MY FAVORITE THINGS – ESSENTIAL OIL TOOLS

I did it y’all!! I finally compiled a complete list of all of my favorite essential oil tools. I have links for everything from DIY supplies, storage solutions, reference books, & more. I hope this is a blessing to you on your journey and makes life super simple!

ESSENTIAL OIL BOOKS

Most of these books listed below are available at www.discoverlsp.com or you can use the Amazon links referenced below. *All Amazon links are affiliate links

Essential Oil Pocket Reference – https://amzn.to/34VLpLO

Essential Oil Desk Reference – https://amzn.to/2Xfn9lq

Supplements Desk Reference by Jen O’Sullivan – https://31oils.com/supplements/ or https://amzn.to/34REZxp

Animal Desk Reference – https://amzn.to/32CMrL7

Gentle Babies: Essential Oils and Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Infants and Young Children (10th Anniversary Edition) – https://amzn.to/2pdgA6h

Betsy Bosom’s Baby Book: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Using Essential Oils from Bellies to Babies (Lucy Libido) – https://amzn.to/2qQvgbG

Lucy Libido Says…..There’s an Oil for THAT: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Using Essential Oils Between the Sheets (Volume 1) – https://amzn.to/2X8OYLV

Essentials: 50 Answers to Common Questions about Essential Oils by Lindsey Elmore – https://amzn.to/2NFxwMa

Essentials: 75 Answers to Common Questions About Essential Oils and Supplements by Lindsey Elmore – https://amzn.to/32CTIe9

Healing Oils of the Bible – https://amzn.to/373irvE

Essential Parfumerie by Melissa Poepping – https://www.essentialparfumerie.com/

Pure Male Cologne Book by Melissa Poepping – https://melissapoepping.com/

Essential Oil Make & Takes by Jen O’Sullivan – https://31oils.com/make-takes/ or https://amzn.to/2NEBG6M

The Art of Blending with Essential Oils Booklet – https://amzn.to/2O4YjR0

ESSENTIAL OIL BAGS
Modern Makerie – https://www.modernmakerie.com/

Honey Hive Five – https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyHiveFive

Baggage and CO – https://www.etsy.com/shop/BaggageandCO

Cowgrl Creations – https://www.etsy.com/shop/Cowgrlcreations

Amanda Fair Designs – https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmandaFairDesigns

ESSENTIAL OIL SHELVES
Tucker Design Co. – https://www.etsy.com/shop/TuckerDesignCompany

Chipped with Charm – https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChippedWithCharm

His Hers Woodworking – https://www.etsy.com/shop/HisHersWoodworking

Essentially Curated – https://www.essentiallycurated.com/

Tree of Life Oil Shelf – https://amzn.to/2NZomc4

Oily Hounds – https://www.etsy.com/shop/OilyHounds

Essential Racks – https://essentialracks.com/

DIFFUSER JEWELRY (*best choices)

*Ashley Madrigal – https://www.etsy.com/shop/AshleyMadrigal

*Put On Love Designs – https://www.putonlovedesigns.com/

*Lava Essentials – https://www.lavaessentials.com/

Aroma Dream Jewelry – https://www.etsy.com/shop/AromaDreamJewelry

Leaved Gates – https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeavedGates

Ashleyy’s Finds – https://www.etsy.com/shop/AshleyysFinds

Joy Plus Jewels – https://www.etsy.com/shop/JOYplusJEWELS

Halle’s Jewels – https://hallesjewels.com/

CARRIER OILS

YL V-6 Carrier Oil: http://bit.ly/204kDHA

Coconut Oil Unrefined – https://amzn.to/2NEP4bf (#1 choice)

Coconut Oil Refined – https://amzn.to/2X5IaPg (some use in beauty products)

Coconut Oil Fractionated – https://amzn.to/2XcAavV (good for rollers)

Sweet Almond Oil – https://amzn.to/2NIrDxT

Jojoba Oil – https://amzn.to/2KfDDo6

Argan Oil – https://amzn.to/2qOY5Wk

Vitamin E – https://amzn.to/2Kg4Wi8

DIY SUPPLIES

Shea Butter – https://amzn.to/2KgcOjG

Cocoa Butter Wafers – https://amzn.to/32DV203

Bees Wax – https://amzn.to/2rGdJDT

Epsom Salts (8lbs unscented) – https://amzn.to/2qO9JQW

Dr. Bronners Liquid Castile Soap (32 oz unscented) – https://amzn.to/36YqQQT

Witch Hazel (8oz) – https://amzn.to/2CzzJ5t

Aloe Vera Gel (12 oz) – https://amzn.to/2X9wP0x

ESSENTIAL OIL ROLLER BOTTLES

*I recommend re-purposing your empty essential oils bottles then make a roller by adding an Aroma Glide Fitments from YL. These fit both 5ml & 15ml bottles bit.ly/1RQ8W3t

Whimsy & Wellness –  https://www.whimsyandwellness.com/

Wood and Oils – https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodAndOils

The Root & Petal – http://www.therootandpetal.com/

10ml roller sets on Amazon

6 amber with black cap – https://amzn.to/2KfzXTg

8 colorful frosted – https://amzn.to/2O5roeX

12 amber with gold cap – https://amzn.to/2CGGbr6

12 colorful with gold cap – https://amzn.to/2KiUWVA

OTHER DIY CONTAINERS

8oz Glass Spray Bottles • for diluting Thieves Household Cleaner:

6 pack assorted colors – https://amzn.to/2KfEO6Z

6 pack amber – https://amzn.to/36Wi45Q

2oz Glass Spray Bottles • perfect for linen, room, or outdoor sprays:

4 pack blue – https://amzn.to/2O2JfTU

6 pack amber – https://amzn.to/34WGKt7

2oz Dropper Bottles • for face serums, holding carrier oils, etc.

2 pack blue – https://amzn.to/2rwstF1

2 pack amber – https://amzn.to/2pVqwBP

Foaming Hand Soap Dispensers (3 pack) – https://amzn.to/34SYHZA

Empty Veggie Capsules • for taking vitality oils internally – https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/clear-vegetable-capsules

4 oz Mason Jars (set of 4) – https://amzn.to/2O47dOA

8 oz Mason Jars (set of 6) – https://amzn.to/2QeCKjw

MORE FAVORITE ESSENTIAL OIL SUPPLIES

Essential Oil Bottle Labels – https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oil-bottle-labels

Essential Oils 25 pack 2ml Sample Bottles – https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oil-sample-bottles

Essential Oil Spray Tops For 5, 10, 15 to 100 ml Bottles (rainbow) – https://amzn.to/356JdRX

Smelly Faces – stuffed animals – https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmellyFaces

The Cheeky Doormat – essential oil doormat – https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCheekyDoormat

6 pack of stainless steel lids and straws for wide mouth mason jars – https://amzn.to/2q5GGIE

4 pack stainless steel straws – https://amzn.to/2O1yhOw

Essential Oil Inhalers (great tools for those interested in quitting smoking!) – https://www.breathefum.com/

YL BUSINESS BOOKS

Propel: Your Guidebook to Freedom by Niccole Perez – https://inspiredsharing.com/  Or https://amzn.to/32Dju1B

Gameplan: The Complete Strategy Guide to go from Starter Kit to Silver by Sarah Harnisch – https://amzn.to/2QcmW0Q

Unstuck: How To Talk To Humans & Get Them To Respond To You by Sarah Harnisch – https://amzn.to/2O8RRrZ

Getting Noticed: A No-Nonsense Guide to Standing Out and Selling More for Momtrepreneurs Who Ain’t Got Time for That by Lindsay Teague Moreno – https://amzn.to/36VKtsK

Boss Up!: This Ain’t Your Mama’s Business Book by Lindsay Teague Moreno – https://amzn.to/33Jr0cW

The Four Year Career, Young Living Edition by Richard B. Brooke – https://amzn.to/34VXVuK

25 To Life: Jailbreak Your 9-5 & Escape to Financial Freedom by Adam Green – https://amzn.to/2qaa5Bs

YL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Young Living – https://www.youngliving.com/

Young Living Blog – https://www.youngliving.com/blog/

Young Living Seed to Seal – http://seedtoseal.com/en

Young Living Foundation – https://younglivingfoundation.org/

Young Living Farm Tours – http://younglivingfarmtours.com/v2/

Nature’s Ultra – https://naturesultra.com/

Life Science Publishing – https://www.discoverlsp.com/

GROworkspace – https://www.groworkspace.com/

Oil Revolution Designs – https://oilrevolutiondesigns.com/

Oil Supply Store – https://oilsupplystore.com/

31 Oils – https://31oils.com/

The Social Oiler – https://thesocialoiler.bigcartel.com/

Melissa Poepping – https://melissapoepping.com/

Essential Oil Transformation – https://essentialoilstransformation.com/

The Oil Posse – https://theoilposse.com/

Inspired Sharing – https://inspiredsharing.com/

Bethany Shipley (Diamond Workbook) – https://bethanyshipley.com/

Oil Ability Team – https://oilabilityteam.com/

Growing Healthy Homes – https://growinghealthyhomes.com/

*All Amazon links are affiliate links

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Our Journey to this Crunchy Life

Do you ever sit back, take a good hard look at your life, and giggle? It brings such joy to my heart to think about our health journey over the last decade, through all the ups and downs God has certainly been by our side teaching and guiding our steps. Today I want to share a little bit about our journey to this crunchy life!

According to urbandictionary.com, crunchy is an adjective that is “used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental (and I would add health) reasons.” Yep that’s us and let me tell you we are all in!

It all started when I got really sick with a fungus called aspergillus in my lungs back in the summer of 2011.  That illness led to 12 cases of bronchitis/pneumonia and 55 weeks of bedrest over the 2 ½ years that followed. At my worst I was 36 years old, on 24 prescription medications, and my husband and I genuinely didn’t expect that I would ever work again. This cycle of illness was crippling to our family and our future. Desperately in search of anything that would break the cycle, we took matters into our own hands and began to do a ton of research. We read many books & articles online, watched documentaries, and talked to friends who had been through health issues. We quickly discovered our unhealthy lifestyle needed a serious overhaul.

Honestly I’m so eternally grateful for the information we found, because prior to my illness I would have TOTALLY rolled by eyes and snickered judgmentally at “crunchy” families. I fully and completely trusted that things sold in the U.S. were safe and not harmful for our family, oh boy was I wrong. The truth is that there is very little regulation on household, hygiene, & beauty products. Not to mention genetically modified foods, pesticides, and processed food loaded with chemicals. The more we learned the more appalled and overwhelmed we were. So we made changes little by little, starting with the laundry room.

One of the things we quickly discovered was that our laundry detergent was giving me a horrible rash all over my body, an almost constant yeast infection (sorry guys..just keeping it real!), and contributing to my daily headaches. We had used this detergent for years and I never had a problem, but my now weak immune system could not keep up with the chemicals and fragrance within the detergent. So over the next year we tried 12 different laundry detergents, we tried all the brands of free & clear, we tried all the so called “natural” detergents and yet there was still something in each of them that gave me this horrible reaction. Most companies hide toxic ingredients using the umbrella of fragrance, a term that can be used to represent thousands of different toxic chemicals. If it wasn’t for the very obvious and unavoidable symptoms that remained I may have never continued this costly experiment. We finally found a solution, and for five years we made our own laundry detergent, which at the time was the only option for relief from my symptoms. Gratefully we currently using Young Living’s Thieves Laundry Detergent which works amazing and I have zero rashes, infections, or headaches from it.

Around the same time we began our weight loss journey and made huge changes in how we fuel our bodies. Weight loss is a journey that is far from over, and has had many ups and downs. It began with two successful years on Weight Watchers where we learned a ton in weekly meetings about healthy habits. That was a time I will always cherish! We stopped eating processed foods, began cooking 95% of our meals at home, ate about 75% organic. It was such an eye opener to see a very primitive truth first hand: when you give your body what it needs, it will heal itself. It’s part of the miraculous way God’s creation works.

Back in 2012 I still struggled with painful headaches and was taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen every. single. day! So a girlfriend gave me a bottle of Young Living Peppermint essential oil and told me to try it for my headaches. I received her gift mainly because I didn’t want to be rude but I honestly thought, what is this plant juice going to do for my headaches?!? I had read a little about essential oils in our hunt for natural remedies and there just started to be a lot of buzz online but I basically knew next to nothing. Nothing about how to use them, where to use them, safety…nothing. So the next day I put a drop or two of the peppermint oil on my forehead, temples, back of neck, and shoulders. I WAS SHOCKED that within 5 minutes my headache completely disappeared. Thus began my love affair with essential oils! Since then we have learned how to use essential oils hundreds of ways. They are a celebrated solution to most of our wellness needs and I am so grateful to share our journey with others through my Young Living business.

Throughout the last 8 years we have learned a few principles that we will live by now & forever, by God’s grace.

1. God’s creation is amazing & powerful. God provided everything we need for life, health, and wellness in creation.
2. Be an advocate for your own health & wellness. Don’t believe everything you read or hear. Labels lie and are intentionally misleading. Just because something says natural on it, doesn’t mean it is. Do your own research.
3. We are the gatekeepers of our home and our family. Everything you put in your body or use in your home/hygiene is an investment in your health – either positively or negatively.

I am happy to report that after wonderful medical care + being an advocate and gatekeeper in our home + removing the chemicals from our home/hygiene/beauty products, my health has returned beyond our wildest dreams. I am currently only on 2 prescription medications.  I am able to serve with my husband in fulltime ministry, own my own business, write, speak, and so much more. All of this was possible by God’s amazing grace and direction!

This is just a snapshot of how our crunchy life got started, I’d love to share more with you guys! Tell me about your wellness journey. Where are you at on the crunchy scale?!? All in or just getting started? What questions do you have about our journey?

Next week I’m going to share a powerful self revelation that “I Can’t Do This”  See you then!

 

Navigating the Holidays

December 14, 2016

Let’s be honest, December can be a train wreck for healthy living. Hectically busy schedules create an environment where compromise is a matter of survival, unfortunately in our lives often that compromise is related to our health. So, you’re running around shopping all day and grab a late meal from McDonalds, your starving tired and completely stressed to find the perfect gifts! Sooooo you order that extra-large french fry, you tell yourself you’ve earned that giant milkshake and about 3,000 calories later down that slippery slope you’re swimming in a sea of regret & shame. Has that happened to any of you? Or maybe you are planning your week and can’t find even 1 hour to squeeze in time to the gym with all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and parties. Oh, the parties, parties on every night of the weekend, meals with friends, white elephant gift exchanges galore! All the wonderful holidays foods that are so special we only make & indulge one time or year. This is such a hard time of year to navigate living a healthy lifestyle, don’t you agree?

A few years back I wrote a Holiday Confessions blog in which I shared a very thorough plan that we used for a healthy & meaningful holiday. Reading it again inspired me so check it out! I am a planner, I love to plan and always function better in life with a good solid plan. As I prepare for the holiday this year my energy & time are so stretched that my approach is simply to survive without gaining weight. This may be disappointing to some but I really believe it is best to be realistic about your expectations and build from there. That said we are making a few major changes that I want to share with you.

This year I am navigating the holidays by:

-Planning & cooking healthy whole food meals for the lunches & dinners we have at home.

-Eating breakfast smoothies each morning which maintains our healthy routine and controls our calories to between 250-300.

-Drinking water all day every day. We’ve been adding some lemon or grapefruit essential oils in our water which serves a gentle detox and tastes amazing. Message me for info on therapeutic-grade essential oils.

-I am not baking any cookies or pies this holiday. {GASP!!!} This is a MAJOR step I am doing intentionally as a healthy choice this holiday. Every year I bake upwards of 40 dozen cookies as gifts to family & friends, for parties, and to eat at home and have done so as long as I can remember. We have eaten much healthier this year and I don’t want to sabotage all our hard work and start off 2017 in a sugar hangover. Sorry friends & family but no cookies this year!

-Gifting homemade winter wellness gifts to friends & family rather than sweet treats. My heart to give & create remain in tack but this gift is healthy for all of us. Here’s a snap shot from Monday when I practiced a natural chest rub recipe I’m making.

-We are not buying any boxes of chocolates this Christmas. Let me explain, it had been a tradition for years in my family (Dad’s side) to buy a HUGE box of chocolates to share with friends who visit during the holidays. Well at various times in our marriage we have kept that tradition, but especially the last few years. Well inevitably I would eat a good amount, ok the majority of that box of chocolates. Yikes! Well not this year. We are controlling our environment by not buying chocolates.

-Making sure to not head into the big holiday meals starving! Ugh that is the worst because you eat everything in sight. So, we’ll eat a normal breakfast (smoothie in our case) and lunch and enjoy a wonderful meal while not being out of control.

-Enjoy the wonderful foods we love but NOT taking any home. I don’t plan to deprive myself of anything specific while we are eating the holiday meals but I’m going to control our home environment very strictly. This limits our unhealthy choices to one meal on one day rather than an entire week or eating crappy food. Also, I’ve shared in the past that I don’t do well when deprived, I end up obsessing about whatever it is and then overeat on it later.

What are your tips to navigate the holidays in a healthy way?

What are the foods you look forward to? What are the foods you could give up?

How do you remain active & moving during the busy season?

I’m praying you all have a wonderful & healthy Christmas & New Year! I am looking forward to starting 2017 off right with a 30-day challenge, more on that coming soon!