eo | oils + emotions

When I started with essential oils my goal was to make the house smell good and to maybe get some better sleep…those were both big wins from the start. I had no idea about the other great benefits that these little bottles held for me and for my family.

I saw so many moms on Instagram talking about making tantrum rollers and finding ways to help their toddlers feel better or their own postpartum selves feel better. I didn’t think that I needed the support that they were looking for…my kids were 14, 15 and 17 and I was far from postpartum. But I was dealing with huge emotions. For myself and my kids…we were all navigating new things and none of us were fully equipped to handle most of it.

At first I was not incredibly consistent with my oils other than diffusing…I wasn’t sure what to do or really how they could help me. I remember being at work one day and feeling off without any real reason as to why. I had brought my diffuser to work that day but was hesitant to set it up (oh the hassle!) but in the afternoon figured why not? I diffused some Joy and Grapefruit and put it out of my mind other than just enjoying the scent. Driving home that evening I realized I was singing in the car…those darn oils had turned my mood around and without even thinking about it I was back to my old self. Did they really work? They did for me and from that day forward I looked at the oils a little differently. I looked at how they could help my physical and my emotional self.

How are you feeling?

There are so many different oils and different combinations of oils that it can be confusing and many people just throw up their hands and say…not for me. But be patient, give them a try. I am sure that you will soon see and feel the benefits. Not all oils do the same things for everyone and not everyone even likes the same oils. Be creative and adventurous. Try new things and new combinations and soon you’ll find exactly what works for you in the moment. Below are some of my favorites that I reach for based on how I’m feeling at the time.

unmotivated

Feeling like you have things you want to do but can’t find the desire to get moving? A few that might help get you going are: Citrus oils like Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Tangerine and Orange, Peppermint, Jade Lemon, Lemon Myrtle, Neroli, Rosemary, Spearmint, Awaken, Believe, Build Your Dream, Citrus Fresh, Clarity, Common Sense, En-R-Gee, Envision, Fulfill Your Destiny, Highest Potential, Inner Child, Into The Future, Joy, Live With Passion, Live Your Passion, Magnify Your Purpose, Motivation, Oola Grow and Valor.

stressed

Feeling like things are out of control? Some of my favorite oils to combat stress are: Bergamont, Cypress, Lavender, Lime, Frankincense, Patchouli, Peppermint, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Joy, Peace + Calming, Citrus Fresh, Gentle Baby (not just for babies!!), Gratitude, Hope, Oola Balance, Release, Sacred Mountain, Sara, Stress Away, Surrender, Transformation and White Angelica.

fearful or Low confidence

Have that unsettled feeling? Don’t feel like you have the courage or confidence to go after what you want? A big test coming up for your child or a big game? Maybe a big presentation for you? When I’m needing a little boost in the confidence department I reach for motivating oils (see above) and some of my favorite blends as follows: Bergamont, Clary Sage, Orange, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Jasmine, Rose, Roman Chamomile, Acceptance, Aroma Life, Awaken, Believe, Build Your Dream, Envision, Harmony, Highest Potential, Hope, Inspiration, Joy, Oola Fun, Peace + Calming, Sacred Mountain, Sara, Stress Away, Valor and White Angelica.

irritable

Grouchy and snapping at people at every turn? There’s an oil for that, too…in fact there are plenty. Use these oils to bring on a happier mood and keep the good vibes going strong: Cedarwood, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Bergamont, Jasmine, Orange, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Acceptance, Aromaease, Aroma Life, Awaken, Brain Power, Citrus Fresh, En-R-Gee, Forgiveness, Gathering, Gentle Baby, Gratitude, Grounding, Harmony, Humility, Inner Child, Joy, Oola Family, Oola Fun, Release, Sacred Mountain (it really does all of the things…for me), Sara, Stress Away, Valor and White Angelica.

EMOTION diffuser RECIPES

You can use these as a starting point, add more drops for rollers or sprays…get creative and get in control of your feelings.

What have you found works the best for turning your emotions around? Being consistent with your oils helps so very much. These oils can help whether you diffuse them, sniff them right out of the bottle, roll them straight from your bottle or make a blend that is just right for you. Get creative and try new things, I would love to hear what you come up with and what has worked for you.

xo,
c

09 | exercise routines for self care

When I planned my year of self care I thought that I would surely have my workout routine down by now…but when this week approached and I realized that I didn’t I thought about switching it out for a week later in the year…and that’s when I knew it was best to keep it where it was.

Exercise has always been something I’ve struggled with. I’m such an all or nothing person and when I find something to try I go all in…until I’m all out. I’ve tried so many different things, even participated in a couple sprint triathlons…crazy, huh? I’ve done all of the aerobics, lifting, personal trainer, home workouts and anything else you might be able to think of. But nothing that I’ve tried has been able to keep me motivated long enough to create a lasting habit.

I didn’t grow up working out or exercising on a daily basis…I was involved in basketball as a little kid and briefly in high school. I hated PE - especially those runs that we would have to go on in class. I love the idea of working out…but the time it takes, the sweating that’s involved and the energy…not really my thing. But getting strong, being strong and being able to move, that I love. But never really enough to keep going. It’s just not ever a priority to my life. But as I get older (and less able to move freely or lose weight as easy as I’d like) I know that a good exercise routine is vital to my self care and well being. My struggles with exercise is one of the biggest reasons that I love that my kids are so involved in sports and physical activity. They love it and struggle when they aren’t doing at least one sport at a time. I’m grateful that they have created that habit already.

MY PLAN GOING FORWARD

I have some health and fitness goals that I’ve been working on, trying to find the footing that best suits my life at the moment. Trying and hoping to get the habits solidified so that I can keep going even when life throws me a curve ball…because exercise is typically the first thing to go for me.

1. rowing - I’m lucky enough to have a great rowing machine in my garage (alongside other exercise equipment)…it’s time to start using it again. Rowing is great for overall fitness and strength. It’s gentle enough on my knees and makes me feel stronger quickly after just a few days in. I’m planning on starting slow - 3 days a week and building up.

2. yoga - one of my biggest struggles as I age is my inability to move as quickly or as easily as when I was younger. My flexibility is not great and that effects me in my work as a photographer. If I could slowly improve this it would make many areas of my life much easier. I’m going to be using Yoga with Adriene that has some amazing videos for all levels. And I’m at the lowest level there is here. But instead of giving up like I usually would, I’m taking note of where I am now and looking forward to where I will be with some consistent work. I’m starting with some general videos of hers and starting her March calendar of daily yoga on Friday.

3. water - I know this isn’t exactly exercise but drinking more water and less coffee (which is the only other thing I’m drinking right now other than NingXia) helps me stay focused on my goal…and keeps me walking in the house more often :)

What have been your successes with sticking to an exercise routine? What do you find helps you and what roadblocks do you often face? I know that a consistent exercise routine - that I will stick to - is vital to my self care. And feel free to ask me how it’s going if you see me…I’m going to need the encouragement!

xo,
c

eo | ditch + switch tips

One of the best things about being a Young Living member and having a monthly wellness box (Essential Rewards) is that we have slowly started removing the products in our home that aren’t in line with our current health goals.

If you’re wondering what exactly I mean with a monthly wellness box, check out this post that’s all about essential rewards here on the blog. We’ve been getting them for over a year now and between the things that I’m ordering that we need and the free promos, it adds up to a lot of items that give us the opportunity to rid our home of chemicals where we can…and that’s the key. It doesn’t have to be overnight or all at once…do what you can when you can.

WHAT CAN YOU DITCH + SWITCH?

There are many areas of your home that you can ditch the chemical ridden products in your home and switch them out with healthier and cleaner versions from Young Living. The biggest and most obvious for us has been getting the candles and the fabreeze out of our home and using diffusers with blends that smell better than my favorite candles and room sprays that I can’t taste - good stuff all around!

• diffusers instead of candles

• easy diy room sprays instead of air fresheners

• simple diy perfumes (or even just using your favorite oil) instead of perfume

• Thieves Household Cleaner instead of literally every other cleaner I was using

• Thieves Laundry Detergent instead of the popular “clean” detergent pods

• easy diy face serums instead of expensive name brands with added…ingredients

• savvy minerals makeup instead of the many brands that I was using prior

• Zyng + NingXia + Nitro instead of popular energy drinks

• get creative and see what other things you can switch out in your home

And the best part about adding these items to your monthly wellness Essential Rewards box is that you build up points to use on future quick orders - getting more products for free! Who would want to pass that up?

Don’t think that once you become a Young Living member that you need to make a huge change and investment and switch everything over. Instead, as you run out of something in your home, transfer that purchase from wherever you would typically buy it and add it to your ER order for the month. The other great thing about Young Living’s products is that they are super concentrated and you can stretch your dollar even further. I always dilute my laundry detergent, my shampoo and body wash…and the number of drops in a bottle of essential oils that I can use to create my favorite candle scents is much more cost effective than some of those big beautiful candles.

DITCH THE CANDLES

Here are some of my favorite go-to blends to replace my favorite candle scents. Get creative and find combinations that you love. Pinterest is a great resource if there is something in particular that you’re looking to recreate. Blend 01 below is my absolute favorite, try it!

SOME OF MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS

I buy all of my containers on Amazon because they have a huge assortment and I’m impatient and I love free 2 day shipping.

Have you already started switching out items in your home for cleaner options? What has been your favorite switch? For me, I grew up on dryer sheets…and had no idea the chemicals that are on them. I love knowing that the dryer balls are healthier and cleaner for my family…and the cats think they’re awesome when one escapes the dryer.

If you’re already a member and wanting to get your Essential Rewards set up, send me a message and I’ll help you get started. If you’re not a member yet, come join my team, we would love to have you!

xo,
c

08 | water intake for self care

This one is simple and so very basic. Water.

You must get enough water every day to feel your very best. And self care is all about feeling your very best, setting yourself up for success every day. How much water do you think you need? More than you’re currently getting, I would bet. Take your body weight in pounds and divide in half…that’s the number of ounces that you should be targeting every day.

5 BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER EVERY DAY

1. Eliminates the toxins in your body - flush all that gunk out of your body…all those trips to the restroom are good for you.

2. Hydrates your brain and wakes you up - no more foggy morning brain when you get a glass in just as you wake up every day.

3. Hydrates your skin from the inside - plump that skin up, keep it smooth and soft, thank me later.

4. Give yourself that feeling of being full - often when you think you’re hungry you’re just thirsty. Drink those glasses of water and start walking away from the cookies.

5. Amazing for your joints, aches and pains - keep your fluid intake up and give your insides the best chance at being its healthy self.

What do you love about the days when you get all of your water in? Do you o it every day? Can you tell the difference? I know that I can. I feel fuller longer, my skin feels softer and clearer and I have more energy - also more steps from all of the trips to the restroom.

5 TIPS TO GET YOUR WATER IN EVERY DAY

1. Drink one glass as soon as you get up in the morning - before your brain even knows what’s going on, you’re a good 8 ounces in. Side benefit is that it gets your body moving and wakes you up right away. Win win.

2. Drink a glass - large glass - with every meal or snack (also, drink a glass before your meal, helps you slow down with the food intake). Helps with digestion and it’s really the only thing you need to be drinking. Say no to the soda - it doesn’t count.

3. Set reminders on your phone for various times every day - don’t let “busy” get in your way of getting hydrated. Put a checklist in your planner every day or tally marks on your bottle - figure out what works the best for you and stick to it.

4. Add a drop or two of a food safe essential oil or some fresh fruits to your water for a little bit of variety.

5. Find a water bottle that you love and carry it with you everywhere you go. We’re a big fans of hydroflasks here, but I also love my plastic tumbler for plain ice water. Whatever makes it easier for you to get those ounces.

What’s your biggest tip to make sure you get your water in every day? Do you struggle getting in the ounces? Do you tell yourself that the CokeZero counts as water too? You’re wrong, my dear. Get the pure basic water into your system every day. Your body will thank you.

eo | diy glow serums + my favorite oils for skin

Using oils on my face seemed so strange to me… I already have oily skin…are you sure? I had read so many different recipes and read about so many great results that I thought I must give some of them a try. I have found some that I love and wanted to share them with you here and talk about some of the most amazing oils for skin support so you can start experimenting yourself and create the most amazing spa like glow rollers ever.

01 | PSK under eye night time serum

I love this roller because it’s one of the first DIYs that I made with my starter kit, I found it in the Oil + Glass book which is an amazing resource! So if you’ve got a starter kit, grab a roller and make this one today! Because this recipe calls for Lemon which is photosensitive, make sure to only use it at night…if you’re wanting to use in the morning, omit the Lemon.

I get all my rollers from Amazon, but you can always grab a clean empty 15ml bottle and a fitament top and recycle those old bottles. This is a great under eye serum to roll onto clean skin before bed. It smells great and helps give the appearance of brighter skin. Take special care not to get any oil in your eyes…right? We know this.

02 | glow serum

I love these little dropper bottles. Any of these recipes could be made in a dropper bottle but this one is especially great in a dropper (the under eye serum is great with the roller with the steel ball roller cooling your skin). This recipe is great to reduce the appearance of fine lines and provides a good moisture after cleansing your skin.

A great resource for these droppers is amazon or everyday oil essentials and they are perfect for mixing up serums or diffuser blends that you use often.

03 | clear skin roller

This roller is great to help with breakouts and to improve the appearance of some scars on your skin. I roll this over any problem areas on my skin after cleansing and allow to dry before applying anything else.

This recipe is adapted from a couple different recipes in the Oil + Glass book. The frosted glass roller with gold label is from Simply Oily, although I believe they are sold out…but check out some of their other bottles!

04 | dreamy beauty serum

This is the most spa like dreamy blend and is quite special with the added drops of Rose. The oils in this blend are good for improving the overall condition of your skin…take some time and google the different properties of these individual oils.

I love this roller and thought it was perfect in the beautiful perfume bottle shaped roller from Wood And Oils. It’s one of my favorite rollers.

05 | skin boost

This one I’m including after much research, I haven’t tried it long enough to see the full results, but I do love the way that it smells. This amazing frosted pink roller is from Everyday Oil Essentials.

I don’t use all of these rollers or serums every day. I often will find a new one to try and will see how I like it. My goal is to find a couple recipes that I love and continue to make those. Right now my favorites are the Clear Skin Roller and the Dreamy Beauty Serum.

The more research that I do it amazes me all of the oils and all of the various ways that you can use them to support your body. I love knowing that I’m putting natural plant goodness on my skin instead of the many chemicals that I used to use without giving it a second thought.

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MY FAVORITE ESSENTIALS FOR BEAUTY RECIPES

Here are a few of my favorite things for mixing up beauty and skin serums. I use these products all of the time in my diy projects. What are your favorite products to use with your oils?

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GREAT OILS FOR SKIN SUPPORT

This is not an all encompassing list, and not every oil will work the same for every person. I’ve found that I love researching the oils and their different properties and experimenting with different combinations. Pinterest has also proven to be a great resource. Google the benefits of many of these oils and see what you think you might want to try or pick yourself up an Essential Oils Pocket Reference and learn all of the things.

• MELROSE

• MYRRH

• NEROLI

• PALMAROSA

• PATCHOULI

• ROSE

• ROYAL HAWAIIAN SANDALWOOD

• SACRED SANDALWOOD

• TANGERINE

• TEA TREE

• VETIVER

• BLUE TANSY

• CARROT SEED

• COPAIBA

• CYPRESS

• ELEMI

• FRANKINCENSE/SACRED FRANK

• GERANIUM

• HELICHRYSUM

• LAVENDER

• LEMON

• LEMONGRASS

• MANUKA

Have you made your own skin serums before? If you’ve been to a department store or makeup store that sells organic or plant based beauty products check out their ingredient list and see what inspiration that you can find. You’d be shocked at the things that you can make in your own home.

xo,
c

eo | 10 ways to use your premium starter kit

You just purchased your starter kit and now you’re wondering what on earth you’re going to do with it…how will you ever use all of those oils and what will you use them for? It seemed like a great idea, you want to start on this wellness journey that all of your friends are talking about…but how?

Okay, first things first - open that baby up. take everything out and open all the bottles and smell them. Really breathe them in. Some will smell amazing and others you might think you’ll never smell again…they all have amazing uses, so don’t discount any of them just yet. (DiGize will be your best friend when you overindulge in your favorite meal, give it a chance :) )

Don’t forget to lift up those oils and look underneath - there are two amazing oils under there, two sachets of NingXia Red, a sample of Thieves Household Cleaner, a bottle of Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier and two rollertop fitaments. You need these!! I’m loving the updates that Young Living made to their Premium Starter Kit this year. The oils give you so many benefits and you will love each and every one!

10 ways to use your PSK

1. Take your diffuser out and put it together, grab some water and fill to the line and add 3 drops Peppermint and 3 drop Lemon for a great energizing and clean smelling blend that helps with focus. You’ve just created your first blend! Set your diffuser up somewhere in your home that the smell can be enjoyed by all. Enjoy...and know that you’re going to soon need additional diffusers, we have them in nearly every room in our house now! Start with your main living area and also your bedroom, you’ll be so glad you did!

2. Grab one of the roller fitaments, remove the reducer and pop it on the top of your Stress Away bottle - roll onto your wrists and breathe it in. Everyone calls it “vacation in a bottle” and you’ll love it. Calming and relaxing, perfect for those stressful moments in your day. (you can diffuse this one too!)

3. Take a big cold glass of water and add a drop of Peppermint or Lemon for a refreshing drink. I love adding Lemon to my water and have also loved Grapefruit (a great inexpensive oil to add to your next order that is great in so many ways!)

4. Take that Theives Waterless Hand Purifier and stick it in your purse or your car. I have one tucked just about everywhere and we use it all the time to get the germs off…perfect when you’re out at super crowded spots and it smells great! Young Living also sells a big bottle to use to refill the littles or to have in your kitchen. I love that YL sells the little bottles in packs of three - perfect to get them everywhere you need them!

5. Looking for some sleep and relaxation support? There are so many great oils in this kit that can help you. My favorites are Valor, Peace + Calming and Lavender. Frankincense is also great for sleep (and for your skin!! Put a drop in your moisturizer before smoothing on your face and breathe it in). I can’t imagine going a night without my diffuser, I even take it with me when I’m traveling.

6. Grab a 16 ounce (glass if you have one, we get ours on Amazon) spray bottle and empty the packet into the bottle and fill the rest with water - you now have the best smelling most amazing household cleaner that is safe and effective for your entire home. We use this to clean everything and there are tons of recipes to make scrubs and other products as needed. I love knowing we have replaced all the awful smelling toxic cleaning supplies in our home with this one bottle. No more feeling like I’m going to pass out when cleaning the shower.

7. Feeling like you’re not feeling your best? Grab your favorite mug and fill it with hot water, add some organic honey and a drop of Thieves and a drop of Lemon for your very own Thieves Tea, perfect for a little immune boost.

8. Remember that Peppermint Vitality oil? Add a drop or two to a box of brownie mix for the best Peppermint Brownies…yum!! The white label oils in your kit are safe to ingest, so know that you can add these to recipes or veggie capsules and ingest them for various benefits.

9. Get a roller bottle (Amazon has some great ones) and some fractionated coconut oil (Young Living sells their own V6 Carrier Oil that I love!) and add 6 drops Lavender, 6 drops Lemon, 6 drops Peppermint and roll on your wrists or your feet. You can also use this blend to diffuse for some seasonal relief just use equal drops of each (fewer for a diffuser). I diffuse this every morning in the spring while my children are up and about getting ready for school. I love roller bottles and make so many different ones for various needs. Valor is great for confidence and courage, roll some on and breathe it in before a big test for your kids or other big moments in your life.

10. Grab those little red sachets and stick them in the fridge. When you’re ready, pour one over ice and top off with your favorite sparkling water and enjoy. You’ll love all of the benefits for your body and the afternoon pick-me-up is always needed by this busy mom!

Did you notice that I didn’t even get to talk about all of the oils? There are so many uses for each oil. Twelve amazing little bottles of plant juice that you will fall in love with. Something to remember is that many of the oils smell differently out of the bottle vs on your body or being diffused. And if you don’t love the smell of an oil - give it another chance or try and use it in another way.

My number one tip? Be consistent with your oils, know that these oils are amazing, but without consistent use you may miss out on some of the most amazing benefits. If you’re not seeing the results that you’re hoping for, reach out and let’s talk, you might be missing out on something that you haven’t thought about yet. I love helping families find what works the best for them because what works for my body may not be the same for yours.

Do you want to learn a little more about those little red sachets in the bottom of your starter kit box? I wrote a blog post all about why we love NingXia Red in our home. I can’t imagine going a day without this little pick-me-up and I love knowing that it’s giving me nutrients that I’m not getting on my own.

If you’ve been on the fence, wondering if this is the right path for you, send me a message and let’s chat. I’m so glad that my family looked into essential oils and so grateful that we chose Young Living. There are so many amazing products that we have introduced into our home in the past year and this little box has given us so much. This just opens the door to all of the ways that you can slowly (or quickly) start removing chemicals and unhealthy things from your homes.

xo,
c

06 | fueling your body with love

One of the best things that you can do for your self care is to take care of your physical body…what you eat and how you move. These are both areas that I’ve struggled with my entire life. I’ve gone through phases where I’ve felt like I have it under control and I’m on the right path and others where I’ve made choices that weren’t really in my best interest.

I’ve tried all of the different diet fads. Really…all of them I would imagine. I have finally I’ve come to a point in my life where I’ve realized that I know what I need to do and it’s really up to me to decide to choose to actually do what I need to do. This past summer I attempted the Whole30 for my second time (first time was more of a Whole17) and this time I completed the challenge…and I loved it. I lost weight and that was my goal, but the best thing that happened was that I realized that I can be in control of what I eat. It was the first time in my life that my relationship with food became more about fueling my body than eating because I wanted to (for stress, emotion or out of spite when I was upset with myself). I was able to order Dairy Queen Blizzards for my family and easily pass on one for myself. And not feel deprived. Not feel as though I was wishing for the day when I could have one again. Just proud of myself for making the choice that best suited me and my goals for right now.

Do you struggle with what to eat, how to eat, when to eat? Here are my five best tips on finding what works the best for you.

5 best tips for fueling your body with love

1. Drink lots of water…take your body weight and divide by half and that’s how many ounces of water you should be drinking EVERY DAY.

2. Fill your plate with mostly fruits and vegetables.

3. Choose foods without added sugar.

4. Choose foods with ingredient lists you can understand. I try and keep the foods that I eat to fewer than 5 ingredients per item when I’m not on the whole30 (as most all whole30 foods I eat are whole foods). Better yet - choose foods without ingredients. Whole foods. Foods that only have things in them that your body knows how to handle.

5. Keep healthy food options on hand (at home, in your car, in your bag) so you don’t end up in a situation where a drive thru is your only option…and if it is, remember your goals. Remember how your body feels when you fill it with fake foods.

Some of my favorite books to keep me motivated are shown above and linked below. At this point, I’m not 100% following any of them but am taking bits and pieces from each. Learning about the science behind the foods and the way that the different foods make me feel and effect my body. The main thing that I am trying to focus on in my world right now is making sure that the foods that I eat are as real as possible (aside from my morning coffee…because I’m just not prepared to drink black coffee at this point, and that’s just ok) and have ingredients that I understand. With things like the coffee…I’m making the choice to drink that as it is currently the better choice than what I might want. You can’t always make the perfect choice, be 100% clean and healthy all of the time. Sometimes the lesser of two evils to keep you on track is what works best. Finding what works for you may not be what works for someone else.

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MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR EAT TO LIVE

I try to pin recipes and quotes that inspire me to make choices that are in line with my overall health goals. I’m often an “all of nothing” type of person and I need to be careful of giving myself a “treat” or taking a detour “just this once” until I’m fully committed (and seeing results…I need results). For me, counting points or calories or things along that line don’t really work. I need guidelines. But I also know that sometimes the best things for me is the “unhealthy” choice. Restrictions aren’t healthy and finding a way to live where I am giving my body the best chance at being healthy is my goal. Maybe, just maybe I’m finally figuring some of this health thing out.

Reminding myself daily that eating well is one of the greatest forms of self respect. What tips do you have to keep your body healthy with the foods that you eat?

xo,
c

eo | all about NingXia Red

When you order your Premium Starter Kit from Young Living you get these two little red packets at the bottom of your kit. Most people either ignore them or pop them in the fridge and forget about them. I was one of those people. I stuck them in the fridge and thought I’ll give those a try someday.

So one afternoon my sister and I each had one of those packets. I’m super picky with the taste of things so I was pretty sure I would hate it. I didn’t. I was concerned about the texture. There was no need to be. So we decided that we would bring Ningxia Red into our daily lives and I’m so glad that we have.

Benefits of NINGXIA RED

There are so many great benefits of drinking 2-4 ounces of Ningxia Red every day. I am not a doctor and these are just the things that I have found with my research and the benefits that we have found in our own home. From the Young Living site: “NingXia Red® is a delicious superfruit beverage that combines whole Ningxia wolfberry puree; a superfruit 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.”

• Made with exotic fruit extracts and the whole fruit of Young Living’s exclusive Ningxia wolfberries, NingXia Red can help prevent against oxidative stress, support eye health, and provide energy throughout the day.

• Antioxidants—one ounce has roughly the power of four pounds of carrots/eight oranges/two pounds of beets/three cups raspberries/two cups blueberries…are you getting those fruits and veggies in your body on the regular? I’m not…so I drink NingXia daily to help pick up the slack and give me a boost.

• Once you have been drinking NingXia for a while people typically say they have brighter skin and a little more natural energy…who couldn’t use that?

• The NingXia Wolfberry is a complex carbohydrate, which means your blood sugar will rise slowly, reducing the risk of a sugar crash afterward. This is one reason why this energy drink is a much better alternative than conventional energy drinks that are filled with sugar and send you into a sugar high and post-sugar crash. 
  

My favorite way to drink my NingXia is over ice and a can of NingXia Zyng (Young Living’s Sparkling Beverage) sometimes I add a tube of Nitro if I’m feeling super drained in the afternoon…the perfect pick me up.

MIXOLOGY RECIPES

You can drink Zyng on its own for a great afternoon pick me up as well…refreshing with a little boost of energy. With natural flavors and sweeteners, white tea extract, and added vitamins, NingXia Zyng delivers 35 mg of naturally occurring caffeine and only 35 calories per can…I’ll take that over a store bought energy drink any day.

The kids drink their NingXia in the morning with their vitamins…I love knowing that the get this extra boost of goodness into their bodies before heading out for their day.

Have you tried NingXia Red yet? How about any of the other NingXia products? I would love to hear what you think and how you make them a part of your everyday wellness plan.

xo,
c

05 | creating time for you

I’ve touched on this in previous weeks, but one of the best things that you can do for your self care is ensure that you have created time for just you. In order to be your best self, you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. You cannot give to others if you are empty.

In today’s world we are all busy. Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, have a full time job - or more than one, or any of the many other things that keep you busy it is so easy to put yourself on the back burner. You tell yourself “I’ll get to that later” or “the kids need me” or any of the other things that we tell ourselves as to why we don’t have the time to take care of ourselves. But what happens if something or someone goes uncared-for for too long? Imagine if we pushed our children’s needs or our boss’s needs to the side? We can’t - we wouldn’t. Yet we are so often very comfortable in pushing our own needs to the side. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. In fact, it is necessary.

WHAT DOES TIME FOR MYSELF LOOK LIKE?

It may be so long since you’ve done something just for you that you might be a little stuck here. Why do I really need this time for myself? If I can actually create it, what on earth am I going to do? You need this time so that you can learn more about yourself. So that you can dive deeper into your interests. So that you can spend time with friends that you don’t get to see very often. You can go to a class…to the library or out exploring your city. Or you can simply sit on the couch in a quiet home (or room) and read or listen to music or listen to silence and think.

But a word of caution…don’t go looking for time in your calendar to give yourself a little “me time”. I can almost guarantee you won’t find it. If you have a busy schedule it’s going to take some effort. You’re going to have to create the time. And you may even need to schedule it like an appointment for a while. Most importantly…do not cancel on yourself.

FIVE WAYS TO CREATE TIME FOR YOURSELF

1. Get up an hour earlier - How To Get Up An Hour Earlier

2. Stay up an hour later after your family has gone to bed - but be careful here. You don’t want this late night me time to make you sluggish in the morning or have you struggling to get up on time. Balance.

3. Sign up for a class either with a friend or by yourself (make sure it’s something that you are genuinely interested in so that it does not become a chore).

4. Create time around your lunch break for things you love.

5. Become more efficient with your time. Take a hard look at your days and weeks. Don’t spin your wheels with different tasks and you’ll be surprised at the time you might be able to find in your day. Multi tasking might feel like you’re getting more done, but I promise you’re just taking longer to do one thing and likely aren’t doing as well of a job with it as you would hope. Focus and you’ll create pockets of time for yourself.

What are you going to do with your “me time”? It doesn’t have to be the same thing…it doesn’t have to be everyday (as long as you’re getting some time for you during your morning routine and bedtime routines) but it does need to happen if you want to feel your best.

xo,
c

how to get up an hour earlier

Part of my morning routine calls for getting up an hour earlier that I used to…so that I have time to get all of the things done that contribute to me being more successful…and not rushing around all morning and falling behind.

I’ve never considered myself a morning person and I’ve always loved to sleep in. But now that I’m getting quality sleep I’m finding that it’s easier to get up in the mornings…most of the time. The following are some tips that I use daily to get myself up and out of bed at a reasonable hour…even if I might not want to.

disclaimer…I don’t have babies that don’t sleep through the night or other things that might make it unreasonable to get up early…I often simply don’t want to (sleep is amazing, but attacking your dreams is so much more rewarding). These are the things that I have found that help me outsmart myself.

5 TIPS TO GET UP AN HOUR EARLIER

1. Give yourself a reason. I often used to dread getting out of bed because I knew that as soon as I did I would have a house full of people needing me for this or that. Once I realized that getting up before everyone else gave me time to ease into the day (not everyone hops out of bed singing You Are My Sunshine) then I understood the value of getting myself up when I might rather stay curled up in bed. And I for sure regret it on the days I let the snooze button get the best of me.

2. Create a bedtime and morning routine that you love. Getting enough sleep is KEY to getting your butt out of bed in the morning. And having a set routine for yourself that you love only makes that process a bit easier. Figure out what it is that you need and want to do and do it. Read the posts on Creating a Morning Routine for Self Care and Creating a Bedtime Routine for Self Care on the blog and print out the planning PDFs.

3. When you’re falling asleep at night don’t play the “if I fall asleep NOW I’ll get x hours of sleep” game. It’s horrible for getting you to actually fall asleep and shouldn’t play into what time you get up in the morning.

4. Get up at the same time every day. Weekends too. If you didn’t get very much sleep the night before, don’t give yourself the “out” of allowing you to sleep in the next morning. However tempting this might be, it makes it brutal to fall asleep the next night and so the cycle begins.

5. Plain and simple. Just do it. It’s really not that hard in the grand scheme of things.

COMMON ROADBLOCKS FOR GETTING UP ON TIME

1. That snooze button - just don’t touch it. Put your alarm clock on the opposite side of the room if you have to so that you ensure that you actually get up when your alarm goes off.

2. Not getting enough sleep - see mentions of your bedtime and morning routines above. I promise that these really help.

3. Freezing cold room vs cozy warm bed. I’m pretty sure that warm bed is amazing, but you need to develop an easy system to beat the “it’s too cold to get out of bed” excuse.

4. Not having something to look forward to in the morning. Work on creating that Morning Routine. It makes a difference.

5. Your partner or roommates or children like to sleep in and you don’t want to wake them is a great excuse to catch a few more z’s. But that is all it is. If you need to be loud - get out of the house. Otherwise create a quiet peaceful morning routine that gets you jumping out of bed and attacking your goals and dreams!

What do you do to get up on time? Are you someone who hits snooze or do you wake before your alarm clock even sounds? What tips and tricks have you employed in your life if you’ve never been a morning person before but are trying to make yourself one? Do you see the benefits of getting up an hour earlier?

xo,
c