Furry Friends & EOs {Part 2}

Essential Oils are for everyone! including our most beloved furry family members. Please read the information in the images. 

I am all about budget and savings, and if you own a pet....you know how expensive they can be. I have changed over the medicine cabinet in our household, and now for my Dog as well. Essential Oils are a natural, more safe & effective alternative to synthetic medication. 

HUGE $ savings already for us and I am worry free about putting chemicals on/in his body! 

Furry Children & EOs

Our furry children are beloved members of our family, and why not look at them the same way we do ourselves? We have spoiled our first-born Boxer/Beagle mix, Chandler, just as much as our daughter, Klaire and try to use the best, most natural products with him as well.

To prevent fleas/ticks/etc., I applied frontline to the back of Chandler's neck each month like I was told.
After a couple of years, I noticed a hard bump slowly growing- and has now grown quite large. We've had it tested, and thank goodness it isn't cancerous. However, I am thinking it's not just a coincidence that a huge fatty tumor has grown in the same exact place I have been applying chemicals each month. Since discovering essential oils, I am now using Terrashield on Chandler, as a natural alternative. (HUGE cost savings too!)

My friend called me yesterday, and thankfully she had just received her Essential Oil kit the week before!! (way to be prepared for life's little emergencies). She lives on several acres of land, and her 2 dogs are so lucky to be able to run and enjoy the fields. Yesterday, her dogs got into a hornet's nest and one of them got bitten over 25 times on his leg and was limping from the pain...that just breaks my heart. She applied lavender and melaleuca to the many bumps. The oils worked so quick- she didn't even have time to take a before & after picture for me! Within an hour, the infected bumps had drastically de-swelled. (& saved her $ by avoiding a vet visit!)

 If a dog is small or medium, treat like a small child/toddler & Dilute oils when necessary.

Runny Nose, be gone

Who can resist this cuteness?! 1 year old Caroline enjoying her green smoothie...and happy as can be.

(included in her smoothie: kale,

collard greens, chard, cabbage, carrot greens, spirulina, nutritional yeast, aloe vera, and pear!....no added sweetener).

Want to know why Caroline's mommy is a believer? Caroline has had some immune issues, and her parents have foregone prophylactic antibiotics to try a natural plant-based alternative. This is day 14 of green smoothies (see blog post on the 30 day challenge), and Caroline is without a runny nose for the FIRST TIME since she was born!

Take that, Sinuses!

It's no secret that I have (or should say "had") major sinus issues. Growing up, I had chronic sinus infections at least every 3 months (in more recent years, almost monthly). Those resulted in me having to take time off work, school & life to go to the doctor & to recover. I had to be given rounds of very strong antibiotics, which would throw the rest of my body completely off (the effects I am still dealing with today) and cause yeast over load. About 6-7 years ago, I completely lost my sense of smell and taste. My ENT told me that I had one of the worst cases of sinus polyps he had ever seen. I was at an all time low about a year ago when 3 months after my second sinus surgery (and let me tell you....those include a full 2 week recovery period...not fun!), my polyps began to grow back. This even with the multiple times daily nasal steroids and rounds of antibiotics I was taking! I was devastated, but then researched and found out that over 70% of polyps removed surgically grow back within a year. What?!!!  I spoke with my ENT about nutrition, and he waived it off. Our last appointment 8 months ago ended with sort of up in the air thoughts about trying out MAJOR antibiotics and rounds of Prednisone, which I was told would guarantee me to have Osteoporosis by the time I was 60. I felt like I was about to be a major lab rat. Obviously, I needed more and just knew there had to be something else I could do to correct this issue. I wanted my life & energy & health back. 

I was done with my constant bloody noses, constant sinus pressure in my head and nasal areas, sinus headaches, no smell or taste, worrying about our safety because I had to rely on my 4 year old's smell for possible life threatening things like gas leaks or smoke in the house, my lack of energy and constant sickness, and on and on....

So, I went back to the basics. My friend, Nicci, always reminds me that when I'm feeling overwhelmed and out of control, to go back to the basics....such wise advice. I started with returning to my favorite health and nutrition website.....www.GreenSmoothieGirl.com. I started my own regiment and became my own lab rat, with natural, alternate and much more safe and EFFECTIVE methods.

I am so proud and beyond exhilarated to announce that I have my sense of taste and smell back! I am off ALL antibiotics, medications, nasal steroids, AND allergy medications (this is a big deal! I was a DAILY nasal steroid, Claritin or Allegra, MucinexD, and Tylenol PM user)! 

The amount of $ I spend monthly on medication/antibiotics/pharmaceuticals, copays, doctor & specialty doctor visits and surgery has decreased to almost nothing. 

So many people with the same issues have asked, and so here it is, what I have done (outlined below). This is what has worked for me, and while I don't think all sinus/polyp issues or people are the same, I do think this would be a great place to start for those who have similar experiences. 

1) NUTRITION: green smoothie everyday (see blog post on the 30 day challenge). It is so important to get 10-15 servings of RAW fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. 
*I have decreased my dairy & meat intake to less than 5% of my daily diet because it is so mucus causing. (This was really difficult for me to do- but I believe it was the biggest help towards my recovery.) To my smoothies, I add the dōTERRA wild orange essential oil for flavor and health effects.

2)WELLNESS- Lifelong Vitality (monthly supplements) from dōTERRA,  I now can never go back....it

has changed my life. I take the recommended dose- 4 of each, each day (so 2 pills of each in the morning and night of the ALPHA CRS, the EO MEGA, and the VMz). Take with 8oz of water. My energy level has returned to what it was in high school & before. 

3)NASAL SALINE RINSE morning and night (I use & recommend nasopure). 1 bigger bottle lasts me about 2.5 days- so it's pretty inexpensive & much easier than a nettie pot (I like the bottle, but have replaced the salt solution with Real Salt). Make sure to use distilled water. I now add 1 drop of dōTERRA on guard to every bottle. and if I feel I am starting to get an infection, I also add a drop of  dōTERRA melaleuca in to it....that will get rid of the infection. (*please note, dōTERRA essential oils are the only oils that can be used internally). 

4)dōTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS (all natural, chemical & filler-free plant oils with no harmful side effects)

   

-melaleuca- if I have any color to my snot or feel that my sinuses are swollen/infected, I put a drop on a qtip and dab it inside of the top of my nose. 

oregano-In case of infection, I also put 2 drops of oregano on each foot at night and in the morning.

   -peppermint and melaleuca nasal spray bottle- I have made a nasal spray

bottle of my own to keep with me during the day in case I feel sinus pressure or congestion. (5 drops peppermint, 5 drops melaleuca and distilled water)

    

   

-"allergy shooter": (2 drops of lemon, 2 drops of lavender, and 2 drops of peppermint, about 1oz water in a little medicine cup) Every morning, I swish this in my mouth, gargle, and then swallow.

   








   -breathe blend- I swipe this directly under my nose whenever I want to open my airways. This is

sometimes at night (helps with insomnia too), throughout the day, or before or after a workout. If I wanted it to act like a vapor rub, I could add it to my neck or chest with maybe a little coconut oil.(also, can be diffused, or inhaled from your hands like a natural inhaler).

   

 

 -peppermint- my new best friend! I add 1 drop in the mornings to my coffee/tea. It immediately opens me up. You can use this under your nose or tongue, as well, to open airways. It also helps with headaches.

   

   -on guard- as an immunity supporter, or if I feel something coming on (like a cold/cough/flu),

I put a drop on the back of my hand and lick it or directly on my tongue (it's strong). I diffuse this, often. on guard is now being diffused in several hospitals across the country! They also have on guard beadlets & toothpaste.

   

   

-chemical free lotion (keep those chemicals away!)- I have changed my nightly face lotion to coconut oil (cold pressed, organic)....I make a little bowl that lasts me over a month and put about 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of melaleuca in it. This soaks in your skin for the harder to reach sinuses- and does wonder for your skin as well. (You can use this all over your body).

   

   -slim and sassy- 6-8 drops in water, 1-2 times per day. It does have a strong sort of

spice flavor...just a heads up. This is the number 2 selling product for dōTERRA for great reason.....it's used to control blood sugar and by many diabetics as a daily protocol, it's an appetite suppressant and controls sugar cravings. Since I started using not long ago, I have dropped a lot of weight, and feel overall MUCH less swollen all over my body, including my sinuses.   

   

 -PastTense- for headaches & tension. I used to have sinus headaches daily, but since I've been doing the above, I haven't had one in a really long time. I use it on my shoulders, too, where I hold a lot of my tension. You can roll it on your forehead, put a couple drops on your temples, or back of neck for a headache.

  

-lemon- 1-2 drops in my water (lemon is a natural antiseptic, anticancer, antidepressant, anti-fungal, and helps reduce water retention). 

   

-Thyme- add to recipes when cooking, or bottom of feet. Thyme is great for sinus care.

   -diffuse dōTERRA Essential Oils- a variety & often. I diffuse lots of citrus oils,

and calming blends like serenity....and I do think this has helped a lot as well.

*Please go to www.mydoterra.com/fancyplantcy to learn all about dōTERRA Essential Oils. Be mindful of safety and precautions when using. If you are interested in learning more, please come to a Healing with Green Smoothies and Medicine Cabinet Makeover class in Kansas City (or where ever you may reside!). Feel free to email me at gsgkandace@gmail.com

Cheers to Health & Happiness....

This picture was too cute not to share! It actually made my day, and made me strangely emotional. I just think this health movement is so wonderful, and it's great to see so many new parents breaking the cycle of the standard American Diet. My dear friend, Angie, sent me this picture after reading my blog

posts. She also has a vegetarian household, and has been doing green smoothies for a while now with her family and her 3-year old son, Lucas (who LOVES them!).

Parents- this just goes to show you, green smoothies are for kids too! Sometimes, letting them be involved in making them gets them super excited. (for others, not seeing or knowing what goes in the blender is best!). Another great idea is to make them into Popsicles.
For more parenting tips & green smoothie kids:
http://greensmoothiegirl.com/category/parenting/

Cheers back to you all in St. Louis, Angie & Lucas!

Please send any green smoothie pics my way! I absolutely LOVE them!

Door to Door Organics

We are so beyond thrilled to announce that we will be partnering with one of our very favorite companies, Door to Door organics for our upcoming "Healing with Green Smoothies" and "Medicine Cabinet Makeover" classes! They will be sponsoring and providing us with local and organic produce for our classes!
For class dates/times/locations, go to www.greensmoothiegirl.com/events.

My friend, Nicci, and I (and several others that I know) have been using door to door organics for a long time now, and just love it! Basically, it's a local/organic/health food delivery service. They deliver all over the Kansas City metro (and a few other places around the US).
Here's how it works:
1)You sign up for an account (please email me at gsgkandace@gmail.com if you are interested so I can send you a 50% off coupon for your first box ordered)
2)Choose your box size and variety
3)Choose when and how often (weekly or biweekly)
4)Enter your delivery information
5)Enter your billing information

-You will get an email the Friday before your delivery with "what's in" your delivery box. You have until the day before your delivery at 8am to sub up to 5 items in the box for something else! They give you a ton of variety and delicious produce (and lots of options for subs)
-You also have until the day before your delivery at 8am to CANCEL your order for no charge. YES! You are not obligated to buy if you don't want to. This is the best part for me, because I don't like being trapped into paying for something if I'm having a tighter budget kind of month. You can also pre-schedule vacations.
-You can cancel your subscription at anytime, no questions asked.

Here are a couple (out of the MANY) reasons why I LOVE door to door organics!:
-I get my organic and local produce DELIVERED to me each week (for those who know me, it is common knowledge that I hate going grocery shopping)
-I've compared!!!! The pricing is comparable, and most often cheaper than the grocery stores (if you already buy organic/local)
-There are a ton of other food options as well to add to your order if you choose (almost everything you can find in a grocery store). I've gotten to the point where my door to door organics orders are bigger than my grocery shopping trips (yippee!).
-They have pre-packaged, ready to eat meals (prepared by Conveniently Natural). If you know of Conveniently Natural, you know it's delicious! You just order these through DTDO, and they get delivered with your weekly box.
-Packaging. You weekly box is packaged so neat and tight, and with plenty of ice packs to keep it cool. You don't have to be home...they just drop the box off at your front door. (You save the boxing materials, and leave it out for them to take the following week when they deliver).
-CUSTOMER SERVICE! For my first order, I had accidentally goofed up a delivery thing and the delivery driver wrote me the nicest note. Then, to top it off, someone from headquarters in Denver called me to check in regarding my error and to make sure everything was to my satisfaction. They are SO nice! It has such a small business, personal feel to it. They are known for their prompt and reliable delivery service, and if there's an error of any kind, they are more than willing to make it up to their customers.

Here's a picture of Nicci and I with Shane, the KC Door to Door guy!

SIT BACK, RELAX, and enjoy your Produce & Grocery Delivery!

BUG SPRAY; all-natural, non-toxic, DEET free

I've been in limbo this year about bug sprays, which has resulted in us not using anything and getting tons of bug bites (in turn, we have been VERY itchy girls). The reason is this: I do not want to put chemicals on our body. So, I bought an "all-natural, organic" bug spray at a local store, but it stung so bad that Klaire would scream when I would get it out to use. Surely, that can't be right.

I'm sure you can guess the direction I have decided to go, now. I looked up doTerra Essential Oil recipes and made my own. I am writing about it....because IT WORKED! and no screaming from my daughter!

On the 4th of July, we ventured through a trail in a very tree dense area to find a place to watch the

fireworks over a lake near us. Although the picture doesn't quite do it justice, there were trees all around and above us, and we were right above a lake cove area. Bugs were out in FULL force, and I have the type of blood that bugs tend to love for some reason. Normally, in this type of scenario, I would easily be 20 bites in by the end of the night. Several of us applied my bug spray (including all 3 kids), and after touching base the next day- NONE of us got a single bug bite!

Here is the recipe I used:
-25 drops of Terrashield repellent blend (mosquitos)
-10 drops of Purify (ticks)
-5 drops of Peppermint (knats)
-fill the rest of the spray bottle with water

I go lighter on the Peppermint because that can sometimes feel like a burning sensation to kids. You can also just apply the Terrashield blend directly to your skin (wrists, neck, etc.)
See this post on the doTerra blog for more information and ways to use TerraShield    

http://www.mydoterra.com/fancyplantcy/