Essentially dōSARA

Essentially dōSARA EDUCATOR / RESOURCE
Blending Essential Oils, Human Design and Nature into Embodied Living.
🦋 Thanks for visiting! Our physical health is OURS.

My name is Sara, and the purpose of this page is to extend an invitation to create/join communities. My intention is to recreate tribe – a tribe of people, especially of women, who empower each other, unconditionally love each other and partner with each other. A tribe that has each member as their own leader in life, living with an open heart, forgiving mistakes, loving his/her own strengths AND weaknesses, talents AND ‘flaws’ and lives with intention, purpose and integrity. Our emotional wellness is OURS. Our family dynamic – OURS; relationships with friends and lovers – OURS; finances – OURS; the planet and its resources – OURS. Not ours to forcibly own or control but ours to protect, honor, and take radical accountability for. Each of us 100% responsible. I’m choosing to make MY part in this movement about education, empowerment and support for those ready to own their accountability. Through classes and workshops that share natural, effective, safe and affordable solutions for life’s necessities, my mission is to build bridges that bond over our similarities, celebrate our differences, and learn from respectful discussion through the process. Our culture and society has many quick, conventional options easily available to supposedly help with life’s demands, and yet I often found myself not entirely happy with them. With medicines and “health care” I often felt worse as my body struggled to rebalance after treatment; conventional off-the-shelf personal care products left me either striped and dry or coated in ingredients I couldn’t pronounce; my conscience cringed as the environment was continually burdened with chemicals and waste from the production and use of such products; our public education system seemingly focused on making clones for cubicle jobs void of art, music, physical exercise and social/emotional competency, and then the ‘norm’ of having thousands of dollars in debt to continue our schooling for these unfulfilling jobs; our “food” barely fitting the description of what our bodies truly need to grow and thrive… does anybody share these concerns? I started making these realizations for myself in 2010 as I was pursuing my graduate degree, working as a substitute teacher, was about 50lbs heavier, my body ached, my mood was bland and very lack-luster, and I started realizing that everything I thought I was supposed to be doing was not only leaving me struggling to get out of bed in the morning, it straight-up just DID NOT MAKE SENSE. It was then that I started my wellness journey, although I didn’t recognize it until much later. My first step began very simply with drinking more water. Yup, that’s right, water! (read more and see before and after pictures here) I began taking responsibility for my own health, and although initially going against convention left some puzzled expressions on the faces of those closest to me, today I couldn’t be happier and many of my loved ones have joined me in making the lifestyle changes, little by little, to own their health and wellness too!!! Feel free to join us! Follow this page, join the tribe, schedule a class, message me for individualized support! Although you need to take the first step, you don’t have to be on this journey alone! You’ve got a tribe behind you!

FOURTEENThis guy had a birthday last week! A mini-summary:He got his own 4-goal game the weekend before, earning him Pla...
03/12/2025

FOURTEEN

This guy had a birthday last week! A mini-summary:

He got his own 4-goal game the weekend before, earning him Player-of-the-Game once again! (Slide 1)

Day of, he had treats with his buddies from Art, watched a very appreciated Shark's win by shoot-out, ate home-smoked brisket, oven mac-n-cheese, and homemade mango cake and strawberry frosting, by request! (Slides 2-4) Sharks also won the day after, extra bonus!

A "memory" came up, so I had to include a quick throw back to naked hockey of his 'youth'... who would have thought this photo would foreshadow such a passion for the game 10+ years later. (Slide 5)

His team won their game this past Saturday, securing them FIRST in Jr. Sharks 14U House League!! He got 2 goals totaling 27 goals in 20 games and celebrated the end of the season with his team party. A very successful first year of ice hockey for this young man! And a very successful birthday week of fun and celebration.

As you grow into such a beefy and skilled hockey dude, you haven't forgotten your fun, your wit, and your big tender heart. I cherish each year we have you to ourselves, but also look forward to see just how far you go, dear boy. I love you. The happiest of birthdays to you!! ❤️❤️❤️

Natty Hatty +1 for this hockey kid tonight!!! He got all 4 goals for his team, winning 4-3, sealing 1st place in their l...
01/05/2025

Natty Hatty +1 for this hockey kid tonight!!! He got all 4 goals for his team, winning 4-3, sealing 1st place in their league and totaling 16 goals in 11 games. He got to wear the "Player of the Game" helmet out of the building and bring the game puck home to start his own collection.

I totally cried.

Not only because I was proud, but just so so happy FOR him. This kid has been working for the hat trick, but he straight up CALLED it today. He showed up hungry, with a goal, and pulled it off with one to grow on! That's my (not so) Little Man!!!

# hockeylife

You haven't had an apple if you haven't had one in season and freshly picked. We drove the backroads, which is pretty no...
12/17/2024

You haven't had an apple if you haven't had one in season and freshly picked. We drove the backroads, which is pretty normal for us, but while joy riding, we were also on a mission! We drove by 5 different self-serve stands (empty!) before we found one still stocked. $6/bag, a small inflation from last year, and soooo worth it!!

We've been under the weather, but who could settle for a store-bought apple, likely picked last year and refrigerated until needed? Especially when supporting local saves you money and tastes so good! If I could get my act together, there would be boxes bought, apple sauce and apple butter canned, slices dehydrated, cider made... but I'll be grateful with amazing fresh eats for now.

That Christmas Spirit finally hit this morning.🎄🥰Hearing rain last night. Waking to a drizzly, cool, foggy morning. The ...
12/12/2024

That Christmas Spirit finally hit this morning.🎄🥰

Hearing rain last night. Waking to a drizzly, cool, foggy morning. The smell of rain on the forest. The colors of the fallen leaves intensified from being wet. Sneaking out of a still sleeping house, I hop in my car. As soon as my phone syncs, Carol of the Bells comes on. I sit an extra moment, sip my iced cacao (yes, even on a cold morning I love crunchy sweet, chocolatey ice!) and a smile forms on my lips, as a sparkle in my eyes, and as a warmth in the center of my chest.

"There it is!" I say out loud to nobody but myself. And I'm relieved, grateful, energized, joyful. I was worried why I hadn't felt it yet.

I feel like Halloween passed me by. Same with Thanksgiving. I was worried Christmas might, too. I'm not religious, but there's certainly a spirit to this time of year that has been my favorite for as long as I can remember, at least to grade school as a young girl. The older I get, the more sneaky it seems to become. But I can stop worrying now. It found me this morning, and I am so thankful. I remind myself its about the slowing down to let it in, which is right on pace with the changing seasons. Thank you, Nature, for the friendly reminder. ❤️

TRAVELING TATTOOShout out to  and  for my new 'UP Michigan' addition to my travel tattoos! It's been over a decade tryin...
09/04/2024

TRAVELING TATTOO

Shout out to and for my new 'UP Michigan' addition to my travel tattoos! It's been over a decade trying to figure out what to do to symbolize traveling to MI, but I finally realized, what would be better than the cottage itself? (Zack did a great job of symbolizing McNearney Lake in the shadow of the UP too!)


We're catching up with one of Rhys' friends for their birthday. Rhys came down with c*v¡d right before his party and bot...
08/22/2022

We're catching up with one of Rhys' friends for their birthday. Rhys came down with c*v¡d right before his party and both were pretty upset he couldn't attend.

After some it's fun and refreshing to see these two playing so innocently on a playground.

My oldest starts college next week. My youngest started 6th grade. My babies aren't babies anymore... I'll just be here watching and taking it all in, realizing that days like this are likely coming to an end sooner than later...

Homemade sourdough from a homemade culture, so satisfying! And will be soooo tasty... 😋
08/21/2022

Homemade sourdough from a homemade culture, so satisfying! And will be soooo tasty... 😋

I've been subbing for elementary school PE the last few days. It's actually been pretty fun! And definitely getting my s...
08/19/2022

I've been subbing for elementary school PE the last few days. It's actually been pretty fun! And definitely getting my steps in!

Made in to the UP, Michigan!!
08/02/2022

Made in to the UP, Michigan!!


Every year on 12/7 I run out to find Sierra Nevada, pack a bowl, and spend time looking at old pictures of you/us.I'm no...
12/08/2021

Every year on 12/7 I run out to find Sierra Nevada, pack a bowl, and spend time looking at old pictures of you/us.

I'm not one for the Pale Ale you were known to drink, but the Celebration brew hits the spot (and packs a punch). The Christmas tree is usually up by now, with the pickle ornament and your old basketball ornament from high school in easy view.

I often wonder how life would be if you were here. Would we be playing music together? How would you get along with my friends group? Would I even be in Santa Cruz?

You come across my feed often, and I must say I get a kick out of it every. single. time. The world hasn't forgotten you. Your music and impact are every where now with social media and apps like Spotify. I still sing with you often, admire your badass guitar solos, and am in awe of the comments and stories I read of random people I've never met sharing about you and your kindness, your influence. I wonder how life would be for you on the daily, on the street... If you'd be stopped and recognized...

You would trip at how tall and man-like Kaden is now! He was only 3 the last time you saw him. And I think you would get a kick out of Rhys! Its so strange to think you didn't get to meet him, or him you. He would have adored you!

Called Mom tonight. Don't understand how she holds it together the way she does. Eric and Dad were there too, and we cheers'd you all together.

It may be 14 years, but don't think that the void you left has filled in. It's easier to maneuver around, to acknowledge, to honor with grace, but it is just as deep and wide. I still sob in greif, although not as often and usually not for as long. I more so can focus on the funny memories, the many concerts you took me too, our SF sleep overs. Family holidays. Watching L&O reruns.

Damn, I miss you...

Forever missed. Never forgotten.
Lynette Knackstedt
4.26.1970 - 12.7.2007

EMPOWERMENT -Another word/concept that seems to be overused across many platforms and services, yet one that is near and...
09/08/2021

EMPOWERMENT -Another word/concept that seems to be overused across many platforms and services, yet one that is near and dear to my personal experience and growth.

I had my eldest son at 19 years old. A pretty typical teenage pregnancy situation; an unexpected outcome that ended in single motherhood.

I knew from the moment I got a positive result that I was choosing motherhood. I also knew that I would not chase, try to control or force involvement on the other party. If someone isn't actively choosing in, I choose out, and now 17 years later that person has never stepped up or been involved.

This situation in itself could have resulted in disempowerment, but that was not an option for me. I was not going to be a statistic, play small or stand still. With tremendous support from my parents, I chose school. AA, BA, then MA, while working, on WIC, getting food stamps, subsidized child care, financial aid, I was determined not to "fail" - and I didn't. I "succeeded" in conventional norms; "against the odds."

But what I wasn't prepared for... the over-independent trauma response, the burn out, the dis-ease within my stressed body and mind, and incredibly low self esteem.

I look back and don't view this as the 'empowerment' I thought it was while living it. This was survival in the disguise of success. The pressure to overcome adversity resulted in a mechanical, forced, inhuman work ethic. I am grateful, thankful and appreciative to come as far as I have, but this was education, trial and error, NOT empowerment.

I really want to call out this popular word. I was not stronger, in fact my body and mind were rather numb, weak and compulsively coping. I was not more confident, in fact, I felt unworthy, not enough, broken, searching outside of myself to tell me my value. I wasn't acting on my own authority, I was actually a captive of social norm and hustle.

Empowerment came when little by little I finally said "enough." I prioritized quality time and enjoyment with loved ones over the next certificate or degree. I focused on healing my body with nutrition, not ignoring it, or starving it to fit societal beauty standards. (continued in comments)

A HEALER IN EVERY HOMEOn Monday I was out and about and felt a sharp poke on my forearm. I didn't see a thorn, nor a bug...
09/02/2021

A HEALER IN EVERY HOME

On Monday I was out and about and felt a sharp poke on my forearm. I didn't see a thorn, nor a bug of any kind, but the smallest little mark that continued to sting for a few minutes, but then slipped from my mind, no big deal.

The next morning I woke up to see a firm, red bug bite about the size of a dime in the same spot. It was itchy, but didn't catch much of my attention. I typically have pretty extreme reactions to certain bugs, and this seemed relatively normal. I noted it and continued about my day.

A few hours later I could see that the swelling and firmness had spread. I began using a pen to trace the outline of the swelling and track any increase or decrease. I started applying Lavender (natural antihistamine/soother) and Tea Tree (disinfectant/soother) oils. Although it felt better, it continued to grow, as shown in the 2nd slide.

Realizing it may need more attention, and contemplating scheduling a Drs appointment, I began taking conventional antihistamines and applying hydrocortisone cream with my oils. I still did not see improvement! I kept at it for the rest of the day, but then reached for my Turmeric and Copaiba capsules for overall anti-inflammatory support. FINALLY, within about an hour, my arm wasn't so firm, tight or red.

This morning the area is significantly less firm, smaller in size, and my normal skin tone is starting to return. Although the 3rd slide might look more red in the center, it's actually the same red as before, but the surrounding tissue has lightened in color. I will continue with the protocol for at least another day, watchfully waiting.

Being a healer in your home isn't about NEVER going to the doctor, or NEVER using conventional first aid. It's about empowering yourself with knowledge, and lots and lots of options. Natural options are where I start, typically with essential oils for their affordable and easy applications, supporting my body to naturally balance on its own. But sometimes they aren't as fast acting as we like. I then assess and layer, try different applications and dosages and follow what feels right. No other intervention seems needed at this point, I can heal at home.

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