Today we’re talking about why you should never buy oils from Amazon. Here’s why: Your chances of getting real, pure essential oils are very low. Your chance of getting imitation products that could even be harmful is extremely high.
Listen, I love Amazon and order from them all the time. Really. The free one-day prime shipping?? I’m all about that. But I’ve learned the hard way, there are some things you just shouldn’t buy there. When I first became a member with Young Living, I bought some oils from Amazon because I found that they were cheaper. Cheap is not good.
Most essential oils on Amazon are very low quality
Like other large retailers that sell essential oils, most essential oils on Amazon are low quality. They may be labeled “100% pure” or even “organic” or “therapeutic grade,” but those labels don’t mean much.
You may have heard me talk about it before but it’s worth mentioning again: there’s no enforcement of what’s printed on essential oil labels, so companies are free to put pretty much whatever they want inside the bottle and still call it “100% pure.” Synthetic chemicals and fragrances are much cheaper to produce than real essential oils, so that’s mostly what you find.
The bottles will often also be labeled as “for aromatic use” or “only for external use.” That’s often a dead giveaway that it’s not really pure essential oil.
Think those are Young Living oils? Think again
The other problem is that Amazon doesn’t control all the products they sell. They source and ship some items, but many are sold by third-party sellers and Amazon may never even see the product, much less assess its quality.
Bottom line — there are lots of fake products on Amazon
Young Living doesn’t directly sell any essential oils to or through Amazon. So, any Young Living oils sold there are through third-party sellers, who may or may not be reliable. It’s easy to take an old Young Living bottle, fill it with something else, and make it look new.
Fake products sold by places like Walmart or Amazon hold risks of everything from cyanide to rat poison . . .” Ewwww! One woman I heard about recently ordered Young Living frankincense from Amazon, used it under her tongue, as she had been doing with the frankincense she bought directly from Young Living, and ended up seriously ill in the hospital.
Don’t risk it
Don’t let that be you! Don’t waste your money ordering essential oils from Amazon. Buy directly from a company you trust. I highly recommend Young Living and would love to help you get started. The only way to know you’re getting legitimate Young Living oils is to order directly from the company.
Actual Young Living oils? They won’t contain rat poison. Something you order from Amazon? Who knows?
If you’re interested in learning more about “Why Young Living”, this week on my Freedom-n-Joy Essentials page, I am talking about why Young Living is the company to go with.
Summer is here friends! How did the summer of 2021 really get here?
If you love having people over as much as I do (or if you’d like to love it more), I have some simple tips to help make having a party or backyard cookout at your place this summer a breeze. In a previous blog I mentioned that I am a planner and I love to plan cookouts.
Here are a few simple tips to making hosting a little easier for you.
Keep it Simple
I’ve found that keeping all of the party simple makes it the most fun for me. I like to keep the food, and decor simple! Grilling is always a great option for an outdoor party because you can still be part of the party and cook the food. My husband takes care of the grilling and I do the rest. Normally at our cookouts, we grill hamburgers or hot dogs. I'd say that’s pretty simple.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Guests are more than glad to help out when you are doing the bulk of the cooking. Before you invite anyone, write up a list of things that you wouldn’t mind help with so that when the “What can I bring?” question pops up, you’ll be ready. I always provide the supplies like paper cups & plates, roasting sticks, or picnic blankets. If it’s a really big party, ask one friend to come a half hour early to help you set up (or you can ask them to send their teenagers over early to help set up – this works great, too!).
Keep kids in mind
Unless you are planning an adult-only party, keep the little people in mind.. Outside this might be balls, wagons, or little shovels to play with in the dirt. Plan extra cups because kids never seem to use the same cup twice at a party. It’s nice to cut food into smaller serving for kids (break corn on the cob into halves, cut watermelon into smaller pieces, etc.). Last but not least, when planning on kids, mentally plan on a few spills (this is why we eat outside) because it’s going to happen. Expecting them to happen makes it a lot easier to deal with when they do!
Encourage people to linger longer
Comfy chairs, cornhole, and smores, these are all reasons to stay just a little bit longer. We also happen to have a firepit that when it gets dark, it’s nice to sit around the fire and have some good conversations. And who can say no to perfectly roasted JET-PUFFED Marshmallows sandwiched in between those perfectly crispy HONEY MAID Grahams with melted HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate? Not this girl. Gather around the fire and get to roasting, friends. The party will last as long as the marshmallows do!
Keep your goals in mind
I have been guilty of letting the party planning pressures suck some of the fun out of the event for me. If you are going to truly enjoy this time with friends and family, I think it’s important to think a little bit about why you are hosting a cookout and why you invited who you did. When I remember my “whys” it makes the whole evening more fun. I have parties to connect with people. I invite people into my home or backyard to build relationships. And I go the extra mile so that people know I think of them and care for them. The people and relationships are why I do it and that makes all the difference.
Are you excited to host a backyard cookout soon? I hope these little tips and tricks will help the evening go smoothly so that you can enjoy your people.
This week on my Freedom-n-Joy Essentials facebook page, I am talking about summer socials. There will also be some amazing recipes shared that I think you will enjoy. Your guests will be impressed!
Have you ever said something out of anger that you later regretted? Do you let fear talk you out of taking the risks that could really benefit you? If so, you are not alone. I will readily admit that I’ve said things I wish I could take back and the immediate feelings are not good. I’ve gone to bed feeling sadness and guilt over my impulsive words. Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in emotional responses.
Emotions are powerful. Your mood determines how you interact with people, how much money you spend, how you deal with challenges, and how you spend your time. Gaining control over your emotions will help you become mentally stronger. Fortunately, anyone can become better at regulating their emotions. Just like any other skill, managing your emotions requires practice and dedication.
Experience Uncomfortable Emotions But Don't Stay Stuck in Them
Managing your emotions isn't the same as suppressing them. Ignoring your sadness or pretending you don't feel pain won't make those emotions go away. In fact, unaddressed emotional wounds are likely to get worse over time. And there's a good chance suppressing your feelings will cause you to turn to unhealthy coping skills--like food or alcohol. I will turn to food if I can’t deal with my emotional wounds.
It's important to acknowledge your feelings while also recognizing that your emotions don't have to control you. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, you can take control of your mood and turn your day around. If you are angry, you can choose to calm yourself down.
Here are three ways to gain better control over your mood:
Label Your Emotions
Before you can change how you feel, you need to acknowledge what you're experiencing right now. Are you nervous? Do you feel disappointed? Are you sad? Keep in mind that anger sometimes masks emotions that make us feel vulnerable--like shame or embarrassment. So, pay close attention to what's really going on inside of you.
Put a name your emotions. Keep in mind you might feel a whole bunch of emotions at once--like anxiety, frustration, and impatience. Labeling how you feel can take a lot of the sting out of the emotion. It can also help you take careful note of how those feelings are likely to affect your decisions.
Frame Your Thoughts
Your emotions affect the way you perceive events. If you're feeling anxious and you get an email from the boss that says she wants to see you right away, you might assume you're going to get fired. If however, you're feeling happy when you get that same email, your first thought might be that you're going to be promoted or congratulated on a job well done.
Consider the emotional filter you're looking at the world through. Then, reframe your thoughts to develop a more realistic view. If you catch yourself thinking, "This networking event is going to be a complete waste of time. No one is going to talk to me and I'm going to look like an idiot," remind yourself, "It's up to me to get something out of the event. I'll introduce myself to new people and show interest in learning about them."
Sometimes, the easiest way to gain a different perspective is to take a step back and ask yourself, "What would I say to a friend who had this problem?" Answering that question will take some of the emotion out of the equation so you can think more rationally.
If you find yourself dwelling on negative things, you may need to change the channel in your brain. A quick physical activity, like going for a walk or jogging, can help you stop ruminating.
Engage in a Mood Booster
When you're in a bad mood, you're likely to engage in activities that keep you in that state of mind. Isolating yourself, mindlessly scrolling through your phone, or complaining to people around you are just a few of the typical "go-to bad mood behaviors" you might indulge in. But, those things will keep you stuck. You must take positive action if you want to feel better.
Think of the things you do when you feel happy. Do those things when you're in a bad mood and you'll start to feel better. Here are a few examples of mood boosters:
- Call a friend to talk about something pleasant (not to continue complaining)
- Go for a walk
- Meditate for a few minutes
- Listen to uplifting music
Keep Practicing Your Emotional Regulation Skills
Managing your emotions is tough at times. And there will likely be a specific emotion--like anger--that sometimes gets the best of you. But the more time and attention you spend on regulating your emotions, the mentally stronger you will become. You will gain confidence in your ability to handle discomfort while also knowing that you can make healthy choices that shift your mood.
This week on my Freedom-n-Joy Essentials page, I am talking about oils and emotions. There is so much good information that can help you to release your emotions when you need it. See you there!
This month we are honoring the men in our lives, so this blog is for men. If you have a man in your life, please feel free to pass this onto them.
Looking more fit and feeling younger may be a matter of getting certain hormones in balance. Although several hormones can affect your health, three of the most crucial ones for men are testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol.
Testosterone and Manliness
Let’s start with testosterone, well known for its association with, well, manliness. The hormone is responsible for men’s confidence, drive, and desire for sex. Testosterone naturally drops after a man gets married and today’s ultrafast pace of life and unhealthy habits are also contributing to testosterone declines.
For example, lack of sleep can lower your testosterone level. Men who get less sleep for even just 2 weeks can see their testosterone level decrease by 15 percent. Diet can also affect your testosterone.
Eating too many carbohydrates can cause spikes in insulin, which then has a negative impact on both testosterone and growth hormone levels, At the same time, not eating enough of the right kind of fat or not getting enough healthy cholesterol will also keep your testosterone lower than it could be.
When you have low testosterone, there can be a domino effect on your health. Your sex drive may fade. You may have a harder time getting in shape, even if you are exercising. You may also feel less energetic.
There’s also an interesting reaction in women, and some may feel less attracted to their male partners with low testosterone levels. They may even have a harder time conceiving if their partner with low testosterone experiences a drop in sperm count.
Problems with low testosterone also affect men during exercise. Two guys who are eating the same thing and doing the same kind of exercise, and the guy with the naturally higher testosterone level will gain more muscle and lose more fat. Low testosterone has also been linked to more serious health consequences, such as a higher risk for obesity, heart trouble, osteoporosis, obstructive, sleep apnea, and other chronic diseases.
How Growth Hormone Affects Men's Health
As you may have guessed, growth hormone is responsible for physical growth -- the more you have of this hormone prior to completing puberty, the taller you’ll be. Like testosterone, growth hormone drops with age and can affect body composition in a number of ways. Athletes use growth hormone to help them recover from workouts and the rigors of practices and game day.
Growth hormone also acts as a supercharger for testosterone. Men who undergo treatment for low growth hormone levels will likely find that their testosterone increases. There are side effects associated with too much growth hormone, however, including increased blood pressure and spikes in blood sugar as well.
How Cortisol Affects Men's Health
Your growth hormone level is inversely related to your level of cortisol, often thought of as the stress hormone. If you’re working long hours, worrying about personal issues, and not following healthy habits, you might have high cortisone levels. The higher your cortisol is, the lower your growth hormone levels will be.
High cortisol levels can make you gain weight in the wrong places. When men are not living their lives in a healthy way, they can accumulate too much stress hormone, which results in a lot of belly fat. Belly fat is among the unhealthiest kinds of fat in the body because it is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
In addition to other lifestyle habits, how much sleep you get can affect your cortisol and growth hormone levels as well as testosterone levels. The less sleep you get, the higher your cortisol will be; the more sleep you get, the lower your cortisol will be. Men need to be aggressive about getting enough sleep to keep hormones in balance and get quality REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep -- the kind of sleep when you dream). During REM sleep your body secretes more growth hormone.
If you are looking for ways to help with hormone balance, go to my facebook page, Freedom-n-Joy Essentials; this week I am sharing about “Hormones for Him”. We are discovering some Young Living supplements that can help keep your hormones in balance. Join us there!
I’m not going to even pretend otherwise: I am a PLANNER. Yes I am! When I plan a vacation, I plan weeks and even months ahead. I enjoy the process of planning things almost as much as I enjoy the thing that I am planning.
Planning our vacations as much as is practical makes everything smooth and stress-free for me. Today I want to share my top tips for planning a stress-free vacation, even if you’re not a planner!
Know the WHY
What is the purpose of this vacation? Relaxation? Attending a specific event? Business trip? Indulgence?
Knowing what your purpose and goals are can help you prioritize what you spend your time and money on (and you can have more than one purpose).
For example, this summer my family and I will be enjoying a road trip out west. Mainly we want to visit several National Parks and enjoy the outdoors. We have our trip mapped out, including places to stay and activities to do each day. This creates less stress because we won’t need to figure out what we're going to do or where we're going to stay while on our trip. Sure, there will be plenty of time for spontaneous things, but the general route and plan has been established.
Keep Your Child’s Routine
Change is one of the best parts about vacation, but it can also have some devastating effects on your child’s behavior. Try to keep the main elements of your family’s routine in place so that your child is set up for success.
Know beforehand where you will be having meals, and how long it will take you to get there. If eating at a restaurant, get there 20-30 minutes before you would usually eat just in case there are delays.
If your child still naps, create a realistic plan around that. Can they sleep in a stroller or Ergo carrier? Can you easily return to the hotel and have them lie down? I wouldn’t hesitate to bring a light blanket and lay it down in a clean park for a nap on a warm day.
Call Before Making Plans
I often find that museums and restaurants have up-to-date websites, but every once in a while, something falls through the cracks. Call the location to confirm that there will not be any closures or that the event you are coming to see is still happening. Book tickets and make reservations whenever possible.
Look at the Map… or use Google Maps
Know where things are in relation to each other. Depending on your personality, that either sounds obvious or over-the-top, but knowing where things that you want to visit are located can help you create some loose plans for your vacation.
Outline Your Days
I like to have complete “days” planned, even if I’m not always set on which dates certain activities will fall on. I don’t decide in advance which date that will be unless there is a specific reason, like a special event or reservation.
Plan a Rainy Day
Okay, maybe planning out a rough itinerary is not for you – but planning for at least one rainy day will stop you from feeling like it’s raining on your parade.
Pack Your Bags… A Week Before
Ok, another weird tip but here’s the thing: aim to pack your bags a week before you leave so that you’re not scrambling and forgetting important things. Believe me, you will think that you are done packing and then two days later you’ll remember something vital that would have put a little kink in your vacation… you’re welcome.
If there are any items that can’t be packed yet because you’ll be using them (cell phone chargers, running shoes), make a list of those items to check the night before.
Another tip is creating a check list and saving that file on your computer. Then when it’s time to pack, print out that list and cross out each item after it’s packed. I do this every time - it saves me time and stress because I don’t have to reinvent my list for each trip.
Plan the Home Stuff
If you have pets or gardens that will need attention, arrange that well in advance.
Also, plan to prep the house for your return. Give away groceries that will go bad by the time you return, and maybe even make your meal plan and grocery list in advance so you’re not scrambling when you come back from vacation. Make your return home smooth.
Pack the Essentials, Lightly
If you’ll be doing a lot of walking, you’ll want to pack light, but being on vacation can also be disorienting and things that you’d easily locate in your hometown might take a bit longer. Plan to carry snacks, water, and a change of clothes for kids, but try to figure out how to do that so you don’t feel like a pack mule (and give yourself away as a tourist). Older children can carry their own items in a small backpack.
Be Flexible
If you’re traveling with kids, there will be hiccups along the way. But – YOU’RE ON VACATION! Laugh off the inconveniences and try your best to roll with the punches. Accept beforehand that some of the things you are most looking forward to might not happen. Give your children grace to have their worst behaviors on vacation, and hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised most of the time!
I hope you enjoyed these tips for planning a stress-free vacation. I want to hear from you – what are your top tips for vacation planning? Also, this week I am sharing about “Fun in the Sun” on my Freedom-n-Joy Essentials page. It's all about setting you up for success during the hot summer days and on your journeys with essential oils.
