5 Benefits of Vitamin C Shower Filters

Many of you have messaged me about your desire to use more natural methods for your hair. However, my first question is often unexpected: What kind of water are you using?

This is important because water is a fundamentally part of what is natural, but it's often taken for granted. If we are using water full of chemicals, then how much of an impact will it be to change your shampoo to a more natural variety? And will it even work properly with all the chemical build up? 

Always, always fix your water first! So I have to ask-- how safe and effective is your shower water? This is why I recommend getting a Vitamin C Shower Filter, but let me tell you why.

Non-Toxic Stain Remover

Got a stain? Well, that sucks. But do you know what sucks more? Chemicals in traditional stain removers. Yeaaaah.... you know, stuff like Methylisothiazolinone, PPG-3 Methyl Ether, Kerosene (petroleum), and C14-15 Pareth-7. These chemical ingredients may contribute to unpleasant things like cancer, but that's cool because at least you'll have that stain out, right?

But don't just believe me. Check out the EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaners and see how your stain remover rates on the toxicity scale. But be warned. It can be pretty scary!

If you decide to reduce chemicals in your home to help protect your health and wellbeing, then you may be interested in a really easy non-toxic stain remover.

DIY Foundation Powder

Wanna be a natural beauty? Of course you do! One of the best things in the world is finding a DIY that is gentle on skin and when you wear it consistently-- your skin glows!

This powder is soft and sheer. It truly is a light coverage which is exactly what I wanted. If you're looking for full coverage, you won't find it here! This works well over liquid foundation (there is a recipe at the bottom of this post) or by itself depending on the coverage you want. But the good news is that using this regularly can help improve the appearance of skin naturally. WIN!

DIY Cuticle and Nail Serum

Do your hands need some help? I hear you. This season always gets to me too! I am totally in love with my Homemade Lavender Rose Hand Lotion. Have you tried it yet?! I hope so because it's one of my favorite DIYs in the entire world! And apparently it is so amazing that someone decided to steal it and put it in a book (which is 100% illegal. Google it). Oh, Tina... for shame! 

Life is funny like that. When life gives you lemons, you just got to make more DIYs. Seriously, it's therapeutic! You should totally try it the next time you are frustrated with something. Just make some salt scrubs and knead that salt so good. It will be so mixed up by the time you're done with it and your friends will be like "Daaaaaaaamn, girl. This is the best salt scrub ever."

Easy DIY Car Freshener

Cars can be stinky. Especially when you have a dog and an active man who frequently ride in them. Also, I may or may not be the best at cleaning my car, but that doesn't matter and it is not important at all. What is important is that we don't have to tolerate the stink! There is a simple solution: air fresheners!

And noooo... I am not talking about those popular retail brands. I stay a million miles away from all retail air freshener products because they are one of the MOST TOXIC substances you can find! Seriously. Google it and you will probably toss out every air freshener product you own lickety-split.

FUN FACT: Did you know that most retail air fresheners are derived from petroleum and can aggravate the respiratory system? True story. If you have respiratory goals (or if you simply like to, you know, breathe) then you may want to consider ditching those plugins and sprays ASAP!

DIY Winter Skin Care Routine

Ahhh... the weather is cooling down, but so is the humidity! I don't know about you, but my skin absolutely loves moisture and as soon as it gets a little dryer outside my face revolts! Dry skin everywhere. WATCH OUT! Stand close enough to me and you might think it's snowing. I'm serious. It can be bad!

I've gotten a few questions about what I do when the weather cools down and our skin starts to dry out so I thought I'd share with you my winter skin care routine! I just make some simple swaps in the recipes I already know and love.

Immune Supporting Winter Tea

Do you agree that it is important to keep your immune system healthy during the fall and winter months? I totally think so! You may have doubts and if so just answer this one itty bitty teeny question..

Which sounds better? Keeping your immune system strong and helping your body naturally handle anything it encounters OR waiting until you get sick, going to the doctors and taking days off of work? It's up to you! If you answered A, then keep on reading, folks! I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to help keep my immune system strong! 

Now I am not a saying this Immune Supporting Tea will STOP you from getting sick, but it will help your body to stay in tip top shape so that it can better handle itself and the surrounding world. After all, I'm not a doctor so I can't make claims that anything would cure or prevent anything because that's just crazy (and illegal). 

DIY Bountiful Bosom Serum to Support Breasts

Ah! October. The month where all the toxic, chemical filled products become wrapped in beautiful, pink labels to help support breast cancer. It's just so heartwarming to know that so much of the money donated to the cause is helping CEOs of companies live happier, richer lives and wrap even more toxic products in pink each October. They are doing so much for breast cancer awareness!

And since they have the topic of breast cancer on lock down, I thought that I'd just talk about breast support in general. Let's face it! At the end of the day we can all admit that happy, perky boobs are pretty great. And in a world where there is so much conflict, there is one thing that can unite us all together: the best boobs are happy both on the inside and outside.

Awwwww.... get your tissues folks! I am blowing the cap off of this sentimental thing today!

DIY Toner for Sensitive Skin

Ah! Skin. The mystery of the world. What does it like? What makes it happy? Chocolate? I think it must be. Everything likes chocolate.

Okay, okay! Seriously. I would not mind rubbing chocolate all over my face (except I would hesitate to eat it afterwards so what a waste), but chocolate doesn't do much for my sensitive skin. In fact, anything with sugar tends to make my face go insane! WAH!

But do you know what makes my skin happy? If you said Brad Pitt-- then you are right (I get a glow when I think of him. Rawr), but I actually meant toner. My skin glows and is so happy whenever I use toner and I really love it because of how effective, inexpensive, and easy it is to make me look awesome. Win. (And I'm totally humble)

Easy DIY Mattress Cleaners

Let's talk about mattresses. Can we just all agree right now--- mattresses are dirty.  Really, really dirty!!

In fact, they are so dirty (aka gross) that there are studies showing that preventable harmful contaminants were found in over 50% of mattresses that were cleaned regularly!! They estimated that typical home and hotel mattresses are much, much dirtier due to lack of regular cleanings! And that doesn't even begin to touch the air quality issue with dust mites and other air pollutants that surround a dirty mattress! And if you like to sleep as much as I do-- then that's a problem!

It is recommended that you wash your sheets weekly, but at most every 2 weeks. But what about your mattress? How often should you clean it? Well, it depends on some variables...

• Is your mattress without a Organic Mattress Pad?
• Are pets allowed in your bed?
• Are their "accidents" at night?
• Do you eat in bed? 
• Do you go to bed without showering first?
• Is your bed the location of sweaty hanky panky?
• Do you use your bed for more than just night-time rest?

Let's Do The Oola Challenge

Alright, friend. It's time to get your adult pants on because we are going to have a serious talk.

Is your life exactly how you want it? If so, GOOD FOR YOU-- you're done here. Go kick back and celebrate with a mango margarita. If you answer, "Meh", "Sort of", "Mostly", "Working on it," or a straight out "No", then let's have a chat...

Essential Oil Wall Display & Storage

I am beyond excited about essential oils (duh) and I have collected quite a few of them in my years of natural living. When you start one oil at a time a single big way to store the oils seems insane (it's not) so I've been using these smaller methods: 5 Essential Oil Storage Solutions. But then I had a moment. My brain exploded when I saw my friend's visual essential oil display.

GORGEOUS.

After all, I love essential oils so YES! I WANT ONE!

Moisturizing Serum for Feet and Dry Heels

Sorry to break it to you, but your feet need some TLC.

Our feet are under appreciated for all that they do! They holds us up and supports our bodies so we can move--- which is actually pretty important! It's vital that we take care of our feet so that when we are older, we can maintain our comfort in mobility. Plus, have you seen gross old feet? Ew. Nobody wants that.

So MAINTAIN YOUR FEET! Treat them like the amazing things they are and give them a little love. They deserve it.

Spicy Guacamole with Lime Essential Oil

BRACE YOURSELF! One of my favorite oily cooks has offered to write a guest blog for us!! {shrieks} I am so excited! If you know Darlene Somers and follow her on social media, then you KNOW how good her food looks (I think I drool daily over her pictures) so I was so excited when we chatted about her writing a post or two for Overthrow Martha! I hope you like it and show her some love in the comments below! 

Take it away Darlene!!! {drum roll}

Preparing Foods and Cleaning Your Kitchen with Essential Oils

Helllllllllo my friends! I just got back from the Young Living Convention in Grapevine, TX! Woohoo!! I am so pumped, but my brain feels like it will actually explode from all the information and education that was provided in those 4 days. So to help relieve the pressure, I decided to share some of that new knowledge with you!

One of the lectures that I was most excited about was from Sabina DeVita, the author of Vibrational Cleaning Guide. She is a brilliant and well educated woman who has dedicated her life to helping people reduce their chemical exposures in life. She's not only an international speaker and author, but also a holistic energy practitioner, registered nutritionist, environmentalist, and energy psychologist. How cool is that?! I think she's my new role model.

25 Diffuser Recipes with Essential Oils

Alright you guys! I have polled all of my Facebook groups, my friends, my family and I have come up with the top 25 Essential Oil Blends for you to try in your diffuser! I would like to thank everybody for their suggestions!! There were so many great recipes that it was sooooo hard to narrow them down! I'll need to make Part 2!!! MWAH! Love you guys!!!

Are you ready to see the top 25 Diffuser Recipes with Essential Oils?!? This is about to get serious.

5 DIYs for Back To School

Okay, okay... I know it's July and you're probably thinking "Sherri, why are you talking about back to school in the middle of summer. This is so lame!" Um, yes, it's kinda lame, but I am channeling my inner diva which told me that I should do what I want. {sassy head bob/hand wave}

Seriously, I have been thinking about about this because I'm TRYING to get my degree in aromatherapy, but life is busy! Between works, school, family and responsibilities-- where does the time go!? POOF!!

The theme is back to school, but this blog post is really for everyone because we are all students of life, right? {smirks} Okay! That was kind of lame, but you know what I mean!

Why You Should Diffuse Essential Oils

I am a self proclaimed Oily Addict. I LOVE to use essential oils in a lot of different ways for a lot of different reasons, but I can admit that it maybe a bit overwhelming. After all, with all of those options-- which oils do you use how and when? I want to help you answer that question!

We are going to start a 3 part series about how to use essential oils to discuss just that!

I wanted to start with diffusion because, well, I am get to decide! I hear a lot of people asking, "Why should I even diffuse essential oils when I could just put them on my body?" and I want to scream THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS!!!!!! AHHH!!!  I love to diffuse my essential oils and I think it's one of the most under appreciated methods so it seems a great place to start!

How to Make a Sugar or Salt Scrub

One of the easiest DIYs to make are sugar or salt scrubs because they actually take about 60 seconds to create (if you mess up) and they are fabulous for the skin. You can use someone else's recipe or you can very easily make your own custom creation because this recipe is SO EASY. It's almost impossible to screw up so it's a great place to start if you're thinking about making your own custom DIYs.

HOWEVER there are a few things you need to know when creating your custom sugar or salt scrub...

Traveling with Essential Oils

Prepare to be jealous! I went on a cruise. But that's not the best part-- it was a Mediterranean cruise! Wait. Wait. That still isn't the best part. Are you ready for it?! I didn't pay for it! I know right?! AMAZE-BALLS!

This cruise was a gift from Young Living Essential Oils for being awesome and rocking the oily lifestyle. I have been fortunate enough to have one of the fastest growing teams in the entire Young Living family and as a reward of taking such good care of them, I was sent to Europe. For FREE.

I love my job.

But we aren't going to talk about ME. We are going to talk about how YOU can travel like an oily rockstar!

Introducing the NEW Premium Starter Kit from Young Living!!

I have been waiting for this moment since forever! Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but I have actually been dreaming about a Premium Starter Kit with these changes for about a year! I am so so so so happy to introduce it to you today!!!

Isn't is so pretty?! Not only did the make the swaps I wanted, but they beautified it too!! {sigh} It feels EXPENSIVE, yo! So plush! Yet it's 50% off!!! Yessssss!!!

Let's talk about what they changed!

DIY Pool Side Protection from Chlorine

I am a Florida girl and I loooooooove the water. My family said that I would rather be in the pool than on the ground (which is probably true) but I kinda hate chemicals (I bet you had no idea). Unfortunately, in Florida almost all pools are chlorinated (boo) unlike the pools out west which are all salt water and glorious.

As a result, I did a lot of research to find the best ways to protect myself from chlorine and this is what I found...

DIY Face Wash and Makeup Remover

Face wash is important. In fact, it's something that I think a lot about. You may think that it's weird to think about face wash, but it's really actually pretty hip/cool and I'm starting a new trend so you should start thinking about face wash too!  To get you started... here are some fun facts.

5 Essential Oils for Cleaning (Chemical Free)

Did you know that most retail cleaning products contain chemicals? Of course you do! But did you know that a majority of those chemicals are considered harmful? The industry isn't really well regulated and often the laws that are in place allow manufactures to hide hidden ingredients in "fragrance" or "perfume" even if it's considered "all natural". BOOOO!!!!

Did you know that 96% of air fresheners are derived from petroleum? The EPA lists the 4 most common ingredients in air fresheners as formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p- dichlorobenzene, and aerosol propellants. YAY! That should smell amazing, right?!

If you want to find out what's in your cleaning products, you can go to the EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning to see how your cleaning products rate. I know when I first found this site I was shocked at how badly my "organic" and "green" cleaning products scored! That's why I became determined to make my own DIY cleaning products for my family!

5 Essential Oil Storage Solutions

I have gotten a lot of emails lately asking about how to store essential oils for travel or just for every day use.  Lucky for you, I'm completely obsessed with essential oil and I have about 10 different storage solutions at my house. Some of them I love, some of them I'm okay with and some of them I would never recommend (don't get the tacky plastic tower one-- I don't know what I was thinking).

Let me show you some of my favorite essential oil storage solutions for every day use, long weekends, travel/storage, and for the home diffuser, too!

Ultra Moisturizing Spearmint-Citrus Lip Balm

This winter I've had seriously dry lips! I went on vacation and FORGOT my lip balm {gasp} and I was seriously in pain from the winter dry lip curse. Horrible!!!

As soon as I got home I made this DIY lip balm recipe which is ultra moisturizing to help relieve dry lips and create a really soothing, nourishing feeling.

Ultra Moisturizing Spearmint-Citrus Lip Balm
This recipe made 15 tubes of lip balm (with lots of spillage) 

• 2 TBSP Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 TBSP Shea Butter
• 2 1/2 TBSP Beeswax Pellets
• 1 TBSP Avocado Oil (Organic) or Calendula Oil
• 1/4 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
• 5 drops of Vitamin E
• 12 drops of Citrus Fresh Essential Oils (I recommend this brand)
• 8 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil   (I recommend this brand)
• Empty Lip Balm Tubes Containers

Over a double boiler, melt the coconut oil, shea butter and beewax. Once melted, add the avocado oil, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Immediately pour into tins or tubes and let set for up to 12 hours.

4 Uplifting DIY Ideas to Support a Healthy Mood

Who wants to be sad when they can be happy! No one. Well, except maybe my Aunt (not to be named), but she's a special case. {sigh} You have one of those in your family too, right?

So if you're anyone other than THAT person, you may decide that you would rather try to be happy, but it's not always easy. Sometimes we have events in our lives that are just plain sad or maybe we are just normally sad people, but we can all use a little uplifting to help our mood when we experience those kind of emotions.

DIY Beauty Basics 101

Over the years I've gotten hundreds (if not thousands) of emails about DIY beauty and almost everyone has the same questions.

• Where do I even start?
• How long do I try a product before I switch?
• Should I keep my store bought products?
• How do I find my routine?
• Why does my skin look like this?!
• What's your beauty routine?

So I'm going to be smart and answer all of those questions now. In one place. YAY for being smart! It just took me three years.... and my friend Natasha telling me to write this.... DETAILS!

You should know that I'm not a doctor or a dermatologist. I'm just a really crunchy girl who happens to really like looking beauuuuutiful. I also may have done a lot of research (and experimentation) with DIY beauty. So let me tell you what I figured out...

DIY Bath and Shower Gel for YOUR Skin Type

Ugh. I admit failure. I cannot make a DIY bath and shower wash.

I bet you're confused. You're like "But Sherri-- I just clicked on this link because you lead me to believe that this was a recipe for a DIY bath and shower gel." Well, it is. But, you see, I didn't slave over a hot stove melting items. I totally cheated.

I've made a ton of different DIY recipes for bath and body wash, but NONE of them felt right and I don't want to tell you about something that's meh. That's dumb. You don't read this for meh. You read this for AWESOME. So I'm going to tell you about the most awesome DIY bath and shower gel EVER!

4 Love Potions To Support Romance

Once upon a time there was a lucky woman who happened to be blessed by being in a super awesome relationship with a hunky firefighter. The firefighter oozed manly sex appeal, but even with all the eye candy the lucky woman sometimes need a little extra help to get in the mood. That's when she discovered a miraculous "love potion"!

Rawr.

Lucky for you she told me all about these recipes because this couldn't at all be talking about meeeeeee....

How to Use Carrier Oils

OMG! Everyone wants to know about carrier oils!! One of the most popular questions I get is "Which carrier oil should I use?" Oh, Lordy! That's a heavy question. {sigh} The answers really range from "Anyone you want!!!" to "You probably should use coconut oil for that". There are so many factors, but I've dedicated my WEEK to writing this post to answer your most pressing questions. Lucky you!! YAY!

In my mind, there are really two completely different rules to using carrier oils when it comes to beauty {aka your face} vs simple dilution for essential oils, so we're going to talk about both today!