What Are You Striving For in 2018?

What Are You Striving For in 2018?

Today is a special day. Today marks the midway point in the year. We have made it exactly halfway through 2018! We have the exact same amount of time left in this year than what has already passed us by. Even if we have used up half of the year we still have that much time AND more to accomplish what we set out to do! 

So the question we have to ask ourselves is WHAT are we focusing on? What are our goals and desires? If we haven’t checked them off the list, why is that? Do we really even need a list?

I have never really been a New Years resolution kind of person. At one time in my life I didn’t have any goals at all and I wandered aimlessly through each and every year never really growing or changing and never really accomplishing much of anything outside of seeing my children grow up and survive my parenting without too much emotional damage.

I believe that the MOST important goal or desire that someone can have is to grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally. All the other stuff falls into place when these things are improving. It’s amazing what improved physical health can do to your emotional health and vice versa. One of the things that I do that has consistently improved who I am and propelled my growth spiritually, physically, and emotionally is to read books and listen to others advice and words of wisdom. Another’s insight has a way of sparking our own understanding. One of the people who I absolutely love to listen to is Dr Wayne Dyer. I decided to listen to one of his videos today titled “Be Yourself, Do Not Give Up”. Like most of his work this one really spoke to me and I hope you will listen to it and it will speak to you too! 

These are the key points that really stuck out to me and I want to share with you! I’ll share the link at the bottom and I hope you will listen to it and let his words of advice guide you through the second half of 2018.

• Do not operate from deficiency. Focus on the positives and be grateful for what IS good.
• Everything that comes your way is a blessing. If something “bad” happens it could be leading to something better or opening you up for growth.
• Everything that you see that isn’t from God was created by man and started as a thought! Your thoughts will do the creating so be careful of what you’re thinking!
• Success is not something you GET in life it is something WITHIN you!
• Always follow ethics over rules. Do what is right!
• What you put out into the world is what comes back to you. What are you putting out there?
• Knowledge over achievement. Knowledge is power!
• Don’t let your goals become your obsession. Enjoy the moment. Practice serenity.
• Honesty is a karma that goes out into the world. Be honest!
• More is less. Find joy in every moment and don’t search for it!
• Attitude is EVERYTHING!
• Live in the Light!
• Be LOVE! 
• And lastly, forgiveness is VITAL on the path of enlightenment and growth!

Here is the video and I hope you take the time and watch it!

Peace, Love, and Health,
Jennifer

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7UCn8BzJk

Sesame Honey Energy Bites

Anyone else love sesame seeds? They may just be one of my favorite foods! I love the sesame sticks from the bulk food section at the grocery store and I love the candy bites too! I don't always love the ingredients though. I decided to make my own so that I can enjoy them without worrying about what ingredients went into them.

I looked through pages of recipes and decided I would just try my own thing because, how hard could it be? Through a little trial and error I came up with this simple recipe that tastes DELICIOUS!

I started with these ingredients. Simple isn't it?!

I toasted the sesame seeds a bit in the pan before I added the honey then stirred for about 8-10 minutes.

Let the mixture cool before emptying onto a cutting board covered with wax paper. Place another piece of wax paper of top and roll out to desire do thickness with a rolling pin. Remove paper on top and score with a sharp large blade knife.

Recover with wax paper. Place in the fridge for about 10 minutes then break apart and move to a glass sealable container to store or you can just eat them all!

These won't last long! Yum!
Hope you enjoy!

Sesame Honey Energy Bites

1/2 cup of raw sesame seeds

1/4 cup of honey

Dash of salt (optional)

Cook on stove top in stainless steel pan on medium to a light boil for about 8-10 minutes. Let cool but not completely and spread onto wax paper. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and roll out with a rolling pin to desired thickness. Score with a large bladed knife then recover with wax paper and put in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. They are now ready to break apart and enjoy!

Grain Free Dairy Free Brownies

I had a taste of some keto brownies this week that a friend was gifted for her birthday. There were so moist and delicious I decided to find a great recipe and give it a try! I couldn't find a recipe that I loved all the ingredients so I made my own. Most keto recipes are using stevia and in my experiences using stevia the recipes end up having a bitter aftertaste. I love coconut sugar and I'm not specifically on a keto diet but I am gluten free so this recipe worked perfect!

 

3 eggs

4 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup coconut sugar

Pinch of pink salt

Bake 350 for about 20 minutes 

The icing was actually a chocolate mousse and was 1 can of full fat coconut milk, 1/2 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and I blended it in the Vitamix then chilled till pudding consistency. You can ice the brownies as you serve or keep refrigerated if you ice the entire batch.

I hope you enjoy these as much as we did😀

5 Ways To Get Better Sleep Naturally

5 Ways To Get Better Sleep Naturally 

I keep hearing people complain about not sleeping well or not being able to get to sleep at night. This isn't a problem that I've had regularly but when I have it has been a nightmare! I require LOTS of sleep and I am kind of fond of it too. Did you know you lose weight while you sleep?!? That means if you are not sleeping well you are actually hindering any weightloss efforts you may have been trying to achieve. Good sleeping habits are a necessity of overall good health.

There are many different reasons why you may not be getting a good nights sleep but that's the topic of another post. Here I am going to share with you my top 5 tips for perfecting the art of a good nights sleep. I hope these tips will bring you to a restful sleep and end the nightmare of tossing and turning while bringing you into the colorful world of dreaming.
 

1.) Sungazing: Did you know gazing at the sun at sunrise and sunset each day will boost your melatonin and serotonin? These feel good hormones will not only help you get a better nights sleep but also help with weightloss!!

2.) No caffeine or stimulants after noon. If you are relying on stimulants such as caffeine to get you through your day these can affect you all the way up to bedtime and wreak havoc on a good nights sleep! Enjoy your cup of joe in the morning but cut out all caffeine after noon for a great nights sleep.

3.) Magnesium, magnesium, magnesium! Did you know over 90% of the population is deficient in magnesium? This magnificent mineral not only helps you to sleep better but helps with symptoms of anxiety and restlessness too! Take a nice hot bath about an hour before bed time and add at least a cup of Epsom salt (I like adding an entire box!) for a great nights sleep and detox benefits too!! There are also magnesium oils and supplements you can take to help you get that sleep you so desire. If you want to give a DIY a try and make your own magnesium oil here is a link to an easy recipe:

http://www.integrativenutritionaltherapies.com/diy-magnesium-oil-spray/

4.) Binaural Beats are a great way to rewire your brain into relaxation. By listening to two different frequencies in either ear the brain actually makes up the difference and changes! You can use binaural beats for more than just relaxation and sleep! Here is a link to one for you to try for better sleep. Remember to always use headphones when listening to binaural beats.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P6izUrS1q7o

5.) Meditation is the best way to handle ALL the stresses of life. If you are feeling overwhelmed I recommend spending 5 minutes sitting in meditation and focusing on your breath. If you make it to 5 minutes without a problem try increasing your time in small increments. Even if you feel as though you are completely failing you will feel better internally. If you are so completely stressed that this sounds too far fetched try a guided meditation video. Here is one that is specifically for sleep but you can try one for stress or anxiety too!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HutgMrYMbfE