Essential Oils Men Will Embrace!

If you're like me and a bunch of other women, your man cringes when you bring out those little brown bottles of essential oils. 

He's convinced they're filled with witchcraft~voodoo medicine.  Yes?  Okay, I'm here to help you with that.  When dealing with men, give them something they can relate to like football, beer, his truck or a favorite old flannel shirt or, Lord help us, old sweatpants.  Can you see where I'm going with this?  It's like camo, in the beginning, you can't be obvious! 

Blender Salsa with Cilantro & Lime Essential Oils!

This happens to be my favorite snack of the century...

Chips & Blender Salsa!

I love the new blender trend in salsa making, it's genius!  Who has time for all that slicing and dicing anyway?  I also have bunches and bunches of juicy homegrown tomatoes that we can't possibly eat...why not roast a few for salsa!

Originally, it was my sister that brought Blender Salsa into my life.  We were in her kitchen munching away on chips and  a new Salsa she had made then blogged about on One Good Thing by Jillee.  This salsa is SO easy, flavorful and spicy, it's now my new go to recipe from now to eternity. 

Make Your Own Astringent, Toner & Makeup Finisher + 15 Ways to Use Witch Hazel!

The perfect blend for a great astringent if you have skin prone to break outs.  After washing your face or taking a shower, spritz this blend on a freshly washed face and let dry.

Per 1 oz glass spray bottle add:
4 drops Melaleuca
4 drops Lavender
Witch Hazel

Add the EOs to the glass bottle and top off with Witch Hazel. While we're on the subject of Witch Hazel, I found a list of wonderful ways to use the brilliant stuff from Wisebread that's worthy of sharing!

Why You Need A Diffuser In Your Home ~ GIVEAWAY!

This is my diffuser, busy spewing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial bliss!  Depending on the mood of the day or any health challenges we're dealing with...I choose one oil or a combination of oils to diffuse at my work space. 

A diffuser is one of my favorite ways to use essential oils! 

Reason 1:  At this very moment I'm diffusing Lavender and Wild Orange so I can stay awake. Not because I'm a procrastinator mind you, but because it's too late for coffee?...yeah, that's it :)  I can create a mood by diffusing select essential oils.  I can energize, focus, brighten, relax, subdue and purify with a diffuser.

Reason 2:  This diffuser atomizes essential oils into minute ion particles and active oxygen anions which are more easily absorbed by the body (humans and animals, I might add).  It completely combines water and pure essential oils without heat so none of the essences aren't destroyed.  

Reason 3:  A diffuser can purify the air.  By adding doTERRA's proprietary blend On Guard, I can kill germs and pathogens in the air and prevent sickness from spreading to other members of the family.  If someone is sick in our house, On Guard is a key player in keeping everyone else well!  And, it smells like Christmas!  On Guard has a spicy orange fragrance that makes the house smell great!

Reason 4:  Breathing difficulties are eased by diffusing Breathe, another excellent essential oil blend by doTERRA.  We actually have two diffusers in our home because very often we need one in a bedroom. Long, restless nights become peaceful when congestion symptoms are eased with essential oil particles floating in the air.

Reason 5:  Sleep!  Our restful, lavender nights are worth every penny I've spent on essential oils!  This diffuser is completely silent and shuts itself off after an hour.  Perfect for a bedroom!

If you're reading this, it's my pleasure to give a doTERRA Lotus Diffuser and 3 doTERRA essential oils away today! 

 Woo!

These are the things you need to do to enter:

1. FOLLOW Camp Wander

2.  LIKE Camp Wander on Facebook

3.  Click SHARE on the Diffuser Giveaway post on Camp Wander Facebook.

4.  Send me an email at rebecca@campwander.com describing the steps you took to enter AND, leave a mailing address in case you WIN!

And the WINNER is....

Krys Traver!

Congratulations Krys!

How to Stop a Stress Migraine With Peppermint!

You'll need this and this...

Peppermint!

This particular remedy is for those times when you need a little more than the standard technique of a "stop and drop" application of essential oil!  Sometimes when we're plagued by persistent headaches, it's our body trying to tell us to slow down and rest the mind AND, the body!  That's tough to do I know but, it's always a very good idea to listen to your body.

Keepin It Simple With Essential Oils!

The Bigger Fatter List! Great Ways to Use Essential Oils!

I absolutely LOVE giving you lists of ways to use doTERRA essential oils!  Enjoy this comprehensive list of ideas to improve your health, home and, your pet's well being with essential oils!

HEALTH:

For tired aching muscles or arthritis aches, mix 1 part Deep Blue oil to 4 parts 

Fractionated Coconut Oil and use as massage oil.

Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemaryor Lavender oil onto the back of your neck.

To lower fevers, simply rub Peppermint essential oil on the feet, neck, and forehead rather than use a product that is unpleasant or create side effects.

To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oilshave been added.

To blend your own massage oil, add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 oz. Fractionated Coconut oil.

Apply true Lavender oil or Melaleuca oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches. 1 or 2 drops will promote healing.

1 drop of Lemon essential oil applied directly to a wart is an effective means of elimination. Apply the essential oil daily until the wart is gone.

A few drops of your favorite oil or blend in the rinse water of your hand washables makes for pleasant results.

Rosemary promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.

Overindulge last night? Essential oils of Lavender, Rosemaryand Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.

For burns or scalds, drop Lemon or Melaleuca oil directly on the effected area

Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhanced oils such as Lavender on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.

When the flu is going around add a few drops of Thyme to your diffuser or simmer in a pan on the stove.

Place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water, sip slowly to aid digestion and relieve upset stomach.

Use 1 drop of Melaleuca or On Guard oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children.

Six to eight drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.

Add 1 drop Geranium oil to your facial moisturizer to bring out a radiant glow in your skin.

Place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.

A blend of Geranium, Lavender and Wild Orange alleviates anxiety and depression. Use in a room diffuser or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.

A wonderful massage blend for babies is 1 drop Wild Orange, 1 dropLavender, and 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Fractionated Coconut oil.

1 drop Peppermint oil rubbed on the back of the neck helps to relieve headaches

HOME:

For good smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying.

Add 5 drops essential oil to 1/4 cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the washer.

Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.

Add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.

Add a few drops essential oil to a pan of water and simmer on stove or in a potpourri pot.

To enjoy a scented candle, place a drop or two of essential oil into the hot melted wax as the candle bums.

To dispel household cooking odors, add a few drops of your favorite oil to a simmering pan.

An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring or light bulb will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting. (Don’t put essential oil in the socket.)

Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets on your home. Let set for an hour or more, and then vacuum.

To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a good scent dabbed on a cotton ball into an inconspicuous comer.

The bathroom is easily scented by placing oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places, or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.

Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen area with the aroma of spices such as Clove, Lavender and Elevation by simmering them on the stove or in your diffuser. 

Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful and inviting mood.

 Add Cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.

When moving into a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite essential oils and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your space.

Ideal scents for the bedroom are Geranium, Lavender or Lemon.

One drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with a gentle buffing.

Essential oils of Cypress, Frankincense and Myrrh
all make wonderful firewood oil. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.

Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag.Lemon and Purify are nice. Geranium helps with pet odors.

When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.

The blend of Lavender and Lemon oil is good for the office. Lavendercreates a calm tranquil atmosphere while Lemon stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.

FISHING:

Melaleuca oil has been used by fishermen for years. Use a drop or two on the fingertips before baiting up.Melaleuca covers up the human scent that scares the fish away.

PETS:

To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope withMelaleuca oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal’s neck.

SHOES:

Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. Athlete’s foot? Melaleuca is great!

CRAFTS:

Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with essential oils.

Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.

Add essential oils to paper mache. The result is the creation of a lovely aromatic piece of art.

Infuse bookmarks and stationery with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Send only good news in perfumed letters.

Make pillows, padded and decorative hangers make more memorable gifts simply by putting a couple of drops of essential oil on them before giving.

CRITTERS:

To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic pests, drop a few drops of Terra Shield on the melted wax of a candle or place a few drops on the Bar-B-Q hot coals.

Are mice a problem? Place several drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place at problem locations.

Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.

Special Thanks to doTerra Life for this amazing list!

How to Reduce Spider & Varicose Veins with Essential Oils!

By a show of hands, how many wear long pants all summer  to avoid showing your legs because of unsightly spider veins or varicose veins?  

*raising hand*

No matter your age, spider and varicose veins can spring up for many reasons: might be due to pregnancy, having to stand for long periods of time, age or even genetics!

  

For most of us, spider and varicose veins aren't dangerous but, I myself don't relish showing them off.  I don't like what I've got and, I don't like how they look either!  So, I was beside myself with happiness when I learned of a protocol using doTERRA essential oils to reduce unsightly spider veins as well as varicose veins and, I have photos for proof too, which I'll share shortly.

Coconut Oil Skin Polish + Essential Oil Blends

Next to doTERRA's CPTG essential oils, I can't think of much else that's more versatile and excellent for you than coconut oil!  Just when I think I've used it in every possible way known to mankind, I find another brilliant use for it. 

You, and your skin will L O V E this new skin polish!

CW GIVEAWAY Sunday! {1} Sample Roll~On Bottle of Peaceful Child Blend!

One of my FAVORITE blends of ALL time!

The Peaceful Child Blend

{that's not just for children anymore}

As you can see, this blend is an investment in doTERRA Essential Oils!  

I'm giving away {1} sample roll~on bottle of this beautiful blend so that one lucky person will have the opportunity to see it's magic and usefulness come to life!

As I've mentioned before, in our family this grounding blend is used by children and adults alike, it's very, very versatile!

~  Entry Details  ~  

1.  Sign up to become a Follower of Camp Wander Blog

2.  Jump over to www.facebook.com/CampWander  

     LIKE the PAGE, then...SHARE this post with your friends!

3.  Follow CampWander on Twitter!  Leaving a Tweet, stating that you're entering the Peaceful Child Giveaway!  Yes, even you Twitter haters ;) 

4.  Send me an EMAIL at rebecca@campwander.com and share the steps you took to enter the Giveaway!!  Please leave your mailing address too!

Giveaway Ends Tuesday Night @ Midnite!!  

Congratulations Autumn Martin!!

WINNER!

Big Fat List of Essential Oil Wellness Recipes!

Much like the Big Fat List of Great ideas HERE and HERE, how about another?  Just for you, another Big Fat List: Essential Oil Recipes for Wellness...

Enjoy!

PMS Blend with doTERRA EOs:

3 drops Ylang Ylang

4 drops Roman Chamomile

6 drops Clary Sage

4 drops Coriander

6 drops Whisper

Apply to pelvic area and soles of the feet

Shakin Up the Weight Loss Shake!

I've never been much of a conformist and rules make me itchy!  This has been my cross to bear my entire life.  Don't fence me in and nobody gets hurt!  

When it comes to dieting, I'm a trouble maker...for myself mostly.  Restrictive diets don't work for me because of my stubborn nature.  Tell me "no", chances are good I'll rebel (a grown woman and I'm still my Mother's nightmare).

I'm here to tell you about my "work around" to my less attractive attributes.  My secret to tricking myself into feeling free to be me!  I bet you're really starting to wonder about me now, aren't you.  lol.

The Headache Chronicles ~ Essential Oil Remedies!

The Headache Arsenal!

Since I woke up with a headache this morning I thought it a fitting subject for today's blog post.  Thankfully I had a few remedies up my sleeve and the bugger is gone now :)  

Where to begin....

Since there are headaches and then there are HEADACHES, let's break things down a bit.  Starting with...

Another Big Fat List of Great Ways To Use Essential Oils {Part II}

As you can see, I continue to be the queen of lists!  I have lists on my phone, calendar and my popular *post it* lists frequent the refrigerator and/or countertop.  I almost need a list to keep track of my lists!

Here's yet another Big Fat List that I thoroughly enjoyed making for YOU!  Bookmark this post for easy future reference.

Essential Oil Sticks ~ Take Wellness Where You Wander!

Wellness in an Altoids Tin!

We're a society of urban adventurers.  We may make the same predictable commute day in and day out but, one never knows what unexpected obstacle may lurk on the street, subway, classroom or office on any given day!  We may be away from home, but we're never far from wellness with a super handy Altoid Tin full of doTERRA EO Sticks geared to handle the toughest terrain and the gnarliest annoyances!

I propose keeping {3} EO sticks on your person at all times, including your basic vial of Lemon and Lavender!

Permit me to explain why I suggest these particular blends for the whole family!

How to Get the Underside of Acrylic Nails Bright & Clean!

A few weeks ago my daughter and I decided to splurge and get our nails done, as in acrylic nails.  For the most part, gardening has slowed down so I thought this would be a great idea!  And, it was!

But, what about the unsightly underside?  

You know what I mean...

After a couple of weeks your natural nail starts to grow back and the undersides take on a yellowish color.  

I really don't like that at all!  But have no fear, there's a quick fix that's cheap, natural and even smells good!

Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda & doTERRA Lemon essential oil

Simply mix a paste, thick enough to sit on a brush and add 4 or 5 drops of Lemon essential oil for brightening!

Brush em.

The End.

The Great Lemon Bomb Toilet Cleaner!

I'm home alone, blogging about toilet cleaner and wishing like crazy that someone was here to see this! Who knew that cleaning toilets could be so much fun!  

When your kids see this mad scientist move, they'll be jumping up and down volunteering to get this chore...a small miracle in of itself wouldn't you say?  

And, you're going to laugh when you see how much fun this is and how squeaky clean the toilet bowl gets!

SIMPLE ingredients!  
Good for you, the planet AND your plumbing!  I use this basic recipe for unclogging my kitchen sink so consider it a bonus to that sparkling commode, the plumbing gets a good cleanse too!

Winner of the doTERRA Lotus Diffuser Announced!

Congratulations!!!

Denikka Miller!!

...you're the winner, you lucky girl you!

Please contact me at rebecca@campwander.com

Thanks everyone, the response was amazing!  CW will definitely be hosting another doTERRA Lotus Diffuser Giveaway soon!

The Art of Oil Pulling: Heal, Detox, Whiten Teeth!

I read about oil pulling shortly after I started using PURE therapeutic grade essential oils.  I never gave it much thought, it certainly sounded awful and I respectfully declined without any further thought until recently... 

...when I came across a discussion in a forum on the subject.

In summary:

Oil Pulling is a safe, simple and gentle way to bring health to your mouth, ridding it of toxins and bacteria that turn into gingivitis and eventually full blown gum disease.  There are many who claim that it can cure and prevent disease, even extending life!

Oil pulling is gaining popularity because people are having positive results with it.  The basics of oil pulling involve swishing around 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, olive oil or any other quality oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes then spitting it out, you never want to swallow it!  It's a simple therapy and completely harmless...no ingesting of medication , just a thorough cleaning of mouth by oil.

How I Kicked The Bottled Water Habit!!

For some time now, I've been hooked on bottled water.  I know, there are worse things to be hooked on but seriously, what about all that plastic?!  Now that's serious!

Plastic pollutes the earth.
Plastic corrodes my body.
Plastic is expensive.
Plastic is wasteful.

Plastic is devious.  I had no ideas how much I was consuming until I started recycling!  It was a wake~up call and I had to do something about it.



A few weeks ago, after decades of buying bottled water I  found a secret that's been working and, it's so simple!  Simple works for me.  In fact, have you ever noticed how a Win/Win situation is always S I M P L E?

Hunter's Care Package ~ Be Wilderness Ready!

Call of the Wild.

I just dropped Mike off at the Killgore Creek trailhead in the Hoback mountain range of Wyoming to scout for elk.  In 4 short weeks, he'll be outfitting for family and friends headed west to spend 2 weeks elk hunting.  Picture this will you?  Three old mature men, two younger, horses, guns, whiskey and beer.  Should I be worried??  Probably!

Truth be told, I always worry when Mike's camped in the wilderness because our bear population has all but exploded in WY.  Bears aren't the only worry though, there are LOTS of other things that can come up too!  I like to think I've got his back in the preparedness department, here are 3 ways to ensure a safe and sane camp.

First and foremost, I'll be sending a few essential oils in Mikes daypack.  The CW Travel Pack is PERFECT for tucking into the daypack because it's light and rugged.  Packaged in an Altoids tin, it's easy to have on the trail if needed.

Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, On Guard and Melaleuca  

....a few doTERRA On Guard Throat Drops and some Dora Bandaids (that's all I had in the house okay?)

With 5 essential oils he's prepared for: