Using Essential Oils for Teens

Teenager - Yes, there's an oil for that!

I am a parent of a special needs kid who also happens to be a teenager.  Some days it's hard to know whether I'm helping the special needs kid or the teenager.  Some days it's both.  I don't blog a lot about my child's special needs.  It seems like it would be an invasion of her privacy as you can never really get rid of stuff on the world wide web and you have no idea when one day it's going to come back and bite you in the butt.

Regardless of special needs or not, today's teens have it hard and face an incredible amount of pressure.  Not only are they preparing for their future, but they have to make it through some of the most awkward times of their lives.  Throw in hormonal changes and it's no wonder they are over-stressed and tried.   

I thought I'd share some of the essential oils I use to support my teenager.

EMOTIONS

We all have emotional ups and downs and this is really something teens struggle with.  They’ve got a lot going on and a lot of pressure.  Sometimes they just need a little extra support to make it through the day. 

One really great oil for this is JOY

6 Quick Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen

Studies show that a chaotic home can often result in a chaotic brain.

I believe this to be true.  The more clutter my husband and I have allowed into the home the more stressed out I am.  Why is it so hard to let go? I just don't know.

But I can't stand the clutter any longer.  The mess is driving me crazy.  A good friend of mine has inspired me to begin this mission of decluttering my home.  Even if it's just one small box at a time.

So this past weekend - I worked on just one room - The Kitchen.

Here are my six tips for tackling the kitchen:

#1.  Go through your cupboards, dig way back into the deepest darkest corner of your cupboards and bring out all those items you rarely or never use.  If your Great Aunt Martha gave you that hideous vase and while you may love your great aunt but hate the vase -don't hang on to.  Let it go (as Elsa would say).  The rule of thumb is if you can't actually recall having used something in the past year - it's time to let it go.

I feel Pretty - Amy Schumer's New Movie

I went to see Amy Schumer’s new film – I Feel Pretty last night with some girlfriends.  I haven’t laughed so hard in a really long time.  Despite some of the cringe worthy embarrassing moments Amy's character gets into – the movie’s message really rang though.

It’s about a woman named Renee struggling with insecurity.  She has a bad fall and is knocked unconscious.  When she wakes up from the fall she sees herself different, believing she is the most beautiful and amazing woman just like those other “hot” girls.  Her new confidence causes her to live fearlessly until she realizes that there was no change in her appearance. 

Afterwards, we talked about what our favourite bits of the movie were and we all agreed that we’d love to be more like “Renee” – we want to pull off the confidence to be who we are unapologetically without a concern in the world for what other people think.

What stood out the most wasn’t about body sizes or looks but how that confidence is really what you need.  You can accomplish a whole hell of a lot with simple confidence.  If you believe it, those around you will too.

Too often we feel that we’re not enough.  That there is something lacking in us.  Whether that’s because of media or society or both, I don’t know.  I mean how did we get here?  Who decided what the standard of beauty is?  You would think with all the actresses speaking out against the Hollywood Beauty Standard that things would be changing.  But nope, you still see the fit, toned and often dangerously thin models selling us bikini’s and cars alike.  Sure, you’ll read about the backlash over an edited photo but guess what – editors are still editing the photos to fit that “beauty standard”.

It's not about size, it's about your health.  What looks healthy on your body can look like death and disease on another.  As I keep telling my girls - it's not about your weight, it's about your health.  How do you feel in your body.  Is your body doing what you want it to do.  Don't get caught up in the numbers or the sizes.  It definitely has not been easy trying to coach my vulnerable teen through the landmines of store sizes.  

So, thank you, Amy Schumer, for rocking your slightly above average body, for being confident in who you are and standing up for women everywhere!  PS:  thanks for making it only pg-13 so I can take my teen to it. 

Top 5 Parenting Mistakes To Avoid

I have been a parent for almost fifteen years now.  I realize that doesn't make me an expert but it does give me some insight into this parenting gig.  After all, I have managed to parent three children out of the "child years" and into the pre-teen and teenage years.  I know I've made mistakes and plenty of them and I'll continue to make more.  As parents, we need to realize this and give ourselves a break.

After all, just when you think you have things figured out - your kids change and move on to the next stage.  So when you're struggling to understand what's going on it can be helpful to look back and assess what it is you're doing to see if maybe you need to take a different approach. 

Here are 5 parenting mistakes we should try to avoid.

Cooking with Essential Oils Part 3

If you're just coming to this post, be sure to check out the first two posts:  Cooking with Essential Oils Part 1 and Cooking with Essential Oils Part 2 for more great recipes and information.


What do Essential Oils Do?

As you begin to play around with Young Living essential oils in your kitchen, not only will you have fun as you make new discoveries, but you will be contributing to your family’s health and happiness in a new and fun way!

Essential Oils:

• Are immune enhancing
• Support the body’s natural defenses
• Support the immune, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems.
• Aid in maintaining normal cellular regeneration
• Are mood elevating
• Are antiseptic (topical use only)
• Are high in antioxidants
• Are aromatic
• Are oxygenating
• Boost stamina and energy
• Help you relax
• Help manage stress and frustration
• Help reduce the appearance of aging
• Improve mental clarity
• Promote overall health, vitality, and longevity
• Support normal cellular function
• Help with focus and concentration
• Encourage proper nasal function
• Support the lungs and sinuses

Time to Save $20 on Your Oils!

Cooking with Essential Oils Part 2

Everyone is talking about essential oils these days.  Essential oils can either be used aromatically, topically or internally.  In this 3 part series of posts, I will be sharing ways you can use essential oils in the kitchen along with some delicious recipes.

For part one of this post - click here.

The Economical Choice-Vitality Oils

Each drop of essential oil is loaded with concentrated aroma, flavor, and therapeutic value and can be a much more economical choice than buying expensive fresh or exotic herbs and spices that will go bad before they can be fully used.

Dill oil, for instance, costs just 19 cents per drop. You might use 1-2 drops at a time of dill oil in a salad dressing or marinade, which costs much less than a bunch of fresh dill that will go bad in a week. And your bottle of Young Living Dill Vitality essential oil will last for years as long as it’s stored with the cap tightly on and out of sunlight and extremes in temperature.

Cooking with Essential Oils Part 1

Everyone is talking about essential oils these days.  Essential oils can either be used aromatically, topically or internally.  In this 3 part series of posts, I will be sharing ways you can use essential oils in the kitchen along with some delicious recipes.

It’s About Nutrition

We live in an era where foods are high in flavor but devoid of nutritional value. In fact, artificial flavors common in processed foods and derived from petrochemical byproducts have been implicated in allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity, and asthma!

Most of us are looking to eat healthier, but we don’t want to skimp on flavor. How many reading this can relate to that?

Herbs and spices in our kitchen cabinet can add a lot of flavor and health-promoting properties to foods, but they can lose potency relatively quickly.  I can think of several spices in my cupboard right now that I’ve had for more than 3 years. 

Did you know that you can enhance the flavors of your food in a fun and healthy way using all natural products that are delicious, long-lasting and health-promoting?

Of course, I am talking about essential oils, more specifically Young Living’s Vitality Line.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Kids Healthy

Winter image created by Lyashenko - Freepik.com

A few years ago, it seemed like my family was constantly sick.  If one kid didn't have a runny nose, then someone else was up all night puking. We'd have a few months of everything being okay and then bam another round of illness.  It got so I started researching what I could do to help improve my family's health. 

I found that by making a few small changes both in diet and habits has helped my family stay healthier over the past few years.  While we still can get colds and runny noses they generally are short-lived and I can honestly say not one of us has had a more serious case of the flu for over two years. 

#1. Probiotics - while researching how to prevent gastrointestinal bugs, I discovered that supporting the digestive system is extremely important. An easy way to do this is by supplementing with probiotics.  My kids like yogurt so I started making sure I kept a good probiotic yogurt stocked in the fridge all the time.  Bye bye tummy bugs!  

2018 is My Year to tackle My Health Prepare to Be Amazed

2018 is My Year to tackle My Health: Prepare to Be Amazed

There's a lot of talk around this time of year about setting goals and what we can do to achieve them. I, myself, got rather an early start on my 2018 goals by starting a new health program on December 1, 2017.  I am determined that I am going to succeed this year and amaze myself like never before. 

There have been times when I questioned my sanity of starting a no sugar, low carb eating plan just 3 weeks before Christmas.  I was gifted with no less than 3 boxes of chocolates (one was ginormous) and an entire box of Italian cookies. Yi!  

Truthfully, there is no perfect time to change your eating habits.  If it's not Christmas, then it's Valentines or Easter or Halloween.  Sometimes you just have to dig deep and say "I'm going to do this now.  I need to change." 

That's what I did.  

How did I survive the gorging season?  Easily, because the results helped keep me going.  When I want to take a bite of that Nanaimo bar sitting in the back of my fridge, I remind myself of what I've accomplished. 

I am a Type II diabetic on two kinds of diabetes medication, high blood pressure meds and high cholesterol.  I've been struggling with diabetes for over 7 years.  My high blood pressure rose when I was in labor with my son and never went normal again.  Ten years ago!

Yet, in just 5 short weeks I've managed to bring my blood pressure under control, my blood sugar is amazing and I've lost 21 pounds.  My medication has been reduced drastically and I expect to be off all of it within the next two weeks.  

So that, my friends, is worth not having that Nanaimo bar or box of cookies.  It's worth not eating bread or using butter.  For the first time in 14 years, I weigh less than when I first started having children. 

My clothes are looser and my overall outlook is more positive because for the first time I am actually succeeding.  It's amazing how just being successful at this one thing in my life has helped me be more positive.  Hence the 2018 Resolutions post I wrote a couple of days ago. 

Why am I successful now when I've failed so many times in the past.  I don't know.  Maybe the timing was just right.  Maybe my doctor scared me with talk of increasing my medication.  I don't know. 

Whatever the reason, 2018 is my year to tackle my health goals.   The year to be a newer, better me. 

How about you?  Is 2018 your year? 


Zeemaid

Young Living January 2018 Promotions

Young Living is setting us up for success with fantastic January FREE gifts!


➕ 5 ml Spearmint Vitality (ER exclusive): Who has some weight management goals this year? Support your metabolism with this vitality oil by adding a couple drops to your water, tea or Ningxia.

Wonderful for the digestive system, this is a family favorite in our house. It is not as hot to the skin as peppermint so topically we use on kids’ tummies.


This is a MUST have for pregnant mamas experiencing some of those morning (or all day) tummy woes! Rub a few drops over your liver before you get out of bed in the morning. And it's just a yummy vitality oil to mix with any of your fave citrus vitalities for some added minty freshness. 

My Top Seven New Years Resolutions for 2018

My Top Seven New Years Resolutions for 2018

I generally don't like to make New Year's resolutions.  After all, it seems like the most sure way to fail is to make a resolution about it.  I generally have "good intentions" but I don't think I've ever stuck to those good intentions.  Yup, that's the pessimist in me but this year feels a little different. 

It could be because for the first time, we are not facing crushing debt. Oh, we still have debt but with my husband's new job really taking off there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

It could be because for the first time in a really long time - I've gotten serious about improving my health and have already made a great start and I don't plan to stop.  I started at the hardest time of the year and I've crushed it.  Not a single gram of sugar has been consumed the entire holiday season. 

Young Living's September 2017 Promotion!

If you've been on the fence about starting in with essential oils - now is the perfect time to jump.  Young Living has extended their September promotion of 10% off  a Premium Starter Kit to September 23rd - that's $20.00 off the price of the kit.  

The Premium Starter Kit with DewDrop (PSK) is the ultimate foundation for your wellness journey, with eleven premium essential oils and blends, a home diffuser and more, the PSK includes everything you need to get started on the path to whole-life wellness as an oiler, business builder or both!

If you do decide to purchase a premium starter kit using my sponsor link you will also from me: 

• Essential Oils Resource Guide
• an free introductory e-course covering essential oil basics
• access to the Oily Tipsters Facebook Group for essential oil information and support (we all love to talk about oils and the ways we use them personally to support our health)
• 99 Ways to Use your Starter Kit 

and for a limited time only - if you make your purchase by September 23rd - you will also receive a shipping rebate in the form of a paypal or email transfer in the amount of $20.00.  (please note rebate will be issued approximately 2 weeks after verified purchase is made)

If you are ready to purchase a starter kit - Here's how

1.  Head over the Young Living page here and fill out your information.

2.  Be sure the "wholesale member" option is checked so that you don't end up paying retail prices.

3.  Be sure the "sponsor id" and "enroller id" say 3156589 (so I can send you your freebies!)

4.  Select which starter kit you want to get.  My recommendation is the Premium Starter Kit because there are oils there that you'll use everyday and combined with a fantastic oil diffuser it's such a great deal.

5. Go through the check-out process and pick the kit right for you!

6. Leave a comment on this blog - letting me know you purchased the premium starter kit and I'll get in touch with you for more information to send out your freebies!

Please note this offer is valid in Canada only!  Sorry my U.S. friends - Young Living has a different set of September promotions for you. 

So who's ready to get oily? 

Back to School Essentials - Calming Play-dough

My kids love to play with play-dough.  It's amazing how creative they can be. They make hair salons, create amazing these amazing meals they invite me to "try" and all kinds of wacky animals.  One thing they hate though is old, crusty play-dough that has the colours all mixed up.  Thankfully, play-dough ingredients are cheap and it's so easy to make. 

This particular play-dough recipe I use when we've had a stressful morning and just need a break from learning and a time to just be present.   By giving them something they enjoy doing gives them a chance to be quiet without much effort and the addition of the essential oils helps add a soothing layer.  Plus it smells so great!!

Here's a little video we put together on how to make our version of calm-down, play-dough

Reclaim Your House After Kids Go Back To School

Reclaim Your House After Kids Go Back To School

Guest Post by Tracy McCubbin, Founder, dClutterfly

Website: https://tracymccubbin.com/

Non-Profit Website: http://onekidoneworld.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracy_mccubbin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy_mccubbin/

It’s the most wonderful time of the year -- time to send the kids back to school and reclaim your household!  After a summer of camps and goofing around inside, your house may need a little tough love to get back into shape for the fall.  Research shows that the average American home has 300,000 items in it, and back-to-school is the perfect time to get rid of the ones that you don’t need anymore.

As the kids head back to school and you take the steps to get your house back and order, I’m sharing ten of my favorite tips and tricks to declutter and organize your home this fall:

1.            Pull out all the homework and artwork from the previous school year. Before the onslaught of this school year’s homework and artwork, make sure you have decluttered last year’s. We all know Little Timmy is smart as a whip, but you don't need to keep every piece of homework he brings. Homework has one purpose and one purpose only: to help kids learn. It's not to be immortalized in boxes in the garage that you'll never look it. Empty backpacks, desk drawers and those piles you've been meaning to tackle and pick the best of the best. Save the things that are substantial and remind you who they were at the time in their lives.  As for artwork, how many turkey hands does one family need? Pare down to a small but great representation of their masterpieces and let the rest go.  Take photos if you just can't bare to let them go.  You might want to also consider making art books out of the artwork.  A crayon self portrait looks so much better in a book for the long run than in a box in your garage. You can make them yourself with any number of apps but if you need a little help, I love Souvenartebooks!

6 Tips to Encourage Your Kids to Eat Healthier

At some point in time, every parent has gone through the food wars with their child.  Whether it’s from the beginning of refusing the bottle or breast or they turn up their noses at fruit and vegetables.  For most of us – our picky eaters eventually outgrow their pickiness and expand their repertoire of foods.

I’m know that I’m lucky that my children actually love most fruit and vegetables.  If I have fruit available, they will eat it.  However, with a special needs child in the house, meal prep can become a huge problem.  Especially when that child has become a full-fledged teenager and no longer willing to be guided; however reluctantly, away from poor choices.  It also doesn’t help when her “won’t eat” foods changes frequently.  I just get into the groove of making potatoes one way when she announces she will only eat potatoes if there are made a different way. 

I swear having a special needs child was all about teaching me to become more flexible!  Believe me, it’s an ongoing learning process but here’s my take on how to get your kids to eat healthy.

Ditch and Switch - Simple Steps to a Toxin Free Home

What if you could ditch all the toxins in everyday products that you use and switch to toxin-free products? You are already buying these products at your local department store.... so why not earn 20% back in purchases that are healthier for your family's well-being? 

Join me on June 12th at 7:00 p.m. (PST) on Facebook from the comfort of your own couch to learn more about how you can replace the toxic chemicals in your home to toxin-free products so you can live a chemical free life!  

For more information on the event and to RSVP click here. 

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

I'm listing to my son make a YouTube video right now.  Apparently, he's doing the sour candy challenge.  Every time he falls off his "skateboard" online he has to eat an extreme sour warhead candy.  I've seen him play.  He's going to run out of candy.  The funniest part of him playing these games though is listening him narrate the game while he's playing.  He's trying to play it extremely cool and nonchalant but it cracks me up.  It's like he's talking to a cooler version of himself.

Last night he and his sister did the same challenge playing another game while recording it.  They still had sores in their mouths when they woke up this morning.  Sometimes you just gotta let them do stupid things.

5 Tips to Save You From Being Hacked

We had a devastating blow just before Christmas.  Perhaps devastating isn't exactly the right word. After all, it was only money we lost, not a life.  Yet, it's been money we had been saving for over 9 years.  You see, we had one of those travel reward credit cards.  Through the good times and bad times and well, let's face it the last 9 years have been lean times for us so every time we added to our reward points, it gave us hope that we'd be able to take our children to Disneyland one day.

That was all wiped out this past December, when we discovered that our account had been hacked and some random stranger drained our entire rewards account to nothing.  We are talking about $6,000.00 absolutely gone.  I can tell you it knocked the wind right out of me.  My husband and I were in complete disbelief as we processed what happened.  We tipped-toed around the children, frantic whispered conversations, as we tried to keep them from hearing the terrible news.

How did it happen?  My email account was hacked.  That's it.  By somehow guessing my password, the thief was able to go through my emails and glean little pieces of information that would guide them on best how to steal from me.

Not only was my rewards credit card hacked, they also managed to log into my rarely used Ebay account and set up a number of fake auctions.  In that case Ebay was suspicious and shut down the auctions.  Can you imagine the liability I would have been under if the auctions had been allowed to go through?

How to Organize Winter Gear

Well, it's that time of year again, the weather is changing and summer has given way to fall.  Whether you're ready or not, it's time to start digging out those hats, mittens and scarves to chase away the chills.

Today, I'm guest posting over at the Stay At Home Mom's Survival Guide where I share my tips on How to Organize Your Winter Gear!

Cheers,

Zeemaid

Young Living's October Promos for Canada

It's the first year that I've really been excited about the upcoming holiday season because of essential oils.  Already, my Facebook feed is full of great recipes for spicy fall drinks and diffuser blends that will have your house smelling like pumpkin pie or falling leaves.  I can't wait to try a few.

I also look forward to the end of each month for the next month's promos.  One of the things that I appreciate most about Young Living is that they give you freebies just for ordering products you were already going to order.  You also have an opportunity to earn a percentage back on what you spent as credits towards a future order.

If you are interested in learning more about Young Living's Essential Oils, please check out my page here or send me an email and I'll be happy to answer your questions.  

Zeemaid