Do These Three Things More To Stay Healthy During The Holidays

Listen, we all indulge around the holidays. What else are they meant for?

Just kidding. Jesus is the reason for the season. And friends and family are the back bone of life. But the food, festivities, and holiday activities are amazing and we want to celebrate them and enjoy them!

There are things you can do to be the healthiest you can be, even with constant parties, food everywhere, sweets at every turn, and decadent and delicious holiday dinners.

Do these three things more to stay on track and keep a healthy base this holiday season.

Water

It’s been a while since I shouted from the rooftops about drinking enough water. But seriously, drink enough water! I have a 32-ounce water bottle that I fill and strive to drink at least two of a day. It is NOT a failure if I miss a bottle’s worth or drink barely any in a day. But it is a fail if I ‘give up’ at drinking water because I didn’t hit my goals.

Goals are important but remember, staying positive and always striving for your best is better than perfection. (Perfection is not real and you will only let yourself down. Just be as consistent as possible.)

Vegetables

There is nothing healthier on this earth than vegetables. Every diet needs vegetables in it and the more, the better. Plus they are full of water and if you didn’t get it from my first paragraph, we all need more water!

Rest More

It is so important to rest in this life. This means as much sleep as you can get each night (I advise as I am up working late, LOL.) Also, if you need a minute to step away and take a deep breath, take it. Need a walk around the block, do it.

Don’t give up! One mistep is not a fail. An extra indulgent meal (or a few of them plus dessert,) do not make you instantly unhealthy and it’s ok to have grace with yourself. In fact, you must! Just do the best you can to make the most healthy decisions each day, and never stop striving for wellness! Happy Holiday season!

Essential Oils The Life I Live

Kara’s Favorite Oil Blend

“Do you have any oils that you would like in the diffuser right now?”- Kara, our AirBnb hostess asked me.

“Hmm. Whatever’s your favorite!” -Me

Essential oil lover to essential oil lover, I love to know what other peoples favorites are! When we stayed in Charleston, our Airbnb hostess (and host) were awesome! Monday morning Kara and I were sitting together and working and she started up the diffuser and let me pick the scent. But I wanted to know what her favorite blend was, and this was it!

Kara’s Oil Blend

3 drops Lavender oil
3 drops Eucalyptus oil
3 drops Lime oil
3 drops Peppermint oil

Add the oils to an essential oil diffuser with water. It’s bright and fresh and the lime smells great. What are your favorite oils to use in the diffuser?

Go here to see my five favorite oil blends! What oils do you use to feel well?

Disclaimer: I use Young Living Essential Oils and based on my research, I believe these are the best, safest, and most pure oils on the market. PLEASE do your own research and determine which oils are best for you and your family.

Essential Oils The Life I Live

The Oils That Save My Skin After A Sunburn

It’s almost late September and it (sometimes) feels like Fall, I’m in Wisconsin for a few more weeks, and I accidentally got sunburnt just 3 days ago. Ugh. This is what I did.

I used oils. Yup, my trusty essential oils. And the burn, and my lobster red skin, were 90% recovered by morning. No joke. This is what happened.

I was with some of my favorite friends since high school and we all went to a Brewers game. It. Was. HOT. I’m talking sun without clouds, almost 90 degrees, and the littlest of breezes you ever did feel. I use sunscreen religiously so I did apply!

I slathered on sunscreen..that is on my legs, arms, and shoulders, a spot I always know gets too much sun. But I forgot to get my face, and I forgot to get my upper chest, and DAMN did I get a burn. I meant to sunscreen my face and chest, but one distraction later, and I forgot. That night, it hurt.

But after getting back from the game, I showered my sunscreen off, and added three essential oils with a carrier oil to my burnt parts, mostly my face, chest, and shoulders. My forehead and hairline was the worst by far but like I said, three applications and a good nights sleep and my skin was cured!

I should have taken a before and after because looking at my face yesterday made it hard to believe how red I really was. But if you need to save your skin from a burn (or if you peel,) use this blend and you will be good to go!

Sunburn Saver

1 drop Lavender
1 drop Frankincense
1 drop Copaiba
½ squirt of Sweet Almond Oil (or carrier oil of choice)

Mix this combination in the palm of your hand and apply to your face or any sunburned area.

I’m telling you, this blend will take your skin from tight, hot, and red to better in just a few applications. Be careful in the sun, but if you do get a burn, save your skin with these oils!

Essential Oils The Life I Live

When I Have Psoriasis Flares, This is What I Do

I hate when my psoriasis flares, it’s the worst feeling. What does it feel like? My skin itches, it’s on fire, it turns red, and it’s all around uncomfortable.

So what do I do when it happens? Slather on steroid cream? Run to the dermatologist to get shots? Nope. These are the last things I do, the things I do ONLY if I have to. Let me explain.

I am not one to take medication. If I’m sick, I’m downing homemade, garlic-filled soup, dousing on essential oils, and sipping on OJ along with endless amounts of water.

And when I get psoriasis flares, it’s much of the same. Well, not exactly the same, but as natural and non-medicine as I can. Here are the things I do when I get a flare and the things that make me feel better, sans medicine.

Ice

Sometimes, nothing feels better than ice. It cools your skin, slightly numbs it, and does a good job of taking away the itch. Of course, be careful to not over-chill or give yourself ice burn, as this will only further irritate your skin. But in this case, for psoriasis flares, cold is good.

Essential Oils

If I’m “at home,” and not going out, geranium is key. The thing is, it doesn’t smell good. But you know what else? It stops the itch. My other favorite no itch oil is peppermint. Because of the mint in it, it instantly cools your skin and, you guessed it, stops the itch.

Essential Oil and Epsom Salt Bath

These baths are perfect for flares and really help me relax, too. I like to use lavender, tea tree, and geranium oils for the bath. Make sure to mix the oils in a cup (or more) of Epsom salt and then add them to your bath water. (Just so you know, this mixture doesn’t smell good, it isn’t meant to, but it will make your skin better and you will be glad that you sat in it.) Also, add apple cider vinegar to your bath. I KNOW, yuck, all around, but this isn’t a smell good bath, it’s a (skin) feel good bath. Oh, and make sure the water’s not too hot, this is very important!

These are the main things I do when I get a flare. I have steroid cream on hand if I ever need it, but I rarely use it. I prefer to eat gluten-free, make sure to drink all the water, use paraben-free, fragrance-free, high-quality and natural lotion, and do anything and everything I can to naturally protect and take care of my skin.

I hope you don’t have psoriasis, but if you do, I hope this blog post is helpful and inspiring. Take care!

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The Life I Live

Avocado Hair Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis (Or For Amazing Soft and Shiny Hair)

I have talked about my psoriasis before, my story and how I treat it naturally. Honestly, I hope that no one reading this has psoriasis, because #psoriasissucks. But at the same time, and equally, I hope that people with psoriasis do find my blog and find hope in the disease and tips and tricks to take care of it.

This post relates specifically to scalp psoriasis. No one can really see it, but I feel it. My head is itchy and hurts. And if you itch, our scalp flakes, and it’s just no fun.

While I don’t “treat” it with anything, I love to do avocado hair treatments, at least once a week. This is literally avocado oil on my hair, under a plastic bag, and beneath a heated towel.

It helps the itch, it moisturizes and softens my hair, and it is super easy to do.

Here are two videos to show you what you need, the exact steps, and why and how long I do everything. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments. And see below for a quick (non-video) tutorial, too.

Avocado hair treatments are great for my scalp. I use avocado oil and I love it. But you could also use olive oil or coconut oil. You will also need two towels, a plastic store bag, some kind of butterfly clip, and about an hour.

First, you slather your scalp in oil. Then you loosely secure your hair with a butterfly clip, add the plastic bag, and a warmed towel, and wait.
You can switch out the warmed towel with another warmed towel for salon effect. (Sometimes I will switch two towels out for each other about 4-5 times throughout an hour.)
Then you remove the towel, the bag, the clip, and get into the shower to rinse, shampoo, and condition.

PS you do NOT have to have psoriasis to do this treatment! It works for all hair and will not disappoint.

I hope that you love this as much as I do and would love to hear about your experience. Thanks for reading!

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Worry Less

Philippians 4:6 says not to worry, but instead to go to Him with everything.

I love this. It’s reassuring and calming, like so much of the Word. The thing is, worry is a part of everyday life. And while I am not one to worry, I know people that are.

And this is where Jesus comes in. And prayer. And God. Don’t worry, instead go to Him with everything.

In your prayers, thank God for everything He has done for you. And pray to Him about everything you want Him to do. Prayer is how we communicate with God, and he is always listening.

As you pray (and go through your day,) pray as if you already have what you’re praying for, as if your prayer has already been answered. This is faith.

Speaking life and what we want from life is the most important thing. If you don’t want it, don’t say it!

I just want to take the time to pray for you if you’re reading this:

Dear God, We thank you that we can come to You and that You know our hearts. We are glad to know that we can always speak to You and that You are always listening. We thank you for Your peace and joy. We thank You for encouraging us to come to you in prayer whether we are sad, happy, upset, annoyed, hurt, or worried, because You will take care of all of it. Thank you for taking our worries so that we don’t have to carry them. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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We’re Going On An Adventure

Otherwise known as our life. And we leave in less than two weeks! (Actually move from our apartment in South Florida to become gypsies, digital nomads, or like I like to call it, Airbnb’ers!)

I can hardly believe it. What once was a thought of, talked through, pipe dream is fast becoming our reality, and I cannot wait to tell you about it.

First things first, a little about my story. My hubby and I are anything but traditional. We moved and lived to Panama for 6 months early in our dating life. We came back and got married on the sly. And then, once we were back (home,) Nick found himself his dream job and we left and moved to Florida.

And today, we are coming up on almost three (HOT) years in Florida. It’s really crazy how fast it went. Wow.

And now, we’re on to the next!

We plan to spend most of August and September back home (in Wisconsin,) almost all of October traveling, November back here in the Florida life and by Christmas we will be to my mom and step dad’s in Arizona. Whew!

From there, we plan to spend most of 2019 on the west coast. We have lots of love for California, Washington and Oregon, and are excited to visit new states and areas, too!

The end of this year will go fast and there are so many things I am looking forward to. A Brewer’s game back home, seeing friends and family, walking on the lake path in Lake Geneva and my favorite egg rolls ever are just the beginning.

Maybe I should back up and preface all of this with, both my husband and I have the ability to work remotely. Travel and seeing the nation (and the world!) is on both of our hearts and with the remote work option, neither of us can say exactly where we want to live “forever” or where we want to be even for now. We want to see, and be, in it all!

We talked about this life, this dream, this possibility..all the way back when we lived in Panama. Truly, that feels like a long time ago. It’s crazy how much time has passed, how many things have changed, and all that has happened to us in the last five years.

And now, we both are in completely new professions that hold our passions and allow us to live out our other passions, too, like spending time with our people and traveling.

Life has not always been easy and sometimes, it still isn’t. But things happen and you have to be flexible, and be as positive and patient as you can!

I am so excited. It’s hard to believe. But for now, I must go. I need to pack my life, my place, and my suitcase! (We’re off to Vancouver Canada at the end of this week for 10 days,) and we move three days after coming back. Oy! Oh yes, and don’t forget about that work life, too!

Thanks for reading and do me a favor and put in a prayer for us! Life may not have turned out like we “wanted it to,” or even how we thought it would. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t turned our exactly how it was supposed to.

I can’t wait to share this journey with you and all of my continued love for natural everything, delicious food, God, workouts, friends and family, travel and everything else Emmy!

XOXO

Essential Oils Recipes The Life I Live

Essential Oils: Focus Blend

What do you do to help you focus? As a freelance writer, I have to stay on task when I work. So, I have lots of tips and tricks I’ve developed along the way.

Taking several quick, short walks throughout the day is amazing for focus. I do this often. I also like to stand while I work sometimes. This is great for your body and allows you to move more.

And I love to use essential oils to help me focus, too! I find that bright, fresh citrus is great for focus and this blend smells amazing.

Focus Blend

2 drops peppermint oil
2 drops lime oil
2 drops grapefruit oil

This blend is awesome in a diffuser. Just add the oils and water and set your diffuser next to you for your task, and boom. Smells great, keeps you alert, and helps you focus.

If you want to make a roller bottle with this blend, add 15 drops of each into the roller bottle and fill with Jojoba oil (or carrier oil of choice.)

Dairy Free fruits Gluten Free Paleo Recipes The Life I Live

Banana Pecan Pancakes

It’s been rainy here and I am LOVING it?!? Am I the only one that loves cold, rainy weather? While it doesn’t get cold down here, it is def gray and rainy and for me, that makes me think of home. And at home, usually if it’s rainy, it’s cold, too.

Anyhow, I made these pancakes and fell in love with them. And I generally don’t even love pancakes. But Nick does, and since I liked these too, you will for sure! Top them with extra nuts and make a double batch so that you have some all week! Yum!

Banana Pecan Pancakes

1 medium banana, peeled
3 whole eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup almond flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/4 cup broken pecan pieces
coconut oil for cooking

Add banana to a medium-sized bowl and smash it. Next add the eggs and mix with the mashed banana until it is well incorporated. Mix in the remaining ingredients excluding the coconut oil.

Into a skillet on medium heat add coconut oil. Pour small pancakes, about 4 per pan, and cook until the begin to bubble and flip, about 4 minutes per side. Use the rest of the oil for the batches of pancakes until you are finished cooking.

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Faith, Food, and Real Life

Tag: health

Do These Three Things More To Stay Healthy During The Holidays

Water

Vegetables

Rest More

Kara’s Favorite Oil Blend

The Oils That Save My Skin After A Sunburn

When I Have Psoriasis Flares, This is What I Do

Ice

Essential Oils

Essential Oil and Epsom Salt Bath

Avocado Hair Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis (Or For Amazing Soft and Shiny Hair)

Scripture Sunday: Worry Less

We’re Going On An Adventure

Essential Oils: Focus Blend

Banana Pecan Pancakes