Essentially Better Living

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  • My Old Kentucky Dinner Train: North Pole Express
  • Winter Must-Haves: Young Living Oils and Products
  • 4 Rituals to Manifest a Snow Day
  • Love Them Anyway: Helping your Preteen Show Compassion to Friends Who Have Hurt Them
  • Stop sharing your story with people who haven’t earned the right to hear it.

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Instagram post 2175664605540756633_11585632916 Winter Must-Haves. New blog post. 👌🏻 #yleo
Instagram post 2168501458010872315_11585632916 Do you even smudge? .
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This was only my second attempt at smudging. The first I had no clue what I was doing. I just had read to light it and walk around the house to clear the energy. .
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Today, I decided not to be shy and ask all of my questions when I bought this bundle of sage. She said to light it and either use it outside to clear your own energy or if you’re wanting to clear the energy in your home you would wave it and walk through the home, filled with good intentions. She also follows up her smudging of sage with palo santo. I will need to add that to my list. .
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You may remember me posting earlier this week about making a spray for my classroom and sage essential oil. So I asked her about that. She seemed to think that if the essential oil was distilled directly from the plant and was pure therapeutic grade, it would make sense that it could have the same benefit. You would not want to use sage or palo santo “scented oil.”
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Any long-time smudgers have tips for me? I’m curious how to get the best quality sage and palo santo and specifically how to do this.
Instagram post 2168421062371765265_11585632916 Amethyst. Amethyst is a natural tranquilizer. It relieves stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety. Alleviates sadness and grief, and dissolves negativity. Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, and opens intuition.

I treated myself to this thing of beauty today. 😍
Instagram post 2165355303080982626_11585632916 I took a few minutes to pray over specific student desks this morning - students who are going through hardships. .
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Sage is said to clear negative energies. I sprayed a mist around each of their desks. If nothing else it is smelling good in here. 👍🏻
Instagram post 2163191537572645286_11585632916 Natural deo. This matters to me A LOT and even more now that my oldest is a pre-teen and needing deo herself. Primal Pit Paste is what I use personally and what I feel great handing to my child to use. .
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Did you know that most popular and heavily marketed deodorants contain aluminum? 🙅🏼‍♀️ Not only do they contain aluminum and artificial fragrance which is harmful in and of itself, they also contain a host of other ingredients that disrupt hormones and can cause reproductive issues down the road. Um, I want grandbabies! .
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We had the talk on how to apply and I also made her a little DIY oily spray antiperspirant. 🙌🏻
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Our society seems aware that what we put in our body matters very much, but what we choose to apply to our bodies and breathe in matters too! .
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Clarksville friends you can find this at Sango Pharmacy or sometimes I order on Amazon when they are out of my fave (lemongrass). @sangopharmacy @primalpitpaste
Instagram post 2144735380292112532_11585632916 Over the past five years it has gotten easier to love and use my oils, but harder to share them with others. 
When I first started using them I was so excited that I wanted to tell everyone about this healthier lifestyle! I was surprised when many of my friends wanted to jump in and try them with me. 
I started groups and felt responsible to educate my friends and friends of my friends as more got on board. I even got rewarded through the company for my growth and effort, not to mention paid.

Then, one day, my then four year old asked me to put my phone down and please play with her. 😭 Oh my word. Y’all, I wanted to throw that dang phone. My family means the world to me and I was spending hours each day glued to that device. And I so want to be a good mom! 
I’m also a teacher and teaching as a career has become more demanding, just in 2-3 years time. Many days I feel like I can barely get it all done and worry daily that I will drop a ball, miss an email and forget to do something important. Many days I bring work home and do school work until 5 or 6 pm. 
But Marie Kondo happened. Eckart Tolle happened. And Abraham Hicks happened. I know that I need to do what brings me joy and passion and chase it with my whole heart. 
I am sharing all of this to let you know that oils was never a “bandwagon” thing for me. I still love and use them daily and it is an integral part of my life now. 
Not a day goes by that I don’t want to share them and do that “side hustle” that everyone talks about.

I miss teaching oil classes, doing vendor events and making oily videos with my daughters. I really miss sitting down one on one with friends who just opened their starter kit for the first time, and the excitement of showing them how to do it all. 
I mainly just want anyone who needs to know more about oils and natural living that I have done the research and I have the knowledge to guide anyone interested in getting chemicals out of their home and finding more natural options for their families. I’m here and I’m back.
Instagram post 2143587745569023077_11585632916 My life and mindset is so different than it was five years ago. .
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Five years ago my home was filled with products containing harmful chemicals and I didn’t even realize it. Five years ago my family relied on pharmacy and doctor visits that only temporarily masked and soothed our symptoms.
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Then a new era began. Our wellness mindset era. Here’s a snapshot of a night in this better life:
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I woke up around 2 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep. .
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I went to the bathroom to grab some lavender essential oil to apply to my wrists. As I inhale the aroma I get that familiar KNOWING that sleep is on the way.
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While I was up I noticed I had drainage in my throat from the tobacco barns fired up here in Tennessee so I applied a drop of Purification to my throat. Not to stop drainage (sickness mindset) but to clear my throat (wellness mindset). .
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I slicked on some Young Living grapefruit lip balm in gratitude that I can pronounce all the ingredients on the label, and applied some Young Living Lavender Lotion, thankful that it has no toxic artificial fragrance. Just scented with real 100% lavender. .
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I applied a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to a wart that has almost disappeared, and Sacred Frankincense to a mole that is slowly shrinking as healthy skin is taking its place. .
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While I was at it I applied Valor to my jawline and the back of my neck to soothe tension, relax my jaw and help with sleep. I love the versatility of my oils. 🙌🏻
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I headed back to bed with so much gratitude for the knowledge I have to use these oils and natural products, and that I know after using them that within SECONDS my body is in a better place. .
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My oils are fast. They keep me well. My lotion and lip balm don’t have to be reapplied every few hours like cheaper chemical laden ones. I probably won’t need any lip balm or lotion in the morning. I know sleep is on the way and feel tension leave my body. .
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I wish everyone knew about this lifestyle and that more people were more open to it. I’m sure more thoughts followed but I don’t recall them because I drifted off to sleep.
Instagram post 2141033495735532896_11585632916 I showed up today. I showed up to my yoga mat even though all the usual limiting lies came to my mind: I’m too tired, I don’t have enough energy, my back hurts, It’s ok to miss a week. Then there’s reality: I’m not too tired, I have enough energy AND this yoga class will energize me, my back NEEDS this yoga class, I can’t afford to miss this week if I want to maintain my core strength and have a pain-free week. .
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Because I went to yoga I boosted my endorphins and my mood, I took time for myself and recharged my battery, increased my energy level, improved my digestion, improved my focus (and more than likely my sleep tonight), boosted my immune system and slowed the aging process. 🙌🏻
Instagram post 2140655823540778729_11585632916 Charcoal bar soap. Cleanses your pores without stripping skin of its natural moisture. Can be cut into smaller bars to last longer. So good for the skin! And free through Sept. 30 when you get your Young Living starter kit. 🙌🏻 #membernumber2183425
Instagram post 2130163836819744195_11585632916 So excited to have these two back in the rotation. 🙌🏻 This duo keeps me on an even keel even when things around me may be cray.
Instagram post 2120765462555154647_11585632916 Feel Better bath salts for kids. One drop each Thieves, Frankincense and Lavender mixed with one cup Epsom salts. Add to warm bath. Feel better little one. 👧🏼👦🏼
Instagram post 2120710164406735721_11585632916 I have been obsessed with reflexology charts since I started using oils several years ago.
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My daughter hurt her knee on the playground at recess today and said it hurt too much to take her skinny jeans off for me to oil her. Then I remembered this chart! Did you know their was a vita flex point on the foot for our knees? I love how the human body functions and that everything is connected to our feet!
Instagram post 2116362612802611211_11585632916 Meet Feather the Owl - the cutest new diffuser from Young Living.
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Each year for the past five years I’ve given my girls’ #teachers a diffuser and a year’s supply of oils for their classrooms. .
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As a teacher myself I know the value of:
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💧Lavender for calming.
💧Thieves for immune system boosting.
💧Orange/Tangerine for boosting cheerfulness in a room. 💧Peppermint for concentration (My big girl gets migraines so this is great for supporting her through those too!)
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I want my children’s teachers to have access to these oils! I like to ask if they feel comfortable using them before I give them. I don’t want it to feel like a burden or something extra. If they are on board, I shower them with oils the whole school year. It’s so much fun.
Instagram post 2112453902502103861_11585632916 A couple of years ago, I did the Whole30. The hardest part was definitely figuring out a way to have coffee and still enjoy the taste. .
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I was a cream and sugar girl, and the Whole30 doesn’t allow dairy or sugar. I tried other ways of sweetening and all of the nut milks. Nothing tasted good to me.
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At the end of the thirty days, and in days to follow, I realized that dairy, gluten and sugar were making me sick and that I felt so much better when I didn’t consume them. But I wasn’t willing to give any of them up entirely. .
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I developed my love for raw local honey during this time. I figured out that I prefer my coffee sweetened with honey over sugar, and that raw local honey (honey from a trusted local farm or source) has immune boosting benefits. .
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It’s in my coffee every day, it’s our cough syrup, and one of the first things I reach for when anyone in my home is below the wellness line. .
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Raw local honey will forever have a place in our home! 🍯🥰
Instagram post 2106978460500431574_11585632916 Kidscents Products

I don't rave about Young Living's kids' line of products nearly enough! .
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I wanted products to use on my girls' skin that were free of harmful chemicals and had ingredients I could actually pronounce. Young Living delivered. 🙌🏻 .
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Contains:
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Natural Ingredients
Therapeutic-grade essential oils
No mineral oils
No synthetic perfumes
No artificial colorings
No toxic ingredients
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KidScents Shampoo contains no synthetic perfumes, colors, or toxic ingredients. The natural components in this shampoo—aloe, MSM, Chamomile, and Tangerine and Lemon essential oils—effectively and gently cleanse without causing irritation.
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KidScents Bath Gel is a safe, gentle soap that cleanses and protects sensitive skin. Formulated with MSM, aloe vera, antioxidants, and pure Lemon, Cedarwood, and other essential oils, this liquid soap is pH balanced for children’s skin.
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KidScents Lotion. I would challenge you to download the Think Dirty app for your phone and type in the lotion you use for your kiddos. We used what we considered to be "high-end" brands and they were some of the top offenders! Young Living kids' line is all natural, infused with essential oils, and I love knowing what I'm putting on the girls' skin. Things I can pronounce! And it's so moisturizing that a little goes a long way. It lasts forever! .
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**Confession, I may or may not steal this one for myself sometimes too!
Instagram post 2103450623000532595_11585632916 Helping your child with migraines. .
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My precious girl is ten and has suffered with migraines for a little over two years. .
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We pray she is growing out of them,  as they are becoming less frequent. .
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I asked Anna Claire today what the top three things are that help her the most when she gets a headache. She said:
1. Sleep. Sleep equals relief - period.
But that’s not always possible.
2. This headache roller. I just made her a new one for back to school. I found the recipe on my Ref Guide for EOs app (great app!) 5 drops Roman chamomile, 10 drops grapefruit, 5 drops peppermint, 3 drops rosemary, and 4 oz. V-6 Oil for children under age seven, or 2 oz. V-6 Oil for children over age seven.
3. A cold cloth. She said it helps take her mind off of the pain and serves as a distraction. .
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Other things we have done to prevent: request teachers with strong classroom management. Noise is a trigger for her. .
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Staying hydrated is key and so is limiting sugar and food coloring intake. .
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We saw a decrease in frequency when we started taking her to the chiropractor. I would definitely recommend that.
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Thinning out or trimming her hair. She loves doing long hairstyles but I’m pretty sure we can be sure to see fewer incidents with the 6 inches she shed this weekend. .
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If you have a child who gets migraines and have had success with any other natural remedies please share in the comments!
Instagram post 2101184805539825889_11585632916 𝚅𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝙳. .
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𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝙳 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚗, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑, 𝚜𝚘 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑. .
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𝙰𝚗 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝙳 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝟷,𝟶𝟶𝟶 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝟸,𝟶𝟶𝟶 𝙸𝚄 𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝟸𝟶 𝚝𝚘 𝟹𝟶 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 (𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚗) 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗.
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𝙰𝚕𝚜𝚘, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝙳 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚍𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍. 𝚂𝚘 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚗 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝.
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𝚅𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝙳 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚞𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛. .
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𝙼𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚍𝚊𝚢! 🌞
Instagram post 2097976683834657708_11585632916 Back to school immune system boosting protocol. 🤓
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I’m a teacher and this week is my week to do inservice and get my classroom ready. .
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I woke up this morning feeling below par, which prompted me to do would I should anyway. I did THREE things, and would encourage you to do the same:

1. Take vitamin C and immune system boosting supplement - #innerdefense and #superc. I only use #youngliving supplements because they are infused with essential oils which helps ensures my body utilizes the entire supplement and that it isn’t partially or entirely excreted out. .
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2. I make my “get back in the game” capsule” which is just a drop each of frank, oregano, thyme and Thieves topped with grapeseed. I don’t know that it’s necessary to take this AND the Inner Defense, but I’m blessed to be able to do both so I’m doing it. Ain’t nobody got time to be sick!
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3. Sickie detox bath salts. Get some Epsom salt! The magnesium and sodium detox your body of the junk it’s been exposed to while also benefiting the body. I added a drop each of lavender, Frankincense and Immupower for added benefit and protection.
Instagram post 2085224862422893046_11585632916 Such a sweet time with residents at Dogwood Bend this morning. Mini Panaway roller, Lavender Spray and Lavender Lotion hand massage. This has been my favorite class and eye opening. There was no selling, no buying, just sharing for the love of it. I brought my daughters with me and the residents enjoyed them as much as the oils and pampering I think. 🥰
Instagram post 2076204338543623310_11585632916 Our Wellness Story: Why Chemical Free Matters .
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Here I am with my baby girl, stopping by to get her shot record for kindergarten.
I was a little uneasy coming here because I didn’t know which entrance to use. I’ve only been here once since pediatrics moved to this location, and that was for her well-checkup.
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Let me repeat that in appreciation: I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE ONCE AND IT WAS FOR A WELL-CHECKUP.
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I truly believe there are two reasons for this.
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One: a wellness MENTALITY. We see our children as well, we don’t speak of sickness, we visualize them as thriving and healthy.
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Two: we support their bodies naturally. We view health through the lens of prevention vs treat.
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Did you know that many meds like antibiotics that are used to “treat” actually weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of children getting the very illness they are being treated for? That the more often a child takes antibiotics the less effective they are? |Read more at essentiallybetterliving.blog
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  • Three-ingredient DIY shave cream

    January 6, 2019 /

    This is just the best thing ever. Chemical free, all-natural, moisturizing, and smells amazing (I add 10 drops of lavender essential oil❤️). Most importantly, it’s easy to make. Takes me less than five minutes! Here’s what you need: 1/2 cup olive oil (or grape seed oil) 1/4 cup Castille soap (I prefer unscented) 1/4 cup raw honey Mix together in a bowl and add desired essential oils for fragrance if you wish. I add 8-10 drops of Young Living Lavender Essential Oil. Pour into a pump bottle or squeeze bottle. Enjoy! I rarely need lotion anymore because this shave cream is so moisturizing. 🙌🏻 Why do you NEED this in…

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  • New Year’s is my favorite

    January 2, 2019 /

    A clean slate, focusing on hopes, dreams and goals and a forward thinking outlook. New Year’s is my favorite holiday, second maybe only to Christmas, because well, it’s Christmas. I look forward to New Year’s and plan for it: I choose a word for the year that will become a simple mantra for me. I make lists of things I appreciate, things that make me happy and that are satisfying. It’s great to reflect on what has gone well because we are all doing a lot of things right! Even better, I am excited for what lies ahead and I love the idea of my future being like an unpainted…

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  • Beware! Carriers expire!

    January 1, 2019 /

    Pure essential oils don’t have an expiration, but your carriers do! I just went through mine and this aloe and almond oil have to go! ✌🏻 This is just one of the reasons I chose Young Living Essential Oils for my family. There is no expiration date because the only thing contained in their bottles is 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. If you are new to oils, beyond curious and ready to dive in, the Premium Starter Kit is where to start. It has the 12 oils you will use the most often (including peppermint, lemon, lavender, Thieves, Digize, Peace & Calming, Valor, Citrus Fresh, Panaway, Stress Away, Raven…

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  • Get out of my house!

    January 1, 2019 /

    Found this in the back of our closet. I thought, it has to be at least four years old because it’s been that long since I banned harmful chemicals, including one of the worst offenders, synthetic fragrance, from our home. Did you know that “fragrance” has been found to be connected to why so many women struggle with hormone and fertility issues? I don’t want to take any chances so I just say no to this. Diffuse Thieve oil to kill germs and clean the air. Use Thieves Cleaner on surfaces (literally pennies per spray bottle once diluted). Absolutely no judgment here if you have it, because as you can…

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