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Our Grand Canyon Trip

First of all, if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon & it’s on your bucket lists…. GO!!

My dad was a traveler. He lived on 10 acres off the grid in his van & box trailer. He had an entire setup that was pretty bad-ass. He had an outdoor kitchen (grill), outdoor shower (with propane heat), his van was his bedroom & the box trailer was his living room/office area. When we decided to move up here we invited him to come stay. He had always talked of traveling & I wanted him to be able to do just that with a home base to come back to. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to travel as much as he had wanted. Cancer took him away from us in February, 2022.

The last big trip that he took was to the Grand Canyon. I was so jealous because it’s been on my bucket list since I was a child. But I was SO excited for him to live his dream. During his last few months here, he talked of his travels & we promised him that we’d continue his journey in the van. He made us promise that we’d get to The Grand Canyon asap.

So much has happened since then. Just a few weeks later, my father-in-law was also diagnosed with cancer. And we lost a few other family members & friends. It’s been a very hard few years. After loosing both of our dads, our family needed a hard reset. We decided on a destination, I made some shirts & we surprised the girls on Christmas with our plans.

PLANNING: We suck at planning & we’re last minute packers. But this was the biggest trip we’ve ever been on so I actually made a list & started early. My husband worked hard on finishing up on the box trailer/camper conversion & I started planning. I would find things to do or see on social media, head to google maps to check it out & add it to my ‘wishlist’ if it looked interesting. I do have over 300 places in the US that I have tagged ‘to see’. Some, I’d never travel out of my way but it’d be cool to see if I was in the area.

I wasn’t sure what part of the Grand Canyon we should go so I went to good ole Google. We hate crowds but we settled on the South Rim. It’s known to be more crowded but has more hiking (which is what we love) & lots of great views & history. I really didn’t consider how large the Grand Canyon is & how much there is to do around it. I figured we’d be able to drive around to other areas, but it’s actually a 4hr drive from the South rim to the North rim. We ended up staying at the South Rim for a week & stayed plenty busy.

I chose Mather Campground because I wanted to make sure we were close enough to watch both the sunrise & sunsets in the canyon. Of course since I’m a procrastinator & we had to travel in the summer, all the electric & water sites were booked. But we’ve got everything we need & booked a primitive site for 7 nights for $128.

I spent hours looking up activities & things to see in the area (what a waste of time). But I am grateful that my family couldn’t decide on what to do so I didn’t book anything in advance. We were going to bring our dogs so there were so many things that were off limits. By the time we had it planned not to, everything was booked up. If you want to take a mule down the canyon, book a year in advance. The train ride is great if you’re staying in Williams to visit the canyon but I say if you’re going to see the Grand Canyon, stay in the Grand Canyon. I’m glad we didn’t book the train. It doesn’t go inside the canyon, just from Williams to where we camped. We literally would’ve driven an hour to ride the train to where we were camping.

Since we’re such procrastinators, we really didn’t plan out the drive either. We just decided we’d take the northern route there & the southern route home. There is a great website (freecampsites.net) for free camping, rest stops & Cracker Barrel’s. So we just used that to find a spot when we were ready to call it quits for the night.

PACKING: We love hiking & backpacking so we’ve got the packing part down. We took a short camping trip a few weekends before & I made a list of things I’ll need on a 2 week trip. It was a LONG list LOL. The weather said 75-80 during the day & 40-45 at night. We’re in NWFL & were sweating our butts off as we were packing. So I kept reminding everyone to bring something warm for at night. At the last minute I grabbed my forever lazy onesie & I’m so glad I did. It was about 5-10 degrees colder than expected.

  • Clothes: Only pack what can be worn multiple times & interchangeable. Pack for warm & cold. Mostly hiking gear
  • Toiletries: Lots of lotion! Holy crap is it dry AF. I’ve never had such dry skin in my life. We also shower outside & I’m all about using natural products that are earth friendly (leave no trace)
  • I use weekly medicine containers to put allergy meds, Tylenol, etc. I have a small label on each section to know what’s in it.
  • Hiking gear: trekking poles, water bladder & backpack, hat, sunscreen, etc. It’s so dry that your sweat evaporates so you don’t know you’re getting dehydrated. Add a pinch of salt & drink water all day.
  • Hiking shoes. I brought water shoes too but there’s no water around.
  • Emergency kit: obviously
  • Oils: Lavender (skin soothing & mind relaxing), Tummy rolller (eating like crap), grounding (anxious feelings), Valor (for courage), breathe again (for dry ass sinuses), hormone roller (for me), kidpower (for perfume)
  • Shower: We have a shower system that we bring & it’s perfect. We had the best showers. ** Fun fact: the showers at the campground are $2.50 for 5mins & they SUCK. I guess it’s great for hikers when there’s no other choice, but not for us.

DAY 1 Saturday: We left early as we always do when we’re excited for an adventure. We drove 10.5hrs on day 1. We had dinner & stayed at the Cracker Barrel in Tyler, TX. they actually had a nice area for campers in the back.

DAY 2 Sunday: On day 2 we stopped in Amarillo to see some extended family. It was great to visit with them & get lots of insight. We were told not to stop in Albuquerque, NM. There’s a lot of issues with travelers getting robbed & trailers broken into. So we decided to follow that advise & find a place to camp after Albuquerque. We drove about 11.5hrs on day 2 & stayed at the Dancing Eagle Travel Center & RV park in Paraje, NM. This place is literally in the middle of nowhere but there’s a casino, gas station & grocery store right there. It’s a nice little place to stop for $20 & directly on the highway.

DAY 3 Monday: Ok here’s where things get good. It was just over 5hrs to get to our campground & I really wanted to stop to check out a few places. We stopped at the drive thru Route 66 sign in Grants, NM & Indian City.

Next, we spent a few hours at the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert, which was absolutely beautiful. Make sure you talk to the rangers. They’re full of information & history. I’d love to plan a camping & hiking trip here.

We finally made it to Mather Campground right before sunset. We always joke that we’re cursed because we never see wildlife. However, the South Rim is crawling with elk. We saw 4 just pulling into our campground. Our first view of the Grand Canyon was at freaking sunset. When I say “it took my breath away”, it literally freaking did. What a sight to see… It looked like a big ass TV screen. After I caught my breath I literally started to cry. Although I held back as much as I could. I’m so grateful that my dad got to experience this. It’s not just a beautiful view, it’s a feeling, a whole experience.

DAY 4 Tuesday: Oh here we go. So on the drive here we were having some vehicle problems. The van was struggling to get up the hills & it was eating up gas. There’s a mechanic at the South Rim but they’re only a bandaid fix (tires, radiator, small things). They took a look at it & recommended a place in Williams to take it to. Now, these people are so sweet. I’m actually glad we stopped in there because we chatted with the woman that worked there & she had some great stories. We learned that the workers actually live on site because it’s too far of a drive to live elsewhere. They love their job & are full of history & info.

There is so many trails & things to see here. We filled our backpacks for the day & hiked around the rim trail hopping on & off the trolley along the way.

DAY 5 Wednesday: To Williams, AZ we go. We went to the recommended mechanic but they didn’t have time so they recommended another. Outlaw auto (great google reviews)… don’t do it! He hooked up his machine & said it was the battery, changed that out. Then it’s the alternator & the only one around is $600. Well he’s got us by the balls now & we don’t really have a choice. Long story short, it was NOT those 2 things & we spent $1350 & a day of our vacation to not get the van fixed. I was so upset this was happening to us. Then we ran into a local that said this guy sucks & good luck. ** Lesson learned: Either A) Have AAA or B) When out of town only go to the dealer service.

Luckily, Williams is a pretty cool place to check out. We walked up & down Route 66 for the day, had lunch & rode the Canyon Coaster (so much fun). I’d definitely recommend checking out the strip here. Lots of history, shops & a Wild West junction. Since it’s 2hrs behind, we were starving when everything wasn’t open yet. We were a bit hangry at this point & ate at the Pizza Factory. It was good, but as we left we saw Cruiser’s Cafe across the street & wished we would’ve eaten there instead.

Back at the campground they had a night sky program. ** Fun fact: the Grand Canyon is national dark sky park. Although, we had a full moon so it was pretty bright for us. They had a resident astronomer that talked about astronaut training at the Grand Canyon & then we learned about the stars. It was very interesting & I do recommend that.

DAY 6 Thursday: Hiking! We’ve been cooped up together in a van for 3 weeks… I mean days. Ha ha, it literally felt like weeks. We filled our water bladders at the campground water station & stopped at the store for snacks.

I’m deathly afraid of heights & these edges are a straight drop. It’s a mile down to the bottom (if you’re a bird) & nearly 7 to zig-zag down. Now, here’s the thing to remember…. You’ve gotta hike back UP. I was determined to hike this trail & conquer my fear! We took the South Kaibab 1 mile to ooh aah point, stopped for a hikers lunch (granola bars & jerky) & had an encounter with the canyon’s most deadly creature… the squirrel. The only bathroom was half a mile down or 1 mile back up so we continued down. There is no place to stop on the trail, especially with 1000 people there. However, there was a storm off in the distance & some dark clouds moving in so we ended up turning around before the bathrooms & heading back up the canyon. It never rained btw. Just crazy how you can see it from so far away. I’m so proud of myself for doing this hike. It was so hard for me & took way longer than it should have. You can always spot true trail people (love them), every time one passed they stopped to root me on.

After hiking all day & eating such a small lunch, we decided to go out to eat. Now, I wish we would’ve just went to one of the lodges. Instead we went to Big E’s Steakhouse. Way overpriced. It’s a cute place but not worth the $$$. There’s a few lodges at the South Rim but my husband really wanted steak.

DAY 7 Friday: One of the rangers highly recommended the Grand Canyon IMAX show. It was really cool to see the canyon from top to bottom & learn a bit of history.

Then we drove to the far end of the park & checked out a museum & found a small native American market on the way to check out the watchtower. Highly recommend stopping to chat with them too. The woman I spoke with was excited that I’m an herbalist. She told me about Navajo & Mormon teas & some of the plants that were around us. I wish I would’ve asked her if she would sell me tea the next day or harvest some of the Mormon tea. I’m definitely intrigued.

I booked a sunset tour that was like $158 for all 4 of us. Don’t do it. OMG they literally just took us around to the trolley stops that we could’ve done ourselves. So here’s the thing. For the sunset. Just take the red trolley before sunset & they’ll take you to the same spots… for FREE! And they’ll tell you the same things too.

DAY 8 Saturday: I wanted to see the sunrise so bad & now we’re kinda getting used to the time change. So we set our alarm & made sure not to miss it. It was cold AF. For the past couple months I’ve been sweating my butt off so it was difficult to pack for cooler weather. The nights got down to the 30s & reminder, we had no electric or water. It was worth it though, we were just bundled up like Floridians.

This day we planned to hike the Bright Angel trail. There’s tunnels at .25 & 1 mile down. I hiked to the first tunnel but I had no more adrenaline for this trail. My legs got shaky so I sat at the trail on this bench area & told everyone to look at the long horned sheep. For days we’re looking way down in the canyon & even bought binoculars. This guy was right off the trail just feet away. I sent the husband & kids to keep hiking, I did not want to hold them back. We spent the rest of the day hiking around the rim trail & checking out all the lookouts.

DAY 9 Sunday: Our last day at the Canyon. It was rainy most of the day. Throughout the week we kept an eye out for what souvenirs we wanted at the many shops that are at the South Rim. However, we never jotted down which shop had which item. So we spent the rainy day shopping around & checking out lodges. They’re really cool & there’s so much history around them. This day we did decide to eat at the food court at the Maswik lodge & it was delicious. I wish we just would’ve eaten here the other night.

We rode the red trolley to see the sunset one last time & stopped to watch the moonrise. It was a full moon Saturday so it was bright & beautiful.

DAY 10 Monday: On the road again. It literally all felt like a dream.

I really wanted to stop at the corner of Winslow, AZ… so we did. The van was still running like crap so we decided to avoid the interstate for while. We stopped to get some spark plugs because the shitty mechanic said that was the problem after everything else. Anthony said don’t touch it, I’ll do that. So we grabbed those & stayed at the dancing eagle again. It did help quite a bit, but there’s still something else going on.

DAY 11 Tuesday: Rosewell, NM. We thought this would be a fun place to stop. We ended up finding a great campground, Wild Willy’s, with the best bathrooms. Everyone immediately ran to the showers. The only issue I had was the constant barking from a long term guest’s dog. But the owner, the bathrooms & the price was great. It was only $25 for the night.

Of course we had to check out the International UFO Museum & the main strip in Rosewell. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go, but it was a cool stop along the way. We ate at Martin’s Capitol Cafe… not recommended. Nobody finished their meal & we hate wasting food. Not sure what to recommend because that’s the only place we ate at.

DAY 12 Wednesday: Warning: The winds out west are something different. We stopped for lunch & found that a solar panel literally ripped off the metal rack & was gone. I’m not sure how long we even drove this day because we stopped somewhere west of Houston at a Cracker Barrel. This one didn’t have the nice camper parking but there was a shopping center with a Target behind it.

DAY 13 Thursday: We wanted to stop in LA to see some friends & check out New Orleans. However, the solar rack is now loose & about ready to fly off. So we stopped to remove it & store it in the trailer (no more bed). By this point my husband was over driving & all the issues & just wants to be back home. We drove the rest of the way home.

We had such an amazing time & these are memories we’ll talk about forever. Life is too short, travel. Stop with the excuses. Trust me, I had them all. Especially “we can’t afford it”. We lived on sandwiches for lunches & our campsite was $128 for 7 nights. If there’s a will, there’s a way. If it wasn’t for making that promise to my dad, we’d still be dreaming about it & wishing we could.

MEALS: We have a solar cooler but it’s not very big so I needed more items that didn’t need refrigeration. We also have a Coleman propane stove & here’s some of the meals that I made:

  • Canned chicken with taco sauce & shredded cheese quesadillas
  • Hamburgers
  • Hotdogs
  • Shells & cheese with leftover hamburger
  • Bear Creek soups. I usually get the potato soup
  • Canned chili
  • Grits
  • Sandwiches with lunch meat or chicken salad
  • Cheese & crackers & fruit
  • Tea & Coffee
  • I have a roll up toiletry bag that hangs. I fill it with condiment packets & small containers of oil, sugar, etc.
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Sickie Routine

Hey mama, this one’s for you. I’ve been sharing this information for years & I’ve been wanting to make a post so it can be shared even more (and so I stop repeating myself, I can just say here it is lol). This information literally changed my life as a mom & this is a routine we still do to this day for the whole family.

How it started: There’s several bits of information that I gained to me to make up this full routine. One being my daughter’s pediatrician (which was mine too btw). He’s the one that pointed out how dangerous my cleaning products & candles were when my daughter was diagnosed with asthma & recommended herbal supplements for her when I was in tears from being in his office so much. He was an amazing dr & I appreciate him for meeting me where I was. We were the typical family, one kid gets sick then everyone gets it. I swear it seemed like someone in our house was ALWAYS sick. Plus we both worked full-time jobs so we’d have to rotate on who took care of which sick kid. Then we couldn’t take the days off when we got sick. It SUCKED!!!!

Now, as soon as someone around us is sick or one of us come home sniffling, we start this routine. All these years later & it still works. Why fix what’s not broken, right? All the items below are immune boosters. They help your body to fight whatever it has, not just mask it. If any of us do get sick, it’s over pretty quickly & doesn’t get too bad (knock on wood). But since we’ve been doing this, we no longer pass the yuck back & forth (HUGE win!!).

Ningxia Red: This is a powerhouse supplement drink & immune booster. It’s full of antioxidants & anti-inflammatory properties. Read more about it here. We take 2oz every day. When we’re not feeling well or people around are sick, we make sure not to miss a day & add few other immune boosters (below).

Echinacea with goldenseal. This is what my pediatrician recommended. For littles you’d use 1/2 a dose 1 week on, 1 week off for 6 weeks. Make sure to get alcohol free. Add it straight to your Ningxia. I start using this when someone comes home sick or everyone around us is getting sick. I take it for about a week.

Elderberry is another great supplement to have on hand. Sometimes I add this into my routine if someone is actually sick, or for allergies. Again, alcohol free & add to your Ningxia shot. Great to use during the season change.

Thieves. Oh my Thieves is so good. You can read more on the story of Thieves here & you’ll understand why it’s on this list & a must in my house. We use the roller to apply topically & in the diffuser for aromatically. If I am sick, I add 2 drops to an empty vegetable capsule & top with any oil. It works wonders. You can also make a tea with it, I personally, don’t care for the taste.

Raven. Like Vicks but minus the petroleum. And WAY better. Raven is a fantastic respiratory support blend. Apply to chest, back, nose and/or bottom of your feet & diffuse. Some other great respiratory blends are RC & Breathe Again. This is another MUST in my home. Why use an alternative when you can have the real deal?

Plants are powerful medicine & it’s a blessing that we have such easy access to them. Seriously life changing! And the best part is, you control what you’re using. I suggest starting with these few things & change it as you see fit. We’re all different & the same products may work differently for you. Young Living also has some great Thieves cough drops & chest rub.

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Peppermint Essential Oil

Today let’s chat about another oil that I always have on stock. This one is used in so many different ways, it’s crazy. Make sure to click on each of the photos below to read more about this useful oil.

All the deets on peppermint!!

Peppermint is an oil that will intensify other oils. It absorbs quickly & you can literally feel it. It’s known to help sore/achy muscles/joints, itching, head tension, congestion, increases blood flow & promotes hair growth when used topically. It’s also cooling, I use my breath spray as a cooling spray (multifunctional) in the humid Florida summer.

Peppermint is an ingredient in most respiratory blends & a great oil to have on hand for the icky feels. Inhaling peppermint can reduce stress & promotes metal clarity. I love diffusing peppermint at work to keep me alert, plus it cleanses the air. I add a few drops to my trash can & drains as needed & it’s great to keep the bugs & rodents away (yes please).

Internally, peppermint is great for our digestive system. I make a capsule with Digize & peppermint for uneasy tummies (I’ll make a post on this). It’s a yummy flavoring for desserts & teas (use a toothpick amount first). And I make my own breath spray & as mentioned above, & use it topically too.

If you work in an office or school- the pep me up diffuser blend in this article.. OMG!!

Peppermint EO

This article has some great diffuser blends. Take a look at those with peppermint, notice what they’re used for?

Peppermint Vitality

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Lemon Essential Oil

Let’s chat about lemon for a minute. This is such an underrated oil. It’s used in so many ways & is super beneficial. Did you know it takes approximately 75 lemons to make a 15ml bottle of Lemon Essential Oil? That’s crazy! Click on each of the images below for more info on this oil & how to use it.

This one is a must read. Click on the image above to read all about lemon.

Lemon is uplifting, reduces stress & is great for memory & mental clarity. I love to diffuse lemon when I’m working. Lemon & peppermint is my go-to diffuser blend on busy days.

Lemon is also a great disinfectant, degreaser & natural goo-gone. I add a drop of lemon to greasy dishes & to get any sticky residue off old jars/bottles. And come one, why clean with something that’s got harmful fumes when you can literally use something that is uplifting & reduces stress (see above)? It will also remove those tiny plastic hair ties that we all despise. I also have a spray bottle with water & lemon EO to use as a room spray, spray on counters & in trash cans.

Skincare. I know you’d never think it, but lemon is great for our skin. It’s a natural astringent & is cleansing. But be careful, it can cause photosensitivity too. So just avoid the sun after using. It’s also great for hair & nail health.

Internally. Yes, there are some oils that you can use in foods & drinks. Never take essential oils straight from the bottle! But you can add a few drops to some sugar cookies, icing, cake, etc, etc. The recipes are endless. I also like to add 1 drop (start with 1 & add another if you desire) to a large bottle of water. Just make sure you shake it before you drink as the oils float.

After writing this & looking around, I noticed I have a bottle of lemon EO in every room of my house. It’s a must!

Here’s 21 uses for Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon in the kitchen 😋

Lemon Vitality

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Non-Toxic Toothpaste

Have you ever read the ingredients on a tube of toothpaste? It’s quite disturbing actually. Why would it say call poison control if swallowed? I mean it literally goes in our mouth 🤦🏻‍♀️
Luckily, I’ve found a great alternative!! 🤗
This is one of my all time favorite ditch & switches I’ve done. And I ALWAYS have a backup in stock.
Below is a comparison between the different toothpastes available so you can find which one works best for you. My favorite is the whitening 😉✌🏼


ECO-FRIENDLY TOOTHBRUSH

While we’re here, let’s chat about your toothbrush. I hate plastic & I try to minimize the plastic that we have in our home, although, it is inevitable. But this small switch can make a huge difference. I watched this video years ago & decided I would never buy a plastic toothpaste ever again. We’ve been using bamboo toothbrushes for years & I love it. They feel the same (except not plastic), I get 10+ at a time so I always have backup & I can toss them in the compost bin when I’m done. Although sometimes I’m too lazy and chuck it anyway. But hey it’s still better than plastic! But my question is, if it’s cheaper, easier, better for the environment, etc, etc. why are we still using plastic??!! Know better, do better.

Bamboo Toothbrushes: https://a.co/d/fCyh2vZ This is just one of the brands I’ve ordered. I am not dedicated to one brand… yet

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Oil of Oregano

In October I hosted an Oil of Oregano class for our Ladies Night Out. If you’re local, below is the group for upcoming get-togethers. We talked about the herb & made our own oil of oregano. Below I’ve added my notes from the night along with instructions. If you make your own, I’d love to hear from you. And if you love it but don’t want to bother making your own, you can purchase it in my shop, link below.

HISTORY

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite created oregano as a symbol of happiness for her garden.  The word “oregano”  comes from the  Greek words oros and ganos, meaning “ joy of the mountains”.

The Greeks used oregano in marriage ceremonies to provide joy and at funerals to provide peace to the departed & banish sadness. The Greek physician Hippocrates used oregano for antiseptic purposes and to protect against respiratory ailments and gastrointestinal distress. Ancient Greeks believed that oregano could also be used as a poison antidote. They also used it to treat skin irritations & infections.

Medieval Europeans would chew on oregano leaves to alleviate rheumatism, toothache, indigestion, and cough. 

Oregano later made the journey to China. There, it was also used for medicinal purposes. The Chinese used it for fever, vomiting and upset stomach.

Oregano is most often used in Italian cuisine. It is a key ingredient in tomato sauces and on pizza, pizza sauces, vegetable dishes and for adding flavor to grilled meat. There, it was discovered by WWII soldiers who brought it back to the US.

BENEFITS

As you see, Oregano has been used for so many different ailments. To sum it up, Oregano is a natural antibiotic, a powerful antioxidant & anti-inflammatory. 

It’s been used for stomach issues (nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, etc), a natural pain reliever (arthritis, muscle & joint pain/soreness), to treat ear infections, yeast infections, skin infections, and so on.

OILS

Infused herbal oil means combining medicinal properties of herbs into a specific carrier oil. This extraction process is called infusion. It is where herbs or plant matter are chopped and steeped in carrier oil for weeks or months to get the most out of said herbs or plant matter. There are a variety of oils that can be used as carrier oils (olive oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, etc). 

Essential oil is where the plant matter is distilled or pressed to draw out the essential oils of the plant. It takes a lot of plant. It takes about 10lbs to make this 5ml bottle of essential oil.

Here is where you get to create a powerful duo. Just add essential oil into any herbal infused oil and you would be able to maximize the healing properties from both the essential oil and the herbal infused oil.

Click photo to purchase
Click photo to purchase

HOW TO

Fill your jar with dried oregano and use the end of a wooden spoon to crush the herb to release the essential ois. Leave about an inch from the top. Make sure your herbs are completely dry to avoid mold. And if you’re not growing your own, I suggest purchasing from a small business. Commercial plants just aren’t cared for the same and may contain other chemicals used in the growing or drying process.

Completely cover the oregano with your choice of carrier oil. We used EVOO for our class. Don’t shake but flip around to mix everything well. Close up tight & label (don’t miss this step). Add what your concoction is & the date.

Set your concoction in the sun for a day to warm. Flip or roll it around gently a few times.

Store in a cool, dry place for 6-8 weeks. The longer, the better. Flip or roll it around every once in a while.

Strain your mixture into a clean jar with a clean cheesecloth. Don’t forget to squees that last little bit out, it’s the best part. This is when I add my essential oils. Make sure to mix well and let it sit for another couple days to completely infuse .

Now you can transfer some into dropper bottles or keep it in the mason jar, it’s up to you.

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Itch & Sting Roller

We live in the woods so we go through this one often. Mosquito bites, stinging grass, ant bites, etc. I promise you’ll love this one.

  • 10ml roller bottle (or spray bottle)
  • 10-15 drops Tea Tree
  • 10-15 drops Lavender
  • Use a dropper to fill with ACV
  • Shake well before each use.
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Hormone Support Roller

Years ago I made a list of all the hormone support oils. I gathered the oils that I had at the time and made this. Over the years I’ve added Lavender and then Geranium to add their benefits.

  • 10ml Roller Bottle
  • 8 drops Dragon Time
  • 6 drops Progessence Plus
  • 4 drops Copaiba
  • 4 drops Endoflex
  • 3 drops Ylang Ylang
  • 3 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Geranium

Grab all these oils here: Hormone Support Oils

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Carrier Oils

Let’s talk carrier oils.  There are so many different carrier oils so I thought I’d quickly break down some of a few here.

Jojoba –  My favorite!!  Jojoba oil is made from the seeds of the jojoba plant.  It contains vitamins E, A & D, minerals such as chromium, copper & zinc and fatty acids.  It’s the closest oil to your natural skin oil.  Therefore, it does not clog your pores but provides a protective layer.  It’s calming and soothing for your skin and helps to slow the signs of aging.  Best used for healing and love blends.

Coconut – Coconut oil is made from the meats of matured coconuts.  It contains fatty acids & polyphenols which makes it react for your skin and air.  Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and serves as barrier for your skin and tames hair frizz.  It’s a thick oil so you would have to use fractionated oil in rollers and save the virgin, unrefined for balms, etc.  Best used for transformation, purification and protection blends.

Vitamin E– Vitamin E oil is derived from other oils that contain Vitamin E, which are too many to list.  However, the most common is avocado oil, vegetable oil and olive oil.  It has anit-inflammatory properties, helps support cell function, an antioxidant, increases blood flow and is overall beneficial for skin health.  You’ll find it in many anti-aging products and can also help reduce UV skin damage and irritation.  It’s a pretty thick oil so best to use at night or for very dry skin.  Since it increases blood flow, it also encourages hair growth and is great to massage onto your scalp 1-2 times a week.  All purpose oil that is great for all blends and is scent free.

Olive Oil– Choosing a carrier oil does not have to be difficult or expensive.  I bet you even have some in your kitchen.  I love it because it’s universal, handy and great for any blends.  Olive oil is made from pressing olives to extract their oil.  It has great benefits for you skin including being an antioxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces signs of aging, moisturizing, and many more.  However, it is pretty thick and can lead to clogged pores.  I wouldn’t recommend using olive oil in something that you use daily.  But it’s great in a pinch or to thicken up other carrier oils that may be too watery.

Almond Oil– This is another favorite of mine.  Almond oil is extracted from the almond nut.  It is loaded with vitamins A, D E & K, minerals and omega fatty acids and minerals and has been used for centuries for skin and hair health.  It’s been used to help reduce the appearance of scars, sooth the skin, reduces UV damage and also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  it’s fairly light on the skin and soaks in quickly & easily.  Note, this would not be a good oil to use if you have a nut allergy.  It also has amazing benefits for your hair including taming frizz, promoting hair growth and aiding to combat dandruff.  Best used for wisdom and prosperity blends.

Coconut – Coconut oil is made from the meats of matured coconuts.  It contains fatty acids & polyphenols which makes it react for your skin and air.  Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and serves as barrier for your skin and tames hair frizz.  It’s a thick oil so you would have to use fractionated oil in rollers and save the virgin, unrefined for balms, etc.  Best used for purification and protection blends.

Avocado Oil– Avocado oil is made from the avocado and skin.  It had been used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, reduces signs of aging, fights free radicals and overall moisturizing and soothing.  Avocado oil is rich in beneficial nutrients and great for your skin.  It’s benefits are very close to olive oil but not as thick.  However, if you have an allergy to latex you may have a sensitivity to avocado oil so make sure to test it first.  It’s also great for your hair to tame frizz, aid in combatting dandruff, promotes hair growth, and a great natural heat protectant.  Best for love, aphrodisiac and fertility blends.

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Bedtime Linen Spray

Bedtime Linen Spray

So easy.  I love making my own sprays because they’re so simple.  Right before bed I’ll spray this on my pillows, sheets and myself.

Recipe:
15 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Cedarwood
1 drop of Chamomile
Fill with spring/distilled water.
(My tap is spring water, I wouldn’t use city tap)

I’ve also made this with 25 drops of Dreamcatcher & water ✌🏼

Shake & spray.  That’s it!


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Healing Balm

Where was this when my kids were little? Ugh, I so wish I had known about all these natural diy products and of course essential oils. I mean I knew about oils but not really and they weren’t a part of my lifestyle. Anyway, I made this for a friend and now I’m obsessed. It’s great for any ailments, it’s easy to make, natural and safe for everyone.

If you click on each ingredient it’ll take you to the one I buy from Amazon. And no, these aren’t affiliate links. I’m not cool enough for those lol. All of these products can be used in multiple diys so they’re totally worth it.

First, I add all ingredients to my tin to measure how much to make. Make sure to overfill it as it will all melt together. I used equal parts Shea & cocoa butter and top with jojoba oil.

Next, I add these ingredients to a glass measuring cup and melt in the microwave or in a pot of boiling water, like a double broiler.

I don’t have have a microwave so I use the boiling water method.

Let it cool a bit before adding your essential oils and transferring to your container. I add lavender & tea tree because they’re both great for cuts, scrapes & bites. I put about 15-20 drops of lavender and 5 of tea tree in this size tin.

Store in a cool and dry place.

That’s it! So quick & easy. You can control what’s in it. It’s safe for the kiddos and a fun project to do with them.

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Easy All Natural Lip Balm/Chapstick

Easy All Natural Lip Balm/Chapstick

OMG y’all this is the easiest thing to make.  I will never buy lip balm from the store again!  So start saving your empty tubes now.

I have changed this recipe so many times and this is the winner!

Ingredients:
Beeswax 15 grams
Shea Butter 10 grams 
Cacao Butter:  15 grams
Carrier oil: 15 grams
Essential Oils: 20-30 drops*
*You can use any combo your little heart desires.  Here are a few ideas:
– Vanilla & Peppermint
– Cinnamon, Vanilla & Honey
– Orange, Tangerine & Vanilla
– Peppermint & Rosemary
– Vanilla & Honey
Use your creativity and make up your own blend.  Start small and add more oils as needed.

 
Instructions:
Start melting the beeswax and cacao butter first since they’re they take the longest to melt.  Then add in your carrier oils.  Once everything is completely melted, remove from heat then add your essential oils.
I use a tadka pan over a pot of boiling water but you can use any kind of double broiler or the microwave.  If you’re going the microwave route just make sure you keep a close eye on it and only melt at small increments.
Yes, it’s that easy!!  If you’re just refilling some tubes you can use a medicine syringe and add the leftover to a microwavable container to melt and use later.  Or if you’d like to make a larger batch, check out this kit below 👇.  My only tip is to work quickly, once all ingredients have been added it will harden fairly quickly.


Click photo for Amazon link

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All Natural Body Butter

All Natural/Healing Body Butter/Balm

I’m so excited to share this recipe with you.  I’ve had people tell me not to share the recipe and to sell it but that’s just not how I roll.  When I find something that I love and that works, I want to share it with the world.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased a product and love it but never bought it again because it was either too expensive to order online or I just couldn’t find the person who I bought it from.  Not to mention, I just love making my own stuff.

First off let me start by saying, everyone calls this a body butter but it’s more of a body balm, and I’ll explain this.  In order to get the creamy consistency that you see in your store bought body butters, you would need to add a synthetic additive.  Well, doesn’t that defeat the  purpose of all natural?  So with that being said, this will melt to an oil in extreme heat and harden in the cold.  But it’s ok because it all works the same.  Since it’s all natural and does not have added water, it’s very concentrated.  Just start with very little and use more as needed.  It will be hard at first but will melt quickly with your body heat.  I love this product and it’s now all that I use.

Healing?  Why do I say healing?  Well, look at the ingredients.  Everything I’ve listed has some healing properties.  And it’s so versatile.  I use a little bit all over after a bath or shower and whatever little bit is still left on my hands, I’ll lightly apply it to my hair.  it helps with dry hair & frizz.  I’ve used it as a lip balm, hand & foot cream, hair cream, tattoo cream, and even on burns & minor skin irritations.  My mom says I’m a minimalist.  If you haven’t noticed, do love having less products and stuff that can be used for many, many things.

Ingredients:

(Please feel free to alter the amount of each ingredient that fits your needs)

  • 1 cup Cacao Butter
  • 1 cup Shea Butter
  • 3/4 cup Carrier Oil– I say ‘carrier oil’ because you can use pretty much anything.  I would recommend looking some of these up to see what would work best with your skin type.  These are the carrier oils I like to use.  I can never settle on one so sometimes I use them all:  Grapeseed oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, vitamin e and jojoba oil. (If I have vitamin e, I’ll use 1/4 of that & 1/2 of another carrier listed above). A great recommendation is to use an herbal infused carrier oil.
  • 50+ Drops Essential Oil Again, use what you like or need.  I like to use lavender & frankincense.  The latest batch I made I also added Ylang Ylang & Copiaba.

Instructions:
So that you don’t overheat your oils, you’ll want to start with the cacao butter because it has the highest melting temp.  I used a glass bowl set in a pan of boiling water.  Once the cacao butter is almost completely melted, add the shea butter.  Then, once that is melted, remove from heat and add your carrier oils.  Stir well.  You can let it set until it’s just hard at the top.  Or if you’re impatient like me, you can put it in the fridge for a few minutes.  Once the top starts to harden, add your essential oils and use a hand mixer to whip the body butter to the consistency you desire.  Just remember, it will not stay at this consistency unless you use an additive.  If you find that it’s still very oily, put it back in the fridge a little longer.  Just don’t do like I’ve done and totally forget it in the fridge…. it will harden like a rock!  I like to use small mason jars to store my body butter/balm in.  It may feel oily when you first apply it, but just wait a minute and it will soak in.  Since it’s all natural it will soak in and not sit as a film on your skin.

If you make this please leave me a comment and let me know what you think


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All Purpose Cleaning Scrub

All Purpose- All Natural Cleaning Scrub

I keep this cute container next to my sink at all times.  We use baking soda for anything that needs a little scrub or soak.  The last time I filled it up I decided to add a cap full of Thieves household cleaner to it and it is amazing!!  Just make sure to wisk it to distribute the cleaner evenly and avoid clumps.  This is also a great laundry boost.  I use it for my sinks, showers, counters, dishes…. everything!  It’s amazing how far this Thieves cleaner can go.

Baking Soda
Thieves Household Cleaner

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Getting The Most Out of Your Oils​

Getting the most out of your oils

So your favorite oil is running low.  Ugh, I hate that.  I feel like I need to savor every drop I have.  So here’s a few ideas that will help you get every drop out of your oils.

make infused bath salt

This is my favorite method.  When you think you’ve used every drop, take the tops off and throw them all in a jar of Epsom salt.  I just keep adding and shaking it up until I’m ready to use.  Sometimes it’s fun to see what concoction you come out with.

Turn into a roller

I like to do this once my oil reaches about 1/4 full.  Just remove the clear top, add a carrier oil and put the roller cap on.  Super easy!

use for your diffuser

I have seen this idea many times, although I personally use the bath salt method.  But this is very similar.  The difference is to use distilled water instead of Epsom salt.  Just store them near your diffuser for easy use.

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Facial Serum (3 ways)

** Final updated recipe at the bottom of this page**

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  So I grew up with oily skin.  I kept trying to fight it by drying it out.  I even had a medicated face wash that dried my skin out so bad I started bleeding.  So one day I heard something that really made me think.  They said “the best way to combat oily skin is to stop drying it out.  The more you dry it the more your skin freaks out and becomes more oily.”  Well yea, that makes sense.  Everything I tried only lasted a few hours.  So I did a bit of digging and found the oils that are nutritious for your skin and face.

  • Carrier oil:  Here you can find out about different carrier oils and which one would best fit your needs.  I like to use multiple in some of my recipes.
  • Frankincense:  Oh what isn’t Frank good for?  It’s just an overall magic oil.  I suggest you google ‘benefits of Frankincense on face’.  It’s another great oil for anti-aging, aids in healing, it’s an astringent, evens skin tone, etc.
  • Lavender:  Lavender is another powerhouse oil.  It also helps even skin tone, soothes skin inflammations, supports skin aging, etc.
  • Copaiba: Well, honestly, I put this shit on everything (in the Frank’s red hot old lady voice LOL).  Every roller bottle I make I add this to it.  When you add it to other essential oils, it intensifies that oil.  Plus it reduces the appearance of blemishes, promotes a youthful, radiant glow, also aids in skin irritations, etc.
  • Roller Bottles:  I like using these because they’re cute, easy to travel with and you use less when you’re not pouring it into your hand.

  For this I love using the roller bottle.  But I’ve used empty YL bottles too.  I add 15 drops of Frankincense and 7 each of Lavender & Copaiba.  Then I fill the rest with carrier oil(s),  Shake and enjoy.

Obviously when you buy your essential oils, make sure to use my link 😘


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Update:  

One of my favorite things about making my own products and using Young Living is that I can alter my product to match what my needs are.  So lately I’ve been using hemp seed oil as my carrier oil and I love it.  So here’s my updated recipe that I’ve been currently using:

Hemp Seed Oil:  Moderates oil production, moisturizes & soothes inflammation and has anti-aging properties.

Fill your 15ml roller bottle with hemp seed oil and leave just a little room for your other oils.  Add 15 drops of Frankincense, 7 drops each of Lavender & Copiaba and lately I’ve been adding about 4 drops of Tea Tree.  That’s it.  Shake to mix and enjoy. 


FINAL UPDATE!!

Here’s my current glow-up face oil.  Remember, we are aging and our skin is always changing so my routine has grown and changed with me.  It’s fun making our own products to match our needs.

10-15 drops Frankincense
5 drops Copaiba
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Tea Tree
3 drops Blue Tansy
Fill with YL CBD Beauty Boost
or 1/2 Beauty Boost & 1/2 carrier oil of your choice (I prefer jojoba oil)

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Dry Shampoo

DIY Dry Shampoo

I wish I could go days without washing my hair. But the truth is, I’ve always had oily hair. So years ago I discovered dry shampoo and was thrilled. But… a) they come in areosol cans, b) I had to hold my breath when using them and close my eyes because the smell is so strong and c) it’s effing expensive. Anyway, this was a big ‘NO’ all around. So I decided to find a healthier, cheaper option and here’s what I now use …. corn starch… yup, cheap, easy and natural. I just fill this airtight container with a few tablespoons of cornstarch, about a half tablespoon of cocoa or cacao powder (if you have dark hair) and a few drops of my favorite essential oil. I like to use peppermint because it pairs well with the cocoa. But that’s it. I shake and apply with a large makeup brush. When you get it on the brush just tap the excess off so you don’t use too much.

You can purchase these items on Amazon:

  1. Corn Starch
  2. Cacao Powder
  3. Large Makeup Brush
  4. Airtight Jar (this one is super cute)
  5. Peppermint Essential Oil

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All Purpose Cleaner

All Natural- Everything Cleaner

Alright, so here it is.  This is the cleaner I use for EVERYTHING!! 

Yes, everything!  Counters, mirrors, toilets, showers, wood, glass, marble, everything!!  

I save a ton of money, room and not to mention, my health.  Have you ever stopped and looked at what’s in your cleaning products?  I mean we’re ‘cleaning’ with harmful chemicals.  That doesn’t make sense does it?  So here’s what I use:  I fill my spray bottle most of the way with water, add a capful of Thieves household cleaner and about 10 drops of lemon & Thieves essential oils.  It works great and smells amazing.  Plus, I don’t feel like I have to wash my hands or use gloves when using Thieves cleaner.

Thieves is a very concentrated all natural cleaner that lasts a long time… like I said, I use about a teaspoon in this bottle.  And there’s no warning labels to call poison control if swallowed.  They will, however, tell you do drink a lot of water if ingested (which is never recommended btw).

If you’d like to learn more about Thieves all natural cleaner, please ask.

And, you can purchase a bottle for yourself here.