Welcome to the Premium Starter Kit: Peace & Calming, The “Chill-Out” Potion

Today, Lindsey Barger shares her Peace & Calming love and tips! This is the first post in our mini series on the new oils and products featured in the refreshed Premium Starter Kit.

Back in 2013, when I first signed up with Young Living, this little gem was a staple in the Premium Starter Kit. It was an immediate family favorite, especially with the littles.

They loved the smell and it was frequently in the diffuser.

Well, to be honest, I believe it was a love/hate relationship for my kids. It was the calming effect it had on them that they hated. This is where my love of Peace & Calming came in. It was my magic “Chill-Out” potion! It made my husband’s witch doctor jokes a little more valid.

If you are a parent you know about the glorious tantrums a 3 year old can throw. I remember the first time I thought to pull out the Peace & Calming when my precious little boy was performing his best impression of Linda Blair. He was on the floor arching and flailing, screeching and howling. It was the kind of fit in which it is dangerous to try to pick the little darling up. The mom sporting a busted lip kind of fit. Here is one of the great things about using essential oils; you don’t actually have to put the oil on the kid to see the effect. I skeptically put a drop of oil in my hand and rubbed it around 3 times.

His eyes were squeezed tightly shut so he was unaware of my hand about six inches above his nose. With the screeching he was sucking in deep breaths and inadvertently took a deep inhale of the Peace & Calming. His eyes shot open. He sucked in two more deep breaths and relaxed on to the floor. I stood there in amazement.

What just happened? Like I said, I was initially skeptical that this oil would do anything at all, especially with the magnitude of the fit he was throwing. Yet here he was, his breathing returning to normal, his face relaxed, he got up and calmly sat next to me on the couch, like everything was fine! What in the world?! I don’t know what I was expecting exactly, but I’m sure it couldn’t have been that.

After about two more fits remedied with Peace & Calming, my 3 year old was catching on. At this point he would hilariously try to cover his nose and mouth so he wouldn’t smell the oil, even before I would get it out. This was my signal to do so.

We were both learning how effective the oil was. He knew he wanted to be mad and finish his fit, so he would cover his face. I wanted him to chill him out, even if I couldn’t pick him up. Peace & Calming also worked very well on my independent, strong willed 5 year old. And... it worked on me.

I will admit, mommin’ can bring out a not so flattering side of me as well. And that very real moment when your kid brings you the bottle of Peace & Calming and asks, “Momma, do you need some oils?” It can be quite humbling to have your kid call you on your behavior. Clearly it was as much a testament to my kids as it was too me.

Tame your toddler’s (and your’s, while you’re at it) emotional outburst with this ultra-popular blend. Welcome back to the PSK, Peace & Calming!

Peace & Calming: Isn’t Just for the Kids

We all have stressful situations. Knowing and preparing before entering that situation can be very beneficial. Here are just a few situations the adults in our family have used P&C.

• Visiting The Revenue Office

• Going to the grocery store on a Saturday

• Leading children’s church on Sunday

• Helping with Youth Group on Wednesday night

• Homeschooling...

• When someone just can’t relax and fall asleep at night

• Holiday events and family gatherings

• At the end of a LONG Monday, when you just need an extended and uninterrupted Epsom Salt bath with a couple of drops of Peace & Calming

Putting on a little Peace & Calming will also affect others around you. What a wonderful side effect! Plus, it smells amazing.

Back in the PSK!

We are so excited to have it back in our Premium Starter Kit!

I will admit, I’m an emotional creature and having Peace & Calming in the PSK was such a blessing because it was an oil I could sell! It has so many benefits and covers so many body systems, how could it not be? Check out its ingredients and the associated body systems.

Contains:

• Tangerine- Emotional Balance, Immune System, Skin

• Orange- Digestive and Immune Systems, Emotional Balance, Skin

• Ylang Ylang- Emotional Balance, Cardiovascular and Hormonal Systems

• Patchouli- Skin

• Blue Tansy- Nervous System

Great Application Locations:

• The insides of wrists

• Along the carotid arteries on the throat

• Back of the neck

• Along the spine

• Bottoms of the feet

• Over the tummy (to ease a nervous tummy)

Remember to always inhale the oil deeply. And it is a great oil to use in the beautiful Desert Mist Diffuser.

Of course there are many other uses for this beautiful blue oil. Let us hear your uses in the comments!

Oily Hacks: Get the Most out of Your Favorite Products (Part II)

Lindsey Barger is our guest contributor today. We love her product-stretching hacks that solve some real head scratchers...How do you get the kids not use half of the shampoo in one shower? And what do you do with empty oil bottles? Read on and then check out the rest of her posts here.

If you are like me, you probably had a little bit of sticker shock when we joined Young Living. It seems like quite a lot for just a little. As time went on, I began to understand the quality and purpose put into each and every product that Young Living creates. It is kind of frustrating to think back to before I joined the company and realize how much money I was actually wasting on day-to-day products.  

Back in the Day: The Biggest, Cheapest Shampoo

Back in the day of weekly trips to Walmart, I would browse the shampoo aisle for the biggest, cheapest bottle of shampoo. I recall going through those massive bottles so fast that shampoo was a frequent item on my shopping list. I would always run out of conditioner first, even after buy two bottles to the one bottle of shampoo. Comparing that to my family’s wash routine now blows my mind. All of those bottles add up! Not only was it harming the pocket book, but our skin was absorbing all of those dangerous synthetics!

A Better Alternative

Don’t freak out, people! There is a better alternative.

If you are a Young Living product user you know “a little goes a long way.” Everything is very concentrated. Or is it just that everything else is so watered down? Whichever perspective you use, we can both agree, we want more bang for our buck. Now, how can you do that without sacrificing quality? If you answered Young Living, you are right! I’ll share with you a few of my product extending hacks.

Even Better: Product-Extending Hacks

Hack #1: Foam Pumps FTW!

Let’s see a raise of hands from those of you who have children with soap moderation issues. You know what I mean. You’ve just purchased a new bottle of shampoo, you’ve sent the kid to be responsible and wash their own hair and body. And to NOT make a mess! (Why do we do this to ourselves? We know they are incapable.) When you do follow up with the process, you know you will find the bathroom flooded and the brand-new bottle of shampoo half-empty. Oh, wait! And the top of your precious child’s head is still dry. Am I right? Where did that soap go?!

Foam pumps means you don't have to monitor your kids' shampoo habits. A win all around. 

Prior to this my husband or myself would have to ration the Young Living Shampoo. They were not allowed to dispense their own shampoo. It was just too costly to watch swirl down the drain.

The day I came across this trick I nearly fell out of my seat. (I can’t recall who it was but whoever you are THANK YOU!)

Drum roll please!...........

Foam pumps!  Yes, you can put shampoo in them too! And the kids won’t go through it all in one night! I know, right? Why didn’t I think of that sooner!

So here we are with a 8oz Lavender Volume Shampoo, $19.75 (wholesale), $25.99 (retail). I tell you they can last as long, or longer, as giant bottle of shampoo without all of the unwanted additives.

You can also duplicate this with Young Living’s Bath and Shower Gels.

When it comes to the conditioner it’s just so thick that you can feel that it will take a fraction of the average big glob of the standard store-bought kind.

Stretch this awesome face wash for a year of use with our foam pump hack. 

You can use a foam pump for the Orange Blossom Facial Wash too. This is especially nice with the face wash. I have used and love the Art Cleanser, which is already in a foam pump. However, I can make the Orange Blossom last much longer. I’ve had my tiny 4oz bottle for more than a year and I think it will last a couple more months. Note that I wash my face twice a day. Paying $41.00 (wholesale), $53.95 (retail), for luxurious face wash that will last almost a year and a half, I would say, is well worth it.

Hack #2: Empty-Bottle Solutions!

When you’ve been using oils as much as I have, over the years you acquire quite the collection of empty bottles. I know that I don’t want to throw them out because they still smell so strongly of oils it seems like a waste. I have learned a few tricks for squeezing out every last drop of oil from the bottle.

Option 1: Oil-Infused Soaking Bath

My favorite way to make use of these beautiful empty bottles is to toss the separated orifice reducer, lid and bottle into a bath with Epsom salt and baking soda. Make sure the bottles you choose are not of the hot oil variety for a soaking bath. If you prefer a shower put these things into a big bowl on the floor of the shower, allowing the water to collect in the bowl. This will have a similar effect with the diffused steam. You will be surprised at how much oil still resides in those empty bottles. It is a great way to ensure you have used every last drop available.

Option 2: Oil-Powered Baking Soda

These bottles are good to the last drop! Don't miss even one with this awesome (and easy) natural cleaning hack. 

Try making an powering baking soda with essential oils. Baking soda can be such a blessing when it comes to cleaning house. Having Purification scented baking soda, Thieves scented baking soda, or any innumerable combinations of oily smells, would be even nicer. Just open up and uncork an empty bottle and seal all three parts of the bottle in a bowl of baking soda. Now you can freshen a smelly trash can, a cat litter box, a musty broom closet, smelly sneakers, the list goes on. A bowl ready with a little scoop inside for scrubbing the bathtub and toilet is another of my favorite ways to make use of empty bottles.  Chemical free cleaning, that smells great, brought to you by an empty bottle. Pretty cool, huh?

Hack #3: Double the Use of your Seedling Baby Wipes!

Make your Seedling Baby Wipes last twice as long: You just need scissors and five minutes, woo hoo! 

I have one last trick for you.

Have you smelled the new Seedlings Baby Wipes? If you haven’t you are missing out! They are AMAZING! I don’t have babies anymore but I love the smell so much I have found a few good reasons for keeping them handy. A package of 72 wipes is $11.75 (wholesale), $15.46 (retail). How about doubling those wipes? Do you remember those refillable flushable wipe containers? They are half the size of a standard baby wipe container. Now the Seedlings wipes are really sturdy wipes. They are almost wash cloth material! I believe half of a wipe could hold up better than a full store bought wet wipe any day. Take one package of the Seedlings Baby Wipes, with a good pair of scissors, and cut them in half. You could divide them between two refillable wipes containers or into one or more zip storage bags. I keep some in my car, a few in my purse, and of course in the bathroom as well.

Any Hacks to Share?

With great products comes great responsibility! How will you extend the life of your Young Living treasures?

Young Living Fall Favs: NingXia Red

As temperatures drop and winter officially approaches, it’s more important than ever to give our immune systems a little encouragement. To help you do just that, we’re talking about NingXia Red, a great way to support and maintain a healthy body. Mix this liquid supplement in your favorite hot tea, and it’s like giving your an immune system a nice, warm hug. If that’s not encouraging (and cozy!), we don’t know what is. Read on to find out what makes it so great and creative ways you can treat yourself to the antioxidant goodness, too.

Behind on our series? Check out the rest of our Young Living Fall Favs here: Christmas Spirit, Release, Inner Defense, and R.C., Raven and Breathe Again. Don’t be without them this winter!  

What Makes NingXia Red So Great?

NingXia Red earns a spot on our Fall Favs list by encouraging healthy bodies, even as temperatures drop. 

The wolfberry (lycium barbarum) is a key ingredient to Young Living’s liquid supplement, NingXia Red. It is a macro nutrient rich fruit, maximizing the full potential of the most vital of antioxidant foods. Young Living chose to use the whole fruit for this purpose. Each bottle contains the pulp of the whole berry, not just the juice, so shake it up before you pour yourself some! The sediment in your beautiful bottle is so important.

Along with the wolfberry, NingXia Red contains blueberries, cherries, pomegranates, and aronia (choke berry), all high in antioxidant power, but, again, none can match that of the wolfberry. The wolfberry ranks highest on the ORAC scale at 1500 units per ounce. Don’t believe me? Go compare it to other whole foods.

Not only does the wolfberry make it great but so do the therapeutic grade essential oils that enhance the flavor and vitality of this supplement. NingXia Red contains Orange, Yuzu, Lemon, and Tangerine essential oil. These four oils provide each of their own unique properties, but all four are known for d-limonene, an amazing compound that supports many body systems from skin to digestion.

NingXia Red is packed full of antioxidants, immune stimulating polysaccharides, carotenoids, and has 15.6g of protein per 100g of fruit. This is just a snippet of the great properties of the NingXia wolfberry that make NingXia Red so amazing.

Great for the Whole Body!

NingXia Red aids in health functions of the whole body. It supports normal blood sugar, promotes regularity in digestion, supports circulation, helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, aids in bone joint and ligament support, combats premature ageing, improves energy levels, supports vision, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, (whew!) … and so much more.

15 Ways to Drink Your NingXia Red

NingXia Red packets make it even easier to get your daily shot in. Pro-Tip: Bottles of NingXia Red may freeze during shipping in the winter, so packets are the way to go for the next few months. 

I drink NingXia Red every day. Sometimes I need a change from the same old way I drink my Red. There are many different recipes and creative little tricks to change up your NingXia routine. Let’s start with my new favorite. I just discovered it this week!

• A shot of NingXia Red to my herbal tea in the morning, or at night. I have cut out coffee, which is a process, of course, but I look forward to my cup of NingXia tea in the morning now.
• NingXia in seltzer water makes a great refreshing and revitalizing treat.
• A frozen packet of NingXia Red to make a NingXia popsicle.
• A shot of NingXia Red in your orange juice or other juice.
• NingXia Red in your smoothie.
• NingXia Red in your Balance Complete Shake.
• NingXia Red blended with ice.
• NingXia Red in your ice water. This is my standby. I like to add a different combination of essential oils every few days to change up the flavor.

Shoot it straight or dress it up with essential oils. Here are some tried and true recipes. Though, the combinations are limitless.

Atomic Fire Ball

• 1oz NingXia Red
• 2 drops Cinnamon Bark
• 1 drop Ocotea

Mind Blaster

• 1oz. NingXia Red
• 1 drop Lime
• 1 drop Peppermint
• 1 drop Lemon
• 1 drop Copaiba
• 1 drop Cinnamon Bark

Hot Flash

• 1 oz. NingXia Red
• 2 drops Cinnamon Bark
• 2 drops Peppermint

Dreamsicle

• 1 oz. NingXia Red
• 1 drop Orange
• 1 drop Lime
• 1 drop Tangerine
• 1 drop Copaiba
• 1 drop Grapefruit
• 1 drop Lemon

Cimply Smooth

• 1 oz. NingXia Red
• 2 drops Tangerine
• 2 drops Lime
• 1 drop StressAway

Jump Start

• 2 oz. NingXia Red
• 3 drops Lime
• 3 drops Orange
• 2 drops Frankincense
• 1 drop Black Pepper

Morning Glory

• 2 oz. NingXia Red
• 3 drops Citrus Fresh
• 1 drop Black Pepper
• 1 drop Bergamot

Note: Always drink 8-12 oz. of water with your NingXia Red to help your body absorb all of its nutrients.

Have you had your NingXia Red today? Share your favorite recipe in the comments!

Oil of the Week: DiGize

One of the greatest things about essential oils is that they know how to do their job even better than we know how to use them. The proper use of an oil could promote normal and healthy functions of that particular body system.

If you and your family happen to eat food, DiGize should be one of your go-to oils. It helps support digestive and gastrointestinal systems as well as intestinal function.

No More 20 Questions for “Funny Tummy”

For instance, your little one comes to you, “Mommy, my tummy feels funny.” In the past, I would run down the list of possible causes. What did he eat? Has he pooped today? Has he had enough water to drink? Is it his stomach, his bowels, or something else?

That was my first child.

Now I don’t have to spend my time worrying about cause and effect, I can skip right to solution! Go get your DiGize!

With my second, things are easier. Even though my 6-year-old can’t quite read the labels, he has his own special bottle with a rollerball that he can identify. When his tummy needs some TLC, I just point to our oils cache. He knows where to find his DiGize, and brings it to me. No twenty questions, no worry, just God’s incredible design working for my kiddo.

Most Valuable (and Versatile) Travel Companion

For me, the oil that I used the most while in a foreign country was probably DiGize. My gut was not prepared for the AMAZING food … and questionable food preparation. My digestive system suffered a little, but only a little.

If my tummy felt funny, the DiGize was ready for action. And, yes, I did smell like peppermint and fennel most of my trip.

On a plane, DiGize. On a boat, DiGize. On a narrow, winding, boulder-strewn mountain path in a vehicle that was really only meant for smooth pavement, DiGize. Gorging myself on the best fish I’ve ever tasted, DiGize. Drinking water that was very suspicious, DiGize. Overheated from the tropical environment, DiGize. And let’s not forget when Aunt Flo comes to visit a few days out of the month, you’ve got it, DiGize.

Let’s Talk Application

• Behind your ears is a great preemptive measure before riding in vehicles.
• Rub a drop or two in a clockwise motion topically over the abdomen.
• Use as a compress over the belly.
• Inhale a little.
• A drop or two of DiGize Vitality under your tongue after a heavy meal.
• And of course, the Vita Flex Points on the ankles and the bottoms of the feet.

Let’s Break It Down

Here are the therapeutic grade essential oils (and their special properties) that make this blend so special:

• Tarragon: promotes relaxation
• Ginger: warm and calming
• Peppermint: cooling and soothing
• Juniper: supports plumbing efficiency
• Fennel: supports overall digestive function
• Lemongrass: uplifting and lymphatic system support
• Anise: supports digestion
• Patchouli: calming and relaxing

AND to Sum It Up!

All of these oils work together for the greater good of the gut.  Whether you need things to slow down, speed up, deflate, chill, or just run smoothly, DiGize can be that oil to support your well-oiled machine.  

No 20 questions, just a drop or two. Questions? Leave them in the comments!