Is health truly expensive??

Sharing some wisdom from the great guys at Oily App today.

Health is simple…it isn’t always easy, but it’s simple. It’s a choice…every day, every meal, every product, every shopping trip.
 
Your body already wants to function properly. Are you helping or hindering it?

Get this…you’re more likely to be contaminated inside your home than outside of it! Stay with me here...


Have you heard of the 1976 Toxic Controlled Substances Act? No? Let me ask you this:  How many members of our federal government or members of congress do you think have studied chemicals and toxins?? 
 
This act did a few things. 
  1. If a toxic chemical was already being used, it was allowed in without rigorous safety testing – they were grandfathered in, no matter how good or harmful they might be. 
  2. The animal testing criteria was if half of the animals did not die when creating/using/testing the product, the chemical could be put in products you put in your mouth, use in your house, on your children, etc. It’s a little strange…not really a responsible baseline and we have no idea what they were thinking but…
  3. That other “f” word - fragrance - it’s the junk drawer for chemicals and toxins. If you see that F word anywhere – remember that it is a code word that means it is a patented chemical concoction of stuff and they don’t have to tell you what it is because it’s a trade secret. 
Greenwashing is tricky savvy marketing. The personal care industry is estimated to be a hundreds of billion dollar (650+) industry within the next few years and huge percentage of that is estimated to be “green”.  I was a Mrs. Meyers user until I learned that it is owned by a big company, is not organic, is marketed as healthy…but it is not…
 
Sadly, you have to research and be your own best advocate for you and your family. But that’s what I’m here to help with. It is so important that you know the source of your favorite products and that you can thoroughly trust them to have your best interest first. Product and people over profit is hard to find these days.
 
Let’s talk about areas you are likely to find toxins in your house right now… 

 
*1.  Personal care – Hair, skin, lotion, deodorant, wrinkle cream, toothpaste, shampoo, hairspray…generally stuff you use daily to help you look better, feel clean, smell good…it’s not just the ladies! Aftershave, shaving cream, deodorant, beard oil for the guys... Most of that stuff has warning labels. Do you read them?  Toothpaste – harmful if swallowed - it’s in your mouth – even adults swallow some. Not to mention, fluoride is a well-known neurotoxin and several studies have shown that children exposed to it had a lower IQ and suffered impairment in neurological development…
 
Remember half the animals had to not die….anything that goes on your skin goes into your body. Your skin is your biggest organ, but it is full of holes. Skin is porous. If it goes on, it goes in – you put something on your skin, 20-30 seconds later it is in your body...doesn't matter if the substance is harmful or good for you. It works the same way.


*2. Vitamins and supplements. Several years ago ingredients in big box retailers products were studied and it was found that some products had unrecognizable DNA in it…that’s code for trash. Spam and  bologna…are just a conglomeration of things…you ate it, caused you to poop, went right through you…same with Flintstones kids vitamins - just candy colors and sugar…Centrum vitamins have been found in septic systems completely whole...

Profit first is the cheapest way possible to produce products. Nutrition shakes,  Ensure - we give these to people who are sick, but there is more sugar in those than in  many candy bars, just empty dead calories we think are healthy. But remember, just because a product is in the store or says it is healthy, doesn’t mean it really is. 
 

*3. Household cleaning supplies. Household products are loaded with fragrances. Febreeze was designed to get rid of pet odors, but no one wanted it when it was first tested because…it had no smell, so they added the scent to drive the smell up. If it smells clean, it is clean right?? No! Remember the toxins thanks to the Toxic Substances Control Act, fragrance, and half animals not dying… 
 

*4. Scents and smells – candles, air fresheners, crazy sprays and aerosols, plug ins, burners, smells meant to make you happy or feel a certain way…are full of toxic chemicals, but also be careful of fake essential oils.  Yup, synthetics can be  labeled as essential oils. Nothing says the oil has to be pure from nature…it can be purely synthetic, too. You get what pay for…and all oils not created equal…

If you think health is expensive, take a look at cost of not being healthy…You can pay some now or whole lot later. Tell me, is it cheaper to change oil in your car now than to not change the oil and then end up replacing the motor when it blows up?

We spend money on candles, products to clean our house, on vitamins, supplements, toothpaste, shampoo, 15 cleaning cocktails, make up, and more…The cost of change is simply the hassle of making the change itself. 
 
Here’s the deal with ditch and switch, YL has 600 plus products…CBD, cleaning products, supplements, personal care, insect repellent, pancake mix,  snack bars, baby products, pet products and so much more.  Simply take the money you are spending in the big box stores and spend it on healthy alternatives instead, from  your very own online store!  No need to find new money! You just don’t buy any more dryer sheets…use dryer balls instead...those dryer sheets are toxin when they are heated. Thieves laundry detergent is so concentrated it lasts a super long time. That Thieves cleaner is just .69 a bottle once you break down the cost and just one bottle of oil will last so much longer than that candle and will support your body’s health instead of destroying it. What about bath bombs or shower steamers?  Simply put oil on washcloth, rub on floor of shower for relaxing spa shower or put some oil in Epsom salt and put in your bath! 
 
Health is not easy, it requires discipline,  but it’s simple. You can change the health and wellness of your family by just making one decision at a time, even if they are small decisions. They say  the only way to eat an elephant is in small bites...Lock arms with me and my community and together we can bring tremendous change and blessing in your family and those you love. That’s what I’m here for.
 
Ready to take the step? 
 
Share three areas in your health or lifestyle that you would like to change and let’s work together and start making those small changes. 
 


Are you chemically overloaded?

What happens when your body is chemically overloaded?  You may see it in something as catastrophic as cancer. But, most of us feel it in other ways like lethargy, inability to focus, sleep trouble, chronic inflammation, unexplained pain, skin issues, adult acne, hot flashes, stress, anxiety and fear. If you face any of these issues, it’s time to kick chemicals to the curb.
 

To help you do that, let’s take a quick look at the ultimate tool kit  that supports every system of your body. For more information about each of these oils, visit Nan at experience-essential-oils.com. Her website is my go to along with my desk reference.
 
Lavender is one of the most versatile oils, known as the Swiss Army knife of oils, has over 1000 uses...and is also the most adulterated oil on the market. Knowing your source is critical. 

Another great skin oil. Put on your pillow before you go to bed. 
 
We love it for bruises, blisters, rashes, bug bites, mild burns or headaches and anything we don’t really know what else to use. Spray it on your pillow before you go to bed. Lavender Vitality is great in smoothies, sauces, dressings, homemade ice cream, marinades and drinks!
 
Emotionally it is used for feelings of abandonment, criticism and helps you not to worry about what you can’t control. (Can people really do that?? LOL)  Relaxing and balancing. Fosters communication, brings clarity and insight. But with any oil, start low and go slow. Oils are powerful...ask Dana about his poison ivy story...

 
Peppermint vitality supports your gastrointestinal system and digestive tract. One drop will keep you alert while driving or at other times when you need to focus. 
 
I love it for its cooling effect. I will often drop it on the back of my neck when I am doing a Raindrop session as I tend to get really warm with all the energy that can be released from a client. This has also been my failure oil. Great to have this time of year as kiddos are going back to school as it helps when there is a block to learning a new subject and it helps to eliminate that fear of the unknown. 

Add it to your water, tea, brownies, ice cream, in a veggie cap, or even under your tongue. We will also put a drop on our thumb and put our thumb to the roof of our mouth to clear our sinuses. Dana gets a bit braver and puts it on his  mustache...Remember, vitality and regular are the same oil, just labeled differently to remain in FDA compliance.
 

Purification is an all time favorite. Have you fallen in love with it yet?? Great for cleaning, refreshing, laundry, pet odors and as an insect deterrent. I love diffusing this one all by itself.

Uplifting and refreshing, diffusing it purifies and cleanses negative emotions (now you know why I love to diffuse it...). Our favorite blue book tells us it is good for anger, being alone,  fear of rejection, fear of seeing, negative or wrong thoughts, recognition and violence.

 
Thieves vitality – thieves has been proven to kill 99.9% of all germs and bacteria. Do I even need to say anything else? LOL. When anyone even looks or sounds like they might be going below the wellness line, the first thing I do is get this oil in the diffuser and on their feet and spine. Why those places?? The spine is where bundles of nerves run through your body and the feet (and hands) are where they come out. If you put oils in those places topically, you’re covering a lot of ground in the body, even if you don’t know where those germs are hiding out – another reason Raindrop Technique is so powerful as the oils are applied on your feet and back as well.
 
I put a drop of thieves with lemon, orange or citrus fresh (vitality, of course) in my water or tea and I even have a popcorn recipe that uses thieves! 
 
Did I mention it is also our favorite way to remove splinters!!?? Simply apply a drop as needed and watch the magic happen.
 
Think you couldn’t use this emotionally? Guess what? It helps with feeling different, sneaky, or uncertain and is specifically designed to cleanse your mind or environment when you diffuse it. 

 
Stress Away – you all know my love/hate relationship with this oil. I hated it for over 7 years. Despised it. It was so harsh smelling! But I did put it on my feet because I knew my dislike of it had an emotional element… I giggled when I saw in the blue book that it is for the emotion of cruel…that’s about how I would’ve described this oil before. LOL 
 
It promotes wellness and is one of the top emotional oils, helping you leave all that stress behind, like from being over tired, irritated, angry, nervous, restless…wonder if it helps with being hangry?? Hmmm... It will also help calm you, bringing peace and natural restful sleep.
 

Deep Relief comes in a portable roller bottle...just like Stress Away. This makes it easy peasy to reach those places on your back or shoulders!

Wintergreen, helichrysum, clove, peppermint, copaiba, lemon, vetiver, candian balsam fir, dorado azul…powerful oils…but when combined together?? Game changer.

Nan says this blend will help you find emotional and mental patterns that stop you from exercising and/or taking care of yourself emotionally and physically. It may also dig up physical hurts that have gone unresolved including accident prone tendencies, over exertion or over achieving. It will cool anger and frustration that you have with yourself about those patterns.

Remember, anything that is continually overdone or in excess will drain your body and mind  instead of supporting them, even if the initial intention was good.



Last week we said 26 seconds after exposure, chemicals are found in measurable amounts in your body.  The average woman applies 300 chemicals a day – 80 of those even before breakfast!  Of the top ten most dangerous chemicals in our home, number one is air fresheners, those plug-ins or candles. Second on the list – cleaning supplies. 
 
Ready to take the first step and curious about how you can get this kit and start guarding your home? Message me or comment below. 
 

Next week we will dive into more detail about the toxins lurking in your cabinets that make their way to your clothing, your floors, your skin, your children, pets and food, also taking a look at greenwashing. Join us Sunday night at 8:15pm in Intentional Wellness.

It takes just 3 seconds...

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.

Camping? Heading to the beach? This is for you!

 Summer is officially here! How crazy is that!? Seems like just last week we were celebrating New Year's!

Here are a few tips and tricks to make your camping adventures or beach get-aways a little better!  
                                          
                     
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CAMPING NECESSITIES 
Do you love getting outside and exploring?  Do you think to take your Citronella, Geranium, and a battery-powered diffuser along with you? When you are hanging out at your campsite, book in hand, this combo will quickly become your BFF!  Simply fill a battery-powered diffuser with 5-7 drops each Citronella and Geranium and enjoy the incredible smell...and pest-free zone!

  • Insect Repellent & Insect Repellent Wipes: This formula effectively prevents mosquito, flea, and tick bites, so you can enjoy the great outdoors worry free!
  • Insect Repellent Spray Hack: Grab the Insect Repellent bottle and make it into a spray for easy use:
    • Continuous spray bottle
    • Bottle of YL Insect Repellant
    • 3 TBSP fractionated coconut oil or ClaraDerm Cooling Mist
    • 20 drops Citronella essential oil
    • Add all items to the spray bottle, but add the insect repellent last (it will not all fit!) 
  • DIY Outdoor Spray: If you live in a state that has shipping exclusions for the Insect Repellant, try the wipes! Still can't order because of limitations? You can also add a spray top directly to your bottle of Citronella.
    • Small continuous spray bottle 
    • 25 drops each Citronella, Geranium, Lemongrass, Lavender
    • 20 drops Eucalyptus Radiata, Tea Tree
    • V-6 Vegetable Oil carrier or carrier of choice or ¼ part Witch Hazel to ¾ part Distilled Water
    • Note: If you want to use a larger bottle, simply double the recipe. Also if you feel you need a stronger formula or are extremely susceptible to outdoor pests add more Citronella, Lemongrass and/or Geranium! 
  • DIY Itch Stick: for those times you forget your insect repellent...
    • In a rollerball, combine 10 drops Purification, 10 drops Lavender + 10 drops Lemon, and top with a carrier oil. Roll on bug bites & itches.
  • Lavender Essential Oil: We don't call this the Swiss Army Knife for nothing! Someone needs a little calm? Grab your Lavender. Skin saw too much sun? Grab your Lavender. Little one stepped in an ant bed? Grab your Lavender. Blooming flowers got you down? Grab your Lavender!
  • Mineral Sunscreen: Hands-down, this is my favorite sunscreen. It checks all of my boxes -- reef-safe, effective, all natural, great for all skin types, non-nano zinc, won't clog pores. What else is there?! 
  • Mineral Sunscreen Spray Hack:
    • Continuous spray bottle
    • Bottle of YL Mineral Sunscreen
    • 5 TBSP fractionated coconut oil or ClaraDerm Cooling Mist
    • 20 drops Carrot Seed essential oil
    • Optional: 30 drops Citronella essential oil
    • Add all items to the spray bottle and shake well!
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BEACH ESSENTIALS Maybe you are more of a beach person?? I've got you covered, too! 
  • NingXia Red packets: freeze them overnight for a slushie-like treat
  • Lavender Lemonade Vitality Drops + AminoWise: to keep you hydrated in the sun and heat
  • Thieves Hand Sanitizer & Spray: for clean hands, e-readers, toys, phones, etc!
  • Lavender Lip Balm: great for lips, cheeks, noses and it makes a great carrier stick too!
  • Peppermint roller: roll over the back of your neck for instant air conditioning when you get a little too hot!
  • Lavender oil: again, for ALL the things! Any kind of skin need, grab your Lavender.
  • Seedlings Baby Wipes: for clean hands, even in the sand! Easily remove all the sand from your feet, legs, and hands!
How do you love to spend your summers?? What's your favorite hack?


5 Ways to Reinvent Your Health

Hey, hey, my friend! With all the illness we are seeing all around us lately, how about some lifestyle tips to help keep you above that wellness line??

Sharing some simple strategies from one of my favorite coaches, Dr. Edie Wadsworth, a physician turned incredible coach and mentor. Click her name to find her podcast and let her help you create the life you want to live!

*1. Real food, food that nourishes you, nutrient dense food.  Shop the perimeter of the store (who said math wasn't important? LOL) Real food doesn't come with an ingredient label...if you are reading labels, you are buying the wrong food. Take a great probiotic to keep your gut microbiome healthy. Have you tried microgreens?? Kefir or any other fermented foods?


Processed foods, sugar, food that's hard to digest, antibiotics, stress, medicines, lack of movement, all damage that gut microbiome, leading to leaky gut, setting you up for all kinds of other issues.  The best way to heal your gut is to eat your way there.

*2. Movement is so important! The amount of lean muscle you have on your body is one thing that determines your longevity more than anything else. As you age, if you are not actively building muscle, you are losing it. Muscle is the tissue of longevity, it is how you boost your metabolism, how you keep from having insulin resistance, balances your hormones, helps you age gracefully and more. Put your body under enough physical stress to make itself strong. There is nothing you can do like it that gives you the same benefit. You can't take a pill for it. You can't slather it on or breathe it in. You simply have to "put in the reps". ;) 


*3. Good sleep and true rest. Are you getting in good productive hard work and movement, and then truly resting at the end of each day? Or are you getting some weird kind of in between thing? Are you getting enough sleep? Oils, supplements, a good night time routine, blackout curtains, a cool room, white noise...what works for you? Above all, get outside in the sunshine. Getting sun during the day helps you reset those wake/sleep cycles. Even losing an hour or two of sleep a night consistently over years can take years off your life...hmmm...Not sure I want to even think about how much I've lost over the years! LOL


*4. Reduce your stress...Easier said than done, I know. That's part of the reason you want to listen to Dr. Edie's podcast and teachings...a whole new way of looking at things...There is nothing worse for your body than chronic stress. We even create it for ourselves! Tell me you have never created a problem in your mind, then stressed about finding a solution to it, yet it doesn't even exist, hasn't even happened and probably won't happen at all!? LOL


*5. Reduce the amount of toxins you are exposed to. Dr. Edie shares that she has earned a "Ph.D. in natural health" over the last 10 years on this YL journey. She didn't learn this stuff in medical school, my friends. She learned it doing her own research, learning about her own body, making changes in her lifestyle and what she was or was not using or doing. You can, too. 

Look around you for a moment. What is surrounding you? We are swimming in a sea of toxins. The average woman uses 300+ chemicals a day...80-100 of those before she has even had breakfast. Newborn babies have over 200 toxins in their umbilical cord blood that were passed from momma. 

Research those candles, room sprays, cleaners, warmers, dryer sheets. Research the toxins they fill your body with. You don't know what you don't know. Get curious and see where the adventure leads you! Reducing toxins is way easier than you think. You already know my easy button. YL for the win! ;) Check out the new online catalog here

I challenge you to try one or more of these simple changes this week. What's the best that could happen? 

To hear more strategies, join us in Intentional Wellness, my free online community.

See you there!
 
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