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Your Cold/Flu/RSV Season Survival Kit

I can't even believe I'm writing this, but the winter "ick" has hit our house AGAIN and we are spending our days watching movies, drinking liquids and sleeping as much as possible in an attempt to wait out this virus in the greatest of ease.  Since it seems this is a  recurring thing this year for all of us, I thought I would share my go-to products when sickness hits.  Hopefully you won't need to use this, but just incase you find yourself in a similar situation this year...



Antioxidant shots.  These are best used when you feel something coming on or when you know you are around someone else who is sick, but even when I've missed my window and am already out for the count, these undoubtedly make me feel better even if in the short term and I believe shorten the duration of my symptoms.  Directions say once a day for daily use, but if using as a remedy, feel free to double or triple up until symptoms subside.  


CleanTox tea.  I know how important it is to keep the water flowing when recovering from a respiratory illness.  I also know how painful drinking a cool glass water often feels on my throat and is thus discourages me from doing even what I know is right.  CleanTox tea feels good on my throat with the added benefit of peppermint and licorice root to calm my queasy stomach. 


GutHealth.  Yes I know it's the answer to everything, but they say 70% of your immune system resides in your gut.  It only makes sense to continue making it first priority!


TrueSport Hydration.  With fevers blazing and congestion building, plain water is just not going to be enough to keep the fam hydrated.  This tropical berry flavor is kid friendly and a great clean alternative to Gatorade or Powerade. 

Of course, I must add that I am NOT a doctor and any and all recommendations are based on my own personal experiences of what has worked for me.  You can view all of the recommendations here!  Here's to less sick days and more healthy ones ahead! 

November Glow Up Challenge



Can you even believe that Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years... it's all right around the corner?!  Our calendars are about to be slammed with activities and our hearts with excitement as we live our way through this most wonderful time of the year.  While I'm all in to partake in every holiday event and tradition, I also know that intentional BALANCE is key to enjoying the season and setting myself up for success in the new year.  Enter this November "Glow Up" Challenge - incorporating some health centered routines to the carry us into the last month of the year!

What will I need?
This is honestly up to you! My recommendation is a daily protein shake, a "Greens Gut Glow" drink, and finding some consistency in your skincare routine (I'm loving DermResults at the moment!)  Click on this sample cart to see my personal recommendations and edit as you see fit! 

Where do I check in?
Information and motivation will be found in our Facebook group throughout the month!  

Please reach out with any questions or to announce your commitment to personal growth!  Let's make this an amazing month! 

Suddenly One Day...



It's something I've been mentally toiling with for a while now.  The image I'm seeing in the mirror, the number on my scale... it's something I don't recognize and I'm not entirely sure what to do about it.   I mean, yes, I know the extreme measures I could take to get back to my "old self", but those aren't really measures I've HAD to take in the past.  Have I let myself go that badly?  Or have I been so focused on building muscle that I'm finally seeing results?  I'd love to go with the ladder but despite my best efforts to turn a blind eye, my stomach has grown equally as chunky.  What. the. heck.  What is going on? 

Getting honest with myself, I wouldn't describe my diet as super clean, but I wouldn't call it terrible either.  Same for my workouts... not killing it but also not non-existent.  Bottom line, I'm no longer getting the same "return on investment" from my efforts that I've gotten the past 20 years of life.  And that's the moment I realize... damn. This is what 40 is gonna be like, huh?  

I guess I should have known.  Suddenly one day my body would stop metabolizing as quickly.  It would stop responding to dietary changes as rapidly.  It doesn't matter how much effort I put in, I'm not gonna feel like a spring chicken at 80, and well, I guess I'm halfway there.  

So what does this mean?  Should I throw in the towel?  Accept my fate and find a new, less physical hobby?  I don't think so.  At least, I don't choose to.  Instead, my overall goals and measures of success are taking a slight twist in this new life phase, and I think it's time that others my age start doing it as well.  

Measure #1: Do I FEEL good in my skin?  Have I found a suit style that I like and can I confidently smile for a picture with my kids in the sand?  I'm certainly not going around social media searching for moms with six-packs and I shouldn't hold myself to that standard as well. 

Measure #2: Am I able?  Able to carry the beach chairs down and back.  Able to climb around the playground equipment.  Able to carry my kids around year after year when they demand to fly superman style out of the bath or conveniently "fall asleep" on the couch just before bedtime?  

Measure #3: Am I sleeping well? Am I thinking good thoughts?  Am I ENJOYING the little things every day?  Ultimately, these are the rewards of a healthy life and maybe, just maybe, this is going to look different at various stages of life. 

I'll still keep working on my fitness. I'll do my best to make some tweaks (like added cardio... blehhhh).  There is always room for improvement and I do still believe in taking progress pics and tracking weight and measurements periodically.  But this idea of always trying to beat yourself... it has to be done under the understanding that yourself at 40 is not yourself at 25.  The most. fit, healthy individual doing the right things every single day of their lives is still not going to look the same as they age.  Give yourself grace and simply aim to do your best in the place where you are TODAY.  Let's embrace Fit and FORTY.  We're allowed to be both simultaneously. 



The Best Social Emotional Learning Tool



If you're a mom of school aged kids or a teacher, you've probably heard the big push for increased social emotional learning curriculums in schools.  You know, things like getting along with others, self esteem, empathy, handling the stress of life... I mean honestly what's not to love?  So many important skills, arguably THE most important skills one must master to make it through life.  So what problem could I possibly have with the teaching of such universally good values?  I'll tell you what - and it's not really about the presence of the curriculum, but about the explicit exclusion of the greatest tool of mankind when it comes to learning about social emotional behavior - the Bible.

That's right, I said it.  And while this book may not be approved teaching material in the public schools, I'll tell you it IS the number one resource when it comes to teaching yourself how to be a good friend, classmate, daughter, spouse (at any age by the way... I learned this in adulthood ;) ) We live in a world today where we are faced with constant moral dilemmas.  From deciding which activities to get involved in, how to prioritize our time and resources, when a viewpoint is worth arguing over and when it's not, our views on world or political issues... life can be just so COMPLICATED.  It is rare that a situation can ever be seen in plain black and white.  

But I have some good news for you.  You do NOT need to toil over your thoughts and decisions and figure it all out yourself.  There actually DOES EXIST a complete and total life manual that will guide you through every experience, every challenge, and every chapter.  It is literally fool proof.  And all we have to do is follow the directions.  

Over the next few weeks (or months, we'll see how this goes...) I'm committed to sharing with you some of the truths that have completely changed my life for the better.  Things that have pulled me out of depression and angst and into a life of peace and  joy.  I'm doing this because I know there are many of you living a life like I was... looking for a therapist or a medication that can finally help you.  Spoiler alert: you already have that within you ;)  I also know that if we accept and study these truths, our sons and daughters will come to know them and that this will be the difference maker in the world.  

Truth: 
THE BIBLE IS THE ULTIMATE LIFE HANDBOOK.  
THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ALWAYS THERE. 

Relevant scripture: 

"For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 
Hebrews 4:12