Chatting with Andrea & Brian

Let's be real. While the holidays can be a time of joy, celebration and love, it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. 

Pressure to find the "perfect" gifts, stay in budget, get all the shopping done, attend and host parties, have clothing that you feel good in for those parties, and being with family and friends who might not be the easiest to be around all take their toll on our emotional health. 

Not only that, the holidays can be extremely difficult for those who are missing a loved one or who are apart from those they love, including our military families.

Thankfully, there are a lot of oily options that provide incredible emotional support. Young Living even has a Feelings Collection of oils specific to the task. The oils in that collection (Harmony, Forgiveness, Inner Child, Present Time, Release, Valor) really are some of my top favorites for emotional support. When I explain what kind of support the oils provide when it comes to emotional health, I always say that those particular oils are their name.  

While I would definitely recommend investing in the Feelings Collection (Item #3125, $181 whsl, $238.16 retail), I'm going to highlight for you 6 of my favorite emotional support oils that I rely on throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. (Two happen to also be included in the Feelings Collection.) These oils can be diffused, applied on the wrists or behind the ears, or even over the heart.

Stress Away - it does what it's named. I affectionately call it my "liquid gold" and I carry it in my purse wherever I go. This is a "don't ever be without it oil" in my opinion. Developed to help support the body's natural response to stress, you'll love it's ability to bring calm to your inner world. It also comes in a roll-on!

Tranquil - Stress not your nemesis, but occasional anxious feelings your thing? Tranquil will be your best friend! It comes in a roll-on, making it extra handy. Because of that, this is topical application only. 

Valor - Need a little liquid courage this holiday season? Valor will help you feel empowered, confident and grounded. Valor was our gateway into the oily world and I always call it my "desert island oil." If I were stranded and could only have ONE oil, VALOR would be it!

Release - Got powerful emotions that you just wish you could let go of? This is your oil for emotional release and balance! This oil can be diffused, but I especially like to apply it topically on my wrists and over my heart. I also take deep breaths of it from what I've applied to my wrists. 

Peace & Calming - This oil is truly its name. Lots of mommas love using this oil with their little ones, particularly during those more challenging hours of the day and at bedtime. Many oilers wear this throughout the day like perfume. It will have you singing, "All is calm..." this holiday season!

Joy - wonderfully floral, this oil is another that really is its name. Did you know that it was originally named "Love"? Try diffusing 1-2 drops with Citrus Fresh to bring the sunshine in through these shorter days. It's also wonderful worn like perfume.

White Angelica - Feeling a little negative and cranky? This oil is great for energy balance and spiritual awareness. It's known to be a "protecting" oil and is a sweet reminder of the angels watching over us.  Many apply it to their shoulders. It's also great applied to the pulse points or diffused. This oil can only be purchased via Essential Rewards.

All of these oils are great for kids, too! Do your research for any needed dilution ratios. Your kids will love these oils as much as you do!

Bonus: Here's the protocol for using the Feelings Collection!

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is what oils will help promote a better night's rest? There are a number of options available to choose from for your preferred protocol. Let's talk about a few of my favorites.

One of the great ways you can prepare your body (or your kids') for a restful night's sleep is by enjoying a warm, relaxing Epsom salt bath. This is my favorite DIY bath salt recipe.

2 cups Epsom Salts

½ cup baking soda

8 – 10 drops YLEOs of choice

Kit Oil Suggestions: Lavender, Stress Away, Citrus Fresh, Copaiba, Raven, PanAway

Mix the Epsom salt & baking soda in a non-plastic bowl.  Add the YLEOs and mix well. 

To use, pour into warm bath as you're filling the tub. Use 1/2 cup for large garden tub, 1/4 cup for standard tub. 

FOR BEDTIME: from the above suggestions use Lavender, Stress Away, Copaiba, or Peace & Calming.

There are lots of wonderful diffuser blends that help promote a good night's rest. Here are a few favorites:

What's my personal, bedtime protocol? Easy peasy!

I rub 2 drops of Lavender between my palms, then I rub my palms over my pillow and rub any extra over my face, neck and chest. Instant aromatic and topical benefits! I find that Lavender helps quiet my thoughts and as I relax, I drift off to sleep. 

I also apply a bit of Cedarwood to the bottoms of my big toes (one of the places that you can apply and oils will cross the blood-brain barrier the fastest). I find that Cedarwood promotes a restful night's sleep for me throughout the night. 

Lately, I've also enjoyed adding the blend Dream Catcher to my sleep routine. I apply Dream Catcher to the bottom of my big toes and the center of my forehead when I crawl into bed and it's a GOOD night, sleep tight kinda night! I've had some pretty amazing dreams, too... Our youngest son (age 15) used it and slept restfully for 14 hours!  

Roman Chamomile - when this oil comes back in stock, RUN and get as many bottles as you can! Wonderfully relaxing, this is definitely a favorite!!!

Valerian - this oil may not be your favorite smell, but if you're needing extra support, apply it to the bottoms of your feet, wear socks and sleep tight! 

A member favorite supplement that many people add to their ER orders monthly because of the way it promotes restful sleep for them is SleepEssence.

While kids certainly benefit from using oils such as Lavender, Peace & Calming and Gentle Baby, Young Living developed a nighttime oil just for younger oilers called SleepyIze. (But we won't tell if you decide to use it for yourself! Adults love it, too!)

Last, but not least, you can also make a special bedtime pillow spray for your kiddos using Lavender and Peace & Calming (Angela Price, The Mix).

In a spray bottle combine:
1 c. Distilled Water
5 drops Peace & Calming
5 drops Lavender
Shake before spritzing pillows 

My friend, I bid you and your family GOOD night!

Keeping our theme of "A Few of My Favorite Things" going, I wanted to share with you 6 of my favorite holiday recipes that I've gathered over the years and found to be a huge hit! Just in time for your holiday planning and perfect for parties, hostess gifts, neighbor gifts and holiday gatherings, you'll be loved by all when you make these delicious, VITALITY OIL infused recipes!

This cheese "crack" - umm...BALL - recipe is the #1 favorite recipe I've ever made -  hands down! Totally addicting, I can promise you won't have any leftovers and you'll have people begging you for the recipe! Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, and Black Pepper Vitality Oils give this recipe it's incredible flavor!

#2 on the list is Peppermint Fudge (or brownies). Peppermint Vitality Oil provides a burst of minty flavor that you'll LOVE! I like to add 6-10 drops of Peppermint Vitality, but start with 3 drops and see if you'd like to add more. This also makes a GREAT gift!

#3...if you need fun nibble to leave out at a party or to enjoy during a family movie, try this yummy Rosemary Popcorn recipe! Made with Rosemary Vitality Oil, the savory flavor will keep you coming back for more! Not a fan of Rosemary? Check out the other Vitality Oil options listed in the recipe!

#4 is another holiday favorite that reminds me of visiting grandparents and neighbors throughout the season. There always seemed to be a dish of nuts sitting out to tide you over until the meal was ready. This is a fresh twist on that family favorite using your Vitality Oil of choice - Rosemary, Basil, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme or Cinnamon.

#5 is a twist on a favorite, family recipe that we've enjoyed for years. I simply traded out the orange juice for Orange Vitality Oil. What a wonderful, citrusy burst of flavor it added! Try it as part of your Thanksgiving meal or for enjoy it during the morning parade! Drop off a batch at a neighbor's house and you'll make their day!

No holiday season would be complete without #6 - hot apple cider! Infused with immune supporting Vitality Oils in both recipes, you'll not only love the flavors, your body will thank you!

BONUS RECIPE: Healthy Butternut Squash Soup (Young Living Blog)

I've made and enjoyed this recipe before and I literally just got the ingredients to  make it tomorrow for the first time this season. Click on the picture below or the link above to access the recipe and watch the video of it being made. 

Mangia! Buen Apetito! Enjoy!

These promos are definitely ones to give thanks for and they're as exciting as the upcoming holiday season! Young Living didn't disappoint!

Let's go ahead and skip right to the 400 PV promo, shall we? Yep! You're seeing that right! Higher Unity is an exclusive blend valued at over $170 retail and only available as part of these November promos! Higher Unity is made with Sacred Sandalwood, Lime, Sacred Frankincense, Spearmint, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Lemon, Jasmine, and Rose. Ummmm....those are some AMAZING oils in that blend! Sacred Sandalwood, Sacred Frankincense, Jasmine, AND Rose?! YES, PLEASE!!! What I've been told is that it has a floral, sweet, and uplifting aroma,  with Sacred Sandalwood and Northern Lights Black Spruce adding in some of those woodsy tones to balance it all out. I CANNOT WAIT to put this oil in the diffuser!!! 

How am I going to get it? With the holidays in full swing, I'm going to offer for friends and family to add some items to my ER order so they can cross a few things off their holiday shopping list and I can enjoy the Higher Unity, along with the rest of the incredible promos and the 100 ER points I'll earn because I get 25% points on every order I place! Boo-yah!!!

Let's talk about the rest of these amazing promos! 

Nutmeg Vitality will add the perfect spice to your Thanksgiving gatherings. Everything from pumpkin pies to spiced nuts and chai tea. It also supports the immune, circulatory, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems. It's a pretty amazing oil!

 A 15 ml bottle of Christmas Spirit??? If somehow you haven't tried this oil yet, you REALLY need it in your life. It's the perfect fall and winter aroma that will make you happy throughout your day, tapping into the joy and comfort of the season! Northern Lights Black Spruce is grounding, courage inducing, balancing, and revitalizing. You'll want to diffuse both of these oils around the clock during the next couple of months to spread the cheer to all who come near. Either would also be GREAT to use in the glass diffuser ornament!

Myrrh and Sacred Frankincense are reminders of two of the precious gifts that were brought to baby Jesus. The properties of these two oils are well worth a google search! You'll fall in love with adding these oils to your skin care routines and wait until you discover how incredible they are for calming and helping you feel secure and confident during this busy season!

190 PV
Christmas Spirit 15-ml
Northern Lights Black Spruce 5-ml*
Nutmeg Vitality 5-ml*

250 PV
Myrrh 5-ml
Christmas Spirit 15-ml
Northern Lights Black Spruce 5-ml*
Nutmeg Vitality 5-ml*

300 PV
Sacred Frankincense 5-ml
Glass Diffuser Ornament 
Myrrh 5-ml
Christmas Spirit 15-ml
Northern Lights Black Spruce 5-ml*
Nutmeg Vitality 5-ml*

400 PV
Higher Unity 5-ml (exclusive November promo, unavailable for purchase)
Sacred Frankincense 5-ml
Glass Diffuser Ornament
Myrrh 5-ml
Christmas Spirit 15-ml
Northern Lights Black Spruce 5-ml*
Nutmeg Vitality 5-ml*

*Remember, in order to get the Essential Rewards Exclusive Nutmeg Vitality 5-ml and the Essential Rewards Exclusive Northern Lights Black Spruce 5-ml, you have to be enrolled in Essential Rewards (ER) and have an order that meets the PV requirements for those items. 

Keep in mind that Higher Unity is not available for purchase - it's an exclusive part of this month's promos.  

The extra bonus of meeting these PV amounts with your ER order is that you get even more ER points to spend later!

Our family has a unique way of "celebrating" Halloween. We give out candy, like so many others, but we also have a cocoa and cookie stand set up. We offer everyone who comes a cup of cocoa and ask if they mind if we say a quick prayer for them while we fill their cup. It's rare that anyone ever says no and oftentimes the parents will share a specific request for prayer. It's another way that we can love others well.
A Few of My Favorite Things: Halloween  

1. Combine apple cider, orange slices, and essential oils in a large pot and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes or more.

2. Discard orange slices.

3. Serve warm. Add 1–2 cinnamon sticks to individual cups when serving.

And...just for fun, click on the picture below to read YL's hilarious blog post on how to survive a Zombie Apocalypse (just in case it happens this Halloween).  

Don't miss our blog post FILLED with my favorite pumpkin recipes including a room spray, a diffuser blend, a few cooking recipes, a nourishing face mask and so much more. You can check it out at: A Few of My Favorite Things: It's Pumpkin Season!