DIY Friday: Orange Dreamsicle Lip Balm

What's a more refreshing summer scent than orange dreamsicle? This lip balm smells YUMMY! We just made this a couple of weeks ago at an essential oil Make and Take that my team had. They turned out great!

Ingredients:

 2 Tablespoons beeswax
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
15 drops Orange essential oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Lip balm containers (you can use the containers or the tubes)

Directions:

- Place everything except for the essential oil and the extract into a glass measuring bowl.
- Fill a saucepan with about 2 inches of water, and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, place glass measuring cup in the center of the boiling water,
- Stir continually until all ingredients have melted together.
- Once wax is melted, remove and let sit for one minute.
- Add the oil and extract, and pour into the containers.
- Let cool (you can put them in the fridge for quick results)

Surviving Toddler-hood

Do you ever feel like if you have just one more day with a smart-mouth toddler, you're going to go insane? If you could see me right now, you'd see me waving my hand vigorously. That is so ME right now. The Stress Away Essential Oil is flowing like crazy over here. My daughter is a threenager (that's the fun word for a toddler who's three going on thirteen). The hands on the hips, the stomping of the feet, the back talking, smart mouthing, if you say one more thing I'm going to lose my mind, kind of attitude...this is a threenager. They are loud. They are opinionated. And they DO NOT listen. So, how do we survive the threenage years? I've learned a few things in the months of dealing with toddler life and the giant attitude that comes with it. Here are our 5 ways to tame the threenager within.

1) Quality Time - I learned this from Stella. She would come up to me and say things like "Can I just have you?" or "I just want you." These are signs that you're wanted and more importantly, needed by your toddler. I have found that Stella's attitude is MUCH better when I truly engage with her and focus completely on her. The threenager attitude is often times their loud way of saying "Pay attention to me!!" When you take the time to lay aside all other distractions, and truly focus on the interests of your toddler, you will see great results! (speaking from experience!)

2) Communication - I KNOW it can be frustrating dealing with a kid who doesn't want to listen...but taking the time, even after the punishment has been given, to communicate with them is extremely important. My husband and I literally have daily 'Come to Jesus' talks with Stella. (That's our nick name for an intervention) We sit her down and talk to her about what she did wrong, how she can improve on that behavior and why we had to punish her. Then without question, we tell her we love her and we try to move on from there.

3) Prayer - Oils help a lot, but they are no match for Jesus. When the kids aren't listening, pray. When you feel like you're going to die from the stress, pray. Pray until you just can't pray anymore. Trust me, it will keep you from hitting the wall. This is a crucial time in the lives of our kids, and prayer is an essential tool.

4) Affirmation - Positive words go a LONG way. I've made a point to look for ways that I can compliment and affirm Stella and Ronny. I want them to not only know that they are loved, but to have a sense of self worth and to know who they are in Christ. If they know who they are in Christ, they're more likely to strive to please Him. (I know that's a big concept for a toddler, but trust me, even at a young age, they are capable of wanting to please the Lord) We say positive and uplifting things like "You are so smart!" (and then explaining why they are) and complimenting their good choices. My kids love to be affirmed. They glow when they know we are proud of them. Pointing out the positive things they do to make us proud, takes the focus off of the negative things they do to make us frustrated. 

5) Gratitude - This one can be a tough one. Even when they're being defiant. Even when they do everything you have told them not to do. Even when they say hurtful and horrible things. Be grateful. I know firsthand that there are moments when we as parents just want to throw our hands up in the air and give up. Parenting is extremely hard. But even in your most frustrated moment, just remember...there are a million people out there wishing they could have children, and they can't for various reasons. You are blessed. They are a blessing. Don't let yourself lose sight of that. ;)

Got an incredible parenting secret for surviving the threenage years? I'd love to hear it! ;)

Must Have Monday: Trim Healthy Mama Plan Book

Ok, this post is NOT about dieting. BUT if you haven't read this book...holy guacamole, just try it! It's incredibly eye opening! I am loving this book and the recipes that I have been trying over the past couple of weeks. This book will blow your mind and give you a whole new look on your eating and your lifestyle. It's not all about losing weight. It's a very healthy way to eat foods that you love. This book talks about the thinking behind the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle. I do recommend grabbing the cook book as well, as it will rock your tastebuds off...but start here first. Trust me. ;)

DIY Friday: Lavender Bath Salts

I used to find bath salts to be completely useless. I thought they were full of hype...until I discovered Young Living essential oils and I fell down the hippy dippy hole of all things natural and holistic. ;) It turns out that Epsom salt is completely amazeballs all by itself...so when you throw in some essential oils...it's down right awesome sauce. And the best part is that you can make Epsom salt baths with whatever oils you want, so the sky is the limit. You can use Stress Away for a stress relieving bath. You can use Peppermint or Copaiba for a nice post-workout bath to loosen up those sore muscles. You can even get a little crazy and make some Ylang Ylang bath salts. (Your husband will thank you generously) But today I'm going to share my most popular bath salt recipe, which is Lavender.

I became quite obsessed with the smell of a Lavender bedtime bath shampoo by a certain name brand Baby bath company (Cough* It starts with a Johnson and ends with a Johnson. *Cough) Then I discovered how very toxic their products are. So...what's a mom to do with two little kiddos who need a nice calming bath before bed to sleep well?? Hello, Lavender! We threw out the name brand lavender bath shampoo and now use Lavender bath salts for the bedtime effect. (For the shampoo and body wash, I use Young Living's KidScents line...it's toxic free!) Epsom salts are perfectly fine for babies and kiddos, however you do want to make sure that they aren't drinking a ton of bath water with the salts. It can upset their tummy if they ingest too much of it.

How do you make it? It's easy! I fill a mason jar with Epsom salt, then I dump the salt into a large bowl. I add 5 to 10 drops of Young Living's Lavender essential oil (emphasis on the YOUNG LIVING part. I do NOT recommend using any other brand, especially on babies!) You mix that all together, making sure the oils are spread evenly, then pour it back into the mason jar, and you've got your bath salts! I use about a half cup for each bath. You can enjoy it yourself or use it for the kiddos. Change up the scent by switching out the Lavender for whatever oil you choose.

Want to order some Lavender? Grab some here

If you discover an incredible combination of oils for bath salts that you just can't keep to yourself, let me know in the comments! :)