STAYING FOCUSED...
Whether you're helping your little ones with homework, helping older kids stay focused in class, or needing some help yourself, these are some of our favorite oils for staying focused and alert!
- Vetiver
- Cedarwood
- Brain Power
- KidScent GeneYus
- Inspiration
- Envision
Why these? A study on essential oils and focus by Dr. Terry Friedmann found a 32% improvement in mental focus in children inhaling Vetiver, with similar results in the group inhaling Cedarwood Cedarwood.
They realized that this is because of a specific constituent (a component of the oils). Vetiver and Cedarwood are extremely high in sesquiterpenes - molecules that deliver oxygen molecules to cells, just like hemoglobin does to the blood! More oxygen to the brain = better focus. These oils also help our brain waves calm from an overactive state to a focused one.
- Cedarwood 98% sesquiterpenes
- Vetiver 97% sesquiterpenes
- Spikenard 93% sesquiterpenes
- Sandalwood 90% sesquiterpenes
- CLEANING...AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL...
Thieves Household Cleaner is our absolute favorite for green, plant-based cleaning. You know we use this in our homes, but did you know that a lot of teachers will use it in their classrooms as well?! So many people have gifted it along with a glass spray bottle to their kids' teachers to use daily in their classrooms. Spice it up with one of these recipes!
A good night of sleep always makes you feel amazing, but did you know that sleep has even more effects than just having energy? It is a huge part of Your ability to focus, your immune system, and your ability to retain information! Sleep is crucial...Great oil choices are Peace & Calming, Cedarwood, Valor, Lavender, SleepyIze, Seedlings Calm, Tranquil. Immupro or Sleep Essence are my go to supplements. Have you tried Unwind or KidScents MightyPro? More and more research shows that a healthy gut is crucial for all things...including sleep!
Spray this onto sheets, blankets, pjs and stuffed animals before bed.
- Glass spray bottle
- 30 drops Peace & Calming
- 15 drops Lavender
- Splash of witch hazel
- Water
AFTER SCHOOL OR WEEKEND FUN!!
Pumpkin Pie Play Dough Fun for the kids with the option of being free of harmful dyes and ingredients and leaves the house and hands smelling AMAZING plus it has immune boosting properties! Super easy to make together, then let them play the crisp, fall day away!!
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup Kidscents Lotion
- 4 drops Cardamom
- 2 drops Orange
- 1 drop Cinnamon bark
- 1 drop Clove
- Mix all the ingredients together and let their imaginations run wild!
DIY Clay Leaf Tray This DIY tray is a fun craft for the little ones to make and gift! Before the clay hardens, you can drop essential oils onto it. Choose stronger scents like Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Thieves or Peppermint to ensure more scent.
- Air dry clay
- Craft paper
- Rolling pin
- Craft paint (we like the metallic colors!)
- Paint brushes
- Modge Podge gloss or other sealer
- Various leaves from your yard
First, explore around your yard and gather your leaves! Cut out a piece of air dry clay, then roll it out about 1/2 inch thick, making sure your leaf will fit fully onto the clay. Then, press your leaf (vein side down) onto the clay. Make sure all parts of the leaf press in so that you get all the pretty nuances of the leaf!
Remove the leaf from the clay, and cut around the outline with a knife (have adults do this part), then remove the excess air dry clay from around your imprint. Go around the perimeter of the leaf and gently press the sides up and in to create a small edge If adding oils, do so now.
Allow the clay to air dry and harden. We set ours on a baking rack so that both sides were exposed to air. After 24 hours they had hardened and were ready to paint!
Paint! Once the paint is dry, cover with a coat of Modge Podge gloss, then let that dry for 24 hours. After the coating is dry, have your children sign the back and write the year.
I'd love to see pics of your playdough fun and leaf creations! Post them in Intentional Wellness on Facebook!
Life is like a combination lock, if you know the right numbers, in the right order, regardless of your race, gender or anything else, you can have anything you want. It doesn’t matter who you are – the lock has to open for you.
Believe it is possible and you can do anything.
Between the ages of 3 and 8, maybe 9, you decided you weren’t attractive, you’re not smart, don’t learn well, people don’t like you, it’s not okay to ask for money, or to ask for anything at all…Those long held subconscious beliefs continue to get in your way even today.
Who remembers Muhammed Ali?? Am I dating myself? He says, “Impossible is a big word thrown around by small people who find it easier to live in a world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.”
Every thought you have sends out a vibration – just like your cell phone, your tv, your radio.
Have any of you ever seen or tried the rice experiment where you talk positively to one jar of rice and negatively to another for 30 days? We have done it and it is crazy! We even included a jar that we completely ignored…Google Dr. Masaru Emoto and his water and rice experiments. They are fascinating!!
Jack Canfield shares that the two most powerful words in our language are “I am”. Anything after those words, our subconscious takes as a command. Think about it. What words to you pair with I am?? Is it really what you want?? Do you really want to be fat, ugly, sick, tired, stressed, lonely, broke?? Where your thoughts go, your energy flows!!
Your attitude and your reaction are always in your control…Step back. Give yourself grace, find gratitude instead of going into frustration. Will you always succeed?? Umm…Nope. But you will make progress. You will learn not to give your happiness away so cheaply and easily.
What do you need to let go of?? Grab your oils. Smell them right from the bottles. What ones are you drawn to? What ones do you not like at all? The ones you are drawn to, you need physically. The ones you cannot stand the smell of? Those are the ones your emotions need. Don’t set them down and walk away. Take the one that smells the worst to you. Put it on your feet. Put socks and shoes on after if you need to, or stuff them under your blankets. But put the oil on. You can do this with more than one oil at a time, if you want, but at least use the one that is the worst for you. I promise, over time, if you continue to use it consistently, you will come to like or even love it, as the negative emotions are released and your cells are reprogrammed. I challenge you. Do it for at least a week, or a month, or longer. You will feel the shift. Then pick another oil…It’s truly that simple. You know my Stress Away story…
If you want to know what my handy dandy blue book says for what oil to use for what emotion, message me! We’ll work together to figure it out. Have an area in your body that hurts, an issue or dis-ease you would like to see the emotional baggage behind? Message me. We can even see what emotions are connected to that pain as well. You are an amazing creation and you are here for a purpose. Don’t let another day go by without realizing that.
Just 3 seconds...
That's how long it takes essential oils reach your heart, liver and thyroid from the time you inhale them. They can be found in your bloodstream within 26 seconds after being applied…just like anything else you inhale or apply…Sit with that for a moment…
So, can you use any just any oil? Does quality really matter?
If you walk into a grocery store and look at a box of cereal, you’ll see nutrition facts on the side. However, there are no nutrition facts on the side of oils and no labeling requirements. So that means you have to know and trust the source – the company you are buying from.
If you see “100% USP grade” on the label of your favorite oil, that means US Pharmacopeia, which means it has been manipulated to fit a standard, so by definition, it is adulterated. Wrigley’s wants all its spearmint gum to taste exactly the same every single time you buy a package, unwrap a stick and pop it into your mouth. Therapeutic oils cannot be played with in any form. They contain a life force and even just a little bit of synthetic material can poison it or even destroy it all together.
So, let me ask you…why would you use an oil laden with chemicals if the entire purpose of using oils is to get away from chemicals??
Unfortunately, you cannot have quality without cost. Just think about that hamburger on the dollar menu compared to an organic, grass fed, Angus beef burger…they are both burgers, right? Or…are they?? I read a book called Chew On This to the kids – all about the fast food industry. We learned that the meat (and other parts) of thousands of animals can be found in just one burger…and some of the grain that is being fed to commercial beef actually contains…dead cows!!! Remember mad cow disease?? Yup…You get what you pay for!! We seem to understand that when it comes to burgers and other industries, but not with oils…
Authenticity is why you just can’t buy oils at the grocery store. Authentic means that they do not alter the essential oil in any way during or after the distillation process. Companies can claim they use proper distillation of the plant material and that they don’t alter that process because there is a little unknown secret in the aromatherapy world called fractional distillation and rectification.
Fractional distillation is when a company buys essential oils that have been distilled properly, but then, after the plant material is distilled, it goes through a process that fractions out certain molecules. In the case of peppermint, they will take out the earthy aromatic molecules leaving a much more “pleasant” and sweet smelling final essential oil, not the natural peppermint smell it should have.
Rectification is where a batch of oil is missing some amount of molecules that causes the smell to be too different from what a consumer may think is "normal". The company adds in molecules from other plants to fix or “rectify” the issue. In the case of a batch of Lavender that isn’t as floral smelling as the last batch, they may add in some molecules from Ylang ylang to help fix the smell.Consider when you buy an orange, you know that the orange you buy now will taste and smell different from the orange you buy even next week. That is nature. With oils, because they are bottled, your brain thinks something is wrong when it smells different from bottle to bottle. In the world of true unaltered authentic aromatherapy, it is normal to have aromatic differences from batch to batch.
How do you know you can trust Young Living? Simply put – Seed to Seal. It is what sets them apart from all other oil companies. No stripping constituents to make them smell better. No mixing species of the same oil. No weed killers, pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified seeds. No “f” word fragrances we talked about last week. They spend $12,000 per acre to hand weed instead of the industry standard of $60 per acre to spray with pesticides. No solvents are used in the distillation process. No mercury, arsenic, glyphosate, or any poison in the soil because the fields are untouched by toxic chemicals…and more. Want to see the difference for yourself? Check out seedtoseal.com here to learn more.
Curious?? How about support for every area of your life at your fingertips? Check out the Make A Shift Essential Solutions kit! Lavender, Peppermint, Thieves, Purification, Stress Away and Deep Relief, along with a diffuser that is only available in this bundle. And, if you are brand new to Young Living, be sure to use the coupon code SHAREYL at checkout to save 10%!
Not ready to jump in quite yet but would love to play around on the website and see all that Young Living offers? Use this link to create a free account - no purchase necessary. Let me know you created an account and I will send you an invite to join my online Facebook community where we learn about wellness, purpose, abundance, mindset and more.
I'd love to hear what you think! What topics would you like to learn about? What fascinates you? Confuses you? Simply hit reply and let me know!!
Have an incredible week, my friend.
If you take a look at the label on a few of your favorite smelling products, you'll often find the word ‘fragrance' in the ingredients. But what is fragrance, or as I like to call it, “the other F word”…?
Fragrance chemicals are organic compounds that vaporize into the air, which is why we can smell them. They are added to household and personal care products to give them a scent or even to mask the odor of other ingredients. Unfortunately, those volatile organic chemicals (VOCs - think the smell of paint or paint thinner) can contribute to poor indoor air quality and are connected with a variety of adverse health effects. They are pretty much the last thing you want in a product you are burning or spraying for ambiance or to make your home smell "clean".
But it gets a little bit worse….
Fragrance chemicals are organic compounds that vaporize into the air, which is why we can smell them. They are added to household and personal care products to give them a scent or even to mask the odor of other ingredients. Unfortunately, those volatile organic chemicals (VOCs - think the smell of paint or paint thinner) can contribute to poor indoor air quality and are connected with a variety of adverse health effects. They are pretty much the last thing you want in a product you are burning or spraying for ambiance or to make your home smell "clean".
To protect trade secrets, makers are allowed to withhold “fragrance” ingredients, so you can't read the labels to find out what dangers those festive scented candles (and room sprays.. and plugs ins…and burners...and perfumes.. and cosmetics…) may contain. This is called the “fragrance loophole” in federal labeling law. Although all other ingredients in your scented household and personal care products must be disclosed on the label by their specific name, this loophole allows ingredients that are added to provide a pleasant scent, or to mask a bad one, only need to be listed under the generic term “fragrance.”
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that many popular candles and room sprays contain trace amounts of “natural essences”. They also typically contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that many popular candles and room sprays contain trace amounts of “natural essences”. They also typically contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum.
According to the EWG, “Exposure to fragrance chemicals can cause headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea; forgetfulness; loss of coordination; and other respiratory and/or neurotoxic symptoms. Many fragrance ingredients are respiratory irritants and sensitizers, which can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate sinus conditions.”
One harmful ingredient in “fragrance”, is styrene. A 2011 finding by the National Toxicology found that it is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
We know only that styrene might be an ingredient in any given fragrance because the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group, publishes an online “Transparency List” (https://ifrafragrance.org/priorities/sustainability#.U9qfRoBdVss) of ingredients that perfumers say they use in formulas for consumer products. Styrene is one of the 3,000 or so ingredients on the list.
When you add up the number of products in your bathroom cabinets and under your kitchen sink that contain “fragrance”, this could be many exposures to substances “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
One harmful ingredient in “fragrance”, is styrene. A 2011 finding by the National Toxicology found that it is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
We know only that styrene might be an ingredient in any given fragrance because the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group, publishes an online “Transparency List” (https://ifrafragrance.org/priorities/sustainability#.U9qfRoBdVss) of ingredients that perfumers say they use in formulas for consumer products. Styrene is one of the 3,000 or so ingredients on the list.
THIS is why I am so passionate about ditching conventional products and switching to clean, effective and safe options! Young Living NEVER uses fragrance in their products - they don't even need to because of the products are infused with the highest quality oils which not only give the fragrance but help support your health and even your emotions.
Convention starts Thursday! Be watching for new products to be launched!! What would you like to see??
Supper is finally finished, homework or chores are done, sports practices are over, the kids are settled for the night. . . you sit down on the couch, let out a big sigh, and you . . .
Let your mind wander back to everything you didn’t get accomplished today…
Continue to stress over that argument or phone call that didn’t go your way…
Already find yourself being anxious about everything you have to do tomorrow…
Sound familiar??
What if your downtime went something like this . . . you sit down on the couch, let out a big sigh, and you . . .
Celebrate everything that you crossed off your to-do list…
Feel at peace with the way you handled every situation you faced because you were able to stay calm and relaxed…
Find yourself looking forward to tomorrow with anticipation of all the blessings coming your way…
Sound too good to be true?
It doesn’t have to be!
Your body needs sleep to physically function, make decisions, focus on tasks, manage those emotions, and to handle all that each day can throw at you! Think about that toddler who has missed their nap. They are grumpy, overwhelmed by small things, and anything that isn't just right. Your adult brains feel the same way when you don’t get enough sleep…how’s that for a visual? 😉
I don’t know about you, but too much stress usually means too little sleep, which then leaves me more tired, more cranky, and more stressed. So how do we stop the cycle?
So much of getting a good night's rest is in establishing a routine, even for adults! Walking through the same steps each evening helps you create a habit as well as cues your brain that it's time to rest.
* Keep the lights low and warm after dinner. Think more ambient lighting and candles and avoid those overhead lights if possible.
*Turn off your phone.
*Sip on some hot tea - add even more benefit with a drop of Lemon Vitality.
*Take a bath - add a cup of Epsom salt with 10 drops of Lavender or other sleep oil, then use Relaxation Massage Oil or Lavender Hand & Body Lotion all over. You can also add a drop or two of your favorite oil to the massage oil or lotion for an extra boost!
*Light stretches - nothing over the top, just some light stretches or Yoga poses to help release tension. Put some Frankincense and PanAway on your feet.
*Grab your oils and apply them to the bottom of your big toes (the nerve endings that connect to the brain end here!), your wrists, neck, and chest. You can use the same oils we talked about or try my favorites - Tranquil, RutaVala, Dream Catcher, or Roman Chamomile. I am sure you have heard of or maybe even tried Chamomile tea, right? What effect did it have on you? If it made you feel calm and relaxed, imagine that times 100?!! It has the power to calm the crankiest babies, relax the most restless adults, minimize the biggest feelings of fear and worry, stabilize the most out of whack emotions, and foster the ability to release your most negative emotions. This one is worth stocking up on!
You can even make your own roll-ons by simply adding a total of 40-60 drops of any of the oils listed above to a 10ml roller bottle, then top it off with your favorite carrier oil. Easy peasy!
* Run a fan, or sound machine to help drown out any noise.
* Keep your room cool (but not overly cold). Your body sleeps better when it has a cooler temperature.
* Make your bed a comfy, cozy space. Think soft textures that are inviting and feel good against your skin.
*Try Seedlings Linen Spray or a DIY pillow spray with your favorite sleep oils! Gently spray pillows, sheets, blankets.
Sleep Essence combines Lavender, Vetiver, Valerian and Tangerine oils with melatonin, our natural sleep hormone. It’s also a great tool when go below that wellness line.
ImmuPro is a blend of Ningxia wolfberry, reishi, maitake, and agaricus blazei mushroom powders along with melatonin to boost immunity and help you rest when you need it most.
Once you oil up, if you are still having a hard time relaxing and your thoughts are still racing, here are a couple of other things you can try:
Journaling - Getting your thoughts on paper helps to get them out of your head. Keep a journal on your nightstand and put the brakes on those racing thoughts by jotting them down.
Gratitude - Instead of laying there thinking of all the things that could go wrong, force yourself to focus on all the things that have gone right. Need some help? Apply your Gratitude to your wrists and breathe deep.
Get Up - I know, this sounds counterintuitive, right? Why would you ‘get up’ if you are trying to get to sleep? If you are tossing and turning and getting more and more restless, getting up and finding a simple task to do, applying an oil, or even grabbing an adult coloring book can be just the thing to calm your mind enough to be ready for sleep.
What's your favorite trick to help you settle down and fall asleep? I'm always collecting ideas and solutions! Simply hit reply and share it with me! I'd love to hear from you!
