Fall is in the air....

Fall is in the air....
It is September 22, which means, fall is officially here! What is one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about fall? I think of the leaves changing, cooler temperatures, and all the aromas that come along with the season. We switch out our home decor, we change up our wardrobe, AND we starting reaching for fall scented products to make our home feel warm and cozy. Well, I am here to tell you how to DIY a couple of those products that you long for in the fall using clean, toxin- free ingredients! 

There are three things I see people reaching for in the store. They are candles and room sprays, hand soaps, and fall scented cleaners. I am right there with you. I want nothing more than to make my house smell warm and cozy all season long! My mind was blown when I realized that I could create these items, at home, affordably and simply. To top it off, I was able to keep everything nice and clean for the air in our home and the lungs of our family. These items also make GREAT gifts when looking to show some appreciation to the ones we love!

Here are some of my favorite recipes: (links to supplies at the bottom)
Fall Forest Foaming Hand Soap:
1/3 cup Citrus Castile Soap
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
5 drops Clove
5 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
5 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Bergamot

Combine ingredients in foaming soap dispenser. Use to wash hands as needed.
 
Fall Forest Room Mist:
(Notice this calls for Thieves Household Cleaner and witch hazel. This spray serves a purpose outside of making the air smell good)

1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
5 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
3 drops Clove
3 Cedarwood
10 drops Bergamot
4 ounces witch hazel 
4 ounces distilled water

Combine ingredients in continuous mist sprayer. Shake before use. Mist throughout the room to keep the air clean and smell fresh. 

Fall Forest All-Purpose Cleaner: 

1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
3 drops Clove
3 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Bergamot
16 ounces distilled water

Combine ingredients in a 16 ounce glass spray bottle. Mist surface and wipe clean. 

To shop the Fall Forest Essential Oils click here!
Continuous Mist Bottle click here!
Witch Hazel click here!
Citrus Castile Soap click here!
Foaming Soap Dispenser click here!

Enjoying your these simple recipes! Would love to here how you are enjoying them. 

Down the hatch: Another way to support your wellness with oils....

Down the hatch: Another way to support your wellness with oils....
What does it mean when my oil bottle has a white label? 

Well, that while label means you have your hands on a Vitality oil. What does this mean? It is considered GRAS ( Generally Regarded as Safe) by the FDA. Young Living's Vitality labels mean that the oil you have in your hand is okay to use for ingestion purposes. Does that mean go a guzzle a bottle of lemon oil? Um, no. There is a safe way to ingest your oils and I am here to share a couple of those ways with you today. 

I am about to start the 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse. The Digest and Cleanse supplement is out of stock so I am creating my own capsules using Peppermint and Digize Vitality oil. If you have ever applied these oils topically, then you know that taking them in a capsule is about to work all sorts of magic on my GI tract. 

There are various ways to use your vitality oils in capsule form. Some may create an immunity support blend, or a weight loss support blend, or even an oil to aid  with those seasonal sniffles. Here are some examples of recipes I snagged from the Simply Wellness book from Oil Supply Store. 


Now, these capsules look amazing, right? Only, creating your own essential oil capsule sounds slightly intimidating. I am here to show you that it is actually quite simple! Whether you are making a single capsule or a large batch to store in the fridge, this video will walk you through how to create your own. 


This option is perfect if the oils you are looking to use aren't the best tasting. I used to drop my oils onto a teaspoon of honey but Digize is a little too strong for my liking. 

Don't forget about adding your oils to your water! I like mixing up a large pitch of ice cold water to have ready to go all week long. Here are a few of my favorite recipes...

Cucumber Mint Pick Me Up
1 pitcher of cold water
5-7 drops of Peppermint
7-10 drops Orange/Tangerine
Sliced cucumber to float on top.

Citrus Boost
1 pitcher of cold water
7 drops Lemon
7 drops Grapefruit
7 drops Lime
Float sliced oranges on top. 

Afternoon Tea
3 drops Orange
1 drop Spearmint
Mug of warm green tea

Enjoy these recipes and this fantastic tool in supporting your wellness with essential oils.


Itchy Scalp...

Itchy Scalp...

The last blog entry led to more questions about tools that can be used to struggling with an itchy scalp. 

There are so many factors to consider when dealing with an itchy scalp. Is it dry? Is it dermatitis? Is it stress related? There are somethings you can be doing to help maintain a healthy scalp that can help with all the above. 

From the inside: 

Again, check your diet. If it is high in sugar, this could lead to imbalance in pH and the good bacteria your skin needs to thrive and be healthy. Once more, a quality probiotic, such as Life 9, can support this. Not only, can you take it as directed BUT you can open a capsule up and add it to your shampoo from time to time to support your scalp with some healthy bacteria. 

Another way to get that scalp exposed to healthy bacteria, is with an apple cider vinegar rinse.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE

Supplement the conditioning benefits of our hot oil treatment with our clarifying apple cider vinegar rinse. If built-up product has left you in a hairy situation, use this recipe to help untangle the mess. After you rinse away the excess weight from dead skin cells, pool chemicals, saltwater, shampoo, and conditioner, you’ll notice more bounce and volume to your hair.

In addition to helping, you nail the perfect hair flip, our apple cider vinegar rinse also soothes the scalp and adds luster to your locks.

What you need:

YL tip: For dry hair, use 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; for normal to oily hair, use 1/2 cup.

How to make it:

1. Mix all ingredients together in the spray bottle.

2. Spray mixture all over hair, focusing on the scalp and roots. Lift hair in sections to make sure you completely saturate your hair—your hair should be thoroughly damp, but not dripping.

3. Massage into scalp with fingertips to stimulate the scalp and increase circulation.

4. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes.

5. Rinse, then shampoo and condition hair as normal.

6. Use once per week.

 Check out this Lavender Life blog entry for more recipes that support a healthy head of hair.


See the above link for more hair recipes from Young Living.  



Now, let’s chat supporting those over symptoms of an irritated scalp. There is nothing worse than an uncontrollable itch on your head and a pile of flakes on your shoulder. Over time, I have seen really great results using Young Living’s Voluminous Lavender Shampoo (remember, it contains MSM!! 😊) and the addition of some of my favorite oils. 

My favorite blend of essential oils to add to my Lavender shampoo are Melrose (blend), Cedarwood, and Peppermint. Now, you do not want to overdo this and walk away with an oily head of hair. I recommend starting with 1 drop of essential oil per ounce of shampoo. If you need to add more, you can always do so. If you add too much, then you are going to struggle. If your bottle is 8 ounces, add 2 drops Melrose, 3 drops of Cedarwood, and 2 drops of Peppermint. 

Take to topical application up a notch post-shower! Create a scalp mist to spritz on your scalp before drying. See the recipe below: 

4 ounce spray bottle

2 ounces distilled water

2 ounces alcohol-free witch hazel

2 drops Melrose

2 drops Lavender

2 drops Cedarwood

2 drops Peppermint 

Spritz scalp and massage mixture into the root of your hair. Blow-dry as usual! 

If you are interested in trying these recipes and do not have all these oils on hand. Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance with substitutions. 

Here is to a healthy head of hair!


Three Ways to Use your Thieves Oil

Three Ways to Use your Thieves Oil
Well, I don't know about you but that warm and cozy aroma of Thieves has been making a daily appearance in this house. Tis' the season for supporting your immune system and Thieves oil is one of the tools we like to keep on hand. Lucky for us, the aroma of Thieves is warm and cozy with a little bit of spice. Perfect for the fall and winter months! While it stands alone quite nicely, it also pairs well with citrus oils, tree oils, herbs/spices, and some of our floral favorites. 

If you are looking to step up your Thieves game this season, here are three simple ways to work this oil into your routine. 

It is that time of year when you come home from work and start brewing a cup of Thieves tea:)

This was the first thing my dad asked for when he arrived at my house. This could be a daily drink to support the immune system or a drink you take when you are feeling run down! It is VERY popular with the men in my life 

Here is the recipe:
1-2 drops Thieves- immune support
3 drops Lemon-  immune support
1 TBSP honey
8 ounces of warm water

Optional 1-2 tsp. ACV to support a healthy gut

Who loves their Thieves Tea?!? 



If tea isn't your thing, surely making the house smell heavenly will peak your interest! We LOVE our Thieves for the aroma BUT it can be a great tool in the diffuser when we are looking for an extra tool to help us through the germy months. Try the above diffuser blends! 

Last, make a wellness roller! My kids love this addition to their nightly routine. Ratios may vary based on age. I will give you the ratios for an adult. I cut this recipe in half my kiddos. We roll this concoction on the feet and down the spine before bed. If one of us does get sick, we roll ever two hours and may add some extra oils based on our symptoms. Again, oils are a tool. Always consult your doctor when needed! Here is my favorite wellness roller recipe (adult version). 

15 drops Thieves
15 drops Frank
15 drops Lemon
Drop into a 10 mL roller bottle. Top with liquid carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil or Young Living's V-6 oil. 

Using your oils doesn't have to be overwhelming. The above three recipes are perfect to incorporate into a self-care routine for yourself and your family!

Catching Some Zzz's

Catching Some Zzz's
Sleep troubles are the reason why so many of us dipped our toes into the world of essential oils. Whether it be racing thoughts, anxiety, restlessness, interrupted sleep, or even hormonal issues, the struggle is real. I think it is safe to say that we all have, at some point, looked for support in regards to healthy sleep patterns. 

Sleep routines and support, involve so much more than a simple bottle of Lavender for some of us. There can be various contributing factors and the versatility of essential oils allow us to create personalized routines to meet our needs. 

Before we dive into routines and recipes, let's chat about the oils we tend to think of when we think of a goodnight's sleep. Tree oils always come to mind! They are warm, cozy, and grounding. Some of my favorites are Northern Lights Black Spruce, Cypress, Pine, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Grounding, and Sacred Mountain. There are also some popular floral scents that tend to calm an anxious mind! Lavender, Valerian, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage,  German Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and Geranium. Vetiver, Valor, Stress Away, Tranquil, Peace and Calming, Gentle Baby, and Rutavala. I always recommend picking 1-2 good blends and 2 single oils to layer and create a sleep routine with! 
At our house, we TRY ( it can be hard), to promote a sense of calm before it is even time for bed! I tend to grab some comforting oils to diffuse right after dinner. A grounding aroma helps to signal the mind that it is the day's end and it is time to chill. This is great if you are prepping kiddos for bed, cleaning the kitchen, or just lounging and watching some TV. I like to call these our " After Dinner" diffuser blends. Here are a few that we tend to rotate between. 

3 Peace and Calming, 3 Orange 3 Cedarwood
-
3 Valor, 3 Frank, 4 Bergamot
-
3 Rosemary, 4 Cedarwood, 3 Lavender
- 
3 Thieves, 2 Northern Lights Black Spruce, 2 Roman Chamomile
-
3 Grounding, 3 Orange, 3 Bergamot

Do you see how I start with a few drops of a blend and then layer my singles with it? I have found that to be key in creating so many blends! 
Next up, pre-bed. 
Has it has been an REALLY long day? Do you have some kids that can't seem to stop bouncing off the walls? Are you worried about something or feeling anxious?  Consider pausing your usual night time routine and taking some time for an Rest Easy Soak! You will need Epsom salt for this. If you want to take it up a notch, grab some baking soda while you are at it. ( thank you Jessica Davis for this recipe!)
Gift idea alert! 
This is for a larger batch! Store it in a jar and have it ready to go for those nights when you don't have the energy to do anything extra :) If you find yourself scrambling, just grab 1/4 Epsom salt, add your oils (4-5 drops total), and soak! 

1C Epsom salt
1/4C sea salt
1/4C baking soda
15-25 drops Essential Oils ( cut in half for the kiddos)
Favorite oil combinations for a relaxing bath!

Stress Away, Lavender, Orange
-
Valor, Frank, Copaiba
-
Peace and Calming, Lavender
- 
Roman Chamomile, Lavender
-
Clary Sage, Vetiver, Orange



In preparation to lay your head down, I recommend creating a pillow/linen Spray! Another gift alert! This allows you to use your oils aromatically x2 if you also plan to run your diffuser. Not to mention, the oils can work their magic on anything that may be lingering on your sheets. For the kiddos, we call this "No More Monster" spray or " Sweet Dreams" spray. If you have never created one, you are missing out! Here is our favorite recipe: 

2 ounce spray bottle (find here)
10 drops Lavender 
10 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Orange

Top with witch hazel and spritz linens before bed! Tie a bow around the top and give as a gift. Have guests coming? Create one for them and leave by their bedside! 
Time to prep that diffuser in the bedroom! I recommend doing this about 30 minutes before you hit the hay. This allows the blend time to make it's way through the air. Try using the same strategy as above when creating your blend. You will also want to turn the diffuser to the intermittent setting before you fall asleep to ensure that your diffuser runs all night long. Also, do not forget to turn that light on your diffuser off. 

Favorite "Shut Eye" diffuser blends:
 
4 Stress Away, 2 Vetiver, 4 Bergamot
-
3 Peace and Calming, 4 Bergamot, 3 Cedarwood
-
2 Northern Lights Black Spruce, 2 Frankincense, 4 Lavender
-
2 Clary Sage, 2 Cypress, 2 Cedarwood, 1 Vetiver
-
3 Gentle Baby, 4 Orange, 2 Frankincense
-
3 Valor, 2 Cypress, 4 Lavender
- 
2 Sacred Mountain, 1 Vetiver, 2 Northern Lights Black Spruce, 2 Bergamot, 2 Orange

Right before you lay your head down, grab a roller or your favorite calming oils and use them topically. There are some wonderful roll-ons available through Young Living, if you are not interested in creating your own. There is Tranquil, Valor, Peace and Calming, and RutaVala ( this one works really well for us). I recommend massaging your bedtime blend into the bottoms of your feet and the back of your neck. If I am really loving the aroma, I will often apply to my wrists. If you would prefer to create your own roll-ons ( another great gift idea), you can find the rollers here.

Favorite Bedtime Roll-On blends: ( top with liquid carrier oil once oils are added to the bottle) 

10 Vetiver, 20 Lavender, 10 Bergamot
-
20 Valor, 10 Orange, 10 Northern Lights Black Spruce
-
10 Grounding, 10 Roman Chamomile, 10 Cedarwood
- 
15 drops Cedarwood, Lavender, and Orange
-
15 Stress Away, 5 Vetiver, 15 Lavender
-
10 drops Clary Sage,  5 drops Cedarwood, 10 drops Bergamot,  5 Northern Lights Black Spruce

And the holy grail of all the calming blends....LIQUID CHILL ROLLER

50 Lavender, 30 Valor, 30 Stress Away, 15 Patchouli, 15 Vetiver
Dilute with 40 drops of carrier oil in a 15 mL bottle are roller fitment cap. 

 That about wraps it up! If you find yourself neededg assistance outside of your oil stash, take a peek at our CBD oil, SleepEssence ( oil and melatonin supplement), and Immupro ( melatonin and anitoxidant supplement).  All are wonderful options to work into a night time routine when sleep is difficult. Sleep well friends!! 

 
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