Some Cleaning Ideas...

I was relaxing in the tub and reading my All You magazine the other day (All You is a couponing magazine and has lots of fun tricks and tips for doing things well for cheaper - LOVE it!) and I came across a couple of pages with some recipes for cleaners. I started reading them because is one of my new subjects that intrigue me. Guess what? They include ESSENTIAL OILS in them! Wahoo! I was so excited to find that! This year, my goal is to become natural in my cleaning products. This includes making my own laundry detergent and cleaners and whatnot. So these few pages really caught my eye. So just as an idea for some of the recipes, here are a couple of them. These recipes are word-for-word from the magazine, then beneath you will find my comments about them.

Antibacterial Spray

*Use this germ killer on sinks, vanities and toilet seats. White thyme oil (or in this case, doTERRA's Thyme oil) although expensive, inhabits bacterial growth. *

Prep: 2 minutes Cost: $11.57

Yield: Approximately 18 oz (a 2-3 month supply)

Ingredients- 2 cups water, 2 Tbsp liquid castile soap, 1 Tbsp white thyme essential oil, 10 drops lavender essential oil.

Instructions- Using a funnel, pour water, soap and oils into bottle. Shake. Spray and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe down surfaces with damp cloth. 

Toilet Bowl Blaster!!

*This recipe harnesses baking soda's gentle abrasiveness, vinegar's acidity and the stain-lifting power of the fizz created by mixing the two, plus tea-tree oil's antibacterial capabilities.*

Prep: 2 minutes Cost: 48 cents Yield: 1 cup, enough for 1 use

Ingredients- 1/2 cup baking soda, 10 drops tea-tree essential oil, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar.

Instructions- Pour baking soda directly into the toilet bowl, add oil, then vinegar- in that order. Let water effervesce for several minutes, then scrub bowl with brush. Flush. 

 *doTERRA's oil is Melaleuca, not tea-tree oil. They are same thing. Melaleuca is great for killing off bad germs and infections and stuff. I really like this REALLY EASY recipe! *

Furniture Polish

*Apply this formula to clean and restore luster to wood furniture. It also may be used to help remove superficial water rings on wood tables.* 

Prep: 1 1/2 minutes Cost: 34 cents Yield: Approximately 2 1/2 oz.

Ingredients- 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/4 tsp lemon oil (or fresh lemon juice).

Instructions- Using a funnel, pour olive oil, vinegar and lemon oil into a 8 oz plastic squirt bottle. Shake well to emulsify. Squirt polish onto a microfiber cloth and rub onto finished-wood furniture. Always go with the grain and even distribute polish. Remove any excess polish with a clean cloth. 

*I do not use furniture polish because I don't have nice enough furniture to use it on. Ha ha! But it sounds like a GREAT recipe. If you use it, let me know how it works for ya!*

If you want more, I encourage you to check out this magazine. I know that our local library has this magazine to look at and I think even check out. Of you can try looking it up online at allyou.com If you are using natural cleaners, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT! I am going to start myself a notebook soon and write all of these recipes down so I have them in one spot to quickly reference to them. So I'd love to hear your recipes. If you are using a natural cleaner, try adding some essential oils to them and I want to know what you think. I'd love to feature you on a post with your great information and experiences! 

 

Recipes

I had someone ask for the recipe of the Orange Julius that we made, so here is what my husband used:

1/2 sugar

1/2 container orange juice concentrate

1/4 milk

1/4 water

1 tsp vanilla

and like 12 ice cubes 

(give or take a few depending on your size of cube and how much ice you like in it) 

then 3-5 drops of whatever oil you want. 

I really liked the Citrus Bliss more than just the plain grapefruit! :)

Also, at my house we try to do green smoothies periodically. I, myself, am trying to do one at least once a day for one meal. So for an idea to use with the oils, add a 1-3 drops of your favorite oil into a green smoothie. You could do lemon, grapefruit, lime, Citrus Bliss or Wild Orange. Give it a try and leave a comment with your recipe and how you liked it! :)

Orange Julius #2

On my last post, I told you that my husband made us some Orange Julius' one night for our late night snack and he put some drops of grapefruit in it. 

Well, I put in a request for him to make another one last night, but this time, he put in 5 drops of Citrus Bliss. So yummy!!!! He thought he put a drop or two too much, but I thought it was so good! 

Just wanted to share a tip for a healthy snack that is even healthier since you are putting the essential oils into it! Let me know if you try it and what you thought!

You Can Get Free Oils Too!

This can be a touchy subject with some people because it makes some feel like they might be forced to buy oils all the time when maybe they don't want to. That is fine. For those of you who are interested, I just want to give you more information about the autoship program that doTERRA offers. I currently have about 500pv to spend on oils right now. That is a lot of points!!! Just a reminder of what pv means - doTERRA has a point system (point value = pv) for each oil. Some are worth the same as their price, some are worth a little bit less than their price. Their autoship program is now called the Loyalty Rewards Program and is based off of how many pv you are spending each month. To earn free oils, you have to spend at least 50pv a month. 

The first 3 months that you are on the autoship, you will earn 10% back to spend on oils. From months 4-6, that percentage will go up to 15%, months 7-9 goes up to 20% and from months 10-12, you will get 25% back. Finally, from months 13+, you will earn 30% back of what you spend each month, to use on oils. 

If you stop doing the autoship for one month, you will lose the points that you have earned. You are not required to do it for a certain amount of time. That is up to you. You are also able to change your order every month so that you can get whatever you want. I have been on the autoship for about 2 years and have not regretted it at all!!

To redeem your points, you simply pay $3 for every 100pv and pay for any shipping and handling. So if you are one of those lucky ones that live close enough to go pick it up from the office (I am not) you wouldn't have to pay for the shipping. I think it is a great deal for these oils!! Believe me, I am huge into great deals (I am a couponer!) and so if it weren't worth it, I wouldn't be doing it myself. 

If you are thinking you are wanting to make this a business, the only difference would be is that instead of spending 50pv a month, you would have to spend at least 100pv a month. 

By signing up for the Loyalty Rewards Program (LRP) you are given your own website to order from and to refer others to order from. 

I think this covers it all. Ha ha. Did I lose any of you along the way? Please ask me your questions and feel free to comment. I want this to be clear for everyone so that it can remain an option for you all! :)

Sidenote: My husband just made us a late-night orange julius and he put in two drops of grapefruit essential oil for a little flavor and health benefit!! :) It is yummy!!

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Lemon --> Yellow ---> Today's title. Ha ha. 

So I got emails from my up-line periodically and when I got this one, I knew I HAD to share it with you. Some information about the Lemon Oil. If you want to be put on the email list from my up-line, let me know and I can send them your email address. They have meetings, classes, send out information and lots of fun stuff periodically. This one came from a girl named Kellie. Here is what she taught this month about Lemon: 

"Lemons Uses: Aromatic, Topical, Internal -Make sure it is a CPTG oil if you are wanting it for medicinal uses.

Very Family Friendly! Wahoo!!

Illness, Colds, Flu, Fevers, Kidney Cleanse, Immune Booster, Natural Pick-Me-Up, Parasite Cleanse, Toxin Cleanser, And Household Cleaner!

(just a few drops in 8oz of water several times a day keeps the kidneys flushed clean, the liver happy, the blood vessels clear of arterial plaque, and gets the lymph flushed out.)

-I used Lemon to remove paint from the side of a car!

-I use lemon to remove gum and stickers (I know it is a pricey little cleaner, but I love the smell, and I love that I can use it with my hands and not feel worried about toxic crap getting into my system!)

I believe it is one of the most important oils. It is simple to use, safe for every one in the family, and covers a whole myriad of problems, concerns or ailments. Plus it tastes DELICIOUS!

And beautifully it is cheaper than most of the oils because it is an abundant resource.

I believe this oil fits EVERYONE'S Budget. And should be used daily.

Use it to clear the air and freshen up a room instantly.

Use a few drops in the tub for a refreshing bath that also helps dull skin, and to pull toxins.

Use it for cuts, and wounds (it heals, cleanses and numbs.)

Use it to shine up a dull complexion, try my Lemon Coffee scrub recipe below...it is fabulous!

Use it in frosting and baking

Lemon Pie...YUM!

One of my favorite uses is in a warm tea.

Honey Lemon Tea

Use "Just Warm" water (remember not to heat your oils past body temperature, we want to keep the therapeutic properties in it.)

Fill a cup 3/4 full

Add Honey, about 1 1/2 tbs to 2 tbs  and stir until blended (honey is a natural healer)

Add 3-7 drops of Lemon Essential Oil in water

Stir and drink.

Kids love it, adults love it, and you can drink as much as you want. (Sure you are going to notice more frequent bathroom visits, but that is the cleansing and flushing power of Lemon. It is doing its job!)

Lemon is a natural pick-me-up, and a room deodorizer, also it kills the airborne germs and viruses, so........DIFFUSE IT BY GOLLY!

Keep oils  like Lemon circulating in your home through oil diffusers and you will notice, better moods, less illness, and the place just smells darn good! 

Lemon Coffee Scrub

-Use some used coffee grounds, whatever was in the filter (if you don't have used grounds, you can use fresh grounds straight from a package about 3 tbs worth.

-Use one tbs olive oil or fractionated coconut oil for facial scrub, or 4 tbs for body scrub (more or less grounds and oil can be used to fit the consistency of product you like)

-Use 1 drop Lemon Oil

Mix together

Gently scrub face and body

Allow to sit on skin for several minutes

Rinse with warm water and towel dry yourself

Gives a natural healthy glow to skin you will love.

If you are super sensitive to oils and scrubs, I don't recommend using this recipe because it works really well."

Isn't this information amazing? I did format it a little bit to make it look appealing to read, ha ha, but all of the credit goes to her.
I don't buy coffee, so if you don't either, maybe you could switch out the coffee in her scrub recipe and put in oatmeal or something? Do you have any other ideas on that?
Lemon is  $13.33 retail and only $10 wholesale. It definitely is budget-friendly and so easy to use! Everyone needs to have at least one bottle of Lemon in your house. I have about 2-3 in  my house, plus one in my diaper bag. Where is yours?

Brrr....A Hot Drink Sounds Good!

Today, here in Rexburg, we had our first snowfall. No, it was not just a flurry. It stuck. I had to clean my car off after a little while. So we got home and after taking off all of the coats and boots, my kids let me know that it was time for their favorite thing in the winter: HOT CHOCOLATE! So what does this have to do with oils? Well, who likes mint hot chocolate? Why not try adding a drop or two of peppermint to your hot chocolate? Of course I thought of this AFTER my cup was all gone. But I am going to try it next time. If you like tea, you could try doing peppermint tea, lemon tea, or maybe use the grapefruit or Citrus Bliss. Unless you use extremely hot water, I would think that not all of the healing agents in the oil would come out. So I'm sure it might help you feel a little better or comforted. :) Give it a try and let me know what you think!