A personal wellness lifestyle...hard to maintain, hard to afford, both???

I have found for me, when I trade quality over convenience, I'm pay the price of true health and wellness.

Yet I still do at times, trust me, especially during this pandemic and winter blues season. I have traded in many nourishing dishes for convenience foods because I don't want to take the time. It's my choice and I know that. I can also feel and see the fruits of my labor of convenience...weight gain, sluggish metabolism, and autoimmune skin conditions rearing their ugly head. Truth is, I'm playing clue with my own body when I'm consuming convenient foods. The unwanted health conditions are proof of this. 

It's one of the main reasons why I continue my membership with Young Living Essential Oils, a company I wholeheartedly believe creates products with our well being in min. They help with taking the guesswork out of the ingredients they use and offer many resources on helping to decide what products can help with issues you may be dealing with. I go beyond essential oils to help get me back to feeling and looking my best. 

This month's order included all of the products in the picture above to help with skin flares (Rose Ointment and Melrose, an essential oil blend that includes tea tree for those pesky skin fissures), frizzy, dry hair (Mirah Lustrous Hair Oil), gum care (Thieves Mouthwash...but also will be used to make a throat spray to combat the dry throat feeling from low humidity), as well as air quality (Eucalyptus Radiata). 

I get asked all the time...isn't it expensive? Honestly, no more expensive than loading up on products I think are comparable from Target or other stores. I normally spend less than $100 a month on products that are helpful, healthy minded, and truly do wonders for me. I can't remember the last time I bought a bunch of products from a store where no one could truly help me understand if they would actually help and don't include a bunch of unknown fillers and harmful ingredients. You just won't get that guarantee from any other store. 

I came to a point in my life where I was looking at being under a doctor's care and an ever growing prescription list if I didn't change how I was living. That undertaking continues to evolve. Being good to myself and this temple will remain of utmost importance. How could it not be? How could it not be for you? Without a body that is in healthy, working order, how good can you really be in this life? How could any of us be active, happy, relieved, and in the best spirits if we feel run down? We just can't. It's not a sustainable way of living. 

So I press on with products and ways of living that take the guess work out of what I'm putting in my body. Next month's order will include a multigreens supplement to help support the body's nutritional needs while I can't get the freshest green food options at my local store.

How are you keeping up with putting in what your body needs without playing Clue? 

Ever get tired of all the mixed messages on how to attain alignment throughout your day? Meditate. Exercise. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy. Journal. Hug your loved ones. Use non-toxic products. Smile more. Think positive. Donate. Pray. Insert your very own findings and I'm sure you get my point. 

All in the name of finding common ground with the Spirit within to be the best person you can be. I'm aware not everyone is on a purpose driven path towards enlightenment like myself, but I do believe everyone would like to enjoy life more and stress less. 

It's why I became a yoga instructor...I found such relief in teacher training that I had to share with others what I've learned and continue to learn. I abide by and use all of the aforementioned ways in aligning with my best self. But when is enough, enough? 

One of my favorite mentors teaches you will never get it all done so why continue to fret each day from feeling like time is running out? When I try to live by the way I feel or better said, the way I want to feel, I find that same relief I do when on the yoga mat. I breathe deeper, experience steadiness in body and mind, connect with mind, body, and Spirit just to name a few. 

Where your attention goes, energy flows.

Continue to allow the unwanted things to pile up and they will just keep adding up. A decision then follows on whether to change that focus on aligning with the way I WANT to feel, whether that's relief, joy, gratitude, then I know what must be done. Energy must be taken from the thoughts that seem to be consuming, focus then on better feeling thoughts, and experience how the relief seems to come and with continued focus, that too builds. It was such an enlightening moment when I figured out that as an adult, I'm more likely to focus on what I don't want to experience and drive so much energy that way and that it's up to me and only me to decide to redirect the focus. 

Truly my point is with all the different ways to achieve alignment with that Greater Power, I find that by just focusing on how I want to feel helps to point the way. Many times it's taking a time out and finding my way down towards the ground and working on my breath, moving my body, and feeling the steadiness of the Earth below me.  

What's the best way you tend to be able to redirect energy to better feeling thoughts?

​️Morning! Just a quick reminder how important it is to uplift yourself!!! When you get momentum going towards making the way YOU FEEL a priority, you will find it’s easier to deal with life’s hiccups.

CONFESSION: I’m home ALL DAY with family and some days, I feel it as a burden and not enough time for myself. Now I can stay in that place OR begin to see it as a moment in our lives to get to know each other with a more open heart, learn how to adjust our attitudes to allow growth, enjoy the subtraction of distractions with not having to travel so much...I think you get the point.

When I don’t FEEL grateful that I am the primary educator to two young kids as well as putting my own education and effort on building a business to the side to accommodate these changes, it's time to recognize the importance of how I feel, use those feelings to spend more time uplifting myself to get to that good place of truly being there, BEING PRESENT, for who needs me WITHOUT feeling resentment because of it. It’s all in perspective. And guess what, it’s almost a guarantee you will have to work on that shift Every. Single. Day. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Use the power of your NOW moment and grab an essential oil. I have been LOVING on Eucalyptus Radiata lately to help with air quality, respiratory support AND uplifting my emotions. Its clean and refreshing aroma is perfect to diffuse first thing in the morning to help kickstart positive thoughts.

TAKE ACTION! A great morning ritual is to add 6 drops of Eucalyptus with 6 drops of Lemon and/or Thieves to help awaken the home and enjoy the benefits! Pair it with Lavender and Cedarwood at night for one of the best night’s sleep you and/or your kids can have! 

If you do not have this oil, GET IT! It’s one of my fall/winter must haves but I have a feeling I’m going to keep this close all year round for now on. 💯

You can learn how to get your very own starter kit here OR feel free to participate in my upcoming virtual meetup THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH AT 6:30PM CST on the why and how to use essential oils in your everyday life here!

Having the mindset to race seems to be taking off faster than my body! At my age and fitness level, I know I can handle running and biking on alternate days but getting my mind to be on board with taking it easy is the challenge.

With recent frustrations in my life, I notice the desire to run away and saw running as that outlet to get it out. A couple years ago, I became a hot yoga junkie for that same reason...take my frustrations out on my body. For a time being, it seemed to help me feel better about being in my own skin, but the true intention was not in alignment with what I wanted. I would physically work myself so hard that at times, I couldn't walk for a day or two after. This was an obvious misstep in the true path of yoga and missing the mark on one of its tenents...ahimsa or non-harming. 

But if I want to be sustainable and safely keep in shape for as long as I'm in this body, then I better work smarter, not harder. 

And so the story applies now to running. I'm well aware that if you go overboard in this arena, you can and will hurt yourself to the point of possible no return. To me, just as it is important to start any new adventure with the right tool, in this case running shoes, I also recognize how important recovery is and how it starts before you take off. 

Doing a quick checkin with the headspace is now a prerequisite for me...do I need to take five and be mindful of intentional breaths? Is a meditation being called for? 

I then follow this up by applying a CBD muscle rub on my ankles, knees, and low back BEFORE I run. Trust me, THIS step right here is a game changer! I have been using this rub from Young Living Essential Oils over a year now and I am convinced everyone who walks and breathes needs this in their life! I use it frequently for muscle stiffness/soreness and other discomforts as well as on my children for their bumps and thumps. It has also come in very handy during that time of the month, ladies! It's very soothing as I rub it on my lower abdomen. The relief this gem offers alone is reason enough to become a member of Young Living so you can get your hands on this! 💯

Just a quick explanation of what CBD is and how it can help the body goes something like this...our body is comprised of a molecular system that consists of receptors known as endocannabinoids and they work to help regulate processes related to immunity, metabolism, moods, appetite, and sleep, just to name a few. The body and its makeup are always processing ways to stay in harmony or what is known as homeostasis and uses these receptors to do so. Well, CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid, or plant cannabinoid, and the human body can use these plant chemicals in a similar way to the naturally occurring endocannabinoids. I continue to be amazed with how things from nature can and do help our human bodies. 

This rub is also infused with Young Living essential oils that are known for circulation and nerve soothing such as helichrysum, peppermint, wintergreen, and clove. This exclusive blend is known as Panaway, which I've also been using for several years now. After running, recovery stretching and yoga movement comes into play and I apply both the muscle rub as well as Panaway to all those same areas for the cooling sensation and the assist in recovery. 

And this my friends has been working beautifully for the last several weeks as I get deeper into making training an official part of my life. I'm grateful for this re-introduction of running in my life. I made it a promise to myself that I'll continue to take care of this precious body. To look back where I was mentally and physically just a few years ago to today, the blessings have been many and I refuse to take for granted these days of feeling strong!

I'm 41 years old.

I spent the good part of my 20s working and having a good time. I got the bug to get my health in order before my 30th birthday and accomplished running my first 5k. Not too long after that, I was pregnant with my first child and never got back into racing. My 30s consisted of having/raising two children and overcoming autoimmune symptoms that left me in pieces. To say that last decade of mine was the catalyst for great change is an understatement. As I approached my birthday last year, the big 4-0, I began to truly contemplate what I wanted out of life. Dancing, deeper relationships, entrepreneurship, abundant health, so many things began to fill in the cracks. Yet, the old paradigms showed up like unwanted guests to put me back in my place. Wife. Mother. Period.

At least, that's the story I. made. up. No one put the period there but me. So this decade, I'm working towards the growth and development I want to experience after having my awakening. 

I keep catching myself say "I can't do..." and go ahead and fill in the blanks as I'm sure someone out there knows what I'm talking about. It hit me hard how much I say those words after watching many people of all ages accomplish a grueling race around the world when I thought, "WHY do I continue to think I can't do certain things?" 

So, I decided to shut that talk down by running again. And not just running, but training. I'll start with as many 5k races I can manage as we enter the cold season and even consider traveling to keep the momentum going. Then I'll reach for the 10k. Half marathon after that. Cycling will weave its way into my training. I love bike riding and I think it's time to invest in a good road bike. Swimming lessons are on deck for sometime next year to build me up into the strong swimmer I desire to be so I'm ready for the waves when we move to Hawaii. 

But that won't be the only thing I look forward to about moving to Hawaii. I've decided to plan ahead, way ahead. I'm a dreamer. So for now, all this training will lead to an eventual entry in a Half Ironman competition in Hawaii. Surely not by next year, but this exact picture I share is now on my vision board where I typed over the year 2021 with 2024, in time for my 45th birthday.

We all are dreamers. It's why we are here, in my opinion. To believe in our God like ability to be, do, and have anything we want in life. Somewhere along the trail, we lose our way. 

But no matter the time in life, you can get right back on, make those big plans, and go for it and change the narrative...day one of your dream...or one day for your dream? You choose.

If you truly use essential oils, the statement "there's an oil for that" is legit your life moto! It may seem silly or cliche but trust me, if you want to learn how and when to use essential oils, daily life will show you the way. Many days I could easily use a dozen different oils ranging from something for skin soothing, mental clarity, a kid falling, removing gum, an extra shine boost in the dishwasher, enhance my meditation practice, and/or, one of my personal true needs, for the feeling of being overwhelmed. 

If you shook your head when I said overwhelmed, congratulations, you're human! We try to fit 290 things to do within our waking hours. And if most of them are eaten up by a 9-5, well I don't have to preach to any of you how overwhelming you feel when you clock out! And here's the kicker, many of you never fully check out! You'll go straight from work to the next appointment or responsibility. Are you getting anxious just reading this post so far??? 

Here's the good news...you can CHOOSE to change the way you perceive your life. You can choose to go from being overwhelmed to grateful in a matter of mere moments. In case you missed it, the ability to choose is the most important factor in this equation. You can always choose to see your life as something that makes you tired or you can choose to see your life as something you enjoy. What I'm learning is we need tools to help us with this. We have paradigms, or habitual ways of thinking, that keep us reacting in ways that may not be serving our greater good. 

One of the easiest tools to keep close by are essential oils. A true favorite of mine lately has been the Young Living Essential Oils blend Peace & Calming. Ohhhhh my lanta! It's sensual, floral, and earthy all at the same time which helps you feel a sense of true grounding, being in your body and present to the moment so you can get the momentum you need to change your perception. And when you begin to change the way you look at something, this can be what you need to enter into clarity and gratefulness. Is there a scent that helps you overcome feeling overwhelmed? 

If you would like to experience this blend and many others, let's talk! I have classes coming up or I'm always happy to plan a 1 on 1! Let's do this!!!

Let's be honest, most people see their job or occupation as something they have to do, not want to do. Looking past the whole winning the lottery so you don't have to work daydream, could you do anything else to bring some joy into your day if you are finding you dread your current place of employment??? You bet you can!!!

As a yoga instructor and essential oils enthusiast, I see firsthand how taking a moment to incorporate mindful techniques can totally change your negative mood and provide some optimism and refreshment into your life. The first step is MAKING THE DECISION you will incorporate these practices to see a true difference. How many times have we tried something once or twice and didn't stick with it and claim it "didn't work"? We can not expect changes if we do not put the time in! Alright, alright, enough with the tough love! 

Let me share with you a few things that only take moments to bring attention to but could have lasting results that are beneficial:

1. Walk away from your computer and desk area! Yes, it is possible, you just have to make yourself! We think we will miss something or the world may blow up or whatever it is that keeps you cemented to your seat until you look up at 3pm and noticed you forgot to eat lunch!!! That's a lot on the mind and body! So step away, maybe even every 45 minutes, so you can grab some clarity and fresh air.
2. Either go outside or find a private space in the building for step#3. When you have settled in on your mini vacation spot, close your eyes, if that's comfortable, or slightly shut if that works better. I recently learned it takes four minutes to acclimate to your location so take a few minutes to become fully present right where you are.
3. Breathwork. One way to become truly present is pay attention to your breathing. Begin to take slow breathes through the nose and exhale out of the mouth. Do this a few times. Then close the lips and take slow, nourishing breathes in and out of the nose. Feel the breathe go down into your belly on the inhales and let it fill like a balloon. Exhale as you expend all the air out of your body. Stay here for several breathes allowing your mind to come back to your breath when it wanders off (as it will).
4. Enhance this meditative state with your favorite Young Living essential oil. Put a 1-2 drops into the palm of your hand, gently warm the oil, and take in the amazing aroma. If you have not done so yet, equip your work area with an essential oil that calls out to you. Some of my favorites include Valor, Stress Away, Raven, Surrender, Lemon, and Peppermint, just to name a few (some of these come in the premium starter kit!)
5. Consider a gratitude exercise. This has worked absolute magic in my life. I grab a journal and list things I'm grateful for. I've even started adding things I do not yet have in my life but already offering gratefulness for it! Gratitude seems to instantly shift your energy into positivity which will take your mind off of anything negative. As my main mentor likes to say, "Gratitude puts you in harmony with your Source of supply so that the good in everything moves toward you." Amazing!
6. Declutter your work space of unwanted and unnecessary items to make space for things that can help you feel better! Buy a small plant if that suits you! Also, take a look at some of these suggestions that would bring some feel-good into your day:

It was a an early night for tucking in the kids on a Friday and I wanted to just veg out. The hubby and I haven't watched a movie together in quite awhile, so Netflix, here we came! Now I'm sure you're like me where many times, you scrolled through all your options in the same amount of time as a full length movie!!! So this time, we clicked on the first thing we saw that seemed interesting...enter Bird Box with with Sandra Bullock. 
Ummmmm, what the heck?! I don't know if it's getting older combined with the fact I truly try to limit things that could put me in a bad place but I can no longer handle scary movies! This one surely had some parts that kept me at the edge of my seat but also, some gruesome scenes that gave me knots in my belly. Sure, I could've turned it off at anytime but I just kept rolling with it for some reason! 
After the movie, I knew it would be hard to actually sleep and I didn't want THAT to be the last thing I remember before hitting the hay. I thought about what I could do to help calm the nervous system and immediately, essential oils came to mind! My goto, especially for the kids when they become frightened, is the Young Living essential oil blend Joy. It is floral and uplifting so I immediately began to inhale this oil straight from the bottle! I even offered it to the hubs since he was also feeling the low vibes after the movie! I followed it with Valor II, a blend that is no longer in stock so I covet this one! I would've grabbed my tried and true blend Valor (not to be confused with Valor II) but I was in no mood to find where I placed it last! It's sensual and soothing...just what I needed at that moment. Finally, I busted out my handy Sleep roller bottle and used it on the bottoms of my feet before putting socks on. It's the ultimate night-time roller with lavender and cedarwood oils. I also listened to a quick less than 10 minute guided meditation before flying off into LaLa Land. Let's coin this the After a Scary Movie protocol!!!
I can attest, I did not think about that movie anymore last night, slept very well, and did not wake up with that feeling of the movie being "stuck" on me as others have in the past. If you do not have these oils to help with those moments you are afraid, feeling low vibes, or for a good night's rest, let me know!!! It's time to get you hooked up! :)

How exciting it is to finally share something I've wanted to for so long with the world! This website is for you, the person wanting to know more about essential oils and all things oily! However, we won't stop there! Oh no, we are going to step up many levels here with all kinds of information on healthier ways of living. Movement, meditation, breathwork, mindful nutrition, and personal development and even business building will all be made available to you! 

Let's create a community of expansion, growth, compassion, and love together! For it takes Wild Valor to pursue lofty dreams and big goals. With partners in crime, we can accomplish so much here. 

Excuse the kinks and lack of content while we build this site to its greatness. Many blessings to you and yours!