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Angelique Rauschenbach

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In Essential Oils

The Healing Benefits of Pine Essential Oil

TRADITIONAL USES

Pine has traditionally been used to lessen join pain, assist with breathing and to purify the spirit.

BOTANICAL NAME

Pinus sylvestris

AROMA + BLENDING

Pine essential oil has a fresh, foresty, antiseptic smell and blends well with Cedarwood, Rosemary, Melaleuca alternifoia (Tea Tree), Melaleuca ericifolia (Lavender Tea Tree), Melaleuca quinquenervia (Niaouli), Sage, Lavender, Juniper, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Marjoram.

KEY QUALITIES

The True Disinfectant

Strengthening, cleansing, restorative, reviving, refreshing, stimulant (nerve), soothing (mental).

BODY SYSTEMS

Pine essential oil helps to support the following body systems:

  • Respiratory (bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, sore throat)
  • Urinary (cystitis, UTI)
  • Digestive (hepatitis, gallstones)
  • Cardiovascular (poor circulation)
  • Musculoskeletal (pain and stiffness, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica)
  • Integumentary (congested skin, eczema, psoriasis, cuts, skin irritations, lice, scabies)
  • Reproductive (prostate issues, leucorrhoea)
  • Endocrine (adrenal fatigue)
  • Nervous (fatigue, exhaustion, stress)

MOOD + EMOTIONS

Pine essential oil has been used to uplift the mood and relieve mental fatigue. It improves mental clarity, alertness and memory and refreshes the spirit. Pine helps to allay feelings of self-doubt, apathy, impatience, confusion, guilt and resentment.

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS

Pine essential oil enhances self-empowerment and positive energy and has a protective quality that is helpful to highly intuitive or sensitive people . Use it to bring more love, joy, wisdom and trust into your life.

PRECAUTIONS

Possible irritant to sensitive skin (dilute well)

RECIPES USING PINE ESSENTIAL OIL

ENERGIZING FOOT SOAK

  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 2 tsp Epsom Salt
  • 3 tsp Sea Salt
  • 2 drops Pine essential oil
  • 2 drops Rosemary essential oil
  • 1 drop Clary Sage essential oil
  • 1 drop Peppermint essential oil
  1. Mix the essential oils into the bath salts.
  2. Add the aromatic salts to a basin or tub of cold water and stir with your hands.
  3. Sit comfortably in a chair, allowing your feet to soak for 20 minutes.

STEAM INHALATION FOR SINUS RELIEF

  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1 drop Eucalyptus essential oil
  • 1 drop Tea Tree oil
  • 1 drop Pine essential oil
  1. Pour the hot water into a ceramic or glass bowl and add the essential oils.
  2. Form a tent over your head with a towel and place your head approximately 20 cm from the water or whatever distance is comfortable for you.
  3. Inhale slowly and deeply while you breathe in the vapors for 10 minutes, keeping your eyes closed.
  4. Repeat 2-3 times per day or as necessary.

ACTS OF KINDNESS DIFFUSER BLEND

  • 2 drops Grapefruit
  • 2 drops Cardamom
  • 2 drops Pine

Add essential oils to your favourite ultrasonic diffuser and sit back and enjoy the therapeutic qualities of this beautiful blend. Use to increase vitality, warmth and openness.

ARE YOU BRAND NEW TO ESSENTIAL OILS?

I have a free Essential Oils Course that goes through the basics of essential oils, how to use them safely, how to save money and everyday uses for your home, beauty, health and more!

I also have a discount code for you if you’d like to try the same superior quality essential oils that I use.

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In Recipes

The Ultimate Self Love Smoothie

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity! Don’t you agree?

As mummas we often put the needs of others before our selves and wait until we get a break before we do something, “just for us”. But what if we do the thing, when we need to?

Too often we wait until our body is screaming out for a rest or we literally flip out and yell at our kids because our emotional needs haven’t been met. It’s ok to need to stop. It’s ok to take 5, 10 or 20, whatever it is you need to do so you can keep on being the awesome mumma you are.

FRESH WHOLE FOODS

One of the simplest ways that you can nourish your body is with a hit of fresh whole foods. And my favourite way to do this is to whip up a superfood smoothie.

THE BENEFITS OF THE GOJI BERRY

Goji berries (wolfberries) protect the eyes and provide immune system support. They protect against cancer and promote healthy skin. Goji berries contain a high amount of antioxidants which fight harmful free radicals and inflammation in the body.

CHIA SEEDS

Chia seeds are rich in Omega 3 fats and provide a good source of fiber. They contain quercetin which is a bit of a buzz word at the moment, but basically quercetin is also another antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the body and keeps your immune and cardiovascular system working well.

STRAWBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES

Berries in general keep your mind and eyes sharp and help to promote lovely skin. They protect against heart disease and are considered a low GI fruit. This makes them a great addition to your smoothies. Berries are also a great source of antioxidants which helps keep those nasty free radicals at bay.

HEMP SEEDS

Hemp seeds are a great source of protein and pack a punch in your smoothie. They assist with healthy weight management by stabilising blood sugar levels and are a good source of essential fatty acids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED..

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tbl chia seeds
1 tbl hemp seeds
3 medjool dates (pitted)
1/4 cup organic goji berries
juice of 1 lime
3 drops of YL Lemon essential oil (optional)
2 drops YL Grapefruit essential oil (optional)
3 tsp organic coconut oil
1 cup filtered water
5-7 cubes ice

METHOD

  1. Blend frozen fruit, seeds, dates, goji berries and ice.
  2. Add water, juice of lime, essential oils and coconut oil and continue to blend until smooth.
  3. Decorate the top with shredded coconut, chia seeds and blueberries!
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In Essential Oils

Essential Oils for Seasonal Support

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SPRING?

Spring time for many people can be overwhelming and frustrating.

It’s usually when pollen and other allergens are at an all time high, exacerbating asthma and hayfever conditions. I struggled with this for many years and still do some times when I haven’t been sleeping well.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

My go to for this time of the year is to reach for my oils and apply topically to the throat, chest and feet. I also take a little extra Sulfurzyme, which is an organic form of sulfur (MSM). That helps to settle things down really quickly.

THE SEASONAL TRIO

Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint essential oils smell amazing together. 4 drops each in a roller bottle, topped up with carrier oil and you are good to go. This blend has worked for me and countless others as well.

As soon as I feel any discomfort coming on or I know I’ve been exposed and haven’t been sleeping well, I roll it on the bottoms of the feet, chest and throat. You can also pop the oils in a diffuser instead if you prefer to stick to inhalation methods. Two drops each in a nasal inhaler may help as well.

HAVE YOU TRIED ESSENTIAL OILS BEFORE?

Let me know if you try this blend and if it gives you some relief.

I have a free Essential Oils Course if you are brand new and a discount code for superior essential oils here.

Be sure to get in touch with me if you decide to use my referral code 1706951. That way I can send you out a lovely thankyou gift and connect you to our team’s educational resources.

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In Nutrition

Essential Brain and Nervous System Nutrition

VITAMIN B COMPLEX

– synthesises and circulates neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that regulate heartbeat, respiration and digestion.

VITAMIN C + E

– helps prevent degradation of nervous system and brain. Anti-ageing.

MAGNESIUM

– calms the nerves and essential for learning and memory.  Protects against neurological diseases such as migraines, depression and epilepsy.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

– nourish the myelin sheaths that surround the nerves. Help to heal the nerves and nervous system.

VITAMIN K

– improves brain power and cognitive skills.

COPPER

– helps the brain control nerve signals.

ZINC

– crucial for nerve signalling.

For healthy foods that contains these beneficial nutrients, head on over to this post:

Top 8 Foods for the Brain and Nervous System

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In Holistic Health

Top 8 Foods for the Brain and Nervous System

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

– rich in Vitamin B complex, C, E and Magnesium.

FISH (especially salmon)

– rich in essential fatty acids.

DARK CHOCOLATE

– high in flavonols and contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

EGGS

– rich in choline and used by the brain to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for memory and brain cell communication.

AVOCADOS

– rich in both Vitamin K and folate. They’re also high in protein and low in sugar. Avocadoes are said to prevent blood clot in the brain and stroke and they also improve memory and concentration!

BROCCOLI

– rich in Vitamin K and glucosinolates that slow down the breakdown of acetylcholine, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s.

ALMONDS

– contain high levels of omega-3s and brain protecting Vitamin E.

PUMPKIN SEEDS

– an excellent source of magnesium, copper, iron and zinc.

Which one on this list is your favourite?

Could you add each one to your weekly healthy eating plan?

Find out why these foods are so good for the brain and nervous system over on this post:

Essential Brain and Nervous System Nutrition

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In Essential Oils

12 Tips to Detox Your Bedroom

REMOVE ELECTRONICS

Don’t take your phone to bed. Switch it off and charge it in a different room of the house. Seriously consider removing all electronics from the bedroom, including the TV.

REDUCE OR ELIMINATE VOCS

Volatile Organic Compounds can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation and have even been linked to cancer and other diseases. They are found in new paint, new carpet, new furnishings, cleaning products and mattresses. So do your best to eliminate or at the very least, reduce VOC exposure.

UPGRADE YOUR MATTRESS

Many mattresses prior to 2004 were treated with flame retardants known as PBDEs. Research has linked PBDE exposure to thyroid hormone disruption, memory impairment and other adverse health effects. Is it time you upgraded your mattress?

CHECK YOUR BED FRAME

Check your bed frame and how it’s put together. Some are made with chemical adhesives that can emit potentially toxic formaldehyde fumes. Formaldehyde is the #1 cancer causing chemical and is what embalmers use!

CHECK PLACEMENT OF BED

Check placement of your bed head and any mirrors in the room. The practice of Feng Shui is super interesting!

DECLUTTER

De-clutter! Tidy up bedside tables, remove excess furniture and random items. Keep surfaces dust-free.

DITCH THE CANDLES

Swap out toxic candles for an ultrasonic diffuser and some therapeutic oils. Fragrance is the number one killer in the home. It’s literally a combination of hundreds of toxic chemicals that have been known to cause disruption to the hormones, cancer and irritation to the respiratory system. Here’s what I recommend instead.

LET FRESH AIR AND SUNLIGHT IN

Open windows and curtains during the day to let fresh air in and natural sunlight. Sleep with windows open if weather permits.

USE PLANTS TO PURIFY

Use plants to purify the air. Japanese royal ferns, spider plants and aloe vera are among the most useful plants for eliminating VOCs and other toxins.

USE NATURAL FIBERS

Use natural fibers for bedding and switch to laundry products made from pure plant-based ingredients and essential oils. Ditch those that contain phosphates, synthetic dyes and fragrances. Here’s what I use.

CHANGE YOUR LINEN

Change your pillowcases every few days and wash pillows regularly. Change sheets weekly and dry in the sun if possible.

LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR

Leave your shoes at the front door to prevent bringing in any pesticides or other toxins in your home. Especially no shoes in the bedroom where you’re sleeping.

So there you have it! 12 Tips to Help you Detox Your Bedroom. Which one do you think you’ll try first?

WANT TO TRY ESSENTIAL OILS?

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In Essential Oils

Positive Affirmations for Autumn

Autumn is the season of harvest, letting go and tidying up of loose ends.

Use your ‘gratitude’ oils and diffuse them while you say these positive affirmations…

MY FAVOURITE ‘GRATITUDE’ OILS

Orange

Grapefruit

Ylang Ylang

Frankincense

Myrrh

Spruce

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Using essential oils to help you live in the moment is so lovely. I use them every single day. One blend I am loving is Gratitude™ by Young Living Essential Oils. It contains the soothing qualities of a number of beautiful oils and every time I breathe it in I am reminded of how grateful I am to have this beautiful life.

Have you started using essential oils yet?

What are your favourite oils to express gratitude?

HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED

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In Natural Parenting

Homemade Vegemite and Why You Have to Try It!

Have you tasted Vegemite before? If you’re not from around these parts there’s a high chance that you haven’t and if you have, you most likely don’t like it!

I’m a born and bred Aussie so of course I have tried Vegemite and all of its commercial alternatives. I grew up to the catchy tune that echoed throughout every Australian home in the 80s. Those were fun times!

I’m not sure it gave me those rosy cheeks though??

Being an all natural mumma now, I’ve chosen not to feed this iconic spread to my children. Ingredients like yeast grown on barley and wheat, and other ingredients like Potassium Chloride (Mineral Salt 508) and Ammonia caramel (Colour 150C), are additives that are best avoided. Here’s why!..

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID AND WHY

YEAST GROWN ON BARLEY AND WHEAT:

High possibility this product is GMO and also contains gluten.

MINERAL SALT 508:

Prohibited in foods for infants. Can cause gastrointestinal and liver issues.

AMMONIA CARAMEL (150C):

Also prohibited in food for infants and is known to cause allergic and hypersensitive reactions and hyperactivity.

FLAVOURS:

This quite literally could be anything! The chemical composition of flavourings can be complex and because of this reason, Food Standards Australia New Zealand exempts companies from fully disclosing, and therefore not labelling, exactly what their “flavour” consists of. There could be 50 or more substances (or ingredients) that make up just one flavour. For a savvy mum making wise choices about the food they are feeding their kids, this presents a real problem. Best to avoid!

WHAT ABOUT THE VITAMINS!!?

It is true that Vegemite is renowned as having added vitamins such as Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Folate, however unfortunately, these vitamins are synthetic! The body does not absorb and therefore utitilise them, in the same way as it would if they were naturally found in wholefoods.

NOT A HEALTH FOOD PRODUCT

Although we may have fond memories of our childhood and Vegemite playing a starring role, let’s not forget that it was a pantry item created from a waste product. Breweries at the time had a surplus of leftover yeast and so with the help of a chemist, Vegemite was born and marketed to the people as the latest and greatest thing. It was heavily promoted (hence the catchy tune) to appeal to busy mums and fussy kids.

It was never intended to be a health food product.

A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

When something is super simple to make and it uses all natural ingredients, I want to know about it. A friend recently shared this recipe with me and it is so good, I had to share it with you!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED

  • 3 1/2 cups organic black sesame seeds
  • 2 tbl organic sesame oil
  • 1/8 tsp rock/sea salt
  • 150g organic Tamari (Soy Sauce)
  • 3 tbl Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning
  • 3 tsp organic Apple Cider Vinegar

STEP 1 – MAKE THE BLACK TAHINI PASTE

  • In a high speed blender, grind up the sesame seeds.
  • Add the sesame oil and salt and blitz again.
  • This makes your Black Tahini Paste. You will only need 210g for this recipe.
  • Store the rest in a glass jar in the fridge for up to one month.

STEP 2 – COMBINE INGREDIENTS

  • Take 210g of your Black Tahini Paste and add it back to your high speed blender.
  • Add the tamari, nutritional yeast and apple cider vinegar and blend well.
  • Transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge.

THE END RESULT

A delicious savoury, salty spread to put on sourdough and crackers..

You could even add a tablespoon to a hearty stew!

Are you a Vegemite lover?

Even if you’re not, you might like to still try this yummy recipe.

Let me know what you think!

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In Low Tox Life

Why Toxic – Free Sunscreen is Important

Why Toxic-Free Sunscreen is Important

Ever since the 1980’s Australians have been raised to Slip Slop and Slap. And for good reason. They don’t call us the Sunburnt Country for nothing!!

THE PROBLEM

The problem is, most sunscreens out on the market today do more harm than good.

Not only are they destroying coral and polluting the ocean and waterways, they are also significantly causing health problems in the human body too!

TOXIC INGREDIENTS

Have you looked at the ingredients in your sunscreen?

Many are carcinogenic, meaning they cause Cancer. My family have been using natural sunscreens for many years now, and often we don’t use one at all. The sun’s not bad, we just need to be sensible with exposure.

YOUR CHOICE

Obviously, EVERY BODY and family is different so keep taking care of your family the best you can and research the ingredients in your current sunscreen.

If there are any nasties in there, ditch it and switch it out for an all natural one. All natural, mineral based sunscreens can be very effective and often have BENEFICIAL ingredients that help to nourish your body and skin.

Staying Safe in the Sun is a Priority, Don’t You Think?

WHAT WE USE

We are a family who loves the outdoors, especially the beach. We live on the beautiful Gold Coast and spend a lot of time in and out of the water, enjoying the warm weather and bright, sunny days.

On top of choosing sensible times to venture out in the sun, and covering up with hats and swim shirts, we also use an all natural sunscreen from Young Living.

THE BENEFITS

Young Living Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is a mineral-based, non-toxic sunscreen that has SPF 50+, including water and sweat resistant protection for 80 minutes.

Not only does it protect against both UVA and UVB rays, (most only protect against UVB to prevent superficial sunburn) it does this without using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are so small, they can penetrate cells and cross the blood-brain barrier. The risks are still unknown however, once in the brain they pose two major threats.

  1. induce oxidative activity (production of Reactive Oxygen Species), and
  2. induce anomalous protein aggregation behaviour (fibrillation).

There needs to be more research done, especially in conjunction with known fibrillation diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease, and most agree that it is best to avoid nanoparticles until we know all the associated risks.

BE SAFE

Young Living chooses to only ever produce products that are KNOWN to be safe, and this beautiful sunscreen is one of their many non-toxic and chemical-free products that you can be certain will do no harm to you or your family.

NEXT STEP

Ok, so there are two ways to purchase this beautiful, safe product so you can have fun in the sun without receiving irreparable damage to the skin.

1. Grab it at wholesale like I do. This is by far the best option. This is how I buy all my favourite Young Living products at a discount. Simply choose a Starter Bundle and add the sunscreen OR complete a Customised Enrolment Order.

You can learn more by going here. Use referral # 1706951 so you get the discount! And be sure to message me so I can help you maximise the freebies and bonus products with your order and get to know you a little more.

OR

2. A standard retail purchase. Retail products are 24% more than wholesale membership pricing. You’ll still get exclusive access to our online community with daily tips, recipes, DIYs and ongoing support, so still sing out if you choose this option!  

Again, be sure to use the member referral # 1706951 when ordering, so Young Living link you in with me and I can personally support you and add you to our health and wellness community group.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via the Contact Page. I’d love to hear from you!

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In Holistic Health

How to Blissfully Welcome Your New Baby

Little babies need little more than warmth, comfort, love and milk. So when setting up space for the arrival of your little one, here are a few tips..

KEEP THEM CLOSE

1. Keep them close! The closer your baby is to you, the less they will cry. It’s a very raw and biological instinct to keep your baby near you. If baby can smell you, hear your heartbeat and touch your skin, they will feel safe.

LESS IS MORE

2. Less is more! Babies don’t need all the bells and whistles or the latest pram, cot, highchair or toys. Let’s be real.. grown ups want those things, babies don’t actually care. Our precious little ones just want you to engage with them and teach them how to smile and laugh.

AVOID ELECTRONICS

3. Avoid electronics. Babies do not need the latest technology. They will actually be smarter and healthier without it! Babies are hardwired to learn about the people around them and their natural surroundings. Truly, that’s all they need! It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that they need so much more, but it simply isn’t true. Save your money.

REMOVE TOXICITY

4. Remove all toxic cleaners and personal care products from your home. These are an insult to the senses, especially for baby, and they are also harmful to their growing bodies. This is a priority!! You are better off washing your baby in plain old water then buying that “organic” baby wash from the supermarket that promises to take care of your baby “naturally”. Most products, even those that are marketed for sensitive skins, are full of harmful ingredients that are toxic to your beautiful bundle of joy.

USE NATURAL AROMAS

5. Use natural aromas to gently fragrance your home and to create a peaceful environment. This will benefit both you and baby. Just a word of wisdom.. go easy on the oils, especially in the early hours of birth, and only use the purest you can find. It is critical for bonding for both baby and mother to recognise each other’s smell. A blessing of Frankincense here and a drop of Lavender there will be beautiful, but heavy doses of any fragrance may disrupt this natural process.

GET YOUR REST

6. Get your rest, ask for help and RELAX. Listen to your body and the needs of your baby. They don’t come with a manual but both mother and baby have been gifted with this thing called intuition. The two of you have been working harmoniously for the last 9 months, living and breathing together. Read all you can, connect with your support network but keep the focus on reading your baby and tuning in to the signs that he or she is giving you. And above all else.. don’t be in a hurry. I promise you those precious early days will fly by and someday you will cry at how little they once were.

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