Geranium essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the Pelargonium graveolens plant, a multibranched shrub that grows up to 5 feet tall. Native to subtropical southern Africa, geranium was used traditionally by the Egyptians to promote beautiful, radiant skin. Today Geranium essential oil is obtained from Africa and Madagascar and is used in many perfumes and cosmetics for its fresh, floral aroma and skin care benefits. In addition to use in topical products and perfumes, Geranium essential oil can be diffused or inhaled for its uplifting and soothing aroma.
- Diffuse Geranium with Grapefruit or Tangerine for a bright, uplifting aroma.
- Add a few drops to your facial essence, serum, or moisturizer to help promote the appearance of healthy, youthful skin.
- Apply it to your hair to promote shine and wear it as a hair perfume.
- Combine it with oils like Lavender and Ylang Ylang in a hot bath to create a peaceful, private getaway.
Ylang Ylang essential oil will be sourced exclusively from Young Living's very own Finca Botanica Farm and Distillery in Ecuador!
The Ecuadorian Ylang Ylang oil will have the same properties you know and love. The main noticeable difference is that the Ecuadorian Ylang Ylang oil has a slightly softer and sweeter floral aromatic profile. You’ll love its romantic floral aroma either on its own or as an ingredient in your DIY blends.
A classic scent we can all recognize with a simple sniff, Lavender essential oil provides a calming, floral scent that instantly sets us at ease. 
Enjoy more of what Lavender oil has to offer—slide to reveal.
Lavender oil is also great for:
Relieving digestive discomfort
Easing joint and muscle pain associated with sprains/strains/rheumatoid arthritis
Creating a relaxing environment that can help relieve headaches
Acting as a nervine/calmative to promote relaxation
Providing comfort during cough and cold symptoms
We are about to bring in the New Year 2023! If you need ideas on how to host a party or gathering of friends with Good Cheer here are some ideas just for you, excerpts taken from Young Living's Lavender Life Blog.
Whether you’re decking the halls or ringing in the new year, throwing a festive fête is the perfect way to bid farewell to months gone by. So gather friends and family for a holiday celebration!
If you’ve spent time at the International Grand Convention, you know that Club Red is the place Young Living members head to when they really want to let loose! With a great soundtrack, NingXia drinks flying left and right, and some of the best dance moves you’ve ever seen, Club Red is a wall-to-wall party that we never want to leave! Check out our tips below to throw a great holiday party!
The holiday season fills up fast!
Thieves Essential Oil will make your place sparkle!
Nothing says welcome like the warm, spicy scent of Thieves®. Make party prep simple with Thieves Household Cleaner. This all-in-one cleaner lets you tackle every chore, from bathrooms to baseboards, without harsh chemicals. From there, add the décor that makes the party yours. Whether it’s glam with glitter or low-key with a fire in the fireplace, tie in your personality with fun additions throughout the house—and don’t forget the bathroom! Nothing denotes a well-planned party more than attention to detail in the most forgotten spaces.
Music for the moment
Club Red gets its magic from two things—inventive NingXia Red shots and a killer soundtrack. Make sure your celebration never loses its buzz by keeping your guests moving all night. Curate a holiday-themed playlist full of old and new favorites, hire a live band, or for a vintage twist, break out the record player and spin vinyl throughout the evening.
Eat up!
Humans cannot live on NingXia alone—believe us, we would if we could—so make sure your friends and family have some delightful snacks to nosh on all night long. Keep the food light and healthy so the focus can stay where you want it: on the NingXia Red shots!
Here are some of our favorite party recipes:
Cauliflower crust pizza
Cheesy sweet potato bites
Baked tomato and feta
Guilt-free peppermint brownies
Here are some ideas and recipes for NingXia Red shots.
Click link above for fun recipes....
Your Club Red will have on hand for your guests to add to their shots of NingXia Red
Lime Vitality™ essential oil,
Orange Vitality™ essential oil,
NingXia Nitro®,
NingXia Zyng™, and a whole host of other party supplies.
Add a bottle or two of NingXia Red—sold separately—and you can bring the energy of the convention into your holiday party. Encourage your guests to invent their own recipes and offer prizes for the most creative names and best-tasting shots. We suggest everyone starts the party with a couple of our favorites...
BIRD BOMB: A surefire party starter!
Tangerine Vitality essential oil1 can NingXia Zyng™
1 NingXia Nitro®
1 ounce NingXia Red®
1 drop Red Shot™
1 drop Lavender Vitality™
1 drop Orange Vitality™
1 drop Lemon Vitality™
1 drop Lime Vitality™
1 drop Tangerine Vitality™
1 drop Grapefruit Vitality™
1 drop Citrus Fresh™ Vitality™
1 drop Frankincense Vitality™
1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality™
Add NingXia Nitro to a shot glass; then add the oil drops. Add just enough NingXia Red to fill the shot glass. In a separate, larger glass, pour a full can of NingXia Zyng (no ice). Drop the shot glass into the larger glass and drink the whole beverage as quickly as possible.
FIRECRACKER: One of the spiciest ways to get your NingXia!
Peppermint Vitality1 NingXia Nitro®
1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality™
1 drop Clove Vitality™
1 drop Peppermint Vitality™
1 ounce NingXia Red®
Add NingXia Nitro to your shot glass and add the oil drops. Top it with NingXia Red and get ready to warm up!
This should get your party and the New Year off to a good start. And 2023 will Shine Bright with Laughter and Fun and Good Company!
Yesterday was the first day that I actually felt the Fall Season approaching. We are through with the High 3 digit heat and moving into some cooler weather both during the day and also at night. Yeah! I feel more relaxed and energized with the seasonal changes.
I have a couple of NingXia Red recipes to share with you and I have to say that NingXia Red is a nutritional delicious drink that is good for all Seasons. But it is an excellent beverage to share at parties or with your daily regimen. I will first give you a few reasons why you might want to begin using NingXia Red.
The benefits of NingXia Red include support for energy levels, normal cellular function, whole-body health, and normal eye health. A daily shot of 2–4 ounces helps support overall wellness with powerful antioxidants.*
It contains every essential amino acid. It contains 13 percent protein, the highest protein content of any fruit. It has trace minerals. It has naturally occurring Vitamins B1, B6, and B2—the energy vitamin. It has more Vitamin C than all the fruits and veggies on the earth: 148 milligrams. Parsley and Spinach have 133 milligrams. Oranges have 53. It has more calcium than cherries (16mg) and cruciferous veggies (50) at 110 milligrams, and more beta carotene (12,600) than carrots (11,000). It is loaded with fiber because the skin of the berry was preserved.
There are 7 main ways that NingXia Red can scientifically support the body’s overall health.
- Antioxidants: One ounce of Ningxia red = 2 pounds of wolfberries. There are 17 or 18 species of wolfberry, but only the NingXia wolfberry has the ability to deliver all the micro and macro nutrients that are bioavailable to the cells of your body. Antioxidants play a huge role in aging, memory, arthritis, inflammation—and so much more. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities. Presently, the highest antioxidant on the ORAC scale is vitamin E which comes in between 800 and 1200, followed by blueberries, raspberries, pomegranates etc... A combination of fruits, together, reach around 3000 on the ORAC. The ORAC score of NingXia is 27,300.
- Acid to Alkaline: In your body, you have alkaline acid. What creates disease? Acid. It breeds virus, bacteria, and fungus. When you can keep your pH neutral, you inhibit growth of things you don’t want in your body. Everything we eat converts in the stomach, which has a pH of 2.5. Wolfberry goes into the stomach and starts to break down as acid, but the minute it hits the small intestine, it immediately converts back to alkaline. It’s acid binding and alkaline forming. Only one other food does that: the lemon. Wolfberry is chemically structured to convert because of the amino acid Tripsin—which is responsible for the conversion of amino acids in protein. And guess what NingXia is? It’s alkaline protein. It’s the most perfect food that exists.
- Free Radicals: Where do free radicals come from? The air, electromagnetic fields, stuff we’re eating—chocolate, sugar. They are the army guys on the wrong side of the team. They wreak havoc. You outnumber the army with NingXia. Your body does a good job at taking care of oxidative stress, but one of the reasons we age—the reasons we get wrinkly, the reasons we feel tired-- it’s because of an excess of free radicals. Everything that is high in ORAC will flush your system really well. Your body gets quadrillions of free radical attacks each day: 10,000 attacks **per cell** per day. The body needs a leg up. Most other “nutritional” drinks do little against superoxide—the worst free radical—because the drinks are so heavily processed. Gary worked for years to protect the berry all the way to the bottle, so you get the full benefits. The NingXia wolfberry was saved during processing. That means it is a powerhouse designed to fight free radicals in the body.
- Vitamin/Mineral Pairs: Minerals have to be properly balanced. Too much calcium will result in a zinc deficiency. Too much zinc can suppress immunity and lead to anemia. Both the mineral profile and the mineral balance of the NingXia wolfberry is without equal in the plant kingdom. With magnesium to calcium ratios 1:1, zinc to copper 2:1, and potassium to magnesium 8:1: it is exactly what the body needs in proportion.
- It’s A Macronutrient: You’re getting whole food nutrition. It’s coming from the plant—not a synthetic source. It’s coming from a food-based source. That means it’s easier for your body to process and you’ll absorb more of what you’re eating. It is also a liquid. If you did a digestive function test, 95-98 percent of us would come back with a weak or deficient digestive system—because of medications, stress, and processed food. To get NingXia in a liquid form means you absorb it faster, and your body doesn’t have to break it down.
- It’s Infused with Essential Oils: Essential Oils in NingXia act as a delivery system to the body. Because it’s infused with YL therapeutic-grade essential oils, it increases the absorption rate of NingXia. The tiny oils act as a delivery system for the larger molecules.
- It Has the Right Sugar and the Right Enzymes: But sugar is bad, right? Not all sugar. NingXia has the right sugar to open the door to your cell. When our cell membranes are 1) inflamed 2) oxidized 3) toxic 4) lacking in mitochondrial function to energize the receptors to open and close—we have no energy. NingXia’s sugars open the door to our cells so good information can get passed to them. It crosses the lipid layer of the cell and passes inside. Only 8 sugars on the earth can open the door. NingXia has 4 of the 8, naturally occurring inside the wolfberry. Let’s also talk enzymes. By age 40, you start losing digestive enzymes in the gut. NingXia is loaded with the right enzymes to help you break food down and get the nutrients out of what you eat. Feed your body exactly what it needs.
~ The above benefits information was taken from Sarah Harnisch’ Script Book class text “Intro to NingXia Class”
A Sweet Desert
How awesome is it that you can support your health while you relax with a tasty drink?
You can easily turn this into a Mocktail by replacing the champagne/sparkling wine with club soda or seltzer.
You can easily turn this into a Mocktail by replacing the champagne/sparkling wine with club soda or seltzer.
Looking for the best way to get your NingXia Red and other YL products at the wholesale price? I HIGHLY recommend being a Loyalty Rewards Member. Young Living is extremely generous with the discounts, gifts, and perks you have access to.
Here’s all the details . . .
Loyalty Rewards is Young Living's perks program. You will receive the 24 percent discount and receive your monthly loyalty order while earning free gifts and loyalty points to spend on future product purchases.
If you have at least one item set to process each month on your loyalty order, regardless of PV (point value) amount, you’ll unlock a 24 percent discount on your loyalty order, as well as on any future one-time orders!
Opting into Loyalty Rewards gives you the flexibility to:
Earn Points: Every month you place a loyalty order of 50+ PV, you earn loyalty points to redeem for product purchases. Month 1-3 you earn 10% of th ePV of your order back in reward points. Month 4-24 you earn 20% in reward points. And move 25 on you earn 25% of the PV of every order back in reward points. At any time you can place a one-time Shop Order and use your points to purchase products.
You’ll also earn a free loyalty gift after your first 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of consecutive orders, plus an additional gift every 12 consecutive months thereafter.
Explore products: Individually add or remove items in your loyalty order at any time or switch them out to try new products.
Save for Later: Place items in your Save for Later section to easily swap out items from month to month.
Manage: Easily manage your loyalty order at any time! You can swap products, change quantities, cancel, or change your process date.
Let’s Connect
I hope you enjoy these recipes. If you have a favorite I would love to know how you enjoyed it. You can contact me here.
The easiest way to start using NingXia Red is to order a Premium Starter Kit. To place an order Then Simply click on Shop...
Summertime provides us with the endless adventures we need to recharge. But while we are refueling don't forget to take care of your skin. Let's keep our skin vibrant, healthy and happy.
I always make sure to read labels to know what I am putting on my body. I have made DIY creams and lotions with essential oils and pure carrier oils. But I find it simpler these days to use an exceptional product line that carries with it the Seal of Excellence. And so I want to share with you just what I use to protect my skin during these summer months.
Included is a product description, ingredient list for most products, and usage directions. I hope this makes your summer shopping easy and enjoyable! Feel free to share this blog with friends and family looking for summer skincare solutions. Simple ordering instructions are at the bottom of this blog.
Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This product is reef safe, free from harsh chemicals, and great for children and adults, so the whole family can enjoy the outdoors worry free for up to 80 minutes before reapplying. Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is made with non-nano zinc oxide to give you confidence and peace of mind that you are choosing the safest sun protection for yourself, your family, and the planet.
DIRECTIONS: Apply liberally to clean, dry skin 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. Reapply immediately after towel drying or at least every 2 hours.
INGREDIENTS: Zinc oxide, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Beeswax, Castor oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut oil, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Sunflower seed oil, Helichrysum oil, Lavender oil, Myrrh resin oil, Cistus oil, Ylang ylang oil, Carrot seed oil, Sacred Frankincense resin oil
Refresh and recover from a day in the sun with LavaDerm After-Sun Spray. Using menthol from mint, this spray soothes and cools the skin, providing immediate relief from the effects of outdoor activity. Plus, its moisturizing qualities—from ingredients such as aloe and Lavender and Helichrysum premium essential oils—help prevent peeling and leave skin feeling soft and smooth. Made without alcohol and synthetic fragrances or colorants, LavaDerm After-Sun Spray is safe for the whole family.
DIRECTIONS: Spray on affected area up to 4 times daily. For children under 2, ask a doctor.
INGREDIENTS: Water, Olive oil, Glycerin, Safflower oil, Sunflower oil, Jojoba oil, Polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, Glyceryl monocaprylate, Helianthus annuus seed wax, European elderberry, Xanthan gum, Docosanol, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Lavender oil, Aloe vera leaf, Glyceryl monoundecylenate, Phytate sodium, Picea mariana leaf oil, Helichrysum oil, Citric acid
ClaraDerm™ Cooling Mist soothes and comforts dry, irritated skin. Its gentle blend of coconut oil and premium essential oils such as Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, and Myrrh combine to help calm and moisturize skin. Formulated without harmful ingredients, this spray delivers a fine mist that absorbs quickly and is gentle enough for all skin types.
DIRECTIONS: Apply topically as needed.
INGREDIENTS: Coconut Oil, Myrrh, Tea tree, Lavender, Frankincense, Roman chamomile, Helichrysum.
Made with 100 percent naturally derived, plant-based ingredients, Young Living's Insect Repellent is proven to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas with 99 percent active ingredients, plus 1 percent vitamin E to moisturize and condition skin. The gentle formula rubs easily into skin without a greasy or sticky finish and is appropriate for use on children when used as directed.
DIRECTIONS: Dispense into hand and apply evenly over exposed skin. Reapply as needed. Avoid contact with clothing, as product can stain fabric. Apply before a picnic, hike, campout, or run to prevent bug bites.
Insect Repellent Wipes from Young Living offer a natural, essential oil-infused alternative to traditional bug repellent that effectively prevents mosquito, flea, and tick bites with easy application.
DIRECTIONS: Wipe exposed skin with a single wipe for quick, effortless application. Reapply as needed. Avoid contact with clothing, as product can stain fabric.
INGREDIENTS: Sesame seed oil. Bug Repellent Blend: Citronella oil, Lemongrass oil, Rosemary oil, Geranium oil, Spearmint oil, Thyme oil, Clove oil. Mixed tocopherols
This is one of my favorite products for summer and for any time of the year. It cools me down and hydrates my skin. My face absolutely loves this product. This hydrosol is produced during the distillation of Young Living’s luxurious Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood essential oil and has many of the same constituents in a lower concentration. It offers gentle hydration for skin in a convenient spray bottle for easy application.
DIRECTIONS: This pray is perfect for spritzing in areas that sweat and have a tendency to smell. Its soothing effects on the skin and earthy aroma make it a great go to in addition to applying deodorant. Keep out of eyes.
HOW TO ORDER . . .
Now that you have at least a few items to add to your summer skincare regiment, I’d like to help you get through the ordering process.
Already Have A YL Account: Simply log into your account at YoungLiving.com by using your member number and password, place a shop order, or add products to your monthly Subscription order.
Don’t Have An Account Yet: Visit my personal YL promo link HERE. You can choose the products you desire, and upon checkout my member number (992365) will automatically be added so that we are connected within the company. I will be your go-to for support and product education.
https://www.myyl.com/alohabright
*Someone Else Referred You: If someone else who’s a YL member referred you to this blog, please talk to them about how to order using their member number as your sponsor.
Both FRANKINCENSE and SACRED FRANKINCENSE have amazing healing properties that have been used by many cultures worldwide. Gary Young said that he had been studying frankincense for over 20 years, and he feels he had “just scratched the surface” in discovering the benefits!
The historical use of Frankincense dates back 5000 years ago to ancient Egypt. With olive and sesame oils Frankincense oil was used to create ointments. In 3200 BC Egyptians used Frankincense resin as part of their embalming process.
But what is the difference between Frankincense and Sacred Frankincense?
Frankincense contains a significant amount of boswellic acid. And Sacred Frankincense has double the amount of boswellic acid.
Summertime is full of fun activities, but do your best to not over schedule yourself. If you’re taking a trip, don’t wait until the last minute to pack. If you’re throwing a party, take it easy on yourself and make it a potluck. The less pressure you put on yourself, the less stressed you’ll be in the long run.
1. Acknowledge and accept your feelings.
Whenever you are experiencing any challenging feeling, it’s always important to stop and acknowledge the feeling you’re having. In this case, acknowledge the overwhelm and try to accept it. Overwhelm is normal and expected when you have a lot going on. Acknowledging and accepting your overwhelm is the first step to letting it go.
2. Determine where the overwhelm is coming from.
We feel overwhelmed when there is too much of something: too much to do, too many feelings, too many things to think about, too many people or things pulling us in too many directions… you get the idea! After you acknowledge that you are overwhelmed, ask yourself what’s causing the feeling. For me, it’s often caused by the feeling that I have to give all the people and all the things all of my attention right now and I have to do it all perfectly. That’s a very overwhelming feeling!
3. Figure out the truth.
Once you know where the overwhelm is coming from, you might notice that you’re telling yourself a story that isn’t true. Like in my example from above, it might feel like I need to take care of everything all at once and I need to do it all perfectly, but that simply is not true. The truth is that some things can be set aside for now. The truth is that everything will be okay if I let go of perfection.
4. Ask yourself what you need.
This step can be challenging at first but it is so important. Once you know that you are overwhelmed, you know what’s causing the overwhelm, and you’ve been honest with yourself about it, it’s time to ask yourself what you need right now in this moment. Maybe you need to tackle a task and get it out of the way, maybe you need a break, or maybe stepping outside for a walk will help tame your overwhelm. There is no right or wrong answer here, just figure out what will give you a bit of space to breathe and feel a bit calmer.
5. Take one small step.
Now that you know what you need, take one small step to help yourself. If you need a walk, take one. If you need to check something off your list, do it. One small step will usually lead you to one next step, and before you know it, you’ve calmed yourself down and you’re ready for the next thing.
I hope you find those tips as helpful as I have!!! See you next week!
Theresa LeGarie
As the name indicates, aromatherapy is a therapy that uses aromas. Aromatherapy is a branch of botanical medicine that uses volatile and aromatic plant compounds. Because of the unique direct relationship between emotions and olfaction within the brain, essential oils can help “unlock” stored memories and emotions. When you breathe in essential oils, molecules enter the limbic system and elicit an emotional response. An aversion to a particular oil may indicate something more than just personal preference. It could actually be stirring an unpleasant emotional reaction. Conversely, oils that bring about positive emotions are likely favored.
Intentional imprinting is a POWERFUL way to take control of your emotions by using essential oils, well, intentionally! Below are the steps:
1. You will be choosing (4) different essential oils and/or essential oil blends to correspond with one of the following emotions:
- Anger/Frustration
- Sadness
- Overwhelm/Stress
- Anxiety/Fear
2. Now, keep these oils on you or in places where you experience the opposite of the
emotions above. You will inhale your selected oil to start imprinting your limbic system to elicit the particular emotional response you want to occur when you want the emotion experienced.
For example, the opposite emotion of anger/frustration is calm. I choose to use
lavender essential oil in times of calm or when I experience a sense of calm in my life.
Examples of calm moments in my life might be in the evenings after my children have been put to bed or when I am in the shower taking a few moments to myself for self-care and relaxation. I will inhale lavender at these moments of calm as consistently as I can. Now, when I am feeling angry or frustrated, I need to take my bottle of lavender and inhale deeply. If I have been consistent for about 30 days, then my limbic system should be triggered by the lavender aroma to bring about a feeling of calm.
3. Be consistent. Try to inhale your chosen oil when you are feeling calm, happy, peaceful, or courageous every time you feel that emotion. It will take about 30 days to imprint your limbic system. Be patient with yourself if it takes longer. You need to remember to be intentional and conscious of your use of oils with your emotions.
Below are listed the (4) emotions we will be focusing on and the opposite emotions that we want to elicit. There are also suggested essential oils and blends for your consideration. Honestly, there is no right or wrong oil to pair with an emotion. I suggest trying to pick oils that you are drawn to.
Anger/Frustration – Calm
- lavender, bergamot, cedarwood, cypress, rose, melissa, orange, frankincense, geranium, helichyrsum, lemon, mandarin, sandalwood
Sadness – Joy, happy, blissful
- orange, geranium, helichrysum, joy, lime, lemon, citrus fresh
Overwhelm/Stress - Peace, tranquil, relaxing
- stress away, vetiver, peace & calming, cedarwood, lavender, tangerine
Anxiety/Fear – Courage, valor, bravery
- valor, peace & calming, sandalwood, bergamot, clary sage, geranium, juniper, marjoram, orange, Roman chamomile, myrrh, rose, ylang ylang
Have you ever woken up feeling unstoppable and ready to seize the day? Perhaps you know someone who radiates this energy and confidence at the crack of dawn. Whether you’re a morning person or not, there’s no denying that the first moments set the mood for the rest of the day. Essential oils can be used to tap directly into the limbic system to stimulate memories and emotions.
There are so many definitions for that single word. This is possibly because there is no scientific consensus on a single definition. Emotion represents a mental state associated with thoughts and feelings. It is a conscious experience with intense mental activity and a high degree of pleasure or displeasure. Emotion is often intertwined with mood, temperament, past experiences, personality, disposition, and motivation.
As you inhale essential oils, the tiny molecules enter the nasal cavity and pass by the olfactory bulb. Your olfactory bulb is a part of your limbic system and therefore your response to an aroma is going to be emotional before it can be rational.
This is great news! That means you can use essential oils to recall both good and bad memories. If they are bad, you can use the oils to help you release cellular memories stored in the body, allowing you to process and move past them.
We all regularly come in contact with reactions to smells. You walk into the house at dinner time and smell your favorite meal being prepared. Your emotions are instantly triggered by the fond memories you have of that meal and you feel joy. You smell the cologne your grandfather used to wear. It instantly triggers emotions based on your relationship. If you had a good relationship, you may feel emotions like love and joy. If you had a bad relationship or he has passed away, you may feel anger or sadness.
Incorporating essential oils into your morning routine can amplify your intentions and enhance your feelings of confidence so you can start your day from a place of strength. Layering and blending specific oils in distinct ways can help cultivate the right mindset to manifest your goals.
That’s why Young Living founder, D. Gary Young, put together an empowering essential oil routine, Gary’s Great Day Protocol. If you’d like to learn about the Great Day Protocol in more detail, click here and join in on our 4-day Great Day Protocol challenge!
Summer can be one of the best, most fun times of the year, and it can also be one of the most overwhelming times. We hear a lot of talk about the slow, relaxing days of summer, and that’s true to an extent, but when you have young kids, a job, and a life, summer can feel anything but slow.
Summertime living is easy — or so it seems. Between planning vacations and ball games, trying to get things done at work, and packing your days full of fun activities, the summer can be more chaotic than carefree.
All the little things you’re juggling can add to lots of stress: Contrary to popular belief, a new study from the American Physiological Society says that stress can rise in the summer. The good news? If you’re feeling stressed, you’re not alone, and there are plenty of ways to decrease your stress levels and keep your emotional health in check.
You know we’re going to talk about oils because they are beneficial when we are dealing with emotions, but we are also going to dig into more info and tips.
Pop this blend into your diffuser right now and feel yourself start to relax.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s never too early to start thinking (and dreaming) about summer…. So, this month we are going to talk all about preparing for the summer months!
Up first, let’s talk about skin. Summer skin is much different than winter skin and the skin on our face is much different than the skin on our feet. One of the best ways to get all skin in summer shape is to exfoliate!
Exfoliation for skin is the holy grail of skincare.
However, too much of it is also bad. When exfoliation is done right, it makes the skin much smoother, cleaner, better, and younger. But if you use an exfoliator that’s a bit rough on the skin, or apply it too much or too often, or, even if you combine two or more exfoliating agents, then it’s very likely that is going to over-exfoliate your skin which can damage your skin’s lipid barrier. When this happens, our skin becomes rosy, puffy, or a bit swollen and can be easily inflamed. This inflammation can then escalate into an acne breakout. Using too much exfoliant also removes too much of the surface layer of the skin, taking away with it all the trapped moisture and your skin can become visibly dry and dehydrated.
The best way to exfoliate your face is to make small, circular motions using your fingers to apply a scrub according to your skin type. My absolute favorite scrub is the Satin Mint Facial Scrub! If you are using a brush, make short, light strokes. Exfoliate for about 30 seconds and then rinse your face with lukewarm water. Keep in mind that the water should not be too hot.
When exfoliating other parts of your body like elbows, knees, and feet it may take a more heavy-duty scrub but it’s still important to not get carried away and scrub your skin too vigorously either while you’re washing or as you dry off. When you’re exfoliating, let the product do its job, and don’t feel the need to take off a layer of healthy skin cells by pressing too hard. And after you’re done with your shower or bath, be sure to pat dry rather than rubbing the towel back and forth across your body with all your strength. Over-scrubbing can cause dry skin to peel off before it’s ready to be removed. The scrubbing should be done gently in the shower, and when it’s time to dry, show your skin a little tenderness.
Check out my favorite DIY body scrub here:
Need to grab the oils above? Click Here to shop with me! Once you have that skin beautifully exfoliated, don't forget to moisturize! Check out this blog post to learn more about natural hydration for dry winter skin.
See you next week when we talk about prepping your home for summer!
Sweet Summertime. The sun. oh how I have missed you. Pool or lake days, BBQs, getting outside! Summer is the season of being outdoors. It’s also the season of forgetting to hydrate, sunburns, and bugs. BUGS! In today’s email and next week's, we will dive into each of these further.
Hydration is key to many functions in the human body, and in the summer heat, it can be challenging to maintain hydration. One of the most significant roles that water plays in the body is regulating internal temperature. The body’s ability to stay cool in hot weather depends on proper hydration. But hydration isn’t maintained by water consumption alone. Yikes! Water is vital, but electrolytes are also required for hydration. The body cannot fully absorb the water you drink without electrolytes. In addition, electrolytes are necessary for nutrient absorption. You must have sufficient electrolytes to absorb the vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. So it’s a big deal!
Electrolytes help regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood acidity and pressure, and help rebuild damaged tissue. So what is the easiest way to introduce electrolytes to your body? Sea salt. Seriously! Sprinkle some pure non-iodized sea salt into your water. You will barely notice it is there.
Along with skipping iodized salt, skip the pink Himalayan salt. Another way I like to get my electrolytes in is by using the YL Vitality Drops. They are packed with electrolytes (sourced from the Great Salt Lake, which has over 70 naturally occurring ionic trace minerals!!) which are so needed for our bodies to function correctly.
Your body will thank you if you start adding sea salt or YL’s Vitality Drops to your water!
The sun is our friend - we need it. Twenty minutes per day with no sun protection is how we get our vitamin D and happiness. You want to protect your skin from burning with non-toxic sunscreens. So what should you use? Mineral Sunscreens are the way to go!
Chemical Sunscreens absorb into the skin, Mineral Sunscreens with non-nano ingredients, such as Zinc Oxide, are barrier sunscreens. Basically, they sit on the skin. Here are a few ingredients you want to avoid: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
SPF---Sun Protection Factor
Let’s first talk through what SPF even is. SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of how well an agent blocks UVB rays (the kind that causes skin cancer). When not wearing sunscreen, your skin will naturally change color and incur a certain amount of damage in one hour. If you are wearing an SPF of 2 you will incur that same amount of damage in 2 hours that you would have incurred in one hour without any SPF. An SPF of 10 will get you 10 hours, SPF 30 will get you 30 hours, etc.
Here’s the thing, SPF is not linear (i.e. you don’t get 10 times more protection going from SPF 1 to 10 or 10 to 100). When you apply SPF 10, you are blocking approximately 90% of UVB rays. SPF 15, approximately 93%; SPF 30, approximately 97%; and SPF 50, 98%. So applying an SPF of 30 only gives you 7% more protection than SPF 10.
Also worth considering: if you do not plan on spending more than 10 hours in the sun, you may not need the 30 hours of protection that an SPF 30 may offer. In fact, when is the last time you saw 30 hours of daylight?
The bottom line, lower SPFs, applied more often, may offer similar sun protection as higher SPFs. I don't think I can beg you any stronger to look at the ingredients on your sunscreens! Just because they are mineral-based does not mean you should use them!!
There are many sunscreens that are non-toxic, but my fave by far is the Mineral Sunscreen by YL. It comes in SPF 10 or 50. The ingredients are clean and it works!
Bug Spray
Don’t let bug bites ruin your family’s outdoor fun this summer! But, just say NO to DEET! Here are some lovely side effects of DEET in children reported by the CDC:
Children with DEET toxicity reported lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures, and convulsions, though the amount that led to this toxicity was unreported.
Young Living's insect repellent is our favorite way to keep mosquitos, ticks, and fleas away. It’s proven to repel them with 99 percent active ingredients, plus 1 percent vitamin E to moisturize and condition the skin. And the best part, it rubs easily into the skin without feeling greasy or sticky and you don’t feel like you need a shower after heading outdoors. It may seem pricey at first but one bottle has lasted our family for a couple of years.
In case you forget to use your insect repellent before heading outdoors, this roller comes in handy to bring relief and support healthy skin.
KID DILUTION (AGES 3-8)
8 drops Lavender essential oil
8 drops Purification® essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca
Alternifolia) essential oil
Organic fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil of your choice
ADULT DILUTION
15 drops Lavender essential oil
15 drops Purification® essential oil
8 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca
Alternifolia) essential oil
Organic fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil of your choice
Drop essential oils into a 10ml roller bottle. Fill the remainder of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
I know organizing a home is typically a big topic for springtime, but if you didn't quite get your house in order, there’s no better time than now! Getting organized will leave so much more time for fun and family when the weather is nice!
To keep things simple and manageable, let’s tackle one thing at a time. I don’t know about you, but clothing clutter is killing our house right now. We still have winter clothing and outdoor gear all over, and now we’re starting to think about tank tops and shorts.
It’s time to tackle this clothing clutter in a manageable way. Take today and organize the winter gear. Do you need all the heavy coats, gloves, and snow boots within arm's reach? If you do, by all means, keep them out but if you don’t, gather them up and put them somewhere until next season. We keep ours in a basement closet where it’s still easy to grab them if we need them, but they are out of the way. It cuts down on the clutter so much!
Would you like to take three more days and organize your home a little more? Great! Click the image below and join me for three more days of organizing! We will tackle dressers and clothing closets and have the best tip for quick and easy decluttering.
So grab some trash bags, and let’s go!!!
One of the BEST go-to tips for using oils for stress:
💦Drip a few drops on the crown of your head, then lightly massage into your scalp with your finger tips. This is totally relaxing & great for balancing energies.
Some member favorite oils for this method: cedarwood, frankincense, Believe, Stress Away
💦Drip a few drops on the crown of your head, then lightly massage into your scalp with your finger tips. This is totally relaxing & great for balancing energies.
Some member favorite oils for this method: cedarwood, frankincense, Believe, Stress Away
Slathering your feet before bed is a fantastic method for stress support.
Our feet have tons of nerve endings which connect to various parts of the body. The essential oils bring a frequency to our body's energy system, which stimulates us. Also, the pores found on the soles of our feet are unique and especially effective in absorbing essential oils. So many benefits to using them on our feet!
💦Add 3 drops of essential oil in your palm, rub hands together & then slather all over your feet. Your lungs, brain & energy system will thank you.
Some member favorites for this method: White Angelica, Valor, Aroma Siez Essential Oil blend.
Our feet have tons of nerve endings which connect to various parts of the body. The essential oils bring a frequency to our body's energy system, which stimulates us. Also, the pores found on the soles of our feet are unique and especially effective in absorbing essential oils. So many benefits to using them on our feet!
💦Add 3 drops of essential oil in your palm, rub hands together & then slather all over your feet. Your lungs, brain & energy system will thank you.
Some member favorites for this method: White Angelica, Valor, Aroma Siez Essential Oil blend.
Deep Breathing with essential oils is a very powerful technique. Feel free to start slow & listen closely to your body. Lavender or Stress Away are great oils to try when first starting this technique.
The method works beautifully when combined with yoga, meditation or prayer. It can also be enjoyed on it's own for a few minutes of calm during a busy day or right before bed to promote restful sleep and a quiet mind.
To practice deep breathing with essential oils, simply rubbed a few drops of oil into your palms, cup your hands over your nose & mouth to create a 'scent tent' & take deep breaths slowly. Hold each breath in for 3 seconds if possible & release slowly. Then repeat.
💦Some member favorite oils: lavender, frankincense, Believe, Joy, or Stress Away. However, any oil you enjoy can be used here and for a variety of purposes.
The method works beautifully when combined with yoga, meditation or prayer. It can also be enjoyed on it's own for a few minutes of calm during a busy day or right before bed to promote restful sleep and a quiet mind.
To practice deep breathing with essential oils, simply rubbed a few drops of oil into your palms, cup your hands over your nose & mouth to create a 'scent tent' & take deep breaths slowly. Hold each breath in for 3 seconds if possible & release slowly. Then repeat.
💦Some member favorite oils: lavender, frankincense, Believe, Joy, or Stress Away. However, any oil you enjoy can be used here and for a variety of purposes.
One of the main energy centers of our body is centered over our heart. ❤️
This is a favorite place for many YL members for applying essential oils for stress and emotional release. It's said to be very balancing and grounding. Have you ever tried it?
Simply rub your favorite oil on topically over the heart, either diluted or neat.
💦Member favorite oils for this: Joy, cedarwood, Idaho Blue Spruce, Rose, Rosemary, Grapefruit & Frankincense
This is a favorite place for many YL members for applying essential oils for stress and emotional release. It's said to be very balancing and grounding. Have you ever tried it?
Simply rub your favorite oil on topically over the heart, either diluted or neat.
💦Member favorite oils for this: Joy, cedarwood, Idaho Blue Spruce, Rose, Rosemary, Grapefruit & Frankincense
Create a shift in the energy of your space while influencing emotional health.
Diffusing remains one of the most popular & loved methods of using essential oils. You may already be familiar with it at certain times of day. Are you? If so, I encourage you to switch things up.
Diffusing during the day or throughout the night are both powerful for therapeutic benefits. Using a variety of oils is also recommended, which gives our body a new frequency and fresh stimulation. Keeps us on our toes, if you will.
When we breathe in essential oils from the air, we inhale the molecules straight to the limbic system of the brain, which is where our emotions and memories are stored. Essential oils are the only known substance to be able to bring support to our emotions in this way.
Diffusing remains one of the most popular & loved methods of using essential oils. You may already be familiar with it at certain times of day. Are you? If so, I encourage you to switch things up.
Diffusing during the day or throughout the night are both powerful for therapeutic benefits. Using a variety of oils is also recommended, which gives our body a new frequency and fresh stimulation. Keeps us on our toes, if you will.
When we breathe in essential oils from the air, we inhale the molecules straight to the limbic system of the brain, which is where our emotions and memories are stored. Essential oils are the only known substance to be able to bring support to our emotions in this way.
I hope these tips were helpful! Let me know what you try & how it works for you, if you have a chance.
I'm thinking of you today & wish you rest, peace, wellness & a wonderful nights sleep tonight. Stress, be gone! ❤️
I'm thinking of you today & wish you rest, peace, wellness & a wonderful nights sleep tonight. Stress, be gone! ❤️
Whether you’re a morning person or not, there’s no denying that the first moments set the mood for the rest of the day. Here’s Gary Young’s Great Day Protocol that will amplify your intentions so you can start your day from a place of strength.
Protocol Instructions:
As you open each bottle, I want you to take a deep breath in from the bottle so that you get that oil scent directly to your amygdala (emotional center of your brain)
Valor:
Place 1 drop of Valor on the inside of your left wrist. Place left wrist over the inside of your right wrist so that the insides of both wrists are touching and hold together for a moment. Focus your mind on balancing, holding your wrists in place. The powerful combination of ingredients in Valor delivers strengthening and refreshing qualities, supporting feelings of courage and self-esteem.
Harmony:
Place 1 drop of Harmony above your belly button to promote positive feelings, calming down your mind. Keep your hand above your belly button and focus on bringing balance to your body. Think of a memory that makes you happy and content and let that memory wash over you.
This spiritual and emotional blend is balancing and calming, and may help reduce occasional everyday stress and discord, by creating harmonic balance in the mind, spirit and body.
Joy:
Place 1 drop of Joy above your heart to bring about feelings of happiness to your mind and body. feel the pressure of your hand over that gorgeous organ. Focus on happy and joyful feelings. Create a joyful and happy aromatic experience with this uplifting blend of pure essential oils such as Rose, Jasmine, Tangerine, Bergamot and others.
White Angelica:
Place a few drops of White Angelica in your palms and rub together. Lightly brush hands over your head, face, shoulders and body to uplift your spirits and protect your energies. create a force field around you with this gorgeous scent.
Lovingly harvested from plants native to exotic destinations around the world, the 10 essential oils in White Angelica come together to create a one-of-a-kind blend that inspires a positive atmosphere and feelings of security and optimism.
Obstacles and challenges are inevitable as you go throughout your day, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to make huge changes in your life. And those changes all begin with establishing an uplifting morning routine to start each day with positivity!
Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work, stress, and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is hard to come by. And I don't know about you, but when I don't have a great night of sleep, EVERYTHING is harder. People, tasks, people, HA!
While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Here are six simple tips that are super helpful...
Friend, does this sound too familiar?
- You wake up and are unable to function without a significant amount of caffeine.
- You finally feel a boost of energy during the early part of the day.
- Then your energy levels crash around 2 p.m., rise around 6 p.m., and fall again around 9 p.m.
Can stress cause extreme fatigue? Yes, it absolutely can....
