My Essential Life

Disclaimer:

The Our Essential Life Members do not claim to be medical practitioners. We do not diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical treatment or advice. You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your medical practitioner before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. The following safety precautions are guidelines only. You should consult with any aromatherapist about essential oil usage and always inform your primary care physician what you are using as they may not be conducive with his/her prescribed therapy and medications.

Getting right to it before my kiddos wake up! The first part of this will be the very basics of essential oils. I also plan on teaching a class in the future, so this isn't entirely comprehensive, but will hopefully answers some of the questions I've been asked. If you're not interested in the basics and just want to know about my personal experience and routine, then scroll on down! 

What are essential oils? 

This is the "lifeblood" of a plant. Did you know that these herbs and oils were used in Biblical times? Frankincense, Myrrh... And numerous passages describing various "fine," "fragrant," and "pure," oils. There are all kinds of articles and blogs already available that go into the science behind them and much longer descriptions, so I will spare you! 

Why Young Living, and not the (likely cheaper) oil companies you can find in an aisle of the health food store, Walmart, or on Amazon? I get it. I LOVE bargains and to try to find the best deals. I'm cheap. I shop sales, used, clearance, yard sales, and thrift stores. But I won't budge on this. YL is the only essential oil (EO) company that provides the Seed to Seal guarantee. Please see the graphic below:

It is so important to know what is in your oils. The FDA doesn't regulate this, so there could be, and probably are, other things in EO even if they say "100% pure" or "therapeutic grade." It very much matters how the oils are extracted, because if solvents are used, they can compromise the oil. If it is extracted with high heat, it removes its "good properties" ;) (this is why we also don't recommend putting them in wax warmers, but instead in our diffusers). YL owns its own farms and distilleries (all 11 of them), which most oil companies don't, and you can visit them and even participate in the process! That speaks volumes about this company! No secrets! You can call around to other oil companies and receive very obscure answers about how oils are extracted, how the plants are grown, and if they own their own farms! Some even said they do not know?? 

Furthermore, YL listens to consumers' concerns and respond. For example, consumers were concerned about folic acid (comes from coal, and is toxic to people with certain disorders.. Just stay away. Instead, go for food-based Folate. In fact, stay away from all synthetic vitamins. Standard Process is one of the only companies that create food-based supplements not grown in yeast baths, which causes all kinds of gut health issues. Anything that says "vitamin," stay AWAY from) in their protein powders, and YL listened, and reformulated it without it! They have the upmost concern for health and produce quality products (not just EO). Everything with YL is grown without pesticides and is thoroughly tested by YL and 3rd party companies...another question other oil companies either said no to or they didn't know...so we, the consumers, receive a pure product we can feel confident about! That's a rare feeling I get about products these days. If all of that doesn't convince you to go with YL, let's chat and maybe I can change your mind!

Why Our Essential Life? OEL is a network of "oily" folks that I became a part of when I joined my upline by purchasing a premium starter kit. <Side notes: Once you purchase a kit, you become a wholesale customer qualifying you to receive a discount on future products. You also gain the ability (if you choose) to participate in an AWESOME rewards program, and/or you can choose to pursue the business side of YL (I just now started this, and I've been a "distributor" for a couple of years now.. I just maintained for the discount). There are no hidden monthly fees or anything weird like that. You just buy the kit... Which, by the way, is the best deal YL offers on its products...and decide your involvement. To maintain your membership, you just have to purchase 50PV (personal volume) within a year's time. That's so easy to do if you continue using the oils. End side notes> OEL is a wonderful network of people. This group has changed my life! They have so many incredible recipes, suggestions, videos, links...etc that are super informative and helpful. I've had nothing but good experiences on there with very gracious people that are willing to go out of their way to help. They are well-informed and practice tons of safety with oils. The group doesn't just offer info on oils, but health in general. They believe in the 4 pillars of health (EO, nutrition, environment, and movement aka.. chiropractic care). They encourage a Paleo nutritional lifestyle, which I have a looong way to go on, and believe that the 4 pillars go hand in hand with each other. It's not just about selling a product.. It's about health and life. I have been encouraged by this group so much, and it is the reason why I have so much knowledge of health and a passion for it. Anyone that purchases a starter kit under someone in this group becomes a part of it! I can't say enough good things about it. 

My experience. I will briefly share the reason I got into oils. When Addy was an infant, we got her a flu shot (no judgment here, but it's not for us). She had a reaction to it and stayed sick for several months and then got the flu. I believe it was because her immune system was so weakened by it. I felt helpless. I started researching holistic methods to health, because I wanted to take charge of my family's health, and I came across oils. I tried a few other brands, which I did not love, before discovering Young Living. I sampled a few oils (RC was my first and I was not a fan at the time, but now I love it in the diffuser), and I decided to plunge into oils and purchase a starter kit. I started seeing a ton of improvement with Addy, so I decided to start using them to see if they could assist me overcome my anxiety and panic attacks that I have had for half of my life. I'm still on this journey, but they have helped me so much with this! I believe that the 4 pillars mentioned above all play a role in my attacks, and the more I improve on each pillar, the better I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. The oils are the vehicle that is getting me there. 

We now only have well doctor visits and use oils as opposed to other methods to support our bodies! Chris was super skeptical for a while, but now he asks for me to "oil him up" if he starts feeling less than great, and Addy loves getting "oiled" too. I have almost completely cleaned up our environment by making our own cleaning and skincare products (I'm transitioning into non-toxic makeup), and we plan on starting chiropractic care in the future. A big thing we are trying to work on now is nutrition. Addy and Chris struggle the most here, but it is baby steps. Nutrition really is key. 

Now that all that has been said, here are my top 10 favorite oils with descriptions of what I use them for, and my daily routine as an oiler!  Keep in mind, these are just MY uses for it, though I do include a few suggestions that other people use them for. There are far more uses for them than just what I use them for. You can browse through the oils on Youngliving.com for more details and pricing.

10: Purification (starter kit oil) 

This blend is one I use for purifying (hence the name), bad odors, bug repellent, soothing sore throats (apply it diluted with a carrier oil down the front of the neck), and I use it neat (not diluted) on blemishes. I keep a spray bottle of it in the bathroom to sanitize it daily, and to freshen up the house. It smells very clean!

9: Joy (starter kit oil)

I wear this blend behind my ears and over my heart. I HATED the smell of this when I first received it, and could only stand to put it on the bottoms of my feet, but it is super effective in uplifting me and easing my stress. I have heard others rave about this one as it helped them during PPD. 

8: Peace and Calming (one of the most popular oils of Young Living)

This smells so good! It's very safe to use super diluted on kids. I use it on them to help them when they are moody and it can help little ones when they are congested. It's wonderful in the diffuser as well. I used to sniff this one at my desk in my cubicle at work when I got overwhelmed, which was about every 10 minutes ha! It also helps me to regulate my breathing when it's shallow due to stress. The name says it all! 

7: Lemon (starter kit oil)

This one smells super refreshing! I could sniff it all day! I use it for cleaning, liver support for all of us (hello immune system), fevers, coughs, in homemade hand soaps, and in my water daily (on Pinterest look up Good Girl Moonshine and add a drop or 2 of lemon to it.. Mmm! **Warning: we do NOT advise any ingestion whatsoever of any oils if you are on any medication! It drives me crazy when I see other oil groups encouraging ingestion of them with no disclaimers). This oil is also one of the 3 oils in the allergy assisting trio (lemon, peppermint, and lavender).

6: Lavender (starter kit oil)

So good! I use it on my babies (always heavily dilute any oil with children!) when they need to be sleepy. I like filling a glass spray bottle with several drops and water and squirt it on their pillow or in their room. I use it mixed in with my face oil morning and night (I will write a separate blog on my skincare when I have perfected it), and I love it in my natural shampoo. It is great for stress and skin irritations. 

5. Frankincense (starter kit oil)

My FAVORITE oil by its smell alone. So good. It's great for aging skin and scarring! I put several drops of this with Rosehip Seed Oil and Jojoba oil in a roller bottle and roll around my eyes morning and night. It's fantastic for immune support. I take a capsule of this and lemon with a carrier oil if I start feeling sick. I also place it on our spines, bottoms of feet, and behind ears for prevention. It can very safely be used on young children diluted. I plan on incorporating this one into my Bible and quiet times in the future by diffusing. It's recommended during meditation and inhaling ("huffing") for stress. 

4. Cedarwood

This oil is quite amazing yet super inexpensive. I diffuse this at night along with Favorite #2.. Oh. My. Word. It has a very Cedary smell (go figure) that isn't pleasant straight from the bottle, but it has magical unicorn powers. This one helps regulate oxygen to the brain (which is healing to the brain) and can help lower your heart rate. I'm a high stress, anxious person. I can't live without this. It has greatly helped with my panic attacks. It's also one of my favorites for sleep. It helps promote healthy hair growth so I pair this and either Lavender or Rosemary in with my shampoo. It's also nice with those 2 oils in a homemade hair mask. 

3. Valor 

(This is an older label if you're wondering why it's different) Valor and Peace and Calming used to be in the starter kits, but they were so popular, they couldn't keep them in stock, so sadly, they had to take them out of the kits. This one was out of stock for a very long time, and when it came back in stock, it broke the Internet, ha! Another favorite by the smell alone. This blend has Frankincense in it, so if you are tight on money, it is a cheaper way to get some Frank in your life! This one is great in spinal/alignment support. When I feel tense or uncomfortable in my neck or back, I put this one where I feel the discomfort. It's also a happy oil for me. I smell it and I feel more at peace. When I have a tension headache, this paired with Peppermint or Deep Relief helps tremendously. This oil is known as liquid courage. When Addy is afraid I put this one on over her heart to help those feelings. I do the same for me. I also place it along August's jawline when he is having teething discomfort. It has a way of releasing tension.

2 and 1. Release and Rutavala

I combined these because they work together. Release on my temples, Release and Cedarwood in the diffuser, and then Rutavala over my heart.. It's my new favorite combination. It's so relaxing. I do this every night to wind down and fall asleep easier. Release by itself can help "release" negative emotions or fears. I have just starting dabbling into EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping.. Go to www.thetappingsolution.com), and I use Release on my fingertips during, and I notice a huge difference in my mood and anxiety before and after. Rutavala by itself, is awesome for sleep and stress. The Valerian in it (which smells absolutely terrible.. Don't worry.. You didn't get a bad batch) promotes restful sleep. No need for addictive sleeping pills! You wake up feeling rested.

Here is what a routine in my life with oils looks like. This includes some honorable mentions that I love, but didn't quite make the top 10.

In the morning, I put Joy over heart, Awaken on temples, and Release over heart and on forehead. I add in others if I feel extra emotional. I then diffuse Stress Away. This helps my kiddos' moods big time! 

I place diluted Endoflex over thyroid and adrenals to help balance my hormones (this, I believe,  has been helping me tremendously in my anxiety, but I just recently started using it.. And also my acne.. I think it's a game changer, but it's a little too soon to tell). 

For my skin day and night I put a drop of Tea Tree with witch hazel on a cotton pad as a facial toner. I mix Lavender with Rosehip seed oil as my moisturizer (I have very sensitive acne prone skin) and Purification neat over any blemishes.

I have Frankincense with carrier oils in a roller bottle for around my eyes morning and night. 

I put Frankincense and Lemon diluted on us and the kids for immune support.

Rosemary and Cedarwood (and sometimes Lavender) go in my shampoo to promote healthy hair growth.

Orange gets mixed in with toothpaste for teeth whitening. 

I use Fennel and Basil for helping my breastmilk supply by taking a capsule with both and a carrier oil.

If August is teething and uncomfortable, I mix Clove with olive oil and rub on his gums. Valor on his jaw.

Peace and Calming gets whipped out if either kid is having a "moment."

Lemon goes in my water once a day or in my Good Girl Moonshine (Pinterest). 

I clean with Purification (mixed in a spray bottle) and the Thieves Household Cleaner.

At night, I put Cedarwood and Release in the diffuser, and Rutavala, Cedarwood, and Release on me...heart, temples, forehead. Best combo everrr. I also use Rutavala (alternating with Lavender/Peace and Calming/Valor) on the kiddos when they're restless. 

As needed:

For stress and sadness: Stress Away, Peace and Calming, Frank, Joy, Release, Valor, Tranquil, Cedarwood, Rutavala, Lemon

Sleep: Rutavala, Release, Lavender, Cedarwood 

Immune support: Frank, Lemon, and then Thieves and RC go in the diffuser if we are already sick or not feeling well, which is rare these days. 

Fevers: Lemon, Frank, and Peppermint.

Sore throat: Purification, Thieves (I like to drink a drop of Thieves in tea with organic raw honey)

Congestion/cough: Breathe Again, RC, Eucalyptus Radiata 

Sore muscles: Chris likes to use Deep Relief and Ortho Sport massage oil for sore muscles since he has a very strenuous job. He puts it on before he heads to work, and he says the discomfort doesn't return during work.

Well, there you have it! More than you probably would ever want to know! Kiddos are awake, so mommy hood calls :)

Comparison

I can still vividly remember feeling not... enough at the age of five. "Hillary wears cute sun dresses. I'm not pretty enough for those," I thought. I hated my freckles and fair skin. I can also never recall a time in my life of being happy with my weight. Even as a very young child I was self conscious about my size. As time progressed, so did the range of discontentment. It became not only vanity related, but materialistic. I cringed walking into 8th grade Algebra hoping no one would notice that my White Mountain clogs were Birkenstock knock-offs. When I was fourteen, everyone had a pair of those sexy overpriced clogs that left your feet smelling like a beaver's butt. I'm so thankful that my parents didn't just give me every single thing I wanted when I wanted it just for the sake of blending in with everyone else (though I know if they could have given me everything in the world, they would have, and I did eventually get a pair of my very own "Birks").

I wish I could say that I don't worry about such petty things anymore, but that's far from the truth. I may not lust after smelly clogs, but these days it comes in the form of, "I wish my skin was flawless like hers, but I have stretch marks and acne," or on a deeper note,"she's such a better mother and wife than I am." Shoot, as I write this, Addy is asleep, and I'm watching Fixer Upper (I have a slight obsession with HGTV) and wishing that my life was more like Chip and Joanna's. I have wasted so much of my life comparing mine to others'. You see, when we are so focused on what other people have, we forget our purpose. We forget that we are here to glorify God in all that we do. He designed each of us uniquely and with different abilities. Every single person wasn't designed to have a white picket fence and the American Dream. My purpose right now is to glorify God by raising my children to love Him, and my purpose is to walk alongside my husband encouraging him in his faith. The fact that my floor isn't clean and my toddler sometimes eats crackers and cereal for supper doesn't make my work any less valuable. My floor isn't clean, and I don't always have meals made from scratch because both of my kids love my cuddles (and because sometimes I'm just too lazy to fight with Addy to find something she will actually eat). I'm trying to learn to be okay with this.

But how blessed I am. The Lord has set this amazing opportunity of raising my babies at home before me. When I worked full time, I constantly thought, "if I could just stay home with my kids, I would be so content." It's baffling how we seem to think all these things can fix us, even as wonderful as they are.

I have been reflecting on Philippians 4 the past few months. “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:8-13 

Paul highlights the importance of what we choose to dwell on. I believe this correlates in part with the following verses--that he has learned the secret of being content, in abundance and in need. At the risk of sounding very TBN evangelistic, what we constantly choose to think about affects us on a deeper level. I pray that the Lord helps me to be content in all circumstances, and I believe one way for me to be proactive in this is to be mindful and intentional of what I allow myself to "stew" on. 

I may not ever learn to love my freckles and stretch marks, and I may never feel comfortable in a sun dress. *Side note: every time I read something about self esteem and loving/accepting yourself I tend to want to roll my eyes. The Lord's work in my heart is what defines my worth. He has given me worth and that is what I will esteem. There's nothing in myself without Him to esteem. *End note. But I will fight for joy every day. 

Please stop allowing comparison to steal your joy. Fight for it. Be intentional with your thoughts, and pray that the Lord teaches you how to be content in Him in all circumstances.

Please also know that you are more beautiful than you see, more special than you feel, and more loved than you know.