Blueberry Avocado Smoothie + Ginger

I don't typically jump on the smoothie bandwagon, but sometimes I just don't have time for a full-on meal. So it's nice to be able to throw something together than can be consumed with one hand while driving and still provide all the nutrient-dense foods my body needs. I do have to say though, that I definitely don't recommend smoothies for breakfast, as that is pretty much a mainline of sugar to your liver first thing in the morning. And also make sure not to overdo it! Only put as much in the blender as you could eat comfortably on its own.

Blueberry Avocado Smoothie:

2/3 frozen banana

small handful frozen organic blueberries OR 1/2 a pear

1-2 scoops Young Living Pure Protein Complete

handful fresh organic spinach

1/2 an avocado

1 drop ginger essential oil (optional)

almond milk to desired consistency

This is also delicious with a drop of ginger essential oil and a drop of tangerine essential oil!

xoxo

For information on how to get your own oils and Young Living products at a 24% discount, click here.

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Homemade Baby Wipes & Wipe Solution

Whether you cloth diaper or use traditional disposables, this homemade wipe solution is so great. It it cost-effective, safe and gentle on little bums, and smells so sweetly of herbs. We prefer to make the solution and use it as a spray, but you can also make homemade wipes using this same recipe. We use these flannel wipes instead of disposables and most often just wash our little man's bum with plain old warm water. Sometimes, though you need reinforcements, and the essential oils I use are great for this!

Simple Wipe Solution:

1 cup filtered water

1 tablespoon liquid castille soap (I like Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild)

1 tablespoon organic oil (olive, coconut or a mixture like this one)

4 drops lavender essential oil

2 drops melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil
*two 4 ounce glass spray bottles

*This makes 8 ounces, so I divide it between two 4 ounces bottles and keep one on the changing table and one in our diaper bag. Alternatively, you can store in an 8 ounce glass spray bottle.

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To make the solution:

Place ingredients in a small glass bowl in the order listed and mix well. Pour into your glass bottle and keep at room temperature. I like to divide it between two small bottles and keep one in Elliot's room and one in the diaper bag.

To make wipes:

 Simply place cloth wipes or washcloths in a container of your choice and pour the solution over them. Alternatively, you can cut a roll of paper towels in half and place in a container and cover with the solution, if that suits your preference. 

Happy diapering.
xoxo

To learn more about Young Living Essential Oils and/or to get a starter kit of your own (and a 24% discount on all oils!) click here.

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Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician. Keep out of reach from children. If you are currently on medication, please DO NOT STOP

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Cleaning with Lavender

Oh, lavender. It's probably my all time favorite scent. If an item comes lavender-scented, I would purchase it. Dish soap, laundry detergent, candles, you name it. However, for about the last year or so I have been on a mission to get rid of all the harsh synthetic chemicals in our daily lives and replace them with natural counterparts. Goodbye bleach, hello lemon! One of my favorite ways to control our exposure to chemicals is to make things myself. Also, I save a lot of money! Baking soda and white vinegar are much less expensive than some of my old go-to cleaners. Add in some lavender or lemon essential oil, and voila! Homemade cleaners. Here are some of my favorite uses for lavender for cleaning your home:

HOME:

-- All purpose cleaner --

3/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice OR 3-4 drops lemon essential oil

3 T natural liquid soap  -- I use Dr. Bronner's Baby

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

10 drops lavender essential oil

Mix together in a ceramic bowl to make a paste and scrub surfaces, rinsing with a damp cloth or water. Use to clean counter tops, stove tops, bathroom counters and floors, tubs & sinks and kitchens! Store in a large glass spray bottle.

OR

Simply add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a damp cloth and wipe across any surface.

-- Glass & mirror cleaner --

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup distilled water

 10 drops lavender essential oil

Combine in a glass spray bottle  and use as you would any glass cleaner! You can also use the all purpose cleaner for windows and mirrors

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FLOORS:

-- Floor cleaner --

1/4 cup white vinegar

a bucket of water

a few drops of liquid soap (optional)

10 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix together in your mop bucket and clean away! If your floors are really grimy, add a couple drops of liquid soap. Safe for hardwood or linoleum. Other great oils for cleaning floors include lemon, spruce (think Pine-Sol), purification and melaleuca (tea tree). 

-- Carpet freshener --

1 cup baking soda 

18 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix well and place in a covered container (I like mason jars) and let sit overnight to make sure the baking soda absorbs all the wonderful lavender oil. Sprinkle on carpets just before vacuuming. This is also great with lemon or peace & calming!

OR

Simply add a few drops to a cotton ball or tissue and place in the bag of your vacuum cleaner. I alternate doing lemon and lavender!

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LAUNDRY:

-- Simple linen spray --

Fill a  4oz glass spray bottle about halfway with distilled water and add about 10 drops of lavender essential oil. I spray this on our sheets, blankets, upholstered chairs, couch, Elliot's bedding, our pillows, the dog bed (purification is a good oil for this!), camping linens, etc. Use pretty much everywhere!

-- Add to basic laundry detergent --

Add 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil directly to the detergent in the detergent compartment of your washer. I like to use free & clear detergent, and I have an HE washer, so it's safe! 

-- Homemade fabric softener --

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

10 drops lavender essential oil

Use the same way you would store-bought fabric softener to soften your laundry and make it smell wonderful at the same time! Store in a small glass jar.

-- Wool dryer balls --

I switched over to using wool dryer balls  when I was pregnant with E and researching homemade cloth diaper detergent. Absolutely love them! Natural, inexpensive and the lavender makes our clothes smell divine. Place 3-4 drops of lavender onto each wool dryer ball and place into the dryer with your clothes.

To learn more about essential oils or to purchase your own, click here.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician. Keep out of reach from children. If you are currently on medication, please DO NOT STOP.

Monday Musings

I received my Young Living oils over the weekend, and I am already loving using the diffuser with Thieves oil. It smells like Christmas - clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon.

 I've also used the Peace & Calming as a post-bath time foot rub for Elliot and diffused it along with lavender in his room at the end of the day. This oil smells so relaxing -patchouli and blue tansy with slightly sweet citrus undertones. Love me some patchouli.

I personally have been using Stress-Away daily on my wrists and neck. Love the roller ball attachment! And the smell is heavenly - cedarwood, vanilla and lavender, oh my!

A few other things:

Love these boots, which I ordered in black on major sale. Hoping they work!

My sister-in-law graciously gave us their old sectional, and we love it! We are making the trek to Ikea next weekend to get some pillow covers that will match our current furniture. I'm thinking these for the larger pillows and two of these for accents.

I'm excited for my girlfriends that are expecting in December and March, so I am taking mental notes of things that I thought were helpful after having E. Most of the items are on this baby-centered list and this mama-centered list. 

I'm so excited for cooler weather. We spent some time on Sunday in north Georgia and needed long sleeves! Can't wait to make this pumpkin bread, take Elliot on our annual camping trip to Standing Indian, and carve pumpkins. We are also tentatively planning a fall get together for some friends.

Happy Monday. Here's to a great week!

xoxo

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