2018 was awesome

The following was shared on the Young Living blog and it is so amazing, I wanted to share here as well.

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Trust us when we say 2018 was an unbelievable year for Young Living. We launched our 5×5 Pledge, a new shipping subscription service, and the YL Share app. We hosted over 30,000 convention attendees from 32 countries, in addition to four global Live Your Passion Rally events. Those global rallies included 40 countries, 11,700 hosts, and more than 600,000 attendees! And let’s not forget our growing Facebook community—we’re over 1.4 million strong!

Numbers aside, the most memorable event of 2018 was the passing of our founder, D. Gary Young. To pay tribute to this pioneer of the modern-day essential oils movement, we celebrated the first International Essential Oils Day on July 11, Gary’s birthday. On that day we donated 5 percent of our global sales, up to $250,000, to the Young Living Academy in Ecuador. We’re already looking forward to celebrating International Essential Oils Day in 2019!

While we could tell you about all the amazing things that happened in 2018, we’d much rather show you!

Which do you do?

Real or artificial? Which one do you do?  For years I refused to succumb to an artificial tree.  I loved the scent and feel of a real tree.  We love to go out and find that perfect (or usually the imperfect tree).  No matter how imperfect, once decorated, it looked beautiful even if you did have to wire in a branch or pull up a branch with wire to fill in a hole!  LOL.  

This year the price of a 12 ft noble was crazy.  Because of a shortage and several bad summers we knew that tree prices would continue to go up.  So.......we made the artificial jump with a 9' tree from Costco.  We weren't as happy because it just didn't have that wonderful smell and feel of a real tree.  After all the decorations were on, it looked more like OUR tree.  So what was really left was to give it a great smell like a real tree.  So here is a diffuser mix for that Christmas tree scent.  You can either put the mix into a passive diffuser ornament like the one pictured below or put it into your electric cool mix diffuser!  Enjoy!!

Christmas Tree Farm Diffuser Mix

5 drops Young Living Pine essential oil

2 drops Young Living Cedarwood 

2 drops Young Living Idaho Blue Spruce

DIY diffuser ornaments!

Special thanks to Lesley White from The Mix for this fun idea!!

Are you ready to get creative this holiday season with a super easy #DIY diffuser ornament? It is kid friendly, and fun for the whole family!

This #DIY has a cool twist. Can you guess what it is?  It also supports your wellness too!!

What you need:

• Terra Cotta Air Dry Clay 
• Silpat or non stick surface
• Rolling pin 
• Cookie cutters in your favorite holiday cut-out shapes or use one of those cool decorative rolling pins
• Rubber Stamps 
• 1 Skewer Stick
• String to hang 
• One pen or marker with a cap on it
• Glitter, ribbons, pipe cleaners, or paint to decorate them if you wish.
• Essential Oils - Use oils like Christmas Spirit, Citrus Fresh, Cinnamon Bark, Balsam Fir, and Pine or Northern Lights Black Spruce.  (This was the cool twist if you haven't guessed already)

Directions:
On your Silpat or non stick surface, roll out a ball of clay using your regular rolling pin.
Roll the clay until it is 1/3″ thick, if they are too thin they become brittle when they dry. You can make them thicker if you want them more durable.  On the last roll use the decorative rolling pin if you have one.

Using your cookie cutters, cut into fun festive shapes.

(skip this step if you used the decorative rolling pin)  Using the stamps or a pen cap, make indentations in the ornaments. This is where you will apply the essential oils when the ornaments are dry. You can also decorate them with glitter, ribbons, paint, pipe cleaners, or whatever craft supplies you have lying around. Get creative.

Using your skewer stick, poke a small hole in the top for your string.
Allow the clay to dry, undisturbed, for 2-3 days.

Once you have decorated the ornament and it is completely dry you can add your essential oils, and make sure to allow the oil to soak in then before hanging up. You can use them on your tree or maybe even in your car hanging from the mirror.  Or think outside the box and hang them in other rooms of the house for an easy low-tech diffuser!

Don't buy these gift sets!!

Gift sets are sold in almost every store this time of year.  They target women and young girls. From lotions, bathbombs, makeup and perfumes.  I know those beautiful gift sets & marketing can reel you in, but please watch out for yourself & your loved ones! ❤️

Our skin is our largest organ. The ingredients get absorbed into our bloodstream within 26 seconds, & even quicker for young ones who will absorb up to 50% more than an adult would as their bodies are still growing. Toxic exposures will put a child at higher risk for disease(s) later in life!

So what ingredients should you avoid when purchasing a fun gift?

🚫Parfum and Fragrance - these two words can hide thousands of harsh chemicals, protected by trade secret regulations 

🚫Butylene Glycol: found in anti-freeze & break & hydraulic fluid. It can cause an increased skin reaction in people with sensitive skin. It can also be called Propylene Glycol.

🚫Tetrasodium EDTA: contains formaldehyde & a known skin & lung irritant

🚫BHT: this fragrance has been linked to organ system toxicity & a known skin, eye, & lung irritant

🚫Disodium EDTA: neurotoxin linked to brain damage & liver changes in animals

🚫Diazolidinyl Urea: this chemical releases formaldehyde into your body. Mayo Clinic says formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions, trigger heart palpations, immune system toxicity, & cancer in humans. Exposure may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, dizziness, loss of sleep, chronic fatigue, ear infections, allergies, & chest pains. It can also trigger asthma & aggravate colds! Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen found in some baby care products, skincare, antiperspirants, & hair dyes.

🚫Methylparaben & Propylparaben: directly linked to breast cancer. In mice it had weak estrogenic effects which caused damage to the sperm formation in the testes. It may contribute to sterility in males, hormone imbalances in females, and cause early puberty. A relative of methylparaben, sodium methylparaben has been banned in the E.U. Some other common names for paraben’s are ethyl-, butyl-, & isobutyl- all ending with paraben. These do not have to be labeled, so sometimes companies will not list within ingredients panel.

🚫Linalool can cause skin reactions & is used for cockroach insecticide.

🚫Ceterareth-20: ENHANCES the absorption of ALL above chemicals

So.......what can be an alternative?   You should know what I'm going to say by now, right?  Young Living! We have lotions, soaps, and makeup without the harsh chemicals and scented with essential oils that are pure. 

That’s what’s going under my Christmas tree!

Pine!

Christmas.....it is the perfect time of year to talk about Pine Essential Oil!  Do you have Pine essential oil in your arsenal? If you don't, you should! 

This conifer oil has many great uses and is good to have on hand. 

Here are some common uses for Pine :

CLEANING & DEODORIZING—Add 4-6 drops of Pine to your diluted Thieves Household Cleaner spray for extra odor control or to your mop solution for a fresh, clean evergreen scent. It also makes a powerful addition to your DIY toilet fizzy recipe.

TOPICAL—Dilute as necessary and massage into tired muscles or add several drops to Epsom salt for a soothing bath. Use with eucalyptus in your favorite chest rub recipe for a comforting aroma and to support your breathing.

AROMATICALLY—Pine is a good choice for diffuser blends to help refresh a tired mind. It’s also a favorite to use with diffuser ornaments—and even more enjoyable on artificial trees! Pair it with a beautiful diffuser ornament for a thoughtful gift.  

Don’t settle for artificial pine scented anything!!! 

Winter Skin helps

In the Pacific Northwest, I think winter is really here.  Most of the trees in my forest have now lost their leaves and tonight the cold wind made my nose turn red in short order.  Speaking of red faces, we often have a problem with our skin and colder windy weather.  It often becomes more dry than in the heat of summer (go figure).  And if you happen to heat your home with wood or enjoy lots of fires in the fireplace, the air in your home get super dry and doesn't help your skin at all.

So let's talk about ways you can help your skin during the change in weather.

When I'm cold, my morning shower seems sooooo good.  I don't want to leave the warm confines of its walls.  But did you know that longer showers and baths actually work on drying your skin out even more?!!  In fact it can not only dry your skin out, sometimes it can even irritate it!

So what can you do to help the largest organ of your body (skin)?

1. Keep the shower as brief as possible and use lukewarm, not hot, water.  This is the hardest one for me!!
2. Switch to less aggressive, moisture-rich soaps made for sensitive skin, such as the Young Living Soaps.
3. Gently pat yourself dry to avoid traumatizing or over drying the skin.
4. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

Treating yourself to sea salt baths is normally great but some salt baths can be drying so make sure you moisturize afterwards.

Here is a wonderful DIY face mask to put back some of that moisture this winter!

Avocado Face Mask
Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or jojoba oil
• ¼ ripe avocado
• 2 drops Helichrysum essential oil

Directions

Mash up the avocado until very smooth. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
Spread the mask over your face and neck if desired. Leave on for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water then apply moisturizer.
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Now, if you need ideas for good moisturizers, Young Living has you covered.  With our Orange Blossom Moisturizer your skin will get a deep drink of hydration!  It is formulated with essential oils for skin. It is made to benefit oily complexions and improves the appearance of skin without irritation from harsh chemicals. This essential oil-based moisturizer uses only naturally derived, plant-based ingredients that are non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.  Orange Blossom Moisturizer helps skin maintain optimal moisture balance, controls excess oil and shine, and preps your face for makeup with its natural-looking matte finish.

Another useful product is Young Living’s moisturizing cream, ART® Intensive Moisturizer.  It is a heavier moisturizer perfect for these drying times.  Add it to your daily skin care and discover the perfect way to pamper yourself. This deep, ultra-hydrating lotion recaptures the qualities of younger-looking skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helping skin feel smoother and more pliable.  It is made completely from naturally derived ingredients.  ART Intensive Moisturizer nourishes the skin with ingredients such as pracaxi seed oil and blue bird hibiscus leaf extract to even skin tone and promote hydration. We also add five premium essential oils to create a light floral scent and luxurious experience that leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed, and radiant. Clinically tested and non-irritating, ART Intensive Moisturizer is sure to be a welcomed addition to your morning or evening routine!

Need to order some of these awesome products?  Click on the Young Living tab above for information on how to order.

As good as Black Friday

Let me tell you about a super sale....... and it doesn't expire like Black Friday deals! 

THIS is THE perfect gift for yourself this Christmas. 

Or for your spouse (hey, guys.....wink, wink!) or for your mom, sister, aunt, best friend. 

This gift contains so much wellness it is amazing.  It is offered at less than 50% off the retail cost.  Now THAT is better than most Black Friday sales, am I right? 

What is this spectacular gift? 

• It is Eleven 5ml essential oils
• AND a diffuser
• AND special samples
• It also includes two special essential oil books from us to help you jump start your Essential oil learning.  One of them has lots of recipes too! 
• AND  membership in a private 2200 member Facebook group where you can learn and ask questions.
• AND you have Leah and I as your essential oil gurus to help you learn!
• AND you'll get two weeks of daily emails to get you off and running with basic knowledge.
• AND a special Think Oils First class in person or via video.  
• And finally it gives you a wholesale membership and 24% off retail prices of all products.

This magical present that can improve your life is the Premium Starter Kit.  Get it now to have it in time for Christmas!  Click on the Young Living tab above with info on how to start!  Or send us a message using the contact us spot to the right of this post.  

Now........if you know you want to really work on getting those toxic chemicals out of your house, then the best option is as our Essential Rewards member.  We take that wholesale membership and start earning points back on everything we order.  Young Living starts you at 10%.  On the fourth month you go to 20% and eventually go to 25%.  In addition to that, you also get free gifts at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months with 12 months being this awesome Loyalty oil that you cannot buy otherwise.  In addition, you also get free or discounted shipping depending on which program you choose.  It is like your shopper's club meets your online home delivery service meets your cash back credit card but we just do it WAY better!  

Just tell us which way you want to go!  

Thanksgiving craziness

Thanksgiving can often be filled with relatives and good food.  But, sometimes it can also be filled with stress and sleepless nights.  The following information was shared on a Facebook page called Young Living Training and Education.  BUT, I know that not all of my viewers are on Facebook so I have reprinted their information here because we could all use the help these oils provide!  You don't need Thanksgiving or any other holiday to have a reason to use them!  It's time to reset! 

If you are interested in any of the oils mentioned below, you can get them from us!  Click on the Young Living tab above to see several different ways you can order.

Reset your mindset! Find harmony amidst the many situations life throws at you by combining essential oils and calming techniques.

Before you jump into our tips, get a refresher on the best ways to use essential oils. Some of our easiest usage tips for topical and aromatic oils include:

• Gently rubbing oil between your hands and taking deep breaths while cupping your hands close to your nose.
• Applying oil to the nape of your neck or to pulse points, such as your wrists or temples.
• Diffusing oil in your space, whether at home, in the office, or in the car.
• Placing a few drops on your favorite diffuser jewelry or piece of clothing and using for inhalation.

Feeling irritable?
Hit every red light on your morning commute? Find a passive-aggressive email in your inbox? Some days it feels like nothing is going right, and other days you simply wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Whatever the source of your frustration, take a minute to refocus and realign with these ideas.

Our favorite oils for irritability:
• Stress Away™: Unwind with this relaxing and comforting aroma.
• Forgiveness™: Forgive yourself and others with a scent that invites you to release negative feelings.
• Release™: Let go of anger and frustration and promote a balanced atmosphere with this rich, grounding aroma.

Try it yourself—use your favorite essential oil usage technique and try one of the suggestions below:
• Give yourself a 10-minute “time out” to wind down and refocus.
• Call a close friend or family member and talk it out.
• Take care of your basic needs. A quick nap or snack can do wonders when it comes to moodiness from lack of sleep or food.
• Get away for a minute with a book break, nature walk, or dance session with your favorite jam.
• Practice a positive affirmation: I am loving and forgiving.

Feeling stuck?
Some days you just don’t feel like yourself. Whether you know the cause—an unexpected breakup or unresolved argument—or you’re simply stuck in a rut, being proactive about your feelings can help you take control. Try on some of the suggestions below and speak with a trusted friend to work through your emotions.

Our favorite oils for feeling stuck:

Sacred Mountain™: Promote feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, and protection with this earthy aroma.
Tangerine or Grapefruit: Uplift your day with a bright, cheery scent.
Hope™: Restore your faith and reconnect with strength and stability with this grounding aroma.

Try it yourself—use your favorite usage technique and try one of the suggestions below:

• Focus on yourself. Schedule time every day for 30 minutes or more of self-care.
• Give yourself a treat with a relaxing night in.
• Write it out. Journal about your feelings, create a gratitude list, or write a thoughtful card to someone you’re grateful for.
• Practice a positive affirmation: I choose and deserve to be happy.

Feeling overwhelmed?
Between bills to pay, permission slips to sign, cupboards to fill, and texts to respond to, it’s no surprise that you sometimes feel like there are too many tabs open in your computer and in your mind. In the midst of the chaos, take a moment to center your life with the ideas below.

Our favorite oils for feeling overwhelmed:

Transformation™: Surround yourself with a scent that helps you replace negative beliefs with uplifting thoughts.
Peace & Calming®: Harness your positive energy with this relaxing and comforting aroma.
Grounding™: Diffuse this scent to enhance spirituality or encourage feelings of clarity.

Try it yourself—use your favorite usage technique and try one of the suggestions below:

• Focus on mindfulness and the present moment with a breathing exercise.
• Practice the art of delegation.
• Remember to let yourself say no to some things.
• Prioritize your to-do list. Once you know what’s most important, you’ll feel empowered to get started.
• Practice a positive affirmation: I let go of feeling overwhelmed, so I can see clearly.

What is you favorite oil to help you reset your mindset?

Post turkey day help

Next Thursday many will be gathering to give thanks with lots of wonderful food and time with family and friends. Creating those memorable dishes can also leave a lovely mess in your oven and 
cleaning it up will happen on a different day. 

My quest to delete toxic chemicals is slowly making our house happier and the inside air sooo much better for you to breathe. So what do you do when faced with an oven mess from your turkey day fixings?  We are so programmed to think that only commercial cleaners will do the trick. Well, today we will look at a proven recipe that does a decent job. It uses an ingredient we often use in other areas of our house along with several essential oils that make the job easier and delightful to smell.

Natural Oven Cleaner

• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 15 drops Orange Essential Oil
• 15 drops Pine Essential Oil
• 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
• 3 – 5 tablespoons water

Instructions:  Make sure that your oven is completely cool before beginning.  In a small bowl, add baking soda and essential oils. Stir in 3 tablespoons of water. Stir until all The clumps are gone. You can add extra water if needed. Spread the paste everywhere needed and let sit for 5 minutes or so. With your cloth or sponge scrub lightly with circular motion to loosen the grime. Wipe out grime rinsing it often. 

Need to purchase the essential oils for this recipe?  Click on the Young Living tab above for different ways you can order. 

Special thanks to “Recipes with Essential Oils” for this recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Oats, Yum!!

Pumpkin Pie!  Some think that it is the most favorite taste and calls many well before Thanksgiving.  Pumpkin spiced lattes and a whole lot more.  Sometimes life has a way of getting IN the way and our pumpkin pie fix may not happen as it did in the past.  So........fix yourself some of this!  Eat it slow either warm or cold and give thanks for all that you have been blessed with.  Even if the blessings are in disguise!  You can even take this with you if you can't be at home.

Overnight Pumpkin Pie Oats 

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk1/4 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt or cashew yogurt for dairy-free
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Organic Old-Fashioned Oats
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1-2 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality
1 drop Nutmeg Vitality
1 toothpick swirl of Clove Vitality

In a medium bowl, mix together yogurt, almond milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla and maple syrup until well combined. Stir in oats, chia seeds and spices. Pour into a glass jar or container, top with chopped pecans and cinnamon if desired, and place in fridge for 4 hours or overnight. Makes 1 serving.

Savvy ways to be Savvy!

Young living has a mineral makeup that is totally free of toxins like Bismuth and others.  I made the switch about 18 months ago and just LOVE it.  I don't feel like I have anything weighing down my face.

Have you made the switch to Savvy Mineral?, Do you get confused on when to apply what to get a full Savvy face? Well, here is a graphic that shows you an application order to apply your Savvy in 10 easy steps. I have found that everyone applies Savvy Minerals slightly different depending on what works best for them, so we encourage you to find an order that works best for you!  Keep at least the first two steps in order to really enhance your Savvy durability and application.

Here is the order that works well for us with options listed in red.

1. Cleanser, toner, moisturizer.  This is a must!!
2. Primer- a primer helps prepare the skin for makeup application by helping reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. It also helps foundation adhere to the skin resulting in less foundation used and better overall coverage.
3. Spray brush with misting spray- the misting spray is used on your brushes to help the foundation apply evenly, NOT as post-application setting spray.  (Ann doesn't use the misting spray.  She moisturizes her face with three drops of Jojoba oil and two drops of Frankincense essential oil.  Over that she applies a pea size or less of the Savvy Minerals Hydrating primer.  Her foundation stays put with no problem)
4. Foundation.  Here is where you use any of the Savvy Foundation colors.  (Ann uses a mix of Cool 2 and Warm 2 since her face seems to be a neutral color)
5. Contour- helps to add dimension and definition to your natural face shape. (Sometimes you can skip this step if you don't need to contour.)
6. Blush  (You can actually use the blush to contour your face.  Just pull the color back towards your ear)
7. Veil  (You can skip this step.  We have found that sometimes older faces look better without it)
8. Brows (If you use the multi-tasker as part of your eyeshadow/eyeliner, do your brows with it after the eyes.  If you have light colored hair or white like Ann's, just a hint of the multitasker is perfect for the brow)
9. Eyes- this includes your preference of eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara
10. Lips

As you can see from the options, you don't need ALL the Savvy products to start using the product!  Ann uses the foundation, hydrating primer, multitasker for brow, liner and eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick (only if she needs to look more fancy!

AND........you may already have your own makeup brushes.  Leah had her brushes from Merle Norman.  After comparing them to the Savvy Minerals brushes, there was NO comparison.  The Savvy brushes feel like mink because they are soooo soft.  They are also constructed with materials that pick up the mineral makeup way better than other brushes.  They are worth every penny!

If you are interested in the Savvy products, please click on the Young Living tab at the top to see how you can order your own. We are happy to give your the support you need in making YL decisions and how to use the product!

What are your top 5 favorite Savvy products? We’d love to hear!

Cinnamon Bark - perfect oil for the holidays

For many the aroma of Cinnamon Bark essential oil will transport you to another place.  Maybe it reminds you of cold weather, hot cider, Christmas morning or just eating a fresh cinnamon roll on Sunday mornings.  What kind of memories do you have with the aroma?

Let's learn a little about this awesome oil!

Where does it come from?  All cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree.  Young Living's cinnamon bark essential oil is from the Cinnamomun zeylanicum.


It comes from a tree.
A quick search online and you'll find that this species of Cinnamon originates from the island Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon), southeast of India. It is also native to south-west India and the Tenasserim Hills of Burma. Several attempts have been made to transplant cinnamon trees to other parts of the tropic world, but they have become naturalized only on the Seychelles (a Country in E. Africa).  The tree is evergreen.  You can read a ton about it on this website! 

It isn't the same as what you purchase in the store.
You've probably seen those rolled sticks of cinnamon in the store or have thrown one in your cider cup.  Young Living's Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil is different from those!  It is distilled from the outer bark of the cinnamon tree. The store cinnamon powder is made from the inner bark.  They harvest it in rolls then dry.

Is it good for you?  YES!

• Helps to maintain a healthy immune response. Can be used in a capsule (5 drops plus carrier oil to fill)
• Great for digestive health.
• Protects the stomach.
• Thought to attract wealth.  (I'm ready for this one!)
• Has been used for thousands of years.

Proverbs 7:17 says, “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.”  

It tastes amazing.
Young Living offers two essential oils.  One is marketed as Cinnamon Bark Vitality™  which is labeled for internal use.  They also offer another bottle that is labeled for aromatic and topic use.  Both bottles contains the exact same oil.  It needs to be said that it is VERY strong!!  I recommend that you dip a toothpick into the bottle and swirl through whatever you are flavoring.  Use a clean toothpick for each dip.  At this rate, that little bottle of Cinnamon Bark will last you forever!  Some absolutely LOVE it in their coffee or their Ningxia Red Anti-oxidant drink. 


Careful!
Cinnamon Bark is considered a "hot" oil.  That means if you put it on your skin it will make your skin unseasonably warm.  To avoid that feeling, dilute Cinnamon Bark essential oil with equal amounts of carrier oil (like Grapeseed, Jojoba, Almond, Coconut, Olive oils).  Make sure you test it on your inner upper arm instead of spreading it in a large area.  Young Living's V-6 oil is a perfect carrier to use.

Food Ideas.
Use it for an awesome fruit dip for your holiday parties.  And.....it IS the time of year for Pumpkin bread, bars, etc.  Young Living also has a Pure Protein Complete shake powder that is so yummy.  Adding the cinnamon to it starts the morning out yummy.  Remember....just a tiny, tiny bit of oil swirled with your toothpick!

Use Ideas.
Cinnamon Bark essential oil is warming!  So use that to your advantage.  Mix 3 drops CB oil with some V-6 for a warming foot massage.  This is perfect for those of us whose feet freeze at night.  Just put on a pair of warm socks and your feet will not only be warm but moisturized too.  Not ready for bed quite yet.....then grab your favorite book or movie and a warm tea.....with cinnamon bark oil of course.

Did you overdo it outside?  Mix a few drops of CB oil with V-6 or your favorite massage oil and rub it in!

Aromatically it puts those plug-in fresheners and bowls of potpourris to shame.  Don't bother with those, just diffuse Cinnamon Bark oil!  The kids will think you've been baking all day.  (Maybe you might want to have a few cookies on hand just so they won't be disappointed.)  Don't have a diffuser?, you can make your own room sprays by filling a spray bottle (2 - 4 oz is enough), add 1 teaspoon of witch hazel, 3 or so drops of the CB oil.  Just spray around the room! It is great for getting rid of musty odors.

Have you ever gone to the hairdresser and have her wash your hair.  That scalp massage is so relaxing.  Well, take a hint from the hairdressor and give yourself a scalp massage with 4 drops of CB oil and a carrier oil like Coconut oil.  Use your fingers several minutes for that relaxing scalp massage.  Then you can wash and dry your hair like you normally would.

Related products.
One of Young Living's most loved oils is Thieves.  It is soooo good that they have a whole line of products using the Thieves blend of Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Lemon, Rosemary and Eucalyptus Radiata.  You can clean almost any surface with it and you'll have a smell that reminds you of Christmas all around!






If you are interested in any of the products listed on this page, please click on the Young Living tab above for more information on ordering!

It is Class time!

Sometimes the world of essential oils can be confusing.  Learning how to use them and what to use them for adds to the confusion.  We are here to take the confusion out with some fun classes!

We have three local classes coming up and we hope that you can join us!

Friday, November 9th at 7pm
Monday, November 12th at 7pm
Saturday, November 17th at 1pm
AND if these dates don't work for you, contact us and we will schedule a one on one class for you!

All classes are identical and are taught at Ann's home and have a class fee of $5.  If you are interested in attending, use our contact form to the right.  You'll receive directions to Ann's home in Oregon City.  See the prepayment perk below!!

What will you learn?

• What essential oils are and how they are made
• How to use essential oils and general safety
• Ways to use the top 11 essential oils

The cost of the class is $5.  If you pay for your class ahead of class time, you will receive a FREE Itovi scan (a $15 value).  This biofeedback scan gives you a list of essential oils that will help your body balance the frequencies that were scanned.  We have found it to be VERY accurate!  We can even take your payment via PayPal when you send it as funds to friends.  

Guacamole with a twist

Sweet Potato Bites

Whenever you have a group of people over for a party or for watching one of the big games, it is fun to have great snacks and munchies.  

Here is a recipe that will have them begging for more.  

You will need:

2 sweet potatoes
2 avocados
½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced into quarters
Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Garlic powder
Onion Powder
Salt
Lemon Juice
Citrus Fresh Vitality
Lime Vitality

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into circles, about ⅛” thick, and place on a baking sheet.
• Roast in the oven for 10 minutes, flip, and then roast for another 10 minutes or until browned and crisp.
• While your potatoes are roasting make your guacamole.
• Scoop out your avocados into a bowl. Mash with a fork.
• Stir in your cherry tomatoes.
• Add one TBSP of lemon juice, 4 drops Lime Vitality, and 6 drops Citrus Fresh Vitality and mix well.
• Season to taste with your garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
• Remove your sweet potatoes from the oven and let cool.
• Once cool, top each sweet potato disc with guacamole and add a pinch of fresh cilantro.

When you have tried it, comment below how well everyone in your crew liked it!!

If you are interested in purchasing Citrus Fresh & Lime Vitality, visit our Young Living tab above for three different ways you can purchase pure Young Living essential oils!

WRINKLES!

Today we are going to talk about.......... WRINKLES!

NOBODY wants them, am I right?  The other day I heard someone share this saying and I certainly heard my mom say it!

“Don’t make that face, or it’s gonna stick like that!”

As a kid you think she is crazy but in real life there is a little truth to the saying!  WHAT?  Yup......over time we can get wrinkles from different expressions like smiling, frowning, squinting.  That doesn't mean that you should quit smiling but there are lots of things we can do to give our faces a hand.

Let's talk about the FREE way.  Yup, there is a free way to help wrinkles around your eyes.  Have you guessed what it is yet?  Sunglasses.  Yup, just wearing some sunglasses will keep you from squinting as much when we are outside.  Less squinting, less wrinkles around your eyes!

Another way is supporting our skin with a great moisturizer and massage!

One product that is a super moisturizer is Boswellia Wrinkle Cream!! 

Young Living’s Boswellia Wrinkle Cream contains:

• Pure essential oils (imagine that!)   Frankincense, Sandalwood and Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood all are absolutely amazing when it comes to supporting your skin by keeping it moisturized while minimizing shine and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
• MethylSulfonylMethane (MSM) which supports collagen and improves the look of the skin to appear more youthful. 
• Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid bit it has a much lower molecular size. This gives it the ability to penetrate skin when applied topically. It isn't harsh or skin-stripping.  One key feature of sodium hyaluronate is its ability to hold more than 1000 times its weight in water!  Can you say plump skin!  Plump skin means less wrinkles.

Men and women both can add this to their morning and/or nightly skin care routine. Now, let's talk about incorporating this amazing product with massage! In the evening, take some extra time and give your face a nice massage to improve elasticity!  Use a little dab of the Boswellia Wrinkle Cream and apply to the desired areas of the face…then massage upwards starting at your neck gently!

If you are interested in the Boswellia Wrinkle Cream, click on the Young Living tab above for three different ways you can get it for yourself!

Mmmmmm....Pumpkin Bread

While we were on our annual Apple Run we attended the Harvest Festival in Hood River.  One of the displays was a pumpkin carver.  He had pumpkins he was working on that I swear must have been hundreds of pounds heavy as well as some regular sized ones with funny faces.  See the guy photo bombing my picture?  Pumpkins are so beautiful for decorating this time of year (see our Moldy pumpkin post from earlier this week) AND they are awesome for making pies and breads too.  Just a quick google search and you'll find that pumpkins are a bounty of good nutrition! 

I want you to be super healthy so it just seems fair to give you a Pumpkin Bread recipe!  You can be all Susie Homemaker and use a real pumpkin for your puree or you can be like me and just buy the stuff in a can. I try to locate the organic canned pumpkin......real pumpkin, not squash!!

Pumpkin Spice Bread

• Blend together 3 tbsp ground flaxseed and ½ cup water and let sit.
• In large bowl, stir together 1 cup coconut palm sugar, 1 ½ cups applesauce, 1 14oz can Pumpkin Puree, and flaxseed mixture. 
• In a medium bowl, stir together 3 cups unbleached flour (or your gluten free flour), 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp salt, 1tsp baking soda and 1/2tsp baking powder. 
• NOW.....here is the essential oil magic!  Combine wet and dry gently, and add 2 drops Young Living Nutmeg Vitality and 2 drops Young Living Clove Vitality.  If you love nuts, stir in 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts. 
• Spoon batter into 2 standard or 4 mini prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon and nuts. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes (30 for mini). Use a toothpick to see if your bread is cooked through. Let cool for at least 20 mins before removing from pans.

If you happen to have lots of pumpkin spice bread and you can't eat it all.....I'll help you, just send it my way (especially if you made the gluten-free variety!)

Want to order the oils listed above.....click here to find out how. 

Are you a Limey?

Most people when they talk about Limeys are referring to a sailor.  Sailors were called Limey's because they often ate Limes to avoid getting Scurvy.  Scurvy is pretty much a thing of the past and so are Limeys. Some of you could be called Limeys when you use Lime in your beer but you might call me a Limey because I LOVE Lime Essential Oil.  After I get done sharing, you just might want to be a Limey too!

Lime Essential Oil and Lime Vitality Essential Oil have a fresh, lively fragrance that is stimulating and refreshing.  Young Living's citrus oils are pressed from the rinds of the fruit and do not contain any of the flesh at all.   You can use the oil in many diffusing blends, freshening sprays or cooking recipes.  AND it also has many health benefits!

Let's talk about just a few of the ways Lime Essential Oil can improve your wellness.  (Click on the link at the bottom for info on how to get your own Lime Essential Oil!)

Support your emotions when you are stressed.

In rat studies D-limonene has been shown to help with stress!  Guess which essential oil has lots of D-limonene?  Lime!  Orange essential oil has the highest level but Lime has a lot too!  Stress can come in many different ways.  It has been shown that citrus oils (Lime, etc) can help you at cellular levels!  This is truly awesome.  So, how are you affected by stress? 

• Sometimes it comes in the way of EMF exposure.  Often from using electronics too close to your bed time as well.
• Sometimes it comes when you are concerned with the health of your children or yourself or just the normal problems you have encountered during the day.
• Stress can make you feel fatigued or generally drained or down.  Even children can feel these affects (especially in our technology filled days).                                            

Energize yourself and improve your moods!

You can boost your mood and increase your concentration with a simple room spray!  Use equal amounts of Peppermint Essential Oil and Lime Essential oil in a 2 oz spray bottle.  Add 10 drops of each just in water with a tablespoon or so of witch hazel.  The witch hazel helps to stabilize the oils. Spritz it around the room to give yourself a quick pick-me-up!  This room spray is great for improving the moods of everyone in the room too.  Kids moping around?  Teenagers sad?  Let the Lime act as a mood booster.  You can also use 1 drop of Lime Vitality in your water or sparkling water.  Much better than pounding down a Monster drink!  When putting essential oils in your water, just a super small pinch of pink Himalayan salt helps to disperse it throughout the water and you won't taste the salt at all. 

Support your dental health

Lime is excellent at supporting your dental health.  You can use it in your own DIY mouthwash.  There are lots of mouthwash recipes on the internet.  Pick one you like and add several drops of Lime Essential oil to it! 

Support your immune system

There are a ton of essential oils that support your immune system.  I talk all the time about Thieves Blend essential oil but don't forget about Lime!  Whenever everyone in your house is getting sick, add Lime to your cleaners.    Lime is also good to support the skin!   

Support when you are losing weight

Have you ever seen recommendations to drink lemon water to help you with your weight?  Well Lime Essential oil can benefit you as well.  Use in your water or take Lime Vitality in a capsule several times a day for support.

Cellular support

When you are sick or have chronic conditions, your body responds with inflammation.  It is actually a necessary part of healing.  Inflammation prepares your body for new cells to get you back to normal.  Citrus essential oils including Lime help support your body at a cellular level!  Diffuse it safely!

Lime Essential Oil Safety and Facts

• Unlike Limes, Lime essential oil does not have any Vitamin C.  
• Citrus oils are considered photosensitive. That means that if you use them on your skin, avoid the sun for at least 12 hours  as you will be very susceptible to sunburn.
• Highly dilute any essential oil when using with children.  Avoid using with infants.
•  Some kitties can be sensitive to Lime so use caution around them. 
• All Citrus essential oils are volatile.  Keep your bottle out of the direct sunlight and tightly capped to avoid evaporation.
• Lime is GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for consumption.  I would only recommend Young Living Vitality oils for consumption.

Lime Recipe for guacamole!

Lime is awesome for cooking.  One of my favorite uses is in homemade guacamole.  Super fast and easy and tastes amazing!

2-3 ripe avocados

1/4 c diced red onion

1/4 c chopped cilantro

1/4 c chopped tomato

garlic powder to taste

sea salt to taste

Young Living Lime Oil (4-6 drops)

Young Living Orange Oil (3-4 drops)

Mix it all together.  Enjoy!!

Want to know where to get these awesome oils?  Click Here!

It's Apple Run time!

Every year at this time, our car club takes a fun cruise up the gorge to Hood River to participate in our Apple Run.  It is so fun to visit the apple orchards and stock up on different apple varieties and try out a few new ones.  Really.....there are like over 100 varieties at one place.  It is amazing.

So, what to do with all this apple goodness?  Let’s bob for some facts about these yummy apples!

Did you know that specific apple varieties are used for specific reasons?!

Here is a website that talks about 11 different ones where you can read  how the different tart and sweet varieties make good sauce!  Cortland, Crispin (Mutsu), Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gravenstein, Jonamac, McIntosh, Braeburn. Rome and of course Honey Crisp....it makes a real sweet sauce.

Apples store very well and can be kept for months!  Keeping them cool is best, remember that the cooler the better.  Keep the skin on the apple when you are baking or cooking for more nutrients and flavor.  Any you know me!........Choose organic apples!.  The the skins absorbs everything they are exposed to so choose organic to keep those nasty pesticides away from your system.   Be sure to thoroughly wash the all your yummy apples with Thieves fruit and Veggie wash!  Even with organic, you'll be amazed of the dirt that comes off your produce.

Now......with all that apple info, my mouth is sooooo ready for some sauce?  You too?
I hope that you own an Instant Pot.......it is so fast to get foods cooked to perfection and applesauce is no different!






Instant Pot applesauce with essential oils

Ingredients
3 pounds your favorite apples  - peeled or not peeled
1/4 cup water
Added later:
1 - 2 drops Young Living lemon essential oil
1 - 2 drops Young Living cinnamon bark essential oil

Instructions
If peeling the apples, do this first. Core then chop your apples into large chunks.

Place the apples and water, the Instant Pot. Close the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.  Use Natural release.  Mash your sauce to the consistency you desire by using a potatoe masher or an immersion blender.  Ass your essential oils when the sauce is warm but not hot.

WORD TO THE WISE: Add one drop of essential oil at a time, stir and taste.  Essential oils are super potent, especially the Cinnamon bark Essential Oil.  You can always add more but you don't want to over do it and make your batch too spicy.  Serve warm, room temperate or cold. The flavors will change slightly as it cools, so adjust to taste as needed.

Don't have an IP?  Well, you can do the same in a slow cooker or in a pot on your stovetop.  You'll have to add a little more water but the instructions are pretty much the same.

Why essential oils?  What are their benefits?  


Young Living Cinnamon Bark essential oil promotes a healthy immune response, and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle regimen. Cinnamon has been used traditionally for thousands of years as a spice, and provides a spicy and delicious addition when cooking or baking. This oil includes the naturally occurring constituent cinnamaldehyde, and is an important ingredient in many Young Living products including Thieves®, Abundance™, and Inner Defense™.
Young Living Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon) includes the naturally occurring constituent limonene. Lemon may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.  It takes 65 lemons to fill the 15ml bottle.  The essential oil is cold pressed from the rind and NOT the fruit.

Click here to find out how you can get your essential oils!

Why do you add your essential oils after the cooking process?  Essential oils are very volatile.  That means they can evaporate or cook off in the process.  You definitely 'could' use them in the cooking process but you have to add so much more that it is better flavor and more economical to add after the cooking is done!

Say No to Moldy Pumpkins!

Here is a great way to keep your pumpkin perfect!

You know the drill..........You search for the perfect pumpkin (and spend two hours doing it if you have kids), you carve it to perfection and display it on the porch only to find that it is full of fuzzy mold or black mold within a week.

Well, there is a way you can avoid the mold and save your creation from becoming trash!!

1.  Pick your pumpkin and carve it just like normal.  Sorry, I can't do anything about the two hours it takes you kids to find the perfect one.

2.  Make a spray with Thieves Essential oil or Thieves Household cleaner and spray the inside of your pumpkin making sure you get all cut surfaces.

That's it!  Your pumpkin will stay beautiful and it was such an easy fix!!

Search the blog and you'll find all kinds of great things Thieves can do!

Get them fast!

Are you like me?  Do you feel the fall air and start to think about gift giving and what gifts you can think of to bless your family?  I do!  So, when I see something great while I'm out shopping I get it because I know that it might not be there later.  I like to get oily gifts when I can and this year my options just expanded!  The Young Living holiday gift catalog was released today and there are so many wonderful gift ideas here. 

Some of my favorites include the car diffuser set (2 diffusers and a 15ml oil) and that Kitchen Vitality Culinary set.  Maybe they would be good gifts.....for ME!! 

So.....take a stroll through the catalog (the pictures are gorgeous).  If you see something you want, let us know.  The items are only available until Dec 31 and they are limited and often sell out early!  Don't wait!

You can see the catalog here!

Let us know if you would like to order anything.