winter

The winter season can be tough on the immune system. Colder temperatures and shorter days can make it difficult for our bodies to stay healthy and fight off infection. One of the main reasons why our immune systems are weaker during the winter is due to a decrease in vitamin D levels. Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining a strong immune system.

One way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D, is through food sources including fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, egg yolks, and mushrooms. However, during this time of the year, taking a daily dose of 5000 IU helps to prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain optimal levels of the vitamin in your body. Fortunately, we have access to Super Vitamin D which is an especially important supplement at the moment to add to your daily regime this season. 

 

Vitamin C is an important nutrient for supporting the body’s immune response, so include lots of citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons in your diet. Vitamin C-rich vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli and kale are also great additions to meals. Most likely you will be not getting enough from foods during this season; however you can supplement with a natural Vitamin C complex. Super C's  chewable form for kids and tablet form for adults tends to work well in our home.

Young Living also offers a variety of other supplements that can help support your immune system throughout the winter season. For example, NingXia Red is packed with powerful antioxidants and nutrients like wolfberry, aronia berries, blueberries, grape seed extract, and other superfruits. It helps boost overall energy levels and supports your body’s natural defenses. 

Thieves® Vitality Essential Oil blend is another great way to keep your immune system functioning optimally. The blend contains five powerful essential oils—Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary—which all have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Taking a drop of Thieves in a veggie capsule each day has been known to help strengthen the body’s natural defense system. Kids love it when you roll it on their feet, you can make an immune roll on by diluting 15-20 drops with carrier oil.  

In addition, Inner Defense™ capsules are a great way to support your immune system during the winter season. These dietary supplement capsules contain oregano oil and Thieves Essential Oil blend as well as other powerful ingredients like thyme oil, clove bud oil, and lavender oil. The combination of essential oils in Inner Defense™ helps to strengthen cells and provide a potent defense against environmental and seasonal threats. Together, these essential oils have been known to support healthy immune response and provide antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Be sure to keep these on hand, so that when you start to feel run down you can address it ASAP.

If you’re looking for a more culinary approach to enhancing your wintertime immunity, there are several foods that can help strengthen the body’s natural defenses. Eating garlic is an effective way to boost your immune system and fight off colds and flu. It contains a powerful antioxidant called allicin, which is responsible for its immunity boosting properties. Onions are also an excellent choice as they contain quercetin, an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation in the body. Other immunity boosting foods include ginger, turmeric, oranges, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. These foods are all packed with vitamins and minerals that support the immune system and contain antiviral or antibacterial properties to help fight off winter illnesses. Eating a variety of these foods throughout the winter months can be an effective way to boost your body’s immunity and keep you healthy.

Additionally, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas.  Water helps flush out toxins from the body, while herbal teas can soothe a sore throat and provide additional nutrients that help strengthen the immune system.  Finally, reduce your intake of processed foods – as these don’t offer any health benefits and may actually weaken your immune system. 

Taking care of your body should be a year-round priority, but it’s especially important to boost your immune system before winter comes. Thankfully, there are foods and recommended supplements that can give your immunity the extra edge it needs. Now is the time to start stocking up on these items so you’ll be prepared for whatever cold and flu season throws your way. And remember, we’re here to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions about how to best take care of yourself this winter, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We want nothing more than for you to stay healthy and happy all season long!

Winter has brought dryness to our skin and it can affect everyone in the family and let's not forget every part of the body too. Be consistent with daily applications to keep your skin subtle and soft.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been receiving many messages about what can be used to alleviate dry skin, so here are some tips.

First, I am a believer in using what you already have that is natural and without toxic ingredients, rather than adding more to your bathroom cabinet. The key is to refrain from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances which are hormone disruptors.

Lips- If you haven't tried Young Living's Lavender lip balm it is a thumbs up. It can actually be used for any small dry patch on the body too. It is easy to throw in any bag. If you are a DIYer and have coconut oil, shea butter/cacao butter, and beeswax in your home you can make your own. Equal parts of each in a bain-marie and then add luscious lavender to the mix.

Face- The sandalwood moisturizing cream is luscious and thick and if you are looking for a layer of protection this is a win, but if you happen to have the kid's scent lotion, save your money and use this versatile lotion. It is thick and moisturizing for the season, and you can add any essential oil to help with dryness. Add a drop of any of these essential oils you have on hand to your daily application (add 1-2 drops to 1 tsp unscented kids lotion); geranium, lavender, gentle baby, roman chamomile, myrrh, elemi, davana, jasmine, neroli, patchouli, frankincense, sandalwood. And remember, to use what essential oils you have on hand and resonate with your skin type.

The Bloom Skin Care which includes a brightening cleanser, brightening essence and lotion has my official stamp of approval. I have been using it for almost a year. You can use it through all seasons and incorporate the collagen drinks every year to keep your skin looking juvenile. One set has lasted over 6 months and I have not noticed my skin drying out over this colder month. There has been no need to add additional moisturizers, the daily attention it is receiving is sufficient.

DIYers you can also consider making your own serum with as simple as 2 ingredients: V6 and your favourite skin essential oil. Adding vitamin e will add the additional love needed right now.

Hands and Body- V6 is a loved staple and this is when I would say a must-have if you are a lover of essential oils. This 6 vegetable carrier oil is moisturizing and makes it easy to massage over a large area of the body. Again, add one or a combination of the recommended essential oils above to V6 for an all-body hydrating lotion. You may even want to warm this for use as a massage oil by placing it in warm water.

The versatile kid's scents lotion is also a match for the hands and body. I never understood by it was a lotion branded for children because it can certainly be used by anyone in the home. It is fragrance-free and certainly thick enough for winter dryness. Adding essential oils for the skin will provide better moisturizing benefits and help the body to detoxify.  

If you are a DIYer you can enjoy making your own body butter by ordering ingredients from iherb.com and adding your Seed to Seal essential oils. The internet is your oyster for so many beautiful combinations. The fun part is whipping it up and this is the perfect time of the year to make it as you do not need to keep it in the fridge.

A must add, consider making your own liquid foaming hand soap and adding extra vitamin e to the recipe. Oh !!! Hand sanitizers have been a highly overused product since the pandemic, but please consider hand sanitizers that have glycerin, aloe, honey extract, calendula extract, chamomile, or other skin-soothing ingredients.  

Rough patches and cuticles- This includes any furry animal in the home. If your cuticles, elbows, knees, heels of feet are feeling a little rough, a protective layer of thick ointment is the way to go. The rose ointment is what you are after, but do not shy away from the economical animal scents ointment which is equally as effective and moisturizing. It is a staple in our home for chaffing too.

Nose- Yes, the nose can be a place of dryness and although very little is required to keep this area moist, any of the above ointments are perfect for moisturizing and supporting the respiratory system. I like to mix a small pot of ointment with immune-supporting essential oils such as these ready blends: Thieves, RC, Raven, and Exodus is another favorite. Swab with a clean finger or cotton bud. Even if you do not experience a dry nose, this is one of my favorite applications to use when I know I am going to be wearing a mask for longer periods. A relaxing essential oil such as Lavender is perfect, a replacement for a homemade Aroma Ring.