"Oh the Thinks You Can Think"

Yup... Dr. Seuss.

Revered by all educators and parents everywhere, Dr. Seuss is a legend. Right?

But... have you ever tried to sign a Dr. Seuss story in ASL? Now that's a different story. I would balk at trying to translate any Dr. Seuss story into ASL. Attempting to translate the rhyme and the nonsense words was pointless to me. The books that tell actual stories: Horton Hears a Who, etc. would get my best ASL story telling skills, but the rhyme never translated. Being hearing myself, I always felt like my kids were missing out on something. Something I had no way to give them....

 

Until I found "Hands Land: ASL Rhymes & Rhythms." This project is underway and is creating great resources for deaf children. I love their translation of Dr. Seuss' "Hop On Pop". It inspired me. When I saw our copy of Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Thinks You Can Think," I knew I had to try my hand at reading it to my kids.

It was an instant success! My 20 month old was copying the signs with me from the 2nd page, learning 2 new signs the first time I read it. When my older children arrived home, I had them sit down so I could sign it to them. They, of course, helped me add and revise the translation. It was so fun!

Hope you enjoy the video! And the next time you pick up a Dr. Seuss book... just Think of all the Thinks you Can Think - and start signing away!

*Insert educational strategies note for teachers and parents. This video was signed, filmed, edited and captioned by my son and I. He is 8. He took the pictures, then uploaded and added them. He did about half of the editing, captions, and more than half of the signing.

This is a FABULOUS project idea for deaf children! Video recording their own stories is such a confidence builder. It allows them to see their storytelling as real. They are able to watch their story and analyze the language: what could have been more clear? Do I like the story I told? I love using iPADs for this strategy, allowing the kids to have an ASL journal or Free composing time using the built in webcams.

Then, when my son sat down at the computer to edit and started to caption it, I was blown away! Inside, I was jumping up and down. In reality, I calmly said, "That's a great idea!" Having students watch their ASL and transcribe it into English is a great way to have them really understand how to link ASL to English. He sat there watching himself sign, trying to figure out how to put it in English words. It was great. We worked together on a lot of it. I ended up finishing it because it was getting too long... and we had some other interesting events happen that I'll post about soon! 

Using Essential Oils to Manage Celiac

It's been awhile since my last post! I am catching up this week! Here's my experience so far with using essential oils with my Celiac:

"How are you using doTERRA essential oils to help you with a gluten free diet?"

"Will they be able to help you so that you can be healed or eat gluten again?" 

I have been asked these question a few times. I actually wondered about them before I found out I had Celiac and went gluten free! Now that I'm experiencing it for myself, I'm finding answers. 

Now, I don't know about the healing question. (We do not diagnose, treat or cure any illness.)

...And, I actually don't know if the oils can help lessen the cause of Celiac disease since it is genetic. That will be the long-term experiment of me and my oils. From my impression and education right now, going back to gluten is NOT an option, ever, for a Celiac.

For now I want to focus on how the oils can help somebody who is gluten intolerant or has Celiac to manage their symptoms, detoxify their body from harmful chemicals, gluten and Candida, and discuss the cellular support the oils can offer for the long term. I love using Essential Oils because of their powerful qualities. They work FAST! And are effective! I love using natural solutions for my health problems! 

I'll do a separate post for each area. This post will focus on how to support the body when dealing with symptoms from the gluten intolerance and Celiac disease using essential oils. Of course the best treatment is just to stay away from the gluten and whatever else is making you sick. But boy, I know that can be hard, especially in the beginning!

Before I jump in, I want to clarify a point that is often asked: I use Essential Oils 100% Pure and Therapeutic Grade.  When looking at essential oils, it's important to know the source and to investigate its purity, potency, integrity and the testing that is done to ensure purity.

A FEW drops, a FEW times a day is all you need...

Pain relief from Headaches: peppermint*, a soothing blend with winter green, helichrysum, peppermint and more*, frankincense, lavender, and a Massage blend with basil, lavender, and cypress*. I layer a drop or two of lavender, frankincense and peppermint on my neck and forehead, and rub down tight muscles with the massage and soothing blends. Inhaling the peppermint is another great way to relieve headache pain. A brand new dietary supplement, a poly-phenol complex, is a new addition to my regimen. I just had a headache sneaking on, took one, and it has gone away. I will continue to report on this one, as it is brand new!

Supporting the Digestive System: gas, bloating, constipation, the opposite, etc.
My absolute most favorite oil for all digestive issues is peppermint. Peppermint tea works well and has been used for ever for digestive problems. I love using the oil because it's so powerful and so effective, so quickly.

Other oils that help are a digestive blend of peppermint, ginger, and anise;*, rosemary, ginger, and a metabolic blend with grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon and peppermint. You can smell these for nausea, rub a drop or two on the tummy or take internally (explained below) for general discomfort, constipation, etc. The oils are balancing and supportive, giving your digestive system just what it needs.

With the purity of the essential oils I use, I do take those that are labeled as GRAS internally as they have a greater and more rapid effect. I drink one drop of peppermint oil in about 16 oz of water. I love to mix this with lemon water and make it a hot tea. I take the digestive blend in a veggie cap and swallow it like a pill. Another note on purity here: I do not recommend the use of any essential oil internally unless noted on the label and if taken as directed! (check the label of the brand you use for clarity). And, If you don't feel comfortable, just apply topically to the tummy area.**

I will cover pro-biotics, enzymes and other digestive aids in my post on nutritional cleansing and healing the gut (hopefully next week)

Supporting Joints and muscles pain: soothing blend, lavender, massage blend, peppermint*, basil, white fir, winter green, melaleuca, frankincense. Rub a drop or two on location of pain and massage. There is also an amazing massage technique, explained here, that helps with stress and muscle aches and pains.

Aromatherapy is the most effective for mood disorders!

 Mood Management (depression, PMS, anxiety, etc.): lavender, frankincense, grounding blend, invigorating blend, joyful blend and calming blend, citrus oils. Diffuse, mist from a spray bottle, inhale from the bottle or from cupped hands, apply on chest or wrist. The key here is to use the oils aromatically. I like to apply to the feet each morning, diffuse throughout the day, and apply to the wrists as needed.

Skin Support for lesions, rashes and acne: lavender, frankincense, cedar wood, geranium, melaleuca. I've been using all of these and they help. All of these oils are very mild. The sore has not disappeared in one day, but there is less puss and pain, and it seems to heal faster. Apply just a drop 3-4 times a day. I have used pure therapeutic essential oils, those listed above, topically on other rashes and acne as well.When using these oils with eczema, you want to take caution. Apply on the feet instead of directly on the rash, especially if the rash is open. Use organic coconut oil directly on the rash.. or mix with some of the above oils. When in doubt with an open sore, dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil (always do this with sensitive skin or babies).

So far, these are the oils I have used most! I welcome your questions and am ready to support you in your journey! Leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible! you can also email me at oilsempowerparents@gmail.com. Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/empowerparents

for ASL users check out: www.asloils.com

I am excited to continue my journey to health and bring you along with me! 

*These oils may be 'hot' to sensitive skin or little ones, dilute using a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil.
** When using essential oils for digestive issues, some people report having flu-like symptoms. You may have more cleansing more quickly than you are ready for. Scale back and use only on the feet, use a little less, etc.I had this and it lasted just a day or two when I very first used the oils. Ever since, they have been always helpful.