Castor Oil Packs, what are they good for + why? Body Detox + SO Much More.

Five years ago I would have been, like… what? Excuse me? Slather myself in an old wives tale type oil with the expectation of internal relief?

YUP. (Start singing it now: “This is how we do it” by Montell Jordan)

Turns out our Grandmas knew what they were talking about. This oil is coming back on the radar with voracity. It has a HOST of benefits for many common issues + can really bring quite a bit of relief.

I am currently in the middle of a METAL DETOX (which if you don’t know metals are tough to get out and they put a TON of BIG ole roadblocks up in many of our systems, creating a multitude of issues.) Anytime you are doing a detox your body just may do a little squirming in the process of letting go. It’s to be expected. And Castor Oil packs were my best friend in those first few days of my detox.

But I haven’t left them behind. I am still currently using them for ongoing detox because they are GREAT for assisting the liver in releasing what can clog up that beauty of a filtering organ. Trust me, that organ needs to be as available as possible to do a good job or your body throws a whole out-of-control dance party of toxic overload + chaos. And the products we use, the food we eat, the contaminants in the air ALL going through our bodies one way or another.

Here are just a few of the possible health benefits of Castor Oil Packs:

• detoxifies the body

• reduces inflammation

• boosts circulation

• increases lymphatic drainage

• strengthens immune system

• reduces food sensitivities

• relieves joint pain

They are so simple to use + really inexpensive.
All you need is:

• Hexane-free Organic Castor oil

• Organic Unbleached Wool or Muslin

• Saran Wrap

• Heating Pad

• Airtight container

The instructions are SO basic.

1. Get a glass baking dish or storage container.

2. Lay out a LONG sheet of plastic wrap centered over the pan. Make sure it is large enough to generously wrap around the area where you will be applying the castor oil pack plus an extra few inches for overlap.

3. Place your flannel fabric down in the glass pan on top of the plastic.

4. Make sure it is pressed down into the bottom of the pan so when you begin pouring the oil it doesn’t spill onto the countertop or floor.

5. Slowly pour small amounts of the castor oil onto the flannel, allowing it to soak in. Keep slowly adding more until it feels spongey and is nicely saturated with enough that it will transfer to your skin.

6. I often rub a little castor oil directly onto the area where I will be applying the pack as well.

7. now gently pick up the saran wrap, apply to area and wrap the saran wrap around, attaching it to itself to hold the pack in place. Most often I wrap another 2-3 runs of the wrap around to hold it firmly and contain the heat.

8. find a cozy spot and put a towel down in case your pack leaks, this oil can stain clothing and other fabrics.

9. Heat your pad to the warmest setting you can comfortably sit with and leave it on for 2 hours.

10. Remove heat after 2 hours. You can leave the pack on overnight but make sure you unplug that heating pad + remove it.

11. Store your fabric castor oil pack in an airtight container for the next use. You may need to add a little more castor oil for each use.

12. Replace pack every 2-3 months.

I’m so excited for you to try this. Every time I do it I feel like I am pampering my body, making internal change, and removing the unwanted. It’s good for me + in addition to what I know it is doing it is also creating many extra benefits I am completely unaware of. SO GOOD!

And hey, of course, I add my favorite essential oils to it, depending on my desired outcome for what I am using it for. I OFTEN grab a citrus + fir combo to help me feel encouraged, uplifted, grounded + to move through + forward. They help me to accept myself + to hold tight to HOPE for the future, while releasing all the head stuff I need to let go of!

Every single day I want to CHOOSE just one thing that helps create lasting change to a healthier tomorrow! This is one easy thing I can do to feel successful in that journey. How about you? What have you tried lately?

Cocktails + Mocktails with Essential Oils: Rosemary Grapefruit Moscow Mule + Grapfruit Lime Margarita

Here are two DELICIOUS cocktail recipes that include some of my very favorite ingredients. For my simple syrup I have been opting for low-carb, sugar-free. I either use SWOON or make my own with Swerve, because when you know better, you hopefully do better. Am I right? I also try to use as many fresh ingredients as I can, along with a drop of essential oil here and there.

Here is one of my absolute favorites, the Grapefruit Rosemary Moscow Mule w/ doTERRA Ginger & Rosemary essential oil. {Start with a toothpick tip of the rosemary and add as desired by taste.)

Check out the original of this recipe over at Domesticate Me. She has an AMAZING blog

(The photo above is hers I just added my modifications)

Here is some info on the 3 essential oils in this drink.

Rosemary Oil: Rosemary has many health benefits. Rosemary supports healthy digestion and helps soothe sore muscles and joints. Long revered by healers, Rosemary was considered sacred by the ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Hebrew cultures. Rosemary’s herbaceous and energizing scent is frequently used in aromatherapy to combat nervous tension and fatigue.

Ginger Oil: Studies have been conducted on Ginger for its positive effect on joint health; however, Ginger is best known as an effective digestive aid and for helping to ease indigestion and nausea. As a powerful tonic for the entire digestive system, Ginger can lessen motion sickness, soothe an upset stomach, and help digest food after a large meal. Ginger essential oil can also be applied topically or inhaled to help with digestion issues.

Grapefruit Oil: Referred to as a “forbidden fruit” and one of the “Seven Wonders of Barbados,” Grapefruit was first documented in 1750 by Welshman Rev. Griffith Hughes. The name “grapefruit” is attributed to the fruits growing in clusters which resemble those of grapes. Known for its energizing and invigorating effect, Grapefruit helps reduce mental and physical fatigue. Grapefruit is also renowned for its cleansing and purifying benefits. It is beneficial for oily skin issues and helps to purify as it cleanses. Grapefruit is frequently used in skin care for its ability to promote clear, healthy skin and in weight loss products to support healthy metabolism.

How about a Watermelon Lime Margarita? Doesn’t it look beyond refreshing? Why, yes...yes it does!

Lime Oil: Cold-pressed from the peel of fresh limes, dōTERRA Lime essential oil is refreshing and energizing in both aroma and taste. Limes are frequently used in entrées and beverages for their fresh, citrus flavor. In the 18th century, British sailors drank lime juice daily to prevent scurvy while at sea, thus giving British seamen the nickname “Limeys.” Lime essential oil contains powerful antioxidants that enhance immunity. Due to its high limonene content, Lime provides internal cleansing benefits and can be diffused to help purify the air. It’s also an effective and natural surface cleaner. Lime is known for its ability to uplift mood, and balance and energize the mind and body. Lime is frequently used in facial and body cleansers for its purifying properties and uplifting scent.

Don’t worry, this isn’t the end of our list. We have SO MANY yummy recipes to share with you. Stay tuned!

Handcrafted Bath Bombs to Clear Your Mind + Relax Your Body

BEST Bath Bombs EVER

These bath bombs are one of my absolute FAVORITE DIY recipes to make. I love them because they are super simple and extremely effective at RELAXING my brain + body at the end of a stressful day.

And honestly, there is something incredibly relaxing and fulfilling about sitting down to mix these ingredients up in a bowl, deeply inhale the oils while scooping up the mix to form the beautifully imperfectly shaped bombs.

• 1 cup Baking Soda

• 1/2 cup Citric Acid

• 1/4 cup Extra Fine Epsom Salt

• 1 Tbs. Chia Seed Oil

• 20 drops Essential Oil

• dried fruit rind, flower petals, herbs

step ONE: In a large bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid and epsom salt and stir to combine.

step TWO: Using your hands, break up any clumps. If you can’t get them all, you can sift your mixture through a strainer to break them up.

step THREE: Add the chia seed oil and essential oils. Use your hands to combine the liquids with the powders breaking up any large clumps.

step FOUR: Depending on the moisture level of the current mixture, spritz the bath bombs with witch hazel. It usually takes between 5-7 spritzes, and the mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your palm, it will stick together. If you don’t have witch hazel, adding a few extra drops of chia seed oil will also help the powders stick.

{Note: You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and isn’t crumbly. Be careful though because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your bath bombs!}

step FIVE: Firmly press this mixture between both palms and press firmly and evenly from all sides.

It is just that simple! The beauty about these oils are that many can pass the blood brain barrier, so if you are feeling overwhelmed…. well, fear not. Just making these will help, let alone soaking in them. Talk about a brain detox.

And as for the dry ingredients you will add for color - lavender, rosemary, dried citrus rind all work beautifully. As well as rose petals. We like to add the dry ingredient that coordinates with the oil combo we have chosen in the bombs. In the photo we have chosen a citrus and herb, and lavender and balance. One is extra cleansing and one is superior for relaxation.

Let us know what your favorite combos are and why!

Be well,

Kimber

Is Your Baking Soda Natural or Chemically Treated?

Who here signed up to make an educated choice selecting baking soda created by a treatment using ammonia? Uck. Not me, that’s for sure.

Until recently I didn’t even know this was a thing. The other day I read a post that stated that the common, do-it-all, orange boxed baking soda that we are all very familiar with should be used for cleaning while just a short list of brands ought to be chosen for baking. Um, what? And… why? First thing I wondered was if this was even fact.

Interestingly enough, it is true. After reviewing the history of baking soda, and finding the different methods used to create it, I found that one is formed naturally, while the other does indeed go through a chemical process.

The natural form is mined directly from the ground in their natural sodium bicarbonate state (also known as nahcolite).

The chemical process is where carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a concentrated solution of sodium chloride. Crude sodium bicarbonate precipitates out and is heated to form soda ash, which is then treated once again and refined to form sodium bicarbonate - this is the common baking soda you and I find filling our grocery store shelves. Actually, there are a couple methods used to create it but the Solvay method I just explained is most common practice here in the US.

So, what should you use for what and when? There are a few brands that I have seen listed as good choices for cooking / baking / skin care while the good ‘ole common brand is perfectly acceptable for cleaning. The two natural options mentioned most often are Bob’s Red Mill and Frontier. As can be expected the natural form will cost you a bit more than the bulk variety but hey, it’s worth it. Little changes made consistently lead to BIG transformations over time.

Tomorrow I am going to be posting my DETOX Bath Salt recipe which uses baking soda. Which type do you think I should choose for that one, does it matter? Let’s find out… check back tomorrow.

Everything + The Kitchen Sink Scrub Recipe

Pinky promise - this is the WORLD’S BEST all natural kitchen + bathroom + laundry room + stainless steel + pots n’ pans + anything and everywhere else scrub. This will replace those chemical laden soft scrubs you purchase and the dry powdery shaker cans that leave you inhaling the swirling toxic air dust.

It will get rid of tough rust stains and is gentle enough to scrub your pots and pans with. It is EXCELLENT and let me just tell ya the essential oils in this make it a POWERHOUSE cleaner to knock that grime, slime and germs right down the drain.

DIY Recipe for the BEST all natural EVERYTHING + the Kitchen Sink All Purpose Cleaner

1.5 C. Baking Soda

4 T. Borax

1T. Rosemary

1T. Thyme

blend in blender then add:

5 drops Thyme eo

2 drops Oregano eo

4 drops Rosemary eo

blend again and put into container

Directions for use: sprinkle on surface, scrub with damp cloth and rinse.

To watch the our DIY youtube video click here

Trying to lose weight with a Keto Diet? Set yourself up for success.

So you have heard about Keto and you are ready to run with it? Or possibly you have been going about it but just can’t get it going smoothly. Oy, I hear ya.

Some of my BIGGEST challenges on Keto were / are:

1. knowing where to start

2. setting up the meal plan

3. planning ahead

4. actually following the plan

My VERY biggest challenge is allowing myself to get too hungry and then grabbing whatever is quick and easy. When you are hungry the prepping and time it takes to cook can seem like just too much and that cheese, chocolate, crackers… it all just sounds like a deliciously quick pop it in your mouth right this minute perfectly satisfying option. So yea, it happens for me.

It’s taken me some time to prep ahead or find no guilt, ready to go, snacks to have on hand. I’ll be sharing a list with some of my favorites very soon. The other BIG helper is to make a meal and arrange to have leftovers on hand in the fridge.

When selecting recipes I do a lot of online searching however my GO-TO Keto Recipe books are authored by Maria Emmerich. I just LOVE her food. I can’t even pick one that is a favorite… and she has quite a line up.

This one though Keto Instant Pot ? Instant Pot + Keto = DIVINE! Is she brilliant or what? So when you aren’t super prepared ahead of time or just plain short on time, this cookbook is where it is at.

Tell me, what your biggest challenge is so far with a Keto Diet?