Using Essential Oils During Pregnancy.

Being pregnant is a truly humbling experience. I want to share with you some of the holistic products and practices that I incorporated into my routine for this last pregnancy. Most are essential oils, but I also want to reference some other things that have been part of these routines as well, such as supplements and a few specific healthy habits. I treat my essential oils that way - incorporating diet, exercise and supplements regularly are integral to experiencing true progress in reaching any wellness goal. The same is true with pregnancy!

If you’re unfamiliar with essential oils, you can learn more about my story with them (and the science behind why they work!) HERE. What’s really amazing about these oils is the versatility - they can be used topically (applied to your skin), aromatically (diffused into the air) or taken internally (by adding drops to water or veggie capsules and taken like a supplement), and these 3 ways can help support your health in truly transformative and incredible ways! Also, I only use doTERRA essential oils because they are the safest and purest essential oils (think 3rd party testing, results made available to the public, and TONS of peer-reviewed clinical and research studies). I only want to use the safest oils on my body and with my family, which is why I choose doTERRA.

DISCLAIMER (because I have to): Please keep in mind, I am NOT a doctor, so please consult yours before using anything I recommend. My doc actually recommended essential oils to me early on in my pregnancy, and I just giggled as she shared with me the different ways they could help. And of course, she is right! It made me really happy that my OBGYN practice recognizes the value of these powerful plant essences.

Healthy practices that really helped me during this pregnancy:

1. Drinking tons of water (I aim for 100 oz. per day).

2. Eating an astronomical amount of protein (around 80-100 grams per day).

3. Exercising (I did a pretty decent job at this up until my 8th month, ha). I lifted light weights, did the row machine (until my belly got in the way), did the stair climber and swam.

4. Resting a lot, especially taking naps and putting my feet up for 10-minute water breaks throughout the day.

5. Taking my prenatals, probiotics and iron supplements (I have been anemic every pregnancy, so the last one is especially important for me).

6. Cutting out refined sugar. This is something I implemented during my last trimester in an effort to keep my weight down because I tend to have big babies.

7. Lastly, using my essential oils! I’ll break it down for you below!

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1st Trimester:

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Digestion/Nausea:
- Add 1-2 drops Lemon essential oil to water and drink. I do this all throughout the day, and the Lemon really helps with the nausea. This is one of my favorite things I have done all throughout my pregnancy! Just make sure to use a glass or aluminum container - you never want to put essential oils in plastic (they will break down the plastic material).

- Rub 1-2 drops DigestZen on my belly. I added this to this unscented lotion, this belly oil or fractionated coconut oil to help it absorb into my skin. This really helped with the early pregnancy nausea that was just awwwwwful.

Mood Swings/Pregnancy Blues:
- I applied 1-2 drops of Balance (known as the grounding blend) to my pulse points all throughout the day.
- Diffuse 4-6 drops Elevation (the joyful blend) or Citrus Bliss (the invigorating blend) to create a sunny, optimistic environment in the home.

Daily “Perfume” Blend:
- I apply an even mix of Magnolia and Rose essential oil rollerballs to my pulse points, over my heart and on the back of my neck. Smells better than any perfume I’ve ever used, with the added benefit of boosting the immune system (Rose) and keeping me calm and grounded (Magnolia).

Boost Energy + Combat Fatigue.
- Sniff Peppermint! I literally just open the bottle and take a whiff throughout the day when I need a pick-me-up. You can also apply 1-2 drops to the back of your neck and it instantly provides a cooling, refreshing sensation. Better than a 3pm coffee ;)

- Take my daily Life Long Vitality supplements! This vitamin pack serves as a complete prenatal vitamin, and it has helped boost my energy and immune system better than what I took during any of my other pregnancies! So very happy with these supplements and I will continue to take them after I am no longer pregnant.

Headaches:
- Thankfully, this pregnancy I haven’t had the kind of headaches I had when I was pregnant with Daxton (I lived with migraines that pregnancy - not fun!) But for any kind of head tension, I would put 1 drop of Frankincense and 1 drop of Peppermint under my tongue and apply Frankincense to my temples and massage the oil in.

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2nd Trimester:

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Heartburn:
- Add 1-2 Terrazyme supplements with every meal to help with that overly-full feeling. This is a whole-food digestive enzyme supplement that helps the body digest protein fats, sugars and complex carbs. It also helps your stomach break down foods in the most efficient way and converting it into energy.

Muscle Cramps/Charlie Horse:
- I take 4 Bone Nutrient Complex capsules every night right before I go to bed. Not only is it beneficial for the baby (mega doses of Trace Minerals, Vitamin C & D), but the Magnesium and Calcium are especially helpful for easing those calf/leg cramps that are such a mystery during pregnancy.

Back Pain:
- I used the Deep Blue Rub on my back almost every night after getting out of the bath tub. Creates such a relief from all the pressure!

Stretch Marks:
- I use the Immortelle rollerball on my stretch marks after applying belly balm and lotion. Helps spot treat certain areas and is so good for skin health overall!

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3rd Trimester:

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Sleep:
- Sleep has become an elusive challenge this last month or so, but I’m not trying to fight the insomnia anymore. Since this is my 3rd pregnancy, I know my body so well these days, and I KNOW that the insomnia is just part of my training (or is it self-inflicted hazing?) of prepping for that nighttime baby feeding schedule. However, I DO love diffusing Serenity or Balance at night before bed, and I often take 1 Serenity Restful Complex capsule before I go to sleep as well.

Sleep (in the woods) Diffuser Blend:
***I recommend this blend to anyone who doesn’t prefer floral scents like lavender for bedtime.
- 3 drops Vetiver
- 3 drops Cedarwood
- 3 drops Douglas Fir
Combine these oils in a diffuser with water and enjoy the relaxing, rest-enhancing aroma!

Soothe Muscles + Unwind:
- I take a bath every single night. Without fail. I love adding oils to the bathwater, especially Frankincense and Balance. I have also been adding this Little Barn Apothecary body oil to my bathtub lately, because YUM.

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The Essential Oils I Use/Avoid During Pregnancy + Resources:

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There are SO many great oils that I have been avoiding since I got pregnant, because certain oils can influence hormones, and I personally want my body to regulate its hormones on its own during pregnancy. I look forward to being able to use these again!

Avoid:
- I avoid using the following oils topically and internally while pregnant: Yarrow, Grapefruit, Clary Sage, Black Pepper, Geranium, Jasmine, Wintergreen, Cassia, Clove.
*Note: These oils can be safely diffused during pregnancy.

Use:
- Oils that I love and USE regularly for pregnancy (aromatically, topically and internally): Lemon, Wild Orange, Frankincense, Rose, Magnolia & Peppermint.
*Note: Discontinue use of Peppermint after delivery if you want to breastfeed. Peppermint reduces milk production so you will want to avoid this during the duration of your breastfeeding experience!

- Essential Oils blends that I use regularly for pregnancy: Balance, Elevation, OnGuard, Serenity, DigestZen, Deep Blue, Immortelle, Adaptiv, Citrus Bliss.

If you’re ever curious about which oils are safe to use for pregnancy, I HIGHLY recommend checking out The Essential Midwife site, grabbing her book HERE and checking out this blog post from doTERRA.

If you are interested in getting some of these oils in your life, leave your email address in the comment section and I will hook you up with a special gift when you place your 1st purchase!

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Turmeric Oat Milk Latte.

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I’ve been hearing about the benefits of golden milk beverages for a long time. But they always sounded kind of strange to me. I assumed they tasted like dirt but people were just drinking them anyways, because of the added health benefits. When doTERRA launched the new Turmeric essential oil last month, I thought, “Okay, now it’s time to test out a recipe.” After some tweaking and product testing (aka me and Stevie drinking a LOT of variations), I finally landed on this recipe and I LOVE it. It’s so warm and sweet and herbal - perfect for cozying up at night with a good movie!

Why a turmeric latte? Because turmeric is SO good when taken internally. It bolsters the immune system, reduces inflammation, supports healthy circulation, aids in metabolism and is commonly known as a nervous system booster. AND it adds a powerful flavor when used in the kitchen! So yeah, turmeric, you da best.

And why oat milk? Truthfully, I discovered this was a thing when we were in Santa Barbara this past summer. I couldn’t believe how good it tasted in a latte, and it was a lot easier on my stomach. Since having my babies, milk has bothered me more and more, so I try to avoid it. Don’t feel bad for me - I’ve got my oat milk these days ;)

Ingredients:
- 1 drop doTERRA Turmeric essential oil
- 1 drop doTERRA Ginger essential oil
- 1 drop doTERRA Cinnamon essential oil
- 1 drop doTERRA Clove essential oil
- 1 drop doTERRA Black Pepper essential oil
- 1 cup oat milk (I’ve been using this Pacifica kind)
- 1 tsp. Moon Juice Beauty Dust
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup

Method:
1. Combine all the essential oils in a latte mug.
2. Add maple syrup.
3. Steam oat milk in a milk frother (I use this one that came with my Citiz Nespresso).
4. Add in the steamed milk and Beauty Dust, then stir to combine.

Voila! Look at you, you golden milk drinker!

This is a great late-night drink to enjoy before bedtime. It’s a creamier and frothier and just puts you in the right coziness headspace that you need to fall into a deep, deep sleep. I can’t believe how much I love this drink!

p.s. - Believe it or not, these photos were all shot on my iphone and edited in VSCO because my SLR camera has been acting up. Trying to figure out what I’m going to do about that!

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Sources: Latte Mugs, Appetizer Platter, Serving Tray (similar), Coasters (similar)

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DIY Essential Oil Bug Spray.

It's that time of year - when the mosquitoes love to FEAST in the sunset glow. I love spending time outside with my boys, but we do seem to have some enemies out there with us, especially right around twilight. My poor little Daxton boy seems to be anointed with my blood type and we get especially bitten up in the summer months if we forget to apply bug spray. I really hate conventional bug spray because most are loaded with toxic ingredients and with our skin being like a sponge, I just can't in good conscience put that garbage on my children. But I have a great, easy bug spray DIY that I've been using since last summer which is completely natural, non-toxic and safe for kiddos - and it works! My boys have gotten used to having this sprayed on as soon as we get outside, and I do re-spray if we've been outside for more than an hour. This DIY is based on DoTERRA's pest-repellent oil blend, TerraShield which is so awesome and smells much, much better than regular bug spray. So it's a win-win! So without further adieu, enjoy this essential oil DIY!

Supplies:
- 2 oz. glass bottle (I got my ombre bottle here)
- Quinn's Witch Hazel
- DoTERRA TerraShield oil blend

Method:
1. Measure out 1/3 cup of water and pour it into the 2 oz. bottle.
2. Add 25 drops of Terrashield essential oil to the glass bottle.
3. Top off the bottle with Quinn's unscented witch hazel (this should be between 1/3 - 1/2 cup).
4. Shake bottle to distribute and voila, you're ready to say, "Shoo mosquitoes!"

Notes:
-  I prefer to use unscented Witch Hazel so that the only scent is from the oil itself.
- When making any kind of blend with essential oils, you want to make sure that you are using a glass contained. Plastic or other material can "pull" on the essential oils and release toxins, etc. into the mixture, whereas glass, aluminum and stainless steel don't have that effect with the EO's.
- I like to make several of these bug spray mixtures and keep on in the car, one in the stroller, one at home, and anywhere else you would find yourself reaching for bug spray! Like the Boy Scouts say, always be prepared!

Interested in learning more about DoTERRA essential oils? I would love to share more about why I love them, how I use them, and how you can get some in your home, too! You can shop for them here, or leave a comment and I can invite you to one of my online classes where you can learn more! xx

Our Daily Family Essential Oil Routines.

Essential Oils have become a big part of our family life over here. Almost two years ago I started using them here and there, and progressively discovered different ways I could incorporate them more and more. What began with purchasing a simple starter kit (to have on-hand for my labor and delivery with Daxton!) has grown into a full-blown lifestyle for our family and I am so grateful! I love having so many safe alternatives for allergies, viruses, anxiety, rest management, energy support, immune defense and more!

I've shared about oils here and there but I wanted to give you a specific outline of how and why my family uses essential oils throughout the day to support our health and wellness.

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Morning:

1. Diffuse in the AM!
I diffuse something every morning once I get my kiddos downstairs and begin our breakfast routine. I like to diffuse something bright and cheerful, like an energizing blend of citrus oils (Elevation and Citrus Bliss are some of my favorites!) Because of pollen season, I've been diffusing a equal blend of Peppermint, Lavender and Lemon (this trio is available here!) a lot lately. I have also been loving DoTERRA's Yoga Collection, which is composed of 3 killer good oils called Arise, Align & Anchor and these three are all so grand and make me feel super happy for the day.

2. Drink Up!
I also take this opportunity to add 1-2 drops of a citrus oil to my first glass of water in the morning. Why? Drinking water with citrus helps detoxify the body, ridding it of chemicals and helping to balance the pH levels. Lately I've been on a kick with Grapefruit oil, but I also love Lemon & Tangerine oils. They're all good!

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Afternoon:

3. Work Groove!
Once 2pm rolls around and my kids are down for their naps, I get busy! Haha, not that I wasn't busy with them before hand... ;) Believe me, there are days where I need to take a nap, because motherhood is exhausting  - and when I feel that I need it I take the time to rest! But most of the time, I use this block of time in the afternoon to get work done (like this blog post!), and I usually need a pick-me-up. At this point in the day, I usually brew up a mug of hot tea (lately I've been adding this Beauty Dust into it) and I roll on my go-to "get stuff done!" oil - Motivate! I love rolling this on my pulse points (wherever you would apply perfume), but I also have a diffuser necklace that has this oil in it, as well. That way I can smell it whenever I want! This oil just gives me the amplification I need to get my work groove on before I have to switch gears again into Mom-so-hard ;)

4. Laundry Flip!
Usually right before my boys wake up from their nap, I try to flip a load of laundry. That's gotta get done at some point, right?!I learned a few years ago about how toxic dryer sheets are (I'm talking about the potential cause of migraines, asthma, allergies, rashes - the list goes on and on!) because of the chemicals in them. It's not a myth, simply google "are dryer sheets toxic" to find a slew of research on the subject. Gross! I prefer not to serve my children a chemical cocktail every time I bring their folded laundry into their bedrooms. So I use wool dryer balls instead (found on Amazon!), which are less expensive and a completely toxic-free way to fluff laundry. I like to add a few drops of my Lemon essential oil to my dryer balls so that my laundry has a fresh, clean scent.

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Nighttime:

5. Boys' Bedtime!
I like to use my essential oils to help my kids wind down at night and help get to sleep and stay asleep (can I get an amen, mamas?) I do this first by adding a drop of Lavender essential oil into their nighttime bath. This helps them calm down and get into a restful mode - more cuddly and sleepy and less, you know, about wrestling.

Next I make sure to diffuse Serenity in their bedrooms, which is a beautiful blend that has so many delicious sleepy-restful oils in it! I have little diffusers in all our bedrooms so we can all get the benefit of nighttime diffusion. I got several of these on Amazon and they have held up pretty darn well (plus, this diffuser has a color-changing nightlight, so it's a big hit with the boys!) I have noticed a marked difference when I diffuse this in my boys' rooms - they fall asleep easily and don't wake up. If you're a mom, I'm sure you've experienced your toddler coming out of their bedroom 10+ times a night "needing" water, "needing" to go to the potty, "needing" to snuggle (when they actually just want to see what you're watching on Netflix - or is this only my child??) When I remember to diffuse Serenity, this doesn't happen!

During story time we also roll something on their feet - usually a diluted rollerball of OnGuard or Serenity. OnGuard is an amazing immune-defense blend, so if it's flu season or if they simply have a runny nose, I like to roll this on the bottoms of their feet to prevent any sickness. Why the bottoms of the feet? The pores on the bottom of the feet are larger and allow for easy absorption of the oil into the system. Plus, when I put socks on their feet afterwards, I don't have to worry about them getting oil all over their hands (or bed!) I've made up some custom blends for my boys to address teething, flu and fevers - I shared about that here ;)
 

Beware of ticklish toes! Everett howls with laughter so I usually try to distract Dax with a book while I put on his teething oil :) BTW these pics are blurry because this is real life - lighting in the evenings is not ideal! But I wanted to let you guys have a real-life picture of how this oil routine goes ;)

6. Lights Out!
After the boys are in bed and Stevie and I have had dinner and relaxed a bit, it's time for lights out! I love to get something going in the diffuser while I'm getting ready for bed, so that when I actually settle in, the oil has had a few minutes to diffuse and fill the room with a comforting scent. My absolute favorites are Serenity, Forgive and Breathe. These oils smell SO good and are super relaxing. If I am super sleepy and really need to get some serious rest, I will pop a few of the Serenity supplements, which are a natural rest complex and let me just say - THEY WORK. You wake up feeling super rested and satisfied with your sleep!

P.S. - I've been re-reading Pride & Prejudice as my pre-bedtime book and I miiiiiiiight have made a specific rollerball blend inspired by the book. It may or may not be called "Most Ardently" and it may or may not be so freaking good, you guys. Not to brag or anything but I like to think of it as the essence of Elizabeth Bennett. Okay, bookworm moment over.

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Giveaway!

Let's have a giveaway, shall we? Gosh I love giving away presents to you people.

Since I love you guys and such, I wanted to give you a chance to try out my laundry routine by gifting you a set of 6 wool dryer balls and a 15 ml bottle of DoTERRA Lemon essential oil! Hop on over to my Instagram to enter :)

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Do you have any questions about this daily routine with essential oils? Let me know in the comments how you use your oils or if you are willing to try something you read about here!

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Ready for More?

Don't have any essential oils in your life and you're ready to give them a try? I can hook you up for 25% off the retail price! Send me an email at oykristen(at)gmail(dot)com OR click "Hook me up!" and follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Click the link below.
2. Select "Join & Save" for 25% off anytime with your wholesale membership.
3. Select Your Kit! I recommend the "Home Essentials" or "Family Essentials", because those have a lot of the oils I mentioned in this post ;)

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The 3 DIY Essential Oils Roller Balls I Use on My Kids During the Winter.

This winter has been a doozy for sickness, and unfortunately, our family hasn't been able to avoid the fray. We've dealt with our fair share of the gunk, and because of that, I've created a few specific essential oil roller ball recipes to use on my kids while they haven't been feeling 100%. I hope they are helpful to you and your little ones!

Also, I want to mention that I love and use DoTERRA essential oils - they are 100% pure and safe to use on children when properly diluted. In fact, they are safer, cheaper and more effective than most regular solutions I've found. If you would like to learn more about why I believe these essential oils are THE BEST, please feel free to reach out!

Okay, on to the DIYs! Here are 3 blends I use on my kids during the winter season:

Bye Fever Recipe:
- 3 Peppermint
- 3 Eucalyptus
- 3 Frankincense
- 1 Bergamot
* Top off with fractionated coconut oil.

I use this on my kids when they are running a fever and I want to break it. I apply this to the back of the neck, up and down the spine and on the bottoms of feet (put socks on quickly after!) I apply this every 2-4 hours as needed and especially before nap time! We also like to roll it on while saying, "Bye fever!"

OnGuard Recipe:
- 10 drops OnGuard oil blend
* Top off with fractionated coconut oil.

OnGuard is an immune-boosting blend, and while DoTERRA sells this in a pre-diluted roller ball, I like to use my own to keep at home as well! I use this on my kids when they are showing signs of feeling under the weather - sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. I apply this on the back of the neck, up and down the spine and on the bottoms of their feet.

Teething Recipe:
- 5 Lavender
- 5 Roman Chamomile
* Top off with fractionated coconut oil.

This has been my go-to for Daxton's teething relief. That sweet boy - he's been cutting teeth for months and has been miserable! I roll this blend under his ear lobes, along his jaw line and on the back of his neck. He loves it! In fact, he tries to put it on himself (which is really, really cute), even though I won't let him ;)

All of these recipes are formulated for 10ml roller balls.

I hope you enjoy making some of your own for your kiddos! xx