We are thrilled to introduce you to our new Meet-A-Mom Chrystal Cesaratto! A mother of two boys and wife- Chrystal shares what she loves about Northern California, inspiration as a business owner and the passion behind her essential oil company, Blended. Learn more on how she encourages others to live a more natural, toxin-free life:
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Even though I’ve been a Bay Area resident since 2014, I am constantly asked where I’m from…that Midwest accent is holding strong!
Tell us a little about yourself 
I am happily married to the most wonderful man I’ve ever met and I am the doting mother of 2 adorable boys – JJ (4) and Luca (1). I adore my children and they bring me so much joy, love, and purpose. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need an extreme amount of essential oils to help me get through the day! My obsession for natural remedies and essential oils led to my labor of love – Blended. I started my small business offering synergistic blends of essential oils and plant botanicals to support your mind, body, and spirit. I aim to inspire and empower you to take self-care into your own hands.
What are your favorite things about Northern California?
You cannot beat the sunshine! Being from Ohio, there are lots of cloudy days and winters that seem to last forever. Living in the Bay, we’re able to get outside everyday and enjoy our beautiful, natural surroundings. We love going on hikes through the redwoods, enjoying beach days in Santa Cruz, escaping to wine country for the weekend or heading to one of my favorite cities, San Francisco, for amazing museums, gorgeous architecture, and interesting history.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am an introvert! A lot of times introversion is confused with social anxiety or shyness. But in simplest terms, it’s about where you get your energy from – alone or through interactions with others. I love being around people, it just drains me. After a long weekend of activities, I crave some alone time to re-energize.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
I don’t know if I can claim it as an accomplishment but looking at my eldest son and seeing the boy he’s become fills me with so much pride. JJ is someone who genuinely cares for others, shows kindness and consideration well beyond his years, and brings joy and so much energy to a room. I just couldn’t be more proud of the person he is.
What was your biggest failure?
I fail all the time. I have terrible days where I fail as a human, a wife, and a mother. I have failed many times with Blended, whether it was an un-engaging marketing campaign or a failed product. I’m OK with all of it. Life is a journey and I am learning every day.
What’s the one thing you’re most passionate about?
Living a natural, toxin-free life. There are so many things that negatively affect us in our environment. Once you begin researching products, it feels like you’ve opened Pandora’s Box and often times it’s overwhelming! I started with baby steps and now I feel empowered by changing the things I can to help my family stay healthy. I have found many natural and affordable replacements through essential oils and plant botanicals. Whether it’s removing toxic products from our medicine cabinet, our laundry room, using green cleaning supplies, or using natural skin care, essential oils have made all the difference in our pursuit of natural living.
Can you give us one pearl of wisdom, the one thing you wish more people knew?
“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” I am a firm believer that self care is not selfish, it is necessary to keep your body, mind, and your soul alive and well. Taking care of yourself is critical for your well-being, and it’s hard to take care of others close to you if you do not first care for yourself. I encourage everyone to carve out a little time each day for self-care. Whether that’s taking a moment for some slow deep breaths (love to use Namaste Aroma Stick for this), meditating while diffusing Hush Lil Baby, or getting a massage from your significant other, these small moments make a world of difference.
Is there anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My mom! She is an unbelievable example of selflessness, love, devotion, and dedication. Even though we are thousands of miles a part, her influence is powerful. She has encouraged me to practice attachment parenting and guided me through positive parenting. She inspires me to be a better mother and person.
If you could encourage more people to take action in some way, what would it be?
Take a closer look at the products you are using at home. The more you learn about the ingredients, the more selective you’ll be. There are amazing, natural alternatives to avoid the negative effects of many main stream products.
What inspired you to start Blended?
“Your children will become who you are; so be who you want them to be.” For many years, I dreamed of starting my own business but for lots of reasons {excuses}, I would talk myself out of it: fear of failure, lack of confidence, time, stress – the list goes on. My sons, JJ and Luca, are my REASON. The reason Blended came to fruition and the reason for my goals and aspirations. I want them to grow up seeing what it’s like to go after your dreams, to work hard and struggle, but persevere, and try again. I want my children to see what it’s like to be kind and genuinely care about helping people. I have put my heart and soul into Blended and I feel truly blessed to serve my clients everyday.
What top 3 essential oils do you use in your home? Do your husband or children have a favorite?
Essential oils are a big part of our every day life! We use blends based on what our bodies and minds are craving at the time. During the winter, Immunity Support and Germ Fighter are diffusing on a regular basis to help keep us all healthy. Right now, I am rotating the aromatic blends of the Summertime Trio. They are so refreshing and bring the joy of summer right into your home. Everyone in my family is a huge fan of Hush Lil Baby for calming and sleep support. Another one of my favorites is Namaste Diffusing Blend which helps me with anxiety and stress and I find it helps calm the boys, too!
What sets Blended a part from other companies?
Simply put – Safety, Purity, Simplicity, and Handcrafted Blends
Safety First
–We offer a full line of child safe blends, based on the research and teachings of the top Aromatherapists in the industry.
Purity
–We carefully source essential oils from ethical, sustainable, and organic farming practices. Each essential oil is carefully and thoroughly tested for 100% purity. This makes all the difference when you’re using oils for therapeutic purposes.
Simplicity
–We offer hand-crafted blends for some of the most common ailments. No guesswork necessary when an ailment arises—the safe, pure, and natural solution is available by Blended.
Handcrafted
–You can feel confident that your blends are expertly handcrafted and safe for the whole family. I am your partner in your natural wellness journey and I will always be available to guide you to the best solution for your situation.
What age can children use essential oils?
You can start using gentle essential oils on infants. Be sure to steer clear of some of the popular oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary – these are too strong for babies. I have a line of Child-Safe blends that are formulated to be gentle, yet effective for babies and children, like Hush Lil Baby, Tummy Trouble, Teething Roll On, Immunity Support, and Germ Fighter.
It sounds like Blended has a positive impact! What was a moment in your journey as a business owner that made your heart happy?
Each and every time someone comes back to me with a positive experience, my heart smiles. It is such an honor to have the trust of my clients and help them take care of themselves in a natural way.
Chrystal’s contact info:
Website – www.BlendedEO.com
Shop- West Hollywood Moms 10% off purchase with code: “WHM10”
Facebook – www.facebook.com/blendedeo
Instagram – @blendedeo
Email – [email protected]