There are many carrier oils out there that you can use with essential oils. Carrier oils are great when using essential oils topically. Essential oils can be powerful and highly concentrated, and can sometimes cause skin irritation. Carrier oils can also provide needed lubrication during massage when working with larger areas and muscles. Another advantage is that carrier oils don't evaporate like essential oils, and actually aid in absorption.

My personal favorite carrier oil is Coconut Oil. It can be found in whole, solid state, or it can be found in the liquid or "fractionated" form. Because there is no oxidation with fractionated coconut oil, it never goes rancid. You can visit Everything Essential to learn more about the benefits of different carrier oils. 

Another reason I love Coconut Oil so much is that there are hundreds of ways to use it in addition to using it as a carrier oil! There are so many health benefits to using Coconut Oil in your every day life. 

Here are just 101 of those ways to use Coconut Oil: 

1.       A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)

2.       A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat

3.       A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion

4.       A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz

5.       Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost

6.       After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn

7.       As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)

8.       As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee (The only way I’ll drink coffee)

9.       As a completely natural baby lotion

10.   As a delicious tropical massage oil

11.   As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora

12.   As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion

13.   As a naturally antibacterial skin cream

14.   As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen

15.   As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe

16.   As a safe cooking oil for deep frying

17.   As an eye-makeup remover

18.   As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours

19.   As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer

20.   Better for high-temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils

21.   Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu

22.   By itself as a great tanning oil

23.   By itself as a natural deodorant

24.   By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste

25.   Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth

26.   Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea

27.   Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs

28.   Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush

29.   Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally

30.   Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold

31.   Can help improve cholesterol ratios

32.   Can help improve insulin levels

33.   Can help improve sleep when taken daily

34.   Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins

35.   Can help resolve acne when used regularly

36.   Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema

37.   Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily

38.   Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites

39.   Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically

40.   Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth

41.   For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally

42.   I’ve used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing

43.   In a filling and energy boosting Brain Power Smoothie

44.   In any recipes where vegetable oils are used

45.   In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-fry or as a dairy free replacement to butter.

46.   In healthy brain boosting snack for kids like Coconut Clusters

47.   In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars

48.   In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin

49.   In homemade lotion recipes

50.   In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils

51.   In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars

52.   In homemade vapor rub

53.   In making your own Re-mineralizing Toothpaste

54.   In natural homemade diaper cream

55.   In natural Homemade Sunscreen

56.   In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)

57.   Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms

58.   Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness

59.   Internally as part of the protocol to help re-mineralize teeth

60.   Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)

61.   Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat

62.   It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium

63.   It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis

64.   It’s high lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism

65.   Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer

66.   Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)

67.   Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent

68.   Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)

69.   Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet

70.   Naturally clears up cold sores

71.   Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients

72.   Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health

73.   On cuticles to help nails grow

74.   On feet to fight athlete’s foot or fungus

75.   On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin

76.   On split ends to de-frizz

77.   On the skin as a basic lotion

78.   One reader swears by using coconut oil to treat yeast infection. She suggests soaking a tampon in it and inserting the tampon for a few hours.

79.   Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms

80.   Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows

81.   Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick

82.   Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety

83.   Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism

84.   Taken as a supplemental for daily energy

85.   There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast

86.   There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s

87.   To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth

88.   To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning

89.   To help soothe the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy

90.   To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin

91.   To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

92.   To season cast iron skillets

93.   To support healthy thyroid function

94.   Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections

95.   Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection

96.   Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack

97.   When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production

98.   When taken regularly, it can help fight candida

99.   When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite

100.                        Whipped with Shea butter for a soothing body balm

101.                        With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works

Here are some links to more inforamtion on the many uses for Coconut Oil: 

333 Uses for Coconut Oil

107 Uses for Coconut Oil 

50 Ways to use Coconut Oil

76 Genius Ways to use Coconut Oil

Do you know of more ways to use Coconut Oil? We'd love for you to share them! Please comment below with your favorite way to use Coconut Oil. 

I invited my sweet friend Joy to visit and tell you her story. Joy and I have known each other for over 20 years, and she has always been a special friend to me. We spent some of our "wild" years together, then both grew into the role of wife and mother. I am so blessed to have her as my friend and love the woman that she has become. 

Here is Joy's story.... 

You see, a month before my third birthday, my life was almost stolen.  I was born just like any other baby.  I grew and developed just like any other child.  One August afternoon, as my mom was painting our backyard fence I was playing on our patio by our pool.  Before my precious mom knew it, a toy had fallen into the deep end and I went in after it.  Not knowing the dangers that the water can hold, my little body lay lifeless.  

Before I continue, I want you to know, I do not fault my mom.  I hold her in very high regard!  She is my best friend and has been there for me through thick & thin. In fact, I believe that it was her faith & perseverance that brought me through the first stages of my healing.  And it is her faith & perseverance that I now am able to call my own!  She is my hero!! I am told that my sister (age 7) discovered what had happened and without thought she dove in after me.  She too is my hero!!  My brother (age 10) had just learned CPR in the boy scouts (now that is God!) and he became my breath all the way to the hospital.   He too is my hero!

This tragic event in my life was necessary for the Lord to be glorified!!  I need you to know, that when I feel the cruel pangs of “why me” or self-pity, I remember how far God has healed me and His promise to bring my body into full restoration!!  MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, NEVER GOES BACK ON HIS PROMISES!!!!  Oh yes my life has been tough and there are things that I would like to experience like running and jumping and, of course, driving!  But it is just as well, because I probably would have given my mom heart failure with the wild things I might have tried to do in my youth.   

As a result of my drowning, my brain was deprived of oxygen. I was declared dead on arrival!!  Everything that I had learned how to do in life was gone.  I was declared a vegetable, my doctors told my parents to go ahead & give up on me I would NEVER improve and they would be happy to recommend some fine institutions that would adequately meet my “special needs”.  My mom (the SUPERMOM she is) would not hear of this.  She would not send me to a cold heartless institution.  I remember how grateful I was when I fully understood what a true gift that was.  I remember being quite young & visiting a local “home” in the 1970’s. The kid’s looked so lonely and it broke my heart.  I know that if my parents had chosen to follow the doctors’ advice, I would not have realized my full potential; I would not be the woman I am today!

Today I am married to the Love of my Life for 16 years strong!!  Together we share 3 amazing mighty men, 14, 12 and 5.  I am a stay at home mom, I serve at my church and I love coming along side of my friends helping them in any way that I can.

If you would like to learn more about Joy's business and the amazing products she creates, please visit her Sheer Joy Scents website or like her Facebook page. 

Slim & Sassy Trimshakes, like the Slim & Sassy essential oil, help curb your appetite and over eating, even carbohydrate cravings! Trimshakes also help enhance energy levels. They are low-fat, low-calorie, high-protien, high-fiber. On top of that, they are delicious! 

You can mix Trimshake with unsweetened Almond Milk, Water, Coconut Water, or any thing else you can think of. 

There are LOTS of recipes for Trimshakes. Try one or make up your own! 

For more ideas on Trimshake recipes, check out my Trimshake page.

I found this picture the other day. This is so true for me. I want to inspire people. Not for the credit or the recognition, but because others have inspired me. Many probably without even realizing it.

How can you inspire someone today? How can you make a difference in someone's life? Sometime it's something as simple as listening,  or sharing a smile. Other times it may be the way you live your life, or how you treat others.

What inspires you? How in your life has made a difference? Have you told them?

A few years ago, my family and I were in a pretty bad financial situation. At the time, my husband and I could barely afford to feed our children. Somehow, a friend of mine found out. One night she gave me a call and said she would be in my area, and could she stop by. When she showed up, she walked in with bags of groceries that had been donated by others. She had reached out and asked for donations, without letting any of our mutual friends know who it was for.

I will never forget that feeling of gratefulness and profound inspiration. Since then, I have done my best to do the same for others. Not for the recognition, but because I know how it feels and how much that simple act was appreciated.

I would love to hear from everyone on what or who has inspired them or made a difference in their lives. I invite everyone to comment below with their stories.