Easy Way to Keep the Bathroom Fresh

February 29, 2012

Easy Way to Keep The Bathroom Fresh

A great diffuser for essential oils is water. One easy way to use water to get your oils in the air is to drop a few drops of essential oils in the toilet. Stay away from any oil with a tint like cinnamon, ginger or patchouli. This will leave a stain. If you're not sure, drop one drop on a tissue. If it's clear, you're fine! I use lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, lemon and orange quite a bit in my toilet. This technique works especially well in bathrooms as they are relatively small rooms. Also, most oils have germ fighting properties which is never a bad thing in a bathroom!

Lemon Grease Fighter

Lemon essential oil is an amazing grease fighter. When I do dishes by hand, I soak them in hot water with baking soda and about 5 drops of lemon essential oil. The baking soda and lemon will soften all of the dried food and once the water has cooled enough to stick you hand in, there is little to no scrubbing required. Trust me, I have put this to the test! And as always, the great thing is how great your kitchen will smell while the dishes are soaking. I love the smell of lemon around this time of year. I feel like I'm helping to welcome spring into my home! And it's never to early to welcome spring in. Feel free to add other oils that you like.

Bottom of the Feet Blend

Bottom of the Feet Blend

Every day, I put essential oils on the bottom of my feet. Click here to find out why! I use different blends for different reasons. Today I used 1 drop of patchouli, 3 drops of grapefruit, 1 drop of basil and 2 drops of cinnamon. Do not be afraid of the patchouli! Even those who grew up in the 70's and are adamantly opposed to patchouli, like the scent when I blend it with a citrus oil such as grapefruit. Try different blends to find what you like. This blend is a mood elevator. It will help with stress, depression, anxiety, headaches, athletes foot or fungal infections. It will help increase your circulation and work to rid your body of toxins. This blend will help you focus and will protect you against germs and bacteria. And most importantly...you and your shoes will smell amazing all day!

Foot Soak

1 cup baking soda (for softer skin)
or
1 cup Epsom Salts (for sore feet)
4 drops of peppermint for a refreshing soak
or
5 drops of lavender for a relaxing soak
Mix well. To use, put as much as you like in a large bowl or container big enough for your feet, add warm water and enjoy! And a fun side effect is that it’s a great way to get the aroma in the air.

Citrus Glass and Surface Cleaner

I make my own cleaners because the chemicals in store bought cleaners really bother my head. This got me thinking. If this stuff is bad for me to breath in, why am I spraying it in my house! Not to mention on surfaces in my kitchen that touch my food! Essential oils to the rescue yet again. I use about 15 drops of essential oil for every 8 oz of water. This does not have to be exact. If you can smell the oils, they are working. Here is what I keep in my kitchen...

8 oz water
3 drops lemon
3 drops orange
3 drops grapefruit
3 drops cinnamon
3 drops thyme

When making a cleaner for the kitchen, I always use lemon which is a fantastic grease cutter and thyme which is a strong anti-bacterial oil. Cinnamon is also a great germ fighter. But feel free to mix it up and make it smell the way you like!

Shake well and remember that it will get stronger the longer it sits. Use it just as you would use any household cleaner or window cleaner, shaking well each time. Enjoy!

February 20, 2012

Lavender for Burns

Lavender saved my hand today! My coffee maker and I had a bit of an argument today and it responded by spitting scalding hot water on me...how rude! But I grabbed my lavender and put a few drops on the area. It immediately felt better and no mark at all! Yay!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Well, just because the weather can't make up its mind, doesn't mean it's not still winter. Which means it's still hot chocolate weather! And as I'm sure everyone is aware by now, I kinda like my peppermint. For a strong peppermint flavor, drop a drop of peppermint in the bottom of your mug and add your hot chocolate. For a milder peppermint flavor, take a cup of your hot chocolate mix, add a couple of drops of peppermint and mix well. Let this sit overnight if possible. The oils will really blend with the hot chocolate well. Feel free to add more or less depending on how strong you like it! Just use the hot chocolate mix as you normally would and enjoy!

Headed out for some fun this weekend? An easy way to keep your oils close...drop a few drops of your favorites on a tissue or handkerchief. I use peppermint, lavender, lemon and basil. This keeps my head feeling great no matter what I come in contact with. And I've made a friend or two this way!

quick face scrub for your winter face...1 cup of baking soda and about 9 drops of essential oils. One example for normal skin would be 3 drops each of lavender, frankincense, and lemon. Mix well and let sit overnight if possible. To use, put a small amount in the palm of your hand a add just a drop or 2 of water to make a thick paste. Rub into your skin in a circular motion and rinse. This is a great exfoliator and will soften and brighten your skin. I use this about one every week or 2 as needed. You can also use this blend instead of shampoo. Rub into your scalp while hair is dry then rinse out. Click here to buy the oils and for more recipes. www.healthybybalance.com

Need fresh breath in a hurry…grab the peppermint essential oil that I know you keep with you at all times right! Drop a drop in your hand or a cup if you have one handy, add just a little water, swish and spit! Not only will you have crazy fresh breath and make lots of new friends, the peppermint can help protect you from a cold or the flu and can help with mouth or gum infections.

Peppermint and Ginger Tea

Ginger and Peppermint Tea
I like mine a bit strong and I love the aroma so feel free to start with less oil if that's what you prefer.
I drop 1 drop of ginger and 2 drops of peppermint essential oil in the bottom of a mug, then I add hot water and tea bag. I use a plain green tea.
Be sure to take a moment and breath in the steam and the oils. It's a great way to get them into your system quickly and begin the detox,
but it will also calm your body and let your mind know it's going to be a good few minutes!This tea is a great way to detox. Ginger has warming and soothing properties which help with digestion, sinus trouble, achy muscles and just clearing out the gunk.
Peppermint is also great for digestion, sinus problems, and sore and achy muscles. These oils together are great for so many things. I drink this tea daily. Try it
and let me know what you think!

And of course visit HealthyByBalance.com for more recipes and ideas and to order your essential oils.