#4 Surviving the Outdoors: Summer Sunshine 

There is so much summer sun to take in while spending time in the garden, at the pool or the beach, hiking, or just enjoying a walk through the neighborhood. Exposure to sunlight is good for the soul… and your health! When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes Vitamin D from cholesterol. This vitamin plays an important role in our immune system so it can be hugely beneficial. However, overexposure to the sun can lead to burned skin, wrinkles, eye injuries, and even skin cancer. So let’s protect that beautiful skin, shall we? 

Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is the perfect solution! It’s a natural, broad-spectrum sunscreen and is chemical-free, making it a healthy alternative for adults and kids. This dermatologist-reviewed product is formulated to easily smooth on skin without leaving white residue. Enjoy the outdoors worry-free with up to 80 minutes of water- and sweat-resistant lotion. It’s reef-safe and made with non-nano zinc oxide. This might just be the best sunscreen you’ve ever used! Note: This one also comes in an SPF 10 while supplies last. 

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And if you happen to forget your sunscreen and that gorgeous skin of yours gets a little toasty, don’t fret! LavaDerm After-Sun Spray is here to help you refresh and recover. This naturally derived after-sun spray offers temporary relief from the pain and itching of minor burns, minor cuts, sunburns, scrapes, insect bites, and minor skin irritations, so your family can keep playing all day! 

• Dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic
• Soothes, cools, & provides immediate relief to the skin
• Moisturizes to help prevent peeling & promotes healthy-looking skin
• Made with plant-based and naturally derived ingredients
• Formulated without alcohol, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients; synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or colorants

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Want to whip up your own After-Sun spray? Try this easy recipe.

DIY After-Sun Spray

• ½ cup witch hazel
• 2 T pure aloe vera gel
• 10 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Peppermint 

Add all ingredients to a 4 oz. spray bottle. Shake well and apply generously to skin that needs cooling. Re-apply as needed. 

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#5 Surviving the Outdoors: Summer Sanity

Nothing annoys me more than pesky mosquitoes that fly around my head and nibble on my skin, leaving bumps and itchiness for days. No one has time for that! Do yourself a favor and grab some of Young Living’s plant-based Insect Repellent. 

Pure sesame oil and a carefully selected blend of essential oils traditionally used for their bug-repellent properties come together to make up all 99% of the active ingredients in this formula. The other 1% is Vitamin E. That means you can use it on your entire family and not worry about the synthetic chemicals used in many traditional repellents. You’ll also love the citrusy aroma and smooth, non-greasy, non-sticky application.

Young Living Insect Repellent

• Hypoallergenic, gentle formula; vegan-friendly
• Tested to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas and prevent bug bites
• Made with 100% naturally derived, plant-based ingredients
• Formulated without DEET, parabens, fillers, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic colorants

And did you know? This also comes in a convenient wipe! 

Young Living Insect Repellent Wipes

• Same benefits and formula as the liquid version
• Offers continued protection when reapplied after two hours
• Individually wrapped; perfect for on-the-go use
• Wipe material is 100% compostable, biodegradable, and sustainable

Notes: When applying to animals, avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, and open wounds. Due to state regulations, these products are not available to purchase in all states. 

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Want to whip up your own Outdoor Spray? Try this easy recipe for an annoyance-free time. 

Outdoor Spray

• 2 oz. witch hazel
• 2 oz. distilled water
• 20 drops Thieves 
• 20 drops Lemon 
• 20 drops Rosemary 
• 20 drops Citronella 

Mix together in a 4 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake before each use. 

NOTE: Lemon is a citrus oil and can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun for a period of time after use.

#6 Surviving the Outdoors: Summer Snacks

When you’re out and about this summer be sure to have some healthy snacks on hand. Young Living has more than oils! They have some incredibly tasty snacks that are perfect for beach bags, pool bags, purses, backpacks, road trips, anywhere you go. They have lots to pick from but here are a few of my favorites.

NingXia Zyng

This is a great sub for sugar-filled sodas and energy drinks. Zyng uses the same whole-fruit wolfberry puree found in Young Living’s popular superfruit supplement, NingXia Red. Then sparkling water, pear and blackberry juices are added, plus a hint of Lime and Black Pepper essential oils for a dynamic, unique taste. It’s really delicious!

With natural flavors and sweeteners, white tea extract, and added vitamins, NingXia Zyng delivers 35 mg of naturally occurring caffeine and only 35 calories per can, making it a sweet, guilt-free boost for your summer days. Go ahead, toss one back! This drink comes in a case of 12. 

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Organic Dried Wolfberries

These sweet, organic wolfberries (a.k.a. goji berries) are perfect to munch on while you kick back at the beach or the pool and soak in those rays. With polyphenols and polysaccharides, this superfruit is touted around the world for its taste and nutrients. So eat them by the handful, toss them in yogurts, salads, smoothies, muffins, pancakes, granola, or however you’d like. This tasty snack is available in a 16 oz. bag. 

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Protein Power Bites

Protein Power Bites come in a box of 18 and are the perfect anytime snack for a healthy lifestyle. They are packed with 6 grams of protein and lots of good-for-you ingredients like pea, almond, egg white, and grass-fed whey, providing the optimal balance between quick and long-term protein absorption. This Dual-Stage Protein Absorption provides your body with the right amount of protein at the absorption rate it needs to enhance recovery, help fight muscle fatigue, and fend off cravings to keep you going longer.

• Contains quick-digesting grass-fed whey rich in BCAAs to help promote muscle growth and recovery
• Contains plant and egg white proteins, each with a unique profile of essential amino acids and long-lasting digestibility that can help with feelings of satiety
• Made with Lemon Vitality essential oil and whole blueberries
• Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, or sweeteners

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Gary’s True Grit™ Einkorn Granola

Most granolas and on-the-go snacks are filled with refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. Instead of including these overly processed ingredients, Young Living uses wolfberries, cranberries, cacao nibs, and coconut sugar to jazz up this ancient-grain granola. There’s a nice mix of grains, nuts, berries, and seeds that provides both simple and complex carbs to keep you going through the day. Serve it hot or cold - whatever works for you! 

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#7 Surviving the Cookouts: Drinks

Well, now that I’ve shared some of my favorite ways to survive the outdoors this summer I want to share some of my favorite cookout recipes… starting with drinks! 

Poolside Punch 

• 6 oz. fruit punch or NingXia Red
• 4 oz. lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
• 1 shot of vodka
• 1-2 drops Orange Vitality 

Combine ingredients and serve over ice. Omit the vodka to create a non-alcoholic version. 

Did you know? Orange Vitality can provide an internal boost with its antioxidants and can also help cleanse the digestive system.

Watermelon Spritzer

• 3 cups chilled watermelon
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 drop Lime Vitality

Combine all ingredients into a blender and mix until pureed well. Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

Did you know? Lime Vitality is 100% Bioflavonoid. That means it not only supports the immune system, but it stimulates the detox pathways and helps with the absorption of Vitamin C. 

Tropical Paradise

• 1 shot coconut rum
• 1 shot vodka 
• 2 shots pineapple juice
• 1 drop Tangerine Vitality 

Combine ingredients and serve room temperature or over ice. Omit the vodka and rum to create a non-alcoholic version. 

Did you know? Tangerine Vitality is high in limonene, which is a great booster for the immune system. It also supports the digestive and circulatory systems. 

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#8 Surviving the Cookouts: Appetizers

Now that you’ve gotten a few drink recipes to try, let’s move on to some appetizers. This is my favorite category. I could honestly just sit around and eat a variety of appetizers as my dinner. Ha! Could you?

This first one is a favorite for the kids. We use Cinnamon Bark Vitality in this recipe but you could try others to find which one speaks your language - Orange or Lemon Vitality would be two I would try first! 

Berry Honey Yogurt Dip

• 2 cups plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• ½ c honey (decrease to ¼ if using vanilla yogurt)
• 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality

In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, and Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with assorted fresh fruit. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Did you know? Cinnamon Bark Vitality can help support healthy digestive and immune systems. It’s also one of the oils in the well-known Thieves blend. 

This next one is a hit with the adults but some kids may enjoy it too! Put your garden to good use and go grab a few ingredients to share with some friends.

Caprese Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette 

• Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh mozzarella, cut into chunks
• Fresh basil leaves
• 1 T red wine vinegar
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ c olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 drops Basil Vitality
• 3 drops Lemon Vitality

Place tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves in a bowl and set aside. Add red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, Basil Vitality, and Lemon Vitality to a blender or food processor and mix until combined. Pour vinaigrette over tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil and stir gently. Serve immediately. 

Did you know? Basil Vitality can support the nervous system and digestive system. Lemon Vitality is an immune system powerhouse and helps to flush the body of toxins.

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#9 Surviving the Cookouts: Main Dishes

Now that we’ve gotten some food on our bellies with those delicious apps, let’s jump into some delicious main dish recipes! Fire up the grill and break out those oils; we are gonna whip up some burgers and fries.

Black Pepper Turkey Burgers

• 1 pound ground turkey
• ½ c shredded Swiss cheese
• ⅛ c BBQ sauce
• 10 drops Black Pepper Vitality
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ⅛ tsp garlic powder
• ⅛ tsp paprika
• ⅛ tsp sea salt

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Form ground turkey into patties and grill. Enjoy!

Did you know? Black Pepper Vitality stimulates the entire digestive system and WAY more! Google it. ;) 

Rosemary Oven-Baked Fries

• 5-6 large potatoes
• 1 T olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp seasoned salt
• 1 drop Rosemary Vitality
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425℉. Cut the potatoes into thin strips and place in large bowl. Mix ingredients together and pour over potatoes. Toss until coated well. Bake for 20 minutes then increase the oven temperature to 450℉ and bake for 10 additional minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy! 

Did you know? Rosemary Vitality can be very supportive to the digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. 

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#10 Surviving the Cookouts: Desserts

Now on to my favorite meal of the day… dessert! ;) There is nothing like an ice cold bite of a refreshing sorbet or popsicle to end a hot summer day. And when you’ve infused them with the best essential oils on the planet you can even enjoy them guilt-free. 

Lemon Sorbet

• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ c organic evaporated cane juice crystals
• 2 drops Lemon Vitality 
• 1 c fresh lemon juice

Create a syrup by combining water and cane juice crystals in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the crystals are dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Combine syrup, Lemon Vitality, and lemon juice in a medium-sized glass or stainless steel bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cover and freeze until ready to serve. 

Did you know? Lemon Vitality provides great support to the circulatory system. 

Now for some oil-infused popsicles. For these, simply place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for 4-6 hours. 

Coconut Lavender Popsicles 

• 1 cup coconut milk
• ⅔ c frozen blueberries
• 1 T honey
• 1-3 drops Lavender Vitality 

Strawberry Mint Popsicles

• 3 cups strawberries
• 1 lemon, zested
• ¼ c lemon juice 
• ¼ c honey 
• 1-2 drops Peppermint Vitality 

Cherry Lime Popsicles

• ½ c yogurt
• 2 c pitted cherries
• 1 c water
• 1 T honey
• 2 drops Lime Vitality 

Lemon Berry Yogurt Popsicles 

• 1 c yogurt
• ⅔ c berries
• 1 T honey
• 1-3 drops Lemon Vitality

Did you know? Lavender Vitality supports the integumentary, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Peppermint Vitality supports the muscular and digestive systems. Lime Vitality supports the lymphatic system. Lemon Vitality supports the immune, digestive, and lymphatic systems. Know any other popsicles that can do that? Ha! 

#11 Surviving the Kids: Slime with Oils

Before we say goodbye I want to share just a few more tricks for surviving summer. This time it’s to help with the kids! Even if you don’t have kids of your own, these would be great recipes to try with neighbors, grandkids, nieces and nephews, or as a fun Oily DIY with friends. 

Kids love slime! So here is an easy one to try that’s infused with essential oils.

Summer Slime

• 2 cups white craft glue
• 2 ¾ c hot water, divided
• 3-4 drops Bergamot or Citrus Fresh
• Choice of colored glitter
• ¾ tsp Borax

Thoroughly mix glue, 1 ½ c hot water, and 3-4 drops of essential oil in a bowl. Add colored glitter. In a second bowl, mix Borax and 1 ¼ c of hot water. Once both mixtures are thoroughly mixed and it’s cool to the touch, combine them in one bowl and mix together by hand. Keep mixing, stretching, pulling and squeezing, and you will have the perfect batch of Summer Slime! 

Note: To remove this slime from fabric, simply remove excess slime and douse area in white vinegar. Let sit for 3-5 minutes then scrape area with a spoon or butter knife. Wash with warm water and wipe with dry cloth. 

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#12 Surviving the Kids: DIY Lip Balms

This next recipe is fun to make anytime of the year but it’s a great way to kick that summer boredom. PLUS - it’s a great opportunity to teach kids about taking care of their bodies with healthy ingredients. Too many of the “kid-friendly” lip balms out there are chock full of synthetic fragrance and colors, parabens, petroleum, and more. Those have been linked to hormone disruptions and much worse. Instead of risking it with those iffy ingredients, let’s just make some ourselves with ingredients we KNOW are safe and good for our bodies. It’s super simple!

Oil-Infused Lip Balm 

• 3 T coconut oil, melted
• 5 T beeswax, melted
• 12 drops Lavender or Grapefruit
• Small tins

Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler. Stir every 30 seconds. Remove from heat and once cooled slightly, add essential oil(s). Stir gently and pour into small tins while still in liquid state. Let set until hardened; close lid. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Get creative! Swap out the essential oils for different ones - Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Orange, whatever your heart desires! You can also print off or design your own labels for the tins. Customize these to your liking and enjoy them all year long! You could even do these at a kid’s birthday party and share them with friends or give them as gifts throughout the year. 

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#13 Surviving the Kids: Bathtub Crayons

This next recipe is sure to be a hit! Even if it’s not bath time, throw the kids in the tub with their swimsuits on and let them color on the walls. Genius!! They’ll be occupied for a while and YOU get to look like the cool mom (or aunt… or grandma…)! 

Oil-Infused Bathtub Crayons

• Glycerin soap
• Essential oil of choice (ex: Stress Away, Lavender, SleepyIze)
• Natural dye
• Silicone mold

Directions

1. Cut the glycerin soap in 1 oz. pieces. 
2. Using a small bowl, melt a 1 oz. piece in the microwave for 15 seconds. Continue heating for 3-second increments until fully melted. 
3. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil and stir. 
4. Pour the glycerin mixture into each mold until it’s almost full. 
5. Add about 10 drops of dye to each mold. Add more until desired color is reached. Gently stir to blend. Repeat for as many colors as you want.
6. Let dry for 24 hours. Remove from molds and enjoy!

Did you know? Stress Away promotes relaxation and helps calm the mind. Lavender has balancing properties that calm the mind and body. SleepyIze promotes feelings of relaxation and tranquility for the body and mind.

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How fun are these?! You could get creative and make bigger versions of these and add in small figurines like dinosaurs, horses, cars, etc.

#14 Surviving the Kids: Monster Spray

Every summer day must come to an end so why not end it with some amazing pillow spray that is sure to ward off any monsters hiding under the bed… AND help calm and relax those sun-kissed kiddos. You can completely customize it to your liking and let your kids help pick out the oils. Just be sure to grab the sleepy ones. Ha! 

Monster Spray

• 3 oz. water
• 1 oz. witch hazel 
• Essential oils of choice (ex: Stress Away, Lavender, SleepyIze)

Combine ingredients in a 4 oz. spray bottle. Shake before each use. Spray as needed before bed or to freshen the space. 

Have fun with this one and add a cute label. The kids are sure to love adding their own touches! And keep in mind, this spray isn’t just for kids - adults need a little help unwinding at times, too. ;) 

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#15 How to Get the BEST Price on Young Living Oils & Products

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to use your Young Living oils and products to survive the summer you are ready to tackle the outdoors, the cookouts, and the kids! Well, don’t tackle your kids. But you know what I mean! LOL

If you are totally new to this whole oils thing and don’t know where to start, let me show you the way. You will need to grab a starter kit first; I have a special referral link to help you do that. That starter kit comes with a FREE membership to Young Living, which is how you will gain access to wholesale pricing (that’s 24% off retail)!

There are several ready-made starter kits available for you to choose from but if you’re wanting to grab some or all of the items I mentioned in this class you will want to snag the Basic Starter Kit and ADD onto it. This makes for a completely customized starter kit. 

I would recommend adding at least 100 PV to your Basic Starter Kit AND saying “YES” to the Essential Rewards program so you will automatically get a freebie and earn 10% back in points to redeem for product later on. 

Even if you’re already an Oily pro and have had your account for years, you NEED to make sure you’re a part of Essential Rewards so you are getting the most out of your Young Living membership.

Essential Reward Perks

• Loyalty gifts
• Discounted shipping
• Earn points to use on future orders
• Freebies starting at 100 PV order totals
• Access to exclusive discounted bundles
• Qualifies you to receive referral bonuses

This is just the tip of the iceberg, friend! There’s an entire community of people ready and willing to come alongside you on this journey. 

#16 Sharing with Others

So when you get your starter kit and become a Young Living you are given the option to keep all this oily goodness to yourself and never tell a soul… OR… and I would recommend this option… you could tell the world!

If you use the Lavender essential oil on your sunburn and it helps your skin feel better by morning, wouldn't you want your friends to know that? If you grab some Peppermint and press it to the roof of your mouth to soothe some pressure building inside and it works, wouldn’t you want your friends to know about it? If you found some safer Sunscreen or Insect Repellent, wouldn’t you want to share that with your friends? 

You are going to find products you love and oils that change your life and your friends deserve to know! So while you’re enjoying those cookouts, serve food infused with oils so your friends can experience them. While you’re out and about, share your sunscreen and repellent. Share your rollers and your recipes. Your friends need to know about all this oily goodness! 

And guess what? When you enroll someone with a Premium Starter Kit you get at least $50 as a referral bonus (would increase if they add onto their kit). You’ll receive an additional $15 if they purchase a Premium Starter Kit and join Essential Rewards (at any time with a successfully processed 100 PV order). That’s a total of $65 just for helping your friend get started. Just make sure you yourself have spent 50 PV in the same month your friend enrolls so you get your moolah. They get access to some amazing, life-changing oils and an incredible community and you get a monetary blessing in return plus another way to connect with and support your friend. #WinWin

Check out youngliving.com/IDS for more info! 

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#17 Thank You 

Thank you so much for jumping in here with me and taking a look at what Young Living has to offer. I truly believe these oils and products need to be in every home, starting with yours and mine. This wellness lifestyle has been such a blessing and I know it can be for you too. 

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Side Note: I am not a doctor. I am not here to diagnose, treat, or prescribe things to you.