STUDY SUPPORT

STUDY SUPPORT

STUDY SUPPORT


This post is contributed by One Drop member – Ranna Seah.

It’s October and we are facing one of the biggest challenges ever…FINAL YEAR EXAM! It was exactly this experience which spurn this blog because we have some of the greatest tools on hand to support our kiddos through this. (I am not sure if I am in time for parents with kiddos going through the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) which is such a huge determining factor of the child’s future. But I hope you can still have some key take away from this sharing.)

Well…it is a universal fact that a lot of studying is done by the brain (with the help of the other senses like sight, smell and sound). The brain controls speech, movements, thoughts and regulates the function of many organs. So it is the brain we should target support at.

Before we start, let us learn a little bit of the chemistry of essential oils first so we know how they work. I’ve already made it as painless as possible already…but it is this 3 we must know about: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes and Phenolics. (If the information is too much for you, you may just skip to the last part to see what oils to use and etc…)

Monoterpenes react readily to air and heat sources. Most of our citrus oils are high in monoterpene and have a quick reaction to air, are readily oxidized and thus does not last very long.

Oils high in monoterpenes supported breathing, are energizing and uplifting. They have a stimulating effect on your concentration. They promote clarity of thought and purposes.

Oils high in Monoterpenes:

  • Citrus Oils
  • Elemi
  • Fennel
  • Angelica
  • Frankincense
  • Cypress
  • Black Pepper
  • Black Spruce
  • Juniper
  • Myrtle
  • Nutmeg
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Thyme

Sesquiterpene molecules deliver oxygen molecules to cells and they are heavier than monoterpenes and they tend to appear only at the end towards the end of the distillation process. (This is also why it is important to buy oils from companies who really take the time to understand the plant and distill the materials enough to get all the goodness.)

Because essential oils high in sesquiterpenes are known to cross the blood brain barrier, they can stimulate brain activity in a non-toxic way, and one can hope and wait to see what possible benefits will appear. Particularly with sesquiterpenes molecules that are brain oxygenating.

Oils high in Sesquiterpenes:

  • Black Pepper
  • Cedarwood
  • German Chamomile
  • Clary Sage
  • Copaiba
  • Ginger
  • Helichrysum
  • Sandalwood
  • Patchouli
  • Myrrh
  • Vetiver
  • Frankincense
  • Sacred Frankincense
  • Eucalyptus Globulous
  • Melissa
  • Nutmeg

Phenolics clean receptor sites of cells. They typically have a high level of oxygenating molecules too. Phenols in oils carry many benefits but need to be applied with care and common sense as some of them can be very strong and can irritate the skin or create inflammation to sensitive tissues of the mouth or face. Oils containing Phenols have been used to support the nervous system and for lifting moods.

Oils high in Phenolics are:

  • Wintergreen
  • Anise
  • Clove
  • Basil
  • Tarragon
  • Fennel
  • Oregano
  • Thyme

Some recorded effects of aromas on the brain:

  • The fragrances of diffused oils such as Lemon, have been reported to increase memory retention and recall.
  • In a study conducted by Dr. Dember in the University of Cincinnati in 1994, shows that inhaling Peppermint increased mental accuracy by 28%.
  • Pepper, Grapefruit and Fennel oils have been found to stimulate brain activity.
  • In a study 2017 study involving 53 secondary school students aged 13-15 years old from Ukrainian metropolis, they found that the participants who inhaled rosemary essential oils has significantly increased short-term memory. Inhalation of rosemary also increased the memorization of numbers as well.
We have a whole list of oils you can consider to diffuse for the studying head, but the number one on my list for diffusing and thus oxygenating the brain is Cedarwood (at night) and Lemon (while revising). Oils such as Rosemary, Lavender, Thieves, Peppermint diffused can be really supportive too.

Besides diffusing, here’s how to get the oils on topically for the studying head:

Apply 2-3 drops on temples, forehead, mastoids (bone behind ears), and in brain stem (back of neck) as needed 3-6 times daily. Dilute 50:50 with V6 if necessary.

Oils to consider:

  • Frankincense
  • Brain Power
  • Sandalwood
  • Gathering
  • Sacred Frankincense
Or you can even DIY your own Memory blend in a 5ml bottle:

  • 2 drops Lavender
  • 3 drops Geranium
  • 3 drops Rosemary
  • 3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
  • 2 drops Tangerine
  • 1 drop Spearmint
Top up with V6 and add on a roller!

Clinical studies on Ningxia Wolfberry have shown that it has an anti-senility effect and high oxidant foods such as spinach and blueberry dramatically improved learning and cognition. So, do make sure you load your kiddos with Ningxia Red, give them a pack to bring to school every day and serve them their greens to keep their brain weight healthy.

I wanna go into how processed food and white sugar can affect healthy brains but that will be another topic.  🙂

If you like my articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils or have further clarifications, please drop me a message here or email me at fabulana@gmail.com. If you are ready to sign up as member to purchase, you can click here. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.

3 BAKING RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS

3 BAKING RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS

3 BAKING RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS

This post is contributed by One Drop member – Ranna Seah.

Hello! It’s that time of the year when we get busy with planning for activities for our kiddos who are off school or entertaining friends for small gatherings? I thought consolidating some of the tried and tested recipes for easy baking with our wonderful Vitality/Plus series oils.

Here’s 3 carefully selected recipes for baking with your oils:

1) Guilt-Free Peppermint Brownies

(Recipe tested by my daughter Heidi Lam and she adores this!!!)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 15-ounce can low-sodium black beans
  • 1/3 Cup Coconut oil
  • 1/4 Cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 3 Eggs
  • 2 drops Peppermint Vitality Essential Oil
INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Rinse and drain black beans.
  3. Melt coconut oil on stove until clear.
  4. Blend all ingredients except eggs in food processer until smooth.
  5. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk eggs until well beaten.
  6. Fold into chocolate mixture.
  7. Pour mixture into a greased 8×8 pan and bake 25–30 minutes.
  8. Let cool 15 minutes then cut.
  9. Let cool another 15 minutes and serve.
2) Lemon Crinkle Cookies

(recipe tried and tested by Wendy Lauw )

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 10 Tablespoon Softened Butter
  • 1 Cup + 2 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • 1 Large Egg at Room Temperature
  • 8 to 12 drops of Lemon Vitality Essential Oil
  • 2 Tablespoon Milk
  • 1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C or 350F and line your trays with parchment paper.
  2. Mix all ingredients until well combined. Shape the mixture into 1 ½ inch balls, roll in powdered sugar and place on tray.
  3. Note to keep the cookies 2 inches apart. Bake 10-11 minutes and remove before the edges get brown. Cool 5 mins before moving to baker rack to cool.
3) Orange Infused Choc Chip Cookies 

(Recipe tried and tested by Kaye Ng in another blog entry)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Lightly Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Granulated White Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened at Room Temperature
  • 1 Large Egg at Room Temperature
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 3/4 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Chunks
  • 4 Drops of Young Living Orange Vitality Essential Oil
INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C or 350F and line your trays with parchment paper.
    2. Cream together the softened butter and the two sugars until light and fluffy.
    3. Add in the egg and stir well until it is incorporated and there are no longer dark streaks from the egg yolk.
    4. Add in the vanilla extract, salt and baking soda and stir until well mixed.
    5. Stir in the flour and the chocolate chips until just combined. Stop when there are no more lumps of flour.
    6. Drop in the orange vitality essential oil and stir until combined.
    7. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the baking tray, leaving about 2.5 inches allowance for expansion during baking.
    8. Bake for about 9-11 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
    9. Cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
And if your guests fancy something hot…why not make them a cup of Lavender Hot Chocolate?

4) Lavender Hot Chocolate Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups unsweetened almond, dairy, or other milk of your choice
  • 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 teaspoons honey, or more to taste
  • 4 Drops of Young Living Lavender Vitality Essential Oil
INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Heat 4 cups of milk in a saucepan on medium-high heat.
  2. Add 8 tablespoons unsweetened raw cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 4 teaspoons honey; whisk until smooth.
  3. When warm, remove from heat and stir in 4 drops Lavender Vitality essential oil.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

If you like my articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils or have further clarifications, please drop me a message here or email me at fabulana@gmail.com. If you are ready to sign up as member to purchase, you can click here. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.

2 DIY RECIPES FOR LOVE

2 DIY RECIPES FOR LOVE

2 DIY RECIPES FOR LOVE

This post is contributed by One Drop member – Ranna Seah.

1) ELEGANT ROSE SUGAR SCRUB

The rose took on this meaning because of its affiliation with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. In Greek mythology, it is said that rose bushes grew from the ground through Aphrodite’s tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis. The Romans, who turned Aphrodite into their goddess Venus, kept the rose as her symbol of love and beauty. So when Valentine’s Day became the mainstream holiday we know today, the rose was an obvious choice for the most fitting gift.

WHAT DOES A SUGAR SCRUB DO FOR YOUR SKIN?

The main purpose of a sugar scrub is to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, revealing new skin. Homemade body scrub allows you to control what you put in your recipes and what you put on your body and it worked just as, if not even better than OTC sugar scrub, leaving your skin cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised. And it is very easy to make!

TYPES OF SUGAR TO USE FOR SUGAR BODY SCRUBS

There are three main types of sugar you can choose from when making homemade sugar scrubs. The following information are just for your knowledge. For this recipe, we will go with pure cane sugar as it looked better with rose petals.

  • Brown sugar is the least abrasive making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin, and a good choice when making a face scrub. Since it is the gentlest, it can be used up to 4 times a week.
  • Pure cane sugar (unrefined white) is good for all skin types and contains some essential nutrients to feed the skin. Can be used 2 – 3 times per week.
  • Turbinado sugar (raw) is naturally the coarsest due to its large granules and makes for a great body scrub. It is the least processed of the three and holds the most essential minerals. Body scrubs made with raw sugar can be used up to 2 times a week.
MATERIALS:

  • 1 cup pure cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup dried or fresh rose petals
  • 3 tbs of V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex
  • 6-8 drops of Rose Essential Oil
  • Optional: 1 tsp of Vanilla Essence or 10 drops of Vanilla Essential Oils
INSTRUCTIONS

  • To make the sugar scrub, start with 1 cup of dried rose petals.
  • Pulse the petals in a food processor until they become teeny tiny flakes.
Dried Rose Petals in the Food Processor for Sugar Scrub

  • Combine the crushed petals with the sugar, V-6 and essential oils
  • This easy sugar scrub recipe can be made with fresh or dried rose petals. Simply add the sugar and rose petals to a food processor and blend until both ingredients are combined. Pink rose petals create a soft pink hue. Optionally, add a little pink mica* for a stronger pink colour.
  • If you want to switch it up, add 1 tsp vanilla extract or 20 drops vanilla oleoresin to make vanilla rose sugar scrub.
  • Mix well and then spoon into a storage container. This recipe makes about 16-18 ounces of sugar scrub, so it fits nicely into a pint sized mason jar. Just add a cute fabric jar topper and a ribbon, and it would make a wonderful gift idea!
Pink Mica* is natural shimmer pigment derived from the mineral Muscovite Mica, coated with iron oxide, cosmetic-grade fineness (particle size 10-60 microns).Because it is naturally produced it is a particularly well-loved ingredient among organic and natural beauty brands, and is safe to use on almost all skin types with little to no side effects.

CREDIT: Original Recipes and steps credit to www.happinessishomemade.net

2) Romantic Chocolate Body Butter

Chocolate is considered aphrodisiac food since the time of Aztecs. Chocolate is said to contain substance that inflames desire and make the beloved one more open to romance. In olden days, this resulted in the tradition in European royalty to give their lovers chocolates mixed with amber to stimulate their love.

WHAT IS A BODY BUTTER?
A body butter is normally a type of oil-based cream that doesn’t incorporate any water like a lotion. Body butters usually comprised of a mixture of oils and butters that are often whipped together to give them a lighter texture.

Because they are denser than lotions, they are also more occlusive, meaning that they can create a barrier that helps keep moisture from leaving your skin. That also makes them last longer on your skin than a lotion.

And because they lack water, they also normally have a longer shelf life.

MATERIALS:

  • 140 g shea butter
  • 60 g coconut oil
  • 2-3 tsp cocoa powder
  • 5 g vitamin E
  • 10 drops of Ylang Ylang
  • 10 drops of Geranium
INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Weigh out the shea butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler or double boiler insert. The easiest way to do it is to add each to the recipient and then tare the scale between each ingredient to get the scale back to zero.
  • Heat the double boiler until the butter have melted.
  • Add in the cocoa powder, and mix together thoroughly until it is well incorporated into your mixture. Pour the mixture into a stainless steel bowl that will fit into your freezer.
  • Place the mixture into the freezer or into an ice bath to cool the mixture as quickly as possible. This will help prevent a grainy texture in the final product.
  • After a few minutes have passed, remove the mixture from the freezer and use a spatula to wipe the solidified butters off the sides of the pan. Beat everything together.
  • If the mixture is relatively cool, you can now add your heat sensitive ingredients: the vitamin E and the essential oils. Whip them together with the rest of the ingredients, and place the mixture back in the freezer again for a few more minutes.
  • Remove the mixture from the freezer again and, once again, use a spatula to remove the solidified butter from the sides of the bowl. Use the beater to whip everything together.
  • Continue the cycle of freezing and whipping until the mixture has solidified enough to keep its shape.
  • You can now spoon or pipe your mixture into their final storage containers. I like using glass jars with metal lids for body butters.
CREDIT: Original Recipes and steps credit to thethingswellmake.com

If you like my articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils or have further clarifications, please drop me a message here or email me at fabulana@gmail.com. If you are ready to sign up as member to purchase, you can click here. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.

Three Stages of Heartbreak

Three Stages of Heartbreak

THREE STAGES OF HEARTBREAK

This post is contributed by One Drop member – Ranna Seah.

Three Stages of Heartbreak…and the oils to use…

Stage One
So painful, your heart felt squeezed.
So painful, you find it hard to breathe.
So painful, you can’t even cry.
Hang in there until you get some air…

Stage Two
You get angry, you get mad.
You blame everyone, especially yourself.
You think it could be better if only you had been prettier.
Hang in there and look in the mirror…its not you, not him, nor her…

Stage Three
Find it back, your princess rights.
Find it back, your glow and shine.
Find it back, your worth and passion.
Hang in there and have the world delivered to you on a platter…

Every Stage
Each stage breaks you a little and mends you a little.
Each stage chips you a little and builds you a little.
Every heart breaks a little differently…
And every heart mends a little differently…

Hang in there and know that the hearts…they do all heal eventually…

A little poem I wrote to go through what I felt about the three stages of a heartbreak. I’ve had my heart broken from a long distance relationship. He cheated on me and I don’t believe in love anymore. Self-love especially…as I came to realize.

Then I got into a relationship where I was treated lesser than he was. He controlled me by making me feel that I was never good enough. It got to the point that my Daddy God can’t stand it anymore and a suitor’s pursuit woke me. I realized how little I was playing and how much rights as a princess of God, I had given up.

Then I found my husband but I always thought that I picked him with my head (logic and rational) that I thought there was no love between us. And I always felt unworthy of his love and that probably as soon as he realise how lousy I was, he will pack and leave. It is my secret fear but one fear that I can face. But 15 years later, we are still together. And I realised that how I felt for him was the same 15 years ago. If this is not love, then I have no idea what it is. As I consciously put thoughts into my marriage and my husband, I realised what a fool I was for ‘looking at a gift horse in the mouth’. I was just missing it when it was all there right in front of me. And also a recent Reiki healing session made me realised that I had let go and moved on with a lot of things but I didn’t realize it. So perhaps…you had too…

Emotion is the one thing that the pharmaceutical cannot do what aromatherapy can do for you. Here are what I’ve put together oil recommendations to help you cope pass the Three Stages of heartbreak:

In Stage One
Freshly broken, so painful you cannot breathe easily

Oils: Any of the respiratory guys (Breathe Again, RC, Raven, Eucalyptus, Cypress, Pine, Spruce), PanAway (can take emotional pain away too), AromaLife (keep the heart going)

How to use: Apply over heart, chest and side of neck (vagus nerve), inhale deeply from palm.

In Stage Two
Rebuilding your self-worth, reprioritising your life

Oils: Stress Away and Valor

How to use: Stress Away on wrist, side of neck (vagus nerve), Valor over the heart and over the solar plexus (which holds your self-esteem). Inhale the oils from palm after applying. And if you can bring yourself to it, start encouraging and praising yourself. Or find your that one friend who always make you more worthy when you are in his/her company. “I know you can do it.”

*Diffuse any of the citrus oils for clarity of thoughts and uplifting of mood.

In Stage Three

Self-love and self-care, back to your passion

Oils: Bergamot and Ylang Ylang

How to use: Diffuse Bergamot, Ylang Ylang on wrist, heart, side of neck (vagus nerve), inhale from palm after applying

*Go for the Feelings Kit or oils like Forgiveness, Release, Gratitude and Present Time if you are ready and needed deeper emotional works. The strategy here is to get back to loving yourself. Talk to yourself in the mirror. Say “I love you” to yourself in the mirror. And mean it when you say it. “You are the prettiest princess in the whole wide world.”

Additional Tips: 

  1. You may oil as many times as you want to throughout the day for all three stages. I will recommend carrying the oil of your choice in smaller, travelling size if you need to.
  2. Be gentle with yourself and take as long as you need. You do not need to rush yourself. Only when you are ready.
And if…only if…you are ready. You are ready to move on…you are excited to move on! Reach for your ABUNDANCE! Abundance is the oil affectionately nicknamed as the “Law of Attraction” oil. A famous Hong Kong blogger used Abundance and the principles from ‘Law of Attraction’ to manifest her dream partner! Read on if you want to know how…but before you start your manifesting plans for a new relationship, do clear out your self-doubts and abundance block….forgiving yourself and your ex-boyfriend etc…

To manifest love or your dream partner with the Law of Attraction, you need to follow the 3-step manifesting process:

  1. Get clear on what you want (Be specific. What do you want? Why do you want it? What feelings do you want in this relationship? The more specific, the better!)
  2. Get ready for your new partner (Expect and believe and get ready to receive. Start to make room in your life for your new partner.)
  3. Once you are ready for the next step, start to wear Abundance essential oil. Dab a bit between your eyebrows, wear it on your wrist or in your hair so you carry the frequency. If your skin reacted a bit to Abundance (which is quite a hot oil with clove and cinnamon bark, do dilute with some carrier oil before applying, or just stay calm and drink more warm water for it shall pass. If you have compromised skin, don’t put it on your skin direct without diluting or simply just diffuse the oil)
  4. Take action! (Date, meet new people and enjoy!)
(To read more details about Manifesting Love, do visit https://selfmadeladies.com/manifest-love where you can see photos from the author’s vision board and the partner she manifested! Amazing.)

Last note: 

Reminder to love yourself.

Self-love is very very important when it comes to manifesting love. And when you are filled with love, starting from within…you will be so filled and so lovable that you will start attracting the right people and opportunities in your life. 

I wish you all the best in your journey and please know that you are getting better each and everyday…

If you like my articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils or have further clarifications, please drop me a message here or get in touch with my IG or Facebook. If you are ready to sign up as member to purchase, you can click here. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.

 
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