Do not feed your fear.
Fear is a low-vibration energy. And the energy you put out, you attract — whether that is low-vibration or high-vibration. So by giving into your fears, you’re inviting more of the same low-vibration frequencies. Which can show up as more fear, as anxiety, as worry and doubt.
If you’re giving into fear over and over, it is time to shift your focus. Shift your fear to excitement. Instead of being fearful of the worst case scenario, change the narrative to be excited for the best. Imagine what that best looks like. Feel what it feels like. Call it in. And allow it to come.
What am I fearful of?
I’ve been fearful of receiving harsh judgement if I fully step into my authentic self (especially by loved ones) if I pursue what interests me and what fills me up. Because the things that fill me up, that excite me, aren’t “traditional” in any mainstream sense. And to be honest, I’ll admit that they can take some getting used to, but in order to do that, you must be open. And I’m fearful that the people I love will have harsh and critical judgement against me with a complete lack of an open mind. Which makes me want to shrink and hide…
Fear doesn’t sit well in our bodies. It rots. It feels yucky. It’s no way to live. In order to switch the fear, I’m trying to focus, instead, on the possibilities.
By stepping into the life, the path, the interests that truly light me up — I will be free. Exactly the way I am. Happy. Fulfilled. And by being exactly who I was meant to be, I’ll call forth the support of a community that DOES accept me exactly as I am with no exceptions. Such a better perspective right?
Don’t focus on the fear, my dear. There is power in your thoughts.
As I breathed I was brought back to a time when I felt completely unsupported, unwanted, unneeded, unworthy of anything good… and the flood gates opened.
Your shadows and traumas are not your fault, but they are your responsibility.
If you know me, you would know that I’m pretty open to trying any holistic, natural, or alternative wellness practice or therapy. I’ve enjoyed plenty of celery juices, I collect crystals, I started learning about tarot, and have been exploring how to deepen my intuition on a spiritual level.
So, when I heard Erin was offering breathwork sessions, I was all in. Breathwork is a way to access your fight or flight response and the past traumas you have associated with that response in order to process those emotions in a safe and healthy environment. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to address when I first scheduled my session, but I have my fair share of traumas, so knew any number of things could have been brought forth.
My breathwork session with @erin was exactly what I needed. It was the safe space my body and soul needed in order to process my past traumas and see clearly how they are connected to my current triggers.
For the past week or so (prior to my session) I have felt extremely stressed and triggered. I felt this constant need to cry, but was unable to bring my full emotion forward. There was clearly a block there.
Quickly after my session started I was sobbing. Transported to one of the most difficult times of my life. It brought to light how I am allowing my present situations to control me in much of the same ways I felt controlled or stifled as a child.
The work served as a reminder that I am not that sad, angry, scared, alone little girl anymore.
I have worth. And I can take care of that little girl — my inner child — by taking care of me.
I can comfort her by comforting myself.
I can bring her joy allowing myself to feel joy.
I was reminded that I am never alone. That I can ask for help and support when I need it. That I am protected and safe and can call upon the angels and my soul team at any moment.
The thing about triggers is that they can sneak up on you in unexpected ways. In ways you would never even link back to your original trauma. Which makes this work that much more important. We all have our own shadows, traumas, demons — whatever you want to call them — and unless you face them head on and truly process them in order to cut the cords, you can never move on.
They quite literally hold you back.
At the very end of my breathwork session, I felt an energy approach, which eventually appeared as a crab. Afterwards I looked up the spiritual meaning of the crab totem —
“A sign of protection. The crab symbolizes emotions, trust, and the cyclical nature of life. At some point in a crab’s life, it dumps one shell in exchange for another, symbolizing a point of rebirth in their life cycle. By dumping excess emotional baggage, we take an active role in achieving our own happiness.”
Damn.
The sun and the exposure to its ultraviolet B (UBV) rays is extremely important for our health. Especially during a pandemic, it is incredibly important to be cognizant of how much sun exposure you are getting. There are a few reasons why people are more likely to get sick in the fall and winter — less access to natural vitamin D (sun exposure) is definitely one of them. It is estimated that 26% of people have low levels of vitamin D, which is quite a startling number for something that can be improved with minimal effort.
depression
fatigue
muscle weakness
weak or brittle bones, or osteoporosis
weak immune function (which after long periods of time can contribute to cancers and autoimmune disease)
Even on a healthy, balanced diet, nutrition only makes up about 5% of our vitamin D needs. When we are exposed to the sunlight the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit our cholesterol cells on the surface of our skin which convert to vitamin D. UVB rays cannot flow through windows, so getting outside is important. It is recommended that you spend at least 15 minutes a day in direct sunlight. “Studies estimate that darker-skinned people may need anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours longer to get sufficient vitamin D.”(1) The pigment of your skin is determined by the amount of melanin your have, meaning the darker your skin color the more melanin you have. While melanin helps protect the skin from burning, it also means that the more you have the more sun exposure you need.
But be careful not to burn. Sun exposure should always be monitored. While small doses are immensely helpful to our heath, too much, too often puts us at risk for skin cancer. It is important to not let your skin burn. “New theories suggest that our immune system constantly fights melanoma cancer cells all over the body, but a sunburn keeps our immune system so busy that cancer cannot be sufficiently warded off in another part of the body.”(2) Which explains why people with melanoma mysteriously are affected in areas that have little to no sun exposure at all, like the soles of the feet.
If you find yourself cooped up indoors too often, try moving some of your normal activities outside. You can read a book, practice yoga, or even scroll through your Instagram feed all in the sun.
cod liver oil
beef liver
egg yolk
salmon
sardines
tuna
vitamin D supplements
As always, before changing your diet or supplement usage, please consult with your personal healthcare professional.
I began working from home full-time in January 2017 as a graphic designer. I am a very disciplined person by nature, so staying productive has always been a skill of mine. However, I realize that this concept is entirely new for most of the country right now. If you are working from home for the first time, or maybe you already work from home but are having trouble getting the most out of your day, here are 5 tips to boost your productivity.
Think of everything you could possibly need to get your job done and have it ready and in your workspace. Computer, charger, mouse, pen, notebook, a steaming hot cup of coffee… If you don’t have the proper equipment, you’re going to waste precious time looking for it or just simply procrastinating while you wait for it to appear.
Before you actually start working, check your email, look at your queue, check whatever you need to check so you can make a to-do list. The list should be in order of priority. You can write this down on paper, use an app like Notes (Apple device), or use a productivity tool like Trello. Whatever you find the most easy to use. I personally like to keep an ongoing and ever changing list for my week as a whole. This allows me to work ahead of schedule if my day allows. It also gives me a good forecast of what to expect and if I need to fill in any gaps for the week.
This might sound counter-productive, but this is an incredibly helpful tool. When you give yourself a break it allows your brain to focus more when you get back to work. Make sure you are moving away from your computer and workspace. It can be easy to feel like you should be working when the work is sitting right in front of you. Distance yourself for 10 minutes or longer to make a fresh cup of tea, go for a quick walk, or put a load of dishes away.
If you have a deadline and you know time is tight, turn off your notifications. It can be difficult to stay focused when you are being pinged on Slack, text messages, email, project management tools, etc. Every time you check on a notification, it can add minutes or hours to your day depending on how many times you were interrupted. Tell your team that you are going heads-down until you finish whatever you are doing and if they need you, you’ll respond when you are done.
If you find yourself doing the same tasks over and over each week you need to time block. For larger activities you can block entire days. For example: I only create social media posts on Monday. If you find yourself in several meetings throughout the week, block off, say, Tuesday and Thursday mornings only for meetings. By doing this, you’ve set yourself a loose schedule that clusters similar tasks together — which in turn increases your daily expectations and productivity.
Comment below and share if you have any productivity hacks of your own!
Isn’t it ironic how often we tell our children to be kind? As a mother, I know I tell my children at least 3 times a day to be kind in one way or another.
“Please be kind.”
“Please make kind choices.”
“Be kind to your sister.”
“Be kind to your brother.”
“Was that a kind thing to do?”
You’ll notice here, that these kindness suggestions are pointing outside oneself, rather than in. A showing of kindness to another person. And while being kind to other humans is certainly a worthy attribute, I wonder if we are not missing a crucial piece here. Or maybe it is just me and my parenting habits. Do we frequently remind our children to be kind to themselves? Do we remind ourselves to be kind to ourselves?
Self-care is everywhere right now. While it is important and I am grateful that people are discussing it, maybe we should start this whole process a little earlier. Like, in childhood. Both on good days and challenging days.
How do we do this? The same way we taught outward kindness, I suppose. Here’s how I attempted to do this today.
Prior to heading to a local parade, my middle child attempted to fill his water bottle by himself. While I appreciate the attempt, he ended up spilling at least 30 oz of water all over the kitchen island, which proceeded to drip onto the chairs and floor.
Now, it was just water. Not a huge deal, right? Right.
But—this happens fairly frequently. We have water puddles most days of the week with infrequent clean-up afterward. Additionally, my middle and his siblings had been quite rambunctious prior to the big spill. So Mama came in a little intense, as she is wont to do
[She being me, is still a work-in-progress, but I digress].
He was upset and struggling to clean up all the water. Seeing this, I grabbed a bath towel and began to help while requesting some information about the events that occurred prior to the spill. His siblings claimed innocence, which seemed both convenient and unlikely. I began to discuss ways to prevent this from continuing to occur (as in, ask for help or fill it directly from the faucet).
He was soon tearful. I knelt down to his level and asked him if he wanted a hug. He said yes.
I considered releasing the hug after 15 seconds or so, but decided to wait him out. During that embrace, I envisioned pouring my love into him. I also envisioned clearing any negativity from the both of us. By the end, it felt as though we were in a cocoon of safety and love. One that we could carry along with us.
After about a minute, he pulled away. I stayed down at his level and asked him what he was feeling. He shook his head and would not meet my eyes. Knowing that he tends to bottle up his emotions, I asked again and then scooped him up and carried him to the couch. I asked once more.
He replied, tearfully, “it’s all my fault.”
“What is? The water?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you think spilling water is a big deal?”
He shook his head no.
I said, “You are always allowed to feel sad or mad or whatever, but spilling water is not a huge deal. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I was just hoping to help prevent it from continuing to happen.” I looked into his eyes and then tapped his temple as I asked. “Is that voice in your head being mean?”
He nodded.
I said, “Will you repeat after me?”
He nodded again.
I used the Mel Robbins 5-second method. “5-4-3-2-1. I am allowed to make mistakes.”
He repeated, “5-4-3-2-1. I am allowed to make mistakes.”
I said. “I am loved when I make mistakes. I am forgiven when I make mistakes. Nothing is unforgivable.”
He repeated each word as I had, then breathed a bit easier.
I said, “You can do that whenever that voice in your head gets mean. Just count backward and introduce a new thought. Like ‘I am loved’ or ‘I am worthy of forgiveness.’”
He nodded.
I then said, “You know you’re not that voice, right? That voice tries to keep you safe and maybe keep you from taking risks, but that voice can also be pretty mean. You’re not that voice. You’re the one hearing it, observing it. And know that you can let those thoughts go. Right?”
“Yeah. I love you, Mom.” He said he hugged me tightly again.
I certainly am not an expert in parenting. I certainly make mistakes and get intense more often than I’d like. But I think this is an important reminder for both adults and children.
Are we being kind to ourselves? Sometimes being kind is eating an apple instead of Cheetos. Sometimes being kind is drinking water instead of wine. Sometimes being kind is going for a walk instead of playing PS4. Sometimes being kind is journaling about that trigger rather than numbing with social media scrolling. Sometimes being kind is walking away from a relationship that leaves you feeling unworthy or unlovable. Sometimes being kind is eating Oreos with your kids and laughing at chocolate-covered teeth. Sometimes being kind is forgiving yourself for mistakes, whether 7, 37, or any age at all.
I hope this can serve as a reminder that outward kindness will become much easier when we’ve been practicing inward kindness as well. Just as self-criticism can often lead to being hypercritical to those around you, I have an inkling that self-kindness would have a similar effect.
So today choose kindness—not just outward facing kindness, but inward facing kindness as well.
Love,
B
I will never forget when I began to say “no” more in my life. I turned down invitations and stopped responding to people that were toxic. Not only was it liberating, it freed up my time and gave me even more time to really think about what exactly I wanted. I simply stopped wasting my time on other people.
It was truly fascinating and kind of scary to start saying ‘no’ to invitations. I would realize that on a Saturday night (when socially, I was meant to be partying and drinking with friends) I actually had no plans except to sit at home and watch my favorite TV shows. It was a shock to my nervous system and I found myself very lonely at times. But being lonely was better than being overwhelmed. Being free on a Saturday night was better than having to go to something I hated.
You may be wondering what this has to do with people pleasing and ending the cycle in your life? The key to ending the cycle of people pleasing starts with relearning to say the first word most of us learn as babies, “no.”
It is such a simple word but it can have so much impact. It can deny, it can stop, it can do a lot of things. It can become your best friend. The reason we often stop using the word “no” is because when we were kids our parents wanted us to agree with them. When we said “no” we were considered rude or rebellious, so those of us who wanted love from our parents or caregivers stopped saying it.
However, as you grow up into adulthood, setting boundaries and saying “no” are foundations to living a happy and fulfilled life. People pleasers are often burnt-out, tired, and angry at the word. Do you feel any of these things?
So how do you set boundaries?
You may even be thinking, what will I do with my time if I can commit to saying “no.” The answer is: something for YOURSELF.
Finally, you will have time to concentrate on you, your passions, your needs, your own self care. You can only truly embrace your next step in life when you free your time and begin to add in your own passions.
Use this time to start that hobby you are interested in, or that side hustle that you know will make you more money. Perhaps you can adjust to a longer morning or evening routine. You also choose to spend more time with the people you actually care about and love.
The possibilities are endless.
Time is a resource you can never get back. Use it wisely so start saying ‘no’!
The first time that I can remember having binged, I was eight years old. I couldn’t find anyone to play with during lunch hour (the girls in my class had a habit of hiding from me), so instead, I bought a few chocolate bars from the vending machine and sat in a corner on my own. As each bar was devoured, I felt less and less upset and a sense of numbness overcame me. Food became my best friend and for over a decade, I binged every single day, if not multiple times a day.
At the age of twenty-one, I finally hit my breaking point. My binge eating had become all consuming and had stolen everything from me: my happiness, my relationships, my academic success, and so much more. I finally found the courage to speak to my doctor and to open up about the behaviours that I had been keeping a secret for so long. I was officially diagnosed with a binge eating disorder and it was then that I began the extremely challenging but equally rewarding road to recovery.
Another question that I am commonly asked is: what causes someone to binge eat? The answer varies greatly from person to person, but binge eating is commonly linked to trauma, difficult emotions, and difficult memories. Binge eating is also often the result of physical or mental restriction. Engaging in binge eating is not a choice or something that you can blame yourself for. It is simply your body’s innate way of coping and trying to keep you alive. Binge eating does not discriminate and can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. The good news is that with the right knowledge and support, you CAN stop binge eating and heal your relationship with food (even if you’ve tried a hundred different times, a hundred different ways, and aren’t feeling very optimistic).
It is very likely that you have been, or still are, dieting. In Western culture, there is immense pressure for women to maintain a certain weight and shape. Diets are often marketed as a way to achieve the thinness that is idealised and to avoid the fatness that is stigmatised in society. Unfortunately however, dieting does not work in the long term and actually increases your risk of gaining even more weight than you lost initially. The main reason why diets don’t work is that they prescribe far too little food. When we do not eat enough from all food groups, the body tips into a state of semi-starvation. If we do not respond to this hunger by eating, the physiological pressure to eat builds up until we are driven to eat. When we are physically and psychologically driven to eat, we often eat more than we had planned, eat foods that we had previously tried to avoid, or lose control to the point of binge eating. When this happens, we may worry about how this eating will impact our weight, diet more strictly than ever before to ‘make up’ for it, and set ourselves up for a vicious cycle to overeat or binge again. In contrast to dieting, intuitive eating is all about embracing internal cues of hunger, fullness and satisfaction. By embracing intuitive eating, you will learn to reject the diet mentality, make peace with food, and truly honour your body.
It is common for those who struggle with binge eating to think in terms of black and white. For example, you may tell yourself that you aren’t allowed any chocolate at all. As a result, when you inevitably end up eating a piece of chocolate, you will feel as though you have completely failed. Once you feel this way, it’s easy to think, “now that I have broken the rule, I may as well eat all the chocolate in my house.” The truth is that one piece of chocolate won’t change your body or impact your health in any measurable way and therefore, the most successful and sustainable approach that you can take is to accept the existence of a grey zone.
Distress is part of life and you cannot avoid experiencing it. Among those who binge eat, it is common to be especially sensitive to intense emotions. Therefore, they utilize food as a means to manage their moods, and achieve short-term relief by avoiding or getting rid of negative feelings. It is essential to learn to tolerate and bear up under pain and distress. This means that you become aware of, and accept, yourself and your current situation in a non-judgemental way. This is when distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills are needed.
In order to stop bingeing, it’s critical to determine what triggers the binges in the first place. Firstly, consider what your favourite binge foods are. Next, think about what individual purpose they might be serving. What are you feeling when you’re bingeing? Are you feeling frustrated? Anxious? Are you feeling empty? Bored? Once you’ve determined why you’re bingeing, think about ways that you can meet those needs other than with food. For example, if you’re feeling anxious, you could meditate or if you’re feeling bored, you could call up a friend and go for a walk with them.
It’s unrealistic to think that if you’ve struggled with binge eating for any amount of time, that you’ll be able to stop cold turkey and that it’ll never happen again. If you do experience a lapse and binge, the most important thing that you can do is be compassionate with yourself. Imagine how you would treat a friend if they confided in you that they had binged, and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding. The second most important thing that you can do is plan your next meal and ensure that it’ll be balanced with a source of protein, carb, and healthy fat. Lastly, take some time to engage in deliberate self care whether it be physical (ex. getting enough sleep), emotional (ex. creating healthy boundaries for yourself), psychological (ex. learning something new), or spiritual (ex. connecting with nature).
Please remember that no matter what your challenges are or how insignificant they may seem at times, they are valid. You deserve to free yourself from obsessive thoughts and worries about food and your body. If you’ve been looking for a sign, this is it. This is the nudge you’ve needed to seek help and to take back control of your life. I offer a 12 week 1:1 coaching program and I have created a course designed to help you beat binge eating & find food freedom. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to connect with me on social media or check out my website! I look forward to hearing from you.
What if I were to tell you that your kitchen herbs aren’t just delicious additions to sauces and stir-frys, but are actually useful for many of the modern nervous system challenges we face today?
As a nutritionist and herbalist, I often see culinary herbs overlooked in favor of less common medicinal plants to support nervous system challenges like anxiety, melancholy, or overwhelm.
Maybe culinary herbs are overlooked because we perceive familiar as less exciting or perceive simple as ineffective, but whatever the reason, when we overlook culinary herbs, we miss out on an accessible, affordable, easy way to support nervous system health.
Culinary herbs made it into our kitchens precisely because our ancestors were well aware of the plants’ many health benefits and they recognized the utility of having something both delicious and medicinal for regular use.
The three plants detailed here, rosemary, basil, and sage, though not exhaustive of what each plant offers, provide the unique ways that each plant engages with some imbalance in the nervous system, as well as safety considerations and how to use it outside of its culinary applications in daily life.
I once heard rosemary described by a fellow herbal student as having “big tree energy,” and if you’ve ever taken a deep breath of this small, but mighty plant, you understand the truth of this phrase. Just one whiff transports you to an evergreen forest — it is at once uplifting, strengthening, and fortifying.
And, while rosemary is perhaps most oft talked about for its ability to support memory, rosemary has a long tradition of alleviating anxiety, relieving stress, and improving energy levels.
Rosemary is particularly equipped for those days where we want and need to focus, but the day seems to be antithetical to our desires — just one of those overcast, sleepy, dreary, mood-dampening kind of days. In these moments, rosemary helps to enliven our spirit, focus our mind, uplift our mood, and ground and direct our internal resolve.
In terms of safety, rosemary used in cooking is safe for all (as long as you have no known allergies). Though among individuals that are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have high blood pressure, taking it in larger, therapeutic forms, such as a tea or tincture, should be avoided. Also, though it relieves feelings of anxiety in some folks, it can have a stimulatory effect that heightens anxiety in others, so like all new herbs, start low and slow to find what works best for you.
To take as a tea, measure 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh, muddled rosemary, add 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 15 minutes, strain, and enjoy. Rosemary can also be added to a bath or foot bath to refresh the mind and body.
Basil, a favorite in sauces like pesto, has a bright, herbaceous aroma that gives an indication of how it supports — through uplifting moods while calming stress and anxiety.
Basil is interesting because it is paradoxical, effective for both relaxation and stimulation. In Mediterranean countries, it was used both before bed to support relaxation and sleep, while it was also used upon waking to enhance alertness.
Basil is best suited for those who may be feeling melancholic, downcast, or a sense of nervousness, and who may struggle with insomnia or falling asleep. One of the traditional ways basil was prepared for sleep-support was in a cup of tea a few hours before bed, but because it is not strongly sedative, it can be taken any time throughout the day without causing a groggy feeling.
While the culinary use of basil is safe, similar to rosemary, large amounts of basil in therapeutic forms should not be taken during pregnancy.
To take as a therapeutic tea, measure 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh, muddled basil, add to 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 15 minutes, strain, and enjoy. And, of course, fresh garden basil can also be prepared into pestos that are frozen and eaten in the middle of winter when greens, and a hint of sunshine, are most welcome.
Culinary sage, though historically heralded for its many health benefits, has been all but forgotten today for its use in mental health. This herb, though, is particularly useful for modern states of overwhelm, mental lethargy, and melancholy.
Sage is particularly suited for those times when we have created a circumstance that results in feeling overwhelmed, such as overcommitting our time, or we are feeling overwhelmed by a situation that doesn’t necessarily need to be stressful. These feelings are then amplified by a sense of anger, frustration, or agitation about the overwhelm that we are feeling or creating for ourselves.
In these instances, sage helps us to metabolize our frustration, get grounded in reality to assess what does and does not need to be done, and transform the overwhelm into a sense of calm competence.
Sage, like rosemary and basil, is considered safe in culinary amounts, however larger, therapeutic uses should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Additionally, sage is generally not recommended to be taken continuously for longer durations, so if you do decide to start drinking sage tea, intermittently or less than three weeks is ideal.
To take as a tea, measure 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh, muddled sage, add 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 15 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
I used to drink coffee all. the. time. In fact, some of my earliest memories are of me sipping coffee from my own mug at my great-grandparent’s home.
I loved how it made me feel — the boost of energy and, for a child under ten, also the boost in sophistication I felt it provided.
But then a few years ago, I went through a spell where I was nauseous all day, every day. I could barely eat anything and it seemed my day started and ended with nausea. I wasn’t pregnant and nothing I did made me feel better. Eventually, I went to the doctor for help.
The answer: try cutting caffeine.
This was prior to my Hashimoto’s diagnosis and lifestyle changes, so I was very doubtful that cutting caffeine was going to do anything. I had been drinking caffeinated coffee literally my entire life. Why NOW would I be intolerant of it?
But lo and behold, caffeine was the source of my nausea. A week or so after cutting it all together, my nausea was gone for good.
At first I just switched out my coffee for decaf but then I found I wanted something more… I wanted something that had flavor, a creaminess, a coziness, and something that also had health benefits.
While I notice almost immediately if Starbucks accidentally gives me a full-caffeine Americano instead of decaf, I’ve found that I can tolerate the small, softer effects of the caffeine naturally found in matcha (though I don’t drink it for the caffeine).
Which have made Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen a staple in my morning routine. I have literally one to two (okay maybe sometimes three) cups every morning. Not only do I find comfort in the routine of enjoying my favorite drink in the morning, I love that it is also good for me.
10g of Collagen Protein which is good for your joints and ligaments, and your skin, nail, and hair health
Rich in antioxidants which protect and keep your cells healthy (which keeps you healthy)
Matcha naturally has L-theanine, an amino acid which promotes a state of relaxation and a calm alertness
While the directions on the canister read that you can simply add the Matcha Collagen straight to hot or cold liquids, I have found my own recipe to elevate the flavor to my tastes. It is so, so good and I could literally drink it all day.
1 scoop Matcha Collagen
Splash of homemade almond or cashew milk
Pinch of maple or coconut sugar
Hot water
You can get more precise if you want, but I just find it’s easier to eyeball everything to fit in my 10-12 ounce mug.
I love that VP makes it easy for me to have my favorite drink at home while supporting my body and health at the same time. It’s so nice to be able to have extra collagen, antioxidants, and L-Theanine without having three more pills to swallow.
For $10.00 off your Vital Proteins order shop using this link.
We all face risks every day — especially in today’s climate. But it’s easy to forget that some of the risk you are facing is within your own home. As adults we spend roughly 90% of our time indoors; in stagnant air that can be dense with pollution, bacteria, and possibly viruses. It might not seem like something as simple as air could cause too much damage at first, put for those most ill, air quality and cleanliness can be a huge factor in recovery (or lack of).
I’ve been using essential oils for several years now and it never ceases to amaze me how helpful they can be for so many different problems. It’s common to diffuse essential oils for the scent alone — but one of my favorite ways to use them is to purify the air in my home. Depending on the oil, they can be antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and/or antimicrobial. It’s such a small act to implement into your daily routine that can make a really big difference.
My favorite combination might have to be eucalyptus and lemon essential oils together. Together they are incredibly fresh and energizing! And since each oil has its own different properties and benefits, I’m covering all my bases for what I’m trying to achieve (extra cleaner air).
It’s biggest defense: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral
Additional benefits: Promotes clear breathing and a sense of relaxation
It’s biggest defense: Antibacterial
Additional benefits: It is moisturizing for dry or irritated skin and promote deep relaxation and sleep
It’s biggest defense: Antibacterial, anti-fungal
Additional benefits: Supports a healthy immune system and can ward off nightmares
It’s biggest defense: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral
Additional benefits: Soothes irritated skin, acne, and works as a deodorizer
It’s biggest defense: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial
Additional benefits: Supports respiratory function and can aid digestion
It’s biggest defense: antibacterial, antimicrobial,
Additional benefits: Promotes clear skin and is a natural insect repellent
Make sure when choosing an essential oil brand that you research their sourcing and quality. Look closely at the ingredients for hidden synthetic fragrances or processed carrier oils that can be found in cheaper department store brands. Ensuring that the brand is reputable and ethically sourced will also increase your essential oil potency.
There are several clean brands out there, but my go-to is doTERRA. For more information about the company and why I love and trust them visit Why doTERRA.
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February 26, 2024
