This Little Light of Mine

One year ago today I published this post: 2014: Live Your Dream! We Are!

It's time for an update. Since this time last year...

I finished my B.A. with honors.

My first college roommate, good friend, and now
fellow YL teammate Shanell Shoop celebrated with me.

 

 

We attended the 2014 Young Living International Grand Convention as Platinums.  

Justin, Sara & Baby W... welcomed into
the world about two weeks later.

 

 



I gave birth to our beautiful son, Nathan, at home. And took a long, fully paid, maternity leave. ;)

One day old Nathan with mommy, and
Denise, our friend, Platinum YL leader, and midwife.

 

 

And two months ago, we achieved the rank of Diamond in Young Living!

 

 

 

When Justin put in his notice, we had not quite met the point where income-wise I was comfortable with him doing so. But it was time. And by the time of that post, we had exceeded my commissions goal for us. The following month we made Platinum. Since that post, our income has tripled.

 

We even bought Nathan his first car. ;)

 

 

See the YL Income Disclosure Statement AKA Can You Really Make Money Doing This?

 

 

Now I have this insatiable desire to see Diamonds across our frontline and scattered next to the names of every leader in our organization. Is that going to be you?

 

 

 

To purchase a Start Living with Everyday Oils kit and begin your journey, visit http://us.ylscents.com/wallace/Opportunity – If you follow that link or sign up under anyone in my downline because of this blog post, and send me a message with your new member #, I will send you a copy of The Four Year Career Young Living Edition: http://blissbusiness.com/Store/Products/9448.aspx

What is more important than Health Insurance?

Bones breaking probably make a really awful popping sound. Justin broke his arm & thumb a couple of weeks ago in an ATV wreck on our track out back. The quad flipped and sent him flying, while I watched the whole thing from the porch. :/

We immediately iced it (read: frozen peaches) and applied wintergreen, valor, and copaiba before heading to the ER. He's kept up with lots of oils, lots of BLM, etc. - but that's not the point of this post.

The point of this post is that his ER visit is the only thing we have not had to pay for.

He had surgery on his thumb yesterday, which was a long and challenging affair that didn't go as planned because the nature of the break was worse than what could be seen in his original xray, and we paid for it.

Previous to finding out that we had been denied a referral for this surgery, the doctor told us she understood if we were unable to do it without a referral and she prepared us for what could be expected recovery-wise if the breaks were left untreated. Mind you, pre-surgery, Justin's thumb was literally bent in the wrong direction. Not fixing it, in my eyes, was NOT an option. Whether or not it was covered, his thumb was going to be fixed!

What is more important than health insurance? Justin's health. My husband's health is WAY more important than health insurance. Having full use of his thumb is more important than health insurance.

Today we began discussing additional treatment options, like Platelet Rich Plasma, to speed recovery and encourage complete healing. Knowing from the outset that anything we choose to do will be paid for by us.

Why pay for health services that aren't covered by your insurance? Because your health is more important. Because YOU DECIDE what the standard of care is that you will receive for your health and the health of your family. Not a company, not an industry that doesn't know who you are.

Because my husband is 24 years old, and he has a lot of life left to live. We are deciding now that he will not end up spending that life in poor health and constant pain as a result of only receiving those health services which are "free."

I am not discounting the value of health insurance, but I am pointing out a serious flaw in our society. The dependence on health insurance to keep you healthy. It does not work that way. That does not produce long term wellness. If you believe that your health is more important than what is covered by your insurance provider, YOU must take responsibility for it. You must take responsibility for your own health, even when that includes financial responsibility.

Yes, that surgery cost a chunk of change. No, that's not a check we could have easily written even two years ago. But thanks to Young Living Essential Oils, we have both the practical means and financial means to take responsibility for our health. If being able to pay for health services is on your goal list and you want Young Living to help, come talk to me and I'll do what I can to help you gain the financial independence you need to live the life you dream. <3

2014: Live Your Dream! We are!

Freedom selfie!

Today marks a very special new beginning. Justin Wallace, my husband, is officially free to do what he wants, when he wants, with me! We have achieved financial independence with Young Living Essential Oils and look forward to further investing in our future in ways that do not involve being held down by a j-o-b.

Justin & I met almost 6 years ago, at a coffee shop. I worked in the salon three doors down, and he was my Latte Boy. :D He worked a couple of different jobs before joining the Rogers County Sheriff’s Department in 2011, right after we got married, and I continued doing hair.  

July 22, 2011

Two years ago I quit my full time job as a stylist to pursue Young Living fulltime. We had a downline, but our Young Living check was barely enough to pay our cell phone bill, so I did contract work for my mom for a few months to be able to keep paying the bills while we got the business off the ground. Today, our Young Living check is more than 3x’s the amount that Justin brought home as a deputy.

“Do you really make money with this?”

Yes.

Most couples in their twenties expecting their first baby are not turning in a 2 week notice. But we did.

My husband will be there for my college graduation, family birthdays, when I’m in labor, and every holiday. No more missing out on major life events because of work. We can go on vacation, and no one can cancel our plans for us because they want my husband to work instead.

I have an infinite number of paid maternity days.

“Do you really think I could do this?”

Yes.

Last month was the largest month in Young Living HISTORY. This company is celebrating 20 years, and is only getting stronger. There is plenty of room at the top and we are here to help you. J It is the most rewarding journey, to be able to spend my days helping people take responsibility for their health and get their personal and financial lives back.

Thank you, Young Living!

Listen here to learn more about my journey in building the business:
http://tinyurl.com/Interview0813

 To purchase a Start Living with Everyday Oils kit and begin your journey, visit http://us.ylscents.com/wallace/Opportunity – If you follow that link or sign up under anyone in my downline because of this blog post, and send me a message with your new member #, I will send you a copy of The Four Year Career Young Living Edition: http://blissbusiness.com/Store/Products/9448.aspx

Young Living Income Disclosure Statement: www.tinyurl.com/YLIncome

Two Lessons Learned From Insanity - or- Day 4

1) Working out in the heat of the day is seriously poor time management. Our century old, 2nd-floor apartment gets waaaay too hot at noon in mid-May! We figured this out after Day 2, when we were changing from workout clothes into fly-fishing gear in order to be properly dressed for the rivers of sweat. Day 3, actually completed post-midnight (being married to an officer = no more 'normal' days), went so much better.

2) EAT MORE FOOD. We were both super tired and not real hungry after recovery drinks, showers, etc. last night, so instead of eating that 5th meal we went to bed. Justin ate a good breakfast, but I skimped on portions at breakfast and then again at lunch because my work schedule picked up... before you knew it, 6 o'clock rolled around and I felt super light headed and exhausted. Definitely follow a meal plan, because no matter how much your head says "I can wait, I'm not that hungry" your body is screaming "FEEEED MEEE!" when doing Insanity.

(Insanity) Day 1: Fit Test

Talk about a rude awakening!
 I was seriously reconsidering if I could do this challenge before the fit test was close to over. It was so hard! The Insanity guide actually recommends that if the Fit Test intimated you, you should consider a different program. We did the fit test along with the DVD, which was my saving grace, because I could compare numbers with the crazy fit DVD people - and their numbers weren't far off. Plus, they admit that even taking the test 60 days later can feel like the first time, because you push yourself as hard as you can. Oh, that's why it was so hard - I was pushing, folks. So we may it through the fit test, and I am excited about Day 2!

We also took before pictures and measurements today. I dunno how most people feel, but for me just looking at my before picture is incentive enough to stick with it, 'cause I want an after photo!

Food Diary: A LOT of water, oatmeal w/ honey & raisins, Recovery Drink, pepper jack cheese curds, Protein Complete smoothie (made by my mom!), coffee with oatcake crumble (oats, fruit, butter, stevia), cowboy beans (beef, beans, onions, celery, some ketchup, sea salt), and beef patties w/ grilled potatoes & broccoli for dinner.

I also took a 30-minute walk with my mom, it was a beautiful day in N/E OK!

The Day Before Insanity

Catchy title, right?!

If you have seen my facebook, you know it's here...

Justin & I went grocery shopping yesterday, got lots of yummy whole foods for the week!

We visited Dr. Deb this morning, just to make sure our bodies were structurally prepared for the craziness that is to come.  And to reassure myself that my body can handle this (after spraining my sacroiliac joint this time last year). Sunday, rest day, will also be Raindrop Technique day.. so RT's tonight!

We start Insanity tomorrow!

The Recovery Drink: Hers

     All the fitness 'experts' agree: You need to have a recovery drink when doing a routine that is as physically exhausting as the Insanity Challenge. Post-workout nutrition is nearly as important as the actual workout (if not more so) because your body needs extra nutrients and fluids to make good on all that hard sweat, so you don't just pass out from fatigue.

   I get that. But I nearly passed out from hysteria when the Insanity fitness leader people recommended chocolate milk as a great way to fulfill the recovery nutrition requirements. No wonder active people still get sick; the professionals actually recommend consuming refined sugar. Well, that's a problem for me. Remember, Justin & I want to do this the real-food, low-sugar, no-junk way. We are not going to be drinking chocolate milk. The other recommended option is fruit juice, or protein powder mixed in fruit juice, as Jessica Seaton, DC recommends. Fruit juice is on the same level as chocolate milk in my book (beyond the general grossness of mixing protein powder with fruit juice. yuck). <Not talking about juicing your own fruits, which is awesome, and if anyone wants to contribute to the Buy-Sara-and-Justin-a-Juicer fund please contact me ASAP.

   But Seaton's article does have a cool formula for generating the ideal amount of carbs and proteins in a recovery drink based on a 2:1 carb/protein ratio and weight. So I used this to come up with the guidelines for a recovery drink that I would actually drink (and one for Justin).

First, my plan.

     Following the formula, I should be consuming a recovery drink that has 56.24 grams of carbs and 28.12 grams of protein.

Young Living's Balance Complete

   This meal-replacement powder contains 29.5 grams of whey protein and 50 grams of carbs per serving. Mixing it in 2 cups of Raw Whole Milk, I added 1 tbsp of ground flax seed (and 1 ounce of Ninxia Red, consumed separately) to create a recovery nutrition plan that has 31 grams of protein and 55 grams of carbs. A 3-gram difference isn't bad, imo.
    The total calorie count is 566, which initially seemed high to me, but once plugged into my total daily calorie requirements is actually perfect. At 566 calories, I can still eat 5 meals a day at just over 300 calories each.

And it tastes good. (Really good. :) )