essential oils · health · natural lifestyle

Natural Deodorants and DIY Anti-perspirant

Let’s talk DEO.

Anyone else out there who has tried several natural deodorants and even tried making their own? After many, many product tests and recipe attempts, Primal Pit Paste is my absolute favorite. Only it’s not an antiperspirant. So I took a shot at making my own spray.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference book recommended sage and Purification, and my ref guide 4 essential oils app added Endoflex to the list which my husband uses to support his thyroid. I love it!

I can’t say that I don’t sweat at all, but I don’t get wet circles under my arms and I know the body needs to sweat some to get rid of toxins. I’m just thankful not to be applying memory killer aluminum to my body anymore. I need all the brain cells I can get!

Please do your own research and you will find as I unfortunately did, that over-the-counter deodorants contain aluminum, which has been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s.

To make your own anti-perspirant use any of these oils you may have on hand:

  • 2 oz spray bottle
  • 2 drops sage
  • 2 drops Endoflex
  • 2 drops Purification
  • 2 drops nutmeg
  • 2 drops petitgrain (EO that controls perspiration like no other, IMO)
  • a splash of witch hazel
  • fill rest of the way with water

If you don’t have all of these, I think just Purification or just petitgrain would work great. I’ve actually applied a drop of Purification under each arm on days I’ve left the house without using my spray. Works awesome in a pinch. 🤓

You can get started with the world leader in essential oils here.

essential oils · health · natural lifestyle

DIY Thieves

DIY Thieves.

Last week, I did the unthinkable. I ran out of Thieves. 😭 And this is NOT the time to be without the king of immune system support oils!

Obviously I ordered more, but until it gets here, I had to get creative. I realized that not only do I have all of the ingredients to make my own Thieves, I realized that Young Living is giving most of these to their customers this month as promos for hitting different spending targets. They are giving us the gift of health!

How accurate this is, I’m not for sure, but all four recipes that I was able to find online generally had this ratio:

2 drops rosemary
3 drops eucalyptus
4 drops cinnamon bark
7 drops lemon
8 drops clove

I kept this ratio but multiplied each number times 5 and placed in an empty dropper bottle to make a synergy or mixture. I did not add any carrier oils. This way, I can simply add 4-6 drops of the mixture to our diffuser. And it almost smells just like our wonderful Thieves!

Notice I said “almost.” Rest assured when my bottle of Thieves arrives I will be going back to it. I’m no Gary Young over here! But if you’re ever in a pinch, this is good to know about.

I won’t be wasting this concoction. My family really likes it so it is going to be the “Thieves” for our kitchen diffuser.

Raise your hand if you have Thieves or something similar in your wellness cabinet!

essential oils · natural lifestyle · Uncategorized

Immune System Boosters You May Not Know About

Most folks already know to take Vitamin C, drink plenty of fluids and to get rest when they are sick. You may not be aware of some on this list. While doing some or all of these won’t guarantee you are protected, they significantly lower the risk. If you do find yourself exposed, I think you’ll be impressed how quickly you bounce back.

  1. Elderberry syrup. This one needs to be a staple. Keep it in the fridge all winter long. Give to everyone in the house at the first sign or mention of sickness. It not only boosts the immune system, but it is also an influenza preventative. You can check out a post to learn other elderberry benefits here.
  2. Turmeric. You know, legend has it that the “gold” that was given to the baby Jesus by the three wise men was actually turmeric which is also known as “golden spice.” So in a sense they gave him the gift of health. We Westerners and just catching on to what Indians have known for years and years: natural turmeric has medicinal value. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and has many many more health benefits. I was curious how to decide which turmeric/curcumin I should take (curcumin is the powerful constituent in turmeric) and what characteristics to look for. I love this post from Dr. Weil whose information I trust. And you can purchase the turmeric I use here.
  3. Raw local honey. Raw local honey boosts the immune system, can help with allergies, and soothes sore throats. It has so many health benefits. Don’t confuse raw local honey with that cute honey bear you get at Walmart. Very little benefit there. I have written an entirely separate post on raw local honey if you want to learn more.
  4. Probiotics. Do you take one? Everyone should take a good probiotic. Life 9 by Young Living is a great one. Why are probiotics so important? Marketing geniuses have programmed many to think all bacteria and germ exposure is bad. We are trained to Lysol and Clorox wipe everything, when in actuality, we are ridding our surfaces of both good and beneficial bacteria and germs. You don’t have to take my word for it. See what the Environmental Working Group has to say here. Same way, when we trustingly take that probiotic, we are killing the good and bad bacteria in your bodies, which is why so often you will see, they sicker some folks get the sicker they get. Antibiotics should only truly be in order when there is a bacterial infection like strep for example, but it has become commonplace unfortunately to give it for ear infections and other sicknesses. When you deplete your body of that good bacteria, you have none to fight off future illness. My advice if you absolutely must take an antibiotic is to take a probiotic daily to replenish that good bacteria supply.
  5. Ningxia Red or a comparable antioxidant drink. When you or anyone in your household is down and out, or if you have been exposed to anyone who is, reach for  all the blueberries, açaí, raspberries, and goji berries you can get your hands on. Or take me at my word when I tell you that Ningxia Red has one of the highest levels of antioxidants you can find. It contains the rare Ningxia wolfberry. For those of you who may not know, Ningxia China has the highest longevity in the world, and it is said to be a result of their consumption of the Ningxia wolfberry, the key ingredient in Ningxia Red. You can purchase the Ningxia Red Starter Kit here.
  6. Thieves Essential Oil Blend. I seriously would not want to live without Thieves. Immune system booster powerhouse. It contains cinnamon bark oil, for one. Here’s a tidbit: viruses can’t exist in the presence of cinnamon bark oil. Thieves contains it. Viruses live in the spine. I apply Thieves to the spines of all my people on the regular. As I am writing this I’m thinking of four ways I used it just this evening alone. Thieves on the throat and spines of my youngest and husband who said their throats hurt “a little bit.” I added it to my girls’ bath salts because tis’ the season. Thieves in the diffuser for the same reason. Thieves in a spoonful of honey, also for my husband to soothe his throat. A great way to get started with Thieves is either the Thieves kit which includes Thieves and the Thieves line of cleaning products, or the Young Living Premium Starter Kit which includes Thieves as well as a high quality diffuser and the other main essential oils you would need to get started. You can find both of those here.

 

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Memory Resolution Technique

Have you ever had a painful memory that kept haunting you? You couldn’t seem to get it out of your mind? The power of oils and scent is amazing!

I was skeptical at first, but I read the memory resolution chapter of this book, Aroma Freedom Technique, and followed the steps to a tee. I used the oils pictured exactly as it specified, and I have to say I am amazed how much relief I feel related to my memory. I went from obsessive thoughts of it to feeling it was very petty and old news by the end of the process.

You can find the book here. In addition to Lavender, Frankincense and Stress Away, you will also want Inner Child and Believe essential oil blends to complete this entire technique.

Do you have a memory resolution or aroma freedom technique success story? I would love to know in the comments!

essential oils · natural lifestyle · Uncategorized

Winter Must-Haves: Young Living Oils and Products

It’s still technically fall, but today in Tennessee we have snow on the ground and temps in the 20s.

We need to be proactive during this cold and flu season to keep our families healthy!

Are you stocked up and ready for this?

Here are my must-have Young Living oils and products as we head into winter:

  • Thieves. And by Thieves I mean all the Thieves products: essential oil, roll-on, Thieves Cleaner, Fruit and Veggie Spray, Foaming Hand Soap. All of it. Thieves essential oil supports the immune system like nothing else I know. Thieves products purify and product your home. Ditch all the gross chemical filled products and go natural with Thieves. Best decision ever.
  • RC and Raven. Both offer the best respiratory support. If you’re on the fence and trying to decide between the two, I would opt for Raven. It supports the respiratory system but also your immune system. It is also in the current starter kit.
  • Thieves Lozenges. I already plugged Thieves products, I know, but I have to give a separate shoutout to these in particular. I talk for a living and keep these in my desk drawer at work, some in my purse and some at home. They are the best cough drop/lozenge I’ve ever had. They don’t just soothe, the support the body. What other drop does that?
  • Lavender Lotion. This lotion is the best ever. Most lotions you have to apply and reapply- like hourly. This lotion is truly soothing. Again I keep at work, home, and in the purse.
  • Lavender Lip Balm and Rose Ointment. I suffered from chronic chapped lips every winter until I discovered this duo. I apply daily, preventatively and can’t remember the last time my lips were chapped in winter since.
  • Digize and Life 9. Did you know that 70% of your immune system is located in your gut? We apply Digize when anyone is having tummy issues and Life 9 is an awesome probiotic to maintain healthy bacteria in the gut. Gut health is key!

There are so many products I love to have on hand in winter. This is really just scratching the surface but does represent my faves.

Do you have favorite Young Living oils and products for winter that aren’t on this list? I’d love to know what they are. Please share in the comments.

And if you are ready to dive in with Young Living and this wellness lifestyle you can get your starter kit here.

essential oils · natural lifestyle

Wellness Mindset

I woke up around 2 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep.

I went to the bathroom to grab some lavender essential oil to apply to my wrists.

While I was up I noticed I had drainage in my throat from the tobacco barns fired up here in Tennessee so I applied a drop of Purification to my throat. Not to stop drainage (sickness mindset) but to clear my throat (wellness mindset).

I slicked on some Young Living grapefruit lip balm in gratitude that I can pronounce all the ingredients on the label, and applied some Young Living Lavender Lotion, thankful that it has no toxic artificial fragrance. Just scented with real 100% lavender.

I applied a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to a wart that has almost disappeared, and Sacred Frankincense to a mole that is slowly shrinking as healthy skin is taking its place.

While I was at it I applied Valor to my jawline and the back of my neck to soothe tension, relax my jaw and help with sleep. I love the versatility of my oils. 🙌🏻

I headed back to bed with so much gratitude for the knowledge I have to use these oils and natural products, and that I know after using them that within SECONDS my body is in a better place.

My oils are fast. They keep me well. My lotion and lip balm don’t have to be reapplied every few hours like cheaper chemical laden ones. I probably won’t need any lip balm or lotion in the morning. I know sleep is on the way and feel tension leave my body.

I wish everyone knew about this lifestyle and that more people were more open to it. I’m sure more thoughts followed but I don’t recall them because I drifted off to sleep.

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Oils for Emotional Support

https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/referral/2183425

Oils for Emotional Support (per Gary Young, Young Living Essential Oils founder) ❤️

Are you ready? This is straight from the notes I took from our live session with Gary Young during convention in 2016.

YOU might want a pen and paper to jot down specific oils that pertain to you for your own needs. I can tell you my wish list definitely grew after this session! HERE WE GO! (Oils are in ALL CAPS)

———————————————————–

Emotions are the most powerful tool you have in your arsenal. Powerful in creativity and construction and equally powerful in destruction. You can use them to drive you into greatness or into the grave. But the will drive you one way of the other. If you do nothing you will stagnate, which is the same as death.

What can help you navigate your senses in a constructive way? COMMON SENSE. Where else can you buy it? Use it.

Every substance that God created has a frequency. Every man-made thing does too. God-made frequency (oils) leads to construction and man-made (not oils) leads to destruction.

There are many ways to travel through life be sure to choose one.

When you are presented with something, never say “no I don’t want to do that.” When you say that you build up a wall of negative energy that says “I don’t want to do that.” Self sabotage. You’re letting someone decide what you will or wont do. You end up spending more energy building walls than accepting life.

We’re not all cut out to do the same things. But don’t short-change yourself from experiencing life. Instead maybe say “let me think about it.” Don’t shut the door or build walls. Never close life out. Say words that leave the door open. Don’t put a wall around you that may block what you need.

Life is based on structure, belief and behavior patterns. How are you creating the pattern of success if you’re saying “I don’t want to,” “I can’t,” or “I’ll try?”

You either did it or you didn’t do it. There is no try. Two words to eliminate: CAN’T and TRY. You will never reach success using those two words.

We have the power to change, to adapt to any situation. No other living creature can do this. We can change our behavior pattern. How?

CLARITY. If you have a behavior pattern you don’t like, use while your sleeping, diffuse it. You’ll start noticing a shift.

FORGIVENESS. The behavior pattern could have been instilled in you from a parent or grandparent. You may feel like you are betraying them by doing things differently. No one was meant to be a cookie cutter. You are very special to God.

Our behavior patterns are those of our parents and ancestors and are encoded in my DNA. The function of DNA is to store genetic info.

ABUNDANCE. Put it on your checks and in your PO Box/ Mailbox. Put abundance on your checks when you pay your bills. Where as perfume. This is to attract prosperity and also to attract others to you.

We can change how we see ourselves. We can change our beliefs which will change our attitudes which will change our behaviors.

Don’t be a victim of yourself instead of a successor.

You always want your children and your grandchildren to be better than you.

Rear sight (present emotion) and your front sight (distant emotion). Use your past emotion to lead you to your future destiny. It’s as simple as CHOICE.

Every blend is created specifically for a need. Absolutely no oil blends were created for profit.

COMFORTONE. For bowels support. “smooth move”

Everything that goes on in your life is determined by emotion. It’s always there before the physical manifest. Runny nose, sore backside all began with an emotion.

Talk to God about your day what you feel good about or not, do a self- evaluation. Be more gentle, attentive, caring. Your greatest power is in self-evaluation and it only has power if you’re honest with yourself.

Take responsibility for your choices.

You can be whatever you want to be. You have to first choose it.

MOTIVATION. Put drop on pillow before you go to bed or use in bath. Keep on nightstand. Snort it. Will help you get out of bed.

En-R-Gee. Up the spine.

Put Motivation and En-R-Gee on at the same time. En-R –Gee up the spine and Motivation on your feet.

Pay attention to how you talk. There’s always pressure from some place in the world and you feel burdened. Here is the key to getting out of that space. The new behavior is using essential oils, becoming greater than you were.

PRESENT TIME should be on your person at all times. Helps keep you feeling burdens of life. You are secure with who you are and in control. This is when God resides with you – present time. When God resides with you, you are the most powerful force on the face of the earth and nothing can stop you.

When the sun sets at the end of the day, are you satisfied with what you accomplished? If you’re satisfied you will keep trying so always keep your expectations a little higher than where you are.

HARMONY. When you wrestle with yourself in your self-talk. When you’re playing mind games it comes from insecurity.

Gary was first to bring EOs to America.

Use when playing mind games. >HARMONY, CLARITY and BRAIN POWER plus VALOR.

Writing is the most powerful tool that you have to release. Write down things you like, don’t like. What you want and don’t want. Write constantly.

**************************************

This is just the first half of my notes from Gary’s 2016 session! Stay tuned for the second half in an upcoming post.

If you are interested in grabbing any of these amazing oils, you can find them here.

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Essential Oils Companies that let you visit their farms…

I thought this was very interesting! #repost

Sarah Goff called 15 essential oil companies and asked if she could tour their farms to see how the essential oils are made. I have toured Young Living’s farms several times. You can check them out too.

Here is a list of the company, phone number, and answer to what Sarah learned.

1. NOW essential oils: 888-669-3663, they do not grow their own plants. This either means that their “oils” are made in a lab or they buy plants from random farms.

2. Piping Rock Essential Oils: 1-800-544-1925, the representative told me no. She did not give me any explanation.

3. Aura Cacia essential oils: 1-844-550-7200, the rep said that they do not grow their own essential oils. She would not give me the names or numbers of the farms where they buy the plants.

4. AnimalEO: 320-286-3277, the mailbox was full. 😂

5. Mountain Rose Herbs essential oils: 800-879-3337. The rep said I cannot see the farms because their plants are sourced. She would not give me the name or numbers of the farms so I could ask them.

6. Edens Garden essential oils: 949-388-1999, the website said to not take the oils internally (Young Living Vitality oils are FDA regulated to take internally). The rep said that she had never received a question like that before and asked to place me on hold. She returned to tell me that they do not own any of their own farms and that I cannot calls those farms.

7. OnePure essential oils: only available by email. They did not respond to my message.

8. Healing Solutions essential oils: 1-800-819-4098, the rep had to place me on hold. He returned to say that I cannot see the farms. He said that the company is not equipped for face-to-face consultations.

9. Gurunanda essential oils: 866-421-0309, the rep told me that they source their oils and that I cannot see the farms.

10. Plant Therapy essential oils: 800-917-6577, the rep told me that they do not own their own farms and I would not be able to take a tour to see the plants or oils be made.

11. Rocky Mountain essential oils: 1-866-493-8159, the rep said that they do not own their own farms. I quoted, “We do not have any direct correlation with the farms, so it would be impossible for us to set anything up.”

12. doTERRA essential oils: 1-800-411-8151, the rep had to place me on hold. He said that I can only come on tours that are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30. I told him that did not work with my schedule, and he was not sure how to respond.

(Edited to add: DoTerra does not allow tours of their farms. I got clarification that the times listed about are for tours of their headquarters, not farms. According to DoTerra’s website, they do not own any farms.)

13. Jade Bloom essential oils: 1-844-787-3645, after listening to a long message, they do not take phone calls. I emailed and asked to see the farms. They have not returned my email.

14. Melaleuca essential oils: 208-522-0700, Mindy Buda actually made this phone call 🖤 she said that the rep told her that there are no farms for Mindy to tour. The rep then said she doesn’t know where the farms are and cannot give any other information.

15. Young Living Essential Oils: 1-800-371-3515, I called and pretended to be someone who is interested in the oils but not yet a member. I was directed to the Visitor’s Center (1-800-371-0819). I was told that I do not need a tour guide or anyone with me while I tour the farms. The farms are open M-F 8am-6pm, Saturday 9-5, and closed on Sunday. She said I can also tour the distilleries where the plants are made into oils.

I feel like these results speak for themselves. I was very emotional after making all of these phone calls and getting answers.

Why do some companies not know where their farms are?

Why wouldn’t they give me a phone number?

Why do some companies not have anything to do with how their plants are grown?

Why was I given an answer of “no?”

Why can’t I ingest something that I made from plants?

Why do some oil companies make their oils in labs and not from plants?

Why can I only visit a farm WITH a tour guide? Why can’t I go by myself?

Why did every company claims to “set the standard” and have the “highest quality oils available,” but they had no part in farming the plants?

Why don’t the employees know where or how the product is made?

How can you sell something to someone knowing they are going to put it on themselves/their kids and not know anything about it? ”

Feel free to call these numbers and see what they say.

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The photos included in this blog post were taken on my visit to one of the many Young Living owned farms. All research described above was done by Sarah Goff, shared with permission.

You can get started with Young Living Essential oils here.

– Angie

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KidScents Collection

kidscents.jpg

Have you considered using oils with your children and felt overwhelmed or uneasy about how to use them correctly and safely? Have you felt like you needed to know more, like how to dilute or worried they could be too strong for your little one?

Young Living brilliantly took the guesswork and worry out of the equation for you by creating the KidScents line of oils for children. They are pre-diluted and ready for use. Being Young Living, they are also of the purest and highest quality and extremely potent.

When I first got the KidScents Collection, I was most excited about Geneyus to help my then six-year-old with focus at school.

Over time, my family has grown to love all of these oils. They have become some of our most frequently used and most loved.

When either of my girls have a scratch, scrape, bump, bruise, burn or cut, I always offer Owie and get rewarded with smiles, hugs, and “Thank you, Mommy.”

I love that when it’s time for my four-year-old’s nap, she asks for Sleepyize in her diffuser. That or Stress Away – she loves that it smells like vanilla cupcakes.

Geneyus is as amazing as I expected, only I have become the most frequent user, not my child. She prefers a blend I make her of lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver and added Geneyus, Brain Power and frankincense for good measure.

I love that when either child needs support with breathing, they ask for Snifflease. It goes under the second and third toe, vitaflex points on the feet for the sinuses.

And last, but not least, Tummygize is our go to when either girl goes a day or more without “going.” Any kind of tummy issues get support from Tummygize.

I love that my girls are growing up oily and request these oils as they need them. This set of oils are not the only oils we use for the girls, but are for sure frequent flyers and mainstays.

Oils have become our first line of defense and support for our children, and our last. Because they work. Because they are fast. Because we use them consistently and pre-emptively.

If you are like I was and cautious about what you use on your little people, especially the tiniest of humans, and looking for the most natural and benign options, then this little set of five is a must for you.

You can grab the set here one of two ways. You can pay full retail price or for the same cost you can become a member and pay wholesale member prices now and in the future.

Non-Member: Geneyus + Owie  + Sleepyize  + Snifflease  + Tummygize  = 165.00

Member: Geneyus  + Owie  + Sleepyize + Snifflease + Tummygize +  Membership  = 165.00 (members get 24% off all future oil and product purchases and access to FB groups and education)

Please feel free to post any questions you may have about the KidScents oils in the comments. I’d love to hear any success stories you may have as well!

**edited to add: Although the KidScents line is safe enough and gentle enough to be used neat (straight out of the bottle), I have experimented over the past two years with my four-year-old and eight-year-old and find they are equally effective at a 1:1 dilution ratio. That’s one drop of EO per drop of grapeseed. This allows my KidScents oils to last and stretch longer. A great tip of you are a frugal mama like I am. Diluting is also a smart move if you have children with more sensitive skin like my Madeline.