Green Is My Favorite Color

Dealing With Some Tough Emotions Surrounding both of my Births

2014-01-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

After I gave birth to my second child via VBAC, I was amazed and empowered to help and support other women who wanted to strive for a better birth. I started a group with my Doula for Women to meet on a monthly bases to support one another. We share birth stories, fears, etc.

Shortly after this group started, I decided to go a little farther with my mission to help women. I decided to become a Doula. (I'm currently still training.) During this time is when my own personal births REALLY hit home. Not only did I need to fully heal from my surgery, but I also needed to heal from my VBAC! My VBAC was amazing, but during the birth, there were some things that happened that I needed to get past. My VBAC definitely helped jump start the healing process of my surgery, however, I was never fully healed. Emotions started surfacing that I couldn't let go of. That was when I decided to turn to my beloved oils for help. I have an oil diffusing necklace (a small wooden "bowl" that I put two drops of oil in) that I started wearing religiously during this time. Every morning, I would add two drops of Young Living's blend Release to the "bowl" and wear it around my neck.

All day, I would breath in the oils. I did this for about a month. During this month, I also worked on myself. We happened to have a birth circle that allowed us to share our favorite parts of our births. This helped me tremendously. I don't think the women of this particular birth circle will ever realize that they were truly part of my healing that night.

I cannot tell you how much this has helped me. I feel 100% healed from both of my births. I have let go of (Released) emotions that I had buried. When I started to learn about birth, when I started to trust birth, my buried emotions started to surface. In order to fully release these emotions, I used Release!

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Treating RSV with Raven, RC, and Thieves

2014-01-23T12:27:00.002-05:00

During the Holiday season both of my children came down with RSV. They had high fevers and a horrific cough! I wasn't worried about the fever (peppermint is my best friend when it comes to fevers); I was worried about the cough. It was bad. There were times when I almost took them to the doctor to be checked for pneumonia. I did what I always do (my research) and immediately started putting Young Living's blends Raven, RC, and Thieves on them.

Raven on the bottom of their feet, chest, and back.

RC on the bottom of their feet, chest, and back.

Thieves on the bottom of their feet.

In this particular case, Raven worked the best for them. After I would apply it, they would immediately stop coughing.
My husband and I came down with the same virus, however, it affects adults a lot differently. It was like a basic cold for us. With a slight cough. No fever.

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Emotions Surrounding C Sections

2013-10-08T10:21:00.000-04:00

Emotions surrounding C sections:

Many women recover fully physically and emotionally from a caesarean birth, others do not. Little attention has been paid to the psychological impact that a surgical birth may have on women’s emotional well being. Their personal experiences have been at times trivialized, misunderstood, or ignored by the medical community.

The medical industry, as well as the general public, does not put enough emphasis on the fact that a caesarean birth is a very traumatic event to happen physically as well as emotionally to a woman. A woman is expected to recover from the surgery in 4 days…. 4 DAYS!!!! Then, they are expected to take care of themselves as well as another person. Most people focus on the baby, not the mother.

I can’t tell you how many times people have said to me, “well the most important thing is that the baby is safe” or “the Dr’s know what is best”. When my husband went to the waiting room to give his parents the news that I was going to have a c section, they said “Whatever gets that baby out safe.” To this day, these words still haunt me. To think that even my own family was so carefree about my MAJOR surgery, my physical wellbeing, and my emotional well being. I do realize that people mean well when they say these things. However, what they do not realize is that they are doing more harm than good.

Emotions that one might feel after a c section:

Fear, sadness, devastation, depression, helplessness, failure, jealousy, anger, un-womanly, broken.

Fear, sadness, devastation, failure, and helplessness (for me) were the first emotions that I felt. I was devastated that I had to have a c section. I was scared and helpless during the surgery. I was scared and helpless after the surgery. I felt like a failure…I felt like I failed myself and my baby.

After I left the hospital, I felt a bit of depression. I was unaware of it at the time, but now (2.5 years later) I realize that it was depression. I had a hard time bonding with my son. Thankfully, we both took to breastfeeding flawlessly.

A few months later, my friends were having babies….It was then that I felt anger and jealousy. I’d like to stress that I do not feel bad for having these feelings, now that I realize that they are normal feelings / common feelings. At the time, I thought that I was a terrible and crazy person for feeling this way. I WAS NOT happy for my friends when they had normal births. I was jealous that I wasn’t able to have a normal birth…..Their bodies worked, mine didn’t….. I had to deal with these feelings on my own. I was scared and embarrassed to tell anyone. Since then, I was able to have a vbac. This is what has healed me. I think this is the first time I’ve ever told anyone that I had felt this way, and it is very freeing.

It was at this same time (a few months after the birth) that I also felt “un-womanly” and broken. I felt like my body didn’t work right. I didn’t dilate like a “normal” woman (i.e. 1 cm an hour). I felt like I was not a woman…..meaning, I couldn’t “birth” a baby.

Having feelings of self-doubt and maternal inadequacy is a very tough way to begin life as a new mother. However, for many women who have had emergency c sections, the experience of birthing their child is just that. Many women have said that recovering emotionally from an emergency c section is often more “gut-wrenching” and agonizing than dealing with the physical pain caused by having your belly sliced open.

I am so very very grateful for this Birth Circle that we have started. I do not want anyone to have to feel the emotions that I felt “by myself”. If I/we can help one woman overcome these emotions, then the purpose of this group is fulfilled. Please remember that it is very normal to feel these things. We are here to help you get through these tough emotions.

I'm still here!

2013-04-02T15:55:00.001-04:00

I'm still here! Absent for a while, but still here! We had a pretty rough beginning-of-the-flu season. I wasn't focusing as much on the oils....and you guessed it....lots of sicknesses passed through our house. R and L go to daycare as well, so that may have something to do with it, but WOW was this a rough one!
We had whooping cough, Strep, and the flu (ugh). In between those three big ones were a few colds. This past Fall was pretty bad.

THEN I WRAPPED MY HEAD AROUND THE FACT THAT I WAS BEING A LITTLE BIT LAZY WITH APPLYING THE OILS TO THEIR FEET.......

I started applying Thieves and RC on the bottom of their feet with EVERY diaper change. I had the babysitter do it as well. They haven't been sick since February (to the average Joe, this may not seem like a very long time to be well, but for our family after this past Fall, this feels like an eternity!!!).

From now on, I will be putting the immune boosting oils on the bottom of their feet every day during the flu season, and as needed during the rest of the year. I do not have the energy to go through another season like the one we just had.

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Cough gone with Peppermint and Thyme!!!

2012-12-18T14:49:00.001-05:00

I was away for 3.5 days with my daughter. We had to attend my Grandmother's funeral 10 hours away in Pittsburgh, PA. :(

I returned home to find my son coughing. My husband then had to leave for a 3 day snowboarding trip with the guys, so I was left home with a 4 month old and a sick 2 year old.

The cough wasn't so bad at first, but it started to get worse and worse. I was putting Thieves and RC on the bottom of his feet to help him fight off the cough.

It was working but not as fast as I had liked. He woke up in the middle of the night to come into bed with me since he wasn't feeling well. He was coughing for about 2 hours (every 3 minutes or so). Since I couldn't get any sleep, I decided to do a little research to find some oils that help suppress a cough. I found that Peppermint and Thyme work.

I diluted some Peppermint, Thyme, and Immupower in olive oil and rubbed it on his chest and back. NOT EVEN 30 SECONDS LATER, HIS COUGH WAS GONE! I feel like I'm exaggerating when I say this, but I'm not!!

I am very excited to say that I found my new cough "blend".

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Placenta Encapsulation Is AWESOME!!!

2012-12-18T14:23:00.000-05:00

I am writing this post WAY too late.....

After I gave birth to Lyla, my Doula took my placenta home with her. She returned to my home 2-3 days later to hand me a little jar of my very own 100% personalized (with my own body) happy pills!

I cannot express enough how AWESOME these pills were! I received 100 capsuls. I took 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening; only to realize that I ran out way too quickly!! I wish I had an endless supply of my placenta. I don't know or understand why this is not mainstream! Why in the world would women deny such an amazing thing!

The benefits of Placenta Encapsulation are:

Decrease in postpartum depression.

Increase in breastmilk supply.

Increase in energy.

Decrease in lochia, postpartum bleeding.

Decrease iron deficiency.

Decrease insomnia or sleep disorders.

Decreases postpartum "night sweats".

The most noticable benefit for me was my increase in energy. However, it's hard for me to compare my two births since the first birth was a cesearean. I didn't get any "baby blues" with my first birth. I did however have low energy (again, this could be a result of the cesearean). I also noticed that my uterous shrunk a lot faster with the second birth. I don't know if this is from taking the "happy pills" or not.

When my Doula came to give me my "happy pills", she also gave me a print of my placenta (which I will later hang in my daughter's room). She mentioned that when she was dehydrating my placenta, her house smelled like Clary Sage!!! During my labor, she massaged Clary Sage onto the vitaflex points of my feet and ankles. Clary Sage helps with dilation, so it went directly to my uterous (and placenta). I was yet again amazed of the power of Essential Oils!

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Taking Birth Back Women Supporting Women

2012-10-17T11:06:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine started a local group for women called "Cesarean & Birth Trauma Support Group". She was my Doula for both of my children's births.
The first meeting was almost a month ago (I haven't posted in a while). The emotion and support that was in that room was indescribable. I later told her that it felt like I was in a "free" counseling session! The birth stories that these women shared were incredible; all ending with a cesarean.
I was the only one in the group that was "healed" by my VBAC. I felt for these women. I was in their shoes just 4 weeks before the meeting.
When it was my turn to share my Cesarean birth story, I felt like my birth was less traumatic than everyone else. Maybe it was because I felt the healing from my VBAC birth? Maybe it was because my birth WAS in fact less traumatic than everyone else? These birth stories were horrific, scary, and sad. I can't believe things like this happen, and they happen in my town!
The next meeting is coming up next week. I have been looking forward to this meeting all month! I hope many women are able to join this group. It's a safe place to talk about our fears.

Be CyberWise!

2012-10-17T10:42:00.001-04:00

Be CyberWise!

I can across this article and thought I'd share! My children aren't old enough yet, but I feel it is very important to become educated in bullying.
Thank you for reading, and pass it on!

Lyla's VBAC Birth Story

2012-08-23T14:04:00.000-04:00

On August 15^,2012 I woke up at 7:00 am with contractions. I didn’t think much of it since for the previous 4 days, the same thing happened. I would have contractions for about 2-3 hours, and then they would stop. I had my scheduled appointment that morning at 11:00 am. This appointment happened to be the appointment where the Dr’s would have me schedule a c section since I was 41 weeks. I was checked, but I was only ½ centimeter and 70% effaced (the same as the week before). I scheduled the surgery for the next morning (August 16^th) at 7:30 AM with the Dr who delivered my first son via c section. I was devastated. I had dedicated the last nine months to preparing myself for a VBAC. My mind was set on one. I did not want another surgery.

My husband and I took a LONG walk on the beach to see if anything would happen. During that amazing and beautiful walk, we both came to peace with the fact that if I didn’t go into labor by 7:30 the next morning, I would have to have a c section. We decided to go out to lunch at one of our favorite seafood shops. It was just the two of us which is very rare (my mother and sister were watching my son). During lunch at 1:00 PM I went into labor. The contractions were a steady 4-5 minutes apart and getting stronger.

I labored at home for just a short time since the Dr’s were very adamant on me calling the hospital as soon as I went into labor.

At 4:00 PM we arrived at the hospital. We weren’t admitted at first, they kept me monitored for about an hour to see if I would dilate at all. I was at 2 centimeters, so they decided to admit me (even though I wasn’t in active labor….I was a VBAC, so they needed to take extra precautions). The Dr that was on call was very cold and nasty. He was not open to VBAC’s at all, and tried to scare my husband and me.

I walked the halls, took a shower, bounced on my birth ball, etc. I was checked again at 8:00 PM and I was the same (2 centimeters). The Dr wanted to break my water, but I refused. For some reason, this made the Dr very mad and annoyed at me. From this point on, he was very difficult to deal with (to put it lightly).

I labored in the room from this point on. Mostly attached to the monitors, but walked around the bed, bounced on my birth ball, sat in a rocking chair, and constantly used the bathroom (the toilet was a good place to deal with contractions). I forgot to mention that the room we happened to be in was FREEZING!!! The thermostat was broken, so the AC was set to around 55 degrees! If I was cold and in labor, I can’t imagine how my husband, mother, and doula felt. After many complaints and my husband blocking the vents with towels, we were able to switch to a different room.

My labor from 8:00PM-2:00AM was very painful and difficult. At around 11:00 PM, the Dr checked me again, and I was 3 centimeters. I asked about breaking my water at this point and for some reason he didn’t want to….it almost seemed like he wanted to prove a point. I was fine with it. I know that with a VBAC, when the waters are ruptured, you’re on a clock.

At around 12:00 AM, I asked for an epidural, but the Dr was on another floor in the OR. Finally, at 2:00 AM, the nurses got permission from the Dr (who was still on a different floor) for the anesthesiologist to give me an epidural. I was completely exhausted and drained from the 13 hours of hard labor. My doula gave me a message, and then decided to leave to get rest herself.

My mother and I were in the room when the Dr finally came in to check me (still at 3 centimeters) and to tell me that he doesn’t understand why I would want to prolong this. The way he said it was very condescending and rude. I was taken back, as I didn’t understand what he was saying. He refused to tell me what he was talking about, and then I figured out that he was referring to me not allowing him to break my waters. I reminded him that I asked him to do it around 11:00 PM, and he said that I didn’t. So, I asked him to do it again. His response was “Yeah 10 hours later” and left to go to sleep. I was lost for words. I kept asking God why I was stuck with his horrific Dr.

When my husband returned, I told him what happened, and he was very upset as well. We decided to just wait it out until 7:30 AM when my other Dr would arrive. My mother left to get rest as well.

My husband and I were able to speak alone for a while and came to the decision that a c section was the way to go. I was again devastated and felt like a failure.

For the next few hours, I was able to get rest.

At 7:30 AM, it seemed like an angel walked through the door! It was my new Dr! I finally felt relieved, relaxed, and safe. My husband and I told him we were ready for a c section, since it was scheduled for him to do it anyway, and after the night we had along with the horrific Dr. He told me that I’ve wanted a VBAC for too long to just give up. He ruptured my waters and checked me at around 9:00 AM. I was 5 centimeters! He checked me again at 10:00 AM and I was 6 centimeters! I was rejoicing! He checked me again at 12:00, but I was still at 6 centimeters. Since the baby and I were doing well on the monitors, he decided to give me pitocin. I was against it, but decided that if it was the only way to VBAC, I would give it a try. I started dilating 1 centimeter an hour. At 4:00 PM, I started to push, and at 5:00 PM my little baby girl was born via VBAC! Lyla Jo, 7 pounds, 8 ounces, 20.5 inches long!

I can’t stress enough how important it was for me to have a supportive Dr. If the second Dr never came in, I wouldn’t have had my VBAC.

Ryder's Adorable Reaction.....

2012-03-05T12:44:00.000-05:00

Frank and I watch the show Parenthood. We both love it. We always DVR it because we usually go to bed early...
We were watching the season finally a few evenings ago, and Ryder was in the room with us playing with his toys. At the end of the show, there was a wedding. Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" (Adele's version is more known right now) was being preformed by a church choir. Just after the first 3 notes/words of the song, Ryder dropped all of his toys, looked at the TV, turned around and asked me to lift him up so he could watch from my lap.
A little history is necessary to understand the significance of this..... I made a "First Year" video of Ryder using a movie making program. Ryder has seen this video countless times, and he loves it more and more with each viewing. The song that I chose for the video was Adele's version of "Make You Feel My Love".
Frank and I already knew that he was very musically inclined, but this amazed us both. He KNEW what the song was, even though it wasn't the Adele version that we used in his "First Year" video.
He just might be an American Idol in the future!

Mommy has a rash!

2012-01-20T13:59:00.000-05:00

I have had a terrible terrible rash since just before Christmas. It has become worse over the days. I have been using every Essential Oil I could think of, but nothing was helping. I finally gave up and decided to go to the dermatologist. The Dr was helpful in telling me that I was allergic to something I was touching (allergic contact dermatitis). She had me throw out my dish gloves (since the rash is only on the tops of my hands and inside my wrists). She also gave me a prescription for a non-steroid cream (I dont' like to use steroids).

Almost two weeks go by. My rash has been progressivly getting worse every day. It was sooooo bad this past Tuesday and Wednesday that I had to just sit back and really THINK of why this was happening.  I threw out my gloves, like the Dr told me to do. I bought new disposable gloves, like the Dr told me to do. Yet this rash is getting worse!

It finally hit me......
My family was out for three weeks during the Christmas break (in their summer home). I went to the house almost every day before and after work so my mother could babysit and spend time with Ryder. During these three weeks, I helped out by doing dishes/cleaning the kitchen, etc. My mother uses latex gloves....she always has, always will. I've never had an issue with latex, so I was using her gloves to do the dishes. This is when the rash started. I threw out my non-latex gloves (thinking this was the problem) and purchased disposable latex gloves. The use of latex gloves multiple times a day has turned my rash into an almost unmanageable situation.

I just went to the Dr again this morning.  She could not believe how bad it was. I haven't used the gloves for two days now, and the rash is disappearing slowly. The Dr said that it should take about a week to fully go away.

I decided to share this story because I couldn't believe why the oils were not helping.  Yes, they were helping with the itching....fine. BUT they weren't helping with the rash. I could not understand why!!! Now I know, it is because I was still in contact with what I was allergic to.....latex.

There will be situations where we need to sit back and think of why a specific issue is happening. We might have to change something that we are doing/eating/drinking, etc.

Florida Vaca Update

2012-01-05T13:46:00.000-05:00

Well, we've been back from Florida for some time now. I feel terrible that I haven't updated until now!

Here goes.....

The flight down was OK. Ryder was very fussy for most of the flight. I used Peace and Calming and Melrose Essential Oil blend on him before we took off. He responded well to both because he wasn't crying from ear pain, just fussy. Frank walked up and down the isle with him until he fell asleep (I have a very patient husband).

The vacation was a blast! A much needed rest for our family.

The flight back was a different story. I forgot to put the oils on him, and he was almost unmanageable. He finally fell asleep 30 min before we landed. When we landed, the passengers on the plane decided to clap and cheer....resulting in Ryder waking up. He was SCREAMING in pain for about 20 minutes until we finally were able to get off of the plane. The pressure in his ears must have been unbearable. I felt soooo very bad for forgetting to put the oils on him before we took off. I felt like such a bad mother. :(

My lesson learned was to NEVER forget to put oils on Ryder again. He responds very well to every oil, and my heart breaks when I think about the plane ride home. :(

FLORIDA!

2011-11-10T17:41:00.000-05:00

As I am writing this, there are sooo many things "flying" through my mind. We are leaving to go to Florida tomorrow!! I am very excited, as we haven't taken a vacation for two years! Before Ryder, a vacation was cake to prepare for. Now? Not so much. Like I said before....sooo many things "flying" through my mind.

We have a great friend that let us borrow a great travel stroller.....that's one thing off my list....check!
I had to reserve a car seat with the rental company we are using.....I then had to call to make sure it was still available.....check!
I have to use a carry on for Ryder's luggage. Since he is a "lap passenger", he doesn't have the luxury of a checked bag. However, his existence does come with an allowance of a stroller, car seat, and diaper bag.....check!
Cell phones, I pad, camera, toys for Ryder, lolipop for Ryder during take off and landing, etc, etc, etc. The list can keep on going.

One of the most important things on my list are my essential oils. I will be bringing the necessities with me in my checked baggage. I will also bring two with me on the plane in order to help Ryder's ear pressure.

I hope to give an update as to how we survived the flight soon. :)

RC for Ryder's cold amazes Grandma and Grandpa

2011-11-03T15:44:00.000-04:00

Last week, Grandma and Grandpa took Ryder for the day (instead of our babysitter) while Frank and I were at work. Ryder had a cold and very congested. I told Grandma to keep applying RC (a blend of a few different essential oils) every hour or so. She was AMAZED at how quickly she saw results! She even called Grandpa over to witness...... Every time she would apply the RC to Ryder's chest and underneith his nose and neck, his nose would start to run immediately.... within seconds! It would begin to break up the congestion within seconds.
This is just another experience I've had that was very noticable with the essential oils. Ryder got over his cold within a few days with no meds.

Ryder's First Steps

2011-11-03T14:27:00.001-04:00

This morning, in front of BOTH mommy and daddy, Ryder took his first steps. He was VERY proud of himself. A beautiful four tooth smile adorned his face as mommy and daddy applauded with "yay Ryder!"s. Daddy was able to quickly grab his phone and take a video.

How exciting! I'm so proud of my little boy.

Pics and/or video to come!

Ylang Ylang

2011-07-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

This is a post from Gary Young's Blog:

Ylang ylang means “flower of flowers” and was named such because the tree has beautiful, fragrant flowers, from which a powerful essential oil is steam distilled.
The oil is used in hair formulas, to balance female-male energies, to restore peace and positive thoughts, and as an aphrodisiac. It is also used for supporting normal blood pressures, easing minor motion sickness, and contains a host of other health-enhancing properties.
Ylang ylang originates from Madagascar and is being grown on the Young Living farm in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In the Young Living ylang ylang groves, it’s harvest time again, although the main production time for ylang ylang runs from February to May.
During the recent Master Leader Retreat in June, distributors had the opportunity to harvest ylang ylang flowers and plant new trees. They thoroughly enjoyed learning how to correctly harvest the flowers for the greatest yield and highest therapeutic value.
They learned that just as the monsoon rains start to end, the trees load up with water from the rain and put on flowers. The flowers then become very heavily laden with the water, which increases the glucose, or what we call the Brix, in the flower; and that all converts to essential oil, which is very exciting.
Because of the beautiful fragrance, we have ylang ylang trees around our house and have our windows open at night to let in the breeze. On the farm a gentle breeze blows most of the time, and it’s most refreshing. It keeps the air clean and helps to move out the mosquitos during mosquito time.
But at night when it’s cool and that breeze blows in through the windows, the whole house fills with the fragrance of the ylang ylang flower, because the ylang ylang tree produces the most oil in the flowers during the nighttime and early morning, before the heat of the day.

Ylang Ylang

Weight Management with Essential Oils

2011-06-21T18:27:00.001-04:00

Regular Cleansing with Essential Oil-Enhanced Supplements

Cleansing is an excellent way to get a jump-start on a healthy diet. Experts suggest that participating in a mild nutrient and fiber-rich cleanse four times a year allows your digestive system to take a break from the high-calorie, low-nutrient diet typical of many people. As little as five days spent on a gentle cleansing program like Young Living's 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse™ can eliminate junk food cravings while cleaning out any residual waste.

5-Day Nutritive Cleanse

Young Living's 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse comes with everything you need to gently and effectively rid your body of built-up toxins. This mild program utilizes three key products: Digest + Cleanse™, Balance Complete™, and NingXia Red®.

Digest + Cleanse™: Reduces the digestive discomfort and bloating that sometimes accompanies high-fiber cleansing.
Balance Complete™: Great-tasting, high-fiber meal replacement.
NingXia Red®: Nutrient-infused wolfberry drink designed to energize, fortify, and replenish your body.

Young Living's Most Popular Products for Cleansing

5-Day Nutritive Cleanse™: Facilitates gentle and effective cleansing to improve overall health and well-being.
Life 5™: Probiotic that builds and restores core intestinal health.
Di-Gize™: Provides valuable aid for digestive concerns.

Healthy Weight Management with Essential Oil Supplements

Proper nutrition is a vital component of healthy weight management. Many individuals find it difficult to maintain an ideal weight and often turn to fad diets to shed unwanted pounds. The problem with most diets is that they are difficult to follow and, once finished, people often revert back to bad habits.
The only way to effectively maintain a healthy weight is by continually evaluating dietary choices and incorporating weight-management guidelines into our daily routine.
Using a nutrient-dense, essential oil-infused meal replacement, like Young Living's Balance Complete™, Power Meal™, or Pure Protein Complete™ is an excellent way to manage weight without leaving the body deprived of essential vitamins and minerals.

The Value of Meal Replacements

Meal replacements are nutrient-dense formulations that, when substituted for one or more of an individual's daily meals, can support weight management. An easy solution for cutting calories without compromising vitamin and mineral intake, meal replacements are an easy way to incorporate healthy choices into daily routines.

Young Living's Most Popular Products for Healthy Weight Management

Balance Complete: A superfood-based meal replacement that is both a powerful nutritive energizer and a cleanser.
NingXia Red®: Nutrient-infused wolfberry drink that will energize, fortify, and replenish your body.
Ocotea Essential Oil: May increase feelings of satiety and support your weight management goals.
Power Meal: Rice-based meal replacement, rich in calcium, antioxidants, and amino acids, that delivers 20 grams of protein per serving.
Wolfberry Crisp™ Bars: High-quality source of protein.
YL Manna Bars—Apple-Cinnamon and Apricot: Snacks bars full of natural favors, nutrient-rich whole foods, and essential oils.

This information is from the Young Living Site. http://www.youngliving.com/

Giveaway! One 15ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil

2011-04-06T15:24:00.006-04:00

1 Lavender Essential Oil

Young Living Product Information: http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oils/Lavender

The Giveaway
When I reach 100 followers, one lucky winner will receive one 15ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil
Mandatory Entry is easy! Just follow my blog and that's it! Please tell your friends.

Is it Summer Time Yet?

2011-04-06T13:28:00.002-04:00

A little Early for Summer Drink!

I'm very excited for Summer to come around already!!! I've been loving Grapefruit Essential Oil lately. I use it in my water every day for my general health but also to boost my metabolism! Just what I need right now to get the baby weight off. I was curious to see what Young Living said about Grapefruit Essential Oil, and I stumbled accross this drink recipe! I'm very excited to try it with some Vodka. :) Yum!

Citrus Ginger Splash (Yields 1 pint)*

3 medium Valencia oranges, halved

1 medium grapefruit, halved

1 medium lemon, halved

1 large lime, halved

YLTG lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit and ginger essential oils

Use a citrus juicer to juice the fruit. Strain the juice for a smoother consistency, if desired. Stir to mix. Add 2 drops of each essential oil to each glass and stir when ready to serve.

*Recipe from Young Living's blog ( http://blog.youngliving.com/product/?p=681 )

If you're like me and need a little "pick me up", you'll add a little of your fav vodka!

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account ( http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/abundance/become-member.html ) and enter my distributor number (1120251)

What are Essential Oils?

2011-04-05T15:14:00.000-04:00

What are Essential Oils? From the Young Living website:

Essential oils, known as nature’s living energy, are the natural, aromatic volatile liquids found in shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. The distinctive components in essential oils defend plants against insects, environmental conditions, and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant sources via steam distillation, and are highly concentrated and far more potent than dry herbs.
While essential oils often have a pleasant aroma, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits vast—which makes them much more than something that simply smells good.
Historically, essential oils have played a prominent role in everyday life. With more than 200 references to aromatics, incense, and ointments throughout the Bible, essential oils are said to be used for anointing and healing the sick. Today, essential oils are used for aromatherapy, message therapy, emotional health, personal care, nutritional supplements, household solutions, and much more.
Young Living Essential Oils, the leading provider of essential oils, offers more than 300 essential oil singles and blends. All Young Living essential oils meet the YLTG standard. This means that every essential oil Young Living distills or sources has the optimal naturally-occurring blend of constituents to maximize the desired effect. Only YLTG essential oils should be used for the primary methods of application, which include inhalation and application.

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account ( http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/abundance/become-member.html ) and enter my distributor number (1120251)

A Green Way to Clean

2011-04-04T17:20:00.000-04:00

Essential Oils are GREAT for household cleaning:

Microwave Cleaner:
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
6 drops of lemon essential oil
Mix ingredients to make a paste. Apply to interior of microwave with a sponge. Rinse and leave the door open to dry for 15 minutes. Wash the glass turntable by hand. This recipe will get rid of food odors.

Hard Floor Cleaner:
1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
5-10 drops of lemon, pine, spruce
Liquid castile soap if needed.
If the floor is especially dirty, add several drops of dishwashing soap. This will clean even the dirtiest floor.

Carpet Freshener:
1 cup baking soad
16-20 drops essential oils
Mix well and place in a covered container overnight so that the oil can be absorved. Sprinkle over your carpet the next day and then vacuum the powder up.

Vacuum Cleaner:
You may also saturate a disposable cloth or tissue with several drops of essential oils and place into the collecting bag of your vacuum. This will diffuse a pleasant odor as you clean.

Homemade Soft Scrubber
1/2 cup baking soda
Liquid Castile Soap
5 drops Lavender essential oil and/or Tea Tree essential oil
Place the baking soda in a bowl. Slowly pour in liquid soap stirring constantly. Add the liquid soad until the consistency resembles frosting. Add the essential oils. Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, scrub the surgace, and then rinse.

Basic Wood Cleaning Formula:
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
5 drops jojoba or olive oil
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Saturate a sponge and squeeze the excess out. Wash the surfaces of dirty wood. The vinegar smell will disipate soon. Dry with a soft cloth.

Ultimate Blog Party

2011-04-03T15:04:00.000-04:00

I am Candice. Wife to Frank and mother to Ryder. I am quite new to blogging, but I LOVE it! I love to read about other mother's experiences, ideas, advice, etc.

I work full time as a store manager, full time as Frank's wife and Ryder's mom, part time as a Real Estate agent, part time as a pet sitter, and I have 2 side businesses....I make jewelry ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/hamptonsnatural ) and sell Essential Oils ( http://www.youngliving.com/ - distributor number 1120251 ). Phew!

My blog is mostly me writing testimonials about my use of Essential Oils on myself and my son, Ryder. These oils amaze me everyday. I also write about my "first time mom"experiences.

When I have 100 followers, I will give away Lavender Essential Oil to one of my lucky followers, so please tell your friends!

Please check out my blog and enjoy!

Essential Oils for Bump on the Head

2011-04-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

Ryder got his first bump on his head. We were at a friends house, and a picture fell on his head. :(

He cried/screamed so hard. My friend (who is also into using essential oils) immediately put lavender all over his head. She then put her hand in front of his face allowing him to breath in the excess oils. He immediately stopped crying! I don't know why it amazed me, but it did. I am amazed every day with these oils.....not only for myself, but for Ryder as well.

The bump was a pretty big/long bump from the edge of the frame. It was gone the next day.

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com. You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Essential Oils for Digestion/Constipation

2011-02-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

Just recently, Ryder didn't poop for 6 days! The sixth day, I was definitely worried. I called my mother and a close friend who had a baby 10 months before me. They both told me to call the Doctor. Well, I decided to use some of my amazing essential oils first.

I decided to use DiGize (diluted) on his stomach. He went within two hours! The more I use these oils, the more I realize that they truly are miraculous!

Ryder's First Christmas

2011-01-05T19:13:00.000-05:00

Ryder's first Christmas was great! We celebrated Christmas Eve with Frank's family....they're Italian, so they have a BIG seafood dinner every Christmas Eve. Then we celebrated Christmas Day with my family.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. Ryder got lots and lots of attention being the youngest baby. He slept for a very long time, allowing mommy and daddy to eat and drink!

The evening ended with lots of presents and all of the grandkids dressing up in their pj's (except Ryder....he was in his Santa outfit).

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a very special day for our family. We opened presents with Ryder.

Then off to Grandma and Grandpa's we went! We had lots of fun. The day started with opening presents. Ryder got his fist Teddy Bear from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves it! We had a wonderful dinner and desert, and then Aunt Noelle and Kirby came over for a visit. They brought with them some presents (including Ryder's first pair of Uggs!). Ryder also got to meet his Great Grandfather. What a very special time.

Green Is My Favorite Color

Dealing With Some Tough Emotions Surrounding both of my Births

Treating RSV with Raven, RC, and Thieves

Emotions Surrounding C Sections

I'm still here!

Cough gone with Peppermint and Thyme!!!

Placenta Encapsulation Is AWESOME!!!

Taking Birth Back Women Supporting Women

Be CyberWise!

Lyla's VBAC Birth Story

Ryder's Adorable Reaction.....

Mommy has a rash!

Florida Vaca Update

FLORIDA!

RC for Ryder's cold amazes Grandma and Grandpa

Ryder's First Steps

Ylang Ylang

Weight Management with Essential Oils

Regular Cleansing with Essential Oil-Enhanced Supplements

5-Day Nutritive Cleanse

Young Living's Most Popular Products for Cleansing

Healthy Weight Management with Essential Oil Supplements

The Value of Meal Replacements

Young Living's Most Popular Products for Healthy Weight Management

Giveaway! One 15ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil

1 Lavender Essential Oil

Young Living Product Information: http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oils/Lavender

The Giveaway When I reach 100 followers, one lucky winner will receive one 15ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil Mandatory Entry is easy! Just follow my blog and that's it! Please tell your friends.

Is it Summer Time Yet?

What are Essential Oils?

A Green Way to Clean

Ultimate Blog Party

Essential Oils for Bump on the Head

Essential Oils for Digestion/Constipation

Ryder's First Christmas

The Giveaway
When I reach 100 followers, one lucky winner will receive one 15ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil
Mandatory Entry is easy! Just follow my blog and that's it! Please tell your friends.