Every morning each of us is faced with a choice—focus on the things that are challenging or focus on life.
I choose LIFE. I choose to notice the colors I see. I choose to listen to the birds that fly in and out of the yard. I choose to feel the aliveness in my body—even if that aliveness is pain. I choose to get up and live LIFE.
I choose to embrace all aspects of my experience each day and not to dwell on the parts of being human that are tough.
Pain sucks.
But I am alive, determined, magnificent, and so amazingly grateful for this life.
Do you garden? When I first started growing veggies I didn’t have any confidence in my abilities so I started super small. I mostly grew things in pots and it was easy and fun. Each year since then I have expanded into more and more and now have a full size garden that grows many, many things.
There is truly something magical about growing your own food! Today I am going to freeze some beans, make pesto, pickle cucumbers and make salsa! How fun is that?
It is also in gardening that I feel so so connected and relaxed. After a long day of work there is just something so good about getting my hands in my plants, even if it’s just to check the progress. I also have found that still have a tendency to think in terms of scarcity and “not enough” mentality, so I over plant and thinking things won’t grow and end up with a crowded overly abundant garden. In some ways the garden reminds me that that I can continue to work on my thinking and personal development. Also, this year the raccoons have been enjoying digging things up which has been a little frustrating but the bounty is still coming in.
If you have not ever gardened, I say give it a try! A simple google search for you area or a handy book from your local library can get you started!
I have found that not only does spending time with my plants help my stress it also has an array of other benefits.
Planting flowers and vegetables can reap bountiful bouquets and delicious harvests for your dining table. But did you know gardening also can do wonders for your well-being? Here are eight surprising health benefits of gardening. Check this out:
1. Gardening can build self-esteem.
Maybe you don’t think you were born with a green thumb, but after tilling, planting, nurturing and harvesting plants, you might see a slightly different person in the mirror: a person who can grow things and is a little more in tune with the earth.
It always feels good to accomplish new tasks, and if you can grow a garden, what can’t you do?
2. Gardening is good for your heart.
All that digging, planting and weeding burns calories and strengthens your heart.
“There are physical benefits from doing the manual labor of gardening,” says UNC Health internal medicine physician Robert Hutchins, MD, MPH. “It’s hard work to garden, and it provides some cardiovascular benefit.”
3. Gardening reduces stress.
Gardening can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
“Gardening gives you a chance to focus on something and put your mind to work with a goal and a task in mind,” Dr. Hutchins says, “which is helpful especially now with so much illness and death and talk of death, just to see things growing and things thriving.”
4. Gardening can make you happy.
Getting dirt under your nails while digging in the ground can make you pretty happy. In fact, inhaling M. vaccae, a healthy bacteria that lives in soil, can increase levels of serotonin and reduce anxiety.
5. Gardening can improve your hand strength.
All that digging, planting and pulling does more than produce plants. Gardening also will increase your hand strength. What a great way to keep your hands and fingers as strong as possible for as long as possible.
6. Gardening is good for the whole family.
Gardening can be a solo activity or an opportunity for bonding with your family and friends. The happiness and stress relief that gardening provides is a great thing to share with loved ones. Also, gardening has special benefits for kids. Early exposure to dirt has been linked to numerous health benefits, from reducing allergies to autoimmune diseases. Plus, when they pull a carrot from the ground for the first time you will see pure happiness and awe.
7. Gardening can give you a boost of vitamin D.
A healthy dose of vitamin D increases your calcium levels, which benefits your bones and immune system. Exposure to sunlight helped older adults achieve adequate amounts of vitamin D. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.
8. Growing your own food can help you eat healthier.
If you have a vegetable or herb or fruit garden, you’re getting fresh produce that you know hasn’t been treated with pesticides.
“It’s essentially as farm-to-table as it gets,” Dr. Hutchins says, “if you’re eating what you’re growing.”
Are you ready to start planning next seasons garden?
I know if you are anything like me, nutrition can be put on the back burner especially when we are always so busy.
Today, the standard diet is not what it used to be. There are many factors in play when it comes to food’s depletion of nutrients in the soil to the increase in consumption of highly processed foods.
Proper nutrition supports your body’s natural hormones and keeps them balanced. We are in luck because d?TERRA has us covered with their supplements, the Lifelong Vitality Pack.
LLV, the foundation to your health and wellness, consists of Alpha CRS®+, Microplex VMz®, and xEO Mega®. The ingredients in these 3 products are designed to ensure you are supporting your cells, getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs as well as supplying the fatty acids and other nutrients that are necessary to look and feel your best.
? Sleep better ???? Have more energy ?? Feel more balanced
It is no wonder this is one of d?TERRA’s most popular products! Hormone and total body support at its finest.
By the way, a good friend who lost a good amount of weight, grew back her healthy hair and is feeling better than ever after a divorce last year, said one of her biggest changes was splitting her LLV and taking her morning and afternoon doses separately! I’m starting that tip RIGHT AWAY!
?Do you take LLV every day? Ready to? Did I mention it has a 30 day moneyback guarantee? It’s on day 29 or 30 you don’t feel amazingly better, you can simply return them and get your money back. I’m pretty sure you’re going to love how you feel though. Also, I would like to gift you with a free wellness consultation just for getting started.
In a 10 mL roller ball, add oils and top with carrier oil of choice.
Do you need thyroid support?
Let me ask it this way… do you have a history of holding back your voice out of fear, nervousness or trauma? Or would you like to speak your truth and use your voice more confidently and more often?
Did you know that issue is often the emotional root of thyroid issues? ?????
You can grab everything you need to make this blend HERE.
I know it is pricey, but if you used these oils only for this blend it would make about twenty thyroid blends! Oh, and each roller I make lasts me about 3 months. So we are talking YEARS of use but I guarantee you will find many other uses for these four oils. Lemongrass is my go to for cleaning surfaces, diffusing for a fresh aroma and insect repellent. Clove is great for oral health—I add a drop to my toothpaste to support my gums! It also smells like fall when you diffuse it! Frankincense is a daily for me—I take a drop internally everyday day for healthy cellular support and immune system, I roll it on my spine to calm my overactive nervous system and I use myrrh in my skin care. I’m telling you the uses are endless!
Th investment is so worth it! You’ll even get wholesale pricing for a year for free! I will also plug you into my education and community support and send you a personalized gift to get you started using them. Check out this gorgeous ebook to learn more!
Did you know that there are ten (eleven when pregnant) glands that make up the Endocrine System?
Our endocrine system and hormones support our bodies from conception through old age.
From conception, the placenta acts as an endocrine organ and produces several important hormones through pregnancy.
Here are some more big hitters:
The Hypothalamus: This is the gland that drives the whole endocrine system by linking our endocrine system with our nervous system.
The Thyroid: This gland is crucial to healthy development and regulates your metabolism.
The Adrenals: This gland is actually made up of two glands: the cortex and medulla. These glands produce hormones in response to stress (cortisol) and regulate blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and the body’s salt and water balance.
The Pancreas – The pancreas is responsible for producing glucagon and insulin. These hormones help regulate sugar (glucose) in the blood.
The Gonads: Ovaries and Testes both produce steroids that affect growth and development and also regulate reproductive cycles and behaviors.
This month, I’m diving into a topic that affects us all, and one I’m particularly acquainted with!
Hormones!! ??????? I had a complete hysterectomy at age 30 and learned in an instant just how important hormones are. Not having ovaries has been a huge challenge. I finally found some things that work!
The journey hasn’t always been easy… and that’s why I’m excited to share a whole months worth of education, tips, practices and products that will help you in your own journey with YOUR hormones!!
Did you know that humans possess 50 hormones? 50!
From adrenal health and blood sugar to fertility and thyroid function, hormones are the root of, well, everything!
•Hormones control or regulate many biological processes and are often produced in very low amounts within the body. •Hormones regulate our blood sugar. Thanks, Insulin! •Growth and energy production (Growth Hormone and Thyroid Hormone) Differentiation, growth, and reproduction hormones (Testosterone and Estrogen)
The Endocrine System is made up of all the hormones in the body. This system supports brain and nervous system development, reproduction, metabolism, and blood sugar.
I plan to break down what hormones do for our bodies (male and female) through our life cycle, how to keep them balanced and supported, and living a non-toxic lifestyle to keep the hormone disruptors at bay.
Stay tuned and follow me for a deeper understanding of how hormones influence so much of our life!
On those hot summer days, when hunger gives way to thirst, there’s nothing that tastes better than a refreshing drink. Smoothies and lemonades are a great way to quench your thirst, plus they help to incorporate more fruits into your diet! Adding a few drops of essential oil will bring an extra twist to the flavour. Here are some simple and tasty ideas to juice up your family’s summer!
Lemon Berry Smoothie
A great start to the day and the perfect breakfast on the go. Berries have countless anti-oxidant properties — plus nutrients and fibre — which help protect your body against seasonal threats.
A great start to the day and the perfect breakfast on the go. Berries have countless anti-oxidant properties — plus nutrients and fibre — which help protect your body against seasonal threats.
Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high speed until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
Serve immediately.
Honey Ginger Lemonade
A twist on classic lemonade, Honey Ginger lemonade is the perfect refreshing drink to help lift your mood. The juiced ginger helps add a little spicy kick, while both lemon juice and Lemon oil keep the recipe light and cool.
Combine all ingredients, except the ice, into a jug. Mix well.
Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Serve with some ice cubes.
Raspberry “Lime-onade”
If you are having friends over, then surprise them with a very bright pink “lime-onade”. With only three ingredients, this combination of raspberries and lime is definitely a crowd pleaser.
Add the raspberries to a blender, and blend until smooth.
Press through a fine strainer into a jug, and discard the seeds and pulp. (TIP: You can also put the seeds and pulp in a small jar, cover with vinegar—like white wine or rice wine vinegar—and store mixture in the fridge. Strain later for salad dressings or for marinades).
Add the lime juice, essential oil and water. Stir to combine.
Stir in the honey until combined.
Pour into glasses, and top with ice cubes. Serve and enjoy!
Tropical Smoothie with Tangerine Essential Oil
This tropical smoothie is just like a dessert (a healthy one!) that will make you forget your sweet cravings. Omega-3, fibre and potassium are just a few of the benefits you will pour in your glass.
Ingredients
1 cup (230ml) of organic coconut milk
4 tbsp Greek yogurt
1 banana
1 tbsp of ground flaxseed, sunflower and pumpkin seed
Summer time is in full swing and not only is it hot out there, but all the great berries and produce are in full abundance! It’s so fun to eat fresh, sweet and amazing fruits and veggies.
I love summer, but the heat is not my friend. I get easily cranky on hot days and am always looking for a healthy way to cool down. This little snack is a go to for me…I can swipe a piece mid afternoon or as a dessert and not feel guilty at all.
It’s simple to make and tastes amazing. You’ll see I add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Be sure the brand you choose to use in recipes is safe to ingest. Most aren’t and you have to be safe. The lemon oil gives a pop of summertime flavor but is also has amazing health benefits. Peek at this gorgeous ebook to learn more.
HERE IS WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Yogurt: Use a full fat yogurt for the best texture and flavor. Vanilla yogurt is a great base to use, but you can use any flavor you like.
• Fruit: Fresh strawberries and blueberries add a great pop of color and it’s a tasty way to get some fruit into your family’s diet. You can make this bark with other fresh fruits like mango, raspberries or kiwi fruit.
HOW TO MAKE YOGURT BARK
1. Before you spread the yogurt evenly over a lined baking sheet, add two drops of lemon essential oil and stir. 2. Top with chopped strawberries. 3. Top with blueberries or any other fruits. I love kiwi! 4. Option to finish with granola and freeze until firm. I usually skip the granola but it does give it a great crunch. 5. Once it is fully frozen, slam on counter and remove pieces. You can also cut into bark shapes if it doesn’t make its own by slamming it. I store in a Tupperware up to three months, but it also never lasts that long.
TIPS FOR MAKING FROZEN BARK
1. Use full fat yogurt. Using yogurt with full fat means that the texture will less likely get icy when frozen. It will also have a better taste that’s more creamy. I have used Greek Style Coconut milk yogurt too and it’s fabulous for the dairy free people. 2. Chop everything small. Small fruits like blueberries work very well here and chopping larger fruits to be about the size of blueberries helps with cutting the bark. Make sure the fruits are not too bulky either so the bark looks flat. 3. Line your baking sheet. This will help to remove the bark easily from the tray, if you don’t line it, the yogurt will freeze to it and it will be really tough to remove. Use parchment or wax paper to line the entire surface of your sheet pan. 4. Allow time for the bark to set. It will take around 3 hours for the bark to fully set in the freezer. Make it the night before to enjoy the next day.
Enjoy!
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According to researchers, multiple environmental factors determine how you feel. These include physical factors around you as well as the community spirit. Your housing environment, for instance, can have an effect. People tend to have higher levels of well-being when they live in attractive, warm, and cozy properties. Their homes recharge their batteries, so to speak, enabling them to take on the challenges of the world with more confidence. Well-being tends to decline when properties are dilapidated, dirty, or affected by dampness.
In the Yoga world, we call the practice of purity and cleanliness Suacha. It is the practice of cleaning up our thoughts and our space and eliminating clutter in both areas of our lives.
The level of tidiness can also make a substantial difference in how you feel. When your rooms are tidy, it has an influence on your unconscious. The less cluttered your environment — the less you have to think about — and the more you can ease into life.
The lighting, smells, and color of an environment can also profoundly affect your mood. Shutter companies know this very well. They understand that the level of light that gets into a room determines how the occupants feel. When light levels are high — as they should be in the daytime — it helps to calibrate the your natural sleep-wake cycle.
The people you spend time with also have a profound impact on how you feel. If you are around elevating people who support you, you’ll feel like you can do just about anything you want with your life. Likewise, if you are around negative individuals who bring you down — life will feel like a constant series of battles.
Surrounding ourselves with people, calm colors and a clean and serene space can play a big part in our overall wellbeing.
How do you control your environment to better your mind, body and spirit?
