Spearmint!!!

I am currently crazy bout SPEARMINT!!! I can't get enough. Every day I am diffusing Spearmint. Alone or with Lavender, or Mandarin and Lavender, or Eucalyptus. I currently have it in three rooms of my house.  I even take a cotton ball with Spearmint in the car! 

Spearmint is both soothing and uplifting.  It is also safer for little ones than Peppermint. 

Some uses for Spearmint Oil:

•To help all members of your household stay calm, focused and uplifted, try diffusing Spearmint, Lavender and Tangerine.

•For a sore neck and shoulders, try rubbing in a mixture of 3 drops of Spearmint and 2 drops of Lavender diluted in 2 tablespoons of Sweet Almond Oil.

•For a headache, try the same oil blend rubbed onto your neck and inhale deeply the oil left on your hands. 

Leave a comment and let me know how you like to use Spearmint. 

Never Say Never ~ part 2 ~

As I mentioned before, I've learned the hard way about the old saying, "never say never". 

My husband and I were NEVER going to homeschool our children. We both went to public school and we felt that if our parents thought it was right for us, then it must be the right way. We always made sure to buy a house in an area with the best schools (Lindale ISD has great schools) and we NEVER thought of doing things any other way...until now. 

It all started in September of this school year. The girls were off to a great start in second and fourth grades. They had amazing teachers and the sweetest friends. We were not having any problems, but they suddenly began asking if they could switch to homeschool. They felt like they didn't have time to do the things that they enjoyed around the house, between school and after school activities. This really got me thinking. I was spending at least an hour and a half every day in the car, dropping off and picking kids up from school, which meant their three year old brother was in the car that long every day, too. 

We started researching, talking with family and friends who homeschool and praying. And praying. And praying. This was a huge decision that required much thought. Meanwhile, the girls kept asking and asking for this change. My sister-in-law who homeschools and another good friend both suggested that we read The Well-Trained Mind, which I found very helpful. 

Finally, we decided that if the girls really wanted to be homeschooled, we would go for it. Choosing curriculum can be overwhelming, but after much research, we decided on a plan that we feel is best for our girls. We are using Sonlight for Bible, History and Geography and Reading/Language Arts, Saxon for math, Answers in Genesis for Science and Mavis Beacon for keyboarding. My mom, who used to teach high school Spanish, is coming twice a week to give Spanish lessons and we are continuing piano lessons with Vanessa Chisler Piano Studio. We will also continue having horseback riding lessons and participating in Destination Imagination.

The girls will be able to participate in the East Texas State Fair Academic Rodeo, thanks to a local homeschool group that is allowed to register for events as a school. 

So, we started the 2015-2016 school year planning to NEVER homeschool...

And here we are now, "back to school" after the Christmas break AT HOME. 

I told my mom that she needed to get me a list of everything I said I would NEVER do, because now's the time! 

Never Say Never

I've heard this saying my whole life, but NEVER has it had more meaning to me than this year. I'm almost afraid to use the word again!

I was NEVER going to have an inside dog....until now. It all started when my oldest daughter made a Christmas wish list for her Mimi. She said that she wanted a dog, but that she knew she probably couldn't have one, because  "Momma says no inside dogs". 

Upon hearing about this wish, I began asking her questions about why she wanted a dog. As I listened to her, I suddenly had the overwhelming desire to give that baby a dog!

When I approached my husband about the subject, he stared at me in disbelief and said, "Well that was unexpected!"  After thinking about it for a few days, Josh finally decided it would be alright. 

So, Mimi began the long process of finding just the right dog.  With a little girl who suffers with asthma and has had to spend weeks on a rescue inhaler after a sleepover at a home with dogs, we knew we had to be careful. This daughter has spent quite a bit of time at a good friends house who has a Coton de Tulear (Coton). This never seemed to affect her asthma, so we asked the friend for the name of the breeder of their dog. After a lengthy process and Mimi being "interviewed" extensively by the breeder, she was finally able to go pick up a puppy. 

Then came the planning process for the biggest Christmas Eve Gift my children have ever had. Mimi worked hard to keep the surprise and make it a magical moment for the kids. I think that she felt the efforts were worth it!  The reactions were priceless. 

So here we are, loving a sweet little dog IN the house ❤️

Stay tuned for part two of my "Never Say Never" story!

Homemade Cornbread

At my house, the way to make sure a meal is a winner is to serve it up with some good, old fashioned, homemade cornbread, just the way Mammaw used to make.  This is the savory cornbread recipe, not a sweet one.  And bonus, it is gluten-free, so the celiac sufferers in our family can eat it, too!  We have cornbread with stew, jambalaya, soup, and lots more.

I am NOT a fan of cooking, so trust me when I tell you this is easy, almost as easy as opening up a box of Jiffy and whipping it up, but SO much better!  Only 6 ingredients  and an iron skillet needed.

1 cup Buttermilk
1 Egg
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 cup Corn Meal

(I like to save used baking powder cans to keep salt and soda in, because it makes it so much easier to measure out.  And it keeps my cabinet more organized!)

 

Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.  Then place your iron skillet on the stove on medium-high with the bottom covered in corn oil.  Let this heat up while mixing the batter.

I am all for using the least amount of dishes/bowls/etc. when I cook, to cut down on clean-up time.  So, I use my quart sized measuring cup to mix the cornbread batter.  First, measure out the cup of buttermilk.  Then add the egg and beat in well.  Next, I stir in the baking powder, salt and soda.  Last, stir in the cornmeal.

By this time, the oil in your iron skillet should be sizzling and your oven heated up.  Pour the batter into the iron skillet.  The hot oil is what gives you the crispy bottom on the cornbread.  Take the skillet off of the stove and place into the oven to bake for 22 minutes.

Serve hot from the oven; good plain, even better with butter!  YUM!

And don't forget, DO NOT wash your iron skillet with soap!

ALL Lives Matter

 

 

ALL LIVES MATTER

 



This is something that has been on my mind for a while now, and I want to follow Paul's words given by the Holy Spirit to the Corinthians and preserved for us today in the Bible.

 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Let all that you do be done with love."

 

I want to be brave and stand for LIFE, but I want to do so in a way that is kind and considerate.  This is a big struggle for me.  I never want to avoid God's Truth, but I also don't want to cause anyone to reject His Word because of my presentation.  This means that often, I end up saying nothing, which is not helpful to anyone.  I want to be "speaking the truth in love" as in Ephesians 4:15.

 

A few months ago, driving trough town with my mom, we saw a sign that said "Back the Blue".  We commented on how it is nice that people want to support our law enforcement.  My mom said she thought that it was good to use that phrase instead of the "Blue Lives Matter" phrase.  We agreed that using the "Blue Lives Matter" slogan is being divisive.  It is not just showing support for one group, but choosing to antagonize another group who are using the slogan "Black Lives Matter".  She then said that she wished we could stop having all of these separate groups and just have one big "ALL LIVES MATTER" campaign.  I loved that idea, but didn't really think about it again until last week when I read Benjamin Watson's book, Under Our Skin.

 

Here is an excerpt from page 118:

"Life.  I am in favor of it.  Yes I am pro-life.  And yes, I mean that in its usual sense - that the unborn fetus is a life to be protected.  But I mean that in a different and larger way as well.

If we are in favor of the unborn life within, should we not also be in favor of the lives of people on the streets, in homes, in churches, and in our neighborhoods?  In other neighborhoods?  In the hood?  If we are pro-life, should we not embrace young black lives as much as young white lives, and vice versa?  If we are pro-life, should we not be about protecting life whether it is a fetus or a six-year-old or a teenager..."

 

I wish, no I PRAY that this country would protect all lives!  Especially those lives of precious, tiny, unborn babies who can in no way protect themselves and who are made in the image of God!

 



 

The only way to spread the message that ALL LIVES MATTER is to start telling it to all those around us.  If everyone who believes this would take a stand, I believe that we could make a real difference.  This summer, I came across the Stand for LIFE website.  Their slogan is "Choosing Life, One Story At A Time".

Here is their Mission Statement, from their website:

#StandforLIFE is a Christian non-profit platform that exists to unite those who believe in choosing life through social media story-telling. Our goals are to redirect the conversation of abortion into one of grace and inspire others to transform their convictions into service.

The Stand for LIFE organization has a "LIFE filter" that allows users to show in a graphic way that we support LIFE on our social media pages.  I love it!

 

 

While Benjamin Watson's book is not about ending abortion in America, it does cause readers to stop and think about how we should be valuing ALL lives.  He also sells shirts that have a very positive message:

TRUTH > trend

The trend in this country over the past 50 years has led to millions of babies being killed every year.  We need to tell people the TRUTH about this!  God's Word is TRUTH and we need to spread this message.

Psalm 119:160 says "The entirety of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."

 

Essential Oil Safety

     

I love using essential oils ,but I also know that they should be used carefully and with caution.

I want to make sure that anyone using essential oils based on my recommendation is also aware of these safety concerns.

You may have heard, "essential oils are pure and natural and totally safe to use".  Well, based on that logic, would you feed your family wild mushrooms that you picked out of the woods?  Certainly not!  We all know that there are mushrooms that can be poisonous.  Likewise, many of us take vitamins and give our children vitamins, but we would never take more than the allowed dose, because too much can be a serious health risk.

Essential oils are  no different.  There are safety issues to be considered and taken seriously.

#1 - Use EXTREME CAUTION or AVOID INGESTION of essential oils. 

The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy NAHA warns -

"Some oils are associated with toxicity problems (e.g. a risk of accumulative effects), and so internal use is not entirely hazard or risk-free."

The International Federation of Aromatherapists Code of Ethics states -

"No aromatherapist shall use essential oils for internal ingestion or internal application nor shall any aromatherapist advocate or promote such use of essential oils unless the practicing aromatherapist has medical, naturopathic, herbalist, or similar qualifications and holds an insurance policy which specifically covers the internal application of essential oils." (IFA code of ethics.  Simply Essential, No. 11 December 1993).

Robert Tisserand, one of the world's leading experts in aromatherapy says -

"With ingestion, various risks increase, including gastric irritation, interactions with conventional medications, and fetal damage in pregnancy.  And long-term, depending on dose and frequency, there's a risk of accumulation in the body, possibly leading to systemic toxicity." (Interview of Robert Tisserand)

Jennie Harding in The Essential Guide to Oils by Jennie Harding says -

"First and most important:  don't ever swallow essential oils.  They are concentrated and highly potent substances, and in large amounts they can attack the delicate linings of the mouth and digestive tract.  In sufficiently large doses, swallowing essential oil may cause a poisoning reaction in the body."

Linda Halcon, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC states -

"Most essential oils are safe and free of adverse side effects when used properly.  However, as with any substance you are introducing into your body, it is important to use them intelligently.  We recommend that you never eat or drink essential oils."

Common practice in the aromatherapy, herbalism, and alternative medicine health care is that essential oils are NOT to be taken internally unless under the proper care of qualified care providers.  Both major aromatherapy organizations (NAHA and IFA) have in the scope of their practice and ethics that members do not recommend the use of internal essential oils and almost every respected aromatherapy book written by experts in the field advise against internal use of essential oils.  The only places that differ with this are some of the major oil manufacturers; their brochures and literature and their blogging followers widely promote internal use of essential oils.

#2 - Keep all essential oils out of the reach of small children.
This is because children have a tendency to put things into their mouths, and swallowing essential oils can be dangerous.  If you think a small child has swallowed some essential oil, it is always best to seek medical attention immediately.  Take the bottle of oil with you so that the nurse or doctor can advise you appropriately. (The Essential Guide to Oils)

#3 - Check with your doctor before using essential oils if you have any major health issues.

Caution should always be used during pregnancy and for small children.  People with epilepsy and anyone on prescription medication should check with their doctor before beginning use of essential oils. 

One of my nephews has epilepsy and his mother uses essential oils carefully.  She checks all essential oils with his doctor before use.

As with dietary supplements and herbs, it is important to discuss regular essential oil use with your doctor to insure no drug interactions or interference with your necessary medications. (Linda Halcon)

#4 - Essential oils should always be properly diluted. (with very limited exceptions)

Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation (an immediate effect such as blotchy redness, often painful), skin sensitization, which is a type of allergic reaction and photosensitivity. (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy)

Proper dilution for topical use is typically 1-2%.

There are a few essential oil companies that propagate falsely that "it is not possible to have an allergic reaction to essential oils because they do not contain protein which is what causes a histamine reaction" and that if you have redness or irritation it is because "your skin is detoxifying".  One doctor that is often cited for this misinformation is not a medical doctor at all, but a PhD who is employed by an essential oil company to help sell their brand of oils.

The most respected book in the aromatherapy community, Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand speaks about skin sensitization and essential oils and the need for dilution.

It is important for each of us to do our research to decide the best way to use essential oils to improve the health of ourselves and our families.  Reading ONLY information from oil companies is not wise.  We don't trust the safety information directly from car manufacturers when looking to buy a new vehicle, we depend on independent safety testing and reporting.  We should use the same care to research the essential oils that we are using!

Here are some good books to begin your research:

Essential Oil Safety:  A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand
The Essential Guide to Oils by Jennie Harding
Aromatherapy:  A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless

10 Important Things to Know About Essential Oil Use

1. It’s important to use high quality essential oils. Some companies add fillers to the oils while still advertising them as "Pure". I have done a great deal of research about the qualities of different brands of essential oils. It took a while to convince me that the inexpensive brand sold at the health food store was not as good as the pricier brands, because we did have some success with it. I can recommend a number of good books that I have read and refer back to, but for a quick study, I am linking a blog article that I read and found helpful.  While I don't use the brand that she recommends, (I think they are great, but I found another company that I prefer) her articles are helpful. I trust Spark Naturals to be a great source for high quality essential oils.

2. Many oils can be harmful if not used properly. Some will burn your skin if you put them directly onto your skin (commonly referred to as HOT oils). Some oils can cause photo sensitivity. Others should be used with caution or avoided if you have certain health conditions (epileptic, pregnant, etc.)  It is important to do your research and know how to use an oil before you start experimenting. 

3. There are some oils that should be used with caution around children and some avoided. Other oils should be diluted more with a carrier oil than you would for an adult.  It is important to always do your research!

4. It is important to use a carrier oil or a salve when you apply oils to your skin. A carrier oil is typically a vegetable based oil that helps the oils absorb into your skin better. The essential oil is diluted in a carrier oil, then applied to the skin.  I usually use fractionated coconut oil (FCO). Other good options are sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba oil. Just as certain essential oils work better for some people, certain carrier oils will work better for some people than others will. Some are better for dry skin, some for oily. Experiment with different oils and see which ones you like the best. I really like to use Camp Wander's salve base for many oil applications.  There are rare occasions when essential oils should be used without being diluted in a carrier or salve. Applying essential oil straight (undiluted) is called a NEAT application. It is usually recommended to treat a burn with one or two drops of Lavender applied NEAT. It is important to remember that some oils  can burn or irritate skin (HOT oils) and  always use with caution. 

5. Diffusing essential oils into the air has many benefits. I use an essential oil diffuser in the house almost daily, sometimes two, one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.  A well made diffuser emits minute particles of essential oils into the air allowing us to breathe them in and absorb them through the skin.  Pure essential oils diffused through your home can kill airborne pathogens, help to ease breathing difficulties, and lift moods.  I use many different oils and oil blends in the diffuser, depending on the results I want. 

6. Oils are VERY versatile. One oil can have many, many different uses. This is one of my favorite things about oils. Lavender can be used to treat burns, reduce fever, help with sleep, calm anxiety, lower blood-pressure, and much more. I’m not saying that it will do every one of those things or that it will cure all of those problems, but it can help each of those ailments.

7. Everybody reacts differently to oils. One oil or blend of oils that works wonders for one person might not work at all for another. Sometimes more or less oils, or a different blend is needed to be effective. This is similar to the way acetaminophen works great for some people and ibuprofen works better for others. Bodies react differently to different oils. If one oil or blend doesn’t work, keep trying until one does!

8. Oils should be applied only a drop or two at a time, and the protocol can be repeated every hour.  It is always better to use less oil, more frequently, than to use a lot and never reapply.

9. Essential oils work to promote our body's natural systems. While some medicines kill off the good with the bad, essential oils help our body work the way God intended. 

10. Essential oils aren’t the answer for everything. They are not a magic potion. God has provided us with many natural sources for healing and He has also made modern medicine possible. While I believe that oils can help to lessen the need my family has for over-the-counter medicine and doctor visits, I still believe there is a time to turn to the doctors and medications.

Lessons from the Trail: Avoid Hidden Snares

I love running trails. And there is no more beautiful time of year to be on the trail than in the fall. There is also not a more dangerous time to run trails than in the fall. The thick cover of newly fallen leaves covers roots, rocks and holes. I have to slow down and be extra careful of these hidden dangers. 

This made me think of an important lesson for life. We need to slow down and listen to the LORD, through His word, the Bible, and be careful not to fall into the snares of sin. 

In Psalm 141, David is praying to the LORD for safekeeping from wickedness. 

LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, And they hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth. But my eyes are upon You, O G OD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely. (Psalms 141:1-10 NKJV)

Let's all do our best to avoid hidden snares!

Oil Flowers

My girls love for me to make "oil flowers" for them to take to sleep.  It started when I was trying to help my older daughter get to sleep when she had a headache.  I took a cotton ball and added two drops of lavender oil, then wrapped it in a Kleenex to keep the oil from touching her skin.  I gave it to her and told her to hold it close to her nose and breathe in the oil.  It worked beautifully!  Her headache eased up and she fell right to sleep. 

 

 

Now both girls like to have "oil flowers" often.  Whether for a headache, bellyache, coughing or just trouble falling to sleep.

Next time you have a little one who is having troubles at bedtime, try an "oil flower"!

A great source for essential oils is Spark Naturals.  For 10% off of your entire order, use discount code:  lisakaye

VOTE!

Vote!  And pray for our nation to move in a direction that is pleasing to the LORD.

We recently watched a movie about one of America's national monuments that I had never heard of, The National Monument to the Forefathers.  Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure is an interesting documentary showing that putting God first is the only way to build a strong nation.

Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31

 

Who can find a virtuous wife? 

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her;

"Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

 

 

WOW!  I want to be this woman!  She is a rare woman.  A paragon of virtue.  This woman is trustworthy, industrious, organized and loving.  She has her priorities in order and follows what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  I try each day to serve God and take care of my family.  I may fail at times, but I hope to always strive to be like this Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31.