5 doTERRA Essential Oils for Health and Wellbeing

I am so excited to share with you this post by Brie Bradshaw from My Organic Adventure! She is sharing with us about how essential oils can help with various aspects of our health and wellbeing. It is certainly an enlightening piece and I hope you all learn a lot from it!

I remember the first time I was introduced to essential oils. 3 and a half years ago. I thought that they were a hoax and a fad that would pass as fast as they came. Oh how wrong I was! Peppermint was the first oil to come into my life and I have not looked back since. Essential oils have completely transformed my life and I am so honored that Bonnie is giving me the opportunity to share the amazing benefits of dōTERRA’s essential oils with you!

“There’s an oil for that”, is a famous saying amongst essential oil users! This post would never end if I went into the numerous uses that all of dōTERRA essential oils can help benefit and support. This is why I have chosen my favorite five to highlight for you!

1. Peppermint– Since peppermint was my first love, it only makes sense to talk about it first! 🙂 1 drop of dōTERRA peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 26 cups of peppermint tea. So yes, these essential oils are very potent and strong! A little bit goes a long way! Peppermint is really good to use when you are having tummy troubles. It provides a burst of cool relief. It also takes away that annoying head pain that seems to come all the time at the worst possible times! Peppermint is part of the infamous LLP trio (lemon, lavender, & peppermint) that helps get through those annoying season changes!
2. Lavender– Lavender is known as the number one essential oil that is the most adulterated. You can find “lavender” in almost anything and everything. Think about all of those baby products that are lavender scented. Unfortunately, that lavender is a synthetic chemical made in a lab! This is why dōTERRAs lavender is the real deal, 100% certified pure therapeutic grade essential oil. I love to put drops of lavender on my pillow every night to help wind me down before bed. It is also good to put on your kids cuts and scrapes that they always seem to get! Lavender is also known as the swiss army knife of oils, meaning if there is something going on and you do not know what oil to use, grab your lavender and it will most likely help!
3. On-Guard– This is the oil you most definitely need in the winter time to keep your immune system strong! I use this oil as a preventative to keep the sickness at bay. The University of Manchester did an aromatherapy study with On-Guard and it was found to kill the deadly MRSA bacteria. Vanderbilt Hospital in Tennessee also uses On-Guard to boost productivity and health of patients and their staff year round. Because of the amazing benefits of On-Guard, dōTERRA has made many other products that are formulated around the On-Guard protective blend. These products include On-Guard whitening toothpaste, On-Guard cleaner concentrate, foaming hand wash, laundry detergent, and throat drops to name a few. On-Guard, like the name states, is a must have in your home!
4. Frankincense– I am sure many of you have heard of Frankincense before. Remember in the Bible when the three wise men brought baby Jesus gifts of gold, FRANKINCENSE, and myrrh? Frankincense is known as a holy oil. Get this, it was valued more back then than the gift of gold. I not only love Frankincense for the rich history that it encompasses , but also for the healing properties it possesses. Cancer patients desiring to fight cancer with naturopathy typically have used Frank and have been pleased. And to all my fellow ladies, this oil is amazing at making your aging skin look younger. 🙂 Frankincense is a must have in your arsenal!
5. Melaleuca– Melaleuca has been a recent found love for me! It is best known for its purifying properties. Like lavender, it is another oil that it is so versatile. It helps support your immune system, skin and nail complexion, and is really good at helping get rid of ear and sinus issues that you may deal with during winter months.

 

The amazing part of dōTERRA essential oils is that you can use them topically, aromatically, and internally! Since not all essential oils are created equally, it is important to know how the company distills and handles their product. Since dōTERRA takes immense pride in their indigenous sourcing, they promise us that we are getting the best, most pure, essential oils in the world! Because of this, I am completely confident in using their products for myself and my loved ones. Life truly is better with essential oils!

Brie Bradshaw is a blogger, 3 years running avid essential oil user and advocate, wife, follower of Jesus, and coffee barista. She enjoys adventures and encouraging others  to step out of the ordinary to make life a world sized escapade. Find Brie’s blog at www.myorganicadventure.com or contact her at myorganicadventure@outlook.com

10 Ways to Keep a Positive Attitude in the Winter

The wintertime is notorious for making our moods tank. It happens and that’s okay, but there’s no reason we should wallow in it and give up on feeling good during the coldest months of they year. Some of the things that have helped me along the way:

1. Think positive: Keep your thoughts as positive and uplifting as you can. It may not be as simple as just thinking positive, but it can be done and is very beneficial all around. How you go about this is up to you, but some ideas are to write down a list of things you’re grateful for each day, reflect on any good that happened in a blog post or journal, or look for positive posts on social media. It can also be good to surround yourself with positive words and people.
2. Take care of yourself: Self-care is very important to our overall wellbeing. If you don’t take care of yourself, then who will? Also, who will help your loved ones if you are not first taking care of yourself so that you can help them? So rest you need to rest, take time to recharge such as reading or taking a walk, and eat healthy to fuel your body to perform its best!
3. Have a family night:  Spend quality time with your family. Whether you hold a movie night, game night, or simply a family meal together once a week, it is good for the whole family’s wellbeing. It boosts your mood to have bonding experiences where everyone benefits in some way. Not to say that it’s all a puppies and rainbows, as we all know there are difficulties getting along sometimes, but it helps in the long run!
4. Go play in the snow! If you live where it snows, go out and play in the snow on occasion. Even adults can have fun building snowmen, forts, and hills to climb or slide down. It’s also freeing and exciting to go sledding and make snow angels! So definitely try it sometime!
5. Snuggle with your pets: A good snuggle with your pets can be therapeutic and lift up your mood by simply having that closeness with them. It makes you feel happier and more positive overall to experience the contact and express your love and care for them. Go love on those furbabies!
6. Take advantage of sunny or warmer days! Whenever it is sunny or warmer, take advantage of it and get outside! Soak up the sun’s rays for the wonderful, and very necessary, Vitamin D! We lack that vitamin in the winter, especially in a snowy or gloomy climate. So those days when it is sunny or warmer are very important to take advantage of!
7. Exercise consistently: I know that our motivation to exercise often goes out the window in the colder months, but do whatever you can to keep your motivation high: search Facebook or Pinterest for inspiration, listen to your favorite music that helps pump you up, or remember why it’s important for you to continue exercising even now. Then stick with it!
8. Cuddle with your kiddos: Just like it’s good for your health to snuggle with your pets, it’s just as beneficial to hug and love on your kids. Plus, it’s good for them too! These little cuddle sessions help remind you both that you’re not alone and that you are loved, and that is a good thing anytime of the year.
9. Focus on the good: Similar to thinking positive, focusing on the good each day will teach your mind to hone in on those moments, which in turn helps lift your mood. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at it and the easier it will to keep a positive attitude!
10. Keep moving forward: No matter what else you do, keep moving forward with your goals and interests. It will all add up as time goes by. While it’s sometimes hard to see, you are making progress. It will become visible with time, trust me!

Winter doesn’t have to be a time of low mood and low energy, it can be a time of thriving and positivity. Practice some or all of these tips for the rest of the winter and see how it can change your life and your attitude!

What are your favorite ways to keep a positive attitude in the winter? How often do you take part in them?

 

~Bonnie~

36 Tips for Winter Weight Loss

“In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold.”
-Ben Aaronovitch

Winter time, when it’s cold and dreary, is a difficult time of the year to stay on track with your healthy living journey. Some of the things that have helped me along the way in various aspects are:

COMFORT FOODS:

1. Hot cocoa- try with marshmallows or some homemade versions.
2. Coffee
3. Hot tea
4. Hot cereals such as oatmeal or cream of wheat- these are often low fat and low calorie, and healthier than some other breakfast options.
5. Soups- as long as you’re careful with sodium and focus on low fat soups, you can fill up on it and stay within your goals.
6. Grilled cheese sandwiches- make with whole grain/wheat bread and minimal butter and you’re good to go.
7. Chili- try cooking your chili with ground turkey or lean ground beef, beans, and even some veggies mixed in to bulk it up and add fiber.
8. Baked sweet potatoes- try with cottage cheese and cinnamon for protein and flavor. It tastes way better than it sounds!
9. Healthy lasagna versions- whole grain or veggie pasta, ground turkey, and other healthier ingredients.
10. Meatloaf- made healthier with lean ground beef or ground turkey, and whole wheat crumbles.
11. Crockpot meals- there are so many choices of healthy meals to cook in the crockpot! They are hot and tasty, and perfect for winter time!
12. Popcorn- as long as you’re careful with the butter, fat, and additives… or make on the stove with fresh kernels.

FITNESS IDEAS:

1. Exercise videos- DVDs or online videos through a video subscription service, YouTube, or anywhere else.
2. Dance around the house- this is such a “fun” way to exercise! Dance around on your own or with loved ones, and burn a ton of calories!
3. Walk in place- walk in place in the house, challenge yourself to walk in place for a certain amount of time, or walk in place during the commercials of your evening show.
4. Strength training- there are quite a few pieces of strength training equipment that are small and easy to store in any space: dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebells, and more!
5. Small cardio equipment- hula hoops, mini trampolines, step-up stools, compact stepper machine, and foot and arm cycles.
6. Clean and organize- winter is the perfect time of year to do deep cleaning or an organizational overhaul, both of which can torch the calories!
7. Mall walk- a warm place to walk with plenty of interesting scenery. You can walk around the perimeter of the inside of the mall quite a few times in one go.
8. Join a gym- only do this if you feel like you can make the commitment to it and can afford the monthly fee, otherwise gym memberships are overrated.
9. Simply increase your activity throughout the day- get up and get some exercise in once every 1-2 hours, even something as simple as walking in place, stretching, etc.
10. Workout outdoors- make sure to layer up and be careful of the ice if you do! Even though it’s cold, it’s still possible to get out and take walks, sometimes go for a run, or get in some other form of exercise that’s perfect in the snow.

STAYING MOTIVATED:

1. Keep your eyes on the prize- remember why you’re doing this and what you’re working towards as you go about your day.
2. Think about events coming up ahead- whether it be a party, birthday, wedding, or something else entirely, think about those events to stay motivated and pumped up!
3. Stay focused on your goals- your goals are still important during the winter. So do your best to remind yourself of what they are and why they are so important to you!
4. Find quality support- being surrounded by people who support you and/or understand what you’re going through, is really beneficial and can help you feel more confident.
5. Search Pinterest for inspiration- there are so many inspiring and motivating quotes, pictures, or blog posts to read on there. Use them to get pumped up and ready to do what you need to do when your motivation is waning!
6. Listen to upbeat/motivational music- find your favorite music to listen to that’s upbeat and motivational. It usually has a way of getting you pumped up and excited to workout or live life better!
7. Watch fun videos or listen to podcasts- anything that is funny, positive, or motivational in whatever way you need it to be, is great to watch or listen to when you’re not feeling motivated!
8. Make a motivation board- put together quotes, pictures, and words that represents your goals or helps you feel motivated, and use them to decorate a poster board. Pretty it up and put it where you will see it often.
9. Create or work on your weight loss journal- in a notebook or binder, record your weight loss journey highlights and accomplishments. Add quotes, pictures, words, or anything else that has helped you along the way.

COLD WEATHER SELF-CARE:

1. Curl up with a good book- reading is an excellent way to de-stress and to take care of yourself.
2. Cuddle with loved ones- the interaction and contact is good for you all around, leaving you feeling warm and loved.
3. Watch a fun movie- watching a movie that entertains you in some way, is a wonderful way to rest and relax.
4. Admire the beauty around you- the cold may not feel good to be in, but there is a certain beauty to winter, no matter where you live.
5. Stay warm- staying warm makes most of us feel better!

“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
-Albert Camus

P.S. Get your free Getting Started Weight Loss Workbook when you sign up for the Inspire the Best You Newsletter!

 

What is your favorite way to work on losing weight or simply being happier in the winter? 

 

~Bonnie~

To Cheat… or Not to Cheat

To cheat… or not to cheat. That is the question.

Cheat days in a healthy living journey is a bit of a controversial topic. Yes, no, maybe… who knows? I think it depends on the person as well as how they use the “cheat” day. I’ve put together some pros and cons of using a cheat day in your plan here…

PROS:

It changes things up. 

Instead of things getting stale in your nutrition plan, or eating the same things all the time, you are able to change things up from time to time. This can be good for your body as well, as there will be less of a chance of hitting a plateau if you’re not eating the same amount of calories every, single, day!

It allows for occasional indulgences.

With a cheat day scheduled occasionally where you are allowing yourself controlled indulgences, can be beneficial by helping you stay on track the rest of the time. We all need to enjoy a treat once in a while and this allows us to do so.

It gives you something to look forward to.

On those especially hard days, when it’s super difficult to stay on track, cheat days give you something to look forward to where you can eat things you want so badly! Then in the moment, you can tell yourself, “I can’t have this right now, but I can have it another day.”

It eliminates the rigidity of “dieting:”

While I don’t view healthy eating as dieting, necessarily, I’m using this term here as a reference. If you use a cheat day, then it can break up the rigidity and monotony of eating only healthier foods nearly all of the time.

CONS:

It can possibly lead to self-sabotage.

Sometimes allowing ourselves enough wiggle room to have a cheat day can cause us to be in a mental place where we think it’s okay to continue doing it. There’s also the chance that it will spill over into the next day, which can often lead to multiple days in a row of being off track.

You can end up eating way too much.

Even in just one day, you can end up eating way too much. Allowing yourself to eat what you want for a whole day can give you the attitude that you can eat anything and everything you want, without limits.

One day of “cheating” may lead to many of overeating.

This goes hand-in-hand with the self-sabotage point above. Giving yourself the freedom to eat more or simply other kinds of foods that you don’t normally have, even for one day, can lead to it lasting into tomorrow and many days to come.

It messes with healthy eating streaks.

If you’ve been on track or eating according to your plan for many days in a row, a cheat day can interrupt that streak. You will need to start over with that particular streak.

MY PERSONAL VIEW:

I think that cheat meals are better than a whole cheat day. For example, I have used a cheat dinner once a week in the past, and that worked well for me. A cheat meal limits the indulgences to one meal and then results in less calories being consumed over your normal plan. Plus it narrows your focus and excitement to one meal, sort of like a really amazing event, that you are anticipation for. Then when that meal is done, it’s done, and you get back on track.

Another option, and one I more recently put into practice, is to allow myself to indulge one or two days a week. In this instance, I allow myself to go over my calorie range by 300-500 calories total throughout that day. I plan ahead for the day and indulge carefully. This might work best to keep more control over our indulgences.

In the end, I believe that this is a personal choice that only you can make. No matter what you decide, remember to always do your best!

What is your view on cheat meals or days? Do you use them in your own healthy living journey and how does that work out for you?

 

~Bonnie~