Homemade Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

Keep your leather from cracking by cleaning and conditioning it

It is so simple and inexpensive to make a homemade leather cleaner and conditioner with just two ingredients. 

2 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or Neat's Foot Oil) and about 10-20 drops of doTERRA Wild Orange essential oil, or lemon essential oil. Always try cleaner on a non conspicuous spot before treating entire surface.

I like to apply the mixture with a small sponge or a paper towel, and make sure you only do a light coat. Let the mixture soak in over night before applying a second coat.

Have you tried essential oils to condition and clean leather? If so, what were your results?

Save Hundreds by Making Your Own Green Cleaners

Why make your own green cleaners? There are many benefits. The top of my list is to save money, but a great extra is making sure what you are using in non toxic. Most cleaning products that you can buy are loaded with toxic materials that wreak havoc on our bodies, our hormones, and our health. I know that before I switched to homemade green cleaners, I used to suffer with a migraine after cleaning. It took me a long time to make the connection, but once I did, I was so relieved. The following are a few of the recipes I use in my home to save money and avoid toxic cleaners.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

4 Cups hot water

1 Fels Naptha Soap bar or other laundry soap bar

1 Cup Arm and Hammer super washing soda*

1/2 Cup borax

5 gallon bucket with lid

Grate soap bar. I used to grate my soap by hand with a cheese grater, until I found a food processor at a yard sale. Bring water to a soft boil and add grated soap, stirring gently until soap is completely dissolved. Fill the 5 gallon bucket with hot water, add melted soap, washing soda, and borax. Stir until completely combined. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with warm water and let sit over night. The soap will thicken into a gel. Fill a 2 gallon laundry container half way with soap, and then dilute the rest of the way with water. Add 10-20 drops of pure essential oil. A great oil to add is Purify. It is a blend of Lemon, Lime, Pine, Citronella, Melaleuca, and Cilantro, and it is great for removing odors.

All purpose Surface Cleaner

1 Part Hydrogen Peroxide

1 Part water

10-20 drops of essential oil

I like to use On Guard essential oil blend. Not only does it smell fantastic, it antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. On Guard contains Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary.

Window Cleaner

2 parts water

1 part vinegar

20-30 drops of lemon essential oil

Have you ever looked at the labels on your cleaning products and then Googled them? Have you tried your hand at making your own green cleaners with any success? I would love to hear your feedback.

How Essential Oils Can Save You Money

That's right, you can actually save money using essential oils!  When you figure out the price per drop and realize that you only use a few drops at a time, you will be amazed at not only the money, but the time you will save!  I often hear how expensive essential oils are, and I can't help but think of the ways they have saved us money.

I bought a Family Physician Kit from doTERRA, and I saved $200 the first week I had it.  Two of us ended up with ear infections on a Saturday morning.  Not good.  I was thinking I would have to go to the emergency room over the weekend, as we had done previously, but I simply used essential oils.  Not only was our pain reduced, but the ear infection completely went away and did not return.  I simply put a drop of Melaleuca on a cotton ball and gently put the cotton ball in our ears.  Now, I am not a huge fan of antibiotics, and feel that they should only be used when absolutely necessary (as do most responsible physicians nowadays).  If you figure that Melaleuca costs .08 cents per drop, it costs approximately .16 cents to treat it.  I don't even have to do the math for you with the emergency room visit, but we have a $100 co-pay, plus the cost of a prescription, not to mention waiting a day or two to get relief!  Even if you had free medical care, wouldn't you rather spend your evening in the comfort of your living room than in an emergency room?

This story is just one of the experiences I have had where oils have saved our family money.   Here are a few more price comparisons.  Digestzen for stomach discomfort is .13 cents a drop.  Even if I had to use a few drops, I think that would still be less than the cost of Pepto Bismol, or Tums.  Not to mention the extra benefits of Digestzen oil.  Digestzen contains Ginger, Peppermint, Tarragon, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, and Anise.  Ginger is great for the digestive system, and can help with nausea and motion sickness.  Peppermint is anti-inflammatory, soothing, cooling and is beneficial for food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, bad breath, colic, and is even great for morning sickness!  Tarragon can help with dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal cramps, and sluggish digestion.  Fennel can help improve digestion by supporting the liver.  Caraway is antiparasitic, and antispasmodic.  You definitely won't find those qualities in Pepto Bismol!  Coriander is antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.  Finally Anise helps to calm and strengthen the digestive system.  So, while buying one bottle of essential oil may seem expensive at first, consider all the things that you can treat with that one oil, and then remember that you only use a small amount because essential oils are 50-70 times more powerful than herbs!

I would never recommend using an essential oil in an emergency situation instead of seeking treatment if treatment is available, but many of the trips that people make to Emergency rooms every year are completely unnecessary and could be avoided. 

What about you?  Have you ever saved money by having essential oils handy?  I'd love to hear your experiences.

Diffusing Essential Oils to Create the Mood You Want in Your Home

I used to be a candle enthusiast until I did some research on the toxic effects of most synthetic perfumes and fragrances. You can read a little bit about these effects here: http://www.getawhiffofthis.com/. Now I use the Whisper diffuser from Aromatools. You can get the Whisper diffuser here: https://www.aromatools.com/Whisper_Premium_Silent_Misting_Diffuser_p/9377.htm

Whisper Premium Silent Diffuser

With doTERRA certified pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, you not only get a beautiful scent, you get aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils in massage or baths. The great thing about aromatherapy, is that it can affect people's moods positively without them even knowing what is happening. I have witnessed firsthand as people that were anxious and stressed received comfort and calmed down in minutes. I have also used aromatherapy in my home to create peace, and help with concentration during homework time.

The following are some of my favorite essential oils blends to diffuse:

Wild Orange and Peppermint: Wild Orange is antidepressant, and sedative. Peppermint is antibacterial, antiviral, and invigorating. I use this one when we are needing focus and energy. If I am teaching a class and I want people to feel alert and be able to focus, I diffuse this amazing blend. I use 3 drops Wild Orange, and 2 drops Peppermint.

Grapefruit and Cassia: This blend was recommended by a friend of mine, and I absolutely love it. Grapefruit is an antidepressant, disinfectant, and stimulant. It can help to reduce mental fatigue. Cassia is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. It has a delightful cinnamon scent. Diffuse with caution, do not inhale directly. I use 3 drops of Grapefruit, and 2 drops of Cassia in my Whisper diffuser.

Wild Orange and Lavender: Again, Wild Orange is antidepressant, and sedative. Lavender is antidepressant, antifungal, anti-infectious, and sedative. I love this blend when I have had a stressful day and cannot unwind. I use 3 drops Wild Orange and 2 drops Lavender.

Geranium and Lime: Geranium is antibacterial, antidepressant, relaxing, and sedative. Lime is antibacterial, antiviral, and restorative. This is my peaceful blend. I use 4 drops of Lime and 1 drop of Geranium.

On Guard: On Guard is doTERRA's protective blend. It has Wild Orange, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiate, and Rosemary. On Guard is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, disinfectant, and stimulating to the immune system. I love this one during the fall and winter when colds and flu are prevalent.

Serenity:  Serenity is a calming blend. It contains Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, and Vanilla Bean Extract. Serenity is also peaceful, and may help ease tension.

These are just a few of my favorite recipes that I like to use in my whisper diffuser. 

Home Made Potato Cooker (How To)

Camping season is right around the corner and that means warm nights under the stars, beautiful scenery, and of course delicious outdoor meals! No camp out is complete without some kind of adventurous cooking. This how to is a step by step guide to making your own potato cooker for next to nothing from your wallet.

To start, gather the following supplies. Most of the following can be easily found in any household. You will need 1 metal coffee can (#10 can), 1 wire hanger (some are thicker than others, get the thickest possible), 1 wood screw, 1 piece of wood (handle), 1 drill, 1 pair of pliers, 1 hammer, 1 ice pick, and 1 bottle opener (the church key type).

 Step 1: Using the triangle side of the bottle opener (church key), cut 8 holes in the bottom of the can and 4 holes in the top of the can. These will serve as vents for the cooker.

Watch out for those edges!

Step 2: Use the pliers to bend the top cuts back so that they are not sharp. You will be reaching in and out of the cooker so the sharp edges got to go.

Step 3: Use the hammer and ice pick or the drill to poke 8 holes in the side of the can. The holes should be about 2 inches from the bottom and all should be equally spaced apart; these holes with hold the wire that will separate the potatoes from the hot coals.

Step 4: Poke a hole in the center of the lid then attach the handle to your lid with your wood screw and drill.

Overlap the wires

Step 5: Run the wire through the holes in the side of the can. The trick is to overlap them all differently so that they all support the potatoes equally.

Step 6: Poke two holes in the side of the can near the top and across from each other. Then run the remaining piece of wire from your hanger from one hole to the other. This will be your carrying handle in case you need to move the cooker while it’s hot.

Step 7: Cook some potatoes! Prepare the coals in the bottom of the cooker. I usually use 5 or six coals dosed in lighter fluid. Light the coals and after a minute or two the flames will go out but the coals will be white hot. That is when you place your foil wrapped potatoes in the cooker and place your lid on the cooker. Let the potatoes cook for about 1 hour. If desired you can turn the potatoes after 30 minutes to help equalize the cooking. Be sure to use a pair of tongs and gloves when using your cooker. The whole can will be hot!

Be safe and know your surroundings. Do not use the cooker indoors or near any kind of dry brush or other flammable objects. Dispose of the coals in a safe a proper manner to ensure that they do not start a fire. Enjoy those delicious potatoes!

Top 5 Inexpensive Essential Oils

     One thing I often hear is how expensive essential oils are. Well, first I would say why are you buying at retail?  When doTERRA makes it easy to be an Independent Product Consultant, with no monthly minimums, I can't see any reason why someone would not join for personal use. With that being said, the prices I am giving you are wholesale prices. When I look up a symptom, I immediately scan the top oils to see which ones are the least expensive. I try those ones first, and then proceed from there if I don't get the results I am looking for. You can buy less expensive oils at the health food store, but they are not certified pure, therapeutic grade oils. You would have to use many times the amount to get the same benefits as using doTERRA's certified pure, therapeutic grade oils. The following oils are my top picks for under $20:

Lemon Lemon is so versatile! It is anticancer (see Modern Essentials for resources), antidepressant, antifungal, and antiviral. To me, lemon is a powerhouse! I use it in my water to help detoxify. Lemon dissolves petrochemicals. Try this at home. Put two drops of lemon essential oil in a Styrofoam cup. Now place the cup on plate, and prepare to be amazed. The lemon oil will literally dissolve the cup. It will not, however dissolve organic matter, which is why it does not harm us to ingest it. I use lemon to clean and freshen the house (see the post on green cleaners for recipes). I also use lemon for bug bites, allergies (with lavender and peppermint in a capsule), cold sores, poor concentration, for energy, and colds. Lemon is beautiful to use in a diffuser, it freshens the air and makes the house smell clean and pure.

Lemongrass First of all, I love the smell of lemongrass. If you have never experienced Lemongrass, you should give it try. Lemongrass is a warm oil, and just from personal experience, I would always dilute it with coconut oil before applying it to the skin. It is analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, repels insects, sedative, and vasodilator. I love using lemongrass (diluted with fractionated coconut oil) for fibromyalgia pain. Of course, it could be used for other pain as well. Carpal tunnel, cramps, sore muscles and sprains could all be treated quite nicely with lemongrass. I gave lemongrass to a friend that had a urinary tract infection, and she had relief from her pain in about 30 minutes, and called to tell me it was gone the next day. I have also used lemongrass to help relieve swollen lymph nodes.

Wild Orange The delightful smell of Wild Orange makes it one of my favorites. It is anticancer, antidepressant, antispasmodic, digestive, and sedative. I used wild orange combined with lavender in my diffuser for a friend that was going through a tough a time and was experiencing moderate anxiety. I love wild orange and peppermint for concentration, and energy. It is the perfect blend for diffusing during homework time! A dear friend of mine who suffers from insomnia, uses wild orange to help her sleep. She puts a drop on her upper lip so she can smell it while drifting off to sleep. Use caution with any citrus oils when going out in the sun. It can cause the skin to be photosensitive. Other common uses are detoxification, colds, bronchitis, and digestive ailments.

Rosemary Blend Lemon and Rosemary in a diffuser for a clean, fresh scent. I put 4 drops of lemon, 1 drop of rosemary in my whisper diffuser. Rosemary is analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and an expectorant. It can be used as a vasodilator to help make having blood drawn easier. Rosemary is also great for arthritis pain, constipation, influenza, headaches, kidney infections, low blood pressure, memory, chronic fatigue, candida, and sinusitis. Avoid Rosemary if you are dealing with high blood pressure.

Wintergreen My beloved Wintergreen has been used on many aches and pains! From fibromyalgia pain, to bone pain, arthritis, cramps, and sore muscles. It has a strong penetrating aroma, which I happen to love. If you don't love the aroma, you will come to love it when you feel the relief. It is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, disinfectant, stimulating, and warming. Another use is to put it in squirt bottle with water and use it for dandruff. Do close your eyes when spraying it on though. If I am feeling stressed, I will place wintergreen right over my heart for hypertension relief. Wintergreen might also help bladder infections, gallstones, infections, kidney stones, swollen lymph nodes, osteoporosis. My favorite use is for bone pain. That is a pain that is not easily treated, but I see great results with wintergreen. A close friend of mine uses it for his bone pain after chemotherapy, and he touts it as being very effective.

Homemade Gifts for Valentines Day Using Essential Oils

Holidays can get expensive, and we often end up buying stuff we don't really need. Expensive perfumes contain toxic ingredients that cause hosts of symptoms for many. Even innocent bystanders are effected by our choices in fragrances. Would you like to make some homemade gifts that will not harm, but have health benefits?

Homemade perfume

Small glass spray bottle

10 drops of Whisper essential oil

5-10 drops of ylang ylang essential oil

doTERRA Fractionated coconut oil

I get my glass bottles here:  https://www.aromatools.com/Clear_Glass_4_ml_Sample_Spray_Bottles_p/9112.htm

Combine oils in glass container, and then fill the container with fractionated coconut oil. Whisper essential oil blend contains Patchouli, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Rose, jasmine, Cinnamon Bark, Cistus, Vetiver, Ylang ylang, Geranium, Cocoa Bean extract, and Vanilla Bean extract. It can be used as an aphrodisiac, frigity, and hormonal balance. It is also very calming and soothing. Ylang Ylang is used as an aphrodisiac, helps to reduce high blood pressure, is calming, and reduces palpitations and stress. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I put this perfume blend on my wrist, then put a small amount behind each ear, and a small amount over my heart. It instantly lifts my spirits, and gives me a feeling of peace.

Sugar Scrub

2 Cups sugar (I used organic raw sugar)

2-6 Tablespoons pure Olive Oil or Fractionated Coconut oil

20-30 drops of essential oil

Combine oil with essential oil in a small glass container. Pour over sugar, and mix well. To use sugar scrub, wash hands, while hands are still wet, apply 1-2 teaspoons of scrub mixture and massage into hands focusing on cuticles. Rinse and apply homemade scented lotion (recipe follows). This can be used on feet as well. I recommend Citrus Bliss, Wild Orange and Peppermint, Lavender, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Elevation, Serenity, or Whisper.

Homemade Scented Lotion

Aloe Vera Gelly

Olive oil

20-30 drops of essential oil. If you are giving this as a gift with the sugar scrub, I recommend coordinating the scents for a layered effect. 

I get the Aloe Vera Gel here:

http://www.vitacost.com/lily-of-the-desert-aloe-vera-gelly-soothing-moisturizer

If you decide to order from Vitacost, you can use my referral code to get $10 off your purchase. Just email me for the code.