The Flu Fighter

The Flu.  I thought I escaped it's nasty grip this year.  But alas, yesterday it hit me.  Out of no where, crept in and knocked me off my feet.  No matter how many times I verbally affirmed my health and wellness, "I am strong.  I am healthy. I am not going to get sick."-over and over again, I found myself bed ridden with a fever, aches, and chills, the whole 9 yards-the mac daddy of flu symptoms..
Being the homeopathic proactive person I am, in the middle of the night when I could muster up enough strength to get out of my bed, I chopped up a clove of raw garlic and threw it in a cup of Gypsy Cold Care Herbal Tea.  I also stuck a clove of straight-up raw garlic in my mouth and intermittently chewed down on it to release it's medicinal benefits.  Crazy? Yes.  Spicy? Definitely.  Pungent? Most certainly.  But it works.
I'm not 100% today, but I do think that the garlic works wonders.  Every time.  I believe in it.  And so that is why I'm sharing this flu fighter with you.

My medicine cabinet:

green onion

 garlic

 ginger

 white miso paste

 Broth of Wellness:
3 c water
2 Tbs White Miso Paste
2 stalks of green onion
3-4 cloves of garlic
1 stem of raw ginger

It's definitely spicy and you will inevitably sweat.  But it's a power house of natural anti-septic for your body.  And it doesn't leave you all cracked out feeling like Nyquil or some of that other junk does.
Hope this helps you in the future if the flu decided to pay your body a little visit.

Be Happy BeHealthy

Birthday Week Bliss

I turn 30 this week.  And I'm stoked about it.  

I love getting older. I'm not claiming to know it all and certainly don't have it all figured out by any stretch of the imagination.  But, there is a freedom in feeling comfortable in your own skin and realizing trying to please everyone is a never-ending battle.  

So, this week, I'm going to take the time to celebrate the things about me that make me me.  I am going to surround myself with the people I love most, and if they don't live close, I'll write them a good old-fashioned letter or give them a call.  I am going to find those peaceful moments in solitude that ground my spirit. I am going to pursue my passions, find those moments that bring me joy, embrace the good and the bad and the change that comes from it.   I am going to set my intentions to celebrate this life God's blessed me with.

One thing I tell my daughter as we reflect on our day or plan for the next, is "make every day the best day ever".  

And that's what I intend to do.  

Life is short.

Celebrate every day.

Music I've been LOVING: The Civil Wars

~harmonic heaven and acoustic bliss, enchanting arrangements, lyrical genius~ 

Pinterest Picks

(you can check out my board  here http://pinterest.com/missmollyjoy/) 

I love these pictures.  All are very different, but they each brought different emotions:

Laughter 

Peace

 Everything.  (There are no words)

I remember watching this day on the news.  I followed this story the entire time.  It was gut-wrenching.  Her daughter is the same age as my daughter-I could not imagine going through what she went through, but at the same time, I could totally identify her will to live, to thrive, and to see her daughter again.  The look on her face says a million words.  And her sister, in the background (the amazing, Lisa Ling).  I could completely identify with her every emotion as well.  What a beautiful, inspiring story.

Alright, bloggers and readers.  Go celebrate your life.  Make today the best day ever!

Thoughts for Thursday:

Some wise and inspiring words for all of us. . . 

Believe.  

And Believe in Love. 

Because when it all comes down, Love is the most important thing that ever was and ever will be.  

my mamma done gone and told me....

A few years ago, during some major life changes and struggles, my mom gave me this clipping from the newspaper.  It spoke to me and continues to resonate in me.  It was unlike my mom to give something of such sentiment.  She's not the most sentimental person at all, really, which made it even more precious to me because she knows that I am.  

I hope it resonates with you.  And if it doesn't now, maybe it will later.

~After Awhile~
After awhile you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn’t mean possession
and company doesn’t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises and you begin to accept
your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads today
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
burns if you get too much so you plant your
own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn…

Best. Day. Of. My. Life.

Ella.  Sweet Ella Bella.  Today is her birthday and the best day of my life.  She adorns the walls of my heart with pure joy and decorates the depths of my soul with delight.  Nothing is more fulfilling or brings me more contentment than being her mother. 
She furthers my belief in God, as I watch her grow and blossom in to this amazing person.  She is a constant miracle unfolding, a continuous gift unwrapping. 

I love you, my sweet Ella bo Bella.  You are the joy and light of my life. 

Songs 4 Saturday

Some songs that played during my hike yesterday and put a skip in my step.
Enjoy.
Skip along on your Saturday!

Props on Products

 So, my skin decided to totally freak out about a year ago.  I know I was under a lot of stress and big life changes.  But, come on.  Adult acne?  Are you kidding me?  I never had any acne growing up.  A few pimples here and there once a month, but nothing that would even consider to be a "situation".  

Well, about a year ago, my skin developed a "situation".  Not cool.  NOT COOL.  My occasional monthly break out here or there turned in to chronic break outs.  When I got a facial the esthetician told me it wasn't "acne", but in my opinion, it in the neighborhood.

After many products bought in hopes of being the wonder elixir, I found the gold ladies.  No, not literal gold, but after just a week of using these products, I could definitely see results.  I have even had comments from friends saying how my skin looks so much better.  You know those annoying Proactive commercials-ya, that's basically me except better (I've heard horrible stuff about that product I was scared to even try-like that your skin gets addicted to it, it dries it out like the grand canyon, and that it stinks super bad).  I am one happy camper with the following products. 

They are a line made in Hungary and I was introduced to them at the Spa I work at.  These ladies swore by them.  Being a product junkie and putting all my trust in the rave reviews of my co-workers, I gave it a try.  And I LOVE.  My skin has not felt better or responded more positively to a product.  

All the products are organic, made from their own bio-dynamic farm in Hungary, are hand made from cold pressed herbs, fruits, seeds, pulps, and peels.  These amazing products smell so delicious and fresh, you literally want to taste them!  You can read more about the products here http://www.eminenceorganics.com/page/index.php?nid=3 .  or come check out the products in person where I work at Soul to Soul Spa and Foot bar ( www.soultosoulspa.com ). 

Here are some of the products I love and swear by:

Eucalyptus Cleansing Concentrate

Description: Deep Cleansing & Balancing

Skin Type: Oily to combination skin types

Key Ingredients:
• Eucalyptus: antiseptic, calming and restorative agent Soap Base (free of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate): cleanses and softens
• Camphor: assists in relieving tightness or irritation
• Lavender: calming and restorative agent

Herbal Spot Serum

Description: High Potency Blemish Gel

Skin Type: Seborreic, oily, acne and blemished skin types

Key Ingredients:
• Horsetail: reduces swelling, calms inflammation
• Rosehip: Vitamin-C rich, calming
• Willow Bark: phyto-estrogens, anti-inflammatory
• Walnut Leaves: astringent, tightening
• Bioflavonoids: enrich, nourish and moisturize the skin
• Anise: calms irritations
• Biocomplex™: an antioxidant booster of Vitamin A, Vitamin C Ester, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid

There is a treatment for EVERY skin type, skin situation, or skin need.  These products are amazing!  Visit the website and then come check them out for yourself and I'll assist you in finding the product best for you!  It will change your skin!