Slim and Sassy!

By the name of it you should already be aware that this is a blend of oils that help you to lose weight, keep weight off, curb appetite and all that wonderful business that goes along with trying to reach your goal weight while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Slim & Sassy can be used in so many different ways and there are shakes and even soft gel tablets that can be taken!

To preface this, doTERRA has a whole graph designing how your lifestyle should be lived which can be found here, and it states that eating right and exercising are the most important aspects of not only weight management but LIVING! EVERYONE should be exercising to keep their hearts healthy, their muscles strong, their body active. EVERYONE should be eating the best food they can get their hands on. Food that doesn't have GMO's , pesticides, hormone changing chemicals, and properties our bodies can't digest. Those two things are more important than using doTERRA oils. Now once you have that figured out and are changing your minds way of processing all that information that has been taught to us...then you are on the way to using oils the most effective way :)

Slim & Sassy can be taken internally by adding a few drops (2-4 is my preference) to a glass (8 ounces) of water and taking it a few hours before and after meals. This helps curb your appetite and calm your stomach. You are also less likely (in my personal opinion) to want to snack when you are drinking a flavored drink! So much healthier for you than soda or an energy drink, but gives you a little pick me up with its invigorating lemon and ginger oils as well as help you digest your meals and fend off hunger with grapefruit and peppermint oils. Add cinnamon to this mixture which enhances the action of the other oils and you are set up to have a healthy day.

Now my personal favorite use for Slim & Sassy is wrapping! I have just started doing it and have been so impressed with the results I can't even tell you! I could show you all the pictures out there of people who have had success with it....but why do that when I can show you me!? Its a little difficult to share my bare belly, I have to admit, but I am working on myself becoming a healthier person inside and out and well...that takes a little time when you've had three kids and the pooch to prove it ;) I'm hoping continued applications of a Slim & Sassy wrap will prove exciting results :)

To apply a wrap yourself all you need is the Slim & Sassy essential oil blend, plastic wrap or a long piece of muslin...and that's it! Add a few drops of the oil to your problem area...or in my case a few on my belly pooch...a drop on each hip...you know...all those fun places...and then wrap yourself up! Don't forget to measure yourself before you apply though...and take a picture! It is so encouraging to see the results in still shots. Drink lots of water while you wait 1-2 hours, and by lots I mean at least 16 ounces, but I'm pretty sure I drank 24 ounces and had no problem with it! And it stung a little at first but its nothing I thought I was burning from, but if you do feel like you need to take it off, do so immediately and rub coconut oil on and that should take care of any burning sensation. After an hour and a half I took the wrap off and drank more water. You would think with all that water drinking that I would have gained inches, but I lost, just like I thought I would! One entire inch was gone...GONE, in just an hour and a half! I couldn't believe it! I even had my husband measure me before and after because I thought I was going to mess it up, but we both got the same results. Crazy! I can't wait to try it again! I'm sure if I leave it on a bit longer it will do more!

Jenn

www.mydoterra.com/doterrabyjennifer
 
**I am not a doctor. Consult with your doctor before trying any essential oils or doTERRA products, especially if you have a medical condition**

Eucalyptus Oil

Back to my roots tonight, I want to talk about Eucalyptus Oil and my devotion for it.

Backing up any future writings, Eucalyptus Oil has been used throughout so much of history that not only the Aborigines in Australia used it long ago and continually today, but during WW1 it was a huge contributor in controlling the meningitis and influenza outbreak (Ananda Apothecary). So why have we come so far in pushing ourselves away from such a safe, natural, and ultimately effective medicinal tool? As much as I hate to be a basher, be warned, there might be some slight bashing happening soon.

As supply and demand goes up, so do the radars of money lovers. Now I'm not saying a money lover is a bad person, heck I love money! If I had some that would be even better ;) As it is, those people who love to invest and figure out new ways to control something while making a profit saw opportunities. And thus modern medicine grew and expanded and we have this overload of confusing pressure to give ourselves and our kids possibly unresponsive medications that we don't need, but might, and that will take us a week to read the side effects on.

Would you like to know what the side effects of Eucalyptus Oil are? Let me list them for you, according to WebMd....which is according to the government....which is a whole separate issue ;)

1. If consumed more than 3.5 mL of undiluted Eucalyptus Oil, you MAY get Eucalyptus poisoning. (This has got to be an accidental dosage, because there is nothing in my database of knowledge that would recommend you take any amount of Eucalyptus oil internally. I'm sure the Aborigines know how to do it though. As for me and doTERRA, don't ingest.

2. Possibly unsafe for direct skin contact without being diluted. As for me personally, I have used it on my skin, my husband and kids as well, and nothing has happened. But it doesn't hurt to dilute it in a roller bottle with coconut oil just in case :) Its not considered a "hot oil" though.

3. There is concern that if you have diabetes and are taking medications to control blood sugar, that Eucalyptus Oil might lower your blood sugar as well, and thus make your blood sugar too low.

4. They deem possibly unsafe for kids.....again I have given it to all of my children. We are fine.

5. Since blood sugar is affected by Eucalyptus, it is recommended that you stop its use two weeks prior to surgery. Apparently its hard to regulate blood sugar during sugery.

Not going to try and sugar coat it here folks, but thats a pretty short (and I have to add silly) list of side effects for Eucalyptus Oil. Try looking at the side effects of a vapor rub.

"Severe Allergic Reactions: (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe irritation at the application site." (Drugs.com). And that's just the list of side effects for one medication. Eucalyptus Oil has so many more uses than acting as a replacement for a vapor rub! That being said...

I'll take the chance with my Eucalyptus Oil.

Now for my personal testimony of this amazing doTERRA oil. When we are all sick (and as much as I like to talk about how wonderful we do when we take all our oils and are consistent and stay healthy...we have been in a real slump that once one kid gets sick, they all get it, and then they have now had three illnesses in the past month because their immune system hasn't been able to recover! Ah!...Ok back to topic...) I dab a little Eucalyptus Oil right under our noses so to help as a decongestant...especially the little ones. My husband and I, and even our sweet seven year old, can plop our head over a steaming cup of water with a drop of oregano in it and clear ourselves up pretty fast, but the littles are just to...well...little :) And if I'm chasing after kiddos and don't have a few minutes to sit down, Eucalyptus under my nose it goes.

As for other uses, Eucalyptus has been known to help with Asthma, Bronchitis, Pain, cooling of the body, coughing, Ear Inflammation (external use, never put oils in ears), Flu, Lice, Measles, Pneumonia, Shingles, Sinusitis, Tennis Elbow, Tuberculosis, and there are more, but basically its the best for the respiratory system and skin. So many more that I had to pick and choose what to put on my cheat sheet! Anyway all that information is according to the Modern Essentials book of course. I love that book.

All right, cheat sheet time. Enjoy, and as always feel free to share, tweet, instagram, etc.

Jenn

www.mydoterra.com/doterrabyjennifer

**I am not a doctor. Consult with your doctor before trying any essential oils or doTERRA products, especially if you have a medical condition**

Taking it Further: with Coconut Oil

In the beginning of this crazy journey of mine, I was determine to make this blog solely about doTERRA and how essential oils are changing our lives for the better....but lately I keep finding myself wanting to write about other things that are affecting my family in positive ways. And I thought, hey its my blog, why not!

I've already talked about my love of fermented pico de gallo, and how I'm obsessed with doTERRA, so today I am going to write about coconut oil. Oh coconut oil, I could write a poem called Ode to Coconut Oil I love it so much...but I wont because that would be silly...and you might stop reading my blog ;)

Jumping into it, there are so many reasons to love coconut oil. If we are talking nutrition labels here, coconut oil has a lot of saturated fat. Now don't get scared off, because there are so many wonderful reasons for these particular saturated fats! According to Nutrition and You:

• Despite its high saturated fats composition, coconut oil characteristically has its own set of health benefits. MCTs absorbs passively and enter the blood system inside the gut without the mediation of transport channels. Several research studies suggest that these fats help reach early satiety and increase blood HDL/total cholesterol levels.
  
• Lauric acid and other MCTs absorb passively into the blood stream and thus save energy and bring early sense of satiety. These characteristics of coconut oil strongly commended by some nutrition scientists like Mary Gertrude Enig who is among the strong advocators of saturated fat benefits. When consumed in moderation over the period of time, saturated fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides may help control body weight and a reduction in risk of atherosclerosis.
  
• Cold-pressed oil contains a small amount of vitamin E and other tocopherols. 100 g fresh oil composes of 0.19 mcg of vitamin E.
  

As for moving past all that mumbo jumbo, coconut oil has saved me from going insane. Seriously. Not only do I use it on my babies bums for diaper rashes, I also use it to remove eye make up, and moisturize my face after a good wash. But my favorite is still cooking. Without coconut oil there are so many things I wouldn't have been able to eat when I was obligated to be dairy free. And now that its looking like our littlest one is going to continue to be lactose sensitive, coconut oil is an answer to a prayer. How? Let me tell you :)

Coconut oil can be used to replace any recipe calling for butter. Any. Recipe. At first I noticed the coconut taste and I wasn't terribly sure I was going to love it on everything, but I was proven wrong. I use it in baking like making brownies from scratch (or hey, if you use a box you can use it to substitute the oil!) and in cooking like frying corn tortillas or as a non stick agent instead of butter for grilled cheeses, quesadillas (dairy free cheese options) or anything going in a pan on the stove. Frying hashbrowns? Throw coconut oil down first. Need melted butter for cupcakes? Coconut oil. Whipped butter for icing? Coconut oil. Caramelizing onions for dinner? Coconut oil. I. love. coconut oil!

Here's a recipe I brought to a function last night and they were raved about....I love brownies!

Jenn

www.mydoterra.com/doterrabyjennifer

**I am not a doctor. Consult with your doctor before trying any essential oils or doTERRA products, especially if you have a medical condition**

Fermented Pico de Gallo

Let me start with this: my absence has been well warranted. With the hubs home things that should have been done before we move into this place are actually getting done! Its only a couple months later, but hey, I'll take what I can get. In fact I've come to the realization that I'm not much of a persistent person when it comes to things I'm not terribly passionate about. And here I thought I was pretty strong headed and stubborn with everything!

Alright, down to brass tax (where did that originate?! Its been on my mind all day..random).

Fermented Pico de Gallo is my first ever ferment and oh my land its possibly my favorite thing ever! I looked at a few different recipes, one from Megatarian and also from Pickle Me Too and then I just went with what I liked and boy were my instincts right! I bet both these recipes are delicious also, but I really enjoy a plain old pico to be versatile and so my kids will eat it so I made this recipe.

 First you get yourself a huge bunch of organic tomatoes! You can use any variety but what I enjoy are the ones I can find here in the cold Minot winter...through bountiful baskets! Yum.

 I bring out the tomatoes I am going to cut and wash them all and set them on my cutting board ready to become delicious pico.

 Now, this is totally your call, but I really really like to take the stem out of all the tomatoes first...It feels like I'm prepping the whole batch versus one tomato from scratch over and over again. Speeds things along for me.

 Now is the tedious part....chop! Seriously it takes a while...especially if you got a few kids running around trying to grab your knives and tearing toys away from each other...I try to do this during nap time :)

 When the tomatoes are finally done (it really does take a while....) then you can chop up some yummy white onions! Try to make them the same size or just a tad smaller then the tomatoes you chopped.

 Chop your cilantro. Have I ever told you I love cilantro? In dressings, in pico, in salsa, as toppings...mmm.

 Mix it all together! This is the part I love the best. Squirt your lemon juice and add your salt then stir it up....then taste if you really want to ;) Make sure to use clean utensils and toss the one you ate off in the sink.

Lastly you can fill your Fido jar, or whatever vessel you are fermenting in, and life will be delicious in three days! Squish it all down so the juices go to the top and there is about an inch of air from the top of the pico to the lid. Then wait with terrible patience until you can eat this incredible-for-you condiment!

Fermented Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:
8 large tomatoes

1 large white onion

1 bunch cilantro (give or take on your taste buds)

2 Tablespoons Himalayan or sea salt

1 lemon, juiced

1.5 qt Fido Jar

Directions:
Chop the tomatoes onion and cilantro, or add them to your food processor or blender and chop to desired size. I like to hand chop them because I'm afraid I will have no restraint and they will be pulverized...just saying. Add your lemon juice and salt then stir! Throw everything into your Fido jar and squish it down as you go so everything is nice and tight and all the juices are mingling. Sit on the counter for 3 days then move to the fridge. This salsa is assumed to last up to a year in the fridge...but our first batch didn't last 2 weeks soo....good luck ;)


Til next time~

Jenn
www.mydoterra.com/doterrabyjennifer

**I am not a doctor. Consult with your doctor before trying any essential oils or doTERRA products, especially if you have a medical condition**