When the weather is this fine in Ottawa, I take in every moment. I savour every second, because in only a few months I’ll be defrosting my face from a five minute walk with the dog.

As I sit in my back yard watching my children fill the dog’s bowl with water and as they experiment with every.single.setting. on the hose, my bare feet crossed and stretched across the grass - I remember I’m supposed to feed these people too. Thankfully I have some home-made essential oil infused popsicles in the freezer!

Over the next few months especially now with the unexpected influence of the pandemic I will share some of the things we do to keep things simple at our house. Today - inspired by this warming spring day and the promise of hot days to come, here are three ways we use essential oils to keep things cool.

Simplify Your Life

You will notice there are no precise measurements here. Trust yourself!

I don’t complicate our life with precision for things like this. I use what I have and add whatever feels right. Kids can make all of these things too which gets better and better each year as they age - less for me to do!! Teach them how to make all of these things! At our house, when the kids have ownership - they are far more engaged!

Peppermint Lemonade

• Ice if you have it

• Water

• Honey or Maple Syrup (as much as you need to feel like you love the flavour)

• Lemon Juice

• Peppermint leaves from the garden

• A few drops of Doterra Peppermint Oil (start small and go from there)

• We serve ours in Dalcini Stainless Steel Cups (another Ottawa business!) - they keep things cool and also…kids.

Spearmint Water

• Fizzy or Flat Water (we love our Sodastream!!!)

• Ice

• 1-2 drops Doterra Spearmint Oil

• Garnish with Spearmint from garden

Cooling Spray

This is a great idea to have outside when you are sitting writing blog posts in the hot weather. Leave it accessible so kids can use it as they wish. I often add lavender for it’s calming and bug repelling properties. Avoid citrus oils as they can cause sunburn.

• Use a small spray bottle with mister

• Add water

• 5-20 drops of peppermint essential oil depending on the size of your bottle

• Spritz on skin as needed - trust me - it’s AWESOME

After Sun Spray

This is amazing anytime really - but specifically if skin has been over-exposed to the sun. A wonderful way to connect with your children after a fun hot day outside. Spray on their skin before bed. If you live in an un-air-conditioned home like us, this is a great idea to help cool them at bedtime too! Keep this spray in the fridge too for even more cooling!

• Small spray bottle

• Some Aloe Vera Juice (we keep it in the fridge - bought it at a local health food store)

• Vitamin E if you have it (I’ve had the same bottle for a few years! Bought it at Shopper’s Drug Mart)

• A dash of Fractionated Coconut Oil (if you have it)

• Lavender Essential Oil

• Peppermint Essential Oil

• Tea Tree Essential Oil (cooling and wonderful)

• Eucalyptus, Basil and Frankincense are other great additions. Mix it up. Have fun. Use your oils!

• If you don’t have Doterra Basil Essential Oil in your summer life - I highly recommend it - it is fresh, cooling and so wonderful for sprays at this time of year!

• Spray on skin, rub in if needed, go to bed.

Best Popsicles Ever

We bought stainless steel popsicle molds from The Extraordinary Baby Shop many years ago and I recommend them highly! They are worth the investment for the ease of use and the environmental no-waste magic they provide! I use our blender to blend whatever is in the house - left over carrots? put them in there! I often add spinach too. I blend until smooth and put them in the molds for later. If I have extra, I drink it or I put it in ice cube trays and freeze them.

When adding essential oils - 1-3 drops is enough - many Doterra Essential Oils are marked as safe for internal use - read your labels and have some fun.

• can of coconut milk

• frozen fruit or fresh (local strawberries in the spring!!!)

• 1 banana

• magic = spinach or left over cut up carrots, beets, etc if I have any sitting around.

• 2 drops of Wild Orange Essential Oil (or peppermint, spearmint, Tangerine, Lemon, Green Mandarin etc - again, use the oils - experiment with those we can use internally)

• add to mold, freeze, enjoy.

• Give yourself 10 minutes of peace by handing them out to your children when you need a break. Seriously.

If the warm weather also bring you seasonal affects and discomfort - learn how lavender, peppermint and lemon essential oils can support you.