Category Archives: Wellbeing

Thoughtful Thursday Tamanu Oil

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I got an order in from Shea Terra Oragnics and in that package I received a sample of tamanu oil. I had never heard of it before so I decided to do a little research. Tamanu oil is made from the seeds of the tamanu tree which can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia. It has been used in Asian cultures for centuries but in the West, we’re just hearing about this beneficial oil.

It’s a fatty oil that’s pressed from the seeds of the tree and is a greenish/yellow color. The oil is rich in fatty acids including alpha-linoleic, oleic, linoleic, palmitic, arachidonic and stearic. It also contains polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory. All of these compounds are excellent for the skin.

This fatty nut oil contains antioxidants that fight radical damage making it great for the skin. Because of it’s antibacterial properties it’s helpful in treating fungal and wound infections as well as acne and eczema. Plus it helps to relieve joint pain, provide light sun protection and speed up the healing of wounds.

This all sounds pretty amazing but despite it’s many anti-aging properties, it should never be taken internally as the oil is poisonous. Also, if you suffer from nut allergies, this oil does come from a nut so you probably should stay away from it.

This is a rich oil, so a little goes a long way. I like to use a drop or two of the oil on my face. It does wonders in minimizing aging and makes my complexion look great! Plus all the fatty acids in the oil make it an excellent moisturizer.

Hope you have a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by!!

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“To the mind that is still the whole universe surrenders.” ~Lao Tzu

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Impossible to Fail Journal Pages

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I had some leftover paint from one of my paintings and didn’t want to waste it so I used it in my Strathmore 5.5″ x 8″ Mixed Media Journal. I tried a new face stencil by Jane Davenport and loved it! I added a quote by Dorothea Brandt that reads “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Act as though it were impossible to fail.”

What would you do differently if it were impossible to fail?

Hope this inspires you today 😊

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Thoughtful Thursday Rosemary

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Rosemary, native to the Mediterranean, has been used for centuries as one of the most popular aromatic healing herbs. My dad used to rub rosemary on his arms in the summer to keep mosquitos away. At first I found it hard to believe, but it really did work. When you rub fresh rosemary on your body, it leaves an oily film which is what repels mosquitos.

Rosemary has many uses such as antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, relaxant, plus it also stimulates the brain and enhances memory function and focus to name a few. Not to mention it’s delicious to cook with.

I have two rosemary plants in my garden and I love to rub the leaves and smell the delightful scent. It’s so soothing and calming to the soul. The rosemary plant is pretty easy to grow. Give rosemary a try in your garden and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful plant.

If you would like some ideas on aromatherapy, natural DIY recipes for beauty, personal care, food and overall wellbeing, visit Stephanie Gerber’s site HelloGlow.co. Stephanie is the author of two great books both are available on Amazon, “Hello Glow” and “Essential Glow.” So take good care of yourself, you deserve it!

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“Nature is so smart, it put the medicine inside of food.” ~Uknown

Thoughtful Thursday Uniquely You

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There are 7.9 billion people living on our beautiful planet. Out of those 7.9 billion, there is only 1 UNIQUE You! I’m currently reading the “The Inflammation Spectrum” by Dr. Will Cole and to be honest, I never realized how truly unique each of us are.

I always thought I was an oddball because of how I react to my environment and to food. But as it turns out, everyone is completely unique. That’s why a certain diet will work for your friend and they’ll lose 20 pounds, while you’ll struggle to lose 1 even though your both eating the same things. A medication may have no side affects for one person, while the other will experience multiple side affects.

Dr. Cole explains in his book that just about every health issue we face like anxiety, depression, fatigue, diabetes, digestive issues, heart disease, hormone imbalances, autoimmune disorders and more are inflammatory in nature or have an inflammatory component. The trick is to determine what is causing it. Dr. Cole explains how to determine what works for you and what doesn’t in order to create a custom diet that is tailored specifically to you.

This sounds like a complicated process but it really isn’t as hard as you think. I will say that I was surprised at some of the foods that tend to lead to inflammation. The majority of us suffer from one ailment or another so I recommend reading his book and giving it a try, you’ll be amazed at what you learn about yourself. I’ll also keep you posted on how I’m progressing, so stay tuned.

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“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” Ayurvedic Proverb

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Make a New Ending Journal Pages

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I was playing with my paints and wanted to try a new color combination. I loved how the background turned out so I started working on 2 canvases. Stay tuned for those.

I just got some new artsy ephemera in the other day and thought I’d use it for this layout. I found this quote by Maria Robinson that resonated with me “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Hope this inspires you today😊

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Thoughtful Thursday Back to Basics

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I love listening to Earl Nightingale’s coaching session called “The Strangest Secret” which can be found on YouTube. There’s also a book on Amazon. This was the first life coaching session that was ever recorded back in 1956. I’ve listened to it countless times. I’m often asked “Why do you keep listening to it? It’s basic stuff and you already know all of this.” My answer is always the same, “Yes, I do know the basics but hearing this recording helps to remind me of what they are and keeps on track.”

Let’s face it in today’s world we have hundreds if not thousands of distractions each and every day. With so many distractions, it’s hard to stay focused. So sticking to your goals and having clarity can be pretty difficult when we keep running after each new shiny penny we see.

I recently listened to one of Brendon Burchard’s podcasts and he made some really good points. In this podcast Brendon said “Common sense isn’t always common practice.” And that’s so true. We know we should be doing x, y and z but often we don’t and as a result we fail in life and in reaching our goals.

Earl’s recording reminds me of how easy it really is to reach your goals and create the life you dream of. The power to create is in you, in your mind. If listening to Earl isn’t your thing, that’s ok. Then find a life coach that works for you. Or make a list of reminders that you can look at first thing in the morning to help keep you on track. But be mindful of where your thoughts take you so you can stay focused on what’s important.

Hope this post inspires you. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Perhaps the world isn’t giving you what you want because based on all your distractions and lack of discipline, it’s simply unclear what you are asking for.” ~ Brendon Burchard

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Thoughtful Thursday Growing Microgreens

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Last month I wrote a post about the Benefits of Microgreens. Today I’m writing about growing them. I looked up a few tutorials online and decided to start with a kit to see if I liked growing and eating them.

I purchased a small kit made by Back to the Roots. It’s an organic microgreens kit that comes with 2 compostable growing trays, 2 seed packets and 2 expandable soil discs. It was very easy to use. You start by placing the soil disc in the tray and add water. Wait about minute and allow the disc to expand. Then spread the soil in the tray and sprinkle the seeds on top. Cover the tray and let the seeds germinate. After about 2 days the seeds are sprouting and you can remove the lid and just add a little water everyday. That’s it! Within one week I had these delicious microgreens.

The one thing to note is this is a compostable tray that has the potential to leak which can damage surfaces. To be on the safe side I kept my tray on a trivet with a paper towel underneath and it was perfectly fine. It never leaked or got damp.

I used a pair of shears to cut my microgreens at the base and added them to my salad. They tasted absolutely delicious! They’re super easy to grow and super healthy for your body. You can buy a set of 3 kits on Amazon or a single kit from Target. I highly recommend giving them a try.

Hope this inspires you to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Growing your own food is like printing money.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Microgreens

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Previously I wrote a post about homegrown Alfalfa Sprouts which are excellent for your health. But microgreens are different from sprouts, the most obvious being they are grown in soil where sprouts are grown in water. Another difference is sprouts are ready to be eaten in 5-7 days while microgreens are ready in about 2 weeks.

When eating sprouts you’re eating the entire plant and microgreen are cut near the soil so you only eat the stem and leaves. Microgreens are a powerhouse of nutrition because they pretty much contain all the nutrients of a mature plant but in a highly concentrated form.

Depending on the type of microgreens you grow, they’ll have higher levels of the following nutrients:

  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium
  • Copper
  • Polyphenols
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin C
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin A
  • Folate
  • Protein
  • Fiber 
  • B Vitamins

These small plants are full of antioxidants, beneficial vitamins and minerals. They help protect the body from heart disease, alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, they boost the immune system and brain function, protect your eyes and bones, aid in weight loss, prevent anemia and more.

Microgreens are easy to grow and can be grown year round. There are many types of microgreens that you can grow like arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, quinoa, radish, spinach and watercress to name a few. Plus growing your own microgreens is the best way to keep them fresh longer but they’re also available in stores. Either way it’s a win win to improve your health!

Hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“To keep the body healthy is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Buddha

Art Journaling

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When I was a kid and the teacher would bring out the scissors, paper and glue I knew it was going to be an awesome day because we would create some type of art. Sometimes it’s fun to go back to the basics and cut out pictures and simply glue them in a journal.

I’m not a textile artist but I look in awe at the quilts others make. I came across these photos in Quilting Arts magazine and decided to make journal pages from them. These were images of quilts created and designed by Jean Impey. They were simply stunning!

I onced used a hand wipe to clean inks from my studio table and it looked pretty cool at the time so I kept the wipe and let dry so I could use it for my art. It ended up finding a home in my journal 😊 The leaves and the heart were made using the recycled wipe. I thought they went well with the images and background color.

Hope this quote and happy journal layout inspire you in way today.

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Thoughtful Thursday Best-ever Beefless Stew

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With the cooler temps finally here in the South, I wanted to try a new vegan soup recipe. But I wanted something really hearty that would be filling and I found it. This is a recipe for “Best-ever Beefless Stew” with portobello mushrooms taking the place of beef. If you’re not a fan of portobellos, I’m sure you could use another type of mushroom that would taste just as good.

I gotta say this was one of the most delicious and satisfying stews I’ve ever had! A few things I would change to the recipe is to add a little salt and pepper to taste and it also calls for fresh parsley as a topping. But I wasn’t too crazy with flavor of the parsley with the stew. I would recommend giving it a try anyways and see for yourself, you may end up liking it.

This recipe was published in the latest Forks Over Knives, “100 Best Plant-Based Recipes,” 2021 and it can also be found on their website “Best-ever Beefless Stew.” It was really easy to make with everyday ingredients.

Forks Over Knives 100 Best Plant-Based Recipes 2021 image 0

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of this issue, it’s available on the Forks Over Knives Website.

Hope you’ll give this tasty recipe a try 😊

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“Health is the first form of Wealth. Invest in yours by eating whole, unprocessed foods.” ~ Dr. Axe