Exhausted? Not sleeping well? Hitting those afternoon slumps? This month I am talking all things energy, stress, and sleep!!
Today, I am going to dive deep into four ways to boost energy levels--naturally!
Read more...As I mentioned last week, I'm so excited to share my absolute favorite way to increase energy....especially at that 2:30 pm midday slump!
Two words: Ningxia Red
You may have heard me talk about this red juice with the funny name before but have you really taken the time to take a look at the benefits of this super juice? It's unlike ANY juice on the market. I like to call it "Ninja Juice" because of the Ninja powers I feel after drinking it. Kidding...kind of...
The Dirt on Spring Cleaning + Products
WHAT ARE YOU CLEANING WITH?
Ahhh! Open those windows and breathe in that fresh spring air! Spring is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about our spring cleaning checklists. There’s just something about the nice weather that brings on motivation for a fresh start. So let’s get to it! But wait, before you reach for those cleaners and get to work, let’s do a little digging into those ingredients, shall we?
Did you know? In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home. With no federal regulations on ingredients in household products, the only way we can protect our families is to learn how to read labels ourselves.
Let’s take a look at the top 4 ingredients to avoid and why.
UP FIRST, AND THE BIG ONE, FRAGRANCE!
This first ingredient is a BIG ONE, but it is in just about every household product that we use daily. Synthetic scents or “fragrances” represent an unidentified mixture of ingredients, including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. You can find these artificial scents in all kinds of body care and cosmetic products, as well as candles, air fresheners, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.
Let’s talk about fragrance, or parfum or perfume or a million other names ;) This Article shares the dangers of Fragrance. "Synthetic scents or “fragrance” represent an unidentified mixture of ingredients including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. You can find these artificial scents in all kinds of body care and cosmetic products, as well as air fresheners, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.
In general, there at least 3,000 ingredients that companies could use to form a product’s scent. According to the online “Transparency List” put out by the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group. It may seem unbelievable, but the FDA does not even require fragrance and cosmetic makers to disclose exactly what they are using to scent products. If companies are using truly natural ingredients, then why be shy? Many will say that their formulas are proprietary, and they don’t want other companies copying them. The FDA website also states how the agency cannot legally require companies to warn about allergens in cosmetics like they do with food.
Are you wondering why companies would continue to use synthetic scents if they’re so bad for our health? The answer is straightforward — they are cheaper. Synthetic scents can be extremely cheap to give everything from shampoo to lotion to candles a desirable scent. Unfortunately, just because you enjoy a scent doesn’t mean it’s good for you." Source - https://draxe.com/health/dangers-synthetic-scents/
PARABENS/PHTHALATES
Parabens are preservatives that mimic estrogen. Found in many cosmetics & personal care items. When combined with heregulin, a growth-promoting substance normally found in breast tissue, the effects are multiplied by 100x, contributing to breast cancer, tumor growth &"moobs" (man boobs). Phthalates are a low-cost endocrine-disrupting chemical that in lab studies has shown to interfere with hormone production in rats and mimic estrogen in human studies. Found in: plastic food packaging, lotions, skin moisturizers, fragrance, cleaners, glues, and nail polish.
SLS - SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE
This chemical is used to de-grease car engines. It is also added to some toothpaste, soaps, detergent, skin products... it's in just about everything. It damages the kidneys/liver, teeth, endocrine system, causes hair loss, cataracts, ulcers, major toxicity, headaches, nausea, coughing, congestion, and more.
TRICLOSAN
An antibacterial agent registered as a pesticide by the EPA. Topical absorption has shown disturbances to the endocrine system and is believed to lead to birth defects and uncontrollable cell growth. Found in: soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, shave gel, first aid spray, kitchenware, and toys.
While there are many, many other ingredients that you will want to know about, these are my "TOP OFFENDERS." As you go further on this low tox living journey, you will learn about so many more. Remember, "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day," and your journey of learning is just that, a journey.
I have a FUN Spring Cleaning Challenge starting in March! 7 Challenges in 10 Days with FANTASTIC info on why you should do them, all for FREEEE and with accountability! Are you ready to join in??? Let’s DO IT!!!
WHAT ARE YOU CLEANING WITH?
Ahhh! Open those windows and breathe in that fresh spring air! Spring is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about our spring cleaning checklists. There’s just something about the nice weather that brings on motivation for a fresh start. So let’s get to it! But wait, before you reach for those cleaners and get to work, let’s do a little digging into those ingredients, shall we?
Did you know? In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home. With no federal regulations on ingredients in household products, the only way we can protect our families is to learn how to read labels ourselves.
Let’s take a look at the top 4 ingredients to avoid and why.
UP FIRST, AND THE BIG ONE, FRAGRANCE!
This first ingredient is a BIG ONE, but it is in just about every household product that we use daily. Synthetic scents or “fragrances” represent an unidentified mixture of ingredients, including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. You can find these artificial scents in all kinds of body care and cosmetic products, as well as candles, air fresheners, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.
Let’s talk about fragrance, or parfum or perfume or a million other names ;) This Article shares the dangers of Fragrance. "Synthetic scents or “fragrance” represent an unidentified mixture of ingredients including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. You can find these artificial scents in all kinds of body care and cosmetic products, as well as air fresheners, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.
In general, there at least 3,000 ingredients that companies could use to form a product’s scent. According to the online “Transparency List” put out by the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group. It may seem unbelievable, but the FDA does not even require fragrance and cosmetic makers to disclose exactly what they are using to scent products. If companies are using truly natural ingredients, then why be shy? Many will say that their formulas are proprietary, and they don’t want other companies copying them. The FDA website also states how the agency cannot legally require companies to warn about allergens in cosmetics like they do with food.
Are you wondering why companies would continue to use synthetic scents if they’re so bad for our health? The answer is straightforward — they are cheaper. Synthetic scents can be extremely cheap to give everything from shampoo to lotion to candles a desirable scent. Unfortunately, just because you enjoy a scent doesn’t mean it’s good for you." Source - https://draxe.com/health/dangers-synthetic-scents/
PARABENS/PHTHALATES
Parabens are preservatives that mimic estrogen. Found in many cosmetics & personal care items. When combined with heregulin, a growth-promoting substance normally found in breast tissue, the effects are multiplied by 100x, contributing to breast cancer, tumor growth &"moobs" (man boobs). Phthalates are a low-cost endocrine-disrupting chemical that in lab studies has shown to interfere with hormone production in rats and mimic estrogen in human studies. Found in: plastic food packaging, lotions, skin moisturizers, fragrance, cleaners, glues, and nail polish.
SLS - SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE
This chemical is used to de-grease car engines. It is also added to some toothpaste, soaps, detergent, skin products... it's in just about everything. It damages the kidneys/liver, teeth, endocrine system, causes hair loss, cataracts, ulcers, major toxicity, headaches, nausea, coughing, congestion, and more.
TRICLOSAN
An antibacterial agent registered as a pesticide by the EPA. Topical absorption has shown disturbances to the endocrine system and is believed to lead to birth defects and uncontrollable cell growth. Found in: soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, shave gel, first aid spray, kitchenware, and toys.
While there are many, many other ingredients that you will want to know about, these are my "TOP OFFENDERS." As you go further on this low tox living journey, you will learn about so many more. Remember, "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day," and your journey of learning is just that, a journey.
I have a FUN Spring Cleaning Challenge starting in March! 7 Challenges in 10 Days with FANTASTIC info on why you should do them, all for FREEEE and with accountability! Are you ready to join in??? Let’s DO IT!!!
Lavender is one of the most versatile, recognized, and loved essential oils. Lavender and Lavender Vitality are some of Young Living's most popular oils, and both are well known for their versatility, flavor, and fragrance. (And just a reminder: they're the exact same oil, just different labeling!)
What are the benefits of Lavender essential oil?
What are the benefits of Lavender essential oil?
- Promotes feelings of calm and fights occasional nervous tension
- May support a worry-free outlook
- Relaxing/calming properties
- Balancing properties that calm the mind and body
- Calming aroma to help clear and clarify the mind
- Cleanses and soothes minor skin irritations
- Soothing to the skin after a day in the sun
- Reduces the appearance of blemishes
- Cleansing to the skin and hair
- Enhances the appearance of a youthful complexion
- Supports aging skin
There are so many ways to incorporate Lavender essential oil into your life. Here are some of our favorite uses:
- Diffuse Lavender for the perfect relaxing environment or as a part of your bedtime routine.
- Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime.
- Freshen your linen closet, mattress, or car by combining Lavender with water in a glass spray bottle and spritzing over surfaces.
- Add a few drops to organic wool dryer balls to add a fresh scent to your laundry.
- Add a few drops to your warm bath after a long day.
- Complement your beauty routine by adding Lavender to non-scented lotions, creams, and moisturizers.
- Apply it to dry skin after being outdoors.
Using Lavender Vitality is also a great option to utilize the benefits of Lavender. Use Lavender Vitality for things like:
- Bake with Lavender Vitality! There are endless possibilities when used in everyday cooking.
- Are you a pro at making homemade jams? Lavender Vitality will give your recipe the extra burst of flavor you are looking for.
- Add a few drops of Lavender Vitality to your favorite lemonade.
- Make a homemade sweet and minty mouth spray by combining 3-5 drops of Lavender Vitality with 3-5 drops of Peppermint Vitality in a small glass spray bottle.
There are about 30 different species of lavender that are grown and harvested in countries all over the globe. Historically, the lavender plant has been used for 2,500 years and was even found in the tombs of the Egyptians. Research also shows that the Romans and Greeks used lavender as perfume and to clean their clothing. Today, lavender is a common ingredient in many perfumes, soaps, fresheners, and beauty products.
Try this diffuser blend to open your lungs and spirit. These essential oils combined will offer a deep penetration and relief.
Pamper yourself and give yourself the gift of Aloha! Here is a simple way to infuse every cell of your body with Calm! Everyone deserves to have such an experience. Enjoy!
EndoFlex essential oil blend can be used to support your endocrine system in several different ways. Use it in your bath by making an aromatic bath salt that will balance smooth all the rough edges.
EndoFlex™ essential oil blend features Spearmint, Sage, Geranium, Myrtle, German Chamomile, and Nutmeg in a sesame seed oil base. It helps create a calming and balancing aroma, amplifying vitality when diffused and applied topically. It may support a healthy lifestyle when taken internally.
Adding this blend to your wellness regimen is as easy as combining it with a refreshing glass of juice or relaxing cup of tea. EndoFlex and EndoFlex Vitality are the same essential oil blend.
DIRECTIONS
Dilute 1 drop with 1 drop of V-6™ or olive oil. Put in a capsule and take up to 3 times daily.
Can be used in conjunction with EndoGize™ and Thyromin™
KEY CONSTITUENTS
Geraniol, Alpha pinene, 1,8-Cineole, Limonene, Sabinene
With all that is going on around these days we must find ways to protect ourselves and our family from viruses. We must find natural ways that we can use to sooth our anxiety and give us the time to relax and reboot. Giving us the free attention to bring harmony to those around us and to bring Joy and a Happy disposition too.
These are just a couple ideas I have had recently that I felt I could offer some suggestions to you that will make your home a haven for your family.
First of all I find that using natural ingredients in life can be excellent alternatives to the chemical based products that have side effects to our health. Most people are probably aware that many products we have used in the past before attention was given to natural solutions can be harmful to our immune system. Over time they can compromise the integrity of our well being.
Something that I do daily is to diffuse essential oils in my environment. If you do not know the science behind essential oils, I can simply say that the tiny molecules of an essential oil do pass into our blood stream via inhalation, or by application onto our skin, or via internal application. You need to know the Source of the oil and make sure that they have a Seed to Seal guarantee. Plus diffusing an oil makes your home smell fantastic. It changes the energy of a room and it changes the emotional state that you may be experiencing. I find that using essential oils give me the Salf Care that my body needs.
When we are home a lot of the time it is important to find ways to unwind, and bring a sense of calm and peace into our lives. Not just for yourself but also for your children and other family members. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how emotions will balance out with the right oil filling up those empty spaces. Take deeper breathes of these fragrant essences, this alone will help to relax you. Let the fragrance deep into your brain and thus moving into your whole body via the blood stream. An essential oil because the molecular structure is so tiny can pass beyond the blood brain barrier and into various parts of the brain. Thus making a significant difference to our emotional state.
I have several diffusers throughout my home. And i use them all the time. I find them very effective And I also love to give foot rubs using essential oils too. This is something that your children will love. And your partner will too. Any essential oil that you apply to the feet takes only about 20 minutes to target the key area of the body.
You can add Vitality oils to your tea or smoothies to give extra flavor and to supplement well being.
Whatever you decide to do remember that in these times we can support each other very simply with Love and Compassion.
Yes, you are so very fortunate to be able to open your feeling heart to the One that live and breathes us all. There are no restrictions that hold you back from this simple act of surrender. Breath deeply in all the way to the base of your frontal line, hold for a second that calmness and then release the breath up your spinal line. As you do this let go of any negativity or thoughts or emotions that may distract you from that feeling of Peace and Calm.
Today, Thanksgiving is the traditional day to contemplate all that we have been given. And I have to say that my heart is filled with Gratitude for life, Love, my loving husband, my lovely daughter, my entire family. A warm safe home and my two beautiful cats, dear friends close by and far away, good health and Joy in my Heart.
Let's face it the Holidays give us the perfect opportunity to shine our Love to all our family and friends. And here are 5 ways we can do this. When gifting we want to give the gift of our Love that best suits each person. It is called the Language of Love and is received in various ways depending on the person's personality.
One way is through Words. Some people love and desire verbal affirmation. Gifts that they may like are journals, or something for their desk or simple words of love and affirmation, letting them know that you love and appreciate them. Send them the cutest Christmas Card. Or give them inspiration through your gift.
Another way are acts of service. They may need an action tied to your appreciation for them. Make them breakfast in bed, fill up their car with gas, or a nice massage or take them for a hike in a Redwood Forest.
Some people enjoy receiving gifts. This is a language of love too and it takes careful feeling into the person to give them a gift that they appreciate and can receive. Perhaps they would like a home made gift, or a special sweater to keep them warm during the winter days, or discover ways to nurture them with healthy gifts for self pampering.
And then some people love to spend quality time with their friends. This can be creative during our social distancing. So here are a few suggestions.
1. Plan a virtual spa day with a mask from Young Living's ART Beauty Masks. This will nurture and moisturize your skin which includes Orchid Flower Extract, Frankincense, Cedarwood Essential Oil, Lavender and Vanilla and much more.
2. Set a FaceTime date
3. Invite your quarantine group to a backyard smores hangout
And the 5th language of love is Physical Touch. This person melts when love or care is communicated through touch. When they consent, they like to be hugged, kissed, or to have their hand held. Physical intimacy is what they value most as it represents emotional connectivity.
This person never passes up an opportunity to go to the spa. They are the friend who shows affection and the type of person that says “I’m a hugger” when meeting new people. So here are a few ideas Physical Touch Gifts
1. Soft sheets for a good night's sleep
2. Create closeness with a bottle of Young Living's Lavender Essential oil and a Diffuser
3. If you can, give them a big hug or perhaps a Virtual Hug.
Hope you enjoyed this creative Gift List. And it inspires you in some small way to transform your Gifting this Holiday Season.
A lot of people can get headaches from perfumes that are filled with toxic chemicals.. At the same time many of us just love the the feeling we get when we wear a fantastic scent. It seems to boost our confidence and makes us feel whole. And some people actually feel naked if they forget to put a fragrance on. So for all of you that love the scent love language here are some alternatives to chemical perfumes that are healthy, organic, and made from pure essential oils.
The steps you will learn are going to be easy to repeat when it’s time to refill or try something new!
Whether you’re a daily wearer or an occasional spritzer, it’s time for you to sniff with confidence. Using your essential oils to create a personalized scent not only allows you to smell amazing - it ensures you are enjoying a fragrance that is safe for your body and those around you.
Fragrance Basics
Let’s start at the very beginning. Every quality perfume or cologne needs a good base. This allows for the fragrance to remain intact throughout the life of the perfume/cologne. You want it to have a nice shelf life so you can enjoy it for as long as possible.
You’ll want to choose a carrier with little to no scent. For spray-on fragrances: use a clear, scentless solvent like vodka or witch hazel. This helps the essential oil distribute evenly throughout the bottle. For roll-on fragrances: use an unscented carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil.
If you choose to use water as your base, which you can, be sure to choose distilled water. The minerals and impurities have been removed so it’s a “safe” option to use in sprays. I don't recommend this because the oils can separate too much in the mixture and the fragrance won't be the same. However, just know that vodka or witch hazel would allow the essential oils to be more evenly distributed.
Depending on the size of the bottle you’re using - either a spray or roller bottle - you will want to loosely follow an 80:20 ratio. Use a carrier oil or solvent for 80% of the spray and an essential oil blend for the remaining 20%.
Blending by Notes
Let’s start with some simple guidelines to help you build a personalized blend of fragrances using your oils.
Essential oil fragrances are classified as “notes”. Just like music, you want all the notes - top, middle, and base notes - to harmonize, making a beautiful “sound.”
- The Top Note is the scent your nose detects first. It is the “first impression” scent, usually a citrus or herb.
- The Middle Note is the scent detected 10-45 minutes after applying and can last several hours on the skin. It is often referred to as the “heart note”, the one noticed after the top note is gone. It’s typically warm and well-rounded.
- The Base Note lasts far beyond the other notes. It’s the scent that appears once the others have evaporated. It creates a lasting impression.
To summarize, the Top Note is the introductory scent that catches your attention. The Middle Note is the core of the aroma - the smell that gives body to your fragrance. And the Base Note is what blends all three together, creating a quality smell that lasts for hours without fading.
Use this quick table to guide you as you start blending notes. Start by choosing 2-4 oils in each row to work with; add as much as your nose likes! There are no hard and fast rules to blending; just do what smells good to you.
Top | Middle to Top | Middle | Middle to Base | Base |
Bergamot | Juniper | Valor | Cedarwood | Frankincense |
Lemon | Cinnamon Bark | Neroli | Cypress | Patchouli |
Peppermint | Lemongrass | Clary Sage | Black Pepper | Sacred Sandalwood |
Lime | Pine | Stress Away | Rose | Vetiver |
Orange | Tangerine | Ylang Ylang | Clove | Myrrh |
Grapefruit | Lavender | Geranium | Jasmine | Davana |
Give yourself permission to be creative. And I will also give you a couple of recipes that you can try also. It may take time for you to find what works for you but have fun with this.
‘Kiss in the Dark’
This first magic mix is perfect for date night or ANY night you just want to smell alluring and enchanting.
Kiss in the Dark Roller
- 10 drops Cedarwood
- 9 drops Vetiver
- 6 drops Patchouli
- 3 drops Black Pepper
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml roller bottle and top with a carrier of your choice. Roll on wrists and neck as desired.
Kiss in the Dark Spritz
- 20 drops Cedarwood
- 18 drops Vetiver
- 12 drops Patchouli
- 6 drops Black Pepper
- Add essential oils to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle and top with witch hazel or vodka. Distilled water can be used if you desire. Shake before each use.
Kiss in the Dark Body Spray
- 40 drops Cedarwood
- 36 drops Vetiver
- 24 drops Patchouli
- 12 drops Black Pepper
- 1 TBSP vegetable glycerin
- 1 TBSP witch hazel
- Add essential oils plus additional ingredients to an 8 oz. glass spray bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before each use.
‘Citrus Sunrise’
Who doesn’t love a light, refreshing scent for everyday use?! This little blend will have you smiling all day!
Citrus Sunrise Roller
- 10 drops Lemon
- 7 drops Citrus Fresh
- 6 drops Peace & Calming
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml roller bottle and top with a carrier of your choice. Roll on wrists and neck as desired.
Citrus Sunrise Spritz
- 20 drops Lemon
- 14 drops Citrus Fresh
- 12 Peace & Calming
- Add essential oils to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle and top with witch hazel or vodka. Distilled water can be used if you desire. Shake before each use.
Citrus Sunrise Body Spray
- 40 drops Lemon
- 28 drops Citrus Fresh
- 24 Peace & Calming
- 1 TBSP vegetable glycerin
- 1 TBSP witch hazel
- Add essential oils plus additional ingredients to an 8 oz. glass spray bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before each use.
‘Bohemian Wildflower’
There’s a wildflower in everyone and with this perfume you’ll enhance that inner boho flower waiting to blossom.
Bohemian Wildflower Roller
- 8 drops Patchouli
- 8 drops Bergamot
- 8 drops Myrrh
- 6 drops Joy
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml roller bottle and top with a carrier of your choice. Roll on wrists and neck as desired.
Bohemian Wildflower Spritz
- 16 drops Patchouli
- 16 drops Bergamot
- 16 drops Myrrh
- 12 drops Joy
- Add essential oils to 2 oz. glass spray bottle and top with witch hazel or vodka. Distilled water can be used if you desire. Shake before each use.
Bohemian Wildflower Body Spray
- 32 drops Patchouli
- 32 drops Bergamot
- 32 drops Myrrh
- 24 drops Joy
- 1 TBSP vegetable glycerin
- 1 TBSP witch hazel
- Add essential oils plus additional ingredients to an 8 oz. glass spray bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before each use.
Cologne Blends: ‘WildWood’
Got a man who loves the outdoors? This is the perfect blend for any man who’s a little bit wild and woodsy.
WildWood Roller
- 8 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
- 4 drops Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood
- 5 drops Cypress
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml roller bottle and top with a carrier of your choice. Roll on wrists and neck as desired.
WildWood Spritz
- 16 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
- 8 drops Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood
- 10 drops Cypress
- Add essential oils to 2 oz. glass spray bottle and top with witch hazel or vodka. Distilled water can be used if you desire. Shake before each use.
WildWood Body Spray
- 32 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
- 16 drops Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood
- 20 drops Cypress
- 1 TBSP vegetable glycerin
- 1 TBSP witch hazel
- Add essential oils plus additional ingredients to an 8 oz. glass spray bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before each use.
Cologne Blends: ‘Freshman’
Clean-shaven, clean-cut men deserve a cologne that reflects their fresh and clean vibe. This mix of oils will be just what he needs.
Freshman Roller
- 6 drops Vetiver
- 8 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Fennel
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml roller bottle and top with a carrier of your choice. Roll on wrists and neck as desired.
Freshman Spritz
- 12 drops Vetiver
- 16 drops Lemon
- 6 drops Fennel
- Add essential oils to 2 oz. glass spray bottle and top with witch hazel or vodka. Distilled water can be used if you desire. Shake before each use.
Freshman Body Spray
- 24 drops Vetiver
- 32 drops Lemon
- 12 drops Fennel
- 1 TBSP vegetable glycerin
- 1 TBSP witch hazel
- Add essential oils plus additional ingredients to an 8 oz. glass spray bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before each use.
Let's take advantage of the New Moon that is coming up this Saturday and make some changes in our homes! The Holidays begin in just a couple of weeks, starting with Thanksgiving and then Christmas and I don't know about you but for me the time in between goes very fast. So now I have begun to bring new energy into my home with Holiday decor. This is always so much fun. Once those lights go up your home will begin to Sparkle.
Another way to bring a sparkle to your home is to diffuse essential oils. I love to diffuse essential oils that support the Christmas Spirit. Some of my favorite oils to diffuse right now are, Christmas Spirit, Winters Night, Pine, Evergreen Essence, Orange, Cinnamon Bark, Spruce.
Great time to plan out your gifts for family and friends. I enjoy making some of my gifts as there is nothing like receiving a home made gift filled with Love. I have many DIY recipes for creams, salves, and delicious raw desserts. I have been collecting cute Holiday gift boxes from the dollar store to use.
Creating festive flower arrangements with silk flowers is another way to make your home sparkle. And you can also make flower arrangements weekly using real flowers for the colors of the season. For Thanksgiving it would most likely be yellow, orange, burgundy, gold and for Christmas you could use red, white, green, gold, silver and add some sparkle too. I like to pick greens that I find around my house.
Another way to bring sparkle is to drink Ningxia Red Juice. And to have some on hand to serve to any guests that may stop by. It is healthy, filled with antioxidants, and it is RED. Delicious. Can be diluted with a bit of water, or sparkling water, or just taken straight in a shot glass. This will give you energy and you will know your immune system is benefiting from this infusion of Love.
Feeling under the weather. Need a bit of Power Punch. Well try considering the NingXia Wolfberry. It is one of those Superfoods that revitalizes the body.
Amazing NingXia Wolfberry Nutrient Summary
NingXia Wolfberry is the richest known whole food source of natural Vitamin B1 or thiamine with sixty-seven times the thiamine of an equivalent amount of brown rice. Thiamine is responsible for proper energy production, carbohydrate metabolism, and thyroid function. Thiamine deficiencies can result in impaired carbohydrate burning and a decline in the energy hormone thyrotropin.
NingXia Wolfberry is the richest known whole food source of natural Vitamin B1 or thiamine with sixty-seven times the thiamine of an equivalent amount of brown rice. Thiamine is responsible for proper energy production, carbohydrate metabolism, and thyroid function. Thiamine deficiencies can result in impaired carbohydrate burning and a decline in the energy hormone thyrotropin.
Wolfberry has one hundred times the niacin (Vitamin B3) of oat bran. Research documents the ability of NingXia wolfberries to support the health of the heart. NingXia wolfberries also have three times the vitamin C of oranges, five times the calcium of an equivalent amount of raw cauliflower and two times the beta carotene of raw spinach.
A 3 oz. serving of the NingXia Wolfberries dried contain nearly 1600 mg. of potassium, essential for normal electrolyte and pH balance within the cell. In addition, the berries have fiber, carotenoids, zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-cryptoxanthin, all of which support the immune system and improve vision.
100g Fresh NingXia Wolfberry contains:
19 amino acids (5.8g protein)
22 trace minerals
5 unsaturated fatty acids
Polysaccharides
7 mg beta carotene
(=180% Vitamin A)
Vitamins B1, B6
100% Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)*
300% Vitamin C*
90% Vitamin E*
10% Calcium*
24% Potassium*
100% Iron*
91% Selenium*
18% Zinc*
(*DV = Daily Value)
Do you find it difficult to fall asleep at night? Honestly, you are not alone, according to NPR over 60 million people in America suffer the same plight.
There are many side effects of sleepless nights which you probably are aware of. Mood swings, memory and focus, blood pressure, energy, blood sugar levels, a compromised Immune system, or perhaps weight control. But don’t worry I am here to give you some simple ways to catch those precious z’s, without using prescription drugs because as you know there are a lot of side effects from taking this type of medication for sleep. To get your best health benefits from sleep, research reveals that we should get 7-8 hours of slumber each night.
- Create Routines: Yes, routines are a very effective way to signal your brain that it is time to let go and get some sleep. Have a cup of calming tea before bed, like chamomile tea. Take a relaxing bath, soak for a period of time with some soothing essential oils, bath bombs with relaxing essential oils in them, or even take a nice hot shower. A period of meditation, yoga or simply reading a good book will help you greatly. Figure out what time you should turn off the lights so that you can get a good 7 to 8 hours sleep. Set this up as a routine so your body gets used to it and it will probably start waking up a bit earlier once you set up this routine.
2. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol prior to your bedtime, as studies have shown how these substances can decrease the body’s natural melatonin. Try water, or an herbal tea without caffeine.
3. Don’t spend time on your phone, computer, or any electronics 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to bedtime. As the blue lights used with these electronics negates the effects of melatonin that your body naturally releases.
4. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps to regulate the body’s sleep cycle. And it is one of the most popular non-prescription aids for sleeping on the market today. In addition Magnesium is an important mineral that may help improve sleep. This mineral helps one to unwind. The best magnesium for sleep includes chelated magnesium glycinate and magnesium taurate. Chelated magnesium is easily absorbed by the body, making it one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium available.
5. Re-evaluate your Sleep Environment. Is your mattress firm enough? Does it give your back the right support or your muscles so that you don’t wake up in the middle of the night with pain in one area or another. Is your room dark enough? Do you have lighting coming from a clock or some other gadget that might disturb your sleep patterns? Perhaps you might like to use a sleep mask to cover your eyes, so not to let any disturbing light in. Or maybe even you could use ear plugs to negate any random noise in your environment.
6. Essential Oils are a great aid to sleepless nights. Oils like Lavender, cedarwood or vetiver can be very relaxing prior to sleep. Nothing like a nice foot rub before bedtime. Or try diffusing one of these calming oils.
7. Stress can cause sleepless nights. Worry over relationships, work, money all add up to create stress and difficulty getting to sleep. Make sure you take time to communicate your fears and difficulties with your family or intimate or friends. Entering into relationship about such matters helps to relieves stress and also you can create new patterns and make agreements.
General stress can be released through some selfcare and time for yourself. Give yourself the excuse for a massage, bubble bath, facial, walks along the ocean. Sleep aids one to release stress too.
8. A good exercise routine can also greatly maximize your sleep. Exercise and aerobics help us because we put out a lot of energy with this activity. And this exertion of energy helps us to sleep at the end of the day. Make sure you exercise during the day and not just before bed as you can get revved up. Exercise is also an excellent way to release stress. And to help with memory issues. And weight gain. So, a good exercise routine is a win-win situation all around.
Well some great tips here now let’s get ready for a good night’s sleep!
Stress is something that we come into contact with daily in one way or another. Understanding how we can control our stress levels is essential to living our best life.Stress plays such an important role in the health of our body. If we stay in a prolonged flight or fight pattern, then you will probably see manly of our body systems affected.
What is going on in the world today are stresses that we can’t really control, like fires, Evacuation Orders, Heavy smoke. The pandemic has taken a toll with many families facing unknowns with work, living circumstances, school and health care.
If the stress is something that we can control and change through a conversation, or rescheduling a meeting or making a new plan then it is possible for us to control and handle this to some degree. But if the stress is out of our control we find that another layer of anxiety arises.
In both cases we react the same way to stress. We get scared and withdraw. And depending on our personalities we respond differently. But it seems to always to manifest with either fear, sorrow or anger. These emotions can play havoc within our body and cause health issues. It will serve you greatly to notice how you are feeling and release the emotion while supporting yourself with a positive affirmation.
Here are 6 ways that you can support your body while undergoing stressful times.
1. Rest and Sleep: Improving your sleep is the #1 thing you can do to recharge and reboot. Magnesium before bedtime helps you sleep. Using essential oils like Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver or Peace and Calming before bed will help your body relax and help to release random thoughts and anxieties. Because essential oils as we breathe them in go directly into the Limbic system which has a very strong connection to our emotions and our brain input.
Choose the oils you want to use and keep them by your bedside.
30 minutes before you go to bed place 4-6 drops of your oil for the evening into your diffuser. You can also apply the oils on the bottoms of your feet with a carrier oil. Give yourself a nice massage and LOVE. Or you can massage the oils on the back of your neck or chest.
2. Meditation or PrayerThis will center you and help to you feel what is really important in your life. And allow you to release and let go of the mind forms and difficulties that may be arising in your life. So that you can infuse your being with more depth and fullness.
3. Yoga and Breathing Exercises• Yoga is used in many cultures today. It gives you strength, flexibility, and mind-body awareness. And yoga can reduce tension, anxiety, depression, anger, and hostility. It is very relaxing. Yoga is also coupled with breath exercises which helps tremendously to calm the mind and release tension in the body.
• Deep Breathing is very effective in managing your stress. Here is one deep breathing exercise. From: WebMD.com Very simple but effective. Imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe into that spot and fill your abdomen with air. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, and then let it out, like you're deflating a balloon. With every long, slow breath out, you should feel more relaxed. There are other deep breathing exercises that you can find online, but I have always taken my index finger, hold one nostril while breathing in and out of the opposite nostril. A very long, slow and deep breathe all the way down to my abdomen. Then move my index finger to the other nostril and repeat. If you can devote 5 or 10 minutes to this type of breathing exercise you will see immediately your body relaxing and much more peaceful.
4. Physical Exercise, Dancing, Walking in NatureAll these practices will move your energy and allow oxygen to move into your body and brain, thus releasing stress. Exercise also releases endorphins which are the Happy Hormones.
5. Feed your body with Essential Vitamins to naturally boost immunity and stress management• Increase Magnesium Intake-- Magnesium is a calming mineral that helps our brains cope with fear, anxiety, and nervousness. It can get depleted easily throughout the day during times of stress or anxiety. So very important to replenish our bodies magnesium levels throughout the day.
• Multi vitamins: A, D, E, K, B, all support the immune system and help with stress management.
• Probiotics: to help keep you regular. Gut health is directly connected to the immune system and brain health! Probiotics assist in keeping the gut flora happy. Probiotics also are very beneficial for our overall health and digestion.
• Digestive Enzymes: Stress can take a toll on our digestion.Without proper enzymes our bodies have a difficult time absorbing the nutrients and making use of the foods that we eat.
• CBD: my favorite is from Nature’s Ultra and it’s THC-free (non-addictive). Ask me how you can get a discount!
6. Healthy Snacks and this includes Hydration!When life is stressful we want to eat to get rid of the anxiety and at the same time we also need fuel to supply our bodies with good nutrients to handle the stress. So, make sure you have some healthy snacks to cover the cravings that will probably be coming up for you. And also eat a balanced diet that will help you ground and give you energy and nutrients. Here are a couple of snack suggestions to use. And remember that healthy snacks will also stabilize your blood sugar. Trail Mix with a variety of seeds, nuts, dried fruit (raisins, goji berries…) chocolate nibs, whatever appeals to you. Also, pretzels or crackers of your choice. Protein/granola bars, jerky sticks, fruit leather. Hummus or guacamole with tortilla chips or veggies. Nut butters to be used with your crackers. Antioxidant fruit juice packets.
• Hydration: Dehydration can cause stress and if you are stressed you will also find yourself dehydrated. So it is very important to keep yourself hydrated. Here is how you can calculate your ideal water intake for the day (24/hr cycle).Your Weight in Pounds divided by 2 = Your minimum water intake in Ounces.
• To make your water intake more interesting you can add a drop or two of an essential oil. This will also help to oxygenate your water. I like to use Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, or Fennel oil. These make your water delicious and easier to enjoy. Or squeeze ½ of a lemon or lime into your water.
Laugh, Sing, Listen to Music
Beauty is a combination of inner beauty (personality, grace, charm, kindness, intelligence) and outside beauty (mostly physical factors such as health, youthfulness, and complexion). It is hard to find anyone with a perfect symmetry these days and in fact symmetry is not an essential element of beauty. Rather a Beautiful face is displayed in our health and vitality. Beauty is the Light coming from one's eyes, and the smile that radiates from their face, and the feeling of Love that brightens your Life.
Beauty Inside and Out
- Our whole lifestyle impacts our skin
- Skin is the largest organ of the human body
- Problems with our skin may be a reflection of problems with different body systems. But a good place to start is in the gut. A good cleanse will begin to clean your body and is always helpful . You can see by this photo of Face Mapping that blemishes to different areas of your face correspond to different Body Systems. So if you have a blemish in a specific area look to see what organ it relates to and then address that area of the body.
First of all let's look at what self-care means. The practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. This has been a time of stress for most people and anxiety. The fear of the unknown and how to protect ourselves and our loved one from this virus that is surfacing right now seems to be part of our background noise, that permeates the culture. Self care allows us to be strong and then we can also serve our immediate families too. So self care will positively make a difference for the well being of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. We need to set goals and choose things that we feel will strengthen us. It varies from person to person. But will have positive effects on each person. It can be very simple something that you will do each morning and evening.
So let's take a few minutes to consider how this might look for you.
Morning Routine:
Instead of starting out your day stressed or restless from a sleepless night, you might want to begin your day with a period of Contemplation, either in the form of meditation and or prayer, recitations, spiritual study. These types of activities help released stress and realign ourselves to Happiness and letting go of concerns. Deep breathing or pranayama which is a Sanskrit word used to describe yoga breathing exercises. This is also an excellent form of breathe work that serves to release stress. it improves our mental clarity and benefits our health.
A nice long shower is always relaxing and cleansing and helps to release stress. Take time to create an herbal shower with Essential oils. Choose oils that bring happy thoughts so that you can start your day with positive energy. A nice bath gel infused with essential oils transforms your shower. Here are a few to choose from. Lavender, Rose, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Jasmine.
If you have a beard or enjoy using essential oil infused face care products check this out. The Shutran Line is a fragrance that men just love and so too women. It is relaxing soothing and alluring. You can't go wrong with this.
Make sure you include time for exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, BaGua, Dance as physical exercise gives you the opportunity to move your energy and balance your Chi. It is restoring and enlivening and also extremely good for your health altogether. Weight lifting tones your body and greatly releases stress. Kettle Bells are another way to strengthen your body and release stress. And walking in nature regenerates one's Spirit.
Diffusing essential oils in a cold air diffuser has the ability to transform your environment with many healing benefits. It also has a positive effect on our emotions. As we breath in the oils because the molecular structure of the oils are so tiny they can easily move through the limbic system and have many beneficial effects to our emotions and the health of our whole body.
Ningxia Red is a superior anti-oxidant juice that supports all the body systems. 2- 4 oz. a day makes a huge difference in your well being.
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In addition to these antioxidant ingredients, NingXia Red’s formula includes pure vanilla extract and Lemon, Orange, Yuzu, and Tangerine essential oils for a great-tasting, healthy treat.*
At the end of your day don't forget your Spa Special, a Hot Bath, if you are a lover of baths. this is the perfect time to include essential oils and also to diffuse your favorite oils to relax and unwind.
And if you prefer a Foot Bath try this recipe.
And a simple facial scrub will give your skin added nutrients and rejuvenate your face.
Here are a few ideas for face masks that you can also try.
This Winter Hydration Mask is from Lindsey Elmore.
So you see we have lots of tips that you can use for a bit of Self Care and relaxation that will reduce stress and therefore make a positive affect on your well being.
I've been increasing my intake of Vitamin C this season for several reasons. One of which is stress, and stress plays a major role to many of our body systems. Liver, Digestive system, Muscles, Blood Pressure, Immune System are all affected by chronic stress and how can we release chronic stress. Well, most people do not know that vitamin C can actually help us release stress. A healthy body is better able to handle stress when it points its head our way. And we can create avenues that will help to release stress such as, meditation, yoga, journaling, creating schedules that support a calm in our lives. This could be anything from a TO Do List, that includes picking the kids up from school, visit to Grandma, Calling old friends and family, stay connected to those you love, gardening, massage, Spa Time. Or if you are traveling have a friend feed your cat, so you don't have to worry about your furry loved ones. It takes a little preparation and to set aside to nurture yourself but in the long run Stress will not be such a strangling energy in your life.
Taking Vitamin C will also serve your Immune system and all the other body systems that I mentioned previously. Vitamins are essential oi our lives these days and you want to be taking a high quality vitamin. I love the ones that I use because they also are infused with therapeutic essential oils which makes the nutrients more bioavailable!
Super C combines pure Orange essential oil with a proprietary blend of camu camu, acerola, cherry, and rose hips fruit powder to create a powerful immune-supporting supplement. Together, these premium ingredients deliver desirable polyphenols, carotenoids, and optimal amounts of vitamin C in a convenient chewable tablet.
