I've been thinking a lot lately about aromatherapy certification. In our last Skeptic’s Guide to Essential Oils post, we evaluated some of the current leading authorities in essential oils, namely the so-called “experts” and the essential oils MLM companies. Today we’re taking a closer look at the truth about aromatherapy certification. Learn more about my favorite essential oils in this post. As I pointed out last time, every blog post and article seems to advise the reader to consult a certified aromatherapist, especially when speaking to essential oils safety. Why do they do that? Is it ...Read More
The REAL Authorities on Essential Oils
Have you ever wondered who it is you really should listen to when it comes to essential oils safety? For example, it seems like there are generally two camps when it comes to ingesting oils. One says to never ever use them internally. The other camp says to be liberal with internal use. The first camp says the second is irresponsible and undereducated. The second camp says the first is hiding adulteration in their oils, trying to control the industry...and is undereducated. Sigh. Can’t we just get a straight answer? ...Read More
Homemade Sunscreen Recipe: Ditch the Chemicals
Summer is still going strong, and that means lots of sun! While it’s good to have some sun exposure to up your vitamin D, a decent sunscreen is still a must. Just one problem: most commercial sunscreens are chemical barrier sunscreens loaded with toxins that are absorbed into the skin and enter the blood stream. No, thank you! There are some good natural sunscreens on the market now, but they can be expensive, and not nearly as much fun as making your own! Ingredients for DIY Sunscreen It is relatively simple to make your own physical barrier sunscreen, which typically uses zinc dioxide and other helpful ...Read More
Homeschooling Homeschooling Philosophies and Methods: Eclectic Homeschooling
What is "eclectic" homeschooling? Eclectic homeschooling is a wild ride that uses a variety of methods and tools to create a homeschool experience that best fits the goals, needs, and interests of the family. Sounds good, right? That’s why most homeschoolers fall into the “eclectic” category, whether they say so or not. A family may align mostly with classical, Charlotte Mason, or another method, but true purists are few and far between. One thing about homeschoolers is that we have a bit of an independent streak *grin* and even the most rigid among us will venture outside the box on occasion. However, with the ...Read More
Basic Essential Oils Toolbox for Moms
Are you curious about essential oils but don't know where to start? Trying to decide which oils to buy without breaking the bank? Here's a simple toolbox you can print out and use for reference. We've included the top seven oil singles and blends to buy based on their versatility and function. Then find out how to use them to help support your children’s health and mix them into help recipes for the health of your family. The blends are from a specific company, but you may use equivalent blends for the same uses. ...Read More
20 Critical Questions Answered About Essential Oils
Have you ever wanted to sit down with a veteran of the essential oils world and just get some straight answers? Today we're cutting through the fluff and asking 20 of your questions. Here are 20 critical questions answered about essential oils. Asking an Essential Oils Company Owner So far in our Skeptic's Guide to Essential Oils series, we've talked about how essential oils work and we've discussed the hot topic of essential oil purity and how to choose a company. Of course, you should go with a company you are most comfortable with. One of the things I have enjoyed in my research, is talking to ...Read More
A Skeptic’s Guide to Essential Oils: Choosing a Company (a.k.a. The Purity Issue)
Here's my latest essential oil post for you: A Skeptic's Guide to Essential Oils: Choosing a Company (a.k.a. The Purity Issue) Are you interested in essential oils but confused about which company to buy from? It can be frustrating to navigate the thousands of blog posts and articles that talk about essential oil purity only to find that most of them are written by people trying to sell a particular brand. I’m sure many of them wholeheartedly stand behind the company they are promoting (and I personally know several people who resell at cost just to get the discount on a product they love), but it sure makes things ...Read More
Teaching Catechism: What, Why and How?
Catechism. Upon hearing this word, most people respond in one of the following ways: What's that? Isn't that a Catholic thing? My kids would be bored to tears. That's way too outdated and old fashioned. I've thought about teaching catechism, but wouldn't know where to start! I hear you. This past year, our family has discovered the value and even enjoyment of using a catechism. We've gone so far as to create a free curriculum to share with you for teaching catechism to your own kids! ...Read More
