Goals for 2014

simplymusicwise.blogspot.com

Is it ok to start your goals a little late? I haven't been hibernating,  promise ya.  My neighbor Jason says better late than never! Ha!

Whole-heartedly I agree and have decided this post is my kick off.  In truth, I've started a couple of my goals already, even before New Year's Day, I just hadn't officially decided if I would make them stick.  Ya know, trying it out, like a new pair of pants.

Goals 2014:

1. Find the best natural beauty products for my hair and face.  Help friends, even though I'll be turning 45 here around the corner, I still struggle with beauty products.  Why is this a bane in my life? Sigh, things could be worse.  My skin and hair texture decide to change at whim; I can't find a product that I like within my budget.  So I've been surfing Pinterest for ideas.  Reagan and I have tried out two recipes for hair softeners that worked for her but not for me (of course).  But, never fear, this is the year, I feel it.

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2. Walking 12,000 steps a day/ Fit into my pants. Writing this goal seems so banal and ordinary.  I'm not lying here, when I say that I eat super healthy and I don't understand why my pants don't fit.  I'm worried that they look indecent?!  My middle age self is telling me that I'm not exercising enough, which I keep telling my 40 something self that I'm fine.  But my pants don't lie. If you see me without my pedometer, please call me on it! Nuff said.

photo simplymusicwise

3. Do a craft a month. In my younger, peppier days, I was super crafty.  Then I went through my overwhelmed, fast paced period.  Let's call it the Blue period (original aren't I?).  During my Blue period, I didn't craft one single bit- I eschewed it.  Fancy dictionary word for ran from it, quit it, hated it. I'm not sure why the Blue period created such a waste place for crafting?  I'm now in my Rainbow period (and have been for a few years) and crafting is back.  In December, I made this banner to see if I liked the idea of crafting with all that I have going.  It's a yes! Join me once a month to see what's going down with crafts.

4. Secret goal- to be announced at a later date!  This goal is going to take some DISCIPLINE. And my girls are doing it with me and they are busy!  I can't wait to tell you.

Please, share your goals for this year, if you will.

What to do when you are feeling sick?

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I have been using my diffusers, putting oils allover my family's necks, taking On Guard tea.....and my natives are still getting sick.  It doesn't help that we have lots of students going through our house, my kids go to school, my husband and I work, my family goes to church, and we shop in our town.  In other words....we live in a community.

My friend, Debbie, shared this awesome trick to use with homemade chicken noodles.  This really can kick a cold or cough in the tooshie- and fast.

Debbie calls it Mojo sauce.

2Tbls each of olive oil, fresh grated ginger, crushed garlic, lemon juice and about 1/8 tsp cayenne to taste. Blend in food processor. Add 1 teaspoon or more to homemade soup for garnish/heat.

I can't describe how incredible the power of whole foods can be on your health. Let me know if you felt it kick your cold.

In harmony,

Leslie

What are essential oils and how do they work?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant, eliciting profound emotional responses. Yet the use of essential oils goes well beyond their fragrant appeal. Used throughout history for their 
medicinal and therapeutic benefits, essential oils can be used as natural alternatives in holistic self-care practices. Their unique chemistry allows them to be used aromatically and applied topically to the skin, while other essential oils can be used as dietary aids to promote vitality and well being.

Here are a few personal experiences:  my daughter had chronic walking pneumonia.  Since using On Guard, she hasn't gotten that deep, rumbly cough that scares a mom to death.  Yes, she still gets colds, but they don't last for 2 months, yahoo!

Every morning I put LLP (lavender, lemon, peppermint) from a roller bottle on the back of my neck for allergies.  It helps me not only feel good, gives me energy, and keeps my allergies at bay.  If people are sensitive to oils, they'll walk by and say "what is that good smell?  It's not perfume; it's better.  It smells happy."  I carry sample sizes with me, then I put the oils on them and they experience the same feeling.  Anything that is natural and makes me and people I meet feel good, I believe in.  It's uplifting.

I like Doterra oils.  Let me know if you would like more information to help healing yourself and your family. I love talking about them, as I am still learning about their many uses.  Just today, I was substituting in an elementary class and I gave a little mini-'smelling' lesson on oils because the teacher's aid and students wanted to learn about why I smelled so good.