Hello Everyone and Happy May!

I hope you are all doing well and I hope your extra time at home as been good in many ways that you never thought it could of been before.

I have been enjoying this season as I sit on my back porch with my work computer and a view of my beautiful backyard in full spring....I love the green!  I have been busy pulling weeds, planting a garden and my husband who cannot work right now, is remodeling one of our bathrooms.  My husband and I have also been taking advantage of the beautiful weather with hiking, biking and Dutch Oven cooking over a fire.  He is the best cook and makes chicken stew, pizza and sourdough cinnamon rolls!  He cooks and even cleans his pots!  (Spoiled wife!) This different season we are all experiencing has definitely created a slower paced life....which reminds me of how simple life can be.

Even though it has already been 6+ weeks at home, it has still flown by.  With May turning that corner in a few days, Mother's Day is almost here and The Essential Olive has some great gift ideas that are perfect for Mom!  My definition of perfect means no dusting, it's consumable and kills germs, it cleans and it smells really good. And if you guessed I was talking about SOAP...you're absolutely right!

Soap is simple.  Basic soap from The Essential Olive is made with 5 simple ingredients....olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, lye & water.   If your wondering why I chose olive oil, simply put, it's because it is an excellent moisturizer.  Palm oil makes your soap have longevity so it lasts way longer in the shower.  Lastly, coconut oil gives you a rich and creamy lather.  I use a loofa when I shower and I love all the lather it creates...it makes me feel so pampered since us Mamas need pampering!

So for Mother's Day, you can check out our gift sets by clicking here and choose from Lavender, Sandalwood, Coconut and Honey Almond.  If you want something different, feel free to choose your own products and scents. If you don't see what you want, just ask...I just might be able to whip it up for you!  And while your looking around at all the great products...be sure to stock up on natural deodorant and enjoy the SALE until the end of May.

Well ladies, I hope you have found the good in this craziness lately.  If it has been hard emotionally, your tired of being home or money has been tight, I pray for peace and hope for you along with provision.

Blessings to you and your family from my family and The Essential Olive

Debbie
The Essential Olive

Soap Health

Happy March 2020!

I pray that you are all well and that you are finding peace in the midst of this crazy time in our world.  I offer you hope and joy today and to look for the good that we will see from this point in history…like families being able to spend more time together, extra time for people to rest and watch a movie, read a book, going through photos and having a good laugh from memories. Maybe even making a few phone calls to someone you haven’t talked to in a long time. You could even be inspired.  Did you know that when “the Great Plague of London was happening in 1665, Cambridge University shut down and Isaac Newton was forced to stay home. During this time, he invented calculus, parts of optic theory and allegedly, while sitting in his garden, he saw an apple fall from a tree that inspired his understanding of gravity and the laws of motion.” Wow! Imagine and think about what you could do during this time?  

So lets talk soap….Right now there are tons of articles on how soap washing is the best way to keep germs, bacteria and viruses away.  I have been reading how effective soap really is at killing germs, bacteria and viruses that our skin comes in contact with on a daily basis.  In my research, I discovered that there are thousands of these nasty things that we come into contact with every day.  For instance, your phone is covered in germs and has 25,127 bacteria per square inch which makes it one of the dirtiest items you touch.  Yikes!

When we say the word "soap", we think of clean, sudsy and a great scent!  These words are spot on but one thing we can now think about soap is that when soap is diluted in water, it is strong enough to rupture and kill many types of viruses & bacteria, which include the coronavirus.  Soap is the most effective product to use and hand sanitizers are great to use when soap isn't around, but hand sanitizers are not as reliable as good ole soap.  And with so many of us having a staycation, we all should be able to use soap. 

For a simple explanation of what is going on with soap and how they kill viruses, I've added two pictures down below (because pictures always help me understand more clearly). We can see that the little tails on the soap molecules are made to avoid water but bond with oil and fat...which is what is surrounded by the coronavirus.  These tails act like crowbars and wedge their way into the virus and destabilize it.  The virus membrane then ruptures and is surrounded by water which kills the bacteria and destroys the virus. Yeah!!!  So by washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds, you then destroy the virus and wash it away.  

                   

                   

It is so amazing how the discovery of soap was made and how it works for us. It is also amazing how our bodies were created and can fight off germs, bacteria & viruses that we come in contact with. Unfortunately, sometimes our immune systems do get weak and we do get sick. Having good hygiene, drinking plenty of good fluids, eating the right foods and having a good mental attitude all contribute to how healthy you will be.  

My diet of other proactive healthy choices also includes taking elderberry syrup and my other homemade concoction of garlic, cayenne powder, ginger, ACV and other healthy ingredients. (I'll tell you more about these in another blog).  I also trust God, love, forgive and use soap!  

Soap…do you have some?  If not, get online and order yours today from The Essential Olive. Our soaps are handcrafted and made with organic olive, palm and coconut oils for a rich, creamy soap that gives you a ton of lather.  It’s great for washing your skin, shaving and even washing your hair.  I look forward to your next order and want to offer you 10% off any order of $35.00 or more.  Just type in SOAPHEALTH in the discount code box to get your savings before April 30, 2020.  

So until next time, scrub those hands for 20 seconds or more…your health and the health of others is in your hands!  Click here to order now. 

Blessings and peace to you and your family.  Have hope because we will get through this!  

Debbie

The Essential Olive

Hello & Merry Christmas to each of you!

I hope you are set for the holidays and ready to have some fun with friends and family, eat some really good food and get some time to just sit and enjoy life!

Thank you for supporting The Essential Olive and I trust you have enjoyed your products, whether it was some Natural Deodorant, Soap, Essential Oil Roll Ons or some Lip Balm!

By supporting The Essential Olive, you have also supported a few schools in some small villages in Mozambique, Africa.  Back in 2009, Julie Miller, started a preschool under a mango tree with just a few children and now there are three schools!  These schools have not only given children an education but a hope to provide for the next generation as well as jobs for the local community.  So thank you for making a difference!

Coming up for 2020....I'll be introducing Whipped Body Butter...it's the best...it's silk soft to the touch and doesn't feel greasy when putting it on!   You're gonna love it so watch for it on The Essential Olive website in January!

As a thank you, I want to extend free shipping for the month of January on orders of $35 and over.  Please use coupon code FREESHIPPING.

Lastly, I pray that this New Year 2020 will bring you a ton of happiness, health and a year of new adventures and learning!

Merry Christmas and have the best New Year....2020!

Debbie
website:  The Essential Olive
Instagram & Facebook: The Essential Olive

Bite Me Not Bug Spray & Body Butter

Your choice or get them all!

Bite Me Not comes in a Spray or Body Butter!  If you're a camper, hiker or just sit outside in the backyard by the fire kinda person, then you will want to get your Bite Me Not!   Tried and tested by Tom and myself, we have sprayed Bite Me Not on our skin and clothing....sat outside at the patio table under the oak tree and waited...and waited...and then some came.  Buzz....Buzz...but no landing on us.  Tried it on our camping trips as well...same process...hmmmm...this stuff works so let's put it on the market!

The Spray is great for clothing and the Body Butter is great for face or any other exposed skin.  Since  it is made with Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Butter, Jojoba Oil and other good stuff, its a great moisturizer too!  As for the Essential Oils, you will find it has a combination scent of Lavender, Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus and other great smells that bugs hate!    So click here and order yours now.  Save $$$$ and get the special deal of a 8 oz Spray, 2 oz Spray and a Body Butter before Sunday, July 16th!

Female Peace and Molasses!

HELLO!  HELLO!

Life is good and so full of goodness!  I hope all of you are well.  Myself...doing great and love what I am doing....I only wish I could duplicate myself and accomplish all the things I want to do, places I want to go and see and all that I want to learn and look at Pinterest for more ideas that I don't really have time for.  Oh my, right???

So since last time...here's a quick update...January came in with rain and more rain and 50 baby chicks for some new laying hens that have just started laying...getting 38 eggs a day now!  February we celebrated my husbands 50th birthday with him summiting Mt. Shasta last weekend...something that has been on his bucket list.  March, I was able to plant my garden that is producing lots of beans, peas and lettuce.  April...it was still raining but attendees still showed up to buy Soaps, Bath Fizzies, Sea Salt Scrubs and Lip Balm at the Roses & Rust Vintage Fair.  April concluded with Senior Prom for my youngest and his beautiful girlfriend.  May can running in and out with graduation festivities and family fun on the lake.  June has been filled up with camping trips, Lake Tahoe and some rafting to come.  (See photos)

As for The Essential Olive, the one thing I have been really testing lately is my Female Peace Roll On.  I am at that age where the "change" is happening and with some minor cramping, I have been using my Female Peace.  I find that within about 20 minutes, my cramping has decreased...this I love!  Female Peace is a Synergy Blend designed to ease the discomfort and imbalances of PMS, peri-menopause and menopause and it promotes a sense of well being. It contains the essential oils Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Palmarosa, Rose and Sandalwood.  (At the end of the blog is a list of what these essential oils do.)  And with peri-menopause, we all know that our periods can become obnoxiously heavy as I have experienced.  Because of this,  I felt like needed to replenish my body with some iron and I LOVE molasses.  It is like candy to me and so I grab my Blackstrap Molasses and take a couple spoonfuls (only 1 tsp. if you are new to this.)  I did some research on molasses as well and found out that it is not only good for iron, but also for the following.

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Pantothenic Acid
• Thiamine (Vitamin B-1)
• Vitamin B-2
• Niacine (Vitamin B-3) 
• Vitamin B-6

Blackstrap molasses full of nutrients and when vitamins are taken in a food source instead of a pill, they are more likely to be assimilated into the body.  Yes!  Now me...I hate taking vitamins, so taking a spoonful of molasses, I can do that!  I just found my new vitamin!  And also here is a list of the conditions that have reportedly been helped by blackstrap molasses:

• Anemia
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
• Fibroids
• Acne
• Arthritis
• Gray Hair - Ohhhhh, I could use this too!
• Constipation
• Low Energy
• Hot Flashes - been blessed with only minor hot flashes!
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Carpal Tunnel
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Nose Bleeds
• Weight Loss
• Sugar Cravings - I crave chocolate right before my period.  :)

If you look on this website, you can read all about Blackstrap molasses, just click here and if you need some Female Peace, click here.  Start feeling better now!  

Well hope you have all learned something today and once again enjoyed my writings!  I hope to be back soon writing about my newest BITE ME NOT bug repellent!  See you next time!

Debbie

Essential Oils in Female Peace Essential Oil Roll On

Chamomile, Roman: Muscle aches, menstrual cramps, upset stomach, muscle tension, headaches, regular cycle, nervous tension, mild depression, emotional discomfort, worry irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, stress.
Clary Sage:  Menstrual cramps, muscle aches, muscle tension, irregular cycle, imbalance, nervous tension, mild depression, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, emotional discomfort, lack of sense of well-being.
Geranium:  Muscle aches, poor circulation, imbalance, mild depressions, mood swings.
Palmarosa:  Poor circulation, fatigue, irritability, stress, mild depression, mental fog.
Rose:  menstrual cramps, irregular cycle, muscle tension, milk depression, emotional imbalance, emotional discomfort, headaches, anxiety, stress low libido, sleeplessness.
Sandalwood:  Menstrual cramps, muscle tension, poor circulation, emotional discomfort, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, low libido.

Collaboration....

Hello Everyone!

Happy 2017!!!  I hope each of you has had a moment to sit down with your cup of coffee (tea in my case) and ponder on 2016.  If you haven't, I challenge you to take some time to do this.  I think it brings clarity and causes us to be deliberate about things we can change or improve on for 2017.  Change doesn't just happen on it's own and often change requires YOU to be the catapult.  If we don't purposely challenge ourselves to grow in a positive way, then next year at this time, what will have changed?  This year I journaled and actually wrote out questions and the answers about 2016 and 2017.  My former habit is to come up with a quick answer, get back to work and not every really be deliberate about doing anything with my answers.   But...this year,  I am and have already started changing some thought patterns and "doing" the answers to my questions.  Anyway, God and I got all the questions answered together and below are some of the questions that you might want to take some time to meditate.

• What lessons have I learned in 2016?
• Who have I become in 2016?
• Who has God become for me in 2016?
• Where am I going in 2017?
• What does God want to be for me in 2017?
• What upgrades will I get in 2017 and how do I prepare for the upgrade?

I am anxious to continue the pursuit of the 2017 answers, live them out and then re-read my journal next year at this time to see my personal growth and the things God has brought me through.  

So bringing in the New Year with The Essential Olive, some of my goals are to market my Felted Soap. You ask..."what is felted soap?"  The answer is simple, its soap wrapped up in wool that is felted.   Since I have a lot soap and I have a friend that has a lot of sheep, we recently collaborated to make felted soap!  Some of the benefits of felted soap are listed below.

• they make your soap last longer
• it is a natural washcloth and exfoliator
• doesn't slip out of your hands
• the wool is anti-fungal and you can use for a cleaning scrubby after the soap is gone

What a deal...organic olive oil soap with fine rambouillet wool...a locally made product from northern California.  You can check out The Essential Olive  and Lani's Lana websites.  

Next on the list....beard oil...know any men with a beard???

Til then, smile, forgive, love and walk in who YOU are.  There is no better YOU!  

Time for Toothpaste!

Seasons...they come and they go and once again the fall season is here!  The weather has been beautiful as I sit out in my rocker lawn chair on the back porch sipping my Irish Creme Tea!  I absolutely love these moments of quiet times and expressing my thoughts.  They don't happen often enough!

We started our summer off with Tom and I celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and taking a short backpack trip in the Trinity Alps.  Our plan is to take a longer trip to either Alaska or Hawaii in the near future.  Can't wait!

The rest of our summer was mostly filled with rafting and getting ready for a big show called the Candy Dance in Genoa, NV.  Needless to say, my house was filled with aromas of all the different soaps, over 1000 yummy lip balm and boxes of sea salt scrubs, body butters and all the other products.  My soap room was literally filled to the ceiling.  The show ended up being a ton on fun and there were a ton of shoppers with wagons being pulled behind them as they purchased all kinds of goodies from all the vendors.

Now the toothpaste....

So are you wondering about my catchy title about toothpaste?  The reasoning behind this is that the Fall time is a great time to make toothpaste!  With a puzzled look on your face, you are now asking "why".  I respond with "Because Fall brings cooler weather and cooler weather means that my toothpaste doesn't melt."  I know, now you are a bit confused...toothpaste melting???  Well if you haven't guessed yet, I make my own toothpaste with coconut oil which has a melting point of 76 degrees.  Thus my house in the summer time is usually around 79 degrees...which means my toothpaste is usually a bit runny.  So I have been testing this product for a year now and I really like it.  Yes, it is different from toothpaste from the store, but it is better for you and cheaper!

So are you ready to make you own?   First, lets look at the benefits!

1.  Coconut Oil naturally contains antibacterial/antimicrobial properties because of its high lauric acid content.

2.  Baking Soda neutralizes acid loving bacteria in your mouth which is responsible for causing cavities.  Baking Soda is known for whitening teeth, removing plaque and maintaining healthy gums.

3.  Xylitol is a natural sweetener and contains cavity-fighting properties.  From my research, I have read that Xylitol gets ride of the harmful bacteria and raises the pH in your mouth.  It can also protect and remineralize teeth by repairing the deep layers of enamel.

4.  If you flavor your toothpaste with peppermint, cinnamon or citrus essential oil, all of these oils have antibacterial properties.

Now if you want all of these benefits, but don't have time to gather the ingredients and make it for yourself, The Essential Olive can help, just let me know!  Otherwise, here's the recipe!

HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE

• 5 Tablespoons Calcium Powder or Calcium Magnesium Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
• 3 Tablespoons Xylitol Powder– This ingredient is not completely necessary, but I like the sweetness.   (I add 4 Tablespoons)
• 3-5 Tablespoons coconut oil at room temperature
• 30+ drops of essential oil of choice: Peppermint, Cinnamon, Orange or Protection (a synergy blend, also know as Thieves Oil)

Mix all ingredients in a mini-food processor and store in jar.  Dip toothbrush in and enjoy a natural way to clean your teeth.  (If it is too runny or too thick, try adding more water or calcium to get desired thickness. ) 

Thanks for reading everyone!  Hope you enjoy the photos as well as the blog!  Till next time!

Debbie
The Essential Olive...Living