Confidence means many things to many different people. There's the kind that helps you solve a tough math problem, work up the courage to ask someone on a date, the kind needed for trying out a new skill or scaling a mountain. For women, we often think about body confidence, too.

One thing that can really crush confidence at the onset is a true, gut wrenching challenge... the kind we didn't plan on. Recently, I was hit with one of those... I'll keep it private as it's not just my story to tell, but.. the first few weeks I wrestled with self doubt, fears, exhaustion, foggy brain, emotional rollercoasters- you name it. 

I woke up one day and looked around at all of the tasks and jobs, the hats, the hobbies, the hustles. I realized that to survive right now, I have to focus. I need to cut back the layers of my life and get down to the very core of what is important.

I decided workouts weren't optional. Every day, I need to start my day with movement. By focusing on my workouts and adding in a more balanced, nourishing diet, I was able to regulate my mood. Each time I stepped on the treadmill expecting to cry off my stress and collapse, I put one foot in front of the other and sweat it out instead. 

I need connection to people who truly love me and have my back. Every morning that I workout, I see my mother. We workout together through Zoom- even though she is 6 hours away, she is with me. It's a mini hug and a way to wrap family into my routines. We meditate for four minutes, using my Beachbody On Demand account- taking turns sharing about what we are doing, problem solving, crying a little and laughing a little, too. I reach out to own of my best friends, Owen, or hear from him every day, too. It's comforting to have a simple text to look forward to.  While there are a few people who've been instrumental in supporting us, my sister in law, Steff, is definitely one of them. She has been my go to for all things I need removed from my plate to function as a mother, a teacher and a human right now. Without being able to connect to people who love us, we wouldn't be able to ask for help when we need it. I've needed her support to transport the kids sometimes, she's cleaned my house and brought me a hot cup of coffee when I struggled at work.  God, I am grateful to these people.

I reach for my oils. These babies are jam-packed with the healing power of nature. Even as a little girl, I loved the flowers, the trees, the forest and the magic that they brought me. Now, I put a few drops of oil into my diffuser, or add some to my water. I love the motivate blend for uplifting my mood, for focusing my confusion into a more courageous outlook.  My son loves the Brave roller, too. We use it when he faces his own challenges (think batting against a fast pitcher or for test taking). 

When I'm sore from my workout- it's deep blue rub and as I move more and more, I am feeling less and less discomfort. I am actually not embarrassed of being photographed in my sports bra for this article. I used to be proud of my abs- the strength they brought me after delivering myself on Petey. But, they've been hiding under layers of self protection, toxic foods and layers of clothing. The focus on my self care has helped me to literally strengthen more core, and figuratively do the same.

So, this is not a post to brag about my success or to show off my sports bra. This is a post to encourage you to care for yourself when you are most challenged. When you want to curl in a ball and die, or sleep the day away to avoid it all- that is when we most need to find the activities and people who nourish us. That is when movement can help us find a courage we didn't know we had. That is when we have to say no and set up boundaries we didn't put in place before. The confidence to voice what it is we most need and what we most need to clear from the plate, is a glorious side effect of growing through challenge.

#growthmindset #wecanriseup #faithoverfear #momofboys #lifeinthelimbo #confidence #authentichuman #wellnessjourney

Does springtime feel a little dormant for you? Have you begun to pick up on the longer days and use that vibrant energy to lift you up? Need a little boost? This oil blend is like taking a tuber, planting it and watering it in a warm window sill or clipping some forsythia and forcing it to bloom. Use it to raise your frequency, feel alert and imagine sunnier days ahead.

Love,
LeeAnn

Ingredients
Soap
4–6 squares white coconut milk soap base
4 drops Grapefruit oil
Natural dye
¼ teaspoon Maca powder


Instructions

1. Chop soap base into rough cubes and place in a microwave safe bowl. Melt soap using a double boiler on the stove, stirring occasionally. Or, melt it in microwave at 30 second intervals.
2. Remove from heat and add in natural coloring and Grapefruit essential oil. Mix well.
3. Pour soap into silicon molds. Depending on your mold, this recipe should make about 8–10 letters.
4. Place in fridge or freezer to allow soap to harden.
5. Let sit for 10 minutes after removing from fridge.
6. Remove soap from silicon molds.
7. Enjoy at bath time.
8. When not in use, keep in a sealed container in the bathroom to preserve the aroma.

Tip: For different colors, instead of Maca powder, try ¼ teaspoon beet powder for a pink/red, or a ¼ teaspoon turmeric for a yellow/orange.

This recipe is from DoTERRA DIY blog. Check out more on www.doterra.com

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Looking for a festive and fun way to spread Christmas cheer? Try this fun candy cane scrub made with Peppermint essential oil. You will only need a few ingredients for this festive scrub, and it can easily be customized with your favorite colors and essential oils.
 
Ingredients
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil 
12 drops Peppermint oil 
Skin safe food coloring
 
Tip: In place of white sugar, you could use sea salt. In place of Fractionated Coconut Oil you could use almond oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil. 
 
Instructions

1. Combine sugar and Fractionated Coconut Oil in bowl. 
2. Divide mixture equally into two bowls. 
3. In one bowl, add red skin safe food coloring. 
4. Layer red and white scrub to create a "candy cane" effect. 

If heavy, greasy meals are your weakness when dinnertime rolls around, we’ve got the perfect recipe to help you keep things light and healthy—without sacrificing flavor. This artichoke spinach pizza with Rosemary oil and Lemon oil will provide the delicious flavor you’re looking for without making you feel weighed down afterward. 
Ready in less than 20 minutes, you’ll be on your way to a scrumptious pizza that you won’t feel guilty about.  

Ingredients 

For the pizza: 
Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) 
2 teaspoons olive oil  
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning 
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 
2 ounces chopped fresh spinach 
1½ chopped leeks 
⅓ cup white beans 
14.5-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts 
Sliced fresh mozzarella 
Salt and pepper to taste 

For the sauce:  
1 teaspoon lemon juice 
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 
2 drops Rosemary essential oil 
2 drops Lemon essential oil 
1 clove garlic 
⅓ cup cream cheese 
½ cup white beans (cannellini work great) 
Salt and pepper to taste 
Milk to thin sauce, if desired 

Instructions 

1. Preheat your oven to 550 °F. (If your oven doesn’t go that high, 500 °F is okay.) Place a pizza stone on the oven’s upper middle rack of the oven. 
2. Prepare the pizza crust according to your recipe’s instructions.  
3. Prepare the sauce by adding all of the sauce ingredients into a small food processor. Puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Set aside.  
4. Sauté the cleaned, chopped leeks in a cast iron or sauté skillet for 3–5 minutes, or until tender. Add the chopped spinach and sauté until wilted.  
5. Roll out the pizza crust on a sheet of parchment paper. Spread the creamy white bean sauce on top of the dough.  
6. Top the pizza with the sautéed leek and spinach mixture. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, white beans, and quartered artichoke hearts. Top with a few slices of mozzarella cheese.  
7. Remove the pizza from the parchment paper and place on the pizza stone. Bake for 5–10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.  

Recipe Credit:
​https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-artichoke-spinach-pizza

Want to enjoy the lovely aroma of a perfume without having to worry about all the nasty chemicals that might be lurking in its fragrance? Try making your own! This DIY perfume only requires three ingredients, plus it uses the bright, cheery aroma of Grapefruit oil to keep you smelling fresh all day.  

Ingredients 
2 tablespoons beeswax 
2 tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil 
20 drops doTERRA Grapefruit essential oil 

Instructions 

1. Add the beeswax and Fractionated Coconut Oil to a glass jar. 
2. Place the jar in a saucepan with approximately one inch of boiling water. 
3. Stir the ingredients until combined (5–10 minutes). 
4. Once melted, remove from heat and it let rest for three minutes. 
5. Add the Grapefruit essential oil and stir. 
6. Pour the mixture into your container of choice. Note: Glass containers tend to work better than plastic ones. 
7. Apply a small amount to your skin for a lovely, personal fragrance. 

Credit: From DoTERRA Blog:
​https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-grapefruit-perfume

Have you hauled out the buckets of holiday decorations? Have you begun to develop the lists, gather bags of gifts, collected your gift wrap... I know it can all be so overwhelming. 

After we gathered up our years of ornaments, garland and knickknacks, we had mounds to sort through... I knew it before I even tackled the mess. I needed my essential oils to support mental focus. I rolled my Adaptiv on my forearms which smells delightful and helps with mood and focus. I diffused some balance because the smell of this oil is both calming and smells like a forrest. I put some music on and boogied. 

Essential oils have a profound impact on our body's emotions and our focus/energy. The aromatic compounds hit the olfactory nerve and send a message through our lymbic system. Let the oils and lymbic relax and focus you!

Love,
LeeAnn

#holidaysurvivalguide #essentialoilmama #busymomofboys #focus #balancedmindset #essentialoilblends #natural #nosideeffects #puretherapeuticgrade #mothernature #communityuplift #journeythroughthewilderness #holidaymagic #joyfulmom #momsoverforty #organized #survival

These two DIYs make a great and easy gift. Enjoy the warming and spicy aroma of Cinnamon and Ginger together in this gingerbread scrub and bath bomb combo.

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
5 drops Cinnamon Bark oil
5 drops Ginger oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined. 
2. Store in an airtight container. 
3. To use, massage over skin for 30 seconds or until sugar dissolves, then rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Gingerbread Bath Bombs
Ingredients
½ cup baking soda
¼ cup epsom salt
¼ cup citric acid
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons Fractionated Coconut Oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon molasses
5 drops Cinnamon Bark oil
5 drops Ginger oil

Instructions

1. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients and mix.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well. Mixture should be relatively dry but still moldable. 
4. If the mixture is too moist the bath bombs will lose their fizziness, so spritz with water carefully if the mixture is too dry to hold shape.
5. Pack mixture into molds and allow to dry for at least 24 hours before removing.
6. Store in a dry place until use.

Tips: Want to go a step further? Replace the Grapefruit and Wild Orange oil in this Whipped Body Butter DIY with five drops of Cinnamon Bark oil, five drops of Ginger oil, and a splash of vanilla extract for a gingerbread body butter!

CREDIT: These recipes are from the blog. Check out DoTERRA to get more ideas!
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https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-gingerbread-bath-bombs-and-scrub