Answers from Acupuncture

Today is a good day. I had my first acupuncture appointment ever. I went because I found out our insurance covers it, so why not? I’m a fan of bodywork. My insurance doesn’t cover massage or chiropractic, so acupuncture it is. I don’t know anything about Chinese medicine and very little about yin and yang, etc. It was nice to bounce some of my crazy ideas off a professional. It was even better to find out I am completely on the right track.

It started with a questionnaire. This one was different. The whole approach was looking for patterns and connections, not behaviors and symptoms so much. At the end, I was invited to list my 5 main complaints. These would be the focus for the treatment. My new friend, Jennifer, acupuncturist, took my blood pressure, examined my tongue, and then sat me down to chat about the questionnaire. I told her about the Whole30, my desire to eliminate toxins, essential oils, allergies, and my battle with fibroids. I am here to tell you that acupuncture doesn’t hurt. Mild discomfort, yes, but we did need to release the tension. At the end, she told me that my tongue and symptoms confirm that I have a problem with my “liver qi.” It is connected to digestion. Most likely because of stress, there is an interruption with my digestion, and my body develops excess mucus and cysts. Allergies and fibroids are common manifestations. Excess estrogen also contributes to this problem. I am not taking any estrogen, but my body still over-produces it when under stress or from poor eating and toxin exposure.

I am doing many things well, such as using Young Living products instead of toxic alternatives. The Paleo diet is also exactly right. But I am not doing enough. Jennifer suggested another body cleanse. I am going to start another Whole30 immediately after Thanksgiving and add to it some cleansing supplements per her suggestion. She is not a Young Living user. We have products that I believe would do the exact same thing, but I went ahead with her suggestions for the cleanse so she can monitor everything and properly prescribe.

An important note: a couple of buzzwords I learned from the paleo/gluten free community are “leaky gut” and “autoimmune”. I asked Jennifer if she would use these words to describe my condition. She said no.  I am taking away two things from this: 1. I am pretty healthy all in all, and 2. We need to stop throwing around these words so loosely.

I look forward to seeing some progress. I’ll report back after my appointment next month!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Giveaway!

It’s time for another giveaway.   On my website, you’ll notice a holiday section.  What a perfect way to try out Young Living’s wonderful essential oils!  Treat yourself or a friend.  Better yet, sign up as a distributor with the Premium Starter Kit, and then purchase your gifts at wholesale prices.  There is no monthly obligation with membership.  The Premium Starter Kit is a value of over 50% off retail.  Whether you want to make the oils a part of your lifestyle with a wholesale membership or you would like to make a one time purchase, this giveaway is for you.

Here’s how it works:
Place ANY order on my website (https://www.youngliving.org/hollydoodle2013) between Black Friday 11/29/13 and Cyber Monday 12/2/13*, and you will be entered into the drawing to win a beautifully gift wrapped roll-on collection containing the essential oil blends Stress Away and Deep Relief, a $55 value.  One lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Incidentally, while browsing my website, you may notice that this item is out of stock.  Never fear.  I’ve got it right here in my hot little hand.  There’s never been a better time to start your journey with Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.

*The virtual office is in Mountain Time zone.  Your order must fall within these dates to qualify.

Chapter 7: Curiosity and Passion

Many people have expressed fear and uncertainty about presenting the oils.  “Do you have an outline?” They ask.  Or, “How do you know so much about the oils?”

Curiosity.  I’m pretty sure we all have it, or we would not have purchased the oils. 

Passion.  A love for the product also drives me to find out more. 

I suppose a person could sell a product they are not curious or passionate about, but I doubt they would do so successfully.  Passion is contagious.  Curiosity drives learning.  With these two motivators you can’t go wrong.

I always tell people: read the catalog and purchase a Desk Reference.  The oils come with instructions.  Just be yourself and share how you use the oils.  You will learn as you go.  Don’t wait until you think you’re an expert before you start sharing.

Many people in Young Living shy away from the word “sell.” I’m not afraid to use the word because I’m simply trying to help people get healthy.  I’m passionate about the products, and I’m sure I would be telling people about them even if Young Living didn’t offer a business opportunity.

You’ve got this!  Let’s start sharing.

It Ain’t Ruined Till It’s Ruined

I don’t know why these things keep surprising me.  The same thing happens with prayer.  I believe God wants to help and has the power to do so, yet I’m often surprised when He does.  This faith deficiency unfortunately extends into the non-spiritual realm as well.  After today, there should definitely be a faith increase in all aspects of my life.

For the second time this week, I took something for lost but then remembered my essential oils. Earlier this week I removed sticker residue from a new shirt with lemon essential oil. I had accidentally thrown it in the wash with my name tag still on it. Today, I was getting my goodies ready for a spa party and realized my bag had somehow gotten paint on it. It just rubbed against my closet door. It was a bit of a mystery because the paint wasn’t wet. I was sad the bag was looking tacky, but then I got the sudden brain wave that I could probably clean the paint off with Thieves essential oil blend. To find out all about this miraculous elixir, read this: https://30daysinthecave.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/thieves-our-gift-from-grave-robbers/

So here is my bag.

I put a few drops of Thieves on a cotton ball and wiped that paint right off.

If you are working with a synthetic material, don’t linger with the Thieves. It will break down toxins before you can say cancer. Then I just touched up with a damp wash cloth and dried.

Much better! You can order Thieves here: http://www.youngliving.org/hollydoodle2013

Thieves is included in the Premium Starter Kit, which is the best way to get started with Young Living Essential Oils. It is valued at over 50% off retail prices.

Finding Joy: part 10 of 9

Wait, what?  A little over a week ago, I offered to send a free bottle of Christmas Spirit to the first 5 people who purchased a Premium Starter Kit by the end of September.  The kit includes a diffuser, the collection of 9 Everyday Oils, and more at less than wholesale price.  I did the math, and the retail savings for taking me up on the giveaway offer were over 50%.  Unfortunately, it’s October now, so the giveaway deal is over.

But actually, Young Living has stepped in with Joy.  The Everyday Oils collection (and consequently the Premium Starter Kit) will now include the mood elevating blend, Joy.  That’s right.  It is no longer 9 but 10 oils!  Forever!   Well, as far as I know.  The point is, it’s a permanent change.  And here’s the best part.  The price for the Premium Starter Kit is not going up!

You may have missed my Christmas Spirit Giveaway, but Joy is here to stay.  And it’s just as good of a deal.  You now save over 50% off retail indefinitely when you purchase the Premium Starter Kit.  On behalf of Young Living, you’re welcome!

Joy is a love potion of sorts. It creates magnetic energy which generates feelings of romance, empowerment, love, and confidence while taking away feelings of frustration and despair. It contains bergamot, ylang ylang, geranium, rosewood, lemon, mandarin, jasmine, Roman chamomile, palmarosa, and rose.

One of the amazing things essential oils can do is increase body frequency. Lowered frequencies are associated with illness, cancer, and ultimately death. Rose oil contains one of the highest frequencies found in any essential oil. Our frequencies fluctuate throughout the day. Coffee will lower our frequency. Obviously environmental toxins will have an even greater impact. Take back your physical, spiritual and mental health with essential oils. The Premium Starter Kit is the best way to begin your journey. You can find it here: http://www.youngliving.org/hollydoodle2013

Valor: part 9 of 9

Last but not least, I would like to introduce you to Valor, a blend containing spruce, rosewood, blue tansy, and frankincense in an almond oil base.

When I got my Premium Starter Kit, Valor was the last oil I tried.  I asked a couple of mentors what I should use it for, and they said: spinal alignment and confidence.  I was thinking, how did they know I needed that?  They were speaking my language. At first it seemed odd, but now I see how these issues are connected. Valor balances energy. It supports the endocrine, cardiovascular, and muscular/skeletal systems. It has been referred to as “chiropractor in a bottle.” (Young Living) As the body’s energy is balanced, the spine will follow suit. Spinal health is so important that Valor is the first and last oil applied during a “Raindrop” essential oils treatment (more on that later, but highly recommended for chronic illnesses). Similarly, Valor is recommended to use before and after chiropractic treatments. Apply to the base of the spine.

I have really benefitted from using Valor when feeling nervous or uneasy, for interviews, and when I’m out of my comfort zone. Since I’m pretty much a freeway driving-a-phobe, I keep a bottle in my purse for whenever the need arises. Rubbing on one wrist and then holding the wrists together is balancing. Then I will also inhale the pleasing smell for the aromatic benefits.

Valor may have been the last oil I tried, but it quickly became my favorite and most often used. Here are some other benefits shared by Karen Douglas:
Sleep issues, including snoring and sleep apnea
Bed wetting
Allergies
Increased blood flow
Stiff muscles
May remove viruses from spine
Self esteem and courage
Depression
TMJ
Headaches

Peace and Calming

This week, I have been sharing all about the 9 Everyday Oils collection.  Peace and Calming is oil number seven in the series.  By the way, I’m not ranking them in order of importance.  The beauty of this collection (which is included in the Premium Starter wholesale membership kit) is that each oil or blend plays a different role in your healthy lifestyle.  Peace and Calming’s role is for emotional well-being.  It promotes exactly what its name suggests. 

Peace and Calming is a carefully formulated blend of tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouly, and blue tansy.  It is excellent for diffusing, especially to aid in sleep and calming.   Hyper kids?  Stressed pets?  Just diffuse the P&C.  For anxiety and depression, it is nice to wear on the wrists as a perfume.  For acute emotional episodes, rub a drop on each chakra.  For sleep, rubbing it on the bottom of the feet is very helpful.

Some other ideas from Karen Douglas:
– excellent massage oil
– put a few drops in the bathtub for relaxation
– helps with stress and upset stomach when rubbed on the stomach
– rub on animals’ paws to relax them while traveling

Three days left to save over 50% off the Premium Starter Kit and get a free Christmas Spirit blend.  Details here:
https://30daysinthecave.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/fall-kickoff-giveaway/

Purification: part 4 of 9

Purification is another exceptional essential oil blend included in Young Living’s Everyday Oils collection.  It contains citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, melaleuca (tea tree), lavandin, and myrtle. 

These are powerful oils which combine to create a pleasing gingery smell.  One of Purification’s best uses is as a deodorizer.  Lingering kitchen odors, smelly sneakers, and cigarette smoke can quickly be neutralized by diffusing Purification.  You can also put it on cotton balls and strategically place them in shoes, cars, air vents, etc.

I’ve also used it as an insect repellent for myself and my dog.  Instead of Frontline, I put a few drops of Purification on the top of my dog’s spine after her bath.  This got us through tick season without any issues.

Other uses include :
Cleanses and disinfects air (EODR 5th edition)
Clearing blemishes
Soothing the throat
Removing venom from insect bites
Ear mites in pets

There are still five days left to take advantage of my Everyday Oils offer.  Find out how to save over 50% off these oils, a diffuser, and more.

Everyday Oils part 3: PanAway

The Everyday Oils Collection, featured in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit, contains an assortment of single oils and blends.  PanAway is a blend of wintergreen, helichrysum, clove, and peppermint.  If you, like me, want to eliminate OTC and prescription meds, PanAway would be your pain killer.  Imagine Bengay or Icy Hot, except the tingly feeling is actually promoting healing while killing pain.  PanAway is an anchor for Young Living.  This oil had a lot to do with the company’s inception.  Following a severe logging accident resulting in a crushed leg, Gary Young, the founder of Young Living, developed this blend for his own recovery.  It worked.  He’s running around today.

PanAway is an excellent choice for:
Muscle relaxing
Inflammation
Circulation
Swelling
Bruises
Cramps
Tension
Stress
Headaches
Nerve pain
Growing pains
Joint pain
Pet discomfort
Massage

(Source: EODR 5th edition)

Everyday Oils part 2: Frankincense

We all know the story of the 3 wise men bringing the Christ Child gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The second two were not white elephant gifts.  Myrrh is one of my favorite oils, but we will have to talk about it another day, as it is not included in Young Living’s Everyday Oils collection.   I’m also a fan of gold.  But today, let’s talk about frankincense.  Please remember that my recommendations only apply to Young Living oils.  Frankincense is basically liquid gold for your health.  It is so versatile, that it is the first oil I purchased as I became interested in essential oils.  I bought a cheap brand on Amazon.  Yuck!  Thankfully I did not ingest it.  I’m not suggesting you buy synthetic, perfume grade scent.  I’m talking about the real stuff, 100% pure, therapeutic grade, not diluted…  ok, just making sure we’re all on the same page.

Frankincense is the finest jewel in the Everyday Oils collection.  It is one of the more expensive oils, which makes purchasing the kit such a great value.

It has been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies in order to heighten spirituality.  Today, it is used in hospitals in America and Europe, and it is the subject of extensive research for its antitumoral effect on cancer patients.   The following list of its many other benefits was compiled by Karen Douglas.  Frankincense has been used successfully for:

* calming
* depression
* warts
* cold sores
* skin cancer
* pain and healing
* vision
* smell
* dry skin
* wound care and infection prevention

On a personal note, I used frankincense to treat my fibroids. It is one of the oils included in Progessence Plus, and I used extra frankincense as well. My fibroid symptoms are gone.