Do You Have Interior Clutter?

We often talk about the clutter in our homes and how it takes up space energetically.  BUT have you thought of the clutter you may be holding onto internally?

When we experience emotions good or bad, and we hold on to that energy it can create discomfort within the body.  

This can show up as physical discomfort, anxiety, depression, stress, and unwanted feelings or states of being.  

Do you ever feel your throat getting tense when you get upset?  Tears that want to flow but instead you hold them in?

That is exactly what I am talking about!  We can’t hold onto that energy or we will end up full of “clutter” preventing us from experiencing the joyful lives we are meant to live!

When we learn to channel our emotions and turn that energy into a different form, we can allow it to move through us and let it pass.

“Energy is neither created or destroyed, only transformed”.

Out of all the major organs and functions that the body can perform without us even thinking about it, the breath is something we can control.  We can manipulate it to excite us, or to calm us down. 

In sanskrit, “Prana” means breath, it is our life force energy.  When a baby comes into the world, the first thing that happens is they gasp for breath, and when we leave this physical world, we do so by exhaling our final breath. 

The ancients believed that the more control we had over our breath through meditation and yoga practices, the easier it was to remain present in the moment and channel through those emotions so we could be free from discomfort, and experience a happier state of being.

Have you ever comforted your child, a friend, or a loved one when they were upset or experiencing a panic state?  Do you often find yourself saying just take some deep breaths, calm down, just breathe?  

I think we all have at some point.  That is exactly where you can start to begin to use your breath in your own situations.  By simply just breathing and exhaling we can begin to calm ourselves and our thoughts so we can enter a state of response to the threat or emotion versus reacting to it. 

Now, this does take practice, but it is extremely effective!  

“When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still.” - Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Now what about the thoughts that create clutter in our minds?  

What is that voice in your head saying to you?  Do you believe that voice?  Or do you recognize it isn’t you and if you take a step back and simply observe what it is saying perhaps you will recognize it is saying things that aren’t so positive and loving all the time.  

Each day we have an average of 50,000 - 80,000 thoughts, and we are consciously only aware of about 1% of those thoughts.  Our thoughts have the power to create our reality and re-wire our brains!  It is actually pretty amazing!

So this practice of mindfulness and how we choose to speak to ourselves becomes so important to designing a life you love!  

Mantra comes from the sanskrit language, it is made up of two words “manas” meaning mind, and “trai” an instrument or tool (for your mind).  We can use mantras as tools to help with the clutter in our minds in a meaningful or meaningless way.  

The ancients also believed that we could use mantras to connect with the invisible vibrational sounds of the universe.  Repeating sounds creates a physical vibration. 

Regardless of what type of mantra we are using, we need to be clear on our intention so we can choose the mantra that is best for the situation.

Perhaps you are a runner so a mantra such as “I have strong legs and can run like the wind” can be useful when you come to a steep incline and begin to feel discouraged.  

Maybe each day you wake up you look at yourself in the mirror, right in your own eyes and say “I am beautiful, I am loved, I am amazing”. 

Or perhaps we want to connect to the vibrational sound of the heart, which allows us to receive and give love unconditionally.  We can chant the sound "YAM" or "YUM", to open up our heart centre and become more connected to giving and receiving.  

Maybe, we just long to sit in stillness and quiet our thoughts, we can use a meaningless mantra such as "SO-HUM" to create a point of awareness, but it has no meaning at all. 

With any mantra or affirmation, know that your mind will wander, it is normal to do so, and when this happens and you become aware of it, simply bring your awareness back to the repetition of the mantra. 

Be gentle, and be kind to yourself, as the ultimate goal is to remove the internal clutter that is holding us back from living a life we truly desire. 

Using these tools is one action step we can take to move our energy and bring us back to being in the present moment.  

If you are new to meditation and mindfulness practices I invite you to download my FREE 10 Minute Mini Vacay Meditation as my gift you! 

Namaste,

Live Juicy!

 

That Time I Was Interviewed for “Primed for Possibilities”

I’ve got some exciting news to share with you!

Not long ago, I connected with Felicia Baucom, who is one of the most dynamic authors and coaches in personal development today. 

We started talking about how people tend to get “stuck” in their lives…

and how, even though everything seems great on the outside, they feel like they’re falling apart on the inside.

Have you ever felt like that?

Like, even though you’re keeping up with all your work, home, and social tasks, you go to bed feeling empty, unfulfilled, and “out of balance?”

And you might even feel a bit guilty for not being more grateful for what you already have…

after all, there are people out there who would be grateful to have your life, right?   

Anyway, if any of this sounds familiar to you, then I really think you’re going to LOVE this gift: 

Click here to check it out right now

Felicia recorded a conversation with me as part of her no-cost series, “Primed for Possibilities: Creating an Aligned Life”…

and she asked me if I’d share this 5-part series with people like you who want to create an everyday life that gives you back the joy, purpose, and fulfillment you probably thought you’d lost years ago… 

… and who want to live in alignment with their core values and goals.

OF COURSE I wanted to share!

I mean, how often do you get the chance to hear real-world strategies and insights from 5 of the most prolific professionals in personal development today…

without having to invest a single penny?

Anyway, all you need to do is click on the link below and tell Felicia where to send your audios.

During the first week of June, she’ll send you one audio each day for 5 days…

giving you the perspective and techniques you need to stop just “going through the motions” and start actually living again!

Plus you'll also receive a powerful collection of supportive gifts from me and my co-speakers!

Click here to register for "Primed for Possibilities: Creating an Aligned Life" right now

I can’t wait to hear what you think of the conversations!

Live Juicy!

Juice -xo

P.S.: As far as I know, there won’t be any opportunities to get replays if you miss out on registration. So I’d head over now and claim your spot before the next distraction comes along.  

Can Your Environment Influence Your Mindfulness?

I had such a wonderful time chatting with Dr. Rachel Haviland and Genevieve Kohn about your environment and mindfulness on Reclaim Your Health Podcast!

We touched on how to move and shift energy within your home.  Become more intentional about the function of our homes and how to tap into all of your senses to create the environment that is most in alignment with you!

Check out the conversation at Reclaim Your Health Podcast! 

Live Juicy!

 

4 Ways to Ignite your Inner Fire

Happy Love Month!  This time of the year gets me excited because I know spring is just around the corner and there is always so much LOVE in the air.  February is a month about passion and connection.  Are you passionate about your life? Do you jump out of bed with excitement for what the day brings?  Or, have you lost your spark?  Perhaps it time to reconnect with yourself and bring out that fire! 

We always think of connection with others during this love month but are you connected with yourself? Chakras are energy centres in the body that represent human thoughts and behaviours.  Though there are many smaller chakras throughout the body, there are 7 main Chakras.  Each of these energies has a different color to represent each of the 7 Chakras.  Red is the color of our root Chakra located at the base of the spine, it represents foundation, stability, security, and feeling of being grounded. 

Red is the color of life force energy.  It excites are emotions and symbolizes happiness, contentment, and passion. Reddish tones create a sensation of heat and tend to visually advance towards you. As red lightens towards pink, it seems more relaxed, soft and feminine. Notice all the red and pink roses this time of the year? 

Some ways to work with your root Chakra is through breath, movement, essential oils, crystals, and color therapy.  I invite you to take a few minutes of  your day to sit in a comfortable position, keeping the spine nice and long, take in a big deep breath through the nose, hold and count to 5, then let it all out. Repeat 5 times. The movement of breathe in our bodies can do wonders on its own!

Have you ever wondered about using crystals? Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby and Red Jasper are crystals you can use while working with your root Chakra.  

I love using essential oils!  Place 1-3 drops over your Chakra, the bottoms of the feet, or inhale throughout the day.  A diffuser works really well too.  These are some essential oils that work well with the root Chakra;

  • Arborvitae
  • Basil
  • Cedarwood
  • Cilantro
  • Myrrh
  • Patchouli
  • Vetiver
  • White Fir

A wonderful affirmation you can use when working with this Chakra is "I am a divine being of light. I am peaceful, protected, and secure."  Knowing these energy centres are directly linked to mental, physical, and spiritual attributes, we can then use tools to keep these energies or balls of light flowing freely in our bodies.  When we are connected to ourselves and live in flow we are more available to connect with others.  Human connection is one of our basic primary needs.  Ignite that fire within you and connect with another, jump out of bed, dance, sing, be present. 

Are you interested to learn more about how to work with your energy and your environment?  Let me know! Or, look for upcoming workshops.  If you are in the Camrose area I am hosting a Introduction to Meditation Workshop on March 22, next month.  Find out more here.

If you are looking for a delicious recipe that is super easy check out these Chewy Fudge Brownies

I am also excited to share I have teamed up with KeyLime Athletic Wear!  Or, as I call busy mom wear!!! The shop is now open so check it out!!! 

Live Juicy!

 

 

 

 

Celebrate with me! My new book Courageous Hearts is here!

“True feminine courage isn’t loud, or brash.

It doesn’t scream from the rooftops.

Instead, it wraps us in loving arms during our darkest times, and whispers,

“Be brave, for you can do this. You are meant for this, and so much more.” ~ Publisher Linda Joy

Today is a big day for me and your support would mean the world to me!

It’s launch day for “Courageous Hearts: Soul-Nourishing Stories to Inspire You to Embrace Your Fears and Follow Your Dreams, published by bestselling publishing house, Inspired Living Publishing!

I’m so excited to be a contributing author in this powerful project along with twenty-nine other women.

I share one of the most intimate, and vulnerable moments, of my life in my story, “Everything Happens For A Reason” to inspire all women to step through their fears and embrace their courageous heart.

The thirty stories in Courageous Hearts, including mine, are stories of breaking through the barriers we impose upon ourselves so that we can choose love and empowerment over fear and constriction.

They are stories of love, of loss, of healing, and of surrender.

They are stories from women who found the strength to do what their hearts were calling for, and whose lives, and dreams, blossomed as a result.

They are stories by real women, for real women, and they glow with a beauty beyond mere words.

You’ll tap into the wisdom found in five chapters including:

· The Courage to LOVE

· The Courage to LIVE

· The Courage to EVOLVE

· The Courage to HEAL

· The Courage to MOVE FORWARD

Every woman’s sacred story is followed by three Reflection Questions to guide you deeper into your own truth.

ADVANCE PRAISE for Courageous Hearts:

“…a powerful collection of inspiring life stories of truth-telling and change that we can all find ourselves inside of. Treat yourself and allow this book to be the catalyst that ignites the spark of boldness within you!” ~ Nancy Levin, bestselling author of Worthy

“Every moving story offers wisdom, inspiration, and deep support for following your own courageous heart―your own inner guidance. You will not be able to put this book down!” ~ Margaret Paul, PhD, best-selling author, facilitator and cocreator of Inner Bonding

Courageous Hearts is a collection of empowering stories eloquently shared by women on a mission to inspire us all. Their personal stories illustrate courage is really about bridging the gap of fear and uncertainty by turning inward and trusting the soft whisper of our inner guide―we all have that power. ~ Emily Madill, author and professional coach

As bestselling author of Operation Happiness Kristi Ling shares in the foreword:

“It takes tremendous courage to start over or go after a dream. The incredible women who share their stories in this book have faced their greatest fears, survived great loss and heartache, and made incredibly valiant choices in the pursuit of their dream lives. I know you’ll find each story to be a captivating and empowering read; a few of them may even remind you of something you’ve experienced in your own life.”

Thank You for all the Love and Support!

P.S Courageous Hearts is the perfect inspirational holiday gift for the women in your life. Order multiple copies today to give as sacred gifts!

P.S.S. SHARE THE LOVE! Please share the following post on Twitter and Facebook.

I ordered my copy of #CourageousHearts today! Did you? Inc. 50+ gifts. www.CourageousHeartsBook.com

 

Backyard Bliss

Getting outdoors and being in nature has shown to have many positive health benefits.  So why not embrace and enjoy the warmth of the season while it is here?  Extend your home from the inside and utilize your outdoor space.  Why can’t it be beautiful too?!

When creating that oasis these are some things to consider….

Function

First deciding how you want to use your space and WHO will be using it is an important step.  Just as designing the interior of your home you need to consider the outside in the same way.  This will help you create zones and a layout just as you would a floor plan (taking into consideration any fixed or permanent structures).

 Lighting

YES! Vitamin SUNSHINE… but is it in the right location at the right time of day?  This can come into play when deciding the function of your space.  Perhaps - you have too much sun and need to incorporate a structure for some shade.  

Aside from natural light, consider some artificial lighting as well.  There are many great options available in both solar and electrical today and it will help with not only the practical aspect, it will enhance the beauty of your oasis.  Twinkle lights, sitting by the fire as the sun goes down with a glass of wine can be very relaxing!

 Color

Color is essential, seductive and pervasive. There is also an inescapable emotional aspect to color.  Wether you are planting flowers, a garden, trees, deciding on pillows and furniture, paint or stain colors, take into consideration what is already in place.  What color is the exterior of your home?  Is there a connection to what you have on in the interior of your home?  Now, I'm not saying your exterior needs to be identical to the interior, but creating a harmonic flow from one space to the next will have a much greater impact.  

 Smells

Aromatic trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs can make stepping out into your oasis that much more special.  Take some time and put a little thought into what smells evoke that feeling of relaxation or sense of wellbeing for you.  You can also use smells to keep pesky bugs away!  Lavender can be wonderful to plant in pots on your deck to keep the mosquito’s from buzzing around.

 Sound

Nature brings us many sounds on its own when enjoying the outdoors but we can expand from that.  The sound of flowing water trickling along can be soothing and calming, adding a water feature to your oasis brings relaxation and beauty.  

Do you love music?  I DO!  Outdoor speakers are a wonderful addition when dining or entertaining outdoors.  There are many available that can fit naturally into your landscape or decor - even speakers that look like stones!

Going beyond visual when designing your outdoor space and considering all your senses will enhance your oasis so you enjoy it even more and reap the benefits of the great outdoors!  Happy Designing:)

 

Natural Skin Care Solutions

What goddess doesn’t want gorgeous looking skin?  I’m guessing we all do!  Your skin is the largest organ on your body, but it also absorbs what you are putting onto it and more quickly reaches your bloodstream.  It can also be one of the first parts of the body to show toxic overload!  This is because when there is a toxic overload your body temple diverts nutrients away from the skin and supplies them to more vital organs like the heart and lungs which in time can leave your skin more dull and less vibrant.

How do we get an overload of toxins?  There are many ways!  There are many products on the market that contain paraben preservatives, phthalate plasticizers, pesticide triclosan, petroleum, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives just to name a few.  Many studies have shown that these chemicals can disrupt the hormones in your body with prolonged use.   That doesn’t sound great does it? 

That’s not to say there aren't products available that are made with much safer ingredients.  The environmental working group,  is a great resource that rates products and ingredients for safety.

Natural skin care has become something that is important to me.  Through research, trial and error I have found some great and beneficial natural ways to keep my skin glowing.  Luckily, our skin is also a way that our body’s release toxins.  How?  When we sweat!  Our skin however can get clogged and keep these toxins trapped inside, so dry brushing or exfoliating with a simple scrub can be a great way to unclog pores so the toxins can exit the body.

Dry brushing can be done prior to a shower by simply using a soft natural fiber brush.  In a circular motion you want to bush the skin on your body from the feet up.  This shouldn't hurt in any way.  You might feel a slight tingling sensation and may notice the skin look a bit white and chalky.  That’s ok!  Once you have finished dry brushing your skin simply have a shower and moisturize afterwards.

Exfoliating the skin with a simple DIY scrub using 1 cup of epson salts,  add coconut oil or mineral oil to moisten it, then add 2-3 drops of your choice of essential oils will have a similar effect.  This helps to increase blood flow and remove dead skin cells and clean your pores.   You will surely notice a difference of how soft your skin feels afterwards.  It can be a little messy so using the scrub right in the shower beforehand would be my best advice!

Both of these methods help to stimulate the lymphatic system which is where toxins get picked up and from the blood and held.  So by dry brushing or exfoliating your skin a few times per week can really help get things moving and will make your skin look vibrant!   Some studies even suggest it can help with the appearance of cellulite.  

Using a steam room, sauna and particularly an FAR infra-red sauna is an excellent way to get your body sweating in order to eliminate toxins and stimulate blood flow.  This can also help reduce stress levels,  which is great for your skin because stress can also effect our complexions.    FAR infra red saunas can also aid in weight loss because your body likes to store toxins in your fat cells to protect the body from them, so sweating is a great way to rid them out of the body.  That is always a bonus!  Of course drinking lots of water while doing so will help flush toxins out and keep you hydrated!

Juicing is something I do on a regular basis to keep my nutrient levels up in order to nourish my body temple.  Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C which is great for the skin.  Vitamin C is a precursor to collagen, which is a protein for the skin and helps prevent premature wrinkles.  There are also vitamin C serums that can be used, as well as essential oils mixed in with your skin cream or some coconut oil.  

When using essential oils on the skin, you want to be certain you are using certified therapeutic grade oils so that you are actually receiving the benefits.  There are many oils on the market that are used mostly for their aromatic scents and in the extraction process use chemicals, thus making the oils toxic.  Not what we want!   Frankincense helps to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, I love adding a few drops with my moisturizer or carrier oil!  Bergamot can be purifying to the skin, grapefruit can improve appearance of blemishes, juniper berry acts as a natural skin toner, and melaleuca promotes a healthy complexion.  When using oils keep in mind they are very concentrated so you only need to add just 1-2 drops.

Vitamin E capsules are also great for the skin.  It is both a nutrient and antioxidant, helping to reduce wrinkles and leave skin looking youthful.  It can also help prevent and repair free radical damage, so applying it to any pesky brown spots will help to lighten them and promote cell regeneration.  Vitamin E is also great for dry cuticles.  Vitamin E capsules can be found in health food stores, I just clip off the top of the capsule and apply as I would a cream, it does however have a brown orange tone to it so use moderately when your applying to your face.  

 

If you would like to use a natural mask on your face avocados are very moisturizing.  The oil acts as an emollient and softens the skin.  All you need to do is pit an avocado, puree the fruit and spread on your face.  Let it sit 10-15 minutes and wash off just as you would any other type of mask.  It is a natural and cost effective way to hydrate the skin!

The sooner we start to look after our skin, supply the body with good nutrition and aid it in detoxification we will be looking youthful and vibrant for many years to come! 

The Benefits of Meal Planning

This is one of those tasks that can be easily overlooked, but by simply taking 15-20 minutes a week to plan out your meals can be a huge time saver in itself.  When you plan your meals ahead of time, it’s easier to make your shopping lists and meal preparations because you already have it laid out!  This way you are also less likely to cave and just grab some take-out!  

If you are creative like myself, you can make it fun and write it out!  Use different coloured pens or markers for each day of the week.  Take a snap shot of it with your phone so you have it on hand if you are heading out to the market.  I like to use a local organic food service for my groceries because I find it saves me time and is more efficient.

It’s a good practice to have your menu in sight so you stay on track and be mindful of what preparation needs to be done ahead of time.  I like to include my kids and ask what they would like see on the menu as well, it gets them involved and creates an awareness of the foods they are putting into their bodies.  So if you schedule a day to eat out you all have something to look forward to, but know they have had good nourishment the rest of the time and teaches them about that balance.  

Meal planning isn’t about having everything done perfect or creating strict timelines.  It’s simply using your time as efficiently as possible so us busy moms can focus on the things that matter the most!  

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home

The kitchen is the one room of the house that is used several times on a daily basis.  It is where you provide nourishment for your family, bake with your children, catch up for the day, and gather for family holidays and visits.  Food really does bring people together.

The kitchen holds an opportunity for us to get creative with ourselves and involve our children, all while teaching them what real food is, how it can nourish our body temples and which foods that don't.  

When we get busy, it sometimes seems much simpler to just order in some take out, (and yes we ALL do that on occasion).  However, on a constant basis creating a healthy relationship with food that involves some fun, experimentation, music and laughter can be a wonderful habit to create and enjoy!

Whether you are building a home, renovating an existing one, just moving in, or want to re-organize your kitchen, think about how you will use that space.  Your sink location and major appliances will help dictate what you want to store, and where.   Even if it takes some trial and error of using the space and rearranging - Thats ok!  

These are some simple strategies you can use to maximize your space so cooking can be done with less effort and ease.

First things first!  Declutter your kitchen!  It's the first step to organizing any room, and allows for a positive flow of energy.  If you are moving, do a purge beforehand so you aren't bringing any unnecessary things into your space.

Next, group like items together!  Cooking and baking items should be kept close together and near where you do your food preparation.  Cooking utensils should be close and near to your food prep area as well, along with oven mitts and such.

Glasses kept next to the refrigerator or sink/dishwasher so its quickly accessible.  Bowls and plates near your dishwasher so its easy when putting away, be mindful of where you tend to dish up your meals.

Keeping your pantry items in one location, using glass containers or mason jars to store your grains will make it simple to layout and see what you have.  

Find a space for larger appliances that's easily accessible to pull out and put away, keep harder to reach areas for things that you may use occasionally throughout the year.  

Clean out your refrigerator regularly!  When my food delivery comes once a week I like to wipe things down and organize any unused food keeping it aside from the new delivery so nothing goes to waste!  Again, any storage should be done in clear glass containers so it's easy to see what you have and prevents any plastics from leaching into your foods. 

When things are laid out and easy to see and use, you can focus your time on creation, cooking, and spending that quality time together that is cherished the most!  Creating these systems and teaching them to our children at a young age will only help to sustain long term healthy habits and form a foundation for them once they grow and leave the family nest.  

What are your favourite moments spent in the kitchen?

 

 

 

Local Organic Food Sourcing

Being a busy mom on the go, I have found using a local organic food delivery service to be the best, least time consuming option.  I like to get my food fresh and support local farming that engages in practices that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.  My kids and future grandkids need us to all do our part to ensure they have those options available to them.  Lets face it, our soil has become depleted of nutrients due to the chemicals, pesticides and toxins that are in our environment.  

Living up here in not the warmest part of Canada year round, our growing season isn’t as long as I would prefer.  Although I like to grow my own food in the summer, it isn’t long enough to produce a huge variety of produce not to mention the time involved - I am a busy mom and food preparation takes time. 

I love that I can just go right online and select my fresh fruits and vegetables, they have already taken the time to research the farmers and their farming practices.  It tells me how far my food has travelled, where it is from, and they only offer products that they feel meet their standards.  So that takes time off my plate in not having to do all that research!!  Best part is - it gets delivered right to my door!  No driving to more than one place to get the ingredients that I need, it allows me to plan my meals for the week easier.  I can plan my meals and shop seasonally to keep my costs down - bottom line, it saves this busy mom time that can be spent on more important things than running around.

My kids get totally excited when our organic box arrives... they love to help take out the food, touch it, see it, and help to put away.  I feel like when they get to do this they appreciate the knowledge of where their food has come from, and more easily engage in trying new foods.  To save time, I like to wash, chop, then store my veggies in glass dishes so its easier for me throughout the week when I want to make a juice or anything else I have planned!

Do you think this might save you some time?