Families

Beat the Winter Blues with Essential Oils

Some winter blues are normal for us Northerners….short days and looooong, dreary nights.
It used to be every February I would really start to suffer emotionally. Lack of motivation, just feeling really blah.
Then somebody introduced me to essential oils and winters haven’t been the same since.

I diffuse Citrus oils to help life my mood. Something about the sunshine and citrus that seem to go hand in hand. Citrus Bliss is my favorite.
I use the Motivate or Cheer roller bottles blend for easy application to my wrists.
If I am wearing a scarf, I will even roll them on it so I have a personal diffuser right under my nose.

I will also put the citrus oils in my diffuser. The amount you use will depend on the size of your diffuser and room you are using it in. Usually 2-4 drops.

If using the citrus oils topically, take care to not have that skin exposed to sunlight.

It goes without saying that eating a healthy diet is also a huge help with keeping those blues at bay. Lower your sugar intake and eating a clean diet will help with your mood as well.

What are some ways you help the winter blues?

Reduce your Toxic Load

by Coach Katey Leave a Comment

Toxic Free Living

Did you know you can clean with essential oils too?
They have lots of great cleansing properties.
I am all about natural, fewer toxins in our home.
Do you know how many toxins are in your home? The same toxins that you expose your children too?
They are in your shampoo. In your air fresheners. Your laundry soap.
I have been using natural cleaners for about 3 or 4 years. Now I can’t even walk down the cleaner aisle without getting a headache.
Perfume section of a department store is completely out of the question.
The long term effects of these cleaners are horrific. They can cause cancer,asthma, allergies, and infertility. This isn’t even a complete list. Why hasn’t the FDA cracked down on cleaners instead of going after people who want to make soap in their own kitchen? I know it’s the EPA that regulates cleaning supplies.

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Here are a few super easy DIY recipes you can make at home. Some say but I don’t have time or money. I can honestly say DIY is cheaper. It also healthier. You either pay with your time now or the doctor later.

Homemade Febreeze

I use 8-10 drops of purification blend in a brown, glass spray bottle.
Fill the rest of the bottle with water and you are good to go. I use this everyday, especially where the dog sleeps. It is a great, fresh scent and best part no headache!

Replace your Lysol

Protective Blend has been proven to be effective in keeping us healthy.
2 TBSP On Guard Concentrate in large spray bottle full of water (Or 8-10 drops of oil in 8oz of water)
Excellent for countertops in the kitchen and bathroom.
I also use this for toilet and tub. Safe for kids to use too. (I am all about child labor in this house)

Carpet Deodorizer

2-3 Drops of your choice of oil. I like Purify blend or any of the citrus oils
1-2 Tbsp of baking soda (depending on size of room)
Stir together
Sprinkle on Carpet
Let sit for 5 or 10 minutes
Vacuum

Homemade Lip Balm

1 oz Beeswax
2T. Coconut Oil
1T. Shea Butter
1T. Cocoa Butter
20 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

more instructions

Shaving Cream

1/3 C. Coconut Oil
2T. Almond Oil
1/3 C Shea Butter
2 T Castille Soap
10-20 Drops EO of choice. I used Clove.

More instructions

**********************************************************
Thank you for using affiliate links and such.
It doesn’t cost you extra to use them, so thank you.
Sometimes I get free stuff to review.
I promise you I will always be honest with my opinion
of any product regardless of if I were paid in addition
to receiving the free product. You can trust me.
**********************************************************
Do you need Essential Oils of your own?
You can send me an e-mail and I will personally assist
you in choosing the best oils to fit your needs.
You can also visit my store.
**********************************************************
Please use discretion if using oils.
I am not a doctor and can not diagnose or treat what ails ya.
I can just give my advice. Essential Oils have yet to be
approved by the FDA.
**********************************************************

Essential Emotions #3

by Coach Katey Leave a Comment

I’m tired of cleanses that falsely claim to bring “life-long vitality” and “overnight success” and I feel bad for the people who fall victim to this mentality only to be upset after not seeing the promised claims.

The truth is THERE IS NO ONE CLEANSE THAT WORKS OVERNIGHT to make you like superman or superwoman. It takes time, daily effort, and a life-long commitment to altering your lifestyle.

A content mind and a strong heart start with a consistently clean and properly nourished gut. (Remember the “3 brains” I posted shortly before)

Did you know that digestive functions are scientifically linked to mood fluctuations?
CRAPPY FOOD = CRABBY MOOD!

It is important to have a regular rhythm of cleansing for your gut because this will help restore healthy physical function AND it is necessary for clear thinking and maintaining a balanced mood. I want to reiterate a state that I shared earlier…

90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut!

dōTERRA® has an extremely powerful and effective protocol for you to incorporate into your life with the goal of cleansing your gut, clearing your mind, and improving your mood.

*PB Assist – Offers a unique, safe, and effective way to deliver the well-recognized digestive and immune system support benefits of probiotics

*TerraZyme – Includes a variety of whole-food enzymes that help with the digestion of proteins, fats, complex carbohydrates, sugars, and fiber.

*GX Assist – Provides a natural but powerful cleanse of the GI tract.

*Lemon oil – Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion

*Zendocrine Detoxification Blend – Supports the healthy cleansing and filtering functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin

In addition to the gut cleanse from above, make wise food choices and move your body during the day – both of these activities will support the consistency of your mood.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

As an human-being, I know how stressful life can be.

One minute things can be just peachy while the next minute everything can feel like things are falling apart. It’s in these moments where I’m more-than-grateful to have essential oils by my side.

They are like my fuel….
If I need a boost in confidence, I diffuse Frankincense.
If I need a boost in courage, I massage Peppermint on my wrists.
If I need to calm down, I pop open the Serenity Blend.

I always recommend using dōTERRA® Balance blend which contains Frankincense.

Here are a variety of ways to use this powerful oil:

– Wake up each morning and put Balance on the bottom of your feet to promote feelings of calmness and tranquility through your day.

– Apply dōTERRA® Balance to your wrists and neck whenever you have feelings of uneasiness or stress.
– Hidden Gem!!!! Diffuse in your car during road trips to create a calming, soothing environment.

A few moments of quick thinking with essential oils and I’m back to being my best self.
Cool, calm, and collected, ready to overcome the problem and maintain my mood.

**********************************************************
Thank you for using affiliate links and such.
It doesn’t cost you extra to use them, so thank you.
Sometimes I get free stuff to review.
I promise you I will always be honest with my opinion
of any product regardless of if I were paid in addition
to receiving the free product. You can trust me.
**********************************************************
Do you need Essential Oils of your own?
You can send me an e-mail and I will personally assist
you in choosing the best oils to fit your needs.
You can also visit my store
**********************************************************
Please use discretion if using oils.
I am not a doctor and can not diagnose or treat what ails ya.
I can just give my advice. Essential Oils have yet to be
approved by the FDA.
**********************************************************

25 Family Friendly Games

by Coach Katey Leave a Comment

I am teaming up with a few of my friends from the Green Mom Bloggers Network. Our Top 25 choices for Christmas.
I chose Family Friendly Games. We own most of the ones on this list. We have been a homeschool family for a little over 9 years so the majority of these are educational.

These are in no particular order

Say Anything
Every player answers a fun question like “What’s the worst thing to say to a cop after getting pulled over?” or “Who’s the most annoying celebrity in show business?” Then players try to choose which answer the judge will like best.

Settlers of Catan
Every player answers a fun question like “What’s the worst thing to say to a cop after getting pulled over?” or “Who’s the most annoying celebrity in show business?” Then players try to choose which answer the judge will like best.

Stratego
Two armies face off in a battle to capture the flag.who will taste victory? Form a battle plan, use your bombs, and be cleverly deceptive to defeat your opponent and capture the flag!

Postcards from America
Postcards from America is a unique game where the players learn geography by traveling to cities and other locations based on actual postcards. Inventor Bill Rolette used 64 postcards from his continental travels to create this game, which is fun for both kids and adults. Made in Germany for Ages 6 and up.

Apples to Apples
The name of the game is a play on the phrase “apples to oranges,” and the game is about making comparisons between different things. General game play is as follows: players are dealt red cards which have a noun printed on them, and the judge (a different player in each turn) draws a green card on which an adjective is printed and places it for all players to see. Each player then chooses a red card they are holding that they think best describes the green card. The judge then decides which adjective she likes best.

Wits and Wagers
Wits & Wagers is history’s most award-winning party game. Why does everyone love Wits & Wagers? Because you don’t need to know the answers to win! First, everyone writes down a guess to a fun question like “How many people have walked on the moon?” Then players try to score points by choosing which guess is closest to the right answer.

Mexican Train
Mexican Train Dominoes is a popular game where participants work to play the dominoes in their hand onto one or more chains (or trains) emanating from a central hub station.

Ticket to Ride
October 2, 1900 – it’s 28 years to the day that noted London eccentric, Phileas Fogg accepted and then won a bet that he could travel “Around the World in 80 Days.” Now, at the dawn of the century, some old friends have gathered to celebrate Fogg’s impetuous and lucrative gamble – and to propose a new wager of their own. The stakes: $1 million in a winner-takes-all competition. The objective: to see the most cities in North America – in just 7 days. Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure game. Players collect train cards that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn.

Farkle
Become a Farkle fanatic with this Classic Dice-Rolling, Risk-Taking Game that comes with score pads. Take a risk and keep rolling to build your score. Or play it safe so you don’t lose your points in a Farkle. It’s a fight to the finish in this fabulously fun game of strategy and luck

Rummikub
It’s hard to find family games that are fun and challenging for both kids and adults, but Rummikub fills the bill on all counts. The rules are simple, the game is varied, and the fun is free for everyone!

RISK
Lead your troops. Take a risk. Rule the world. Rally your armies to march across continents. Carefully craft your strategy—you’ll face your opponents on the field of battle and they’ll give the fight everything they’ve got. Keep advancing until you’ve defeated all of your foes and taken over the world. Strategic game of “global” domination pits you against your opponents to try to take over the world.

HedBanz
Spice up your family game night with the Hedbanz Board Game, a fun, fast-paced, and simple question game that everyone aged 6 and up can enjoy

Name that Country
“Dear Pen Pal, Konnichi wa! We’ve been to see Mt. Fuji. Name my country! Sayonara, Michiko.” Challenge your group with this fast-paced geography game.

Munchkin
You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab magic items. And what magic items. Don the Horny Helmet and the Boots of Butt Kicking. Wield the Staff of Napalm or maybe the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment. Start by slaughtering the Potted Plant and the Drooling Slime, and work your way up to the Plutonium Dragon. *We tried to play this one. We have many people who love. We need to go play a round with them. It was hard for us to learn

Mancala
Prepare kids for more complex abstract strategy games

Enchanted Forest
Explore a magical kingdom with your favorite fairy tales in Ravensburger’s Enchanted Forest board game. This game, recommended for children ages six and up, lets you travel through forests and towns to find magical items from common fairy tales scattered across the kingdom.

Morphology
Morphology is a fun, creative and challenging party board game combining simple shapes, your imagination and creativity. Using wooden sticks, glass beads and colored cubes how would you create a “butterfly” or “airplane”. Now try doing it with your eyes closed or using only the string

HiHo Cherry O
Preschoolers have so much fun picking fruit to fill their baskets, they don’t even realize they’re developing and practicing math skills such as counting, addition and subtraction! Take turns picking pretend cherries, blueberries and apples from your tree and put them in your basket. Be the first to pick all the fruit from your tree and win! When it comes to a fruity fun way to sharpen kids’ math skills, you couldn’t “pick” a better game!

Life
Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything’s possible with a spin of the Life wheel!

Clue
The suspects you know, in the mansion you remember, with the weapons you love. Ages 8 and Up. 3-6 Players. Game board. 6 suspect tokens. 6 weapons. Deck of suspect. Weapon and room cards. Confidential case file. Detective notebook pad. Die and riles.

Chutes and Ladders
Going up the ladders and down the chutes, a child will learn (by the pictures) the rewards of good deeds and the consequences of naughty ones.

Yahtzee
The object of the game is to score the most points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations. The dice can be rolled up to three times in a turn to try to make one of the 13 possible scoring combinations

Boggle
Boggle, the world-famous 3-minute word game

Checkers

Uno
America’s No.1 brand of family game. See why this color coded card game is such a popular brand of family game. Be the first player or team to score 500 points. Points are scored by being the first to rid yourself of all the cards in your hand before your opponents.

Monopoly

Battleship

You probably thought you were going to MamaKautz.com. Well, you have. Kind of. It is still me, just me with a new Mission and Purpose.
I hope you will stick around. I am glad you are here!

If You Give a Mom and Oil

by Coach Katey 5 Comments

If you say “Here, smell this” the mom decides “oh those smell nice.”

So the mom goes home and tells the dad and he says ok, but only a few….

So the mom orders a few oils “just to have on hand”….

If you give a mom an oil to have on hand, she will use the oils…..

If she uses the oils, they will work, and she will need more…..

If you give a mom more oil, she decides she she needs a box to hold them in…

If she gets a box to hold them in, she decides she needs to fill it up….

If she fills it up, she decides she needs to share her oils…

If she shares her oils with a friend and that friend shares oils with a friend, she ends up getting a paycheck!

If she gets a paycheck she decides, “Hey maybe I could do this as a business”…..

If she decides to build a business, she then decides to teach a class on how to use oils…

If she decides to teach a class on how to use oils, she finds she likes helping people learn about oils…..

If she likes helping people learn about oils, she then decides she wants to become a Silver and set goals, and ACHIEVE them….

If she wants to become a Silver, and set goals, she drags her hubby to a convention 700 miles away….

If she goes to convention she becomes really motivated, and loves her company even more when she gets home. She also made friends, who also love oils, and she feels like she has found “her people”

If she becomes motivated she decides she wants to Go Diamond and the sky is the limit on her goals.

If she achieves goals she realizes she CAN do it, and she wants everybody to have an oil so they can feel as good as she does.

**********************************************************
Thank you for using affiliate links and such.
It doesn’t cost you extra to use them, so thank you.
Sometimes I get free stuff to review.
I promise you I will always be honest with my opinion
of any product regardless of if I were paid in addition
to receiving the free product. You can trust me.
**********************************************************
Do you need Essential Oils of your own?
You can visit my store.
**********************************************************
Please use discretion if using oils.
I am not a doctor and can not diagnose or treat what ails ya.
I can just give my advice. Essential Oils have yet to be
approved by the FDA.
**********************************************************