A day in the life of an oiler

A little less than a year ago, I walked into and fell in love with the world of essential oils and health and wellness.  I stumbled upon this world out of desperation when the medical world didn't hold the answers for us, and I was seeing my precious baby boy in pain with no way to help him.  The experience forced me to stop conforming to the ways of our culture, and educate myself of the history of medicine, trying to find the root of the problems ahead.

As I learned more about natural living, I began to transform our home.  Starting with my Young Living Premium Starter Kit, I started learning how I could incorporate the 11 essential oils into my life.  And it was amazing every time I found a use for one that truly worked for my family.  Even more amazing was when I would give some to a friend and hear their testimony of what worked for their family as well.  I could go on and on about how great I think essential oils are, but I won't.

Last Saturday, I was sharing about essential oils at a Health and Wellness Fair, where we were giving Zyto scans.  The scan works by sending signals to your body, reading your body's responses to the signals, and recommends oils, supplements or products that will support your system, based on your body's responses.  It's a way to find nutritional supplements by letting your body tell the machine what it needs.  It works much like the technology of a lie detector test, or a BMI machine.

Let me start by saying that I'm a skeptic.  We've had a few health challenges that we haven't yet found natural solutions to, so I was curious to see what it told us.  Of most importance to me is my husband's Psoriasis and his Psoriatic Arthritis.  Due to the horrible side effects of the medications used for these two conditions, we've opted not to treat him with prescribed medications.  I know there's something to help him, and we are on a mission to find it.  So a Zyto scan sounded perfect!  One of his highest biomarker ranges (biomarkers...that's what the scan is checking for) came back recommending Fennel Essential Oils.  All I knew about this oil was that it was used to increase breastmilk supply and help with women's hormones.  So I laughed.  But when I looked up the medical properties in the Essential Oil Desk Reference when I got home, sure enough they were inflammation, rheumatism, and fluid retention...all symptoms of his arthritis.  So now I'm excited to do our 90 day trial of our top recommendations from our scans.  Excited, but still skeptical!  Hey, it's in my blood...maybe they have an oil for that.  :-)  And as for my scan, it pretty much came back that I'm stressed and have digestive issues...which is right on for me too.  I'll blog my way through it, and we'll see after 90 days what results we have.

Blessing!

Romans 12:2New International Version (NIV)2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Coupon for Cancer - August update

A couple of months ago, I decided that, in honor of my father in law, who was diagnosed with CLL (a form of Lymphoma) 12 years ago, I would start a team to walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk.  As I went about my planning, I had no idea that come the time for the walk, my father in law would pass away after his long battle just weeks before.  So now, we will be walking in memory AND in honor of him.  It'll be a hard night, considering that we expected him to walk with us.  And even now, as we prepare for our team kickoff party this weekend, I was going to ask him to speak to our group about his journey through 12 years of cancer.  So now my goal is to help raise money so that one day, there will be a cure.  And in the meantime, that better treatment options will be discovered. 

I personally, am couponing for cancer.  Meaning, that whatever amount of money I save below our weekly grocery budget by couponing, I will donate to our team at the end of September.  Two months down, and I've already reached my goal of $100.  And I can't think of a better way to use this money than to donate it in my father in law's name. 

To sign up to walk with us, make a donation, or learn more, please visit our team webpage at http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/Life2Live4

Week 1 - $22.66
Week 2 - $0
Week 3 - $5.36
Week 4 - $7.60
Week 5 - $7.22
Week 6 - $0
Week 7 - $6.86
Week 8 - $10.66
Week 9 - $41.03

Total = $101.39

Coupon for Cancer - Weeks 4 & 5

It's been 5 weeks out of my 3 month commitment to coupon for cancer.  My objective - whatever I save below our grocery budget by couponing, I donate to our team fundraiser for LLS Light the Night.  Overall, I am happy with my mostly consistant savings, minus 1 bad week.  So here are the totals so far:

Week 1 - $22.66
Week 2 - $0
Week 3 - $5.36
Week 4 - $7.60
Week 5 - $7.22

Total - $42.84

If you'd like to find out more about the casue, make a donation, or join our team to walk, please visit the team website at http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/Life2Live4.

Coupon for Cancer - Week 3

If you haven't read my previous posts, I have decided to use my couponing skills to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Fundraiser.  Because my family has been effected by the desease, this cause is close to my heart.  So after learning of the event a couple of years ago, I decided to form a team this year.  And as one of my fundraising contributions to our team, I am donating the money I save by couponing, over a three month period, to the cause.

Coupon for Cancer - Week 2 was a total bust.  I went way over my budget, so I didn't even post about it.  But fortunately, I was back on the wagon last week.  I saved nearly $100 on my grocery bill!  Now that my very helpful neices and nephews are back home, we are back to our regular food budget of $75/week.  And speaking of this, I would love to get that to $50/week, but I am still trying to learn if this is even possible when you eat organic and non-processed food.  I know there are great deals out there, but I am not motivated to drive all over town with a 1 year old to get them.  So sticking with one trip a week to Target and Publix is it for me! 

With my week 1 savings of $22.66 below my grocery budget, and this weeks savings of $5.36 below budget, my total donation after week 3 is up to $28.02!  It doesn't seem like much, but after 3 months, hopefully I will add up!

I'm also excited to say that my idea to Coupon for Cancer has given me an awesome opportunity to spread the word about the Light the Night fundraising event.  Not only do I tell the cashiers about it when they comment on all the coupons I am using, but the other day while I was at Target, a lady in line behind me said "Good for you saving all this money."  When I told her what I was doing with the savings, I found out that someone close to her had passed on from a blood cancer.  It just amazes me all the people effected, and the ways God is opening doors for me to tell people how they are able to get involved and make a difference for others suffering with the disease.  Day after day I hear another story of someone, both young and old, effected by a type of blood cancer.

So in the meantime, if you haven't already, you can sign up to join our team, make a donation, or get involved in many other ways at my website http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/ASchlottman

Coupon for Cancer - Week 1

I am in the process of building a team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk on October 17th, in honor of my father in law, who has suffered with Lymphoma for over 10 years.  In order to begin fundraising for our team, I have committed to Coupon for Cancer.  For the next 12 weeks, I have set a budget, and however much below my budget I come in by using coupons, I will donate that amount to our team. 

So week 1 is going much better than I had thought.  This week starts out with my family of 3, along with my 4 neices and nephews, who will be visiting.  Adjusting for 4 teenagers eating through my pantry, I gave myself a budget of $150, which is double what it would normally be.  I included everything from food, to paper products, and health and beauty products.  The only thing I didn't include were pet supplies and baby wipes.  My total came out to $127.34, leaving us with a week 1 donation of $22.66!  Our teams first donation! 

If you are interested in joining our team to walk with us, you can do so on our website http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/Life2Live4.  It costs nothing but your time.  You can also make a donation at the same webpage.  Hopefully more savings next week!  God bless!

Coupon for Cancer

I've been racking my brain to come up with ways to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's  Light the Night Walk.  It's easy enough to just donate your money, but to get more involved with the cause, I have decided to Coupon for Cancer.  The steps I'm taking are as follows:

1. Set a Budget

For my family, I am setting a budget of $25 per person per week.  Our average grocery bill is around $75 a week, which adds up quickly now that we are trying to eat organic and unprocessed foods.  Especially since produce looks so good this time of the year!  I could blow our budget on produce alone I think!  I say per person, because I will have 4 extra teenagers staying with me for 2 weeks while I'm doing this, so I have to be realistic.  Our normal budget for 2 1/2 eaters will be blown out of the water!  

2. Save with Coupons

With our budget set, however much I save below our weekly budget by couponing after 3 months, will be donated to our team fundraising for Light the Night.

Not only do I figure that this is a great way to keep our focus on this cause each week as I plan and prepare our list and shopping, but I have really been wanting to learn to coupon more effectively for healthy foods.  So this may motivate me to learn more creative ways to save on organic and whole foods for my family.  I am horrible at blogging, but my hopes are to keep people updated with where I am in this, and perhaps even get some of my fellow couponers on board to Coupon for Cancer as well!

To join our team and walk with us, or to learn more, visit my Light the Night Webpage at http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/ASchlottman

Light the Night

I am forming a team for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night Walk, and I hope you will join me.

Light The Night Walk is LLS’s annual walk and fundraising event –and the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Teams of friends and families or co-workers raise funds for cancer research and to provide services in their communities.  Walkers carry illuminated balloons-white for survivors, red for supporters and gold for those who have lost a loved one to blood cancer.

As you may know, my father-in-law is diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Although we have been very blessed to have had the time with him that we’ve gotten, I hope that there are still many years to add to our memories, and for my daughter to grow up having a relationship with her grandfather.  What might be a small effort on our part, when added together can make a huge impact in the lives of others. 

Light The Night Walk has options for just about anyone who wants to support the cause and help make a difference for those battling cancer.  There are many ways to participate in this event. 

• Make a donation to a walker or team
• Join our team or walk as an individual
• Company, Local Business or Individual Sponsers
• Donations for Fundraiser Events
• A gift of time - volunteer your time to the planning and logistics for this event

For more information or to donate online, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/ncfl/Orlando12/Life2Live4

Here are some facts about the upcoming Walk:

When:  Thursday, October 18^th, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Lake Eola

Your help will make a difference.  Walk as if your life depends on it, or walk because someone else’s life does.  Thank you for your support.