5 Essentials Oils for Virtual Learning

I am a #NOWWellness Influencer. I have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases, and I am compensated for my post. All my opinions are my own. My full disclosure policy

Back to School looks different this time because our daughters are “remote learning.” Our family chose the remote learning box, and now I am questioning my sanity. I was until I experienced my “never will I ever.”  I am sure many of us have said, “never will I ever homeschool my children.” When we were given the option of sending our girls to school or remote learning despite knowing that we were embarking on a challenge, we decided to educate our eleventh, seventh, and first-grader at home.  

Making the Decision to Remote Learn

It was a decision that we prayed hard.  I was not gifted with patience, but when assessing what was best for our girls. For two out of three, learning for home would be a better environment for them to thrive.  Now I am questioning my survival, and I have some essentials to help with remote learning.

Essential Oils can be used by the family 

Our family uses essential oils daily for purification and mood lifts. I am the “oil” lady without direct sales backing.  I discovered essentials oils through “an education workshop” from a friend. And have been exploring the benefits ever since.

I was raised in a Glade home.  My dad had one in every outlet, sprinkled the carpet refresher every vacuum stroke, and smelled like a different fruit or musky scent from room to room.  When I learned the harmful effects of these deodorizers, I knew I had to find another way.  My exchange essential oils. Not only for the smell but for the benefits from diffusing. Make sure that you get the facts of using essential oils with children before you make the swap. I would check out the adverse effects of deodorizers and air fresheners and try making natural changes.

What are essential oils?

Essential Oils according to dictionary.com any of a class of volatile oils obtained from plants, possessing the odor and other characteristic properties of the plant, used chiefly in the manufacture of perfumes, flavors, and pharmaceuticals. Over the years, the medicinal benefits of these plant extracts have been brought to common knowledge, but some cultures have been working with essentials oils for centuries. 

Essential Oils History 

Some have been dated back as far as 4500 BC,  essential oils derived from plants.  It has been a practice since before modern medicine and something in the last year I have been using to set the mood and tone in the atmosphere of my home.

Essential Oils and atmosphere 

The point of educating my children through remote learning is to provide an atmosphere where they can thrive. Our space is limited in space in my home, so all three girls are in the same room.  We use essential oils to set the tone and atmosphere while they are learning. Make sure you know how to safely diffuse oils before adding them to your daily routine. 

Five oils that are essential to our remote learning is 

1.Cheer Up Buttercup! I diffuse this in the girls’ room when I get up before they wake up.  I have crabby teens, so I am trying to make the most of all my tools.  Cheer Up Buttercup! is an essential oil blend from NOW® Essential Oils.  I prefer oil blends because they save me on buying several oils, and I trust NOW to combine the blend I need.

Think of it as a high spirited energizing oil that lifts the mood.  It is blended with  Bergamot Oil, Orange Oil, Lime Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Lemon Oil and has a refreshing scent. 

2.Focus Oil Blend- we use around 10a. My youngest daughter loves this responsibility and puts it in the diffuser before she logs into school. My youngest begins school later than the older two, and she adds lots of fidgety energy into the room.

When we need the girls to focus and center the room, I use this blend of Lemon Oil, Peppermint Oil,  Orange Oil,  and Frankincense, Lavender, and a minty citrus scent.

3.Peppermint, Lemon, and Lavender  I blend this around one or 2p after lunch.  For a few reasons, my girls usually go outside for 30 minutes to walk the dog in the afternoon. Get them moving, give the dog a walk, and I am guaranteed about 15-20 minutes of solitude until we have to tackle the remainder of the day. This is Mom’s essential.  Fall, our seasonal allergies are awful, so this helps them breathe easily for the rest of the afternoon.

4.Peace and Harmony or Peaceful sleep is diffused at night. My girls don’t have a hard time falling asleep, but this settles the house down.

Peace and Harmony are blended with  Peppermint Oil, Patchouli Oil, Orange Oil, Lavender Oil, Basil Oil. It’s a unique scent of flowers and mint, but it settles the house and calms the atmosphere.

Peaceful sleep is blended with  Orange Oil, Tangerine Oil, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Sandalwood Oil.  It smells like a citrus floral smell and works well on me. Within minutes, I’m passed out, but since this is about the kids, it works on them too, but seriously,  if your kids have a hard time falling asleep, this will work like a charm and smells good. 

5. We also use Nature’s Shield daily. It’s a purification oil that we use with our hand sanitizer and pretty much every day since COVID! 

Nature’s Shield is the modern take on a well-known and ancient Thieves Oil Vinegar water commonly known to be a good cleanser.  Nature’s Shield from NOW is blended with Clove Bud, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils. I think it smells like a fall with its sweet, nutty invigorating scent. 

I have no expectations for this year. It has been entirely out of control. We are doing the best with what we have and feel remote learning is the right choice for our family. 

We have found a schedule, and a rhythm and essential oils are becoming part of our routine. I believe in the power of plants not only for healing but also for nourishment; disinfectant plants are powerful. 

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12 

Plants are easily renewed and given to us by God. We should tap into their power.

If you want to give NOW Foods, a try take 20% off your purchase with coupon code “FAITHFUELED.”

Do you diffuse essential oils, and do you use them to set the mood in your home?

Join the FaithFueled Life Community

Join the FaithFueled Life Community

Since creating this blog I have aspired to create a FaithFueled Life community.

Faithfueled life community

Let’s get better together

When I began this blog I was seeking a community of Christian women to do motherhood.  Over the years through my own personal experiences, the vision for this blog has changed but one thing has remained the same.  The need for community.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

We were meant to do life together.  I personally have grown in online communities, met some amazing people that are still in my life today and I want to facilitate a community that provides women connection.

God Showed Up

My birthday just passed and after reflection. I am amazed at how God has been using me over the last three years.   I have lots of plans to help women honor their temple and live a healthier lifestyle.

So many opportunities have been provided by God. So many but the one that I am in awe is the Ambassador Scholarship I received from Revelation Wellness. I am truly amazed because I received the over $2,000 certification as a scholarship.

What shocked me is that they want me to represent the brand for the next year. I didn’t even realize I was on their radar but they were in my prayers.  Every time I would see a new Instructor Training begin I would pray, “let me be the next one.”

Revelation Wellness Platoon 25

God as always exceeded my expectations.  Which made me say, “Use me Lord.” that is often my daily prayer.  I just want to serve a God who blessed me abundantly every day and be a reflection of His glory and Light. So here I am using my gifts and I want to share them with you.

Building a FaithFueled Community

Like I said, from the beginning, I have aspired to create a community for women who are bold with their faith but need guidance for their health. I am grateful to inspire through social media but I want to do so much more.
“Our goal as Christians is not an “inspiration” but to be a “reflection.”

When we seek to inspire, the focus is on what we do.  When we seek to reflect, it’s on what God does. Inspiration is secondary.  It’s a by-product, not the goal. I would like to cause action behind the motivation.

Like the moon, we have no light source of our own.  On our own, we fail. We are solely dependent on the sun as our source of light. However, when we seek to reflect the Son, Jesus in us, working through us,

  • He lights the way for others.
  • He illuminates the darkness.
  • He shines into hearts and makes them glow.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;  apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2New International Version (NIV)

How do Faith and Fitness work together?

When you give work on your fitness through your faith.

  • You will make some significant strides; you will be diligent with your nutrition and exercise.
  • You’ll prioritize yourself and be refreshed from your rest.
  • You will get noticeably more fit.
The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are to feel better and look better and inadvertently you will inspire others. Inspiring others is great but we can’t do this without Jesus.  Always point it back to God. Jesus was a living example of although our acts our great we must always point back to the Father (Mark 10:18) we too should be quick to point back to our Jesus.

“He is sustaining in all things…”us included.  We can do no good thing apart from Him.” Hebrews 1:3

Called to connect

Knowing what I know and actually experiencing God’s grace and mercy through my own fitness journey. Over the years I’ve felt called to help other women do the same. Constantly thinking and praying of the best way to form a community of women that glorify God and honor their temple.

My desire is to provide tangible information, real-time answers, and encouragement as women embark on their own journey to live a healthier lifestyle.  I also feel strongly that we are so much better together.

I would like to invite you to my new Facebook group.  There as a community of faithfueled women we will hold each other accountable, pray for each other, share recipes, scriptures, and even do live workouts.  FaithFueled Life members will also have exclusive access to LIVE workshops.

Exclusive Group Access

There will be exclusive content and Workshops in the FaithFueled Life Community.

Our first workshop is scheduled for October 17, 2020 at 10a EST. Understanding your hormones.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how movement can be used to support women’s health. We’ll do moves and learn about foods to regulate the hormones that impact our health, as well as our moods.
The workshop includes a discussion of the endocrine system, how movement can help balance hormones, and hormone-balancing movement practice.
Come away with tools and information you can use daily to support your physical and emotional health to help maintain a healthy hormonal balance.
Movement and food can be helpful for many conditions related to hormonal imbalances, including:
• Insomnia
• Mood swings/irritability
• Thyroid imbalance
• Adrenal depletion
• Low libido
• Fertility issues
• Irregular cycles
• Cramps or low backache
• Low immune function
• PMS
• Hormone-related anxiety/depression
• Peri-menopausal / menopausal
I would love any specific questions you have on the topic or anything that you want to see in the group and don’t forget to join us.  Please message me or comment below and Register for the Workshop!

I Carry for…

Carry the Carry Forward Project is a Virtual 5k raising fund and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project is a fundraiser that is near and dear to my heart.

For the last ten years around Memorial Day, I think about my little cousin Alex who would be thirty-one years this year, but he was fatally wounded in combat.  Ten years ago in my Uncle received news that his oldest son Alex had died in Afghanistan. My entire family still grieves for this loss, especially my Uncle and his siblings. It has particularly haunted my Uncle for the past decade. We will never get over the loss. 

Wounded Soldiers

We all miss his radiating smile and dimples.  He was always eager to help and a caring big brother—a witty sense of humor and willingness to serve.  When Alex joined the army, it was no surprise.  He was proud to serve his country. Our family has endured many wounds.

My father, stepfather, aunts, uncles, grandfather, grandmother, and great grandfather all served the United States Military. The duty that soldiers possess for their country. I’ve always found admirable.  I look up to so many of these people in my family and am proud of their service for the freedom of our country. Its something they choose to do, which includes sacrifices.  Maybe because my father was a soldier and you look up to your father. My grandfather was a distinguished man that also set the example. I have the utmost respect for those who serve our country so that we can practice our freedoms.  

Wounded Warrior Project

This year I partnered with “Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to help further their extraordinary mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors! We’re bringing awareness to the WWP Carry Forward® 5K, delivered by CSX®,  a powerful and unifying experience that raises mission-critical funds for services and resources for wounded veterans. “This is an opportunity for me to support a cause I learned about two years ago actively. 

Last year, I raised funds through my Ms. Muscle and Fitness, where I made it two 6th place with your support. The funds raised during the voting period was to the Wounded Warrior Project.  This year I am doing things differently and putting “movement to this mission.” I am passionate about offering veterans services and tools for them to heal from service.  It is important to care for those who cared for us.

I carry forward

I was taught about sacrifice and allegiance for our country at a young age.  As an adult, I now have deep empathy and compassion for the families of the armed forces.  I partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to participate in a Virtual 5k to bring awareness and recognition to this organization serving our wounded veterans.

I am not a runner, but I do enjoy a run.  During COVID 19, I have running to be a great time to reflect.  This Virtual 5K was so much different because I was carrying for the people in my family that I have respected and admired. Their allegiances and servitude for the people of our country are admirable, considering the present state. Yet, they serve, and some of them die in honor like my cousin Alex.  Others come home wounded not only physically but some mentally, and that is equally debilitating, and their servitude goes unnoticed.  

Carry Forward is Unique

Running a 5k carrying weight is a humbling experience, and carrying my almost seventy-pound six-year-old as a representation of our fallen soldiers. I carried a weight to represent the responsibilities veterans carry while serving our country. As I ran, I was brought to tears thinking of the man Alex could have been. It’s a unique and powerful way to honor the brave and heroic women and men who serve our armed forces veterans. 

The experience was moving and reflective. I have never run a 5k and had that experience.  Its something that you have to do for yourself and you can.  I ended the race carrying Mimi to symbolize the responsibilities veterans c while serving our country. I carry for my family, my cousin Alex Hernandez, and other families of veterans of the United States. I encourage and invite you to do the same.

Right now, with coupon code FREEDOM, you can join this movement for FREE and participate in a Virtual 5k! 

To join, just click here and share who you are carrying for…let’s recognize these heroes and bring awareness to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

5 Ways to Detox your Skincare

Detox your skincare routine to improve so many aspects of your health from hormone imbalances, to the effect on your weight loss. Your skincare routine is probably one of the essential things in your wellness.

I have shared products that I use with my Amazon affiliate links that I do make a commission from please See My Full Disclosure Policy. 

Your skincare affects everything, including your weight loss.

Our toxic intake is sabotaging our weight loss efforts! What if I told you that your lotion is causing you to gain weight? What if I said to you that what you put on your body; or absorb from the environment that you live in will negate a “clean eating diet?”

If you’re washing your dishes with chemical-laden dish detergent, then eating or drinking out of those dishes is directly going into your bloodstream. Something that seems harmless such as your shampoo bottle ingredient labeled “fragrance,” can contain over 4,000 compounds of toxic chemicals. Why is this allowed you asked? Because beauty products and skincare are under-regulated in the United States.

Honoring your temple is more than food and exercise.

When considering honoring your temple, people completely forget the mind, which is crucial. They also neglect the outside of the body other than their appearance. When you think of a healthy lifestyle or honoring your temple, you immediately associate it with your fitness and nutrition, but there is so much more.

Your Morning Routine is to blame

Just think about your daily hygiene routine.

Bathing: you use soap, lotion, deodorant, possibly shampoo and conditioner, and maybe even perfume or fragrance.

You brush your teeth with plastic toothbrush and toothpaste, which has small traces but still toxic chemicals. You may use the product to style your hair.

Even your Makeup can be affecting your weight loss.

Makeup? And you are putting all of these products on the most significant organ of your body or in your mouth.  The concept of skin absorption is not new; there are nicotine patches, birth control patches, even appetite suppressants.

That’s because the largest organ in our body is also the most vulnerable when it comes to toxic absorption. Some of these chemicals are having adverse effects on your weight loss efforts.

toxic intake

What is a toxin?

I think a precise definition of what I mean by toxin is needed too. Toxins can cover a broad range of things-there are internal toxins, which are normal standard bodily functions that God has designed in us to eliminate through our kidney and livers.

Then there are external toxins from pesticides, industrial chemicals, mercury, and so much more. These are the toxins that I am referring to.  These are the toxins that are building up in our bodies and leading our organs to become overworked, causing illness and weight gain.  These toxins are absorbed into our bloodstream through our skin, mouth, nose, and then stored in our fat cells.

How do toxins affect weight loss?

When we go to lose fat and weight, the stored toxins in the fat cells are released into our body and then causes our metabolism to slow down. Adverse effects of cellular structure happen too, which also causes illness’ such as cancer.

There have been hundreds of studies on the chemical toxins and the effects on your body during weight loss. The Obesity Review in 2003, researchers concluded that pesticides and Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs (from industrial pollution), poison our metabolism when they are released from the stored fat tissue.

What can I do to reduce my toxin intake?

I could go on and on about the adverse effects that we are doing to our body daily, but I encourage you to research for yourself.

You will be shocked at what is really in your lotions and body care products and what they are doing to your body slowly but surely.

Here are some recommendations on

Five ways to detox your skincare and reduce your toxic intake.

1. Reduce and minimize your toxic intake.

Easier said than done, right? Eat foods that minimally process, organic foods, drink filtered water (which is a post in the making about our water filters), foods that don’t contain “food additives,” foods that are free of hormonesantibiotics, artificial sweeteners, artificial food colors, or artificial flavorings that were not initially found in the food. Let’s take it back to nature what God provided before we modified it to look or taste more appealing. Eat Biblically Based!

2. Get rid of toxins through sweat!

Exercise regularly, the use of saunas healthily and safely. Pesticides and heavy metals can be excreted through your skin by sweating. Did you know that workers at Ground Zero after 9/11 were treated through sweating in saunas to eliminate the toxins that were absorbed while they were working?

3.Detox through food.

I have detoxed by eating foods after unwise choices. Usually, I do it for three days at a time. There are a variety of foods that can help you do this. Make sure you follow step 1 when choosing the types of foods. Cruciferous vegetables like: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, dandelion greens, cilantro, garlic, citrus peels and cocoa (definitely remember step 1 when choosing your cocoa) and drinking green tea can help detox your body.

4.Water.

Your body is designed by God to flush itself, and people fail to realize that water helps flush fat, which is where the toxins are stored, so it is a great way to detoxify your body.

5. Be conscious of the products that you use.

My family uses Giovanni for our shampoo and conditioner- its made of sulfite-free products and all-natural no synthetic chemicals. We use coconut oil for our lotion, Unrefined virgin coconut oil; that’s it. We use White Birch because of the ingredients, and it works well and doesn’t taste awful like other toothpaste.  Something that I have struggled with is finding a natural deodorant.  You apply your deodorant so close to your lymph nodes and with the high absorption rate and frequency of application. It is something that I am conscious I need to find, but I haven’t found one that works or irritate my skin, as of yet, but I am still searching.

Unfortunately, we will never be completely toxin-free, not in the world that we have tainted from God’s original creation. But we can reduce our exposure and rid ourselves as much as possible.  This will help with not only weight loss but also with our complete health and help us to honor our temples.

Have you ever considered your body care products to be toxic? What are some things that you have done to reduce your toxin intake?

 

 

 

What is Pea Protein Powder?

I am a #NOWWellness Influencer. I have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases, and I am compensated for my post. All my opinions are my own. My full disclosure policy

Pea protein powder fuels my post workouts. Over the years, I have tried so many protein powders and shared them with you.  I have written several posts over the years for protein powder. I’ve gone from having it daily to eliminating it altogether. I am always coming back to add it to my diet because it’s a convenient way to get clean protein.

My Criteria for Choosing a Plant-based Protein

  1. What’s in it?
  2. How does it taste?
  3. Can I bake and make pancakes with it?

Pea Protein Powder is a High-Quality Plant-Based Protein Powder

I also want it to be a high-quality source of protein. Pea protein is considered a highly bioavailable protein meaning your body quickly absorbs and uses pea protein as a fuel source. Pea Protein is a plant-based protein that is a high source of protein that is easily applied and absorbed by the body.  There are many types of plant-based protein.  I find pea protein to be a superior source when looking for a plant-based protein.

Why not Whey Protein Powder?

I don’t do Whey Protein at all, mostly because it has milk in it, and I am lactose intolerant. My husband drinks Whey Protein and has also fallen in love with the taste of NOW® Sports Whey Chocolate Isolate.  Whey protein is also a highly bioavailable protein and has higher absorption than pea protein, especially if you drink an isolate.  I prefer Pea Protein because I digest it better than Whey because of the dairy content. Whey is great for some people, and others, we have a great option like NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder that comes in different flavors. My husband says  Whey Protein tastes better than others he has tried.

My first experience with NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder

Last summer at Empower Summer Camp, I was introduced to NOW® Sports Vanilla Toffee Pea Protein, and I became addicted.  We had fun making smoothie bowls my first time, and the taste is fantastic. I am not a huge chocolate fan. I enjoy a brownie from time to time, but vanilla is my go-to in protein powders. Check out my everyday post-workout shake below. They have other flavors too.  Pick your choice of Creamy Vanilla or Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee, or unflavored and make it your own.

Clean Pea Protein Powder

I pretty much trust all NOW products because they are CERTIFIED (you know I love me a cert)! NOW has provided natural health products and supplements since 1968.  They’re not one of these new companies that are popping up on Instagram with the claim of all “natural” ingredients or the naturalistic fallacy.  NOW’s testing is why they have been a leader in producing products for health and wellness. The label is entirely transparent; there is no questioning what is in the bottle.  I trust them for my family’s needs.

What’s in Pea Protein Powder?

NOW Sports Pea Protein passed my high standards for quality protein, but why NOW Sports Pea Protein? Two reasons. It has quality ingredients and 4,400 mg of branched chain amino acids and over 2,200 mg of arginine.Pea Protein has become the go-to plant-based protein because of all of the things I have said above:

  • It’s very clean; It’s just protein, nothing else.  It does have branched chain amino acids and is a complete protein profile, which is why it needs no fillers, unlike dairy-based products.
  • It does not have an overpowering taste, any smart smell, and no bad aftertaste.
  • High Source of quality Protein some people find it hard to find high quality and clean plant-based protein.  Usually, plant-based protein is not enough for dietary needs.
  • Helps maintain healthy weight when people think of losing weight; they first grab veggies, not protein, but protein is an excellent way to maintain healthy body weight.  If you get .7-1 gram per the amount you weigh in protein a day, you will build muscle faster that will help you burn fat faster.  Weight x .8= Amount of Protein you should eat a day. Another reason that proteins help you feel less hungry. Studies have shown that Pea Protein is equal to dairy-based protein in suppressing hunger.

Why do I recommend Pea Protein Powder?

As I said before, I have been drinking the same protein shake daily for over a year with the same enthusiasm. No, seriously, it tastes so good. It’s really creamy, and BCAAs are great for when I am trying to grow for my fitness competitions.  I am not a fan of meal replacement shakes, but I am a huge fan of the convenience of quality Protein Shakes for snacks and post-workout fuel. I sometimes work out as late as 11 at night. It just works. Some people get up at crazy early hours and exercise, and some of us stay up late to crazy hours and workout. Pick your crazy, but don’t judge. The last thing I want to do is eat. I usually Shake, Chug, and pass out, so when I eliminated Protein Shakes from my life, it made post-workout meals a chore.

It’s not gritty, and it tastes AMAZING, and some Pea Protein I have tried are gritty. Light but filling because it is 25g of protein. Shake, and some nut butter and I am ready to go.

Pancakes, Cookies, Donuts, and Muffins

Yes, yes, and yes, it has passed the baking test, and because the powder is so refined, everything is light and fluffy. I also love that NOW has a variety of flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee Vanilla, and Unflavored.  Unflavored is excellent because you can use it to make savory items.  It is so good.  I made “You’d think they Could be Ritz” Protein Crackers. They resembled those buttery crackers mm mm. <Recipe to come>

I haven’t had a protein that I have completely loved until now.  I really am ending the search and found something that is affordable, delicious, actually truly clean with no fillers, and something that I would recommend to my clients, friends, and family with the confidence they will like it, and it’s good for them. If you want to give NOW Foods, a try take 20% off your purchase with coupon code “FAITHFUELED.”

Do you have a particular protein you love?

 

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