Several times a month, I receive a message similar to the one below. 

"Hey, can you give me more info on what essential oils you use? I've never gotten involved due to so much info from all the multi-level marketing companies out there. It seems like every time I'm searching for resources it's hidden by a MLM masking as real info."
- Nashville, TN

I have been using essential oils in my home for years, long before they were mainstream. I've also been through several trainings on essential oils by Aromahead Institute and Vintage Remedies.  In the last 3-4 years, brands like DoTerra and Young Living have brought a much needed spotlight to benefits of essential oils. However, the multi-level marketing aspect can be a turn off for some people, including myself. 

These are my thoughts on essential oils.

1. A little goes a long way. Just because they are natural doesn't mean you can be careless with them.  
2. Use them in the air or diluted on the skin but never internally. 
3. Quality essential oils don't have to cost a fortune. 

So, to answer the question above....

I use oils from Plant Therapy. They are a private company with oils available directly from their website or on Amazon.  There is no sales person to go through. They have a fantastic blog and Facebook group where you can learn a lot. They are backed by Robert Tisserand (the father of aromatherapy in the USA). In fact, he helped them create a line of KidSafe essential oils. Their prices are very affordable, they always offer free shipping, and they were just approved by the USDA as Certified Organic. 

Even though Plant Therapy has become my go-to essential oil company,  there are several other quality non-MLM companies that I would purchase from including

• Mountain Rose Herbs 
• Edens Garden
• Vintage Remedies
• Native American Nutritionals 

• Safe Essential Oil Recipes
• Dilution Chart
• Essential Oils for Pregnancy & Nursing

Next up, here is a list of my favorite essential oils. 

• Lavender - Hands down one of the most versatile oils available. It's one of the few oils that can be applied directly to the skin so it's great in a first aid situation. It is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and is great for relaxation and sleep. 
• Grapefruit - This is a fantastic mood enhancer and I think it smells the best out of all the oils I have. 
• Bergamont - This oil is probably my second favorite as far as scent goes but it's also known to help with depression and anxiety. 
• Orange - This is another oil that smells fantastic and I use it a lot for cleaning based on it's anti-bacterial properties. 
• Peppermint  - We use this a lot for pain relief and headaches. It's also a good go-to for nausea. Note: This oil is not suitable for newborns. 

If you are just getting started in essential oils and have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. They are a wonderful and affordable alternative to prescription medications with non-toxic effects for your home when used properly.


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*This post contains affiliate links. 

As a doula, I'm often asked for recommendations at various stages of pregnancy. 

• Any tips on getting pregnant?
• What can I do for morning sickness?
• Which prenatal should I take?
• Is there anything I can do or take to prepare my body for labor?
• Which birthing class do you recommend?
• What can I do to increase my milk supply?
• Are there any bath products that are safe for my baby?
• What can I use for birth control until we are ready to conceive again?

Now, you can find all of my top recommended resources in one place. I'll be adding more products and items to the list so bookmark this page and check back often. 

I'm so excited to introduce you to WINK. I've been following the progress on this revolutionary device since December 2014 and I was lucky enough to be a Beta Tester in April 2016. The product is set to launch later this month and it is revolutionizing women's health.  

Whether you want to get pregnant faster, avoid pregnancy naturally and effectively*, or better understand your cycles, Wink is here to help. 

Wink will accurately record your basal body temperature up to 4x faster than other fertility thermometers and automatically sync your temperature to the Kindara app. Better data means you can take better ownership of your reproductive health and achieve your fertility goal with greater ease. 

Wink syncs automatically with the Kindara app, which is a tool for tracking all of the information used in the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). Your body gives 2 primary signs when you are at your most fertile time. Your resting temperature rises and your cervical fluid changes. Wink captures your temp easily and automatically. 

I used FAM to conceive my daughter back in 2006 and we were pregnant right away. In fact, we were also using FAM combined with the Shettle's method in hopes of conceiving a girl and we did. In order for the Shettle's method to work, you need to be able to pinpoint your ovulation date, which is a breeze if you are already tracking your fertility signs. 

No hormones, no side effects. I love that I can use the same method to avoid pregnancy. It helps me to know my most fertile time of the month so that I can avoid sex or use an alternative barrier method of protection. 

When used correctly, Kindara and Wink together can be as effective as the pill, patch, or ring when avoiding pregnancy.*

*Kindara is based on the Fertility Awareness Method, which has been shown to be 99.4% effective when avoiding pregnancy if fertility data is collected and interpreted correctly.

If you are hoping to get pregnant or you want to avoid pregnancy without hormones, Wink is the way to go! 

​If you have any questions about Wink, Kindara, or the Fertility Awareness Method, please do not hesitate to ask. I absolutely love the freedom it has provided and the information it tells me about my body.