Back to School Made Easy

This week we hosted a Facebook class on naturally good ways to kick off the school year. We know everyone can't tune in on Facebook, so we thought we'd make the info available on our blog, too.

BIG NEWS: We'll now be sharing all of our class videos on our YouTube channel! Subscribe so you won't miss a single oily tip! 

Back to School Tips

Ningxia Red & Ningxia Nitro

Suzanne shares her Ningxia Red tips for busy school mornings. Spoiler: Chill packets for grab-and-go convenience! For an afternoon pick-me-up, keep NingXia Nitro close by! 

NingXia Red helps support:

• Immune system
• Cognitive function
• Energy

MightyVites and MightyZymes

Lindsey shares why you should put a multivitamin and natural enzyme on your back to school list! Bonus: these kid-specific formulas taste great. 

Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils

Lemon and Peppermint both help you and your family retain information and maintain focus. The perfect power couple for back to school! 

Thieves Hand Purifier and Thieves Spray

Powered by Thieves, Thieves Hand Purifier helps keep hands clean on the go! This hard-working essential keeps purifying and moisturizing long after you squeeze it on. We love Thieves Spray for nearly any hard surface. 

Jaynelle's Pro Tip: These make great gifts for teachers! 

Panaway and Copaiba Essential Oil

Janie shares about Panaway, a great uplifting blend for muscles after active days! Add Copaiba to enhance this supportive oil. 

Thieves and Raven Essential Oil Blends

Check out these two great oils from your starter kit with Cynthia! If you like to breathe, Raven provides great respiratory support:) Plus, Thieves Vitality supports your immune system. You can take it internally: try it in oatmeal, water or baking. 

Young Living Thieves Cough Drops and Acne Cream

We are over the moon about these over the counter Young Living products! Thieves Cough Drops are great for easy immune support. Middle school and high school moms: check out this acne cream! And even if you don't have acne, this one also works wonders for black heads and blemishes. 

MightyPro & Life 9

Support your gut health year round with MightyPro and Life 9. Check out Rachel's tips on how to add these supportive products to your nighttime routine. 

Are you ready for back to school? Do you have any natural tips to share? We'd love to hear from you! 

NingXia Red Review Week 2: Enjoy Your Ningxia (with 4 Awesome Recipes!)

Today, we are continuing our month long NingXia Red Review with four different tried-and-true recipes from our team. We’ll have your NR cravings covered all day with breakfast smoothies, after-school snacks and treat-yourself cocktails.

But first, a quick recap. Last month, the Tree of Life leaders put a challenge out to the team: Take a shot of Ningxia Red for 28 days. Why would anyone do that? Well, NingXia Red helps support overall health and energy levels. And drinking consistently helps boost those benefits even more. 

Just take a look at what you’d have to eat to reap all the antioxidant-rich benefits of NingXia.

Fast Fact: Antioxidants help slow oxidation damage throughout the body. This can help the body function normally and support your immune system.

If you want some of that antioxidant goodness in your life, here are some fun ways our team shared to incorporate this delicious supplement in their daily life.

Four Fun & Delicious NingXia Red Recipes

Delicious Breakfast Smoothie

Start your day the delicious and nutritious way with a shot of NingXia Red in your smoothie.

Thanks to Alishia Alibhai for sharing her yummy morning ritual.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 avocado
• 2 oz YL NingXia Red juice
• 1/4 tsp matcha powder (optional - I put it in for its health benefits)
• Few frozen blueberries (use fresh if you have! I will also use strawberries or raspberries))
• Little bit of frozen spinach or frozen kale (can use fresh)
• 2 scoops YL balance complete (11g fibre!)
• 1 tsp chia seeds (optional - again, I include for health benefits)

How-To:

Blend together and enjoy! ️

Pro Tip: Add frozen items to give a nice icy coldness to the smoothie! You could also add a couple of ice cubes if you're using all fresh items!

Refreshing Apple Cider Vinegar + NingXia Drink

Boost the benefit of Apple Cider Vinegar with NingXia Red and Vitality oils. Drink this quick and easy mix first thing in the morning for another way to start your day off well.

Thanks to Lindsey Barger for sharing her delicious discovery: ACV + NR = Amazing

Ingredients

• ¼ cup NingXia Red
• 1 TB Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2-4 Drops favorite Vitality oil (like Grapefruit, yum!)
• 1-1 ½ cup soda water

How-To

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Pro-Tip: Remember to shake NingXia Red and Apple Cider Vinegar before adding to your mixture.

Kid-Friendly NingXia Red Gummies

Not only will kids love the taste of these gummies, they’ll also love helping you make these cute, antioxidant-filled snacks. Perfect for a mid-morning nibble or after-school treat.

Jordan Lee shared her process for perfect NR gummies.

Ingredients

• 3 oz of NingXia Red
• 2 TB of Raw Honey
• 2.5 TB of Gelatin
• 3 Drops Lemon Vitality
• 2 Drops of Thieves Vitality

How-To:

1. Heat NingXia and honey in a saucepan, not to a boil
2. Pull off the heat and slowly sprinkle in the Gelatin, whisk until mixed well
3. Add essential oils and whisk for 30 seconds
4. Pour into small jello molds
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour

Post-Late Night NingXia Red Cocktails

After a busy Friday and long week, start your Saturday with a NR Lime cocktail!

Thanks to Rachel Zachary for this refreshing suggestion.

Ingredients

• Sparkling Water to taste
• 3 oz NR
• A squirt of lime juice
• 1-2 drops Lime Vitality oil

How-To

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Are you interested in learning more? Contact us! We can answer any Ningxia question and even help you join start your own Ningxia Red challenge. Bottom’s up!

Christmas Season the Young Living Way

Alexis Peters has been learning about and using essential oils for about three years. When she’s not editing and writing for Tree of Life, she’s chasing one (or both) of her preschool sons.

At first glance, Christmas fueled by Young Living isn’t that different. There’re lights, trees, yummy food and presents. But as I slowly add more and more essential oils and Young Living products into my family’s traditions, I’m realizing that these little bottles make a big impact.

Since the season is all about sharing, here are a few small ways to take your time-honored traditions up a notch with a drop or two of your favorite essential oils.

1. Diffuse Christmas Spirit

This scent is nothing short of Christmas in scent form. Orange, cinnamon bark and black spruce team up to bring mood-boosting joy to any moment – from a holiday bash to a quiet morning at home. And, as we’ve shared before, you can (and should) diffuse this beauty year round! There’s no season that you couldn’t use a nice mood and immunity boost.

2. Party Perfection with Christmas Spirit

Make a pre-party air-freshener by combining 30 drops of oil and 2 cups water in a glass spray bottle. Shake and spray around your house as you party prep.

3. Clean with Thieves

Whether you’re hosting Christmas or cleaning before a big trip, Thieves Household cleaner is the answer for a holiday-worthy home. I love it especially at this time of year: Thieves’ spicy hints of nutmeg and cinnamon bark fit right in with the rest of the festivities.

4. Hustle-and-Bustle with Thieves 

Help keep your family’s immunity strong with Thieves Hand Purifier. These small but might bottles are powered by Thieves and peppermint to cleanse and purify your hands, even on-the-go.

5. Warm Up with Vitality Oils

The growing number of Vitality oils means you have a growing number of ways to ingest your favorite oils. Sure you can add some Citrus Fresh to your first glass of water each day, but when you really want to warm up, add a drop of Nutmeg Vitality to your hot tea, Thieves Vitality to your coffee or Peppermint Vitality to your hot cocoa for a special treat.

6. Festive Cooking with Vitality Oils 

You can cook with vitality oils, too! Try subbing a drop of Vitality oil for any herb or spice in your favorite holiday recipes.

Any essential oil-powered traditions to share? Tell us in the comments!

Thieves Hacks

I don’t know about you, but I can’t live without Thieves products. And surprisingly, neither can my husband. Like many husbands, he was an oil-skeptic—until I introduced him to Thieves. Now the man is Thieves-obsessed.

So let’s talk about some Thieves Hacks:

1. Thieves Spray—I carry this in my purse and diaper bag, and it’s also always in our park backpack on our many Disney trips. It’s perfect to spray on restaurant tables, grocery carts, and high chairs—really any surface that lots of people have touched—like the door handles in public bathrooms, yuck! I have even been known to spray utensils at restaurants after one of the kiddos has dropped them on the floor.

2. Thieves Household Cleaner—When people first see the price tag ($22 wholesale for 14.4 oz), they are a little taken aback—until I explain that that one bottle can make up to 30 gallons of cleaner. That’s about $1.05 for each 32oz all-purpose solution that you make, which is a steal! A non-toxic cleaner that can replace EVERY cleaner in your home? Yes, please! You can find hundreds of different ways to use Thieves Household Cleaner with a quick Pinterest search, but here are a few of my favs:

• A capful in the jet dry dispenser of your dishwasher
• A capful in your laundry during the wash cycle
• Mix a capful with baking soda when you need a little extra scrubbing power
• Use the all-purpose solution to spray shoes, especially stinky soccer cleats or running shoes
• Spray lunch boxes to help get rid of food odors

3. Thieves Vitality Oil—this is a must for us all year long, but especially during the fall and winter months

• It tastes wonderful in your morning coffee or tea, plus you have the added benefit of immune support.
• A drop in a spoonful of local honey when you need a little immune boost
• A drop in your holiday baking items—sugar cookies with a little taste of cinnamon and clove or added to your homemade chocolate goodies—yum!
• Add a drop in your daily Ningxia Red shot and enjoy the wellness benefits of both Ningxia Red and Thieves—this is actually my favorite NR shot.

While I’ve only talked about 3 Thieves products today, Young Living offers over 20 items in our Thieves line—there is something for everyone’s needs! If you’re not a member yet, check out our Thieves Premium Starter Kit—it’s the perfect way to get your non-toxic journey started. If you ARE a member, then make sure you are on Essential Rewards, and add the Thieves ER Kit to your order. The Thieves ER Kit is just one of the many reasons you should be on ER—it’s only $115 instead of the $151 you would pay for all the items if you aren’t on ER. Don’t be caught this season without Thieves!

Oily Hacks for Mamas

Today, Natalie Mechell, first time-contributor and busy mom of two, shares some practical Oily Hacks for mamas. As she puts it, “Because we can always use a little more convenience and a lot more time.” We couldn’t agree more!

These little tricks have made naps and bedtimes go a little smoother, walking out the door before a busy day easier, and dealing with the seasonal-ick not quite so daunting.

So what do I do to make things easier, simpler? Here are a few of my …

Oily Hacks for Mamas

These roll-on oily hacks are easy to make and even easier to apply! Perfect for the busy oily mama. 

Immune Support

We use Thieves and Oregano Daily! This helps my family maintain healthy immune systems and protect us during the seasonal yuck we all dread come Back to School days! Here’s how to create a quick and easy immune-supporting rollerball for each of these mama must-have oils:

Thieves

What You Need

• 5 ml or 15 ml bottle of Thieves Vitality
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: When our Thieves bottle is about half full, I fill it back up with fractionated coconut oil for dilution. You can play with ratios to find the dilution that is best for your family!
2. Top: Click a roller fitment into the top of your bottle.
3. Roll: We roll on our spine, bottoms of feet, wrists, and – for us – wherever we can swipe really!

Oregano

What You Need

• 5 ml or 15 ml bottle of Oregano Vitality
• Fractionated coconut oil  
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: I pump fractionated coconut oil when our Oregano bottle is a little less than half way and then fill to the top. I dilute Oregano more because it can be quite uncomfortable when not diluted properly.
2. Top: Install roller fitment.
3. Roll: Apply on spine daily.

Sweet Dreams Support  

We love lavender! My daughter and I are big fans of this calming oil, especially when comes to our sleep routines. Here’s a quick DIY recipe for my favorite sleep blend, turned into, you guessed it: a convenient roll-on.

What You Need

• 25 drops of Lavender
• 25 drops of Stress Away
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment
• Empty oil bottle
• Essential oil funnel

What You Do

1. Combine: Use funnel to help you neatly add oils to empty oil bottle.                                  Pro Tip: Use an empty Lavender or Stress Away bottle for the best results.
2. Dilute: Fill bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
3. Top: Place a roller fitment on top.
4. Roll: We roll this on the sides of our neck before naps and bedtime daily! (Daddy uses Lavender and Cedarwood.)

Of course this is what we use for our sleepy times, but you might love Cedarwood, Vetiver, Frankincense, or R.C.

Student Support

I use this tip to encourage my son (who is 3 years old) to not only smell great, but stay focused and tuned in to his fun-filled learning day!

What You Need

• Bottle of KidScents Geneyus
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment

What You Do

1. Dilute: take an almost full bottle of Geneyus and fill with fractionated coconut oil. I barely dilute.
2. Top: Place roller fitment on top.
3. Roll: Roll on wrists and sides of neck before heading out the door.

Mama Support

Last but not certainly least, mama has her "perfume" I like to call it. I use a little Joy, Stress Away, and Grapefruit to give me a signature scent that keeps me bright for days.

What You Need

• 7 drops Joy
• 25 drops Stress Away
• 15 drops Grapefruit
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Roller fitment
• Empty oil bottle
• Essential oil funnel

What You Do

1. Combine: Add drops to your empty bottle carefully, using your funnel.
2. Dilute: Top off with fractionated coconut oil to dilute a little.
3. Top: Pop in a roller fitment and voila!
4. Roll: Apply wherever you would commercial perfume: neck, wrists, chest, even the back of your knees.

Of course you can change drops to your preference, but I love to smell the Stress Away!

Easy, Right?

These practical tips have helped mornings, naps and bedtimes go a little more smoothly without compromising time with too many steps.

What would you mix in a bottle and keep on hand for daily use?

Oils for Your Summer Vacation

Thanks to our writer of the week, Jane! Learn more about her team here: www.cleanlivingtheoilyway.com. 

Whenever I travel anywhere I make sure that I bring very specific oils depending on what time of year it is and where I am going. Honestly, I don’t know if I could even possibly travel without my oils! They make all the difference! Here are some of my favorite picks for summer travels.  

From NingXia Red on the beach to Aramaease in the mountains, we'll tell you which oils to never forget on your summer vacation packing list. 

My Oily Summer Packing List

Stress Away: Calms (Even on an Adventure)

Stress Away is number one! I have a fear of cliffs and most summers we travel from the flat lands of Florida to the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and Idaho. When my husband drives over that mountain pass, it is no easy feat for me! In fact, the only way I can make it, is to sit in the back seat with the bottle of Stress Away opened and yours truly inhaling it the entire time!

Aromaease: Supports Natural Travel Adjustment

Once we are in the mountains, I start to feel the effects of the altitude change. The aroma of Aromaease helps me tremendously along with Peppermint rubbed on my head and neck. Both those oils are supportive of the body’s natural ability to adjust to this change.  

Digize Vitality: Maintains Normal Digestion

Usually travel time means eating out often and eating foods that we don’t normally eat at home.  It’s important to maintain normal digestion while away. You can take your Digize Vitality oil right under your tongue or rub Digize directly on your stomach. Your body will thank you!

Thieves Vitality: Keeps Immune System Strong

Before I go away and while I am away I do everything to keep my immune system strong and above the wellness line. Between flying, time changes and new germs, it’s important to support your immune system. I take Thieves Vitality 2-3 times a day without fail!  

Lavender: Makes Any Bed Feel Like Home

Lavender…the swiss army knife of oils! Let’s just say that I never go anywhere without my Lavender and especially when traveling. I don’t know about you, but when I try to sleep away from home, it’s just not the same. My body used to struggle to fall asleep and to stay asleep. Now I just put a couple drops on my pillow at night and I am sleeping and resting just like at home.  

Deep Relief Roll-On: Eases Minor Muscle Aches

Deep Relief is another must-have when traveling. My muscles can get sore from sitting on a long flight or car ride. They can get strained when doing activities that I don’t normally do. This handy roll-on is perfect to stick in your purse and use it whenever you need to soothe any sore muscles!

My Supplement Travel Companions

Ningxia Red: Delivers Delicious On-the-Good Goodness

Ningxia Red packets are always in my suitcase! I take plenty of packets for the whole family so we can all maintain good health and a strong body while away. Ningxia Red is packed with so many nutrients that I don’t feel we can be without it while traveling. If you have kids, they will enjoy that you have a delicious drink to give them while on a long car ride or flight.

Ningxia Nitro: Boosts Energy

Nitros , nitros, nitros….ok, I am guilty of taking way too many Nitros while away! As it is, I take 2 Nitros a day. They give me the most amazing brain clarity and they provide my body with endless energy! Now unless I am going on a beach vacation where all I need to worry about is eating and sunbathing, I need to have my energy! Hiking, exploring, and outdoor adventures call for serious assistance from my Nitros.  

Thieves Hand Sanitizer & Spray: Keeps Things Clean (Naturally!)

Lastly I NEVER travel with my Thieves hand sanitizer and Thieves spray! What do I spray? Everything and anything! I spray things in the hotel room, I spray things on the plane, I spray things in restaurants, I spray my hands, I spritz over the bed sheets with my Thieves spray, I spray everything! Come to think of it, I could probably use it in place of a pepper spray while away. I would think spraying this in someone’s eyes would certainly slow them down! Seriously though, make sure you have your Thieves spray and your sanitizer with you whenever away from home!

What are YOUR Top Young Living Travel Items?

There you have it friends, my top Young Living travel items! Take some time to think about where you are going this summer and make a list of what  you will need to help make it a memorable experience.

Have oily travel questions? Leave them in the comments or contact us!

Young Living Fall Favs: Inner Defense

Give me a “D”!  Give me an “E”!  Give me an “F”!  Give me an “E”!  Give me an “N”!  Give me an “S”!  Give me an “E”!  

What does it spell?  “DEFENSE!”  

What does it spell?  “DEFENSE!”  

What does it spell?  “DEFENSE!”  

We’ve all heard that cheer at some point in our lives, and we most likely think of football. But how about thinking outside the box and applying the principles of good defense to health?

A Good Offense is a Good Defense

When life throws us curveballs, we reach for Inner Defense. 

Everyone has also heard the saying that “A good offense is a good defense.”  Well, in the case of my family’s health, I have chosen to use Young Living essential oils and supplements for both the offense and defense this Fall (and year round).  

My Family’s Offensive Line

In football, you need a good offensive line to support the quarterback. To support our health, we take some things daily for support: Ningxia Red, Digest and Cleanse and Thieves. It’s just plain smart to be on the offensive to maintain your health!

My Family’s Defense

But, you also need a good defense for the best chance to win. For instance, we use Thieves Vitality to support a healthy immune system, which is our body’s defense.

Inner Defense

Well, as you can see, a good offense is a good defense. But, I want to take this to another level – a good Inner Defense.  So, time for another analogy:

For those of us who are Christians, a good foundation in the Bible and a close relationship with God is a good defense for a life not overcome by Satan. Choosing to go to church and keeping some close Christian friends is a good offense for supporting our walk with God. Choosing to not put unwholesome things into our mind and heart is a good spiritual Inner Defense.

Well, in health, we need a good Inner Defense as well. What we eat, if we exercise, and so on affects whether or not we have a good Inner Defense. (Sorry, but yes, you really do need to eat those carrots! Lol!)

When We Need Inner Defense

Sometimes, life throws us a few curveballs. Like not enough sleep because our kids have too much homework or because someone called right before you were going to bed and you talked for a couple hours! Or maybe the curveball is being surrounded by people at work who should have stayed home. Or maybe it’s that you have been overwhelmed for days, if not weeks or months, trying to figure out how to pay for your child’s braces – you’re losing sleep, and in general, are not yourself under all the stress.  

Our Answer to Curveballs: Young Living Inner Defense

In cases like these, we need a strong Inner Defense to help maintain our health. Well, my family loves a Young Living product called Inner Defense. We love to use it to promote, maintain, and support our inner well-being, a healthy immune system (our defense).    

Young Living's Inner Defense liquid soft gels reinforce systemic defenses, promote healthy respiratory function, and are rich in immune-supporting ingredients. WooHoo! Who doesn’t need that? It has Thieves essential oil in it (which contains clove, lemon, eucalyptus radiata, rosemary, and cinnamon bark oils). We all know what a great oil Thieves is! Inner Defense also includes oregano, thyme, and lemongrass – all amazing oils. It is such an awesome capsule; full of power for your immune system!

A Few Tips: When We Use Inner Defense

If my kids have been losing sleep for a few nights, guess what? They are going to take Inner Defense for a few days. My kids are runners. If they have a big race coming up and they seem to be getting run down (pardon the pun – I couldn’t resist!), I have them take Inner Defense for a few days prior to their race to help maintain their health. If my husband and I are surrounded at work by people who should have stayed home, we will take Inner Defense for a few days. Hmmmm, maybe since I’m up late typing this, I should go take an Inner Defense!

Our Fall Defensive Game Plan

Now, to return to my sports analogy, you need a strong defense to have a winning offense. To have a strong defense in sports, you practice daily! Likewise, we can take daily measures to support our health, such as drinking Ningxia Red daily, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, etc. But, you can also take an Inner Defense capsule daily instead of just when you feel like you might need to promote a better body defense. The instructions on the bottle even say to take 1 capsule daily in a.m. or take 1 capsule 3-5 times daily when stressed. That will surely help promote a strong Inner Defense!

So a good offense is a good defense is a good Inner Defense! So who’s with me? Give me a “D” … or better yet, make Inner Defense part of your healthy lifestyle!

Contact Beth, this week’s contributor, at oildroplets@gmail.com for any questions about your family’s Fall Defense plan.

Oil of the Week: Thieves

To share my love of Young Living Thieves, I always start with a quick history lesson:

Thieves is a powerful blend inspired by the legend of four 15th-century French thieves. These thieves/perfumers formulated a special aromatic combination of clove, rosemary, and other botanicals to rob those who had died from the Black Plague. They were caught red-handed, convicted of their crimes and sentenced to be burned at the stake. However, the judges were astonished that the robbers had not caught the Black Plague, and in exchange for a lighter sentence, the thieves revealed their secret … and were hanged instead. Ok, so it was a silver lining for the thieves, but their ingenuity led to one of Young Living’s most popular oils.

Thieves contains Clove (an immune stimulant), Lemon (to promote health), Cinnamon Bark (a powerful purifier), Eucalyptus Radiata (for respiratory support) and Rosemary (an antioxidant).

How to Use Thieves Every Day

#1 Apply to Your Feet

This is the easiest oil to use in the Premium Starter Kit. All you have to remember is to apply to the bottom of your feet every day. (Remember the tip from our recent Lavender post about applying essential oils to the bottom of the feet because the pores are the largest?)

And that’s it!

Thieves is great to support the immune system, so you never want to go a day without it. Of course there are many other ways to use Thieves, but this is the simplest way to get started using your essential oils every day.

When the air outside becomes crisp and the days start getting shorter, you know it’s time to stock up on Thieves. Trust me! You don't know how many calls I get each Winter from panicked moms who just used their last drop of Thieves. Lucky for them, I keep several extras around for just these types of emergencies. Don't run out of Thieves!

#2 Diffuse (Diffuse, Diffuse!)

I use this oil in my main room diffuser all day, every day. I love how it smells, but even better, I know that my family is protected from whatever icky's that they encounter during the day or bring home with them. I also travel with my diffuser, when I arrive at my hotel room, I start the diffuser with Thieves and leave for a few hours. When I return, my room smells great and I have security and peace of mind. I love to add Orange, Tangerine or Nutmeg in the diffuser with Thieves for a little variety.

More Ways to Use Thieves

Creative Carpet Freshener

Got musty smells? Use a sprinkle shaker, fill with 1 cup baking soda, add 5 drops of Thieves, combine well. Let mixture sit overnight, so the oil has a chance to absorb. Sprinkle over carpets and vacuum thoroughly.

On-the-Go “Everything” Spray  

Make your own Thieves Spray and use it everywhere. I put about 10-15 drops in a 4oz glass spray bottle. I spray it in a smelly car, in stinky shoes, on public toilet seats, on linens and pillows, on remote controls, in restaurants, on shopping carts, in laundry baskets or trash cans. One member even said they use it on money.

Love the Blend? Check Out the Thieves Line

Thieves is one of Young Living’s most popular products. If fact, Young Living has an entire line of Thieves Household Products and Personal Care Products. Everything from toothpaste to laundry soap. Be sure to check out all of the Thieves products so you can clean your home and have personal care products toxin free.

Thieves Vitality Tips

Thieves Vitality, same great essential oil blend, now bottled with a white label indicating that this oil can be used as a dietary supplement. I use this everyday to support healthy gums and teeth. I put one drop on my Thieves AromaBright Toothpaste. It makes my mouth feel so fresh, clean and healthy. I love the spicy flavor as well. It is also great as a mouthwash or to gargle to soothe mouth and throat.

Other uses for Thieves Vitality:

• Add a drop to your daily NingXia Red shot.
• Add 3-5 drops to a vegetable capsule with a fatty oil and swallow with water for overall wellness and immune support.
• Add a drop to a cup of warm water, herbal tea or other hot drinks for a spicy zing.

Have any Thieves questions? Ask away in the comments! We’d love to help!

Graduation Inspiration: Leaving the Nest (with Oils!)

A year ago, my oldest son graduated from high school. For those of you who are parents, you both look forward to that day and dread it. You do everything in your power to help your child become the young adult he should be. You have laughed, cried, played, disciplined, and prayed with and for your child through the years.

Then, there comes a time to loosen the apron strings and let go.

Will He Be Ready to Leave the Nest?

Andrew is dyslexic. From his early elementary years when we were more or less told he was not college material to when he graduated in the top 8% of his high school class, you can imagine the blood, sweat, tears, and prayers that went on. We never told him in those struggling years that he wasn’t college material because we knew he was! We believed in him! 

There were years of struggling, years of tutoring, and years of hard work. His confidence grew. His abilities grew. Success was imminent! But with success comes leaving for college — leaving the nest. Most of you probably haven’t gone through the exact scenario we have, but you have your own scenario when you wonder “will my child be ready to leave the nest?”

Time to Let Him Fly

Fast forward to letting to our baby bird fly. It was time for him to go to college. As a parent, you worry about your child’s Christian faith, about the friends he will make, about his study habits, and of course his health when he is away from home. That brings me to the purpose of a post on an essential oils blog — you were beginning to wonder, right?

A Premium Start(er Kit) 

Well, it was time to loosen the apron strings. It was time to have the faith that he would be okay leaving home for college. My husband and I equipped him the best we could through the years. We have prayed for our son often (as well as for our other kids who are younger than Andrew), and we will continue through his college years and beyond. 

We equipped him spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. But, we also taught him how to use the oils to maintain and support his health. (We became an oily family just in the past few years — around the time Andrew went into high school.) A physical, tangible item that could give me peace of mind as a mom was making sure that Andrew went off to college with a Premium Starter Kit. All of us parents need peace of mind, right?

Well, going off to college would test that — think of public bathrooms/showers that the dorm shares, think of living with a dorm full of kids who don’t always take care of themselves in a healthy and/or hygienic way, think about staying up late, think about being around classrooms full of students, think about cafeteria food that you know your child will not always make healthy choices from, and on and on.

So what is a mom supposed to do in a situation like that when she lives miles away from her child and does not “control” her child’s health environment? Send oils and Thieves cleaner, of course!

A Few College Pre-Requisites 

The new dorm essential: Thieves Cleaner!!

Andrew knows to use Thieves Vitality for immune support.  He knows to use Lavender Vitality and Peppermint Vitality for respiratory support.  He knows Purification helps him enjoy a hike outdoors annoyance free. (There are several great hiking areas within an hour of his college.) Andrew knows that Lavender is great for skin. He knows PanAway is great for massaging into his skin after playing intramural sports. He knows DiGize is good for digestive support.  

My point is Andrew knows how to use the oils. Equip your kids, even when they are young, with oily knowledge. They will then use them when they are leaving home, and you — the parent — can have such peace of mind!

Andrew had the knowledge needed to use the oils to maintain and support his health. He had the tools to do it — the oils. And, more importantly, he used them! I am happy to say that my son got through his first year of college with only a minor bump in the road now and then! As a mom, the oils gave me such peace of mind letting my baby bird fly.

Did I Let Him Fly?

So tell me, did I loosen the apron strings or not? The answer is YES to both! I did loosen them! He received a lot of independence! He was equipped spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally for leaving the nest.

He was ready to fly. I needed to let him go. It is the natural progression after all, right? But I also didn’t loosen the apron strings in a sense because I knew he had the oils and the knowledge and desire to use them, which gave me a sense of some control of his health! We moms need that, right?

Apron strings or no apron strings — who cares when they have a Premium Starter Kit in their hands!

The Perfect Graduation Gift 

It is graduation time for high school and college. A Premium Starter Kit makes a great gift! Let your baby birds fly with confidence! Support both the grad AND the parents during this exciting transition. If you have questions about getting started, let us help!