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Sorry, I just couldn't help myself! No, this isn't a post about Toy Story. It's actually about my search for a great glass jar for my DIY products that contain essential oils. But really, who doesn't love a little Buzz Lightyear. So much confidence and bravado in this little man. Now, there's a reason a gal would like a quality glass jar. You see, there are a couple of things that I make and use on a daily basis. I wanted containers that would not leak and that I could easily travel with. I was looking for something that would keep my products fresh, not be affected by essential oils, and had a little...bravado if you will. Enter Infinity Jars.  I had seen them on Instagram and was intrigued by their concept. I had also been using a product I'd ordered off of Amazon, and was not too happy with it. So, I contacted Infinity Jars and asked to review their products...and they sent me some for free! What first intrigued me about these was their promise of longevity. I make a lot of things with essential oils: oil facial cleansers, body butter and bummie butters, simple syrups, to name a few. The container you use matters when it comes to essential oils for three important reasons: 1. Some oils, especially citrus, can break down or erode certain types of plastic. I didn't want to deal with that. I needed glass or stainless steel. 2. Exposure to light can cause essential oils to polymerize, essentially altering it so it no longer has the therapeutic or aromatic qualities I'm using it for. I wanted to avoid that possibility. 3. Extended exposure to air will cause an essential oil to evaporate and sometimes oxidize, altering it chemically. I needed something air-tight. How do Infinity Jars address each of those? First, they are made of glass, which is perfect for use with essential oils. Second, Infinity Jars are made of "... ultraviolet glass that prevents visible light transmission and encourages the passage of UV and infrared light. Visible light will over time weaken whatever product that you have stored in a normal bottle, decreasing shelf life and eventually leading to the product being ruined. UV and infrared light cleanse the inside of the bottle of all pathogens, bacteria and mold while also gently rejuvenating your products." (source) Third, they claim to have a light-proof, air-tight seal. If you use fresh herbs or loose-leaf teas; make any DIY beauty products such as lotions, creams, cleansers or lip balms; create essential oil rollers or custom blends; make your own flavored cooking oils, vinegar, simple syrups, or anything else you use a glass jar for, these are a great option for you. I think you'll agree after reading my review! The company sent me three jars of my choice to try out. The public relations woman I remained in contact with was extremely helpful, timely and responsive. She let me know that my jars had shipped on April 6th, and they arrived within 3-5 days... extremely well packaged! I'm not complaining about the packaging, don't get me wrong! These are glass after all. It just took me a while to get them unpackaged. Each jar was individually well wrapped, and there was extra padding in the box, too. Nary a scratch, chip or broken piece to be found.  These are the three beauties I choose: a 250 ml screw top jar, a 100 ml pump and a 200 ml pump. I really wanted to replace the pump bottle I had purchased off amazon for my oil facial cleanser. It leaked. Constantly. I felt like every other day I could swipe the counter and wash my face with it. Seriously. So leakage was something I was keeping a close eye on. I've been using them for a while now and have not had one single leak. Check! I also liked that the pump distributes a small, even amount of my oil facial cleanser every time. Two pumps are all I need and I don't have to try to regulate how much I'm pumping or how far down I push. Consistent and easy? Check! Now, I tend to simply refill my bottle rather than wash it out and start fresh. So, the fact that "...UV and infrared light cleanse the inside of the bottle of all pathogens, bacteria and mold" is a total win and makes me feel so much better about refilling! As for looks, I gotta say, they do have bravado. Very sleek and almost sexy, if a jar can be sexy. They've got a little black dress thing going on I think. Except when you hold them up to the light. Then they change to a deep, rich violet color. I loved the look of them and I also liked the way they sealed.  That's an airtight, BPA-free plastic cap, which stops all flow of air in or out of the bottle, "keeping fragrances in and damaging oxygen out". It also made me feel really good about packing this for travel and not having to pump some out first. I hate doing that. Trying to push down the pump, catch what's coming out so I don't waste it while attempting to screw the pump down at the same time always leaves me frustrated. This cap is just too easy to slide on! And it's kind of helmet-like, ala Buzz. Here's what I was using compared to the Infinity Jar. What a difference, right? They both hold the same amount, they are both pump bottles, but my vote goes to black beauty on the right!  I also wanted to check out other people's reviews, especially since I was only trying three types of bottles and my purposes for them aren't the only ones possible. The overall consensus? Pretty much five stars across the board! Here are some examples of reviews I found for their products I hadn't tried. "These bottles are very thick glass. They are attractive. I am getting a lot of inquiries about them since I carry them around for my water. The neck could be a little wider for water bottles. It would be a little easier to chug-a-lug water down faster. But I am loving them." "This is a great product !! Whatever you put in remains just as fresh as the day you put it there. Tougher than you would think, I don't advise dropping it on the concrete to see for yourself. Well worth the price, I'd buy it again & recommend it to anyone" "First things first, the 100mL dropper bottle and the 10mL dropper bottle are very nice. I am very pleased with the quality. Secondly, the email support was fantastic. I sent an email asking for the dropper specifications for the bottles, and learned that the 10mL bottle's dropper bulb can draw 0.6mL per draw and drop ~0.04mL/drop, while the 100mL bottle's dropper bulb draws 1mL per draw and drops 0.07mL per drop. He even said he would update the website with the details! I really need to reply with a proper thanks. 5/5 for quality and service!" So, what's the downfall to these Infinity Jars? I'd be remiss if I didn't say the price. The 100 ml pump I received would have cost me $18. The 200 ml is priced at $20 and the 250 screw-top jar is $20. To give you a comparison, the cobalt 100 ml bottles I purchased off Amazon were $13.14...for six. However, they did leak, had they difficult screw-down closure that I hate, and definitely do not have any self-cleansing properties! Now, I'm of the opinion that you get what you pay for. So, I'm kinda not surprised the blue cobalt brand leaked. It's like anything else you purchase. Paying "extra" for something that is great quality, serves your purpose, and fits your needs means that in the long run, you're not out purchasing a replacement, throwing the product, and your money, away. You're able to use it for the long-term. In today's throw-away society, I think that's important and necessary to consider. In the end, that's not really paying extra. Because Infinity Jars is so on top of the customer service, they offered me a discount code I can offer only to you, my readers! If you follow the link at the bottom of the page, you'll find their website. Using the coupon code NEALEYTHERE my readers/followers will get 20% off their orders through May 14! Just in time for Mother's Day! So please, share this those you know who currently use or would be interested in these types of products. And, because I want to share the love, I'm giving away the 200 ml pump bottle, along with your choice of essential oils! Aromatouch is an essential oil blend that is perfect for massage. You can add it to your favorite carrier oil or unscented lotion. The second option is an essential blend of what I like to call my Myrrh-raculous oil facial cleanser. It's a combination of Frankincense, Myrrh and Melaleuca. You can simply add it your current oil cleanser, or make your own using Fractionated Coconut Oil and/or Argan Oil. (Find my basic recipe here) To enter the give away, simply comment which of the two options you'd be most interested in and why!
Giveaway ends Sunday, May 8th at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced the following day. Giveaway not affiliated or endorsed in any way by Weebly, Infinity Jars, doTERRA, or Instagram. Must be 18yrs old to enter. Infinity Jars official website
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You know how sometimes, when you're growing in some way, even if you're not aware of it, you start to hear the same words in songs, or perhaps a certain message, coming from multiple sources? The universe usually starts by acting quietly, but if you don't pay attention, it gets louder. If you have any fear of what's to come, or the route to get there, you tend to ignore it as long as possible. Wait long enough and you might just get a slap in the face!  If you've been reading my blog, you might know I tend towards a holistic lifestyle. That includes emotionally and psychologically. I try to practice patience. I'm usually a positive-Polly kind of gal. I seek out people, experiences, and opportunities that fill my cup & bring me joy. I rarely say no (for better or worse!). One of my best friends since Kindergarten described me be saying: "...you welcome people into your home and your life with open arms" and she knew who to call when she "...wanted to do something that bent or broke the rules". I always thought of my mom like that: a bit fearless. She passed away in 2007. When I was growing up I remember our door was always open to anyone who needed a friend, a meal, a bed, you name it. It wasn't always easy, but it was great. My mom was an includer. She wanted in on everything and wanted to bring everyone along. She made friends everywhere she went, wasn't afraid to talk to anyone about anything, and was steadfastly loyal. She seemed to have no social fear and a lack of self-consciousness. I always wanted to be like her in that regard so when one of my besties thinks that I reflect those qualities I loved most about my mom, I take it as a huge compliment. It made me feel really, really good. It also made me think that perhaps I come across as rather fearless to others. And to be honest, that thought surprised me, because I don't tend to think of myself that way. Or at least I didn't... Fear is definitely an emotion I wish I had been better at managing in my early 20's. I wasn't always so proactive or even positive about life and my role in my own life. I had a lot of social fears and was overly self-conscious. I've come a long way, yet I've got some more to go. I tend to think it all started back in 2004 when I did a yoga teacher training through Core Power back in Minneapolis. Maybe it started even earlier than that, back in undergrad. I wasn't as good about dealing with emotional things back then, but I was learning. Looking back now, so much of what is coming into my life now echoes what I was learning then. Funny how it all comes full circle. I recently posted a webinar about emotions and how they affect our every day. As I researched and prepared for the webinar, I learned and revisited ideas of how to become aware of, and change, your beliefs; suggestions for essential oils that can help you manage emotions, take care of your brain health, and ultimately start creating the life you want to have. Then one day, when I was working on something, I can't recall what now, I came across the website of woman named Jen Mavros. As I read through the site and listened to some of the free meditations, I had this feeling that I was supposed to work with her in some fashion. I wasn't sure what exactly that was, so I just kept exploring. Then I kept seeing her pop up in different places and I knew I had to contact her. Fear crept up and told me not to. But I did it anyway... And we spoke...and e-mailed... And she generously agreed to let me interview her and share it with you all!  You'll see that same saying above "Believe there is good in the world" on the wall behind Jen. I love it. I've adopted it as my second life motto, right next to "What you put in, on, and around your body matters". As I learn more about various topics and passions of mine, I like to share and pass them on. I like to think that I'm sharing and being the good I want to see and experience in the world. You never know who is ready for it or needs it, right now. So, I'm sharing this interview because there are so many gems, including:
If you are in a place in your life where you are experiencing fear or are ready for change, perhaps you are starting a business, or contemplating what comes next, or perhaps you've just got a hot minute...watch this one. It's a good one! So you know, Jen is pretty straight-up, so there are a few four-letter words thrown out in this one. I like a straight-up approach, so that's why Jen's my jam. Oh, and this is about 30 minutes, so grab a glass or a mug of something and cozy up! Getting to back to fear, which is where this post began, I'm a believer that speaking a fear out loud, even typing it, can help you get past it. Once it's out there, you can recognize it, give it hug, punch it in the face, and get on with it. That hug part is pretty darn important. If you can't sit with it and understand it, then you can't get to the root of it. Recognizing the root of it allows you to pull it out. Then you can punch it in the face :) Most fear is probably a fear of pain of some sort; the pain of rejection, the pain of disappointment. We all have it. Les Brown says, "You are either going to feel the pain of growth or the pain of regret". I love that. I mean really, if we are all going to experience pain anyway in some fashion, why not experience the pain that will get you the most mileage in your life? Releasing fear and worry allows you to love and put your best self out there, which the world needs. We need you and your best, inspired self. So here's my fear. Ready? I definitely have a fear of not being perfect and of failing. (maybe a teacher thing?) Sometimes that leads to inaction...which leads to feeling even less perfect and even more of a failure. I also have a fear of success, as weird as that sounds. I worry that I won't be able to handle it, maybe I'll mess it up or push it away. When I look at my life, all 37 (almost) years of it, there is little evidence I've failed horribly or wasn't able to handle my own success. So, since I don't have any proof otherwise, I'm going on faith that those fears really are false, False Evidence Appearing Real. I'm done with that. I'm ready to embrace that fear, give it a knuckle sandwich, and move the heck on. How about you? What are you afraid of?  If you don't know, or perhaps you missed my post about whiskey old fashioneds, I'm from Wisconsin. I'm not sure if Wisconsinites drink more whiskey, more whiskey old fashioneds, or maybe we are just uber proud of our supper clubs, mixed drinks and "double bubble". If you don't know what that last one is, you've never been to Wisconsin! It's our way of saying Happy Hour. I don't know about you, but I rather like double bubble. It's almost happier than happy hour. Basically, instead of a drink special or certain dollar amount off, when you buy one, they bring you two. Now, this probably doesn't happen at every bar in Wisconsin, but you gotta love the ones that do! Makes me a bit sentimental, sniff sniff ;)  As we've widened our selection of whiskey in the house and experimented more with bourbon versus rye, I've come to the conclusion that for the moment, I'm a bourbon gal. I just like the flavor better. It's a bit sweeter than a rye and has a bit less bite. It also mixes really well with lemon and blackberry!  I pulled out my Lemon Essentially Simple Syrup for this one, some Ginger essential oil and a few blackberries. Oh...my...goodness. So good. So pretty, too. I love the deep, magenta color the blackberries give the drink and the contrast of the bright lemon yellow. Makes me happy just looking at it. Definitely a double bubble kind of cocktail! Ingredients
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 Does your hometown have any quirky phrases or sayings? Please share! Last week my hubby was traveling, again, for work. At first it was tough, especially when our second little one came into the picture. I freaked out a bit thinking it would be too much for me to handle all by myself. Looking back, it wasn't, but it sure felt like it at the time! Now though, I like to think I've got the hang of it. Our girls are a bit older and we've got the routine down. For him though, it can be tough, especially to eat well when he's eating out all the time, often with clients and sometimes with friends he hasn't seen for a while. Before he came home I got a text saying "Too many burgers and pizza! Need some vegetables!" So I hopped on the ol' interweb and started searching for yummy veggie recipes that I thought our girls might actually like, too. That can be a tough one. Not that our girls don't like their veg, they do. It's just that sometimes, new recipes or flavors can be hit or miss. If you're a mom, or a dad, with littles you feel me on this one! I came across what looked like a great recipe for black bean and mushroom burgers. I've tried a few of these in my kitchen. Some are good, some are kinda meh. This one, though, this one... Lets just say DELISH!  I wanted to pack as many veggies into this as I could and still maintain a great flavor and consistency. Those two tend to be the biggest issue with veggie burgers. They can come out either too crumbly, too soggy, or flavorless. I had some broccoli, carrots, spinach, onion, garlic so it all went in. I also got some sliced portabello mushrooms for this one, since they tend to be more meaty, hold up nicely, and are just darn good.  Yes, I should totally just buy dried beans and soak them overnight. I know, I've tried that. There is something about opening a can that is just so much easier! I am going to try to get better at the soaking/cooking though, because many of the canned goods we purchase have BPA and other chemicals in the plastic epoxy lining of the can. Don't need those in my burgers! And yes, that is broccoli you see there. I never thought about adding broccoli to a burger before, but why not? In order to bind any bean-based burger together, I've found it really helps to mash at least half, if not all, of the beans. I had to throw this together pretty quickly since I was trying to prepare it before I left for a Ballet Phyisque class I'm trying out this week. If you haven't tried a barre class yet, holy moly! Every muscle in my body is sore! Good thing I went to town mashing before the class and not after!  Other good binders are eggs, or a flax egg if you don't eat eggs, and bread crumbs or panko. And of course, add some spices! Salt, pepper, cumin, whatever you like, but don't skimp. These turned out so good, I ate two, as did my husband. The girls? Well, they tried it, bless them, and initially the consensus was good...then they weren't so sure. We'll definitely try them again, though, maybe even on the grill next time! And, these were great heated up for lunch the next day. You could prep a bunch, cook them, and freeze for later as well. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside without being soggy. Oh my yummy!  Recipe adapted from thekitchenwhisperer.net Ingredients:
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 The picture above is the kids version. I made some grilled asparagus to go along with this and keep it completely veggie. I also whipped up some mayo with jalapeno hot sauce, because we were out of Sriracha, and it was the perfect amount of heat to add to the burger. Seriously, you will love these. And if you bring to work with your for lunch, your friends will want some. They are THAT good! If you don't want to go completely meatless, you can swap out 2 of the eggs and all the panko for about a pound of ground bison or ground beef. Keep an egg in there to make sure it keeps it shape, especially if you put these on the grill. So, what do you like to put on top of your veggie burger? Leave us a comment and let us know! This week I'm making lots of blends with my Lavender essential oil. A few weeks ago, I made a really lovely Lavender Lemon simple syrup, and I think I've found a perfect recipe for it! This would make a really good brunch bevvie, so I probably should have posted before Easter, but hey, Friday is a good day for champagne, no? Seriously, this is a really fresh, floral, herby, fizzy goodie you'll want to try, and try, and try! It's also really easy to make, since there are so few ingredients. Can't beat that!  If you've ever had a French 75, then you'll feel me on this one. In French it's simply called a Soixante Quinze. If you're not quite sure how to pronounce that, follow the link for a min French lesson! According to wikipedia, "the drink dates to World War I, and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris... The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75 field gun." This is definitely one of those cocktails that packs a punch, but doesn't taste like. So, indulge, enjoy, but slowly because this one can creep up on you! It's really similar to a Tom Collins, but uses champagne instead of sparkling water. If you want to tone done the alcohol content, you could just add the Lavender Lemon simple syrup to champagne. You can also make it completely non-alcoholic and use sparkling soda with simple syrup.  A good French 75 should be served a in flute, not a highball. The shape of the flute helps keep your bubbly stay bubbly longer. Most have a rough bead at the base of the flute. You can see it at the bottom of the flute above. The bead causes bubbles to come together and then quickly rise to the top of the glass. The escaping bubbles capture and deliver lots of flavor and aroma. They are also really gorgeous! (source) It's kind of like a good fire. I could sit and watch it for hours...though I can't say I've ever had a drink last that long!  Ingredients
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 What's your favorite champagne drink? Give me a shout and let me know! |
Welcome!I'm Tonia, a Midwesterner transplanted to Colorado. I'm a mom of two lovely littles, a yoga instructor, DIY-er, teacher, stay at home mom, and a doTERRA Wellness Advocate. I blog about a little bit of all of these and everything in between! 
Are you looking for natural health options, but don't know where to start? Book a 1-on-1 appointment with me! We'll spend about 30 minutes getting to know your health goals and concerns, learn a bit about doTERRA, and go over the most commonly used oils that meet your needs. You don't have to buy anything, but if you see something you like, of course I can help you!
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