For the past three years I have been using essential oils within my family, but the journey began even earlier than that. When I fell pregnant with my baby girl I felt so empowered, like a big mumma lion, to keep her safe. I wanted to make sure that the food I was putting into my body to feed her was of the purest-est (give and take a few cravings), that my health was elevated by exercising and that I was only putting pure natural products onto my skin, being that it was going to be her house for the next nine months. I naturally gave away the perfume, which wasn't hard because I had actually been living a holistic lifestyle leading up to my pregnancy, but I took it a little further, introducing some nice body oil products that used essential oils to support that forever growing tummy. Daily I used my belly rub, and I put my oil in my little oil burner daily, to support my moods and create a happy home for my partner and myself.

During my labour, pre-doTERRA, I took into the birthing ward my electric oil burner but I didn't get to turn it on, I had my lavender essential oil, room spray, aromatherapy body wash scented with Jasmine, yum, and my belly rub. Each time a midwife entered the room they loved the way the room felt and where automatically relaxed. My mum came in during the labour to support me and used the lavender on the flannel to help calm and soothe my feelings and my nausea. I loved having with me essential oils although a small amount, but it still created a beautiful memory on what was one of the best days of my life. We carried on using the oils at home, a friend brought me a calm child blend and I would put that in the oil burner for the little lady and myself. I would go to the health food store a couple of times a week and purchase oils with what I could afford. I dabbled here and there and supported my emotions with these incredible smells. Then I met doTERRA.... and we fell in love at first sight!

I was scrolling through Instagram one day and came across this stunning picture of bergamot essential oil and the emotional benefits and I was in awe, I needed that oil, so I contacted the person, Karen. We hooked up for a chat over the phone and my very low budget grew overnight. You see, I was a single parent at the time on a very low income and in a very unstable environment, but I knew that I still had that strong calling to support my little girl naturally and through my past experience with essential oils I knew that they worked and where a great support and, f*** if all else failed I knew they smelt amazing! So I bought my kit, which came from the United States at the time, and I have never looked back. It arrived on a day when my little girl, two at the time, was really unwell. I grabbed my spaceship looking diffuser (things have evolved since then) plugged it in, dropped in this oil called "On Guard" the protective blend. Soon my daughter was up, active and happy, for a short amount of time, before going back to rest!! I was soooo happy, this spicy citrus oil made my heart skip a beat, which it hadn't done in so long. From that very moment I grabbed my books and began empowering myself with each essential oil and how I could use them around the home. I had no idea that essential oils could be used in so many different ways and that doTERRA was a Certified Therapeutic Grade which meant I could use them topically, aromatically and internally (please seek guidance first). I began making my own cleaning products, skin care, because I couldn't afford much but yet rewarded myself with the incredible essential oils (lavender and frankincense, amazing). I felt supported in my moods and most of all protected. There were days that where super bloody tough, parenting was the easy part, surviving was what was hard. So I found great respite in putting my diffuser on with citrus oils, comforting blends, and loved having a lavender-infused bath with my daughter.

I went back to study as a health coach and worked two separate jobs so I could support my daughter, and to keep me social as I found being a single parent very isolating. Intune, the focus blend, basil and peppermint became very close friends with me, helping me to stay focused and pick me up when my energy was low, and then my frankincense and Balance, to bring me back down at the end of a long shift. I didn't mind what they cost, I saw the true value in the essential oils from day one PLUS they reduced the costs around my home is so many ways, from health to general home bills. For three years I have ordered monthly using the loyalty reward program, and my family would agree that this is the longest time I have ever committed to something! I welcome the man who drops my parcel off with essential oils, and products that improve and support our well being, with excitement, not remorse, and my freebies, yes freebies.... they are super generous with their rewards program.

I began to open my heart again and to trust that everything was going to be OK, and reworked my inner soul to believe that I was beautiful, and loveable the way I was and that I do deserve the best. The night that I met my partner I wore the oil of the inner child, the beautiful ylang ylang that gave me the strength to have fun and confidence. Now he also gets to use the oils for supporting his airways, digestive complaints, skin and even asked if I had an oil for mozzies.......um duh of course...hehe, love ya!

If I was to keep writing and tell you how many times a day I use essential oils around the home, on my skin and for my mood and immune system, we would need a few hours together. The beauty of using essential oils in your life is that you add value, you teach the ones around you how to take action from a place of strength when making choices about your health and wellness, not from a place of worry and lack of control. You take a proactive approach to life and in return feel well, and when you don't feel well or worried, sick, tired, pissed off, annoyed, flat or generally ungrounded, you have support in an oil that you choose because you know what's best for yourself.

Play, have fun and use your oils, that's how we roll.....literally. And, as I write this these beautiful little oils have just gifted me something else, financial freedom. Now I am a full time business leader with doTERRA who has finally given away her single parenting income...now that is another blog post on its own me thinks

In love and health

Sammy

P.S ~ Here are some recipes that I just love, and have used over and over again during the past three years:

Love at first sight:

5ml Roller Bottle

3 Drops of Ylang Ylang

1 Drop of Myrhh

2 Drops of Grapefruit (avoid sunlight)

Top up with Fractionated coconut oil

Immune support

4 Drops of On Guard Essential Oil into a diffuser

* Add two drops of Frankincense to magnify if there are some terrible lurgies going around

Focus & Control

2 Drops of Basil

2 Drops of Wild Orange

2 Drops of Lemon

2 Drops of Peppermint

Add to a diffuser or to a 10ml roller bottle and apply when needed

Homemade face toner

5 Drops of Geranium, Frankincense, and Lavender into a small glass spritzer bottle. Top up with witch hazel, hello young vibrant skin.

Aromatic Body Oil Blend

This is by far the best ritual I have ever treated myself to. It is an incredible way to support the body on a cellular, emotional and self-care level.

10ml of your favourite carrier oil, I use Fractionated coconut oil by doTERRA as it leaves my skin feeling great and is well absorbed.

Select 2-3 of your favourite essential oils that will support you for how you are feeling on that day. A go-to blend and a favourite for many in the doTERRA love bubble, and is by my good friend, Vanessa Jean, is;

2 Drops of Frankincense

2 Drops of Wild Orange

2 Drops of Lavender

Add to your carrier oil and massage all over your body avoiding sensitive areas and direct sunlight. Congratulations you have just serviced your entire body with pure essential oils and are now ready to go

Babes will sleep

3 Drops of Peace doTERRA essential oil blend in the diffuser

October Specials below....

Open your very own wholesale account with an order with 125 product points and you will receive 50 free credit points into your account the following month! Yay hello free oils

10% off Peace - The reassuring blend. This blend is a great support for anxious feelings, sleep, public speaking, stress and we use it in our diffuser nightly to support the entire family.

To purchase your oils at a wholesale price head to: www.mydoterra.com/thewholewayhome

or book a phone call with Sammy to chat about your options hello@thewholewayhome.com.au

You will receive a beautiful welcome pack, email and access to The Inspired Tribe Community

Winter is here and it is time for us to hibernate, well maybe not hibernation as such because we are in the 21st century, but it is time to nurture and go within a little more than usual. I personally love winter as for me it brings shorter days so earlier to bed, warm comforting food and a time to catch up from the first half of the year. Does anyone else feel like that? As we step into July its almost a fall or flop, and a chance to just rest and catch our breathe.

Unfortunately with artificial heating, lighting, life and work requirements and the need to access food, goods and everything all year round, the human race is becoming more and more disconnected which leads to "dis-ease" and bodies and hormones that are distressed. In winter we should be embracing the slower days, reserving our energy and reconnecting with the natural rhythms of life so we feel rejuvenate and realigned with what is to come, and flourish in the following months.

In this first part of Embracing Winter Within I thought we would begin in the home as this is where we will be spending most of our time, nourishing and nurturing our bodies.

I begin each morning with this immune boosting tincture. It will support your digestion and your immune system by warming and gently detoxifying the liver.

Each morning, upon rising, set the intention to support your body with health and wellness and pour:

1/2 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 Squeeze of Lemon

Pinch of Cayenee pepper

Place into a tea cup and top up with water that is just off boiling point. Now sipping on this doesn't need to just happen in the morning you can use it any time of the day.

Caffeine

With the weather cooling down it is temping to have an extra cup of coffee throughout the day but in all honesty you really are doing more damage than what it is worth. In actual fact it puts an awful lot of stress on the body sending in into a flight or fight response. Picture it like this, if this helps when you have your second coffee, you are injecting straight adrenalin into your body that you most likely won't use, in actual fact you won't, one cup is always enough and because we are naturally slowing down in alignment and rhythm of winter, our body doesn't need that extra energy so it then puts pressure on your adrenal glands causing it to fatigue, and the scariest one, creates anxious feelings. Choose where possible warming drinks that will support your digestion. Beautiful herbal teas I love, Pukkah, Yogi tea, Turmeric Lattes, Chai Lattes and Green or white tea in moderation. Invite a friend around, grab your granny blankets out and sit and chat over a pot of tea.

In the kitchen:

Introducing some good quality ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil into your diet is very beneficial. Coconut oil is a powerful antimicrobial so will support the immune system during winter and ghee has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic tradition to support the body in healing and thriving. Both of these oils are very similar in many ways. They are fabulous to cook with having a high smoke point, support the body to cleanse, aid in weight loss, reduce the inflammation within the body and support bring more wellness into our lives. I personally have swapped over to ghee this week and cook all my dishes including: chicken, sauté veggies, add to rice dishes, scrambled eggs and will add a teaspoon to either my coffee of tea to help build my immune system.

Reduce the sugar intake, once again we want gentle energy going into the body and to help move past those cravings, begin to crowd in some more leafy greens. In Chinese medicine winter is a time to tonify the kidneys and look after the bones. Bone broths are highly recommended primarily to support the bones and immune system, but to also help calm the body when it is in a stress response or feeling ungrounded. It is also a good time to start cooking your meals over longer periods of time with less water and a lower heat to support the digestive system and this too will represent the energy you want your body to feel and align too. Below are some suggestions for foods, herbs and spices you might like to consider stocking your pantry with:

Reducing the toxins in your home is vital as we are spending more time indoors with less windows and doors open circulating lovely fresh air. Toxins in your home account for 90% of all reported poisonings each year. Not to mention increase in asthma and allergies Did you know the air in our homes are 2-5 times more toxic than the air outside? Most pollutants in our home come from chemical compounds that we use to clean our bodies and homes with. Making your own cleaning products are easy, cost effective and doesn't damage your health.

Isn't lighting a candle just joyous and such a beautiful ritual during winter on those darker cooler nights? I for one absoltuetlty love it as it promotes a calming environment and signifies to me that I have finished work for the day. My suggestion for you, if you are candle crazy like me, is to be mindful what they are made from and scented with. Most are made with a toxic paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned both are known carcinogens. Candles that are scented are generally scented with synthetic fragrances which carry undesired chemicals and cause more damage that really making your home smell nice should do. So where possible choose or make candles with bees wax and unscented steering away from synthetic fragrances. We enjoy some beeswax candles in our home and our diffuser (naturally, being oil addicts) to scent and create a calming environment.

Check out your local garden centre also and bring some of nature indoors not only do plants create natural life force they are oxygen promoting and break down toxins in the environment.

This wraps up part one of Embracing Winter Within. I look forward to bringing you some more rituals you can introduce and embrace with your mind, body and soul next time

For now you can read more about the benefits of essential oils here and follow along daily on instagram or Facebook.

For up coming events & classes head to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/the-whole-way-home-essential-oil-and-health-coaching-13372753565

Sammy xx

Looking to create a life with less discomfort and more alignment with vibrant health? Join Sammy on her quest to bring natural solutions into every day life. Begin today