Self-Care All Day

Have you ever had a day where the most you wanted to do was stare into space? Maybe a few other things but mostly just that. Just retreat and relax. I’m here to tell you to take it. Go ahead and take that time. Go ahead and honor yourself and your innate intuition. It’s there for a reason ;-).

I’m in a space like that right now. All I’ve wanted to do for the majority of the day is nada. I’ve wanted to ebb and flow with whatever suited my fancy. Nap if need be. Read if so inspired. Write if I feel like it. Or just do nothing at all. Not even on purpose thinking.

I’ve been semi successful :). What it’s showing me though is how much I need to honor my own mind and tune into my own requirements.

And not feel bad about that. There is the key – not feel bad about it.

It’s so easy to feel bad about what you need and in turn not get/give yourself what you need. And where does that get you? Pooped, on edge, ready to scream at your cell phone for not cutting on when I PUSH THE POWER BUTTON! Oh, oh my bad :D. See that was me today when I went out to do my only to-do on my list for today. Even that small commitment outside of myself set me on edge and made me have to count to 10 to not bash my lovely phone into the steering wheel :).

Now I don’t tell you this for you to start worrying about my sanity or potential violent streaks, lol. No, I’m sharing this to show you how important today was for me and how even though I did ease off of my to-do list on purpose for the day, when I pushed myself instead of giving in to the entire day, I quickly realized I wasn’t all the way renewed – even though I felt like “ok Leah, you’ve had enough time.” The reality is that I didn’t. And that I needed more time. And that that was ok.

So if you find yourself having a day like I did today…make yourself the most important thing. And don’t feel bad about that. A coach/friend of mine gave me a mantra a few days ago “I serve. I deserve.” I KNOW you all serve. No doubt about it. Remind yourself that you deserve too ;-).

P.S. Here's a little on purpose self-care you can indulge in today. Passion flower tea is a 'wonderherb' for stress and anxiety. It's known to calm the nerves and even help you sleep better. The beautiful thing is that you can now easily find it at your grocery store in a number of calming tea blends by well known  brands. I will almost always encourage you to use Traditional Medicinals brand if you are not buying loose herbs and this case is no different. Traiditional Medicinals has a blend called Cup of Calm that features a good helping of Passion Flower. Treat yourself to a cup or two :-).  

Dealing with this Allergy Season!

Hey loves! How has it been? Let's just say I've had a FULL two weeks. Really full. Lots of life. Lots of stuff. But that's the stuff of life right? It's not about what is happening, it's about how you are handling it :). And I've been handling it well, with my beauty and wellness rituals in tow :-D. 

In addition to all of the 'life stuff', I have been working on my first program for you all! I'm really excited about it :). I'm still working out all of the details, but it's going to have all the juicy bits about wellness and holistic beauty AND the steps to make it an easy add to your life. It's going to be kinda stellar, kinda fab, kinda amazing ;-). 

Moving on though, last week I was still dealing with major allergy ick. I talk about it in the video but basically, it was annoying at the least, lol. I used my bag of natural remedy tricks though and I can happily say that *this* week, I'm feeling 100 times better - woohoo! 

So, grab some coffee or lunch and hit play :). Let me know if you've been using any of these remedies as of late OR what you have been doing to knock out the allergies in the comments! 

Until next time! 

Can you explain the hold Beyonce has on the world?

By I_Am..._Tour_11.jpg: idrewukderivative work: Lucas Secret - This file was derived from:  I Am... Tour 11.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20657330

Hey lovely ones :). Hope it's been a blessed week so far. So I'm sure you've seen all of the buzz around Beyonce' over these past few days right? How could you miss it? Everyone in the world, literally, is in love with her all over again - doe-eyed and mouth gaping in awe of her awesomeness! I'm not hating, I'm just stating :-D. 

What *is it* about this lady?? I have to admit, I'm not really a Beyonce' fanatic. I do appreciate a lot of her songs and they do get my "rah rah" going when I need to be pumped up. They make me want to pop my head back, signify and silently but fiercely walk off the set, lol. (mind you, there is no set :-P).  

And when I saw the video for FORMATION, her newest song, I have to admit again, it sold me. I promptly messaged my sister (who is a little force to be reckoned with herself) and reminded her that just like Beyonce' works hard, see what's she wants and grinds til she gets it (paraphrasing from the song), she can do that same thing. And be just as fierce in the process.

But what is it about Beyonce's fierceness that is so compelling, so attractive. I had to really think about this, because again, I'm not a Beyonce' fanatic. I even kind of roll my eyes and think "seriously??" when I see Beyonce' addicts singing her praises as though she is the second coming...seriously, they do :-P. 

But then it hit me, I think the reason is because she embodies the epitome of self love and even self care.  Stay with me here...

How so?

Let's think about self-love...

She is unapologetically herself. Her image says I AM the boss chick. I GET to make the decisions. I am SO worthy and shame on you if you don't see that.  She talks in almost every song about how awesome she is and not just because of some one dimensional reason, but because she chooses to be. She's done the work to own it and she's given herself PERMISSION to be bad ass period. And she has no problem nurturing and indulging herself in her bad ass-ness. She has no problem claiming her awesomeness and whatever she thinks should come with that. What's more, she has no problem (her image persona at least) with what any other person thinks about it. 

And self care?

Every video you see, Beyonce' is encased in beauty, surrounded by luxury and extravagance. From her outfits to her choice of sets, you always get the sense that she is a queen and that as a queen, she will always demand the best for herself and demand it in whatever form she deems relevant and worthy at the time. That is serious self-care. 

I mean you just can't deny these facts right? 

I think THIS is the reason that so many are in awe of her. Her image touches a core in all of us, that place that knows the secret that we deserve the absolute best. That we deserve a Beyonce' Class life too. 

I think that many live vicariously through her, even subconsciously, because they are afraid to live the way Beyonce' lives - claiming your worth anywhere and everywhere for everyone to see ;-).  Instead, it's much easier to dream and fantasize about someone else's life that you idolize in the process. 

It's so good to see this right? We here are the ones that want our own Beyonce' class life or as one of my mentor's says "our own First Class Life"!  It's good to notice what it is in another that we appreciate and then look for that same thing in ourselves (and create it if it's not there ;-)). 

So, as for me, I'm grateful for Beyonce' and I can finally feel ok with that lol. She gets me fired up and reminds me that I have my own First Class, World Class life to get to living.  If I were you, I'd let her be that for me too ;-). 

Broccoli Chips?? YES!

Isn't my recipe card the CUTEST! I love writing on these cards :D. 

Yum Yum Yum!!! Have you ever had broccoli chips before? No? Omg, you absolutely have to give this, my favorite recipe for them to date, a try! I'm not going to blab too much at all because I know what a pet peeve it is to have to scroll all through the blab to get to the recipe lol :). So here you go!

Roasted Broccoli Chips! (AKA THE BOMB!)

What you need:

• 1 head of broccoli or the equivalent amount broken into florets. 
• 1 tsp olive oil (the good kind so Extra virgin if you can splurge)
• Salt and pepper to taste

And here are the easy as pie directions:

• Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Place the broccoli into a bowl
• Drizzle the olive oil and shake the salt and pepper over the broccoli and toss to coat all the broccoli
• Spread out on a baking sheet in one layer.
• Bake for 25 minutes, checking on it after about 15 minutes or so every 5 minutes give or take. The reason is that the broccoli browns pretty quickly and though you want it really crispy, you don't want them burnt ;-). That being said, I left them in for the entire 25 minutes, even though I heard it sizzling and the tips got *really* brown. They turned out soooooo freakin' good though! Absolutely worth it! 

Go on and make it right now! (ok, go buy some broccoli and make it tomorrow ;-)). 

Sick Last Week! Slippery Elm to the Rescue!

Hello lovlies! Omg, I missed a week of connecting with you! Trust me, I agonized about it until I finally let myself off the hook with the realization that life happens :-D. Most of my reason had to do with feeling way under the weather most of last week so that when I did have time to write, all I felt like doing was resting. Ugh! Ever get that feeling? In any case, I did get a chance to do a quick video for you all about Slippery Elm Bark Powder - this has been a favorite herb of mine for ages - though it is by no means the best tasting or easiest to take, lol. Any of you have experience with Slippery Elm? The powder turns into a gel when mixed with water - imagine trying to drink that lol - not fun. However it's very worth it and I tell you some key points about why in the video. Check it out :). 

Btw, you may be wondering how I pulled of a cute outfit and fly makeup in that video while feeling so under the weather ;-). Well I recorded on Sunday, the same day that I was a featured guest on the Jerrell Hardnett Show, a local tv talk show that is going to launch on CW Arkansas in March! Exciting right?! So I figured, ought not waste a pretty outfit and makeup day lol. As soon as I know the air date, I will definitely pass it on :). Ok, on to the video! 

All about Lemongrass Essential Oil! 3 Uses

Hey everyone! Hope it's been a lovely week for you! It's been an especially awesome one for me since my birthday was Wednesday - yay :)! Sort of because of that, I decided to do a video for you all instead of a written post. I tell you why in the video :-). Soon however, I'll make sure to write everything out like I promised to in the video ;-). Enjoy!  

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help you Lose Weight?

Hello Dears! How is life feeling 14 days into this new year? I’m hoping that you are still feeling energized and excited about all the awesomeness coming for you this year ;-) (You’ve got to believe it to see it right?!).

I know that one of the things most of have on that New Year to do list is to finally get around to toning up and losing weight. While I have some thoughts about that in general that I’ll share in my next post, today I’m going to share with you one thing that made a difference for me a few years ago and that I’m committing to doing again in this new year. It’s something really simple. It’s drinking a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar a day. Yep, that’s it. When I tell you that it made a huge difference, believe me! I hadn’t made any real changes to my diet or my routine and after a few months of drinking it faithfully, people began to ask what I was doing to lose weight. I couldn’t think of one thing except for the daily habit of taking that ACV! I believe it really helped my body to slim down and ultimately lose a few pounds as well. What it definitely did was rearrange the weight that I did have into a healthier, more fit frame. To say I was grateful is an understatement lol.

Last year, I wrote a detailed article about it in the Toombs Country Tribune, a local to Georgia newspaper where I served as the Wellness Columnist. I’ve shared it with you below so you can have the how and the why about ACV for weight loss.

Check it out!

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Apple Cider Vinegar, have you heard of it? You might know it as an appetizing addition to your favorite salad or a part of tantalizing marinades. Did you know, however, that it can be a wonderful addition to your everyday health routine as well?

Apple cider vinegar is one of the world’s oldest anecdotal remedies for almost everything. It’s been used for all types of ailments throughout the years, often times with such repeated success, that testimonials abound.

In recent years, it’s also been studied in academic settings and some of the claims from these years of use worldwide have begun to be substantiated by scientific data as well.

Today’s topic of Leah’s Natural Minute is going to focus on how Apple Cider Vinegar can help you lose weight. Yes, you read that correctly! Apple Cider Vinegar can be a component in your journey to shed those pounds and slim that waistline.

There is plenty of anecdotal data that suggests that Apple Cider Vinegar helps with weight loss. I even have my own experience to support this belief, which I’ll share a little later. Scientists have begun to look into this to try to figure out what could be responsible for this effect. There are two theories.

The first has to do with Apple Cider Vinegar’s ability to block the digestion of some starches. Blocking this starch breakdown is thought to decrease the amount of calories being produced through digestion. Starches typically are very dense and so add up to lots more calories that need to be processed and converted to either energy or fat. If you aren’t using that energy, then those calories are going to be converted to fat. Less of them in the blood stream means less of them needing to be used or “glued to your waistline”.

The second theory, concluded from a study conducted in Japan, hypothesizes that Apple Cider Vinegar may have an effect on certain genes involved in breaking down fat. This studied showed that obese patients taking Apple Cider Vinegar over the course of a few months experienced better vital signs and a measurable decrease in weight compared to the control group. Source: link to ((2009). “Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, and Serum Triglyceride Levels in Obese Japanese Subjects”. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 73(8): 1837–1843. doi:10.1271/bbb.90231. PMID 19661687)

So this information, coupled with my own experience, is why I think it’s a great addition to your routine. I myself take Apple Cider Vinegar most mornings. For a while, it was the only change I made; I didn’t change my eating or lifestyle habits. Within months, people began asking what I was doing to lose weight and slim down. That right there was proof enough for me to continue.

When looking to add Apple Cider Vinegar, the easiest way that I’ve found is to take a tablespoon in room temperature water once a day, usually in the morning. There is anecdotal data and some scientific research that supports the belief that drinking this before a meal can help to curb your appetite and make you feel full faster.

I’d always suggest taking it with water or some liquid to dilute it because of its acidic nature. It can burn going down the throat and for sensitive people it can actually damage your esophageal and throat linings. It’s also not advised to take more than 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.

I would always advise as well to run everything you are planning to do by your primary care physician if you are currently being treated for any type of ailment. It’s always best to get an expert opinion and be safe. Just make sure it’s a physician that is open to the natural way.

I hope this helps you on your journey! Remember, there are no quick fixes but with the right combination, you can achieve what you dream! Be blessed!

#7daysforme Challenge Day 4,5 and 6

Hello Dears!

Instead of posting for each day of these last 3 days, I decided post all 3 of them together, since they all were about writing out how your word applies to different aspects of your life. Here go my thoughts...

Day 4 - How does your word relate to your home life? 

For me when I think of having courage for my home life, I not only think about courage to be the type of person that creates a comfortable, loving home – I’m also thinking about the tangibles too. What is it going to take to have the dream home? What is it going to take to decorate the way I want and purchase the furniture and accessories I want to create a home that feels good and comfy and right? The next step is deciding that I will have the COURAGE to take on whatever it takes. I choose to be the kind of person that dreams big and takes action - and though I may not always make my mark, my big dreams and the COURAGE to do what it takes to reach them are what will get me closer than anything else.

So what about you? What are your insights regarding your Word for the Year and your Home life?

Day 5 - How does your word related to your work life?

This one is super easy for me :-). I can even lay out specific examples of courageous acts I’m going to take!

I do believe that this aspect is what prompted this word for my year. I know that there are opportunities that I could have created for myself that I didn’t because of fear. Simple fears like being afraid to make a phone call or being afraid to send an email have held me back from potential yeses.

And the real fear is a fear of rejection, the fear of a no.

Somehow in my mind, I translate that NO into “No way, you worthless person. Hahaha, silly you – how did you ever think I’d say yes to you.”

Now think a minute…doesn’t that sound like something straight out of a pre-teen chapter book. When you say it out loud it sounds pretty silly and unbelievable. And that’s why Courage is my word.

I don’t want to be ruled by pre-teen drama lol, especially the kind that I create all on my own in my own little subconscious fantasy world. Instead, I’m planning to step into the real world of real life adults that are just as kind, interested (or even busy and uninterested) that I am J. And even if there aren’t kind – how many times has the pre-teen drama ended up showing that the mean teen really had her own issues to begin with and all that meanness had nothing to do with anyone else, least alone the person she was shunning. Something to think about right? :-).

Day 6 - How does your word relate to your personal self - care? 

Applying my word to my self-care is another easy one. Again this is all about the mental dramas that subconsciously get set up in our minds. For me, it’s the mental drama that says “oh Leah, you don’t have the time to do that. Silliness like “you don’t have the time to take a relaxing bath” or “you don’t have the time to make this new mask and try it out for yourself. You don’t have the time to plan a vacation let alone the money.”

I create all these little stories to keep myself from spending time with me and prioritizing me.

This year is already set up to be different. I am going to have the courage this year to say NOTHING bad is going to happen if I spend 30 minutes in a relaxing bath. The theoretical roof won’t fall in on my business and my big dreams if I actually plan a vacation. I don’t have to think that I have to be working every second of every day to actually be something. I have the courage to believe that smart work and less work are ok, better even. I have the COURAGE to take a break. I have the COURAGE to plan a vacation and believe that the energy, finances, and free time will manifest. That takes true courage and that is what I am intending for this year! 

So how about you?? How is your word going to impact your Home life, your Work life, and your Personal Self-Care life? Let me know in the comments!  

Tomorrow is the last day of our Challenge - it is the day that you write out your mission statement/personal promise to yourself regarding your word for the year. Spend some time tomorrow and do this for yourself!