Why We Love Essential Oils
Maybe you’ve heard something or other about essential oils. Maybe you’ve found yourself down a rabbit hole on WebMD, or maybe you’ve visited a friend’s house with a slight head cold and returned with a smear of eucalyptus on your forehead and a sense of healing… or, maybe this isn’t you at all! Maybe you’ve never heard of aromatherapy or essential oils. Regardless, don’t fret. We’re going to tell you all about it!
Maybe you’ve heard something or other about essential oils. Maybe you’ve found yourself down a rabbit hole on WebMD, or maybe you’ve visited a friend’s house with a slight head cold and returned with a smear of eucalyptus on your forehead and a sense of healing. Maybe your mother lent you her essential oil diffuser to cure your acute insomnia.
Or, maybe this isn’t you at all. Maybe you’ve never heard of aromatherapy or essential oils. Regardless, don’t fret. We’re going to tell you all about it (of course, only if you’re willing. If not, chacun son goût).
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, in short, is the century-old practice of using natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. It’s a way of returning to our roots, quite literally, and the science behind it is quite simple.
When left to grow organically, plants produce essential oils with strong, anti-microbial properties that ward off pests, bacteria, viruses – the works. What’s incredible is that these same oils can be used to make our human bodies healthier as well.
Pranarōm, then, is one of the best. They’re a certified essential oil company whose oils are sustainably harvested from organic plants. Organic and sustainable, always (they promise).
From farm all the way to pharmacy, Pranarōm oils are organically grown, harvested, and packaged with both intention and transparency. Their promise guarantees against any and all GMOs, synthetics, additives, adulterants, and animal testing. They disclose both their sources and their methods, and they are certified by ECOCERT SA, an independent, environmentally conscious company that tests, quite literally, everything (from soil to bottle).
Essentially, if you’re intrigued by the practice of aromatherapy, Pranaōm oils are quality and proven, and this is why we are thrilled to offer these oils at R+R! Below you'll find full list of the oils we will be carrying as well as a highlight reel of our favorites.
Pranaōm Oils Available at R+R
SINGLE OILS:
Peppermint $15
Lemon $15
Lavender $23
Rosemary $16
Grapefruit $18
Frankincense $55
Eucalyptus Radiata $18
OIL BLENDS:
Uplift $10
Tranquility $10
Mental Clarity $12
Immunity Boost $12
Some of Our Favorite Ways to Use Oils
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint oil has a wonderful, cooling aroma that does wonders for supporting the respiratory system, mental clarity and circulation. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. That being said, we love diluting a few drops into a carrier oil such as coconut oil or avocado oil and rubbing it into sore joints and bug bites. Rubbing it directly onto your abdomen is also a lovely aid in digestion. Peppermint is also our headache remedy of choice! Drop a couple drops in your palms, rub them together, and take a big ol' breath! You can also dot a bit of oil on your temples and gently massage.
LAVENDER
Lavender is the great relaxer (and perhaps one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy). It’s soothing aroma relieves stress, fatigue, depression and headaches, and it’s rumored to help treat anxiety, insomnia, menstrual cramps, and allergies. After a long day’s work, we love dropping some into a diffuser and settling down with a glass of wine…a good book…mood lighting…
LEMON
Lemon oil, as we’re sure you can imagine, has a bright and sweet, citrus-y scent. It’s great at killing bacteria and is the perfect diffuser for when we’re starting to feel a bit under-the-weather. One or two drops in an oil burner or diffuser can help clear nasal passages and promote steady breathing.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary oil reduces stress and nervous tension and instead boosts mental activity and clarity. It is also known to stimulate hair health and growth, and for that reason we love diluting and rubbing a bit directly onto our scalp. It can slow greys, improve shimmer, prevent hair loss, and moisturize the scalp (win, win, win, win!). Rosemary is also an amazing mosquito repellent! Click here for our favorite homemade mosquito spray recipe.
MENTAL CLARITY
Now doesn’t that just sound delightful? This blend is formulated to boost energy and refresh the mind. We love using a simple palm inhalation technique to apply whenever we need a little pick-me-up.
IMMUNITY BOOST
As labeled, this blend is formulated to support your immune system. We love inhaling it directly, or simply diffusing, to nourish our bodies’ natural defenses and refresh our respiratory systems. (Hello, flu season.)
Regardless of where you’re at along your journey into aromatherapy, we hope this little list helps. However, we know that trying anything new can be a bit daunting, so please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here, always, and would love to help you in any realm of your wellness journey!
Call 817.720.6220 or swing by R+R to snag one (or several) of these fabulous oils today.
7 Tips for Healthy Travel with Dabney + Taylor
Peek inside for all the travel essentials you need to come back restored and refreshed from your summer travels!
We’ve got the travel bug, and chances are… you do too.
That’s why we’re touching base with our Co-founders, Dabney Poorter, CN, RN + Taylor Dukes, MSN, FNP-BC on their musts for travel to keep health and wellness a priority… while still having all the fun!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
1.Hydrate the day before travel with at least 80 oz of filtered water. On the day of travel, do your best to hit that 80 oz mark again, giving yourself grace for airplane restrictions, etc.
2. Hydration is especially important if you’re heading to the mountains. If you’re one of the lucky ones getting a break from this heat, start the aforementioned recommended water intake hydrate two days before travel and get yo’self a Myers Drip Plus if you’re sensitive to altitude.
3. Speaking of altitude, this post has a ton of pro-tips, but rule A#1 is no booze the first day/night and take it easy on activities. AKA, please do not head straight for Ute Trail and then burn a hole in a seat at Ajax Tavern.
Save that winning itinerary for Day 2, bugaboo.
Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Do not rely on the airport for healthy snacks, and do not rely on gas stations for meals. Duh.
4. Snag some Juice Junkies Energy Balls from R+R before you leave and pack Julie's Real nut butter packets, Chomps beef jerky sticks, Thunderbird bars, fruit and nuts for the road. Your kiddos will be less cranky, and so.will.you.
5. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, we suggest schlepping the immune system essentials just in case: Probiotic, Magnesium, Elderberry Syrup, Zinc, Boiron Cold Calm, and Vitamin D. Psssst all of these are available at R+R or you can find them by shopping our Supplement Shop here.
Tiny but mighty
6. Just as we’re not relying on the road stops to fuel us, we’re not relying on the hotel to provide safe products for hair, face, and body… Enter travel kits!
All of these are available at R+R so call 817.720.6220 or swing by to snag yours today:
For the hair: Innersense Travel Trio
For the face: Botnia Travel Kit
For inevitable stains and cleaning needs: Branch Basics Travel Kit
We like to move it, move it.
7. Find fun ways to exercise in your new destination! Whether it is walking through a local botanical garden, checking out a unique local workout gym, going hiking, strolling the beach barefoot, or renting a bike to see the city - move your thang.
Free yo’ mind
Bonus Tip: For the love, leave the work at home. Grab a good book, a magazine, a devotional, and/or your journal and live life unpluggled. Stress does more damage to the body than anything… Let yourself let go, rest, and reset!
Q&A with Jessica Bowman of @fwpelvichealth
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, SI joint pain, pelvic pain, painful sex, tailbone pain, sciatica, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, endometriosis/menstrual pain, prep for labor/delivery, low back/hip pain, Diastasis Recti, recovery from labor/delivery, return to exercise, (and more!), Jessica is your girl. Read on for more about Jessica!
Jessica Bowman, PT, DPT
@fwpelvichealth
Jessica is a Fort Worth native with a passion for helping women live their best life. As a mother herself and Physical Therapist who specializes in the pelvic floor, she is able to assist women in all stages of life: pre baby, pregnant, postpartum and post children through her business Fort Worth Pelvic Health.
We are thrilled to have Jessica with us today, and we cannot wait for you to learn more about her!
What does wellness mean to you?
As I have become older wellness has become more about where my spirit and mind are and less about what society tells me it should be. I have found I enjoy more things that feed that part of myself like yoga, being outside, spending time with family and friends and less about productivity based activities.
Name three non-negotiables in your life.
Quality sleep
Positive self talk
ONLY Topo Chico in my Ranch Water (no other sparkling will do).
Your fave Instagram accounts to follow?
Morning routine?
Tell my babies good morning, water, exercise, tea if I am having it, always sunscreen and out the door.
Evening routine?
Play with kids, check the garden to see what’s for dinner, cook dinner, we eat outside if we can, bath time, bedtime.
Travel essentials?
All my Christina Jett skin care essentials (I forgot my face wash on our last trip and almost didn’t make it), our GoPro to capture all the memories, my favorite Fort Worth hat and sunscreen, as I’m getting older I really like to travel with my body pillow- ha! If we are traveling with kids things get WAY more complicated.
Instant energy boost?
A nap? Lol just kidding but I really love sleep.
Most used condiment?
Ranch….. always ranch.
Favorite smoothie recipe?
I have really been loving a smoothie with frozen avocados, bananas, blueberries, almond milk, flaxseed, caoco powder and Vital Proteins collagen powder.
How do you take your coffee (or tea)?
100% green tea with lavender honey.
Go-to cocktail?
Ranch water
3 ingredients/foods you can't live without?
Garlic
Queso
Sweet potatoes
Go-to gift?
Candles, I really love a good candle.
How do you reset?
Sleep… lol. I really love to spend time outside, on the weekends we are rarely indoors. It grounds me and helps me to get ready for the next week.
When you feel sickness coming on you...
Sleep… and text Dabney probably lol
What's valuable to you?
My family is the most important thing and always comes first.
Thank you, Jessica! If you suffer from urinary incontinence, SI joint pain, pelvic pain, painful sex, tailbone pain, sciatica, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, endometriosis/menstrual pain, prep for labor/delivery, low back/hip pain, Diastasis Recti, recovery from labor/delivery, return to exercise, (and more!), Jessica is your girl. Click here to book!