Health & Wellness – Joyful Mama

Gluten Free/Dairy Free & Delicious Lactation Cookies!

Keeping baked goods gluten free, dairy free & delicious is not always easy. Except with this recipe!

I believe there are so many healthful benefits to breastfeeding and that’s why I’m committed to breastfeeding Elijah for as long as possible (hoping for the recommended 2 years). That can mean being aware of the water intake, nutrition and sleep that I give my body and it can also mean giving myself extra boosts to make sure my supply matches his growth spurts! I mean, sometimes as a parent you have to sacrifice to go the extra mile for your kid and if that means eating cookies then I’ll just have to do what needs to be done. For the baby.

I’ve used this recipe several times and noticed an increase each time. I know it’s a keeper so I’m sharing it with you! I really don’t know exactly how many cookies a person “needs” to eat before they notice a difference in milk supply but I’m sure I’ve never had the problem of haven eaten to few. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 Cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

6 Tbsp. Brewers Yeast

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal

2 Tbsp Water

1/2 Cup Avocado Oil

1/2 Cup Applesauce

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

3/4 Cup White Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

3 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal

3/4 Cup GF/DF Chocolate Chips

3/4 Cup Raisins

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Mix together flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
Sift together flour, brewer’s yeast, salt, cinnamon and baking soda.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together oil, applesauce and sugars. Add eggs one at a time, mix well.

Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the oil mix. Beat until blended.

Sift together dry ingredients, except oats, chips and raisins.

Add to oil mixture.

Stir in oats, chocolate chips and raisins.

Refrigerate dough for at least one hour.

Using a large cookie scoop, drop onto baking sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

Enjoy your cookies and abundance of milk!

Pro tip: if you’re just looking for delicious cookies without the increased milk production, just leave out the brewers yeast!

How do I know if a product is toxic?

More and more companies put products on the shelf that appear to be safe and read “all natural,” but are they really all that safe? I don’t know about you but I need help deciphering all that labeling jargon and I certainly don’t want to pay extra for a product that isn’t even good for me! Also, keep in mind that just because something is “natural,” doesn’t mean it’s good. Ex: It is totally natural to get a sunburn when you are in the sun too long, but sunburns are NO BUENO!

Go to your app store and download the app called “Think Dirty.” Sign in and let it take you through the tutorial on how to use the app. Healthy Living is also a great app!

The Think Dirty and Healthy Living applications are both tools that you can use to scan products and see how they rate in terms of safety. If anything rates a six or higher, I don’t touch it with a ten foot pole. If it rates between a 3-5, I check out the ingredient/s that are making it rate that high and also look them up on the The Environmental Working Group website to see why that ingredient is given a higher rating. If that ingredient is the LAST ingredient listed on the product label, I know there is only a small amount in the product. Then I make my own judgment call on whether I want to use the product or not. Products rated 1-2 are completely safe and are my top picks.

If that feels uber time-consuming, it is a great idea to find a company that has your health in mind and is committed to producing products that are safe and effective. Enter Young Living.

For example, we all use household cleaners, so let’s start there…

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization focused on environment and public health, recently came out with their Cleaners Hall of Shame list. The list includes common products you use to clean your home. These products contain ingredients containing carcinogens, asthma instigators, and poisons, which mean some sparkly cleaners, might come at a high price. Here is a snapshot of the list’s number one offender.

Check out the rest of the list here:

Many of the generic cleaners contain Phthalates which interfere with hormones and are carcinogens.

Wondering what you SHOULD use? Thieves cleaner does NOT contain those big bad Phthalates. Instead of Phthalates, Thieves Cleaner by Young Living contains two different sulfates that are derived from coconut oil and sugar. These all-natural and safe sulfates that are considered surfactants, which contain a molecule that loves water and a molecule that hates water. That means the Thieves Cleaner sticks to the surface and grabs the oil and then washes away easily with water. #ScienceIsCool

Worried it won’t disinfect? There are several petri dish studies done comparing its effectiveness to bleach and it’s proven to clean just as well as bleach! Without the toxic chemicals! I’m literally still amazed by this on a regular basis!

It can be used on many different surfaces: counters, bathrooms, floors, toys, clothes, carpet, mirrors, windows, and more. It’s actually the only cleaner I use for my entire house!

This cleaner is also insanely cost effective. It is highly concentrated so you only need about a capful (1/2 oz) of this all-purpose cleaner in about two cups of water. With this ratio, one small bottle will yield you about 29 16 oz spray bottles of safe all-purpose cleaner. That means it’s under $1 for one spray bottle. Can’t beat that price! Time to #DitchAndSwitch all your household cleaners for the Thieves all-purpose cleaner. Living above the wellness line and saving money at the same time. Double bonus! Order Here!

The Thieves cleaner comes in a small or large bottle and you can even get a convenient spray great for shopping carts, public tables, and so much more.
Thieves Household Cleaner 14.4 fl oz or 64 oz (concentrated solution)
Thieves Spray 1 oz

Imperfect Perfection

Seeing Gavin in this sleep sack sparks a lot of emotion for me. My mom brought it over one evening when I was pregnant after we had gotten news from the doctors that things with Gavin would not be what we thought and he would be facing some serious challenges. She brought several outfits over but this one stood out to me. As I held it up I saw an image of myself holding up my perfect baby. I knew that he was going to be exactly who he was meant to be and that he would be perfect for us no matter what that looked like! P.S. It’s funny because I really thought he would have dark hair and brown eyes but he actually looks identical to the way I saw him in my mind!

Essential Oil Recipe’s That I Love!!

These recipe’s can be made into rollers for topical application, diffused for aromatic use or made into a specified product, for example hand soap. Please see specific instructions for the type of product you are making!

To make a roll on recipe’s: EO’s dilution instructions are commonly a 1:4 ratios. However, some are different. (check the individual bottle) For general use, I use an average of 35 TOTAL drops EO per 10 ml roller bottle then fill the rest with carrier oil. You can use whatever carrier oil you like, I just linked to one that I have used and like. Equal parts in each recipe unless otherwise specified. This is simply my personal preference.

To use in your diffuser: Do not dilute with carrier oil if you are diffusing them. Just add the oil and the water to the diffuser. I usually add equal parts of each oil to make a total of 15 drops EO in the diffuser

Alertness/Wake up call:

Peppermint

Lemon

Calming

Stress Away

Lavender

Sweet Dreams:

Cedarwood

Lavender

Immune booster:

Thieves

Purification

Immune Bomb:

12 drops Thieves

6 drops Oregano

2 drops Frankincense

Seasonal Relief :

Lemon

Peppermint

Lavender

Uplift and Unwind:

Stress Away

peppermint

Natural Room Deodorant:

(Spray- filled with filtered water)

Purification

Lavender

1 tsp Witch Hazel

Mood Lifter:

Joy

Lemon

Attitude adjuster:

Lemon

Lavender

Restful Nights:

Lavender

Cedar wood

Cool Down, Head Support, Everyday Aches:

Pan Away

Peppermint

Tummy Troubles:

DiGize

Peppermint

Eczema:

Lavender

Frank

Melrose

Tea tree

Toner:

(Spray- filled with filtered water)

1/8 tsp Witch Hazel

10 drops Lavender

5 drops Frankincense

Face Cleanser:

(Spray- filled with filtered water)

10 drops Purification

1/8 tsp Witch Hazel

Laundry Aid:

Add one drop Purification to your washers rinse

Restore Confidence and Equilibrium:

Stress Away

Sun Attack:

Lavender

Frankincense

Supports Healthy Lung Function:

Do you have any combinations that you love?

Winter’s 100 miles

Well, I did it!! My husband wanted to finish our miles early, before we go on vacation next week so there was a bit of an additional rush and I’m just going to be honest, winters 100 miles were much more difficult than falls 100 miles. Ringing in 2018 with Gavin’s surgery, going back to work and then there is the fact that I just didn’t want too. Haha!

I ended up hating my new shoes for running because they hurt my feet. I think the sole was too chunky. They’re still great for everyday use but they are simply not the runners for me. I definitely had to make up some of my miles walking on the treadmill in the evenings. That took some determination considering I usually have a baby and dog and tow.

Treadmill time. Along with the baby and the dog! — Treadmill time. Just walking along with the baby and the dog!

Then there was the rain. We got caught a few times but don’t worry, Gavin stayed dry!

Even though it was tough, all in all, I’d say it was totally worth it. My husband and also my friend Mary joined me in this challenge which really did bring some motivation and fun. However, I’m hoping springs miles feel a little easier! Who knows, maybe I’ll mix it up and add a little twist to for springs goal…

Dishwasher Soap

Switching from toxic dishwasher pods has been one of the hardest transitions to the natural side as far as household products go. I’ve tried a few recipes that didn’t work. After spending time and money on ingredients that ended up wasted, I still had dirty dishes. I gave up and returned to toxin filled pods (fragrance, triclosan and sodium hypochlorite which can cause hormone disruption, asthma, reproducitve toxicity, infertility, thyroid imbalance, antibiotic resistance and organ system toxicity). I know they are bad for our bodies but I have stuff to do and at least they work, right?!

The other day, after roasting some veggies on a silicone baking tray that had been washed in the dishwasher, the veggies actually tasted like dishwasher pods! Just ewe.

There has got to be a better solution. After searching my Essential Oil FB groups, I came up with this recipe. It was easy to follow, it smells good and after washing a few loads, it seems to work well!

I’m so excited! It’s toxin free, cheaper and works!! I promise to update you here if I change my vote. I also have a couple friends trying it out to see if it works for them but so far, I think I could be in love!

What you’ll need!

3 Cups of Hot Water
3 Tbsp Castile soap (I use Dr. Bronners Unscented)
1 Cup Washing Soda
15 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 Capfuls Thieves Household Cleaner
3 – 4 tsp Guar Gum

Heat water in stainless steel pot on stove top until it’s almost boiling, remove from heat and stir in washing soda until completely dissolved.

Once the mixture has cooled, mix castile soap, thieves cleaner, lemon essential oil, and guar gum in a separate bowl until an even consistency is achieved (you can add some extra water here if you need to) then add to the water and washing soda mixture!

Let sit for about an hour mixing every so often until mixture has a uniform gel-like consistency. Store in a glass sealed container.

I use 2-3 tbsp per dish washing cycle on heavy wash. Sometimes, I also add 1 Tbsp baking soda to the pre wash (I did this with the pods too. It helps cut even more junk)

Are you gonna try it? Let me know what you think!

Essential Oils & Kids Emotions Post #5

EMOTIONAL FAVORITES

Here’s the deal; emotions are REAL. Maybe you have a two-nager or a three-nager… or any kind of tiny teen 😉 But what you know for sure is that there is a WHOLE LOT going on in their little minds. Let’s face it, there’s a whole lot going on in YOUR mind and *you* know how to communicate fully. This post is LONG, but bear with us, it’s so worth it!

Our kids are learning about feelings: what they are, how to handle them, and how they make us feel about ourselves and the world around us.

Let me hit you with this: 87-93% of disease comes from our THOUGHT LIFE. Our emotions and feelings!

How? Thoughts become emotions, emotions become attitude. Our attitude is our reaction, and all of our daily reactions make up our lifestyle. It’s those lifestyles that lead to America’s most common diseases.

So as if managing our kiddos’ emotions wasn’t important enough for our own sanity, now we know that helping them to rock their feelings helps them to live a healthy life in EVERY way. Starting with healthy emotions while they’re young is one of the best ways we can love on and take care of our kids.

Dr. Bradley Nelson from “The Emotion Code” said “A trapped emotion is literally a ball of energy, and these will lodge anywhere in the body and disrupt the normal energy field of the body.”

………………………………………………………..

Sounds whacky, but it makes sense! Listen to this: Our emotions are stored in different parts of our body.

Anger is stored in the Liver & Gallbladder.

Worry is stored in the Stomach.

Grief is stored in the Lungs (ever experienced grief that felt like it took all the breath out of your lungs?)

Fear is stored in the Kidneys.

Stress is stored in the Heart.

This makes sense when our kids have queasy tummies before a big day/presentation/test, or when our hearts have issues because of major stress in our lives, huh? Our littles are experiencing their emotions physically!

………………………………………………………..

Now get this!!

Of our 5 senses, SMELL is the only one that activates the limbic system where our amygdala lives; this is where we store and process our emotions! And you know what all-natural substances have great smells? Essential oils, of course! We can diffuse or breathe in oils to process our emotions in a healthy way. Mamas, get those diffusers going! Fill the room with goodness straight from the Earth… it was created to help us!

Let’s talk chemistry: one of the main constituents of many essential oils is phenols, which clean and repair the damaged receptor sites on our cells (receptor sites help our cells to know what to do, which keeps our bodies functioning properly). Another constituent is sesquiterpenes, which bring oxygen to the brain – therefore helping the emotion-processing center to breathe and DO WORK.

………………………………………………………..

So!!!. Listen up, exhausted mamas. Lean in, foster & adoptive parents. Open your notebooks, ANYONE who knows a child! 😉

Let’s talk about the oils to look for and use with your kiddos to support their emotional health:

THE FEELINGS KIT, which includes:

– Valor: great for BRAVERY. We love it on kids (and in the diffuser) for bedtime, before performing, to deal with big feelings, for overcoming obstacles and getting rid of fear!

– Harmony: hello! Who knows kids and wouldn’t like more harmony in their lives? Use this one for feelings of jealousy, negativity, and insecurity. We love it when we see pouting or ungratefulness and it helps our littles feel safe and secure. NEED!

– Forgiveness: We teach them about forgiveness all day long; let’s be intentional about it too! Diffuse it or apply it and help them….. (I can’t help myself) let it gooooo! If your child has experienced trauma or been hurt by someone, this is a great oil to have in your arsenal.

– Inner Child: Oh, this one is good. First, it’s just really fun to let your inner child out. Adults and kids alike can benefit from this oil! On a more serious note, when children have been abused and misused, they become disconnected from their inner child, or identity, which causes confusion (among other things). This oil is a wise choice to help kiddos stay intact with who they are and who they were created to be, rather than emotionally detaching and creating several different personalities for themselves. SO GOOD, you guys.

– Release: Tantrums, meet your match! This blend helps with the release of memory trauma from the liver cells, where anger and hate emotions are stored. It helps release frustration, which we could ALL benefit from, amiright?

– Present Time: This oil might be even better for us mamas than for kiddos. It helps us to focus on living fully in the moment. Mamas, the days are LONG but the years are short. I certainly want to do what I can to enjoy the present, so this is a common go-to in our diffuser throughout the days!

………………………………………………………..

SURRENDER:

This is a blend of calming, relaxing, emotion-balancing oils that is especially helpful for more dominant personalities. Know any stubborn little people? Give this oil a go.

………………………………………………………..

AWAKEN:

We call it “the blend of all blends” because it’s filled with a LOT of REALLY GOOD stuff. And the best part? It’s really affordable! Use this baby daily to help yourself and your kids to realize their full potential and believe that they can do HUGE things. You already know they can, and the compounds of this oil help them to know it too.

………………………………………………………..

Mightyzymes, Wolfberry Crisp Bars, Dried Wolfberries, NingXia Red.

Some recent studies have shown a direct correlation between gut health and emotional health. Sugar and processed foods can take a major toll on a child’s gut and negatively affect their behavior, attitude, and emotions. Young Living has some awesome options for enzymes, snacks and drinks that are HEALTHY, delicious (our kids LOVE them), and lead to healthier, happier kids. WIN!

………………………………………………………..

MAKE A ROLLER!

In a 10ml roller bottle, combine 15 drops Orange, 12 drops Valor and 10 drops Release. Fill the rest with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. Roll onto your kids’ wrists, back of neck, and feet whenever needed!

You can certainly play around to find the concoction that is best for you. We all respond differently to oils, so find what you and your kids love and ROLL with it! (See what I did there?)

………………………………………………………..

Whew! My emotions feel more in check already! Who’s with me?!

Essential Oils & Kids Products Post #4

KIDSCENTS LINE!!

Remember how I told you that store bought soaps contain sodium laureth sulfate, a toxic chemical used to remove car grease off of garage floors!? And that both adult and kid shampoos contain phthalates, a toxic chemical that has been banned in children’s toys, but is still found in body cleansing products, and it is known to be an endocrine disruptor!?!

Yeah Young Living has made it SO easy for us to ditch all of that and switch to something more natural for our littles. Young Living has an ENTIRE LINE of children’s products, called the Kidscents Line.

The Kidscents Line has:

-Natural Ingredients

-Therapeutic-grade essential oils

-No mineral oils

-No synthetic perfumes

-No artificial colorings

-No toxic ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at everything in this line!

KIDSCENTS OILS

Young Living has five KidScents® oil blends that are specifically formulated for kids ages 2 to 12 because they are pre-diluted, totally safe, and can be diffused or applied topically. No dilution necessary (although you can if you want), so it takes all the guesswork out of it! You can just slap on a roller fitment and apply! So convenient, right?!

GENEYUS™

Whether you homeschool, public school, private school, or unschool, you know that our kids need focus throughout the day! This oil is AMAZING for that. It helps to stay on task, focus, concentrate and block out distractions. Diffuse or apply topically before school, or during homework time. The oil blend includes Blue Cypress, Cedarwood and Ylang Ylang amongst others.

TUMMYGIZE™

This blend calms the body and soothes the tummy with Peppermint, Spearmint, Fennel, Ginger, Tangerine, Anise and Cardamom….just to name a few! I will NEVER go without this oil with me. Keeping tummies happy at any given moment is like a magic wand!

OWIE™

This blend supports the body’s natural healing process and soothes sensitive skin with a combination of oils such as Tea Tree, Elemi, Clove and Helichrysum. When you cut a Helichrysum plant, it quickly regenerates, heals and continues growing; it’s nickname is “everlasting.” So we love using this one as if we are a plant too

SNIFFLE EASE™

This bad boy promotes great sinus function and supports the respiratory and immune systems. It is a combination of several of the Eucalyptus oils, Peppermint, Ravintsara, Lavender, Palo Santo and many more. Breathe easy, sweet little ones!

SLEEPYIZE™

I love sleep and I love it when my kids sleep. It happens REALLY easily and REALLY well when this oil is involved. It helps our kids’ minds and bodies to relax and get incredible rest. It’s a blend Lavender, Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Tangerine, Bergamot, Frankincense, Valerian and Rue. Diffuse when it’s time to settle down for bedtime. You won’t be sorry!

KIDSCENTS BATH TIME

Whether you’re relaxing in the bath yourself after a long day or scrubbing that baby clean after his third blowout, bathtime is one of the many places where toxins can creep into our daily regimen if we’re not paying attention. You’re probably getting sick of me saying this, but just take a few minutes and google the ingredients in your “gentle” baby shampoo and you’ll be shocked by how many are known carcinogens or endocrine disruptors (messes with hormones and reproductive systems).

Fortunately, cleaning up your routine is quick and simple and you will know that the products you are using on yourself and your kiddos are not only safe and effective, but actively helping to support their health and well-being.

KIDSCENTS BATH GEL #3684
A safe, gentle soap that cleanses and protects sensitive skin. Formulated with MSM, aloe vera, antioxidants, and pure Lemon, Cedarwood, and other essential oils, this liquid soap is pH balanced for children’s skin.

How to use: apply a small amount of KidScents Liquid Soap to a washcloth or directly to the ski. Rub gently, then rinse.

…………………………………………………………
KIDSCENTS SHAMPOO #3686

Contains no synthetic perfumes, colors, or toxic ingredients. The natural components in this shampoo—aloe, MSM, Chamomile, and Tangerine and Lemon essential oils—effectively and gently cleanse without causing irritation.

How to use: Apply a small amount of KidScents® Shampoo to the hair. Lather then rinse.

…………………………………………………………

KIDSCENTS LOTION #3682

Contains safe, gentle ingredients to moisturize and soften sensitive skin. The premium blend of MSM, shea butter, aloe vera, and pure Cedarwood, Geranium, and other essential oils supports healthy-looking skin for children of all ages. (Plus, Cedarwood is the PERFECT oil to put on right before bed. HELLO SLEEP!)

KIDSCENTS HAPPY TUSHES

Do you have a little one still in diapers!? If so, this post is for you!!!

Let’s chat about KidScents Tender Tush. Tender Tush has a balm/ointment type feeling and consistency. It features Lavender, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Coriander, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Bergamot (furocoumarin-free), Cistus, Ylang Ylang, and Geranium essential oils. In addition to the aforementioned oils, it contains olive oil, almond oil, and wheat germ oil (making it not gluten free) coconut oil, cocoa butter and beeswax. This mild essential oil moisturizer promotes healthy skin while soothing sensitive skin support healthy skin and soothe sensitive skin. It’s free of all that stuff we try to stay away from (synthetic perfume, artificial colorings, or harsh chemicals).

KIDSCENTS TOOTHPASTE

Mommas, are you ready to not have to worry if your kids accidentally swallow some of their toothpaste!?!

Good because there is no warning label on the Kidscents Toothpaste to call poison control immediately if they do happen to swallow some toothpaste. Toothpaste goes into your mouth and if it is dangerous to swallow you should not be putting it into your mouth.

Not only is Young Living’s Kidscents toothpaste made with children in mind, it has some amazing health benefits with the components that are infused into the toothpaste with Thieves and Slique essential oils. This toothpaste is safe without the use of fluoride, dyes, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

KIDSCENTS SUPPLEMENTS

–KIDS MIGHTYZYME CHEWABLES–
These chewables are all natural vegetarian chewable tablet designed to help children combat the negative effects of enzyme depletion and address each of the digestive needs of growing bodies.
Why are these important?

Because basically, even the healthiest diet is useless without enzymes.

Enzymes are substances that make life possible. They are needed for every chemical reaction that takes place in the human body. Without enzymes, not activity at all would take place. Neither vitamins, minerals, nor hormones can do any work without enzymes. This is what makes enzyme depletion especially concerning, and why it needs to stop in the interest of human health.
Unfortunately, enzymes are being depleted at every stage from seed to plate. This has caused enzyme deficiencies in the human body that leads to all kinds of health conditions.

The main causes of enzyme depletion include:

Pesticides and chemicals
Hybridization and genetic engineering (GMOs in their diet)
Bovine growth hormone (non organic milk)
Pasteurization
Irradiated food
Excess intake of unsaturated and hydrogenated fats (junk food in any amounts)
Cooking at high temperatures
Microwaving
Radiation and electromagnetic fields
Geopathic stress zones
Fluoridated water (tap water)
Heavy metals (ingredients in most vaccinations)
Mercury amalgam dental fillings
Root canals

Defend those sweet systems with a flood of healthy enzymes!
………………………………………………….

–KIDSCENTS MIGHTYVITES–

Using nutrient-dense whole food sources, MightyVites contain superfruits, plants and veggies that deliver the full-spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients for children’s developing bodies.
Real talk: When I looked at the back of the Flinstones vitamins, and I was grossed out to find high fructose corn syrup and chemical dyes in them!!! What I thought was setting kids up for success was really sabotaging their health. No more! We said goodbye to those suckers and hello to MightyVites!!
Some of my favorite things that MightyVites put into our kiddos’ bodies:
* Vitamin B6: B6 is a big one. Here are some of the benefits that will make you want to pretty much bathe in it

-Vitamin B6 helps maintain healthy brain function.

-The vitamin plays a key role in synthesizing antibodies that are needed to fight various diseases.

-.Vitamin B6 helps in maintaining normal nerve function. It plays a crucial role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. It also assists normal nerve cell communication.

-The vitamin helps in forming red blood cells.

-It helps in breaking down and digesting proteins. So, the higher the protein intake, the greater is the requirement of vitamin B6.
* Magnesium: Magnesium is essential for the relaxation of muscle fibers. Without this essential mineral, spasms and twitches are a common problem. Magnesium helps muscles in the body relax and function properly without disturbances. When the body feels calm, it is easier for hyperactive children to behave calmly.
Of course, there are dozens of other health benefits that come with getting plenty of magnesium, and here are just a few examples:

– Magnesium is essential in regulating blood sugar, which can prevent highs and lows.

– It helps absorb and utilize other important minerals and nutrients.

– It activates enzymes that manage energy production, nutrient absorption, hormone production, and much more.

– It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage.

All of these factors can improve the overall health of our children and help manage conditions like ADD and hyperactivity.

* Choline: “the memory vitamin” for assisting kiddos’ brains to learn & remember!

Those are just 3 of the action-packed ingredients of MightyVites. These yummy chewable tablets are heaven-sent!

FOCUS FAVORITES

“Focus, focus, focus.” When it comes to thriving kids, the ability to focus on the task at hand is obviously pretty important. While we certainly love our crazy children, we also want to put only the best most natural things in or on their bodies to help keep their brains on one track. Enter: essential oils.

………………………………………………………..

GeneYus:

This is a blend from our KidScents line that is pre-diluted, safe for littles, and an absolute MUST HAVE for any kids who want a mind that is clear, determined, and focused. This oil blend includes Blue Cypress, Cedarwood and Ylang Ylang amongst others.

We use it while homeschooling in the diffuser. Kids put it onto diffuser bracelets or into roller bottles to take to school with them. It rocks and our lives have been forever changed by it.

………………………………………………………..

MindWise – This is a Memory blend supplement that has ALCAR, GPC, and bio-identical CoQ10, ingredients that have been studied for their incredible beneficial health properties (Google them! Do it!).. Generous amounts of vitamin D3 also show up, and we love that. MindWise supports normal memory function and overall cognitive and cardiovascular health. Boom, baby.

………………………………………………………..

For kids who need lots and lots of focus and concentration support, we recommend making a roller bottle:

– 10 drops Vetiver

– 10 drops Lavender

– 10 drops Cedarwood

Fill the rest of your 10ml roller bottle with a carrier oil (like Olive Oil) and roll onto wrists, back of neck and spine throughout the day as needed.

………………………………………………………..

A study took place over 2 years in kids ages 6 to 12. Twenty of the kids had normal, healthy focus and the other twenty of them were wanting (or needing) focus support.

The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.)

The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days. An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil.

The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel “scattered”. The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by

testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, e30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver.)

The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%, Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%.

SO COOL HUH?!

Link to study: http://files.meetup.com/1481956/ADHD%20Research%20by%20Dr.%20Terry%20Friedmann.pdf

Essential Oils & Kids “Out of the Mouths of Babes” & Bedtime Favorites! Post #3

THE PREMIUM STARTER KIT OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

When it comes to essential oils, there is fun for everyone! The Happy Oilers group asked some Little Happy Oilers to tell us how they use their favorite oils. And it’s a really good time.

Without further ado, we present to you….. Kids Say the Darndest Things: Premium Starter Kit Style!
…………………………………………………………

PEPPERMINT:

(Vitality for internal use)

“If you played too hard, and your tummy feels funny, you could put it on.”

“In the heat, sometimes our heads feel tight from all the water and sun. So we make sure to have Peppermint with us all the time.”

“If you’re in Disneyland or something and do too many teacups, you might get nauseous. But use Peppermint for it. That’s all “

“For school, maybe if your parents let you bring some oils to school (or when you’re doing your homework), you could use Peppermint to help you focus.” –

“If you’re going somewhere fancy, you could use peppermint to freshen your breath!”

“If you’re holding in your farts at school, and you don’t want to embarrass yourself by farting, just use some Peppermint.”

“Helps keep the spiders out of our house. We should put it outside too!”

…………………………………………………………

THIEVES:

(Vitality for internal use)

“Thieves helps keep us healthy.”

“You could use it for cleaning cuz it’s really good at cleaning. On the walls, the toilet, the floors, the sink, the windows, the toys, the TV, the shelves, the doors, the dishes, the laundry…anything!”

“Thieves helps our immune system. And our immune system helps us to stay healthy. If we don’t stay healthy, then (gasp!) our teeth will break. Just kidding, but we will miss out on school. And missing out on school is bad.”

“Thieves helps our respiratory system too! Respiratory system is how we breathe. And, well, if we don’t breathe, we’ll die.”

“We put it on our feet, because it’s safe for kids there. And then it goes through our skin, into our blood, and all through our body to help us stay healthy!”

“Helps you stay healthy and also feel better. You can spray it in your mouth.”

…………………………………………………………

DIGIZE:

(Vitality for internal use)

“It supports our digestive system. That’s why it’s called DiGize. It helps us to digest our food…..which is kinda gross.”

“If you can’t poop sometimes, that’s called constipation. I think that’s very gross. But DiGize helps you poop regularly, which is also gross.”

“It also helps you have a healthy tummy, which is awesome.”

“DiGize is really good for our immune system, and that’s important so we can stay healthy.”

…………………………………………………………

FRANKINCENSE:

(Vitality for internal use)

“You can rub it on your feet to help when you’re doing something new.”

“Doctors are learning a lot about its health benefits.”

“It was given to the baby Jesus when he was born in the manger!”

…………………………………………………………

RC:

“I rub it on my chest to help me breathe good, and it helps me feel brave!”

…………………………………………………………

LEMON:

(Vitality for internal use)

“Lemon is my favorite oil. It’s good for my — what’s the word, mom? — nervous system! It cleans our body and is good for our noses, too. And my mom cooks with it and drinks it in her water.”

“It smells good. It tastes good in my red juice.” (Ningxia red).

…………………………………………………………

COPAIBA:

(vitality for internal use)

“It would help if you get hurt by making your body do what it does best.”

“Copaiba helps remind your body to fight when you get sick.”

“If you don’t have Stress Away, you can use Copaiba to help get your stress AWAY!”

“It helps you look younger on the outside if you swallow Copaiba, the Vitality kind.”

…………………………………………………………

LAVENDER:

(Vitality for internal use)

“Lavender makes where you are smell really good.”

“It helps you calm down before bedtime so you aren’t wild.”

“Put it in the diffuser and it’ll help you calm down and feel comfy.”

“Put it in hair gel, body wash, conditioner and shampoo and lotion to help you smell good.”

“Put it in the diffuser and it’ll make it not smell yucky anymore.”

“You can use it for lots of different things.”

“Lavender is really awesome on my skin after I play outside!”

…………………………………………………………

PURIFICATION:

“Purification makes the air smell good.”

“It can help you feel happy and concentrated.”

“If you have dry skin sometimes.”

“It can make stuff smell good even with the toughest stink.”

“Use it to wash your dirty face.”

“Put a few drops in shoes to make them smell not so stinky after playing soccer or sports.”

“Put some on a cotton ball and put it in your air conditioning in the car, especially if you have baby diapers in there.”

………………………………………………………..

STRESS AWAY:

“I put Stress Away on my wrists before bed to help me sleep good and not have bad dreams. If I don’t put it on, I wake up a lot. It smells good too!”

“My mom needs Stress Away a lot because I think having kids is kinda tough sometimes. But that’s okay!”

“Stress Away smells delicious! And it works real good!”

“It makes you not stress!”

…………………………………………………………

PANAWAY:

“PanAway helps you feel good after exercise and football and scoring touchdowns.”

“It helps to keep you feeling strong after you play baseball.”

“It helps your legs after you run fast or ride your bike a lot.”

…………………………………………………………

HEALTHY HOME FAVORITES

Having little ones means exposure to more yucky things! We want to help our kiddos stay healthy and feeling great so they aren’t always missing school and we aren’t missing work! Young Living offers oils and household products to help you with just that!

Because healthy kids are certainly the most fun! We’ve put together a few recipes to boost immunity and stay as healthy as possible. Let’s dive right in!

……………………………………………

IMMUNE BOOSTING & PURIFYING:

Recipe #1

4 drops of Thieves*

4 drops of Purification*

4 drops of Lemon*

Combine in a 10ml roller bottle, fill the rest with carrier oil and shake well. Apply to bottom of feet and down spine each morning and at bedtime.

Recipe #2

20 drops of Thieves*

10 drops of Lemon*

2 oz distilled water

1 oz witch hazel

2 tsp Vitamin E

Combine in a 4oz spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray on anything that needs a little sanitizing!

……………………………………………

SEASONAL SUPPORT:

5 drops of Lemon*

5 drops of Lavender*

5 drops of Peppermint*

Combine in a 10ml roller bottle, fill rest with carrier oil and shake well. Apply to bridge of nose and behind ears.

……………………………………………

RESPIRATORY SUPPORT:

4 drops of Lemon*

4 drops of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)**

Combine in a 10ml roller bottle, fill rest with carrier oil and shake well. Apply to back of neck and upper back.

8 drops of R.C. blend

Combine in a 10ml roller bottle, fill rest with carrier oil and shake well. Apply to back of neck and upper back.

……………………………………………

HAPPY TUMMIES:

Mix 5 drops of DiGize* or Peppermint* in 10ml roller bottle, fill with carrier oil and shake well. Apply around belly button. You guys, this is a game changer for my family!!!

……………………………………………

FOR BIG KIDS AND MOMMIES (Daddies, too!):

Thieves & Lemon Tea:

In a mug, add one drop of Thieves or one drop of Lemon to a tablespoon of honey. Pour 8-10 oz. of hot water over the honey mixture. Stir together and enjoy with your favorite snack!

BEDTIME FAVORITES

To, it’s super important for parents and kiddos to get some restful sleep! I know from personal experience what happens when you don’t…

These are our favorite ways to use oils to encourage great sleep for moms and kiddos. AKA – we know you’re desperate and we are here to give you a virtual hug and a helping hand. You’re welcome in advance!

…………………………………………………………

SLEEPY CREAM

-3-4 T virgin coconut oil

-8 drops Lavender essential oil

-8 drops Peace & Calming essential oil

-In a small glass container with a lid (like a small Ball canning jar) whip the coconut oil with a fork. Add lavender and Peace & Calming essential oils, whipping well after each addition. At bedtime, give your sweeties a gentle foot rub with their special sleepy cream.

…………………………………………………………

NIGHT NIGHT SPRAY

-3 oz distilled water

-1 oz witch hazel (can be purchased at local drug store or shopping center in the health and beauty section)

-3 drops Lavender

-3 drops Gentle Baby

Mix all of your ingredients together in a 4oz glass spray bottle. Shake well. Just before bedtime, spray one or two sprays on pillows, blankets, or crib sheets. This is a great one to let bigger kids try for themselves and teach them about the importance of having great sleep.

…………………………………………………………

MONSTER SPRAY

-3 oz water

-3 drops lavender

-10 drops valor

-mix in 4 oz glass spray bottle

-shake before each use

-spray under the bed, in closets, and on pj’s

…………………………………………………………

Secret weapon for moms: Having a rough day where your head hits the pillow still swirling with thoughts even though you’re exhausted? Add three drops each of Lavender and Stress Away to your diffuser and let it run throughout the night. Sweet relaxation!

Essential Oils & Kids. Toxins in the home. Post #2

WHAT’S LURKING IN YOUR HOME?

Let’s chat about some mind-blowing facts about what is lurking in our homes. I had no idea there were harmful ingredients in the things I used on my skin daily, and so if you are in this place, or anywhere near it, please know that this is a judgment free zone! All of us in here are on a wellness journey and you are invited, exactly as you are, and at whatever stage you are in!

Store bought soaps contain sodium laureth sulfate, a toxic chemical used to remove car grease off of garage floors. This can be damaging to the skin, as well as disruptive to immune health and hormonal health.
Both adult and kid shampoos contain phthalates, a toxic chemical that has been banned in children’s toys, but is still found in body cleansing products. It is known to be an endocrine disruptor, and very hard for the body to break down when used consistently during bath time.
The main ingredient in candles and home sprays is formaldehyde, which is the number one cancer causing chemical, and is what we get embalmed with at the morgue. They say inhaling scents from candles or sprays is the equivalent to inhaling second hand smoke, which is even more dangerous than actually smoking the cigarette itself.
Store bought household cleaning products contain 2-butoxyethanol, which is a toxin known to cause sore throat, narcosis, and severe liver and kidney damage.
Store bought laundry detergents and dryer sheets contain alpha-terpineol, benzyl alcohol, and camphor, which are all toxic ingredients that cause central nervous system disorders, loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Many baby products contain the listed ingredient “fragrance,” which is simply a broad category that hides hundreds of toxic chemicals behind that word itself. Companies are not required to reveal the actual chemicals that are within the “fragrance” category, hence keeping the public in the dark about the true toxicity of the products we use on our little ones. This can cause huge hormone disruption.
Women apply over 300 chemicals to their face and skin per day, including talc, bismuth, parabens, lead, mercury, and mineral oil. These chemicals are all found in store bought skin care and makeup products, which can disrupt the endocrine system, are highly carcinogenic, and have even been found in tumors.

When we use these products on ourselves and our children on a daily basis, the toxins build up and accumulate within our bodies – a process called “bioaccumulation.” This means that the more we expose ourselves to these toxins, the harder it is for our bodies to break them down. Because of this build up, it causes both minor and major health issues, that otherwise could be prevented if we simply quit using those toxins. Even if these issues aren’t apparent right now, they will be apparent later on down the road.

What’s even scarier to know, is some of the most popular “organic” products can still contain some the ingredients above. Even if you think you’re making a better decision about going organic instead of conventional, there is still a probability that your organic product is still highly toxic for yourself or your little ones.

Don’t believe me? Visit the Environmental Working Group website at ewg.org, plug in the ingredients of your products, and see how high it is rated in toxicity. Or, download the “Think Dirty” app on your smartphone, and look at the toxicity levels. The results will shock you, and will make you want to throw those products in the trash.

WHAT TO USE INSTEAD:

Young Living products have NONE of the chemicals listed above and only contains the purest of plant based ingredients. While they are an essential oil company, they are also a fully-equipped natural products company. They have supplements, beauty products, household cleaning products, stuff for kids and babies, home purifiers, bath and shower products, oral care, and yes – even makeup! This makes it easy to simply ditch the products you’re currently using, and replace it with something Young Living has instead. It is your one-stop-shop for all things you will need for yourself, for your home, for your children, and for your health!

Simply put, the only thing inside their essential oil bottles is the plant itself – no additives, fillers, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or dyes (which is NOT the same for store bought essential oils, hence why other brands can be dangerous and highly toxic). The same goes for all of their products – the only ingredients within the products are the ones listed on the label, and they are all plant based. Not one single ingredient is synthetic, toxic, or chemically derived!!!

BUT IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE….

Some people have a misconception of thinking that using Young Living products in their home and on their family is a new or added expense. WRONG! It’s not! Instead, it’s a shift in spending. Everyone spends money on products every day, every month, every year – whether the products are good for you or not. With this route, instead of going to the store for all of your products, you are getting them from Young Living. I personally LOVE online shopping and HATE going to the store! I have also found it to be true that I use a smaller amount of product than I’m used to with other brands. High quality simply goes further and lasts longer. Since you don’t need to use as much to get great results, it doesn’t cost as much! Let’s talk about 5 ways you can so totally afford Young Living.

…………………………..

Get a Wholesale Membership!

This is the route that 99% of people go when they want to start using Young Living products. With this route, you get wholesale pricing on everything they have instead of retail pricing, which saves you 24% on every single item they’ve got! If you’re here, chances are you already have one of these babies!!! Just log into your VO and get to shopping!!!!

…………………………….

Get on Essential Rewards Immediately!

Another cool thing about Young Living, is they give cash back to frequent buyers. There is a super incredible program called Essential Rewards, which acts as a “monthly box” that you can customize and get shipped to you every month, filled with products you are needing for your family or in your home. Over time, you can earn up to 25% back in points for your orders, and those points you can use towards getting products for FREE. With Essential Rewards, you can also take advantage of the FREE monthly promotions that Young Living has, cheaper shipping options, and the option to cancel at any time. So, basically, Young Living pays you to order their products through this program. Name another store that will do that for you?! NONE!

This program also gives you a means of affordably ditching and switching, which can be a process to do. So, this month, you can order everything for your kiddos, next month household cleaning products. And the next month, you can order beauty products, baby products, or supplements, or essential oils, or makeup, whatever you need – so on and so forth!

With all of these perks and benefits of the Essential Rewards program, it’s only a minimum of 50 PV in products for each monthly box, which can be the equivalent of $50. Now, before you think that’s a lot, it’s TOTALLY not! We all spend well over $50 a month on products every single month. All this is, is shifting that spending from the store to something natural instead. Even people with the most minimal budgets can do Essential Rewards!

…………………………….

Get FREE products with Young Living’s monthly promotions!

Young Living has this cool tradition, where they give away an assortment of products to members every month for FREE. For anyone who orders over a certain amount in a single order, Young Living will include some free products in the box for you. Normally, there are 4 different ordering tiers – 100, 190, 250, or 300. If you order over any of those amounts in one single order, they will automatically include the FREE monthly products, which could add up to hundreds of dollars in stuff you didn’t have to pay for. Cool, huh?!

…………………………….

Create DIY products yourself!

Some people find even more ways to pinch pennies and reduce toxins in their home by creating DIY products with Young Living’s essential oils and products. There are literally thousands upon thousands of recipes out there to create chemical-free options for yourself and your family. When you add Young Living’s essential oils to your DIY products, the powerful plant properties will add natural fragrance, be soothing to the skin, act as a natural purifying agent, and will support your overall health at the same time, all depending on what you’re making. Basically, adding oils to your DIY recipes will make them even better for you than if you didn’t add them at all!

…………………………….

Share Young Living with friends, get paid for their referral!

When we say Young Living literally pays you back, they not only do that when you order, they also do that whenever you refer friends. For every friend you refer, if that friend creates a wholesale account and orders a Premium Starter Kit like you did, you can get $50. So, if you refer 3 friends to Young Living, it could pay you back for the Premium Starter Kit you initially purchased for yourself! Also, if you keep referring friends, it could get your monthly Essential Rewards orders paid for, too, that way you will NEVER pay for your products! Talk about a money saver! What other stores (ahem… Target where you at!?) deposit cash in your bank account for referring friends? NONE!

THE BEST WAY TO GET STARTED

There are hundreds of uses for each essential oil. And Young Living offers HUNDREDS of oils to choose from.

But remember how I talked about how a wholesale membership is the way to GO when it comes to kicking toxins out affordably? Well thankfully Young Living has curated the PERFECT kit of essential oils to get you that wholesale membership. The kit is valued at over $330.00 if you were to purchase everything separately without your wholesale membership, but they’ve priced it at only $160.00. A savings of almost 50%!! The kit they’ve curated is PERFECT because it includes 11 oils and a diffuser giving you hundreds of uses for the most common things you’d need to use oils for! We’ll let the kids break down the uses in the next post 😉