I think if you asked anyone though, they would all have something different to say about what happiness and success means to them.
For me? Happiness is a slow Saturday morning with my family. Breakfast, coffee with my husband and a morning routine that went as smooth as a babies bottom. Success would be living simply but being able to provide for my family everything they need and be able to give as much as I can to those in need.
Everyday life though, It can defiantly take a toll on how your mind perceives things. One thing I don’t like is negative thoughts! I like a clear, free, happy mindset and it’s defiantly hard to accomplish but it’s one thing I take pride in having.
I try to do little tasks that help get me there and I am even trying to incorporate new ones this year to help keep my mindset positive even more. I am here to share with you 6 ways to help change your daily mindset to be your best self each day.
Positive Morning Routine.
I am starting off with one I am still working on. Mainly I am just not a morning person. I have found though that your morning really does set the tone for the whole day.
Create a relaxing morning routine that helps bring positivity to those early wake up’s. Make your favorite breakfast, sip your coffee slowly. Plan out your day.
Or even make this into your evening routine if you need to.
Do A Weekly Or Daily Brain Dump.
These help so much. Get out your favorite notebook and write down all your thoughts or things you need to do or want to do. Sometimes my mind gets so boggled with ideas and I love putting pen to paper and jotting them all down.
It does not have to be pretty, it’s just a way to help you get things off your mind and put into perspective what you want to accomplish. I love brain dumps.
Get Outside.
Need to clear your mind? I always say the best way to do it is to get outside. Fresh air is just so good for you.
I love a long walk to help alleviate stress or negative thoughts.
I love getting outside and playing with my kids, it feels freeing for myself and for them I am sure. Fresh air is a wonderful cure of a mindset that needs some clearing.
Less Is More.
Another work in progress for me is decluttering. I never realized what a toll clutter can take on you.
It creates so much stress, always having to pick up things or move things or organize things. It takes up so much time and energy.
I am going through one room in the house whenever I get the chance and it has felt so freeing creating a less is more atmosphere in my home.
Find A Hobby You Enjoy.
This is a big one. I love hobby’s. They are such an outlet to a more positive mind.
Find something you enjoy doing and use it as a way to be happy.
I love reading, writing and doing fun DIY crafts with my kids. They make me happy and I always feel better after finishing a good book, writing up a storm or making something fun with my kids.
Find something you love.
Erase The Negativity.
Remove negative things from your life. It may be hard sometimes but it’s worth it.
Listen to positive Podcasts, life yourself up with encouraging words.
Give yourself the strength to end the negativity and bring only positive into your life.
I think this is something we could all work on as human beings in general.
Your mindset is so important and I hope this has helped you find something to help make you happy!
If you have your own ways to stay positive and keep the joy flowing in your life please share them below with us all!
The other night my husband and I went out to dinner for the first time since we’ve had our newborn baby girl.
I was so excited about it. Like butterflies in my stomach excited. I navigated doing my hair and makeup between taking care of our newborn and our toddler and even the tantrums and the cries couldn’t put a damper on my mood.
I was going on a date with my husband, I was getting out of the house, I was wearing actual jeans, a crisp glass of wine was calling my name.
It was a wonderful night. A fall in love all over again type of night we desperately needed since becoming parents once again.
Life just gets so busy and that’s when I realized, we need to prioritize our marriage.
Between our children, working, his hockey coaching, sometimes “us” as an actual couple gets put on the back burner.
Who else can relate?
I’ve been constantly thinking of all the ways to prioritize our marriage and below is what I’ve come up with.
Set time aside for each other each day.
This goes in with the busyness I was talking about. Don’t put too much pressure on it but just make sure each day you have a little time for each other, even if it’s cooking dinner together or watching a show or just simply asking each other how their day went.
Respect each other.
Respect the wants and needs you feel for each other. Respect in general is just an important thing to have in any type of relationship but especially marriage. We all have different wants, needs, wishes and taking the time to listen, respect and prioritize them in your relationship is a wonderful thing.
Communication is key.
Does it even need an explanation? Communication is just #1. I can’t imagine my marriage without my husband wanting to share his thoughts with me. I can’t imagine him not wanting to talk things out with me. It’s just the #1 thing any relationship needs.
Date nights when able to.
Date nights out are so fun and definitely important. Like in the beginning, we just had our first date night since having our baby girl. Dinner was fantastic but after putting the kids to bed we sat in the living room with some wine and listened to our favorite songs we haven’t heard in forever and talked and laughed for hours.
So date nights out are great but don’t put pressure on it, you can have just as much one on one time at home as well!
Try to be interested in what each other likes.
I thought maybe this could relate to others as well. My husband and I have tons of the same interests but we also have tons of different ones as well. For instance, my love for writing and reading. Yet, he cheers me on and tells me to keep going with my blogging journey or will ask about the books I’m reading. He coaches travel hockey and it’s one of his biggest passions, so I go to as many games as I can and events and I love when he gives me play by plays of the games.
It helps us stay connected even when we are each doing separate things. Plus it’s always nice when someone wants to talk about something you enjoy!
With two kids now, I am definitely still figuring out this prioritizing thing! It’s a work in progress but I already know how important it is to keep a healthy marriage.
I hope these tips helped you! If you have more tips, please let us all know below. Thanks for reading!
Creating a better quality of life for our families doesn’t have to be complicated. If you are ready to start on a path to cleaner living and whole-home wellness, you are in the right place.
You would be surprised at the number of harmful chemicals in the products that we breathe in and apply to our bodies daily. Literally hundreds before breakfast ALONE (especially women). We are exposed to chemical combinations all day every day and no safety data exist on these. It’s impossible to know how much damage we are doing to our bodies. Have you ever started coughing immediately after using a cleaning product? Yea, me too!
Even if we do not feel an immediate reaction, we are not in the clear y’all. Over time, these chemicals build up and create a toxic overload. Many of these chemicals are synthetic—that means they are FAKE. Our bodies do not know what to do with them. Our liver, our bodies filter is overworked, our hormones are out of whack and our body can be out of balance and cause a whole host of problems like eye and throat irritation, headaches, respiratory issues, allergic reactions, worsened asthma, and possibly even cancer. Yep, you read that right.
I was shocked when I learned what was being used in so many of my favorite products.. Don’t think that some brands that say “natural” or “toxin-free “are safe. Always check your labels. Here are just a few to look out for.
SLS—Sodium Lauryl Sulfate—cancer neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation, endocrine disruptors (hormone/thyroid). Benzisothiazolinone—eye and skin irritation.
PEG-2 Cocomonium Chloride—evidence of cancer, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects; damage to DNA.
Methylisothiazolinone—possible neurotoxicity, nerve damage, lung toxicity, and allergic reactions.
Fragrance—this is a BIG one y’all!! An undisclosed chemical cocktail—trade secrets.A WHOPPING 12,500 ingredients fall under the umbrella word, FRAGRANCE on a label.
Manufacturers are not required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels.
Often only one-word ‘fragrance” or “parfum” is used on the label and can hide a cocktail of more than 100 ingredients.
75% of fragrances contain phthalates which have been linked to cancer, infertility, pregnancy loss, and birth defects.
Fragrances are common triggers of asthma, migraines, allergies, and sinus problems.
Fragrances are linked to so many profound health risks that avoiding them is probably the #1 change you can make to reduce your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals. It only takes 26 seconds for chemicals in your cleaners to enter your bloodstream through the skin, this includes EVERYONE in your home especially our kids since their little bodies are still developing. It is just not worth the risk!!
Why would companies do this? It’s called Greenwashing, they mislead consumers about the health, safety, and environmental impact of their products. They use those cheap synthetic fillers that we talked about earlier. Some popular brands in candy-colored bottles seem eco-friendly, quirky, hip, and homemade—but hold up check the label.
We’ve all used products that aren’t the best for us, but we can’t let old habits dictate our future. Companies are smart but WE are smarter and as the gatekeepers of our homes, WE get to decide what comes in. So, what can we do?
Thieves the Day my friend!
Thieves is an ultra-concentrated, versatile formula made with plant-based ingredients that can be used on virtually every surface in your home. Formulated with the power of Young Living’s Thieves oil blend, you can get a deep clean without dangerous or synthetic ingredients. Thieves cleaner also includes the scent of Lemon essential oil for an even more uplifting aroma. Infuse your entire house with the power of Thieves with a whole line of Thieves products.
Thieves contain no harsh or dangerous synthetic chemicals that need to be rinsed after use. Thieves is safe for septic systems, pets, and children. BONUS, you can have your kids clean safely and easily. Just one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner to 2 cups of water will cost you less than $1 a bottle making it a healthy, thrifty choice.
Using Thieves Household Cleaner is the single best thing you can do to reduce those harmful cheap synthetic chemicals that are so prevalent in most cleaners. This one step will lessen your toxic load allowing your body to function optimally, the way it is supposed to.
Thieves products extend into the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room where even more harmful synthetic chemicals are found. Dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, cough drops, hand sanitizer, and more make Thieves versatile for any lifestyle.
Thieves dishwashing soap uses natural grease-cutting agents and essential oils. THRIFTY TIP>> I split my dish soap into threes, add a little Thieves Household Cleaner and baking soda, and stretch it even further.
NO SULFATES
NO DYES
NO FORMALDEHYDE
NO PHOSPHATES
NO SYNTHETIC PERFUMES
Bringing the power of Thieves to your laundry room with enzymes that combat dirt and stains. A highly concentrated formula so one bottle will last a good while. THRIFTY TIP>> I split mine into threes, add water and stretch it even further.
NO SLS
NO DYES
NO PETROCHEMICALS
NO FORMALDEHYDE
NO SYNTHETIC PERFUMES
NO OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS
Thieves toothpaste and mouthwash support healthy-looking gums and teeth with ingredients from nature and pure essential oils.
NO SULFATES
NO SYNTHETIC DYES
NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS OR COLORS
NO PRESERVATIVES
NO FLUORIDE
NO SLS
NO PARABENS
NO PHTHALATES
NO MINERAL OIL
SYNTHETIC PERFUMES
Thieves essential oil can be used to make your own DIY cleaning and wellness recipes. Thieves essential oil blend is a powerful combination of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils that fills any space with a rich, spicy aroma. It is one of Young Living’s most popular essential oils so it’s no wonder that Thieves is included in so many of the home cleaning and personal care products. It is a key ingredient in Thieves Cleaner, Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier, Thieves Wipes, and Thieves Foaming Hand Soap. Thieves blend is your go-to for an invigoratingly clean and spicy scent that smells more like fall baking than harsh cleaning formulas.
You can become a Young Living wholesale member. What does being a member mean? Think Costco’s or Sam’s. That’s it, You never have to share with anyone if you don’t want to. ( There are two sides to Young Living. Over 80%of the wholesale members are product users only and approximately 8-10 % are members who have chosen to build a business with Young Living ). There are no monthly requirements or quotas. Your membership will get you wholesale prices on over 600 oil or oil-infused products like Thieves.
You can join Young Living’s Essential Rewards program and earn free products and reward points on every purchase every month. It’s like FREE money back every month to be used on future purchases. DOLLA DOLLA BILLS Y’ALL.
This is how I get most of my essential oils. I buy my household products, makeup, supplements that I am going to buy anyway. Then I use my points I earn to get the oils I want plus the ones I get for FREE every month. It’s a good deal but it’s also totally optional.
There are a few different options to start your wholesale membership. The biggest bang for your buck is the Thieves Starter Bundle. When you use my referral number at https://bit.ly/startYLNOW to start and choose a Premium Starter Bundle with Essential Rewards, you will get $25 cashback from me plus FREE SHIPPING and you will earn $10 in Rewards Points to use on future orders.WHOOP!!
We can also put together a customizable membership and I am happy to help you with that. Email me at hello@marieinmontana.com or comment here.
***Young Living just added on another Premium starter kit and it is not on my website yet. It’s called the ” Little Oilers Premium Starter Bundle” and it formulated for kids so it is already diluted so just add a roller to the top and start rolling. This starter bundle does qualify for the $25 cashback from me when you start with Essential Rewards plus the free shipping from Young Living.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about Thieves, Young Living, or Essential Rewards You can email me at hello@marieinmontana.com or comment below.
Avoiding synthetic chemicals in your home may seem daunting and overwhelming but the payoff will be worth it. Your body will function better without the toxic load that comes from using cheap filler synthetic chemicals. Switching to Thieves makes it an easy process to turn your home into a safer place for you and your family.
Essential oils are all the rage these days. You can buy them almost anywhere but with so much information out there, it can be overwhelming and time consuming. You’re a busy mama, I get it, I felt the same way when I first started to use essential oils. I had a few around the house but had no idea what to do with them but I always liked the idea, so I just dabbled here and there. Then I got hooked up with a friend of mine and she taught me all the things. She even taught me the science behind them, and I was hooked. I want to be that person for you. I want you to see all the ways you can use essential oils to support you and your family with natural solutions to health concerns, to look and feel better and to create a clean, safe home.
I want to share a few statistics and facts with you about chemicals in the home and your health. Did you know that Americans spend between 80-90% of their time inside, and that the average American home contains over 63 hazardous products? From antiperspirants to perfumes, from toilet bowl cleaners to over-the-counter painkillers, from skin care products to “air fresheners” and candles with synthetic perfumes, Americans have been slowly poisoning themselves and their families with hundreds of chemical compounds that the body is unequipped to deal with. Today, chronic illness of some kind plagues roughly half of the adult population in America, and now we are seeing more children with compromised health. Commercial products are full of synthetic ingredients that are known to be endocrine disruptors that means that they jack up your hormones and wreak havoc on our bodies. They are harmful to you, your family and even your pets.
There is a better way, the natural way.
Essential oils are redefining health in the modern world. They represent a gentle, supportive approach to health. Because of their chemical structure they are metabolized in the cells like other nutrients. They are volatile so they evaporate quickly. So unlike synthetic drugs, they do not accumulate in the body as much. The remarkable qualities of essential oil chemistry make using oils an overall safe and natural alternative for health in the body.
Essential oils are simply distilled plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, resins, and fruits. Think of them as plant concentrates. Essential oils help the plant stay healthy, and they can do the same for us. You can use them for aromatherapy, home cleaning, personal care, and to support every system of your body. They have been successfully used for thousands of years and are mentioned in the Bible many times.
The thing is though… not all oils are created equal.
Well, for me, it all came down to something called Seed to Seal and Young Living is the ONLY company that provides this. Seed to Seal is a quality commitment unlike anything else; they have control of the ENTIRE process, from the seed to the sealed bottle. You can rest assured that you are getting a quality product made with the highest quality essentials oils and other naturally derived ingredients. And the best part… if the oils do not meet these high standards they are rejected and will not be bottled as a Young Living product. Check out more info on their Seed to Seal promise at www.seedtoseal.com.
There are three ways to use essential oils.
One of the most common ways to use essential oils is AROMATICALLY, breathing them in through our nose or you can diffuse essential oils in your home and your car The aroma of essential oils can have a positive impact on your mood, and overall well-being, and they can help purify the air naturally. There is a great deal of research on how essential oils work with our emotional brain to help balance emotions. If you are not a “sciency” type of gal, hold tight, it’s worth it, mama.
When talking about emotions, we must mention the limbic system. The limbic system is a system of nerves and networks in the brain that controls basic emotions and drives. It is the emotional brain. It supports five major functions: emotions, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and sense of smell. Have you ever spontaneously cried or laughed depending on whether the memory was happy, sad or traumatic? This reaction is your limbic system at work. When we inhale the aroma of something like baked goods, fried food, grass or essential oil, the odor molecules travel through the nose where they register with nerves in the olfactory membranes in the nose lining.
The odor molecules stimulate this lining of nerve cells and trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb then transmits the impulses to the amygdala – where emotional memories are stored – and to other parts of the limbic system of the brain. The unique structure of the molecules of essential oils can directly stimulate the hypothalamus and limbic lobe of the brain. Inhaling essential oils may alleviate stress and emotional trauma as well as increase the production of thyroid and growth hormones. The amygdala (where emotional memories are stored) plays a major role in the storage and release of emotional trauma. Our sense of smell is directly linked to emotional states and behaviors, even if they have been stored since childhood. Our sense of smell, one of the five senses, is the ONLY way to stimulate the amygdala. The amygdala does not respond to words said or words heard. Therefore, the use of essential oils is so therapeutic to the release of stored emotions.
The next way to use therapeutic-grade essential oils from Young Living is TOPICALLY, right on the skin. Essential oils have a small molecular size and are quickly absorbed. When you apply an essential oil topically, it’s in all the body’s cells within 15-20 minutes, helping the body maintain optimal health at the cellular level. Young Living has an entire product line just for kids. Essential oils are already diluted to use quick and on the go when a little extra help is needed.
The third way you can use Young Living’s therapeutic-grade essential oils is INTERNALLY.
Vitality Essential Oils are approved by the FDA to be used internally and can help support the systems of the body and is a great way to help maintain optimal health! You can use Vitality oils like Cilantro, Cumin, and Oregano in the kitchen to spice up your meals and since you use so little they are budget friendly.
Just like any product we use there are a few safety guidelines. Thank goodness, with essential oils there are not too many. Some essential oils should be used with a carrier oil when applied to the body. Citrus oils like Lemon, Bergamot and Lime should not be worn if you are in the direct sun. If you are using them and going outside just put them under your clothes.
Now that you know what essential oils are, how they work you may be wondering what the heck do you do with them?
Skin Care
Cleaning and Laundry
Personal Care
Health and Wellness
Cooking
One of the biggest game changers for me was when I learned that essential oils could help balance my hormones, and emotions. Many women, no matter their age struggle with hormonal issues which can cause emotional ups and downs. Remember those endocrine disruptors I mentioned earlier? Yep, they only add to the problem. I was struggling with issues that come along as we age. I believe women of all ages can benefit from these hormone supporting essential oils. If you want to learn more about how to help nourish and balance hormones and your emotions using essential oils I’m your girl.
There are hundreds of essential oils and just as many ways to use them. While I love to talk about them ain’t nobody got time for all that. So, I made you some sweet printables to print out and enjoy. (see below)
Ready to learn more or get started on this oily journey? There are a few options for you.
Start a Young Living wholesale account. Thinks Sam’s Or Costco>>>> You never have to sell or share with anyone, unless you want to.( That’s the business side of Young Living and it’s totally optional) You can see all the ways to get started at http://marieinmontana.com/starter-kits.
If you decide you want to start your own membership, email, or message over on Instagram so I can walk you through it so we make sure you get the free oil that is offered each month. If you cannot wait, use this link. https://bit.ly/startYLNOW.
Quirky Work Moms Special—We have a wonderful group of busy women learning natural ways to take care of their families and tons of free resources to help you on your journey. When youstart a wholesale membership with a premium starter kit and Essential Rewards with us and I will send you a diffuser or a $25 credit to your Young Living account for future orders and you will get a sweet welcome packet in the mail to help you get started.
I hope this was helpful and that you see that essential oils can be used every day to support our bodies and homes in a natural safe way.
Quirky Workin' Mom's 