Prior to even obtaining any EO’s {essential oils}, the most important safety precaution is to know where your EO is coming from. Know the company, its policies for batch testing using  gas chromatography. This is extremely important policy that needs to be priority for the company you interview to purchase your EO’s from. That is a solid way we can be reassured that we are getting a pure quality EO, from the plant/origin it states its from. So, we can be confident in moving forward with however we are going to utilize the EO’s and feel safe doing it. Since this industry is unregulated, this is a proven way to obtain peace of mind about what we purchase/use. This is one of the many reasons whyI LOVE Amrita! They GC test every bath of oil that they obtain. EVERY one. Not all companies will do that, most don't. Some other companies that are just as reputable are Swiss Aromatics,  and Tisserand. 
Once we have obtained found a reliable source to get EO's from... 
One of the most important safety precautions when using EO’s is to be sure that you research the oil and its properties, as well as any contraindications that it may have, prior to even considering to use it. For example, it is important to know if an oil is child safe, or if you should avoid when pregnant. There is a very resourceful pocket guide that is wonderful to have on hand when you are using EO's, When you are using oils for yourself, or family you know of any known allergies, medications/vitamins/supplements that are being taken...usually, but always ask just to be sure! Rule of thumb is that if they are allergic to the plant, they will most likely be allergic to the oil. When in doubt, specially with sensitive skin, you can/should patch test! Also keep in mind that an essential oil should always be applied topically with a carrier oil. The only EO that can be used “neat” on the skin, without dilution is Lavender. ​
 Another thing that I feel is important to know is... 
How you store your EO’s, as well as being sure to have noted the date of opening. EO’s should be stored in a dark glass bottle, {or ceramic works also}. Something that will protect the EO from light so the therapeutic value does not get altered in any way. You also have to be cautious about not placing them under or near heat/bright lights. The heat from those lights will also  alter the therapeutic properties. Take note that your EO will last approximately 1 year after opening, if it is a citrus oil, it will last anywhere from 6-9 months after opening. The EO will not “go bad” in the sense that we are programmed to think, it will however begin to lose its potency.

Using Essential Oils can be AMAZING!! ​You just have to take the steps to be educated on the safe ways of use. Always remember just because something is natural, that does not make it safe. If you are looking to learn more about EO's, for yourself or maybe a friend or loved one you can come visit me, we can sit and have an aromatherapy consultation! 

Let's talk a little about how wonderful Lavender is! It is an Essential Oil {EO} that happens to have so many diverse uses! Some of the most valuable uses are for use with: 

• cuts, burns, rheumatism, chilblains, dermatitis, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, headaches, migraine, insomnia, infections, arthritis, anxiety, tension, panic, fatigue, inflammatory conditions, rashes, nervous conditions, spasms. 

Lavender has many therapeutic properties, it is: 

• ​antiseptic, analgesic, cytophylactic, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antivenomous, antitoxic, antiphrastic, antitussive, diuretic, restorative, decongestant, antidepressant, calmative, sedative, antibiotic, anti-infectious. 

So... WOW! Pretty amazing EO! Interesting fun fact:
French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the virtues of  lavender. Gattefossé badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender EO. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals. He later coined the word Aromatherapy around 1928. AMAZING! 

A few years ago, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver kicked up a foodie firestorm when he told the audience at the Late Show with David Letterman that vanilla ice cream contains flavoring from a beaver's ... um, derriere. "Beaver anal gland — yes," Oliver shouted bluntly, as the crowd booed and hissed. "Oh, come on! You're telling me you don't like a little beaver? ... It's in cheap sorts of strawberry syrups and vanilla ice cream."
Beaver food flavoring doesn't actually come from the animal's anal gland but from another organ next to it, called the castor sac. And the technical term for the beaver extract is "castoreum." Hence the bolded ingredient from the above list.

The Food and Drug Administration regards the beaver extract as a safe, natural flavoring.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I for one would like to at least know there would be a trace of the actual “Flavor” that I am trying to consume, in the ingredient list! That’s crazy, 50+ ingredients listed, and not one says strawberry.

And to just put this in perspective, seeing this listed on a food label, this would simply read as, made with: “Strawberry Flavored”, “Natural Strawberry Flavoring”, “Strawberry Flavors”. That is why it is so important to know how to read into what the labels really mean, on the food we consume.
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There are many things that the FDA has deemed safe for consumption, especially when dealing with food additives, preservatives, colorings, flavorings, and artificial sweeteners. Do your research, know the facts! Get educated, and be your own advocate for healthy eating!

So how many of you have heard of the different eating styles that are out there? Especially now a days, with such an instant news feed stream, so readily available to most of us at our finger tips! Always something new to eat, to avoid 
​Everything from Veganism, Low Carbohydrate, Paleo, Mediterranean, Gluten Free, to Ketogenic and everything in between... 
​They all have a pros and cons, when you start to learn and research each of those styles. Some work better for certain people. then others. 
​While learning about the diverse aspects to each eating style in Holistic Nutrition 101, one style caught my attention, more so than the others. I'm not sure why, but it just intrigued me... so I decided to dig a little deeper. 
​Who here as heard of the "Eat Right For Your Type" Blood Type Diet Solution? Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo wrote the book, and if you are at all interested, I would suggest you grab a copy! 
I finished reading it within two days of receiving it! I read through all the different blood types, A, B, O, and AB. The history of why certain things may play a part in our health currently, and what about our past is important to include in our current nutrition intake? What should we avoid? It goes on to tell us certain health issues that we may be more prone to having, based on our blood type,  and how we can nutritionally try to prevent that as much as possible. 
​Something that resonated profoundly with me personally was the correlation with the foods that my body has a hard time digesting, and the foods that I really prefer not to eat! It was amazing to see that list, and realize that my body naturally veers away from most of those things! Then I read that my blood type is  prone to thyroid issues... well that is what hooked me...  I needed to know more! Too many coincidences :)