Month: July 2016

Tuesday Treats!!!

Leave a comment

I am always on the hunt for quick, yummy & nutritious snacks! This past weekend, we were  introduced to a simple, delicious and fast snack idea that is packed with healthy benefits (and the kids and / or hubby will never know it!! Shout out to Health Coach, Crystal Jarvie over at Healthstyles4You for the intro!

Swap out the butter on popcorn for coconut oil + Himalayan salt = pure deliciousness!!

Popcorn

Butter is an awesome treat every now and then and I am totally all for it —  there truly are way worse snack choices out there. But, switching it up a bit saves some calories and provides some amazing healthy benefits. A little something every day goes a looong way!!

Himalayan Salt

Himalayan-salt

A few benefits

  • Contains the 84 trace minerals
  • Effective for detox – helps to push toxins OUT, especially those heavy metals
  • Promotes healthy sleep patterns
  • Improves circulation
  • Reduces the signs of aging
  • Promotes a healthy pH balance

The above benefits are all from various different uses of Himalayan salt, which is the purest form of salt we can choose to digest. Here’s a great link to the how’s and effects: Surprising Benefits of Himalayan Salt

Coconut Oil

Coconut-and-Coconut-Oil

A few benefits

  • Reduces Inflammation & Arthritis
  • Improves Energy & Endurance
  • Improves Digestion
  • Balance out Candida or Fungal Sources that can cause many skin conditions
  • Helps with Weight Loss
  • Prevents Heart Disease & High Blood Pressure

Just as with Himalayan salt, there are different uses of Coconut Oil to create the above listed results. Check out the list here 20 Coconut Oil Benefit

Who knew popcorn & a movie could be so healthy & delicious!!

Chow down!

Much love,

Renee

 

 

Forever Sunsets…

1 Comment

My Pops text me this pic of a sunset just a few days ago. This was the sunset he was looking at  – clearly they live on a beautiful lake!! At the time, it was a busy day (aren’t they all?!) so I looked at it, was wowed for a minute and then went back to what had me so preoccupied in the first place.  I believe I probably commented a one – word response back along the lines of “wow” or “awesome.”

IMG_20160712_200052

Fast forward a few days…

I quit something today. I quit a project that I had taken on after many attempts at resolution, after letting it consume almost all waking hours for five months straight, after doing all of the protocol bullshit steps I knew I was “supposed to do” when challenges arise. Let me be clear, I don’t like to quit things, ever. If it means I suffer for the sake of not quitting something, then, by all means, I will put myself through agony. Just being honest. Sometimes I am too stubborn for my own good. A fine line that could be described as determined but soon crosses into stubborn. Okay, back to the picture – I came across the picture again and paused this time and you know what came over me? Joy, peacefulness, comfort, happiness, tranquility & the best part —  knowing that I can think of SO many sunsets, similar to that one that I have been able to share with my Dad, my Mom, my loved ones because I took the time. Because I truly made the choice to be there. Because I made other choices in my life to put me in those kind of moments.

I am proud that I have found the freaking strength to make the tough decisions in life. Are they easy, never. Have I always had this strength. No. (I can think of three distinct choices I made NOT to be somewhere and I should have, to this day) Do I know it at the time, helllll no. If only. But, am I getting better at identifying the fact that pride does not always have to win over happiness. You bet.

I am NOT saying go out and start quitting stuff just for the sake of quitting. But, what I am saying is when you put your heart & soul into something and it doesn’t give back, it is time to start looking at other options. Life is too precious, moments are soon memories and we make choices all day long. Start making the choice that makes you proud, energized & excited to create new memories every single day.

Start creating your own forever sunsets…

With love,

Renee

Self Love is NOT Selfish

Leave a comment

#recharge zone

IMG_20160705_171501132

Call it a recharge, alone time, daily meditation, call it what you will — just do it. I don’t know anyone who can give, give, give and not give to themselves, first. It is not selfish or self centered, it is actually necessary so you can give your best and more than you could ever imagine to the people, things & stuff that is important in your life.

My momma is a selfless lover & giver to everyone at anytime of the day, dropping anything she needed to fit more in. She never stopped to give to herself though and that didn’t go unnoticed by me. I have recognized and learned that if I allow my schedule to get too intense, I am being pulled in more ways possible and the sleep clock # keeps getting smaller, my life snowballs into a hot mess and I am good for nothing. I owe it to myself to do what I need to to be able to serve others at my very best and that doesn’t just happen. Instead of  saying “I don’t have time for anything for myself” while that all too often feels true, for sure, make. the.time. Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier, stop for take out, let the house be dirty, pay a neighborhood kid to mow the lawn, create a carpool pick up. Get creative & do what you need to do, but make it happen, first for you and then watch and feel how much more present, energized & involved in their lives you are!

Self love is something especially woman struggle with. Sometimes we feel guilty for taking time for ourselves because it is taking away from time with the husband, kids, boyfriend, relatives, friends, career, whatever it may be. Crazy, but it is just the opposite, setting a little time aside for yourself is actually going to fuel your energy level and amp you up to be the best you can be for those very special people, I promise you!

Go on, I dare ya, try it for a week – a little time a day just for you and take notice of how you feel and how amazing your world becomes. 😉  Hell, start with just ONCE a week if once a day is too overwhelming to think about how to schedule. Oh and it doesn’t have to be hours on end, 20 minutes is a fantastic start, a monthly pedi, journaling, catching up with a good book or friend — whatever you need, listen and your gut will tell you!

Have a great week and be loved. 😉 green heart

xx

~ Renee