Thanks and giving 2018


For the past 60 days or so I’ve been starting each morning by writing 10 things I’m grateful for and it has really shifted my lens and perspective throughout my busy days. A few things that popped up more than a few times in those lists:

My team – and not all the wins but their personalities and time together was a blessing every day. Especially during our last week after practices, I had to tell them to go home and stop trying to hang out in the gym longer…..
Love these little cuties and their constant following me around the house hoping to get fed. Rex and Sav have become best buds…..
My family and the love and support they give to me (especially during volleyball season – at least now as a coach they are watching me get way more wins than my time as an athlete).
Oils…..duh!!! But really, having these in our lives to address both emotional and physical struggles for all members of our family is a DAILY blessing that sometimes I take for granted. And then when I get all excited about them again, I can’t shut up about them and make all my friends and family join me…..you’re welcome (and sorry all at the same time).
The success of the Cougars this Fall has been exciting to watch and experience (both football and volleyball in case you weren’t aware)…..AND for the record, a lot of people have said to me this season “It’s a good time to be a Coug fan” to which I reply….”It’s always a good time to be a Coug fan.” I love that others are noticing the love of WSU, but one thing I know for sure is that our “fan-ship” includes the same amount of love no matter if we’re 8-1 or 1-8 and I love that it’s been showcased nationally this season.This man….the rock and single father during volleyball season of our family. I love that we both support each others’ passions and have been super intentional this season about sticking together and getting through a relatively hard season with our kiddos.
I am always grateful for my three Wonders but am particularly grateful for all of their hard work in counseling and personal development. Especially my teenagers in a constant quest for more freedom and privileges, they are working hard to earn trust in becoming young adults.
Naps…always thankful for naps. I’ve already taken 3 this week and it’s not even the weekend yet.

On digging deep….

and using my oils while we’re down there in the trenches of hard feelings and hard behaviors! Summer months for us mean we double down on counseling and therapy, both for our children and for ourselves. With any therapeutic process (the good ones anyway), hard feelings and processing don’t just happen in session, but out of session and through relationship. While we account for this by lessening our schedule, increasing connection, and other strategies, I really wanted to put my rather large collection of oils to the test to see how we can impact our hearts and our heads during this time.

Here is what we are trying this summer for emotion management and healing for our two Wonders and so far, I have been super impressed with the results. Many of you asked for the recipes and if you message me, I’d be happy to send those along. If you’re interested in seeing the connections between essential oils and emotions, I HIGHLY recommend this book. (Images below from my IG story taken from the pages)

If the intrigue level has tipped after reading this post, please reach out and let’s chat!!! Lots of you have been asking for essential oil remedies…from bug repellent to sun relief, tummy troubles and anxiety with your kiddos or you. Our team is also doing a quick and easy online class later in July.

I’m looking for 5 people to spoil with a goody bag of doTERRA samples and the opportunity to win daily giveaways. The first 5 people to contact me (message me or comment on the FB post) will be added to the event. You’ll receive your package on or before July 16, and I’ll add you to an event page so you can learn how to use your samples and enter for prizes!

NOTE: If you already have a doTERRA account or being helped by someone who does, please save this “spoiling yourself” opportunity for some people who haven’t yet experienced doTERRA. Thanks much!

On direct sales….

And why I kinda love them. Direct sales and Momboss memes are popping up everywhere and it certainly is “on trend” right now to be hosting classes/parties and selling direct to consumers.

However, I love this way of commerce because it gets to something that retail stores don’t…..and that is CONNECTION. Through classes and parties we are face to face, sharing struggles and hopes for our families and expanding our network in ways we didn’t have access to before. It combines the therapeutic properties of retail shopping with our basic human need to bond and connect with others = a match made in heaven.

And for some products (essential oils in particular), it takes a lot of time to educate customers on what it is they are using in their homes and all of the benefits and potential risks. I don’t want someone buying an oil from a shelf and then never have anyone teach them how to use it safely and effectively.

So to all you mama-preneurs out there…..keep selling all the things, inviting to those events, posting on social media. You are impacting your family with some extra income AND getting awesome products into the rest of our homes and families.

What could an extra $200-$500 per month do for YOUR family???? I’d love to share what I do to pay for my oils and my nail habit, make money toward family vacations like our cruise…..and how it might look for you too if you’re interested!

Pictured below: a realistic snapshot into my earnings…..Some peeps only share their income but we tend to spend a lot too. ? Also important to remember….I’m 3 years in, have a full time job, AND have an awesome team that has helped me reach this point each step along the way.Pictured above: a screenshot from an excited mama….all she did was host a class, invite some friends and voila! a check was on its way to her…..love that surprise and excitement just for leaving her comfort zone and hosting a class!

We’re doing an awesome low-pressure experiment for having classes this summer on our team to see what it can do for our monthly earnings….if you want to join, message me! If you want to host a class (we come teach….you just open your house and throw a few beverages on the table) you can earn some free goodies as well!!!

MAY I come to a class?!?!

Shameless side gig warning…..here are some fun opportunities to hang out in May!

Girls Night In fundraiser at Amy’s house – May 11th. Come pamper yourself and raise money for Operation Underground Railroad (helping victims of sex trafficking) AND hang out with some pretty awesome women while you’re at it.

Come join me at my house this Sunday to make some awesome rollers to help the teachers in your life stay healthy, happy and energized! Perfect for teacher appreciation week coming up next week!!!! Message me for details on the class…..

Also I have a fun promotion where you pick the date to host a class and get an extra prize hidden behind the post-it’s on my calendar. It could be an intro to oils class, a gel nail party, or a fun make and take party (rollerballs, cleaning products, spa fun, etc) for you and your friends.

Edited to add: May 25th was just snagged!

On the “trend” that is Essential Oils….

My Journey
I became super interested in essential oils as I began researching recipes to create my own non-toxic cleaners for our house in the Spring of 2014. After being disturbed by loving a documentary one of my bestie’s worked on called The Human Experiment, I knew I wanted to eliminate these toxic chemicals from our home. When almost every recipe I found included essential oils, I decided to invest in a starter kit.What I didn’t know at that time was that the oils I received were not only going to help make the cleaners, they were going to explode in usage for emotions and multiple other ailments and struggles within our newly formed family of 4! I would have saved a whole lot of money in that first investment if I would have splurged for a bigger kit now that I know how much I ended up using and buying later for more money. You live you learn right…….What’s all the fuss about Essential Oils?
Did you know that the first prescription ever recorded was for frankincense oil? The second was for peppermint oil. There is so much natural medicine at our disposal, we just have to know where to look. Some of the mostly widely used medications today were originally sourced from plants. By using essential oils we are simply remembering the things many people and cultures have used for thousands of years. Returning to ancient solutions where caretakers used the pure essential part of plants, trees and vegetation to help with stomach ailments to sleep apnea and everything in between… solutions that don’t have a long list of side effects or warning labels.

Essential oils don’t just mask symptoms. They bring change to the body at a cellular level, dealing with the root issue and supporting your system as a whole. Because of legalities, I can’t tell you that oils will “cure, treat or prevent” issues you may be facing, but I can give you testimonies (many from me and my family) about how oils have been life-changing.  I want to help mamas like me, and others, create a healthy home life for their families in a modern way using sources that have been around for ages.

I also think the oils are an incredibly powerful tool in helping all members of your family navigate emotional highs and lows. In our culture, anxiety is not a disorder that some people have…..I believe that most people are on a spectrum of emotional wellness and that we all struggle with anxiety/depression/fears. Sharing the oils has helped reduce stigma with my immediate circle of friends and family but also to women and mamas that I newly get to meet…..strong emotions are normal in you and your children!!! And when they strike…..some of the oils and blends are here to help ground and support you as you cope (plus I get to talk about Inside Out – and you all know how much I love that movie).

What ARE the side effects???
I can tell you that I HAVE experienced some side effects from using the oils……like an amazing and growing circle of passionate women and people that love to help others AND some extra spending money just by hosting classes and educating others on how the oils might help them too. My family chooses to save and use this extra money on family memory-making vacations like our Spring break “traincation” two years ago and most recently, it helped pay for half of our very merry Disney Cruise-mas. This side gig has helped me live out my “why” in ways that go beyond my school counseling and coaching professions and has expanded into influencing my social circle and supports as well. So grateful…..

Want to know more or ask me some questions??? Fill out this quick form and we’ll go from there!

P.S. I love to send free samples – tell me what and where and they’ll at your door to try from the safety of your own home within days!

On saving time in the morning….

As hard as I try to be a “lark” (morning person) and do all the things I see other peeps doing like running, quiet times, peaceful coffee dates with themselves in the morning…..I just cannot pull myself out of my super comfy bed. But as my “owl” like self dreads…..morning always comes and with it comes so many dang things to do in so little time!!!!

Here are a few tricks to try if your mornings look like a zoo on a full moon too.

Sunday prep:
I set aside time each Sunday to prep both breakfasts and lunches. Each week we rotate between different main meals (sandwiches, pitas with hummus, wraps) and then the sides remain the same options. Putting those things in numbered bins in the fridge helps by 9 year old WonderBOY not just pack 5 granola bars and a piece of candy (making his school counselor Mama look awesome btw). ?‍♀️

These containers also help with food portions and variety in lunches and have been fairly durable so far (note to my past self/YOU: explain to children these do not get thrown away ahead of time).

The instant pot (find it here but seriously…..you don’t have one yet????) makes hard boiled eggs literally perfect every single time so each Sunday I boil 15-18 for the week so all of us/any of us can grab these for a breakfast or lunch option.

Smoothie hack:
The girls have to get up extremely early to look perfect put together enough for a day in the life at high school and many times, they skip breakfast. This start to the day with some protein is especially important for kiddos who struggle with anxiety and attention issues (ahem…..ahem….everyone in my house) so I hate when they skip it. I have started helping them make smoothies the night before and like to add all sorts of healthy stuff like kale and fish oil (this brand tastes like orange and adds an awesome flavor) without them knowing.

We pour them into mason jars and without having the cool straw hold lids, I just cover with foil and they poke re-usable straws in the top when they are ready to drink (thank you Capri Suns for the inspo). So far, the girls have been sucking them down and hopefully feeling better set for their days, both physically and emotionally.Any good morning hacks that I’m missing out on???? Enlighten me people that have their stuff together…..I need you.

Oils for athletes (and the coaches that love them)

Whenever I’m coaching, my girls are constantly asking for various oils to help them be at their best for competition. When I was at team camp last week, I talked to a few different coaches about what we use so I thought I would share for other sport coaches or sport mamas out there. Here are the products that I feel are essential in our gym and for my volleyball players and athletes. I love that I can keep everything in a small bag with me to address a variety of needs each and every day both for girls just handling adolescence but also for common physical complaints that come from the sport or any athletic endeavor.

Deep Blue – a natural icy hot type lotion that my girls use for sore muscles. I love rubbing on my shoulders and feet after long practices or a tournament.

Correct X – a healing ointment that has some major healing oils in but is only $12! This tube is awesome for floor burns from playing defense but is also great for chapped or dry lips.

Clary calm – useful for women DAILY but especially helpful during monthly cycles to help alleviate pain from cramps and emotional support.

Past Tense – addresses headache pain and any tension – teens and the ppl that care for them never have that right?!?! (I also have them rub this on their stomachs if they are experiencing cramps and it seems to help).

MitoMax2 – a natural energy supplement that my players take a half hour before a game or midway during a tournament to keep their energy up and get a boost of “pump up” before a big game. I also take it before games as it helps me stay focused.

Peppermint – did you know that one drop of peppermint in your water has been shown to increase your athletic performance by up to 50% (research done on runners)? It also helps alleviate nausea or just to keep your water tasting colder during your game or tournament.

If you want any of these, just let me know and I can put them on my order for a little discount or you can just try out a sample and see if you like it…..if you want your own account, we can meet up and I’ll tell you how (similar to Costco….sign up, get cheaper prices…..you never have to host a class or “sell it” to others).

**Edited Tuesday night – today’s Buy One Get One deal (that I’m spamming all my FB friends with) is to buy a peppermint ($20.50 wholesale) and get the Past Tense for free – it’s like they knew I wrote this post!!!!! Anyway, if you want to try it just message me and I’ll pick one up for you!!!!**

on my “new lips”

I have totally become smitten with the Lipsense products and have been experimenting with different lip colors at work. Usually I wear nothing to work so sometimes this “fancier” me is shocking to students. When I wear my favorite color (BELLA), students often notice and comment. The other day, my favorite compliment was “Mrs. Hoelzle I LLOOOOVVEEEE your new lips.” Hehe….yep, my lip transplant with a darker color really hit the mark with this 3rd grader.

I have never been a big fan of chapstick and really never thought it actually worked. This arsenal of products keeps my lips nice and soft and adds a little pop of color to a minimal makeup routine. Here is my run down of favorite products:
Elf Lip Exfoliator (got from Target): This is a lipstick made of all sorts of shmutza that help exfoliate your lips. I usually do this after the shower to keep all of the rough skin away.

Correct-X: This stuff is liquid gold (but only costs $12) with amazing oils like lavender, frankincense, and helichrysum I use this on my lips when dry and my cuticles too. It is similar to Neosporin but is all natural and in my opinion, works way faster.

Lipsense: I’m sure many of you know about this product but it’s lip color that stays on all day with natural ingredients, made in the USA, everything about it is awesome, etc. etc. etc. So far I only have Bella and Bravo but am looking for a more purple-y/wine-y color for my next purchase (like at my upcoming #momBOSS party coming up June 14th my house). I have been super impressed with these colors so far and I also enjoy supporting all these fun ladies selling it to make a little fun money on the side as well.

May what?!?!

This month is seriously blowing by. We are on a serious summer countdown around here….closing down the school year and planning fun summer shenanigans is upon us! This weekend we get to write out our intentional summer plans….the kiddos love this visual of the adventures that await them.

Since there is only one week left, let me drop this quick image of an amazing deal you can still get for 6 more days. Get these freebie points while you can…..enroll with any kit over 100 and then $50 in products is yours for the taking! This particular mixture of products shown below are staples in our home (and in my volleyball gym). Message me and we’ll go from there to find a package perfect for you and the fam. 

Braces life hacks

Have a teenager with braces in your life??? Here are a few “life with braces” hacks that have made my WonderGIRL not only manage her braces with ease but with minimal discomfort. Just in case this might help you too….here ya go!Life hack 1: The food stuck…..the floss is painfully tedious……the solution? The waterpik is an awesome tool to help lazy overly stressed teens get that food out of there and floss (PSA from my sis-in-law dental hygienist – dental floss is still WAY better but just in case, the pik is better than nothing). After the flossing though, there is always food bits stuck all over her sink. Soooo gross……

Hack #2: We got these cheap brushes at IKEA and keeping one by her sink encourages a quick wash every night versus hard scrubbing days after. Win-win!
Hack #3: After getting her braces tightened, the ensuing pain is always hard. For our little one, this pain can be extremely distracting during school and makes it even more of a negative impact. We did some research and used the clove essential oil to make a quick spray she can spray onto her gums/teeth to numb the pain. Deep blue on the outside of her jawline also helps ease this pain and discomfort. She can bring these tools with her to school also which helps with the distraction piece.I can’t believe how much her smile and face has changed as a result of her year in braces. She is going to look so much older when she gets them off in a few months!!!