Clay & Honey Clarifying Detox Mask

I've heard about using clay as a mask on your face for awhile and finally tried it this afternoon. OH MY WORD. I have no idea why I haven't been putting mud and honey on my face my whole life. ;) 😂 But, seriously. I cannot stop touching my face. It's so smooth and soft and feels so light and clean. I plan on doing this at least once a week. I am excited to see what this self care goodness does for my skin over the coming months.

Clay & Honey Clarifying Detox Mask

1 tablespoon Bentonite Clay (I get mine from Amazon)
1 teaspoon Honey (Raw Honey would be ideal. But, oh well.) :)
Splash of Water
3 drops YL Frankincense
3 drops YL Myrrh

Mix together well with a wooden spoon (no plastic or metal) in a glass dish. Spread evenly over face and top of neck, avoiding your eyes, of course. Let sit for fifteen minutes. Remove with a warm water and a warm washcloth.

Once I removed the mask, I put two more drops of Frankincense and one more drop of Myrrh in my palm, rubbed my hands together and applied it to my face and neck.

HEAVEN. <3 Enjoy!

Blemish Buster Roll-On

THIS BLEMISH BUSTER.

Because, blemishes at 30 (or any age, really) is wrong and unfair and we don't have to take it lying down or use a bunch of skin drying chemicals to cope. Just roll this awesomeness right on as many times a day as you want. It's good for you in more ways than one. PRAISE HANDS!

Iced Slique Tea

I love making this and keeping it cold in the fridge to drink when I am tempted to stress (or boredom) eat or am craving sugar in the afternoons.  It's so refreshing and tasty.  PLUS... it helps to support my weight management goals!  

ICED SLIQUE TEA

6 Slique Tea Bags

2 T Coconut Sugar
3 drops YL Basil
4 drops YL Lemon
Fresh Mint (Optional)

Boil the tea bags in about 4 cups of water and allow to steep for six minutes. Remove from the heat, take out the tea bags and stir in the coconut sugar Allow to cool. Pour into a half gallon GLASS container and fill with cold water. Add the essential oils and mint. Store in the fridge to keep cold for up to a week. (Remove the mint after a day or two.)

Natural Sun Lotion

So... I made homemade sun lotion.  And it works.  And it isn't gross, white, sticky, pasty, gunky mess.  Yay!

I bought all the ingredients from Amazon (except the oils, of course) and used 4 oz. glass jars to store it.  You'll get a LOT of batches out of a pound of shea butter, beeswax pellets and zinc oxide.  So don't worry when it all adds up to about $40 (plus the oils).  This is good, healthy stuff and these ingredients will last awhile and can double for other things like lotions and lip balms!

Feel free to Google what SPF these ingredients offer separately.  I cannot say what this sunscreen mixture offers but my pale self has had great results. I really like it!  It practically disappears when you rub it into your skin and it doesn't feel heavy or sticky.  I also like the smell - kind of summery.  We have not gotten even a little pink since we started using this. So I am totally comfortable using it on my kids... which tells you how much I trust it!

Also, I would imagine this would melt a bit (because of the coconut oil) if you were to leave it in a hot car full time.  So keep it inside and if you cart it to the beach or pool, you may want to store it in your cooler to maintain a good texture.  The beeswax pellets do help it stay together better than some recipes I found, though.

HOMEMADE SUNSCREEN

1/8 cup Beeswax Pellets
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Shea Butter
2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide
15 drops Carrot Seed Oil
10 drops Lavender

Melt the beeswax pellets, coconut oil and shea butter in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.  This will take about ten minutes.  Remove the bowl from the heat and set on a towel to cool.  After it cools, add the zinc oxide and essential oils and mix well with a spatula.  To get a better texture, mix the sunscreen with a hand mixer for about three minutes.  Spoon it into a glass jar and put the lid on to seal.  Allow it to cool completely before using.  Apply every 90 minutes when your skin is exposed to the sun.

Note - You can experiment with adding other essential oils in addition to the Lavender and Carrot Seed!  Peppermint would be nice and Sandalwood would be HEAVENLY!  Talk about smelling like summer!  :)  Stay away from citrus oils as they are photosensitive and can actually cause your skin to burn when applied recently and exposed to the sun.

Face Toner

This is such a great and easy way to add oils into your daily routine!  After washing my face with jojoba oil, I put four to six pumps of this on a cotton round and gently wipe it all over my face and neck.  Then, I follow with a drop or two of Frankincense.  Perfection!

FACE TONER
15 drops Frankincense
15 drops Lavender
10 drops Lemon
5 drops Geranium
Add essential oils to a one ounce bottle with a serum pump top.  Fill with Witch Hazel.  Shake gently before each use.  Enjoy!  (Feel free to experiment with other oils, too.  Juniper, Manuka, Tea Tree and Melrose are other great options!

Better than Herbal Essence

I have a new favorite way to use oils and it's super easy. After I get out of the shower and brush my hair, I add two drops each of Bergamot and Peppermint to my hands, rub them together and run my fingers through my hair. Then, I'll rub them around my forehead, temples and neck and cup them over my mouth and nose to breathe deeply.

IT'S AMAZING.

In the words of my girl Susan, it puts those old Herbal Essence commercials to shame. :D

Mirah Shave Oil

I am liking this Mirah Shave Oil more and more as I find additional uses for it. I keep one in the shower to use for shaving and I also keep one in my little bathroom caddy near the counter and use it as a perfume (a half-pump in my hand and dabbed on my neck and wrists) and as a way to tame fly-aways on messy bun/side ponytail days! It smells LOVELY, isn't too greasy and leaves my skin feeling so smooth and soft. 

Has anyone else tried this product? They released it at Convention last year so it is fairly new. Also... the 2016 Convention is at the end of June which means more new products will make their appearance this month. I am so excited!

After Sun Cream

Public Service Announcement - Do not use expired sunscreen. It doesn't work.

We finished up outside today. After I came in, I took a shower and emerged as a lobster. So I whipped up this After Sun Cream and am putting it on my back, shoulders, arms, neck and face every few hours. It's so soothing and cooling and will also speed up the healing and help to lessen the peeling and itching. 

AFTER SUN CREAM

1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Aloe Gel
10 drops Peppermint
15 drops Lavender

Mix all ingredients together well and store in a sealed glass jar.

Mama's Favorite Oil

Lavender is our go to for all cuts, scrapes, burns and bruises. This warmer weather means more outside play time and a lot more Lavender. ;) It works wonders for these skin irritations and the aroma helps them calm down so much faster than they would without it. It's also safe to apply undiluted, even on children, which makes it a quick and easy solution! 

(Joshua puts his own band aids on now... always vertically.)

Outdoor Spray & After Sun Mist

So I am thinking/hoping that at some point, this weather is going to clear up and my children will get consistent outside time. (If it doesn't happen soon, I'm going to need a lot more Stress Away...) I thought I would share a few recipes for the items I have at the Gallery! Yup - You're getting the inside scoop! wink emoticon

OUTDOOR SPRAY
1/4 cup Aloe Juice
1 T Witch Hazel
25 drops Purification
25 drops Citronella

Add ingredients to an 8 oz. misting bottle and fill with water. Shake well and spray on before going outdoors. We all know that bugs don't like citronella and the oils in purification are great ones to keep them away, too!

AFTER SUN MIST
1/2 cup Aloe Juice
1 T Witch Hazel
25 drops Peppermint
25 drops Lavender

Add ingredients to an 8 oz. misting bottle and fill with water. Spray it on your skin as needed if you get too much sun. The Peppermint is cooling and the Lavender will help soothe the skin and speed up healing. It's lovely!

I stay stocked up on these oils (and others, of course!) from Spring to Fall. They have SO MANY uses and keeping these two DIY goodies on hand helps to stretch them and makes them easier to use consistently. If you need bottles, I have TONS! smile emoticon It'd be fun to make some smaller sizes, too, to keep in your purse and car.

Stopping Afternoon Over-Eating

These have become my favorite helpers to keep me from eating too much the last week or so!

I am enjoying Slique Essence in ice water, a cup of hot Slique Tea and some Thieves Mints here and there. I recently got even more motivated to partner with God and tackle project "look-as-good-outside-as-I-feel-inside" and these products are really helping! I also love that they give me more energy and just make me feel better overall. 

Anyone else have any favorites to keep them from over-eating?

Woman's After Shower Lotion

I've shared this recipe at a few classes lately and thought I would go ahead and put it on here for all of you! smile emoticon 

While I cannot say that this prevents anything, I can say that this is a REALLY SMART thing for women to do on a daily basis. heart emoticon (Ya feel me?!) wink emoticon

I use this body butter after I get out of the shower each night and apply it to my breast tissue(including the lymph-nodes under my arms), abdomen and legs (concentrating on my inner thighs, because hormones). The Frankincense is great for cell regeneration, the Lemongrass aids in skin tightening, the Grapefruit is wonderful for staying trim and smooth and the Cypress supports proper circulation. It smells lovely and the ingredients are very economical choices. It's a great way to stretch the Frankincense that we all love!

Woman's After Shower Lotion

1/2 cup whipped Coconut Oil
25 drops Frankincense
20 drops Lemongrass
20 drops Cypress
20 drops Grapefruit

Mix well, store in a glass jar and apply after your shower to desired areas. Feel free to add other oils that you are scanning for or want to include for specific wellness goals!

Feelings Kit Protocol

Happy Sunday! smile emoticon Let's talk about the Feelings Kit this morning. heart emoticon

It's a collection of oils that contains six 5 mL bottles of...

Valor
Forgiveness
Inner Child
Harmony
Present Time
Release

Gary Young designed this collection to be used to bring you the ultimate level of emotional clearance, balance and self renewal. I ordered this early last year when our lives were extremely stressful with our house being on the market.

I was in this hole and just couldn't seem to crawl out of it. I knew all the healing I needed was in Jesus, but I had no idea how to manifest it. So... I needed help. I was having regular panic attacks and was about five minutes away from calling my doctor for a prescription for anxiety or depression medication. My dad spent years addicted to those things and I was scared to death of them. So those of you who know me and my history know how desperate I must have felt to even consider that. Then, I called a Christian counseling center to see if I could see someone and the first appointment was going to cost $175 with every hour long appointment after that being $125. I had no idea how many sessions I would need and could feel the stress rising as I added up all those costs.

I had not even considered using essential oils for emotional issues until I had reached this point of desperation and literally CRIED out to God for help. I had reached the end of myself, which really, is a beautiful place to be. heart emoticon God didn't give us what we needed to run our own lives (Jeremiah 10:23). We need Him. So while I was praying I really felt Him say to my heart, "Use what is in your hands." I immediately though - OILS. They have helped us in so many other ways. Why not see if they could help me emotionally.

So I had this kit overnight-ed before I could change my mind. I decided I was going to use these oils in conjunction with Scripture, prayer and declarations of Truth that would speak to my circumstances and emotions. It took a week or two and then I started noticing some changes. IT WAS WORKING. I was praying for hurts and fears in my heart and mind that I had not prayed for in YEARS due to bitterness, resentment and un-forgiveness towards other people and God. I wasn't talking about my problems. I was speaking the solution and anointing myself with powerful God-given gifts. (OILS) Shew - it's an incredibly effective partnership!

FREEDOM, you guys. There is nothing like it. HEALING. It's an incredible gift and one I desire for everyone.

So if you are struggling at all with any kind of emotional issues, I highly suggest the Feelings Kit. I have written out a protocol that you can download from my site to use along with the oils.  There is one included in the kit that doesn't include Scriptures but it does tell you where to apply the oils which is really helpful! It's easy to do. Just put the oils where it tells you to and say the Scriptures and prayers out loud. Even if you don't feel like it. DO IT. There were many days I did this through gritted teeth because I just didn't want to. But, trust that the oils and God's Word are doing what they are created to do. Go through the protocol at least twice a day and then go on with your life. And... wait for freedom and healing. Expect your marriage to improve. Expect your overall health and wellness to improve. Expect your finances to improve. Expect your thoughts to improve. Expect to be more confident and less offensive. Expect to be able to better manage stress. Expect restoration. EXPECT it ALL in HOPE AND FAITH. No matter what.

And know that I am agreeing with you in prayer as you start this wonderful journey!

Progessence Plus

WOMEN - I need to talk to you about this little bottle of oil. (Yes - This post is kind of long, but bear with me. You'll be glad you did!) I am sure I am going to flirt with the FDA Compliance line with this post... but sometimes you just have to put yourself out there because you SO BADLY want others to receive healing - spirit, soul and body. So, let me try to hold back the tears and tell you some things. (Men - This post may make you feel weird, but read/suffer through it. The women in your life will thank you.)

I have had endometriosis and ovarian cysts since I was 13. I will be 30 this year so that's 17 years. That's roughly 200 periods. I have had surgeries, injections, pills, sonograms, blood tests, biopsies, diet changes, supplements (SO MANY SUPPLEMENTS)... you name it. Every single month for years I would have cramps, clots and pressure that was so bad, I would be in bed for two or three days. Overnight pads? I'd be changing them every two hours. Not even kidding. Tampons? Never bought them. They were useless. Motrin? Would barely take the edge off the intense pain. Mood swings? Yes. Difficult pregnancies? Yes. Miscarriages? Yes. Difficult labors and deliveries? Yes. Low sex drive? Yes. Headaches? Back pain? Hot flashes? Nausea? Adrenal fatigue? Trouble with weight loss? Yes. All the yeses. Seriously. Name a bad symptom when it comes to anything with my uterus and ovaries, and I probably experienced it. Add to that the fact that I have tried EVERYTHING possible to get well. And all of it just make me more sick, more tired and more irritable. Plus, it cost a fortune and took tons of time.

To say the least - it was awful and all so very frustrating and discouraging. Plus, I was so bitter about it all that I had just stopped praying about it and believing for healing. It just felt... hopeless.

Enter - Progessence Plus. At the end of 2014, I realized that I was having a BAD period every 14 days since having had our daughter. I was really sick. Like - actually sick. And more exhausted than I have ever been in my life. My body was in a really bad place and surgery to just remove it all seemed inevitable. This was kind of my last ditch effort. So I started using it daily. Within 6 weeks, I was regular and within three months, I was having periods with no cramps, pressure or clotting and I wasn't exhausted anymore. Within six months, my emotions were better and weight started coming off. Fast forward to yesterday, when I had my yearly OB/GYN appointment and was drilled by my doctor on everything that I usually complained about.

Still irregular? No. Still having cramps and migraines? No. Well - I see you've lost like 35 pounds since last year so I guess you aren't having trouble losing weight anymore? Correct. Sex drive still low? No. Still exhausted and emotional? No. So... any issues you want to discuss? No. Do we need to run any tests or look into hormone therapy again? No.

For the first time in 17 years, I was able to see my OB/GYM for a regular pap test and breast exam. NOTHING ELSE. Like a normal human being.

Cue the happy tears. Seriously. GOD HAS HEALED ME. There - I said it. (Sorry, FDA.) Could He have done it without the oil? Heck yes. God is amazing and more powerful than anything on this earth. But I needed the dang oil. Because understanding and receiving His gifts of Grace and Love are VITAL for us to receive the other things He has for us. And that is what these oils are - an extension of His Love and Grace. For me, they are a bridge to HEALING AND FREEDOM. And let me tell you - being healed from all that nonsense? FREEDOM. No other word for it.

So, PLEASE. If you are a women, order Progessence Plus. Put a drop on your forearms and a drop on your inner ankles every morning. It's not difficult. Seriously. JUST DO IT. It's PERFECTLY safe for you. I would shout this from the mountaintops if Delaware had them. grin emoticon Even if you aren't having all the problems I was having, use it anyway. Your life will get better. AMEN.

Romance Sheet Spray & Sensual Massage Oil

Are you looking for something that will make Valentine's Day extra special this year?  This is your answer!  And, lucky for you (and your spouse), Ylang Ylang is FREE this month at the 300 PV order level.  So ditch the flowers and fancy dinner and get some oils and something lacy instead.  Your husband will thank you later.

ROMANCE SHEET SPRAY

2 tablespoons Witch Hazel
6 drops YL Ylang Ylang EO
4 drops YL Lavender EO
3 drops YL Orange EO

Add all of the above to a 2 oz. spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake well and spray on sheets as desired!

SENSUAL MASSAGE OIL

1/4 cup Whipped Coconut Oil
4 pumps YL Sensation Massage Oil
6 drops YL Black Pepper EO
6 drops YL Peppermint EO

Combine all ingredients well in a bowl and use a spatula to put it into a 2 oz. jar.  Apply generously to your inner thighs as desired!

Refreshing Face Spray

I've been meaning to make this for awhile and finally got the chance to earlier this week. It's great to use as a make-up setting spray or just something to spray on quickly to give your face a pick-me-up and some oily love. It smells divine and feels oh so lovely on your skin. You can swap out the essential oils for others that you have that support clear and youthful skin, too.

Refreshing Face Spray

1 T Witch Hazel
1 T Fractionated Coconut or Jojoba Oil
15 drops YL Lavender Essential Oil
10 drops YL Geranium Essential Oil
5 drops YL Juniper Essential Oil
5 drops YL Myrrh Essential Oil

Add all ingredients to a two ounce bottle with a misting top and fill with water. Shake and use as desired!

Why do we use NingXia Red daily?

In case you were wondering why we use NingXia Red daily (and why you should, too!), here is a graphic showing all of its amazing benefits! smile emoticon

We had been spending lots of money on many different supplements that supported various body systems. When we started taking NingXia Red daily several months ago, we felt so great that we stopped taking everything else. It turned out to be a great decision to use that part of our monthly budget for this instead. We have never felt better!

Coffee & Pure Protein Complete Shake

Well this an awesome way to start the day!

Coffee & Pure Protein Complete Shake

2 oz. Milk of Choice
4 oz. Room Temperature Coffee
4 oz. Water
2 scoops Vanilla Spice Pure Protein Complete
Handful of Ice Cubes

Mix all ingredients in a shaker bottle and enjoy!

It's a fantastic blend of nutrients and essential oils that are formulated for optimal absorption. The 25 grams of protein keeps me full until lunchtime and it has under 200 calories. Also, HELLO ENERGY!

I would imagine the Chocolate powder would be awesome, too, if mocha is your thing. 

Bubbly Energy & Anti-Oxidant Drink

My husband left for a work trip really early this morning and won't be home until after the kids are in bed tonight. So, it's just me all day long with the babes and all the other things that need to get done! smile emoticon 

Needless to say, I needed an afternoon pick-me-up that would also elevate my mood and that wouldn't give me a crash in an hour. This was just perfect!  I was out of NingXia Zyng so I (sort of) recreated it here. Super yummy and very energizing!

Bubbly Energy & Anti-Oxidant Rich Drink

1 oz. NingXia Red
1 NingXia Nitro
2 drops YL Lime Oil
1 drop YL Black Pepper Oil
Seltzer Water

Put ice into a glass. Drop the Lime and Black Pepper essential oils on top of the ice. Add the NingXia Red and NingXia Nitro. Fill to the top with seltzer water and stir with a glass straw. Enjoy!

DIY Eye Roll-On Blend

I have been using this DIY Eye Roll-On Blend around my eyes for a few months now. I originally started this because Joshua scratched my eye a few years ago and I got a corneal abrasion. After MANY rounds of steroid treatments, it never seemed to get better. We all know that carrots are great for eye health and the addition of Frankincense was a no brainer. Because, eye crease wrinkles. smile emoticon Also, I add Frankincense to ALL THE THINGS. 

This has really helped to lessen the discomfort in my eye. I also think the skin around my eyes is brighter. Seriously, I never have dark under eye circles. (Thank you, Frankincense and Woflberry Eye Cream!) I have also noticed that I don't need my glasses as often when I am reading or driving at night. So... dare I say my eyesight is improving? I think so! It's just a great blend for overall eye health and it is really easy to use as a roll-on.

DIY Eye Roll-On Blend

20 drops YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
15 drops YL Frankincense Essential Oil

Add essential oils to a 5 mL bottle and fill to the top with V-6 or a carrier oil of choice. Place a roller fitment on top and screw on the cap to set the top properly in place. Roll around your eyes twice a day, being careful not to get the oil into your eye. Rub in and cover with Wolfberry Eye Cream, if desired.