Turning a New Leaf || Cleaning Products

For quite a while now, I have wanted to take drastic steps toward health. Over the years, I have focused on what went into my body through diet. However, in the background, I knew that more chemicals and toxins than I could imagine were sneaking through my skin, I just couldn't afford to do anything about it and honestly didn't have the energy to figure it out. 

I went through bouts of reactions and testing hygiene and cleaning products to see what the issue was. I even went cold turkey for a few months, no makeup, no perfume, no soaps except Castile Soap, no laundry softener, super sensitive laundry soap, no deodorant, baking soda toothpaste, cleaning with baking soda and vinegar only, you name it...I was fed up! Then my curly hair was stripped of all it's oil, my skin was clear but felt so dry, and I just felt enslaved to my body! So I gave up and went back to the store bought products, beginning with the organic grocery store options and slowly working my way back to the name brands. 

Back in October, Young Living stepped into my life and I decided it was time to take charge of not only our internal health, but our external health, house and budget! Being sick and suffering was draining me and so were all the name brand cleaning, body care, perfume, hair care products! 

This month, I will begin our switch from store bought products to homemade and Young Living. I love that there is versatility and health in mind which will lead to budget awareness and overall savings. As one of our products runs low, I will replace it with a natural version...thus making it less of a shock to our current budget. It's always pricey to start something new (remember the first time you bought groceries for your own home? Mustard, mayo, pickles, bread, meat, canned goods, etc, it's all very expensive at the beginning). Thankfully with this approach, we will save in some areas and balance in others! 

Tonight I will start by making homemade laundry detergent. Instead of fabric softener, I will continue using white vinegar which has done wonders since I began using it exclusively back in October (you'd be surprised...there is absolutely no vinegar smell once the wash load is completed). 

As for house cleaning, I already use a homemade window cleaner that doubles as a counter top cleaner (recipe). In the next few weeks, I will be ordering Young Living's All Purpose Thieves Concentrated Cleaner to use for moping and toilets along with Thieves Dish Soap, Thieves Foaming Hand Soap and Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier. 

Below you will find some simple yet effective cleaning recipes that will leave your house not only spotless and smelling amazing, but it'll be a nice break for your organs to not have the detoxing load it's used to. 

One step at a time, one bite at a time, slow and steady wins the race...however you put it, give yourself time to embrace any new life style choices you may be considering. Your body and mind will thank you.

Cold Season is Coming!

Life sure has a way with running ahead of us, I'm baffled to think that we are three months into 2016! However, winter is coming to a close and soon we'll be in shorts, flip flops and enjoying dinner on the porch.

Sadly, with Spring comes cold and flu season, once again, and it sucks the life right out of you! Now there are flu shots and avoiding handshakes to prevent a cold but what do you do when you already find yourself feeling run down with stuffy sinuses, sore throat, upset tummy and sore sore muscles?

There's always the drugstore but what if you could spend less time drowsy and more time enjoying the warmer weather?

Here are a two of my absolute favorite essential oils that make me feel better when I am "blessed" with a cold.

"Thieves® essential oil is a powerful combination of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils for an aromatic blend that fills any space with a rich, spicy aroma. Inspired by the legend of four 15th-century French thieves who formulated a special aromatic combination composed of clove, rosemary, and other botanicals used while robbing the dead and dying, Thieves is one of Young Living’s most popular products.

With the benefits of Thieves oil including cleaning power and an irresistibly spicy scent, Young Living offers it as an essential oil blend and as an important ingredient in a full range of home cleaning and personal care products, from dish soap to toothpaste. Looking to make your home smell as clean as it looks? Diffuse Thieves oil throughout the house for an aroma that makes every room smell more like fall baking than harsh cleaning formulas."**

Benefits:

• Immune Support
• Purifying

Ways to use Thieves:

• Add a couple drops to 8 ounces of water after being around anyone who is ill or has a sick family (can be also be added to tea)
• Massage a drop onto your neck at the first signs of tonsil/gland swelling and/or sore throat
• Add a few drops to a sink full of warm water as a fruit and vegetable soak 
• Add a few drops to your sink while soaking dishes
• Create your own house cleaning products with Thieves 
• Add to hand soap 
• Use Thieves to make homemade cleaning wipes for on the go*

*Note: Some essential oils are not recommended for infants, babies and young children. Please research each oil according to your child's age before applying or using on their toys. 

"Eucalyptus globulus has a fresh, penetrating scent. It contains a high percentage of the constituent eucalyptol, a key ingredient in many mouth rinses. Applied topically, it is often used to support the respiratory system* and to soothe muscles after exercise. Eucalyptus Globulus has an approximate ORAC of 24,157 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter."***

Benefits:

• Respiratory Support
• Muscle Tension

Ways to use Eucalyptus:

• Diffuse for opening nasal passages
• Use in a personal steam vaporizer (such as this one)
• Add 1-2 drops to a teaspoon of coconut oil and rub on chest, under nose, base of feet before bed
• Add 1-2 drop to a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage sore muscles and nape of neck
• Add 3-4 drop to a damp washcloth and hang over the side of your shower curtain while showering (or you could plan ahead and make shower melts)

Though I wish we could all be free of threatening nasty colds, I am so thankful to have these oils ready to go when one settles in! No one wants to spend two weeks under the weather and drowsy. 

Feel free to contact me at katelynsyoungliving(at)gmail.com if you are interested in any essential oils. 

Are you on Facebook? So are we! Like us to stay up-to-date with new products and giveaways! 

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Disclaimer: None of the information provided on this blog is to be used to treat, diagnose, or cure any medical ailments. Please consult your doctor before incorporating essential oils if you are on any medications or have any medical conditions. Some essential oils are not safe for pets, infants, children and women who are pregnant. Please research all oils and dilutions prior to use.

** https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/thieves-essential-oil

*** https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/eucalyptus-globulus-essential-oil

The Good, the Bad, and the Mrs.

December of 2015 has come and gone and we are coming up on three months of marriage! It's hard to wrap my mind around how three months could be over, just like that! Yet, when I look back over the last three months and consider the times I have failed to love or was short tempered and selfish, I feel as though it has to have been longer.

I cannot tell you how many internal battles I have had where I had to choose between being the nagging wife mentioned throughout much of Proverbs (21:19, 15:17, 27:15-16, 25:24) and abiding by 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Sadly, nagging takes many more forms than I ever knew the word to mean.

I knew I was sinful before I met my husband but there is absolute truth in the knowledge that marriage is another part of sanctification. It's as though the Lord is showing me a mirror of myself, magnifying my sins until it breaks my heart. Let's face it, it's acting out. A toddler with the same attitude as a grown adult would be called a brat, while the adult would be considered overwhelmed or tired.

Who would hurt someone they prayed so fervently for? Who would speak disrespectfully to the one they just vowed to honor and obey? Me! I have! No words can express the pain I felt when I let those words of (enter: anger/selfishness/pride) leave my lips knowing they would hurt the one I love so dearly. Next came the regret, wishing I could take them back, and then grace stepped in.

Growing up, I would become emotional if my life didn't fit into the beautiful box I had hoped for. When I made choices that left spots on what I wanted my life to look like, I didn't know how to cope. My emotions left me disappointed in myself, wishing I could go back and start over. I wanted so badly to live life without blemish that each time I failed, it became more and more painful. I became obsessed with maintaining somewhat of a "perfect life".

When I met David, he reminded me that our past didn't have to define our future and that each breath, each day was an opportunity to do better.

Forgiveness is something we all seek, yet we harbor it from others. We know it's powerful! We know it's in the hands of the giver and one of the few things in life that cannot be taken. I guess that's why I am so overwhelmed when someone shows me grace and offers forgiveness. Nothing I have ever done has been worthy of either so they are invaluable gifts.

I will never be a perfect wife but I do want to learn from my mistakes and offer forgiveness when it's my turn. This is the goal I will continue to work toward. My God demands it and my husband deserves it.

Farewell

Those of you who have been following my blog for a few years know that I also blogged over at "All in Good Measure". I saved my creative and educational food posts for there and my life updates and mind wanderings for here. Well, I seem to be in a purging faze and felt it was high time the two blogs became one. Considering the last food post was from November of 2014, it's much less obvious that I fail at blogging ;). I figure it's more accurate to my life for it all to be in one place...it's me, my life, the whole shebang! Oh but don't worry, those posts are all here. Wouldn't have been able to part with them if I wanted. So sit back, relax and don't hold your breath ;).

"The Love Language of All Marriages is Self-Denial"- When Laziness Turns "I Do" Into "I Wish I Hadn't"

A woman came into my office today and right away she felt compelled to empty her mind of her frustrations with her husband and then tell me "Be sure you love him before you say 'I do' because otherwise after 15 years of being his wife by night and mother by day, you will wish you hadn't." Ouch! She then began to share why she had lost all respect and adoration for her soulmate.

It's very sad to hear women share their burdened hearts about their husband's unwillingness to help around the house. I truly believe every good woman wants to love on their husband and take care of their home without needing to request assistance but the truth is, they get tired and they feel hurt that the one they love is happy to receive the blessings but not willing to lend a hand.

Men, you can't just be a 9-5 husband, you can't be satisfied with making a paycheck and letting your wife do everything at home, raise the kids, and work a job. Show some grace, please. It's okay if you have never had to do laundry, maybe it's time to show your lady some love and learn. Don't be afraid, we all have to learn at some point, it's better to do it now while you are still married than to have an angry wife or even worse, no wife and no one to do it for you. If you wanted a mother, you shouldn't have found a wife.


Mothers, please teach your sons to cook, clean, and have an overall respect for people who help them with those needs. You would hate to be the source of frustration when he gets married and his wife realizes that you did everything for him and now he is inexperienced and unwilling.

Just listening to these women makes my heart sad knowing that they loved this man but now feel abused by all of his expectations and lack of help. Respect is very important to a man, however when these husbands exasperate their wives so much, they break down the respect that their wife once had for them.

Now, wives, here is also something I have observed (and been guilty of as well) that I also know to be a sinful attitude in marriages.....anger comes from fear, frustration or hurt. Ask yourself: Why am I angry? What do I fear? What is the source of my frustration? Why am I hurt? If you break it down, you are left with pride and selfishness. I'll bet you are keeping score in your marriage. Are you showing signs of long-suffering?

It's easy to allow dirty socks and the unfounded unwillingness to rinse a cup and place it in the dishwasher to become grounds in your mind for why you have reason to respect him less, treat him badly or worse, publicly vent about your marriage....however, the lack of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are equally sinful in the eyes of the Lord.

Can I say that I know the answer to this? No. I'm sure every woman who has experienced this form of frustration in her marriage would say that the answer is simply "He should help!" but yelling at him to help you is equally effective as him yelling back for you to show him respect. Grace, prayer, long-suffering, prayer, patience, and some more prayer is going to be necessary. Once the Lord convicts him and he starts trying to help, grace, grace, a whole lot of grace! He is learning. Don't treat him like a child by being demeaning however, know that he is trying to show you love by helping and that you might have to let go of some things (OCD tendencies ladies?!) and be patient as he learns. What you will realize is that while he is learning how to wash a dish or clean clothes, you are learning the art of submission and prayer.

Convicting isn't it? 

Something I recently was introduced to is the idea of a "Love Tank".....

For more information on the concept of a "Love Tank" visit this website

When Wisdom Gets Removed and the Thunder Rolls

My memory in the process of writing these blog posts was sadly lacking! I completely forgot to share our favorite memory from the beginning of our relationship!

If you'll bear with me, I will take you back to Tuesday, July 29, 2014 and Wednesday, July 30, 2014. 

David remembers Tuesday as a day of fear and anxiety, of not knowing if his wisdom tooth extractions were going to end up with him in the hospital due to his body's slow clotting abilities. In fact, it is David who reminded me of this day in our history because to him, this was the moment he knew he loved me. We had made a habit of texting around the clock and Tuesday was no different except I knew he had surgery and he was definitely nervous about bleeding out and not waking up. I don't know how it came down to music but I remember us sending each other country music clips from the 90s to help distract him. It seemed to work until the afternoon brought out more fears in David than I could calm down. This is the moment I mentioned a few posts back where I prayed for God to show me David's faith. It was around 3am and I didn't want David to be too tired right before the surgery so we ended our conversation. I prayed for about an hour, lifting up David's health and spiritual life, asking for quick healing and a clear view of his faith. 

We both only ended up waking up at 6am and soon after, my phone went off. David had sent me a verse without any knowledge of my burdened heart or prayers the night before. I was comforted and felt at peace about our progressing friendship and set out to help him maintain his nerves as he was taken to the dentist office. While he was in the waiting room, he mentioned that he really likes "Thunder Rolls" by Garth Brooks. I wasn't in a place to call him but I wanted to comfort him so I began typing out the lyrics to the song as a technologically advanced form of singing to him. Corny? Very much so. Did I care? Not one bit, I was falling for him. 

His surgery went very fast (I'm not jealous :P, his was merely 30min and mine was roughly 2 1/2 hours) and despite my initial push for him to nap, he said he was home alone for the weekend and wanted me to keep texting him so I would know if he ended up having a bad reaction to anything. It took all of my self-control to not hop over to make him jello and pudding and mashed potatoes and rice and ice cream and and and and. The best I could do was put a get-well kit together for him and deliver it to one of his friends so they could deliver it to him. I didn't know what he had or didn't have so there was an ice pack, two boxes of jello, two boxes of pudding, herbal tea to help stop the bleeding and sooth the gums, and gauze. 

To add to it all, his grandmother's (Mamos) health had taken a turn for the worse about a week before David's surgery. She was in a coma and his family had gone to see her in case God called her home. David has a very close connection with his Mamos and it broke his heart that he was not there to say good-bye but due to the surgery, he was in no place to make the eight hour trip to see her. Comforting him was very difficult from across town but it allowed an opportunity for him to share his favorite memories of his Mamos and Papos with me. 

We ended up talking all night long and though I wish I had encouraged him more forcefully to sleep, I look back and remember that being the night that I fell 100% in love with him and how much I wanted to be by his side forever. Tuesday July 29, 2014, David fell in love with me. Wednesday, July 30, 2014, I fell in love with David and allowed it to begin growing without limits. 

PS: Mamos ended up making an (almost) full recovery. She learned that she is diabetic and has slowly worked toward restoring her health. She still has a ways to go but we are all so happy to be blessed with another year with her. I have only been blessed to speak with her over the phone a few times and in person over the course of a family wedding but I love her dearly and can see why David holds her so close to his heart. She has both inspired and encouraged David, supported his dreams and ignited a fire to fight for his future. 

One Year Down, Many More to Come

Well sweetheart, tomorrow marks a year since we first truly met. I used to wish I could go back in time and change how I treated you, how I made you feel. I am glad I don't have that ability, I honestly don't think we would be where we are today except that God brought us here with each step. We are 5 months from our own wedding, yet today, all I can think about was the wedding we met at a year ago. Sure, we saw each other before the wedding but it wasn't until July 19, 2014 that God brought us to the point of speaking and in a week more, it will mark the beginning of our friendship. You are my best friend and the love of my life. You are my comforter and my favorite fishing buddy :D .

Thank you for this past year. For putting up with my craziness and taking the time to console my broken heart. For being my partner in crime, for not judging me when I consume a family size bag of Doritos solo, for taking me all over to all the wedding shows in an effort to expend me of my crazy wedding planning energy so you don't have to listen to my unbearable indecisiveness between tables/no tables, veil/no veil, haha. I will forever treasure our times of trial and healing, our late night discussions on the hard things of life and your unwavering devotion. I look forward to many more because they remind me that no matter what, love is a choice, one that we have both continued to make during some of the hardest parts of our lives thus far. Things are looking up my love, we will soon be husband and wife and no matter what this world continues to throw at us, we will have each other and with God, that is all that matters.

I love you handsome, I can't wait to see what the next 5 months bring us. I wouldn't want to venture through life with anyone else. ~Your Bride