And when we use Ningxia Red in our mocktails (or cocktails) it adds a unique energizing and therapeutic shot of TLC to our whole body. Pun intended!
Here are a few recipes for you to enjoy this month!
- 2 oz. NingXia Red
- 1 Can Cranberry or Lime Sparkling Water
- Cranberries or Lime Slice for garnish
Combine 2 oz NingXia Red into 1 can of Cranberry or Lime sparkling water. Add cranberries or a lime slice to garnish. 2 oz vodka is optional!
- 4 oz. NingXia Red
- 2 oz. hot Apple Cider
- Cinnamon Stick or Apple Slice
- 1 oz. NingXia Red
- 2 drops Cinnamon Vitality
- 1 drop Lemon Vitality
- 1 drop Lime Vitality
- 2 oz. NingXia Red
- 2 oz. Champagne or bubbly beverage of choice
Birth control and I have an unsavory history.
I was a few months out to my wedding- and what does every good Christian girl do?
She goes and gets on birth control. Duh. No biggie.
So I went in to a doctor, asked for it, she prescribed something and I went on my way.
No questions or concerns.
Within the month of getting on them I gained 10 pounds (I knew that might happen so I wasn't too concerned) and then I started feeling off. Like crawl out of my skin, off.
On our honeymoon I decided I was done. With each month after I got off of birth control I continued to gain about 10 pounds for almost a year. Um, not ok.
After a year of this battle I found out I was insulin resistant, estrogen dominant, too low in testosterone and progesterone and my cortisol and adrenal glands were completely whacked out.
On top of all that I was now battling depression, major anxiety and feeling like I was living in someone else's body with no answers on how to "fix it".
The doctor couldn't understand how I was sitting in her room upright after looking at my blood work.
Up until this point in my life I had never really struggled with weight. I was tall, skinny and loved to eat. I lived for food with no consequences. I loved going to the gym and working out and I was studying to be a physical trainer right before I met Adam. This threw me a huge curve ball I never wanted.
For me, I ended up getting off birth control cold turkey (having NO CLUE it mattered).
I was so young.. and hormone health was non-existent in my vocabulary.
With that, I have become an accidental hormone advocate and I want women to know what I DIDN'T know at the beginning.
If I could re-do getting off birth control this is what I would do:
Prepare your body 2-3 months before stopping.
You can stop taking the pill safely at any point in your cycle, though it can be helpful to finish a pack so you can predict your next ovulation or period if you’re looking to plan or prevent pregnancy.
An IUD, can also be removed at any point, though removing it during your period when the cervix is naturally softer could be a bit easier.
Quitting cold turkey (like I did) without any body preparation may make this much more difficult. The goal is to make this as smooth a process as possible so you can feel your best while your body finds the rhythm the Lord created it to have. This means there are steps to take before and after, in order to support and wake up your natural endocrine function. After all, your hormones have been asleep for however long youëe been on the pill or hormonal IUD! They need time to wake up, and your hormones may be very sleepy or lazy at first, which is totally normal. You may not even notice any symptoms until 3-6 months after stopping the pill when your hormones really come back to life. All of this is NORMAL.
ONE: NOURISH YOUR HORMONES!
Diet plays a HUGE part in this process. It sets the groundwork and foundation for healthy detoxification, digestion and well-being during this transition.
- Clean up your diet because none of these steps will work without a clean foundation.
- This means 2-3 months before stopping the pill, feed + nourish your cells with real, whole foods
- You want to stay away from anything processed and avoid inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy and refined/processed sugar) during this time to prime and optimize bodily functions.
- Think lots of leafy greens, all the fruits and veggies (and starchy veggies like squashes and sweet potatoes), plenty of healthy fats (avocado, nuts & seeds, and cold-pressed oils like avocado oil or coconut oil) and small amounts of gluten-free grains/legumes like quinoa, brown rice, beans and lentils.
- Keep it whole and keep it as fresh as possible.
- Use food to nourish and move things along more quickly.
- HYDRATE! Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water per day. **add SOLE to support your adrenals with lemon essential oil (young living)
TWO: REPLENISH NUTRIENT STORES WITH SUPPLEMENTATION
2-3 months before quitting, begin supplementing with all of the supplements.
Replenishing lost mineral stores is SO IMPORTANT (the pill depletes all of these).
Want to know my favorite bio-available supplements that have supported my body so much?
-start by loading up on-
- folate
- zinc
- B-complex
- magnesium glycinate
- iodine
- selenium
- vitamin D3
- iron
- a great probiotic
- and an algae-based DHA/EPA
All of these are essential and will make a world of difference in your post-pill life.
Continue taking them until your period is regular and you feel great, or until you get testing done to see where you’re nutrient stores and hormone levels are at.
THREE: SUPPORT YOUR LIVER
While implementing the above steps, go one step further with Porgessence Plus and Dragon time (this is a must and game changer!). If you feel really brave coffee enemas are AMAZING for liver detox and support. This will help a great deal with PMS while leveling out your estrogen in relation to progesterone and help bring them into ideal ratios throughout the month.
Yes, your liver can use the extra support because the liver is responsible for getting hormones ready to be moved out by way of elimination, the liver has extra work to do, ridding the synthetic estrogen. It’s no secret the pill and other synthetic forms of birth control take a toll on the liver, and this vital organ must be functioning at its best for happy hormones.
FOUR: PRIORITIZE GUT HEALTH
I already mentioned high-quality probiotics above but adding in fermented foods will help restore your microbiome too since the pill interferes with the healthy bacteria needed for a thriving gut. Including raw sauerkraut (my fave brand is Farmhouse Culture), kimchi, pickled veggies, unsweetened coconut yogurt, and coconut and raw milk kefir will bring a variety of good bacteria back to your gut.
L-glutamine also helps to repair your gut lining and feels very soothing in your tummy!
Also, in order to properly eliminate estrogen, you must be having daily bowel movements.
If you’re not pooping every day then you need to dig deeper and figure out why.
Are you:
drinking enough water?
eating enough leafy greens and cruciferous veggies?
taking digestive enzymes?
FIVE: PREPARE FOR POST-PILL SYMPTOMS
If you had problems with your cycle before going on the pill, chances are they may return because the pill temporarily masks any underlying menstrual issues. Consider this a chance to connect and take control of your health. You will want to prepare your mind and know that whatever happens is temporary.
Giving your body time to adjust is so important as well as enough rest and downtime.
Flooding your cells with as much nutritional support and love as possible will only help!
Mindset is a large part of the detox process too, so set positive affirmations that everything will work out, and your body is good to you.
possible post-pill symptoms:
-remember, these symptoms can be temporary until your body balances out-
SIX: START CHARTING AND GET YOUR HORMONES TESTED
I would start charting as soon as you stop taking the pill. Take notes and keep track of any and all symptoms in an app (like Clue or MyFLO tracker) or in a journal, as well as when bleeding starts and stops.
Do you feel cramping mid-cycle? That could mean you are ovulating which is a great sign that your body is working to get back into balance!
3 months after quitting the pill, it may be worth it to get your hormones tested if you are curious to know where your levels are at. It’s a great time to test nutrient levels too (you must ask for a FULL blood panel with iron, all the b vitamins, zinc, etc., otherwise they won’t test them.)
There are at-home hormone testing kits that make it super convenient and easy to see where you are at. This information will guide you in accessing steps to take depending on what imbalances you may have. I use the Women’s Health and Fertility Test from EverlyWell to see where at for peace of mind! You can then bring the results to your doctor or naturopath so they can help guide you in steps to take.
SEVEN: START LIVING IN HARMONY WITH YOUR HORMONAL RHYTHMS
Learn to lean into the beautiful rhythm of your hormonal fluctuations each month and get comfortable with knowing where you're at in your cycle on any given day!
My health journey began fall of 2007 when I was a few months out to my wedding... what does every good Christian girl do? She goes and gets on birth control. Duh. No biggie. I went in to a doctor, asked for birth control, she prescribed something & I went on my way. No questions or concerns. Within the month of getting on them I gained 10 pounds (I knew that might happen so I wasn't too concerned) and then I started feeling off. Like crawl out of my skin, off. On our honeymoon I decided I was done.
•••
With each month after I got off of birth control I continued to gain about 10 pounds for almost a year. Um, not ok. After a year of this battle I found out I was insulin resistant, estrogen dominant, too low in testosterone and progesterone and my cortisol and adrenal glands were completely wacked out. On top of all that I was now battling depression, major anxiety and feeling like I was living in someone else's body with no answers on how to "fix it". One of the any doctorsI went to couldn't understand how I was sitting in her room upright, after looking at my blood work.
For years, I felt helpless inside my own body.
I battled depression, major brain fog, terrible insomnia, extreme weight gain &
fatigue when just breathing felt too much most days.
Up until this point in my life I had never really struggled with weight. I was tall, skinny and loved to eat. I lived for food with no consequences. I loved going to the gym and working out and I was studying to be a physical trainer right before I met my hubby.
This threw me a huge curve ball I never wanted.
•••
I have done everything under the sun from diet, cleanse, supplement, doctor, naturopath and chiropractor to help heal my body, to make it right. I have also spent waaaaay too much money in the attempt to heal myself. I had to become my own advocate and do the research my doctors were not willing to do. I was once told I was depressed because I was fat and I "should just loose weight".
At that time, I was training for a triathlon eating clean yet kept gaining.. Sorry doctor, try again.
•••
Ultimately I trust that the healing of my hormones and my body is in the Lords hands, my great physician. I have had to hold the tension between trusting His provision on this journey & doing all I can without being all consumed by it.
I have failed more than succeeded at that BUT I have learned so much in each season.
•••
My story is mine. I claim the times I have given up, felt defeated, and honestly wanted my old self back and treated my body like it could handle it. After having my youngest, 5 years ago I felt a renewed hope in this journey which is when I started THE WELLENSS WELL and my attempt to THRIVE & simply feel better. I was done circling that mountain and decided it was time to head north! I am determined to be the best me. I have no clue what that looks like for me and that's ok (as I repeat that to myself) I want to make wise choices because its wise, not because it's guaranteed I will get certain results. It feels like an uphill battle with this body of mine.
Even as I was learning how to integrate more holistic and “modern day hippie” habits into my life, I was hit multiple times a day with terrifying panic that overtook my senses, extreme weight gain, brain fog and hormonal dragon like senses that no one in my family appreciated. It was crushing.
One day, I was introduced to a few products that a lot of people are talking about lately.
To be honest, I’d considered it before, but I was skeptical. I’m not really into “fads.” If you know the enneagram, I’m a wholehearted “4”.
I refuse to be like others just for the sake of it.
This time, I knew the company who made it and trusted the source— so I tried it, I had nothing to loose.
Now, my life is dramatically different. I used to have to put on a face and pretend that I didn’t feel like I was dying inside.
Now, I’m fearless. And I’m on a mission to help a whole lot of women break free & empower themselves with the knowledge and resources I’ve worked so hard to get myself.
Come join our group of fearless mamas and learn how you can find freedom with the knowledge & information we share in our exclusive community.
I started using Essential Oils simply because my mama visited with her new brand starter kit, raved about it, and I had birthday money! Six years later it was one of the best unexpected blessing to our family.
I had never really thought about essential oils even though I had already been on a wellness journey for a few years due to an imbalance of hormones triggered by birth control.
I had focused so much on what I put IN my body and MOVING my body (weight gain was a HUGE symptom for me with my hormones out of wack!)
I also am OVER THE MOON excited about the emotional + hormonal support essential oils/ supplements that have been a GAME CHANGER for my cycle and motherhood!
Favorite Ways I use Young Living for....
-Kiddos sleepy routine-
Every night we (the kiddos know what to do) fill up their diffuser and add about 4 drops of Lavender Oil and and 4 drops Peace & Calming (smells so dreamy). Or we love the Sleepyize blend which makes ME want to fall asleep putting them down. I also have rollerballs of Valor (amazing support when kids are too anxious to fall asleep) and peace & Calming. I will rub them on the kids feet, their wrist and a little on their spine and give them a tiny massage, or they will simply open the bottle up and smell it while laying bed.
Lavender is a herb that is widely known to help with nervousness, anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness. It doesn’t make you sleepy like taking a sleeping pill would, but what it does do is help take the edge off of sleeplessness.
Glow Serum, my face is obsessed with this!
You can make it two ways:
One way in a roller bottle so I can just roll it on my cheekbones when I want a little glow after putting my makeup on. The other way I make it is in a little dropper and drop a few drops into the palm of my hand and rub it all over my face like a moisturizer.
You can literally get rid of ALL of your moisturizers and just use this (plus sunscreen). All you need is Frankincense and Copaiba Essential Oils, both come in your starter kit (see info at the end of this post).
I also have been applying Frankincense directly to a pimple or fine lines! DO IT!
I highly recommend using the Think Dirty App to identify the potential risks associated with the personal care products you use everyday, this is where I started.
Frankincense- Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Fighting supporter. Frankincense essential oil is a powerful astringent, meaning it helps protect skin cells. It can be used to help support acne blemishes, the appearance of large pores, prevent wrinkles, and it even helps lift and tighten skin to naturally slow signs of aging.
-Immune Boost-
When my wonderful doctor prescribed me Thieves + Frankincense to help boost our whole families immune system during a season of sickness, that was a GAME CHANGER, especially Frank down the spine!! We also rub the roller bottle on the bottom of our feet each morning, then put their socks on. I have read that the main thing with oils is consistency and its so true!
-Detangler-
We use a detangler almost everyday for my girl. I was excited to find a recipe to make my own that is non-toxic and also has health benefits. I Young Living Lavender Mint Conditioner, combined with distilled water and Essential Oils.
-Cleaning-
I have used just vinegar and water for YEARS and years and HATED the smell. Now I use Thieves and add in whatever essential oils to make it smell the way I want it to! Thieves also has liquid hand soap, laundry detergent and more that I have been using (and love, again, super budget friendly!)
-Essential Oils for Wool Dryer Balls-
After I did some research we quickly got rid of all dryer sheets and fabric softeners from our house. I use THESE Wool Dryer Balls and I add a couple drops of Lavender, Purification or Thieves Essential Oils to each ball. Make sure the oil absorbs in before tossing in with your clothes. If you deal with your clothes still being staticky, that is due to over-drying. So decrease your drying time. If you still have an issue you attach a safety pin to your dryer balls or some toss in a ball of tinfoil, problem solved!
-Diffusing-
We have completely gotten away from candles because of how toxic they are, I was so frustrated to learn this. The money I wasted on candles was ridiculous AND it was harming out bodies.
The problem is that I just LOVE, like really LOVEEEEEEE the ambiance that candles add. I am an enneagram 4, so yea, I love my environment to be cozy. I gave a diffuser a go, I had nothing to loose. I cannot imagine life without my diffusers now! I put one in every single room in our home, for real.
My favorite thing about the diffusers we have is that they have lights inside, like a soft lamp!
You can diffuse whatever you are needing- calm, energy, headache relief, help relive a cough and more. There is even a combo to duplicate my favorite Anthropologie candle- the Volcano. And I made sure to get diffusers for the kids rooms that they are a diffuser and humidifier combo. One of my favorites to diffuse is just Peace & Calming Essential Oil. It smells so good and it has helps ALL OF US to relax. I used to diffuse it before the kids get home from school and the homework, but now its going all the time with them home!
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR PURE, ESSENTIAL OILS WITH AN EDUCATION TRIBE?
If THE WELLNESS WELL tribe had a motto it would be “quality matters”.
So I like to source products and ingredients – food, beauty, home cleaning, personal care, etc – from companies that are in line with that same belief.
I source all my essential oils, supplements & wellness products from one trusted place – Young Living.
They never use fillers or add synthetic chemicals in their oils. So what you’re getting is only the good stuff – pure, potent, essential oils & over 600 lifestyle products!
I REALLY DIG THEIR:
You can order your starter kit here & I’ll send you even more recipes and resources like these so you feel comfortable using all your oils
Sign up as a Member – for 24% off retail prices (recommended) this does not mean you will ever have to sell anything, it just means you are getting a starter kit & will therefore get 24% off retail prices (just like Costco!) AND joining my deeper wellness education tribe!
When you sign up as a wholesale member, you have the option of joining our private wellness group on facebook, which is where you can learn everything you need to know about using your oils & connect with an amazing, inspiring community. If you are interested in selling the oils and sharing about the company I am passionate about helping women earn income to help support their families! We have monthly business bootcamps & provide mentorship to everyone who joins our tribe!
You can follow me on Instagram @the.wellness.well as I share more of our daily life in Hawaii, my health journey with hormone imbalance & choosing to live a clean lifestyle!
That is just a start of what I have been using Young Living for!
FAQ
What do we use oils for? For just about everything!! Whether you are looking for oils to help support your sleep, for natural immune system support, for energy support, for focus, for relaxation, for your kids, for natural alternatives to cleaning products, the list is endless, there is an oil/product for that!! And you will learn along the way, there aren’t hard set rules, but part of joining our oils tribe is that you get access to the most amazing resources & our private facebook community.
Why Young Living? YL has an unmatched Seed to Seal process to guarantee the purity & potency of every oil. Each batch of oils is rigorously tested in house for therapeutic viability & they are so confident in their products that you can actually visit the farms & participate in the harvest/distillation process.
How do we use oils? You can diffuse them (you get a diffuser in your starter kit!) which is great for making your house smell great, helping your babies or kids relax at night for bed, getting rid of unwanted odors in the house & more, you can apply topically (some require a carrier oil like coconut oil, you’ll learn all about that later!), you can make rollerball combos, creams, sprays, and just about anything!!
How will I learn how to use my kit? You’ll get plenty of reading material with your kit, but as mentioned above, you’ll get access to our exclusive facebook community full of amazing resources like how to use each oil in your kit, which oils to be wise around with kids or while pregnant/nursing, and all of the dilution ratios for individual oils. We have classes, books, live facebook hangouts & search functionality that will help you navigate through any questions you might have.
What should I get? A premium starter kit, which comes with 12 of the most commonly used oils + your diffuser (I LOVE my aria diffuser) is the best value & provides you with everything you need to get started. You’ll get over $300 worth of product for only $165.
Do you have to order more oils monthly or sell them? Nope! Your kit can be a one time purchase, but along with it comes a wholesale membership, which just means that should you decide to purchase any of young living over 600 lifestyle products in the future, you would get a 24% discount! You will also get a personal referral link so when your mama wants a kit, you get a no strings attached $50. thank you check from Young Living! But neither is required.
ORDER HERE & make sure the number 1833281 appears in both the “Enroller” & “Sponsor ID” fields.
& then wait for a welcome gift curated but ME!
YOU ALREADY KNOW the benefits of seasonal, monthly, even weekly cleanses…but what about ways to detox daily? The small, consistent changes are always what make the most impact in the long run, whether it’s a workout schedule or a skincare routine. And it’s the same with detoxification.
What we do in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. And if you’ve ever overslept, you know exactly how true this statement is. Mornings can be rough; it’s easy to rely on sugar and caffeine to energize you, which only wreaks havoc on your digestive system and exacerbates fluctuating energy levels and moods. If you’ve ever wanted a do-over before 9 a.m., start your day right – and keep it on the right track – with these 6 simple ways to detox your body naturally each and every day.
-GET UP ON TIME-
Are those nine extra minutes the snooze button gives you ever really worth it? Get out of bed when you first wake up and start your day already—especially since the two hours after we awake are potentially the most productive of our entire day. Running late or feeling rushed in the morning only adds to anxiety and fatigue, and can cause us to turn to coffee and sugary snacks to get through the rest of the day. Side note: I’m a big fan of showering at night in order to avoid dawdling in the morning (at which I am a pro).
-DRINK CLEANSING LEMON WATER-
Lemon Digestive Aid Water or Lemon Cleanse Water is a great way to stimulate digestion, release toxins from the liver, jumpstarts your digestive enzymes and give your body a vitamin C boost. Try adding a pinch of sea salt or raw, organic apple cider vinegar for even more detoxing effects.
NOTE: If you feel nauseous or experience tightness in the chest after drinking the morning lemon elixir, omit the raw apple cider vinegar. This reaction can occur from the body’s releasing of bacteria and toxins during detox. Continue to drink the lemon elixir, omitting the Bragg’s (or use only ½ teaspoon) for at least three days, and then reintroduce it. If the reactions continue upon reintroduction, continue to drink only the lemon water
-SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE-
By tongue scraping every morning, you remove bacteria that can lead to poor digestion and liver stagnation. Brush your teeth before you tongue-scrape. Then use a tongue scraper or a spoon to reach as far back as possible and pull forward, scraping off the white film, which is candida and streptococcus mutans.
DRY-BRUSH YOUR SKIN
Dry skin brushing improves lymphatic drainage, reduces cellulite, promotes digestion and supports detoxification. You can purchase a skin brush on Amazon, or simply use a dry towel. Gently brush in a circular motion, always moving from the extremities towards the heart, thereby improving blood flow to the heart. Use counter-clockwise strokes on your belly to improve detoxification.
-OIL PULLING-
Oil pulling has been a common detoxification practice for centuries and can be done with coconut, sesame or olive oil. Oil pulling should be done on an empty stomach to ensure maximum benefit. The best times are upon rising and before bed.
-TAKE A PROBIOTIC-
Probiotics (healthy bacteria) regulate and restore your intestines’ natural balance, and studies have shown they can help rid the body of heavy metals, free radicals and dangerous bacteria.
- ANTHRO VOLCANO CANDLE DIFFUSER BLEND -
Your favorite candle scent – minus the synthetic fragrances and paraffin wax! This essential oil diffuser blend is scented with sugared citrus, light florals, and a hint of woodsy greens. OBSESSED!
READY FOR YOUR HOME TO SMELL LIKE ANTHROPOLOGIE?
There’s two ways to make this blend – a shortcut way with 3 gorgeous oils and a luxe version that uses 5 oils. I’m sharing both diffuser recipes here. So whether you’re brand new to EOs or already have a growing collection – you can make this blend!
This is such an easy swap if you love how Anthropologie smells but aren’t down with paraffin wax + synthetic fragrances in your home. Which btw. I checked with both Anthro + the candle manufacturer (Capri Blue) and was bummed to see this well-loved candle had BOTH in it.
It’s totally possible to make your home smell amazing, the natural way. My advice? Skip all the legwork involved in contacting candle companies about what’s in their wax blends, what their wicks are made of, and if their scents are naturally derived (or not). And just go straight for the simplest switch. Diffusers with essential oils. If you’re using pure, quality oils then you can rest easy knowing you’re using just 2 ingredients – water and oils.
The best part of using EO’s instead of candles is having control over the scent! You can make it sweeter, more or less woodsy, floral, earthy, simple, complex, strong scented or more subtle.
WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR BLEND
Both of these blends have that sugared citrus, lightly floral, hint of woodsy greens vibe that we all know & love in those candles. With slight differences. The 3-oil blend is sweeter, more sugared citrus. The 5-oil blend is more floral and nuanced.
Fully obsessed + you’ll find us diffusing this blend a LOT in our house. Here’s some ideas for EO swaps you can make and how to customize this blend into your dream candle scent:
- Swap Tangerine for Orange if you want a sweeter citrus note
- Use Idaho Blue Spruce in place of Northern Lights Black Spruce – I alternate depending on what’s in stock, or try adding Pine for more classically woodsy scent
- Add more Valor to play up the “sugared” citrus note
- Add more Grapefruit if you like a brighter, crisp, clean citrus vibe
- Add Lime if you want it to be more tropical
- Add a few drops of Stress Away to add a vanilla note
- Add Lemon if you want a fuller citrus scent
- https://www.freeyourfork.com/anthro-volcano-candle-diffuser-blend/
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR PURE ESSENTIAL OILS + BIOAVAILABLE SUPPLEMENTS?
If THE WELLNESS WELL tribe had a motto it would be “quality matters”.
So I like to source products and ingredients – food, beauty, home cleaning, personal care, etc – from companies that are in line with that same belief.
I source all my essential oils from one trusted place – Young Living. They never use fillers or add synthetic chemicals in their oils. So what you’re getting is only the good stuff – pure, potent, essential oils.
I really dig their:
- Seed to Seal promise
- Commitment to consumer safety (in-house and third party testing)
- Radical ingredient transparency (ethical sourcing, trusted farms, full ingredient lists)
You can order your starter kit here & I’ll send you even more recipes and resources like these so you feel comfortable using all your oils!
Sign up as a Member – for 24% off retail prices (recommended) this does not mean you will ever have to sell anything, it just means you are getting a starter kit & will therefore get 24% off retail prices (just like Costco!) AND joining my deeper wellness education tribe!
