Immune Support

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The world can be a germy place. Even though our immune systems are designed in a magnificent way to take care of itself when we are exposed to everyday germs, sometimes we can give our bodies a little boost.

Immune Boosts

There are some great ways to get a natural immune boost; getting daily sunshine, eating whole fresh foods, drinking plenty of water, having a heart that is filled with love, and a mindfulness practice can keep our physical bodies healthy. These simple tools are available to most of us in this modern world. Even making the slightest changes to your habits to include one or more healthy habits can bring about a healthy immune response to life’s stuff.

In addition to sunshine, healthy foods and plenty of water I also rely on plants to help support my immune system.

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A favorite delivery of plants is in the form of essential oils. Of course herbs, tinctures and other can naturally support your health, but essential oils are so easy. I can toss a blend into my work bag or keep in my pocket and apply all day long.

I have a daily immune boost blend that I apply to my lymph nodes each morning while my coffee brews. If I am feeling a little under the weather, I will bring this one with me and apply throughout the day, but typically it is one I apply as daily maintenance.

For adults, in a 10ml roller I add:

  • 10 drops On Guard
  • 10 drops Frankincense
  • 10 drops Lemon

Top it off with a carrier oil and voila! For kids ages 5-12, I would cut the essential oils in half and under age 5 I would do 3 drops each and apply to the spine and bottoms of feet daily!

You can grab these three oils at wholesale, plus my favorite carrier and some bottles and make your own blend! Actually these three 15ml bottles will make about TWENTY FIVE rollers. That is enough for you, your family and and friends for MONTHS of immune support. A typical roller used 1-2 times a day will last a couple of months.

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This is great for helping the body do its natural job to prevent illness and support us staying healthy all season.

In over 7 years I can say confidently that I have had maybe one cold the whole time because I am consistent with this blend. This is pretty amazing since I work around a lot of people in long term care centers and indoor buildings.

If you would love to learn how easy it is to get these powerful oils into your hands, just download this free ebook as a gift from me! It explains the versatility of the plants and how to use them and how to get them! When you take the leap into investing in your health in a natural way, I send you an amazing gift and give you VIP access to my education and mentoring. You’ll never not know how to use what you invest in!

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Collagen Protein Bites

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I don’t know about you, but I struggle with all the proteins on the market. My preference would be to chew on a nice steak anytime of day but realistically that probably isn’t a good idea, or an easy on-the-go option.

I was in the store the other day trying to find a protein bar that isn’t filled with garbage or proteins that my body doesn’t like. Whey and I disagree greatly when it comes to my skin. Just eating one protein bar with whey protein will cause acne within a day or two. Not fun. Pea protein gives me a huge belly ache and I avoid soy in general. That makes quick and easy options like protein bars and shakes tricky.

Collagen protein however is awesome!

Collagen protein is the major structural component of our body’s connective tissues. It also exists between cells to support body tissues and assist with cell function. Collagen is produced by the body, notably by skin cells, which has led to the marketing of collagen supplements to improve skin’s youthfulness and slow the aging process. Collagen supplement repairs cellular damage, maintains physical structure, aids in joint movement, reverses signs of aging, heals and protects the gut. My skin, nails and hair are super happy, too. Plus, getting 18 grams of protein gives my body the fuel it needs. My favorite brand is vital proteins and the chocolate version is amazing.

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I made these little protein bites today in hardly any time or effort. The pure ingredients save my body and my pocketbook! Store bought protein bars are sooooo expensive!

Super simple.

I rarely measure ingredients when I am making something like this, but a rough guess is this:

Toss the ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Use your hands to mix thoroughly and then form into small balls. I store mine in the refrigerator and grab a couple after a workout or when I need a little snack.

If you aren’t sure the the essential oils you have are safe to ingest just take a look at your bottle and make sure it has a nutritional label on it. If it doesn’t, it is likely adulterated and unsafe. Be wise! Be sure to download this free ebook to see why purity is so important when we put essential oils in and on our body.

Make these and let me know what you think!

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February Love

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Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves. – Brené Brown

As we move into February, I hope that this will be a month filled with an abundance of love, especially for yourself. As we know, this kind of abundant love comes from our inner heart and must be first directed at ourselves.

Learning to love who we are can be the doorway to experiencing a life filled with joy and richness.

For most people it is much easier to love others than it is to love ourselves. Speaking of others, be sure to check out for my LOVE gifts mini-catalog for your beloved or for you! There is something for everyone!

When we are living busy lives that are filled with everything that comes with being human; stressful jobs, demanding families, chronic pain, overpacked schedules. it is incredibly difficult to feel healthy and comfortably rested. When that is our overall experience day to day, the result is that we become stressed and burned out.

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In order to nurture the health of our mind, body, and soul, we need ways to recenter and restore. We need to learn to cultivate these practices in short spurts throughout the day. A quick walk, reading a chapter in a book, calling a friend are just some of the things that can feed your soul.

Become a master at self care.

Over the years I have become a master at the art of self-care. It was not always this way and over time my entire being had taken a toll. Now, I take daily walks to reconnect. I have developed a rich morning routine. A good network of friends is a must. Having satisfaction with work is key. Working a jigsaw puzzle feeds me. And there is not a day that goes by without a luxurious bubble bath to sooth my soul.

One of the first steps is to simplify your schedule and make time for YOU.

It may sounds difficult, but the rewards are so rich. And the best part? By loving on yourself, you will in turn be loving on others with a better attitude and less stress. I’d love for you to take a listen to a recent podcast I was a guest on that describes how I went into the heart and learned to love myself and my life.

Listen to the Podcast

Speaking of loving yourself, I am offering a self-care package this month that is worth every penny. You’ll get three beautiful yoga practices to add to your library, my custom blend called UNCONDITIONAL, a soothing foot salve and bath bombs all bundled into a gorgeous package. I even have a special package just for the special men in your life!

This month is also a time to look at your physical heart and make a commitment to care for it through healthy choices like eating clean and exercise. Find ways to incorporate movement into your life and your heart will be happy. When the days are cold and blustery, consider making a hearty vegetable soup to warm your insides or enjoy a warm bath infused with lavender. Also, taking a few minutes everyday to be grateful is a powerful exercise in cultivating love. I find that gratitude is the best way to stay in a full heart of goodness.

As we focus on love this month be sure that beyond all the candies, flowers and romance, remember that YOU are enough exactly as you are. You are worth it and your life has purpose and meaning.

Look into your eyes and see what I see.

I have a variety of ways this month to nurture your mind, body and spirit. My events are all virtual and can take place anywhere! Be sure to sign up so that you get the goodies that often come with the learning opportunity.

Class Schedule

The beauty you see in me is simply a reflection of you. ~Rumi

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Mindset

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Oh my gosh, YES!

Mindset is everything!

I mean face it, the last couple of years have been hard. The word pandemic was not everyday lingo and I don’t know about you, but I never thought about the impact a virus could make on the day to day. Before this pandemic, I had a basic understanding of political differences but the depth at which the country has gone the last few years is startling. The division is palpable in our cities and even in our homes.

Along with the collective challenges that we have all endured we each have our own unique challenges layered upon the big challenges. How we face them determines the quality of our lives. This isn’t to say that putting on a smiling face everyday will be the answer, but our ability to shift our mindset and not hold onto the things we have no control over can certainly help our happiness factor.

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Mindset matters

Truth is for me personally, I am a self-employed yoga teacher who has had to navigate how to continue to earn an income during these hard times; going from full-time teaching in long term care facilities, my own studio and a large health club to virtual only was a huge hit financially and had a big impact on my ability to feel fulfilled teaching. It is doable, but hard to connect through a screen, especially with individuals with special needs. I am also a full time caregiver for my special needs daughter; so her programming went all virtual which meant not only was I her primary caregiver, I also became her primary friend/peer/teacher/support/transportation/provider, which was hard on both of us. My last major daily hurdle is I have three health conditions that cause me to experience tremendous pain and fatigue. Managing my pain and being able to show up for my students and my family takes grit some days.

Most of the time, my MINDSET allows me to handle it (somewhat) gracefully and I choose to make the best of this precious life. I have a few must-do practices to keep my mindset in the right place:

I am committed to my health and fitness.

I begin and end my day with a walk. I also walk on my lunch hour and anytime during the day I have sat too much or the burdens of life feels heavy. Some days I get over 25,000 steps and that is okay. It works for me. I find walking manages my pain better than anything else. I also practice yoga and do strength training 3-4 times per week.

I am committed to constantly changing my business model for the changing times and am open to always working hard.

I have learned to be flexible (haha, no yoga teacher joke intended). I navigate the demands of the audience and am constantly learning how to best utilize my skills in a virtual world. I also invite small groups into my studio and while the income may not be what a large group is, I feel connected and inspired and that fulfills me. I work nearly 7 days a week either teaching, marketing, following up, promoting, etc. I am committed to this gift.

I am committed to seeing the best in every situations.

Some people have told me that my rosy lenses aren’t accurate for the world, but I love them. I choose to look at both sides of the situation and try to find the small nuggets of wisdom that may be there to learn. I avoid situations that are filled with hatred, division, anger and judgment which means my circle of friends is small, I spend a lot of time by myself and I avoid the news.

I am committed to saying YES!

I have found that when we live in a state of pessimism (I spent decades there), we attract the very things we dislike. When we learn to say yes to the best possible outcomes, we attract that. If you don’t believe me, try it for a month. Say yes to new opportunities, to new experiences, to new friends, to abundance and then sit back and enjoy the ride.

I am committed to a daily Gratitude practice.

It is so easy to get sucked into the unfortunately popular culture that much of the world sees as not enough (time, money, resources, love). When we shift our attention to what we actually have plenty of, we get more (time, money, resources, love). Look around and notice the abundance of color, texture, living things, and feelings. There really is plenty to be thankful for.

It is a choice and although some days it can be harder to stay in a positive mindset given the status of the world, it is possible with a little changes to our thoughts. My mindset has served me incredibly well.

That’s my mindset, what is yours?

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Quality Essential Oils

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My favorite way to purchase top quality essential oils is with wholesale pricing that gives me the best bang for my buck and also helps farmers and growers all over the world have a better life. Isn’t that a win-win?

In addition to all the gunk that is going around, many of us are challenged by temporary or ongoing respiratory issues. Breathing well is so important to our overall health and having natural tools to support you is so empowering. Plus, the emotional benefits that aroma can give you can help you get through the hardest of days.

Did you know that you can get ten of the most used and most versatile oils AND a diffuser at wholesale pricing and be able to breathe a little better, deal with mood a little better, sleep better, clean better, handle aches and pains better and just have a totally better handle on life’s issues?

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This diffuser blend is perfect for better breathing.

This bundle includes:

  • Lavender: Lavender can be soothing when used internally. Its calming and relaxing aroma promotes a peaceful environment that’s conducive to sleep.
  • Lemon: Lemon is effective for freshening the air and cleansing the surfaces in your home.
  • Peppermint: The refreshing, minty aroma and versatility of Peppermint from oral care to respiratory health and digestive support has made it a favorite.
  • Tea Tree: Tea Tree is best known for its topical purifying qualities. It is useful for cleansing the skin and nails.
  • Oregano: Oregano isn’t just a great spice. It also serves as a powerful cleansing agent and offers powerful antioxidants.
  • Frankincense: Frankincense can be used internally for a variety of health benefits* or topically to soothe the skin.
  • Deep Blue®: Deep Blue is an enriched blend of essential oils—perfect for a massage after a long day or an intense workout.
  • doTERRA Breathe®: A popular oil blend, the refreshing aroma of doTERRA Breathe helps create feelings of easy breathing.
  • doTERRA On Guard®: doTERRA On Guard is a powerful proprietary blend that supports healthy immune function.
  • DigestZen®: This oil blend is wonderful effective when it comes to aiding food digestion, soothing occasional stomach upset, and reducing uncomfortable gas when used internally.*

Other Products:

  • Pebble™ Diffuser: This ultrasonic diffuser provides several incredible features. Five-hour continuous runtime, a ten-hour intermittent runtime, and multiple light settings.

Better is better. Plus, you’ll get lots of ME to guide you. Which is even better!

You’ll be happy you did.

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Manifest Blend

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Did you know that essential oils and thinking in terms of attracting goodness go hand in hand? Essential oils are great for boosting moods and improving overall well-being. The oils are effective for so many different situations from relieving the pain of a minor burn to cleaning your home. Learning about essential oils, their properties and ways to use them can actually help you maintain a positive vibration and help you focus on taking action with your goals. When we learn and get our brains working, we actually can increase our mindset and that brings us closer to our goals and desires.

Let’s face it, we are over two weeks into this year and for most people I talk to, it is proving to be a challenging repeat of the last couple years. The ideas and goals that most of us had for the New Year are already a fading memory as we dig deep in just getting through the long days. I may have a simple remedy that will get you back into the high vibes of focusing on attracting good things into your life. I mean we cannot change the crazy, but we can change where we focus our attention.

Having a routine

Whenever I start to feel “stuck” or that I keep experiencing not so great things, I pull out this blend and work with it to get out of my negative head space. My routine is actually pretty simple–I drink my coffee and write out a long list of gratitudes, and why these people and experiences inspire me, and then I apply this to my hands and cup my hands over my nose and take five intentional breaths. A gratitude practice by the way is one of the easiest ways to get out of bad funk. With consistency you can truly change your life just by being authentically grateful. After I spend time acknowledging all that is good, I focus on what I want in my life and sit with imagining how it is going to feel when I experience that which I desire.

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Manifest Blend

  • Litsea: Litsea is a powerful mobilizer of the will. As the Oil of Manifestation it is especially helpful in encouraging us to follow through on the inspiration. Litsea invites individuals to have the confidence to act and to trust. This oil also teaches us that we must learn to listen to our inner voice.
  • Ginger: Ginger holds no reservations. This oil has a purpose and will fulfill it! Being the Oil of Empowerment ginger powerfully persuades us to be fully present and participate in our life. Ginger empowers us to complete personal responsibility for our own life and lose the victim mentality.
  • Wild Orange: Wild Orange addresses a wide variety of emotional issues. This Oil of Abundance fosters creativity and inspires feelings of abundance. At its core wild orange really helps us to remember the true essence of abundance.
  • Frankincense: Frankincense invites us to let go of some of the lower vibrations and negativity that we can feel. Frankincense helps us to recall memory of spiritual understanding. This oil is known as the Oil of Truth and helps us to feel the love of the Divine.
  • Arborvitae: Arborvitae helps us to live with peace and joy by trusting the abundant flow of divine grace. This one is a grounding oil that teaches the concept that divinity is all around us. As we surrender into what is, our mind relaxes and the soul experiences harmony and peace.
  • Patchouli: This gorgeous essential oil helps us to become fully present in our body. When we consistently use patchouli we can feel more grounded and fluid. As the oil of physicality this one calms fear and nervous tension.
  • Clary Sage: Clary Sage helps us with changing our perceptions. One of the finest oils for helping us to see our limiting beliefs. This is known as the oil of clarity and vision. It helps the spirit to use the divinely given gifts and bring clarity in the spiritual vision.
  • Citrine Crystal: Citrine is a beautiful type of quartz stone that welcomes abundance, prosperity, and positivity. Citrine is a yellow quartz stone that’s been around for thousands of years for many purposes. Citrine can strengthen self esteem and bring about a positive outlook on life. It also attracts a vibrant flow of energy in and around the body.

The benefits

This blend can help you to feel more positive. When used deliberately it can assist in chasing your greatest dreams and aspirations. And, you will smell delightful and I wouldn’t be surprised if you get compliments on how wonderful the aroma is. Plus it is such a gorgeous blend to look at.

This great ebook is an awesome resource for learning more about the variety of uses for essential oils. You can grab all of the oils for this blend (except the very rare and special Litsea). I will share with you MANY ways you can use these oils in your home for cleaning, aches and pains, detox, mood, belly aches and so much more.

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Disclaimer: The statements in this post about essential oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical advice or treatment. These statements are based on my own personal experience.

Every Action You Take

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Although I am probably once of the most disciplined people you’ll ever meet, I’ve been digging deep into Atomic Habits book written by James Clear all thanks to the amazing podcast Unlocking Us with Brené Brown.

I am learning about myself that while I hold myself at super high standards when it comes to my work and my exercise, I definitely avoid the things that seem scary, hard or vulnerable. For years and years I held back on doing things that would cause me to be seen more and I often make a millions excuses in my head as to why it is better to just sit back. I opt for the easier way out when it comes to the scary things that I want to do, but always make excuses for.

No more. I am committed to making small consistent changes that will help me become the type of person I want to be.

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Since I have chosen my word of the year to be DELIBERATE, I am pulling my shoulders back and looking some of these things straight in the eye. I know that with consistent habits, I can maybe the changes where I become the identity of the hat I am striving for. I mean, I lost 80 pounds and totally changed my life with consistent habits that created an amazing lifestyle so I KNOW I can do this.

I was once terrified of becoming a yoga teacher and healthy person. In many ways it was much easier to complain about the things I wished were different than actually getting my little self busy on making some changes.

Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.

I know I can do this. You can, too! If you are already wondering how or why that resolution or goal isn’t working for you, I highly recommended reading Atomic Habits and go listen to the Unlocking Us Podcast.

Be ready to be amazed and scared all at the same time. And don’t ever feel like you are alone on this journey, because I am right here being amazed and scared with you!

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Natural Cleaning for Floors

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Generations ago only cleaned with household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. Modern times began to look for convenient and snazzy things to make our life seem easier. What we did not know then but NOW do is that some many of those things can be harmful to our health. Look at how far we have gone from using plants as medicine, and food from being nutritious to being packed with who knows what.

Natural Cleaning

I get asked all the time what is the best way to keep all types of flooring clean, naturally. Store bought cleaners can make you think your floors are cleaner, but truth is they are packed with chemicals. This can cause our lungs to feel congested and sometimes irritated. They also can cause our hormones to become disrupted which is especially important if you have children in your home. Plus, our little animal friends absorb EVERYTHING through their paws.

Whether you have hardwood, ceramic tile, luxury vinyl, or laminate flooring this recipe is SO easy. It is affordable and you probably have the ingredients in your pantry. Not only will your floors shine, you will be savings tons of money and taking one small step to a having a non-toxic cleaning practice.

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Floor Cleaner

Add about 1/4 cup white vinegar and up to 10 drops of essential oils, such as Wild Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, or my favorite combination Lime and Siberian Fir, to a bucket of hot water to clean hard surface floors.

Pro tip

Did you know that citrus oils break down grease and grime and can eliminate sticky residue, grease stains and things that get spilled on a floor or tracked in from outside?

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Intention to Faith

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Personal development has been a hobby of mine for the last 15 years.  What has come from this hobby has been truly amazing and I am grateful for the wake up. 

Over the last decade and a half, I have dug deep into healthy living. This includes meditation, yoga, spirituality, soul-searching and the gut wrenching-digging-out-the-crap-of-old-beliefs-and-stories.  I can say with honesty that I have also struggled to maintain my momentum without finding myself overly critical.  Self-loathing and microscopic analysis of all that I need to “work on” can be consuming for a habit-forming personality type like myself.  In contrast, there has been plenty of times when I have also neatly stacked all the self-help, goddess inspiring, soul inspiring books and walked away to take a breather.

I am in the midst of another cycle where I am looking at my stuff and balancing it with the confidence and self-assurance that I am really okay.  In fact, I am beyond okay.  I am an empowered and magnificently flawed human that is willing to grow.

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And like all growing spurts, there is usually some pain. The deep aches that wake you in the middle night.  The stretching of the mind, body and soul to embark on a new way of seeing the world, and specifically myself in the world.

While I balance what needs to be examined; work patterns, where I put my energy, habits that don’t serve my greatest good, words that hurt, etc., with the understanding what I hold my faith in–and that is, ALL experiences are opportunities to grow.

ALL.

This includes the sticky experiences that are challenging and the opposing joy filled experiences that are exhilarating.  I believe in the deepest of my very essence that every experience is a lesson. I also hold confidence that embedded in each ‘lesson’ is the calling to fall back into your faith.  Lay softy down in the knowing that all is well.  I do this by consciously handing over to God what is showing up with a trusting that in the end, I will be okay.  In truth, I am far better than okay and whatever is showing up in my life, is temporary and by bringing more of my intention to my faith the more fearless I do become.

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Seven Days of Wellness

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You are whole and also part of larger and larger circles of wholeness you many not even know about. You are never alone. And you already belong. You belong to humanity. You belong to life. You belong to this moment, this breath. ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Seven Days of Wellness Program includes a beautiful email each day with guidance on how to create a mindful practice of affirmations, food choices, yoga and meditation. This program also includes 7 blends of essential oils—one for each day! These beautiful emails will be a reference for the months to come as you can always go back and utilize the practices again and again.

We each have the capacity to create the space for something magical to change within us.

With your commitment to find renewal and a deserving wholeness, together we will pave the way for you to cultivate the change in your life you are seeking. Maybe it is to get back on track, or perhaps you are looking for a deep connection to a part of you that has been buried by giving to others. Whatever your goal is, the first step is saying yes.

Finding Wholeness

My passion is helping others to find emotional healing and wellness and to live vibrant, empowered lives. By leading others to the many available tools that support the mind, body and soul we are collectively changing our lives and those around us for the better.

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The most beautiful thing can happen when the recognition of oneness exists and a sense of never feeling alone on the journey happens. It is my honor to walk side by side with you towards the path of health and wholeness.

Mind. Body. Spirit.

It has been my greatest joy to link arms with people who are seeking out an inner connection to who they are. Through the practice of Yoga we can dive deep into the essence of who we are and begin the beautiful process of loving who we are.

Through my own self-exploration, I have walked the journey to discovering myself and love to share aspects of that in my practice with others. By saying yes, I promise to you that I will take your intentions into my heart and offer you a doorway to health of the mind, body and spirit.

Each day will include a guided yoga practice and mediation, positive affirmations, recipes and guidance on a mindful meal, and more.

Essential Oils & Crystals

This program also includes seven blends of essential oils—one for each day! You will learn what they are and the benefits of each blend. With guidance on how to use them it is my hope that you will not just smell the joy, but you will feel the benefits of using them intentionally.

You will also receive a gemstone for each day. Perfectly chosen just for you and the lesson of the day, you will learn how and why crystals play a big role in finding peace and harmony in the mind, body and spirit.


Investment

When we take care of ourselves we naturally become better at taking care of others. Whatever capacity that is in your season of life, I believe we must first learn to care for ourselves. This 7 day program will be your forever and you can always restart when you feel the need. By investing in yourself, you are also investing in the world because your wholeness will have an impact on those around you. As you find peace, so will others.

Included in this program:

  • Seven days of gorgeous emails with daily guidance
  • Seven days of positive affirmations
  • Seven days of food choices and recipes
  • Seven sensation based gentle yoga practices
  • Seven guided meditations
  • Seven custom essential oil blends
  • Seven beautiful high vibe crystals
  • Ongoing guidance, mentoring and love

Investment: $125

Team up with a friend or two for accountability and save money. For every person you bring along, you’ll save $10! Get six friends to register and yours is free! * you must all register together to receive the discounted prices. For a little over $17 each day you will receive so much! This package is valued at well over $200.

Register Here
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About Stacie

With over fourteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an E-500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.

Mind Body Sprit Detox

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“True healing comes with the nourishing of the mind, the body and the soul”  – Unknown 

This time of year we hear all quite a bit of talk about cleanses and I have even participated in some over the years. It seems we over indulge during the holiday season and then dive into something to erase the pounds of cookies, fudge and eggnog we enjoyed for weeks.

I wonder what would happen if instead of taking extreme measures we simply implemented some daily habits into our life so that there is less of a need to swing the pendulum from enjoying all the good things to eliminating and withholding?

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As a person who sees the whole person, I think many of us good benefit from minor tweaks to our daily habits as a way to clean up our mind, body and spirit, rather than focusing only on detoxing the body. Small, subtle changes to our everyday routines could provide a great impact to our overall wellbeing. I know that I am working on making these part of my everyday life, not just during the the new year season.

Mind:

Our mind can be constantly recycling our past experiences or predicting the potential disasters of the future, most of which never occur.  Ask yourself how much time do you spend during the day participating in an inner narrative about the past and the future? How much of the time do we get stuck in the past, reliving the same old miseries?  How much time do you spend assuming expectations or anticipating future events? Take some quiet time to look at your thoughts and emotions. Are they mostly happy and optimistic or are you mostly recycling the same worries, doubts, and regrets?

Meditating cleanses your mind, body and spirit. To sit in silence and connect is pure bliss.  Think of meditation as a way to cleanse your mind of any negative thoughts and create space for yourself to listen with a relaxed focus. 

There are many different meditation techniques and practices, the most important thing is finding one that resonates with you and is one that you will return to time and time again. 

Journalling is a great way to get things out of your head and onto paper, it allows you to fully process things that are bothering you and for you to see them in a different light.  

There is no need to follow any structure, allow yourself to write freely and see what comes up.

If you have trouble getting started with journaling, try answering these questions as a starting point:

  • Write down everything that’s taking up space in your mind.
  • What can you do to get yourself some nourishment and self-care?
  • What would you like more of in your life 
  • Rather than write your thoughts, doodle and draw pictures simply to empty the mind

Take a non tech day

Take time out away from your computer, phone and social media. for 24hrs. Give yourself a break away from the screens and the external world. 

Give your eyes and mind a rest and do some more nurturing activities like getting out in nature, cooking nourishing food, playing board games, doing yoga, journaling, spending time with family and friends, do something art or simply do nothing.  Taking some time out in silence is another great way to connect and check in with yourself.

Sleep is a powerful and very needed reset for the mind.  A quality sleep can help you to be more resilient to the stressors of life and will help you access your coping strategies when life does get hard.  Try to go to bed early  and aim for 8-9 hours of sleep. Limiting screen time and sipping on a chamomile or lavender tea can prepare the mind and body for sleep.  Some of my favorite sleep essential oils are cedarwood, bergamot, lavender, siberian fir, vetiver, and eucalyptus.  This free ebook describes some of the amazing uses of essential oils beyond just for sleep.

Affirmations are an amazing strategy to switch our thinking from a negative to a positive. The repeated use of affirmations can be life-changing.

I do believe that the two most powerful words we speak are I AM.  Whatever we speak after that we are inviting into our life.  

When you catch yourself saying a negative I AM, immediately replace it with a positive I AM. Post positive statements where you will see them.

For example:

  • I AM a failure to I AM trying to overcome this.
  • I AM a mess to I AM working hard.
  • I AM a loser to I AM doing my best.
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Body: 

Detoxing the body can be something you do seasonally, yearly, or whenever you feel like your body is in need of a refreshed feel.  Some cleanses last anywhere from a one day cleanse to month long cleanses.  If you are not comfortable taking that on, you can also implement these habits into your daily life to maintain a detoxed and lighter body. 

  • Start the day with a glass of warm water and lemon juice, drink lots of room temperature water throughout the day. I also add a drop of lemon or grapefruit oil to my water.
  • Have a light breakfast, maybe a green smoothie and or fruit, avoid or limit caffeine, if possible. 
  • Make lunch your main meal with lots of colorful vegetables and a light lean protein.
  • Avoid processed and packaged foods and heavy proteins, minimize sugars.
  • Get some light exercise such as walking, yogic stretching.
  • Eat an early, light dinner. Ideally eating no later than 6pm can help your body properly digest food and help with a solid sleep.
  • Dry brushing is a method of gently exfoliating your skin using a special firm-bristled brush. Some people use it as part of their skin routine to try to restore firmness, get rid of dry skin flaking, and encourage blood flow to certain areas of the body. It also helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage
  • Coffee to tea swap.  As much as I love coffee, I am trying to swap my afternoon brew for a yummy tea.  A work in progress.  Some say that coffee can cause the adrenal glands to work extra hard and this ultimately causes fatigue and stress in the body.
  • Salt Baths are my favorite way to relax and detox the body.  I love to add essential oils such as lavender, cypress, cedarwood, basil, eucalyptus and peppermint to one cup of epsom salt. Soaking for 20 minutes can support a natural detox for the body. Himalayan salt is also a great alternative to epsom. 

Breath Work

Breathing is living and a function of life, without it we wouldn’t be here. Every single cell and organ in our bodies needs our breath to fully function. With a regular breath practice we can lower stress levels and prevent disease. 

Moving your body is vital to feeling good and detoxing your mind, body and soul. Any form of exercise supports the functionality of your organs and the natural detox process and gets your cardiovascular system going, improves your blood flow and, thereby, has a positive impact on your body’s systems and processes. 

Yoga is beneficial for your body in general. Iyengar stated that twisting poses compress the muscles and organs, blocking the flow of blood. When releasing the poses, the blood flows back into those areas, improving circulation. Twists are an important part of a balanced yoga practice as they improve circulation – which certainly is beneficial to your internal organs. I have a full library of yoga videos on my website!

Spirit:

When we commit to taking care of our mind and our body, we have a natural and beautiful awakening of the spirit, however there are times when heavy emotions weigh us down and prevent our light from truly shining. Caring for our spirit involves recognizing parts of ourselves that we are holding onto that are interfering with our ability to show up fully in life, and can also prevent us from giving and receiving the goodness of life. 

Ask yourself if some of these resonate:

  • I have regrets
  • I carry resentment.
  • I feel guilt.
  • I need to forgive myself or someone else.
  • I blame others for my pain.
  • I feel ashamed of my actions or thoughts.
  • I do not feel worthy.
  • I am in constant disappointment.
  • I worry much of the time.
  • I fear the worst.
  • I rarely laugh or find joy in everyday moments. 

If a statement above hits you in your gut, it is likely that your spirit could use a little cleaning. I like to think of this as simply polishing off some smudges that have accumulated on our light. With some similar mindful practices to the mind, you can work on clearing out the dark spaces in your heart that are taking up space for something much more beautiful.

Gratitude

A gratitude practice can be a wonderful balm for a sore spirit. The research supports that a deliberate gratitude practice can shift our minds (and spirits) from a place of lack and limitations, which we are hardwired to think/feel, to a place of abundance and grace. What is a deliberate gratitude practice?

  • Look for 3-5 experiences throughout your day to jot down in a book.
  • Notice the feelings that these experiences bring to you. Write that down.
  • Go beyond the touchable and tangible (family, friends, home) and go for the deeper reason why these matter.
  • Review your gratitudes weekly and sit with all that is noticeably good.

Meditation, proper sleep, connecting with trusted people, walks in nature, praying, attending a spiritual community gathering, silence, gardening, and other ways that you identify feed you can get your spirit cleaned up so that you can be the best person you can be. 

Caring for our whole Self is a powerful and life sustaining practice that can enhance all areas of your life. When we are clear and engaged in ourselves we can show up better for the world. These simple steps should not feel like a heavy and insurmountable undertaking, but instead should feel like a way of being and something you can carry into each season of the year.

Deliberate (Word 2022)

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deliberate adjective; Done consciously and intentionally. Fully considered; not impulsive. Done or acting in a careful and unhurried way.

For many years I have chosen a word for my year. I often say that to me this is like a thread that gets woven into the tapestry of our lives. Some years the thread may be glittery and bright, and other years the thread may be a little heavier and denser in its unique makeup. Either way as I look at the tapestry of my life, I can see easily the threads that have been woven together to create something beautiful. I love to look at my bookshelf in my office and see eighteen years worth of journals and planners that have become the themes throughout much if my adult life.

My word for 2022 is DELIBERATE. 

I love words and I love to look at definitions. The definition that sticks with me the most is done consciously and intentionally. If you know me at all, you might see a very determined woman who rarely says no. I don’t think this is because I am a huge people pleaser, although maybe my gut is telling me that at some point I need to check in with that. I think I say yes to everything because I like to be the person who isn’t always “too busy, too tired, too overwhelmed, too stressed, too much in pain, too whatever”. I refuse (probably in an unhealthy way) to allow life’s challenges to dictate what I do. However, I am realizing that saying yes too quickly often leads me to feel frustrated and overwhelmed because in my heart I would rather be doing something else.

I also chose this word because I have a desire to shift my quick decision making and tendency for my abrupt communication style to one that exhibits a more thoughtful approach. I have a quick thinking mind and sometimes I can blurt out something without thinking through how it will be heard. I am tenacious in all of my efforts and learning to be more deliberate and temper my fast moving mind may be of benefit for more. I also have a tendency to say yes to everything and everyone, leaving myself at the bottom of the list. I want to be mindful of how I spend my time and say yes to things that really feed me, rather than commit to something for the sake of simply saying yes. I want to do better about filling up the margins of my own life, rather than with feeling overwhelmed come across as a need to have an impulse to create boundaries around things. To me the recent popularity of having boundaries feels like a fence that keeps things and people away, whereas margins are up to the person deciding for their own life how to fill that space. So I get to choose what goes within the margins of my life and I am going to choose goodness and things that feel right in my heart. Through conscious and intentional living, I intend to be more deliberate with my choices. I am laser sharp when it comes to my business and my personal health, but there is definitely space to grow in my choices and become more intentional with other areas of my life.

Share the Kindess

The practical ways that I plan to implement and welcome in the concept of being more deliberate includes blocking every Friday off as a day where I will choose how I fill it. I have gone through my planner and highlighted a block around every Friday for the year. That is at least 52 chances for me to pause, to check in and then decide how I fill my day. Another practical way that I am moving towards being more deliberate is I am wearing an amazonite mala necklace and a bracelet as a reminder. Amazonite is a stone of peace, truth, harmony, and communication. It’s been called the “peacemaker stone” due to its communicative abilities and will be a gentle reminder for me to communicate clearly, calmly and with intention. Amazonite also empowers and strengthens any intention that may be set in it, so this morning I held it closely and told it what it is here to remind me of. Finally, amazonite reminds us that we are in control of our own destiny and our decisions will affect our outcome.

The non-practical ways that I plan to use this thread in my life is I am going to make the space to be very open by feeling less impulsive and becoming more unhurried and slower in my life. I am planning to let go of the concept of hard-driven goals and instead have a sweet little map that will guide me to unknown outcomes. This in a very round-a-bout way feels more intentional to me. Slowing down, considering the course I want my year to lead me, and being conscious and awake in my decisions.

So often when we choose a word we can be inviting in some big challenges and hurdles and I am preparing myself that those will come. When they do, I may want to slip back into the old and very familiar ways of living. I hope that because I am speaking my word to anyone willing to listen when they see that old impulsive, always-saying-yes person, they will take a gentle hand and guide me back to being in alignment with my intention to become more deliberate.

Are you ready for 2022? Join me in a life of intention and awareness! What is your word?

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