One Tiny Change: Moving Towards Healing

It's such a tiny thing. A sweet little tea cup that now sits in my medicine hutch. And, yes. It's an entire hutch. Every day, many times a day, I would fumble as I poured pill after pill into my hand, then attempt to use that same quickly filling hand to open the next bottle. Sometimes dropping pills, every time using far more energy than it really should take. Why was I making it harder than it needed to be? That, my friend, is the million dollar question.

Why do we get in our own way?

I don't really know. But I'm staying open to finding out. And in the meantime, making things easier for myself along the way.

One tiny change, using a sweet little tea cup to corral all of these little pills with ease, is part of the bigger picture for me. 

Part of the change is accepting that, for right now, this is the new normal.

Part of the change is embracing it. Embracing this current normal. I've stopped complaining in my heart and resisting all of this medicine I have to take. Instead, I open the cupboard doors and take a moment to say "Thank you". To give thanks that I can have access to all of this medicine.

There's more. But this is one tiny change I've decided to make and I can feel the difference it's making. 

What changes/shifts are you making that are helping in your life? I'd love to hear!

xo,

Amy

5 Tricks For Clearer Skin (Free & Natural)

Adult acne chased me through my twenties. At the time, I didn't see the connection between the food I was eating, the life I was living (chaotic and busy, busy) and the regular break outs I was trying to cover up and get rid of.

Bigger picture changes have led to happier skin but there are things you can do right now to help stop the cycle.

Here are a few tips and tricks I've picked up along the way. Easy. Cheap. Natural. Not often you get all three!

1. Change your pillowcase daily. 

Oils from your hair and product all build up on your pillow which you lay your face on for hours (hopefully 8+) every night. Fresh pillowcases will help your skin rejuvenate while you sleep.

2. Clean your make up brushes once a week. Remember to clean the tools you keep in your purse! The sponge in your compact, the tiny brushes, and more that are easy to forget while your tidying your medicine cabinet. Wash them gently in whatever you wash your hair in. Rinse well and let air dry sitting bristles up in a glass. Easy peasy.

3. Keep hair off of your face. I love my bangs and refuse to give them up but oil and product from hair can lead to break outs. See if there's a connection between a trouble spot and where your hair falls.

4.  Clean your phone(s) with alcohol at least once a week. Your cell, the one at work- heck, you might even have a land line, too. Squirt 91% alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe down. 

5.  Stop touching your face. I know. You don't pick either. We can have little habits we don't even realize like leaning on our chin, jawline, or brushing the bangs away 100 times a day. Every time you touch your face you transmit more bacteria. Pay attention for just one day and you'll probably see one habit you could nip.

What tips do you use for clearer sking? Please leave a comment below- I'd love to hear!

xo,

Amy

How I Make Hemp Milk- the easy way

Making your non dairy milk from scratch is seriously so super easy, and so super cheap, you might just want to add it to your list. Or not. And did you know you can freeze it?? When you have the energy, make a few batches and pop them in the freezer.

Most recipes will tell you to strain the milk to get the itty bitty bits out. I don't. For two reasons.

• Straining takes out the fiber, much like juicing vs whole food smoothies. I want all the nutrition I can get out of those little babies.

• Why? The texture doesn't bother me or the fam so... I don't. Unlike nut milks, there really isn't much left as the hemp seeds are naturally soft.

Gather your ingredients:

1 cup hemp seeds

4 cups water (play with it. more water goes farther, less is creamier.)

1 pinch of salt (Celtic sea salt is pictures. use what you have.)

1tsp yacon syrup OR 2  dates OR 2TB maple syrup, etc

2 tsp vanilla or vanilla bean is lovely but I rarely do as I use my hemp milk for savory baking and cooking, too 

Put it all in the blender and it's go time! About 60 seconds. Yes, a VitaMix is amazing and yes I have and love mine. Did I say love? I meant LOVE. But just use what you have. You may have a bit more texture in a standard blender. C'est la vie. 

You are done, baby! Pour in a jar and chill. You can freeze it, too, which is great for making up the months worth all in one go.

xo,

Amy

PS

Elana's Pantry offers recipes using yacon syrup and many more worth browsing- and trying.

Managing Pain in the Moment- Free Printable!

Pain sucks. Having tools on hand, and a list to remind me of them, helps. 

As I was sketching this post out I mentioned it to a friend. She mentioned how helpful it is to have a list of tools you know so you can just grab it and take action when you can't think straight. I have one! On my phone. Not very helpful. So, I made up the simple printable at the bottom, added some tools I know and taped it inside my kitchen counter. I invite you to do the same. 

Here are just a few tools I use in the moment. I'll share more on preventative tools later.

Using mantras

Essentially, saying the same word or phrase over and over in a rhythm. 

• I say to myself, "I am not in pain, I am not in pain" over and over.Teresa Spafford, an incredible body worker in many forms of massage and Gyrotonics taught me that one.

• Sometimes, I say to myself "This is not pain, it's information". I follow that with trying to listen to what my body is trying to tell me. What may have led to this, and what different choices I can make. Changes I might need to make in my treatment, paying attention to what isn't working for me right now, old tools/new tools I can add...This helps me feel in control when the pain can make me feel like I don't have any. 

Find your own word, statement, or sound and give it a try.

Visualization

This is what people mean when they say "Find your happy place.". Picture yourself where you want to be and how you want to be.

• I picture a strong, gentle ocean wave washing through my body. I visualize the micro swirls of water within each wave clearing out every tiny space in my joints or the area I'm feeling the strongest. Incredibly powerful for me.

• You may see yourself simply pain free, walking down the street. Standing on a mountain top you just climbed. Sitting peacefully on a cloud. Running that marathon...find your happy place.

Combined with controlled breathing, slow movement, or just getting up and going outside, with a little practice, this can be a powerful tool to get through the moment.

Distraction

• When possible, go outside. Breathe deeply. Focus on the shape of the trees, the buildings, listen to and separate all the sounds around you.

• Rest when you need to. Move when you can.

•  Do one thing in the slowest motion you can focusing on movement and breath. Try Yoga Journal's modified sun salutation video here just to get a peek.

• Stand up and walk backwards. Another trick from Teresa Spafford. You brain has to focus on this odd task, literally interrupting the brains pain messages.

Now, please print this simple printable and put it somewhere handy, like the inside of your kitchen cupboard. As tools come to mind, jot them down. Next time, you'll have a handy list to get you through.

A few links you might find useful:

• EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping: An article by Dr. Mercola. An excellent pain management tool for many.

• Coffee Enemas. Yep, I just said that. I haven't found a groove with using this tool, but friends swear by it. Often used for detox, they are also used for pain relief. Here's a not too weird (I promise) video with the why and how from The Wellness Warrior, Jess Ainscough

There are as many ways to manage pain as there are people trying. I share a few that are currently working for me. 

I'd love to add more tools to my bucket. What is working for you lately?

Get Rich, Lucky Bitch: Book Review & What I Learned

When I first came across this book in my online meandering readings, I was not drawn in. The opposite for me. Too strong a title and I want peace and abundance, I told myself, not a shiny new car or giant beach house. Then I saw this chat with the author, Denise Duffield-Thomas and Leonie Dawson (love her!). Randomly it seems, but I really don't believe in random. Wow, I like that girl, I thought, and went back to check the book out for real.

Turns out, it's not really a get rich quick book at all. It's totally about creating an abundance mind set, letting go of old tools and blocks, letting yourself be open to all the possibilities. Which are, of course, unlimited.

It's about getting out of your own way.

My goals with money are different than Denise's and at first that distracted me from the bigger point. It doesn't really matter what your goals are. It's about getting out of your own way so you can reach them.

You're totally smart enough. You're totally capable. I know I am, too. Denise helped me see some of the blocks, excuses, and fears I have been stuck in while also sharing a few practical tools to get over it and get on with it. Thank you, please!

This is my big giant take away:

1. De-clutter every area of your life that isn't conducive to your goal. Every. Area.

2. Decide *exactly* what you want.

3. Surround yourself with +positive+ energy, people, and things.

4. Take inspired action.

5. Receive. Fine tune.

6. Keep digging deeper.

Have you read Denise's book? Or maybe another book is currently rockin' your world. Leave a note and tell me all about it!

Places to visit:

Denise Duffield Thomas: Money Mindset Mentor website

Follow my Good Books board on Pinterest

Leonie Dawson's Create Your Amazing Year Calendar and Workbook



 This post does contain affiliate links.

Hello, Lyme Disease

Well, my friends, I have so much to tell you. Just weeks after my last post, now over 6 months ago, I finally got in to see yet another doctor. Not something I think I really ever mentioned here. But this time was different. He had answers. At least a few of them. And it's been a crazy ride since then.

Lyme Disease. A few co-infections, a smattering of other little blips, and another "chronic illness" showed in my extensive  blood work, other lab work, exam, and history.

Bam. Did. Not. Expect. That.

Treatment started and things got pretty gnarly. Then they got better. It's a mixed bag of good days and harder days. 6 months have seemed like a life time. I have wanted to disappear. I have wanted to say hi. What I want now is to come back and keep sharing with you.

I do have lot's of amazingness to share with you, with or without Lyme, and for right now, Lyme is a part of it. How about if I keep doing what I started out doing here? I'll keep sharing books I love, recipes I think you'd love to, and things I'm learning along the way. I can't just push through to get it done anymore. Learning to work smarter, not harder is helping me create a new normal that is abundantly full. I'd like to share what I'm learning with you, killer recipes included.  Deal?

5+ Super Fave Man Food Recipes

I adore my mister. Butterflies still sore in my tummy with one wink from him. There is so much I do appreciate about him. Nauseas yet? Yeah, he doesn't want to hear it either. Words just don't cut it. Actions speak louder than words.

What the mister wants is smokin' hot chicken pot pie. Freakin' amazing brownies. A plate piled with chocolate chip cookie dough balls and nutbutter milkshakes. Gluten free and dairy free and all the better for it.

Here are 5 (bonus links above!) of our most heavily rotated Man Foods*:

• Perfect Pot Roast from The Pioneer Woman. I used to think it would take another 20 years to get a moist and tender roast. Nah. Just do what she tells you and I promise- perfect pot roast! 

•  My own Roasted Garlic Tomato Marinara. Toss with GF pasta, spaghetti squash, or I love it over a piping hot baked sweet potato. 

• Bacon Wrapped Keilbasa. Need I say more?

• Kale with Bacon. I swear he loves this.  Most kale haters will change their mind when you add bacon.

• Almost Instant Paleo BBQ Sauce. Really, it's baked BBQ chicken he loves but there are 4 million recipes for that and your Grandma's is probably totally better. This sauce is delish'- and really almost instant!

Enjoy these tasty favourites and I hope you find a new blog or two to follow. These are some powerful food makers!

*I know- ladies love their meat and butter, too! Whether you are makin' these for your own mister or for you- I hope you enjoy.