Okay guys, this one is for you. I didn't want you to think I was leaving you out! 

Today I will be discussing some of my favorite essential oils for men. From shaving cream to a shoe deodorizer, this one's for you.

Shaving Cream

• 2/3 cup shea butter
• 2/3 cup cocoa butter
• 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil
• 5 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drop melaleuca essential oil

Place butter and oil in double boiler to melt. Mix in essential oils. Let shaving cream cool. Whip with hand mixer.

Earthy Aftershave

• 3/4 cup witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops melaleuca essential oil

Place all ingredients into a bottle. Shake well and pat onto skin after shaving for a natural, great-smelling antiseptic and anti-inflammatory aftershave.

Spice Cologne

• 40 drops bergamot essential oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 20 drops white fir essential oil
• 5 drops...

Okay, so hear me out on this one. I LOVE a clean kitchen. It brings me so much joy when the sink is empty, the counters are wiped down, and there is absolutely no indication that anyone actually lives in this house. 

I know you know what I'm talking about. 

Today I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite oils to use in the kitchen. Not to cook with, but to clean with.

Drain Cleaner

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 drops wild orange essential oil

Pour essential oil directly down drain, followed by baking soda, and then the vinegar. Allow to sit for fifteen minutes or so and then pour hot water down the drain, followed by cold water to unclog drains.

Garbage Can Odor Tablets

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup water
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• ice cube tray

Combine dry ingredients. Slowly add water, then oils, and stir. Using a spoon, transfer mixture into the ice cube tray without overfilling the tray....

Okay, so I know that I've been homeschooling for awhile now, but I know that for many of you you just became brand new homeschool teachers! 

Add this to the thousand other things I'm sure do and it can seem overwhelming. So I wanted to share my top 7 tips for homeschooling newbies- because if I can do it, YOU can do it! 

1. Don't stress....I promise you can do this!

2. Have a designated area to learn. Doesn't have to be perfect! 

3. Learn everywhere you go. School doesn't just happen in a classroom!

4. Get involved in homeschool groups and with their families. Community is everything, y'all! 

5. If something isn't working, give it one more try and then move on to something that does work for you. Learning can come in many different forms

6. Keep everyone on a schedule. You will accomplish a lot more this way.

7. Making school also about helping others and the community. Math lesson while baking cookies for the neighbor, anyone? 

Did I leave something off?...

I could go on and on about essential oils and pregnancy. There is so much more out there and I encourage you to look even more into essential oils and pregnancy. Or email me to discuss further.

Today I want to finish my series with some oil recommendations for common labor and post-delivery symptoms.

Afterbirth/placenta delivery- clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender.

Bleeding- geranium, helichrysum, myrrh.

Calm nerves, relax mind- basil, frankincense, lavender, calming blend, encouraging blend, grounding blend.

Contractions, slow/weak/stalled labor- cinnamon, clary sage, fennel, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, detoxification blend, encouraging blend, grounding blend, joyful blend

Pain- cypress, lavender, marjoram, soothing blend, tension blend.

Clogged Milk Ducts- fennel, lavender, patchouli, cleansing blend

Depression/postpartum- bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, myrrh, roman chamomile, sandalwood, vetiver, wild orage, ylang ylang, calming...

Not only does pregnancy and labor bring some pretty amazing experiences, they also bring some pretty annoying symptoms. 

Today I wanted to share with you a few of my not-so-favorite- symptoms and my favorite remedies. 

Pregnancy Swelling Relief

• 3 drops ginger
• 2 drops cypress
• 2 drops lavender

Combine oils with 2 teaspoons carrier oil; massage into legs and feet.

No More Stretch Marks Blend

• 10 drops cypress
• 10 drops lavender
• 10 drops wild orange
• 10 drops invigorating blend
• 5 drops geranium

Place oils in a 10ml roller bottle; fill remainder with carrier oil. Use twice daily.

Stretch Mark Relief

• 2 drops each of helichrysum, lavender, myrrh oil mixed with 1/2-1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil (depending on surface area intended to cover) and apply to abdomen.

Healing Hemorrhoids

• 20 drops heilchrysum
• 20 drops geranium
• 20 drops aborvitae or cypress
• 10 drop peppermint

Make blend in 2-ounce glass bottle with an orifice-reduction seal; mix oils; fill remainder with carrier...

Ah, pregnancy. One of the most beautiful events of life. Well, except for the constant throwing up, the swelling, the false contractions, the indigestion, and the constant cravings.

But still, beautiful nonetheless. 

Today, I wanted to share with you some of the best oils for pregnancy. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor or physician before using oils. 

Pregnancy

Single oils

• Wild Orange- energizes and lifts mood.
• Ginger- relieves nausea and morning sickness. 
• Peppermint- relieves digestive upsets and supports memory.

Blends

• Soothing blend- soothes aches and pains.
• Tension blend- relieves tension.
• Metabolic blend- balances glucose levels and metabolism.
• Digestion blend- supports digestion and relieves morning sickness. 
• Women's blend- balances hormones. 

Labor

Single Oils

• Clary Sage- broad spectrum support to labor process.
• Jasmine- assists with labor and afterbirth.
• Geranium- supports perineum, labor performance, mood and healing.
• ...

Okay ladies, you too guys! Let's talk anti-aging. 

Now don't get me wrong, I love growing older. I love learning and experiencing new things. And truth be told, getting older has only gotten better every year. 

With that said, however, what I do not like is looking old. I certainly don't feel old, well, not after I actually get out of the bed in the morning, kidding, sort of. So if I don't feel old why should I look old? 

The answer is: you don't. 

Our anti-aging blend is amazing, y'all. It's main ingredients are Frankincense, Hawaiian sandalwood, Lavender, Myrrh, Helichrysum and Rose.

You will want to use this oil to address wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, scars, stretch marks, blemishes, tension and mood balance, skin cancer, and meditation.

This is a beautiful blend with time-honored essential oils for radiant skin. And they aren't lyin'! 

Have you tried this blend? Do you have other anti-aging secrets? Do tell! I'm dying to know all the things! 

...

Okay, so maybe the idea of swishing around oil in your mouth doesn't sound all that appealing, but hear me out on this one because the benefits certainly outweigh the ick factor, I promise. 

Okay, so what exactly is oil pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient practice and cleansing technique that involves the simple swishing of a specific oil in the mouth for a few minutes each day. 

One of the main purposes for the habit is "pulling" a variety of toxins from the bloodstream. Some of the benefits include improved gum health, whiter teeth, clear skin, elimination of bad breath, and a healthy complexion. (See, I told you it was good stuff!)

Not to mention that a wide range of additional benefits have also been reported that include positive changes in cellular health, immunity, and the ridding of unwanted toxins such as heavy metals and microorganisms, resulting in more energy and much more. 

Wanna increase the benefits even more? Add an essential oil that targets an area of...

I don't know if there's something I love more than a nice homemade, DIY, body scrub. 

Y'all, I'm obsessed with the way they smell and the way they leave my skin. Plus, they make adorable gifts to give for all occasions. 

Festive Sugar Scrub

• 3/4 cup white sugar, brown sugar, or sea salt
• 1/2 cup fractionated coconut or other oil
• 4 drops cassia essential oil
• 4 drops clove essential oil
• 4 drops ginger essential oil

Combine sugar and fractionated coconut oil in a bowl. Add essential oils. Stir until the mixture is the consistency of a slushy. Add more sugar or fractionated coconut oil to achieve desired consistency. Pour into airtight container. 

Sweet Orange Scrub

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 7-8 drops wild orange essential oil

Combine thoroughly in a glass jar, add a label and ribbon, and enjoy or share. 

Vanilla Lavender Sugar Scrub

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Combine thoroughly in a...

I know that sometimes choosing what oils you want or need or should have can be overwhelming. And when you ask someone to help you choose, it's hard because they truly all have a place in our lives and, well, I just hate choosing. 

So I thought I would just highlight some oils as we go along together. Maybe seeing what each oil can do and how many uses you can get out of just one bottle will help you choose as you build your oil collection. 

Let's start with one of my favorite oils, and yes, I'll probably say that a lot, but seriously, this is one of my favorites. 

Arborvitae. Think woody, majestic and strong. It actually means "Tree of Life" because the Arborvitae tree can live for over 800 years. 

It's main constituents are Methyl thujate, Hinokitiol, and Thujic Acid. It's great for antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and stimulant uses. 

This oil blends well with Cedarwood, Frankincense and Birch.

And just as a safety precaution, dilution is...