Our sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, the part of our brain that controls emotions and memory. This means that essential oils can have a profound impact on our emotional state by influencing brain chemistry and releasing calming, balancing, and uplifting neurotransmitters.
GRIEF
While essential oils can't eliminate grief they can certainly act as a gentle companion on your healing journey and can offer up a solution with immediate impact (unlike the long-term work of therapy and relationship building, both of which are important as well).
Grief can manifest in many forms - sadness, anger, guilt, and even confusion. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing this complex emotion, essential oils can offer comforting support. Here are some of the most impactful oils for grief:
Joy: This blend is known for its uplifting floral scent that can bring a sense of happiness and positivity, even during difficult times. A combination of Geranium, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, and Rose, Joy essential oil also works to raise the frequency of the body, which can support overall wellness and combat the physical challenges that often accompany deep grief.
Orange: Orange oil can alleviate feelings of stress and anxiousness and has been clinically proven to boost mood. In addition to its benefits for emotions Orange oil is high in d-limonene, which can offer support to the immune system, which is often impacted by grief.
Bergamot: Known for its calming properties, Bergamot can help reduce feelings of anxiety and agitation, allowing for emotional balance. Use Bergamot as a standalone oil or enjoy the benefits via Joy essential oil.
Forgiveness: This blend encourages the release of negative emotions and promotes a sense of peace. Since essential oils are tied to the limbic system, which control emotions and emotional memory, oils like Forgiveness can help you to recall a painful experience and deal with it in a safe and healthy way.
Release: Release is a blend of sixteen oils that is designed specifically to help your body and your brain let go of these difficult or intense emotions. This helps your body return to homeostasis, and for you to feel like yourself again.
Transformation: A powerful blend of nine essential oils that help shift negative emotions and transform them into positive ones, fostering growth and resilience. This combination of Lemon, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Sacred Frankincense, Idaho Blue Spruce, Cardamom, Ocotea, and Palo Santo help you to transition your emotions on a cellular level that starts with the limbic system.
White Angelica: Known for its protective qualities, White Angelica is known to soothe the nervous system, enables the body to release stored negative emotions, and can help you to operate from a place of emotional wellness. White Angelica is a combination Bergamot, Myrrh, Geranium, Rose, Sacred Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Coriander, Black spruce, Melissa, and Hyssop; each powerful oils on their own, and even more potent when applied in this incredible blend!
If you are in a season of grief and need help processing your emotions, moving on, or simple getting through the day to day, then grab 2-3 of these oils and use them on a daily basis. Be gentle with yourself and know that healing takes time, that you aren't alone, and that things won't always be this way.
If you have used oils for a season of grief, we would love to hear how they helped you in the comments.
FEAR
Let's talk about an emotion that we all experience but rarely discuss-fear. Whether it's fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of making the wrong decision, this emotion can be incredibly damaging. It keeps us stuck, clouds our judgment, and prevents us from living fully. It's important for you to know that everyone experiences fear, so you are not alone!
Let's unpack a little more about fear and how our amazing Young Living essential oils can help!
Where Does Fear Get Stored in the Body?
Fear isn't just a mental game; it manifests physically in our bodies too. Common areas where fear tends to reside include:
- Stomach: Those "butterflies" you feel can be a sign of stored fear. The phrase "I am sick to my stomach" demonstrates that the emotion of fear can be felt in this part of the body. Interestingly, fear getting stuck in the body can lead to digestive issues like gut pain, bloating, constipation, and irritable bowels.
- Neck and Shoulders: Tension in these areas often indicates that you are holding on to fear and stress. The feeling of being afraid can cause constriction and tightness in the body, and this can cause sore muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
- Chest and Heart: Ever felt your heart race when you're scared? Fear can escalate into panic, and you can feel it as a heaviness in your chest or a racing pulse.
How Essential Oils Can Help
Here's the good news - essential oils are a powerful tool, unlike anything else in nature, to help us process and release emotions like fear. They work with the limbic system in our brain, the area responsible for memories, emotions, and thoughts. Certain oils can help shift us out of fear and into a more balanced emotional state.
Recommended Oils for Fear
- Lavender: Known for its calming properties and mild sedative effect.
- Frankincense: Helps to ground and balance emotions.
- Release: This blend of Ylang Ylang, Lavandin, Geranium, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Spearmint, Lemon, Blue Cypress, Davana, Lime, Ocotea, Jasmine, German Chamomile, Blue Tansy, and Rose is high in sesquiterpenes, which impact the limbic system. The calming scent of Release helps your body to let go of emotions that can feel overwhelming and stuck!
- Valor: The Confidence & Courage oil! This gorgeous blend of Black Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy, and Frankincense oils help your mind shift away from fear and into confidence. Valor has gotten may oilers through stressful meetings, confrontations, medical procedures, and other fear-inducing activities.
- Surrender: If you find yourself afraid to take a risk or move forward in some area of your life, or you find that fear is holding you back in some way - you need to use Surrender essential oil blend! This blend combines Lavender, Lemon, Black Spruce, Roman Chamomile, Angelica, and Mountain Savory to help you let go of the fears and negative emotions that are holding you back in life.
- For Kids: KidPower: This formula was made with kids in mind to help them overcome fear and anxiety as they enter into all kinds of new environments and experiences! Being a kid can be tough - but KidPower can help them shift into a more confident version of their awesome selves. KidPower combines Valor with Orange and Vanilla for an absolutely incredible blend (moms love using KidPower too!) Let your child diffuse KidPower or use the convenient roll-on daily before school or anything that makes them nervous.
How to Use Essential Oils for Fear
- Diffusion: Add a few drops of your chosen oil to a diffuser and inhale deeply. You can even diffuse oils for emotions while you sleep.
- Topical Application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to your chest, wrists, or the back of your neck. For emotions, it is helpful to ask yourself where in your body you can feel sensations when you think about your fear. Anywhere that feels tight, heavy, nervous, or uncomfortable is where you can intuitively apply oils over that area.
- Inhalation: Simply inhale directly from the bottle or put a drop on your palms, rub them together, and breathe in.
What is your favorite essential oil for managing fear? Share your experiences in the comments below and let's support each other on this emotional wellness journey.
Anxiety
Do you or someone you know experience anxiety? Anxiety has a number of different forms and can be temporary (based on a situation) or ongoing (chronic). Anxiety may look different for different people, but that doesn't change the fact that it can make life difficult and can contribute to mental and physical decline.
Anxiety is the body's natural response to perceived stress or danger. When we feel anxious our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear, triggering the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This "fight or flight" reaction can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, and tense muscles. This "fight or flight" response is great for dealing with immediate dangers, but chronic anxiety can take a serious toll on our mental and physical health.
That's where essential oils come in. Certain oils like Lavender, Bergamot, and Frankincense have been shown to help calm the nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation. When we breathe in the aromatic compounds, they stimulate the olfactory system which is directly connected to the limbic region of the brain - the emotional control center. This can help interrupt the anxiety response and restore balance.
Here are 7 oils that can help your brain to calm down when you are feeling anxious:
- Lavender: This classic oil has a soothing, calming aroma that helps relax both the mind and body. Diffuse it before bed for a restful night's sleep.
- Frankincense: With its grounding, earthy scent, frankincense is amazing for centering and focusing the mind. Apply it to your wrists and temples when you need to find your Zen.
- Bergamot: The bright, uplifting fragrance of bergamot oil helps ease feelings of worry and nervous tension. Diffuse or keep a roller bottle of it on hand for anytime you need a mood boost.
- Vetiver: This thick, earthy oil has a unique ability to quiet the mind and promote feelings of tranquility. Add to roller blends or the diffuser when you need a new level of calm (tip: this is a very thick oil. Place it in your pocket for a few minutes before trying to get drops out to warm it up for easier use).
- Ylang Ylang: With its sweet, floral aroma, Ylang Ylang oil is incredibly soothing and helps relieve nervous tension. Use it in a relaxing bath after a stressful day, in a roller, applied topically, or diffused.
- Clary Sage: This oil has a calming, slightly herbaceous scent that can help alleviate anxious thoughts and feelings. Apply it to your wrists and inhale deeply when you need to refocus.
- Roman Chamomile: The gentle, apple-like fragrance of chamomile oil is so comforting and helps promote a sense of peace. I diffuse it in my office when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
- Citrus Oils: Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, Bergamot, and Lime are all effective at helping to boost mood and alleviate stress and occasional feelings of anxiety. Use these oils in roller blends, the diffuser, or inhale directly out of the bottle for a boost!
Apply any of these oils topically, put a combination in the diffuser, or inhale straight from the bottle! Pro tip: use your oils on a daily basis and before a strong wave of anxiety hits! Starting your morning with a diffuser full of citrus oils can make a huge difference in your day!
ANGER
Let's talk about an emotion we all experience sometimes - Anger. Anger is an emotion with an intense building wave that can often make us feel out of control and cause us to make poor decisions in the moment. Not only does anger affect our emotional well-being, but it also takes a toll on our physical health, as it often gets stored in our bodies. Anger can lead to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, anger can become stored in the lower back and impacts the liver and gallbladder (both of which are important organs for detoxification!). This can manifest as pain and stiffness in the lumbar region (or even the hips), and impact liver and gallbladder function.
Oils for Anger
1. Purification
- How it helps: Purification is fantastic for cleansing negative emotions from the body and providing clarity of mind. It doesn't just "purify" bug bites (we love it for that too!) - but it can work on an emotional level to help purify stuck emotions like anger.
- How to use: Diffuse 3-4 drops in your room and/or apply 2-3 drops over the liver morning and evening.
2. Humility
- How it helps: If you search for the word "Anger" on Young Living's website, Humility oil pops us as the result. That should tell us something about the purpose of this oil and how it can help us with anger!
- Humility can bring a sense of peace and acceptance, helping you to let go of the feeling of not being good enough. This feeling often stems from anger and resentment. Humility oil makes it easier to release anger and shift into a more positive mindset.
- How to use: Apply 1-2 drops to your heart area as often as needed or diffuse nearby while journaling.
3. Release
- How it helps: This blend is specially formulated to help release negative emotions from the body. Release is a special essential oil blend that is best used when emotions feel overwhelming - which Anger often is.
- How to use: Apply 2-3 drops to the back of your neck, over the liver, or the soles of your feet (especially if you don't like the smell). Diffuse while you sleep or add 5 drops of Release to a cup of Epsom salts and add to a hot bath.
4. Forgiveness
- How it helps: Forgiveness helps to soothe the mind and heart, promoting emotional balance and letting go of grudges. Anger stored in the body often turns into unforgiveness towards either ourselves or those who hurt us. Forgiveness is a hard decision - but one that is ultimately so much better for YOUR peace of mind and your body. Forgiveness essential oil blend will make it easier for your mind to embrace the mental action of forgiving and moving past anger.
- How to use: Diffuse 4-5 drops when reflecting on past grievances or apply to pulse points as often as needed.
Feeling angry is a natural and common response, so we will never be able to avoid it altogether. However, it's important to remember that you don't want anger to get stored up in your body and negatively impact your health & well-being! Use these oils frequently to support you in processing and releasing anger.
Share your favorite ways to use these oils or other tips for how essential oils have helped you manage anger in the comments below!
APATHY
You know that feeling where nothing really excites you, and everything just feels...meh? It's called apathy, and the stresses of life and lack of self-care can sometimes cause us to fall into this emotion. I have some good news - our Young Living essential oils can even help us snap out of an apathetic funk and feel inspired and motivated again! Let's unpack apathy a little bit.
What Causes Apathy?
Apathy can creep up on us for a variety of reasons:
- Overwhelm and Stress: When life feels like it's too much to handle, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, and then apathy. our thoughts create our feelings, and so when we consistently tell ourselves that things are "too hard" or " too overwhelming" - our brain and body start to believe us. Apathy is a protective mechanism from our brains to keep us safe.
- Lack of Motivation: Whether it's in personal or professional life, feeling uninspired can make us indifferent. Maybe we've gotten bored and need a new challenge. Maybe we've faced disappointment in an area of our lives, and we've told ourselves it is too hard to dream or try again.
- Feelings of Hopelessness: Persistent thoughts of helplessness can drain our emotional energy BIG TIME. If you feel like there is no hope or you won't be able to get help in a situation - apathy sets in.
- Traumatic Experiences: Prolonged sadness or grief can shut us down emotionally.
- Social Isolation: Feeling disconnected from meaningful relationships can also contribute to apathy.
How Apathy Manifests in the Body
You might be experiencing apathy if you're noticing:
- Sluggishness: A lack of physical energy, often leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. If you notice that you aren't as active as you used to be, and that you FEEL less motivated to be active - this could be apathy in your body.
- Breathing Issues: Frequent sighing, shallow breathing, or feeling breathless can be signs of suppressed emotions.
- Numbness: A general sense of disconnection, both physically and emotionally.
- Mental Fog: Difficulty focusing or making decisions, often with a sense of mental fog.
- Loss of Joy: A decrease in the ability to feel pleasure from experiences that would normally bring joy.
Essential Oils to Overcome Apathy
Luckily, nature has given us some amazing tools to help lift our spirits. Here are some essential oil blends that can help move you out of apathy and into more inspiration, motivation, and dedication:
- Motivation: Perfect for reigniting your passion and drive. This blend combines Roman Chamomile, Black Spruce, Ylang Ylang, and Lavender. It provides a boost of energy - both cognitive and physical that helps you move forward in a positive direction.
- Valor: Provides courage and confidence to face life's challenges. It's honestly hard to keep feeling apathetic when you use Valor! Shift into your highest self by using Valor often.
- Transformation: This gorgeous blend of oils helps you to shift from feelings of darkness and apathy into feelings of hope and joy! The aroma empowers positivity and a sense of self-awareness to move forward and transform behavior with courage and an inner knowing of achieving your desires.
- Clarity: This energizing blend cleanses the mind and helps you focus! It provides a spirit of productivity for the mind and a feeling of stability. It's one of my go-to oils when I need to tackle a difficult task.
- Highest Potential: This one is probably the quintessential anti-apathy oil blend. Highest Potential was one of Young Living Founder Dr. Gary Young's favorite oils - he used it every day. Highest Potential blend encourages you to reach for your best self by elevating your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Use Highest Potential to help you make an important shift out of apathy and into purpose.
- Into the Future: Helps you envision and plan for a brighter future. Into the Future blend helps you with the motivation to leave the past behind and move forward in an environment of progress and achievement.
How to Use These Oils:
You can diffuse these essential oils in your living space, add a few drops to a hot Epsom salt bath, or apply them to pulse points like your wrists and temples, or over your heart. Create a daily routine that brings you comfort and consistency, and soon you'll find that your emotions respond quickly and effectively whenever you use these oils! You can literally train your brain and emotions with the aromas of pure essential oils.
Remember, it's okay to feel how you're feeling right now, but with a little help from nature's living energy, and by addressing the root causes of apathy, you can start to reclaim your zest for life! You're worth it and your life is worth living to its fullest!
Have you tried any of these oils? Share your experiences below!
If you have any question, please feel to reach out to me. I am very happy to answer questions and support you on your wellness journey. You can reach me by email at abreathoffreshair23@gmail.com, or by phone at 959-301-1403.
Quality matters
Young Living makes all of its products without the use of harmful or synthetic chemicals. The essential oils used to infuse the products are pure. If you're like me, this is something that is very important to you and you search for companies that you can trust to not add harmful ingredients to the products we buy. This is one of the things I absolutely LOVE about Young Living!
seed to seal
Young Living creates products for a purpose, not a profit. Its Seed to Seal Promise is proof that Young Living has your best interests in mind. Young Living owns many farms and also partner farms that have to abide by the same rules and regulations.
Young Living goes above and beyond organic standards to provide natural products that work. Young Living farms on land without the use of pesticides, hand weeds field, and tests its essential oils multiple times in its million-dollar labs to produce products with the purest and highest quality chemical constituents. If a batch doesn't meet these high standards, Young Living will not bottle it up and send it to you.
usage & safety
Aromatic
Using oils in a diffuser has a positive effect on your emotions. If your kids need a little motivation and focus to get their homework done or need something calming to get their actions to match the atmosphere, oils are going to be your best friend!
When you inhale oils, the essential oil molecules travel through the olfactory bulb, trigger the limbic system in the center of the brain, and stimulate the amygdala. The amygdala is the integrative center for emotions, emotional behavior, and motivation. This is why diffusing oils is effective and efficient in helping to support positive moods for you and your kids!
Topical
Applying oils topically is another option. You can apply the oils to specific vita flex points. Specific points in your ears, hands, and feet are linked to specific emotions, systems, and organs in the body.
Stimulating these points helps the associated emotion and systems. For example, the vita flex point for the brain are the thumb of the hand and big toe of the foot. You can also apply to the back of the neck, the wrists, or even a drop on your head. No matter where you apply essential oils, they will absorb into your skin!
Note: Any time you are using an oil for the first time, dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it to the sensitive side of your forearm to see how you respond. If it makes your skin red, you either need to dilute it further or avoid that essential oil. Every child may respond a little differently, so be sure to use this testing method on everyone.
Any fatty oil makes a good carrier oil: olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil... Your choice!
Internal
Young Living oils are pure essential oils. The YL internal/dietary line is called the Vitality line and is rated GRAS, which stands for Generally Regarded As Safe for consumption. This is a designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to indicate that a chemical or substance is considered safe by experts.
Please note: Lemon oil and Lemon Vitality are the SAME oil with different labeling and directions. SAME oil, DIFFERENT label.
Morning routines
Nutritious Breakfast
Young living provides great breakfast options using Einkorn flour like Einkorn Flakes Cereal, Einkorn Granola, and Einkorn Pancakes or waffles. Einkorn is an ancient grain that has higher levels of protein, trace minerals, and lower gluten levels than hybridized, modern wheat.
Pre/Probiotic
Kidscents MightyPro is a pre/probiotic that tastes like candy and does its job in supporting a healthy gut. Gut health is important for healthy emotions and the ability to absorb nutrients.
Vitamins
Young Living vitamins are formulated without the dyes and synthetic ingredients found in your typical kid vitamin. With Kidscents MightyVites chewables you benefit from Orgen-kids, a nutrient-dense, food-based superfruit, plant, and vegetable complex. Free from preservatives and artificial colors and flavors, these delicious, berry-flavored chewables give your children full nutritional support.
Enzymes
Mighy/Zyme chewables contain enzymes that naturally occur in the body to support and assist the digestive needs of growing bodies and the normal digestion of foods. Take 1 tablet, three times daily prior to or with meals. Use these chewables for relief of occasional symptoms including fullness, pressure, bloating, stuffed feeling (commonly referred to as gas), pain and/or minor cramping that may occur after eating.
Antioxidants
NingXia Red is packed with superfoods to support overall wellness. This antioxidant-packed drink supports energy levels, normal cellular function, and whole-body and normal eye health. A daily shot of 2-4 ounces helps support overall wellness with powerful antioxidants.
happy head spray
Ingredients:
- 2-oz. spray bottle
- 10 drops Tea Tree
- 5 drops Lavender
- 5 drops Rosemary
- 5 drops Eucalyptus
Instructions:
Fill a 2-oz. spray bottle halfway with water (it's best to use distilled or bottled water) and add the essential oils. Shake well before each use. Focus the spray towards the scalp around the ear area. This will help unwanted "hair critters" stay away!
Wellness
Consistency is KEY with oils. If you use these oils every single day instead of waiting for a problem to develop, the oils can help you maintain you and your child's health. But if you find yourself or your kiddos needing to stay home, double the frequency with which you use your essential oils and use Thieves Cough Drops or Thieves Lozenges to help! Your kids will be back at it in no time.
Every-Day Oils For Wellness
Pick a few favorites and diffuse a few drops of each before and after school. Make a Wellness Roll-On by adding 5 drops of three or four oils listed above to a 10 ml bottle then fill it up with a carrier oil.
emotional support
School can be a rough time for everyone. It is filled with excitement and anxiety. The best way to combat occasional stress is to use essential oils. Remember that when you inhale essential oils the tiny molecules go deep into the brain, straight to the places that help you manage your emotions.
Try applying your child's favorite calming oil to a diffuser bracelet. The lava rocks absorb the oil so your kids can smell it throughout the day. Apply 1-2 drops just before school.
Calming Oils
- Lavender*
- Stress Away
- Frankincense*
- Valor*
- Peace & Calming
- Vetiver
- The Feelings Kit: a kit of six oils specifically for emotions. (Harmony, Forgiveness, Inner Child, Present Time, Release, and Valor)
*Comes in the Premium Starter Bundle
focus
Focus Roll-On Recipe
Add each essential oil to a 10ml bottle and top off with Young Living's V-6 oil, grapeseed oil, or fractionated coconut oil.
Whether it's during school or after, kids are always learning new concepts and need to be able to focus on tasks. Teach your kids how to use the Focus Roll-On! Instruct them to roll on their neck and wrists and to inhale when they need help focusing.
If your school does not allow your child to keep essential oils in their backpack or at their desk, you can try two alternatives.
- Have the school nurse hold on to the roll-on. Your child(ren) can go see the nurse when they need to apply the Focus Roll-On.
- Apply one drop of each oil to their diffuser bracelet before they leave for school. Instruct them to smell the bracelet before important focus times like after recess and lunch or before tests.
Oils for Focus
- Lavender* - Inhaling Lavender essential oil during recess can increase concentration when back to the classroom.
- Lemon*
- Peppermint*
- Thieves*
- Cedarwood*
- Vetiver
- Rosemary
- Brain Power
- Gathering
- Genyus
Bonus Tips
- Play around with different oils to see which ones may be more effective. Every child can respond differently.
- Use these oils along with the "stay calm" blend for extra effect.
- Diffuse or apply Lemon to your child's diffuser bracelet during study time. Apply Lemon again before tests.
*Come in the Premium Starter Bundle
sports
Strains and sprains can be a common occurrence during sports season. Most parents go-to solutions are common OTC medications like Ibuprofen. However, medications like this can have long-term damaging effects on your child's body, especially the liver.
Instead, try the safe and effective Cool Azul Pain Cream, an OTC cream by Young Living. It provides cooling relief from minor muscle and joint aches, arthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains. A little goes a ling way. Apply as often as needed. Also great for growing pains!
You could also dilute 1-2 drops of PanAway* and Copaiba and apply to the area of discomfort. For larger surfaces, use more essential oil and carrier oil.
Other Favorites Are:
bedtime routines
When you have a routine, kids are less likely to resist bedtime and more likely to fall asleep fast and stay asleep through the night. Young Living makes it really easy to instill a safe and effective bedtime routine for kids of all ages.
Try these steps...
Step 1
Start with a bath. They're a great way to calm your kids down before bedtime. Use the KidScents Shampoo and KidScents Bath Gel.* They are free from harmful chemicals.
Step 2
Before putting on pajamas, lather them up with KidScents Lotion.* Add a drop of Lavender and apply to feet. Young Living lotion is formulated with no mineral oils, no synthetic perfumes, no artificial coloring, and no toxic ingredients. Adding Lavender will make for a restful night of sleep.
Step 3
Brush their teeth with KidScents Toothpaste. Some popular kinds of toothpaste still contain triclosan, a harmful chemical the FDA banned from antibacterial hand sop. The Young Living KidScents Toothpaste does not contain any triclosan or fluoride. It is formulated with all safe and effective ingredients.
Step 4
Put 4-6 drops SleepyIze and/or Lavender in the diffuser and turn out the lights. Essential oils are an effective way to calm your children and help them get a restful night's sleep. Young Living offers a variety of diffusers for kids with fun themes like Feather the owl, Snowy the owl, and Sprout the puppy.
Check out the different diffuser options HERE!
*contains wheat
The Thieves line
Typical household products are FILLED with harmful chemicals that can negatively affect your immune system, neurological system, overall development, and can even cause cancer. Exposure to these harmful chemicals through laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, cleaners, hand soap, and air fresheners taxes the body as it tries to get rid of those chemicals. This drains our bodies of the energy and resources they need when they get exposed to germs and illnesses.
Consider making the swap and replacing your household products with the Thieves line! The Thieves line is infused with a blend of Lemon, Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils. Young Living has a Thieves Home Loyalty Bundle, and a Make a Shift Happy Healthy Home Kit which makes getting started with Thieves very cost effective.
a few side notes
- Information obtained here is meant for educational and informational purposes only, and to motivate and empower you to make your own wellness journey based on your own research and partnership with your healthcare provider.
- The statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Young Living is no longer using 100% pure or therapeutic grade coined phrases when speaking about their oils or products; however, you will still find the same premium essential oils you expect from Young Living backed by their Seed to Seal quality commitment.
If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like to get together to talk about how you can make some healthy changes in the products you use every day, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can email me at abreathoffreshair23@gmail.com or you can call or text me at 959-301-1403.
Summertime is full of adventure, so you better be prepared! This article will show you some amazing Young Living oils and products that will seriously save you this season. You will see how to survive the great outdoors with some incredible skin-loving products, some tasty snacks and some easy DIY recipes.
Then we will dive into surviving all those summer cookouts with some oil-infused recipes that everyone is sure to love. Lastly, I will show you how to survive summer with the kids and give you four easy recipes to keep them entertained and using their oils.
why choose young living?
We all know there are dozens and dozens of brands to choose from when it comes to health and wellness products. But what makes Young Living different from the rest? It's all in their Seed to Seal promise to us. You won't find this guarantee and peace of mind with any other company. You can expect that Young Living will provide you with only the best!
- plant material that is grown on corporately owned farms or carefully vetted partner farms (that you CAN visit!)
- sustainable farming and sourcing practices, providing the purest oil.
- great care taken to preserve and protect natural resources.
- hand weeded fields and ZERO use of pesticides.
- oils that retain all their natural constituents and therapeutic properties.
- use of food-grade distillers with state-of-the-art design and distillation methods.
- low pressure and low temperature distillation, without the use of solvents or synthetic chemicals.
- rigorous testing on each batch by internal labs and third-party facilities.
- oils that are carefully reviewed through every step of production in order to meet or exceed industry safety and purity standards (beyond organic!)
And the best part... if the oils or products do not meet these high standards, they are rejected and will not be bottled as a Young Living product. Now that's amazing!
surviving the outdoors: summer skin
It's swimsuit season and that means... Well, you know what that means. You are beautiful just the way you are, no matter your shape or size, and these will help you feel your best!
Prepare your legs with the Mirah Shave Oil, a luxurious addition to your self-care routine. Mirah Shave Oil is formulated with a rich blend of essential oils, emollients, and botanical ingredients. Exotic baobab, meadowfoam, and avocado oils work together with Young Living's exclusive Mirah essential oil blend to reduce razor drag, bumps, and nicks. You can use it to shave with or use after you've shaved to keep things nice and happy.
Next up, you are going to want to grab some Cel-Lite Magic Massage Oil. This beauty tones and nourishes the skin with pure vegetable oils, vitamin E, and the best essential oils on the planet. Grapefruit oil improves the appearance of skin texture, while Juniper oil helps cleanse.
Pro Tips: If you really want to kick things up a notch, add an entire bottle of Grapefruit or Cypress oil and reap the benefits. In combination with massage, this summer must-have can improve circulation by flushing lactic acid from the muscles resulting in improved body function. Massage facilitates the flow of lymphatic fluid, which carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs. #Win Win
Note: Grapefruit is a citrus oil and can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun for a period of time after use. Those with a base tan may choose to use this little trick to accelerate those rays, if you burn easily use this at night.
Last but not least, let's talk about treating ourselves to some tropical goodness - Coconut-Lime Replenishing Body Butter. This gem is fragranced with the natural scent of coconut oil and Lime essential oil to create a warm, tropical aroma every time you apply it. So lovely! It nourishes and smooths skin with two fruit seed butters: mango and capuacu butter, which contains fatty acids that help skin maintain a youthful appearance. I like the sound of that!
Made without parabens, petrochemicals, colorants, or animal-derived ingredients, this vegan body butter is filled with skin-loving ingredients. You will walk out that door feeling exotic, confident, and comfortable. Just remember, it does contain Lime essential oil, which is sun-sensitive so be mindful of that when you apply it.
surviving the outdoors: summer sunshine
There is so much summer sun to take in while spending time in the garden, at the pool or the beach, hiking, or just enjoying a walk through the neighborhood. Exposure to sunlight is good for the soul... and your health! When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes Vitamin D from cholesterol. This vitamin plays an important role in our immune system so it can be hugely beneficial. However, overexposure to the sun can lead to burned skin, wrinkles, eye injuries, and even skin cancer. So, let's protect that beautiful skin, shall we?
Young Living's Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is the perfect solution! It's a natural, broad-spectrum sunscreen and is chemical free, making it a healthy alternative for adults and kids. This dermatologist-reviewed product is formulated to easily smooth on skin without leaving white residue. Enjoy the outdoors worry-free with up to 80 minutes of water and sweat-resistant lotion. It's reef-safe and made with non-nano zinc oxide. This might just be the best sunscreen you've ever used!
If you happen to forget your sunscreen and that gorgeous skin of yours gets a little toasty, don't fret! LavaDerm After-Sun Spray is here to help you refresh and recover. This naturally derived after-sun spray offers temporary relief from the pain and itching of minor burns, minor cuts, sunburns, scrapes, insect bites, and minor skin irritations, so your family can keep playing all day!
- Dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic
- Soothes, cools, & provides immediate relief to the skin
- Moisturizes to help prevent peeling & promotes healthy-looking skin
- Made with plant-based and naturally derived ingredients
- Formulated without alcohol, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or colorants.
Want to whip up your own After-Sun spray? Try this easy recipe.
diy after-sun spray
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 2 tbsp pure aloe vera gel
- 10 drops Lavender
- 10 drops Peppermint
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a 4 oz. spray bottle. Shake well and apply generously to skin that needs cooling. Re-apply as needed.
surviving the outdoors: summer sanity
Nothing annoys me more than pesky mosquitoes that fly around my head and nibble on my skin, leaving bumps and itchiness for days. No one has time for that! Do yourself a favor and grab some of Young Living's plant-based Insect Repellent.
Pure sesame oil and a carefully selected blend of essential oils traditionally used for their bug-repellent properties come together to make up all 99% of the active ingredients in this formula. The other 1% is Vitamin E. That means you can use it on your entire family and not worry about synthetic chemicals used in many traditional repellents. You'll also love the citrusy aroma and smooth, non-greasy, non-sticky application.
Young Living Insect Repellent
- Hypoallergenic, gentle formula; vegan-friendly
- Tested to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas and prevent bug bites
- Made with 100% naturally derived, plant-based ingredients
- Formulated without DEET, parabens, fillers, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic colorants.
And did you know? This also comes in a convenient wipe!
- Same benefits and formula as the liquid version
- Offers continued protection when reapplied after two hours
- Individually wrapped; perfect for on-the-go use
- Wipe material is 100% compostable, biodegradable, and sustainable
Notes: When applying to animals, avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, and open wounds. Due to state regulations, these products are not available to purchase in all states.
Want to whip up your own Outdoor Spray? Try this easy recipe for an annoyance-free time.
outdoor spray
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. witch hazel
- 2 oz. distilled water
- 20 drops Thieves
- 20 drops Lemon
- 20 drops Rosemary
- 20 drops Citronella
Instructions:
Mix together in a 4 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake before each use.
Note: Lemon is a citrus oil and can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun for a period of time after use.
Surviving the outdoors: Summer snacks
When you're out and about this summer be sure to have some healthy snacks on hand. Young Living has more than oils! They have some incredibly tasty snacks that are perfect for beach bags, pool bags, purses, backpacks, road trips, anywhere you go. They have lots to pick from but here are a few to start out with.
NingXia Zyng: This is a great sub for sugar-filled sodas and energy drinks. Zyng uses the same whole-fruit wolfberry puree found in Young Living's popular superfruit supplement, NingXia Red. Then sparkling water, pear and blackberry juices are added, plus a hint of Lime and Black Pepper essential oils for a dynamic, unique taste.
With natural flavors and sweeteners, white tea extract, and added vitamins, NingXia Zyng delivers 35 mg of naturally occurring caffein and only 35 calories per can, making it a sweet, guilt-free boost for your summer days. Go ahead, toss one back! This drink comes in a case of 12.
These sweet, organic wolfberries (a.k.a. goji berries) are perfect to munch on while you kick back at the beach or the pool and soak in those rays. With polyphenols and polysaccharides, this superfruit is touted around the world for its taste and nutrients. So, eat them by the handful, toss them in yogurts, salads, smoothies, muffins, pancakes, granola, or however you'd like. This tasty snack is available in a 16 oz. bag.
Most granolas and on-the-go snacks are filled with refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. Instead of including these overly processed ingredients, Young Living uses wolfberries, cranberries, cacao nibs, and coconut sugar to jazz up this ancient-grain granola. There's a nice mix of grains, nuts, berries, and seeds that provides both simple and complex cars to keep you going through the day. Serve it hot or cold - whatever works for you!
surviving the cookouts: drinks
Well, now that I've shared some great ways to survive the outdoors this summer, I want to share some great cookout recipes... starting with drinks!
Poolside Punch
Ingredients:
- 6 oz. fruit punch or NingXia Red
- 4 oz. Lemon-Lime soda or sparkling water
- 1 shot of Vodka
- 1-2 drops Orange Vitality
Instructions:
Combine ingredients and serve over ice. Omit the Vodka to create a non-alcoholic version.
Did you know? Orange Vitality can provide an internal boost with its antioxidants and can also help cleanse the digestive system.
watermelon spritzer
Ingredients:
- 3 cups chilled watermelon
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 drop Lime Vitality
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients into a blender and mix until pureed well. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Did you know? Lime Vitality is 100% Bioflavonoid. That means it not only supports the immune system, but it stimulates the detox pathways and helps with the absorption of Vitamin C.
tropical paradise
Ingredients:
- 1 shot Coconut Rum
- 1 shot Vodka
- 2 shots Pineapple Juice
- 1 drop Tangerine Vitality
Instructions:
Combine ingredients and serve room temperature or over ice. Omit the Vodka and Rum to create a non-alcoholic version.
Did you know? Tangerine Vitality is high in limonene, which is a great booster for the immune system. It also supports the digestive and circulatory systems.
surviving the cookouts: appetizers
Now that you've gotten a few drink recipes to try, let's move on to some appetizers. This first one is going to be a favorite for the kids. We use Cinnamon Bark Vitality in this recipe, but you could try others to find which one speaks your language - Orange or Lemon Vitality would be two I would try first!
Berry honey yogurt dip
Ingredients:
- 2 cups plain or vanilla Greek yogurt.
- 1/2 cup honey (decrease to 1/4 if using vanilla yogurt)
- 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, and Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with assorted fresh fruit. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Did you know? Cinnamon Bark Vitality can help support healthy digestive and immune systems. It's also one of the oils in the well-known Thieves blend.
This next one is a hit with the adults, but some kids may enjoy it too! Put your garden to good use and go grab a few ingredients to share with some friends.
caprese salad with lemon-basil vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved.
- fresh mozzarella, cut into chunks.
- fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar.
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste.
- 3 drops Basil Vitality
- 3 drops Lemon Vitality
Instructions:
Place tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves in a bowl and set aside. Add red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, basil vitality, and lemon vitality to a blender or food processor and mix until combined. Pour vinaigrette over tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil and stir gently. Serve immediately.
Did you know? Basil Vitality can support the nervous system and digestive system. Lemon Vitality is an immune system powerhouse and helps to flush the body of toxins.
surviving the cookouts: main dishes
Now that we've gotten some food in our bellies with those delicious apps, let's jump into some delicious main dish recipes! Fire up the grill and break out those oils; we are going to whip up some burgers and fries.
black pepper turkey burgers
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground turkey
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/8 cup BBQ sauce
- 10 drops Black Pepper Vitality
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Form ground turkey into patties and grill. Enjoy!
Did you know? Black Pepper Vitality stimulates the entire digestive system and WAY more! Google it.
rosemary oven-baked fries
Ingredients:
- 5-6 large potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 drop Rosemary Vitality
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 424 degrees. Cut the potatoes into thin strips and place in large bowl. Mix ingredients together and pour over potatoes. Toss until coated well. Bake for 20 minutes then increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees and bake for 10 additional minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
Did you know? Rosemary Vitality can be very supportive to the digestive, immune, and respiratory systems.
surviving the cookouts: Desserts
Now on to my favorite meal of the day... dessert! There is nothing like an ice-cold bite of a refreshing sorbet or popsicle to end a hot summer day. And when you've infused them with the best essential oils on the planet you can even enjoy them guilt free.
lemon sorbet
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cup organic evaporated cane juice crystals
- 2 drops Lemon Vitality
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
Create a syrup by combining water and cane juice crystals in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the crystals are dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Combine syrup, Lemon Vitality, and lemon juice in a medium-sized glass or stainless-steel bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours, churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, cover and freeze until ready to serve.
Did you know? Lemon Vitality provides great support to the circulatory system.
coconut lavender popsicles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2/3 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1-3 drops Lavender Vitality
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for 4-6 hours.
strawberry mint popsicles
Ingredients:
- 3 cups strawberries
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1-2 drops Peppermint Vitality
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for 4-6 hours.
cherry lime popsicles
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 cups pitted cherries
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 drops Lime Vitality
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze 4-6 hours.
lemon berry yogurt popsicle
Ingredients:
- 1 cup yogurt
- 2/3 cup berries
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1-3 drops Lemon Vitality
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for 4-6 hours.
Did you know? Lavender Vitality supports the integumentary, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Peppermint Vitality supports the muscular and digestive systems. Lime Vitality supports the lymphatic system. Lemon Vitality supports the immune, digestive, and lymphatic systems.
surviving the kids: slime with Oils
I have just a few more tricks for surviving summer. This time it's to help the kids! Even if you don't have kids of your own, these would be great recipes to try with neighbors, grandkids, nieces and nephews, or as a fun Oily DIY with friends.
Kids love slime! So here is an easy one to try that's infused with essential oils.
summer slime
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white craft glue
- 2 3/4 cups hot water, divided
- 3-4 drops bergamot or citrus fresh
- choice of colored glitter
- 3/4 tsp borax
Instructions:
Thoroughly mix glue, 1 1/2 cup hot water, and 3-4 drops of essential oil in a bowl. Add colored glitter. In a second bowl, mix borax and 1 1/4 cup of hot water. Once both mixtures are thoroughly mixed and it's cool to the touch, combine them in one bowl and mix together by hand. Keep mixing, stretching, pulling and squeezing, and you will have the perfect batch of summer slime!
Note: To remove this slime from fabric, simply remove excess slime and douse area in a white vinegar. Let sit for 3-5 minutes then scrape area with a spoon or butter knife. Wash with warm water and wipe with dry cloth.
surving the kids: DIY lip balm
This next recipe is fun to make anytime of the year but it's a great way to kick that summer boredom. PLUS - it's a great opportunity to teach kids about taking care of their bodies with healthy ingredients. Too many of the "kid-friendly" lip balms out there are chock full of synthetic fragrance and colors, parabens, petroleum, and more. Those have been linked to hormone disruptions and much worse. Instead of risking it with those iffy ingredients, let's just make some ourselves with ingredients we KNOW are safe and good for our bodies. It's super simple!
oil-infused lip balm
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 5 tbsp beeswax, melted
- 12 drops Lavender or Grapefruit
- small tins.
Instructions:
Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler, stir every 30 seconds. Remove from heat and once cooled slightly, add essential oil(s). Stir gently and pour into small tins while still in liquid state. let set until hardened. Close lid. Store in a cool, dry place.
Get creative! Swap out the essential oils for different ones - Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Orange, whatever your heart desires! You can also print off or design your own labels for the tins. Customize these to your liking and enjoy them all year long! You could even do these at a kid's birthday party and share them with friends or give them as gifts throughout the year.
Surviving the kids: bathtub crayons
This next recipe is sure to be a hit! Even if it's not bath time, throw the kids in the tub with their swimsuits on and let them color on the walls. Genius!! They'll be occupied for a while, and YOU get to look like the cool mom (or aunt... grandma...)!
oil-infused bathtub crayons
Ingredients:
- glycerin soap
- essential oil of choice (ex: Stress Away, Lavender, SleepyIze)
- natural dye
- silicone mold
Instructions:
- Cut the glycerin soap in 1 oz. pieces.
- Using a small bowl, melt a 1 oz. piece in the microwave for 15 seconds. Continue heating for 3-second increments until fully melted.
- Add 1-2 drops of essential oil and stir.
- Pour the glycerin mixture into each mold until it's almost full.
- Add about 10 drops of dye to each mold. Add more until desired color is reached. Gently stir to blend. Repeat for as many colors as you want.
- Let dry for 24 hours. Remove from molds and enjoy!
Did you know? Stress Away promotes relaxation and helps calm the mind. Lavender has balancing properties that calm the mind and body. SleepyIze promotes feelings of relaxation and tranquility for the body and mind.
surviving the kids: Monster spray
Every summer day must come to an end so why not end it with some amazing pillow spray that is sure to ward off any monsters hiding under the bed... AND help calm and relax those sun-kissed kiddos. You can completely customize it to your liking and let your kids help pick out the oils. Just be sure to grab the sleepy ones!
monster spray
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. water
- 1 oz. witch hazel
- essential oils of choice (ex: Stress Away, Lavender, SleepyIze)
Have fun with this one and add a cute label. The kids are sure to love adding their own touches! And keep in mind, this spray isn't just for kids - adults need a little help unwinding at times, too.
If you have any question, please feel to reach out to me. I am very happy to answer questions and support you on your wellness journey. You can reach me by email at abreathoffreshair23@gmail.com, or by phone at 959-301-1403.
Ingesting oils can be a concern for some, but don't worry! This article will give you the knowledge to make an informed decision and the confidence to try new things.
seed to seal
Not all essential oils are created equally. When you shop with Young Living you are getting quality products backed by a 'Seed to Seal' guarantee that you won't find anywhere else. You can expect that Young Living will provide you with only the BEST!
- plant material that is grown on corporately owned farms or carefully vetted partner farms (that you CAN visit!)
- sustainable farming and sourcing practices, providing the purest oil.
- great care taken to preserve and protect natural resources.
- hand-weeded fields and ZERO use of pesticides.
- oils that retain all their natural constituents and therapeutic properties.
- use of food-grade distillers with state-of-the-art design and distillation methods.
- low pressure and low temperature distillation, without the use of solvents or synthetic chemicals.
- rigorous testing on each batch by internal labs and third-party facilities.
- oils that are carefully reviewed through every step of production in order to meet or exceed industry safety and purity standards (beyond organic!)
And the best part... if the oils do not meet these high standards they are rejected and will not be bottled as a Young Living product. Now that's amazing!!
Usage & safety
Essential oils can be used in three main ways: aromatically, topically, and internally. For the purpose of this article, we are going to focus on internal usage.
Remember that Seed to Seal stuff we mentioned earlier? That's how you know you're getting SAFE, quality essential oils. Just remember - these oils are pure, unadulterated, and potent. For this reason, it's recommended to start slow, read the labels, do your own research, and feel empowered to determine your comfort level with ingesting essential oils. Young Living makes it super easy and has an entire line of essential oils approved for ingestion called the Vitality line. The oils have also been non-GMO project verified.
Cooking with oils is not complicated but I've got a few tips for you!
- Store your oils in a cool, dry place; oils often do well in the refrigerator.
- Put your 'cooking' oils in a dedicated food-grade dropper bottle to make measuring easier.
- Use stainless steel or glass prep/mixing bowls; oils and plastic don't mix well.
- Keep bottles sealed tightly to preserve their quality and shelf life, but not so tight that you crack the lid.
- Add oils to your dish at the end of the cooking process: this will extend the life of your oils by requiring fewer drops to achieve the same desired flavor.
Cost & convienience
Do you buy fresh or dried herbs and spices from the grocery store to cook with? Are they organic? Have you ever done a breakdown of how much that is actually costing you per dish? Let's do some math!
Since Amazon is a household name let's look at a product from there - "Frontier Co-Op Organic Rosemary Leave, Fancy Grade."
You can get a 0.85-ounce bottle for $9.02. It contains approximately 7 tablespoons of organic dried Rosemary leaves, which ends up being $1.29 per tablespoon.
According to our conversion chart, 4 drops of Rosemary essential oils is equal to 1 tablespoon. An entire bottle of Rosemary Vitality (90-100 drops) costs only $8.75, equaling just $0.09 per drop - a total of $0.35 for a 'tablespoon' worth of Rosemary. I'm no math whiz but I think $0.35 is less than $1.29. That's a HUGE savings! Right?
Good 'til the last drop
Another savvy way to cook with oils and get the best BANG for your buck is to infuse #allthethings ... butter, salt, olive oil, water, pretty much anything your heart desires!
Flavored Butter: Add one drop of essential oil to 1 tsp. of softened butter.
Flavored Salt: Grab your empty Lemon, Lime, Basil, Rosemary, or Thyme essential oil bottles and fill them up with good quality Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt; let sit for a least 24 hours. Voila! Oil-infused salt for your dishes!
Flavored Sprays: Combine 1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 10 drops of your desired essential oil, and filtered water in a 2-ounce food-safe, glass pray bottle. Shake well before each use and spray on food at the end of cooking. Perfect for pasta!
Flavored Kitchen Oils: You get to play around with this one! Grab a 2-ounce food-safe dropper bottle (preferably glass) and fill it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or your favorite kitchen oil), leaving room for some essential oil flare. Start with just a few drops of your desired essential oil and add more until you've reached your preferred level of flavor.
Flavored Water: Citrus essential oils are a great option for flavoring your water. They're cold-pressed from the rind so they aren't hard on your teeth enamel. Plus, they're fill with antioxidants! Start with one drop in a glass of water (remember oils and plastic don't do well together) and add more if desired.
Try this delicious recipe for starters! Remember, you are the chef here! Add whatever ingredients or oils your palette desires. Use your imagination and get creative!
Citrus Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2-3 drops each Lemon and Lime Vitality
- 3-4 drops Tangerine Vitality
- 1-2 tbsp sweetener, to taste (raw honey or liquid stevia)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Four Seasons of flavor
One of the best things about cooking with oils is that they never go out of season. you could be in the dead of winter and still whip up a dish that tastes as fresh as spring! Let me show you some ways to do this...
- Add Black Pepper Vitality to your scrambled eggs.
- Add Orange or Thieves Vitality to melted chocolate and drizzle over sliced fruit.
- Add Peppermint Vitality to brownies or hot chocolate.
- Add Cinnamon Bark or Nutmeg Vitality to pancake batter.
- Add Oregano or Basil Vitality to spaghetti sauce.
- Add Lemon Vitality to marinades for chicken and fish.
- Add Dill Vitality to your favorite potato salad.
- Add Cilantro Vitality to your rice on Taco Tuesday!
a taste of spring
"Spring is nature's way of saying let's party." -Robin Williams
What do you think of when you think of spring? My mind goes to sunshine fresh air, flowers blooming, new life, and Lavender! So, let's get the party started with some recipes that are perfect for celebrating spring!
Sunrise Nitro Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 tube NingXia Nitro
- 4 drops Orange or Tangerine Vitality
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 peeled navel orange
- 1/2 tsp. chia seeds
- 1/2 cup cubed ice (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in the blender and blend until desired consistency.
- Add additional coconut water if needed.
Lemon lavender vegan Cheesecakes
Crust:
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 cup dates
Filling:
- 2 cups raw cashews, presoaked in water for 4 hours
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 4-6 drops Lavender Vitality
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Grease muffin tin with non-stick spray or coconut oil.
- Place long strips of parchment paper in each muffin mold for easy removal.
- Blend dates, nuts, and chia seeds in a food processor until a rough, sticky texture is reached
- Transfer mixture into muffin pan by the spoonful; press down firmly and evenly. Set pan in freezer.
- Blend all filling ingredients until smooth and creamy. Add liquid if needed (ex: almond milk).
- Remove muffin pan from freezer and add filling to each crust, smoothing out to eliminate air bubbles.
- Decorate, if desired (ex: use lavender before freezing and lemon after freezing).
- Freeze for at least 6 hours.
- Gently pull each cake out using parchment paper.
- Enjoy when ready! Makes 12 cakes.
seasonal wellness lavender lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- 1/2 cup local honey
- 1 drop Lavender Vitality
- 6 1/2 cups of water, divided
Instructions:
- Add lemon juice to glass pitcher, including lemon pulp.
- In a small saucepan, combine honey and 1/2 cup of water over low heat. Stir until the honey has combined with the water, creating a syrup.
- Add 1 drop of Lavender Vitality and 2 drops Lemon Vitality to syrup (not the water).
- Pour syrup into lemon juice; add 6 cups water and stir well.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
savoring summer
"Summertime is always the best of what might be." -Charles Bowden
Oh, sweet summer! Sunshine, outdoors, beaches, barbeques... What are some of your favorite things about summer?
These recipes are perfect for all your summer celebrations - or if you just want to bring some warmth to the winter!
MediterranEAn Marinade
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 drop Oregano Vitality
- 2 drops Lemon Vitality
- 1 drop Black Pepper Vitality
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Set meat in shallow glass bowl or baking pan.
- pour marinade over meat; cover and refrigerate 1-4 hours before grilling.
- Discard any unused marinade.
spicy potato salad
Ingredients:
- 6 medium-sized gold potatoes, peeled.
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 drops of Coriander Vitality
- 4 drops Lime Vitality
- 1 drop Black Pepper Vitality
- 1 cup dried Wolfberries
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped & packed
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped and packed
- 1 cup fresh dill, chopped and packed
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
Instructions:
- Place peeled potatoes in a large pot of boiling water and cook.
- Drain potatoes, dry and cube.
- Heat up 2 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet on medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried wolfberries. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add turmeric.
- Toss in potatoes; mix well to coat.
- Add cilantro, parsley, and dill. Cook 4 additional minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix in 2 tbsp olive oil with Coriander, Lime, and Black Pepper Vitality oils.
- Drizzle over potato salad until fully mixed.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Top with additional red pepper flakes and remaining fresh herbs.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Homemade blueberry lavender ice cream
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 cup full-fat coconut cream
- 4 tsp Blue Agave
- 4 drops Lavender Vitality
- Up to 1/3 cup coconut water.
Instructions:
- Line small casserole dish with wax or parchment paper.
- Add frozen blueberries, coconut cream, Lavender Vitality, and agave to a high-powered blender or food processor.
- Pulse ingredients together, adding coconut water 1 tbsp at a time to help ingredients blend together smoothly. Be careful not to add too much liquid or ice cream will become too soft.
- Pour ingredients into the prepared dish, cover, and freeze for 4 hours.
- Scoop into bowls, garnish with your favorite toppings & enjoy!
autumn bliss
"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." -Unknown
As much as I love summer, and hate the thought of winter fast approaching, autumn is one of my favorite seasons. When the air turns cooler and you start to break out the hoodies, go on hayrides, get cozy by the fire, and whip up all the pumpkin and apple recipes you can find. These tasty recipes will fit right in!
cinnamon apple chips
Ingredients:
- 3 apples
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
- Use Thieves Fruit & Veggie Spray to clean the fruit.
- With a mandolin or knife, thinly slice apples from top to bottom.
- In a small bowl, combine honey and Cinnamon Bark Vitality.
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and place apple slices on top.
- Bake for 90-minutes.
- Remove from oven and place apple slices on cooling rack.
For best results, store apple chips in an airtight container and eat within 24 hours.
pumpkin Spice protein bars
Ingredients:
- 1-2 tsp Stevia powder
- 4 oz. unsweetened applesauce
- 2 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality
- 1-2 drops Ginger Vitality
- 1 drop Clove Vitality
- 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 15-oz can raw pumpkin
- 2 cups oat flour
- 2 Scoops Pure Protein Complete - Vanilla Spice Protein Powder
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9x13 glass baking dish with nonstick spray or coconut oil.
- Combine Stevia powder, unsweetened applesauce, Vitality essential oils, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, and egg whites in mixing bowl; mix well.
- Add oat flour, Pure Protein Complete, Vanilla Spice protein powder and chopped walnuts; mix well.
- Spread batter into baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool before cutting into 30 equal squares.
Pumpkin spice latte
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Half & Half
- 14 oz .sweetened condensed milk
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 drops each Cinnamon Bark, Clove, and Nutmeg Vitality
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until fully combined.
- Add desired amount of regular back coffee & stir.
- Store in refrigerator.
Winter warmth
"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." -John Steinbeck
Use these recipes to add a touch of sweetness and warmth to your winter season.
French toast with apple cranberry sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup juice (ex: grape, apple, orange)
- 1 cup berry preserves
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped.
- 4 drops Orange Vitality, divided.
- 3 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality, divided.
- 3 eggs.
- 3/4 cup milk.
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
- 1 drop Nutmeg Vitality
- 1 drop Clove Vitality
- 1 drop Ginger Vitality
- 8 large slices of bread or 12 regular slices.
Instructions:
- Combine cranberries, juice, preserves, and apples in small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat.
- Remove from heat and add 2 drops Orange Vitality and 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality. Stir and set aside.
- Heat griddle to 375 degrees.
- Combine eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, Nutmeg Vitality, Ginger Vitality, plus 2 drops each Cinnamon Bark Vitality, Orange Vitality in shallow dish and stir well.
- Dip bread into egg mixture; allow excess to drip off before setting on griddle.
- Cook each side about 3-4 minutes each or until golden brown.
- Spoon apple mixture over top and serve immediately.
dark chocolate cinnamon mousse
Ingredients:
- 3 large avocados, peeled and pitted.
- 1 1/2 cups raw unsweetened cocoa powder.
- 3/4 cup maple syrup.
- 1/2 cup raw agave.
- 15 oz. can coconut cream, refrigerated overnight.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla powder.
- 4 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality (or substituted 8 drops Orange Vitality).
- 1 pinch finely ground pink Himalayan salt.
Instructions:
- Place avocados in food processor and puree until smooth.
- Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, agave syrup, vanilla powder, Cinnamon Bark Vitality (or Orange Vitality) and salt.
- Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip coconut cream until fluffy.
- Gently fold in chocolate mixture to whipped cream until thoroughly combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
homemade hot cocoa
Ingredients:
- 4 cups unsweetened almond milk (or sub).
- 8 tbsp unsweetened cocoa.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- 4 tsp honey, or more to taste.
- 4 drops Lavender, Peppermint, Orange or Cinnamon Bark Vitality.
Instructions:
- Heat milk in saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Add cocoa, vanilla extract, and honey; whisk until smooth.
- When warm, remove from heat and stir in essential oil(s) of choice.
- Serve and enjoy!
I hope you have enjoyed this article. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I am always happy to help. You can reach me by email at abreathoffreshair23@gmail.com or by phone at 959-301-1403.
Don't you hate it when you walk into a room and can't remember why? When a word is just on the tip of your tongue, but you can't call it to mind no matter how hard you try? This can happen when we are busy and overwhelmed, or it can be a sign of less-than-ideal brain function. June is Alzheimer's Awareness & Brain Awareness Month - a time to highlight the health of our most vital organ, our brain, and to show it a little TLC. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget about nurturing our brain. Luckily, Young Living has some simple ways you can support your brain health and a strong memory - let's dive in!
Brain Power Essential Oil: is a carefully crafted blend of Lavender, Cedarwood, Sacred Sandalwood, Blue Cypress, Helichrysum, Frankincense, and Melissa designed to promote concentration, clarity, and cognitive function. Many of the oils in the Brain Power blend are revered for their ability to promote higher levels of oxygenation in the brain's centers responsible for processing. Oxygen is vital for brain function, and increased oxygenation can lead to improved cognitive function, including enhanced focus and memory recall.
Additionally, the essential oils in Brain Power, especially Frankincense and Sandalwood, contain compounds that are studied for their neuroprotective effects. These properties may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting overall brain health and cognitive acuity.
Mindwise: is a must have when it comes to supporting brain health. This advanced brain wellness serum combines the best of nature and science to support normal brain function and cardiovascular health. It's a powerhouse of Sacha Inchi nut oil, a rich source of amega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients crucial for maintaining a healthy brain.
Mindwise contains L-alpha glyceryl phosphorylcholine, a natural choline compound found in the brain, that contributes to the production of neurotransmitters and help to build cell membranes, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine, an antioxidant that supports normal brain function.
These incredible ingredients, along with a proprietary oil blend with Lemon, Peppermint, Fennel, Anise, and Lime to support absorption, makes this a supplement everyone needs to have on hand for supporting brain function!
Green Omega 3: is a vegan soft gel that has three key ingredients that make it a superior supplement compared to other omegas on the market:
Algal oil from algae, Clove essential oil, and Flaxseed. Our bodies can't produce these essential fatty acids, so supplementing with a bioavailable source like Green Omega 3 is key! This vegan supplement gives you the benefits of DHA and EPA help to support eye, skin, joint, heart, circulatory and brain health without the fishy aftertaste that so many omega supplements offer. Green Omega 3 is an easy addition to your daily routine that supports both your mind and body.
Last but certainly not least, NingXia Red. This delicious drink is not only a treat for your taste buds; it's loaded with antioxidants from Ningxia wolfberries, which support healthy brain function. It's an deal daily supplement to protect and nourish your brain, helping you to stay sharp and focused throughout the day.
By incorporating these Young Living products into your daily routine, you can take steps toward better brain health and wellness and a better memory and cognitive function!