Review: MONQ® Personal Essential Oil Diffusers

Many of you, like me, have seen these advertised all over social media. They are the MONQ® personal essential oil diffusers. I contemplated for months if I should give these a try, but it seemed like a weird concept to me. As of recently, life got a bit more stressful and I needed more ways to meditate or relax and natural ways to de-stress. I took the plunge and ordered four of the MONQ® diffusers.

They have a deal where you order 4 for $69, which is a better deal than ordering them at $20 each. I also used the promo code TRYMONQ which gave me 10% off and free shipping on $60 or more. So, I decided to try Healthy, Happy, Active, and Zen. I liked the essential oils listed on these and that they were the feelings I was most wanting from the diffusers. Others, that I may try in the future, are Sexy, Sleepy, and Vibrant. Their Nature diffusers are new and they are supposed make you feel like you are in a location of relaxation such as Ocean, Forest, and Mountain. They all intrigue me, but I’m only going to review the 4 I purchased in this particular blog post.

 

My initial reaction was that it was a very different experience! You have to kind of breathe in through your nose but suck in the vapor and hold it in your mouth until you breathe out your nose with it. Be sure to empty your mouth while breathing out to get all of the vapor. When you exhale through your nose as opposed to your mouth, molecules pass the olfactory nerve endings in your upper nasal passageway. This action is the first step to noticeable therapeutic effects. It was interesting that I could taste the flavor and feel it instantly make me feel the oils. I also thought it was neat that it lights up on the end, but only knew it did this because I took a video of myself, so you can’t really see it much as you use it. I think this feature is to show if you’ve run out of oils if it doesn’t light up anymore or if the light comes on the diffuser is working. To learn more about how the diffusers work click here.

Healthy MONQ® – I’ve been using this diffuser once a day for a week and have really enjoyed the flavor. The main essential oils are cinnamon, known for immune support, turmeric, known for anti inflammatory effects, and marjoram, known for antiviral effects. I don’t get an immediate feeling of healthiness, but more of a shock to the system from the aroma of the oils. I just felt like I could breathe a little easier, especially during high allergy days.

Happy MONQ® – I have used this diffuser the least within the past week. I really liked the flavor. The main essential oils are vanilla, known as an antidepressant, thyme, known for energy boost, and fennel, known to give a feeling of being grounded. I do feel down at least once a day and I tried this diffuser to boost my mood. I think the benefit of using this one was to just take a moment to breathe and reflect, so it was a great diffuser for meditation. However, this one did make me sneeze and I’m not exactly sure why, but that is the reason I haven’t used it as much as the others.

Active MONQ® – I have used this diffuser a few times in the past week. The flavor is citrusy and light. The main essential oils are orange, known for anti-inflammatory, sage, known for stimulating the brain and nervous system, and black pepper, known to encourage blood circulation and can relieve muscle aches and pains. I used this before workouts and I really think it helped boost my energy after a long day at work to get through my workout. This is probably the diffuser I’d probably continue to buy since I really enjoyed the flavor and effect it gave me.

Zen MONQ® – I have used this diffuser the most out of all the blends in the past week. The main essential oils are orange, known to be an antidepressant, ylang ylang, known to promote relaxation, and frankincense, known as a stress reliever. I used this during times of stress and anxiety at work, at home, and in the car. This inhaler helped give me a sense of clarity and helped me regain control of my emotions and feelings during times where I would normally be irrationally emotional and anxious. The flavor is strong and reminds me of a health food store smell, but was very effective for me. This is the other diffuser I could see me ordering again since it has helped. I did notice during intense stress it took 4-5 inhales to feel fully calm and collected.

Overall, I have enjoyed my experience with these personal essential oil diffusers. I can’t say I would buy all of them again, but Active and Zen have definitely been the most beneficial to me. I think you have to be sure to use these properly and allow the oils to take effect. They are all great for taking time out of the day to just breathe and meditate, no matter the effects of the actual oils. I have come to reach for my diffusers at certain times and they have become a part of my daily routine.

A bonus to these are that they are recyclable. You just send the empty diffusers back to MONQ® with a free shipping label! Click here to learn more.

For more information on these products and to learn more about MONQ® and their transparency on quality, safety, and ingredients, visit www.monq.com. They have all the information you need to answer your questions and I found their website very informative and reassuring.

So, have you tried MONQ®? What are your thoughts on all of their diffusers? If you haven’t tried them yet, which ones are you most interested in?

 

Natural Products Expo West

I have been planning, attending and supervising trade shows for Organic Technologies, who sells nutritional ingredients, for the past 3 years. The biggest ingredient is AlaskOmega fish oil. We go to three shows a year and Natural Products Expo West, in Anaheim, California, is by far my favorite. It is a show for healthy, natural and earth friendly food, beauty products and living solutions.

This year Wiley’s Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil attended the show as well. I am the graphic designer for the company and it was very exciting for me and the whole team. We decided to visit Erewhon health foods store in Beverly Hills to see our products on the shelf. We also decided to eat lunch there. Can’t go wrong with fresh California salad and berries!

The weather was beautiful in California, but I wasn’t able to enjoy it more than just walking to and from the convention center. These shows are usually very busy and last 8-12 hours a day for me. I still try to enjoy myself and make the most of it and the experience. I especially love taking advantage of the hotel gym and pool. The NPEW show is what made me fall into a organic, all natural and healthy lifestyle and I am forever grateful for that.

Here is a view from the Disney Paradise Pier hotel room.

Here are some photos of the Wiley’s Finest booth and showcase:

Overall the show was a success for me and the companies I work for. I collected a lot of product samples and found a few new products I want to start buying in stores!

 

 

How to Easily Make an Omelet

I have been making quick omelets for myself every morning for the past few months. Eggs are a great source of protein and other essential nutrients. Here I will show you how I take just a few minutes to create a delicious easily made, spinach, onion and cheese Omelet. (Note that I had to cook it a bit long so I was able to get photos of each step so it is a bit more browned than usual). HAVE YOUR VEGGIES AND TOPPINGS PREPPED AND READY BEFORE COOKING THE EGGS! This process goes very fast so they need to be ready to go.

I don’t usually measure the oil, but it ends up being about 1/2 tbs of extra virgin olive oil. I like to use olive oil because it has more healthy fats compared to butter and butter seems to burn more easily. Note that I am also using a ceramic non-stick pan for easily flipping the eggs.

Pick the pan up and move the pan around very carefully after letting the oil heat on Medium heat for about a minute or two. You’ll know the oil is ready when it spreads around the pan easily. Cover the pan as much as possible for easy flipping of the eggs.

Place the eggs in the pan and quickly start to scramble the yolks evenly throughout the whites. I do this to make an even, flat circle.

This is how I scramble the yolks to make an evened out circle. This should happen very quickly!

Have your veggies and toppings ready to go before you start cooking your eggs. After scrambling into a circle, quickly add all of your toppings except the cheese.

When the egg has stared to bubble up around the toppings, carefully lift all the edges of the omelet and then give it a gentle flip.

Turn the heat between low and medium and let cook for about 30-60 seconds.

Flip the omelet back over and add the cheese to one side.

Quickly, but gently, fold over the half without cheese. Turn off the heat. Then let it sit for 10-15 seconds for the cheese to melt.

There you have it! Your easily made omelet! I usually add more veggies, but this one was for my boyfriend and he wanted just onions, spinach and cheese. Other toppings I like to add are green pepper, tomato and maybe a tad of salt and pepper. I sometimes add egg whites to bulk it up a bit too if you want a larger omelet.

My favorite thing to serve with my omelet is berries or toast. I hope this helped you! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

I wanted to try something different with my smoothies, so I decided to make an oatmeal one. Even though it’s higher in calories, I am using wholesome ingredients and it is a bit more filling than just a fruit smoothie.

I like to pack my smoothies with extra fiber and protein by adding Greek yogurt, chia seeds and flax seeds. I use almond milk because I stopped drinking dairy milk to reduce calories and fat. I don’t normally drink an entire smoothie, especially when it’s this high in calories, so I put half in the fridge for the next day.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Steel Cut Oats

3 ounces Fage 0% Greek Yogurt (or yogurt of your choice, Greek has more protein)

1/2 medium Banana

3/4 cup Almond Milk

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tbsp. Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 tbsp. Honey

1/2 tbsp. Chia Seeds (optional)

1 tbsp. Ground Flax Seed (optional)

3 ice cubes (optional)

Directions:

Add ingredients to blender. Place lid on the blender tightly. Put on smoothie mode and blend for a minute or two. Pour into 16 oz or larger cup and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts via MyFitnessPal:

How To Pack For A Business Trip (or any short trip)

First thing is first. PACK LIGHT!

I have been on several business trips for my job over the past 2.5 years and let me tell you, packing light has been a lesson well learned. My first trip across country was back in 2011 to Las Vegas, NV for the SupplySide West trade show. (The company I work for manufactures nutritional ingredients, so that is why we were at an ingredient show, but that’s for a later post.) It was a 4 day trip and I was told that people give away a lot of little things like pens, flashlights, magnets, reusable bags etc. So I took 2 bags, a carry on and a purse. One bag was EMPTY! It was only for freebies! Even though it turns out I needed it, lugging 2 bags in airports and checking them in and picking them up was not fun. I loved the items I gained, but honestly I don’t use most of them and they sit in a drawer gathering dust.

So today, as I prepare to visit Las Vegas for the second time in my life, I have learned to pack light. I plan to only take a carryon, a shoulder bag and my purse (which fits in the shoulder bag). Not dealing with luggage pick up makes life so much easier. To make room for possible freebies I will roll my clothes instead of folding them. That way it will make space for (my favorite) reusable bags or small giveaways that I feel are really cool or useful, such as a desk clock, travel mugs or T-shirts (if a company is nice enough to let you have any of these). You have to really seem interested in what they offer to score the big gifts!

Next I would suggest not overpacking. I usually want many outfits, shoes and accessories to choose from. This time I am packing only what I need, with the exception of a pair of flip flops and a swim suit just in case I get some unexpected free time to hang out by the pool. 4 days 3 nights consist of 4 outfits, 3 for work 1 for outings after work, 2 sets of PJs, 3 pairs of light, NON heeled shoes. These shows require standing for 12 hours straight so, no heels for me (made that mistake once).

When packing for a quick trip or business trip I have learned to limit electronics if at all possible. I once took a my netbook, an iPod touch, my phone, an iPad and some magazines too. I did not need all of this. This trip I am taking my tiny iPod shuffle, my phone and maybe 1 magazine. Traveling with less stuff means less to keep track of and less weight to carry around. Running to the next terminal with all this crap may be a good workout, but not easy and could cause delays.

Now to talk about FOOD. Yum. I always pack snacks when I go on these business trips or any trip. Heck, I pack snacks everyday for work or when I go out shopping for a couple hours. I just like having something there in case my blood sugar drops, or if I start to get really moody from being hungry (hey, I know you’ve been there too.) I like to pack granola bars (organic or natural preferably), apples and unsalted mixed nuts (unsalted means less thirst and less awkward airplane bathroom breaks). I haven’t found anything else I like to pack that doesn’t need refrigerated, so if you have suggestions I am open to new things to take while traveling. I like to stick to easy and not messy.

To Recap:

– Pack light with a carryon

– Don’t pack what you don’t need

– Limit electronics to have less weight to carry

– Pack easy and healthy snacks

Overall, traveling can be a pain and a joy. It’s exciting to see new places and to explore, but it is also important to make sure you consider lightening your luggage, so you can enjoy as much of the travel time as you can. Not too much weighing you down, less to keep track of and having snacks to keep you satisfied. Do you have any travel tips that might be helpful?