Our Struggle with ADHD:

My son, Little A, who is 8 years old, has struggled with poor concentration, hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsiveness for years.  He is easily distracted by sights and/or sounds, doesn't have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time (i.e. school), has a tendency to daydream, and is majorly slow at completing tasks.  

I had tried many different herbal remedies for Little A before finally giving in to synthetic medication.  We tried about 3 different types and the latter of them was working okay (by "okay" I mean the best focus with the least side-effects), but I was still disheartened.

A Quick Side Note about Children with ADHD:

For children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, their world can be like living inside a continuous fireworks display, where sounds, images, and thoughts are constantly exploding and distracting them, making it impossible for them to stay focused.

These children often find it impossible to fit in. As a result, they live in their own chaotic world.  ADHD symptoms often continue into adolescence and adulthood, and can cause a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain. 

Read more about ADHD here.

Now Back to Our Struggle:

One good thing that came about by him starting the meds was talking to one of the doctors and learning more about the medical side of ADHD, not just the physical side of it.  The doctor explained it to me this way, "An ADHD kid is like a top of the line, fully loaded sports car...with no brakes."  I immediately said, "OMGsh!  That's SO Little A!"  Well, the reason they are like that is because your "brakes" are in your frontal lobe of your brain and people with ADHD (and ADD, which is more often the case with girls and older children) don't receive enough blood flow to the frontal lobe.

Fast forward to me learning about essential oils, and by essential oils I mean ONLY 100% therapeutic grade, unadulterated essential oils!  Essential oils are one of the few substances that can pass the blood-brain barrier, but normal herbal remedies cannot.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still a believer in herbal remedies, too, but they do have their limits; the biggest two of which are potency and the blood-brain barrier.  SO... It made complete sense to me why the herbal remedies didn't work but the essential do!

It did take a couple weeks to find Little A's perfect combo of essential oils.  Essential oils are just like synthetic meds in that you have to find just the right oil/oils or blend/blends that work for the individual.  Now that we have found the perfect combo, it is simply amazing how much more manageable our school day is than before... and without the sleeping issues, eating issues, worries about long term effects, and drug dependencies that accompany synthetic ADHD medications!  There is also an amazing improvement in how our family enjoys each other.  We enjoy spending time together with less fighting.  My daughter, who is only 10, is less stressed because she's not annoyed at her brother "messing things up all the time".  I notice that my husband and son also spend more quality time together and Little A is able to have fun and enjoy things without being afraid of getting into trouble because of being hyper, disruptive, breaking things, knocking over things, etc.  It so nice to be a happy family!!!

What We Use and Why:

(Please note that the following are all Oils and/or Blends.)

VETIVER: psychologically grounding, calming, and stabilizing; helps cope with stress and recover from emotional trauma; one of the oils highest in sesquiterpenes (cross the blood-brain barrier and increase oxygen to the brain); studied by Dr. Terry Friedmann for improving behavior in children with ADD & ADHD.

PEACE & CALMING® (blend): helps calm tensions, promotes relaxation, aids in a deep sense of peace; calms overactive children (although not by itself with ADHD kids); helps reduce depression, anxiety, stress, & insomnia.

BRAIN POWER™ (blend): promotes deep concentration and channels physical energy into mental energy; increases mental potential and clarity; many oils in this blend are high in sesquiterpene compounds; increases activity in the pineal, pituitary, and hypothalamus glands which produce growth hormone and melatonin; help dissolve petrochemicals that congest the receptor sites, clearing the "brain fog" that people experience due to exposure to synthetic petrochemicals in food, skin & hair care products, and more.

ROMAN CHAMOMILE: (only added for ADHD, not ADD); calming, relaxing; minimizes anxiety, stress, irritability, nervousness, & anger; detoxifying to blood and liver.

It seems like a lot to some people and it is more work than popping a pill every morning, but it's only 1-2 drops of each oil at a time. Plus, he loves to "oil up" himself; he knows what oils to put and where.

I believe these are God given remedies and added to prayer & faith, not only have they been a blessing on my family, but I have personally seen them bring a friend's baby back from the brink of death when synthetic meds were only making her worse. Amazing stuff!

A Note about the Biz Side of YL:

I'm not a pushy sales person, and I know holistic medicine isn't for everyone, but I have such a desire to heal people naturally and I've never been so passionate about any other product...ever!  Before deciding to get into the selling end of Young Living, I really prayed about it. I didn't want it to be another Pampered Chef or Melaleuca venture (don't get me wrong, I still love both of these companies). But I believe God is allowing me to supplement my husband's income so I can continue to teach my children from home while at the same time doing what I love by being able to help people; helping them live healthier, more quality lives!!!

21 DAYS, 6 POUNDS, & 2 INCHES LATER...

I'm still on track!!!  Although I can't really see the difference yet, I am noticing more energy and less strain on my knees.  And guess what!?!  I was able to get my wedding ring back on my finger again!!!  Its still a little too tight to wear all the time, but at least I am able to get it back on my fat finger.  Haha!

So here's what I'm currently doing:

1.  I'm still doing Young Living's Slique Program.  (If you missed that, please see my last post here.)

2.  I'm still taking my full capsule of Young Living Lemon Essential Oil every morning.

3.  I've been trying to eat clean foods and limit carb intake after lunch.  LOTS of veggies (mostly from Full Circle - be sure to enter Anora Densmore as your referral and you'll receive 40% off your first delivery), some meats & dairy, and little carbs.  I do have a cheat night every weekend when we have family night when we usually eat pizza, sometimes wings, soda, and homemade ice cream.  I try not to over-do it too much, though.  

4.  I'm still wearing my step counter every day.  It has really helped to make sure, especially as a homeschool mom, that I'm not sitting too long each day.

...and finally...

5.  I've been trying to walk at least 1.5 miles at least 4 times per week.  That's it; no gym, no lifting, no running; just walking around the neighborhood while my kids bike for at least 1.5 miles.

Tomorrow I'll start posting about some of my personal Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil testimonies.

11 DAYS, 4 POUNDS, & 1 INCH LATER...

Yep, you read it right!  In the last 11 days I've lost 4 pounds and an inch off my waist!  I'm so happy!!!  So what have I been doing?  

1.  I started by taking one capsule of Young Living Lemon Oil internally every morning, my goal was to do that for a week, then start the Slique program.  Well, I didn't realize I was low on Lemon Oil, so that didn't really work out as planned.  I did lose 2 pounds the first 3 days I took the Lemon Oil, though!

2.  On April 10th I started using Young Living's Slique Kit.  It is simply a series of shakes, teas, supplements, gum, and of course...oils.  

     The program guidelines are as follows:

     Breakfast:  Balance Complete meal replacement shake with 2 drops of 

          Slique Essence

     Snack: Slique Tea with 2 drops of Slique Essence and a healthy snack

     Lunch: Slique Slim Caps 1 hour before lunch then a light well-balanced meal

     Snack: Slique Tea with 2 drops of Slique Essence and a healthy snack

     Dinner: Slique Slim Caps 1 hour before lunch then a light well-balanced meal

     Evening: 2 drops of Slique Essence in water or low-calorie beverage

     Daily: Chew 1 Slique Gum tablet before or after meals as desired to help control 

          cravings and reduce mindless snacking

I am not usually hungry between breakfast and lunch so have my second tea after dinner.  Sometimes, just to mix it up, I'll blend my shake and add a banana, some peanut butter, or both...YUMMY!

3.  On April 15th I started walking.  I am wearing a step counter all day and it is really helping me to be conscious about not sitting too much.  It feels so good to get out and walk, too!  The weather is starting to get nice here in Alaska!

4.  I also received more Young Living Lemon Oil on Sunday so on Monday I started taking one full capsule of Lemon Oil every morning again, too.

So...that's it!  I've never been a big dieter, but this I can do!!!

WOW!  What a Busy Week!

Last week was a busy week.  I did a lemon detox for the first week and lost a couple pounds.  Last Wednesday I started Young Living's Slique program.  I'm trying to not weigh myself everyday, but I will try to post each Wednesday how things are going.  I am also wearing a step counter to make sure I am not sitting at the computer researching or in the car playing kiddy chauffeur too long each day.  I'll post on Wednesday how things have gone for the first week.

I did have a couple disappointments last week on the business side of things, but it had absolutely nothing to do with any problems with Young Living.  I simply got my hopes up too high on a couple occasions and forgot that I am not truly in charge.  I do believe that God wants me to teach and distribute Young Living products as a business and as a testimony, and I simply have to remember that he has the details worked out already and I am NOT in charge!

This evening I am teaching my first intro to essential oils class.  I will post the presentation tomorrow if I can figure out how (again, still learning the whole blogging thing).  

I am really excited to start teaching classes and spread the word about God's great healing power.  Until then, here's a little about me from tonight's presentation intro...

I am so uber excited!
"Why?" You might ask.  Well, for two reasons.

#1:  I've never written a blog before (so stand by while I work out the kinks).  I decided I needed a way to document my journey through holistic medicine, and although I have my Anora Delivers Wellness page on facebook, I thought a blog would be a better place to document my journey.  (...and now I have a personal website, too...www.youngliving.org/anoradensmore.)

#2: I am beginning a weight-loss program tomorrow.  I know that sounds like something most people would NOT be excited about, but I truly am, simply because I have read all about these products and have come to trust the company from which they come.

How I Started in Holistic Medicine

I've been a little into holistic medicine for quite a few years now; pretty much since living and giving birth in Germany (literally in Germany, not on a military installation) where they are extremely holistic.  I didn't really get into it any more (or any less) when we moved to Oklahoma except for Chiropractic care.  We were so happy with the results of Dr. Aaron Wines at Active Chiropractic Health and Wellness, that we paid for our entire family to visit at our own expense because (even though it would have saved them money in the long run) our insurance would not authorize chiropractic care.  I did become a distributor for Melaleuca while I lived there, and I do love all of their products, but it never really picked up as a business. Since moving to Alaska, I have been researching and learning more.  At first it was just local edible and medicinal plants, but then I "got into" herbs and making my own teas, tonics, tinctures, etc.

I was so intrigued by all of the research I had been doing that I started thinking about going back to school for a degree in holistic medicine.  THEN... I overheard a couple friends talking about Young Living Essential Oils.  Fast forward a couple weeks, a presentation about oils, and many hours of personal research later: I AM HOOKED!!!

A Quick Testimony

My son (who I struggled to put on meds to begin with) has been off of ADHD meds and I, myself have been off of antidepressants for over 6 weeks and I am happy to say that we are both doing great!!!  I am also seeing great improvements in the mood of my pre-teen daughter, my knees (on which I was on the verge of having surgery again), both kids' sleeping patterns, the amount of illnesses and allergies in our home, and have even used oils on my senior cat, but I'll go into those things in more detail later.

...And Now My Weight Issue


We moved to Alaska 16 months ago.  Since then, I have gained almost 30 pounds.  That's right...30 POUNDS!  Why?  Well, I hear everyone gains a little weight when they move up here.  It's definitely not because I eat bad.  I probably could use to exercise more, but even during the summer while working long hours in the garden I didn't lose any weight.  I am 37-years-old, have given birth to two children, and for my entire life have never struggled with my weight in until now.

The night before Easter I was literally in tears over my weight.  Last Easter I had to buy a new dress because I had already gained so much weight since moving here.  I don't wear dresses very often so I tried on my Easter dress to make sure everything was good for Easter morning and I couldn't get it zipped.  That was it...I couldn't take it anymore!

Well, my husband left last week and will be gone for about two months on military orders, so I decided I AM going to do something about my weight while he's gone so I can be a healthier, happier mother and wife!!!

...AND SO BEGINS MY JOURNEY...