaps a little too happy. But it gives me comfort when I see yet again, where she doesn’t need me to take care of her. The pinky promise is true, it’s binding. And I choose to trust in it.

So if that doesn’t work out, if she tries to leave me if anything changes, all is not lost. I still have another choice. If the pinky promise doesn’t hold true, I always have the option of… The Tower. The Rapunzel-style tower, that will keep her with me for forever and always. That works too, right?

Rapunzel's Tower

Yes, I joke.. but I know she is growing, and I believe she will make a great life for herself. And yes, I’ll be proud of her, no matter what. Actually, I already am!

Motherhood ~ My Greatest Contribution

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Mother n Daughter

This Mom thing’s quite a gig, isn’t it? It seems like I could barely take care of myself, then all of a sudden I’m responsible for the life and well-being of a helpless, vulnerable, tiny human. In the blink of an eye, the tiny human grows into a sweet, funny, demanding tyrant toddler, that I have to teach to not drink the bath water (yep…). Then come the school years… a time where the best day ever, turns into the worst day ever, then back into the best day ever, about seventy-two times a day. It is during this time that I feel the weight of responsibility to guide what is now a small person, into an awesome,  kind, productive, compassionate, educated, responsible member of society adequately functioning adult. No pressure there.

I love motherhood memes. I really do. They’re funny! And why are they funny? The humor they provide comes from the truth that they speak! Here’s one of my favorites:

Keep You Alive

And again, it’s funny because it’s true! I have never been able to keep a plant alive. I’ve tried. Many times. In fact, I’ve come to the realization that my role in the plant world is more like that of a hospice worker ~ I ease the transition into death. BUT… not only have I been able to keep Mini-me alive, but for all intents and purposes, she appears to be thriving! How awesome is that!

And another meme that fits me perfectly is closely related:

All These Moms on Pinterest

So yeah… there’s all these amazing, crafty, chef type moms out there that seem to have it all together, while the rest of us are barely getting through the day. But here’s the thing… they only SEEM like they have it all together, because the truth is, we’re ALL fumbling through, putting our best foot forward, to fake it till we make it. I’ve talked to lots of moms (even the perfect ones), and we’re pretty much in agreement on that.

The thing that gives me comfort, is the knowledge that God chose me, to raise my child. Which means that He must have a plan for us together. It also means He has the ability to redeem anything I may screw up along the way. I know that if I trust in Him, and follow Him, He will reveal His plan and purpose for her life.

We haven’t yet hit the teenage years, and while it’s pretty well known that that time of change and development can be both trying and turbulent, I’m not overly concerned. I am pouring into her now, trusting that I’m laying the foundation for the future. And I am listening to the words of Jesus:

Do Not Worry About Tomorrow

It may very well be that my greatest contribution to the world will be raising a godly daughter, who stands strong for Him. And I’m okay with that.

Life is Messy

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Life is Messy 2

Life is… messy. It’s complicated. It’s beautiful and ugly, inspiring and crushing, hopeful and hopeless, all at once. And relationships? Well, they can be complicated too ~ we love, but then in our love, we hurt those we love or are hurt by them. Still, we love. Sometimes the assault is from an external source, and sometimes it comes from within (don’t even get me started on how we tend to be our own worst enemy, rather than our own best friend). The fact is bad things really do happen to good people, just as good things happen to bad people. In fact, the Bible even tells us this:

~ His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. (Matt. 5:45)

We know these things happen. We know that there will be times in our lives that are filled with laughter, light, love, and great success and joy. And there will also be times of sorrow, loneliness, anger, frustration, and darkness. Most likely, we can’t control anything that happens to us (how can we possibly control the storm?), but we can control how we react to them. We can control how we let them affect us. We can choose to focus on the good, cling to the knowledge that nothing lasts forever and that even in the midst of the storm, He is with us.

Focus on the Good

When we change our focus, we change our life.

When we focus on the good, we aren’t living in denial of the bad, we’re just choosing to see the light in the darkness, to behold the beauty in the storm, to feel refreshment in the rain, and to understand there’s a purpose in the pain.

When we understand that this too shall pass, we can move forward, knowing that we will get through whatever is trying to take us out. Sometimes we’re able to do this on our own, but most of the time, we need help. We need God on our side (knowing and trusting that He will never leave us or forsake us), and we need people on our side too. Our friends and/or families are powerful resources for getting through the tough times. They encourage us, strengthen us, and give us a safe place to rest when we’re weary.

Yes, life can be messy, but if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be colorful, and it wouldn’t be such an exhilarating ride!

Amp Up Your Vacuuming

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Dirty carpets got you down? Let me tell you, with a child, one large and one medium-sized dogs, AND a cat, I get it. Boy, do I get it. Carpet fresheners DO help, but what are they made from? Mostly chemicals and toxins, which stay in the air for breathing in, or in the carpet where we tend to walk barefoot. Did you know that the bottoms of your feet are an excellent place for drawing things into the body? Yep, it’s true!

As much as I love a clean, fresh-smelling carpet, I gave up commercial carpet freshener years ago. I love that I now have a fantastic DIY alternative, that is made without harmful chemicals. And it’s so EASY to make!

MFL Carpet Freshener

How to make:

  • 1/2 C Baking Soda
  • 1/2 C Borax
  • 20 – 25 Drops Essential Oil (Lemon, Purification, Cinnamon, Lavender, Orange, or any that you like!)

Combine all ingredients, mix well, and it’s ready to use! Sprinkle it over your carpet, using whatever container you like… I’ve found that an old (clean) parmesan cheese shaker bottle or large spice bottle (like the kind you’d get at Costco) works great. OR, if you want to class it up a little, simply take the lid of the parmesan cheese shaker, and add it to a mason jar ~ it works!

See? Easy-peasy!

 

Why Diffuse Essential Oils?

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What is Diffusing?

Did you know that diffusing Young Living Essential Oils is one of the best ways to experience their benefits? A good diffuser puts tiny oil droplets out into the air. Once they are in the air, you breathe them, they go into your lungs, and then quickly get into your bloodstream. This is so fabulous when you need their therapeutic benefits to start working extra fast!

Aria Diffuser

One of the great things about essential oils is their ability to multitask.  I may be diffusing Frankincense and Orange to freshen the air in the room, but while that goes on, I am also supporting my immune system and uplifting my mood.  Pretty cool, huh?  Essential oils are much more than just a pretty smell.

Diffusing is especially great when you want to give your body continuous support. Depending on the run-time of your diffuser (usually several hours), you’re getting those oils in your body, on-going, over a pretty significant time-period. I also use oils topically and internally in conjunction with diffusing. But one of the great things I LOVE about a diffuser is that I can just set it to go, and then reap all kinds of benefits without even having to think about it again for a few hours!

A cold-air diffuser is designed to atomize a microfine mist of essential oils into the air, where they can remain suspended for several hours.  Unlike aroma lamps or candles, a diffuser disperses essential oils without heating or burning, which can render the oil less beneficial and even create toxic compounds.  It is a great way to clean and purify the air in your home, and certain oils can really make your home smell amazing, without the toxins and chemicals that are in candles, air fresheners and even wickless candles used in warmers. The oils smell wonderful, and also have fantastic therapeutic benefits, so you get to enjoy the wonderful scent and boost your health at the same time! Some not only have a pleasing aroma, but they can lift your spirits, lower your stress level, and even calm rowdy kids! How awesome is that?!

Lemon n Joy

Inhaling citrus oils has been shown to support the immune system, help with relaxation, and even help you concentrate on tasks better. Inhaling peppermint oil can also help boost attention and focus. For major immune support, I diffuse Thieves blend. Diffusing is a great way to get oils into your body while sleeping. Many people diffuse oils in their bedrooms to help them relax and promote a good night’s sleep.

I really do love my diffusers, and have one of them in few different rooms of my home, for convenience and easy access. I literally have at least one running every day. The most important thing is that you make sure to get a COOL mist diffuser. You never want to heat essential oils because it destroys some of their therapeutic benefits. There are 4 diffuser options to choose from when you get started with a Wholesale Membership and purchase the Young Living Premium Starter Kit, or a diffuser may be purchased separately.

Rainstone Diffuser

Now, let me be clear: I ONLY diffuse Young Living Essential Oils. If I am breathing stuff that is going into my lungs and directly into my bloodstream, I am not taking chances that what I am using is adulterated by any chemicals or extraneous fillers (as store-bought and cheaper oil brands are—that’s why they are cheaper, by the way). There is enough air pollution in and out of my home that I cannot control. I am certainly not going to knowingly and purposefully add to that. Young Living is the only brand I trust for their quality and purity to put on or in me and my family.

If you haven’t tried Young Living Essential Oils, you are missing out! There are so many uses, and so many benefits! I encourage you to take a look. You can order oils HERE, and I would really encourage you to take a look at the Wholesale Membership option. It’s SO much more beneficial than just buying retail. The Premium Starter Kit is available with a wholesale membership, and it has the diffusers I mentioned, plus 11 of the most popular oils.

About Ions:

About Ions

Negative Ions ~ 

Negative ions are produced naturally by wind and rain. They help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which controls rest, relaxation, digestion, and sleep. If you live in a stressful environment, or an environment full of electronic equipment (which produce positive ions), the diffusion of negatively ionizing oils can help balance the ions in the air and produce a more stress free environment.

Oils that ionize negatively when diffused include: bergamot, cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus (citriodora), grapefruit, lavandin, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, mandarin, orange, patchouly, & sandalwood.

Positive Ions ~ 

Positive ions are produced by electronic equipment and are typically found in man-made environments. They help stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, necessary for recovering, strengthening, and energizing. If you live in an environment with an over-abundance of negative ions, such as in the country or by the ocean, you may benefit greatly by diffusing positively ionizing oils.

Oils that ionize positively when diffused into the air include: cajeput, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, helichrysum, juniper, marjoram, melaleuca (quinquenervia), palmarosa, pine, ravensara, rosemary, thyme, & ylang ylang.

Diffusing Your EO's 

Why We Diffuse:

~ Diffused oils alter the structure of molecules that create odors, rather than just masking them.

~ Relaxes the body and relieves tension.

~ The sense of smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, the emotional control center.

~ Fragrance is the substance of memories and is very powerful.  In less than a second, a scent has the power to activate a number of physical and emotional responses.  Think about smells triggering memories in your life. Does the smell of chocolate chip cookies or apple pie remind you of baking with your grandma, or a certain perfume or cologne make you think of somebody?

~ Synthetic air fresheners and candles are full of nasty chemicals.  Instead of breathing in toxins and only covering up an odor, you could diffuse essential oils to gain therapeutic benefits.

~ Improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity

Diffuse to Purify Air

 

How to diffuse:

Use a cool mist diffuser like Young Living’s Home Diffuser to preserve the therapeutic benefits.

The size of the room helps me determine how many drops of oil to add in my diffuser.  Typically, 4-6 drops is sufficient.  In bedrooms I normally use about 2-4 drops.  It also depends on how strong the essential oil is that I’m putting in my diffuser.

Do not use more than one blend at a time because this can alter the smell and therapeutic benefits of the oils.  A single oil may be added to a blend, however, and I often diffuse a few different single oils at once.

Put your diffuser in a high spot in the room.

Check the thickness of an oil before diffusing to make sure it’s not so thick it would clog your diffuser.

 

Other ways to diffuse:

If you don’t have a diffuser you can put several drops of essential oil into a spray bottle with a little bit of epsom salts.  Then add distilled or purified water.   The salt helps the oil disperse into the water.  Shake well before spraying. You can use this to mist your entire house, workplace, or car.

Put a few drops of essential oils onto a cotton ball, tissue, or non-syntethic natural fiber material, and place it in your car, air conditioning vents, drawers, etc.

Closely related to diffusing is another method of use called inhalation.

How to inhale directly:

~ Smell directly from the bottle.

~ Place a drop or two in your hands and cup them over your nose and mouth and inhale deeply.

~ Apply oils to a cotton ball, tissue, or non-syntethic natural fiber material, and place in the air vent of your car.

~ Create a steam tent by putting several drops of an essential oil into a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water, draping a towel over your head and the bowl, and inhaling the steaming vapors.  You can also just inhale the vapors without using the towel.

 How to inhale indirectly:

Wear as a cologne or perfume by rubbing a drop or two of your essential oil on your wrists, neck, behind your ears, chest, sternum, etc.

Wear a diffuser necklace.

Reminder:  This information applies only to Young Living’s therapeutic grade essential oils.  Young Living is the only brand I trust to use for me and my family for purity, authenticity, and effectiveness.  

YOUNG LIVING DIFFUSER PREMIUM STARTER KIT OPTIONS:

 

Young Living Diffuser: HOME     Home Diffuser 1

Ambient Light Control (a lot of people choose this one for bedrooms)

30 second on/off & continuous run settings

5 hour maximum run time

125 ml capacity

215 square feet coverage

Suggested use with distilled water

~ ~ ~

Young Living Diffuser: DEWDROP     Dewdrop Diffuser

Simple, single mode operation

Also serves as humidifier/atomizer

4 hour maximum run time

180 ml capacity

325 square foot coverage

Some people may struggle with lid if you have difficulty with hands

~ ~ ~

Young Living Diffuser: BAMBOO     Aroma Diffuser

Elegant design (a lot of people like this in the living room or den)

Quiet, with soft LED lights that cannot be switched off

4 hour maximum run time with timer for 1, 2, and 4 hours

120 ml capacity, preferably tap water

320 square foot coverage

~ ~ ~

Young Living Diffuser: ARIA     Aria Diffuser 1

Perfect for the living room where you can show it off

Multiple timer settings

Multicolored LED lights

Music-preprogrammed spa like music or play your own through aux cord

260 ml capacity

430 square feet of coverage

Glass dome so shouldn’t be in a place easily knocked over by pets or people (replacement domes are relatively inexpensive)

~ ~ ~

NEW KID’S DIFFUSERS:

Kidscents Diffusers

Young Living Diffuser: DINO LAND ULTRASONIC

Features color-illuminated vapor “erupting” from a prehistoric volcano, surrounded by menacing T. rex, triceratops, and pterodactyl figures. Captivate your children’s imaginations and transport them into a Jurassic wonderland, all while enjoying the benefits of diffusing Young Living’s 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

The patents-pending Dino Land Ultrasonic Diffuser acts as an atomizer, aroma diffuser, and night-light all in one fun-filled, simple-to-use product and includes:

  • A proprietary, interchangeable diffuser cover system
  • Innovative diffuser motor compatible with additional diffuser covers (other covers sold separately)
  • Continuous or intermittent (10 minutes on/10 minutes off) ultrasonic diffusion with automatic shutoff
  • Four white under-panel soft LED lights with on/off settings
  • Six “volcanic eruption” LED light settings (red, white, green, blue, alternating, and off)

Young Living Diffuser: DOLPHIN REEF ULTRASONIC

Features a playful mother dolphin and her calf swimming through color-illuminated vapor released by pink sea sponges. The colorful coral, starfish, sea anemones, and a pearl-bearing giant clam will captivate your children’s imaginations and transport them into an undersea wonderland, all while enjoying the benefits of diffusing Young Living’s 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

The patents-pending Dolphin Reef Ultrasonic Diffuser acts as an atomizer, aroma diffuser, and night-light all in one fun-filled, simple-to-use product and includes:

  • A proprietary, interchangeable diffuser cover system
  • Innovative diffuser motor compatible with additional diffuser covers (other covers sold separately)
  • Continuous or intermittent (10 minutes on/10 minutes off) ultrasonic diffusion with automatic shutoff
  • Four white under-panel soft LED lights with on/off settings
  • Six vapor LED light settings (blue, white, red, green, alternating, and off)
  • Giant clam that can be used to store jewelry and other small treasures

For more information about these or other Young Living Diffusers, please click here for the Young Living Diffuser Comparison Chart for more details and options. Or, if you’re ready to order YOUR New Premium Starter Kit with Diffuser, simply:

Click Here to Order

Homemade Skin Soothing Oil

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Skin Soothing Oil

One of the things I have really enjoyed since becoming involved with using essential oils, is the homemade, DIY products and remedies I’ve been experimenting with and using. This is one of my favorites!

I made this AWESOME homemade skin soothing oil for my family, for dry, itchy, irritated skin. You know, the kind that shows up seasonally, after swimming and taking hot showers, skin-drying soaps, cold weather, etc. This stuff works GREAT!

This super-easy, wonderfully-effective homemade recipe is:

  • ~  4oz bottle filled with Coconut Oil
  • ~ 10 drops Lavender Oil
  • ~ 10 drops Rosemary Oil

How easy is that?!

Of course, you can tailor the oils to suit your needs. Other good possibilities for essential oils would be: Frankincense, Geranium, Lemon, Melrose, Myrrh, Peppermint, Purification, and Tea Tree to name a few.

Wild About Water

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So, what’s one of the best things you can do for your body and skin? Drink water! Your body is composed of about 60% water. And every body system or organ depends on water to function. The benefits of drinking water for skin – and body – are numerous. It’s true, water really improves the appearance of your skin!

Adequate water consumption rewards you with…

 

  • Enhanced health
  • Increased energy
  • Bright, clear eyes
  • A radiant complexion
  • Weight loss
  • Properly regulated body temperature
  • Clearer thinking and better productivity
  • Aids in digestion and constipation

Skin is intricately tied to the overall health of your body. When your body is properly hydrated, you’ll look better and feel better. Ample water consumption gives skin a healthy, radiant glow. Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins and impurities, which helps in making your skin clearer, smoother and younger looking. Drinking water moisturizes your skin (to an extent) from the inside out. Water is essential to cellular integrity.

It really is a sort of liquid magic! Water carries nutrients to every cell in your body. It flushes out nasty toxins, which is vitally important to skin health, and overall health. It improves circulation and blood flow. It lubricates your joints. Additionally, it’s also a great weight loss tool, in that it acts as an appetite suppressant and it replaces highly-caloric (and dehydrating) drinks like soda, coffee, and alcohol.

So how much water should we drink? A good rule of thumb is one-half our personal body weight in ounces. Example: If you weigh 140lbs, you would want to drink 70oz of water daily. That is a minimum. If you are working out, sweating, in high-temperatures, etc, you’d want to increase your water intake appropriately. Also, this is for water consumption only ~ coffee, soda, and other drinks do not count!

Most of us don’t drink enough water because we don’t like it or we get bored with it. We want flavor! Well, that’s an easy fix. You can always add lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, cucumber, mint, rosemary or a number of other fruits, vegetables, spices or herbs to water for added flavor, as well as added nutrients! The possibilities are limitless.

If you’re wanting to make a pitcher of flavored water, you basically just slice or chop up some fresh fruit, cucumbers, or herbs and place in a pitcher, add cold water and chill several hours. The result is water infused with a light, natural flavor. It’s ready to serve over ice, garnished with a slice of fruit or clipping of an herb of your choice. Here are some other recipes for flavored water you may want to try:

CITRUS CUCUMBER WATER

  • 1 large lemon, sliced
  • 1 large lime, sliced
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 1 large cucumber, sliced
  • 1 half-gallon of water

Place all the sliced fruits and the cucumber in a glass pitcher and add water. Refrigerate for two hours to allow flavors to infuse, then serve in glasses over ice.

CUCUMBER–HERBAL WATER

  • 5 cups water
  • 10 thin slices of cucumber
  • 2 lemon slices
  • 2 sprigs of fresh mint
  • 3 sprigs of rosemary

Put water in the pitcher and add lemon slices and cucumber slices. Crush mint and rosemary to release flavor, then add to other ingredients. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

CUCUMBER–MELON WATER

  • 1 large cucumber, sliced
  • 1/4 honeydew melon, cubed
  • 1/4 cantaloupe, cubed
  • 1 half-gallon water

Place cucumber and melons in a glass pitcher and add water. Refrigerate for 2 hours, then serve over ice. Garnish with melon balls skewered on a swizzle stick.

HONEYDEW–LIME WATER

  • 2–3 slices of ripe honeydew melon
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 4 sprigs of mint
  • 1 half-gallon of water

Add melon slices, lime slices and mint sprigs to a large pitcher; fill with the half-gallon of water and refrigerate 2–4 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Makes about 8 servings.

HERB AND BERRY–FLAVORED WATER

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries, lightly crushed
  • 2  4–inch sprigs of fresh rosemary. lightly bruised  (to release more flavor)
  • 1 half-gallon of water

Add blueberries and rosemary sprigs to a large pitcher; fill with the half-gallon of water and refrigerate 2–4 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Makes about 8 servings.

LEMON–LAVENDER WATER

  • 3 large lemons, sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lavender
  • 1 half-gallon of water

Add lemon slices and lavender to pitcher; pour water over both and refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of lavender.

LEMON–MINT or LEMON-BASIL WATER

  • 4 lemons, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh mint or basil leaves
  • 6–8 cups water
  • 6–8 cups ice cubes
  • Fresh mint or basil sprigs

Place lemon slices in a large pitcher. Rub the mint or basil leaves between the palms of your hands to bruise the leaves slightly. Add to the pitcher with lemon and pour in the water. Cover and chill 1–8 hours.

Strain lemon–water mixture and discard herbs. Divide lemon slices and additional fresh mint or basil sprigs equally among 6–8 glasses. In each glass, add 1 cup of ice cubes, then fill with lemon water.

FRUIT WATER

  • 1 each of the following fruits: apple, lemon, orange, pear
  • 4 large strawberries
  • Handful of raspberries
  • Handful of mint leaves
  • 1 half-gallon of water

Cut large slices or thin wedges of each fruit; place them in a large glass pitcher and add cold water. Refrigerate 2 hours and serve over ice in tall glasses.

~ ~ ~

Of course there are as many ways to change the flavor of water, as there are ingredients to throw in. If you would like to go a little further, purposefully removing sugar, chemicals, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives from your drinking habits; if you want delicious, no-calorie alternatives to soda; and if you are mindful about weight, calories, and general health and wellness, then I recommend this book ~ Fruit Infused Water: 80 Vitamin Water Recipes for Weight Loss, Health and Detox Cleanse. It’s an easy read, with lots of great recipes, and more information on the many benefits of drinking water.

Various tips and recipes from Southern Living, eHow, Vegetable Gardener, About.com, Eating Well.

Amazing Detox Foot Soak

/ Tracy / 2 Comments

Do you ever get tired, sore feet? Of course you do, we all do! Or maybe, your feet aren’t tired and sore, but you just want a little TLC and relaxation! What could be easier, quicker and more convenient than a foot soak? And if you do it right, it’s not only pampering, but it can be healing too. By turning a “foot soak” into detox foot soak, you have the added benefit of removing toxins and impurities from your body!

 

Foot Soak DetoxHow It Works:

Detox foot soaks are a natural, holistic way of removing toxins from the body. A detox foot bath works by soaking your feet in a salt water solution. The warm water solution is made up of many different toxin-drawing ingredients. The water is then electrically charged to stir the ions, first positive and then negative. The ionic activity in the water shoots through your body fat and draws the toxins out through the hundreds of pores in your feet. The ions in the salt work as magnets to draw toxins through the skin of your feet out of your body and into the foot soak water. Metal and contaminants are pulled into the water and out of your body. A 30-minute session is the average time for a foot detox.

 

The Benefits:

Physical ~ The physical benefits that are reported by practitioners are wide and varied. A detox foot bath is said to make joint movement easier in the knees and elbows. It’s an alternative medicine option for people who suffer chronic lymphatic and bone pain. Detoxification also promotes weight loss, as it rids your body of crippling chemicals and raises your metabolism to higher levels. The toxin removal builds your immune system and increases your oxygen circulation. It’s also effective in diminishing headaches and neck aches. A detox foot bath is also effective for easing constipation and other bowel-related ailments.

Mental ~ There are mental benefits of a detox foot bath, too. Some of those are mental clarity and enhanced mental relaxation. People who enjoy detox foot baths say the treatments help them think better and stimulate their memory. Other mental benefits are better sleep.

 

How to Use:

1 cup of Epsom Salt, 1 cup of Sea Salt, and 2 Cups of Baking Soda, put the top on and shook it up!I took a big 1/2 gallon Mason jar dumped in 1 cup of Epsom Salt, 1 cup of Sea Salt, and 2 Cups of Baking Soda, put the top on and shook it up!  Use 1/4 cup of the mixture. Add it to a foot soaking tub (or foot spa) filled with water as hot as your feet can take it. Soak and relax!

The ions in the salt work as magnets to draw toxins through the skin of your feet out of your body and into the foot soak water. After the thirty minutes are up, dry feet then wash with warm soapy water, dry again then brush the bottoms of feet with a natural fiber foot brush. Only use Young Living pure therapeutic grade essential oils or 100% aloe vera after you are finished. Lotions with additives will leech impurities back into your system after a foot detox.

This detox should be done daily for one week. Follow with twice a week for 4 weeks. And finally once a week, for regular maintenance.

 

Boosters:

Peppermint n LavenderTo enhance or boost your foot soaking experience, add essential oils to the soak (approximately 1-2 drops each). Of course, I recommend only Young Living Essential Oils as they are pure, therapeutic oils. Some oils to try are (and of course there are more):

 

Basil ~ May support the respiratory system, is good for skin, and fights mental fatigue

Eucalyptus Radiata ~ May support the respiratory system, promotes health, well-being and purification, is soothing and calming.

 Frankincense ~ May support the respiratory system and skin, stimulating to the mind, improves attitude and emotions, is empowering and calming.

Grapefruit ~ Refreshing to the mind, calming, metabolic stimulant, refreshing and uplifting, boosts immunity.

Lavender ~ Calming, relaxing and soothing, improves concentration, may promote more restful sleep.

Lemon ~ Refreshing, revitalizing, mood booting, stimulates circulation, immune stimulant, improves clarity of thought, mental accuracy and concentration.

Lemongrass ~ May support healthy digestion, soothes aching muscles, joints and connective tissues, is stimulating and refreshing, and may ease muscle discomfort.

Peppermint ~ May support healthy digestion and respiratory system, soothes aching muscles, is fresh and invigorating, promotes positivity, increases mental accuracy, and is a natural coolant, creating a tingling sensation on the skin.

Rosemary ~ May support healthy digestion and respiratory function, is uplifting and stimulating, may promote mental clarity and recall, and may stimulate healthy hair and scalp.

Tangerine ~ May promote healthy immune system, uplifting and invigorating, cleansing and relaxing, fresh, may aid in metabolic function, and boosts the immune system.

Tea Tree ~ May support healthy immune system, is beneficial for the skin, may promote the body’s natural healing process, helps maintain healthy hair and scalp, and reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars.

Ylang Ylang ~Has a sweet aroma, combats anger and low self-esteem, restores confidence and peace, and is balancing.

Or try combining oils:

Lavender & Peppermint, Rosemary w/ Lavender & Lemon, Tea Tree & Rosemary, Peppermint & Eucalyptus Radiata, etc. The possibilities are endless!

 

Final Note:

Foot SoakTo boost your booster, add smooth stones or marbles into your container and roll your feet over them for a massage. It works great!

 

Happy Soaking!