Enjoy this weeks tips on Winter Wellness...
Rainy-day survival guide: Fun-filled activities for kids
How many times have you heard “I’m boooooored.”
We know the struggle of coming up with ideas on the spot, so we’ve got you covered with crafts, snacks, and coloring pages for children of all ages. The next time you’re stuck inside, use this list of rainy-day activities to keep your little ones engaged and entertained.
But don’t let the title fool you—these activities aren’t just for wet weather. They’re also great for other occasions, like keeping the kids busy while you are watching one of our upcoming classes.
Activities for young children:
Looking for something fun and educational for your preschool-aged child to enjoy? Try these aromatherapy sensory bins and simple coloring pages.
Sky bin
Materials:
- Plastic bin
- 4 cups rice
- Natural blue food coloring (adjust amount to your desired color)
- 4 drops KidScents® KidPower™ essential oil blend
- 10 cotton balls
- Toy airplanes
- Large spoon or scoop
- Wide-neck bottle/container
Directions:
Place rice, food coloring, and KidPower into a bowl with a lid. After securing the lid, shake until the color is incorporated. You can get your kids in on the fun too by taking turns shaking the bowl. Spread rice onto a lined sheet pan and let it sit until dry. Once the rice is dry, pour it into your plastic bin. Top with cotton balls (to mimic clouds), toy airplanes, a scooping tool, and a container.
This sensory bin allows your children to reap the benefits of aromatherapy while enjoying the fun of playing with interesting textures and techniques.
Cookie dough bin
Materials:
- Plastic bin
- Moon sand base
- 4–6 drops Vanilla oleoresin (if you don’t have Vanilla, try using KidScents® SniffleEase™ for a different aromatherapy experience)
- Natural sprinkles
- Silicone muffin cups
- Cookie dough scoop
- Plastic cookie cutters
- Measuring spoon
Directions:
Start by making our DIY moon sand base. Add essential oils and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into your plastic bin, then scatter sprinkles over the top. Complete your creation by placing muffin cups, dough scoop, cookie cutters, and measuring spoons in the bin.
Watch as your kids explore the fun surfaces, shapes, and smells while also exercising their motor skills. They’ll have a grand time mashing the moon sand into the cookie molds as well as scooping the mixture into the muffin cups.
Simple coloring pages
Encourage your mini Michelangelo’s creativity with our Young Living coloring pages! These designs are ideal for children ages two to six. For more-difficult designs, check out the advanced coloring sheets in the next section.
Activities for older children:
If your children are past the stage of sensory play and scribbled drawings, engage them with these ideas for hours of screen-free fun.
Advanced coloring pages
These coloring pages are perfect for aspiring artists ages seven and up. You may even want to print one out for yourself—coloring can be a calming distraction after a stressful day.
\Word search
Your older kids will enjoy testing their vocabulary and spelling skills with this Young Living word search.
Aromatherapy crafts
Looking for projects that occupy your kids while also introducing them to safe essential oil use? Get crafty with our DIY essential oil slime and homemade finger paint. These natural DIY alternatives are better for your kids than some store-bought options and will lead to a day full of entertainment!
Snacks:
Does keeping up with your children’s constant cravings feel like trying to fill a bottomless cup? We hear you! These healthy and simple snack ideas only require a few minutes of prep time and will keep your kids from yelling, “I’m hungry!” every five minutes.
YL tip: Prepare these snacks ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer for your kids to grab and graze throughout the day.
Kid-friendly charcuterie board
Suggested ingredients:
- Crackers
- Sliced cheese
- Sliced meat
- Berries
- Apple slices
- Pretzels
- Mandarin oranges
- Popcorn
- Applesauce
- Baby carrots
- Dipping sauce of your choice
Apple cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 apple
- Nut butter of choice
- Chocolate chips
- Dried coconut flakes
- Honey
Directions:
1. Slice your apple horizontally into thin rings that resemble the shape of a cookie. Cut out the core.
2. Spread nut butter onto apple slices and top with chocolate chips and coconut flakes. For added sweetness, drizzle with a little honey.
2. Spread nut butter onto apple slices and top with chocolate chips and coconut flakes. For added sweetness, drizzle with a little honey.
NingXia Red ice pops
Ingredients:
- 1 cup NingXia Red
- ¼ cup distilled water or coconut milk
- 10 drops Orange Vitality™ essential oil
- ½ cup sliced organic berries
- 4 popsicle molds
- 4 popsicle sticks
Directions:
1. Combine NingXia Red, water, and essential oil.
2. Cut slices of fruit and place into molds. Pour NingXia Red mixture into molds, covering fruit.
3. Add popsicle sticks. Put molds in freezer for 6–8 hours.
2. Cut slices of fruit and place into molds. Pour NingXia Red mixture into molds, covering fruit.
3. Add popsicle sticks. Put molds in freezer for 6–8 hours.
Chips & guacamole
You can’t go wrong with classic tortilla chips and guacamole. Check out our blog post on this delicious dip!
Want more rainy-day activities? Try making these homemade bathtub crayons or DIY bath jellies for squeaky-clean fun with your little one.
After summer’s free-for-all, returning to a set back-to-school routine of bedtimes, alarm clocks, bustling morning checklists, and getting out the door on time can be both a comfort and a challenge. To make this seasonal switch easier, we put together a few simple tips to help you get ready for that first day of [...]
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Quiz: Find your animal alter-ego (and the essential oil it needs)
Mild or wild? Calculating or carefree? Take our quiz to discover your animal alter ego and determine which essential oil it needs most.
Grab your furry BFF and get comfy—we’re about to share the ultimate guide on essential oils for dogs
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Whether they bark, purr, chirp, or hiss, animals can benefit from the power of essential oils! But there are a few things you need to know first. 
How to Host NingXia Red Bar at Your Holiday Party
Give your holiday party an essential oil-infused twist by hosting a NingXia Red® bar! This is a great way to introduce your friends and family to some of Young Living’s member-favorite products in a casual setting. When you’re hosting a party for the holidays, setting up a NingXia Red bar is a delicious addition to any gathering.
NingXia Red Bar Necessities
- Enough NingXia Red and NingXia Zyng for your crowd
- Plastic shot glasses
- 10 Young Living dietary oils of your choice
- Snack tray with enough dried wolfberries, chopped Chocolate-Coated Slique Bars, dark chocolate gingerbread truffles, and other finger foods for everyone to try
- Napkins, plates, and toothpicks
- Decorations and serving ware
Prepare Your Table
One key to success is to clearly label all of your offerings. Not only are placards an easy and informative addition, they are also a great way to start a conversation! For your NingXia Red bar, try grouping select essential oils in front of an instructional sign so your guests can help themselves!
Get your free printable signs to complete your NingXia Red bar and be sure to display a few take-home recipe cards for your guests, too! Click here to download the printable sign and take-home cards.
Make it Your Own!
Make sure to put your personal twist on your party! You can change up the decorations, make your own essential oil blends, or find unique ways to share your favorite products. Want to include a NingXia Bar with your make-and-take party? Check out more ideas in our How to Host a Young Living Make-and-Take Party blog post. We wish you happy holidays and hope that your NingXia Red bar will be a great success!
If you love breaking out the grill, then summer is definitely your season! Whether you’re making tasty chicken-veggie kabobs or juicy chicken sandwiches, these fresh summer marinades will give your next barbecue an essential oil zing that you—and your guests—will love!
Each marinade recipe is sufficient for 1–2 lbs. of meat or your protein of choice.
CITRUSY MARINADE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ cup olive or other oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- tablespoon grated onion
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 drops Orange Vitality essential oil
- 2 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients and pour over chicken in a shallow glass bowl or baking pan.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1–4 hours before grilling.
- Discard marinade after use.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINADE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients and pour over chicken in a shallow glass bowl or baking pan.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1–4 hours before grilling.
- Discard marinade after use.
HONEY LIME MARINADE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
- 3/4 cup olive or other oil
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 drops Lime Vitality essential oil
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients and pour over chicken in a shallow glass bowl or baking pan.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1–4 hours before grilling.
- Discard marinade after use.
Do you use Vitality essential oils when you marinade? Share your secret recipes with us in the comments!
Beauty from the inside out: The benefits of Inner Beauty Collagen
They say it’s the beauty on the inside that counts, but what if you could bring out your inner glow with a simple glass of water? Young Living’s new Inner Beauty Collagen maximizes the appearance of youthful-looking skin by delivering high-quality collagen to the body. A simple powder you can mix into your glass of water, this new skin care staple goes down easy! Show off that youthful glow everywhere you go with Inner Beauty Collagen.
What makes Inner Beauty Collagen different?
Like all Young Living products, we source only the highest-quality ingredients to ensure a clean and natural experience for both you and Mother Earth.
Young Living’s Inner Beauty Collagen contains five grams of premium marine collagen per serving. By utilizing collagen, ceramides, biotin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, this natural formula enhances beauty without compromising your standards.
Inner Beauty Collagen is made up of type 1 marine collagen, a highly soluble form of bioavailable type 1 collagen sourced from sustainable fish scales and skin. There are no harsh chemicals or solvents used in the sourcing of our collagen, and we make sure to use traceable fish products that would have otherwise been discarded. The end result is an odorless, tasteless collagen that easily dissolves in water.
In addition to type 1 marine collagen, we also use peach ceramide to provide hydration to the skin and decrease dryness. Our peach ceramide is naturally derived from Japanese peaches to help promote smooth and radiant skin.
What else can you find in Inner Beauty Collagen? We’ve squeezed in some tapioca fiber to support healthy skin by balancing the gut microbiome, a little superoxide dismutase (SOD) for antioxidant enzymes, and hyaluronic acid to support skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. To top it all off, there’s also a dash of Vanilla planifolia oil included. In the end, you have a gluten-free, non-GMO, keto-friendly formula that contains no sugars, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
Marine collagen benefits
So what is marine collagen, and why did we choose fish rather than other sources? Marine collagen is a type 1 collagen that is sourced sustainably and without a negative impact on the environment.
Type 1 collagen is the most common type of collagen found in the human body and plays an important role in bone, skin, and connective tissue. Collagen is naturally produced by the human body, except this ability starts to decrease around the age of 30, which is why collagen supplementation has become such a fan favorite for skin care enthusiasts!
Marine collagen also:
- Has a better amino acid profile than other types of collagen
- Is absorbed better by the body
- Is easier to digest
- Has a high concentration of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are the primary agents responsible for stimulating cell regeneration in the skin, hair, and nails
Benefits of Inner Beauty Collagen
With the highest-quality skin-loving ingredients out there, Inner Beauty Collagen will have you glowing from the inside out in no time—as little as three weeks, actually! You’ll discover additional benefits, such as:
- Maintaining optimal hydration levels in the cells to reduce the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles
- Providing hydration to the skin to reduce dryness
- Improved smoothness and elasticity
- Support for healthy skin by balancing the gut microbiome
- Vitamin C and zinc, which support collagen synthesis for glowing skin
How to use Inner Beauty Collagen
Inner Beauty Collagen is odorless and flavorless, so you can simply mix it into any beverage of your choice. Add one scoop of Inner Beauty Collagen to 4–8 ounces of liquid and repeat daily. Pair it with your morning tea, your afternoon NingXia Red®, or as part of your post-workout smoothie. Either way, your inner glow will be ready to shine!
What products are part of your skin care routine?
Apples are Nice, but YL-Inspired Teacher’s Gifts are Better!
Reading, writing, arithmetic—is there anything teachers can’t do? Let’s have some fun and thank them for making the world a better, more educated place.
When it comes to diluting essential oils for kids, it’s best to stay on the safe side. These essential oil dilution ratios utilizing carrier oils are a great starting point for sharing the many benefits of essential oils with your precious tiny tots. Follow the essential oil blending chart below for our recommendations: Read more...
Summer vibes are rolling in like a heat wave, and we know everyone has sun time on the mind. You can already see how the first day at the pool will go—first sunscreen application, then pool toy distribution, and finally supervision and relaxation in your favorite lounge chair. During the flurry and fun, don’t forget about the safe summer use of your favorite oils. Read up on photosensitive essential oils before you throw your gotta-have oils in with your summer book to ensure that your favorites aren’t essential oils that cause sun sensitivity. Read more...
What’s the secret ingredient to unlocking your superpowers? When you hit a lull, you may wish you had a wand, alien rocks, or even radioactive spiders to win the day. If you’re looking for a super boost that will help you feel motivated to accomplish heroic feats, then it’s time to tap into some plant power and start using essential oils!
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"Thus began momma's passion for FIELD TRIPS!!!
Seeing all the FUN they were having while LEARNING
blessed my momma's heart.💕"
Read more...Our next essential oil escapade starts here: DIY moon sand!
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Looking for a fun, creative afternoon activity? Look no further than these Young Living inspired coloring pages!
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Spice up your cooking with essential oils
Think essential oils are just for aromatic or topical purposes? Think again! With Young Living’s Vitality™ essential oil line,* you can go from home cook to culinary artist with easy, elevated dishes! Create mouth-watering recipes that’ll have your family and guests coming back for seconds!
Tips to get started
A small amount of essential oil can make a huge impact on flavor in any dish. Keep in mind the following tips when using essential oils in your recipes:
- Essential oils can be great substitutes for fresh herbs, citrus zest and juice, and spices such as oregano, lime juice, or ground clove.
- Essential oils are potent. We recommend using only 1-2 drops at first, or even the toothpick method when cooking with essential oils: Stick a toothpick through the oil dropper to absorb the oil, then swirl the toothpick through wet ingredients. Give it a taste and gradually add more flavor to your liking.
- Knowledge is key to a successful recipe. Always read the essential oil label before creating your tasty dishes.
Cook smart in the kitchen
Cooking restaurant-quality dishes can be time-consuming and expensive—but it doesn’t have to be that way! Spend less time in the kitchen and enjoy your flavorful meal using Vitality essential oils and these helpful tips:
- Replace hard-to-find ingredients with a Vitality oil. For example, instead of buying coriander from the spice section, use Coriander Vitality™ essential oil.
- Get the most bang for your buck. You need only small amounts of Vitality essential oils in your recipes, so you can recreate or concoct dozens of new dishes from the same bottle!
- Spend less time cooking and more time savoring every bite. Cut down your prep time, including washing, chopping, and slicing ingredients, and add oils instead.
- Savor the fresh flavor with each essential oil use. Have you ever made a dish that calls for a single sprig of rosemary, but grocery stores only sell fresh herbs in bulk? Dried herbs and spices quickly go stale, while Vitality oils retain their powerful flavor.
10 simple ways to use Vitality oils
Ditch the hours spent Pinterest-ing eventual recipe fails and go with these delicious dishes. These vibrant, flavorful recipes will leave your taste buds tingling!
- Turn lemonade from a summer staple to a gourmet beverage by adding Lavender Vitality™ to your ice-cold pitcher.
- Start your day the healthy way with a few drops of JuvaCleanse® Vitality™ in your green smoothie.
- Feeling French cuisine under a moonlit night? Experiment with meat marinades using Tarragon Vitality™.
- Cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa flavored with a hint of Nutmeg Vitality™ or Cinnamon Bark Vitality™. For a relaxing evening, try our Lavender hot chocolate recipe.
- Spice up your store-bought pasta sauce with Basil Vitality™ or Thyme Vitality™ essential oil for an extra zest.
- Indulge in our guilt-free Peppermint brownie recipe for the whole family to enjoy.
- Sweeten up your day with a few drops of Grapefruit Vitality™ in your water.
- Infuse Chinese dishes with the fresh, bold flavor of Ginger Vitality™.
- Experience a burst of flavor with Orange Vitality™ in your pancake or waffle batter.
- Cool off your palate with the zest of
- in your plain yogurt.
Explore our vast range of Vitality essential oils!
Now that you’re familiar with Vitality essential oils, try our pizza recipe and other holiday recipes on the blog.
*Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a health professional prior to use. Not intended for use with infants
When we say that essential oils can be enjoyed by the whole family, that includes Bingo and Whiskers. There are just a few things that you need to keep in mind to make sure your fur (or scale, or wool, or feather, or hairless) babies stay safe and enjoy all the benefits YL oils have to offer.
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