When Dr. Mindy Asked Me to Create Something Special (And Why It Became So Much More)

I'll never forget the conversation that started it all.

Dr. Mindy Pelz reached out to me with an idea that made my essential oil-loving heart skip a beat. She wanted to explore whether essential oils could support women through the different stages/aspects of their monthly cycles—not just the physical aspects, but the emotional and energetic shifts that come with hormonal fluctuations.

As someone who lives with liver disease and has spent years studying how our bodies naturally seek balance, I was intrigued. Could we create blends that honored the beautiful ebb and flow of a woman's cycle instead of fighting against it?

That conversation led to the Empowered Trio – three blends that have become so much more than I ever imagined.

The Problem with Fighting Our Natural Rhythms

Here's something I've learned over the years: our bodies have incredible wisdom. They know when to energize, when to create, and when to rest. But somewhere along the way, we've been taught to maintain the same level of intensity every single day of the month.

Ladies, think about it—how often do you expect yourself (or feel others expect you) to have the same energy on day 5 of your cycle as on day 20? You push ahead when your body is asking for rest, and you try to stay calm when your natural rhythm is anything but still.

The same goes for your mood. Some days, you may feel grounded and steady, while other days your emotions move quickly—more sensitive, more expressive, more intense. This often happens due to hormones that are shifting. When you expect yourself to stay even-keeled every single day, you’re fighting against the natural design of your body instead of working with it.

***Note: Depending on your diet and the level of toxins in your body, you may find these shifts to be more intense in a way that negatively affects your life. Supporting your digestion and liver processes can assist in minimizing their possible intensity as our hormones are processed in the liver.

As I started researching hormonal patterns for this project with Dr. Mindy, I realized that supporting these natural rhythms wasn't just about physical comfort – it was about honoring the intelligence our bodies already possess.

The Birth of Three Distinct Seasons

I Am Strong™ came first. This blend was designed for those times when you feel ready to take on the world – when your energy is naturally higher (estrogen is increasing) and you're in what Dr. Mindy calls the "power phase (days 1–10 and 16–19)." The blend contains oils that may support the feeling of mental energy and physical vitality.

But here's what surprised me during formulation: I Am Strong isn't just about energy. It's packed with antioxidant-rich oils that also support normal glutathione production in the liver. It's become one of Carrie’s go-to blends when she’s  feeling sluggish.

I Am Restored™ was formulated for the manifestation phase – those middle days when creativity and mental clarity naturally peak. This blend supports both warming and cooling processes in the body, making it incredibly versatile.

I find myself reaching for I Am Restored when I need a mental reboot. The oils in this blend are cleansing for both mind and emotions. Orange oil helps uplift while the other components work to minimize mental stagnation. I've been applying this before meals lately because it acts as a gentle digestive and liver protector.

I Am Still™ rounds out the trio, designed for the nurture phase (days 20–bleed) when your body naturally craves rest and restoration. This blend has become invaluable in our home, especially during Kansas winters when seasonal changes affect my mood. 

Ladies who still experience a cycle: this is the time you do not apply I Am Strong. The Nurture Phase is when your body needs to rest and recover so you can have the energy needed when your body begins the cycle again.

The combination of Lavender and Vetiver in I Am Still creates a grounding effect that goes beyond just feeling calm. I Am Still supports the adrenal glands and can be helpful for minor water retention. My daughter loves when I apply this to her feet before bed – it helps her settle into sleep more easily.

Beyond the Female Cycle

I have since realized these weren't just "female cycle oils" – they were supporting fundamental human needs.

We all experience times when we need energizing support. We all have seasons when mental clarity and restoration are priorities. And we all need help finding stillness in our overstimulated world.

For those who no longer have monthly cycles, I've found that treating each day like a mini-cycle works beautifully:

The Real-World Test

I have to share what happened in our home recently. Carrie had a severe concussion and needed to rest for weeks. During this time, I found myself reaching for the Empowered Trio more than any other oils in our collection.

I Am Strong helped me maintain the energy needed to manage everything while she recovered. I Am Restored supported my mental clarity during a very demanding season. And I Am Still? Well, that became essential for helping me wind down each evening after long days of caregiving.

This experience reinforced something I've always believed: essential oils meet you where you are, but they don't seek to leave you there. They support your body's natural desire for balance.

The Philosophy Behind the Blends

When Dr. Mindy and I first discussed this project, we both agreed that these oils needed to work with the body's natural intelligence, not against it. I don't believe in forcing the body to do anything – I believe in encouraging and supporting what it already wants to do.

Each oil in these blends was chosen not just for its individual properties, but for how it partners with the others. I tend to see essential oils as personalities that want to work together, rather than just treating them as condition-specific compounds.

The goal wasn't to create something that would override natural processes and force hormonal balance, but rather to provide gentle support during times when those processes might need a little extra encouragement.

How to Use the Empowered Trio

The beautiful thing about these blends is their versatility. You can use them according to your cycle, or simply choose based on what your body needs in the moment.

For cycle support: Follow the natural rhythm of your body, using I Am Strong during power phases, I Am Restored during manifestation periods, and I Am Still during nurture times.

For daily support: Apply based on your body's current needs. Feeling sluggish? Try I Am Strong to the neck and shoulders. Need mental clarity? I Am Restored to the upper abdomen and pulse points like the bottom of the wrists. Overwhelmed? I Am Still over the adrenal glands and neck.

For men or post-menopausal support: Consider a daily rotation or use them as needed based on energy levels, stress, and sleep patterns.

Always start with proper dilution—about 2 drops with  ½–1 teaspoon of carrier oil (or 1-2 pumps). Listen to your body and adjust as needed.

The Bigger Picture

Working on the Empowered Trio taught me something profound: when we honor our body's natural rhythms instead of fighting them, everything flows more easily. This isn't just about essential oils—it's about recognizing that rest is productive, that energy has seasons, and that balance isn't static.

In our productivity-obsessed culture, we've forgotten that humans aren't machines. We're cyclical beings designed to move through different phases of energy, creativity, and rest. These oils simply support that natural design.

A Personal Note

Since we launched the Empowered Trio, I've received countless emails from women sharing how these blends have helped them feel more in tune with their bodies. But the messages that touch me most are from those who say they've given themselves permission to rest during their nurture phase, or who've learned to work with their energy instead of against it.

That's really what this trio is about—permission to be human, to have rhythms, to honor the incredible intelligence your body already possesses.

Where to Start

If you're curious about the Empowered Trio but feeling overwhelmed by options, I suggest starting with the oil that speaks to what you need most right now. Need more energy and mental clarity? Begin with I Am Strong. Seeking balance and restoration? Try I Am Restored. Craving calm and better sleep? I Am Still might be your starting point.

You don't have to use all three right away. Start with one, get to know how your body responds, and then add the others as you feel called to.

Remember, essential oils are designed to help us achieve balance, not force us into it. Be patient with yourself as you learn what your body needs and when.

Your wellness journey is unique, and I'm honored to be part of it with you.

Questions about the Empowered Trio? Join our Facebook Community or reach out anytime at support@restorehopeoils.com—I read every email personally.

Keep smiling and essential oil on,