tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70563197506820984432024-02-19T10:07:08.727-08:00Living MindFullythe Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-72338466568688276012015-09-10T18:30:00.000-07:002015-09-10T18:57:29.373-07:00Energy Shift and Shielding<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
The last weekend in August, we had a great time at the <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Venus Music Festival</a> in Vandalia, Illinois. There was music and healing in the air and new friendships on the ground. Even a scared, injured little dog knew he could find sanctuary on Venus Land.</div>
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Some amazing singers graced the stage, among them: <a href="http://www.summerosborne.com/" target="_blank">Summer Osborne</a>, <a href="http://www.gingerdoss.com/" target="_blank">Ginger Doss</a>, <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/sarahmccracken" target="_blank">Sara McCracken</a>, <a href="http://www.crysmatthews.com/" target="_blank">Crys Matthews</a>, <a href="http://carolewalkermusic.com/" target="_blank">Carole Walker</a>, <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/jennifernormanmusic" target="_blank">Jen Norman</a>, <a href="http://www.chasingnadean.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Nadean</a> and Brooke Sleme as well as some talented and powerful spoken word poet/performers: ReeCee, Jen Harris and the funny and talented MC, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishbusch" target="_blank">Trish Busch</a>. The vendor area included Tupperware, T-shirts, candied jalapeño -yum, and, of course, we had doTerra essential oils, and offered energy work.</div>
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There were also workshops on everything from moving through difficult feelings to ghost hunting. There was never a dull moment.</div>
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Lori Osborne was amazing in her ability to juggle multiple unexpected challenges, organizing volunteers, housing artists, and still presenting a workshop and finding a bit of fun as well.</div>
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The Osbornes host <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Venus Festival</a> to bring love, healing, peace and music to the world. They also seek to nurture the next generation of dreamers and doers. Much of the money (well, really all of the profits this year) goes toward helping kids pursue their dreams of being in the arts. They may use the money to provide musical instruments to kids in need (<a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/love-mrs-osborne/" target="_blank">as the late Mrs. Osborne did</a>), or to help pay for dance lessons and other expenses. This year, one girl, Jilly, a dancer, was chosen as THE<a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/love-mrs-osborne/" target="_blank"> Love Mrs. Osborne</a> kid.</div>
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Many of the temporary residents of <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Venus Land</a> attended a healing circle led by Deb and I. Deb did a guided meditation to help people get grounded and centered, moving up through every chakra and bodily system and organ. We invited anyone who wanted healing into the center of the circle. Many people and a few dogs entered the middle. Deb and some other energy workers also entered the center to work one on one with people. My part was to hold the outside of the circle with those wanting to provide healing and support as a group. To raise energy and consciousness, I led everyone in singing songs of healing. I started each song by first teaching it by singing it and encouraging everyone to join their voices together. I then walked clockwise around the circle, singing and sending energy to each person through my breath and eyes. I did stop and touch Sir Vinny, the injured dog, each time I passed.</div>
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We felt a lot of loving, healing energy all along and within the circle as we moved and sang and listened and watched. The kids of <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">VenusLand</a> were amazing! They offered support and unconditional love through holding the circle, passing out tissues, and even individual energy work. We were very impressed and grateful for their presence.</div>
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Quite a few people had emotional releases during the healing circle, and the love kept flowing and growing through the rest of the weekend. Even Sir Vinny was thriving by Sunday, the final day of this year's Venus Festival.</div>
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That morning many of us gathered for a "Soul Circle", a solution - based discussion on events happening in the world. It was a powerful discussion, and more emotional releases occurred. Deb and I brought water and a candle from the last Michigan Womyn's Music Festival and shared it there, nourishing <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">VenusLand</a> with the water and passing the candle to the Osbornes who are doing a lot to keep women's music and culture alive.</div>
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After the festival, we spent some time privately with the Osbornes and the cows. (By the way, I discovered that <a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?FuseAction=CategoryShop&CategoryID=89" target="_blank">Terra Shield</a> is a great deterrent to vicious horse flies. Too bad we didn't think to use it until after Venus was over!) We left our tent there so it can be the start of an artists' tent village for next year. Having 15 people staying in one house is just too much, unless it is a mansion.</div>
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Once we got home and had a chance to talk to each other and a few others that we met at <a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">VenusFest</a>, we realized that we should have talked people through how to shield themselves energetically. It is so hard to return to the mundane world after being someplace like that (<a href="http://venusmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Venus Music Festival</a>, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, or any other intense safe gathering of souls). Part of the difficulty in returning to the outer world is not just that there is a major cultural shift, but also that while in those safe spaces, we tend to let down our energetic or aural shields. Then we forget to re-shield in a healthy way when we enter the mainstream again. This can leave us feeling discombobulated emotionally, physically, psychologically and/or spiritually.</div>
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Shielding helps keep positive, healing energy flowing, while deflecting or grounding unwanted energy. There are several different guided imagery exercises that can help someone learn shielding. Deb and I each learned from various teachers, books and trial and error. I'd like to share one technique that I find useful. If you do better with hearing visualizations rather than reading them and trying to remember them, you may want to partner with someone you trust. You can slowly guide one another through this meditation visualization by reading it to each other. Or, you can read it to yourself with a voice recorder. Pace it fairly slow, allowing time for your mind to fully form the images. Be patient with yourself. You may get it on the first try, or you may need to practice a bit. Either way is fine. Relax and have fun with it.</div>
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Here is one meditation visualization for shielding:</div>
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Begin by breathing deeply at a relaxed pace.</div>
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Ground and center yourself by focusing on your breath. Focus only on your breath. Feel the air moving in through your nose, down through your lungs, pausing, then back out slowly. </div>
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If other thoughts or concerns enter your mind, acknowledge them, then promise them that you will deal with them later. Imagine them surrounded with a loving bubble of light, then when you exhale, blow the little bubble away from you, like a child with a bubble wand.</div>
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Keep returning your focus to your breath. Inhale, short pause, exhale.</div>
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Once you have focused only on your breath for several cycles, imagine that you are also drawing in energy from the Earth from the deep, healing well of energy beneath her surface, up through the soles of your feet.</div>
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Draw the energy up through the soles of your feet, letting it flow and fill you like a cleansing stream. Allow it to fill your toes, heels, ankles and calves. Feel it wash clean your knees, thighs, hips, pelvis. Your abdomen, organs and chest are refreshed by the flowing energy from the Earth. Allow the energy to to continue to flow through you, into your shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Feel the tension leave your neck, throat, jaws, cheeks, and sinuses. Feel your eyes and ears gain clarity from the Earth's energy.</div>
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Allow that energy to continue to flow up through your feet, throughout your body, and allow it to gently move out of your body through the crown of your head and the palms of your hands. Like a fountain of light, healing energy flowing freely. Let this light cleanse you as it moves through you. Mother Earth will purify the energy as it flows back to her again.</div>
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Now, put your hands out in front of you as if you are holding a basketball sized sphere of light energy. Envision that sphere growing larger as the energy flows from the Earth through your body and out of the palms of your hands, into the sphere. Once the sphere is large enough, step harmlessly into your protective bubble of light. </div>
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Once inside your bubble, you can make it as large or as small as you need by controlling the energy flow from your hands and head while you constantly allow the Earth to feed you from her deep healing energy wells.</div>
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Your bubble can be whatever color you need, whatever color makes you feel safest at this moment. It can even be many colors, like a soap bubble refracting the sun's rays into prisms.</div>
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Your bubble is soft and permeable, like a soap bubble. You can expand it to welcome in positive energies, people and animals, while negativity moves off and around without entering your safe space.</div>
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You can keep your bubble up as you move through your day, expanding and shrinking as you need it to.</div>
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If you feel your bubble begin to weaken or falter, take a moment to breathe deep from the Earth and exhale energy to refill your bubble.</div>
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Try practicing this meditation visualization on your own. After a few times, it will become easier, and eventually you will start to automatically shield without thinking about it, like opening your eyes when you wake up from sleep.</div>
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If the bubble image is difficult for you, choose another. If you have suggestions for imagery for other readers, feel free to leave them in the comments below. Let us know how this meditation visualization works for you.</div>
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A few other things that we find helps with shielding ourselves or our home include:</div>
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<a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?FuseAction=CategoryShop&CategoryID=41" target="_blank">Balance Essential Oil Blend</a>- we use it on our earlobes (and on our dogs ears) to help dispel anxiety and promote relaxation and balance. You can also use it in a diffuser to help bring balance to your home. I sometimes set a shielding intention when I turn on the diffuser. We even take one with us when we travel.</div>
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Rose quartz- this is one time when wearing a bra really comes in handy. Placing a rose quartz near your heart chakra, for some, helps them feel protected and shielded from negativity, especially emotional negativity. During my really difficult days, I used to keep a rose quartz shaped as an egg in my sports bra. Yes, it got sweaty and smelly. I cleansed it physically and energetically through cleaning it with running water. To super cleanse, I would leave it outside in the rain or under the full moon's light. I have long since given that egg to someone else, but we still sometimes use rose quartz this way. You can also put it on your windowsill to add boundary shielding on your home or office.</div>
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Salt or clear quartz- some people put clear quartz crystals or small dishes of salt in the corners of their home as an energetic cleanser and shield.</div>
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Smudging- if you don't have issues with asthma or other breathing problems, you could try smudging with smoke from (careful) burning sage, sweetgrass, cedar, or a combination of these. Some people and traditions prefer incense to smudge with.</div>
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We hope this article has helped you find some clarity, not to mention great new ideas for your music collection and yes, ways to spend the last weekend in August of 2016!</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Aimée</div>
the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-53720333935384361452015-07-18T17:02:00.000-07:002015-07-18T17:02:24.436-07:00Oodle Salad<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I know that we haven't been posting very much lately, and I apologize for that, but I plan to make up for it with this delicious new recipe that I invented! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG9_bZkDa1C7_q0B4gWj6YC3Oaagj6UlUijOhb-vduDdTLft_tXHXhTXVVn6IWG4JNKkJyfp4bgHdCZPWdanyVijRIe96EkmOPPuBMPtg-1fy16RHCP8gsczqOAdJovOveoCKKlhuAvg/s1600/20150718_164003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG9_bZkDa1C7_q0B4gWj6YC3Oaagj6UlUijOhb-vduDdTLft_tXHXhTXVVn6IWG4JNKkJyfp4bgHdCZPWdanyVijRIe96EkmOPPuBMPtg-1fy16RHCP8gsczqOAdJovOveoCKKlhuAvg/s320/20150718_164003.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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We recently purchased a Spiralizer. There are lots of different brands out there, I haven't compared them all to be able to make a particular recommendation. I just went online and read lots of reviews and picked one. I LOVE it! If you don't have a spiralizer, you can probaly use a grater or peeler, but the long twirly oodles are really fun to eat, and much faster to prepare. I took a variation of this to a potluck and everyone loved it. I even craved it for a couple of weeks, until I made it again. I'm eating it now!</div>
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Right now is the perfect time to make this salad. Zucchini and cucumbers are starting to invade people's gardens, the first tomatoes are starting to ripen, and the basil needs to be pinched back so It doesn't totally go to seed.</div>
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For the store bought stuff, don't skimp. Use a very high quality extra virgin olive oil. We buy ours from a fantastic restaurant, where the owner's family has their own olive orchard in Greece. You want a nice, deep gold color, with a hint of olive flavor. We absolutely love Penzy's spices, I recommend three Italian Dressing mix, but use it in the perportions that I note here. You want a stronger sense of the spice mix than their regular recommended recipe. For the basil, use fresh, right out of your own garden or windowsill if possible. The fresher the better!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvE4MKkZENedcZM2SVXn8ZkG9zXGy7OG04Y7cUb9esjfEnZ6e_HfO52kDjq3398aEreE9M6uXX80B9Ms9EnmrjSLd9TAuhUa2KAHrPdAJ8uea0kptAzeCUmP1Ngja6grhr8VuVvofDg/s1600/2015-06-28+15.53.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybvE4MKkZENedcZM2SVXn8ZkG9zXGy7OG04Y7cUb9esjfEnZ6e_HfO52kDjq3398aEreE9M6uXX80B9Ms9EnmrjSLd9TAuhUa2KAHrPdAJ8uea0kptAzeCUmP1Ngja6grhr8VuVvofDg/s200/2015-06-28+15.53.47.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Penzy's Spices!</td></tr>
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Dressing:<br />3 oz white or rice vinegar<br />1 oz olive oil<br />1 tbsp penzys italian dressing mix<br />1 tsp fresh tumeric root or 1/4 tsp powdered</div>
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Shake dressing ingredients together in a jar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVII95Fxu-AweFDU8gZYU1uPctNLPeY4O-GA0HdCAI4GJcFiKGxXOvIZx9SFEXfqwYaV-qZY7RuA07TQSDWfxKu0cp_rSuyCmkDu5YEPHGQNkzSbwUYUPF-JujxesYrEKn4IYbDzYI4o8/s1600/2015-06-28+15.54.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVII95Fxu-AweFDU8gZYU1uPctNLPeY4O-GA0HdCAI4GJcFiKGxXOvIZx9SFEXfqwYaV-qZY7RuA07TQSDWfxKu0cp_rSuyCmkDu5YEPHGQNkzSbwUYUPF-JujxesYrEKn4IYbDzYI4o8/s320/2015-06-28+15.54.31.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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Veggies:<br />1 medium zucchini (zoodles)<br />1 medium cucumber (cucoodles)<br />1 large carrot (rotoodles)<br />2 stalks celery, diced<br />1/2 cup diced yellow or red pepper</div>
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20 grape tomatoes, quartered<br />15 fresh basil leaves, chopped fine</div>
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Make zoodles, cucoodles and rotoodles with spiralizer. Cut up any leftover bits into the mix.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d57zwvI5Ws4fcP_mtsf9aqE-vtXxaasKKma5c8IB8W3ePgNaHkMZ7VhebYNvzXasjStsMTP88bn70ktg3WB6TbdyJGfm5uw5QUlGWHAJN_6cK_wHSu1Ok9P8U1WTB_jWd3t3xUJOzFQ/s1600/2015-06-28+15.52.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d57zwvI5Ws4fcP_mtsf9aqE-vtXxaasKKma5c8IB8W3ePgNaHkMZ7VhebYNvzXasjStsMTP88bn70ktg3WB6TbdyJGfm5uw5QUlGWHAJN_6cK_wHSu1Ok9P8U1WTB_jWd3t3xUJOzFQ/s200/2015-06-28+15.52.55.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut your celery and tomatoes into small pieces. finely cut the fresh basil leaves</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZLoyMDLm48KlKwNaICVhrKY_SfYf7HhhXG3sye9dkfh56cdnzNYu8ZA-9ekUN1cRMCh9mqf8fNlVJLUEdADaiLzo6dUnPB-qABfBsZVGa4m07SOd2kxxPX8xNeXXjDlunW4UJ0qUtwo/s1600/2015-06-28+15.53.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZLoyMDLm48KlKwNaICVhrKY_SfYf7HhhXG3sye9dkfh56cdnzNYu8ZA-9ekUN1cRMCh9mqf8fNlVJLUEdADaiLzo6dUnPB-qABfBsZVGa4m07SOd2kxxPX8xNeXXjDlunW4UJ0qUtwo/s200/2015-06-28+15.53.03.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZOODLES!</td></tr>
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Throw all the prepared veggies into bowl. Top with dressing. Mix (I use tongs). let sit a few minutes before eating.</div>
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This is great for potlucks, or for picky eaters.</div>
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91 calories, if divided into 6 servings.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipupdmB7WbAIWSfbCRpWDhcgKHoKGO4lyrI3iFGqEc-zgz7B-OVAQC5h6bKZC0T7wOOpJ04PmUZKUJK0xd3CUVlfRkc-dB29kn1PE-5d0tOPKDfbrqsMKb9NYbG7yk8fYU_7dI7JWxHCA/s1600/2015-06-28+15.53.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipupdmB7WbAIWSfbCRpWDhcgKHoKGO4lyrI3iFGqEc-zgz7B-OVAQC5h6bKZC0T7wOOpJ04PmUZKUJK0xd3CUVlfRkc-dB29kn1PE-5d0tOPKDfbrqsMKb9NYbG7yk8fYU_7dI7JWxHCA/s200/2015-06-28+15.53.34.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can add parmesan, if you want.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NpnyA4ilh7AsimfQrLxDoOPPVWLdb2o5l9y7sn-JoW84vFbUNyvhv0SucD8JM3-soedxLE3wrbxXJA-n3u91j1lmFacJCK7vK5fSuNDXrgtViifSZHWq7iMdArH82LTUWdmNlY_F_lc/s1600/2015-06-28+16.00.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NpnyA4ilh7AsimfQrLxDoOPPVWLdb2o5l9y7sn-JoW84vFbUNyvhv0SucD8JM3-soedxLE3wrbxXJA-n3u91j1lmFacJCK7vK5fSuNDXrgtViifSZHWq7iMdArH82LTUWdmNlY_F_lc/s320/2015-06-28+16.00.40.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a version without cucumber, but with parmesan cheese.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvXkduNOuxwFgwwbQAQMcNzfaptAZDCkdHOm4U5WRmuaGJA4xHXv4-YFWqUjyzXAA1GvTu2ES49MFxGuAQG5XVz5urHCPc2T5dvQidQvwFbLvK6NLdJmTCKdtqsWqhh5Q-Y1M-Q3BfrE/s1600/2015-06-27+16.34.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvXkduNOuxwFgwwbQAQMcNzfaptAZDCkdHOm4U5WRmuaGJA4xHXv4-YFWqUjyzXAA1GvTu2ES49MFxGuAQG5XVz5urHCPc2T5dvQidQvwFbLvK6NLdJmTCKdtqsWqhh5Q-Y1M-Q3BfrE/s400/2015-06-27+16.34.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture has nothing to do with salad, or oodles. It is all about love.</td></tr>
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Variations:<br />Add Boodles (fresh spiralized beets)</div>
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Add thinly sliced sweet onions, red onions, or scallions<br />If you like a less tart dressing, use rice venegar and add up to a tablespoon of agave nectar to the dressing.<br />Parmesan cheese or feta cheese can also be added if you want.</div>
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the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-36548440165571254522014-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:002014-12-16T09:10:28.742-08:00MindFull Meal for Friends: Creamy Dreamy Spinach and Artichoke Mac N Cheese<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our blog, Essential Living MindFully, is about living mindfully around food, wellness, and life in general. Part of life is sometimes simply and fully enjoying yourself. Often that joy comes while dining with friends over good (occasionally decadent) food and stimulating conversation. Sometimes it comes in the garden or kitchen with the beauty, smell, or taste of something delicious. The dish we are sharing today encompasses all of that.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Some of the recipes we share here use healthy, fresh foods and sometimes essential oils. Once in a while, we will share something decadent. This is one of those dishes, yet it also contains veggies and dairy to keep essential nutrients in reach. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Creamy Dreamy Spinach and Artichoke Mac N Cheese</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> is vegetarian, but not vegan. You can add chicken if you want, but really, it is a complete meal in itself. Perfect for entertaining, this is quick and easy to prepare, allowing time to set the table or enjoy a cocktail while it bubles away in the oven. And you get to join your guests at the table without lingering in the kitchen with last minute preparations, leaving plenty of time for dinner conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you like the artichoke spinach dip found in restaurants, you will love this dish. It has a similar flavor without the saltiness of most of them, and it has pasta! </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJCGq3cJKmYYJiGh0-NpwnCg3VgKXdrNHt54Y1egdHB7F-aF2GHm1Xz97_1bufXa7XSyMS-dPhiZqWmDTsm0hsUjsgtYW_rUCQh0d-DXpq09x8c-21pyz7WG16oPLsouAdHPVnrw9Uk/s1600/20141212_192836_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJCGq3cJKmYYJiGh0-NpwnCg3VgKXdrNHt54Y1egdHB7F-aF2GHm1Xz97_1bufXa7XSyMS-dPhiZqWmDTsm0hsUjsgtYW_rUCQh0d-DXpq09x8c-21pyz7WG16oPLsouAdHPVnrw9Uk/s1600/20141212_192836_resized_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">16 oz. Box of macaroni noodles<br />
6 cups chopped fresh raw spinach<br />
2 small jars artichoke hearts, drained and chopped<br />
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg<br />
4 cups milk<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
4 oz. Cream cheese<br />
8 oz. Shredded mozzarella cheese<br />
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese<br />
6 oz. (6 slices) Smoke gouda cheese<br />
4 oz (4 slices) sharp white cheddar cheese<br />
2 oz swiss cheese (2 slices)<br />
Fresh ground pepper to taste<br />
1 medium onion, finely chopped<br />
3-6 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed<br />
2 Tbs real butter<br />
2 Tbs flour</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">INSTRUCTIONS:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Preheat oven to 350</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cook pasta only 2-4 minutes in salty water. It should still be firm. Drain and Cool until no longer too hot to touch.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wwx25JQnRiLsc5-E9Ew4MVl1sdQrNymCYiYIuYiAFGMsQ_uan5UfoJLcmDYJbUZI-lzmYOW44IugfJ7I3BrVp_E-UXdrH1J67PnEHSVfkB11LOh-4RxtOOztRu__CemrbzoPTzrOsF8/s1600/20141212_183319_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wwx25JQnRiLsc5-E9Ew4MVl1sdQrNymCYiYIuYiAFGMsQ_uan5UfoJLcmDYJbUZI-lzmYOW44IugfJ7I3BrVp_E-UXdrH1J67PnEHSVfkB11LOh-4RxtOOztRu__CemrbzoPTzrOsF8/s1600/20141212_183319_resized_1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy Sauce</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is a good time to start the cheese sauce: melt butter in a large saucepan. Add garlic, onions and nutmeg until fragrant. Add flour, stirring until incorporated with the butter (a minute or less). Stir while adding milk, cheeses and sour cream. Cook on medium low until everything is melted together. Stir frequently to keep from sticking or burning.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErYIfE8mAHmfIgpYwLe-YcX1V2iT5LimWIF2zZFnZ14Dv1bO3mOSG6RtHkrmD4Lm05ezq7P2ML-tgn7K23J-5PjR1hgEbOg2_lGGO7RWWC2-HgQum3k7Cg8_kmzEkY0l9rPoWSOCeJdw/s1600/20141212_183331_resized_2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErYIfE8mAHmfIgpYwLe-YcX1V2iT5LimWIF2zZFnZ14Dv1bO3mOSG6RtHkrmD4Lm05ezq7P2ML-tgn7K23J-5PjR1hgEbOg2_lGGO7RWWC2-HgQum3k7Cg8_kmzEkY0l9rPoWSOCeJdw/s1600/20141212_183331_resized_2-2.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Spinach, Canned Artichokes and Lighly cooked Macaroni noodles</td></tr>
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<span style="clear: right; color: #500d50; display: inline !important; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">Place chopped spinach and chopped artichokes in a large bowl, add macaroni and combine well. Pour the cheese sauce over the this and combine until all pasta and veggies are coated.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Put into a buttered 9x13 pan, or individual ramekins. Cook 45 minutes to an hour (less time if you are making individual serving sizes). It should begin browning on top and have an irresistible smell.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WzQCsARpA4Q-mrT0srwnBMxEL6uTWRxRFST-BODsSqDsclXFe5t5AJ2Y1fTglG5HuJwAhX-9CxMfG9uMvgsfZt0T0xlZCdM6U-DJjIFxT8pSrN45iFCjwXeIHPirmt1euPg8kDYtc-Y/s1600/20141212_185007_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WzQCsARpA4Q-mrT0srwnBMxEL6uTWRxRFST-BODsSqDsclXFe5t5AJ2Y1fTglG5HuJwAhX-9CxMfG9uMvgsfZt0T0xlZCdM6U-DJjIFxT8pSrN45iFCjwXeIHPirmt1euPg8kDYtc-Y/s1600/20141212_185007_resized_1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to Bake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJCGq3cJKmYYJiGh0-NpwnCg3VgKXdrNHt54Y1egdHB7F-aF2GHm1Xz97_1bufXa7XSyMS-dPhiZqWmDTsm0hsUjsgtYW_rUCQh0d-DXpq09x8c-21pyz7WG16oPLsouAdHPVnrw9Uk/s1600/20141212_192836_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwJCGq3cJKmYYJiGh0-NpwnCg3VgKXdrNHt54Y1egdHB7F-aF2GHm1Xz97_1bufXa7XSyMS-dPhiZqWmDTsm0hsUjsgtYW_rUCQh0d-DXpq09x8c-21pyz7WG16oPLsouAdHPVnrw9Uk/s1600/20141212_192836_resized_1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smells Amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO7YziPCylL5KbFUshLpp_wuLdTdP5Lp-R2rtpdL1F-tJWL8f1ppftuoLW5iPFJpgYE7eOVhGVWTVbLt6sybKv1aUDOmZhhHv672qHX9qJpUKbS1WqVZ3ToUd4zg50SbRL8TFNhptLfU/s1600/20141212_193107_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO7YziPCylL5KbFUshLpp_wuLdTdP5Lp-R2rtpdL1F-tJWL8f1ppftuoLW5iPFJpgYE7eOVhGVWTVbLt6sybKv1aUDOmZhhHv672qHX9qJpUKbS1WqVZ3ToUd4zg50SbRL8TFNhptLfU/s1600/20141212_193107_resized_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steaming Hot Ready to Eat.</td></tr>
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Remove from oven, and scoop from large pan into bowls or onto plates while still steaming. Add garnish if you wish.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It won't be long before it disappears.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2YQxCeUjjhDe_1JVCDh2Th2YzZXyuNa9Z3fOLMcBgyQy5DBms_KGLHo2ICeCd-Sc1E35wV5c2928PYUkKYiRMuKphMAF3gO5waZlTk2-ckiwP-48G2pcthwb5j41fYW_gefgdQrUj1s/s1600/2014-12-12+19.45.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2YQxCeUjjhDe_1JVCDh2Th2YzZXyuNa9Z3fOLMcBgyQy5DBms_KGLHo2ICeCd-Sc1E35wV5c2928PYUkKYiRMuKphMAF3gO5waZlTk2-ckiwP-48G2pcthwb5j41fYW_gefgdQrUj1s/s1600/2014-12-12+19.45.38.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where Did It All Go?</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NOTES: You may substitute similar good quality cheeses for some of those listed here. If you want a saltier flavor, you can add more parmesan. You can also add more spinach or artichokes if you see fit. If you use frozen spinach, drain it well. Frozen artichokes will also work.</span></div>
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As the insects wake up, it's also time to pull out the <a href="http://mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">Terra Shield oil blend</a> to help repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. When i experimented with the killer mosquitoes last year, the arm i sprayed with Terra Shield and water had about half the number of mosquito bites than my untreated arm.
Then, I put lavender and fresh aloe or <a href="http://mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">Balance Oil Blend</a> to help with the itch.
<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">Peppermint oil</a> placed into mole holes is supposed to repel moles. They supposedly don't like the smell. I tried that last year, too, but our two terriers took care of them first. The amazingly intricate trenches and craters are evidence of this. We may have to buy dirt this year to fix the yard. It reminds me of the old kid's rhyme that starts, "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly..." I think our rhyme would end something like, "there were two old ladies who brought home some dogs to catch the moles that dug the holes that housed the grubs that grew to beetles that ate the grapes that would have been juice that the old ladies hoped to swallow, I don't know why the craters were dug, I guess they'll fill with rain and become bogs."
Another good springtime use for peppermint oil is as you throw open your windows to get ready to add new color to your walls, add a couple drops to your gallon of paint to help reduce the odor.
And, before you paint, Lemon oil, Purify blend or Citrus Bliss added to your vinegar, castille soap and water cleaning solution adds a bright, uplifting scent to your home.
And, if a friend's dog happily happens to pee in your shoes, use some Purify Oil Blend and vinegar and castille soap to scrub them well. We did that, and our shoes smelled great! Thanks, Jake for peeing on our shoes, they are clean and fresh now! (The tennis shoes went into the washing machine with our homemade laundry soap and Purify Blend, but Deb's leather dockers just got a good scrubbing inside and out.
How do you use essential oils in the spring?the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-62181912614703373972012-10-30T15:38:00.001-07:002012-10-30T16:02:54.248-07:00Dehydrated Apple Snacks<b>Dehydrated Apple Snacks</b><br />
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<i>This is a recipe for pure deliciousness. These taste like candy! These dehydrated apples have a bit of an orangy flavor with a hint of clove and cinnamon.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXudf9EwTnRfzu_9mjVyiBulcgRStCtHb2LRlUpZDYEMAe4GP4APgioPlZqjFqxJm8EqJnhYWOKqKYM-hyB8LaJRKUO368WAZZRK5Wr-b_RgCyvqNAZNk32obhbDoqPBkQUF-TT0JaqE/s1600/377528_4900433117666_2029555179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXudf9EwTnRfzu_9mjVyiBulcgRStCtHb2LRlUpZDYEMAe4GP4APgioPlZqjFqxJm8EqJnhYWOKqKYM-hyB8LaJRKUO368WAZZRK5Wr-b_RgCyvqNAZNk32obhbDoqPBkQUF-TT0JaqE/s320/377528_4900433117666_2029555179_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>INGREDIENTS:<br />
about 1 cup lemon juice<br />
about a quart of water<br />
about 10 drops of <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully" target="_blank">doTERRA On Guard Essential Oil Blend</a><br />
about 3-4 pounds of apples (use at least partially tart, definitely firm type. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, etc.)<br />
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EQUIPMENT:<br />
dehydrator (I use an<a href="http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/" target="_blank"> Excalibur</a>, but any one will work, even a solar one)<br />
mandala or other slicer to get even, fairly thin slices<br />
glass 9"x13" cake pan (not metal, it reacts with lemon)<br />
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PREPARATION:<br />
1) Wash apples very well to remove any wax or chemical residue (organic is best, but if not, wash well). To do this, you can fill a pan with water and add several drops of doTERRA Lemon Essential Oil, or you can use Wild Orange Oil or Grapefruit Oil. The essential oil helps to break down any waxes, oils, or pesticides. Rub apples well with your hands or a very clean rag while in the oiled water. Rinse apples well under running water, just to make sure all of the residue is gone.<br />
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2) In the glass cake pan, combine the lemon juice, water and <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully" target="_blank">On Guard</a>. There should be enough liquid to fill the pan 1/2-3/4 of the way (enough to cover the apples. You can re-use the liquid for more than one batch, but add more <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully" target="_blank">On Guard</a> for each batch, since it sticks to the apples). I give approximate measurements because basically what you want is something like unsweetened lemonade. The acid in the lemon juice helps to keep the apples from turning brown. If you don't have lemon juice, you can use citric acid or ascorbic acid. I prefer lemon juice though.<br />
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3) Slice the apples into approximately 1/16" thick pieces. You don't need to peel them. I sliced mine on a mandala and just pulled out the seeds for a pretty star shape in the center, and the parts without pretty stars, I just cut in half trimmed out the core bits. Doing it this way created a lot less waste than cutting wedges and coring the apple. However, you can also just slice wedges, but try to keep them even in their thickness so that they dehydrate evenly. As you get them sliced, drop them into the lemon/oil/water mixture. <br />
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4) Lay out slices on your dehydrator trays without overlapping them. Do not rinse them, just take them out of the liquid and place on the trays.<br />
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5) Dehydrate at 95-100 degrees for 6-8 hours. Slices won't get crispy (I tried), but will be slightly flexible.<br />
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6) Eat. Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaI6YILi-Als-fFWlvD_YYVXPAtH8QlzsqDnOQZ-NcVUpN3hZ3jPk20oaM17r0Go8sORzAOv079NPG6PAc65dba_Cjobqy-CpCsEm803iwuh8KPVGglEUCGh64MOxK36T3cKXkLhMEw0/s1600/282343_4903275588726_130419319_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaI6YILi-Als-fFWlvD_YYVXPAtH8QlzsqDnOQZ-NcVUpN3hZ3jPk20oaM17r0Go8sORzAOv079NPG6PAc65dba_Cjobqy-CpCsEm803iwuh8KPVGglEUCGh64MOxK36T3cKXkLhMEw0/s320/282343_4903275588726_130419319_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>NOTE: I developed this recipe and made these dehydrated apple slices and they are amazing! When I tasted one of the slices after I had dipped it, I was afraid I had added too much <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/" target="_blank">On Guard</a> because it was a bit bitter and strong. Instead of wasting the slices, I put them in the dehydrator anyway, and they taste amazing. Addictive even! I'm looking forward to tucking them into care packages or munching on them through the winter. I'm not sure if the 100 degree temperature is too hot to maintain the health properties of the oil or not, but the taste is amazing anyway!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vF6WQ_dluNZyxM737CGpZV1Aq_jyvUiAd8gtx8FipSm2g5B69TgXLJABXPsMbDjsuF3yhGxoT9X1mjj3LTxTupvMRO697fYTTsy8tGGfMZ-aJ2cO7M4BFTgpQTYQvzcu4KakNgJUM-4/s1600/OnGuard_15ml+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vF6WQ_dluNZyxM737CGpZV1Aq_jyvUiAd8gtx8FipSm2g5B69TgXLJABXPsMbDjsuF3yhGxoT9X1mjj3LTxTupvMRO697fYTTsy8tGGfMZ-aJ2cO7M4BFTgpQTYQvzcu4KakNgJUM-4/s200/OnGuard_15ml+photo.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Guard is 10% off for the month of November 2012! You can order yours at www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully</td></tr>
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the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-49500661178337331612012-08-22T14:09:00.000-07:002012-08-22T14:10:43.703-07:00One Year Healthier<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Deb and I just celebrated ONE YEAR as <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyIndependentProductConsultants.html">Independent Product Consultants</a> with <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">doTERRA</a>!!! We get amazing benefits as IPCs, also known as being a Wholesale Member. I’d like to share some of these benefits with you, and give you an idea of why we are so enamored with these oils and this company.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7f2VLJAA1xR6hWjyC8V_AJBOm3Ju6kHbAntYklxFp_zhqdues_BENAp11OR4A4qYQ4MDYLVTgd9bP4TM23uziHBqsXpgvgk4D0vhmkyyfYsects7S8jjM-7J7Lg9uvPo6mkIxvF-hoQ/s1600/LowRes_5794343020015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7f2VLJAA1xR6hWjyC8V_AJBOm3Ju6kHbAntYklxFp_zhqdues_BENAp11OR4A4qYQ4MDYLVTgd9bP4TM23uziHBqsXpgvgk4D0vhmkyyfYsects7S8jjM-7J7Lg9uvPo6mkIxvF-hoQ/s200/LowRes_5794343020015.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The first and foremost benefit we get from our membership with <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">doTERRA</a> is that we have access to some of the best essential oils we have ever experienced. <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">doTERRA checks every bottle</a> of oil with a mass spectrometer. You may have seen this process on CSI or Bones, or another super high-tech forensics show. In case you haven’t, the mass spectrometer is a thingy that checks the chemical composition of whatever is being tested. <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA</a> has rigorous standards of specific chemical compounds before they will put their label on it. When someone asks me if they are organic, I happily tell them that it is BETTER THAN ORGANIC because this process of approving only the best oils assure that there are no contaminates such as GMOs, pesticides, herbicides or weeds. Plant sources for doTERRA oils only come from the finest plants grown in the most ideal conditions for that particular type of plants. <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/essentialGrades.html">doTERRA only distills the most potent plant parts in order to ensure that only the purest, strongest essential oils become doTERRA Oils</a>. Only the very best make it through<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/essentialExtraction.html"> their process</a> to make sure each bottle of oil is <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">CERTIFIED PURE THERAPEUTIC GRADE (CPTG)</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Through these amazing oils as well as <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=96&pid=113257974624471226">doTERRA’s Lifelong Vitality Pack</a> (a daily regimen of vitamin, mineral & herbal supplements along with essential oil capsules that also include omega 3’s and antioxidant oils), our lives have radically improved. Aimee has been able to better manage the Epstein-Barr virus that she carries, has been able to better manage mood fluctuations and menopause symptoms (including hot flashes). Despite working with kids, she has not gotten half of the infections and crud that her coworkers and kids at work contract and spread to each other and back to themselves. Deb has been able to work with her doctors to greatly reduce her prescription drugs and over the counter supplements. Her pain levels are reduced, her moods are better, she is getting fewer migraines and illnesses even though she has an incurable immune disorder (<a href="http://primaryimmune.org/about-primary-immunodeficiency-diseases/types-of-pidd/common-variable-immune-deficiency">common variable immune deficiency</a>) and she cannot take the only treatment available through conventional medical means. Her doctors are amazed and excited to see how well she is doing. (Before using doTERRA, she was visiting the ER an average of once every 5-6 weeks needing treatment for chest pain, migraines, upper respiratory infections, etc. We have gone once in the past year). Deb now has a vitality that she hasn’t had in years. Woohoo!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Although there is absolutely no minimum monthly order (unlike most multi-level marketing programs), we get another series of benefits since we do place an automatic monthly <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">LOYALTY REWARDS ORDER</a>, which we can change at any time just by jumping online. With each order that we place, we get a certain percentage of “Loyalty Rewards Points”. These points can add up. After being consistent with ordering for at least 3 months in a row, we can start using those points to get FREE PRODUCT (we pay $3.00 for $100pv worth of product per 100 points. It may seem to take a while to accumulate points at first, but as the months go by, the percentage you get in points increases. Next month, we will be up to the maximum of 30% free pv (personal volume) for every <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">Loyalty Rewards Order</a> (LRP) that we place. If we place an LRP worth 125 pv before the 15th of the month, we get a free product-automatically! This month, we got a 5ml bottle of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471223">On Guard</a>, a product that we use every single day and order every month anyway. In the past, we have gotten lemon, oregano, peppermint, Breathe blend, Balance blend, white fir, and other amazing gifts. Every once in a while, they add other offers as well. By increasing our December order, we even got a free bottle of Frankincense oil. (We actually didn’t order more than we expected to for that one, because, being December, we were buying lots of great <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">CPTG</a> oils as gifts for our friends and family.) We have also gotten fantastic sets of essential oils for cooking. (<a href="http://essentiallivingmindfully.blogspot.com/2011/11/tasting-trials-tribulations-and.html">see some of our recipes in an earlier blog post</a> or <a href="http://www.doterra.com/summersensation/">check out these recipes</a> highlighting doTERRA's summer sensations oils.) </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyIndependentProductConsultants.html">As WHOLESALE MEMBERS (IPC), we get 25% off the retail price of all doTERRA products</a>. That means that with a typical <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">Loyalty Rewards Order</a> for us, we save about $50 per month. That’s not bad for paying an initial $35 sign up fee, which includes the $25 annual fee plus $10 for a start up kit. With our $25 renewal fee, we also got a free bottle of peppermint! So our membership has already pretty much paid for itself! (See my earlier blog post about peppermint to learn why this is well worth the price!) As <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyIndependentProductConsultants.html">IPC</a>s, if someone wants to take advantage of these amazing products and signs up under us, we get a percentage of whatever they spend, as long as we maintain our <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">Loyalty Rewards Orders</a> at a minimum of $50 (which are keeping us healthier, happier and even flavors some of our food, so of course we maintain our <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">LRP orders</a>). With all the products that we use and love from <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA</a>, we easily spend at least that much. And, this month (August 2012), for the first time, we are getting a $50 bonus check because 3 people that signed up through us as IPCs placed <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyLoyaltyRewardsProgram.html">qualifying LRP orders</a>. Adding theirs to ours gave us the 600pv our team needed for doTERRA to cut Deb, whose name the account is under, a check. If we had been pressing it, we probably could have earned this earlier, but we just let the amazing products and company standards sell themselves for the most part. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I must add here, that even with adding a <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=96&pid=113257974624471226">Lifelong Vitality Pack</a> each month for each of us, along with the oils that We are using to keep Deb healthy despite having a compromised immune system, we are still paying less than we were for all of her prescribed drugs and Dr ordered supplements. <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/essentialSafety.html">(Do not alter your medications without consulting your doctor and going very slow with this process. You may not be able to get the same results that Deb has. She has some great doctors who are open minded about complementary modalities and who open more as they see her improve.)</a> She feels so much better than she did when dealing with all the negative side affects of multiple medications, and the expense of the supplements she was having to take-Ugh! </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471223" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQC992TlXyBKr93LbFFjg289eMiaHs1YVBcM1o_WuZ02sSsDEg5h_4reX2iFOZuxkg2YYj2zsSJV_v8MUThxt8RrjwMcLUmX2iNmzR71WjifIx8nEJaZC4gflc6aNQqpG15C4qA6qA8Q/s200/2012-08-13+20.12.30.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We use <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA</a> oils for so much more than massage or air freshener. We use them as mood stabilizers, pain relief, cleaners, antibiotics, perfumes, cooking and diffusing into the air to clean and refresh the house. Even the animals use them. For example, Sky, one of our dogs, had a badly damaged nail, and we treated it with <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471223">On Guard</a>. She didn’t get an infection or anything, even though she runs outside in dirt and who knows what germ-ridden stuff, every day. You can read an earlier post about relieving Sky’s trauma with Balance Oil after we rescued her from being tied up outside in the cold and rain without food or water. Like me, <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471223">Balance</a> is her favorite.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA</a> is committed to using not just the best oils, they are also a company that supports its members with <a href="http://www.builddoterra.com/">webinars</a>, seminars, <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyNews.html">essential oil news</a>, conventions and up to date information on the most recent and exciting scientific studies being conducted on essential oils. They are committed to not just relying on ancient wisdom or anecdotal evidence, they also look for scientific studies to support their work and our education. I never knew essential oils were so powerful until I started reading their <a href="http://www.builddoterra.com/">educational materials</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We would love to help you <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyIndependentProductConsultants.html">get discounts and earn free products from an amazing company</a>. We have tried a lot of different essential oil brands, from very expensive, rare ones, to inexpensive off the shelf at the health food store. By far, <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA</a> is the best oil for the best value that we have found. The superior quality makes us confident to use them in and on our bodies. Their soaps, body wash, diffusers and educational tools are all exceptional.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are a lot of links included in the text of this blog entry. click on any of them to get more information on the subject highlighted. Most of the links connect to our business website, <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Aimee</span></div>
the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-85010877822329271092012-07-15T07:17:00.000-07:002012-07-15T07:18:32.413-07:00Finding Cool Relief with Peppermint Oil<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Candy canes. Toothpaste. Tea. Patty. These are a few of the things I used to think of when I heard the word "peppermint". Since being introduced to <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">doTERRA essential oils</a> a year ago, I now think of words like: cooling, pain relief, alertness, chocolate bark, headache and moles. (Moles? Keep reading).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWL9n4luaqlnogHIDTR9H-i_PJXPMPLye_JnneIOtX5Zsr80UQnUI7UuIBk4PTIZ2qdWDVwyDwj1tgAERh9vBXINK945Ax9VEWyvRF0worTNEvPxl_Jd-W0Pb7hoHwPdhpo2l8zY6kSQ/s1600/Peppermint_15ml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWL9n4luaqlnogHIDTR9H-i_PJXPMPLye_JnneIOtX5Zsr80UQnUI7UuIBk4PTIZ2qdWDVwyDwj1tgAERh9vBXINK945Ax9VEWyvRF0worTNEvPxl_Jd-W0Pb7hoHwPdhpo2l8zY6kSQ/s320/Peppermint_15ml.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This summer in particular, we have been using <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">peppermint oil</a> every day. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I get too heated while working in the yard on these hot, dry days of 2012, and when I get hot flashes, or when the air conditioning at work isn't quite low enough, I take a cool damp rag or bandana, sprinkle a few drops of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">doTERRA's CPTG peppermint oil</a> on it and drape the cloth over the back of my neck. It feels like my own personal cooling system. (Who'da thought a minty spicy oil would have a cooling effect?) I am sitting on our deck right now, watching the dogs play in the 79 degree weather at 9:30am, with a damp, pepperminted purple bandana on my neck to cool off as I write this.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If I don't have <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471228">Deep Blue or Past Tense oil blends</a> with me, I pull out my peppermint to ease aching muscles or headaches. Since being introduced to <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">doTERRA oils</a>, in the past year, I have only taken a dose anti inflammatory medicine twice. I used to take them daily, often every 4 hours for chronic pain. The only times I have taken them since <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/Application/Apply.cfm?EnrollerID=89050&Theme=DefaultTheme&ReturnURL=www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully&LNG=en_dot&iact=1">joining doTERRA</a> was this spring, during the first really heavy lifting and grunt work of the yard and garden. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I must confess that sometimes, if I am getting ready to meet someone after work and I haven't gotten a chance to brush my teeth, or if my mouth tastes off from being too dry when I forget to stay hydrated, I'll put a drop of doTERRA peppermint oil right in my mouth, either on my tongue or under it. I get an instant, powerful, WHOOSH feeling in my mouth and up through my sinuses. I love to take a couple of open mouthed breaths to feel the coolness, run my (now minty) tongue around my gums or swish a swig of water around my mouth to spread the sensation throughout my palette. Yum.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I work midnights, and some nights, no amount of daytime sleep or strong black coffee can clear my head. At those times, I am so grateful to uncap my <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">doTERRA Peppermint Oil</a> and breathe deep. It makes me more alert and energized than any amount of caffeine can do. The aroma goes up my nose, through my sinuses and straight into the limbic part of my brain, the seat of emotions. The peppermint aroma in my brain makes me more alert, uplifts my mood, and sometimes, even transports me back in time to my kindergarden year while making peppermint cookies with my mom (I took them to school to share).</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I read in a couple of different organic gardening articles, that moles don't like peppermint oil. So, I took another reputable brand of peppermint oil outside with me one day, determined to put a couple drops in every mole hole that my dogs had dug up, before refilling them with dirt. And, as I worked in the 90+ degree heat, even though I was drinking water, my mouth still had that stale taste you get from being dry. So, I put a drop of that other reputable brand peppermint oil on my tongue, and I gagged and rushed into the house to brush my teeth with <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=182&pid=1132579746244712211">doTERRA's On Guard Toothpaste</a> because the taste of that other oil was so horrible! It had a rank, sour taste with barely a hint of mint flavor. We had used this brand for years, but never cooked with it or took it internally. DoTERRA oils were the first essential oils we had ever thought to take orally, <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">they were the first essential oils we ever felt confident enough in to know they were safe and pure</a>. We had used that other peppermint oil for things like massage (never again because whatever goes on your skin goes into your bloodstream, and I no longer trust that brand), taking the stink out of latex paint when redecorating the house, and things like that. Since I have been using doTERRA oils for a year now, inside and out, I guess I had a momentary lapse and figured this other oil would bring me at least a measure of relief from my skunky breath. Although this other company advertises. "Purity tested/quality assured", their quality and purity are nothing like <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">doTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I should have had my first clue the very first time I received an Aroma Touch session. As soon as the <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">peppermint and Wild Orange</a> oils were applied to the bottoms of my feet, I tasted the flavors of both in my mouth and felt the refreshing coolness of the peppermint, as if I had brushed my teeth through my feet. In all my years with using that other oil for massage and to cool my feet, I have never experienced that cooling sensation/taste when it touched my skin. The fact that I taste the wonderful minty fruitiness of the oils on my feet are great evidence to me of how putting something on your skin goes directly into the blood and other permeable tissues throughout the body. The skin is, after all, the largest organ of the body.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I should have had my second clue when the website of the other "pure peppermint oil" said that you can use it for aromatherapy in diffusers but to carefully mix with a carrier oil for any other use. <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">DoTERRA's CPTG Peppermint Oil</a> can be diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil, or another carrier oil for sensitive skin, or for children, or just to make it go further when used topically. And, it can also be ingested as is, right from the bottle! I have sensitive skin, yet I use <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">doTERRA Peppermint oil</a> (and any other dTERRA oil or oil blend) directly on my skin without being diluted by a carrier oil, and I have never had an itch, rash, or any negative reaction. (That is not to say you won't. <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/essentialSafety.html">Everyone is different and allergies or other sensitivities may come in to play for you. Click here for some basics on using essential oils safely.) </a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Even though that other brand of peppermint oil is less expensive, it is pretty much useless to us now. Deb and I now understand the wider range of amazing benefits we can get from Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Essential Oil, and now that we have experienced the difference, pretty much the only thing we will use that other peppermint oil for is to scare the moles. I hope it doesn't make them sick if they accidentally ingest it. I doubt if I could get them to brush their tiny teeth (do moles have teeth?) with <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=182&pid=1132579746244712211">doTERRA On Guard Whitening Toothpaste</a> to get the taste out of their mouths either.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Some uses for <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=113257974624471223">doTERRA Peppermint Essential</a> oil:<br />
Use in cooking (see our recipes for peppermint bark, and peppermint "tea" that we posted this past winter)<br />
Reduce Nausea<br />
Relieve Diarrhea<br />
Ease Sciatica/nerve pain<br />
Minty fresh breath (I said that already, but I can't help it. I love the phrase)<br />
Increase alertness<br />
And more</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">*these statements have not been approved by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any of the above issues or illnesses (although there has been some research that supports many of these uses)</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-50319553057906034782012-06-29T08:03:00.001-07:002012-06-29T08:08:40.545-07:00MindFull of the Forest AND the Trees<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">"Mindfulness takes many forms and always leads toward more skillful action." This one sentence from the second of a two volume set of books entitled <u><a href="http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/about_book">Edible Forest Gardens</a></u>, took my breath away, and also sums up my gardening actions and thoughts since reading these two texts by Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We have just crossed the sun's path at the solstice in this year of 2012, and I am still planting my gardens for the summer. As I weed and sow, I find myself being more mindful in the way I sow and with the plants that I cull as "weeds". The emphasis of these volumes is on promoting healthy polycultures in which more than one species is planted together, hopefully complementing or even helping one another. Although they are focused on perennials and woodland plants, Edible Forest Gardens has inspired me to plant as much diversity as possible within each of my annual vegetable beds in order to better cultivate "plant communities" in each area. For example, in one bed where I have grown tomatoes for too many years in a row, I planted corn, peas and lettuce. The peas will help to feed depleted nitrogen back into the soil when I leave them to decompose after they are spent. The corn will not only provide us with juicy ears to eat fresh or cut off the cob and frozen, their height will help to shade the lettuce which is sensitive to excessive light and heat. The spent corn stalks will either get composted for next year's vegetable garden, or cut up into mulch for the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dave and Eric (I have fondly come to feel that I am on a first name basis with them through their writing!) pack these pages full of valuable information as basic as how to properly plant a tree and why. They also tell you amazing facts like that there are up to 14 different species per square yard in old growth forests. I guess sometimes it is hard to see the forest for (or among) the trees! There is so much information, I had to keep stopping to assimilate it all, and it was such a good read, I couldn't wait to get back to it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Even though this set is crammed with information, Dave and Eric seed in stories of mishaps and successes, photos, diagrams, philosophy, ethics, and ecology among the tightly grown canopy of facts. Books like this, full of research figures and technical detailed “how to” instructions can often be so boring that readers just want to jump to the parts that they deem relevant to their very narrow immediate needs. Honestly, I did do that. I didn't skip around out of boredom though, I did it out of enthusiasm. Although both volumes can be read individually, each makes reference to the other in a way that connects them, like roots of different trees that grow together and graft naturally underground, sustaining one another with an ongoing dialogue (you can read about that phenomenon in volume 1). As I came across each cross reference, I was like a dog with a bone and grabbed for it, sometimes finding myself reading a few chapters before, at last, returning to the other. This is not a criticism of the way the volumes are constructed, rather it is a compliment to the seamless way one can swing from one branch of the tree book to another without losing any of the depth or intricacy. The only problem with this compelling urge to follow these cross references is that I wanted to carry both hefty volumes at the same time, which made my burden heavy, but also worked as training for the carrying and other work I am doing as I ready our own edible forest.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Their idealized vision of living in a culture where edible forest gardens are the norm and where is bounty enough for all, resonates with my own belief that we are all connected and that each of us can do good in the world, if even on a small scale.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Their Edenesque vision also reminded me of the idea posited by John Hick, in which the garden of Eden is in a future to look forward to, to strive toward creating, rather than as a lost Utopia. Also, Dave and Eric’s level headed approach to native species vs non-native vs invasive, reminds me of the <a href="http://shawksong.blogspot.com/2008/06/fantasy-footwork.html?m=1">conversation I once had with an autumn olive</a>, an invasive species of bush with yummy berries that can be found all over Michigan.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Eric and Dave provide facts for all kinds of things having to do with edible forest gardens, including site preparation, root system structures, the role of fungi, the importance of bugs, and what can grow under a black walnut tree. Yet, they make no claims at all that this is everything there is to know about forests or gardens or dirt or mushrooms or… In fact, right from the get go, they acknowledge that there is not enough research or resources to instantly know how to build the perfect forest garden. Even if such a formula was possible with variations in soil, nutrients, microclimates and existing flora, I would guess that if anyone claimed to know such a formula, that the adventure and natural magic of growing and discovering how to create such a masterpiece would disappear for them. Much of the allure is, yes, in becoming more food independent and locally focused, but the allure is also in the mystery of not knowing exactly what comes next, or how the garden will grow.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">They talk a lot about observation. Observing your own forest garden, old growth forests, and groupings of plants, to see what works and what doesn’t. Observing which plants attract the beneficial insects and animal partners you want, which plants like one another, and which ones appear at war. With this observation, naturally, comes questioning. Toward the end of the second volume, they extend this to mean even more than questioning the roles of the ecological niches within our forest garden, but an even deeper mystery-that of our own inner landscape. “What does what you observe in the forest garden tell you about yourself?”</span></div>
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SOME CHANGES I'VE MADE SINCE READING <u><a href="http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/about_book">EDIBLE FOREST GARDENS</a></u>:</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I have left some “weeds” in my raised beds,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I took all of the pine mulch out of my blueberry beds,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and planted tomatoes and peppers with the blueberries.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> which will add lots of extra nutrients to my compost.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I let last year’s carrots to flower and go to seed for the insects to enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thanks to my sister Mig's generosity, we have gotten and begun to spread our first ten yards of mulch to begin our own forest garden!</span></div>
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</tbody></table>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-38667241769427320572012-05-20T19:37:00.000-07:002012-05-20T19:45:22.611-07:00Mindfull of Sky<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">About two weeks ago, a dog showed up in the neighbor's backyard. She was tethered to the picnic table without food or water. It was cold and rainy and she just looked our way lethargically when Deb or I, or even our dogs tried to get her attention. She had very fine, white fur with dark spots, although her white fur looked grey with dirt and mud.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Deb went over and talked to the neighbor who said that he was just watching her for a friend. Deb said that we were going to take the dog to our house if she was not better cared for by the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The next day rolled around, and the night before had been less than 40 degrees and rainy. The dog was still outside, shaking and curled up as tight as she could get under the picnic table in the one very small almost dry spot. She had a nearly untouched bowl of food by her side, and another bowl that had been overturned, likely by the tether that was attached to her collar.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Together, we again knocked on the neighbor's door. When he opened the door, we had our leash in hand and said we were taking the dog to our house, and that his friend can knock on our door when they want her back. They had lost their house and had no where to keep her until they got a new house.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He said okay, he would call his friend. He was very polite and completely understanding our position.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We walked around the side of the house to get her. We tried to coax her as she shivered and looked expressionlessly at us from under the picnic table, but she didn't budge. I reached my hand under the bench, mindfull that her fear, hunger, thirst and cold may make her a danger just out of panic or desperation. I gently moved my hand toward her nose so she could smell me, which she did, but halfheartedly, then turned her head away. Her eyes and snout were a bright pink, showing clearly through her sparse hair. I took the leash in my hand and attached it to her collar. She lifted her head brightly for the first time. She was fully aware that something was about to change.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I unhooked her tether, so only the leash was attached, and with a very gentle tug she came out from under the picnic table. She lifted her eyes first to one, then to the other of us and fell into step beside us. Two steps along, and her skinny tail lifted straight toward the cloudy sky. (We found out later that that is her name, Sky.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We walked the short distance to our front door, but when we tried to coax her to go through it, she put on the breaks the way only a stocky, muscular, solid dog can do. Because we didn't yet know how she would react, we decided that I would take her around the side of the house, through the gate into the backyard, where she would meet our dogs on open turf.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">About 15 steps into the yard, she plastered herself to my leg and slowed. Her tail drooped. Her head drooped. She began to breathe just off enough to let me know that she was very anxious about being on this side of the fence, where she knew that other dogs live. I stopped. She stopped. I pulled out my belt pouch that I always carry with me, containing eight different small vials of essential oils inside. I pulled out my favorite one, <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471225">Balance</a>, and put a drop on each of my index fingers and brought my thumbs to meet my fingers so I'd have Balance on both front and back as I gently massaged the tip of each ear (where I now saw that she had sores from scratching her ears with uncut toenails). Within about 1 1/2 seconds, she snuffled and humffed as she let out the breath she had been holding. She took a deep breath and her muscles relaxed. She sniffed, then gave a quick lick to the fingers that had just given her courage and security and <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=113257974624471225">Balance</a>. Her tail lifted, she met my eyes, and we moved on as the other dogs excitedly tumbled out of the house on to the deck to finally meet up close the sad little dog from next door.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The dog, whose name we still did not know, quietly endured the obligatory sniffing of behinds and circling round by the others. instead of reciprocating, she plastered her body against my leg, looking up for reassurance. Even after I removed the leash, she chose to walk with one of the humans instead of running with the pack.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She was hesitant to get on the couch with us, even when invited, and she definitely would not jump on the bed. although once she did get on the couch, she nestled between us, obviously used to being loved by humans.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I brought her into the shower with me to wash off the cold and layers of mud. She escaped and I ended up soaping her up outside the shower, then bringing her back in wile she sat there looking betrayed as I gently hosed her off, cooing loving words and gentle rubs as I rinsed. (Deb has since also showered her without any great escape and much less mess on the bathroom tile to mop up.). Then, when she came out of the bathroom, she did what wet dogs do, she shook as much water as she could all over the house and smiled a toothy smile.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">That was on a Monday. On Friday, while I was sleeping off my midnight shift, her family came to pick her up. The kids were overjoyed to see her and she gave them sloppy kisses, but she had grown comfortable with us. Deb said that she acted reluctant to go, but did go. The family had found a house and were in a rent to own situation, so they could have their Sky back.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">On Monday, there was a knock on the door, and this big guy in a red shirt was standing there when I answered. Deb recognized him as the father of Sky, and her beautiful human boys. He had tears in his eyes as he said that the current house owner knocked on their door that morning and told them that because of her breed, if Sky lived there, they could not stay. He cried as he talked about how hard it was to leave her the first time and he had had her since she was tiny and his kids love her and he wants her to be where she will be loved and cared for and he remembered how happy she was with us.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So, now we are the loving mamas of Sky. And our friend, Lydia fell in love with her too, but can't have a dog in her apartment and with her very long work hours. It would be unfair to have a dog cooped up all day while she is working to save lives in the ER. So, we are all co-parenting her together, and her boys know that they can come and see her anytime.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It takes a village to raise a child. Apparently, it takes a village to love a dog as well. And loved well, she is.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-90203949906990634922012-03-05T07:06:00.000-08:002012-03-05T07:06:43.983-08:00March is Wash Your Hands Month! (okay, not really, but it can be)<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNdUHYae4JrkNyD0IPQ3nKA0xRXVhHt5wiFFYhPVvsH0cC5zcl0duL2aJByueRM4KQuv1_UNQih0uW34ww8LqPaZZdZGRpPP3K92FzDdxMLYEzWBgYXUmcfhGKMaW_QF4QN0tmlRc0lk/s1600/handwash+with+dispensers+photo.jpg" /></div><br />
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<div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This month (March 2012), <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=182&pid=494218461886329134">doTERRA's On Guard Foaming Hand Wash is 10% off the regular price</a>. </span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329133">On Guard blend</a> of<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html"> CPTG</a> essential oils has been found to kill and prevent the spread of some very hard to kill bacteria. Their hand wash uses this blend, along with other ingredients to provide a safe and effective alternative to harsh hand washes full of chemicals that may not be so good for you.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">DoTERRA offers great products utilizing their Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils. They are committed to providing products that are healthy alternatives to what is commonly found on superstore shelves.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=12-P13-00007&segmentID=4">I recently heard a story on NPR's Living On Earth, briefly highlighting some studies on chemicals commonly found in products that we use every day</a>. This story was disturbing on so many levels. May of the chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis have not been widely tested for safety, yet they are in constant contact with the skin of many of us. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and substances that come into contact with the skin can enter the bloodstream within seconds. Take a moment to watch the video in our sidebar that demonstrates how quickly <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329136">Balance Essential Oil Blend </a>enters the bloodstream and helps to normalize the cells when applied to the skin on the bottom of someone’s feet. If a drop of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329136">Balance</a> can have a positive effect so fast, imagine the damage that may be done when you unwittingly slather toxins all over your skin in the form of lotions, cleansers, shampoos, make-up and laundry detergents.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=182&pid=494218461886329138">On Guard Foaming Hand Wash with two dispensers</a> normally retails for $30.00. This month, March 2012, it retails for $27.00. If you are a Preferred Customer, this month it is $21.60. And for Independent Product Consultants, it is $20.25. These prices include one bottle of Hand Wash, and two foaming dispensers so that you can enjoy this experience at more than one sink in your house. (By the way, one of our friends just told us that it smells good and lasts a long time.) We have already placed our order. Have you placed yours?</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-28515335963377632112012-02-25T07:11:00.000-08:002012-02-25T07:11:22.469-08:00We Fought the Cold and the Oils Won**<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtfFc0iqI-K18JljuwzATSxYOobWb1DO1AdGRM-O5gaNx9ZgkYVYNWKQc2vnrbEPMvtTb5sezrlw4r4uwLmBH0RNb8V0GgKKyGRDfQz3geonGYIP1HvKqrPMucKiuACgAt8XofjsjkQE/s200/OnGuard_15ml+photo.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Living in a cold climate, such as we do in Michigan, can sometimes leave us a bit slower than usual and a lot sicker than usual. Even though spring is right around the corner, as I sit here watching the first of a big snow roll in, I thought I could offer some ideas to boost your health and your mood in this time before we turn our thoughts to seed sewing and barbecues. With cold and flu season in full force right now and on through spring, maybe this post is not quite as late as I feared.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To help prevent catching these nasty bugs, and to help keep from sharing them with those in your life, I can’t stress enough the importance of washing your hands. Of course, our moms told us to wash our hands as kids, and our doctors tell us that, and even public restrooms post signs reminding employees to wash their hands, and how to wash their hands. I won’t detail the how to. I trust that you already know how. If, in the case of no running water around, you could resort to the harsh alcohol based hand sanitizers that are being hyped everywhere, or you can kill germs and smell good by using <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard essential oil blend</a>. Deb and I each always carry small bottles of On Guard with us, and we use it every day. When I can’t get to a sink, I put a drop in my hand, and rub. doTERRA also makes a <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=182&pid=494218461886329113">whole line of products using On Guard, from Foaming Hand Wash to wipes and toothpaste</a>. On Guard smells great (think orange and clove) and contains oils that can kill bacteria, mold and viruses. We diffuse it in our house using our beautiful <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=82&pid=49421846188632916">Lotus Diffuser</a> pretty much daily. We make sure to diffuse more often if one or both of us is starting to feel a bug coming on, or if we have friends coming over who may be sharing latent germs with us. With Deb’s immune system compromised, we always want our home to feel welcoming, yet she needs some extra support to stay healthy. Using <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard</a> or <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">Breathe oil blends</a> in the diffuser lets us open our home with confidence and love.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We have invested in some empty roller bottles (kind of like mini deodorant roll-on bottles). We each keep a roller bottle of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard</a> nearby as we are getting dressed for the day, and again, right before we crawl in for a winter’s nap. We roll the <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard</a> on the bottoms of our feet to help our bodies fight off anything we are exposed to. The feet have large pores, which draw in the oils and send them into the bloodstream very quickly and efficiently. Also, the <a href="http://www.everythingessential.me/Hints/Reflexology.html#page=page-2">feet have reflexology points</a> that correspond to all of the vital organs and systems of the body. As those areas are stimulated, especially with the added love of the oils, each system is stimulated to help it function properly and stay healthy. (Other oils also can be used this way as well.) The <a href="http://www.everythingessential.me/Hints/Reflexology.html#page=page-4">ears</a> and <a href="http://www.everythingessential.me/Hints/Reflexology.html#page=page-3">hands</a> have reflexology points for each part of the body, too. Remember the trick of using <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard</a> when you don’t have water around? You can also use that moment to stimulate the <a href="http://www.everythingessential.me/Hints/Reflexology.html#page=page-3">reflexology points in your hands.</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I work with teenagers, so of course, I am exposed to colds, flu, MRSA, ringworm, and any other kind of ick that you can think of. These oils help to keep me healthy, but inevitably, no matter how diligent I am, at some point, something is bound to catch up with me, and through me, to Deb. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In our time since committing to using <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/companyCPTGEssentialOils.html">Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade doTERRA oils</a> whenever possible instead of prescription or over the counter medications, we have stayed healthier and have recovered quicker than ever before. We definitely do still see our doctors and nurse practitioners (and veterinarians, for our pets), but we try to rely on natural remedies first. (Since doTERRA came into our lives, I have not had to take NSAIDS for pain, and Deb has been antibiotic and emergency room free for the longest time in about ten years! Even our doctors and veterinarians have perked up their ears and want to know more about our success with the oils.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have had three instances this season where I began to get really bad ear aches. Each time, I thought I would have to go on antibiotics for an ear infection, but committed to try the the oils first. <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=494218461886329118">Basil</a> oil is most recommended for ear aches and ear infections, but we haven’t yet fully stocked up on every oil, so I used the next in line of recommendations. I took a bit of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=494218461886329118">doTERRA’s melaleuca alternifolia oil</a> on my fingertips and massaged my entire ear with it. (just a drop or two is all it takes). I worked all around the rim and lobes of my ears, and also massaged the interior part of my outer ear. I did not put the oil in my ear canal. There are cautions against that. (Besides, I am very careful of my ears since my brother punctured his eardrum when we were little.) The pressure in my ears was bad enough to make my jaw, neck and head hurt, so I put a bit more on my fingertips and massaged behind my ears and down the side of my neck, following the path of my eustachian tubes, where I could feel the congestion, inflammation, and pressure. I also tugged lightly on my ear lobes, helping the oils to work better into the tubes. I did this 2-3 times in a day, and each time I had the problem, my ears were fine by the next day, usually much quicker. (I also put a drop of On Guard in my mouth 3-4 times per day when I felt the infection begin.) Phew! Doctor visit, antibiotics and pain averted!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Deb and I did both end up with the creepy crud cold going around. Sneezing, coughing, headaches, just general miserable feeling. Because of Deb’s lack of a working immune system, it took her a few weeks to totally get over it. Keep in mind, that a year ago, this would have meant a trip tot he doctor’s office and anti-viral drugs, along with an antibiotic to prevent the viral infection from turning into a bacterial one as the cooties collected in her mucus membranes to percolate. (And, of course, there would have been side effects from the antibiotics to boot.) </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The cold hit fast and hard. I was supposed to sing in church in a few days, and I was so congested and snotty and miserable that the minister was already trying to decide how to replace me in the service. I assured her that I’d be able to sing, but I may sound a bit nasally and scratchy, but I should have most of the sneezing, coughing and groaning in misery over by Sunday’s service. That conversation was on Monday. I used ⅔ of a large box of tissue on Monday alone! Tuesday was our official planning session meeting, and she was very surprised when I walked in with Monday's red nose, but only an occasional sniffle and a voice a bit gruffer than usual. I assured her that at that rate, I would be fine and ready to sing on Sunday. (I was ready, and it went great, even with two accapella solos. Not scratchy, not nasally, and I could hear my pitch perfectly, which I couldn’t if I was full of mucus.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here is what we did to get well:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We diffused doTERRA’s <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard and Breathe essential oil blends</a>, alternating them each time the diffuser ran out of water.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We used Zicam, an over the counter natural cold remedy consisting mainly of zinc.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We used On Guard on the bottoms of our feet and put it in our water-plenty of water.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We used doTERRA’s Breathe essential oil blend to keep our lungs open, with just a bit under the nose.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We got plenty of rest. (I even called in to work one night because, working midnights, a good, restful healing sleep is hard to come by.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We watched funny movies (laughter stimulates the immune system).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We gargled with 2 tablespoons warm water mixed with 3 drops <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=494218461886329118">lemon oil</a> and 2 drops of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=494218461886329118">Frankincense</a>. We gargled with this solution for 45-60 seconds then held it in the mouth for another 15-30 seconds, then swallowed the whole thing. The taste wasn’t bad at all. (The first time, I meant to use lemon and On Guard, but grabbed the Frankincense on accident. When I gargled with it, My sore throat was IMMEDIATELY relieved. Deb’s result was a bit slower, but again, she does not have a functioning immune system and she did get better!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We bought Puffs with lotion, since the regular tissues just weren’t protecting our worn-out noses. I usually don;t care what tissues I use, but I have to say that I felt so much better honking into those.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We ate soup and spicy food. Soup just makes you feel better, and hot spices are a traditional folk remedy for colds and flu. Spicy food also tastes good, although our taste buds were barely working.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We drank tea, and limited our dairy because dairy can cause mucus buildup.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We tried to be patient and compassionate with one another.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*When at work, I sprayed my work area down with a solution made up of 4oz water, a drop or two of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=73&pid=494218461886329116">On Guard</a>, and a few drops of <a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=494218461886329118">lemon</a>. This not only sanitizes the area and smells good, but it likely helped prevent my cooties from being passed on to my coworkers. with the same solution, I also sprayed down my steering wheel, blinker switch,, door handles, radio dials, etcetera. After all, I kept sneezing while driving and closed up in that small space.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That is how we are dealing with this winter's round of sickness. You may try one or all of them. You may have some tips that I didn't mention. We would love to hear from you and how you are maneuvering this cold and flu season.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Blessings,</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Baskerville; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Aimee</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-86988139544112091142011-12-12T17:58:00.000-08:002011-12-12T17:58:13.116-08:00Peppermint Bark Recipe<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="background-color: white; height: 406.0px; padding: 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px 5.0px; width: 458.0px;" valign="top"> <div style="font: 19.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We got this recipe in an e-mail and it sounds really good. I haven't tried it yet, but I wanted to share it with you in time for the holidays.</span></div><div style="font: 19.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><ul><li style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">12 oz. of high-quality white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips</span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">5 regular sized candy canes, crushed up</span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3-4 drops of Peppermint</span></li>
</ul><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>1</b> Break up peppermint candy into little pieces. Melt the chocolate according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once melted, add the peppermint oil and stir.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>2</b> Pour the melted chocolate out onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and spread out with a spatula or wooden spoon. Sprinkle the peppermint candy chunks on to the chocolate and gently press them in with yours hands.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>3</b> Place in the freezer for 5 minutes or until hardened. Break into pieces and serve or store in the fridge in an airtight container.</span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Great gift for friends, teachers hair dressers, neighbors, anyone you'd like to give a sweet treat to. </span></div><div style="color: #191aa3; font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #000000;"><i>Recipe borrowed from </i><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=9r6u84dab&et=1108925544404&s=14522&e=001_41gsehnDQCw6Wx5ow6kQcaelZWxwW-C1jlqTQYVAz_ZgncYCYnysFs1blsKw8lh37dlj7rg6wQgX0s8aI9R-reID6kkdzO9dvh-Jk3takPNFm6XRumy5PMj5Klb-vzPEeBzNJ0MfZ4l40xIgWHUX0Ot5PGDyX2Z"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i>www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/peppermint_bark/ </i></span></a><i> </i></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-20790168460047549582011-12-11T06:05:00.000-08:002011-12-11T06:05:03.361-08:00From Holiday Stress to Holiday Peace<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Stress can adversely affect our health. It can raise blood pressure and blood sugar, it can make our bodies store up cortisol, causing us to gain extra weight, and, stress can make us crabby. Stress is not created by just those things that we perceive as negative. Your body reacts to positive things as stress as well. Any change can be perceived by the body as stress: a touchdown by your favorite college team, or a burned souffle. To our bodies stress is stress is stress. There are varying degrees of stress, but good or bad is not really differentiated by our neutral, nonjudgemental cells and nerves.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Solstice, or the football bowl season, the holidays are “supposed” to be one of joy and love, fun, love, caring and family. The stressful crabbies can overtake the holidays in a moment and turn a party into a chore. We want to share some ideas with you that may help to reduce stress and make your holidays more enjoyable. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*If you are planning on entertaining a houseful of guests: make as much ahead of time as you can. In this wonderful modern age of freezers, refrigerators and even coolers, we don’t have to cook everything in one day. Cook ahead of time, do prep ahead of time. Slice your cheeses and veggies a day or two in advance, have casseroles put together ahead of time, ready to just pop into the oven or microwave. Minimize the amount of time that you are tied to the kitchen while everyone else is having fun!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Speaking of chilling-don’t forget to make time for yourself throughout each day. Even a minute can help you through the chaos: pause and breathe at least 3 long, slow, deliberate deep breaths in a row. This helps to lower blood pressure and oxygenate your brain. This is a quick, instant stress reducer. Use it often.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Diffuse your favorite essential oils as you are preparing for your holidays, and even during your celebrations. Smell goes directly into the limbic area of your brain, which affects emotions. I like to use uplifting scents like “On Guard”, “Balance”, and citrusy scents like lemon or wild orange. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Another scent-filled stress reducer, is to smell the food you prepare. The smell of fresh bread or simmering soup does wonders to reduce stress. Enjoying the smell of food is a great part of enjoying a meal, and meal preparation can be a treat instead of a chore.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*With family or friends, drive or walk around your town, looking at holiday lights. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*If you are feeling really edgy or stressed, when you shower or do the dishes, envision the water washing you with peace and love. Allow ally of your stress, anger and frustration flow down the drain, washed away by the water’s love and peace.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Put a bit of “Balance” or lavender oil on your earlobes, wrists and behind your ears to help you stay calm, balanced and relaxed during those stressful holiday moments.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whether you are a parent or an adult who knows someone with kids, spending time with kids is a great way to reduce stress. During the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, sometimes kids can seem to be a hinderance to getting things done in the way and in the time that the adults want them to be done. But really, kids are great teachers of how the holidays can be done. They know that playing is always a priority. What better time to re-learn the priority of play than the holidays?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Read them a story (or have them read to you!). See what kind of outrageous voices and faces you can make for the characters as you read their lines.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Get a coloring book and crayons and color together. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Wrap gifts together. Kids love to help with this super-secret rite. Let them put their finger on the ribbon as you tie the bow. Let them hand you the tape, and teach them how to make neat creases. You can even let them in on a secret by letting them wrap some of the presents that are not for them!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Make your own wrapping paper together. Cut up paper grocery bags and decorate them with rubber stamps, crayons, markers, or apples cut in half and dipped in paint. Use your imagination. You can also use the comics section of the newspaper, or, for small gifts, beautiful magazine pages.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Make snow angels or snowpeople together. Then go inside and make hot cocoa or “candy cane tea” (see the recipe in an earlier post about recipes).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Cook together.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Sing together (maybe even sing while you cook).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Play video games together. There are great dance, sports and exercise games to play together on systems such as the wii or xbox kinect that are fun and will get you up and moving, physical activity is a great stress reducer!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Watch a holiday movie together. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*Don’t forget that kids (and adults) are not perfect. They won’t do things the way you do them, or in the time frame that you do them, but teaching them and allowing them the space and time to learn can be a great stress reducer. Letting go of the expectation of perfection allows space for joy and creativity.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">No matter what you celebrate this season, enjoy yourself and be safe.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Blessed Solstice. Happy Hanukah.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Shalom,</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Aimee & Deb</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-23434727883085886962011-11-24T13:43:00.000-08:002011-11-24T13:43:00.569-08:00My Thanksgiving Blessing of Gratitude<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Today, I am grateful for all of my friends in Flesh and ether. I am grateful to the ancesters who came before and paved the way for all of us to be here today. I am grateful to my family of origin and my family of choice for loving me even though I am flawed. I am grateful to all of the beings, flora, fauna and fungus who have given their lives for today's feast. I am grateful for the Mother Earth who sustains us and for Father Sky who fills our lungs with his breath. Blessed Be. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!</span>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-56612551662290337352011-11-05T08:19:00.000-07:002011-11-05T08:19:43.285-07:00Tasting Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>I am bound and determined to cook something irresistible with essential oils. Not just a recipe from someone else, but my very own recipe. Here are some of my concoctions:</i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Invisible Gelatin:</b> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(I don’t recommend this one, it was okay, but not something I would look forward to eating even though I like the idea of it. If you can figure out how to do it right, I’d love to know how you did it!) </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 packages unflavored gelatin</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">⅓ cup agave nectar</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A few drops of lemon, lime, wild orange or grapefruit essential oil (not too much, but enough)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 tablespoon juice (lemon, orange, lime or grapefruit)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup cold water</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 ½ cups boiling water</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let sit for a few minutes, until it dissolves. Add boiling water, juice and agave. Stir until blended. Add essential oil, stir again and taste.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Salsa:</b> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(This was good, but was missing something. I don’t think I added enough salt. Let me know if you perfect it) 4-8 servings</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup chopped sweet onion</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 cups chopped fresh ripe tomato</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dash of garlic powder or clove of fresh crushed garlic</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 jalapeno, grated or chopped fine</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">½ - 1 fresh banana pepper (pickled may work)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1-2 drops lime essential oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1-2 drops cilantro oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Salt to taste</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mix together. Adjust amount of oil, peppers and salt to your taste.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Candy Cane “Tea”:</b> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(This is especially good when you don’t feel well**) 1 serving</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 teaspoon honey</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup hot (or boiling) water</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 drop peppermint essential oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Put honey and water in a cup and stir until honey is incorporated. Add oil. If this is too strong, add a bit more water. (It feels great to breathe the steam into sore or clogged lungs before drinking. It also makes my face feel good.**)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Rosemary Olive Butter: </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(This is really good on bread, a little goes a long way. I want to try it on chicken next, I’ll let you know how it goes): 8 servings</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4 tablespoons lightly salted butter</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 drop of rosemary essential oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cream together and enjoy!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Tart Sweet Fruit Dip:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(You can adjust the sweetness by adjusting the amount of agave. A smaller amount of honey may be substituted)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup fat free plain greek yogurt</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 tablespoons agave nectar</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 drops lime oil</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mix together and serve with sliced fresh fruit, or try as a dressing for fruit salad.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>I hope you enjoy playing with your food, whether it is with my recipes, your own, or some of the delicious looking ones that I found on a website called “<a href="http://www.cookingessentially.com/">Cooking Essentially”</a>. You can also find holiday inspired recipes in <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">doTERRA’s holiday brochure</a>.</i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i></i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Shalom,</i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Aimee</i></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-50424305280420190682011-11-04T07:39:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:39:48.127-07:00Yummy Hot Cocoa for a Cold Fall or Winter Day<div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a18;"><a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully/">From doTERRA's 2011 holiday brochure</a></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">(serves 4)</div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>IngredIents:</b></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 Cup Water</span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">5 tsp. Cocoa Powder</span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sugar, agave nectar, or Stevia to Taste</span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 1⁄2 tsp. Vanilla</span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">3 Cups Milk</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a18; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=78&pid=49421846188632919">Peppermint, Cinnamon, or Wild Orange Essential Oil</a></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>DIrectIons:</b></span></div><div color="#1a1a18" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Heat water, cocoa powder, and sweetener on stove until ingredients are smooth. Add vanilla and milk and bring to a simmer. Pour into your favorite mug . Introduce flavor by swirling a toothpick dipped in your favorite essential oil.</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-70884569027994644582011-10-22T18:17:00.000-07:002011-10-22T18:17:02.059-07:00Essential Goals<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Goals! Okay, this is a new word for me. I rarely use that term. I usually say “I hope to…”, “I plan to…”, “my dream is…”. I think, as part of living more MindFully, I need to be honest with myself. Those statements all equal goals. GOALS GOALS GOALS GOALS! As a writer, I know words are very powerful and important, as well as often inadequate and clumsy. I’m not sure why words like “goal”, “commitment”, and “I will” are so much scarier than “plan”, “loyalty,” and “try”. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I will try (oops)...I plan to (oops)...I want to (oops).. I am Committed to my new Goal of being firm in my confidence to succeed in whatever I choose to succeed. I Will keep reminding myself of this one.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Someone in one of my classes half jokingly told me that if I were to ever run for office, he would definitely vote for me. A few others chimed in with agreement. I don’t want to run for office, but I do want to be more MindFull of how I influence people. I want to be as encouraging as possible, and empower others with as many tools as possible to make their lives, and this world, better.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Years ago, I worked in a<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1231730119"> </a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1231730119">bookstore</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.schulerbooks.com/"> </a>and in a fabric store. I loved those jobs, not because I brought home a paycheck, but because I was helping others to find just what they needed. I did that not our of obligation to sell to them, but out of a genuine human connection and excitement for them. I learned as much from them as they did from me. My best days were the days when someone returned to the </span><a href="http://www.schulerbooks.com/">bookstore</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, glowing with excitement over a book I recommended that was just the right one. Or, the best days in the fabric store were when a customer enthusiastically brought in a finished project I had helped them plan. Those were not moments of selling, but of genuinely touching another life in a positive way, and in turn, they touched mine.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">That is how Deb and I feel about </span>doTERRA Oils<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. We actually did buy membership in another essential oil company once. Those were good quality oils as well, and we liked them, but we didn’t love or believe in them enough to sustain our membership or share them at every turn with our friends, coworkers and strangers. We knew they smelled good, and there were some remarkable stories of how various people were positively affected by this oil or that. With </span>doTERRA<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, we’re hearing the stories, but we are also learning about various </span>scientific studies<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> that support the anecdotal evidence as well. And, even in our short time with </span>doTERRA<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, I have already felt amazing, transformative results in my own life, with the application of a single oil blend.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I have had chronic neck and right shoulder pain for around five years. Some days it is so bad I can’t fully turn my head or lift a gallon of milk or turn a key or a doorknob without excruciating pain. I started dropping things and having trouble pouring myself a cup of coffee. I found that </span>acupuncture<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> helped for about one to two weeks. The one time I had a Thai massage, I was pain free for two weeks. Doing yoga on a regular basis helps to lessen the pain, but if I am already acute, I can't get into position to stretch the right muscles and my shoulder and arm are too weak and painful to get into certain positions safely. So I have lived with pain pretty much every day for five years. (I forgot to mention that NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin give me nosebleeds and acetametaphine doesn’t touch the pain. I take NSAIDs cautiously and they rarely work completely or for more than 2-3 hours at a time- after the 30-60 minutes that I wait for them to kick in.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">One night I was sitting at work, unable to turn my head very far because of neck, upper back and shoulder pain. My trapezius muscle was so tensed that when I tried to reach back (with my left hand) and press on it for relief, there was no give. It was literally as hard as a rock. I had taken my ice pack out of my lunch bag to try to numb the pain a bit. I was in so much pain that my stomach was upset, I was clenching my jaw from pain and I had a headache starting at the base of my skull and quickly spreading.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In the past, as I said, oral NSAIDs were ineffective and troublesome for me, but had always been my goto solution. My doctor didn’t seem to care much that I was in pain, and all he did was give me a prescription for a topical NSAID, which had minimal effect, for a very limited amount of time.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This particular night, I was chilly (I work midnights), so I put on my fleece jacket. In the pocket was a vial of </span>“Past Tense” oil<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> that our niece, Gini, had given me on her visit about a month earlier. I had forgotten I had it. I knew it was good for headaches, and, I reasoned, that I did have a headache from a reaction to pain originating in my neck and shoulders. So I uncapped it and slathered it over the base of my neck and my shoulder muscles.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Within five to ten minutes, the ice pack came off, opening a door ceased to hurt, and I could turn my head without pain. I was pain free for the first time in weeks.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sounds like snake oil, right? Well, after that experience, Deb and I were converted into essential oil believers. Specifically, believers in </span>doTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, which only get this designation after every batch in every bottle gets put through a “mass spectrometer” to make sure everything that is supposed to be in there is, and nothing that is not supposed to be, isn’t (herbicides, pesticides, contaminants from other plants or pollution, etc.). Few other companies can make this claim. With Deb’s multiple allergies and sensitivities, it is essential that in our household we be MindFull of potential contaminants of any kind, and we have faith that what is claimed to be in these oils is there, and that there is nothing else.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I have long combined natural remedies with allopathic medicine, but I have always approached natural and homeopathic remedies as slow-acting treatments that I have to be patient and wait for the results, keeping an eye toward easing pain and illness over time. I have always paired them with over the counter drugs. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am beginning to realize that some natural remedies, like </span>certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, can have an instant, transformative effect on my quality of life. I like it, and am excited to keep exploring the possibilities. Let us know if you want to learn more!</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Shalom,</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Aimee</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-14939273384047001442011-10-05T12:27:00.000-07:002011-10-05T12:30:09.980-07:00AhHa!<div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">In every human life, there is at least one "AhHa" moment, a moment when something becomes clear. At that point, we are often presented with a problem, an answer, an insight, or a choice.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">When I say an "AhHa" moment, I don't mean a profound truth read on a blog or in a book, or learned at the feet of a guru, preacher or teacher. I mean some moment when those things you may have known intellectually become infused with your whole BEING-body, mind and spirit.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes the truth of those moments lasts a lifetime, and sometimes that truth is as fleeting as a dandelion seed on a windy day. Either way, those moments can be transformative.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">We want to hear about your "AhHa" moments. There can be great value in sharing our wisdom stories. Someone else may need to hear about your "AhHa" to use it as a stepping stone toward their own. (Even dandelion fluff has to land somewhere.) The more "AhHa" moments there are in the world, especially those rooted in love, the better off we will all be. (When I say rooted in Love, that means any Love-based feeling or action: gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, laughter, hope, grief, generosity, peace, etc.)</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">We ask you to share YOUR AhHa moments in the comments section of this post. (That’s where you will be able to read ours as well.) </span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Courier; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Share your wisdom. Share your love.</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-6191241879583462432011-10-01T21:11:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:59:07.756-07:00Lingering Scents of Peace<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="ATTLogo.jpg" height="91" src="webkit-fake-url://4C681BBE-43CA-4B30-8BC2-779772FA5F84/ATTLogo.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I promised to write a post about my first AromaTouch treatment, which I got on Tuesday. I’m not sure whether to begin at the end or at the beginning. I think, perhaps, the beginning.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Deb put on relaxing music. Together, we chose the “zen” music channel on TV. There were beautiful, yet soothing sounds made by unexpected instruments floating in the air, yet not so ethereal as to be distracting or intrusive. Rather, the music seemed to ground and center me, getting me to focus on the moment.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaN-cy26zpMCF9js-Oiywj-aXvLA2Ss4HjaI7OK9g7yrwQEb9d6qlkEqrp4JGCNs7JmUpmCsTwI77PuATqQVAx4JY_0358FNTtHG0wFKvRL3JOxlDqPBmpkK0joGfGh7o7VnqIQA7Tn0o/s1600/2011-03-23+14.49.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaN-cy26zpMCF9js-Oiywj-aXvLA2Ss4HjaI7OK9g7yrwQEb9d6qlkEqrp4JGCNs7JmUpmCsTwI77PuATqQVAx4JY_0358FNTtHG0wFKvRL3JOxlDqPBmpkK0joGfGh7o7VnqIQA7Tn0o/s200/2011-03-23+14.49.36.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d8yOj-XsQDsEPdc8pAuLAtVCALBXe60MUWmJUQrLO508wI6F6vZBqUKrMV2y71UimTqzhILFfqD6FMduKhyphenhyphenyFEq5zBYkh8gxNeObGrtP1leoTFjcHxaOYyNqKC0j7Aq9dcSj6vpWyp0/s1600/2011-04-30+10.43.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d8yOj-XsQDsEPdc8pAuLAtVCALBXe60MUWmJUQrLO508wI6F6vZBqUKrMV2y71UimTqzhILFfqD6FMduKhyphenhyphenyFEq5zBYkh8gxNeObGrtP1leoTFjcHxaOYyNqKC0j7Aq9dcSj6vpWyp0/s200/2011-04-30+10.43.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Both dogs and the cat decided that this was a party for them as well. As I lay face down on the massage table, wearing my pajama pants, I could see Biddy Kitty through the sheer headrest cover, looking up at me expectantly, waiting for a rub. Indigo had positioned herself well out of the way, on the rug by the front door. But Pippin laid right in Deb’s way and would not budge. She had apparently decided she was a vital guest at this meditative party. (If you ask Deb to do a treatment on you and you are at our house, rest assured that the animals will not be allowed to so freely invade-unless you choose to let them. I did.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Before beginning, Deb explained that she would be putting eight oils on me, one at a time, in a specific order. The oils would be dripped along my spine and on my feet one at a time, and would be activated, also one at a time, through light touch- lighter than massage. (I have to confess, I was hoping to get a massage out of this-but I think I actually got as much or more benefit from the Aroma Touch treatment, without the pain that comes from having muscles worked by firm hands, although I will always love getting a good massage.) </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Because my skin was so dry, in order to make the oil application go smoother, Deb began by preparing my back with a slick of fractionated coconut oil. There is virtually no scent to this smooth oil. She explained that depending upon the person and situation, the fractionated coconut oil is not always used.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Then, Deb got down to business and my complete sense of contentment in the moment rolled in as I relaxed into the smells and gentle, methodical movements incorporating the oils, one at a time. With each layer, my groundedness, contentment and relaxation grew. I realized, after the third or fourth oil, that all of my muscle soreness and chronic itchy back were resolved and dissolved. I occasionally reached down to rub on Biddy Kitty purring below the headrest. As I said, I was totally relaxed into the moment, and Biddy was part of that present moment, so her presence in the present seemed right.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">With each layering of oil, I experienced new smells, but not overwhelming smells. As each new drip drip drip splashed to my spine and each new scent wafted toward my nose, I felt a new layer of strain fall away, replaced by a sense of “settling”. My breaths lengthened and slowed, but I maintained an alertness, aware of my surroundings (including Pippen on the floor at my feet and Biddy focusing those big yellow eyes on me).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Before the treatment, the bottoms of my feet had had been very tender and slightly swollen, making it painful for me to walk (I suspect plantar facetious, but I haven’t gotten them checked out). As Deb moved to my feet with the combination of Wild Orange and Peppermint oils together, she worked down toward each toe from the heel, along each of five lines, which stimulated various reflexology points to create a balance among my organs and bodily systems. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As she methodically worked along those five lines, I pictured the plowing patterns made by the tractor in the field behind my childhood home, readying the spring Earth for sowing. The plow went over the fields three times. The first tractor pass was to break apart he compacted soil and to uproot the first growth of weeds. The second pass was to break down the big, hard dirt clods and to uproot the second growth of weeds. The third pass was to soften the Earth into a rich loam, perfect for a young girl to run in barefoot or for an old farmer to bring to life with seed. Deb traced each row of my foot three times, like the tractor of my memory, gradually loosening the compacted pain buried there until it was broken up, perfect for a middle aged woman to stride barefoot without pain.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Once Deb had finished the final stage of the treatment, to create a state of homeostasis, applying the final two layers of oil along my spine, she told me to take my time getting up. I was aware of my surroundings, not tired, but very relaxed. I began by rising up on my hands and knees, transitioning into a yoga position known as the child’s pose while still on the massage table. I slowly sat up, dangling my feet over the edge before slowly and carefully making contact between my feet and the ground. I felt relaxed, at peace, and pain free.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For the rest of the day, I kept getting different whiffs of scent at different moments. Was it orange? Was it peppermint? Clove? Lavender? “Yes.” Each time I experienced that aroma sensation throughout the day, I was again relaxed, alert and balanced.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The eight oils used in this treatment are available in an <a href="http://https;//www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">Aroma Touch Kit.</a> I highly recommend experiencing this treatment for yourself. You can contact Deb if you have questions or want to schedule a treatment. Allow yourself about an hour or so, about 35-40 minutes for the treatment and a bit of time to re-orient.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Blessings,</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Aimee</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-63913211526712241612011-09-26T21:05:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:13:03.235-07:00A New Technique in the Tool Box<div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When Aimee told me she wanted me to blog, I said "what? You know that's your thing. I don't do that."</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Well, as you can see, after gentle arm twisting, here I am, with my first portion of the blog.</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I went to the Aroma Touch class held in Troy, MI on September 24. When I left, I was certified in the technique, but more than that, I experienced the most fantastic "relaxed intensity" after the technique I gave and received.</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This technique involves layering a series of oils on your spine from the waist up, then on your feet or hands. You do this by dropping a specific pattern of a series of 8 oils on the spine, which ends by placing the body in a state of homeostasis [the natural balance of body systems and health]. This occurs by working with the meridian points on the back and reflexology points on the feet and/or hands.</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There are four areas that Aroma Touch addresses, in order they are:</span></div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Stress Management</span></li>
<li style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Immune Enhancement</span></li>
<li style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Decreasing Inflammation</span></li>
<li style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Homeostasis</span></li>
</ol><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The aroma layering is truly magnificent. The person giving and receiving the treatment are both benefitted. You are both left with a “sunshine face and spirit”, as seen on all that participated in the class.</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Aroma Touch is a technique that can be shared with all of your friends, family, pets, etc. Please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section if you want to learn more and I will get back with you. Try it, you’ll like it!</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Aimee gets her first treatment tomorrow. She can fill you in on her experiences after that.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Deb</span><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-21232012666603851712011-09-26T20:03:00.000-07:002011-09-26T20:36:54.176-07:00Transitioning with Tomatoes and Aroma Touch<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As I sit here, writing longhand with my purple pen, I can smell a fabulous aroma of clove, cinnamon and oranges. I can even taste the flavors faintly, even though I haven't eaten anything with those flavors in it lately.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">With cold and flu season gearing up for its first punch of the season, I rubbed some On Guard oil on the palms of my hands, and dabbed a bit under my nose. With all of the sneezing and coughing going on around me at work, I don’t want to risk carrying germs home.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I must say that I am TOTALLY excited. Within the next few days, I get to experience my first Aroma Touch treatment! Deb just earned her certification in this technique of applying layers of<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully"> <span id="goog_1370538674"></span><span id="goog_369925461"></span>certified pure therapeutic grade<span id="goog_369925462"></span><span id="goog_1370538675"></span> doTerra essential oils</a>. (The amazing orange-spicy scent on my hands is one of the 8 oils used in this technique.) I wasn’t able to make it to the training because of other commitments, but at least I get to get a fabulous treatment soon, and I am learning the basics with an eye toward certification soon. I’ll let Deb tell you more.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This has been a busy couple of weeks in our household. With the cold weather barging in suddenly, dropping temperatures almost to the frost point, there was a scramble to load up o as many tomatoes and peppers as possible from our beautiful organic garden.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlRmkjxc64oaghQhTY74jRvgl4R0O8eDjnIPJ1Yyqk6nxLlXqcq13Ye7FK9C-0LovV2eAiAPpDpXC5NXotKmx7vc-p-EBUUeSOv63dh05ro_VZnqwlVZ5SZJqoPk9EbZf9VTtT-xz_4g/s1600/2011-08-19+08.25.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlRmkjxc64oaghQhTY74jRvgl4R0O8eDjnIPJ1Yyqk6nxLlXqcq13Ye7FK9C-0LovV2eAiAPpDpXC5NXotKmx7vc-p-EBUUeSOv63dh05ro_VZnqwlVZ5SZJqoPk9EbZf9VTtT-xz_4g/s320/2011-08-19+08.25.20.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Once they were harvested, we had several different types of peppers and tomatoes, washed and taking up residence in various colanders, bowls, buckets, and even in the dish drainer! We spent a couple of days up to our elbows in dripping juicy tomatoes as we peeled, blended, chopped and canned mixed vegetable juice and beautiful salt free tomatoes to use over the winter. (Of course, we made a huge pot of amazing Pepper Sauce too, but that has been frozen by the quart this year, instead of being canned.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharWYwb_Xls8GB8dtGtGcKV8VdOlySfUqmBMFFePafLh0MQiNMRp5nhpv6HX2fL6tGBSjzzItlNNYnUU_95wkBkXhgFcRhbeM-81simh15iJ2XEKz36vlaTe-s1edpRjA0KjPn1zfvZsw/s1600/2011-09-15+21.41.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharWYwb_Xls8GB8dtGtGcKV8VdOlySfUqmBMFFePafLh0MQiNMRp5nhpv6HX2fL6tGBSjzzItlNNYnUU_95wkBkXhgFcRhbeM-81simh15iJ2XEKz36vlaTe-s1edpRjA0KjPn1zfvZsw/s200/2011-09-15+21.41.34.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14.4px;">To use up some of the bits that either didn’t make it into jars, or from jars that didn’t seal during processing, I made a delicious beef vegetable soup. When I put all the ingredients into the My Fitness Pal database, my soup was only a little over 200 calories per serving! It was even better when I warmed it up for lunch at work a couple of days later.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The garden is still not done being put to bed. After a couple cold nights, the temperatures perked back up. We still have some tomatoes ripening, peppers growing (and blooming) and some herbs waiting for harvest.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Between the two of us, Deb and I have lost 80 pounds in the past 6-8 months, divided evenly. When people ask how we are doing it, although we each have different approaches, the primary thing has been that we are both PAYING ATTENTION to what we eat. I log all of my food and exercise (yes, gardening counts, just as well as yoga and walking) into a phone app called <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">My Fitness Pa</a>l. It calculates my calorie needs for the day based on my goals, activity levels and current weight/height This app and website helps to keep me focused and committed to paying attention, and I have met new friends along the way from all over the world- Hong Kong, Russia, England, and all parts of the United States. We are all working toward getting healthier-each in our own way.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: 14.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="vegetables.html.jpg" height="181" src="webkit-fake-url://10FC372C-2786-453B-A9E1-4159DACFEA6C/vegetables.html.jpg" width="200" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Deb has been using the “plate method”. She doesn’t log anything, but as a rule of thumb (or plate), she mentally divides her plate into quarters.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14.4px;">We bought 7” plates with funny blue monkeys on them to use most days instead of our 9-10” stoneware plates that we had been using. One quarter of the blue monkey has protein on it, one quarter has a carb and one half (2/4) is covered in vegetables (potatoes and corn don’t count! They go in the carb corner).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This summer has been beautiful in terms of the food we’ve been able to grow or find at the <a href="http://www.flintfarmersmarket.com/">Flint Farmer’s Market</a>. Eating a rainbow of foods is one way to insure a wide range of nutrients, so we have been eating a rainbow: red cherries; orange carrots; yellow tomatoes; green onions; blue blueberries; purple mulberries; white garlic and black beans. (We’ve even slipped in an occasional brown brownie or golden butter pecan ice cream along the way.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Neither Deb nor I is perfect in any measure of the term, but we are humans In Process of becoming better through Living MindFully in the present with eyes wide open to the world around us. Each day is a new opportunity to learn and grow, no matter what challenges or ruts we face.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Aimee</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056319750682098443.post-74676656127852216922011-09-26T09:29:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:32:57.036-07:00Being MindFull of our Vision to Promote Healing<div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Our Vision is to create a healing and retreat center where all kinds of people can come to experience a sense of community, healing, self awareness and peace. We hope to offer different paths toward wholeness for those who come, with a variety of complimentary healing modalities, including aromatherapy, Reiki and massage; classes including meditation, diversity training and yoga; and places to be at peace with oneself, such as an on grounds labyrinth, retreat cabins, gardens and walking trails.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We envision that this center will be a non-exclusive community where healing can occur on many different levels- certainly the mind/body/spirit levels, but even beyond that. We hope to nurture a community where we pay attention to environmental concerns, personal growth and community building. </span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Humans and their animals will have the opportunity to utilize the skills of those at the center.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We believe that everyone who comes for healing and solace also has something to offer to the community, be they there for a day or for a month. Children and elders alike have gifts to share. </span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Although we have held this vision for several years, there have been many road blocks to reaching this dream. We have each had serious health challenges along the way, which seemed to crop up and steer us off track for a while, before we take hold of the reins again and get back into view of our chosen path. We have even found that these roadblocks tend to be more like classrooms along the route, where we learn new things about ourselves and new ways to be in the world. Of course, as with any endeavor, money is always an obstacle as well, but thus far it has been more about health issues and time constraints. We believe that it will happen in the time and place that it is meant to be.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Even hough the healing center is not yet a physical reality, we are both committed to empowering people to help themselves through learning to live MindFully. We hope through this blog to nurture the spirit of the healing center, even if the physical reality has yet to manifest. Through this blog, we will offer various meditations, book and music recommendations & internet links that may be of interest. (We have recently become enamored with DoTerra essential oils, and have become independent product consultants, so you will see several links to various parts of <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/livingmindfully">our website</a> there, but also many other resources that we find useful, informative or interesting.) We will share some of our stories of moments, people and places that have helped us grow in our journey toward health and Living MindFully, a journey we are still on and a journey we invite you to take with us. We also want to hear your stories, with the hope that we will grow from your experiences as well as ours.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Deb and Aimee</span></div>the Living MindFully Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633141677353262277noreply@blogger.com0