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.

Keeping Your Family Healthy With Essential Oils

Why get the Family Physician Kit?

There are several reasons to get this kit, but I will just give you the basics. First of all, what is the Family Physician Kit? The Family Physician kit comes with 10 of the top oils that families use on a regular basis.  The kit includes 6 single oils and 4 essential oil blends that are exclusive to doTERRA. It has Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Oregano, Frankincense, Deep Blue, Breathe, Digestzen, and On Guard essential oils. 

What can you treat with the Family Physician kit?  The following are just a few of the uses you might find helpful:

Lavender: Lavender is calming. You can use it to calm anxiety and soothe emotions, help fight insomnia or restlessness, and soothe and cleanse irritated skin, scrapes and wounds. It can help to relieve insect bites and stings, and regenerate burns and damaged skin.

Lemon: Use Lemon to clean and freshen. Lemon eliminates germs, viruses, and microbes. Soothes sore throat, neutralizes odors, and reduces toxic stress.

Peppermint: Peppermint is cooling and invigorating. You may find peppermint helpful in reducing body temperature, opening airways, and reducing chest congestion. Peppermint can help calm headaches and coughs, it energizes and invigorates the body, it helps to ease digestive complaints, and it can help improve mental focus. I use peppermint in a water bottle to increase my workout stamina

Melaleuca: Relief for the skin. Melaleuca soothes blemishes, rashes, and skin irritations. It encourages healthy scalp and hair, and can help eliminate nail and foot fungus. Melaleuca may help calm cold sores,  control candida and yeast, and reduce acne.

Oregano: Supports the immune system. Oregano can stimulate immune responses, and eliminate warts. It can also be used to do a cleansing regimen for a healthy GI tract.

Frankincense: Enhancer and equalizer. Frankincense has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. (See more on that here: http://doterra.squarespace.com/storage/education-tab/information-sheets/FRANKINCENSE%20information%20Sheet.pdf) It is antidepressant, relieves stress, and may help with nervous conditions. Frankincense can be helpful for pneumonia, respiratory problems, aging, allergies, sedative, and is an immune stimulant.

Deep Blue: Muscle and Joint support. Deep Blue helps support tired aching joints, relieves muscle discomfort, calms headaches, and relaxes tissues and eases tension. It may also relieve cramps, including menstrual cramps.

Breathe: Respiratory Support. Breathe can help clear the lungs and sinuses, improve respiratory discomfort and congestion, and calm asthma attacks and symptoms. Breathe is great for soothing cold and flu symptoms, and calming coughs.

Digestzen: Digestive support. Digestzen can ease stomach and digestive discomfort, relieve nausea and motion sickness, calm heartburn and acid reflux. It maintains a healthy and consistent digestive system.

On Guard: Natural Defense. On Guard can stimulate immune support, sanitize and protect, and eliminate airborne pathogens and germs. On Guard is helpful in oral care, and can be used to prevent illness.

DoTERRA essential oils are certified pure, therapeutic grade oils.  It is really important to make sure your oils are pure and do not contain any artificial ingredients, or fillers.

When someone emails me and asks me what oil to use for their particular symptoms, chances are, if they have a Family Physician kit, I can direct them to one of the oils they have on hand.

If you are interested in becoming a doTERRA Independent Product Consultant, contact me to become part of our team. For those that sign up as an IPC with a Family Physician Kit, I will buy you the Mini Modern Essentials 4th Edition book. This book is a guidebook for how to use the essential oils to treat your symptoms. This book contains the Personal Usage Guide section with commonly used oils and application methods, along with the Science and Application section, containing detailed information on the history, science, and proper application of essential oils—with detailed instruction on how to perform the AromaTouch™ Technique. View the details here: https://www.aromatools.com/Mini_Modern_Essentials_Mini_ME_4th_Edition_p/1152.htm

This offer is only good until March 14th, 2013, so don't delay!

Adding Essential Oils to a Bug Out Bag

Okay, one thing that most people overlook when they are preparing a bug out bag is healthcare items. Essential oils are a great addition to your bug out bag for many reasons. One of the main reasons I love them for this purpose is that each oil serves many purposes! If you pack benedryl it is good for an antihistamine, and that’s about it. Pack essential oils and you can use them for many other things. You may not find all of these oils to be useful to your specific body type, and you may be prone to experiencing symptoms that I am not familiar with. I recommend that you know the symptoms that you are most likely to incur and pack accordingly. The following are the oils that I have in my bug out bag. Of course, I would try to take my entire "medicine chest" with me, but in the event that I was unable to, the following oils are my go to oils.

Digestzen: I know that for me, stress usually comes with stomach trouble. I will certainly be under stress if I am using my bug out bag, so I had to include this oil. The name pretty much says it all, but let me expound on it for you. This blend contains Ginger, Peppermint, Tarragon, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, and Anise. This combination is good for all digestive complaints! Constipation, diarrhea, cramps, food poisoning, heartburn, nausea, and parasites. Will your Pepto Bismol handle all those symptoms?

Melaleuca: This oil is a must have for your bug out bag! Melaleuca is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, and anti-inflammatory among other great things. It can be used for allergies, fungal infections, bacterial infections, boils, bronchitis, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, cuts or wounds, eczema, ear infections (we have used this one many times. Place one drop of melaleuca on a cotton ball and place it in the ear over night. Do not put oils directly in your ear, eyes, or throat), hives, lice, MRSA, pink eye, rashes, sore throat, tonsillitis, viral infections, and warts (Modern Essential Fourth Edition). Now, I cannot think of a single over the counter or prescription medication that can do all that!

Peppermint: Ah, one of my personal favorites. Peppermint is so versatile. I use peppermint if I am feeling overheated for any reason. Be it a fever, or the start of heat exhaustion, I break out my peppermint. I have made a roller ball with 15 drops of peppermint oil and fractionated coconut oil, as well as my straight peppermint oil. Peppermint is also energizing, analgesic, antibacterial, anticarcenogenc, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory (Modern Essentials Fourth Edition). You can use peppermint for bacterial infections, to boost energy, to treat cold sores, decrease congestion, relieve cramping muscles, freshen breath, eliminate a hot flash, and treat hypothyroidism. The most common use for peppermint in our house is a headache. Just use caution not to get it in or too close to your eyes.

Deep Blue: Let's face it, if we are in a bug out situation, we are going to be overworking our muscles! My beloved Deep Blue blend will come to our rescue! Deep Blue has Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, German Chamomile, Helichrysum, and Osmanthus. Use this oil to soothe achy muscles, arthritis, and reduce inflammation. It is also great if you have a pinched nerve, bruises, and headaches.

Ravensara from Madagascar

Breathe: There is a good chance that we suffer with some respiratory problems if we are in a bug out situation.  I also use breathe for anxiety, and I am just guessing I will have some mild to moderate anxiety!  Breathe blend contains Laurel leaf (Bay), Peppermint, Eucalyptus radiate, Melaleuca Alternifolia, Lemon, and Ravensara. If you have asthma, do not forget your breathe! Breathe is antiviral too. I have used breathe to relieve symptoms of bronchitis and congestion (apply topically to the chest). Check out it's many other uses in Modern Essentials Fourth Edition.

Frankincense: I suppose if you told me I could only take 1 oil, it would be Frankincense. But, since I have to carry my own, I will bring along the others too. Frankincense enhances the benefits of any oil you layer it with.

Terrashield: Terrashield is a blend that contains Lemon Eucalyptus, Citronella, and lemongrass. This blend is a powerful insect repellent, but it smells wonderful, unlike other insect repellents that you have probably tried. It is also all natural, and does not contain DEET.

The beautiful Citronella plant is one of the powerful ingredients used in Terrashield

Serenity: Serenity contains Lavender, Sweet marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang ylang, Sandalwood, and Vanilla Bean extract. Besides smelling amazing, Serenity is great for calming anxiety and helps with insomnia. It has many other benefits, but these are the main reasons I included it in my bug out bag.

If there are oils you tend to use on a daily basis, I highly suggest incorporating them into your bug out bag. Don't forget to stick at least the mini modern essentials book in your bugout bag! I am putting the Modern Essentials Fourth Edition book in mine. It is a little extra weight, but packed full of useful information that I will need if I am in that situation.

What about you? Are you packing essential oils in your bug out bag? If you haven't used oils before, and would like more information, contact me to start learning about the benefits of essential oils.

The Top Five Bug Out Bag Essentials

The Bag: The body of every bug out bag is of course the bag. A good bag makes a world of difference in a “go” situation. Choosing the right bag is essential to increasing your odds of surviving comfortably. Everyone has different needs, so there is no clear cut bag that will work for everyone. However, I have found a bag that is capable of working for most people.

A Suitable Pack

If you are ok with the color and pattern, this pack will serve as an excellent starter pack. It’s big enough to store enough items to survive comfortably and small enough for the average person to handle with relative ease. It features a waist buckle, which is great for extra carrying support during long hikes, and MOLLE straps around the front for anyone who wishes to customize attachments.

Medication: Arguably the most important part of any bug out bag or go bag is medication to suit your specific needs. If you require any regular dose of medication, pack it. Medication is usually small and light so it should be easy to carry at least 30 days worth of anything that you depend on to live comfortably.

Food and Water: Something that can be a bit more burdensome to haul around in large quantities is food and water. Food must be nutritious or there is really no point to hauling it around in the first place. I recommend something with light weight packaging that is easy to open and has a long shelf life. One product that meets all of these requirements is the Chicken of the Sea salmon packs (found at most grocery stores). My personal pack includes six of these salmon packs, a few bags of homemade beef jerky, and an MRE or two. As far as water goes, luckily for me, I live on a lake and near many other good water sources. So I only carry about two liters of fresh water in my hydration pack. People who do not live near any decent water sources should carry more.

Hydration Pack

I also carry a hand pump water filter to ensure that I can stay stocked on water. A good hand pump filter can provide 12,000 gallons of clean and safe water over its lifetime. That’s enough water to keep a family of four hydrated for almost nine years!

Hand Pump Water Filter

Communication: The fourth bug out bag essential item is a means of communication, a way to leave notes and messages is a good start, but is not enough. Radio is the most effective way to communicate in an emergency situation. I recommend having both two way radios, and CB or HAM radios at your disposal. In addition to a regular AM/FM radio of course.

AM/FM Radio

Two-Way Radios

HAM Radio

When storing radios and other important survival electronics, it is important to consider the possibility of an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP). An EMP is a weapon that is like a bomb only it completely fries electronics in a certain radius. A good way to protect your equipment from an EMP blast is by storing it in an airtight metal box. An ammo can makes a great EMP proof box. I keep my entire bag in a very large ammo can to protect my radios and other electronic equipment from an EMP. ESD bags are another great way to keep your electronics safe.

Defense: Having a means to defend yourself is key. Keep in mind that in an emergency situation, there will be a lot of people who are not prepared and are willing to hurt you in order to acquire what they need to survive. Wildlife can also be a danger depending on where you reside. A firearm, crossbow, bow and arrow, machete or hunting knife can all be suitable. What it really comes down to is what you are comfortable handling. For example, if you have never shot a gun before or if it is illegal for you to own one, do not pack one. Instead bring a large fixed-blade knife or machete; even a walking stick can serve as a weapon for self-defense. Do not force yourself out of your comfort zone simply because I recommend having a weapon. Choose something that is right for you and that you feel you are adequately skilled with.

Emergency Preparedness (Essential Oils style!) (Part 3)

Welcome back to the third and final emergency preparedness with essential oils post. The last five oils that are invaluable during emergency situations are listed below.

Lemon for water purification, cleansing, and to elevate your mood, Lemon has antioxidant properties, detoxifies, helps to cleanse, elevates your mood, reduces fatigue, helps to cope with stress, can calm an upset stomach, and helps aid elimination. I drink lemon in my water every day. Start with a few drops in a glass of water, and then increase according to your preference. It is important to use citrus oils in glass or stainless steel containers only as they dissolve petro-chemicals. Try this fun experiment at home. Put 2-3 drops of doTERRA certified pure therapeutic grade essential oil in a Styrofoam cup. Watch as the oil literally dissolves the cup. No need to worry, it will not harm you, it will only effect the petro chemicals.

Lemongrass to support muscle cramps, freshen air, treat bladder infections, reduce mental fatigue, and treat sprains. 3-4 drops of Lemongrass in a gelatin capsule (then fill the rest with fractionated coconut oil) can help to reduce water retention and bring quick relief for a urinary tract infection. I witnessed this myself with a close friend.

Melaleuca for soothing and promoting healing, use Melaleuca as a first aid ointment on bug bites, athlete's foot, eczema, psoriasis, and to support the immune system. You can use it topically or take it internally.

Oregano leaves are good for more than just
spicing up an nice Italian meal

Oregano to support the immune system, Oregano is a powerful oil, and should be used cautiously. Always dilute oregano with fractionated coconut oil. You can apply it straight to a wart, but us caution not to get it on the skin around the wart. If you do, apply coconut oil, do not rinse with water. Take oregano in a capsule to fight bacterial infections. Can help to reduce inflammation, joint and back pain; apply topically with fractionated coconut oil.

Peppermint for fevers, headaches, cooling off, and for indigestion and stomach related problems. The most common use for peppermint is headaches. It works faster than any over the counter! I suggest diluting it with coconut oil initially to test for tolerance. I use peppermint straight, but some find it much easier to use diluted. For a headache, apply to temples, and back of neck, and along jawline. Use caution not to get peppermint in your eyes. I love peppermint for motion sickness. Apply to hands, rub together and inhale.

There are many uses for each of these oils, and there are even more benefits then what has been covered in these posts. Is your family prepared for an emergency? What would you do if you needed medical assistance and were unable to get it right away? Besides food and water, what are some of the other things you think are vital for emergency situations? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Here is a sneak peek for next weeks posts.