I sat there nervously twirling my hair, my thoughts trying to convince me I shouldn't.
"What are you thinking, hon? Are you thinking you shouldn't do it even though you told me a few minutes ago how excited you were?"
I nodded at my husband and sighed.
Two days later: I just took a big leap of faith this weekend. And I know that it was a decision I was supposed to make, but there were a few moments when I wasn't so sure. Yesterday, I applied and got accepted for something really cool, which I'll share more about as time goes on. But I had a lot of limiting beliefs & second-guessing myself.
"What are you thinking, hon? Are you thinking you shouldn't do it even though you told me a few minutes ago how excited you were?"
I nodded at my husband and sighed.
Two days later: I just took a big leap of faith this weekend. And I know that it was a decision I was supposed to make, but there were a few moments when I wasn't so sure. Yesterday, I applied and got accepted for something really cool, which I'll share more about as time goes on. But I had a lot of limiting beliefs & second-guessing myself.
I wanted to share with you some wisdom from my husband that also it really helped me clarify the thoughts that were racing through my head as I was trying to decide about doing this, taking this big step. The power of Should is what we tell ourselves, especially when our mind is racing. We have so many thoughts that go through our head each day. We tell ourselves so many different things throughout the day. And honestly, we are the ones who speak to ourselves the most out of anybody, anyone, even our, our close family and friends. We talk to ourselves more than anybody else talks to us. And sometimes we tell ourselves a lot of unhelpful things: "I should or should not think this, I should have done this, I should not have done that, I really should go do this, but I don't feel like it."
Does that sound familiar to anybody else? We tell ourselves so many different things throughout the day. And oftentimes we kind of guilt ourselves into doing things. We say, "Oh, I really should do the laundry, or I really should go do dishes," implying, "I don't want to go do that. But I should, because I it's just my duty, right rather than an obligation instead of something that I actually want to do."
Does that sound familiar to anybody else? We tell ourselves so many different things throughout the day. And oftentimes we kind of guilt ourselves into doing things. We say, "Oh, I really should do the laundry, or I really should go do dishes," implying, "I don't want to go do that. But I should, because I it's just my duty, right rather than an obligation instead of something that I actually want to do."
I realized that instead of saying "I should do this," I am choosing to focus more now on "I want to do this, I am doing this, I will do this, I or I will not do this," rather than using the word 'should' so much. Because 'should' just puts my mind in a mindset or a frame of guilt and shaming myself. And that's not necessary. I don't need that, any you don't either!
How can you choose to think and speak to yourself differently today about habits you desire to change or mistakes you have made? How can I support you in that?
One of the ladies I am coaching asked me to send her spontaneous texts that say something like, "I choose to eat _____ today. Remember how amazing you feel when you _____?" To help reminder of 1) what she wants to do, 2) how she wants to feel when she does it, and 3) the way she wants to speak to herself.
Or maybe you just need direction first and practical steps to take on your journey. My TMJ Strong course, if you're dealing with those issues, may be the perfect fit to give you step-by-step applicable action items to get you moving rather than sitting in analysis paralysis.
Or maybe you just need direction first and practical steps to take on your journey. My TMJ Strong course, if you're dealing with those issues, may be the perfect fit to give you step-by-step applicable action items to get you moving rather than sitting in analysis paralysis.
If you need a little kick in the pants or gentle nudge and coaching is for you, reply or reach out with the words "I choose" to get 50% off your first session. I'm here to help you!
Choose your language; it's more powerful than you think.
Choose your language; it's more powerful than you think.
How can I get rid of anxiety?
This is a question I asked myself a LOT when I was hardcore struggling. I mean, I felt like I was powerless over the thoughts and feelings running through my mind and body, and it was very difficult. For a long time, I couldn't believe I had any control over it -- I thought I was just at the mercy of it.
But I realized later how wrong that was... how it didn't at ALL fit into my beliefs.
I believe personally that God lives within me, that I have His power and strength and love residing in my heart and mind and soul and spirit. If that's true (which if you don't believe that's true, replace it with love or the universe or something else... what fits your framework, just hear what I'm saying).
If God lives within me, I 1000% have His power to take control of thoughts and feelings within me. I'm fallible and will make mistakes being human too, but I CAN reclaim that power of God in me through the strength of the Holy Spirit -- "not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind."
Here's one way you can do that, one antidote for fear, anxiety, and worry. Be filled with courage.
Today I want to talk about something just for those of us with a menstrual cycle. 
In the spirit of being eco-friendly and reducing/reusing/recycling, let's talk about eco-friendly menstrual products.
I personally use cloth pads. (These ones here or some really cute ones you can get on Etsy too! Find what fits for your body and works for you).
I know many people who use a reusable menstrual cup.
Both I think are great! Here's my top 4 reasons for the switch:
1. Eco-friendly: this was a BIG one for me. I'm all about less waste.
2. Less toxin exposure: my period used to be longer and more painful at the beginning than it needed to be because those disposable, one-time use products contain irritants and such that BOTHER our bodies and systems in different ways. Keep in mind that cheaply made cloth ones actually can too. But... Eliminate that? Less bothering the system, and for me resulted in a less painful, more regular cycle with shorter period. Who doesn't want that?! 
3. Comfort: my sensitive body is all about comfort, and once I realized it was actually more comfortable because I invested in quality pads, I felt way more comfortable!
4. Cheaper: no need to go stock up at Target or wherever every month anymore! I've been using the same set for 3 years now and they still look GREAT. I do keep some disposable on hand for random overnight trips if I don't want to think ahead more and plan for cleaning the cloth ones, but that's not often for me.
***Cleaning them is easy-peasy! I just hand-wash with the best ever non-toxic plant-based laundry soap, so they smell good AND stay really nice! Win-win! 
(Let me know if you need care tips, happy to share my how-to!)
(Let me know if you need care tips, happy to share my how-to!)Pro-tip: if you're trying to avoid toxins like I mentioned in #2, you're doing yourself a disservice by washing them in regular laundry detergent. Go look up the ingredients of that stuff... 
No thanks. No matter what you're using, I recommend googling a few (or all!) ingredient names just to see what they are/do. You may be surprised at what you find even if you are using a "natural" laundry soap. Ask me about what I use for the best, most cost effective laundry soap around!
No thanks. No matter what you're using, I recommend googling a few (or all!) ingredient names just to see what they are/do. You may be surprised at what you find even if you are using a "natural" laundry soap. Ask me about what I use for the best, most cost effective laundry soap around!Do you use cloth pads/a menstrual cup? If not, what are your concerns? I guarantee you that I had one of your concerns before I made the switch! Ask away -- no question is too weirdo for me! 
Gardening organically can be slightly harder in certain instances, but it is well worth the pay-off. Growing your own nutrient-dense food that is as natural as possible is becoming increasingly important to many families.
What to do about pests though?
Or what about a natural way to get rid of fleas once your lovable pooch has already brought them home?
I got both covered. :)
Here's your special ingredient, something I ALWAYS have on hand, and 6 awesome uses for it:
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a very fine powder that contains tiny pre-historic aquatic organisms called diatoms which are made of silica. Some brands of DE (like in the link above) may be taken internally as well as used around the house. I personally only use a brand that is food grade, as I would not want children/pets getting into anything that was not safe to ingest already, you know what I mean? I don't have chemical insect repellant, cleaners, or sunscreen in the house (I've written about that here), let alone anything else that's harmful to my precious family.
6 Awesome Uses of DE:
1. Overall health benefits for hair, skin, nails, body, and brain. DE usually contains trace minerals, and we are often deficient in silica, which also has some amazing properties. Go do a little google search to see for yourself!
2. Great addition to facial scrubs, deodorant, carpet cleaner, and more. Just AVOID eyes (and nose on furry friends).
3. Kills fleas that your pooch brought in! The fine and abrasive nature of the powder causes insects with exoskeletons to dehydrate fatally. Dust pup 2x per day until pests are seen to be gone (be careful to avoid mouth & eyes, as the fine dust particles can irritate mucus membranes!).
4. Pest control in the garden. Re-apply once per day after noticing pests after dew or rain has dried for best use.
5. DE has detoxifying properties and can be used alongside these other gentle cleansing and detoxing tips.
6. In vegetable gardening, DE is sometimes used as a soil conditioner, because it can retain water and nutrients while draining fast and freely, allowing more air circulation to bring additional oxygen to the root system within the soil (which you want).
Want to receive updates to the blog? You can sign up to get them straight to your inbox or phone here so you don't miss any. Or join my free group, Abundant Life Community, for more natural food, household, and gardening tips. :)
*Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. All things I love and use, of course!
Have you started this journey towards natural wellness and felt overwhelmed once you started reading? There is SO MUCH information out there. A nerdy learner like me loves digging to find the real truth about things, how to do it best on a budget, and to make it simple for the people I care about.
Here's the deal: you don't have to make all of the changes overnight.
Sometimes, it's just one baby step at a time.
One change can make a big difference over time, especially if you keep going and make small frequent changes as you grow and learn.
5 Easy Simple Swaps
1. Deodorant -- did you know that most antiperspirants on the market contain aluminum, which is a known toxin (especially for breast tissue... and look how close to your chest your armpits are... yuck!!). One of the littlest but biggest changes you can make is to switch your deodorant out. I use a natural one, but there are loads of recipes out there! I just DIY-failed too many times on this one to want to make my own (they turned out the wrong consistency one too many times, so I just buy mine now). Ha!
2. Toothpaste -- so many conventional toothpastes have artificial colors and other nasties in them that can wreak havoc on our sleep or focus (when do you brush?), not to mention cause issues with digestive system (you DO put it in your mouth, you know!) or other areas. I know some people who make their own, but I love my natural one. And it doubles as deodorant if I run out -- how cool is that?!
3. Dryer Sheets -- get rid of them!!! Using wool dryer balls is so much more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and eliminates the toxic chemicals in those from covering your clothes and thus sitting on your skin. Your skin is your biggest organ! Take care what you put on it. Speaking of skin...
4. Hand Soap -- there are SO many ways to make your own foaming hand soap. I lead classes teaching about natural wellness hacks, and we often make foaming hand soap at the end because it's so EASY and much cheaper and kinder to the skin, especially during the dry winter months. Here's a good recipe:
DIY Foaming Handsoap
-3 TBSP Dr. Bronner's Unscented Castile Soap
DIY Foaming Handsoap
-3 TBSP Dr. Bronner's Unscented Castile Soap
-10 drops essential oils of choice (make sure it's a really good one! Some out there have hidden ingredients and can harm you... contact me for my recommendations.)
-Fill 3/4ths way with water!
5. Dish Soap -- what you use on your dishes eventually makes its way into your food. You eat off of those bowls! Please don't put artificially colored and sudsy liquid on your dishes to "clean" them. It's not so clean after all. There are options for making your own, but the natural one I buy can be diluted 3x because it's so concentrated. Score!
There you have it! 5 areas you can make simple swaps to start or continue on this natural wellness journey.
When we get unhealthy buildup of toxins in our body (which unfortunately is most of us as modern 20th century people, given our environment and lifestyle), it’s no fun. These excess toxins can cause physical and mental health issues like chronic fatigue, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, joint issues, diseases, and inflammation that causes or exacerbates other conditions. Many of these toxins come from things you use or consume everyday like additives in food, chemicals in water, beauty, and personal care products, cleaners, and the environment. If you’re wondering why it’s so important to cleanse and detox your body, keep reading.
You’ll see that there are many harsh pollutants and harmful pesticides in our environment that should not stay in your body. Since our body organs work together to help eliminate these trapped toxins, it’s important that they’re all healthy and in working order. The liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system are especially useful and important when it comes to cleansing the body. When these organs are bombarded with toxins at a faster rate than they can do their work efficiently, then we experience these commonplace (but not normal!) issues.
You’ll see that there are many harsh pollutants and harmful pesticides in our environment that should not stay in your body. Since our body organs work together to help eliminate these trapped toxins, it’s important that they’re all healthy and in working order. The liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system are especially useful and important when it comes to cleansing the body. When these organs are bombarded with toxins at a faster rate than they can do their work efficiently, then we experience these commonplace (but not normal!) issues.
What is detoxing? Detoxification is really just a series of systems working together to neutralize and/or eliminate toxic substances. It’s always running in the background, working to keep your body functioning as it should.
Your liver is the main workhorse here as it works to process toxins and forward them to the “elimination stations.” These include your:
Kidneys (elimination through urine)
Bowel (elimination through feces)
Skin (elimination through sweat)
Kidneys (elimination through urine)
Bowel (elimination through feces)
Skin (elimination through sweat)
So “to detox” means to support what your body is already trying to do every day. You can do this many different ways (both passively and actively), but which I will touch on in a soon-coming blog post. Sign up for our blog updates so you don't miss it.
I hope the why behind what we share about and do is helpful! The biggest mistake I made was assuming this didn't apply to me unless I was experiencing issues like a described above. What I didn't know then that I know now is that I should have started these habits and patterns much earlier in life (something that I will definitely be doing with my own children). It would have saved me a lot of pain, sleepless nights, heartache, and the threatening of crushing my dreams. I am SO grateful that's not the case anymore because of changing ways I support my body's detoxing process.
I run a natural wellness group where we talk about detoxing and simple ways to add this habit into your lifestyle. You're welcome to join us!
Here are a few books about detoxing that may be helpful to get you started: Detox 101, Superfood Smoothies, 21-Day Sugar Detox, Detox Your Home, and The Superior Wolfberry. And as always, I'd love to support you personally on your journey. Contact me to join our natural wellness team.
Be blessed, live abundantly.
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Do Something Every Day (or at Least Every Week!) That Scares You
I HATE talking on the phone... so much. I have always disliked it, even as a kid.
I don't always know how the person will be when they receive my call. Will they be busy? At work? Happy? Sleepy? Will they want to talk to me? Will they see my name or number and dread it?
I can't see their face to read body language like in a video call or face-to-face. At least with a text, I can write and re-write and add emojis... and with a voice clip or voice text, I can redo it before sending it, unlike leaving a voicemail!
Maybe this feeling is also from past experiences calling home for students from school. I tried to make just as many positive calls as I made calls to discuss behaviors that needed addressing, but I still always felt like families dreaded to see the school's number calling.
Maybe it's because most phone calls I make are for other things I dread, like dr visits or dentist appointments.
Regardless of why....
I have chosen a big mindset shift surrounding making phone calls this week.
Instead of fear... I'm choosing love.
Instead of worry... I'm choosing confidence.
Instead of the "what ifs"... I'm choosing to look forward to talking to the person I'm calling.
Instead of focusing on me... I'm focusing on who I'm calling.
Instead of worrying what to say... I'm making a note of what to say if I have something to tell them (so I don't forget) but otherwise focusing on asking questions.
Instead of waiting all day to make the calls I dreaded... I'm calling earlier and getting on with my day.
Instead of assuming I'm bothering someone... I'm assuming someone will look forward to hearing from me.
Doesn't that FEEL different? It sure does to me!
And I'm choosing to call multiple people per week now, just to say hi and connect, and practice getting EXCITED about calling people on the phone instead of dreading talking on the phone.
In this season when we can't connect in person as much or at all, how much would a phone call mean to someone, just to say 'hi' and check on them? A LOT.
I've already had one great phone conversation this week. And that bolsters my confidence and anticipation for the next phone calls I make! If I have your number, get ready to see my name ringing on your phone! :)
What is something that scares YOU that you can work on and work through and overcome so that you can grow, serve others, and impact the world around you for good?
How can I support you in that growth? I'd love to be a cheerleader for you, and you can do the same for me. I have been building a community that supports one another and builds one another up on this kind of journey, specifically conquering those fears and limiting beliefs surrounding growth goals that hold us back. You can learn more about the community here and reach out to me to learn more about how you can join us for our next challenge coming up! Sending you love (and a phone call)! <3
Enneagram Type 4 wing 3
(graphic credit to @justmyenneatype)
I never would have thought a few years ago that I would resonate so much with type 4. As I learn more about each type, I think, 'How am I a 4? Really? 4s are SO emotive.'
I grew up thinking that emotions were too big and too much for me and for others. Somehow I got the message that if I felt sad or frustrated or extremely passionate, that wasn't necessarily a good thing. My big feelings often turned people off. I often felt like I came across as "too much" to other people. So I shut them down (at least the ones I deemed unhelpful by others' standards), and I toned down the big emotions that were more "acceptable."
I'm learning now, that's really not helpful.
If someone doesn't like me for who I really am... then why am I trying to change to fit their ever-changing expectation of who I'm supposed to be?
How does that help the people I desire to serve well?
What does that show children -- that we shouldn't be who God has made us to be? That God made us somehow "wrong" and we have to change to fit others' molded expectations? That depending who we are around we ourselves have to change?
How does that give me the energy and drive to do my jobs well?
It doesn't.
I am learning to embrace who God has truly made me to be, to serve others from who I am at my core, to share my story with others in hopes that those who need it will hear it, to be God's light to others by being who I truly am, not a facade of someone I think I'm supposed to be.
I am embracing and leaning into my type 4-ness, big-imagination tendencies, my feelings and ability to empathize, my ability to relate and cheer someone on through something I've already been through... and learning to harness this for good and growth rather than use my big imagination to worry.
The people who need to hear my story will hear it and feel connected and loved and served... exactly my desire. 
And the people who don't? Oh well! Maybe it will mean a less close relationship or distancing of sorts. Maybe it will change nothing and we'll still be good friends! Maybe it will improve some relationships! But are any of those really truly bad things? If someone cannot accept me for who I actually am -- bumps and bruises, successes and failures, feelings and big thoughts and dreams, growth and mistakes, desires to change or stay the same and all -- how close are they REALLY? How much am I really caring for others if I'm not fully myself?
Just some thoughts. Love you guys! REALLY. I mean that.
When I first started this natural journey, I found the whole world of natural products really overwhelming. How do I know what's actually natural and plant-based? How do I know the ingredients are clean when many things are not regulated and the USA allows MANY more ingredients than Europe does? (Europe bans many ingredients that the USA allows in products.) How do I know that the companies packaging and advertising are telling the truth when they can have "trade secrets" and not share their entire ingredient list (possibly hiding not-so-good ingredients)? What about the expense -- is it really more expensive to go plant-based and non-toxic?
It seemed really overwhelming to me especially since I am sensitive to practically everything and didn't really want to trial and error so many products before finding things that I wasn't sensitive to. It seemed like a huge undertaking... and I just wanted simple.
With that in mind, here are 10 ways I filtered companies and their products to determine where to start.
1) Where does the plant material for their products come from? Can I visit where the plants are grown?
2) What's the process for turning the plant material into products? Do they use synthetic solvents to make the price go down by getting more out of plants than they should (and lowering the quality in the process)? Or do they do it the best way, without any added ingredients?
3) How transparent is the company with their process?
4) Are products available based on growing seasons and plant availability? No one wants items going out of stock, of course, but if a plant is limited in quantity, seeing something go out of stock occasionally is actually a GOOD sign that the company isn't doing anything to stretch plants further to meet supply demands.
5) Are the prices for different items all the same, or are they based on actual plant availability? Prices SHOULD vary based on rarity and availability of plants and the complexity of processing said plants.
6) Does the company put down others in any of their advertising (via comparison), or do they just focus on their own positive impact in the world?
7) Does the company make concentrated products that I can dilute (to save money on packaging and shipping too)? If they have supplements, how bio-available are they?
8) What do testimonials say about the efficacy of the products?
9) Do the plant materials smell "nice" or do they smell earthy and as the plant would? They should smell "earthy" and not be stripped of constituents just to please a customer.
10) Do plants smell different in different batches (say two different times you buy)? Or does it always smell EXACTLY the same? Different batches should smell a bit different, if the company is using pure plant material and processing it in the best possible way.
Well, there you have it. I've done extensive research and always label read my products (be it for cleaning, personal care, soaps, make-up, supplements, etc), and I've landed on one company that passes all of these question tests with flying colors. Some other companies pass some, but not all.
I'm so grateful that my family can trust that the products we use every single day (like bug repellent this time of year!) are pure, high quality non-toxic, and plant-based.
What requirements do you have of the companies you purchase from?
Black garlic can be found in restaurants everywhere, but the less well-known ingredient isn’t new. It has been used for its unique flavor, for medicinal purposes, and in Asian cuisines for centuries. Black garlic is the product of aging regular hard neck garlic bulbs over the course of weeks or months. It requires strictly regulated temperature and humidity to achieve its sticky blackish-brown consistency.With a softer, molasses-like, balsamic-like flavor, it is a more delicate option than the raw version. Black garlic, considered a super food, also has added health benefits, including twice the amount of antioxidants than the regular raw bulb. The best part? It is versatile and can be swapped out for regular garlic in most recipes. It is a beautiful addition to any cheese plate, bruschetta, chicken dishes, or even as a pizza topper. I enjoy substituting it for regular garlic in my Garlic Lover's Pasta Salad recipe (pictures below). Many people like to add it to sauces or homemade vinaigrettes. Keep in mind it is milder in flavor but also unique as it is fermented, so I recommend you taste as you add.
The process of making black garlic is less difficult than it is long. It can be aged for up to 60 days but will be ready to use after three weeks. Some people use a pressure cooker or rice cooker at home, while others use sealed canning jars and a dryer to get to the desired temperature and humidity levels.Benefits:
- An abundance of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives, and organosulfur compounds, including S-allyl-cysteine and S-allyl-mercaptocysteine
- The fermentation process enhances the bioactivity.
- Growing evidence suggests that black garlic's properties potentially include: anticancer, anti-obesity, immuno-modulatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects.
- Black garlic can perhaps scavenge the free radicals in vitro and also activate the antioxidant enzymes in vivo.
- Some recent reports have suggested black garlic as a prominent agent for treatment of inflammation and septicemia-related diseases.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
You know those creepy crawlies that are found in the garden, around the home...? The ants and potato beetles, or worse... ticks?
We use a natural plant-based and non-toxic DIY Bugs-B-Gone spray in our home (read to the end for the recipe!) because we know how unpleasant some of those insect friends are.
We initially were concerned about finding natural alternatives because 1) we know ticks in particular but also mosquitoes are a problem, but also 2) we know the dangers of yard sprays and deet in particular. You can read more about the dangers of that here. My family is especially concerned about the environmental impact of sprays on bees, fish, and other wildlife aside from our children and pets.
My mom started using our DIY spray recipe on the family dog because he's always getting ticks. She started using it a few weeks ago. The week before, she'd found 3 on him! Since using the spray, she hasn't found one yet. Pretty good!
We also know that some people are not just irritated by mosquitoes, but actually allergic! That is especially important to be aware of. Finding safe alternatives for people with skin sensitivities is also really important. I (Andrea) have many sensitivities, skin and respiratory being two of them, and the ingredients in our spray and roller recipes pass the tests with flying colors.
Get our free DIY Bugs-B-Gone spray recipes for home and garden here!
DIY Insect Repellent Roller Recipe
10 drops citronella essential oil (this one was free in June for ER orders!)
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
Add essential oils above to a 10 ml roller bottle (you can find some here) and fill with a carrier oil of choice (our favorite one is here).
*It is very important to know that not all essential oils are created equal...
You can’t just go out to a big box store (or anywhere online) and trust that you’re getting the good stuff. Lucky for you, I’ve got a source I trust. Contact me for more information.
And learn how to use essential oils safely here!
*Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. All things I love and use, of course!
