Essential Oil Links and Resources

DoTerra

www.doterra.com

Research/Resources:
http://everythingessential.me/index.html
www.aromaticscience.com/


Education:
www.doterraeveryday.com
www.oilsmentor.com
www.doterrauniversity.com
www.oilsu.com
 
Business Tools:
www.accesstheexpert.com
www.aromatools.com
www.myoilbusiness.com/
www.mydoterratools.com



Misc. Essential

No more shampoo for me!

I've known about this method of not washing your hair with shampoo and for a long time I wasn't really into the idea. But, recently I've decided that my hair regime has become way too expensive between shampoo & conditioner, styling products for both wavy & straight styles, and hair color. I've also become frustrated with an issue I have where I get little bumps on my scalp that are very painful. I know they come from the shampoo and the shampoo & conditioner that doesn't cause them is very expensive. So, after some deep thought and consideration I've decided to not use shampoo at all anymore.

Shampoo is overrated anyway. Even in beauty school we learned that using it everyday isn't good. I've tried to urge my clients to not use it often but, unfortunately the people who really shouldn't use it often, use it the most because they become greasy. Shampoo has a drying effect on the hair, it strips hair of needed natural oils, and in turn can cause excess breakage.

I've researched and used the baking soda and apple cider vinegar method, but,  there are a staggering amount of reviews saying that eventually it makes your hair brittle. I only used the method for a little over a week, but, I do already see signs of breakage. So, I need a bit more moisture in my no-poo method.

I've decided to use a combination of Water/Honey washing and Conditioner Washing, along with the occasional coconut oil deep conditioning treatment.

They talk about a transition period with the hair where I assume your scalp becomes greasy and gross. I've heard people say that they didn't have much of a transition because they'd already gone to a once a week shampoo schedule prior, which I have too. So, my fingers are crossed that I will transition without too much nasty!!!

I will let you know how my progress goes!

xoxo

One Week update!!

As this week has gone by I've water washed my hair three times. That was more than I expected to, but, I did experiment with an olive oil treatment mid week and it made my scalp very oily so I needed to give it a rinse the next day to feel comfortable. I learned that olive oil is a great addition but, only on the mid shaft and ends of the hair. Besides the oil experiment, I feel that my hair hasn't been too nasty or yucky yet. I did touch up my roots yesterday I used demi-perminent color so I didn't need to use shampoo when rinsing. What I did instead was use the honey/water mixture a couple of times to get most of the color out. Then I used watered down apple cider vinegar to restore my hair's PH. I had to really rub my head to get the color off and I washed my hair first then as my shower went on I felt an itch here and there, sure enough, I had more color so I just mixed more honey water and focused in the areas I felt weren't rinsed enough. 

Each time I've water washed my hair I've used a different combination of oil and mousse or nothing, to see how my hair is reacting. I definitely see more waves which means its already feeling more healthy. I also realized that I have the best 70's hair ever!!! I have not purchased a recommended conditioner yet, so I hope once I get my hair more moisture it'll tame a bit. So, I'm not quite sure what I prefer as far as styling yet.

 Here's some pix to see that I'm not a greasy mess. I just need to figure out a way to tame the mane. 

 

Why I'm reincorporating fluoride in my dental regiment.

Let me begin my explaining that I am the kind of person who is practically obsessed with information about becoming healthier and switching to more natural alternatives to avoid toxins. Since I can control some of that, why not?

I started seeing information about fluoride being toxic and harmful about three years ago. I didn't make any changes at first since like everyone else, we've been told that fluoride helps our teeth and is good for us. Why else would they put it in baby water, drinking water, and many other sources we use daily? But, being the person I am, once I get a scent of a subject I can control in my life I find a way to investigate further until I decide if its something I want to change or pass on.

Here are just a few articles that I've read on the matter. Which to me are quite impressive with data leading me to feel that avoiding it would be potentially beneficial for me.You can find hundreds of compelling articles and sources supporting that fluoride is in fact a poison and something to logically be avoiding. So, it couldn't hurt to avoid it right?

Natural News: Fluoride Babies

Cheese Slave: Top 10 Dangers of Fluoride

About.com: Fluoride Controversy

I've always had issues with my teeth. Since I  was little I've needed to have cavities filled. I've always envied people who don't do anything special with their teeth and never get cavities. I am not perfect with my dental regiment but, I do brush daily and floss regularly. My dentists have always given me fluoride rinses and tooth past to help me with tooth decay and cavities. Its been a regular thing for me to visit the dentist and get something done. So, I'm not new to the conversation about how important fluoride is.

About two years ago I started buying fluoride free tooth paste and wash. I stopped using my fluoride rinse recommended by the dentist. I had been breastfeeding my son for about a year at this time and went to the dentist to have some work done. He found my teeth had a degeneration likely from a calcium deficiency and recommended I take Calcium, Magnesium, and D3 supplements, which I started immediately. We figured that it was due to the breastfeeding and not taking my prenatal vitamin the way I should. Because of the sensitive nature of my teeth knowing I don't have the best track record with them, I was religious about my vitamins after that.

 I've been obsessing about finding ways to heal my teeth and better ways to care for my teeth other than just tooth paste. I found information on oil pulling, healing teeth through diet, and natural alternatives to traditional toothpaste. I did add oil pulling to my morning routine and I do feel that my mouth is cleaner. I am not able to commit to the recommended diet they claims heals your teeth, so that's out of the question. I've also not converted to DIY tooth paste as I still had some of the last tube or natural tooth paste I bought. But, I did plan to incorporate a mineral powder DIY toothpaste which is supposed to help restore or strengthen teeth.  

Its has now been one year since I've gone to the dentist. I again need to go back to the dentist for serious work. I have three teeth that have cracked or chipped, at least one that will need a root canal, and who knows how many cavities or other unseen problems. I feel like my teeth are brittle and at the rate that's all happened, I fear I will need dentures soon. The progression rate at which my teeth have gone bad is much faster than I've experienced in the past.

I have no idea if removing fluoride from my dental regime had an affect on things, but, I cannot afford to risk it. I already have to prepare to pay another couple thousand to have the work done that I know I need, lets not forget the work I don't know I need. I have decided to reintroduce my fluoride rinse and a natural fluoride toothpaste. I'm also going to continue to do oil pulling and brush with a mineral DIY powder once a day. I will continue to take a Cal/Mag/D supplement and my prenatal. I suppose I will know if the next year has less tooth decay if fluoride does in fact help my teeth.

As much as I'd like to be all natural, in this instance I must go with moderation. Welcome back fluoride.