New on the Blog at Savvy Living

High testosterone levels in women can cause problematic symptoms. Learn how you can lower your testosterone naturally and help restore balance to your hormones.

High testosterone levels in women can wreak havoc on both physical and emotional well-being. While it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, there are simple natural lifestyle adjustments that can support hormonal balance. In this blog, we will explore ways to lower and support healthy testosterone levels for women, naturally.

Symptoms of high testosterone in women can include any of the following:

Some of the causes of higher-than-normal testosterone levels in women could include ovarian cysts, PCOS, hormonal contraception, or hormonal replacement therapy drugs.

Hormonal balance relies heavily on a few common health practices.

1. Keeping the 3 main pathways of elimination open with a focus on gut health, liver cleansing, and lymphatic care. Part of this process is reducing your exposure to everyday toxins such as fragrance, household cleaners, pthalates, parabens, etc. to stop gumming up those pathways with junk we can avoid, so they can freely clear out the junk we can’t avoid. Check out some of my natural cleaning tips HERE.

2. Supporting the body with good whole food nutrition so it has the tools it needs to make the repairs and run the body as it was designed to run. Your car can’t run with dirty oil and watered-down gas, and your body won’t run smoothly with processed garbage, caffeine, and soft drinks. Keep reading for some testosterone-lowering go-to's.

3. Healthy physical activity to keep things flowing. Our blood flow has a pump (the heart) to move it along, but lymph does not. Lymph is like the underground sewage system that filters everything our skin comes into contact with, and it needs motion to move it on out. Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle allows opportunity for fat cells to form. Fat cells get in the way of a happy hormonal balance in many ways, and it's a real drag to carry around. Go for a walk! 

FemiGen™ is a women’s balancing supplement that is my go-to for every female problem because I see the most results with it for cycle-related problems in my clients and family. I use this one myself daily, and regret it when I don’t. One of the main active ingredients is Licorice root which has shown in studies to reduce testosterone levels in women by 32% after one menstrual cycle, and men showed a decrease of 26% in just one week.

Omega Greens™ is another hormonal balancing staple. We need omegas to use the hormones properly. I find using Omega Greens™ further enhances my results with FemiGen™ when taken together. Studies have linked omega-3 fatty acids to decreasing testosterone.

Spearmint Essential oil when given to rats for 20 days resulted in reduced testosterone levels. I would add a drop of spearmint essential oil that is approved for internal use such as THIS ONE, to a 2-oz shot of this antioxidant-rich health juice called, Ningxia Red™. Ningxia Red™ is a superfood drink that flushes inflammation from the body, supports liver and kidney cleansing, and has the nutritional profile like none other for a whole-body health infusion. It is a daily staple to our health routine.

ICP™ to support colon clearing. It also has plant compounds that bind to testosterone to carry it out of the body and omega-3 fatty acids for the benefits listed above. If you want to supercharge the benefits of a clean colon, check out this article HERE

Walnuts and Almonds increase a protein that binds to testosterone, leading to a decrease in levels of free testosterone in the body. 

Flax seed can be added to almost anything including salads, smoothies, and oatmeal.

The WAVwatch, a sound wave therapy device that is a cutting-edge frequency healing technique that offers personalized healing sessions, targeting specific areas of the body and mind for optimal results, wherever and whenever you need. It uses specific sounds to assist the body in the re-tuning and re-alignment of bodily energy. It is the same technique doctors use in blasting kidney stones and some resonance imaging, only the WAVwatch uses specific frequencies to address specific issues. This personalized approach allows users to address their unique needs and experience the full benefits of sound healing in the convenience of a watch. Set the watch to the hormone balancing soundtracks, sit back and relax. It comes with a 14-day money back guarantee to allow users to try it out risk free, but I assure you, you won’t want to give it up once you experience it. I have seen this watch work wonders in my own family and the many friends and clients I have shared it with. Use promo code SAVY100 to get $100 off. Check out more info, science and testimonies HERE. 

Remember, while high testosterone levels can be problematic, it's entirely possible to restore balance naturally. With a holistic approach and incorporating natural remedies with a few lifestyle adjustments, you can easily support your journey towards hormonal balance. Embrace the power of an integrative approach and unlock the path to wellness by grabbing all the nutritional tools HERE, so you can make this your healthiest year yet.  Oh and use promo code SHAREYL for 10% off your purchase. 

Be well friend! 

Sources:

Woman Code by Alisa Vitti, HHC 

This is part 3 to a 3-part series of practical tools to help you or your child cope with anxiety and panic disorder. Anxiety disorders take many forms and are prevalent in Americans, impacting 19% of adults and 7% of children. As a mom who understands the challenges firsthand, I want to share the most effective strategies we've discovered so you can find the support you need to navigate anxiety with confidence.

Anxiety is defined as the persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. Symptoms take many forms and can include subtle symptoms like jitters, upset stomach, feeling tense, nervous, jumpy, agitated, anticipating danger, headache, inability to sleep and much more. Or it can be an obvious symptom like panic, pounding heart, nervous sweat diarrhea or nausea.

I’ve already shared 2 of our favorite ways to cope with my daughter’s panic attacks, but what do we do when she’s not at home and her irrational fears start creeping in at school? I can’t send her to school with my $500 sound frequency device and she’d probably get in trouble if she started chanting prayers or affirmations in the middle of class, right?

Our next most useful tool or tools, are top grade essential oils. There have been many studies showing that essential oils are effective as a natural remedy for anxiety or panic. They work in different ways,

1. Aromatherapy; the scent-memory-emotion connection. Simply put, you smell something, it reminds you of something, you then have an emotion to it. Find calming scents you love like lavender or vanilla.

2. They increase serotonin, a happy, feel-good hormone. Essential oils have been scientifically proven to significantly increase serotonin levels in the brain, and some decrease cortisol, the stress hormone.

3. At a deeper level, a top quality essential oil that still has its therapeutic properties intact because it was farmed organically, created in nature not in a lab, distilled properly, and has no added fillers to destroy its thousands of medicinal constituents work at a cellular level, restoring faulty DNA programming caused by unprocessed emotions during a past experience we had, with restored perfect programming. Obviously this is an extensive topic too deep for a blog, but I have spent several years studying in this area of emotional effects and clearing. It’s legit. Medicinal properties at a cellular level will only happen with the best of the best essential oils though. This is why knowing the source of your oil matters and a $5 bottle at Walmart will not do. Visit the only brand I will use HERE. Use promo code SHAREYL to get an extra 10% off. 

The “how” is extremely easy. You can….

1. Diffuse them into the air with a diffuser or 4 oz spray bottle, using 5-10 drops of the oil.

2. Create a diluted roller to apply to your wrists, neck, shoulders, inhale. I like the 10mL size with 15-20 drops and a carrier oil such as V6® or sweet almond oil.

3. Let a few drops fall from the bottle into your palms, rub your palms together, then place your hands close to your nose, take 3 deep breathes inhaling the aroma. Be mindful of what you are feeling during this process. Does something in the body stir or shift? These are clues to be addressed of health and/or emotional matters. I then hit up my resource books to find the source of these issues so they can be cleared completely and forever. (off topic, I’d love to teach you how to do this, so reach out to me if you’d like to learn).

Now the what. 

What oils to use is a little more complicated only because there are so many choices and every person’s body, source of trouble, and reactions are different. Just know, you can't use the "wrong" oil, just maybe not the specific oil your body will react to best. Here are the most popular choices to get you started. 

1. Lavender. Lavender is probably the most well-known essential oil for calming and sleep. A quick Google search will show you it has been involved in several studies that have all concluded it to be beneficial. It is also widely available. Which means it is often a synthetic copycat version, so be careful about your source of this oil. Adulterated or perfume grade oil will have no physical effect, and only a slight emotional effect if you have a pleasant memory attached to the scent (aromatherapy) and are not sensitive to synthetic fragrance. If you want results, you need a true lavandula augustifolia that is unadulterated and properly distilled like THIS ONE.

2. Roman Chamomile is another widely known herb for its calming properties. The essential oil is even better. I actually like to pair this with my lavender for a less earthy scent. In fact, any of these oils I’m listing can be blended together in your own personal roller or diffuser blend.

3. Clary Sage has been scientifically proven to significantly increase serotonin levels and decrease cortisol levels *. People who are anxious often have low levels of serotonin and high cortisol levels. When serotonin is released, it makes you feel good. Cortisol is a hormone that’s secreted during stressful situations, so decreasing cortisol might help with your anxiety. 

4. Another cortisol stopping essential oil favorite is a trademarked blend from Young Living called Stress Away®. It literally melts the stress away, and smell soooo goooood.  

5. There are sedative oils like vetiver and valerian that can calm those anxious feelings and put you in a type of zen-chill mind. My favorite is a blend of these called RutaVala®.

This is just a short list of MANY essential oils that have calming effects. Sometimes the endless options can lead us to indecisive inaction. Meaning, we can’t decide what to use so we don’t use anything at all. That my friends is not helping you. At the very least, close your eyes and pick something. 

As someone who has a HUGE collection of essential oils, I often struggle with the overwhelm of what to use. I have another tool that is a health assessment bio scanner to help me out with this. It literally asks my body what it needs in the moment, and I get a report of body systems and emotions that are experiencing stress and a list of favorable products to support these problem areas. This valuable tool is super inexpensive (only $10/month) and has been a life savor for me as a mom dealing with babies who can’t always tell me what’s wrong. I have been using it for 11 years and I can vouch for its accuracy. It’s a little handheld device that runs from your smart phone. Super easy to use. You can learn more about it HERE. And later I’ll be sharing an incredible video of how oils and the iTovi squashed a panic attack instantly. Be sure to subscribe below so you don’t miss it.

There you have it. My top 3 best tools for anxiety and panic,

1. Prayer and affirmation.

2. Sound wave therapy

3. Essential oils

I hope this empowers you to take control of your emotions and stay on the path to living the savvy life!

If you’d like more tips on living better, join our community of savvy people HERE. We’d love to have you!

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, fear, or panic, this blog series is here to help. I understand the challenges firsthand and share quick tips to navigate moments of panic. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, anxiety affects millions of Americans and 7% of children by age 21. This blog is meant to help parents dealing with a loved one suffering from anxiety without resorting to medication. I share stories and strategies that have worked for my family, aiming to provide reassurance and support for other parents on the frontlines of life. One tool we find helpful is a sound wave frequency device which has provided immediate comfort and control for my daughter during anxiety episodes. If you're interested, you can learn more about the device and even save $100 using the provided coupon code. Give these tips a try and see how they can make a difference in managing anxiety naturally.

If you struggle with emotions of anxiety, fear, or panic for known or unknown reasons, or are a parent with a child who struggles with irrational fears and anxiety, this blog series is for you. I fall into the category of parent. My child is prone to worry, fear, and irrational panic attacks that can be slowly built up to or come on like the flip of a switch. While this topic is much broader than one blog can cover, I wanted to share some quick tips I’ve learned in the heat of the battle that have been a TREMENDOUS help in those moments of panic in a series of blogs to which I will link below as they post. And before I forget, I have a gift for you at the end. 

First off, logic and reason are thrown out the window when a panic attack occurs. My logic-based way of thinking was totally useless when my daughter started these episodes of panic and I thought I could just tell her she was fine. When I couldn’t talk my child out of her worry and irrational fear I was totally left at a loss for what to. One incidence in particular was a breakthrough moment for us.

Many of her panic attacks occur before bedtime. This particular night she was certain everything in her room turned into a scary monster the moment the lights turned off. But it inspired me to point out the lies in her head, which led to a beautifully empowering conversation of faith that built confidence in her overall demeanor.

Here’s how it went……

Seven year-old girl tells me everything is scary. This is obviously not true, but she’s not hearing any of it because to her it absolutely IS true. So I point out that her pillow is not scary, her stuffy is not scary, etc, etc. To which she did agree, but still insisted everything is scary. So once again I pointed out this is a lie, and then I said, “Do you know where these lies in your head are coming from?” 

She shook her head no.

“They come from the devil. He whispers these things of nonsense to keep you scared because he’s like a naughty brother trying to make you upset. He does this because he knows if he can keep you afraid of silly things like your toy horse barn, he can control you and keep you from being your best self. But, you’re the daughter of a King, and the devil is not allowed here. Did you know that just saying the name of Jesus makes the devil scream and run away scared?”

She shook her head with a smile now on her tear-soaked face.

 

I continued, “So, whenever you feel scared….you just say ‘get away satan! Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior now and forever!’ And, that naughty devil HAS TO run away and leave you alone. Should we try it?”

She eagerly nodded YES!

So we said the words together and I kid you not, a weight lifted from BOTH our shoulders.

She went further with it and confidently said, “the devil has no control over me! He is not allowed near me!”

The energy in the room was lightened and we both went to sleep with a smile. Once again, my faith had saved me.

Sometime later, we were having a rather cheerful bedtime routine where I tucked the kids in with the usual hug and kiss goodnight after saying some prayers. My daughter forgot “this”, and then she forgot “that”, and then she forgot to go potty, so went to do that, and in an instant her bubbliness flipped to panic where she can’t catch her breath and the tears start to flow and she can’t even speak to tell me what’s wrong, and I was just like “not again! What could possibly be wrong now?” In my head of course.

Again, logic and reason weren’t being heard. I knew most of the issue was being over-tired. It was past a decent bedtime, and I was totally to blame for that, but HOW WAS I GOING TO STOP THIS MADNESS AND GET SOME SLEEP!

It popped into my head to tell her Jesus loves her. That caught her attention enough to hear me and be perceptive to what I was saying, so I had her say it too….and it was hard for her. It was hard for a 7-year-old girl who loves Jesus to say the words, “Jesus loves me.” That didn’t seem right to me. It was like something had a hold of her preventing her from saying it, so I stayed persistent. I kept repeating, “Jesus loves you. Say Jesus loves me” over and over. You might be thinking I’m crazy right now, but it was amazing to watch. She’d start to say “Je-“ and crying would take over. 

Try again, “Jes-“ more crying.

When she got the word “Jesus” out, she started squirming like she does when she’s nervous, being all wiggly like something was stirring inside her. 

And finally…..she got the whole thing out, a broken “Jesus loves me.” And I kid you not, she wiggled and squirmed and suddenly a calm came over her and her violent crying turned into soft sniffles. We said it again together a few more times for good measure. Each time the sniffling getting less and less and a smile appeared. It was like the whole thing never happened. She giddily jumped into bed. I kissed her goodnight and she was off to dreamland…and so was I. 

I’m sure this sounds kinda crazy to some, especially if you’re not real connected to your faith. I probably wouldn’t believe this if I hadn’t experienced it firsthand myself, watching these transformations in her right before my very eyes…on more than one occasion. But I assure you, spiritual battles are real, whether they are triggered by exhaustion or legit fear. A 5-second prayer can do wonders for the soul, for the atmosphere, and for everyone else involved. 

So, my #1 tip to stop a panic attack is to pray. Find a prayer that works for you. Pray to St. Michael, say the Our Father, simply tell the devil to get away in the name of Jesus Christ. IT WORKS! Whether you’re a believer or not, find a simple prayer for your situation. It’s so easy, yet so effective.

I find tools such as prayer journals and scripture-based coloring books to be super therapeutic. I just write out my thoughts and have a conversation with God through the pen. It’s amazing how you can feel His presence and even have Him guide your pen. The simple act of writing your thoughts on paper is a great way to release them or sort them out. My toughest decisions have been discerned through journaling at our church in Adoration. Just sitting in the quiet presence of God is grounding and good for the soul. 

I hope this was inspirational and helpful to you in your situation. If you have any helpful tips that have worked for you, I’d love it if you shared them with me. It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child…..it takes a village to do life well, and that’s what Savvy Living is all about. 

Jesus loves you friend!

Take Care! 

Jackie

Ladies, let's face it - we all struggle with the dreaded underarm odor. No matter how much we shower, how much or what kind of deodorant we use, it seems like we're always battling against stinky underarms. Well, fear not my friends because I have found the solution to all of our stinky problems…and it’s all-natural too.

When my favorite brand of natural deodorant went out of stock for forever, I was stuck searching for alternatives. I tried all the things and kept striking out. I even went back to my old toxic store brand. All that did was give me perfume-scented BO and a headache. *sad face*

FINALLY my favorite brand was back. I LOVED that deodorant, but I still noticed I had to apply it several times a day to control my stinky pits. I don’t have time for that! So my search continued.

A friend of mine suggested I try this unscented crystal deodorant she was using, so I did. WOW! Was I impressed! In one application to unshowered, already stinky pits, it neutralized my odor. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, through some record high summer temps, on a farm, or at the pool, and not once have I smelled anything from my pits! I apply once in the morning. Showered or not. It’s impressive. I use clean, unadulterated essential oils for fragrance when I want a scent; a dab under my arms, on my wrists, and behind my ears. Creating an essential oil body spray like this one works great too.  

So, what exactly is natural crystal deodorant? It's a deodorant made from mineral salts. Unlike conventional deodorants, the crystal deodorant does not mask odor, it eliminates it by forming an alkaline barrier that prevents odor-causing bacteria from forming. You can say goodbye to the headache-inducing smells of powdery perfumes and fake scents and welcome clean, natural aromas.

Unscented crystal deodorants do NOT contain any harsh chemicals like traditional deodorants do that can irritate our skin and lead to health concerns such as breast cancer, Alzheimer's and kidney problems.

Crystal deodorant is super easy to apply. All you do is wet the salt crystal and glide it across your underarms. The salt will immediately begin to form a protective barrier that will last all day long. Unlike the gunky, white residue that sticks to your clothes, natural crystal deodorant dries clear, leaving no marks or stains.

Traditional antiperspirants plug sweat glands and prevents sweat from escaping. These antiperspirants can block pores and even make you sweat more when it wears off. A natural crystal deodorant can be used every day without risk of staining, irritation or the health risks of a congested lymphatic system leading to clogged lymph nodes and cancers.

It's simple. Natural crystal deodorants can stop odor in two ways: kill the bacteria that cause the smell and create a barrier to make it harder for bacteria to grow. The minerals in a crystal deodorant are alkaline, which helps to balance the pH level of your skin, making it more difficult for odor-causing bacteria to grow. To use it, just wet the crystal, apply to your underarms and let it dry. That's it.

How Long Does It Last?

 

The truth is it can last all day and keep you fresh. That’s why I made the switch to using it over my other brand that I love, but had to reapply often. Natural crystal deodorants can last longer than sticks and sprays, so you will find that you don’t spend as much money in the long-run or end up throwing half-used chemically-laden products into the trash.

Natural crystal deodorant is a better, safer and extremely effective alternative to chemical-laden deodorants and antiperspirants. They are long-lasting, eliminating the need for multiple applications throughout the day. I HIGHLY recommend you give it a try. You might just find yourself saying goodbye to underarm odor for good…like I have.

Be well my friend!

Jackie

By the way….if you like healthy alternatives like this, check out our community of savvy women sharing healthy alternatives to our favorite everyday life essentials on Facebook: Swap It Savvy.

Summer is here, and with it comes the challenge of dealing with mosquitoes. However, there's no need to use toxic bug sprays that leave behind unpleasant residue. Instead, these solutions provide an effective, natural way to repel mosquitoes without harming your health and leaving you feel sticky and stinky with pesticide. 

Incorporating these natural solutions into your lifestyle ensures that you can enjoy your time outdoors without worries or compromising your health. Read about these tips and then join the Swap It Savvy Facebook community to learn more about incorporating natural solutions into your everyday life.

With so much to manage on a farm, keeping your animal records often becomes unorganized and lackluster. Keeping records on each animal's health, breeding, and medications is crucial to maintaining a healthy and happy flock and mastering your breeding program. However, traditional pen and paper methods can be difficult to keep organized and easily accessible…even lost. This is where these digital spreadsheets come in – offering a streamlined and efficient way to keep track of your sheep records from wherever you’re at.

Digital spreadsheets are multi-functional and can be customized to fit your individual sheep record keeping needs. You can easily modify fields to track whatever information is necessary to meet your farm's needs. From lambing dates, weights, and health history, to vaccination and medication schedules, everything is all in one place. The beauty of these digital spreadsheets is that they're easy to update and share with farmhands or veterinarians. This way, you can record data in real-time, keeping everyone you choose to give access in the loop.

 

Digital spreadsheets can also offer useful insights into your flock's performance. By aggregating data on wool production, lambing dates, and breeding success rates, you can make informed decisions on breeding and culling practices. With the power of data analysis at your fingertips, you can ensure your flock is as productive as possible and your breeding seasons run smoothly with less complications.

 

Pen and paper record keeping is a tedious process when you’re looking for a specific animal or detail. Transferring paper records onto a computer spreadsheet where you can do a search for these things takes extra time. These Spreadsheets will save you time, reduce frustration, and free up more of your valuable resources.

 

Unlike custom-made software that can be expensive, these digital spreadsheets offer a low-cost alternative for tracking and managing sheep records. They're also less complicated than some other farm management software on the market. If you can run Microsoft Excel or Google sheets at their simplest functions, you can manage these spreadsheets, and these digital spreadsheets come with a complete lesson on how to use them.

 

One of the best aspects of these digital spreadsheets is the access you have to them along with the security they offer. With saved files in the cloud, you can access them from anywhere or any device with an internet connection, making it easy to share files with other farmworkers who have the link as well. They're also more secure than handwritten notes as they can be password-protected and can only be accessed by those authorized to do so.

 

Keeping track of sheep records can be a daunting task for farm operators. However, these digital spreadsheets could be the solution you need to streamline the record keeping process. With its convenience, time-saving, cost-effective nature, and overall effectiveness, you can ensure that sheep record keeping on your farm is smooth and efficient. Customize each field to track only what you want and make record keeping a breeze. These spreadsheets come with complete instructions on how to access them from any device, do simple data entry, customize fields, expand existing pages, and add new pages, so anyone can easily use this system regardless how “tech-savvy” they are.

Grab your spreadsheets HERE so you too can have an easy and convenient system for keeping track of your sheep program records.

If you'd like to connect with us on FB, follow our page, Schmaltz Ranch or join my group for farm wives here. 

Do you struggle with IBS? You are not alone. Millions of people all over the world experience the symptoms that come along with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Though it can be a very challenging condition to manage and treat, there is hope for finding relief and calming IBS naturally. This post will share my own journey with IBS, an effective strategy for managing the symptoms, and how to practice self-care so you can feel your best!

I’ve been really focusing on taking care of myself these past few weeks as we’ve been really busy with calving and the normal day-to-day around here. The last thing I need is to be run down, sick, or in any sort of pain from my IBS. I’ve got a large toolbox for this, but today I’m going to share about a device that we are really loving here at the Ranch for all kinds of things, including my IBS. It's a soundwave frequency watch.

I learned about it from a friend who had a dramatic life-changing experience with the watch and her Belle's Palsy. Another friend found relief from carpal tunnel. These were just some of the examples of why I decided to try the device that looks like an oversized watch for myself.  When people ask me about it and I share what it does, everyone wants one. Here is just another reason why....

Last night I ran the Digestive folder. I set it to IBS and let it run through the whole list. My tummy wasn’t really bothering me too bad, just a little discomfort that is normal for me this time of night, especially on a day I eat donuts….which was yesterday.

Within minutes of turning the watch on, my tummy went from quiet and stagnant (the cause of the inflammation causing the mild pain I experience) to active and moving. Like it was just woke up from a nap and realized it had a job to do. It was very soothing to feel things start to gently move along. Not in a way that had me needing to go to the bathroom, but just in a soothing, comfortable way of healthy functioning digestion that wasn’t happening prior to turning the watch on. After a few minutes I could feel pressure going across my transverse colon. This is usually the source of my worst pain when I have flare ups and it was a bit uncomfortable. But then, I felt the pressure shift and was completely relieved. It all happened within about 15 minutes, and it felt so good.

This is definitely a setting I will be running daily. In fact, I have it on now and am experiencing the same feel-good movements happening in my gut. I think I’ll help the process along by making sure I take my enzymes and probiotic today. I’m not always good about that and they too make such a HUGE difference in my gut health journey. (which you can read more on that and why gut health matters HERE).

This watch has been such a blessing in my life; from general achiness to stress relief and immune support, helping my little one fall asleep, I just can’t say enough good things about it. I learned that it works by using frequencies – sounds. The same soundwave technology that is used to blast away kidney stones, only in a much more controlled and calculated method.

You can get a watch for yourself HERE, and you are welcome to use my referral code SAVY100 to get yourself $100 off if you like to save money like me.

If you’d like to see more information, scientific studies, and testimonials on the watch, you can do that HERE or hit the “contact me” button and we can talk about things. I wouldn’t wait long though, these things go out of stock FAST as they are taking the world by STORM.

Don't let IBS slow you down and keep you from enjoying life. Regain control naturally with WavWatch and other tools I share about in my gut health guide. You deserve the Savvy Life.

It’s only 9 A.M. here at the Schmaltz Ranch and I’ve already gone from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other.

My day started with excitement as I saw my unicorn-themed coloring book had finally been published. A project I put a lot of work into and it ended up being a technical pain in my rear trying to get it published. I guess the third time was the charm for all the margin settings to finally work. Anyway, it’s always exciting to see my work on Amazon. See it for yourself HERE if you’d like.

The excitement was short-lived though as I headed outside to do morning cow check and chores. It’s never fun finding a dead animal, but knowing this one was likely my fault is even harder. A mama had her calf in the sub-zero temps, likely early this morning, and I didn’t see the signs… which caused me to skip the 5 am check and head out after getting the kids off to school at 8. Who knows if it would have made a difference had I checked at 5 or not. It certainly would have increased the odds though, and I was mad at myself for it.

The feelings of shame and disappointment were heavy on my shoulders as I broke the news to my husband. I could tell he was disappointed, but I think he could see how upset I was too. He didn’t push any blame on me, though I could feel it on his words when he asked when the last time I checked was, and schooled me on what I was looking for when I do these checks. Knowing how to do something and actually doing it are two different things though, and I am pretty green to this cow midwifery thing.

I’m sure he blamed himself a bit too. He wasn’t here because he also works a full time job which he was snowed in at all weekend, leaving me with a LOT. This was just one of the constant reminders for him that it’s hard to do both….near impossible actually. But, he pushes on and we do our best.

The year 2022 is actually my first year really being involved in the farming to-dos. I’ve always taken a passive role as back-up chore person. All I’ve really ever done is fill waters and throw a little hay out. Once in awhile I had to help with lambing, and the chickens were mine, but that’s it. The house and the kids were my territory and the men took care of the farm stuff.

What changed this year was that my father-in-law’s health declined. He was suddenly unable to work the farm life anymore and I had to step into his role as primary chore person and my husband’s right-hand-man…err woman. I prefer my passive role, but my husband needs me, so here I am…..trying.

Most days I do pretty well. I mean, I’ve made it through 3 historical blizzards on my own with 3 kids and some 100 head of animals, while he was snowed in at work. I didn’t break anything or lose anyone. I call that winning.

But this time…I had a fail. I am grateful to have a loving, patient and understanding husband who saw I was sorry and did a great job at making me feel appreciated despite my failure. We were even able to steal away a moment to show each other how much we missed each other.

Such an emotional roller coaster this morning has been. I hope the rest of the day levels out to positivity, and the rest of the cows have their babies when my husband is HOME.

If you’re feeling burnout in your business, don’t worry….you’re not alone. Burnout is that feeling when you’re ready to quit. You’ve had enough, you’re tired, overwhelmed, and you just feel like you cannot continue. You want to be done. There can be many reasons you feel this way, and it is totally normal. Statistically entrepreneurs go through burnout every 90 days, but I think it should be less often, so here is my best tip to ensure you make it THROUGH the season of burnout and don’t let it shut you down.

Impact is your best motivator. Think about why you started your business in the first place? What does your business fulfill in you? What are your goals with your business? But dig deep. It can’t just be to make money. Money never satisfies anyone.

It can’t just be “to feed my family.” That’s virtuous enough, but it won’t always be strong enough to see you through the rough patches. You’ll forget what it’s like to struggle with feeding the family. I’m talkin huge impact, life-changing, motivators.

I just did an interview for our local newspaper about a Scripture-themed coloring book for women I published. When they asked me to do the interview, I thought “wow, they must be hard up for a story. How is a coloring book going to be interesting enough to put in the paper?” I told the reporter to go ahead and email me his questions and we’ll see if he finds my answers interesting enough for an interview and story. His questions were great. They were like what is Savvy Living and how does it help people, and what inspired me to create this coloring book, and what inspired my designs and theme. They really made me get in touch with the deep-down meaning of my business and the book. It wasn’t just a fun crafty idea I threw together. At its heart, it was a tool to help women accomplish a moment of quite, stress relief, and relaxation for better mental and physical health. It was a tool for the busy mom to nurture her relationship with the kids by helping her remain present in the moment instead of thinking about the laundry she could be folding instead of coloring with the kids. And it’s an invitation to give her relationship with God a little more attention, spending more time in prayer. 

It was so much more than just a pacifying coloring book, but I lost that meaning somewhere over time. I forgot how impactful such a simple thing could be for someone. Getting back in touch with the “why” behind the book and the impact I can have on the world through it sparked a strong motivation in me to get creating MORE.

So my best tip for you my burnt out friend is this….

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and ready to quit, dig deep and think about all the good you’re doing for people because the world needs all the help it can get. If you quit, we won’t have your gifts creating a positive impact to offset the negatives….and that would be a shame. The world is a better place because you’re in it. Make the most of your time here and keep up the good work.

P.S. if you’re feeling burnt out because you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and getting nowhere, it’s likely you just need a new strategy or a fresh way to promote your business. Shoot me a message and let’s talk!

I am SO impressed with how this cut progressed!
 
 This is my son's thumb. He's a man's man and in true 9-year-old-farm-boy fashion was working on a "project" with a pocket knife. He knows proper knife etiquette, but sometimes things just happen.

I could tell he was scared with all the blood gushing from it, but he was a trooper and let me work my mommy magic.
 
 I reached for the bottle of lavender essential oil that is always close by and let a drop fall directly on the cut. Within minutes it stopped bleeding so I could finally get a glimpse of how bad it looked (photo 1)…not as bad as I was thinking it was from the trail of blood he left on my beige carpet.

I put a drop of Helichrysum essential oil directly on the cut, and then I applied some of Young Living’s Rose Ointment to the band aid pads settling them directly on the cut, wrapped a layer of gauze around it, and a layer of self-adhesive bandage wrap around that. (My background of wrapping horse cuts coming in handy here).

I then went to work on the blood stained- carpet with my Thieves Household cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Thankfully the blood lifted right out without a trace left behind.

2. Next morning I was expecting a throbbing, swollen, red thumb and sad little boy. What I got was a tough guy that said it didn’t hurt, but an ugly looking cut that probably should have had stitches. No redness or swelling, or signs of infection. I figured it would take about 3 weeks for this to even start to close up given the placement of the cut on a mobile joint and the activity level of a 9-year-old farm boy.

He kept it wrapped during the day and each evening after supper he would unwrap it to let it air out. Before bed we let a drop of Helichrysum fall directly on the cut and put a good amount of Rose Ointment on the band aid pads so that it would squish into the cut. Wrapped it in a thin layer of gauze and a bit of self adhesive bandage wrap.

You can see by the pictures it progressed extremely well. I was astonished to see it closed up within days not weeks. It never had any redness or swelling. It never bled beyond that first night. He never complained of pain unless someone at school bumped it. He’ll likely have a scar, but I would have never thought it would be completely closed WITH NEW SKIN within just 7 days without stitches. That’s the power of essential oils.

Do some research on helichrysum and you’ll find that the plant has incredible healing powers. If it loses a limb it will grow a new one in just 7 days. That’s why I chose to use it in this predicament. The Rose Ointment also has healing oils such as tea tree and myrrh and was key to keeping the skin pliable so it didn’t crack open.

I am forever grateful for these gifts of nature. I hope you never need to use these tips, but if you do….I am confident that you will have as good of luck as we had with quick healing.

These items are staples in our home and first aid kits. I have created a QUICK LINK for you to find them easily in case you’d like to add them to yours.  

Be well and rest easy mama! You’ve got this!  

It doesn’t matter what business you’re in…. you MUST understand these 3 things about your customer....

They are the Person, their Problem, their Passion.

All of which require you to understand their WHY’s before doing anything else.

Once you identify the why’s… their reasons… you can now relate and create an experience for your customer that literally speaks to them about purchasing your product, so you can start selling products that your customer actually wants, moving them down the path to what they NEED.

Allow me to explain deeper.

Having the mentality of “my product/service is for everyone” is a sure-fire way to stay stuck and speak to absolutely no one. You must drill down to a specific person when you write your message. How do you know who your person is? You could do a bunch of research that takes time, but if you follow my way of doing things your person is essentially you….that is, who you were back when you had the problem you are trying to solve for your person. When you build your business around a personal brand that is yourself, instead of building it around a business brand or product… it makes EVERYTHING easier…AND….you will attract people that are more inclined to like you. (In case you didn’t know, people like people who are like them).

You must identify a problem your person has that you can solve and create your content around it. The bigger the problem, the more success you are likely to have in getting the attention of your audience. This is why the 3 big markets are health, finances, and relationship and everything else is sub-market. Most people are struggling to some degree in each of these areas, and they are usually the cause of a lot of life’s stress. What is the problem your product/service can solve for someone in each of these 3 markets? What are the symptoms of this problem? What feelings does this problem create for your person?

What is your person passionate about? You see passion when a person sits up straight, they get that sparkle in their eyes and a smile on their face. They speak with emotion.  What is important to your customer? What passions are being suppressed or affected by the problem they have? What does life look like for them when the problem is solved? How do they feel in that moment?

The details to everyone’s “why” are different, but we can usually pin it down to one major motivator….FREEDOM. Dig in to these questions. Journal them out until you really understand and resonate with your person. This is when you begin to think like them, act like them, and speak the way they speak. This is what will make them say, “you are speaking right to me!” which leads to….”I want to learn from you.” Or “I need that!” Without you having to embarrass yourself in a salesy email or direct message that serves no one.

The key to success lies in selecting one specific person as your focus when crafting your message. Being aware of who your person is, what their problem is, and what makes them passionate are three key elements to show your person exactly how your product or service is just the thing they’ve been looking for so they can make a move towards their form of FREEDOM.

I hope this sparked some “food for thought” for you. If you’re interested in more tips about how to make money from home as a mom, consider joining our community to get access to valuable resources and advice from other experienced entrepreneurs! I speak on these things quite frequently in there because they are typically that “IT THING” most people are missing in their marketing efforts. I created this community because I strongly believe that empowered women, empower women, but every other entrepreneurial group I’ve joined is nothing but a bunch of lions waiting to pounce on their prey with DM’s and fake friend requests.  My group is truly a hang out place for other moms trying to create and/or run a business from home. Come hang out with us!

Selling digital products is a fast and simple way to generate passive income and the possibilities are endless! With online delivery, budget-friendly options, and higher profits than physical goods - what's not to love? Tap into this lucrative market today for maximum growth potential. Here are some ideas to get you started......

1. Recipes: Recipes are great ways to build your list. (check out my next blog to learn why building your email list is important) Simply create a download of the step-by-step instructions. Link it to a landing page for them to submit their email address into, and the recipe gets sent to their inbox. Make sure it is printer-friendly for their ease of use.

2. Guides: travel guides, health guides, disney vacation, Self-care, how-to…..sky’s the limit on what type of guide you can create. Look at your audience’s needs and requests and create a simple how-to guide around it that they can download.

3. Tutorial Videos: do a demonstration of something. Make-up how-to’s are pretty popular but it could be anything from properly saddling a horse, to how to paint a cool looking tree. Whatever your community is into. Teach them how to do it better with a video.

4. Workbooks: Looking for a way to help your audience make those big life decisions? Consider creating and selling downloadable workbooks! Workbooks are great because they offer the user step-by-step guidance on how to reach their desired goals - whether it's business planning, debt payoff plans or budgeting. Plus, these helpful tools don't have you filling up pages with words like eBooks do – just providing prompts that will assist them in doing what needs to be done. Sound handy? Check out one of my favorite workbooks for some inspiration.

5. Manuals: Do you know how many times my husband goes searching for repair manuals for things? If you’re a fixer upper type and know how to fix things…a simple how-to manual might just save someone’s day. 

6. E-Books: Do you have a passion for something or an interesting story/life experience to share? Put it into an eBook! According to Statista and Google Trends, eBooks are one of the top information products that people spend their money on. You don’t need to be an experienced writer or an expert in the topic to write a book—all you need is enthusiasm and some strong research skills. Plus, eBooks are easy to market and distribute online. Whether you’re wanting to provide parenting advice or share your knowledge on baking bread, there is always an audience eager to learn from your experiences. eBooks are easily consumable, and a great way to bring in leads. For instance, you can distribute the eBook for free in exchange for emails. Plus, eBooks are great for building credibility! Sounds like a daunting task, but ebooks are easier to consume when they are short and sweet.

7. Planners: Whether its a yearly planner, a budget planner, a grocery planner or a workout planner, there’s a wealth of opportunity in this niche. Software like CANVA makes the design process easy though.

8. Journals: So simple. Design a great cover to a notebook in CANVA and you can totally call it a journal and be done. Take it a step further and make each page unique with inspiration quotes or whatever makes sense to your user’s experience.

9. Check Lists: There's a whole demographic of people who have checklists for everything! Make their world easier with one ready to go for their specific needs. (hint: You'll know this because "your people" are you. Create for them the checklists you use for yourself. 

10. Cheat Sheets: I love cheat sheets! Same concept as check lists, create for them what you would use for yourself. As a FAM/NFP instructor I have created cheat sheets for the rules of my methods, and for my entrepreneur audience I have a cheat sheet for the steps needed to create the landing pages, sales pages, and email campaigns for all these digital things we create to make the flow go smoothly which saves time. This one is a freebie that goes with the course I have that teaches you how to do all that. 

11. Worksheets: I like to pair worksheets with a video training. So if you have a YouTube video or a podcast, you could offer a worksheet to go along with your talk as a downloadable for them to follow along. Some people learn better when they can write things or read it.

12. Stock Photos: If you’re a photographer, or just like taking pictures, Check out sites like Pixabay where you can sell your images. Reach out to bloggers and see if you can commission any work from them, restaurants and other business would be another opportunity for free-lance photography.

13. Spreadsheets: You can sell spreadsheets with industry-specific information ex.  A client of mine created a spreadsheet for her Barrel Racing competitions that left other facilities wanting to know her secret system for keeping scores. 

I have one for keeping track of all my links… or you can create fill-in-the blank spreadsheets that are best for planning and financial niches. 

14. Templates: Templates make everyone’s lives easier. They are attractive because we all want easy-buttons. Templates offer a “plug-n-play” short-cut for almost anything. The most common template sales I see are social media templates for posts, Reels, etc. You could create a meal-planning template, a chore chart, feed schedule, business card design template, etc.

15. A Mini Course: A small course that is a piece of content either delivered live (like a workshop) or delivered via email or hosted online on a platform such as AttractWell. Mini-courses are a great way to dip your feet in the course creator world without the time or the commitment it requires to build and sell a full-blown signature course.

If you like teaching and are comfortable presenting on audio or video then this can be an excellent digital product for you.

If you don’t want to host your course somewhere expensive, you can simply create a FB group that is private where you share your videos and resources, or deliver it through emails if you have an email marketing system (I use AttractWell for this too).

16. Crafty Printables: For crafty mamas out there, consider selling printables or crafts that you make yourself! People love buying handmade items (especially from other moms), so this could be a great way for you to monetize something you already love doing. You can start small by offering free printables on Pinterest or Etsy before moving onto bigger projects like making jewelry or clothing items for kids. 

17. Entertaining Videos: If you have a talent for creating videos, why not turn it into a home-business? I'm not talking YouTube sensation...although there is that too. I'm talking simple. Like maybe your audience is moms of littles. You can create videos of stories being read, or, if you have the skills, animations you create.

18. Memberships:  Memberships work especially well for coaches and instructors. Ex. A Yoga instructor could have a membership where she does daily meditations, workouts, etc. A music or art instructor could host daily lessons. A health coach could run through daily meal plans and exercise routines….you get the idea. Other ideas could be: 

19. Digital newsletter subscriptions: Maybe you create newsletters for other entrepreneurs?

25. Online Courses: Creating online courses is one of the best ways to make money as a mompreneur. You can create courses that cater to other mothers or share your knowledge of topics like nutrition, parenting, budgeting, etc. Online courses give you the flexibility to work around your family’s schedule since you can create content on your own time and upload it when it is ready. Plus, if you price your course correctly, it can be very lucrative!

As you can see there are plenty of digital product ideas out there that don’t require too much time or effort on your part! 

Generating income from home doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose eBooks or printables (or both!), selling digital products gives busy moms like us the freedom and flexibility we need while still allowing us to generate income from home. So what are you waiting for? Get started today on a business venture that will benefit both yourself and your family! But don't go it alone! Join a community of other moms who are already making money from home HERE so we can help you out! 

 

 We all know that inflammation can be a real pain and is the root cause of all life’s physical discomforts. It’s hard to stay on top of your life when you’re dealing with the discomfort and stress of inflammation. But luckily, there’s an easy solution: NingXia Red™! This powerful blend of wolfberries, aronia cherries, blueberries, and other superfruits is the perfect way to reduce inflammation and get back to feeling like yourself again.

What Makes NingXia Red™ So Special?                   

NingXia Red™ is made from 100% pure and natural ingredients. The whole-fruit puree’ of the Ningxia wolfberry that is the main ingredient in Ningxia Red™ contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, amino acids, essential fatty acids, iron, and minerals. Ningxia Red™ is free from preservatives or added sugars. That means you can trust that what you’re getting is safe and effective for reducing inflammation naturally.                                                                                                                                                  

It Gets Better!                                                                                        

Not only does NingXia Red™ reduce inflammation naturally but it also boosts your energy levels so that you can tackle your day with confidence. And the best part? NingXia Red™ comes in a convenient 2-ounce sachet so that you can take it wherever life takes you! Whether you’re heading to work or out for an adventure in the great outdoors, you won’t have to worry about lugging around big bottles of juice or supplements—just grab a pouch of NingXia Red™ and go!

                                     

But That's Not All...                 

NingXia Red™ has many more tricks up its sleeve: it helps support healthy brain function and cognitive performance! Thanks to its antioxidant-rich formula, NingXia Red™ helps protect your brain cells against oxidative stress while promoting healthy circulation throughout your body. So while NingXia Red™ reduces inflammation and boosts energy levels, it also works behind the scenes to keep your brain functioning optimally so that no matter how busy life gets—you know you have an extra layer of protection keeping everything running smoothly!

 

Reducing inflammation doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming—all it takes is one small pouch of deliciousness (aka NingXia Red™!) For an easy way to look after yourself each day—and fight off pesky inflammation at the same time—look no further than this superfruit blend from Young Living®. With its combination of powerful antioxidants and natural whole-food nutrition, plus added benefits for both energy and brain health—NingXia Red™ really does have it all! So if reducing inflammation is the name of the game then make sure to put this star player on your team today. You won't regret it!

Jump into our NingXia Red™ challenge today, where we share fun and delicious ways to enjoy our daily dose of NingXia, share our experiences with it, and gain more education about the MANY benefits of this powerful superfood. Challenge officially kicks off February 16th, so grab your NingXia today so you’re ready!

Winter hasn’t even officially started yet and here we are just 3 inches shy of our annual snow fall, all snow days have been used up, and we are once again a 2-hour late start for school (because all of our snow days have been used).  It’s been a great reminder to me of one of the main reasons I became my own boss, working my online business from home. Time freedom.

My heart goes out to the families who are left scrambling to make arrangements for their kids to accommodate this schedule change, to those who have no more sick pay or PTO to use. My prayers for the children who are unknowingly placed in unsafe situations (all the stories of child abuse by neighbors and such flooding my heart).

The motivation for my mission is strong today. My mission of helping other moms like me earn extra income online. To show them how to do what I do, so they too can have the time freedom of being there for their kids on a whim; watching every practice, game, and performance. Spending summer days at the pool or the lake or riding horse. Doing what we want. Our mantra is “see what we see, find what we find” and we love it.

Living this carefree lifestyle is only possible when the burden of being able to pay the bills and feed the family has been lifted. In these times living on a single income is becoming harder and harder.

My goal was always to remain financially independent from my husband in case something were to ever happen to him or his income, we could still live our carefree lifestyle and now I’m paying it forward by showing others how they too can fill in that financial gap without sacrificing their family and their time.

It starts with figuring out what you have to offer the world, and before you say “I have no skills and nothing to offer” I’m going to stop you because everyone has something to offer the world. You were created for a purpose, now let’s find that purpose.

I’d like to gift you this free workshop to help you find that purpose, and then invite you into my community of other moms making money from home to help you learn the system of how to turn your gifts into a purpose-driven online business so you too can live life with time freedom.

And jump into the group  HERE

See you in there friend. It's time for change. 

The holiday season is officially over, and while it was fun to indulge in all that delicious food, your body is probably begging for some TLC. Enter, sugar detox. A sugar detox can help you kickstart a healthier lifestyle and give your body a break from all of the processed foods and excess sugar consumed during the holidays. Let’s explore why a sugar detox might be just what you need this winter.

 

Sugar is a substance that is highly addictive, and many people find it difficult to cut back on their intake once they have started consuming it regularly. A sugar detox can help to break this cycle of addiction and allow you to reduce your sugar intake and feel in control again.

One of the primary benefits of a sugar detox is that it helps to cut cravings. When you feed your body good things, it stops asking for the quick energy rush of sugar.

Sugar is added to so many foods these days that it can be hard to avoid. A sugar detox can help to reset your taste buds and break your sugar addiction.

Sugar is a pro-inflammatory food, meaning it can contribute to inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. A sugar detox can help to reduce inflammation by eliminating sugary foods from your diet.

A sugar detox can also help to improve gut health. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, many of which are beneficial for our health. However, eating too much sugar can upset the delicate balance of the gut microbiome and lead to problems such as yeast overgrowth, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. A sugar detox can help to restore balance to the gut microbiome and improve gut health.

A sugar detox can also help to boost energy levels. Many people find that they have more energy when they cut sugar out of their diet. This is because sugar causes spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to feelings of fatigue and low energy. Cutting out sugar can help to stabilize blood sugar levels and improve energy levels.

Sugar causes inflammation and can trigger hormonal imbalances, both of which can contribute to the development of acne. Sugar consumption has been linked to acne breakouts, as well as other skin problems such as wrinkles and dullness. A sugar detox can help to improve skin health by eliminating sugary foods from your diet

Too much sugar can cause glycation, a process in which sugars attach to proteins and cause them to become stiff and misshapen. This can lead to wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Cutting sugar out of your diet can help to improve your skin health.

When it comes to weight loss, reducing added sugar intake is one of the most effective strategies there is. Research has shown that cutting down on sugar can help support weight loss efforts by decreasing calorie consumption and reducing cravings for unhealthy snacks and desserts. Doing a sugar detox can help give your metabolism a boost and allow you to get back on track with healthy eating habits quickly and easily.

 

Sugar may give you a temporary energy boost, but it can also lead to crashes later on. If you're looking for sustained energy, ditching sugar is a good place to start.

 

Eating too much sugar can increase your risk of developing heart disease. A sugar detox can help to reduce your risk by reducing the amount of sugar in your diet.

 

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. Cutting sugar out of your diet can help to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health.

Eating too much sugar can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decrease your HDL (good) cholesterol levels. A sugar detox can help to improve your cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of sugar in your diet

Too much sugar can damage the liver, leading to a condition called fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is a serious condition that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death.

Eating too much sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body cannot properly metabolize sugar. Type 2 diabetes can cause a variety of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Sugar is one of the main culprits behind cavities and tooth decay. When sugar comes into contact with bacteria in the mouth, it creates acid that attacks tooth enamel. Over time, this acid can break down teeth and lead to cavities.

 

Sugar has been shown to aggravate anxiety and depression by causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels. These fluctuations can lead to mood swings, irritability, and feelings of lethargy or fatigue.

The quality of your sleep can have a huge impact on how productive you are during the day—and if you’re eating too much sugary food before bedtime, it could be affecting how well you sleep at night! A regular intake of added sugars can cause disruptions in REM sleep patterns which leaves us feeling tired even after getting plenty of hours of rest! By reducing our added-sugars intake we can ensure our bodies are getting into deeper stages of restorative sleep where we feel properly rested when we wake up in the morning!

 

Taking a post-holiday sugar detox is a great way to reset your body after overindulging during the holidays. Not only will it help reduce bloating and fatigue, but it can also reset cravings, promote better gut health and get you started on the right track for your weight loss goals. So if you're looking for an easy way to start off 2023 right, then consider doing a sugar detox today!

Unless of course, you have found this natural solution like I have. Then your answer is a happy NO. 

But let’s dig deeper to answer specifically if YOUR particular sunscreen could be on the dangerous goods list. The first step is….Know Your Ingredients

Oxybenzone is a key ingredient that can cause photoallergic reactions such as skin burning or rashes after hours or days of use! It's highly absorbent and, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is reported to be a contaminate within the bodies of 97% of Americans.  It is also believed to be a human endocrine disruptor (European Commission on Endocrine Disruption) and can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death, and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease (K.M. Hanson).

While Octinoxate is almost as bad as oxybenzone, its main concern is with how it mimics estrogen in the body, causing hormones to become out of balance which can wreak havoc on your cycles.  It has also been found in breast milk showing just how absorbent it is to us.

Propylparaben, a preservative also known to disrupt the endocrine system.  Simply put, for men or women, this basically blocks receptors so that hormones do not get to where they need to go.  It too mimics estrogen, throwing your system out of balance.

Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A Acetate) – High levels of Vitamin A put all over the body can lead to reproductive toxicity. It can also interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death, and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease (K.M. Hanson). The National Toxicology Program also reports that it causes tumors in animals at low doses

 

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are similar in benefits.  They both protect against UV-B and UV-A radiation.

Dangers – Nano-particles (super tiny particles) are supposed to better help protect from the sun.  But,  studies have now shown that the nano-particles cross into the blood stream. The study was on nano-titanium, but we can assume the same possibility with zinc.  It is also very dangerous to inhale either metal.  Some studies show that cellular damage which can lead to cancer can occur if it is inhaled (Sayes CM, Wahi R).

This Non-Nano Zinc Oxide based cream with skin-loving essential oils and all-natural, plant-based, CLEAN ingredients is all my family uses. We spend every non-rainy day of summer either at the city pool or the lake. The only time we got sunburned last summer was when my littles were learning how to apply their own and missed spots.

I love how we can apply it once….sometimes twice if it’s a real scorcher out, and we’re good. Fairer skinned people may have to apply more often, but at SPF 50, it’s got some good coverage. Just read the label and use common sense.

That being said, it is also the only zinc oxide, natural sunscreen that actually rubs in nicely without leaving you purple or pasty white, AND leaves your skin feeling extra soft and smooth, not greasy and gross.

 

There are some homemade recipes out there, but be advised…..inhaling zinc oxide is dangerous, so I’m not really interested in having it in my home in its loose powder form. PLUS, you never know what the SPF protective factor is of the homemade recipes. I used one before I found this Mineral Sunscreen and it worked well for me if I applied it frequently enough, but my baby got burned once….that was enough for me. I like to stick with sure things and this Mineral Sunscreen checks all my boxes and more on safety and effectiveness.

I hope you found this helpful in choosing the right source of sun protection for your family. If you like tips like this, check out our Savvy Community. It’s loaded with golden nuggets of fun recipes and tips for cleaner, healthier living for all.

Be well friend!

Jackie

Could a congested lymphatic system be contributing to your health problems?

Probably. But, read on to see for yourself. 

Your lymphatic system is like the underground sewage system that collects everything that the skin absorbs and sends it into the bloodstream where it eventually ends up in the liver. The lymphatic system also sweeps up any metabolic waste, dead cells, and excess fluid from your organs.

If the lymphatic system is clogged, then the organs and parts of the body that normally dump their waste into it become backed up too. I.e. Your gut and liver.

When working correctly, the lymphatic system directs white blood cells to germs and other invaders to help you fight off infection. When it is congested it has the opposite effect, sending the viruses and bacteria into the blood stream and putting you at greater risk for infection.

There are several tell tale signs that lymphatic fluid is not moving effectively and that toxins are building up in your body:

 Bloating

Cycle-related complaints• Swelling in your fingers/rings fitting more tightly

Brain fog

Digestive issues

Parasites

Depression

Sinus infections

Skin problems/dry and or itchy skin

Enlarged lymph nodes

Chronic fatigue

Feeling sore or stiff when you wake up in the morning

 Unexplained injuries

Excess weight

Cold hands and feet

Constipation

Worsened allergies

Food sensitivities

Increased colds and flu

 

How many of these signs can you relate to? See why it is important to cleanse?!

I’m doing this challenge starting May 15th for myself to see if I can remedy my underarm odor and improve gut health, among other things listed above.  Wanna join me?

We have an incredible group for all the details led by a friend that’s an RN and literally an expert on all things lymphatic system. There will be videos and posts with exactly what to do. We will hold your hand through the whole process.

The results from this challenge never cease to amaze me!

Get in on the greatness HERE.

For more health tips check out my Swap It Savvy community where we take a “use-this-not-that” approach to making healthier choices for our family so we can feel good and live life to the fullest and help others do the same.

It’s that time of year again when nearly 8% of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies.

But, did you know that typical anti-histamine and decongestants used for allergy relief have the potential to alter your cervical mucus sign? (study)

Makes sense when you think of the functionality of things. Mucus cells are mucus cells whether they are in your nose or in your vagina. Allergy meds are designed to sooth the runny nose by drying up the mucus or thinning it for more efficient drainage, why wouldn't it effect "down there" too? 

But fear not! Your trusted instructor has some tips to guide you. :)

First I need to point out there has been no documented CURE for allergies, only symptoms support, and of course, that I am not a doctor and you should seek care from one as necessary. This info is for the sole purposes of educating you and is not medical advice.

Now that we got that out of the way and we're best friends, let's talk about why you're reading this.

First, a combo of essential oils that is a favorite among essential oil lovers. Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint. It is known as the “LLP Bomb”.

You can diffuse this combo, make a roller of it and apply to chest and sinuses, or put it in a capsule to take internally. 

Lavender has been shown in studies to be a natural histamine inhibitor. 

Lemon and other citrus oils have been shown to liquefy and thin mucus to support drainage.  

Peppermint has been shown to relax smooth muscle tissue, which results in opening of airways and relaxes a heavy chest. 

If more inflammatory support is needed adding Copaiba to this combination is a great idea!

Did you know allergies are not a normal response in a healthy human? While there are a wide array of causes to allergies like vaccinations and environmental exposures, many of the root causes for people are simply lack of enzymes, vitamins, and/or minerals. Since these are things we CAN control…let’s talk about them.

Dr. LeAnne and David Deardeuff observed that 90% of their patients relieved their allergy symptoms by doing their liver cleanse protocol. 

Many allergy sufferers report a significant difference in the severity of their symptoms after including Sulfurzyme™ into their daily routine. This is a good idea anyway, you can check out why here. But the relief in allergy symptoms is likely due to the anti-inflammatory effects of MSM and Ningxia Wolfberry, which are the main ingredients in Sulfurzyme™. Turbo charge this with this Red Drink Recipe, and you’ve got a great tasting way to support your whole body health AND find relief from those sniffles.

Enzymes. The link to supplementing enzymes for allergy relief comes from gut health and healing leaky gut. Leaky gut is well-known to be the root cause of many allergies. So logically, a focus on gut health would be beneficial to the seasonal allergy sufferer. I have an entire blog or video on what I’ve done to improve gut health. I’ve also got an entire program focused on gut health if you’re really serious about healing the core of your entire health foundation.

But a simple place to start with would just be including Allerzyme™ to your routine. The capsules are really small, and if you are unable to swallow capsules you can break them open and mix it in a smoothie or yogurt or a spoonful of raw honey.

Lemon or Lemon Vitality™

Lavender or Lavender Vitality™

Peppermint or Peppermint Vitality™

Sulfurzyme™ Capsules and/or Powder

You can grab all of these supplies HERE

Did you know that you can also reduce allergy symptoms over time by reducing toxin exposure from cleaners, personal care products, cosmetics and skincare, anything with fragrance, processed foods, etc? 

That's what we are all about over in the Swap It Savvy Community FB group or Swap It Savvy on Instagram, so pop into those if you'd like and good luck navigating this allergy season! I am always here if you need some guidance.  

 

Best Wishes,

Jackie