Being empathic means many things but for certain, we can sense the emotions of others. Often, we take on their emotions and without clear energetic barriers, we can internalize them, hold onto them and carry the burden for the other people in our lives. Sometimes we don't even know when the emotions we are feeling are ours or not.

When I was younger, this made me a magnet for people who were struggling. They'd often say that they felt so much lighter after having spoken with me. Similarly, I could ask the right questions, make the right moves to help people because I could sense their burdens. It was a scary time for me. I was very new at understanding this gift and felt at times sickened physically by it. 

For a period of time, I closed all of my senses to this energy of the world. I became a more distant being- wearing a lot of armor. This was no solution as I no longer felt authentic or real in situations- even if I felt protected.

In time, I discovered simple ways to set up barriers, to clear stagnant energy and to navigate with a very clear sense of my self in energetic waters.  I still feel so much, and as a mom of boys, it is even more important to have good hygiene around boundary setting.

My oldest is a teenager now and there are so many turbulent moments- I find myself more challenged than ever to keep the signals clear. 

If you find yourself surrounded by emotional teenagers- try out some simple tricks to ground and cleans yourself, but also to create a little bubble where your feelings are not co-mingling with theirs in a way that causes disruptions to your ability to navigate.

Obsidian, smoky quartz and amethyst are my favorite gems for protecting against negative energy and bringing a sense of calm and focus. My mom picked up this cute elephant obsidian for me. It reminds me of Ganesha- the remover of obstacles. Cleanse your crystals regularly to keep them clear. I use a water bath with rosemary essential oil.

Terrashield -  this oil is as good for keeping bugs away as it is for creating a clean energetic boundary. I apply it on my forearms in a downward slash and along my ankles. Diffuse it to release bad dreams.

On Guard- Apply a drop to your heart center for protection of the emotions. This is both strengthening for your immune system and strengthening for your heart shield so as not to pick up too many energies from others.

My son was traveling to a rough part of Boston for baseball and I used the same protocol on him, applying a bit of on guard to the base of his skull as well and diluting with fractionated coconut oil. That was the day he went 9-9 at bat!

Parenting is difficult at times, picking up the emotions of our children or others can leave us exhausted and unable to help them navigate the changes they are going through as they approach more mature problems and situations in life. Take care to clear your energy, put up your shields (prior to interacting for the day.. I recommend right after a shower) and breathe a little easier.

Love you,
LeeAnn

#energeticmama #empathicmama #beautifulworld #communityuplift #essentialoilsolutions #gemsforenergy #empathictools #energeticprotection #evolovinghuman #spiritminded #naturalsolutions

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

​

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