Blogging 101: The Perfect Place to Start

So I started blogging very recently and I would not recommend what I did at all! I started on a whim and gave no thought to the bigger picture. I am just now figuring out what I really want to do with my blog and am completely redesigning it at the moment. Luckily, I have learned a lot and found some really great resources.

Here is a post by Molly from Molly's BookNook. I wish I had done what she suggests and defined my 3 Ws before I started my blog. This is a perfect place to start. This is a great exercise, I suggest you read through the post and make lists of your answers to each question. Write down every single thing that comes to mind, don't edit yourself, even if you think it doesn't "go together" write it down, it may become part of the bigger picture for you. Do this for a few days, you'll probably jump around a bit, new ideas will come, write them all down. Remember, don't edit - add everything, subtract nothing. This is great for building the foundation of your blog but if you are interested in getting a sneak peak at the monetization part, search "blog income report" on Pinterest. You'll find a ton of bloggers give a breakdown of where their income comes from. There are a million ways to make money from a blog and it is interesting to see all the different possibilities. If anyone has questions, ask me! I'm no expert, I've just had a head start on the research - and quite a bit of trial and error ;)

Check on my post on Why I Started My Blog

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How CAPTCHAs and Duolingo are Changing the Web, with Your Help

This is awesome. I love Ted Talks! This one is from 2011 but I just watched it for the first time today.

Have you ever used Duolingo to learn a language? If you haven’t it is great and I definitely recommend that you check it out. You can access it from a computer or download the app. Oh and it is completely free!

Have you ever filled out a CAPTCHA or a reCAPTCHA? If you ever filled out a form online, you probably have; it’s that little code/picture/puzzle that helps protect websites from spam by verifying that you are, in fact, human.

Did you know that you are actually contributing something amazing every single time you use Duolingo or fill out a reCAPTCHA?

Every time you complete a CAPTCHA, you help digitize text, annotate images, and build machine learning datasets which in turn helps preserve books, improve maps, and solve AI (Artificial Intelligence) problems (Google reCAPTCHA).

And when you use Duolingo to learn a language you are also helping translate the web into every major language.

Pretty awesome right? I just had to share this video!

Thank you Luis von Ahn for presenting this Ted Talk on Massive-scale online collaboration and thank you Netflix for helping me find it today!  

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Elevate Your Goals and Desires

When was the last time you took a moment to think about what you really want? What are your goals? What are your desires?

I was asked these questions a few weeks ago and had the hardest time answering them. I realized that I never allow myself time to define my goals and desires. When I finally started coming up with answers they were very scattered and quite small.

We often dream small because it seems realistic and manageable. Don't do that! DREAM BIG! Dream big and then use those huge awesome dreams to set the smaller, more immediate, goals.

I am starting to journal about my goals to focus them and develop them. Each time I take a moment to DREAM BIG my dreams get even bigger. It's like my brain is stretching and doing a little work-out. I am realizing goals and dreams that I didn't know I had or just wasn't allowing myself to admit before. Maybe it was fear of the unknown or of failure, I don't know, but what I do know is that my mind is breaking free of it, one rep at a time.

Right now I am: Goal journalling and Elevation diffusing.

Elevation is perfect for DREAMING BIG. It can elevate your mood, increase your energy and promote feelings of confidence.

Take a moment and try it, right now, ask yourself these questions:

1) What are your goals?
2) What are your desires?

Then, if you would like, share you experience in the comments!

Also, if you would like a sample of Elevation essential oil you can fill out the request form here.



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What Are Carrier Oils? + List of My Top 5

Whether you a regular essential oil user or an essential oil newbie, this list is a must. There are so many different carrier oils, deciding which ones to use and when to use them can be very difficult. Then you have the added difficulty of finding a high quality oil that is pure and free of junk. You want to use a carrier oil that will complement your super awesome high quality oils and benefit your health and wellness rather than negate all the good you are doing with one icky slather. Where to start...

What are carrier oils?

Carrier oils (aka natural base oils or fixed oils) are vegetable, nut, or seed oils used as a base or carrier for our essential oils. They can be used to dilute essential oils prior to application or can be applied right to the body followed by an essential oil.

By the way, you don't always have to use an actual oil for this, you can also use a mild moisturizer. I have been using this moisturizer on my face and body for about a year now. It is super light, I started adding just a drop each of lavender and frankincense and then apply. I just ordered a new unscented moisturizer to try out too so I will be sure to update with my experience soon.

When should I use carrier oils?

Hot oils (causing skin irritation): Carrier oils are great for diluting oils that should not be applied neat, or directly to the skin.

Change in consistency: Using a thicker carrier for easier application. For example, when making something like a lip balm or face mask.

Appropriate dosage: Dilution with a carrier oil is a great way to control the amount of essential oil applied topically. The age and size of a user should help determine the appropriate dosage. Always starting with the lowest amount and increasing as needed. I always dilute when I use the oils on my kids, 1 year and 4 years old. See dosage recommendations here.

All the time: Essential oils are super concentrated so even oils that are safe for neat application can be diluted while still delivering the same benefits. Many carrier oils have added benefits too; extending surface area covered, moisturizing,  slows absorption when applied before, enhances absorption when applied after, etc.

How do I choose a carrier oil?

There are so many to choose from and each person responds differently to the oils so it is hard to make general recommendations. I have included a list of the most popular ones to start with below.


List of the Most Popular Carrier Oils:

Fractionated Coconut Oil*: Fractionating process removes the fatty acids allowing the oils to remain in a liquid state as well as increasing its shelf life. It easily absorbs into the skin. With its light emollient effect it provides a soothing barrier and is excellent for dry or troubled skin. It leaves skin feeling silky smooth and non-greasy, unlike other vegetable carrier oils. Completely soluble with all essential oils and is colorless, odorless, and will not stain. Recommended for use in: sunscreens, lotions, lip balm, rollerball recipes

*I love my doTERRA coconut oil and it is the one I always recommend. I get it wholesale along with all my oils, if you are interested in trying doTERRA or would like to know more about purchasing wholesale you can contact me. You can also check out or purchase through my online store here.

Jojoba Oil: This one is thick, waxy, and highly moisturizing. It also has a very long shelf life. Being a less greasy oil, it is a good choice for acne prone skin when used conservatively. Recommended for use in: moisturizers, massage oil

Avocado Oil: One of the heavier texture oils. It has a rich, sweet, and slightly nutty aroma. Recommended for use in: Body creams, conditioners

Evening Primrose Oil: High in fatty acids. It is more expensive but you can blend some with another less expensive carrier oil. Recommended for use in: skin care, ultra moisturizing

Aloe Vera Oil: Made with a base oil and macerated aloe. Penetrates quickly and adds the healing power of aloe. Recommended for use in: wound or burn applications


If you have any questions definitely contact me, I am constantly researching this stuff. Also, if there are any oils that I haven't included that you love please let me know, I am always looking for new recommendations.


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Make It Monday: DIY Room Spray

Last week I was getting ready to go teach my Introduction to Essential Oils class when I realized I couldn't bring my diffuser! I couldn't imagine teaching a class without a diffuser but knowing I had an hour train ride + a 15 block walk and I already had 2 bags fully packed,  I knew I needed another solution.

Room spray! Luckily I had these glass spray bottles already on stand-by, they are 2oz bottles, perfectly sized for travel in my purse. I did a little research and found that the best way to make a room spray with essential oils is by mixing a bit of vodka, water and oils. That's it, just 3 ingredients.

Don't use rubbing alcohol! Inhaling isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol has a number of terrible side effects so it should not be used for this spray. I mention this because it was a common question that came up in my research when I initially tried to find a vodka substitute. I didn't have any vodka on hand and looked to see if something I had laying around the house already would do the trick but vodka really is the best thing to use.

Vodka helps the spray last long, helps blend the oil and water better, and has the added bonuses of cleaning and disinfecting. Plus, you can use the cheap stuff! I went out and bought a little bottle and now that I think about it I guess I should've bought a big one since it turns out Vodka is pretty much magic. Well not magic but super useful!

As far as the oils to use, I always suggest using very high quality essential oils not only for the safety and purity but also to maximize the health and wellness benefits. Your favorite diffuser blends are a perfect choice for adding to a room spray, I also made a spray with just lavender that I use for bed linens which I highly recommend.


Ingredients:

• Water (filtered/distilled)
• Vodka
• 20 drops Essential Oils 

Directions:
Add ingredients to bottle. Fill about 1/3 of the way with vodka and then add water and oils. Replace cap. Shake. Spray. Enjoy!


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The Must Have Tool for Essential Oil Users

If you guys read my recent post about DIY Rollerball Recipes you would know that I had a very difficult time closing the rollerball bottles. I ended up using a hammer but was sure there had to be a better way. I found one!

So at first I was surprised to not find any information, I thought maybe I was just doing it wrong or got the wrong tops for the bottles. But then I found this essential oil tool and realized I wasn't alone. It seemed a bit pricey but I decided to order it and try it out anyway.

It's perfect! Not only does it help close roller bottles it also helps remove the the roller cap and even the orifice reducer inserts on all of my bottles.

If you'd like to see more of my essential oil product or book recommendations you can check them out here.



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Rollerball Recipes: Emotional Blends

This was my first attempt at making my own rollerball recipes, they turned out awesome! I list my recipe for each below and follow with the properties of the oils I chose. I used high quality fractionated coconut oil as my carrier oil because it is odorless, colorless, and blends easily. These ones I made pretty diluted since my 4yo daughter wanted to use them too but I would recommend using as much as 10-20 drops per oil depending on how strong/potent you want the mixture and also how many different oils you are using in a blend. I used 10ml glass roller bottles – I had to use a hammer to get the top in, let me know if you have a better method! (UPDATE: I found a better method! I just got this essential oil swiss key, it works perfectly! I'll do a review post soon)

Grounded & Connected Blend

5-10 drops Lavender
5-10 drops Bergamot
5-10 drops Frankincense
5-10 drops Vetiver
Fill rest of bottle with high quality Fractionated Coconut Oil*
Shake, label, and enjoy!

*I filled the bottle 3/4 of the way.

Lavender aka The Oil of Communication

• Calming and relaxing properties
• Promotes open communication
• Promotes emotional honesty

Bergamot aka The Oil of Self-Acceptance

• Calming and soothing aroma
• Promotes sense of calm and harmony
• Promotes sense of self-confidence

Frankincense aka The Oil of Truth

• Helps focus intention
• Promotes feelings of relaxation and balanced mood
• Warming and soothing

Vetiver aka The Oil of Centering & Descent

• Promotes feelings of calm
• Grounding effect on emotions
• Earthy base
• Centered and present

Happy & Empowered Blend

5-10 drops Wild Orange
5-10 drops Peppermint
5-10 drops Clove Bud
Fill rest of bottle with high quality Fractionated Coconut Oil*
Shake, label, and enjoy!

*I filled the bottle 3/4 of the way.

Wild Orange aka The Oil of Abundance

• Energizing
• Revitalizing
• Promotes feelings of joy, spontaneity, and creativity

Peppermint aka The Oil of a Buoyant Heart

• Energy boost
• Can help ease feelings of tension
• Promotes clarity and optimism
• Promotes strength to face emotional pain

Clove Bud aka The Oil of Boundaries

• Warming and invigorating
• Promotes feelings of integrity and courage
• Empowering

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Why You Should Make 365 Resolutions for 2016

I was tempted to just tell you NOT to make any New Year’s resolutions...

I was tempted to tell you NOT to make any but then I realized that isn't really the point I want to make. I do think we should make resolutions but not on the first day of a new year - scratch that - not just on the first day of the year, I think we should make them daily. Here’s why...

Have you made New Year’s resolutions before? Did you stick to them? 

If you didn’t, did you feel guilty? Did you shame yourself when you didn’t keep up your new habit or didn’t reach the goal you set? That’s the worst right? I shame myself all the time, I didn’t even realize I was doing it until a few weeks ago when I attended an amazing workshop where one of the topics discussed was shame. For instance, part of my job is to do research, make graphics, update my website - like a bunch of computer stuff. So basically, some days I drop the kids at school and do nothing more than “play” on the computer. I sit there, doing actual work, that I just so happen to actually enjoy, and I find that I am allowing this little voice in my head to tell me I should be doing something else, that what I am doing is not right; like I should do the laundry or I should do the dishes or I should be keeping the kids home with me. Why? Because I have a job I enjoy and I work from home? Yeah...that is why.

I’ve realized something about myself...

I’ve had a million different jobs and many of them have been the kind that elicit the “oh, must be nice” response from people based on assumptions they’ve made about what I do. Years of getting that response every time I told somebody my occupation led me to start justifying and apologizing for my job - weird, right? Anyway, I’ve realized that I shame myself because at some point I decided that I wasn’t what I “should” be and I’m guessing that was the moment when this exhausting inner conflict was created - the little inner voice of shame.

Now, back to New Year’s resolutions.

I guess I have an aversion to New Year's resolutions because I feel like we place them on a pedestal and that pedestal has the potential to cast shade - Shame Shade. Our resolutions can be awesome and drive us to accomplish our goals and become better, stronger, healthier versions of ourselves. But, if we get caught in the Shame Shade of our BIG New Year’s resolutions it can have the opposite effect. It can be exhausting and draining and cause an unnecessary inner conflict that doesn't do us any good (like me with my weird occupation justifications).

So, this year, don't do it!

Don’t make those big bad New Year’s resolutions, make daily or weekly resolutions. Make small resolutions that give you more control and empower your choices everyday rather than shame you and tear you down. Allow yourself the freedom to evaluate your progress and reevaluate your resolutions. Every day is a new day and you have the power to make your life whatever you want it to be by consistently making decisions that are true to you and true to what you want. People change, allow yourself the room to learn and grow. And, most of all, be kind to yourself. HAPPY NEW YEAR!


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