Beginners Guide to Natural Living

Ready To go the natural route? 

Are you ready to “go the natural route” but have no clue where to start? What products need to hit the road and which ones can stay? How do you know how to use all those “natural” things like essential oils and diffusers? I'm going to walk you through all that and help you through those first few steps. 


I began using Young Living essential oils in 2014, but long before that, I learned to read labels and look for safer, simpler ingredient products. So, when YL crossed my path, it was not a hard sell. The concept of plant oils supporting the body made sense to me. But it wasn't until I experienced the effects of the blend JOY on my emotional/mental health first hand did I become a true believer. The heaviness of sadness that weighed me down lifted. And it didn't stop there. The amount of colds and sicknesses that passed through my home was radically reduced as welI. Since then, things like Thieves, Lavender, and Frankincense have become staples in my home for just about everything.



Why The Natural Route

Before the development of scientific medicine, people had to rely on the earth and their own common sense. They simply experimented with the plants around them. Throughout the years, the same experimentation with plants has occurred and has led to the discovery of many powerful drugs that are still in use today. So why would we want to get back to nature and not just solely rely on what is available to us in the store and online?

Well, although beneficial at times, things that exist in today’s world  expose us to toxins. They exist in everyday products like shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, lotions, makeup, air fresheners, etc. We can even be exposed to toxins in our food, building materials, cookware, cleaning products, shower curtains, furniture, carpet, and more. When these toxins start to accumulate in our bodies, you may start to experience symptoms of toxic overload such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, brain fog, skin issues, hormone disorders, and more

Slowly ditching the products and substances that present risks to your body and replacing them with products and substances that provide nourishment and work alongside your body’s natural abilities can truly make a difference! 


 Why choose Young Living? 

It may come as a surprise to you all the places toxins are hiding. Sadly many items within this industry are not highly regulated for safety and we, as the consumer, are led to believe they are safe for use. In order to combat the risk of toxic overload, Young Living has created over 600 + products to equip us with nearly everything we need to feel empowered on our journey to natural living. 

Young Living is the ONLY company to back their items with a Seed to Seal quality commitment. You can rest assured you are filling your home with quality products that are sure to get you “back to nature.” Here are some of the strict guidelines they abide by to fulfill their promise in sending only the best products to your home. 

          1. plant material that is grown on corporately-owned farms or carefully vetted partner farms that 
             you can visit

          2. sustainable farming and sourcing practices, providing the purest oil

          3. great care taken to preserve and protect natural resources

          4. hand-weeded fields and ZERO use of pesticides

          5. oils that retain all their natural constituents and beneficial properties

          6. use of food-grade distillers with state-of-the-art design and distillation methods

          7. low pressure and low temperature distillation, without the use of solvents or synthetic                chemicals

          8. rigorous testing on each batch by internal labs and third-party facilities

          9. oils that are carefully reviewed through every step of production in order to meet or                    exceed  industry standards

         10. safety and purity standards (beyond organic!) If the oils do not meet these high                             standards they are rejected and will not be bottled as a Young Living product

Check out more info on their Seed to Seal promise at www.seedtoseal.com.   

AND… you can have these products delivered right to your door. You are not required to “sell” anything, but if you do decide to tell others about the products, they offer a compensation plan and the ability to become a Brand Partner, which could cover the cost of your purchases and more. Let me know when you are ready for more information on this.   www.youngliving.com/IDS. 



What to Ditch

The first step in this journey to DITCH the junk. But how do you know what needs to go? Let’s take a look at what ingredients present a risk to you and your family.

Formaldehyde - This is a preservative that is often seen in lotions, cosmetics, and baby wipes. It’s a known carcinogen and can cause skin and respiratory irritations.

Phthalates - These are a group of chemicals found in personal care products and many plastics and vinyls. They can affect your endocrine system, reproductive health, and even potentially cause cancer.

VOCs - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted into the air. They’re found in some building materials, home and personal products, gasoline, and even things like glue and permanent markers. Breathing VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation as well as difficulty breathing and nausea, even damage to the central nervous system and other organs. Some VOCs can even cause cancer

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - These are surfactants commonly used as an emulsifying cleaning agent in household cleaning products (laundry detergents, spray cleaners, and dishwasher detergents). In other words they keep things mixed up and help them create lather. Oftentimes they are synthetically derived and have the potential to cause skin irritation. 


Ethanolamines (MEA, DEA, and TEA) - These are found in many household and personal care products and have been linked to organ system toxicity, bioaccumulation, and even cancer.  

Triclosan - This is found in many antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, and detergents as well as some toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics, plastics, and more. It can affect the thyroid and endocrine system and was recently banned by the FDA to be used in “antiseptic washes” but can still be found in some other products like toothpaste, cosmetics, and even clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys.

Fragrance - The word “fragrance” can appear on a label and contain an enormous list of ingredients that a company is not required to disclose, as it is considered a ‘trade secret.’ That means a product could contain some awful ingredients and the consumer wouldn’t even know! These chemicals could be linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies and sensitivities. Why take the risk?

These are just a FEW of the ingredients you may want to avoid when bringing products into your home. Also, The Think Dirty App is a great resource to to scan the products you aready have for these "dirty ingredients." 

Your homework is to take a quick peek at the back of some of the bottles in your cabinet? Do you see any of these ingredients? 


Switch: Creating A custom Wellness Box

Ditching the toxins in your home may seem overwhelming at first. So, to keep things manageable, start with one room and replace the items there. Then move to another and so on. This does not have to be an overnight process; do it at your own pace. And guess what? You don’t have to spend hours online or at the store reading labels! After giving you a list of things to avoid, I also want to give you solutions. 

Young Living makes it so simple to start replacing all the toxic junk you’re tossing with LOYALTY REWARDS a wellness box you get to customize every month.

Being enrolled in Loyalty Rewards unlocks a 24% discount on all loyalty orders and one-time purchases. You get to pick from over 600 oils and products - customizing your loyalty orders to your liking. Once you find the item you’re looking for, click “Add to Loyalty Order” and follow the prompts. Manage your items in your “My Loyalty Order” tab for the next month by adding, deleting, or moving items into Save for Later before your next process date.  It also qualifies you to earn spendable Loyalty Rewards points and gifts when you spend 50 PV or more on your loyalty order each month! If your loyalty order contains at least 50 PV, you’ll start earning 10% in spendable points! Keep that going in month 2 and you will get a FREE Desert Mist diffuser! Do that consecutively for 3 months and you’ll start earning 20% back in points. Do that consecutively for 24 months and that percentage bumps up to 25%!


Essential oils

Now that we’ve discussed HOW to keep those replacement items coming, I want to walk you through some of the most popular things you will be ordering. First up - essential oils!

Essential oils are the concentrated liquids extracted from plants, herbs, and trees. They’re either steam distilled or cold pressed. They’re very potent and contain powerful health and wellness benefits. Use them for aromatherapy, personal care, or household solutions. They make an excellent replacement for room sprays, plug-ins, candles, and perfumes. I would suggest trying these first, all of which are in the PREMIUM STARTER BUNDLE

Thieves - purifying & supportive 
Lemon- uplifting & cleansing 
Lavender - calming & cleansing 
Peppermint - invigorating & cooling
Stress Away - relaxing & soothing
Citrus Fresh - refreshing & mood-boosting 
Peace & Calming - balancing & grounding


Diffusers 

You will also want to grab a quality diffuser. (The best deal is grab the Premium Starter Bundle on Loyalty Rewards, which I mention above. It comes with 12 essential oils AND a diffuser. )

Anyway, diffusing vaporizes essential oils and gets them into the air so that we can breathe them in.
Young Living  makes many varities of a cool mist ultrasonic diffusers to protect the molecules from heat and retain their incredible properties. Plus, YL’s diffusers come with a 1-year warranty and often come in bundles, getting you the best deal possible. 

Not only does diffusing help purify the air, it can stimulate olfactory receptors and activate regions in the brain’s limbic system associated with memory, emotion, & state of mind. 

What about safety & usage?

Start with just a few drops when diffusing. Most people typically diffuse 3-10 drops at a time, depending on their sensitivity and preferences. 

You can also apply Young Living oils to the skin. To keep it simple, start with one drop 
and add a small amount of carrier oil, like coconut, almond or grapeseed oil, to dilute it. You’ll want to dilute more heavily when applying hot oils like Thieves and Peppermint, as well as when using essential oils on children and the elderly.

Young Living also carries a line of ingestible essential oils called the Vitality oils. They are the SAME oil as the “regular” oils, just labeled differently to make it easier to know which oils can be safely ingested. Add a drop (or more) of a Vitality oil into an empty vegetable capsule, a cup of tea, or a glass of water. You can even cook and bake with them! As always, start slow and see what works for you.
 



Clean Personal Care Products

Now that you’ve ditched things like synthetically-fragranced lotions, fluoride-filled toothpastes, and conventional makeup, you’re going to need replacements, right? Thankfully Young Living has you covered and you can add them to your loyalty order as often as you need. 

Young Living carries several options for babies, kids, and adults. They’re all formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances or colors. They’re even infused with Young Living premium essential oils & backed by the Seed to Seal quality commitment so you can trust you’re using a quality product. They contain an ultra-moisturizing blend of plant-derived oils and butters and are formulated to absorb quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

Again, Young Living carries several options, including one for kids. None of them contain fluoride. They are free of harmful peroxides, SLS, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic perfumes, dyes, artificial colors or flavors, and preservatives. And of course - they’re infused with YL’s premium essential oils. They contain naturally derived ingredients, which gently removes surface stains while helping prevent tartar build-up,
fight plaque, and support healthy gums. I am a big fan of this Thieves Toothpaste and Mouthwash

No matter what your skin type, Young Living has something perfect for you! With their three main skin care lines… Art, Balance and Bloom… you will have just what you need to clean, tone, and moisturize your skin without all of the harmful ingredients found in many products on the market today.



Safe Cleaning Products

Young Living has an entire line of products infused with the legendary essential oil blend called Thieves - a sweet and spicy combination of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary, and Lemon essential oils. Here are some products you might want to grab in your loyalty order. 

It provides an effective, deep clean with the power of naturally derived, plant-based ingredients. The concentrated formula is easy to mix to create a variety of cleaning solutions for inside and outside the home - at a fraction of the cost of store-bought cleaners! It’s safe to use around children and pets as directed and of course - it’s infused with Young Living's signature Thieves premium essential oil blend.

It’s free from SLS, dyes, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic perfumes, chlorine, and optical brighteners. It contains natural enzymes that combat dirt, stains, and strong odors. It’s formulated with gentle, plant-based cleansers that are safe for sensitive skin and infused with Young Living’s Thieves premium essential oil blend.

Young Living also offers foaming hand soap, dish soap, dishwasher powder, fruit & veggie soak and spray, hand sanitizer liquid and wipes, kitchen & bath scrub, mini spray, and the Home Cleaning Kit. You’re going to want to try them all! 



QUALITY SUPPLEMENTS

Unfortunately many conventional vitamins and supplements can be synthetically, and legally, produced in a lab; they are not required to come from nature. Supplements do not require FDA approval before they are sold or marketed, nor is their safety required to be proven. (That can be a scary thing!) 

They often contain inactive or poorly bioavailable nutrients as well as artificial sweeteners and dyes. Don’t waste your money on that! Get quality, oil-infused supplements delivered to your door.

Young Living supplements are cultivated, tested, and bottled under Young Living’s Seed to Seal quality standard so you know you are getting a good product! They are made with naturally derived, plant-based ingredients and infused with Young Living premium essential oils, which increases its bioavailability in the body. They contain no artificial dyes, flavorings, or sweeteners. How great is that?! Supplements

Young Living offers a variety of options covering feminine and masculine wellness, digestive wellness, daily longevity, targeted support, and nutritional supplements. These are some of my favorites to have coming on a regular basis. 

Life 9: a highly potent probiotic with 17 billion live cultures from nine beneficial bacteria strains
MightyPro: a tasty blend of prebiotics and probiotics featuring over 8 billion 
active, live cultures; perfect for kids 
Master Formula: a full-spectrum complex of vitamins and minerals to support digestive health, help neutralize free radicals in the body, and provide gut flora-supporting prebiotics
MultiGreens: boosts vitality by supporting the glandular, nervous, and circulatory systems
NingXia Red: a delicious drink that is packed with powerful antioxidants to help against oxidative stress, support normal cellular function, and promote healthy energy levels
OmegaGize 3:  combines the power of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D3, and CoQ10 along with essential oils to support normal brain function and normal heart, eye, and joint health
Essentialzymes-4: contains powerful fat-digesting enzymes for dairy products, meats, and vegetables & promotes greater nutrient absorption 
Super B: contains all eight B vitamins and bioavailable chelated minerals to help you maintain healthy energy levels, support cardiovascular and cognitive function, and ease feelings of everyday stress

Be sure to check these as well - Golden Turmeric, CortiStop, Thyromin, Sulfurzyme, Mineral Essence, Super C, Super Vitamin D, AlkaLime, IlluminEyes, and ICP Daily. They’re amazing! 

So... Ready to go the natural route? It's as easy as placing your first Loyalty Order. Start with a BUNDLE OF OILS and a diffuser and then add something new and clean to your home each month after. You will receive a rebate of 10% back your first month and 20% after 3 months!! Use the points on supplements, or oils, or skin care, or whatever!! Plus, the second month you'll get another diffuser (free) and there are monthly promos to tap into. It's a no brainer-the best value by far.

If you'd like to keep learning, you can find out tons of information on the Young Living website under the Learn tab (www.youngliving.com) as well as their blog (https://www.youngliving.com/blog/)  and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/USAYoungLiving). 


Don’t forget to get your YL account set up today if you haven't already! And be sure to put me down as your referring sponsor and enroller #1852078 (or follow this link to get connected to me) YES! SIGN ME UPso we can get you connected to a community. I can send you links to help you get started.  I can’t wait to see where your journey goes! 



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