See ya later, Alligator and an Itovi update!

Posted on by Krystal

Guuuuuuurrrrrl. So far 2018 hasn’t gotten the memo that I’m expecting great things. It’s looking a lot like 2017 2.0. So maybe we’ll just call January a trial run and hope for the best. Who’s with me?

Anywho. Moving on.

What are we talking about today? My favorite topic ever! Skincare!!!!!! Here in Jersey, we’ve had some serious arctic temps so far this winter, but I’ve come up with a routine that’s keeping my skin baby soft. Most of my routine has stayed the same, but I’ve switched out a couple of things for some winter friendly options.

That’s the dream team right there. If they look a little battle weary and dirty, it’s because they’ve been working overtime. Now I’m not going to flood you with info, but I’m going to tell you a bit about each of these and how I’m using them to keep sandpaper skin at bay.

Now I’ve talked a little about Rose Ointment before. This little tub has been hanging around for over a year, and though we’ve obviously hit pan, a little of this goes a long way. So it will be a while before I have to worry about running out. (Although I would be lying if I said I’m not stalking the website for when this comes back in stock. Shhhhh.)

Now truth bomb: When I bought this I had little to no idea what I was planning on using it for. What I did know was that Rose oil is PRICEY and that this was an affordable way to get the benefits without breaking bank.

Originally I thought this was perfect for healing summer feet. You know, after wearing flipflops all summer, things down there be looking dry and scaley. But using this for just my feet seemed crazy beans. Once they started looking better, this jar sat around. So I started getting creative and loved the results!

Chapped lips (leave on overnight for an awesome lip mask!), booboos, chub rub (I know you know) and everything in between. This has been a life saver. Oh, and if by chance you get a patch of aligator skin from the cold? Yup. That too.

Loooooook at that thick, creamy goodness! I will say, the Sandalwood Moisturizing Cream INTIMIDATED ME. Again, Sandalwood is pricey and this cream, while being more reasonably priced than the oil, was up there in price with some of the “luxury” brands. I splurged on this and then immediately decided it was heavier than what my skin required. So it sat.

Fast forward to me running out of my ART Light Moisturizer. I didn’t want to order more because I knew this jar was sitting and it felt super wasteful not to use it. Best. Decision. Ever. This stuff is the bomb.com. It IS heavy, so I literally just dip a fingertip in for all the moisturizer I need. I’ve been using this for about four months straight, twice a day and it’s not even half way done.

So what’s so awesome about this stuff? Well because it’s a heavier moisturizer, it’s perfect for the winter season. Usually when you think heavy, you think greasy, but that’s just not the case. This stuff absorbs quickly and actually has a matte finish, making it great under makeup. It’s like a primer without all the pore clogging side effects.

ART Sheerlumé. Yaaaaasssss. It might seem a little extra, but I put this bad boy on under my Sandalwood Cream. It’s light enough to layer but could definitely work as a stand-alone moisturizer. It is a skin brightening cream, so it works double duty while helping to correct my skin tone. Bam.

Ok. So I know most people don’t think of Coconut Lime when they think of winter, but goodness is it awesome. This body butter goes on after every shower and makes my skin feel like it went on a tropical vacation. But like, a moisturizing one. I know what’s in it, so I feel great about slathering the kids in this too. The texture of this stuff is amaze. It feels like homemade body butter without all the work. That being said, keep it somewhere cooler so it doesn’t melt on you. Been there.

And that’s it! I’m happy to say that thanks to these babies, I haven’t had any of my seasonal skin issues. It’s been smooth sailing and well, smooth skin for everybody up in here.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for. An Itovi update. Now this is long overdue. Especially since my original Itovi post is by far my most visited. It’s one of those devices that people are super curious about and want to research before making the investment. I get it.

Well Itovi has changed their app and report since I first received it. You used to get a number of bio points that requires support but they’ve done away with that. The readings now look like this:

So as you can see, they now break your recommendations down into three categories: Emotional, Environmental, and Physical. I will say that I do like this as it takes some of the confusion out of the number game. The bio points seemed to scare people a little. What I miss is the breakdown of how much each recommendation would support your issues. I do like that they now seem to give a little more information on the actual products that are recommended. So that’s nice.

All in all, I’m still totally blown away by the accuracy of the Itovi. When I took this scan, I was recovering from a stomach bug and not surprisingly all of my recommendations supported my digestive system. Still amazes me. Every time.

My own personal downfall? I always forget that I have the Itovi. So ridiculous. I know. But my goal is to try and scan myself regularly and use the data to better my personal health. So I’ll be sure to check in with that.

That’s all folks! Any questions? Feel free to comment below! Also let me know how you’re surviving these winter months. We’re in this together. Think warm thoughts, you guys.

First Day Survival

Posted on by Krystal

Sure. That sounds a little dramatic, but whatever. Today was the first day of school!!!  And it still isn’t over. I’m actually typing this from cheerleading practice on a phone with 5% battery. Nothing like cramming it all in.

Speaking of cramming it all in, this is a HUGE post.  It is.  So, before you bail (please don’t) I just wanted to let you in on some exciting stuff.  I’m hosting an online Intro to Essential Oils class, right on Facebook.  It’s Monday, Sept. 12th at 9pmEST, but the info will stay up a couple of days.  There will be all sorts of good tips and information and probably a giveaway and probably some fun.  And.  So many ands.  Anyway, head to my Facebook page to find the event and JOIN US.  Any way, back to the post at hand.

Orginally I planned to just talk about what my kids were using this year to help them in school, but after I slathered things all over MYSELF this morning, I thought it could be awesome to cover both sides of the coin.

Dont get me wrong. I was really excited for both of the kids to ship out this morning, but it was a little bittersweet. I’ve had a buddy with my for the last (almost) five years. Seeing as I suffer from anxiety, it’s always helped to have a friend to talk to. I know that sounds super dependent. And it is. Shhhh.

So anyway. I was doing fine until Facebook decided to break my heart by showing me a picture of Slugger’s first day of Kindergarten. (Totally just typed Kinderfarten by accident and my phone says that’s a word. Mental note to look that one up later.) My mother’s guilt always kicks into high gear when I see pictures of little Slugger. We’ve had such a hard road and I always wish had done things differently. Maybe had more patience. Or been more gentle. I don’t know. A lot of things. Moral of the story it was seriously killing my “I’m going to Target with my bestie alone” vibe.  It doesn’t help that I’m PMSing. Dangerous.  So I oiled up. And ended up dressed as a unicorn. Magic!image

Ok and my phone died.  I’m going to break here to tell you a secret.  Every time my phone dies, I imagine I’ve been transported back in time and I’m trying to show people my phone.  I just keep telling them that if only I had a charger, I could show them that touchscreens are real!  Not sure what that says about me.  Anyway…

Since my phone died and I’ve had approximately 2300480298 things to do, it’s no longer the first day of school.  But we can pretend it is.

TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

image

Every kid is different, and this isn’t really a guide to school success, more like me telling you what is currently working for us and how we plan to use those same oils/supplements for school.  Things will change I’m sure.  Just as they did last year.  But for now, here’s the lowdown.

Slugger:

We are starting Slugger’s morning off everyday with two different supplements right now: Super B and MultiGreens.

Super B is filled with all of the B vitamins ever (don’t quote me on that) and other AMAZING things like manganese and biotin.  These are great for supporting healthy cognitive function, maintaining energy levels, supporting circulatory function, and boosting your moods!  Umm yes, please.  They also turn your pee super bright yellow, which would only be a positive thing if you are a ten year old boy.  He thinks it’s great.

MultiGreens are filled with more awesome stuff like bee pollen, spiraling, and Pacific kelp.  They even smell amazing.  Which doesn’t really matter, but whatever.  They work in conjunction with the glandular, circulatory, and nervous system.  Glandular…preteen…yessssss.  I’ve posted on ALL the social media about how glad I am that my son no longer smells like a football team.  A BLESSING, YO.

I’ve touched many times on Slugger and his various issues and hangups.  Last year, we had one oil blend that was a total game changer for us:  Clarity.

WHEW.

This blend IS AMAZING at helping provide mental clarity and stimulating the senses.  It also puts some pep in your step.  I believe I covered in a past post how we made the switch from Brain Power to Clarity last year.  Brain Power was great as well, however being that Slugger falls on the ADHD spectrum, stimulation is key to help support healthy brain function.  Using Clarity in conjunction with the the help he has in school allows him to stay focused through the WHOLE DAY.

The next oil blend is one that BOTH kids are taking with them this year.  It’s our tried and true “Bathroom Buddy”.

Bathroom buddy is a Combo of DiGize and Peppermint, both of which offer amazing support to your digestive system.  Anytime either one feels a little “off”, they roll this combo on their belly and go back to being their obnoxious wonderful selves in no time.  Usually after a trip to the bathroom.

DiGize is packed full of amazing oils in itself.  You know, in case I haven’t bragged on it enough or solidified the fact that it is my FAVORITE blend.

DiGize:

Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli.

Now, you’re probably all “There’s already peppermint in there, Dummy!”  And you’re right!  There is!  However peppermint is always good to boost certain oils and help them absorb a little faster.  So we add that bad boy in there.  Diluted, of course.

Now, my tiny Pixie.

Pixie is probably one of the most precocious little people you can meet.  She has no problem telling you her life story, no matter how busy you may appear.  Unless of course, you’re a kid.  Then she has no use for and really doesn’t have any idea how to talk to you.  So we needed to make her BRAVE.

We tested out a blend for cheerleading that worked pretty well, but then after going through the Happy Oiler Handbook (did I mention it’s amazing?) I found a recipe called “You Make Me Brave”.  It only had one extra step that ours didn’t, so I thought why not try it for school?  You Make Me Brave consists of Orange essential oil, and two different blends, Peace & Calming and Valor.  Now.  Those blends?  SUPER SOUGHT AFTER.  And super out of stock.  So if you’re following along at home and need to be…well, brave, let me know and we can come up with substitutes for you that might work just as well at turning you into a movie star.  I happened to have snagged both blends before they went out of stock, so I sacrificed them to my child like a good parent.

So any who, that’s Pixie’s secret weapon.  And I can absolutely see a difference in her already, so I’m even more excited to see what the school year holds in store for her!

Now to my unintentional PMSing, Stressed, First Day of School Mom Kit.

image

This is basically everything.  I left out DiGize, because I use that EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Because I love it.  Not that I don’t use these other things everyday.  Some of them I do, but I forgot to put the bottle in the picture and this is me pretending that was intentional, ok?

So what do we have here?  You can see the Super B and MultiGreens we talked about earlier.  Love them.  But there are also some other supplements to make your kid free experience run smoothly as well.

Every day I take the Master Formula.  It’s really cool because it’s actually a little packet of supplements already divided up for each day.  So you grab you bag and go.  EASY.  I’m not even going to pretend to be smart on this one though.  I’m literally going to show you EXACTLY what Young Living has to say about these bad boys.

As per the website:

• Naturally supports general health and well-being for the body
• Gut flora supporting prebiotics
• Ingredients help neutralize free radicals in the body
• Includes antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other food-based nutriment
• Pre-packaged sachets are convenient to take your vitamins on the go
• SSI Technology delivers ingredients in 3 forms chosen for their complementary properties

Click HERE to go to the information page for Master Formula.  It’s some seriously awesome stuff.  GUT FLORA SUPPORT?  Yes.  Clearly I need that.

Now Essentialzymes-4 is super new to me and I just started taking them this past week.  They just keep showing up on my Itovi scans, and I really don’t have to wonder too much about WHY.  These little guys help support healthy digestion of our super duper processed foods and aid in the absorption of nutrients.  Uh yeah, sign me up.

Now, goodness, if I haven’t lost you yet then YOU my friend are either really interested or a trooper.  I like you.  I’m going to wrap this up with my various oils because if you are a woman and have a vagina/uterus/reproductive system/hormones, you need to know about the next two oils.

Progessence Plus and Endoflex.

Now technically, Progessence Plus is a serum MADE with Essential oils, but whatevs, right?  It contains WILD YAM, which sounds weird, but has naturally occurring progesterone.  What?!  It also works double duty, because this stuff is great for your skin.  Let me say, I saw such a difference when using this blend, it actually scared me.  Like, I stopped using it because I was all “NO WAY!”  And then I regretted that I stopped using it because “things” went back to their terrible ways and then I swore I would never be without this again.  Hormone support?  CHECK.

Endoflex supports healthy endocrine function.  So that thyroid?  Let’s keep it healthy and happy.  That makes everything ELSE healthy and happy.  AM I RIGHT LADIES??

The dream team up there.  Trust me.  My kid’s thank me for using them, my hubs thanks me for using them, MY UTERUS thanks me for using them.

I would like to say I’m surprised I ended a blog post by talking about my uterus, but that would be downright lie.  I’m not surprised.

But this, this my friends, is our back to school game plan.  So far I can say we each feel pretty darn great and I will update (obvs) with how this goes for us!  Thank you for sitting through this ridiculously long post!  Go eat some ice-cream!!  You’ve earned it!

If you want a closer look or NEEEEEEED to have any of the oils/supplements mentioned click HERE.

Then tell me how much you love it.  Because you will.

 

Itovi, Utovi, We all, umm, tovi 

Posted on by Krystal

So I had posted on Facebook some time ago that my Itovi had arrived.  

What the heck is an “Itovi”?

Well I’m going to tell you what it is and what it ISN’T. 

 itovi

There it is, in all it’s tiny glory.  
The Itovi is a personal scanner. Sounds pretty sci-fi, right?  And in so many ways, it kind of is. 

The Itovi uses a technology called “Bioimpedance” to tell us about our own bodies and health. Bioimpedance is the same technology used in most of the fitness trackers people are using these days. Basically, tiny frequencies of electricity are used to bounce around and report back on what is happening in your body. That’s probably the least scientific way to explain this, but Google. Just. Google. 

So after a scan that roughly takes about two and half minutes, you get a read out that looks something like this:

 

So, the read out you see is actually from Pixie’s most recent scan.  Now if you’re like my dad, you’re probably looking at this wondering what any of this means.  As you can see, of the 273 bio points scanned, 72 of them can use improvement. Now this information is based off of so many variables: sleep, stress, diet, exercise, water intake, and so on. 

What this scanner doesn’t do, is diagnose.  I am not a doctor and I’m not going to tell you that you have small pox, or the measles, or whatever else.   

But this scan shows me that based off of this readout, Pixie would have the most beneficial results using Petitgrain. It gives the Young Living description of each suggested oil or supplement and nothing more. So now what? 

Now, I would take this information and research Petitgrain on my own. Knowing what it assists with and what benefits it has leads me to a plan of action as far as how I would use this oil on Pixie. And that’s the gist. 

Do you need extra knowledge of oils to use the scanner?  Not necessarily, but it certainly helps fill in some of the gaps here.  I’ve been more or less running the scan and then providing each person with a full break down or “oil map” letting them know the nitty gritty details. 

Overall, it’s an amazing tool that offers the most customized results possible. Regrets?  None. 

I will say, the results we’ve seen have made tremendous sense when considering our various health concerns. I even eliminated one of the supplements I’ve been taking for a few days (totally intentional, not because I’m lazy. Ha!) and low and behold, there it was in my next scan. Voo doo!  Or, even better, science!  So cool. 

If you’re interested in getting scanned and are local to me here in beautiful New Jersey, let me know!  Or if you’d like to look into getting an Itovi for yourself, or just want more information because I’m a terrible science teacher, visit www.itovi.com

I think it goes without saying, I’ve received no compensation or product for this post (seriously, no one would pay for this). I just wanted to share how excited I was over this new gadget! 

Elementary, my dear Slugger…

Posted on by Krystal
back to school

Tea tree

Hey there ladies and gents.  So originally I was going to talk about mutant head lice and how we should all cower in fear.  But then I realized, that’s what you have the news for.  I am not the news.  So instead we are going to talk about the most wonderful and simultaneously horrible time of year: BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!

Now before we get into the whys of how I feel about this time of year, (snort!  Like you need a list for why it’s wonderful!) I’m going to warn you:  Things are about to get oily.

If you aren’t familiar with essential oils (or even if you are), I’ve made this quick and easy little site that explains what they are, how they’re used, and all that good stuff.

essential oils 101

You’re going to want to click on this fun little picture here, and go visit that site.  Trust me, it’ll be important later.

So any who, I’m pretty confident in saying that anyone who has school aged kids can agree that sending them off to school is one of the most glorious feelings ever.  Unless you’re sending your first born to kindergarten for the first time.  Or your last born for that matter.  You ladies are going to be an emotional mess.  Sorry.  It’s just how it has to be.

BUT for the rest of us, it is a time for celebration!  There are mimosas at the bus stop!  Confetti in the air!  People are wearing stupid hats like it’s New Year’s Eve!  Ok, maybe not.  But there should be!

Now this euphoria lasts for at least the first couple of days.  Kid’s aren’t bringing home anything crazy, just the same forms you’ve filled out since the beginning of time.  No sweat.  You’re scribbling emergency contacts down like it’s second nature.  Nothing can break this zen.  Life is awesome.

AND THEN…

Homework starts.

homework helper

Now, when I was a kid, homework was a completely different monster than it is now.  Kindergarten.  Pffft.  Homework wasn’t even a thing.  We colored and played with blocks, and we were damn geniuses if we could write our own name.  NOT.  ANY.  MORE.  Slugger had homework every day in Kindergarten.  KINDERGARTEN!  As the years have gone by, things have only gotten worse.  There are reading logs and family projects.  Family projects.  Let that sink in.  If you’re like me, you already have a family project.  Project “Keep the kids alive”.  Come on now.

Now the other new fangled craziness is that kids are not held responsible for the homework.  Oh no.  The parents are.  THE PARENTS.  I have gone to more than one parent/teacher conference where I have been asked about the status of Slugger’s assignments.  Listen, he has homework.  He knows he has homework.  I cannot sit down and forcibly make him do said homework.  That is part of learning responsibility.  You don’t do homework, you get in trouble.  At home, at school, everywhere.  Don’t ask me why homework isn’t getting done.  Ask him.  I did my homework.  Goodness.

colds IMG_1278

And then, the illnesses start.  Slugger was fairly healthy until starting school.  I kid you not, I think he brought home everything short of Ebola once he started school.  Ok, slight exaggeration.  Only slight.  Now, when he had started Kindergarten, I had Pixie only a couple of weeks later.  So this complicated things immensely.  Not only did I have a sick five year old, but I had to keep the sickness at bay because infants.  And I was breastfeeding.  Which meant there was very little I could take to fight off any sickness.  At that time I wasn’t an oils monster just yet, and things were much harder than they needed to be.  I’m sure my immune system has muscles like Arnold though.  So there is that.

Sickness.  Be prepared.  It’s coming.

rest for success

Ahhhhh, sleep.  At the end of the school day, even your kids should be ready for bed.  You settle them in and prepare to relax for the remainder of the evening.  Until you notice that note sticking out of their backpack.  You know, that obscure note that is asking you to bring in 25 pre-sliced apples for tomorrow because they’re going to be making applesauce.  Did you know about this?  Is this a thing?  Do you even have apples?

If you’re like me, the answer to all of this is a resounding “NO”.  So now you have to either run out to the store, or hope your significant other is a saint and willing to do it for you.  Either way, you know you’re going to be up until all hours of the night cutting up apples. And trying to find a container big enough to put them in.

School.  So awesome.

morning jump start

Now, I’m sure you know this already, but after finally drifting off at 3 am, smelling of apples, you now have to be up bright and early to yell calming repeat the same three sentence over and over and over until you leave the house.  Our morning mantra usually sounds like: “Where are your shoes?  That shirt is too small.  It’s too late, we’re leaving!  No, we don’t have time for a snack!”

But again.  Repeat each of those about forty five times.

Totally awesome.

test tamer

The kids are on the bus.  Next step?  Sit at home and pray you don’t get any phone calls from the school.  Or emails.  Or text messages.  Because thanks to modern technology, that school WILL find you.  If all goes well, you have almost the entire day to do all the really fun things moms like to do.  Like laundry, dishes, and grocery shopping.  Of course, I still have Pixie home with me, so we do these things together, while singing.  Like the productive princesses we are.

We then waltz to the bus stop in our gowns and heels to pick up Slugger.  And then I take a deep breath and laugh like a lunatic.  Because I know we are going to repeat everything I’ve mentioned, five days a week, until June.

School.  The most wonderful time of the year.

Now.  You sat through that.  I appreciate it.  To show how much I appreciate it and you, I am hosting a giveaway to launch this blog and earn some friends.  Because friends like free stuff.  Duh.  So, it’s easy.  Fill out the rafflecopter below and follow the instructions.  Make sure you visit the link to the Essential Oils 101 page, so you can tell me what, if anything, you’ve learned.  Two winners will be chosen.

First prize is a free bottle of oil from the list below.  Your choice.  As long as it’s in stock of course.oils

Second prize is $10.00 off any Young Living order placed through me.  Seriously, any order, no mater how large or how small.

The contest runs now through September 8th.  I will announce the winners on my Facebook page.  GOOD LUCK!