It worked!!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that our first attempt at getting a sick child better with only oils worked! I have used young living essential oils for other things of course - especially Ava's asthma which has been amazing. But I haven't had to use them for someone getting full on sick. And I'm still a believer in medicine too so don't get all nutty about it (for instance, if Tony needs to use his epi-pen, I'm not going to do a trial run with oils while he's sitting there with his throat closing).

But yesterday's attempt worked!

So she had a temp of 101 in the morning so I diluted two drops of YL (young living) peppermint oil and rubbed it on her spine. I also put thieves on her feet and diffused it as well. She also sounded a little stuffy so I put a drop of lavender down the bridge of her nose and some lemon on the sides of her neck. Within a couple of hours, temp was down to 98.5 and she wanted to eat and play. Then it went up a tad to 100 and later to 100.8 but my hubinero and later my mother put some peppermint under her armpits ever few hours. Also diffused some purification and lemon throughout the day. So when I got home from work, her temp was at 99 but she had this nasty cough. I immediately had flash backs to when she suddenly developed pneumonia last year so I started to get a little worried (that's what prompted me buy the premium starter kit last year). But I put some RC on her chest, diffused some more thieves and had her drink some tea with one drop of thieves. Later she took a bath with some baking soda and two drops of lavender.

Today she is fine and went to school. Her nose is a little runny but she hasn't freaking coughed once. And I am so happy because this is not typical for her when she gets sick like this. If she starts with a cough and fever, it has almost always developed into an infection and there we are getting antibiotics from the doctor. We all know our kids and how things typically go for them so this was awesome! Now, we did have the Tylenol ready if her temp went over 102.5 or so but we never needed it. I am thrilled! Saved me a large copay at the doctor and best of all, Ava didn't have to suffer for days.

Now, I do want to say I put a lot of effort into researching the oils I wanted to buy. Hands down it is Young Living. I do not use anything else. I have in the past - they don't work so that's why I wasn't a believer at first in essential oils. I just wanted to throw that out there in case you're thinking of running over to sprouts and grabbing a cheap bottle of peppermint off the shelves. Don't waste your money (or risk your health - those contain synthetics as well as other crazy additives). So anytime I talk about using oils, know that I only exclusively use Young Living.

I also want to put out there that we are also cautious about using them as well. I'm not just dousing my family members with it haphazardly and of course if you're on meds for other things, be wise about your health and talk to your doctor about using new remedies. I did a ton of research on what to use while pregnant. Ava knows not to just start opening bottles of my oils and using them - no way. Only mom or dad can touch them. We handle them the same way as medication. I'm constantly reading and learning. I'm taking charge of our health over here people! And I needed to - the side effects of Ava's asthma meds are long and some even insane yet I just gave them to her because the doctor told me to (even though they didn't work very well anyway). The more I learn about things, the more I want to be an advocate. Yesterday I read the warning label for children's Ibprophen - stomach bleeding. Really?!

And again - don't think I'm against doctors or medical professionals or medications - I'm not. I just so far haven't needed them in the past few months that I've used these oils. No one in my family has actually (now that I think about it). But do you think I'm going to pass up the epidural when I give birth in a few weeks because I'm thinking an oil will help me?! No way! Pass the epidural Mr. Anesthesiologist! So you see, I haven't gone crazy.

So now I'm just doing some preventative stuff for Ava now that she's getting over being sick. I sent her to school with RC on her chest and thieves on her feet and I'll probably do that for a few more days. And she even told me last night that she was so happy she didn't have to take any yucky medicine. Fun times all around!

-Emily

Oh for crying out loud

I am writing this because I am confused. I don't think I know what a contraction is versus a braxton hicks contraction versus cramps versus who-knows-what. I also don't even know if I spelled braxton hicks correctly, but whatever.

Everyday recently there is something going on with my uterus. First, I start to feel warm, and then like my stomach is tightening, which then makes it a little hard to take a breath. It lasts for about 1 minute - sometimes longer. It's not that it really hurts though. But it's not that I'm just sitting there relaxed either.

Yesterday I had quite a few in an hour but then they stopped and I went to sleep. So obviously, a child popping out was not the end result so that's why I think it's not a contraction. But I don't know if that's the right answer.

So today I called my doctor to ask for clarification as to what the difference is between a real contraction and a braxton hicks thing. I don't really think they had an answer either. They just kept telling me "if you have more than 6 contractions in an hour, then go to labor and delivery to get checked." To which I kept responding, "but is it a contraction or just one of those braxton hicks things?" And then they wouldn't answer me but instead ask me something else like "are you drinking water?" So then I would come back around again with the same question thinking they must not have understood me. And then again "go to labor and delivery if you have more than 6." Me: "More than 6 what? Braxton hicks things even though it may not be a contraction?" And again some random comment: "when's your birthdate?" I felt a little like I was in crazyland but then I just figured, they must not be understanding me - maybe I'm not being clear. So I'd throw my question out there again a different way: "So if the tightening lasts for a minute, then it's a contraction?" hoping they would just fire back with an answer already. Nope. I even tried to speak more slowly thinking maybe I'm mumbling and need to work on my enunciation. Oh forget it.

I did not experience any of this with Ava. That girl did not ever make the slightest move to leave my uterus. I was overdue, induced, got to 10 centimeters, pushed forever, and then had my uterus sliced open finally so they could go in and get her. This boy I think wants out. So the only "contractions" I have ever known were when they were coming at regular intervals (and painful!) because of pitocin.

I know people have contractions before their due date - I understand that part. But if something is happening at regular intervals but they ARE NOT PAINFUL, do you still call your doctor? See, I don't want to go to labor and delivery and then find out I'm wrong and have to waddle back to the car embarrassed. I also get that you should go anyway because better safe than sorry. Ugh, things are so confusing sometimes.

So my prediction is that this little boy will be here before my due date. If he's not, I will be very surprised. We also need a name too for our son so if anyone has the answer to that question, that would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe his name should be Braxton . . . ? Hmmm, interesting idea.

-Em

Asthma? What asthma?!

So time for my asthma update! Ever since using Young Living oils, my daughter Ava has not had to use her inhalers or her Singulair AT ALL during this time of year! This is seriously a miracle! She has been on these meds since she was around 3 1/2 so I am sooo glad she will not be using these meds with all of their side effects for years and years. Woo hoo!

Also the hubs has come on board with the oils which has been quite amusing and exciting! The other day he was feeling sick and he always heads for some airborne - still was sick after trying it for a couple of days so I said, "can I just make you a capsule already?" So, there he was swallowing a capsule made by yours truly filled with 5 drops of thieves, 5 drops of lemon, and the rest filled with grapeseed oil - took another one in the morning. Was totally fine. He finally admitted it worked and tried really hard not to smile and show his true feelings but he could not resist! Ha!

My fun little mother even called me one night and said, "I have puss pockets on my throat - I'm getting sick. I figured you had something." Hang on mom! Let me run right over! She gargled with thieves and lemon and swallowed one of the homemade capsules, took another capsule in the morning, and was totally fine and back in business. I'm loving this hippie/witch doctor business.

And none of us Dual's over here have been sick this winter season - NOT ONE OF US! All because of thieves!! No one got the flu, Ava did not get her usual strep throat, I've been waddling around fine as a pregnant lady - what a fun adventure!

I just recently stopped using deoderant too (gasp!). Well, just the deoderant that contains aluminum. So I have some all natural stuff now but also will sometimes just make my own. Don't worry - I don't stink. But if I ever do, please tell me! Because who wants to walk around stinking all day?

But in all seriousness, I am trying to help my fam stay away from as many chemicals as they can. There are so many disorders, diseases, etc nowadays - I firmly believe it is because we, as a society, have strayed away from "natural" things to processed/chemical ridden things. We weren't designed to ingest all of this processed stuff. The good Lord gave us plants and things that grow naturally from the earth with sun and water - what a perfect design! The farther I have strayed from natural things, the worse I have felt - mirgraines, arthritis pain, etc. So now I'm just getting back to basics. I'm not doing all of these things perfectly by any means, but it's a start and I feel so much cleaner and happier.

So if any of you want to learn more about these oils, I can add you to some facebook groups to learn more. Or come over to my house and try what I have. You will love it! Because the only side effects so far I've experienced from the oils are healthy family members and no more asthma. You should read the list of side effects of Singulair!

Happy New Year folks!

-Em