Christmas Book Review: Little Star

Author Anthony DeStefano contacted me with the opportunity to review his new children's book, Little Star. He also sent an additional copy to share, which I gave to one of my friend's 3 year old boy on his birthday last month. My husband commented that he was attracted to the appearance of the book right away because of its quality illustrations. The story is the perfect blend of imaginative whimsy and meaningful message that the kids I have read it to have enjoyed very much.

Little Star is a very simple retelling of the Nativity story which focuses on the star of Bethlehem—the smallest star in the heavens—who burns himself out to keep the newborn baby Jesus warm in a Bethlehem stable. The author's goal was to try to encapsulate the whole gospel message in a simple Christmas story, and to do so in a way that all kids could relate to.

This book is available for purchase in time for Christmas. Below is my Amazon.com affiliate link for easy ordering. Enjoy!

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas season!

Joyful World Religious

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AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Dry Eyes

"My husband has a biology background and was totally impressed after learning how the oils work at the cellular level. He was sold on their value and began using them daily. He uses a 50-50 mixture of Frankincense essential oil and carrier oil [grapeseed, extra virgin olive, or jojoba helps the EO penetrate and nourish skin] around his eyes which has alleviated the need for prescription medication for dry eyes."

Sammye Rice, Morehead, KY

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Pure and Precious Frankincense

As the Christmas season approaches, it is a great time to spotlight frankincense--a precious gift brought to the newborn Anointed One! It is one of my very favorite oils that stimulates a peaceful yet focused attitude for prayer or ministering to my massage clients. Countless studies have demonstrated the amazing health benefits of this unique gift, but some still question which species offer the most therapeutic value.

Ever wonder what it takes to create the world's best frankincense essential oil, pure enough to take internally as a medicinal supplement? The first video shows the varieties of frankincense trees and why Young Living uses Boswellia sacra and carteri species. The second video shows the delicate process of harvesting the resin from the tree. More to come on the healing benefits of frankincense!
Be well, Jen
Oils For Wellness

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

"My 22 year old daughter's birth mom drank alcohol during pregnancy, leaving my girl to deal with the effects of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). One of the most difficult symptoms is emotional "meltdowns" when she is unable to control her emotions. I have found that Tranquil aromatherapy blend roll on has been helpful in relaxing her, so I keep one in my pocket or purse for that purpose." Carol Van Pelt, Fulton, IL

***Jennifer's note: While the healing influence of essential oils is very beneficial, it is important to consider the structural imbalance of the cranial bones and membranes in an individual with FAS. This imbalance is a huge factor in emotional control as well as overall health. Craniosacral therapy is often helpful to address brain function through structural balancing.

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter for more information about the healing benefits of therapeutic essential oils. To order essential oils please call Jennifer at 715-381-6979.

Can Hate Make You Sick?

Whenever I visit a church, one of the first things
I look at in the church bulletin are the number of
people on the sick list requesting prayer. Often
the list is quite long. This is very troubling to me,
because over the years I know many of my brothers
and sisters in Christ have died from sickness. Others
remain sick and unhealed even after much prayer.

Why is that? Why is it so many Christians remain
unhealed after so much prayer and anointing with
oil. It's not only frustrating to everyone involved,
it challenges whether spiritual healing is real or
not...even ones faith in God.

Like in so many other things in life, it all comes
down to what's really going on within our heart and
soul. I mean people are really good at playing games
with themselves and others. This includes our
relationship with God.

I'll never forget what one of my Bible Professors
mentioned one day in class on the subject of loving
God. He said:

"We love Jesus only as much
as we love the least of men."

What he said, of course, is very true. Here's a
sampling of verses you may want to review on the
subject.

Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39
I John 3:10, 3:23, 4:19-20

This is a hard teaching for some people who claim to love
God. For they may still carry deep-seated hatred and
unforgiveness in their hearts toward others who have
wronged them. Sometimes this hatred lies so deep within
their soul, it is overlooked in their daily lives. I mean
their hatred lies so deep within it is part of who they
are as human beings. They don't give it thought unless
they are personally confronted in a way they must deal
with it. Otherwise the subject is unconsciously dismissed.

I have no doubt this is one reason why many Christians
remain unhealed and wonder why. God is not a respecter
of persons, nor will He be mocked or fooled (Galatians 6:7)
We simply cannot be right with God and harbor hatred
toward those who wrong us (Those God loves as much as
He does us) if there is to be healing.

But there's another side of this truth which teaches we
must love one another. That other side is self!!!

As much as the roots of hatred toward others can run
deep within hearts and souls, hatred toward self
can run as deep and be even more complex.

This is why forgiveness lies at the root of healing.
For unless our heart and soul is free of the sin of
hatred, there can be no healing, physically or
spiritually. This applies as much to hatred of
self as it does toward hatred of others.

We need to understand Godly love is the opposite of
hatred. We need to understand love is only made possible
through Jesus Christ. For without God's love for us,
there can be no love in this world. This is why the
Bible says...

"We love because God first loved us. If anyone says,
"I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar.
For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has
seen, cannot love God. Whom he has not seen."
- I John 4:19-20

Again, this is a hard teaching for some to accept
and live by. However, without forgiveness, there is
no salvation, no healing, no eternal dwelling with
God. All of us know John 3:16. But it is John 3:19-21
that explains why. I hope you read those verses.

The process of healing involves cleansing. Hatred is
an evil. It is a sin of the heart and soul, be it
toward others or self. No man can walk in the light
of God's truth and hate others or him or herself.
Neither can he or she be spiritually healed of
physical sickness.

Deep-seated hatred destroys the body as much as it
does the soul. Hatred (an emotion) interrupts the body's
ability to maintain homeostasis. This, in turn, creates
conditions within the body for disease to take hold.
Our body is very complex and works in ways doctors
even to this day can only marvel about.

God, however, is our creator. He knows you and your
body like no one else can or ever will. The Psalmist
wrote:

"...You created my inmost being; you knit me together
in my mother's womb...My frame was not hidden from you
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."
-Psalm 139:13-16

Only God can heal and restore our once innocent souls
on such deep levels. Why then should we dismiss Him
or His ability to spiritually heal us physically?

Satan knows our every weakness and propensity. He
works full time to corrupt them for our eternal
destruction...even to the point of self-deceit.

Folks...I'm not saying unforgiveness and hatred explains
every case why someone remains unhealed. There are numerous
causes that must be examined. But what I am saying is
it is our worldly nature to be the master of our souls.

Giving ourselves over to God and letting go of controlling
our lives will not happen unless we are completely broken
of that selfish spirit. That is the crux of the matter.
That is what lies at the center of the great spiritual
battle for our souls.

God mends broken spirits. He cannot mend self-centered
spirits bent on hatred and deceit of self or hatred
toward others. Before you come to the Lord of life
for healing and salvation, know yourself and where
you stand.

A woman who suffered with breast cancer sought spiritual
counseling. The disease was in stage III and she was
scared to death. She said she and her church had prayed
for her healing many times, but that she had never
received spiritual counseling. It wasn't until then
when she received counseling that she realized and
confessed hated toward her now dead mother. She said
she had done so for the way her mother had treated her.

She said she knew hatred is a sin, but had never
reflected upon it in her own life. She never realized
that she was leading a self-centered life, even
though she had long ago obeyed the Gospel of Christ.
Neither had she connected her hatred with the cancer
in her breast.

In prayer she repented asking God for forgiveness, and
renewed her commitment to Christ (to live for Him
and not for herself). She did so, first and foremost
not to be healed physically but to be healed spiritually.
It was an emotional time and she cried. Tears poured
forth amidst her sobs.

Her emotional release signaled healing had begun. God
was healing her both spiritually and physically in that
moment of release. With hatred gone from her heart and
soul, her body could heal and it did. The very next
test she took showed no sign of the cancer previously
documented. May God be praised! Amen!

I'm not saying healing will happen for someone else
like it did with this woman. But, this is the power
of God to save (heal). If we as a people of God are
ever to reach others outside of Christ, we must first
know who we are and how God's power will only work
with broken spirits to heal the sick. For the proud
and haunty He will not.

All men must die. Death is God's judgment for sin
(Ezekiel 18:4). But those of us in Christ should
die from old age (free of sickness), not from a
disease supported by sin in our life.

May the God of healing fill your life with
blessings, and Peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jim Lynn
Director
God's Healing Word

The Go To Momma Show Interviews The OilGirl!

Listen to internet radio with Cuttin Up Radio on Blog Talk Radio

I share how my journey in aromatherapy began, information on the difference between therapeutic oils versus fragrance oils, and basics on how Dr. Mom's can use aromatherapy to keep their households healthy!

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Varicose Veins

Marie Paul submitted the following tip:

“The first oil I used habitually was cypress essential oil. I had really ugly varicose veins from working long hours standing while pregnant with my four children. I have been using cypress oil on my varicose veins for the last year and a half and they are almost gone! I can now wear those nice skirts and shorts without feeling old and self-conscious.”

Order pure therapeutic essential oils at the Oils For Wellness website and be sure to subscribe to the free aromatherapy e-newsletter!

Beautiful Patterns in Nature

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." ~ Job 12:7-10

AromaHelp Tip of the Week: Heartburn

Heartburn is a form of indigestion characterized by a tight, burning sensation in the middle of the chest. The unpleasant taste that often accompanies it is caused by gastic acid flowing up from the stomach. This condition may stem from over-hasty eating, an unfortunate combination of foods, or an emotional reaction.

USEFUL ESSENTIAL OILS:
Peppermint and Lemon are digestive oils, while Sandalwood encourages relaxation.

Application with massage:

Acid-Regulating Lotion Recipe

2 drops each of Peppermint and Lemon
3 drops Sandalwood (optional)
2 Teaspoons Unscented carrier lotion

Mix the essential oils with the carrier lotion and apply a little of the lotion below your breastbone and the area just beneath. Use the palm of your hand and massage clockwise, circular motion, applying firm pressure. Apply as needed for relief.

Subscribe to my free e-newsletter or order pure therapeutic oils at the Oils For Wellness website.

Quote of the Week

The world is round

and the place which may seem like the end

may also be the beginning.

~Unknown

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Dental Problems

"Rosemary, Oregano, and Thieves oils may have saved my two front bottom teeth. My dentist hit a nerve in one and came close in the adjacent tooth, while drilling two cavities. He advised me to see an orthodontist, as it was likely that one or both teeth would die. I was out of juniper oil, but used the other oils for nerve regeneration and infection protection. I swabbed both teeth and gum areas with these oils for several days and the teeth are fine 10 months later."

~Rita Tester, Eagan, MN

Subscribe to the free Oils For Wellness e-newsletter to learn more about therapeutic essential oils!

Free Essential Seven Oils Kit In August!

This August, get all the benefits of the on-the-go Essential 7™ collection for free!
Contains:
Lavender Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil
Joy™ Essential Oil
PanAway® Essential Oil
Peace & Calming® Essential Oil
and Purification™ Essential Oil

This take-anywhere kit is the perfect kit for every home and every body!To qualify for your free Essential 7 kit, place a single order of 195 PV* or more August 1-31, 2010 and you’ll receive an Essential 7 collection—a retail value of $91! Order online or call Jen at 715-381-6979

Quote of the Week

"We are a driven people. We have-most of us-abandoned any real practice of Sabbath in our lives, and we think we can get along without it. Overwhelmed is not inevitable. Exhaustion is not spiritual, or even noble. God did not merely create the Sabbath, he commanded us to enter in. (He makes me lie down in green pastures! Ps. 23)."

~John Eldridge

Essential Oils And Emotional Roots Of Disease

Whatever goes on in our heart or mind definitely affects our actions and ultimately rules our whole lives. What usually precedes or follows a thought? A feeling. And the feeling is what rules our mind-heart. Dr. Christian Bernard is reported to have made the statement that a person would not be able to live for a very long period of time on an artificial heart as it does not have brain cells. In order for person's heart to function on a continual basis, it must have brain cells.

Why is this? It has to do with the DNA and RNA. In order for the harmonious flow of life to continue in a human being, the part of the cell that contains the blueprint or intelligence (DNA) and the part of the cell that carries out the instructions (RNA) has to have directions. An artificial heart is void of this intelligence (DNA).

The Scriptures give us clear indication and appreciation that the heart and the mind are inseparable. Points of interest are references the Bible makes to the heart-mind connection, indicating that DNA is involved in this process.

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he...

Proverbs 23:7

"The good man brings good things

out of the good stored up in his heart,

and the evil man brings evil things

out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Luke 6:45

"Repent therefore of this your wickedness,

and pray God if perhaps

the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

Acts 8:22

One of the unique aspects of essential oils is the fact that, when inhaled, they go directly to our emotional and spiritual centers of the brain. These are organs that respond only to aroma. They do not respond to spoken words or to substances that cannot pass the blood-brain barrier. Talk therapy and most prescription drugs cannot reach the emotional center of the brain. The molecules of essential oils are of the right composition and size to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

Even water does not pass through the blood-brain barrier, which is a good thing, or else our heads would all swell up like watermelons every time we got caught in a rain storm. But essential oils do pass through, which is one of the secrets to their amazing therapeutic abilities. They can reach into our emotional brains and unlock forgotten feelings that are the roots of many of our physical problems.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart...

Proverbs: 27:9

"A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

Essential oils also address the roots of our problems at cellular levels, right down to the DNA inside the cells. They cleanse the cells, protect them from hostile microbes, delete incorrect information in cellular memory, and reprogram proper information so that cells have a correct job description and can function as God intended.

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more about the healing benefits of pure, therapeutic essential oils!

Uncomfortably Numb: The Reality of Antidepressants

Not All Essential Oils Are Created Equal....

There are 4 Grades of Essential Oils:

Grade A oils are pure therapeutic quality and are usually made from organically grown plants distilled at the proper temperatures using steam distillation.

Grade B oils are food grade; they may contain synthetics, pesticides, fertilizers, extenders, or carrier oils.

Grade C oils are perfume grade and may contain the same type of adulterating chemicals as food grade oils. They usually contain solvents which are used to gain a higher yield of oil per harvest. Solvents are highly toxic and contribute to cancer.

Floral Water is a byproduct of the distillation process, a very high quality if it comes from a Grade A distillation process. Accordingly it is of low quality if it comes from poor quality raw materials and or poor distillation processes. It is usually found in skin and hair products.

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more about what makes essential oils pure,therapeutic grade and safe for medicinal use.

Cooking with Essential Oils

Essential oils are different from common vegetable oils such as olive, flax, sesame, or canola. While both have benefits, cooking with essential oils can be a healthier alternative to vegetable oils in many instances. Here are some of the key differences between the two types of oils:

• Vegetable oils contain glycerol, which leaves a greasy residue when applied to the skin and creates a slippery surface (i.e. in the pan); essentials oils do not create a slippery surface (unless mixed with vegetable oil).
• Vegetable oils are 100% fat; essential oils contain no fat.
• Vegetable oils are primarily pressed from seeds, nuts, avocados, olives or the bran of grains; pure essential oils are steam distilled from plants (with the exception of citrus oils which are cold-pressed).

The following essential oils are frequently used in recipes: lemon, orange, nutmeg, black pepper, peppermint, ginger, mandarin, sage, tangerine, lemongrass, grapefruit, fennel, spearmint, cinnamon bark, oregano, clove, and basil, among others.

Many people believe that using essential oils in cooking is a relatively new idea; in fact there are thousands of food products that use essential oils for aroma and flavor such as chewing gum, chocolates, candies, and many more. While certain essential oils can be harmful if taken in high dosages, moderate use as flavoring (a few drops per person) is not only safe but delicious!

Be sure to subscribe to the free Oils For Wellness e-newsletter!

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Cat Fleas

"We found a kitten, near death, filled with fleas and larvae pouches all over his belly. I got a bottle of Young Living's Purification essential oil blend from the car, poured about 10 drops in my hands and started towards him. The fleas started jumping off like in a cartoon! He licked off what I applied, which killed anything internally. "Charlie" is now 6 years old."
~Lynn Bartczak, Downers Grove, IL

Visit the Oils For Wellness website to subscribe to my free e-newsletter or to order Young Living Essential Oils products.

The Ant Philosophy

The Ant Philosophy

~By Jim Rohn

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they gather their food in the summer." Proverbs 30:26

Over the years I've been teaching children about a simple but powerful concept - The Ant Philosophy. I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy.

The first part is: Ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they will look for another way. They'll climb over. They'll climb under. They'll climb around. They keep looking for another way until they find one. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go.

Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer. An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because while it may seem like sand is a good place to build in the summer when it's dry, you've got to think ahead to the storms of the winter when it is wet and where sand may not be so good when it floods. As you enjoy the sand and Summer sun, you've got to think rocks for a more solid foundation to weather the storms of Winter. Think ahead. Ants do.

The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here." And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. During winter, they live in a state of positive expectation and can't wait to get out.

And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the "all-you-possibly-can" philosophy.

Wow, what a great seminar - "The Ant Seminar," taught and lived by tiny six-legged creatures with brains smaller than the head of a pin, yet containing all the wisdom they need to succeed and survive.

1. Never give up.

2. Look ahead.

3. Stay positive.

4. Do all you can.

People write whole books on these topics while the life of an ant expresses these principles in less than a dozen words.

Win Wild Olive Tees And Wear The Word!!

Wild Olive tees is giving away $75 worth of Scripture tshirts,

that's 3 beautifully designed tees with uplifting Bible verses for FREE!

I have got my 3 picked out, how about you?

Enter to win before July 25th!

What If Beauty Ads Told The Truth? (Parody)

Great piece about phthalates toward the end! Hilarious irony, but unfortunately very true if consumers take a closer look at the advertising we buy into.

Celebrating My Second Year Blogiversary!

I hit "publish" on my first blog post here on Oils For Wellness two years ago today! Can't describe my blogging journey better than this...

“If you do a good job for others,

you heal yourself at the same time,

because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Yours in wellness, purpose, and abundance,

Jen

Di-Gize Essential Oil Blend to the Rescue!

This morning my three and a half year old son came to the breakfast table with a pained expression on his face. I was making a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel, which he loved. His complexion was ashen gray and he was doing a whimper crying thing that is so unlike him. He did not look good, even his lips were white. Stomach flu is going around our church and one of the kids in our Life Group threw up at our Fourth of July celebration Saturday night. Oh, dear, he might be getting the flu was my first thought.

He ate a bite of his bagel and ran into the living room to lay on the couch, again, not something he would never normally do first thing in the morning. He said "I don't feel good, my tummy hurts". I told him that Mommy would get some oil for him. I put a couple drops of grapeseed oil in my palm and added a couple drops of Young Living's Di-Gize essential oil blend of tummy-soothing Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), peppermint (Mentha piperita), juniper (Juniperus osteosperma and J. scopulorum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), anise (Pimpinella anisum), and patchouli (Pogostemon cablin).

I rubbed some of the oil mixture from my palm on his belly in a clockwise motion, then began rubbing the soles of his feet. Before I could start rubbing the second foot, he was kicking his legs trying to get up! He jumped up, ran into the kitchen, and wolfed down the WHOLE BAGEL! His lips were red and color started to return to his cheeks. Essential oils often take some time to work, but this morning they INSTANTLY transformed my son who looked every shade of gray and about to vomit. We had a wonderful day playing outside, riding his bike, ate Greek chicken salad for lunch, and with no tummy issues at all.

To learn more how therapeutic essential oils can benefit your family, subscribe to my free e-newsletter or order Young Living products at the Oils For Wellness website.
Be well,
Jen

Winner of the Summer Blog Tour Giveaway!

Congratulations goes to Donna, comment #10( chosen by Random.org generator), who won a Young Living Essential Oils Tranquil Aromatherapy Roll On! Thanks to all the The Work at Home Woman and Living My MoMent Summer Blog Tour visitors who are following and entered the giveaway.

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Nail Polish Spills

"I recently spilled dark nail polish on my red sofa. The polish was black..first I tried polish remover..then Goo Gone..nothing happened! I used Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner undiluted on a cloth and poof..disappeared! Jennifer!!!! I love you!!! It is completely gone!!!"
~Mary Morgan, Stella and Dot Stylist

Order your Thieves Household Cleaner by calling Jennifer at 715-381-6979 or online at the Oils For Wellness website. After entering website, click Get Started Now to view product catalog.

Young Living Quality From Seed to Seal

SleepEssence Reviewers Needed!

Want to try a natural product to enhance your nights sleep? If you have moderate to severe insomnia and 200+followers/readers, I would love for you to review Young Living Essential Oils SleepEssence softgels on your blog!

Quote of the Week

A Short History of Medicine

2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."

1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."

1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."

1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."

1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."

2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is harmful. Here, eat this root."

~Author Unknown

Essentials For Your Natural Medicine Cabinet

I have been thinking about compiling a "nutshell" list of what supplies one should have on hand to become an efficient user of everyday aromatherapy. You can add other first aid items to this list of course such as bandages, etc. These are the necessary tools for using essential oils safely and easily instead of commercial products and OTC medicines. This is what I use for my family's health care!

Essential Oils:

The Young Living Essential Oils Everyday Oils Kit detailed below will provide nine basic single oils and blends needed for your medicine cabinet. It is available for purchase here at retail or wholesale prices. The wholesale kit includes a coupon for 50% off the Home Diffuser. You can also watch a video presentation on these 9 oils on the website also.
Lavender
Apply 2-3 drops lavender oil on a minor burn or sunburn to decrease pain or on a rash to relieve itching.
Apply one drop on a cut to stop the bleeding.
For nosebleeds, put a drop of lavender on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice, press under middle of top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until bleeding stops, careful to not freeze lip or gum.

Peppermint
Rub 4-6 drops in the palm and rub over stomach and around navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence, nausea, and diarrhea.
Add a drop to a mug of warm water to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn.
Rub several drops on the bottoms of the feet to reduce a fever.

Lemon
Saturate a cotton swab and use between toes to clear athlete's foot.
Put a drop on bleeding gums caused by gingivitis or tooth extraction.
Rub a drop on to help reduce corn, callous, and bunion twice daily-am and pm.

PanAway Blend
Apply topically on sore muscles, arthritis, or injured area to reduce inflammation and bruising.
Rub a few drops on the temples, forehead, and back of the neck to relieve a headache.

Peace and Calming Blend
Diffuse in the room to calm autistic, ADD, overactive or hard to manage children.
Diffuse while sleeping to help stop nocturnal teeth grinding.

Purification Blend
Put a drop on insect bites to neutralize the poison and stop the itching.
Rub a drop on the outside of a sore throat when it is first beginning.
Rub a drop on a blister, cut, or scrape to cleanse and disinfect.

Thieves Blend

Place 2-3 drops in honey or a capsule or apply to the bottoms of the feet for immune system support especially during flu season.
Diffuse to eliminate bacteria, mold, allergens, and odors in the air.

Valor Blend
Massage into neck, chest, or shoulders to release tension.
Drop onto the wrists to ease anxiety and encourage confidence.

Frankincense
Massage several drops on the temples and back of the neck for stress relief.
Drop onto the skin to minimize or soothe scarring and stretch marks.
Apply on the face to minimize oil production and acne.

Other essential oils and items to keep on hand:

Melaleuca alternifolia (basic antiseptic/fights super germs)

Eucalyptus globulus (fights super germs/respiratory infection)

Eucalyptus radiata (for kids-respiratory illness)

Young Living Essential Oils Di-Gize Blend (stomach flu and food poisoning)

Young Living Thieves Antiseptic Spray (for cleansing minor abrasions and wounds)

Young Living Thieves Waterless Hand Sanitizer

Young Living Thieves Hard Lozenges (sore throats)

Young Living Essential Oils LavaDerm Spray (minor burns and sunburn)

Young Living Essential Oils Inner Defense softgels (for flu, candida, and infections-instead of antibiotics)

Young Living Essential Oils Life 5 Probiotic (restores intestinal flora-to be used with Inner Defense

Order Young Living products at the Oils For Wellness website, click through to enter the site and Get Started Now to access product catalog.

Aromatherapy Supplies You Will Need:

Storage case to hold at least 16 essential oil bottles

Cold air ultrasonic Home Diffuser

Glass droppers/pipettes for filling bottles, samples, or capsules

2 ounce amber or blue glass bottles for mixing/storing blended oils

2 and 4 Ounce solid white plastic bottles for creating bath gels or lotions.

Preprinted Young Living essential oil labels for bottles/samples.

Glass roll on applicators-great for applying diluted oils/blends for perfume and therapeutic use.

Half ounce plastic dropper bottles for administering EOs blended in a carrier oil

The aromatherapy supplies listed above are available at Abundant Health.

Carriers To Blend Essential Oils:

Pure jojoba (*my favorite-doesn't go rancid), grapeseed, almond, or Young Living V-6 Massage Oil (for topical use)

Pure aloe vera jelly or juice (burns, skin abrasions).

Honey or organic agave nectar, olive oil (dietary use)

Empty vegetarian capsules for dietary supplementation of essential oils.

Alba Botanica Unscented Body Lotion for creating your own scented lotions using EOs.

Young Living Essential Oils Bath Gel Base for making your own bath gels.

Epsom or sea salts for baths or foot soaks (injury, bruising, sore muscles)

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more about using therapeutic essential oils! Call me if you would like to order or need more information on becoming an everyday oiler! 715-381-6979

Be Well,

Jennifer Nordin

2010 Summer Blog Tour Tranquil Giveaway

Welcome to Oils For Wellness, blog tourists! Summer activities naturally take us bloggers away from our computers. The Summer Blog Tour sponsored by The Work at Home Woman and Living My MoMent gives us all a great opportunity to take a spin around the blogsphere and make some new friends. My name is Jen, aka OilGirl. Thanks for visiting!

I am known in my local community and online as the OilGirl because I am crazy about aromatherapy and essential oils! This profession has become a meaningful vehicle to live out my Christian faith through the power of touch which Jesus modeled in His ministry. I believe pure essential oils are "God's love manifest in molecules"-- some of His magnificently designed creations for the healing of mankind. I love sharing my decade of experience in the field of aromatic medicine through workshops, private consultations, contributing to The Healthy Moms blog, and here on Oils For Wellness.

Hudson, Wisconsin located on the beautiful St. Croix River is my home sweet home where I live with my husband of 6 years. We have a healthy and happy three year old son named Gunnar who is our miracle boy thanks to prayer and lavender oil! My journey in the healing arts began in 1999 when I began training in massage therapy. In 2000 I discovered Young Living Essential Oils and fell in love with therapeutic essential oils. It was so exciting to discover that benefits of aromatherapy went far beyond relaxation. Since then I have enjoyed hundreds of hours of training in aromatherapy, nutrition, the Raindrop and Vitaflex techniques, essential oil chemistry, and clinical aromatherapy through Young Living, Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education, and Jane Buckle's Clinical Aromatherapy for Health Professionals program.

I work part time at a chiropractic clinic providing massage services through my business At Peace Therapeutic Massage, which I eventually plan to expand into my own wellness center. My latest training is in Biodynamic Body Balancing-craniosacral therapy and myofascial release.

Out of school kids, long car trips, weddings, and graduations can be stressful! I thought a Tranquil aromatherapy roll on (lavender, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood blend) from Young Living Essential Oils would be an appropriate giveaway for this often not-so-carefree season.

OILS FOR WELLNESS "TRANQUIL" GIVEAWAY DRAWING ON JUNE 30th!

TO ENTER YOU MUST Become/be a follower of Oils For Wellness blog and leave a comment telling me your favorite scent of summer.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Like the Oils For Wellness Facebook Page

Follow OilGirl2 on Twitter

Post about the Tranquil Giveaway on your blog or Facebook status update

Quote of the Week

In the nineteenth century men lost their fear of God

and acquired a fear of microbes.

~Author Unknown

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Bee Repellent

“I am allergic to bees and it seems that they are attracted to me for some reason. When bees come around, I spray Young Living Essential Oils Thieves® Spray in the air around me. I cannot believe how well it works. It doesn't kill the bees; they just fly away from me. Thanks for this product!”

~Sandy Lee

Order Young Living Essential Oils products at the Oils For Wellness website!

Aromatherapy for Menstrual Cramps

Essentials For Women's Health

Recently featured in Essential Lifestyle magazine, Dr. Dan Purser has an extensive resume that includes practices in family medicine with an emphasis on women’s health and preventative care of the body.

Menopause

As women mature, the most pressing health concern is menopause. Menopause is inevitable, it is unavoidable, and it can be extremely difficult. There are 35 known health effects associated with menopause including:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Fatigue
Insomnia
Increased wrinkles
Weight gain and muscle loss (sarcopenia)
Memory issues

Thankfully, progesterone—a naturally-occurring human hormone—can combat or decrease many of these negative effects. Progesterone is known to decrease foam cell formation[1], endothelial inflammation, and plaque formation—thus promoting a healthy cardiovascular system. Unfortunately, as the body ages levels of progesterone decrease. In order to stay healthy, it is recommended that most women supplement their progesterone levels.

Natural Solution:
Dr. Purser’s go-to supplement for relieving the discomfort associated with menopause is Progessence™. “In my own office practice,” Dr. Purser attests, “Liberal use of Progessence dramatically decreased hot flashes and day and night sweats.”
Progessence™ is comprised of a variety of ingredients specially combined for women’s health. Progesterone, as mentioned above, is known to mitigate many of the health effects associated with menopause; pure geranium, fennel, and sage essential oils improve estrogen receptor function; and black and blue cohosh and wild yam help support proper levels of progesterone for women.

Osteoporosis
Menopause also increases the likelihood of developing osteoporosis—a disease that decreases bone density thereby increasing the chance of fracture. To combat osteoporosis, it’s a good idea to take a supplement that contains both calcium and magnesium[2] and selenium—an antioxidant associated with reduced risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in elderly subjects.[3]

Natural Solution:
Super Cal™, a supplement that combines calcium and magnesium with selenium, is Dr. Purser’s first choice to help maintain proper bone health. Super Cal takes the expertly formulated amounts of calcium, magnesium, and selenium and infuses it with pure marjoram, wintergreen, lemongrass, and myrtle essential oils to enhance the synergistic effects of this specially blended supplement.
[1] WEN-SEN LEE, CHAO-WEI LIU, SHU-HUI JUAN, YU-CHIH LIANG, PEI-YIN HO, AND YI-HSUAN LEE. Molecular Mechanism of Progesterone-Induced Antiproliferation in Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells. Endocrinology 144(7):2785–2790. Copyright © 2003 by The Endocrine Society doi: 10.1210/en.2003-0045.
[2] Kitchin B, Morgan SL. Not just calcium and vitamin D: other nutritional considerations in osteoporosis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2007 Apr; 9(1):85­–92.
[3] Zhang J, Munger RG, West NA, Cutler DR, Wenegreen HJ, Corcoran CD. Antioxidant intake and risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in Utah: an effect modified by smoking status. Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Jan 1; 163(1):9–17.

Order these Young Living Essential Oils products at the Oils For Wellness website or call Jennifer at 715-381-6979.

Quote of the Week

A person who uses his hands is a laborer.
A person who uses his hands and his head is a craftsman.
A person who uses his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist.
-Louis Nizer

How Essential Oils Release Cellular Memory

The perception of smell consists not only of the sensation of the odors themselves but of the experiences and emotions associated with these sensations. Smells can evoke strong emotional reactions. In surveys on reactions to odors, responses show that many of the likes and dislikes of scents are based purely on emotional associations.

The association of fragrance and emotion is not an invention of poets or perfume-makers. The effect of smell is instant. The olfactory receptors in our noses are directly connected to the limbic system, which is thought to be the seat of emotion. Molecules arrive at receptors in the limbic part of our brain within seconds, triggering off a multitude of complex reactions. Smell sensations are relayed to the cortex, where ‘cognitive’ recognition occurs, only after the deepest parts of our brains have been stimulated. Thus, by the time we correctly name a particular scent as, for example, ‘lemon’ , the scent has already activated the limbic system, triggering more deep-seated emotional responses.

Smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to the limbic lobe—the emotional control center—of the brain. From anxiety to depression, fatigue to stress, essential oils have long been appreciated for their uplifting, calming, and clarifying effects on emotional wellness. By diffusing essential oils or applying them topically to targeted areas of the body, therapeutic constituents reestablish balance where stress, depression, or mental discomfort has disrupted healthy emotional function.

Here is how it works thanks to Dr. David Stewart, Ph.D who has a wonderful way of putting scientific jargon into layman's terms. I find the human DNA structure so fascinating, and again, the intelligent handiwork of a loving Creator!

1. Essential oils are extracts from the natural juices of plants that circulate through the leaves, stems, roots and flowers their lifeblood.

2. The molecules of essential oils are small enough to circulate through human tissue bringing nutrients to the cells and carrying waste products out of the cells.

3. Essential oils carry electrons and oxygen into human tissue.

4. Essential oils also carry coded information that can be translated by cellular DNA and which can be of great therapeutic benefit to people-physical, mental, and emotional.

5. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different compounds found in essential oil molecules each with an affinity for certain cells of the human body.

6. In addition to the electrical nature of the human body by which it functions, the intracellular communication system of the human body also consists of thousands of compounds (called ligands) manufactured within the cells and sent out as messages and messengers to other cells in other parts of the body.

7. Ligands are composed of amino acids of which there are twenty known. Ligands consist of chains of amino acids. Consider the amino acids as an alphabet of twenty characters that can form and unlimited variety of words (ligands) by which cells send messages between themselves.

8. On the surface of all cells are thousands (even millions) of receptor sites, each designed to accept only certain types of ligands and to reject the rest. This is how a ligand released by one set of cells (say the liver) finds its way to the specific cells of the organ or tissue (say the pancreas) that was intended by cells sending the message.

9. This how a ligand, like insulin, can circulate throughout one’s body and yet only be picked up by the cells that need the information that it carries.

10. In one sense, ligands are like keys that fit only certain locks (specific receptor sites).Ligands of the right shape (molecular structure) are accepted by cells with matching receptor sites(matching locks) while ligands of another shape are rejected ( the key that doesn’t fit).

11. The molecules of essential oils are like enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and ligands.They carry information that is pertinent only to the cells with receptor sites able to accept that specific ligand.

12. Hence, some oil molecules gravitate to muscle tissue, others to nerves, others still to the digestive system, and others to the heart, etc,each administering benefits, including the removal of toxins and the opening of emotionally stored memory in the DNA.

13. Not only can oils help release cellular memories stored anywhere in the body, depending on the oils applied, they also directly stimulate the limbic system or emotional brain, which is in the center of our heads.

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more about the amazing healing benefits of essential oils!

Be well, Jen

"Picked" A Winner!

I won my top pick for the 5minutesformom Ultimate Blog Party!!!

A flower just for me....
One framed 8 x 10″ photo entitled “dahlia.”
Provided by: Dawn Chace Photography
Thank you Dawn for donating this lovely prize!

Quote of the Week

"The fragrance always remains

in the hand

that gives the rose."

~ Heda Bejar

Becoming an "Oiler": How to Use Essential Oils

Thought it was time to share another "basics" post for my visitors who may not be familiar with aromatherapy. There are three basic ways to use essential oils: inhalation, topical application, and internal consumption.
Inhalation

The inhalation of essential oils heightens the senses and can trigger numerous desired responses in the body.

Below are several techniques used to inhale essential oils:

1: Direct inhalation-simply smell them.

2: Diffuse the oils using a Young Living diffuser which disperses the oil in a micro-fine vapor into the air. The Young Living diffuser will not heat the oils, thus ensuring full benefits, as extreme heat can damage important constituents in the oil.

3: Fill a humidifier with water. Put a tissue or small cloth, sprinkled with a few drops of oil, in front of the escaping steam. ( Do not put oil in your humidifier. It will float on top of the water instead of rising with the water vapor and may cause damage to your humidifier.)

4: Carefully pour hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of oil. Cover your head and bowl in a tent-like fashion with a towel. Breathe deeply and slowly.

Topical Application
Apply essential oils directly onto the skin where indicated. Dilute with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or a pure vegetable oil (e.g., olive or almond ) before applying if dilution is indicated in the Application Chart. Dilution may protect against possible skin sensitivities. Key points of application on the body are:To apply topically on any of these areas, follow these simple steps:

1. Carefully tip the oil bottle and drop 2-3 drops in the palm of the hand or directly on the desired application area.

2. If dropping oil in your hand, rub palms together in a circular motion and then massage oil onto the desired point of application. If applying directly to the desired area, use your hand to massage the oil in a circular motion into the skin. Repeat if desired.

Attention: Essential oils are very potent, and some may be irritating to the skin. If irritation occurs, immediately apply V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or pure vegetable oil to the area to dilute. Please read label directions for each individual oil before using.

You can also create your own massage oil blends by mixing your favorite essential oils with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or by using Young Living’s pre-mixed massage oil blends (e.g., Relaxation, Ortho Ease) to relax, uplift, soothe, and relieve.

Where to Topically Apply Essential Oils

Crown of head
Temples
Behind ears
Neck
Upper back
Abdomen
Over vital organs
Soles and top of feet
Ankles

Suggested internal consumption methods (Young Living Essential Oils labeled as a dietary supplement only! Never ingest any other brand of essential oils unless it is clearly labeled for internal use):

1: Put several drops of oil into an empty capsule and swallow with water.
2: Add 1-2 drops to a glass of water or rice milk.
3: Put 1-2 drops onto a piece of bread or add to your meals when cooking.
4: Add 1-2 drops onto a teaspoon of Blue Agave and swallow.
5: Drop directly onto the tongue and swallow.

Exercise extreme caution when using this method. Many oils are very strong and should be tested by pouring a single drop onto a spoon and tasting a small portion to determine the amount of oil to be used. Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets.

Young Living essential oils are pure, which makes them powerful and effective. For the responsible use of essential oils, read the complete label on each bottle and follow the safety guidelines and tips found in the Essential Oils Desk Reference (see left sidebar to order).

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more tips and benefits of therapeutic essential oils! Young Living products may also be ordered through this site, just click Get Started Now once you enter the website to see product catalog.

Be well,
Jen

Welcome Ultimate Blog Party Visitors!

Thanks so much for visiting Oils For Wellness! This is my second year participating in the Ultimate Blog Party, you will find my prize donation listed at #10 on the US list. Last year I got to know so many lovely bloggers who stopped by and also became followers. A little about myself...

I am known in my local community and online as the OilGirl because I am crazy about aromatherapy and essential oils! This profession has become a meaningful vehicle to live out my Christian faith through the power of touch which Jesus modeled in His ministry. I believe pure essential oils are "God's love manifest in molecules"-- some of His magnificently designed creations for the healing of mankind.

I love sharing my decade of experience in the field of aromatic medicine through workshops, private consultations, contributing to The Healthy Moms blog, and here on Oils For Wellness. Hudson, Wisconsin located on the beautiful St. Croix River is my home sweet home where I live with my husband of 6 years. We have a healthy and happy three year old son named Gunnar who is our miracle boy thanks to prayer and lavender oil!
My journey in the healing arts began in 1999 when I began training in massage therapy. In 2000 I discovered Young Living Essential Oils and fell in love with therapeutic essential oils. It was so exciting to discover that benefits of aromatherapy went far beyond relaxation. Since then I have enjoyed hundreds of hours of training in aromatherapy, nutrition, the Raindrop and Vitaflex techniques, essential oil chemistry, and clinical aromatherapy through Young Living, Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education, and Jane Buckle's Clinical Aromatherapy for Health Professionals program. I work part time at a chiropractic clinic providing massage services through my business At Peace Therapeutic Massage, which I eventually plan to expand into my own wellness center. My latest training is in Biodynamic Body Balancing-craniosacral therapy and myofascial release. Actually, I will be at Level 2 this whole weekend, but I promise to party in the blogsphere during UBP week!

My top three picks for UBP prizes

US #24 – One framed 8 x 10″ photo entitled “dahlia.”
Provided by: Dawn Chace Photography,

US#75 – $100 Gift Certificate to SummitCampingGear.com
Provided by: StomperMom

US/Canada#10 – One winner will receive a beautiful handmade glass pendant with their choice of chain. The piece is made by me with care using glass and paper called “Lilac“.
Provided by: The Glass Polkadot Co.

Other prizes I would love to win!
US #11, #12, #37, #44, #87 and US/Can #3, #8, #13, #14, #15

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter and become a fan on Facebook to learn more about the benefits of therapeutic essential oils!

Be well,
Jen

Aren't You Glad God Recycles?

Have a Blessed Resurrection Celebration!

Prayer And Healing Of MRSA: Madeline's Story

I haven't participated in the MckLinky Blog Hop for a while. When I saw that the theme this week is "Answered Prayer", I couldn't resist sharing this story of how God used Oils For Wellness to heal a little girl that I have never met.

Back in August of 2008, I had only been blogging for barely a month. As I began to explore the blogsphere for ways to promote my blog, I put an announcement on a Christian women's network offering free essential oil samples. Shortly after that, I received an email from a woman named Rebecca from the West coast. I could sense the weary and desperate tone in her email as she shared her situation with me.

She had a daughter who was almost 2 years old at the time, ironically the same age as my son. Little Madeline had an environmental illness since she was a newborn. She could only eat 25 safe foods at the time and was allergic to almost everything including antibiotics. What was worse was that she had developed bleeding lesions in her diaper area that were infected with MRSA. I couldn't imagine the pain that little girl went through. Rebecca shared that she had found me online immediately after being told by her naturopathic doctor that Young Living Essential Oils might be something to investigate.

This mom is a faithful Christian who believes in the power of prayer! Rebecca had started a blog to chronicle her struggle with infertility and grief over a miscarriage of a baby boy at 12 weeks. Now she began to use her blog as also a vehicle for partnering with other Christians from all over the country to pray for Madeline. I joined the others who were storming the gates of heaven while developing an essential oil protocol that Rebecca could use to battle the MRSA.
Since Madeline was so sensitive to everything, it was a step of faith to even try aromatherapy. I had learned about the use of melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree species) and eucalyptus globulus for killing antibiotic resistant infections in my clinical aromatherapy studies. Samples of these oils plus lavender and a Young Living EO blend called Melrose were sent priority mail. Rebecca applied these four oils diluted in organic olive oil or jojoba oil, rotating them with each diaper change. To make a long story short, within weeks of consistant use of the oil protocol, Madeline's swab test came back from the lab negative for MRSA. Eventually the email that I had been praying for came in from Rebecca praising God that for the first time in months, she could see normal skin during Madeline's diaper change! Later I received the following notes from her:

I am SO thankful I found you when I did - and that you gave me the samples. I couldn't have made that investment without knowing if it would work. I think of the MRSA ordeal often and thank God for His provision. When I look back, I think of how you just took charge for me. You researched, got samples, gave me the jojoba, mailed them out at your expense - I didn't even have to think, which was good b/c I wasn't doing it very clearly (dealing with the fear and all). Even the bug bite thing. I have NO other recourse. Madeline just can't have anything, not even for a minute. I can't believe how well we've been able to cope with just the oils.

Thanks for taking such good care of our oil needs! Yours is a friendship that I thank the Lord for. Who would have thought the Internet would lead me to someone I would come to consider dear. Maybe someday we will even get to meet in person....before we get to heaven. :)

Thanks again, Rebecca

This experience was the highlight of 2oo8 to say the least. I keep praying that God will create more "Divine appointments" through my work here on Oils For Wellness! I will leave you with a couple of my favorite scripture verses that inspire me to diligently serve others and touch lives with these healing essential oils~God's love manifest in molecules.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3,4

In Service of the Anointed One,

Jen