The Magic of Small Steps & Your Brain


As a pursuer of wholly living, I live a life of discipline giving me the freedom to enjoy the life I've created for myself. Even so, I still feel like I'm stuck in a rut sometimes, yearning for big things but spinning my wheels. Argh!! Well, I've got some fantastic news for you and me both! Big results come from small consistent changes. It seems we all know that cerebrally, and, we have seen it work in other people - especially children, but find it hard to stick with things long enough to see them pay off. 

Let me share one small thing you can do right now that may produce enough good results today to make you want to do it again. But the real payoff is with consistency because it produces profound results for...
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How The Heart Affects The Brain & Self Regulation

When situations beyond our control arise, and relationships become messy, self regulation becomes difficult and without good self regulation, we are not the best version of ourselves and we begin to feel badly about ourselves. 


We are keenly aware of our faults and when our emotions get the best of us, we let people down. And, what may cause an even worse impact, we let ourselves down. When we don't meet our own expectations, and feel shame, a negative spiral begins. The self critic soon turns outward. 

In our worst moments...
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Are We Really Able to Improve Brain Health?


The human brain is a remarkably adaptable organ, capable of forming new neural connections and pathways throughout our lives. The term for the changes that occur is 'neuroplasticity'. Like plastic, our brain can be molded. And fortunately it does not require complicated or elaborate techniques. In fact... 

some very simple practices have a profound impact on brain health.

With a little effort, you can be a happier, healthier person with less brain fog, a better memory and less chance for dementia and brain disease - to name just a few benefits!

Neuroplasticity occurs and brain health is improved when we...
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Helping Young Adults Thrive

Hi Friends, I could use your help. 

Young adults have been an age group that I have LOVED coaching since ‘07! But recently my heart has ached to reach more of them. In an effort to do that I am creating a hybrid course where they will have multi modalities of learning with peer support, some online stuff and some live Zooms. 
I interviewed a bunch of them and this is what I learned… I mean  confirmed - but hearing it from their mouths made me even more determined to get my course off the ground. Here is a little of what they said…

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Flourishing Gardens For Mental Health

On the lighter side, today, I'm bringing you the latest tips and tricks for the flourishing garden you'd love to have that loves you back! Whether your garden includes flowers or vegetables, these tips are what you need. They work great for your house plants too! 

This hydrangea was a deep rich blue until I dumped a couple of gallons of coffee grounds on it!
Just another fun thing you can do - naturally!
 
Discovering the Power of Essential Oils in Your Garden! 🌱
Are you looking for a natural and effective way to keep your garden healthy and pest-free? Look no further! In this edition of The Green Thumb Gazette (just kidding), we delve into the wonders of using essential oils in gardening. The precious, pure organic extracts that I'm sharing about not only add health and fragrance to our lives but they also work as potent tools for controlling pests and diseases in our beloved gardens. Even pest control companies are using them!1

Please remember that inexpensive essential oils may be just as harmful as...
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An Exercise To Rewire Your Brain


This tip is all about shifting our perspective and looking at everything as a gift or opportunity. The idea comes from the teachings of Shirzad Chamine, a coach and best-selling author. By viewing every experience as a gift or opportunity, we shift our mindset from one of limitation to one of possibility. It's an empowering way to think and it makes the journey of life become exciting, filled with endless chances for embracing challenges with a positive mindset. 

Now, you might be wondering, how does this tip connect to rewiring our brains? Well, the more you think in a certain way the stronger that neural pathway becomes. And the stronger that neural pathway is, the harder it is to think about things differently. Here's how it works. . .


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8 Uses & The Science Validating it's Benefits - Purification EO

My decision to go non-toxic has definitely improved my mental acuity! Lyme disease was wreaking havoc on my body and brain for years - before I was diagnosed. My recent brain scans still show some memory issues but I have my life back and think clearly - well... most of the time! 

Using essential oils to help me detoxify my home seemed overwhelming at first, but once I got started, I was surprised at how easy and affordable the transition was. I spend FAR less money on cleaning supplies than ever before!

Purification Essential Oil (EO) blend is a combination of six essential oils known for their cleansing and purifying properties. Each oil offers unique...
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Maintaining Mental Health When Violence Strikes Too Close to Home

When violence strikes close to home, the instinct to retreat and isolate can be overpowering. Fear and trauma can make us want to withdraw from the world and make us want to build walls around our hearts and minds, shielding ourselves from the harsh realities of an unpredictable world.

The consequence of living in fear and
deciding to isolate is horrific for our brains. 

I'm writing this today because within the past 6 weeks our family in Tennessee, Texas and California have experienced the reality of being VERY VERY close to extreme acts of violence or to the perpetrators. Fortunately none of them were present at the various crime scenes, but all of them have been directly or indirectly affected. Anger, grieving and questioning are part of the immediate human response. As people process through that response, they makes choices about how to deal with what happened. 

When we live in fear and isolate, it hurts us in so many ways. Here's how it affects the...
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Allergies & Cleaning - Spring Nuisances Made Bearable

I LOVE spring these days, but I used to have terrible allergies! I suffered all year long, but springtime was the worst... and the the headache that came along with all the other symptoms typically turned into a sinus infection - putting me in a brain fog. 

And then there's spring cleaning - well let's just say, it's not my fave. And it bothers me that most cleaning products are terrible for brain health and therefore bad for your mental health!

TIPS for Combatting Pollen & Spring Allergies:  



Because I frequently got sinus infections as a result of allergies, and my husband and I both snore 💤 if our sinuses aren't really clear, our personal nighttime diffuser blend is 6 drops of Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Thieves. This blend keeps us...
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Too Much Cortisol Making You Miserable!?!

Cortisol is a valuable hormone. We need just the right amount! Too much or too little can make us miserable in many ways. Weight gain, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, and inflammation are just a few of the negative effects of dysregulated levels of cortisol.1  And maybe, worse  - ANGRY OUTBURSTS have been found to be problematic with those having both too little and too much cortisol.2


If you identify with some of the negative effects of chronically high cortisol, there are changes you can make to help naturally balance your levels. By reducing your...
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The Glory of Rosemary Essential Oil

Have you ever gotten a massage with a combo of Rosemary and Lavender Essential Oils in the massage lotion? It's glorious!! My body and all it's tension melts away as it absorbs all the goodness the oils are delivering to my muscles, ligaments and tendons while my mind is freed up from the stressors of the day.
People talk a lot about the benefits of Lavender but Rosemary should not be left out! It has plenty of benefits in it's own right and the medicine men, ancient healers, Chinese medicine and most of the pre western medical world used Rosemary in a...
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Rosemary Shortbread - YUM!! (an anti-inflammatory dessert!)

 
ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Dairy Free Shortbread - Heck yeah!! But don't tell people - just watch them gobble 'em up! They're gluten free and very low sugar too, If you don't want people to eat them - put out a sign boasting all these things. Or better yet, put them out, and let them be shocked when they ask for the recipe! I love educating people. A healthy lifestyle still has it's pleasures!! And you can make these in a snap.
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Black Spruce Essential Oil

THE RESEARCH
What we expect to be true, is that, like most other essential oils, the historical uses will be proven once studied! What we know for certain is that Black Spruce essential oil is made up of many powerful, active ingredients including alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene. And we know a LOT about these...

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Patchouli's Potent Powers

Hippies from the 60s used patchouli for a variety of reasons. It's unique, and pungent odor was unfortunately most well known for its use in incense in an effort to hide the smell of marijuana. They also used it to help calm them once the high wore off and they believed it helped with arousal. They were onto some things, but there is so much more. You should see the NIH research. . .
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Outsmart Your Triggers & Enjoy The Holidays!

The season that is magical for children, and supposedly filled with fun and family isn't joy, joy, joy all the time - for anyone. The idea that it 'should' be the most joyous time of year is flawed and leaves us feeling empty before the season even begins. . . 
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December's Gifts With Purchase

Every month Young Living gives Gifts With Purchases. This graphic shows the gifts for the month and how you can meet the qualifications to receive all the gifts! For more info, click the link. I've shared an idea or two about how to make the most of your Young Living membership.


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Simple Savvy Scented Pine Cones - DIY

You don't have to spend a fortune to let someone know you appreciate them. Thoughtful, inexpensive gifts can make a big impact. This DIY is the perfect hostess or teacher's gift! It's the easiest method for making scented pine cones and you'll love the results!!



Directions
1. Gather your pine cones in a gallon sized ziploc bag. Then start by soaking them for about an hour in water. I thought soaking them in the tub would be the easiest thing, but learn from me - not a great idea! Use a bucket or pan so that...
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November Gifts With Purchase


Why do you need these freebies? 
(Click the link to read more about them, but don't order them - place a qualifying order and get them for free!!)

1. Loyalty Rewards (LR) Points = $10 of credit in your LR account! And that's on top of the percentage you're already earning. If you've forgotten, you earn more points the longer you stay part of the program. The very first month you get 10% back (that's unheard of!) and if you stay in it 4 months... you start earning 20% back. Stay on LR 1 year and you get 25% back in LR points!! So with this freebie - I get 35% back in LR points!

2. Vitality Drops - are the best electrolyte drop on the market! Most everyone needs to drink more water, and trust me, once you're addicted to the drops, you'll want more water! If Grapefruit/Bergamot isn't your flavor of choice... try our Lavender/Lemonade

3. Thieves Hand Sanitizer - meets the FDA standards for killing 99.9% harmful germs and 
is free from harsh chemicals that hurt your skin and your overall health. 

Even more reasons...


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Motivation for Every Personality Type


When we lack something like motivation, we often look to our friends, family or co-workers who have what we want and then do our best to adopt their ways, thinking we'll get the same results. Sometimes it works. But not every personality type is motivated the same way. . .
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Self-Care That's Not Selfish


Self-care is all about taking care of YOU, but it is not selfish if your motives are pure. The truth is that when we fail to care for ourselves, we give our friends, families, and the world a lesser version of ourselves. Less healthy, less active, less fun, less happy, less encouraging, and a shorter life span - these are just some of the results we get when we don't take care of ourselves. Our families and friends deserve better and for goodness sakes, it's no sin to admit, I want to enjoy life for my own well-being!

Self-care for your mind, body and soul helps you:
  • feel better physically and emotionally
  • look at the bright side, and count your blessings even when life is hard
  • laugh and be silly more often
  • have healthier...
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