Feathers in Our Nest

a blog about faith, family, food, & more written by a wife and stay at home mom of five

DIY Citronella Candles {Keep Mosquitoes at Bay!}

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DIY Citronella Candles to keep mosquitoes away from your picnics and outdoor gatherings in the summer! Easy to make using soy wax and essential oils. | Feathers in Our Nest

You know what my least favorite part of summer is?  The mosquitoes, by far!  When I get a mosquito bite, it swells up to the size of a goose egg, which is totally lovely.

We have a big beautiful porch on our historic bungalow, and we are hoping to spend lots of time out there this spring and summer!  We bought some pretty cafe lights, and I made these citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes away from us!DIY Citronella Candles to keep mosquitoes away from your picnics and outdoor gatherings in the summer! Easy to make using soy wax and essential oils. | Feathers in Our Nest

Candles are so simple to make at home.  You can use this basic recipe and adapt it for different sized containers, and of course you can use different essential oils to fragrance the candles!  The oils used in these candles smell very distinct.  If you’ve burned citronella candles before, they smell like that, but less chemically and a little more lemony and fresh.  DIY Citronella Candles to keep mosquitos away from your picnics and outdoor gatherings in the summer! Easy to make using soy wax and essential oils. | Feathers in Our Nest

DIY Citronella Candles {Keep Mosquitoes at Bay!}
 
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DIY Citronella Candles to keep mosquitoes away from your picnics and outdoor gatherings in the summer! Easy to make using soy wax and essential oils.
Author:
Serves: 3 half-pint candles
Ingredients
  • approx. 6 cups soy wax flakes
  • 3 half-pint mason jars
  • 3 large candle wicks
  • popsicle sticks
  • 16 drops citronella essential oil
  • 8 drops Purify essential oil blend
Instructions
  1. Place a large glass mason jar (quart size) or a glass measuring cup in a saucepan of water on the stove.
  2. Add 4 cups soy wax flakes (fill to top of mason jar).
  3. Heat over medium/low heat.
  4. As wax melts, stir with a wooden popsicle stick and add more wax flakes. The goal is to end up with 3 cups of MELTED wax.
  5. Set out half-pint mason jars and place a wick in each one.
  6. When wax is melted completely (will look like olive oil), remove from heat and add essential oils, stirring well.
  7. Pour wax into mason jars. Adjust wicks so they are in the center of the jars. Use 3-4 popsicle sticks laid flat across each jar to "prop up" the wicks so they don't move around.
  8. Allow candles to cool (they will turn opaque as they cool).
  9. Trim wicks. Enjoy!

Sources:  soy wax flakes  |  large candle wicks  |  citronella essential oil  |  Purify essential oil blend

DIY Citronella Candles to keep mosquitos away from your picnics and outdoor gatherings in the summer! Easy to make using soy wax and essential oils. | Feathers in Our Nest


Disclosure: This post contains links to the essential oil company I use and love. If you choose to make a purchase through my links, it will help support my family and this blog. Thanks!

ALIESHA CALDWELL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

Essential Oil Blends – What Works for What?

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essential oil blendsAnother thing I love about Rocky Mountain Oils/Native American Nutritionals (same company; different websites) is how they have created a large amount of essential oil blends that are useful in many different ways!  Looking at all the blends can be a little overwhelming, so I’ve found it’s best to hear from people I know about what blends work for which things!

A little tip… all of the blends are available in 15ml OR 5ml bottles.  The 15ml bottles are the best deal, but the 5ml bottles are a great option when getting the larger bottle isn’t affordable for you at the moment.  I have some of both sizes!

Here is my stash of essential oil blends from Rocky Mountain Oils (read why I chose this company here).

Note: Always check each essential oil blend’s ingredients to make sure that the oils in it are safe for the person you’re using them with (kids, pregnant moms, etc.). Also, please test any oils on a small part of your skin first before using them on larger areas of the body or in a bath.  

Aligning

I got this blend to use for back massages.  It eases tension, relaxes the muscles, and calms stress.

Attention Assist

This blend helps with concentration and focus.  I have diffused it for Tad in his home office on days when he’s tired or needs a little boost.  I know other moms who diffuse it while homeschooling to help keep their kids focused! One study showed that vetiver (one of the oils in this blend) improved the performance of ADD/ADHD children (source).

Baby Skin

This is a very healing skin oil.  If you oil cleanse, you could easily add Baby Skin into your nightly oil cleanse, or you could apply it after your face has been washed.  The oils in this blend help rejuvenate skin, tone and tighten, treat acne, reduce oiliness, treat wrinkles, and soothe rashes and psoriasis.

Blend of Jasmine

This is more affordable way to reap the benefits of jasmine (antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sedative, etc.). I bought it primarily to use in homemade soaps, but I also used it in a linen spray recently as well.  I also hope to use this in the fall when I’m in labor as it can help stimulate uterine contractions.

Breathe Ease

This is a must-have oil blend for adults.  It’s not safe for young kids (due to the eucalyptus), but it is awesome for taking care of congestion in adults!  You can put a drop in the shower while you take a hot shower, or you can fill the sink with a bowl of steaming hot water, add a drop of Breathe Ease, drape a towel over your head over the sink, and breathe deeply.  Perfect for cold season!  It’s also helpful for laryngitis, sore throats, and asthma. Note: A good kid-friendly alternative to this blend is Respiratory Ease/Deep Breathe!

Calming

I just got this blend recently, but I already love it.  It was highly recommended to me, and I’m glad I purchased it.  It smells so peaceful, while at the same time happy and uplifting.  I love inhaling it when I need to chill out.  It’s a great one for the diffuser too!

First Aid

I think this is another must-have, especially if you’re constantly bandaging up cuts and scrapes.  When I’ve used it on injuries, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how it actually numbs the pain as well as works to heal it quickly.  The oils in this blend help prevent infection as well.

Gentle Healer

For more serious cuts or wounds, Gentle Healer (now called Mother’s Touch) is the blend to have. This one is pricey, but you don’t need much (I diluted it in coconut oil, which is also healing).  I’ve seen awesome picture testimonials of people using this oil to heal large cuts.  I’ve used it on my kids and seen their scratches/cuts go away quicker!

Pain Ease

If you like wintergreen, you’ll enjoy how this blend smells!  This blend is designed to reduce pain of muscles, joints, ligaments, and skin (bruising, etc.).

Peace and Quiet

This blend smells so good to me.  (I love blends that contain vanilla!)  My girls like it too and often ask to smell it!  I sometimes rub it on my heart or use it as a light perfume (dilute and rub on wrists).  It’s very uplifting!

Purify

Because I have kids, I don’t know what I’d do without this blend.  Let’s just say… it’s great for all kinds of odors and for the cleaning up of all bodily emissions.  Sometimes there’s a stink in our house that just won’t leave, and this oil always comes to the rescue!  I have sprayed it on various surfaces to help clean and purify them, and I have also diffused it in stinky rooms to purify the air! It’s antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral.

Relieve Me

This oil is helpful for cramps, muscle spasms, Charlie horses, and restless leg syndrome.  It reduces inflammation and it’s great for massage, especially for sports-related injuries.  It can relieve headaches too.

Sonata (now discontinued)

This is a romantic oil blend.  It can be diffused in the bedroom, used in a linen spray, or applied as a personal fragrance (dilute and dab on pulse points).  This blend also eases anxiety and stress!

Tummy Rub

I love how this blend smells and I find it so soothing/relieving for tummy troubles!  I can’t use it now that I’m pregnant, so I use something else for morning sickness.  Tummy Rub is great for indigestion, gas, bloating, motion sickness, and many other stomach issues.

I’ve made a few of my own blends too, but I may chat about those in another post!

View all blends from Rocky Mountain Oils here!


Feel free to pin this post for later (and scroll to the bottom of this post for an exciting giveaway!)Essential Oil Blends: What works for what and how do I use them?

If you’ve now decided what blends you want, you’ll also want to read this post with some frequently-used single oils and research for how to use them.

*Giveaway Now Over* And now… for a fun giveaway!  Rocky Mountain Oils would like to give away one blend to three different readers! You can pick any blend featured in this post! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below (you don’t need a Facebook account to enter): a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms: Three winners may each select one (1) bottle of any essential oil blend featured in this post (aligning, attention assist, baby skin, blend of jasmine, breathe ease, calming, first aid, gentle healer, pain ease, peace and quiet, purify, relieve me, sonata, or tummy rub). Giveaway is open internationally, but winner will be responsible for any custom fees or taxes that are incurred.

You may also enjoy reading other posts I’ve written on essential oils, particularly THIS ONE on essential oils for kids!

RMOKidsPinterest

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so if you are looking for medical advice, please contact your physician.  Also, in this post I link to the essential oil company I use and love. If you choose to make a purchase through my links, it will help support my family and this blog. Thank you!

What I Buy at Aldi {Real Food}

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In our family, we eat mostly made-from-scratch food with real food ingredients.  We rarely eat packaged/highly processed foods.  While some may think Aldi is filled with only processed foods, I disagree!  Aldi has tons of great products for the real food kitchen!  And did I mention the prices are amazing?*
*All prices are my best estimate of what I usually pay, but may not reflect the current prices at your local store.


Pantry Staples/Baking
– old fashioned oats ($2.29/2 lbs.) – this is a large container and it’s the cheapest “cereal” we can eat for breakfast!
– raisins ($1.89) – my girls think raisins are candy and love to have a few for “dessert”
– dried cranberries ($1.19) – we love to throw these in granola, cookies, oatmeal, and trail mix!
– whole dates ($1.99) – great price, but they just have them at Christmas time
– other dried fruit (prices vary)
– pure maple syrup ($3.99) – excellent price for Grade A pure!
– organic honey ($3.19)
– regular honey (around $2) – great for baking
– dark chocolate morsels 60% bittersweet ($1.69) – holiday special item, but I PROMISE these taste exactly like Ghiradelli chocolate chips and are half the price
– spices ($1.69) – pretty good quality for the price
– pure vanilla extract ($1.99) – I make my own vanilla extract now, but I used to buy this
– pure almond extract ($1.99) – seasonal, so I stock up
– nuts (prices vary) – all the nuts are very affordable
– natural peanut butter ($1.69) – our favorite peanut butter!

Canned Goods
– diced tomatoes ($.59)
– tomato sauce ($.25/small can)
– beans (prices vary)
– organic pasta sauce ($1.99) – a convenience food, but a good price for organic
– pumpkin ($.89) – seasonal item

Dairy
– milk (between $2-$3) – I buy whole and it’s a great price!
– half & half ($1.59)
– heavy whipping cream ($1.99) – I use this in white sauces, soups, and to make homemade ice cream
– butter (currently $1.69/lb.!!) – I stock up on butter when the price is this low!  (Normal price not around the holidays is $2.49)
– cream cheese ($.99)
– yogurt – I make my own most of the time, but the small cups of Greek yogurt are really good and taste like Chobani. They also have larger containers of plain Greek yogurt.
– eggs ($1.29)

Cheese
– all the “regular” blocks of cheese ($1.79/8 oz.) – we’ve tried it all and it’s all good!
– specialty cheese (price varies) – we have enjoyed Gouda, havarti, goat, feta, asiago and more!
– Parmesan wedges ($2.99-$3.49/8 oz.) – this is very good and SO much cheaper than at other stores
– fresh mozzarella ($2.69/8 oz.) – ditto!

Produce
I buy TONS of produce at Aldi.  Like anywhere, the produce that is currently in season is what will taste the best and be the best price, so that’s what I try to buy!  (i.e., watermelon in the summer, squash in the fall, citrus in the winter, asparagus in the spring, etc.)  Also like when shopping anywhere else, if it doesn’t look good, don’t buy it.  It’s helpful to find out when your store gets its deliveries and shop accordingly.  For me, Thursday is a great day to shop since the truck comes Wednesday.
The produce prices fluctuate based on season and region (check your weekly ad here), obviously, but here are some of my favorite rock-bottom prices for produce (some of this is from memory):
– pineapple ($.99 each)
– pomegranate ($.59 each)
– potatoes ($3.49/10 lbs.)
– lemons ($1.49/bag)
– cucumbers ($.29)
– carrots ($1.09)
– baby carrots ($.69)
– onions ($1.19/2 lbs.?)
– avocado ($.59 each)
– multi-color peppers ($1.99/3)
– mini sweet peppers ($1.99)
– blueberries ($1.69)
– red grapes ($2.58/2 lbs.)
– celery ($1.29)
– organic baby spinach or spring mix ($2.49)
– artisan lettuce ($1.99)
– grape tomatoes ($.99)
– garlic ($.49/3)
– Gala apples ($2.29/3 lbs.)
– grapefruit ($1.79/5 lbs.)
– butternut squash ($1.19 each)

Meat
– frozen wild-caught Alaskan salmon ($3.99-$4.49 for 4 fillets) – best deal on salmon that I’ve found! Quality is great too.
– ground beef ($1.79/lb.)
– grass-fed ground beef ($4.49/lb.)
– center-cut bacon ($3.89)
– whole chicken (price varies, but is around $.89/lb.)

Other Frozen
– broccoli ($1.09)
– corn ($.95)
– peas ($.95)
– green beans (around $1)
– mixed veggies (around $1)
– California blend (around $1)
– berries (prices vary)

Snacks
– blue corn tortilla chips ($1.69) – These are seriously the best chips we’ve tried, including name brands and ones from Trader Joe’s.  They are made with organic blue corn and have just a few ingredients.
– kettle chips ($1.79) – not super-healthy, but they only have three ingredients and are delicious!
– organic salsa ($1.99) – we thought this was pretty good! The non-organic salsa is good too.
– chocolate ($1.99) – I loooove the dark chocolate (70% and 85%) and often snag a bar to keep on hand.  One time they had organic Green & Black chocolate as a special buy!

Non-food
– aluminum foil ($1.99)
– plastic wrap ($1.49)
– zip bags in various sizes ($1.99)
– scrubby sponges (2/$1.19)
– tissues with lotion ($1.19)
– cheap paper towels ($.69) – great for cleaning up really gross stuff


Your turn!  What are your favorite things to buy at Aldi?

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