Lavender...so much more than sachets!

Since I've become a mother, I've been using essential oils for all sorts of things. I started during my pregnancy, as I was preparing for childbirth. I was planning a natural childbirth and so began researching which essential oils could help me achieve my goals. I had several by my side during labor and deliver, to include Clary Sage, Jasmine and Lavender.  Once our baby girl came along, I've been using Tea Tree Oil in our homemade bum wipes; and when she had chest congestion this winter, I used a balm of Eucalpytus, Lavender, and Chamomile on her chest to help her breathe and sleep better.

Maybe I'll talk about the rest in future posts, but today, I want to talk about Lavender. We use it all of the time...or if you're like me, you used it before you even thought about essential oils. It came in sachets for my unmentionables (ha). I sprayed in onto my pillow in a pillow spray before bedtime! And I had it in all sorts of bath time goodness: bath bombs, bath oils, soaps and hair products! Now that I've entered the essential oils world (and, full disclosure, I've become an Independent Young Living Distributor)...I've learned so many of the benefits of this amazing essential oil...beyond just the relaxing scent!

Here are just a few of the great uses for lavender:

I've been eyeing a pin on Pinterest about lavender lemonade. It looks so good....it's purple! But, I am the worst at growing plants! I have tried to grow lavender several times, to no avail. I am chalking it up to living in hot climates...I've tried in both Texas and Miami. (It's surely not that I have no green thumb!) 

So, now that I have therapeutic grade lavender in Young Living's Essential Oils (and someone else is successfully doing the growing for me), I figured I have a chance to try it out. So, I looked at the pin and she uses sugar, fresh lavender and fresh lemons (and, GASP, food coloring for the purple color! I've been set up!!). Here is the recipe I used as a guide Centsational Girl's Lavender Lemonade.

I used Young Living Lavender Essential Oil, YL Lemon Essential Oil, and stevia extract. The first cup I made, I left out the stevia. It was fine until I reached the bottom of the glass...then it tasted a bit like soap. So, I added a few drops of stevia in the next glass, and I am in heaven. Not only does it taste amazing, but I also feel like I'm sitting on a hilltop overlooking fields of lavender in France. ;) And who would want to pass up these additional benefits:

 Lavender Essential Oils:

• Balance normal body functions
• Soothes and relaxes the mind and body
• Eases bodily tension and stress

Lemon Essential Oils:

• Boosts natural defenses
• Promotes energy and mental clarity
• Refreshing

Please be advised that I only recommend this with therapeutic grade Young Living Essential Oils. Not all EOs are created equally. You can check the packaging and see that many EOs are not meant to be ingested. But, most Young Living Oils can be ingested either neat (without diluting in oil or another carrier) or diluted. Check out my website on more information on Young Living products and feel free to contact me for any more information!

Now for the details:

Young Living Lavender Lemonade

2-3 Drops YL Lemon EO

2-3 Drops YL Lavender EO

2 or more drops (to taste) liquid stevia or powdered stevia to taste

24 oz. filtered water

Stir gently and pour over water for a refreshing drink! (And please accept my apologies for it not being purple.) 

Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. And this information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

HBBC Roll-Up Weeks 5-7

HBBC wrapped up this past weekend! While I haven't posted on my progress in a few weeks, that doesn't mean that I didn't continue working towards my goals (and meeting some - hehe). While my average weekly points went down quite a bit in weeks 5-7, I met my number one goal of eating my full servings of fruits and veggies every day during the challenge! So I score that as a SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE!

My first real Pregnancy Pic:
27 Weeks, Post Challenge!

HBBC Week #5 Roll-Up: 

Miles Run/Walk: 7Strength/Core Workouts: 4Yoga Practice/Stretching: 2Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 31.5

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Bonus Points: 8

Week 5 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Since I hadn't met this goal  

This week started off strong, Matt and I got to the gym Monday night after work and knocked out some cardio. But then it went downhill, Well, as we started getting sick and we had a little crud going on throughout weeks 5 and 6. Also, Matt did not get home from work as early as I'd expected for the rest of the week. So, most of my exercise was teaching my classes, walking the dog, and stretching! But still, better than nothing!

Surprise of the week: Basically, the cold surprised me and kept me on the couch for a lot of the week. :(

HBBC Week #6 Roll-Up: 

Miles Run/Walk: 4

Strength/Core Workouts: 2

Yoga Practice/Stretching: 5

Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 25

Bonus Points: 8

Week 6 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Week 5's goal carried over, since I didn't reach it)

Lots of couch time w/ Knight! ;P

Still sick and Matt was even more so. Again, workouts involved the Pump classes that I teach and then I stretched or did some yoga poses while watching tv to just get something in!

Surprise of the week: I was surprised how the pregnancy is affecting my muscles and ligaments, in that I still just feel a little too stretched from the hip opener focused yoga that I'd done a few weeks ago!

HBBC Week #7 Roll-Up: FINAL WEEK!!!

Miles Run/Walk: 5.57

Strength/Core Workouts: 3

Yoga Practice/Stretching: 4

Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 25.57

Bonus Points: 6

Week 7 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Again Weeks 5 and 6 goal carried over, since I didn't reach it...again ;P)

We finally started feeling well again this week (although I had a sleep hangover on New Year's Day from staying up too late and that has thrown my whole sleep schedule off). I was able to get back to the gym for BodyCombat and CXWORX and led a yoga class on Saturday that was packed and the energy was awesome!

Surprise of the week: I was still surprised at how the HBBC and group motivation was encouraging me to get out there even when I didn't want to! Whether it was the lure of points or feeling guilty when I saw all the other participants' activity, the HBBC helped to get me off the couch and out moving!

Veggies on my pizza!

Final wrap up: Huge Thank You you to Amanda @ RunToTheFinish for hosting such an amazing challenge! My overall goal going in was to use the motivation to force me to eat more whole fruits and veggies so that I can give all the needed nutrients to my Little Tuna growing in my belly! This challenge was definitely just what I needed. Whereas I entered my second trimester still not craving fruits and veggies, I am now going into my third craving them again! I can't eat enough berries, apples, and bananas. Even salads, broccoli, and green beans sound pretty tasty these days! I will be participating in the HBBC next year - and will consider the potential Spring challenge (only because it falls around my due date, but that really doesn't matter - still need to be somewhat active, right?)

Did you participate in the HBBC? What was the greatest benefit you gained from participating?

Are you wondering what the HBBC was? Well, check out this page and then plan on joining in on the fun, hopefully in the spring!!!