My Anger Blend

Let's face it. I need this. 

I first read about this blend on my Facebook DropTalk group.  A mother had used it on her 8 year old boy who had some anger issues.  He was having meltdowns and was getting semi-aggressive with his peers.  My ears perked up because I have two boys that can sometimes have anger issues, as well, especially with one another!  

I wrote down her recipe in my little notebook I keep by my computer on the page where I have most of my "kid" concerns.  I put it on the page that I had written about ADHD, sleepytime blend recipes, and boo-boo sprays.

As I yelled at my kids today for the one-thousandth time to do one simple thing and was feeling SO annoyed with them that they don't listen and aren't grateful and have terrible manners and were lazy bums, I realized that I too have anger issues!  Rightfully so sometimes, I believe, but still!  ;-) I was more than annoyed and screaming and this wasn't how I wanted to be spending my winter break.  No one likes it when I am all crazy. I needed a time out. This wasn't a recipe just for kids.  I needed this blend!

{This sounds bad.  Please note: I love my children to no end and think that they are both wonderful, funny, thoughtful, kind, sweet, and brilliant boys and most of the time I am a kind and patient person but sometimes they are just...so angering!! RAR!}

No more of this face, please!

In any case, on the heels of my Pain Blend making, I decided to make this Anger Blend to hopefully diffuse any more blow ups.  I changed up what I originally saw a bit to make it my own based upon my reading and my oils.  It should be useful to me and my boys!

Here's the recipe:

15 drops Valor

10 drops Orange

10 drops Tangerine

10 drops Release

10 drops Surrender

5 drops Cypress

5 drops Ylang Ylang

These are the reasons I used these specific oils.  Please know that these oils have many other uses but these are the uses that relate to my ANGER BLEND.  Fingers crossed it works!

• VALOR - balances energies and instills courage, confidence, and self-esteem; helps with anxiety and stress
• ORANGE - a relaxant; supports overall well-being and encourages positive emotions
• TANGERINE - promotes happiness and is calming; helps with anxiety, nervousness, and irritability
• RELEASE - releases anger and memory trauma from the liver; helps create emotional well-being; one of the most powerful of the emotionally supporting EOs
• SURRENDER - calming and soothing for control freaks (!); quiets troubled hearts so negative emotions can be released; brings about feelings of inner strength and equilibrium
• CYPRESS - soothes anger; helps life flow better; eases feelings of loss and creates a feeling of security and grounding
• YLANG YLANG - good for anxiety and depression; combats anger and low self-esteem; filters out negative energy; restores confidence and peace

I started writing this post the other day and a couple days later no blow-ups therefore no need to use this quite yet (THANKFULLY!).  We are about to go out for the day with the whole family.  I'm thinking I should maybe bring this for the car ride.  Sticking it in my purse now :-)

My Pain Blend

I have already gone through one whole roller ball of this.  It is AWESOME!  It helps with muscle aches and pains, perfect for after a workout or just for those nagging, chronic pains.  My stepmother, Cheryl, was visiting and was complaining about her back hurting "under her wing."  She said it had been hurting for about four days.  Rubbed this all over it and BOOM!  Pain gone.  Not kidding.

Here's my recipe:

12 drops PanAway

12 drops Valor

12 drops Peppermint

5 drops White Fir

5 drops Eucalyptus Blue

10 drops Lemongrass

10 drops Cypress
5 drops Helichrysum (not pictured)

I didn't add Helichrysum or carrier oil for the first round.  I think I will add a bit this time.

Feel free to add or remove any of these if they don't work for you, but this is certainly a winner for me!

These are the reasons I used these specific oils.  Please know that these oils have many other uses but these are the uses that relate to my PAIN BLEND.

• PANAWAY - reduces pain and inflammation, increases circulation, accelerates healing, relieves swelling and discomfort from a myriad of issues, relieves deep tissue pain especially when added to Helichrysum
• VALOR - helps with soreness, bruising, back problems/ sciatic pain, helps body to self-correct its balance and alignment
• PEPPERMINT - anti-inflammatory and reduces soreness
• WHITE FIR - pain relieving
• EUCALYPTUS BLUE - relieves sore muscles, is both calming and invigorating
• LEMONGRASS - anti-inflammatory, regenerates connective tissues and ligaments, promotes lymph flow
• CYPRESS - improves circulation, discourages fluid retention
• HELICHRYSUM - antispasmodic, helps with circulatory disorders and works with PanAway for deep tissue pain

The finished product!

This recipe can (and will!) change with the more I learn about EOs and the more oils I attain.  The more I learn, the more I want to add to my collection.  I buy at least $50 worth of YL oils per month on my ER order (Essential Rewards) pretty easily.  If I spend past a certain amount, I even get FREE OILS!  Nothing better than that!  For now, this blend has been awesome and I can't wait to use it on my soon-to-be-sore muscles once I start trying to lose this holiday weight!

The best NATURAL deodorant.

Green Tidings.  I love it.

I, for one, get concerned when I hear of yet another thing I have been doing that is bad for my health. I have been wearing deodorant/antiperspirant since I was a preteen (probably 30 years!), not because I needed it back then, but because it made me feel older and more sophisticated.  Ooh la la!  I was using Tickle or Teen Spirit or some brand like that.  I then changed to Secret and then finally Degree.  What do all of these brands have in common?

They all list aluminum and parabens among their ingredients.  Aluminum compounds are powerful astringents that close the pores, thus making it difficult for the body to sweat. 

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives.

The jury is still out on if these ingredients can lead to bad things when used on your body.  I have read that they are linked to breast cancer, kidney disease, brain disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, and more.  It can't be good, though, for the body to keep those toxins in that it naturally wants to sweat out, right?

I have read these things for years and tried many other natural products.  I would always end up back using my Degree because I hated being wet and smelling bad!  What was the point of putting on anything if that was the result?!  That was until I found Green Tidings.

These are the ingredients:

• Organic Virgin, Unrefined Coconut Oil: Anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants, and is very moisturizing.
• Organic Shea Butter (Unrefined, Fair Trade): Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Contains vitamins A, E, and F, proteins, fatty acids, and healing minerals, and can help with dry skin without clogging pores.
• Organic Arrowroot Powder (maranta arundinacea): Deodorizing, healing, and antibacterial, and good for use on dry, irritated, or sensitive skin. Also absorbs moisture and softens the skin. Baking Soda: Absorbs perspiration, anti-deodorant.
• Magnesium Oil: Anti-deodorant. Magnesium is also an extremely important mineral for health. Our absorbable magnesium oil contains only raw, ultra-pure magnesium chloride and other trace minerals drawn from the Ancient Zechstein Seabed in Northern Europe.
• Wildcrafted Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera): Natural thickener and moisturizer. The plant has been hand-gathered from the wild, Candelilla Wax, and is not available in a certified organic form. It has been grown in the wild without pesticides, but not under organic certification guidelines. Candelilla wax is a vegan alternative to beeswax, and is used in Green Tidings All Natural Vegetarian Deodorant.

Now doesn't that sound good and healthy?

This deodorant keeps me dry and stink-free all day.  No joke.  Even when I exercise, I stay lavender-lovely.  I honestly love this stuff.  No going back.  I buy in packs now (from Amazon) so I can leave one in my closet, one in my bathroom, and one in my travel bag!

If you are trying to go a more natural route, throw away that Tom's deodorant!  You know it sucks.  Try this and you won't be disappointed!

A shot in the morning?

WHY NOT?!  It's Ningxia Red!

My family and I have been having a little shot of this drink in the mornings.  I really notice a difference in my workouts and my energy level when I have my shot. It also helps keep my moods more even and predictable.  Even my ten year old son likes this!  To me, it tastes a bit like cranberry juice, maybe a bit zingier, and is quite delicious -- especially when I know how good for me it is! 

Ningxia Red...

1. provides high levels of powerful antioxidants while boosting energy.
2. supports brain and cognitive health as well as digestive health.
3. fortifies the cardiovascular system, supports healthy blood pressure levels.
4. promotes restful sleep patterns.
5. aids the body's natural anti-inflammatory response and enhances immune function.
6. promotes a feeling of satiety if taken prior to a meal.
7. supports proper muscle and joint health.

From the YL Product Guide:

"Ningxia Red is a powerful antioxidant drink that contains whole Ningxia wolfberry puree -- a super blend of blueberry, aronia, cherry, pomegranate, and plum juices, natural stevia extract, grape seed extract, pure vanilla extract, and Orange, Yuzu, Lemon, and Tangerine essential oils. Its health benefits include support from head to toe via whole-body nutrient infusion."

You can take a shot of Ningxia Red; you can add it to smoothies; you can even freeze it for a treat when it is hot out! If you buy the Premium Starter Kit of YLEO, you will receive two little packages of this.  Stick them in the fridge right away.  It is worth a try! I hope you enjoy it!

Dry Brushing

Besides starting the use of Young Living Essential Oils this summer, I also started doing something called "Dry Brushing" a couple times a week.  There are several reasons to do this.  It is so good for you and so easy to add to your regime!  

These are the top ten reasons you will want to go right out and buy one of these bad boys.

(I got mine on Amazon HERE.  Easy peasy.)

1. Dry Brushing reduces the appearance of cellulite.  Hello?!  If that isn't reason enough...

2. It helps with muscle tone.

3. It sheds dead skin cells.  

4. It helps with ingrown hairs.

5.  It helps skin absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores.

6. It increases circulation of lymphatic fluid and blood flow, circulating nutrients that you NEED!

7. It takes some pressure off kidneys to regulate water in the body -- excess water is secreted.

8.  It helps keep fat layer under skin thin.

9.  It rejuvenates the nervous system.

10. It feels really good!  When I do this before a shower, I get a tingly sensation all over.  Your skin is your largest organ -- it LIKES to be treated to a dry brush!

Here are some tips I read when I first started learning about this.  

-Some people think doing this at night or first thing in the morning is best because your skin may turn a little pink. I just tend to do it before my shower, whenever that may be.  The pinkness does not bother me.  You could also do this before a therapeutic bath, possibly using some essential oils?  

-Your skin must be 100% dry.

-Start at the ankles and work your way up towards your heart. Back towards belly; belly clockwise.  Arms above head down towards the heart.  Back of hand towards armpit. Scrub until skin pink from blood flow.  Use light, quick motions.

-Treatment is most beneficial at 3x a week.  If your skin is feeling raw or delicate, 2x a week.

-Follow with a nourishing body lotion ankles up towards heart.  This seems like a good time to use coconut oil (maybe with some more EOs!?).

-Drink some hot lemon water to jumpstart digestive system.

-Wash your brush in 10:1 water:bleach and air dry.  I have yet to do this. :-/

She's Crafty!

Today I went to a Party Book party that was all about one of my favorite things, crafting!  There were about 15 other women there and we had a blast hanging out and making things on this rainy, rainy SoCal day!  I came home with three things.  Two glittery, adorable ornaments for the kids (Stanford and kitty-related, of course) and an awesome, arm-knitted infinity scarf!  

I am not a knitter.  I was positive that I was going to have to give up and quit.  I was sweating and feeling like quite the failure as I tried to keep up and make sure that I was doing the right thing.  Alas, it worked and it is pretty darn cute!

This could be a great gift for a girlfriend or family member or keep it for yourself!  To make it again, I would definitely need to look it up on YouTube but dang!  What a fun way to spend the afternoon!


**go check "Crafts" tab for link**

What? Didja forget about me?

It has been, what, like three years since I last posted something, right?  Should I try this again?

Lots has changed for us and lots has stayed the same.  One thing that is new is my interest in essential oils, namely the Young Living line.  I've been playing around with oils since July and it is now December.  Almost six months with oils in my life and I couldn't be happier!  I love trying more natural things for our family and myself.  This fits the bill for us.  

Today I made a roller ball for spider veins called Vein Diminisher!

The recipe is adapted from one that was posted on a YL Facebook group's wall by Julie Sanches.

Combine in a roller ball bottle:

20 drops YL Lemongrass

10 drops YL Cypress

5 drops YL Helichrysum

Top with Jojoba Oil.

I made a little video as I put this formula together.  It is actually not so little; I was unprepared so it went a bit long.  I had to split it into two movies so please enjoy my ridiculousness.  If I ever post a video again, I will try to do much better. ;-)

 PART ONE

PART DEUX

I can't even tell if this worked at all.  Good thing no one sees this blog.




Also, just to be official and compliant:
I am not a doctor. Any information or advice given on this site is meant to help educate and inform, not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Statements made on this website about Young Living oils have not been evaluated by the FDA.  You should always check with your health care professional before starting something new.