The Girl’s Ruffle Dress from Pillowcase by: Tiffany Bird of Simply Modern Mom was really easy to follow. Pretty much if I can do it, any one can.

Here are pics of the finished product.

About On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste.

TASTES GREAT (mild cinnamon taste), kills bacteria and germs, reduces plaque, and strengthens, whitens, and polishes teeth. (Fluoride-and harsh abrasive-free) This yummy toothpaste contains OnGuard essential oil and is safe and beneficial for everyone!
dōTERRA’s fluoride-free Natural Whitening Toothpaste combines the protective benefits of dōTERRA’s proprietary On Guard® blend of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils with other natural ingredients that help strengthen teeth, reduce plaque and whiten teeth with gentle polishing agents.

The On Guard® blend of wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils provides a first line of defense against germs and other pathogens that can infect the mouth and throat. Additional essential oils of peppermint and wintergreen and the natural sweetener xylitol give On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste a refreshingly unique cinnamon-mint flavor leaving breath (and toothbrush) fresh and clean throughout the day.

The Concept
The human mouth is filled with bacteria and germs. Some are friendly microbes that help digest food and ward off harmful pathogens entering the body through the mouth, while others are pathogenic microbes that can cause oral infection and disease. Tooth decay is also caused by microbial activity in the mouth when bacteria break down sugars into acidic by-products that destroy tooth enamel creating cavities. Brushing, flossing and rinsing after eating helps to remove acids and other components of plaque on the teeth caused by bacteria. Managing microbial growth in the mouth also supports healthy gums.

Toothpastes and oral washes are usually formulated to help with plaque removal and killing harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Fluoride is also used to help with the strengthening of tooth enamel. However, a growing concern with the side effects of fluoride has caused consumers to look for other tooth re=mineralization products. Furthermore, mouth washes that use high levels of harsh alcohols to kill germs have also come under scientific scrutiny for their potential to disrupt the sensitive balance and function of healthy microbial activity in the mouth.

dōTERRA’s On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste promotes a healthy oral environment without the use of fluoride or alcohol. Instead, it employs a blend of pure essential oils to help strengthen oral defenses against harmful microbes and uses gentle, safe ingredients that help with plaque removal and that polish and whiten teeth naturally.

On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpase includes calcium hydroxyapatite, a safe alternative to fluoride that helps strengthen dental enamel by restoring equilibrium of tooth re=mineralization. It also includes hydrated silica, a gentle abrasive that helps remove plaque and brighten teeth during brushing. One part a defense against harmful germs and bacteria entering through the mouth, one part tooth enamel strengthener, and one part gentle cleanser and whitener, On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste is an excellent foundational product for complete oral health.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TOOTHPASTE TODAY!!

Primary Benefits

• On Guard® protective blend of essential oils provides natural germ protection
• Supports strong teeth and healthy gums
• Naturally whitens teeth by removing stains with gentle polishing agents

What Makes This Product Unique?

• Formulated with CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils
• Proprietary formula that is free of harsh abrasives, alcohol and fluoride
• Formulated according to dōTERRA’s “NONE OF THE BAD” philosophy, meaning it does not contain artificial colors, diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde donors, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), toluene, or triethanolamine (TEA). Product not tested on animals

Key Ingredients

• Proprietary On Guard® essential oil blend of wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary that clean and freshen breath while providing natural protection against germs and other harmful microbes in the mouth
• Myrrh essential oil that provides soothing protection for the mouth, gums, and throat
• Peppermint essential oil that functions as a natural germ-fighting agent and, combined with the On Guard essential oil blend, leaves your breath cinnamon-mint fresh
• Calcium hydroxyapatite clinically shown to support strong teeth through re-mineralization of surface tooth enamel
• Natural xylitol sweetener that tastes great while promoting oral health
• Hydrated silica, a natural abrasive that helps remove plaque and tooth stains, but gentle enough to not damage tooth enamel

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TOOTHPASTE TODAY!!

Nothing says “spring” more than the crisp, bright and sweet scent of Grapefruit. Its Latin name – citrus paradisi – is such a perfect choice for an aroma that conjures up the warm sunny climes of coastal states and countries where it is grown. Unlike most essential oils in our dōTERRA collection, Grapefruit is created through cold expression, or squeezing of the rind of the fruit, not from the fruit itself.

Spring Cleaning on Our Inside

I love how nature offers us the perfect choice each season. For instance, Grapefruit is ideal to diffuse this month for its antidepressant and stimulating qualities. 

It also helps the body detoxify the liver and do its own “spring cleaning” when taken internally because it moves the lymphatic system and acts as a natural diuretic for excess fluid the body may be holding. I love a few drops of it a water bottle for the fresh taste but also because it truly has an ability to curb appetite.

 Spring Cleaning on Our Outside

It makes the perfect combination to reduce winter’s tightening hold on our muscles when we include it in massage blends and body lotions to improve lymphatic flow, reduce muscle contractions and put its antispasmodic properties to good use (Grapefruit is found in the dōTERRA AromaTouch Blend.) Unlike most citrus oils, Grapefruit is not of concern to have on your skin in the sun.

Had too much fun at a party last night? Combining Grapefruit and Rosemary in a bath is suggested to relieve a hangover.

You’ll also notice that the astringent quality of Grapefruit makes it a wonderful choice for those with oily skin and acne.

Spring Cleaning the House

Grapefruit is a powerful antiseptic and astringent oil that works beautifully to clean kitchens and baths when mixed with water and vinegar.

For a delightful aromatic combination combine it with other essential oils (other citrus oils or rosemary, cypress, white fir, lavender or ylang ylang).  

Overall, Grapefruit does many, many things we want this time of year…it is uplifting to the spirits, cleansing to the entire body system, and is stimulating for thoughts and emotion – helping to alleviate stress, depression, nervous exhaustion and tension.

If you want to purchase some of doTERRA’s Grapefruit essential oil contact me or click here.

Keep out of Direct Sunlight

Although dōTERRA oils are distributed in amber-colored bottles to minimize the light, it is suggested that you keep them out of direct sunlight at all times to extend their shelf-life.

Store in a Cool Dark Place

Storing them in a dark and cool place helps protect them from harmful heat. Think about a covered box or dark bag that can become the place you store the oils you use less frequently. Also note that it is suggested that you avoid storing them in your car or bathroom or anyplace where humidity varies. I keep mine in an antique box on the counter in the bathroom and keep the overflow of oils in a box under the bathroom sink.

Replace the Lid

Remember to replace the lid on the oil bottle right after use. The oils are volatile substances that can evaporate if left to the open air.  If you’re traveling – remember to “lock down” each bottle carefully before putting them in a suitcase as the effects of pressurization on an airplane can make for one aromatic mess if the bottles leak!  It is also suggested that you put your container of oils inside your suitcase for air travel, but put a few layers of plastic bags around that container as well so if there was a leak, it wouldn’t be a problem.

This time Josh is sick instead of me. Thank goodness! I was out 3 days last time. The count this time is Josh, Gwen, and Cora are down. Mable, Henry, and myself up and doing well.

For those of us that have not been affected yet, our essential oil protocol is Clove and Oregano. We used OnGuard and Oregano last time but I wanted to try Clove since it has antiviral properties and the ability to purify blood which increases your resistance to diseases. A drop of each on our feet morning and night worked last time for Mable, Henry and Josh so I assume it should work for the kids again as well as for me.

For Josh, Gwen, and Cora who are sick the protocol is Clove, Oregano, Peppermint, Breathe, White Fir, and Lavender.  Peppermint is for the fever for the girls; to cut the burn of oregano and clove in the gel cap; and to mix with lavender for a relaxing back rub. Lavender for pain. Breathe and White Fir for congestion and to ward off a respiratory infection (common in the dry cold weather climates).

The key is consistency and since I am at work I have to call and make sure the oils are being used every couple of hours.

Cora is a little better today but I think that is because we I got some very nice quality time with her last night. We did oils, she took a nice bath and we cuddled on the couch. I think the mom factor is powerful as well.

UPDATE – I was not hit with the flu this time! I think it was the clove oil I used this time. 

To reverse these symptoms we need to create a parasympathetic response in our nervous system.  We can look for essential oils that calm and ground us, helping to regain our happiness and emotional stability. One of the most powerful combinations of calming and grounding oils is the dōTERRA Balance Blend — Frankincense, Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy. Within a few short minutes of topical application, this fantastic combination of aromas rapidly bring a positive attitude, feelings of peace and calm. Once it takes effect, expect that “pain in the neck” to dissipate and your stomach to calm down. Balance Blend is best applied to the feet, back of the neck, solar plexus and heart area. Apply it in combination with other oils or blends from dōTERRA and enjoy its ability to amplify the effects on your body, mind and spirit.

Click here to watch a video about the effect Balance can have on blood.

Balance is available Retail for $26.67 and Wholesale for $20.00

I have been asked to guest blog for thesurvivalmama. So for a while I will post them here as well. At lest that will keep me thinking about the things I want to share with the world.

Here is the first entry for survivalmama:

Hi Survival Mama fans!
I was asked to guest blog about our (almost grossly) transition from ultimate suburban consumerism to small town homesteading. The transition for me has been awesome and scary. Most of all I have had some paradigm shifts over the past year that have completely change my view of food, living, health and God.

I started writing out a list of things I’d like to share with you and as the organized list grew and I had more and more “OH and then there is the blah blah blah”, I thought wow! what has my life become? I literally had to sit down and gather myself. So, in the next set of blogs I give to Survival Mama, I am going to outline what we do, why it is important to us, and then what I think the un-crazy can do without going (for a lack of a better term) “balls out” to achieve a similar outcome for maximum impact.

So here we go with a brief history.

As with most urbanites who fell into the popular and chic organic trend (around 2001), I too started recycling religiously and buying the essential organic products (milk, fruit, cleaning products). I worked these expensive items into my budget and felt like I was on the cutting edge of saving the earth and being healthy. However, I didn’t know why except that this felt right and well…I was one of the cool kids.

Fast forward to 2005 when I met my boyfriend Josh and his kids. He has 2 girls and a boy. I got him to recycle more and switch to organic milk (because I felt strongly that the less hormones in milk the better for the young girls). He in turn got me to think about food and meals in a more rounded way. We spent time preparing healthy meals, eating all meals as a family, not eating in the car, as well as making our own yogurt, bread, and granola.

Our daughter was born in 2008, and then I became obsessed with the impact diapers have on the environment as well as all the OTC baby/children’s medicines that continued to have recalls (and still do). Enter cloth diapers and essential oils. I saw an amazing impact that essential oils had on my family and started selling doTERRA essential oils (www.mydoterra.com/revellie). I know run a successful essential oil business and get to share the amazing health benefits of doTERRA’s oils and products.

Next, in late summer 2009, NPR ran a story about backyard chickens. Josh liked the story and shared it with me. I thought chickens sounded fabulous and ran with the idea. I read all about the care and keep of chickens and even got the kids on board (which wasn’t that hard). Then Josh changed his mind. It was put on hold for about a week or so until NPR ran another story about chickens and he was in. We got our first set of 4 chickens from Christy at SunnyBrooke Farm (www.sunnybrookefarm.com).  We added 4 more at Thanksgiving and have enjoyed farm fresh eggs ever since.

You would have to know Josh to know that it could never be as simple as a few chickens. When he does something he does it to the fullest (but that it a book in and of itself!). So between Thanksgiving and May 2010 we added 3 goats, got in trouble with zoning, and moved to a half acre in Riverton. We know have 30 chickens, 5 turkeys (down from 20), 5 ducks, 1 guinea, 4 goats, 1 pig, 5 rabbits, and our trusty dog. We also make most of our food choices from local sources as well as sprout indoors in the winter.

Whew! It’s been crazy to say the least. And so, over the next few blogs I would like to take you through the choices of animals and lifestyle that we have made and give you ideas on how to make small changes (you don’t have to go to our extreme) to live and eat healthy as well as think more local about your purchases. I have a outline but if anything I wrote sparked you interest, I will change it up to meet your needs.

I look forward to the next blog in a month.

In addition, my friends daughter said she would host healingmom’s Pit Stop deodorant in her salon!! I added some new scents this evening. We have been using Wild Orange and Ginger and love it. But I also made one using doTERRA’s Whisper as well as a Lemon Peppermint scent.

I woke up to all 16 turkeys having escaped. I couldn’t do anything about it until after milking Olivia (our wonderful Nubian goat). I just had to sit in the milking parlor and listen to the neighborhood full of turkeys squawking. Once I was done, I set out to find which directions they had gone. Only one had made it to the usual yard, one had made it to another goats pen, 5 into the yard on the other side of us, 2 more into a yard 2 houses down and the rest had found their ways to various parts of our own yard. I rounded up all but 4 to begin with then I made my trek through the neighborhood. I must have been a sight at 7am hair not brushed, orange muck lucks, red fleece, and carrying a blanket with teddy bears on it, mascara under my eyes, and cursing!).

I finally had all but 2 plus the one in our goat pens. I lost one when someone let out their dog. The other one with that one was so scared she found her way to the corner of someone’s property that borders ours. I watched that thing for almost 2 hours run into the chain link fence over and over again. How come turkeys can fly away but can not remember to fly back? Seriously questioning how turkeys survive!

I spent most of the rest of the day chasing down turkeys in our yard and clipping their flight feathers.

I did want to spend the day at the doTERRA conference but the turkeys had another plan.

We moved to Riverton, a small town on the out skirts of Salt Lake City. We bought a house on a half acre  and have been stocking the yard with animals and plants. We now have 2 baby goats, a milking goat, 5 rabbits (3 are for meat production), 16 turkeys, 2 ducks, a dog and an ailing 5 year old gerbil. We even ended up with a pretty great garden even though we planted a little late!

Josh does most of the animal chores but he does have to leave town every so often and then I get to do the chores. It makes me appreciate him so much because, wow!, it is a lot of work. He is really organized though and all the animals food is portioned out and labeled, which makes it a lot easier.

Tonight, I figured out how to re-program the sprinklers because a sprinkler head broke. I can’t fix the sprinkler but I learned I can turn that section of the yard off. I am just glad it was not in the garden.

Next week we are going to pick a name for our little farm. We have been tossing back a lot of ideas and not really ever picking one so I told Josh that Monday we will have a meeting and pick a name. I am creating a list of 10 names (it’s in my purse and I don’t feel like getting up right now).

My goal is to continue to blog so we have a working journal of the farm’s progress.