Empowered Wellness

I work full time outside the home and I am always looking for quick and easy recipes, especially with my InstantPot! My friend at Cool Breeze Farm , where we buy our grass fed beef and pork, shared this recipe and I just had to try it, too! I had some with lunch and it is YUMmy! Enjoy!! I don't subscribe to any special "diets" but this is Paleo and Whole30 approved, if anyone needs to know. :) On our day "off" together I got my kids, 8 and 11, involved. They are not "helpless" in the kitchen although they are not eager beavers, either. After I gave them some simple directions they were willing to help out with the chopping! I made sure they had sharp knives and tasks that matched their abilities. (Eight-year-old chopped the celery.) We were finished so quickly doing it together! Ingredients 2 teaspoons avocado oil 1 lb grass fed ground beef or venison 1 small onion, chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced 2 large celery stalks, sliced...

I've been using essential oils for several years now and have never made myself, at home, a truly "luxe" beauty serum. I've used frankincense + lavender before (these come in the popular starter kit), and I've added drops of frankincense to my existing moisturizer. I've also acquired a pre-made rose essential oils serum which is totally divine! If you have only ONE oil to choose from for a serum, use rose! I'm forty so of course beauty regimens take a greater priority these days. The easier the routine, the better! So, I did a little research in my essential oils reference guide and came up with this list of oils I have on hand that are very beneficial for helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and for brightening the skin. This is not an exhaustive list but gives you an excellent starting point. Also, don't worry if you don't have all of these on hand. Feel free to experiment on your own and make adjustments. Remember, if you want to keep it...

I made some delicious einkorn flour cookies for a holiday cookie exchange party that I had to share with you! Why Einkorn? Einkorn grain has grown alongside human civilization since ancient times. Untouched by hybridization, einkorn contains only 14 chromosomes—a huge difference from the 42 chromosomes contained in modern hybridized wheat. This superior ancient grain also contains less gluten than modern whole wheat and is more abundant in many vitamins and minerals. Many people with gluten sensitivities don't have the same symptoms when they switch to Einkorn flour products. Ingredients 1 cup Gary's True Grit Einkorn Flour by Young Living 1 tsp aluminum free baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon (organic) 1 stick of Kerrygold butter (softened) 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1.5 tsp vanilla extract (organic or homemade) 1 free-range egg (room temperature) 1/4-1/2 cup applesauce (organic) 5 drops Orange Vitality essent...

Oscillococcinum is another tool in our toolbox that we have on hand, particularly in the winter time. If we know we've been exposed to the flu, we use it prophylactically (half of a tube). It's a safe, homeopathic remedy for flu symptoms and can reduce the length of time you have the flu. We dose it with elderberry syrup , among our other immune supporting supplements. When sick we also work to eliminate sugar and processed foods since simple carbohydrates and sugar are essentially poison  and won't benefit our immune system. From the oscillo.com manufacturer website: Temporarily relieves flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. Directions: Adults and children 2 years of age and older: Dissolve entire contents of one tube in the mouth every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day. Children under 2 years of age: Ask a doctor. You can order the 30-dose family pack of Oscillococcinum below (affiliate link). I was sure to stock up this flu season!

Mompreneurs, you want to work smarter, not harder, right? I run nearly my whole business using G Suite and I recommend it to friends all the time! What is G Suite? G Suite is a cloud-based productivity suite that helps teams communicate, collaborate and get things done from anywhere and on any device. It's simple to set up, use and manage, so your business can focus on what really matters. Millions of organizations around the world count on G Suite for professional email, file storage, video meetings, online calendars, document editing and more. Watch a video [embed]https://youtu.be/EZmXEFGFeNA[/embed] Find out more here. Here are some highlights: Business email for your domain Looking professional matters, and that means communicating as you@yourcompany.com. Gmail’s simple, powerful features help you build your brand while getting more done. Access from any location or device Check email, share files, edit documents, hold video meetings and more whether you’re at work, at home or ...

Elderberry syrup can help the immune system halt enzymes that spread viruses in our body's cells! It can even decrease the severity of symptoms. I use 1 tablespoon a few times a week for "maintenance" and daily, several times a day if I have a cold or flu. Our children use 1 teaspoon. I researched a few recipes and determined that you can't go too wrong; it's pretty hard to mess it up! ;) You can prepare it on the stove or in a pressure cooker. I used an InstantPot so feel free to modify your process as necessary. Ingredients 2/3 cup dried black elderberries (about 3 ounces) 3 1/2 cups of water 2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder 1/2 teaspoon cloves or clove powder Orange Vitality essential oil Thieves Vitality essential oil 1 cup raw honey (we get from our local bee farmer; leave out for children under age 1) Instructions Add elderberries, water, and all other ingredients except essential oils and honey...

Zucchini-Einkorn Wheat Breakfast Cookies These cookies are so delicious and nutrition-packed that you can get by with having them for a quick breakfast bite! Fun variation: Substitute 1-2 drops each Cinnamon and Nutmeg Vitality essential oils for the powder. Use the essential oils in the wet mixture instead of the dry. Experiment with recipes until you find the right number of drops for your taste! Ingredients 1 heaping cup zucchini, finely grated ⅓ c. oil 1 egg, beaten ⅓ c. brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1½ c. quick oats, divided 1 cup Einkorn wheat flour ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. salt ½ c. semi sweet chocolate chips (can substitute 1/2 c. dried wolfberries ) ½ c. chopped walnuts, optional Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees If desired, blend one cup of oats and make oat flour. Mix together egg, oil and vanilla. Add brown sugar and mix again. Add blended and non blended quick o...

Did you ever see the Story of Stuff video regarding your cosmetics ?! Check it out, and let me know what you think! I'm thrilled that my favorite wellness company in the world has released their new makeup line, completely free of harmful chemicals like... talc bismuth parabens petrochemicals synthetic and lake dye fragrance gluten nylon nanoparticles

These are some questions I get asked often about essential oils so I though I'd compile them all into one convenient spot. What questions should I ask my essential oil company? Are distillers on-site? Do you own your own farms? Do you send oils to third party laboratories for testing? Was your land previously treated with pesticides or herbicides? Do you know how long plant material sits before it goes to the distiller? What happens to batches that test as an inferior grade? Do you sell them? Do your suppliers ever use solvents in order to extract more oil from the plants? Is anything ever taken away from or added to the oil as it is bottled from the distillery? Do you own GC-MS machines to ensure proper constituents are present and balanced? If you purchase oils from other farms, do you visit those farms to ensure no chemicals are used? Is there a laboratory present on every farm to be sure plants are harvested at the precise perfect moment? Do ...

I have more stories and more details about the benefits of the Slique product line! I will be hosting a private webinar this Sunday at 4 PM! Fill out the form below for an invitation!

OK, friends. Here is my post about the gift shop that I alluded to on my Facebook page . See this tiger? It was in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History mammal gift shop. (I apologize for the poor lighting. She/he was directly under a spot light.)  A friend and I wondered what this huggable tiger cost. What would guess? Maybe $100? That was my first guess when I first glanced at it. (My two children had purchased $15 small animals.) But I was wrong. $200? Wrong, again. This item had a price tag of $700! I could not believe it! I seriously was in sticker shock. I don't mean to go on a rant here, but I said to my friend beside me that $700 is just shy of our mortgage payment in rural Virginia! Insanity, friends. Now, don't get me wrong. I am all about spending money on things with disposable income that bring value to your life! This will sound extremely judgmental and I do try to keep those things to myself, but come on, please! $700 for a stuffed animal is o...

Yo, friends! This oil blend is seriously one of my favorites! It was in my starter kit back in 2014 as one of the most popular essential oils blends among Young Living members! Due to supply constraints it is not even available on a regular basis anymore for members! It reminds me to slow down and helps me center and ground myself. My 9-year-old asks for our roller bottle of it when he is unable to "settle" at night. I keep it nearby, in my pocket, when I'm going into an unconformable setting. Peace & Calming® essential oil is a gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. This fragrant oil is a wonderful addition to your meditation, evening routine, or playtime with the kids. With a comforting, fresh aroma, Peace & Calming oil creates a relaxing environment that’s especially great for homes with children. You’ll love that you can use this oil for you children’s bedtime and then for yourself for a moment of quiet after the hous...

January 9 - March 10 https://youtu.be/lqSFgjDgY0E Are you looking forward to 2017 goals with anticipation? I don't know about you; I'm ready to feel more energy and to keep improving in areas of business and other personal growth! I'd love for you to lock arms with me and join this challenge that Young Living has put together! The best parts? There is a no fuss, money-back guarantee! There are some awesome prizes! (More about that is below.) If you complete the entire 60-day challenge, everyone earns a prize! You are not alone! Grab an accountability partner, commit to yourself that you can do this , and also join the Facebook group(s) for support! (Hear details in the video.) My personal goals (and also my commitments during the 60-day challenge) are as follows: Lose 5-10 pounds. (This is not all about vanity. Look up "risks of belly fat." I've allowed eating habits to slip into dangerous territory for my long-term health!)  Exercise 3-4 times ...

White Rock Falls Hike Part of being the CEO of your home, ladies, is taking time off . A couple of weeks ago I was off work with my kiddos and we went to discover a new-to-us waterfall! I'll type out some "quick and dirty" directions below, but feel free to check out this trail site for details about the full trail. We did the "out and back" and it wasn't nearly as long as I had mentally prepared myself for! One way is only about 1.5 miles. The kids (6 and 8) did great. I wouldn't recommend a child younger than 5 on foot go, probably, and he needs to be "go-getter," if you know what I mean? There are some steep, rocky parts. I expect my kids to "get 'er done" without a lot of "Do I have to do this?" =D so I heard a little complaining in the beginning as we are out of our "outdoors" routine, but after the first little while they really loved it! My daughter is 6 and she lead the way! She was so proud that she ...

I was thrilled to find this recipe! If you're anything like I am, you have loads of squash coming from your CSA, farmer market, or your own garden! These were a hit with they hubby who rarely touches a squash, and even my kids ate them without a big "ewwww, it's disgusting!" :) The recipe is based on the one by Spicy Southern Kitchen . We ended up removing the cayenne and jalapeño, but only because we didn't have it on hand. Those would be yummy, too! I'll list below our modification. Ingredients 5 medium-sized yellow squash ¾ cup self-rising yellow cornmeal We found gluten free cornmeal and added a bit of baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour to make a "self-rising" version. This recipe does not need to be "exact" to succeed. :) ¼ cup all-purpose flour (You can easily substitute gluten-free flours if necessary.) 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt, divided ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (we omitted and used 1 tablespoo...

Below is our favorite way to use up ripe bananas, farm-fresh milk, and farm-fresh eggs, too! It's a recipe I adapted from 100 Days of Real Food , and since adding in the einkorn wheat flour and vanilla protein powder, it's truly one of my favorite breakfasts we make! I feel full, satisfied, and not sluggish, all morning! Our family of four usually double the recipe and spend about 2-3 days eating the yummy pancakes for lunch or a snack. Or, you could freeze leftovers! Ingredients 2 cups flour (I use Gary's True Grit Einkorn Pancake & Waffle Mix™ ) 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1-2 scoops Pure Protein Complete (Vanilla Spice)™ ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon honey 2 large eggs, lightly beaten (free-range, local eggs preferred) 4-6 drops Lemon Vitality™ essential oil 1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds 1 ¾ cups farm-fresh milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted + butter or unrefined coconut oil for frying 2 ripe bana...

I You We can do hard things! I had somewhat of a flood of emotions the other weekend at a Crossfit WOD (workout of the day) and they were ready to come out on camera. What is something you've been working toward that just plain feels hard? Do you care to share in the comments or on the YouTube video? Gather your support system; pray; give it to God! Allow God to help you believe that you can do it! Follow Me On Facebook This was a video I did on Facebook Live. Make sure you're following me there so you don't miss the next one. [embed]https://youtu.be/80NaJjL5H2w[/embed]

How Do You Practice Self-Care? My beautiful cousin Haley blogs over at haleymorganbossart.com and her latest post reminded me about a blog I want to do about self care! I currently work full time outside the home, as well as run my online business. I have two children and a spouse, and as you can imagine, finding "me" time is difficult to come by easily. We simply must make ourselves the priority, ladies (along with our faith, that is)! Stop saying "Oh, I need a massage. I'll schedule that 'sometime'!" You know the old saying: "Ain't momma happy, ain't nobody happy!" ;) As part of my self-care regimen, I recently started pre-scheduling regular chiropractic and half-hour massage visits. I go to my massage first with my favorite therapeutic massage oils in hand (she is wonderful about allowing me to bring whatever oils I need for my massage or my eyebrow waxing, too), and then head to my favorite chiropractor ! This works out amazingly...

A friend recommended to me a 30-day program "Push" by Chalene Johnson to help me prioritize, organize, and achieve goals! The goals can be in anything: wellness, finances, career, relationships, or anything else in your life! I'm on Day 2 and already loving it! I could absolutely identify with her "extra push" video in day 2: "Your Priority Foundation," when she says that most people don't want to get out paper and a pen to do the work and do the exercises! I didn't want to do it, but here I am! I'm taking my notes first on ten areas of my life and giving them a score of satisfaction. It's very similar to Oola! I'm going to "put it out there" and give you my satisfaction scores. Chalene says that if you score low, that's likely an area that you're pressuring yourself to grow in! It makes sense! Physical Health: 6 Emotional Health: 7 Environment: 8 Financial: 9 Leisure: 3 Friends/Family: 4 Sp...