doTERRA Essential Oils Review and GIVEAWAY!

What are Essential Oils?

    Essential Oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs. In fact, a single drop of peppermint oil is equal to 28 cups of peppermint tea! They have a wide range of uses; from foods, to natural health solutions, to cosmetics and more. They are a safe, affordable, and effective alternative to synthetic drugs. Essential Oils are the inspiration for many lotions, perfumes, and air fresheners, but did you know many pharmaceutical drugs are also inspired by Essential Oils?

  Essential Oils vs. Pharmaceutical Drugs: A Comparison

 Hundreds of natural components vs. Synthetic compounds

 Pennies per drop vs. Expensive co-pays and prescriptions

Treating the problem vs. Masking the symptom

Virtually no harmful side-effects vs. 4th leading cause of death in the United States

What makes doTERRA special? 

      doTERRA Essential Oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG). They are subjected to rigorous 3rd party Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography testing to ensure purity and potency. They are guaranteed to be pure, natural, and free of synthetic compounds.

   To ensure quality doTERRA Essential Oils are also sourced from their native origins. Frankincense, for example, is sourced from Oman, Lavender from France.

     One of the most exciting things about Essential Oils is their ability to pass through the cell membrane, making them effective at fighting both bacteria AND viruses. Antibiotics are not able to do this. 

    Certain Essential Oils containing sesquiterpenes are capable of passing the blood-brain barrier. Some of these include Cedarwood, Vetiver, and Sandalwood. 

doTERRA Introductory Kit

The doTERRA Intro Kit includes 5ml bottles of Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint along with an informational audio CD. There are SO MANY uses for these 3 oils. A few examples include:

  Lavender: 

Soothe itching and inflammation from insect bites

Calm children and encourage restful sleep

Add to a spray bottle of water to deodorize

Apply to sunburn to soothe and prevent peeling

Boo Boo relief

Soak away stress

Headaches

Combine with Lemon and Peppermint for seasonal discomfort

Lemon:

Take the odor out of smelly laundry

De-greaser

Clean sticky messes

Remove gum from hair

Add to water for a gentle detox and energy boost

Add to warm water and honey for sore throat

Peppermint:

Calm indigestion and headaches

Add to spray bottle of water to spritz yourself in the heat

Add to shampoo to stimulate your scalp

Improves concentration and alertness 

Soothes sunburn itch

Add to baked goods

Removes ticks 

Don't want to wait to see if you've won to experience doTERRA Essential Oils?  
**Update: Welcome packages now include a copy of the BRAND NEW 6th Edition Modern Essentials book AND doTERRA lip balm (offer available exclusively through me)**

Right now when you enroll with a 100pv or higher order you get a FREE Intro Kit, and a FREE 5th Modern Essentials mini book ($42 value + 35 in Savings!) 

But wait....it gets even better... 

doTERRA has a great promotion going on right now where you get a FREE bottle of Immortelle (Retail value $92.67) with ANY order of 200pv or more!  That means when you enroll with 200pv or more you get a FREE Intro Kit, 5th Edition Modern Essentials mini book, and bottle of Immortelle (Combined Retail Value of $149 + $42 in Savings!)

Immortelle is a blend of Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Myrrh, Rose, and Sandalwood. It supports skin at a cellular level to sustain smoother, more radiant and youthful skin.

  Interested in even greater savings and more FREE gifts?

Enroll with $300pv and you will receive a FREE Intro Kit, FREE 5th Edition Modern Essentials Hardcover Book, FREE Immortelle  roll-on, AND FREE Lime and Wild Orange Essential Oils. ($181 value +$42 in Savings)

Enroll with $400pv and you will receive everything listed above AND a FREE Lotus Diffuser ($120 value on its own!) (A combined retail value of $301 + $90 in Savings!)

Why enroll with a wholesale account?

Save 25% on all orders

Option to join the Loyalty Rewards Program to get below wholesale prices and earn more FREE oils

Access to our private Facebook Group offering endless support

Access to our exclusive online team training website ($500 value)

No obligation to order monthly or to participate in the business opportunity.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends September 30th 11:59PM EST
Open to U.S. Residents ages 18 and up

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult your trusted healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.

Garnier Olia Review

 

 Garnier Olia is an oil powered permanent hair color that leaves hair feeling softer and healthier in addition to coloring it. It is ammonia free and the scent is fairly mild, making to wait while is sits in your hair much easier. I let Monster choose the color I used and she picked a shade close to my natural hair color so I can't speak much for how well it covered but I did have one grey hair in the front that was successfully dyed as I was no longer able to find it. 

My hair was much softer and shinier after using Garnier Olia hair color. The 60% oil blend worked hard at restoring damage; a nice change since hair color is usually so hard on hair. My hair remained soft for around two weeks after use.

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received product coupons, however, all opinions are my own.

Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox Review

I am so excited that I was selected to receive the Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox full of goodies to try out. I am even more excited that now I get to share my experience with you.

My favorite product that was included is the Colgate Optic White System. I love the toothbrush design; it gets into all the little nooks and crannies. The tongue cleaner is nice too. The toothpaste and mouthwash have a fresh minty flavor that leaves my mouth feeling nice and clean. The mouthwash did feel a little strange while it was doing its powerful whitening thing and I felt like it was difficult to spit it all out when I was finished. But I suppose that's a small price to pay for whiter teeth in days! Yes, days. I have been using this trio for less than a week and my teeth are already noticeable whiter.

Another product I really loved was the Vaseline Spray and Go Lotion. I'm not usually a fan of scented lotion so I first thought that I was going to hate it strictly because it smelled. It turned out to have a light pleasant scent that I actually like. I must say I am a huge fan of spray-on lotion. With two little kids its hard to find much "me time" so my showers are generally rushed. Many days I skip lotion all together in the rush of things. Vaseline Spray and Go Lotion is a breeze to apply. In a matter of seconds you can lotion your entire body and there is no waiting period for it to dry so you can get dressed right away too.

The Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox also included belVita Breakfast Biscuits were were delicious. My daughter got a hold of them and ate half. She even asked me to buy more, which I will be doing. Aside from tasting great I love that they are free of high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors and sweeteners. They have 18-20 grams of whole grain to give you energy to start your day. These are perfect for busy mornings when you still want to eat a healthy breakfast.

Dickenson's Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes were also in the box. I have only been using those for a few days as well but so far I can say that it leaves my soft and clean. They would also be convenient for traveling or to throw in your gym bag.

The final product I get to tell you about is Nectresse Sweetener. I tried this in my coffee and I was pretty happy with it. It didn't taste fake or leave a funky after taste in my mouth. I like that it is a natural sweetener derived from monk fruit. There are enough artificial sweeteners in the foods I eat and I know I'm getting more than I would like even though I have been trying to limit them.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Bathing With Diapers

As any cloth diapering momma with tell you, hand washing diapers is a lot of work. We do not have a washer and dryer in our apartment, and washing diapers at the laundromat would be expensive, so I wash them my hand about 95% of the time. It was getting late last night as a stood over the bathroom sink scrubby dirty diapers. Usually I don't mind much, but between my hands getting sore and the overwhelming desire to take a hot shower and curl up in bed I threw the diapers into the tub and began multi-tasking. I got to take a hot shower and the diapers practically rinsed themselves (okay, I was stomping them pretty much the whole time, but still). I'm not sure I will make a habit of it, but it was a much faster and easier route to rinsing diapers than I am used to!

Glade Expressions Review

 

Glade Expressions fragrances are stylish, refillable air fresheners. My favorite feature of the diffuser is that it is spill proof. Normally I would be worried to use an oil diffuser with small children in the house who get into everything, but this one has been pushed to the floor numerous times without a single incidence of spilled oil.  It is designed so that the container of oil snaps into the black base so when it fell everything stayed together with no problem. I tried the Pineapple & Mangosteen scent. I normally would not consider a Hawaiian scent but I was pleasantly surprised by this product! It is not overpowering or "fakey". I have been using it for over three weeks now and I can still smell it when I walk into the room. I also like that it does not have to be plugged in. Another safety feature with the kids around. 

I also tried the Lavender & Juniper Berry Fragrance Mist. With the removable label, it does not look tacky if left out, however it is not as decorative as the oil diffuser. The scent is sweet and flowery. I thought that it smelled good but it is not long lasting, so this product would be better to use as needed. 

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received product coupons, however, all opinions are my own. 

Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event hosted by SAHM of Drama Queens & a Prince, My Cloth Diaper Stash, A Year With Mom and Dad, Mommy of One and Counting and Adventures of Mommyhood. Together we are bringing one lucky winner a cloth diaper prize pack worth over $450. Below is a list of everything you can win! Rockin Green - Rockin Bundle (winner's choice of formula), Funk Rock and a Diaper Sprayer Glowbugs - 4 pack of winner's choice Girl or Boy/Gender Neutral - Read Karine's review and Shannon's review

Chelory - $30 Store Credit

Poppy Fields - Fitted Poppy Fields Diaper - Read Shannon's review

Rumpkinz - Embroidered Diaper - Read Shannon's review

Thanks Mama - Thirsties Duo All-In-One

Sunbaby - Sunbaby 4.0 One-Size - Read Karine's review

BALM! Baby - Diaper Essentials Kit

Irresistibly Green - Sweet Pea Diaper Cover & $50 gift certificate - Read Julie's review

Green Baby Goods -

Medium Planetwise Wet Bag

Sweet Pea Pocket Diaper - Read Karine's review

Sweet Pea Diaper Cover

Spray Pal - Spray Pal

Diapers by Chris - Diaper

Red Barn Cloth Diapers - Heavy Doody Diaper

Sports Bumz - Fleece Cover (custom slot)

This prize pack would make a great addition to anyone's stash and it has everything you would need to start cloth diapering!

One lucky winner will win everything listed above.

Giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on March 14th at 11:59pm EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Staying Sane As Momma is not responsible for shipping prize to winner, nor did I accept any compensation for this promotion.

Switch to Cloth Event: Blogger Sign-Up

Bloggers Sign-Up: Free Event

Dates: February 14th to March 14th

Hosted by SAHM of Drama Queens & a Prince, My Cloth Diaper Stash, A Year With Mom and Dad, Mommy of One and Counting and Adventures of Mommyhood. The prize is an amazing cloth diaper prize package featuring over $250 in cloth diapers and supplies.

Current Sponsors

Glow Bug Diapers

Sun Baby Diapers

Rockin' Green

Mod Baby

Stinkerpie

Spray Pal

Thanks Mama

Smart Snugs

Poppy Fields

Boogie Bums

Red Barn Cloth Diapers

Irresistibly Green

ChunkabuTT Creations

Willow with Love

Free Twitter or Pinterest for promoting sign-ups ($5 without post) Additional links $1.00 each (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) Follow Host Page $5

Please send any payments via Paypal to ktraverse82@gmail.com

Please be sure to cover the transfer fee on Paypal (i.e. you purchase 2 links totaling $2, make sure you cover Paypal's fee of $0.36 - fees are 2.9% of money sent plus $0.30), if you are unsure of the fee cost before sending money you can email karine@sahmofdramaqueens.com.

You can sign up here. Top two referrers will each receive a follow host page for free!

Moster has a cold, and it is adorable

Monster has had a cold for the past couple days. In fact, the other night we thought we were going to be taking her to the doctor for croup. A few minutes by the steamy shower and the bark was gone but the next day it was replaced with a slimy runny nose, cough, and watery eyes.

The way she refers to her symptoms is so unbelievably cute. I have to force myself not to laugh. For instance, she came up to me yesterday morning and asked me sadly why her eyes were sweaty.

And I'm sure it is just me but she looks adorable when she is cute. Her face all red and puffy, eyes swollen half shut. Don't get me wrong, it breaks by heart to see her like that because I know she feels awful, but she is still cute. Oh, a mother's love.

She also was drinking Traditional Medicinals Just for Kids Organic Cold Care Tea. She looked so grown up sipping on warm tea. I hope it helps her recover a little quicker. If nothing else, I would like to think the tea was soothing. I know when I have a sore throat or cold drinking tea helps me feel better.

For dinner tonight I made Chicken & Dumpling soup. I wish I could share the recipe with you all but it is an old family recipe and I actually know how much of anything I put into it. I just add ingredients to the dumpling dough until it feels right and shake in seasonings until the broth tastes right. I started it at 9:00 this morning and let it simmer on the stove all day long. Monster loves my dumplings so it was my way of getting her to eat chicken noodle soup. I'm hoping that between the tea, soup, and extra hugs and kisses she will have a quick, medicine free, recovery.

Thankful Thursday no. 7

Its Thankful Thursday here and I think most would think I'm a complete lunatic for what I am grateful for today. You see, I'm a total Chobani addict. And Target is having a sale. And I had coupons and was able to print even more from their website. Which meant for once my lovely Cho addiction wasn't so expensive. So for once, my hectic grocery trip wasn't so bad. The kiddos and I marched into the the store, straight to the dairy section and loaded the cart with goodness. After that, I strolled though the store happy, knowing I had enough yogurt have some every. single. day. (at least for the next two weeks) even if Monster helps herself too. And the bonus that tickled this mama pink? They had the new flavors. I bought everything except the coffee flavored Bite. That one makes me nervous. I'm sure it will be good but I'm going to have to work up some courage to try it. Tonight I tried the Carmel and Pineapple Bite. Thank you Chobani! I only wish it wasn't so small. I get that it is designed to be a small snack. 100 calories. Oh, don't get me started on the 100 calorie craze. I had to practice a lot of self control not to eat more. I would have, but I wanted to have some later too! And now, I can't wait for breakfast tomorrow to try the pear flavor.

Desperatly Seeking Diaper Help!

Confession time: We use sposies at night. Its not something I'm proud of, but I hadn't been able to find a cloth solution that worked for Alien. Sposies were working for us up until now. He had been waking up dry and we are not spending that much extra since we only use one per day. However recently he has started to basically nurse all. night. long. He still wakes up dry, but immediately upon waking in the morning he poops. And all over his jammies it goes. He even stained his best sleep sack. I'm sure I could find a cloth route that would work, but we just don't have funds to experiment. So I need help! If you have had a similar experience please share what has worked for you. I would really like to remove disposables from our lives altogether. I know fitteds with wool covers work great for most babies but wool is expensive and I don't think its the best option if he is going to be pooping all over it.

Fun on Friday no. 3: Monster's zoo scene

Fridays are laundromat/grocery store days at our house. Not my favorite day of the week. Monster has been staying home with her Dad since she's been having a hard time behaving in public. So when I get home, its our special play time together. I went to help Alien with something when I hear "Mama, look, I made a zoo." I can't get over hubby & I's cake topper as zoo visitors! Way to improvise, Monster!

Thankful Thursday no. 6: Slow Cooker

Today I am thankful for my slow cooker. If my it were to stop working I would be at a complete loss as to how to prepare enough meals to keep my family happy. My dad gave mine to me a couple years ago and since then I have used it a lot! I mean 3-4 times a week a lot. In fact I have a pork butt cooking away in it right now. Using it so so simple and pretty hard to mess up. I throw my ingredients in, turn it on, and come back to a delicious meal. I mainly use mine for cooking meats but I have tried potatoes. Lately I have been scouring the internet for less conventional slow cooker uses. Breads, soups, deserts, and the such. I had no idea until recently that you could do so much with it so I am really excited to spread my slow cooker wings.

This is the slow cooker I own. It has been a hard little worker and it's held up through a lot:

Also, if you don't like cleaning your slow cooker, Reynolds makes a liner that works wonders. I have had them leak some but even then the mess is so much easier to clean up!

 

This post contains affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.

Our Monday Meal: Meatloaf

We had meatloaf for dinner tonight. The recipe I use is seriously the simplest you will find. And its full of flavor too. Growing up I never would have thought I'd be caught dead saying that I love meatloaf. I guess I never fail to surprise even myself.

The ingredients:

Anywhere between 1-2 lbs ground beef

1 box of Stove Top stuffing (I prefer savory but any flavor works)

2 eggs

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine ingredients

Press into baking dish

  

Bake for 30-60 minutes

I somehow ended up without a picture of the cooked loaf. I swear I remember taking it so I'm not sure what happened, but it looks pretty much the same except...dryer. A little crisp at the edges. It is also a fairly inexpensive meal. I can make it for a little over $4 if I buy the stuffing during sales!

 

 

Resolutions

I have never been fan of New Years Eve. After years of something always going terribly wrong and the night turning out a complete disaster I have grown to pretty much avoid all things New Years Eve related. But Monster is old enough now that given the opportunity, she could really have fun with it.

When I was a kid my parents always had a platter of crackers with meat and cheese and sparkling grape juice. My sisters and I would take turns "serving" everyone, as if we were at a fancy party. Maybe I will run to the store this afternoon and pick some stuff up to pass down the tradition.

Thanks to YouTube we can even watch a video of the ball dropping from a past year. This way she won't have to miss out on it entirely. There is no way she is staying up late enough to watch the real deal.

This afternoon we can make party hats and noise makers.
I will teach her: What makes a year? What is a resolution? And why do we make them?
(Confession: I think New Year's resolutions are a bunch of B.S. Maybe that's because I have never been able to keep one (I know I'm not alone here). I have just never liked the idea of making promises to myself just to break them a month or so later).
I suppose it wouldn't hurt to come up with something. After all, I'm going to be explaining to her that everyone has room for improvement. Goals to work towards. There should be no reason I can't make a promise to her to better myself in some way. Let her hold me accountable.

Now to come up with a realistic resolution...

If you are looking for a book you can read your preschooler/kindergartener on the subject, Amazon.com has a digital copy Barn Yard Betty's First Ever New Year's Resolution by Claire Wynne as low as free with Amazon Prime.

***GIVEAWAY*** $5 Amazon Giftcard *CLOSED*

Who would love to win an Amazon Gift Card to kick of the new year? As a kickoff to my blog I am giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card! Enter below for your change to win

Be sure to leave user names for verification and e-mail address where I can contact you if you win.

Mandatory entry:
Comment letting me know what you love most about shopping at Amazon
Optional extra entries:
1 entry for each: Follow me on Twitter, Like me on Facebook, Follow on GFC, Subscribe to e-mails, Follow on Networked Blogs, Add me to your Google+ Circle, click the G+ Button on the bottom of this post, Vote for me on Picket Fence, and Comment on another post.


Winner will be drawn Janurary 11, 2013 at  8pm CT
Winner will be contacted by e-mail and has 48 hours to confirm or a new winner will be drawn. 
Gift Card will be deliver via e-mail.
Disclosure: This is a self-sponsored giveaway and is in no way associated or sponsored by Amazon

Thankful Thursday no. 5: SAHM

This week I am thankful that I do not work outside of my home. One of the perks of being a stay at home mom is that I never have to worry about driving on icy roads or in the rain or dark. If the kiddos wake up early and I am feeling like a zombie, I can stay in my jammies all day. Or if they sleep in, I can too! I am here to prepare meals for my family so no one has to rely on "convenient meals". I am always home when Mr. I is off work. While I was also working we rarely got to see each other. But most importantly, I get to spend quality time with Monster and Alien. When Monster was the age Alien is right now I got to spend two days a week with her. The rest of the time I got to wake her up in the morning and put her to bed at night. I can also go grocery shopping whenever I want. I can take the kids to the park or zoo without trying to squeeze it into a busy schedule. These days are so special to me. I really am very lucky.

Wordless Wednesday no. 4: Frosty the Snow....pile.

Nook Color GIVEAWAY from Tech-Know

Stumbled upon this awesome giveaway today. Teck-Know is kicking off the opening of their blog by giving away a Nook Color. This is a seriously awesome giveaway with low entries. But head over quick and get those entries is because tomorrow is the last day to enter! How nice would be it to win of these for Christmas?!

So without further ado, here is the link where you can enter: 
Tech-Know: The big opener... A BIG giveaway!!! NOOK COLOR!: Nook Color.... BAM! Yes it's true. We are lucky enough to have a brand new, in the box Nook Color to giveaway! This is our prem...

And stay tuned because I have my first giveaway coming up soon...

Winter Storm Draco At My House

Last night:

 Today:

Thankful Thursday no. 4: Hubby

I was up all night last night, anxiously awaiting Mr. I's return home from work. We got our first snow last night, thank you Winter Storm Draco. The roads were awful and he has a half hour drive (on dry roads). He made it home safely and today is his day off but worrying about him reminded me of how thankful I am for him. I remember the night we met. My sister had set us up and upon seeing him for the first time I ran up and hugged him. (Confession: I may have been a little tipsy). Within a week we were dating, 3 months later we were engaged, and just over a year later married. It won't belong before we see the 6 year anniversary of the night we met. I don't know where I would be without Mr. I. He is the love of my life and my best friend.