Challenge Monday
Benefits of Essential Oils - give it a try!
Essential oils are highly concentrated and are extracted right from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed, or root of a plant or tree. Just a single drop can have incredible benefits. Before the use of modern medicine, oils were often used to treat and prevent many illnesses. In fact, in King Tut’s tomb, they found 350 liters of essential oils in alabaster jars.
They have a wide range of positive physical and emotional effects on the body, and can be used (depending on the oil) 4 ways: topically, inhaled though a diffuser, internally, or added to soaps, lotions, and hair products.
It’s not surprising that some oils can help you relax and sleep better… but can they really improve your health? Absolutely!
Some oils help reduce fear and anxiety, while others aid digestion and boost immunity. Some can heal the skin and treat skin conditions, while others can help fight cancers and shrink brain tumors.
Your task this week is to try any essential oil of your choice!!
Although most come with guidelines, certain oils can only be used in certain ways, so make sure you have the proper instructions. Make sure to get certified, therapeutic grade oils- they have the greatest healing properties.
If you don’t know where to start, here are a few essential oils great for beginners:
- Lavender: helps with relaxation, improves mood and heals skin irritations
- Peppermint: supports digestion, improves focus, boosts energy, and reduces fever, headache and muscle pain.
- Tea Tree: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, reduces bad odors and helps stimulate the immune system.
- Rosemary: can naturally thicken hair so it is great to add rosemary to homemade shampoos! Also, it improves brain function and memory so it’s great to use when working, reading or studying.
Are you in for our Essential Oil Challenge?
Great! Let us know below and which one you will be trying this week....Post to our FB group and let us all know!
Tuesday Tipster
Since it's winter and most of us are stuck inside, why not take this time to try your hand at making an all-natural, homemade lotion?
Want to make a homemade body butter/lotion that will help reduce stress and relax your muscles? It's so good for you!
Check out this recipe that doesn’t have any synthetic chemicals:
https://draxe.com/homemade-magnesium-body-butter/
Recipe Wednesday
DIY Warming Rub For Sore Muscles
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/4 cups finely grated, packed cocoa butter (about 2 oz.) (can use cheese grater)
2 tablespoons cayenne powder
2 teaspoons ginger powder
15 drops peppermint oil** (omit for children under 5)
15 drops eucalyptus oil*** (half this for children)
8 drops clove oil*** (half this for children)
1 teaspoon arrowroot powder or non-GMO cornstarch (optional – reduces oily finish)
EQUIPMENT:
double boiler (or a pot that fits inside another pot)
cheesecloth or old t-shirt
chilled bowl
mixer
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place coconut oil, cayenne and ginger powder in a double boiler and gently warm the oil. Be careful not to let it get hot.
Once the oil is slightly warm give it a stir and then turn off the burner. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then repeat the process. Do this a couple of more times (2 hours total) and then remove from heat completely. Set aside the oil to infuse for longer (I prefer overnight) or move on to step three – it’s up to you!
Place bowl in freezer so it will be nice and cold when needed.
Using a cheesecloth or old t-shirt, strain the mixture over a measuring cup. After straining out the spices, add enough coconut oil so that the final amount is 1/2 cup. Add the arrowroot powder and mix thoroughly.
Place the infused coconut oil in the fridge/freezer until it is cool/semi-solid on top. - Don’t let it harden all the way through or it will be very difficult to whip.
Place the infused coconut oil and cocoa butter in chilled bowl and add your essential oils. Mix on highest setting until peaks form (a stand mixer or old-fashioned hand mixer will both do the trick).
Store in an airtight jar– keep out of direct sunlight.
[Credit: MommyPotamus.com]
Thoughtful Thursday
What is your favorite quote?
There are some days we all need a little help in getting or staying motivated. There is an easy way to do this.
Pick one or two of your favorite quotes, write them on a sticky note and place them on your bathroom mirror so when you wake up and get ready to start your day, it will be the first thing you see. Or, place many of your favorite quotes all over your home.
Even better, paint one of your walls with chalkboard paint and write your favorites all over the wall! You can change them out as often as you like!
Weekend Warrior Workout
Complete 3 rounds:
