HOME

Disclosure and Policy

Disclosure

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact: [email protected].As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

Privacy Policy

The privacy of visitors to AnnDunnington.com is important to us.At AnnDunnington.com, we recognize that privacy of your personal information is important. Here is information on what types of personal information we receive and collect when you use and visit AnnDunnington.com, and how we safeguard your information. We never sell your personal information to third parties.Log Files
As with most other websites, we collect and use the data contained in log files. The information in the log files include your IP (internet protocol) address, your ISP (internet service provider, such as AOL or Shaw Cable), the browser you used to visit our site (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox), the time you visited our site and which pages you visited throughout our site.Cookies and Web BeaconsWe use third party advertisements on AnnDunnington.com to support our site. Some of these advertisers may use technology such as cookies and web beacons when they advertise on our site, which will also send these advertisers (such as Google through the Google AdSense program) information including your IP address, your ISP, the browser you used to visit our site, and in some cases, whether you have Flash installed. This is generally used for geotargeting purposes (showing New York real estate ads to someone in New York, for example) or showing certain ads based on specific sites visited (such as showing cooking ads to someone who frequents cooking sites).You can chose to disable or selectively turn off our cookies or third-party cookies in your browser settings, or by managing preferences in programs such as Norton Internet Security. However, this can affect how you are able to interact with our site as well as other websites. This could include the inability to login to services or programs, such as logging into forums or accounts.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

I don't know about you, but this curly-haired girl gets some major frizz once the weather starts to get warmer. My favorite way to combat the frizz is by making my DIY leave-in conditioner! It's economical, easy to make, and when choosing to use a non-toxic conditioner, non-toxic!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Did you know that deodorant/antiperspirant can be one of the most toxic personal care products we use? Because it's one of those daily essentials for many people, rarely does a day go by when we don't use it. With how many lymph nodes are in and around the armpit area, this is one product that we need to make sure is as clean as possible.This is my own personal tried and true recipe, that can be customized to fit your needs!- 1/2 C Organic Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
- 1/2 C Baking Soda
- 1/2 C Coconut Oil
Essential Oils of Choice: I like Frankincense, personally!Mix together into a glass mason jar.
Apply sparingly to armpits.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Conventional eyelash/eyebrow growth serums can be filled with loads of toxic ingredients. I love me some long eyelashes, but no. thank. you. Here's a DIY recipe that actually works REALLY well, and is super easy to make!Ingredients:
- Castor Seed Oil
- Essential Oils- Lavender, Cedarwood, Rosemary
- Mascara TubeFill up the tube with castor seed oil, and one drop of each essential oil. Apply to eyebrows and eyelashes before bed each night. When I do this consistently, I get about a millimeter of growth in 10 days! In eyelash terms, that's quite a bit!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This DIY salve is perfect for winter skin, skin irritations, cracked heels, rough elbows... sky's the limit! It's very easy to make as well, and perfect to give as a gift!Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Calendula Flowers
- 2 Cups Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Beeswax Pellets
- 80-160 drops high quality Essential Oils (optional, your choice!)Get the full recipe for the salve from my friend Christi, here!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Do You Subscribe?

I was never a Subscription Box fan. It felt like too much to keep track of, like I was locked into something I could never get out of, or I would be getting items that I didn't really want.Now, there ARE some subscriptions that may fall into those traps, but luckily, they have evolved over the years and become so much more flexible.I got the question the other day asking which subscription boxes I get. If you had told me years ago I would subscribe to 4 different retailers, I wouldn't have believed you. But, here we are! Let's talk about them!

Plant Paper

First up, Plant Paper. I didn't really think much about the toilet paper I would buy. Whatever was on sale at Costco, really! But did you know that toilet paper can be processed with bleach, formaldehyde, and contain chemicals like PFAS (forever chemicals) that could get into your body? Yikes. I started hearing about bamboo toilet paper being a more sustainable, safer option, but so many were WHITE! Aka still bleached. Plant Paper was the only company I found that has undyed paper, and it tests free of PFAS and other chemicals we don't want to be touching every day. Plus, it's SOFT, it's strong, septic safe, and it doesn't leave any pilling/dust/residue unlike the "regular" toilet papers. And, it's only $15 more per YEAR with normal use. Sold.I get a new box of toilet paper rolls every 12 weeks.Use code ANN20 to save 20% off your first order of Plant Paper!

Young Living

I've had a monthly subscription with Young Living for the last 10.5 years! That's where I buy all of my non-toxic cleaners, personal care, essential oils, and many supplements. Whatever I run out of, I order through Loyalty Rewards (what the subscription is called) and change it out each month for what I need. Really high quality, safe, regeneratively grown oils, and the products WORK.One thing I love about the subscription option is that you earn store credit for what you buy to use as cash to get things free. I've joked that I haven't bought laundry soap in years, but it's actually true- I spend my Loyalty points I earn from my orders and get it free! You can spend the points on nearly anything- I love that flexibility! And honestly, I don't know what I would do without these products. 10.5 years, friends. That's a long time. And I wouldn't continue to buy them if I didn't love them!Save 10% off your first order of 50PV or more with code SHAREYL at checkout to at Young Living. ...and be sure to order on Loyalty Rewards to earn that store credit!

Paleo Valley

I purchase my Organ Complex supplement (Liver, Kidney, Heart) and Grass Fed Beef Tallow from Paleo Valley. They have loads of other items too- beef jerky, protein powder, olive oil, whole food vitamin c... so many things.The Organ Complex helps give me energy (and nutrition!), and the Tallow is so great to cook with, especially at high heat. I believe for this subscription, I get a new shipment every other month because I order a few bottles at a time to get free shipping.Get a 15% Discount at Paleo Valley with this link!

Thrive Market

Thrive Market is an online grocery store that has great deals, an amazing selection, and is a one-stop-shop for special dietary needs. I stock up on sardines, cassava flour pasta, hearts of palm noodles, avocado oil, sea salt, spices, and so much more. But they do have more "normal" items like chips and chocolate at a really good price.Save 40% off your first order at Thrive Market, plus a free gift up to $60 with this link!So there you have it! These boxes save me money, help me not forget to restock what I need, and help me live a more non-toxic life. They're the ultimate easy button!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

A collection of my FAVORITE home products- all in one place! Click/tap on each photo to purchase.

↑ Red Light Therapy
Infrared Light Therapy Lamp for Skin Care & Pain Relief.

↑ Neck Massager with Heat
Kneading Massager for Back, Neck & Shoulders.

↑ Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid (6 in 1)
Turn your instant pot into an air fryer. Uses up to 95% less oil than deep frying.

↑ Pink Himalayan Salt Lamps
Natural Night Lights for Bedrooms and Home Decor. Natural Salt rock Lights Emits negative ions when heated by the bulb; which purifies air, improves breathing, and reduces allergy/asthma symptoms.

↑ Essential Oils Starter Bundle
Starter Bundle with a diffuser, oils, and everything you need to jump-start your clean living journey at the best value.

↑ Natural Sliced Crystal Coasters
White agate coasters for drinks. Set of 4 with plated edge, surface protectors and no added dyes.

↑ Acupressure Mat
Acupressure mat and pillow set for back & neck pain relief, and muscle relaxation.

↑ Bamboo Bed Sheets
100% viscose derived from bamboo, super soft Bamboo Sheets. Free from harmful substances for a healthy sleep environment.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

There are some things I have been LOVING from Amazon this fall. From cozy sweaters to a nail buffer and everything in between!

↑ Polar Fleece Pullover Jacket

↑ Leopard Knit Cardigan Sweater

↑ Eyebrow Razor / Peach Fuzz Remover

↑ Natural Nail Polisher with 4 Sides

↑ Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

↑ Conair InfinitiPro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand

↑ Jasmine Green Tea - Numi

↑ Pink Himalayan Salt Lamps - Natural Night Lights

↑ Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, Comfortable Hearing Protection

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

It has been almost 2 yeas since I posted a Favorites video on my YouTube channel! I figured it was high time to do it!! I'll like everything mentioned below the video!

↑ Essential Oils Starter Bundle
Starter Bundle with a diffuser, oils, and everything you need to jump-start your clean living journey at the best value.

↑ REVLON One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler

↑ Epic Jerky Bites, 100% Wild Caught, Alaskan Salmon

↑ Baker Creek Seeds / Heirloom Rare Seeds

↑ The Holistic Psychologist

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

When I was first getting into eating a low inflammation diet, I started off by spending HOURS in the kitchen. I mean, I was cooking everything from scratch. And, it was overwhelming.Along the way, I learned to lean into bulk prepping and freezing food items like fruit, sweet potatoes, avocados... and so many more things. Having frozen fruits and veggies, cooked meats, and starches on hand to grab and throw into a pan or on a plate made ALL the difference.Here's a place to start. If prepping and freezing is new to you, this may get your wheels turning!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Having safe, natural, and EFFECTIVE cleaners in my home are a must-have. Not only are cleaning chemicals one of the most toxic products we have in our homes, but we're affected by them well after the cleaning is done.Thankfully we do have really good options when it comes to cleaners nowadays. But I think a big kicker for many is not realizing just HOW toxic the traditional cleaning products in the grocery store are. Yep, even Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Method, Green Works, and the like.Take laundry soap, for example. We get toxins from our laundry products 3 different ways:1) When we wash and dry our clothes, the fumes are off-gassing into the air. Have you ever taken a walk outside and smelled "laundry"? It kinda hits you in the face, huh? That fragrance could be made of hundreds of chemicals, and lead to breathing issues, asthma, allergies, or even worse problems.2) When we wear our clothes, any leftover residue is seeping into our skin all. day. long. It's especially bad when we sweat, which happens a lot at night. Do you sleep on sheets?? Yeah, me too. Dry off after a hot shower with a towel? Yep... Wear clothes to work out in?? Mmmhm. Fabric is touching us 99% of our day.3) When our clothes are hanging in our closet, the fragrance chemicals again are off-gassing into the air and we're breathing it in all night long."Fragrance" or "Perfume" as an ingredient is considered as dangerous as second hand smoke. And this ingredient is in most of the cleaners on the market. Even the "natural" ones. It can lead to endocrine disruption, sleeping disturbances, headaches, skin allergies, wheezing, and so much more.In college I worked at Bath and Body Works, and during that time, I had the worst PMS of my life. Acne. Anxiety. Stomach issues related to hormones and anxiety. I didn't put two and two together until relatively recently. I can't even walk into that store anymore, let alone walk down any perfume or cleaning aisle at the grocery.What cleaners do I use now? Cleaners that are safe for my family, effective, cost-effective (because you can dilute most of them!), with NO artificial fragrance chemicals or harsh ingredients.

↑ Thieves Household Cleaner is my GO-TO for a multipurpose cleaner. A friend of mine compared it to Branch Basics (which is a relatively clean brand) and she said she didn't think it cleaned as well as Thieves Cleaner does. After using Thieves myself for the last 9 years, I too can attest to its cleaning power!! Dilute a capful or two in a spray bottle of water, then spray on and wipe off. Perfect for counters, toilets, showers, floors, upholstery, windows, mirrors, and even safe enough for kids toys, pet bowls, and to clean our fruits and veggies with!!

↑ Thieves Kitchen and Bath Scrub is my favorite for TOUGH to clean things. Think the inside of the oven, soap scum in the shower, rust rings in toilet bowls, and scratches on porcelain. It's a non-scratch gritty cleaner, like a "Bar Keepers Friend" or "Comet" without the toxins. No need to wear gloves or vent the room when using it. Sprinkle on, and scrub in with a damp sponge. Rinse clean. This stuff is literal magic.

↑ Thieves Dish Soap is one of my husband's favorites. He and I split up dish duty, and each time he washes dishes he says "I love this stuff". It literally leaves dishes sparkling and rinses clean- without the worry of leftover residue like if we were washing with the bright blue dish soap with the duck on the packaging. Speaking of, have you ever dug into what happens to the ducks after they clean up them up from the oil spill with the bright blue stuff??? Research at your own risk. We love the Thieves Dish Soap, it works so well. Especially when you use a Scrub Mommy sponge.

↑ Thieves Laundry Soap is SO concentrated that you only need 1/4 of a capful for a normal size load of laundry. I like to dilute mine with water and a little Thieves Household Cleaner because I tend to be a bit heavy handed with it. Habit I suppose. But it works GREAT to get clothes clean without the fragrance. The clothes come out smelling clean, and just like clothes. Not perfume. We use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, and put a little bit of either Thieves or Lemon essential oil on them for just a slight fragrance. Optional to do, of course, and that aroma is NOT the artificial fragrance I mentioned earlier. Just pressed plants.

↑ High quality essential oils! Instead of candles, plugins, wallflowers, and air fresheners, we use a diffuser! It's a wonderful way to passively get the goodness and benefits of high quality essential oils into the family, while lightly scenting the air (or cleansing the air!) at the same time. We love to diffuse Thieves and Lemon together. There are endless essential oil combinations that are seasonally appropriate, or that help to uplift mood, calm emotions, encourage sleep, encourage focus... so many things.If you're thinking of swapping out your cleaners and you've never ordered from Young Living before, I have a coupon for you! At check out, use the code SHAREYL. This will give you 10% off your order!

↑ Happy Healthy Home bundle! My favorite bundle of Thieves cleaning products is called the Happy Healthy Home bundle. By using the coupon code SHAREYL, you'll get 10% off, and when you choose the "Add to Loyalty" button, you'll also get a FREE oil included in your box. This month you'll get SleepyIze, which is a wonderfully soft essential oil that can help kids and adults alike have a restful sleep. We LOVE it.
Here's something else- if you decide to place a 2nd Loyalty order in September over $50 (50PV), Young Living will send you a FREE DIFFUSER. Totally optional, but I want you to know about it.You can find the bundle by clicking on any of the pictures or the button below. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions! I've been using these products for years, and won't ever go back to anything else! My family's health is too important.

• CLICK HERE TO SHOP

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Can we have a heart-to-heart for a second? When I first learned about essential oils, I was THRILLED at what I was learning. And also intimidated. I read so many articles about how oils could help with XYZ (literally everything under the sun), but then I also read horror stories about how they weren't safe to ingest, weren't safe for use on children, weren't safe for this reason, that reason, some other reason... it was all overwhelming.I went to my health food store and picked up some "100% Pure" labeled Peppermint and Lavender. Nope, that wasn't a brand name, it was a claim on the giant, $5 bottles! Score! Then, the Peppermint made me sick (literally, no joke), and the Lavender gave me a rash and a headache. Off to a great start, huh?I quickly learned from an oil friend who knew MUCH more than I did about essential oils that the QUALITY of the essential oil made all the difference when it came to how well the oil worked, and how my skin was going to react to it (and my stomach, and head...). Why would I use an essential oil to get rid of toxins... that ended up containing toxins? After trying literally every brand on the market (no exaggeration, ALL. OF. THEM.) I realized that Young Living's oils were different. See more about that here.So what are essential oils? They're the life force of a plant. When you pinch a peppermint leaf, what you smell on your fingers is the essential oil. When these plants are grown in the right conditions, harvested at the correct time, grown without pesticides, and distilled without solvents, they can aid in keeping our bodies well and functioning the way they are meant to! Cool, huh?The molecules in the essential oils are so tiny that they can pass through our tissues into our cells, and actually cross the blood-brain barrier. Our bodies can transport these molecules all over the body within 20 minutes.You can use (good, high quality) essential oils three ways:
- Topical - applying the oil directly to the skin.
- Aromatic - using the oil in a diffuser or inhaling it from the bottle.
- Internal - using the oil to flavor foods or make a supplement. YL has a whole line called the Vitality oils the are GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA.Let's take a little closer look at what sets Young Living apart from every other oil brand out there.MOST essential oils on the market today are only suitable for cosmetics and perfumes, though some even have warning labels on them that they shouldn't even be applied to the skin! I'm sorry, what? The reason that Young Living's oils are so different is their commitment to producing truly pure, better than "organic", unadulterated oil. They own their own farms, and are in control of the quality of the oil from the seed that's planted into the ground, through bottling. If at any point during the production process a standard isn't met, they recycle that oil back into the land and start again. At times, this causes oils to go out of stock because they WILL. NOT. COMPROMISE. ON. QUALITY. No synthetics to make a buck. No cutting corners. NONE.One example of this... let's look at Cypress. Cypress has 280 known constituents. If it's distilled for 20 hours, you only get 20 constituents. Distilled for 26 hours? NONE of the constituents. The correct length of time for distilling it is 24 hours. Most companies distill it for 3.5 hours.If you want Cypress to work to its fullest, you want all 280 constituents! AND, you need to ensure that the oil doesn't have concentrated pesticides, herbicides, or anything else in it."So, does that make Young Living more expensive?" Not really- they're different than the "oils" you'll find in the health food store. You only need a drop or two of YL's oils at a time to get the full, in-tact constituents. An oil that works to its fullest, vs. a perfume that doesn't do anything but smell pleasing... it actually doesn't compare. It's like comparing Apple Jacks to Organic Apples, or that cheeze in a can to the pasture-raised raw cheese from the farm down the street. Health food store oils and Young Living oils are totally different things.There we have it, friends! Essential oils are really cool bottles of plant extracts that do really cool things for our bodies. Want to grab some? You have loads of options- check them out here!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

I am SO excited that you want to join me, and our community, in your essential oil journey! If you follow me on any of my social media platforms, you know that one of my biggest goals is creating a home (and life!) with a focus on using things that are toxic-free as possible. Essential oils fit SO well into that.When you buy a starter bundle, or anything from Young Living through my link, I send a FREE Gift (see below), monthly email newsletter, weekly email tips, recipe cards, and an invite to monthly classes, and our private Facebook Group! You'll have loads of support from not only myself, but the rest of my oil group as well!Right now to help you get started, I am going to send you a bonus FREE diffuser!! Just become a new customer by placing a 100 pv order (basically dollars)! You then can log in, and buy any of the 800+ non toxic products, whenever you want, with a built-in 24% off discount! It's where I get my Thieves Laundry Soap, Thieves Cleaner Concentrate (only thing we clean our home with!), oils, body products, and more!I have created a few bundle ideas to get you started (linked below), or you can go to Young Living's website if you have a certain thing in mind to get and order that way through my link here!

↑ PREMIUM STARTER BUNDLE WITH DESERT MIST (FIND BUNDLE HERE)The best deal, and the most comprehensive collection for the average household is the Premium Starter Bundle with the Desert Mist Diffuser.In my opinion, this is the very best place to start!! It's 100% the best $165 you will ever spend. It comes with a Diffuser (plus an additional FREE one from me!), and 12 of the most commonly used oils at home- an oil for sleep, stress, tummy troubles, immune support, seasonal sniffles, tired muscles, tension, nerves, emotions, boo-boo’s… the list goes on and on. Oh, and why the YOUNG LIVING starter box, and not some other company?? Because they have the most high quality, pure, and effective essential oils I have ever tried, and truthfully I've almost tried them all.Want to peek inside the box? Let's unbox it!!

↑ THIEVES HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES (FIND BUNDLE HERE)Thieves Household Cleaner:
Thieves Household Cleaner is the perfect, versatile go-to for all your cleaning needs for a happy, healthy home. This Young Living exclusive includes only plant-based and naturally derived ingredients to effectively clean your home without taking synthetic shortcuts or using potentially harsh ingredients. Plus, the concentrated formula means that one 14.4oz bottle makes 20 spray bottles of standard cleaner!Thieves Kitchen & Bath Scrub:
Thieves Kitchen and Bath Scrub is a natural, mineral-based formula that tackles tough messes of built-up grease, dirt, and residue without the synthetic shortcut of chlorine or other harsh chemicals. This scrub gains its tough scrubbing power from nepheline syenite, a mineral responsibly mined in Ontario, Canada; baking soda that gently absorbs odors; sodium percarbonate that releases oxygen when combined with water, providing a powerful boost of cleaning power against tough stains; and the signature Thieves blend. Designed for use on multiple surfaces, Thieves Kitchen and Bath Scrub is your new naturally derived cleaner: tough on messes and safe for your family!Thieves Dish Soap:
With naturally derived, grease-cutting ingredients and the fresh, citrus scent of Jade Lemon and Bergamot essential oils plus the signature Thieves essential oil blend, Thieves Dish Soap is the perfect addition to your clean lifestyle. Free of the typical sulfates, dyes, and synthetics found in many dish soaps, Thieves Dish Soap's plant-based formula leaves no harsh chemical residues. The gentle but powerful formula prevents over-drying of skin and will leave your dishes sparkling clean.Thieves Automatic Dishwashing Powder:
The strength of premium essential oils, powerful botanicals, and naturally derived enzymes come together in Thieves Automatic Dishwasher Powder to tackle your dirtiest dishes. This plant-based formula will leave dishes spotless and sparkling without harsh chemicals. Its natural sudsing formula easily removes grime, grease, and food particles, taking the hassle out of dishwashing.Thieves Laundry Soap:
Thieves Laundry Soap is potent, plant-based, and ultra-concentrated with pure essential oils and powerful enzymes to effectively clean your clothes and leave them refreshed with a light citrus scent. Designed to be powerful and efficient, this concentrated 32-ounce bottle of Thieves Laundry Soap can clean up to 64 loads of clothing. Harnessing the power of stain-fighting enzymes and Thieves essential oil blend, the plant-based formula is a straightforward clean with no surprises and no synthetics and is free from SLS, dyes, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic perfumes, chlorine, and optical brighteners.GRAB THIS BUNDLE HERE

↑ HAIR, SKIN, & NAILS BUNDLE (FIND BUNDLE HERE)If you're looking for healthy hair, long and strong nails, clear skin, and overall energy and vibrancy, this bundle is for you! I swear by these 4 products- Ningxia Red, Sulfurzyme, Beauty Boost, and the Charcoal Bar Soap!They help keep my skin clear, my nails growing like weeds (no joke- I need to trim them every single month), the "chicken skin" on the backs of my arms and neck are GONE, my hair is strong and healthy, and it helps me keep up with my busy schedule without the mid-afternoon slump.Have you heard of Ningxia Red?? Check out this video!GRAB THE BUNDLE HERE.

"But what if I'm interested in one specific thing??" Here's how to get the best deal!

Subscribe to any item and get a built in 24% discount!! It could be as small as a lip balm! If you had a few things you wanted to try this month, and then a few different things the following month, DEFINITELY take advantage of the Loyalty program to earn Loyalty Rewards and save 24%!

Want to peek inside one of my Subscribe to Save boxes??

What you choose to order from Young Living is completely customizable! Order what you want, when you want. You don't have to order monthly unless you want to take advantage of the Loyalty Rewards, and you don't have to get a starter bundle unless you want to! Click here to browse around the Young Living site, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

As an adult, essential oils have improved my quality of life in countless ways. I can only imagine what they would have done for me as a kid!!I had a lot of nerves growing up. I liked being at home. I liked routine. I had friends, but I also had a "peopling limit". I had a nervous tummy. I wasn't a good sleeper. ...the list goes on. Sound familiar?Essential oils are natural tools that, in my opinion, every home needs regardless of the age of who lives there... but ESPECIALLY helpful solutions for our little ones.Let's peek at a few oil blends from the brand that I trust for all of my essential oils, which is Young Living. They have a line called "Kidscents" that are pre-diluted for children ages 2+, which is the ultimate easy button. And to be honest, I use them all the time myself!!

↑ Geneyus | First up, Geneyus. Let’s call this one, "attention in a bottle". This oil is a so helpful for anyone that has trouble focusing on one task at a time! This is a great one to apply on the back of the neck (brain stem) before school, or diffuse while doing homework. Helpful for test taking, before presentations, piano lessons... any time where focus is needed!

↑ Kidpower | Next up, Kidpower. This one smells like a DREAM, like an orange creamsicle. I like to wear it as a perfume, myself! But this one is amazing for courage, big feelings, nerves, and bravery. Childhood can be tough- new situations, making friends, sleeping alone in the dark, learning new skills, feeling big emotions... we can all relate, right? Whenever bravery is needed, this oil is it!

↑ Owie | Sometimes, life throws us an Owie. Playground mishaps, boo-boos... knees and elbows love this oil. Leave it out where the kids can easily grab it when needed, and always keep it in the purse! Just drop it right on top of any ouchie and top with a bandage if needed. You can even add a roller top for even easier application on the go. I haven’t met a boo-boo that Owie can’t make feel better.

↑ Tummygize | Tummygize is probably the oil I personally reach for the most. For myself! Oh how I would have LOVED this as a child. Definitely leave this one out where the kids can grab it whenever they need it. The name says it all. A swipe on the belly will help pretty much ANY issue feel better! Yes, even that one. That one too. And that one also. Honestly, all I know is that this gentle blend WORKS.

↑ SleepyIze | Who couldn't use better sleep? Sleepyize is a gentle blend of sleepy oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Valerian, Rue, and others that are a perfect blend to wind down with before bed. I have heard from so many parents that they adore this blend in their little ones’ diffusers at night, and applied to the bottom of their feet and down the spine. Such a gentle, comforting, and relaxing part of bedtime routine.

↑ Snifflease | Snifflease is just as the name sounds. This blend has loads of lung and sinus-loving oils like Eucalyptus Blue, Pine, Dorado Azul, Eucalyptus Radiata, and more. Apply to the chest, back of the neck, and back in the fall/winter when the lungs and sinuses need some extra care. Maybe even dab some on the tip of the nose and around the ears as the seasons change and pollen comes out to play.These oils are amazing for every household with little ones. Having tools at your fingertips to incorporate into your daily routine to support everything from tummies to emotions is so empowering. These oils come in a couple of collections if you want them all, or you can grab one or two that you feel would best suit your family's needs.Like I said before, using oils as an adult has improved my quality of life dramatically, and teaching our kids to reach for these non-toxic tools is so empowering for them! Especially after the last few years we have gone through, the comfort of having these at our fingertips to use (both when something acute arises and as part of the daily routine) is invaluable.

• CLICK HERE TO SHOP

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If there was one thing I could shout from the rooftops, this would be it. If inflammation is a concern, be it an autoimmune disease, or perhaps achy knees, inability to lose weight, or brain fog, I cannot recommend AIP enough. We have seen first-hand in our own household how much of an impact food can have on health and wellbeing, either feeding disease or feeding health. We've experienced both.So, what is the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol? Basically it's an elimination diet with the goal of helping the body heal itself. It eliminates the most common inflammation triggers: eggs, dairy, grains, nightshades, nuts, seeds, legumes, spices derived from nightshades and seeds, seed oils, NSAIDS, and anything artificial. In turn, you focus on incorporating really nutrient-dense foods: fruits, vegetables, meats, organ meat, and the like.Sounds intense, right? Trust me when I say, I was overwhelmed at first when I saw that list. We were eating pretty much ALL of the elimination foods most of our lives, every single day. I had never touched organ meat... let alone eaten any! I tell you what, after 14 days of eating AIP, my husband felt better. His first round of bloodwork and stool tests after eating AIP (maybe 2 months in??) he had zero signs of active disease. We were FLOORED.Let's get into the nitty-gritty, shall we? First, here are the foods to eliminate:

Don't worry, there's still PLENTY of yummy foods to eat I promise! Check out the foods to incorporate:

The idea with AIP is to eliminate the "no" foods for 30 days, and then reintroduce to see how your body reacts. Symptoms could be subtle, like anger or trouble sleeping, or more obvious like a skin rash.As I mentioned before, the whole idea of an elimination diet felt hard. But you know what was harder? Symptoms. Desperation. Sleepless nights. We chose our hard, and as a doctor told my husband, this way of eating saved his life.I want to encourage you, remission is possible. Use your intuition, review it with your doctor- what have you got to lose?Would you like some of my favorite AIP recipes? Enter your email here, and I'll send them straight to your inbox!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you need a crowd pleasing dip for your next party, you have to give this quick and easy artichoke dip a try! It's healthy, goes with pretty much everything, is allergy friendly, and DELISH.Ingredients:
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
- 1 T lemon juice
- 3/4 t sea salt (smoked if you have it, but plain is fine too)
- 1/4 t garlic powder
- 1/4 C olive oilCombine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Chill, and serve with cut veggies, crackers, plantain chips, or even as a sauce alongside chicken or lamb!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This is one of my favorite snacks ever! It's perfect to bring along to a Football watching party- while others are having chips and salsa, you can have your plantain chips and guac! Perfect for packed lunches, or as a part of a meal.PLANTAIN CHIPS
- 1 Green Plantain
- 1-2 TBSP Duck Fat, Pork Lard, Avocado Oil, or Coconut Oil
- Sea Salt- Peel the plantain, and slice into thin rounds. Aim for 1 millimeter or so.
- Coat with your cooking fat of choice, and lay out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking pan
- Sprinkle with salt
- Bake at 400* for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.EASY GUACAMOLE
- 1 Avocado
- Sea Salt
- Juice of 1/2 Lime, or Lime Essential Oil*- Peel the avocado
- Scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork
- Sprinkle with salt and mix in the juice of a lime (or 1 drop of Lime Essential Oil)I only recommend ingesting Young Living Vitality Essential Oils.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Sardines are SO nutritious and really are all the rage in the paleo/autoimmune eating community. To me, they taste like tuna... without the mercury concerns. So if you like tuna, you'll like sardines. The main difference is that you eat the bones that are still inside. Weird, right? Meh- they're just crunchy and are why you get SO much calcium from them!Recipe & Instructions:
- 2 tins of Sardines (I prefer Wild Planet brand), drained
- 1/2 cup frozen kale or spinach
- 2 T Cassava Flour
If you want to get fancy, add any types of herbs or garlic you have on hand.- Mush together into a bowl and form into patties.
- Fry up on a pan over medium high heat in avocado oil until golden brown on both sides and heated through.
- Serve with any vegetable you enjoy!Watch how I make them in real-time, in the video above!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

When you eat Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, sweet treats are hard to come by. This recipe is tried and true, healthy, and delicious. They're made out of all whole-food ingredients, and are suitable for those who eat vegan, gluten free, paleo, AIP, and are free from the top 8 allergens.You can even eat these for breakfast, they're THAT healthy and delicious! And don't be shy mixing up the recipe- throw in some walnuts and raisins, some dried apricots or cherries... whatever you'd like!Recipes & Directions:
- 2 Ripe Plantains, skin removed
- 1 Apple, peeled and chopped
- 1/3 C Cassava Flour
- 1-2 TBSP Cinnamon
- Dash of Salt
- 2 TBSP Olive Oil- Blend ingredients together in a food processor or blender, minus the chopped apple pieces.
- Fold in Apple pieces.
- Drop by spoonfuls to parchment lined baking pan and form into cookie shapes.
- Bake 350* for 30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool and become chewy.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Sourdough brioche rolls are tangy, lightly sweetened, and enriched with butter, eggs, and milk for an unbelievably soft texture and rich flavor. These are sure to be your new favorite dinner rolls!asdf
asdf

Hi, I’m Ann!

Sourdough brioche rolls are tangy, lightly sweetened, and enriched with butter, eggs, and milk for an unbelievably soft texture and rich flavor. These are sure to be your new favorite dinner rolls!asdf
asdf