Sheerlumé™—Our Living “Young” Elixir

Sheerlumé™—Our Living “Young” Elixir



This product was recently released at convention and is already getting rave reviews!  I love that it is all natural - no chemicals.  Click the link above to read about it on Young Living's blog!



So many products in our home are loaded with chemicals.  We are slowly removing all chemicals from our home. First was air fresheners.  We have 3 dogs and a cat.  Yes I know, we are crazy, some might even call it stupid.  We love our 4 legged family members.  But with that comes many not so pleasant smells!  Look for a blog post soon on how we eliminated pet odors in our home.  Cleaning supplies were next.  We love the Thieves household cleaner and use it for a ton of different things!  Foaming Hand soaps!  Oh my word - loaded with cancer causing chemicals.  Not the Thieves foaming hand soap.  Out list continues with things like personal care products, body lotions, toothpaste, perfume, chapstick.  The list continues to grow.





I am excited to try this new product as well.



Gary Young is committed to searching the globe for natural products that help us get healthy, stay healthy, look and live better!  I LOVE THIS COMPANY and it's products.



www.lorihanken.vibrantscents.com for more information or to

order!

Carlee's Story2

A short but sweet story about success with oils!



Message me or go to www.lorihanken.vibrantscents.com for more information on how to get started.

Cell Phones - Are You Kidding Me?

True confession:  I have very little tolerance for rude people.

Our society has become increasingly more rude.  There are many areas in our lives where we encounter rudeness.

• Driving
• Walking in Malls
• Parking Lots
• Weddings
• Grocery Stores
• Your Own Car!

I have many examples of these.  Today, though, I want to focus on cell phones or other electronics.  When our children were younger and we would go out for dinner, I admit, I found it easier to have conversation with my husband when the kids had games to play.  Boy do I regret that.  I am now helping them unlearn some bad habits that got significantly worse as they got older.

We have all seen the articles about how we have a generation of people that have their heads in their phones and are missing life.  There are so many things missed.  There was recently a video that was floating around on Facebook about a couple that met and married. The story was they would not have met if they had their heads in their phones!

This isn't the video I was looking for but it makes the point.
I Forgot My Phone

Ok - sorry here is another one.  Cell Phone Impact On Relationships

OH NO!  While I was looking for the original video (which I still cannot find) I came across this "lovely" clip from Rachel Ray.  How to text your ex boyfriend and get him back- Tips and advice
Are you kidding me?  Does this disgust anyone as much as it does me?  I didn't even watch it.

Look at these statistics!  You can click the Source hyperlink for information on more electronic usage.

Source

How many of you went on long road trips with your family?  The car rides seemed horrible right?  Now, looking back, they were amazing.  You saw great things, played games, sang songs and built relationships.

We are raising a generation that will stay connected with far more people than our generation.  But, they also are lacking in communication skills!  

I recently had some kids in the car.  One young person actually was on the phone when they got into the car.  There was no greeting at all.  The phone call was finished and they proceeded to start texting non-stop.  It was about a 35 minute car ride.  Almost NOTHING was said.  All you could hear was the annoying click click click of the texting.  My child that was in the car too had sat in the back seat rather than in front like they normally would.  My child conversed with me the entire trip.  NO INTERACTION with the texter.

We arrived at our location and the passenger said, "thanks for the ride".  I didn't answer.

The bright side?  We have a new rule in our car for everyone.  No texting.  End of story.  

I'll let you know how it goes when I enforce it with my kids' friends.

I challenge you as families to unplug more often.  Put the phones away, interact, learn how to enjoy each other.

I challenge you to UNPLUG!

#areyoukiddingme #bepresent #unplug #wholehealth #becomewhole

Choices - Career - Money - Family - PRIORITIES

All day, everyday we make choices.  I had a job that required quite a bit of travel when the kids were younger.  The demands were terrible, the bosses were worse.  It didn't make any difference what you had going on in your life when you were summoned you said, "how high?".

When my son was younger, here is what the conversations were like.

Day One
 - Hi Mommy how was your day?  (Excited voice)
Day Two
- Hi Mamma how was your day?  (A little deflated)
Day Three
- Hi Mamma when are you coming home?  (Weepy)

Everyday I see posts on people's Facebook pages checking in at airports, travelling here, missing their kid's events, saying things like, "Living the Dream"!  Seriously how can you think this is "Living the Dream"?  I was one of those people.  

Let me tell you a secret:  BUSINESS TRAVEL IS NOT GLAMOROUS.

I remember one year at an event my daughter was playing in a championship softball game and I wasn't there.  Another executive summons required me to have lunch with my husband on our anniversary on our way to the airport.  He wasn't coming with me.  My daughter had a significant female moment and I had to get on a plane for a meeting summons.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.  No paycheck is worth all that.  I won't judge you.  Ok, maybe I will.  Family is one of the most important things. Us old folks all know the Cat Steven's song, Cat's In The Cradle.  For you young people...

Cats in the Cradle
Listen Here
by Harry Chapin
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad, 
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when, 
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play 

can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today, 

I got a lot to do" He said "That's okay" 
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed 
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"


And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home, Son, I don't know when, 
But we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time then.

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day........
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad, 
It's been sure nice talking to you........"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me..............


And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home, Son, I dot know when, 
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have lived this song.  As a result I had the opportunity to leave big corporate America and help my husband grow his business.  I MADE THE LEAP OF FAITH.  He owned a trade show exhibit company, Total Displays.  

TOTAL DISPLAYS       

We made a choice that our family was more important than a paycheck.  

Has it been easy?  NO.    

We have struggled financially.  Our earnings were cut by more than 50%.  Our expenses were not automatically cut by that.  We had to learn to live together, love together and work together.  We have cut way back on "things" (that is a bonus).  It is sometimes scary.

Was it worth it?  YES

We have been able to be at 90+% of our children's events.  We drive them to school, and pick them up after school.  We learned many valuable lessons about what was important.   We have become closer!

I even started a home based business based on a passion I have for helping people.  It has already helped us financially in less than a year.  Soon that will start being a significant part of our income. 

MY HOME BUSINESS

Don't complain about your job, about travelling for work, about missing kids events, IT IS A CHOICE.  

~Blessings & Abundance

#family #choices #bewhole

Are You Kidding Me?

Welcome to my blog!  So many times throughout my day I feel the need to do a face palm.  So much that you see and hear every day gets an "Are you kidding me?" response.  My Dad used to say to my Mother, "I think you are raising stupid kids!"

Sometimes though that phrase can be something of excitement, wonder, awe.  I am going to look for those type of moments more often!

I want to tell you my personal Young Living Essential Oils story.  I know some of you may be sick of hearing about my passion for oils.  Maybe if you hear how we started, you will understand why I am so passionate about it.  We continue to find new benefits on a daily basis.

Adding Young Living oils to our life was a big part of becoming whole!

Our daughter in 7th grade grew 5 inches in one school year.  The growing pains were horrible.  She also was starting to suffer from female pains!  Let's just say life was pretty miserable for her.  Just to add insult to injury (pun intended) it seems like she was always injured in sports.  We called her Danger Prone Daphne.

We carried Ibuprofen with us everywhere.  Have you all seen the studies and the information about what Ibuprofen does to you?  Our daughter was eating Ibuprofen multiple times per day!

Here is one link with a list.  Web MD Ibuprofen Article

Oh, if those weren't pleasant enough here is an article from Livestrong.com about Ibuprofen in children.  Livestrong Ibuprofen Article

For those of you that don't want to read the articles, here are two highlights.  STOMACH BLEEDING & LIVER PROBLEMS.

So here is how we found a healthy alternative!  We were at a softball tournament in Iowa.  One of Elsie's teammates was hit in the foot with a pitch.  Her foot swelled up, they went to the medic, her parents gave her 5 (count them - 5!) Ibuprofen, they iced and elevated.  She was told that nothing was broken but that she probably wouldn't play the rest of the week.

Our niece was with us and asked if she could put some essential oils on her foot.  We asked her mom and she put on PanAway and Peppermint.  To make a long (and amazing) story short.  She was walking and running that night and played softball the rest of the weekend!

My husband and I talked about it on the way home from Iowa.  David has chronic lower back pain, our son has plantar fasciitis and we could think of many other things that we were currently medicating.  We said, for $150 how could it possibly hurt to give it a try!  We signed up as members and now get 24% off retail on all our oils.
ARE WE GLAD WE DID!  No more Ibuprofen in our house.  As a matter of fact, I have thrown it all away :)

 PanAway does many things but primarily is a pain relieving blend of oils. It smells a lot like Ben Gay or Biofreeze.  

Peppermint is a natural analgesic and is also considered a driver oil so it intensifies any oil that is applied previously.







Here is the "Are You Kidding Me?" part of it.  So many parents continue to give their children Ibuprofen on a regular basis.  How can you afford not to at least try a natural alternative.

An Open Letter To Any Boy That Might Like (in any way) My Daughter

An Open Letter To Any Boy That Might Like (in any way) My Daughter

Dear Young Man (Young being the operative word, you are still very young):

My daughter is one of the MOST PRECIOUS things to me on this earth.  She is competitive, kind, loving, funny, talented, giving, pig headed and yes sometimes annoying.  Aren't we all?  One of the things I have been trying to teach her is how to surround herself with people that truly care for her and are kind to her.  That is a hard lesson for young teenage girls to learn.  Just as we have expectations of our children, we have expectations of their friends.  Sorry - that is just the way it is.

Dating.  I personally believe "dating" at this age (14) is ridiculous.  But I understand it is a right of passage and learning that you all must go through.  I don't have to like it.  What I will tell you is that you will NOT be in a house by yourself with my daughter.  If she is invited to your house, I will call your parents to ask them if I can send anything along with Elsie ;)  Read between the lines, YOUR PARENT(S) MUST BE HOME.  No, in case you ask, older siblings do not count as parents.

Respect.  This is a word that is very difficult for young people to understand.  Respect means so many things.  I wish I could just say, "Treat my daughter with respect" and you would understand but I am sure you will not.  So I will make you a list.  Please keep in mind that this list may change over time.  Don't worry, I'll update it here for you so that you can refer back to it.

• Kindness - be kind to her, use nice words, don't talk about her behind her back, don't talk with her friends about her, - oh my this could go on for ever
• Honesty - pretty simple really - DON'T LIE
• Trustworthy - if you say you are going to do something, do it
• Pictures - ok this might be embarrassing to you - don't ever ask her to send you an inappropriate picture. If you do, I will hunt you down!
• Social Media - let me just say, I follow my daughter on all social media sites.  I will request to follow you.  If you do not allow me to follow you, I will wonder what you are hiding.  It comes with the territory of being a Mother.  Get over it.
• Pictures2 - If you do decline me, be aware, I have her passwords and I OWN HER PHONE, COMPUTER ETC.  I do look and if you post anything inappropriate, see the first Pictures post for the consequence.
• Talk - texting seems to be a necessary evil for this generation.  Talking is important.  You can't have any kind of relationship, friendship or other without talking.  
• Listen - girls that are 14 seem to have a lot of issues.  Sometimes you just need to listen.
• Supportive - Support her activities.  You will win huge brownie points with all of us in her family (especially her) if you show up to watch a softball game or a concert!
• Nasty - I know how boys minds work.  I get it.  But don't text nasty things about my daughter to your buddies or to her friends.  She won't like it and I can guarantee you I won't like it either.  You don't want to know what her Dad will do if he finds out!
• Parents - this is really my rule.  I really am not that scary (Dad may be but I am not).  Be polite to me (and her Dad), talk to me, say please and thank you especially if you are at my house.  Oh and I am Mrs. Hanken to you unless I give you permission otherwise.
• Little Brother -Our daughter has a brother that is 2.5 years younger than her.  He means the world to her.  If you treat him badly it will not go well for you.
• Family - This is one of the most important thing in our house.  If you talk smack about anyone in her family (See Little Brother) you are not respecting her.
• Apologize - We are all human.  We all make mistakes.  You will make mistakes.  If you are wrong (and even sometimes if you are not) apologize.  It will take you far in life.
• Physical - If you EVER HIT HER, you are done.  We have ZERO TOLERANCE for this type of behavior.  It shouldn't have to be said, but I know many people who have suffered abuse.  If you do we will file charges if we are able.

If our daughter likes you, we want to like you.  Please make it easy for us.

Covetting Lashes



I have always been envious of the women with long, luscious lashes.  I AM NOT one of them.  We have all seen them in magazines on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.  There they are, those gorgeous eyes, with perfectly applied makeup.  A dark, smoky look; dare I even say s#xy?

Those lashes make me covet, long, wish, want them for myself.  Especially the lower lashes.  My lower lashes are completely NON-EXISTANT. 

What are the messages we get?  Use this mascara, lash enhancer, implants, fake lashes, even prescription medication and YOU TOO CAN HAVE LASHES LIKE THESE.

These products all come with amazing testimonials and endorsements; The Dr’s, Dr Oz., physicians, dermatologists and many others.  Anyone will endorse for the right $$$$ price!  Although not as dangerous as the other concepts that the fashion world and the media push out there to make us want to be something that is not possible for most, it sure stinks the same.

Ok, now it is time for true confessions.  I may have even done something really stupid.  It might not have been me though.  I may have spent over $50 at a salon on some ridiculous wand that would magically make me lashes longer. 

I feel even worse now that I realize I could have ordered this same product for $34 on Amazon.  Shame on me. 

What did this product do for me?  NOTHING.  

Well, I take that back.  It made the skin on my eyelids crack.



 

Now I have found a completely natural solution!  It is very simple.  And inexpensive when you see all the other benefits the product has.  I have only tried this with one mascara so I can’t speak as to whether if it works with your or if it will work for you.  All I know is I actually have lower eyelashes now!

Add 3-4 drops of Young Living Lavender oil to your mascara tube.  That simple. 

Order Young Living Lavender here.  www.youngliving.org/lhanken

Message me with questions about account types, retail vs. wholesale.  Wholesale gets 24% of retail!  lhanken96@gmail.com

 

As this is going very close to the eye, I would not suggest any other oil that may contain chemicals or fillers.  Young Living oils will be very safe in this application!