Apr

04

Own Your Life

Posted by : vrc211 | On : April 4, 2013

Category: Network Marketing, Young Living

Tags:, , ,

You already know that Young Living’s products can be life changing. But did you know that Young Living also offers an amazing financial opportunity as well?  Our mantra is “Wellness, Purpose AND Abundance”, and there is enough abundance to go around.  I started out in Young Living myself always hearing about the opportunity to create a residual income, but always told myself I couldn’t do it – that I wasn’t the type of person to go out and take the bull by the horns and create my own financial life.  But then something shifted in me. I saw a lecture by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad (if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it!).  This lead me to other personal development books and lectures, and I knew that I had to move forward, that I couldn’t stay where I was.  That’s the beauty and the curse of knowing the Truth.

Wouldn’t you love to own your life?  To have the freedom to take time off when you want to, to travel, become debt free…all of those things that we dream about but don’t think are possible?  I thought that too.  Until I started looking at Young Living as a business.  I can’t believe the doors that have opened in such a short time, and I want to shout it to the world.  Luckily for me, I don’t have to :)   My awesome friend, Jihan Thomas of Triharmony Success Training (you can check them out on facebook) just shared this audio recording with me where she breaks it all down – the why and the how.  If you have even the tiniest spark in you telling you that it’s time to change something, to shift in a more positive direction, become more free and abundant, I really urge you to take the few minutes to listen to this recording.  I could not have said it better myself!  After you’ve listened to the recording, if you like what you hear, get in touch at YLBalancedEssentials@gmail.com, or come visit on Facebook.  Click the link below to change your life!

Your Path to Prosperity

Jan

17

New family member!

Posted by : vrc211 | On : January 17, 2013

Category: Pets

Tags:, , , , ,

Little Bear!

So first let me apologize for my absence…it’s been a crazy 6 months.  We got married in October…yay! It was the most spectacular day of my life.  And after that, moving in together, then the holidays, and in the middle of all that…we adopted a puppy!  We’ve been wanting a dog forever but didn’t want to get one until we got married and moved in together.  And, with my husband starting to work from home, the timing was perfect.  So for Christmas, we brought home Little Bear!  He’s a miniature pinscher, and we brought him home when he was 8 weeks old.  We had NO idea what we were getting ourselves into.  He’s actually a very good puppy, and very smart, but SUPER high energy!  But we love that about him.  He makes us laugh, gets us up off the couch, and brightens each and every single day.  We knew before we got him that we would use oils on him, but we really had no idea what a lifesaver they would be, especially the Peace and Calming.

The first night we had him, the poor little guy had such a hard time.  He had 4 sisters, and was used to sleeping in a pile of warm puppies all night.  So we

Bear with his magical beanbag

brought a stuffed toy home from the breeder so he could smell them, and made his little crate as comfortable as possible.  But of course, he cried all night the first night.  The next day I had an epiphany!  I had completely forgotten about Peace and Calming (and I’m a little ashamed to admit that).  I had also read that puppies like some noise at night while they are sleeping, so I figured my little fan diffuser would be perfect because it’s somewhat noisy – especially ours because it’s very old and I think it might be dying….  Anyway, it worked like a charm!  He didn’t sleep through the night, but that’s mostly because his little bladder is so tiny and he couldn’t make it all night yet.  But he didn’t cry at all when we first left him in there to go to bed, and the crying wasn’t quite so tragic as it had been on the first night when he did wake up.  We kept it up, and even added a heated bean bag for him, and soon enough he was in love with his crate!  And let me tell you, that bean bag is also a life saver.  He hears the microwave beep when that thing is done, and no matter where he is in the house or how riled up he is, he jumps right in his crate to cuddle up with it.  He goes right to sleep every time we give it to him.  At the end of the night when we want to relax and have him in the living room with us, I put Peace and Calming on myself and on my favorite throw blanket, and then scoop Bear up to join me.  Sometimes he keeps playing a little, sometimes he goes to sleep, but he always mellows right out and stops bouncing around.

I’m excited about all of the other oils we’ll be able to use with Bear for flea prevention and all kinds of other things.  The vet has already tried to convince us to use Frontline on him, but we turned it down.  I know that there are many oils that will keep those little buggers away, without having to put poison on my precious pup.  I love these oils!

Here’s one last dose of cuteness for you:

Aug

01

Just a quickie!

Posted by : vrc211 | On : August 1, 2012

Category: Uncategorized

So I’m all over the place with where I want this blog to go. Do I want it to focus on Young Living? Massage? General Wellness? I don’t want to leave anyone out. I’m learning a lot about blogging so I invite you to come on this journey with me. I’m flattered that anyone would follow my ramblings on any kind of regular basis, so thank you so much for being here :) I spend my life learning how to take care of myself physically, emotionally, spiritually and emotionally, and when I learn new things I just want to share with everyone. I drive my friends and family nuts when I’m on a new kick (my poor fiance…he gets it the worst)! So this blog is for EVERYONE. Everyone who cares about their health, or someone else’s. Everyone who wants to be happy, content, financially stable, at peace, in harmony with the world and those around them. My life is massage, Young Living, natural health and wellness, God and healthy relationships. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you more <3 I’m just going to share everything, and stop worrying about fitting into a category :)

Jul

22

Featured Guest Blogger: Melanie Bowen from The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog

Posted by : vrc211 | On : July 22, 2012

Category: Uncategorized

Tags:, , ,

I’m very excited to work with Melanie to bring you this very informative post!  The view on cancer for massage patients has thankfully become more open in recent years.  Most doctors have finally come to realize the great benefits of massage for cancer patients.  Melanie goes further in depth on the subject:

 

Massage Therapy and Cancer Treatment

When going through cancer treatment, be it for leukemia or mesothelioma, it is easy to get swept up in the medications and chemicals being thrown your way, either forgetting or forgoing more natural treatments. But it’s important to approach healing through every angle, be it medical, natural or spiritual. One simple and effective natural tool to help alleviate some pain and stress of cancer treatment is massage therapy.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Cancer

It is important to understand that massage therapy is in no way a cure for cancer, and should not be used as a substitute for necessary medical treatment. Rather, it is a supplemental tool that can do many things to help with the healing process. One way in which it does that is by alleviating stress and anxiety of the patient. While lightly stimulating the lymph system and muscles that would otherwise be immobile, massage therapy is a wonderful way to rid the body of unnecessary toxins, which can build up and contribute to stress. Also, the basic act of a human touching you in a calm and purposeful way feels good, and this act in and of itself promotes relaxation.

Aside from the decrease in stress, which in and of itself produces many health more tangible health benefits, such as increasing circulation, fighting fatigue, lowering blood pressure and staving off nausea, which can be one of the worst parts of chemotherapy. It also helps with lowering of pain levels.

Is All Massage Beneficial?

As helpful as massage therapy can be as complementary cancer treatment, not all massage is appropriate, and some may even be harmful. Deep bodywork should not happen until after treatment, and it is very important to consult your doctors before undergoing any kind of bodywork. Manipulations of the area of or around the tumor should be avoided, as well as any areas of injury or surgical procedures. Massage is contraindicated for at least 6 weeks following any surgery.

Some of the appropriate massage techniques that can be used on a cancer patient include reiki, gentle swedish massage, cranio-sacral therapy, and reflexology. Depending on the type of cancer and treatment, different areas and techniques should be avoided. It is important to have open lines of communication between all doctors and therapists involved to make sure you are getting exactly what benefits you.

Overall, massage therapy is an excellent addition to a cancer patient’s treatment. Clearly there are plenty of rules and guidelines to follow closely, but if done right, massage therapy can naturally help with many ailments cancer patients deal with, including fatigue, depression and pain. It is a non-invasive, effective and natural complementary treatment, and should be considered for anyone dealing with cancer.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and experience all of the natural remedies massage therapists have to offer when it comes to dealing with the ups and down of cancer recovery. Consult your doctor and find a regimen that will be suit the needs of you and your illness and gain back that sense of serenity in your life!

You can view Melanie’s bio here and please visit The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog for more great info!

Thanks Melanie!!

Jul

02

Falling in Love Again.

Posted by : vrc211 | On : July 2, 2012

Category: Massage Therapy, Self Care

Tags:, , ,

I’ve been falling in love all over the place lately.  Falling in love with my career, my closest family members, and with God.  I’m finally in a place career wise where I’m doing what I’m SUPPOSED to be doing – helping people.  Don’t get me wrong, busy spas are great.  There is lots of money to be made and you can connect with lots of people and bring some peace into their lives, even if it is only for a brief time.  But where I am now – a wellness center focused on bringing the body back into balance with acupuncture, yoga, massage, and nutrition – is what I’ve always looked for.  I can use my oils on my clients.  I can discuss other treatment options.  I can refer them directly to a practitioner who can supplement what I’m doing as a massage therapist.  Most of all, I have the time to listen and talk to my clients.  There is no specific protocol to follow for my work, so each person gets what they need as an individual.  I can take off my shoes and work in my bare feet.  Ok, I know that last one seems a little odd to some of you, but if you’re a massage therapist reading this, I think you get how awesome that is.  It feels so good.  Oh, and best of all?  I love every person I work with.  EVEN MY BOSS.  They are true professionals – caring, educated, nurturing, and mature.  Drama is limited to the clients.  We just have fun.

But my faith is an even bigger love fest.  It’s been put to the test in big ways lately.  And standing by it and praying hard have proven to be everything.  I can’t tell you what peace there is in standing up for what is right, even when it’s the most unpopular opinion.  Even when people hate you for it.  And the friends and family members, and especially my fiance, who stand by me in my decisions…well those relationships just become stronger and stronger.  I cherish those people.

What is happening in your life that’s keeping you from feeling the love?  Change it.  It’s super scary.  But so worth it.  Take that leap.  Leave the thing that makes you miserable behind.  Stand up for what’s right even if you are afraid of the result.  The temporary pain is nothing compared to your ultimate reward.  Trust.

Jun

21

There is No Judgement in Massage Therapy

Posted by : vrc211 | On : June 21, 2012

Category: Massage Therapy

Tags:, , ,

Non-judgement has been a running theme in my own personal development lately.  Sadly, there is lots of judgement between people around me in my life recently.  But there is a silver lining to all of this negativity.  It is teaching me how important it is to be non-judgemental.  Everyone deserves for their side of the story to be heard.  Everyone deserves to perceive the world in their own way, even if you disagree with their way.  We all want others to respect what we think, but how often do we find ourselves making comment on another person’s actions or something that they have said?  That other person is as deserving of respect as you are, even when you think that they are wrong.

As massage therapists, we often hear things from our clients that fall into the old “TMI” category.  I’ve had people unload about their divorces, their children, their health problems….you name it!  Muscle memory sometimes releases through vocalization, similar to emotional release, when a client breaks down and cries during a massage.  Sometimes just stopping the craziness of life for a moment to lie on the table in a quiet space is enough for emotion to come flowing out.  Sometimes it comes out in tears, sometimes in words.  Either way, what a huge compliment.  This person on your table has allowed themselves to let down their emotional walls in front of you.  In such a vulnerable position, lying naked on a table with nothing but a sheet and a blanket between you, they let out raw emotion.  This is a time to honor that person on your table, just as you would if they were releasing tears rather than thoughts and words. Lend an ear.  They often don’t need you to say much, if anything at all.

It is easy to be taken back by any kind of release on the table.  It can make you tense and uncomfortable, especially if the subject matter has to do with things that go against your personal beliefs or philosophies.  This is a time to set yourself to the side.  Religion, politics and other sensitive subjects do not exist in the massage room (unless, of course, the client wants it to be there.  I’ve had people ask me to pray for them while I’m working after they notice the cross around my neck. But it never comes up unless they bring it up).  Remind yourself that all beings are deserving of love.  You never know – yours may be the only tender touch that person gets to experience in life.  Find a way to protect yourself from any negative energy.  Say a prayer, visualize protective white light, or anoint yourself with oil.  Allow your good to flow to them, and block their negative from coming into you while they are releasing if from themselves.  But most of all, remind yourself that this person needs to release whatever it is that is coming out.  You will grow as a therapist from allowing them to let it out, and they will feel amazing when they leave.

“When one experiences truth, the madness of finding fault with others disappears.” S.N. Goenka

Mar

28

So, what do you use essential oils for?

Posted by : vrc211 | On : March 28, 2012

Category: Natural Cleaning, Self Care, Young Living

Tags:, , ,

Our "Everyday Oils" kit. AKA the foundation of our healthy medicine chest!

People tell me I smell good pretty often.  Everything I own has become infused with the scent of my oils.  The girls that work in the office at my day job were giggling the other day because I had to turn in some new paperwork, and it was scented :)   Not on purpose, of course, but my oils have permeated my car, every room of my house, my purse…you name it.  So often, especially when I tell them that I also have a business that revolves around the oils, people want to know what else the oils can be used for.  What a loaded question.  So I decided to make a list.  It is by no means comprehensive, because I’m sure that there are some that I’m forgetting, but off the top of my head, here are just some of the things that life hands us that make us reach for essential oils in my house:

1.  Headaches

2. Bellyaches

3. Seasonal Allergies

4. Stress

5. Cooking and baking

6. Muscle strains and sprains

7. Joint injuries and soreness

8. Stinky air (especially in the bathroom!)

9. Stress

10. Cuts, scrapes and burns

11. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

12. Colds and Flu (which happen a whole lot less often these days)

13. Homework (or any project where we need mental focus)

14. Snoring

15. Stress

16. Hyperactive or upset pets

17. Hyperactive or upset humans

18. Insomnia

19. Stress

20. Mediation

21. Removing stubborn adhesives

22. Killing mold

23. Deepening prayer experience

24. Removing skin tags or moles

25. Pimples and other blemishes

26. Stress

27. Relief of pain from scoliosis

28. Enhancing yoga practice

29. Replenishing after a tough workout (with Ningxia Red, not just our oils)

30. Releasing negative emotions

31. Creating a peaceful home environment

32. Keeping bugs and other pests away

33. Easing menstrual cramps

34. PMS

35. Regulating thyroid function

36. Blocking sugar cravings to aid in weight loss

37. Increasing energy

38. Balancing blood sugar

So there is my five minute, off the top of my head, list of things we use our oils for.  These are what we use them for on a regular basis, there are lots of other things that don’t come up often.  As you can see, stress made the list a few times, because calming stress is one of the things we use oils for every single day.  It’s a tough world out there, but our oils keep us level headed and balanced enough to brave it all!  What are your favorite things to use oils for in everyday life?

Feb

23

Young Living Spa

Posted by : vrc211 | On : February 23, 2012

Category: Self Care, Young Living

Tags:, , , , , ,

So anyone who knows me could have predicted this post coming.  I’m a total spa girl.  I love going to spas, of course, but I’ve also been working in them for a long time.  Most of my 9 year massage career has been as a very lucky massage therapist in high end spas.  Being the lead massage therapist in the spas that I’ve been lucky enough to work at has also afforded me the amazing opportunity to develop new treatments and try lots and lots of products.  An opportunity recently crossed my path to do some consulting work at a new spa in my area.  The director there was familiar with Young Living and knew that I was a distributor, and part of the reason she wanted to bring me in to work with them was specifically to put Young Living treatments on the menu.  The reaction from the staff has been, of course, filled with excitement to be using such wonderful oils, and I’m so happy to be able to introduce YL to so many new people!  We’re working on training in the Raindrop Treatment of course, and also developing a few body treatments (scrubs, wraps, etc) incorporating the oils.  I won’t share too much yet, I don’t want to give any treatment menu secrets away!  But of course, as we introduce the new menu to the public, I’ll be keeping everyone posted!  But I felt inspired to share a little “spa at home” stuff here on the blog since I’ve been lucky enough to be immersed in the whole “Young Living Spa” thing for the last few weeks now…So here’s the first “spa post”!

The key to an actual spa experience is to leave the rest of the world outside.  So, tough as it might be, turn off the cell phone, the computer, and the television.  Keep the lights low, and go with just candlelight if possible.  Even if the world in your house can’t stop and the kids are still running around, make the world stop in your bathroom.  Music is nice too, but only if you have a battery-powered music player that is safe to use in the bathroom.

Baths are the original spa experience.  The word spa defined means either a mineral spring or a bath.  Baths have amazing healing potential on their own – hot water eases muscle tension and increases circulation, and the support of the bath water eases pressure on joints.  Add in some mineral salts and essential oil and you are ready to be completely transformed!  You can use any essential oil that you like….my personal favorite is Young Living’s Peace and Calming.  I go back to Peace and Calming time and time again…it has been one of my absolute favorites since I was first introduced to Young Living.  There is nothing with a more heavenly scent…it instantly changes my mood as soon as I open the bottle.  And boy does it help me sleep!  I like to mix the oil right into 2-3 cups of Epsom Salts (you can use fancy bath salts if you want, but regular epsom salts from the drugstore are awesome for achy muscles and joints).  You only need 3-4 drops of oil.  Dissolve this mixture into a warm bath and sink right in.  You’ll probably want to save this bath retreat until right before bed, though, because you’ll be completely worthless afterwards (in a good way!).  And you’ll get the best night of sleep you’ve had in a long time.  Sweet soaking and sweet dreams!

Dec

14

The Best Christmas Candies I’ve Ever Made…

Posted by : vrc211 | On : December 14, 2011

Category: Young Living

Tags:, , , , , ,

So not to toot my own horn TOO much, but I’m kind of famous for my creme center truffles.  If I don’t make them at Christmas and Eastertime, I run the risk of dealing with small mutinies not only at work but when I go to visit my future sisters in law.  The younger of the two has already sent me picture messages from the craft store where she found the perfect little dishes for me to use for my candies this year. They are probably so good because I absolutely love making them :)

This year, being my first year of really trying to change my lifestyle and incorporate Young Living Oils wherever I can, I decided to substitute Young Living Orange, Peppermint and Lemon Essential Oils for the typical food grade oils I use to flavor these particular candies.  I knew they would at least still be as good, but I had no idea what a huge difference they would make!  The flavor is more intense and of course, more natural.  Since the base for the cremes include vanilla, the Orange turned into the most mouth-watering creamsicle flavor…it tasted amazing before even being dipped into the chocolate!

Now, I’m not saying that using the oils makes these candies instantly healthy, because they are still loaded with sugar.  Indulging in these once or twice a year isn’t the worst thing.  But, I do feel a little bit better about indulging knowing that I am getting a little blast of the anti-oxidant, uplifting and purifying power of some of my most favorite essential oils!

Nov

04

Young Living Essential Oils for your Yoga Practice

Posted by : vrc211 | On : November 4, 2011

Category: Yoga

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Photo courtesy of http://101exercises.com/category/yoga

Relaxation and exercise are key components to health, and a regular yoga practice brings these two components together beautifully.  Deep breathing exercises to calm the mind and cleanse the body combine with challenging poses for the ultimate mind/body connection.  One ends a yoga class or private practice with a deep sense of peace and renewal.  Most yogis and yoginis will tell you that there is no better feeling in the world than this.  Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to take this practice to an even deeper level?  Many yoga instructors have begun including essential oils in their classes.  Some diffuse oils in the space to enhance the spiritual or relaxation experience of their students or to purify the air.  Some teachers even apply oils to their students.  One of the most amazing classes I ever took ended with my instructor applying lavender oil to my forehead and temples while I lay in Savasana.  I drifted more deeply into that pose than I ever had before that day.

Young Living Essential Oils compliment the yogic lifestyle better than any other oil company because of their deep commitment to sustainable, organic farming.  Young Living has “long championed cutting-edge natural, organic and low-impact farming and manufacturing methods (i.e. returning distilled compost and bioactivity to our fields).” (from Marc Schreuder – Young Living Corporate)  This philosophy is in tune with the entire Yogic philosophy of Ahimsa, or “to do no harm”.  Young Living is a perfect choice for true yogis and yoginis.

Photo courtesy of http://www.examiner.com/yoga-in-dallas/pranayama-lion-s-breath

Equally important to the poses in the yoga practice is pranayama – the art of breathing, or extension of life force.  The breathing enhances yogic practice by creating energy and deeply cleansing the whole body.  Essential oils that enhance and improve breathing are:

Raven – a blend of Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica), lemon (Citrus limon), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Eucalyptus radiata. This combination of deeply soothing therapeuticgrade essential oils that will provide comfort when applied topically to the chest and throat or diffused.

Ravensara – (Cinnamomum camphora) has a spicy, camphorous, warm scent, similar to eucalyptus but softer. The people of Madagascar hold it in high regard.  It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-septic and expectorant properties.

R.C.- contains powerful therapeutic-grade essential oils that are invigorating when applied, especially to the chest and throat area. R.C. is a wonderful blend to diffuse during winter.  It blends Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, myrtus communis oil, pinus sylvestris (pine) leaf oil, origanum majorana (marjoram) leaf oil, eucalyptus radiata leaf oil, eucalyptus citriodora leaf oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, cupressus sempervirens oil, tsuga canadensis leaf oil, and mentha piperita (peppermint) oil.

Pranayama also links to the sense of smell and how scents can affect brain chemistry.  Breathing in certain essential oils can also bring you into a deeper state of relaxation or meditation.  Some amazing meditation-enhancing oils are:

Frankincense (particularly Sacred Frankincense) -  Sacred frankincense essential oil is distilled from Boswellia sacra trees at the Young Living distillery in Oman. This new variety of frankincense is a complement to Boswellia carteri— Young Living’s traditional frankincense—and is ideal for special use when a deeper spiritual connection is desired. Omani frankincense is regarded as the world’s rarest, most sought-after aromatic in existence.  Both Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) and Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) have a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one’s spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin.  Sacred Frankincense is being carefully studied for its ability to kill cancer cells without killing healthy cells, and shows amazing promise as a treatment for all types of cancer.

Sacred Mountain – promotes feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, and protection that are a result of being close to nature. This blend of conifer essential oils, including spruce, fir, and cedarwood, evokes the feelings of sanctity found in the mountains.

Peace and Calming – a gentle, fragrant blend. When diffused, it helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit, promoting relaxation and a deep sense of peace. When massaged on the bottoms of the feet, it can be a wonderful prelude to a peaceful night’s rest. Peace & Calming may be especially calming and comforting to young children after an overactive and stressful day. Contains Tangerine (Citrus nobilis), orange (Citrus aurantium), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) and blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum).

Inspiration – includes oils traditionally used by the native peoples of Arabia, India, and North America for enhancing spirituality, prayer, meditation, and inner awareness. It creates an aromatic sanctuary for those seeking quiet meditation and spirituality.  Contains cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), spruce (Picea mariana), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), myrtle (Myrtus communis), sandalwood (Santalum album), frankincense (Boswellia carteri) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).

Some more vigorous practices can leave you feeling run down or sore the next day.  Deep Relief Roll-on (Peppermint, Balsam Fir, Clove, Vetiver, Wintergreen, Lemon, Helichrysum , Copaiba, Coconut oil.), Wintergreen Oil (known for anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties) or Aromasiez (Basil, marjoram, lavender, peppermint, and cypress) may bring some relief to sore muscles and joints.  Ningxia Red has proven to speed recovery time for runners and bikers, and may also help yoga practitioners’ muscles recover more quickly.  An ounce or two of Ningxia following a vigorous practice can really put the spring back in your step.

Yoga really is a lifestyle.  Healthy eating, care for our Earth, and deep spirituality all work together to bring abundant wellness to the practitioner.  Young Living’s company philosophy of Wellness, Purpose and Abundance, along with an amazing array of essential oils and essential oil based products compliments the yogic lifestyle to perfection!  Namaste.