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Frankincense February

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February has arrived, and we’re declaring it Frankincense February here at Odds & Evans.  We are kicking off the first month of our new project, the (Essential) “Oil Change” Challenge, to help you become more comfortable in reaching for your essential oils safely and effectively.  If you haven’t purchased a Premium Starter Kit yet, please do so here using this referral link, as these are the oils we are going to be covering for the rest of 2016 so that you know exactly what to do with your oils when they arrive. February’s spotlight will be Frankincense, the spiritual oil.  Public blog posts here are going to detail where this oil comes from and ways to use it, including homemade recipes and tips.  We will also be including other “everyday” essential oils that go well with “Frank” in terms of similar usage, purpose, and DIY beauty recipes.  Love your oils,

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Essential “Oil Change” Challenge

Posted on by Posted in Essential Oils .
Take the essential oil change challenge to learn how to use your oils

The care you put into your car keeps it running smoothly without extra visits to the auto body shop.  The same applies to your physical body and how we fuel it.  Are you ready for a tune-up? Start using your essential oils everyday and just observe.  Notice.  Experience what happens. Join my 2016 Oil Change Challenge!  Each month I will feature a new essential oil with lots of practical tips for using them in your daily life.  Simply try to use your oils each day (a few times a day is even better), and enjoy the community and support of others through our private Facebook group.  It is my goal that by the end of the year, you will be super comfortable knowing how to safely and effectively use your essential oils.  It won’t take you that long, though, to start seeing the difference that “everyday” essential oils can make.

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“Snow Dough” Recipe for Winter Play

Posted on by Posted in Essential Oils, Homemade Recipes .

Whether you’re snowed indoors or just looking for some fun, white play dough time, this recipe is easy and great to squish while staying warm and cozy. Homemade Snow Dough! Peppermint playdough recipe http://goo.gl/ZmdzeX Click To Tweet I use my favorite play dough recipe all the time as a base and play with a variety of colors (like using kale juice to make this lucky green dough).  With the ingredients for this basic recipe, you can make homemade play dough with practically any color any time of year.  Add some pure, kid-safe essential oils and have yourself a therapeutic, sensory activity together! This general play dough recipe makes a dough similar to a bread or pizza dough…which isn’t perfectly white.  It’s still wonderful though so perfectly fine to just use the ingredients listed in the graphic below.  We are currently snowed inside with 20 inches in Maryland and a full 24

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Ningxia Red Starter Kit from Young Living

Posted on by Posted in Essential Oils .
Ningxia Red Premium Starter Kit from Young Living

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FEBRUARY 2016: Young Living Starter Kits are 10% off this month only!  So this means “everyday oils” collection below or the other kits like Thieves and Ningxia red are on sale.  NOTE: the only diffuser not included as an option for this deal is the rainstone diffuser, but I think the dewdrop and bamboo ones are perfectly wonderful and all I have myself even. Another great starter kit from Young Living is the incredible Ningxia Red Premium Starter Kit. Power your life with a delicious blend of nutrient-rich wolfberry puree, superfruit juices, and pure essential oils. Formulated to support wellness for every lifestyle, NingXia Red® is a unique, powerful drink that will help you make the most of every day. This Starter Kit includes favorite NingXia Red products, including our top-selling cognitive fitness booster, NingXia Nitro™! Kit includes: NingXia Red 2-pack 30 NingXia Red Singles (2 fl.

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Essential Oils for going to the Dentist Office

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Essential Oils for going to the dentist

I am not a doctor or a dentist; I am simply a jittery patient who does not particularly enjoy being in the dentist’s chair.  Here are some essential oils tips to help a dental visit not bite. How can aromatherapy assist an oral appointment? (Be sure to check out Essential Oils 101 and my other resources to learn the basics of what oils are and how they work.) The use of a personal diffuser necklace may be just what you’re looking for.  There are many different styles of diffuser jewelry to explore, but the main gist is that drops of oil are applied to an absorbent material that can be worn and enjoyed aromatically throughout the day.  My favorite store to purchase diffuser necklaces and bracelets from is Lowcountry Eclectic – and they happen to be a wonderful family business.  I have no partnership with them; I simply truly recommend them

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Homemade Laundry Powder (Two Ingredients, Borax-Free)

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Homemade Natural Laundry Powder Recipe Borax Free

I just LOVE doing laundry.  I adore it SO much that I do it every few days.  Nothing makes me happier than sorting, washing, drying, folding, and organizing my family’s clothes all day long. Just kidding, but I try to convince myself of this to make the never-ending task a bit less tedious. We used cloth diapers on my son until he potty-trained, and I actually credit that as one of my big ‘gateways’, if you will, into the natural living world.  Learning about the care for various fabric and diapers (like how using fabric softener, dryer sheets, or certain detergents is frowned upon with them) made me begin to think and question the laundry products I’d always known.  I oddly did find the routine of washing cloth diapers soothing during my postpartum depression chaos, which I explained in this post…and see my cloth diaper wash cycle process here. (NOTE: This recipe below isn’t for cloth

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Three New Year Wishes for YOU (and me)

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, Personal .
Three New Year Wishes for Me and You - Resolution

I’ve said it before, how New Year’s Eve is my least favorite holiday. I suppose it is the vibe where folks feel obligated to look back on their year and also make new promises to themselves for the new year as if it’s some magical day of the year. I get the impression that people fake happiness for this day more than any other. Have you ever seen those countdown programs on TV?! Those smiling, dancing people freak me out. If this holiday DOES work for you, that’s wonderful! Absolutely keep on loving it, reflect and resolve away! It IS fun to dance and celebrate, I get that. I just feel too forced to do it on New Year’s personally, but respect that other people absolutely resonate with this time of new starts. I mean no offense to New Year connoisseurs; different strokes are a beautiful thing! But if you

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Baby It’s Cold Outside! Get Thieves Essential Oil

Posted on by Posted in Essential Oils, Holidays .
Baby Its Cold Outside - Thieves Essential Oil from Young Living This Winter Season

Thieves Essential Oil from Young Living is a one-of-a-kind blend formulated from Clove, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Rosemary oils. It is crafted in the spirit of the four legendary French thieves of the 15th century whom made a carefully-balanced aromatic combination to use while robbing the dead and dying of the time. The synergy of these oils together is a powerful formula which may help maintain normal immune function, support a healthy respiratory system, and is an ideal complement to a daily wellness regimen. Labeled on the Young Living bottle as a dietary supplement, it is a yummy addition to foods and beverages. Or you may choose to put a few drops of Thieves essential oil blend in a capsule and swallow with water to support your immune system. It’s also a must-have for me with homemade cleaning. Put in a few drops of Thieves essential oil blend in your

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25 Acts of Kindness Advent Bingo (Free Printable Cards)

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, Toddler/ Kid Stuff .
25 Acts of Kindness Alternative Advent Bingo Free Printable Cards for Christmas

When December arrives, the countdown to Christmas is on for many families.  Traditions like an advent calendar or Elf on the Shelf are some of the ways moms/dads/teachers/caretakers add to the magic of the season.  If you are looking for a fun alternative advent activity like I was, I hope you will find these Kindness Advent Bingo cards a perfect addition to your family’s traditions. Print these free 25 Acts of Kindness Bingo cards as a great alternative advent activity! http://goo.gl/cymNj8 Click To Tweet Without having the hassle and chore of moving an ever-watchful elf each night (if that excites your creativity though, by all means, enjoy!), and without encouraging children receiving gift after gift, or candy after candy…kids and families can celebrate each day of December by giving an act of kindness to others. What I love about this idea of “bingo” is don’t HAVE to do a specific kindness

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Winter Diffuser Blends This Christmas Season

Posted on by Posted in Essential Oils, Holidays, Homemade Recipes .
Christmas Winter Diffuser Blends - Essential Oils for the Holidays

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! Here are seven aromatic recipes to add in your essential oils diffuser this winter season. Note: Depending on the size of your room and the type of diffuser you have, amounts may vary.  It is fun to play around with finding your signature scent blends though!  If I find it too strong, I add water to my Young Living diffuser.  Not strong enough? Drop more oils!  I find diffusing 30 minutes at a time, a few times a day is a good way to not over-do it with therapeutic aromas, which I only trust one brand. Hibernate 2-3 drops Lemon 2-3 drops Peppermint 2-3 drops Lavender Candy Cane 4 drops Stress Away 2 drops Peppermint Cider 3 drops Orange or Citrus Fresh 2-3 drops Nutmeg 1 drop Cinnamon or Clove or Thieves, optional (Guess it’s all optional though technically!) Gingerbread 4 drops Ginger 2

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