Friday Fun!

Living healthy natural lives is not always the easiest thing, which is why I started my blog - to inspire and help others live their best life healthfully and naturally. Friday Fun is my way of sharing a bit of my life with you, my readers and friends, and I hope you will be willing to share your thoughts and ideas with me too.

So, here we go!

In my life this week...
I have been trying some new healthy habits - tapping and oil pulling. These might seem like foreign words to you, so let me explain. If you didn't catch my post on what tapping is and how it can help you, check it out here. Oil pulling is another simple thing to do that can have great benefits for you. I am planning to write a post on it once I experiment with it a bit longer. Basically, it is swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes for oral health and some say, health benefits that extend beyond the mouth. I am undecided on the oil pulling, but I have been having some really positive experiences with the tapping.

I am inspired by...
my husband, who works the craziest hours, comes home cheerful and helpful, rubs my feet every night, and loves me like I need to be loved. He is so hard-working, rarely ever complains, and is one of the most loving people I know.

My favorite thing this week was...
spending part of Mother's Day with my amazing mother and my inspirational sister (who is also a fantastic mother). I had great talks with both of them, and the time I spent with them relaxed me enough to make my stomach aches go away for one day.

What's working/not working for me...
Working - I gave myself the challenge this week of not yelling or losing my temper with any of my kids. I have done pretty well, with maybe only one slip up. At first, I didn't see any change and it was hard to keep going despite them challenging me. But, now at the end of the week, I am seeing my children a little happier, a little nicer to each other, and I am so grateful to God for helping me complete my challenge. I am going to keep on challenging myself to do this every week from now on.

Not working - missing my husband. He is working a lot lately, and he will also be working this Sunday, when my youngest sister and godchild will be confirmed. I am sad that he will miss this big event, but I am thankful for his hard work.

Questions/thoughts I have...
What else can I do to help with my stomach aches?

Things I'm working on...
I have started a fun little summer schedule for the kids, to give them some new and fun things to look forward to each day - Make Something Monday, Take a Trip Tuesday, Library Wednesday, Wet and Wild Thursday, and Fresh and Fun Friday. I found this idea on Pinterest, and so far, my kids love it!

I'm reading...
A Time to Laugh, A Time to Cry by Bonnie Wasser, The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, and Duggars: 20 and Counting by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar


I'm cooking...
Roasted Chicken, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Black Bean Bowls, Salmon and Dandelion Salads, Chicken Salad on Celery, and I really don't know what to make for supper tonight....

I'm grateful for...
beautiful summery days to go for walks and play at the park, meeting new people, my children's beautiful faith, good health, and so much more!!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...
two of my kids enjoying their first time "climbing" a tree!

How Can Tapping Help You?

First off, let me ask you to take a moment and consciously get ready to be open-minded about my post. You might want to write this off as "wacky" or "way too crazy," so I ask you to at least read to the end before you make up your mind.

Tapping - ever heard of it? If not, let me explain a bit. Tapping, also known as EFT, is a powerful tool for improving your life on multiple levels: mental, emotional, and physical. It has been proven to effectively address a range of issues-from anxiety, chronic pain, addiction, and fear, to weight control, financial abundance, stress relief, and so much more.  

Sound too good to be true? Yes, it does sound that way, but it really isn't.

Tapping is a ground breaking and simple healing system that is helping thousands of people around the globe heal trauma, stress, anxiety and much more. From transforming war veterans dealing with PTSD; survivors of the genocide in Rwanda; to parents, students and first responders of the Newtown, CT/Sandy Hook School shooting tragedy; the astounding effectiveness of this profound technique is undeniable.  

How do you do it? Well, on a really simple and basic level, all you do is take your finger and tap on 9 different spots on your body (meridian endpoints, as they are more professionally known). You do this while focusing on negative emotions or physical problems, and you can also combine this with affirmations. Tapping helps calm the nervous system to restore the balance of energy in the body and rewire the brain to respond in healthy ways. You can also watch a video on exactly how to tap.

I recently was sent for review, The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress Free Living by Nick Ortner, which got me so excited to share this with you. Here's what you will learn in this book:

• Learn to start tapping right away for stress, weight loss, depression and more.
• Learn the history and cutting-edge science behind the technique and why it is revolutionizing the alternative health industry.
• Receive step-by-step instructions, exercises, and easy to follow diagrams.
• Read about unbelievable, real-life stories of healing, ranging from easing the pain of fibromyalgia to people overcoming their phobias such as fear of flying.

When I first started reading, I went from being immediately skeptical to very interested to hopeful to very excited to try it on myself!

This book came to me at the perfect time. As I mentioned in previous posts, I have been having these stomach aches (I think some IBS) from stress for about a week now. These are not just your average stomach aches. They hurt terribly bad, and they are not going away. I tried essential oils. I tried supplements. I tried warm compresses. I tried to relax and take deep breaths. Some of these things worked for a little while, but after my next meal, my stomach would start hurting all over again - day after day after day. 

Then, I started reading this book. I tried out the tapping while repeating "my stomach pain." (Yes, I know it sounds strange) And after the first time, I did feel some relief. I have tried it several times since then, with a bit of relief. Then, I started reading in the book how you have to dig further into the roots of the symptoms you are experiencing. So, I started to tap about being stressed out. That worked even better than before. One day, I was feeling really stressed and overwhelmed. After tapping, I felt an immediate calm, more positive, "can do it" attitude.

Is this all in my head? Yes! Because that is what tapping is all about. It is in your head. This isn't a magic pill or a special cream. It is all in your head and through your body.

What do you think? Are you suffering with headaches that don't seem to go away, pain from a serious trauma, stress, weight gain? In my opinion, I believe that tapping can help if you read this book thoroughly and give it the real college try. 

The Tapping Solution is available with book retailers nationwide as well as: amazon.com and bn.com. 

Book proceeds will benefit The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation, founded by Scarlett Lewis Who Lost Her 6-Year-Old Son Jesse in Sandy Hook School Shooting.  

Why and How to Eat Dandelions

This time of year we are seeing beautiful flowers everywhere. Call me crazy, but one of my favorites is yellow, grows almost everywhere, and is edible - did you guess Dandelion? Yep, Dandelions are a favorite of mine. Before you shake your head and go get your Dandelion weed killer, take a moment and read why I love them, why you should eat them (and not kill them) and how you can enjoy eating them.

Did you know that Dandelion plants are very nutritionally exceptional. You can eat the entire plant - all the way from the root up to the beautiful flower, including the stems and leaves. The Dandelion has, in addition to fiber, a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, and Calcium. 

What other healthy fresh food is so easily accessible? Just walk out your front door and pick some (this is also an excellent job for kids to do).

Are you putting away that weed killer yet?

Here are a few ideas on how to use those bright, yellow flowers growing everywhere in your yard.

• You can take their roots and roast them to make a tea. 

• I especially like how easy it is to use the leaves and flowers raw in salads or steamed/cooked with a few favorite spices for a nice side dish. 

Yes, they do have a distinct flavor, but so does spinach, chards, etc. Think about all the nutrients jam packed in these lovely flowers, and maybe the taste will grow on you.

Just today, I made a delicious spinach salad of salmon, apples, and dandelion flowers. It was beautiful, tasty, and oh-so-healthy!

First, go outside, feel the sunshine on your face and pick out a handful or two of fresh dandelions. Then, rinse them off in a strainer.

Next, I add them to my cut up apples, salmon, apple cider vinegar, lemon pepper spice blend and extra virgin olive oil. I let this sit for a couple minutes to soak in some good flavor. Then, I throw it all top of a bowl of spinach and call the kids in for lunch! So delicious, refreshing and summery!

Enjoy those dandelions and think of them as a treat!

Gluten-Free, Paleo Apple Crisp Recipe

In honor of Celiac Awareness Month, which is this month, I wanted to share with you a delicious, kid-tested, gluten-free sweet treat - Honey Walnut Apple Crisp.

Instead of the traditional oats, flour, butter or any other combo you may have used, this recipes uses walnuts, honey, spices and coconut oil to make the delicious crumble topping for the apples. This recipe fits a gluten-free, Paleo, dairy free, or vegan lifestyle.

In fact, it is so tasty, my four year old son actually asked for it as his birthday cake. And can you say easy? I rarely make anything that is hard or complicated, so this is very easy. It might take you a whole 15 minutes to get ready and then you just bake it for 30 minutes.

Honey Walnut Apple Crisp

You will need:

6-8 apples, chopped up

3 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Put chopped apples in 9x13 pan. Whisk spices and salt together in bowl. Sprinkle them over the apples. Sir everything together to evenly coat. Drizzle with 1/4 cup honey.

In another small bowl, cut coconut oil into walnuts, until no chunks remain. (or if you're coconut oil is liquid, then just drizzle it over the walnuts) Stir in the rest of the honey. Then sprinkle this mixture over apples. 

Bake it all about 30 minutes. Eat up!!

Take Charge of Eating Tip #32

Our last tip!! I hope you have enjoyed taking charge of your eating with me. I sure have learned a lot, and I plan to go back through these a number of times, so I can continue to grow on my journey to better health. 
 

#32 -Food is one of God's ways of loving and nurturing us. We make ourselves even more mindful of this when we give thanks!

How many of you give thanks before or after you eat? In our family, we always say thanks before our meals. The prayer we use is, "Thank you, Jesus, for this food. You are loving, kind and good." Keep in mind, we are using this prayer with a 2 and 4 year old, so we keep it short and to the point, but I think it is still a good prayer.

Whether you make up a new prayer at each of your meals or say the same one, it is very important to be grateful for all you have and to realize that the food you are eating is a gift from a loving God who takes great care of you.

What a beautiful way to end our Take Charge of Eating journey. With thankfulness.

(If you missed my post about why or how we are doing this Take Charge of Eating challenge, check it out and join us)

Seabuck Wonders Review and Giveaway

Essential fatty acids? Those words may not sound the most appealing to most people, but when I see them or hear them, I just sing for joy! I love me some essential fatty acids, that is for sure!

Why? Because they are heavenly for your skin, nails, hair, braine, immune system and so much more! I love eating foods with EFA's in them, using products on my skin with EFA's in them, and taking supplements of EFA's.

Now instead of essential fatty acids, you may have heard of Omegas. Omegas are part of the essential fatty acids, so the word Omegas should trigger happy feelings too! 

Now, because I have all this love for Omegas, essential fatty acids and anything else that gives support to a healthy body, I was overjoyed to get news about a company called Seabuck Wonders. They are the first and ONLY full line of products made with 100% USDA Certified Organic Himalayan Sea Buckthorn to bring us powerful antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and the entire family of Omegas (3, 6, 9 AND the rare Omega 7)!

They generously sent me various products to try out, including their Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream, Deep Hydrating Serum, Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil, and Sea Buckthorn Oil Blend, Omega-7 Complete.

My two favorites were the Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream and the Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil. The Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil can be used as a supplement or you can add it to any of your favorite lotions or beauty products. It is great for your skin, gastrointestinal health, as well as hair and nails. The Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream is heavenly for hydrating and protecting your delicate facial skin. I love that it is a nice lightweight cream that is not greasy or heavy. It is very nourishing and has a beautiful light scent from orange essential oil.

SeabuckWonders also really impressed me with their quality and purity. Their products are made of sea buckthorn oils ONLY from the Tibetan Plateau. This is where high altitude, strong ultraviolet radiation, severe cold, scorching heat, and dry and barren soil have equipped the remarkable sea buckthorn plant with an extraordinary bio-defense mechanism that breeds substantial life-giving nutrients for enhancing health and beauty. The Tibetan local green environment makes their sea buckthorn oils amazingly pure, naturally boosting the content of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E over other varieties.

These are truly one-of-a-kind products! Give your skin, hair and body the nutrients they need. Buy them online or find a store near you that carries them.

Plus, we are offering an awesome giveaway! (1) Winner will receive (1) bottle of Facial Lotion and (1) Buckthorn Berry Oil. This giveaway is only open to US residents. Enter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cara was sent products to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.

Friday Fun!

Living healthy natural lives is not always the easiest thing, which is why I started my blog - to inspire and help others live their best life healthfully and naturally. Friday Fun is my way of sharing a bit of my life with you, my readers and friends, and I hope you will be willing to share your thoughts and ideas with me too.

So, here we go!

In my life this week...
I am finally starting to see green when I look outside our windows! Hallelujah! It has been a busy week - my son had his Kindergarten Round Up, which I was emotional about. I had a super chaotic night that night, since my husband worked late and missed it all, my bumper fell half off in a rain storm at my work while I was there with all 3 of my kids. So, THANKFULLY my lovely personal training client saved the day by letting me borrow her car and rush my kids home to throw food in their mouths and rush to my son's Kindergarten event. Needless to say, the Kindergarten Round Up was a bit of a blur, and I haven't had time to let it sink in yet. I need to do that, because I can feel a lot of emotional build up from this whole week and it is driving me crazy. I need to watch a sad movie and cry my eyes out.

I am inspired by...
single moms - again. I felt a bit like a single mom at many times this week, since my husband worked way overtime this week. I had just a little sneak peek into that life, and I don't know how all you single moms do it!!!

My favorite thing this week was...
working with my personal training clients. I needed some time to feel like someone other than a stroller pushing, baby carrying, chef, diaper changing, spit up wiping, ear for whining. That time was precious to me. I also really, really enjoyed chatting with my sister for a few peaceful minutes.

What's working/not working for me...
Working - Eggs!! That's right, eggs. I wasn't satisfied with the organic eggs I was buying in the store. I wanted eggs from a farm I know that are grass-fed, running around clucking away. I found some fabulous eggs from Farmers Daughters Eggs. We tried them for breakfast this morning, and they were absolutely delicious!! This may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but we eat about 4 dozen eggs a week, and I wanted the most nutritious eggs I could find to feed my family. I am so thrilled I found some!

Not working - stomach aches. I think I am holding too much stress and emotion inside. I have been having stomach aches all week, and it isn't pleasant. I need to apply some peppermint oil, drink a nice warm cup of tea and watch a sappy movie.

Questions/thoughts I have...
Should I try oil pulling? For those of you who haven't heard of it, google it and read up. It is basically swishing oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes or so to strengthen your teeth and get rid of bacteria in your mouth.

Things I'm working on...
Trying to love my family better according to their love language. For my husband - that is words of affirmation. For my son - that is words of affirmation. For my older daughter - that is physical touch, and for my youngest, I am not sure yet, so I am just going to keep loving up on her the best I know how. :-)

I'm reading...
A Time to Laugh, A Time to Cry by Bonnie Wasser, The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, and Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

I'm cooking...
Baked Salmon, sweet potato fries, Pizza Skillet, Italian Chicken in the crockpot, Chocolate Coconut Bark for my hubby and our Bible study friends.

I'm grateful for...
the sun shining today, a beautiful, loving mother who gave so much of herself to me, my daughter, Kailana, making me laugh with her crazy antics, my son, Malachi, for his gentle kindness and help, and my daughter, Brynn, for all her beautiful baby smiles that uplift me no matter what else is going on in the day.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

Happy Mother's Day!!!