Instant Allergy Relief -- doTerra Tuesday

 Next blog post later this week:  

VIDEO, Distressed Front Door Makeover!

Sick of ALLERGIES???  

Why run to Walgreens when you can run to nature?

Check this out - my story for doTerra Tuesday. 

Amélie is mothering a kitten whose mother was killed by coyotes.  She makes formula and everything. It's so cute.  And so is this darn cat.  And I am not a cat person.  At all.  They about kill me.  Eyes swell shut.  Nose itches so bad I want to stick a fork in it.  They make me miserable ....   This little guy has been living on our porch so the big boys (our barn cats) don't tear him to bits while he is si tiny.  And I must confess, at night he comes and snuggles with Joel on our couch.  Of course, he is adorable.  

Well, he got me.  I went nuts the other night as he and Joel played their little kitten games while we watched a movie.  "Get that thing OUT of here" I snarled through my snot and itching.  Then I said, "Wait.  Let's try something."  I Googled "oils and allergies" and came up with COUNTLESS stories about people kissing their Allegra and Claritn D au revoir. 

The main suggested protocol was 3-4 drops of lemon, peppermint and lavender swirled in the mouth for 30 seconds and then swallowed.  

Skeptical.

I am out of lemon oil but I had saved the bottle so I filled it with water, shook it up and poured it in a cup and added the lavender and peppermint.  Swirled, drank...Now remember, I was a sniveling mess!  Within THREE MINUTES I thought, What the heck is going on? I said to Joel, "Did you notice what just happened? "  He said, "You're totally FINE!  That is amazing!"

I am lovin' this company.

I love that their oils are strong and pure without the junk that was in the health food store oils I had been using.  

I love that I am actually helping people because helping people live healthier lives is very important to me.

I love being a Wellness Advocate with doTerra. 
 
doTerra Essential Oils nipped my allergic reaction to cats IN THE BUD within MINUTES.  I will use it again whenever I have to.  

What's makin' you itch?
How could you feel healthier today?

I'll bet there's an oil for that!

OH!  I made a Facebook Group where you can post your questions too!  Join in!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/733872890018993/

Want to join my team?
For extra $ or just to save 25% on your oils?
Wholesale pricing available and lots of free stuff for newbies!

Here's to eyes that don't itch!
Angela,
Parisienne Farmgirl

www.MydoTerra.com/ParisienneFarmgirl

Helichrysum Oil

Here's my oil of the day... Helichrysum. 

And yes, I do mean "sear tissue"  this oil can be used directly on an open wound... it can even stop hemorrhaging until medical personal arrive!!!   It can be used on severe burns and wounds from the moment of damage all the way thru the healing process.

 

A must-have here on the farm with a fire pit, metal fencing, gravel driveway, pitch forks... you name it!

I feel confident as a Mom knowing there is something safe I can use in an emergency situation!

 

And now you can search for the best oil 

for your ailments and symptoms!!!

 

I

doTerra Tuesdays - Personal (Thyroid) Health Update

OK, so it's Thursday.  

I'm gonna try to keep it short.
Cause I'm pumped.
So I'll ramble on I know.

Got the call from Mr. Endocronologist-pants today.  (That's a thing with the kids and I.  We add "pants" to everyone's name.  It makes us laugh).

Anyhoo.

I'm not dying of thyroid cancer!  
I'm being funny of course, but then again...  The drama the ultrasound tech was laying on me had me in fits all weekend as I waited for the results.  She kept saying "it" as she was taking her fancy (pants) pictures.  Trying to get "it" (this black mass on the screen) from this angle and trying to get "it" from that angle.  Her and the other tech studied "it" and referred to "it" so hard core I thought I needed to go home and re-vamp my will!

"It"???  
What the bleep is IT?  
I am laying there thinking.

Then to top it off she says, as I am walking out the door, If you are really anxious you could call the doctor instead of waiting for them to call you.

Wow.  
Forget bedside manner.
How about bedside horror?


So, of course, I stalked them today until the doctor actually called me to say I have a 2mm cyst on my thyroid.  Too small to do anything with (I am assuming he means biopsy) and that I should check in with him in 3 months.

In between now and then I'm gonna natural medicine those
 2 mm's to kingdom come!!!
Word.  
Up.

So, I am a happy camper.
One stresser off the list, sort of, for now.

Tomorrow I meet with a neurologist and I'll update accordingly.

But this post is about Essential Oils right?

Look, I am a born sales-girl at heart so I know I can come off like a Mac truck on a freeway.  You'll have to get over it - some things, like Jesus, are too good not to share! 

I've been taking these/using these oils faithfully for about two and a half weeks.  Maybe more like three.  And I haven't felt better in the last couple of years.

Here's what I am experiencing...

No doom and gloom feeling. 

No depression.  (I've really been struggling with this on and off the last couple years.)

WAY less hair loss.  (I have ALL WHITE floors and dark brown hair, so I know what's up.)

I am sleeping a bit better.  No perfectly, but better.  (I was waking up and not being able to fall back asleep.)

No grabbing, choking feeling around my neck (from swollen thyroid).

I've even lost 2 pounds ON ACCIDENT.  For the first time in my life.  ON ACCIDENT!  Could my thyroid be regulating itself better???

Hubby kissed me the other day and I thought, Hey - maybe we better take this party upstairs.  Seriously.  That's a miracle.  I was thinking I should start a new blog called, "Sister Angela" if you know what I mean.  That or become a sales rep for FRIGID-aire.

And a more recent thing - I ordered a few new oils last week as I am making over our (empty) medicine cab little by little.  I ordered the big-mammer-jammer.... Frankincense.  Frankincense has all this brain power mo-jo (watch video here).  I've been rubbing it at the base of my neck, right on my spine since Thursday past and I have had only TWO LITTLE MINI-TWITCHES.  (See previous post).  I mean, this twitching was getting so bad I actually checked with hubby to see if he knew seizure protocol and I made him promise not to scare the kids if it ever happens around them. 
TWO LITTLE MINI-TWITCHES!

(I have twitched as many times as 25 violent jerks in a row). 

Granted, I have been taking EXCELLENT care of myself but come on... this is a big deal for me.

Hubby is seeing GREAT results too which I will expound on another time.  We each are feeling really, really good and it's really refreshing.

I hate this expression,
"An overall sense of well-being"
But that's exactly how I feel. 

Dare I say... Perky!

I'm gonna keep at it.  I'm gonna keep learning more.  I'm gonna keep answering your questions as best I can (if it takes me awhile be patient - I got a TON of emails the last time.)  

In the meantime - what's bugging you?  
Anxiety? 
Migraines?  
IBS?  
Stress? 
Unsightly moles or skin tags?  

If you've ever stepped foot into a Walgreens for ANYTHING then Essential Oils are for you.
You name it and I'll bet there's an oil for that.

Happy Health.
Angela,
Parisienne Farmgirl

PS - I know I am working with Amazon now but please if you are going to buy, buy them thru my doTerra store as I can not guarantee the integrity of the product if you buy through Amazon.  There are stories of people diluting the oils and re-sealing the product.  

Here's your link to shop.  Remember -- getting your products at wholesale is just like buying a membership to Costco!  But it's cheaper and when you renew you get a free Peppermint Oil!!

Style File #1 - Rockin' The Middle Finger.

It's happened upon flattered occasion that I receive the sweetest emails asking me to write about my personal style.  I've always been hesitant aside from the occasional post --like who am I to write on style?... but as I am on pins and needles waiting for my September Vogue I thought,  Hey, why not?  And so....

Enter - the Style Files.

My excuse to talk style tips, fashion and pretend to have a clue.

Sounds fun - right?


Now, Let's talk about the middle finger.
No, not about the bird.
The middle finger.
On my right hand specifically.

Navy blue dress with side wrap detail.  Turquoise necklace and bracelet with favorite bright colored ring.

Selected for our Door County portraits by Ping Photography.

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuv to wear rings on my middle finger.

Big rings.

Yeap - while I suppose my clothing style leans a bit more classic my accessories style leans a bit more dramatic and nothing says drama to me personally like a
Big. 
Chic. 
Chunky ring.

At this point, it's almost a hang up for me.  If I am dressed to leave the house and don't have a middle finger ring I feel naked.  

Like walking around without earrings.... quelle horreur.

Those darn rings make me feel confident.  
Corny, I know.

SOMETIMES I wear the ring on my right ring finger.  If it is a more feminine ring, like my Diana knock off it looks much more elegant on a ring finger but my big chunky ones definitely go on my middle finger. 

I'm almost just as neurotic about a bracelet on my right hand too.  But I don't have as many of those.  Just a few.  And they rock.

Drama isn't about being tacky. 

I abhor tacky.  

It's about being bold and knowing what works for oneself. 

To keep things tailored stick to ONE ring per hand.  

Let's continue with that... and these are just my personal "style rules":

Earrings.
One earring per ear.   And if you think cheap shoes will ruin an outfit so will cheap looking earrings.  If you want to look like you care - even on your "worst Mom day" then keep earrings in your ears.  Simple studs will suffice and a nice zirconia will brighten your entire look.  If hubby hasn't bought you the real deal yet (insert wishful sigh) you can get affordable sterling silver zirconia at T.J. Maxx, Target, even Amazon like these:



I stress that you wear a REAL metal in your ears if you are going to wear them daily as cheap, fake, jewelry is LOADED with HIGHLY toxic cadmium and lead.

If you must wear a nose ring (and I've got two cousins who this totally works for) then a simple stud is chic... but let's not walk around looking like a bull if you know what I mean.  Just my little ol' opinion. 

Bracelets?  Oh goodness.  I'll stack as many as I can, again, most of the time only on one hand.  Sometimes just one bracelet, sometimes different sizes and thicknesses like that lovely cluttered Chanel look...  Pearls, beads, gold and more pearls.

I've had some of my rings forever.  I've received rings as gifts and found the rest of them here and there over the years.  My big green one was on clearance at T.J.'s for $3!!!  I love it but wear it sparingly lest the cheap metal wear off.  I had one in my hands up in Door County for $296.  It was gorgeous, silver with some opaque stone I'd never heard of but I opted for my olive buckets instead... but darned if I can't stop thinking about that ring!  

So on that note let's shop!  I did a little scouring on Amazon and found these ranging from $5 to about $85. 

THIS ONE IS MY FAV!  I WANT this one!!!

 

Big rings tend to be big on color.  Instead of matching my clothes and accessories I'll often chose a complimentary color instead.  

Here's how you I might pair mine up:

Navy clothing - green or pale pink accessories or sometimes coral

Khaki clothing - navy, green, coral or metal accessories

Mustard/yellow clothing - navy accessories

Green clothing - navy/sapphire accessories

Pink clothing - iridescent or cream accessories

Black clothing - pearls, vintage black beads and red shoes for fun

Neutral clothing - don't be afraid to add color to a neutral colored outfit.  Sure you can go with accessories that are metallic or made of something naturally woven but a splash of color is fun and confident like my favorite necklace here or this sheath with peacock green suede pumps.

Lame photos I know... clothing is impossible to shoot!   But I've decided this is what I'll be wearing for Thanksgiving this year.  Calvin Klein hounds tooth sheath (thank you clearance aisle at T.J. Maxx) and peacock green suede heals.  Aw-yeah. 

And then pajamas for dessert time of course!!!

So, what's part of your "signature look" when you leave the house? - middle finger rings are definitely part of mine!  

Eat Like a Parisienne... Part IV -- A Flashback Post

If you are just joining us this is a flashback post from a couple years ago.  I now have a "fab five" and am posting this series again to celebrate losing the baby weight in a LONG 51 weeks and to continue to motivate myself and others to stay healthy and if you want to lose weight this is a fun and unique approach.  Thank you all for the kind words in my decision to re-post this series.  I'm so happy you are enjoying it!  If you're so inclined pin it to your health and fitness boards and I'll luv ya foreva.  

Part IV.

So... 

Where did we leave off...

Chocolat?

I just got the Fab Four tucked in and I wish I had some right now!

Oh, that's right.  

We left off on "chemicals".  

We've talked about what the Parisienne's don't eat, now let's talk about what they do and how they do (and don't) do it.

Here's a few more hints...

• Les Parisienne's also, as mentioned in a comment - take the TIME to eat.  When you stand up to eat, YOU EAT MORE.
• They employ the fork and knife.  Finger food, aside from asparagus spears is hardly acceptable.  Use silverware this week.  You'll slow down.   You'll notice when you are full.
• They eat good food and eat it often, just less of it.  As noted in the last post - they enjoy wonderful food, thus eliminating the need for binging.
• Lots of veggies and lot's of exterior aisle food (also talked about the other day).  Shopping along the edge of the store means you are buying produce, meat and dairy.  Things you need to make recipes.

Many of you have mentioned Mireille Guiliano's books and you are right, they are so wonderful!  The first time I read French Women Don't Get Fat you probably heard me screaming, "Oui! Oui! Oui!" - it's just so good.  It's what American women NEEDED to hear.

If you haven't read them - you HAVE to read her books.  Plus, if you have always wanted to try cooking French inspired food, they are a WONDERFUL way to get your feet wet.  Many of the recipes will become instant favorites for you and your family.

If you read her second book, A French Woman for all Seasons you probably noticed her suggested seasonal menus.  
Take note of the portion size.
Take note of the portion size.
Take note of the portion size.
 Take note of the portion size. 
Take note of the portion size. 

I don't know what it is, or how they do it but our Parisienne sisters control their portions in a way we can hardly wrap our heads around.  I bet in many cases they eat HALF the amount we do - or less.  I am not talking about stupid Hollyweird calorie counting... who wants to walk around looking like a death camp survivor.  Hollyweird's obsession with looking skeletal and pre-pubescent is just gross.   I am not talking about wasting away... I am just talking about SLASHING our portion size.  

And oh, my gosh, it's so hard.

It's like its hardwired into our American brains how MUCH to eat, and hardwired into their brains how little to eat.  And every time I think I am going to "out portion control" a French person (when we are dining together with French friends) - they STILL eat less than I do.  Grrrrrr.....

Let me interject just to make you feel better - they talk insesantly.  Surly that allows their stomach the time
 to tell their brain they are full.

Again, some of it has got to be that pressure their culture keeps on them.  Around here, now come on, you know you've thought this...  you pack on a few pounds and you think, Well, at least I am not as big as so and so.  Most of us have a heavier co-worker or someone we could go stand next to to feel momentarily good about ourselves (sick I know, but keep it real, we've all done it).   But what dread to pack on a few and have a whole Metro car of skinny minnie's to stand next to all the way from Châtelet to Luxembourg. 

 Ugh.

Come on - if you've been to Paris, can I get an AMEN?

Here's a tiny glimpse of what we have eaten around here this week...

Plain yogurt (full fat!) with organic strawberries and honey.

Pea Soup with a drizzle of heavy cream.  Y-U-M.

Cantaloupe wrapped with Prosciutto.  Double Yum.

Goat cheese, one egg omelette's with side salad - and of course, my addiction.

Pellegrino.

So, let's get out our pom pons and ra-ra for each other!

And this is the only time you will read me using this horrid expression but...

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

We can eat less.  

We can eat ONE slice of bread and not shove the entire baguette down our throats.

We CAN slow down and eat our pizza with a knife and fork.

We can actually take the time to chew our food.

We can stop after those first few bites and

 see if we REALLY want more. 

We can.  We can.  We can.

But we'll all hit a bump in the road.

Some sudden, freakish urge to hit a Diary Queen this summer when it's 99 degrees out.

The demon of PMS that convince us we need a pizza 
at 10:30 some Friday night while we are chillin' on the couch.

A party with bowls of M n M's on every coffee table...

No matter how motivated and "changed" we are, we are a product of our environment... we ARE NOT Parisiennes...

Which is why you have to work out LIKE AN AMERICAN!

So, put down that glass of wine and lace up your shoes girls!

Stay tuned...

Google Images:  French Women don't get Fat

MnM's & Turbo Jam

Eat Like a Parisienne Work Out Like an American Part II - Flashback Post

 Post Script 8/5/14.  This post originally appeared April 24, 2012 and out of all my thousand plus posts it's one of my favorites.  It takes me back to my times in Paris.  It inspires me and makes me laugh.  I hope you enjoy.  If you haven't read it, it's new to you and if you have I think you'll enjoy it again.  
For part one in this series click here.

A little about Parisienne's...

It's been hashed over and talked about so much it's almost redundant for me to even write this part of the series but you and I know, those darn Parisienne's eat much different than us, their American sisters and we can't seem to get enough of learning their tricks...

But first off - let's be real.
I mean, come on.
Have you seen a "real" Parisienne?

Lord love 'em, I am not trying to stereotype - this is all in fun...
but girlfriends are, for the most part, positively Napoleonic in size.

Seriously.

Once I was on the metro, and you'll pardon me for saying this, but I could not stop staring at this women's derriere, IT WAS SO SMALL!  And I don't mean small like, Hollywood small, I mean small, like a CHILD'S or something.  I just kept thinking,
 "I didn't know an adult butt could be that small!"

So many of them, not all of course, but so many of our French friends are just... small.
It can really make a girl feel like Sasquatch.

Once I was in this little boutique (my favorite in Paris) on the
Blvd. St. Germain...

perhaps you know it...
Les Filles a la Vanille... 

  Isn't that the COOLEST place???  Well, anyways... David...
 "Daa-veed" had to break the news to me that I wore the largest size in the store as he was helping me put an outfit together.
 Really?
 The LARGEST?
  Me??

Ouch.

So, they have that going for them... those petite Parisienne's and...
they smoke.
OK, not all of them.  But lot's.

Audrey  Toutou

I wish I smoked.

I am kidding of COURSE!
But darned if you don't always have something to do if you are a smoker.
You would never have to eat out of boredom, you could just light up a ciggy and die your slow death.
And, they smoke while dining out too... which I imagine breaks up their meal a bit, giving their brain time to realize they don't need to eat anymore.

I'm serious.  Think about it.
If you've ever people watched at a Paris café then you know what I mean.
Smoking, talking, hands waving in animated gestures, nibbling here and there.

They also have that whole, amazing food going for them.
Good, glorious, colorful, decedent, sweet, herb infused, delicious food.

It seems that our Parisienne sisters don't live in constant
 fear of food like their paranoid American counterparts.
Jenny Craig hasn't landed on their South Beach, holding hands with Dr. Atkins while snarfing down a Grapefruit but dreaming of a Slim Fast. 
 They have a real Nutrisystem and it's called REAL FOOD.

Come on... that was good.

Delicious food.
The Parisienne surrounds herself with it.
From crepe stands to open air food markets in her neighborhood.
From her local baker to her favorite cheese shop.
She eats delicious, flavorful, full-fat food and she does it often... because food is a PRIORITY for the French, and not an afterthought, she knows she will have such good food again and again with regularity so she doesn't have to binge on that wedge of Brie, desperate for it's creamy goodness... she knows she can easily have some more in a day or two.

I imagine the Parisienne has a sense of shame.
In that I mean, in many aspects Americans have done away with the shame to being very overweight - we accommodate ourselves with extra large movie seats, airplane seats, special plus sized stores and if we get too big we can use a little moped to drive around the grocery store.

Meep. Meep.

But for the French... well... if you are going to be told at a normal, healthy weight that you are the largest size in the store...
I guess that would limit your options a bit wouldn't it?

It's my guess that in such a beautiful culture there is a certain amount of pressure to garder la ligne 
or maintain ones figure.  I suppose that is good and bad for them just like our fading lack of shame is both good and bad for us.

In the meantime, I love to be inspired and I do find aspects of it very inspiring.

Now... how to eat like a Parisienne?
Stay tuned...

And for more info on the wonderful subject you must read the guru of eating like a Parisienne.   You can shop by clicking on the books.  Shopping Amazon thru Parisienne Farmgirl supports the time invested in this blog and my family and I thank you.

All images found with Goole images and are stock photography, source unknown,
from company websites such as the boutique photo (linked) or are public domain.