Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

Do You Know What's In Your Laundry Detergent?

2/25/2021

The warmth of the sunshine, the birds singing and the daylight lasting longer means spring is almost here! Yay! That makes me think about washing my sheets and hanging my laundry outside! Who doesn't love the fresh scent of air dried laundry?

And speaking of fresh scents of laundry, do you know what gives your laundry it's scent? FRAGRANCE. Fragrance is the term for a companies "patented formula" that they aren't required to disclose. But loaded in "fragrance" are chemicals that our bodies absorb as we wear our clothes all day. These chemicals degrade immune systems, alter hormones, promote free radicals and can cause birth defects and cancer! Learn more about toxins in cleaners at ewg.org

So....these are a few of my favorite non toxic laundry detergents!

1- doTERRA's OnGuard Laundry Detergent
*Free of fragrances, dyes and toxins
*Perfect for top and front loaders
*Color safe and an effective stain remover
*A little goes a long ways- 64 washes per bottle
*Smells amazing
*Wash in all temperatures
*Every bottle has 10 ml of OnGuard Protective Blend essential oil in it!

2- Homemade Toxic Free Laundry Soap
*Economical
*4 simple ingredients
*Easy to make
*Can personalize scent
*Gentle, non toxic
*Wash in all temperatures

Homemade Laundry Soap:
1 bar shaved Castile bar soap (available at the Country Cupboard)
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
3-15 drops of Purify or OnGuard essential oil (or scent of your choice)

Add 1-2 Tbsp of powder with warm or hot water. If using cold water, first run hot water in washing machine to slightly dissolve so it distributes evening through the clothes. You won't see a lot of suds but your clothes will be spectacularly clean!

Simple and Easy Immune Booster!

9/18/2020

Right now, staying healthy is on most people's minds! Having a strong immune system is always a priority to me pandemic or no pandemic!

OnGuard Protective Essential Oil Blend is my go-to for year round immunity support! This blend of Clove, Cinnamon, Wild Orange, Rosemary and Eucalyptus not only smells so warm and inviting but it's easy to use!

* Add 6 drops to your diffuser
* Add 30 drops to a 10 ml roller and fill with Fractionated Coconut oil and roll 1 circle on the bottom of your feet twice daily. (Or just purchase a OnGuard Touch which is a 10 ml roller already diluted and ready to go!)
*Add 1 drop of OnGuard to a glass of water or under your tongue

For an even more powerful immune boost:
14 drops Lemon essential oil
10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
10 drops OnGuard essential oil
8 drops Oregano (or Thyme for kids) essential oil
Add to a 10 ml roller and fill with Fractionated Coconut Oil. Apply 1 circle to the bottom of feet twice daily.

Lastly, if I feel something coming on and I need something more, I pop an OnGuard softgel in my mouth twice a day until I feel better. Works every time!!

Our immune systems stay strong when we support them consistently so these recommendations give the best results when done daily.

Simple but Powerful! Easy, Homemade Liquid Soap

3/18/2020

I've been making my own dish and hand soap for years! It's honestly one of the easiest things to do and it only requires a few ingredients! Plus, I love that I can add essential oils for immune boosting benefits or for a scent to match the season!

Dish Soap

1 1/2 cups Liquid Castile soap (available at the Country Cupboard)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vegetable glycerin
1 tsp baking soda
20 drops of essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and put in a 16 oz glass pump bottle (available at the Country Cupboard).
*The vegetable glycerin and baking soda keep it from gumming up and sticking to the spout on your pump.
**You can also use this recipe for hand soap as well.

How Safe is Your Dishwasher Detergent?

1/25/2020

Have you ever considered that what you wash your dishes with eventually ends up in your body? Yikes! Do you really want to be ingesting what's in your detergent?

According to Environmental Working Group, the leading two dishwasher detergents- Cascade and Finish both have moderate to high risks to your health.

Cascade Platinum Action Pacs detergent has a high risk for cancer, developmental and reproductive health, skin irritation and asthma/respiratory health.

Finish Quantum Max Powerball detergent has a moderate risk for skin irritation, damage to vision and DNA, cancer, digestive effects, developmental/reproductive/endocrine and respiratory effects.

If thinking about your dishwasher detergent causes alarm to you, you have a few options.

1- Make your own dishwasher detergent (recipe below) that has little to no risks to your health. It only has 4 ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store and made in 5 minutes or less! Plus it makes your dishes sparkle!

2- Go to Environmental Working Group and search under your favorite detergent to see how safe it is for you.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid
1/2 cup kosher salt

Put all ingredients in a large bowl and stir together until combined. Use 1/2-1 tablespoon per dishwasher load.

Refreshing Rosemary!

5/7/2019

Rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen shrub whose leaves are frequently used to flavor foods such as stuffing, pork, roast lamb, chicken, and turkey. Along with its culinary applications, Rosemary has many benefits. Rosemary supports healthy digestion* and internal organ function.*Taken internally, it helps to reduce nervous tension and occasional fatigue.*

My favorite way to use Rosemary is rub a drop on my wrist and then breath in for mental clarity and energy.

For a satisfying dinner at home, try dōTERRA’s Rosemary Zucchini Fettuccine through the link below.
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-rosemary-zucchini-fettuccine

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

11/21/2017

I could survive Thanksgiving dinner on just side dishes and dessert alone! This is one of my favorite fall desserts and is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal.

Pumpkin Layer:
1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons of almond flour
1/2 cup oat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar (or date paste)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon clove
1/2 pumpkin puree
1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon milk
(almond, rice, coconut will all work also) at room temperature
1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

Topping:
1/3 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup pecans
1 cup additional very hot water.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a smaller bowl, stir together milk, pumpkin, melted coconut oil, (date paste if using) and vanilla to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until combined. The batter will be very thick. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.
4. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, stir together syrup, water, cinnamon until well combined. Stir in the pecans, then drizzle the topping mixture over the pumpkin batter. Pour the hot water evenly over the top. DO NOT STIR. Place in oven with a baking sheet underneath to catch any drips. Bake for 55 minutes, just until the middle is set. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

It's Just Around the Corner. Don't Let Sickness Catch You Off Guard!

8/25/2017

On Guard! Perfect to get a jump start protecting you from the season to come!
This is a lovely oil not only because of the amazing benefits after a long day at work but because it smells so good!

A few of my personal favorite uses are for blood sugar head tension, in my favorite hand sanitizer (see recipe below) and a few extra drops to boost my immune system when I am around someone who is sick.

Another great way to use this oil is the On Guard Beadlets. They are 1/4th of a drop of oil from the bottle which is the perfect amount if you need a quick pick me up. On Guard is one of the most popular oils blends at dōTERRA because of its wide range of uses. How have you used the oil in your home?

To learn more about this versatile oil, check out its spotlight here: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-doterra-on-guard-protective-blend.

Hand Sanitizer
5 Tablespoons aloe vera gel
4 Tablespoons water
½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
10 drops On Guard essential oil
5 drops Wild Orange essential oil
*All items including glass spritzer can be purchased at the Country Cupboard

Blend together in a glass bowl using a whisk. Pour into a glass spritzer bottle using a funnel.

5 Minutes to a Refreshing, Healthy Summer Treat

7/21/2017

Strawberry Avocado Ice Cream. My mouth is watering just looking at the picture! And yes, this is exactly what it looks like! Yum! This is one of my favorite summer treats, even my nieces and nephews love it. The avocado makes it creamy and smooth.

Strawberry Avocado Ice Cream

2 cups frozen berries (I like strawberries best)
1 avocado
1/3 cup honey
2 drops doTERRA lime essential oil
2 drops doTERRA wild orange essential oil

Put ingredients in a food processor in this order and blend until smooth. Best when eaten immediately. Serves 4.

The Coconut Oil Cure

6/9/2017

I had a recent recommendation for The Coconut Oil Cure by one of my loyal customers. After leafing through it, I agreed with her and now it's on the shelves at The Country Cupboard.

Not only does it explain the benefits and uses of coconut oil but it also has some fabulous recipes for weight loss, beauty and optimal health.

Complete with enticing pictures, just $14.99!

Here's a peek at the recipes:
Orange Creamsicle Whipped Body Butter
Coconut Face Cleanser
Soothing Headache Balm
Healing Burn Salve
Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie
Coconut Chocolate Milkshake
Honey Nut Granola
Spicy Coconut Quinoa Bowl
Sticky Coconut Pork Ribs
Light Coconut Mousse

What's New?

5/5/2017

New. So how does "new" happen? Is it because someone else is encouraging and gently prodding you to start, begin or initiate? Or is it through the influence of someone else? Or perhaps, it's from a suggestion from someone you respect. Sometimes "new" can take awhile to finally make it's appearance. One of the new things this month has been in the works for a long time!