Over the last couple months Josh and I have been working together to improve our lifestyle, eat clean and live clean. We have been slowly ditching chemical filled and toxic cleaners and switching them out with homemade cleaners made with essential oils. Eating right though sometimes that fails because man, do we love food and travel often. Some things I have been replacing are face wash, body wash, hand soap, multipurpose household cleaners, sunscreen, bug spray (indoor and outdoor), facial toner (my favorite!!), air fresheners, deodorant, wipes and more! I also use them to help promote a healthy immune system, digestion, headaches, body aches and more. Diffusing lavender at night along with cedarwood keeps me sleeping soundly when I use to toss and turn all night. AHMAZING!

I have to admit, I was super hesitant to jump in to the world of essential oils for wellness/clean living because I am just a hesitant person and question EVERYTHING. Like, how could these little bottles filled with plant based oil do so much? Not to mention, they have become a trend. Let’s face it, I love trends, I love new things and I want to improve my life. So we enter the world of essential oils.

I read a lot on essential oils and the various companies that exist. Boy, is there a lot of them. Eventually I came across a company called Young Living. The more I read about his company and talked to a few essential oil loving friends I fell in love. They are one of the only companies that owns their own farms and guarantees seed to seal. This means they see the process from seed, cultivating, distilling, testing and seal so that they and you know you are receiving the best quality of oils you can get. These are labeled “therapeutic grade essential oils” meaning they are pure and not fragrance grade, natural (this means they may not have all the therapeutic properties) or synthetic which can be dangerous. Once I learned all about this, I was sold.

So what did I start with you ask? I started with Young Living’s Premium Starter Kit. It is the best value as it includes 10 essential oils for everyday use + a bonus oil. It also includes an amazing diffuser (it’s like having a spa at home. I have 3 now!), 10 sample packets of 5 different oils to share with friends and family, 2 samples of Ningxia Red (I love this stuff!), a roller ball attachment, 10 amber glass bottles for sharing oils or traveling with and sample cards with oily information on them along with some awesome literature. Yeah, pretty sweet deal right? After looking at the individual cost of each oil that I was interested, plus the cost of a great diffuser, I found this was the perfect starter kit for me. So what are the oils?

The Premium Starter Kit — the best! It’s worth every. single. penny for what it can do for your family’s health & kicking toxins to the curb.

Thieves – the healthy-keeper. It helps kill airborne yuckies, boosts immunity, makes our digestive systems work their best, and is just the greatest.

I use this one as a household cleaner, immunity booster, fresh house. I’ve been using this one a lot this week since I have a bit of a cold.

Purification – gets rid of bad odors and airborne germs. feels amazing rubbed on the outside of your throat. I love it in our laundry!

I use this one mainly for laundry and air purification. I have cats & a dog and live in a small apartment… Those who know pets and a small apartment don’t mix. There is always the smell of the litter box or dog on the blankets. Throw some of this in the deterdent or on a wash cloth and throw in the laundry or pop 5 drops in the diffuser; smells be gone!

Copaiba – supports body’s response to injury/irritation, is a driving oil (enhances other oils!), regulates my natural immune responses, can be soothing, promotes youthful appearance from the inside out

I dare you to look up all the properties of Copaiba. It’s insane all the history that lies with this one oil. It blows my mind. This oil can be partnered with any other oil and it will boost it’s properties. It’s been used for hundreds of years in South America to help with sore throats and pain. It is in all my massage oils and menstrual rollers.

Frankincense – Incredible for my skin and immune system, eases occasional and minor tension/anxiety, promotes feelings of calmness and balance (Was given to baby Jesus as a gift. Rad!)

Another amazing oil with so much history. I use this oil in practically everything. It’s in my lotions and facial wash, toner and serum. It also helps with scars. I recently made a roller to helps with some scarring I have.

RC – contains 3 different kids of eucalyptus which have naturally occurring eucalyptol (really good stuff), inspires and uplifts before working out, creates a comforting environment

Great when you have a cold. Great when you have a cough. I made a roller with just RC when Josh was sick and stuffed up. I rolled it on his chest and his cough was gone like the wind.

DiGize – supports a super healthy digestive system, alleviates nausea and upset/sour stomach, great for occasional irregularity or upset tummies, relief from occasional heartburn

Lemon – naturally highlights hair, maintains energy levels, helps oily skin, calluses, cellulite, detoxing your body. The works!

My everyday household cleaner. Put several drops in a amber glass spray bottle and clean counters and sinks for days. It also smells great. It has refreshing properties and is awakening.

Stress Away – exactly what it says. We roll it onto our wrists and the back of our necks anytime we want it. ☺

My absolute freaking favorite oil blend that exists. I cannot go a day without this in a roller. I roll it on and within 20 minutes I feel so much better. It smells great and makes me feel great.

Peppermint – helps me enjoy springtime outdoors, Soothes occasional head discomfort, supports digestive system, promotes proper nasal and respiratory function! Love this stuff.

Bye, bye headaches, bad breath and sleepiness. I combine this oil in my massage oils, put it in my shampoo, it’s great in homemade toothpaste. The list just goes on.

Panaway – so many types of relief. Helps with occasional head discomfort, everyday joint and muscle soreness, and that time o’ month cramp suckiness.

Another favorite. I have chronic neck and shoulder pain from being a wedding photographer. Put this on and I feel like a new woman.

Lavender – “the Swiss Army knife of essential oils.” We use it for enjoying the springtime outdoors. great for relaxation, sleepy cream, a calm environment for kids, and dry/chapped/irritated skin.

The best of the best. You can literally use this oil for anything. Make-up remover, lotion, SLEEP, relaxation (few drops in the bath, mmm!), body wash and so much more. The list goes on.

So what are some of your other favorites not included in the starter kit? This list is long but I have included some photographs of some of my favorites. But here are just a few:

Valor: snoring be gone and grounding, Peace & Calming: exactly what it says., Orange: relaxing and smells great, Ylang Ylang: sexy time booster, Tea Tree: Great for acne

So now you’re interested in essential oils, right? So cool. If you’re wanting to order the same thing I started off with you can do so here: https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=2728939&enrollerid=2728939

As you are ordering:

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Have more questions? Let’s talk! livingwithacreative@gmail.com

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.