holistic health

We are all exposed to environmental toxins in our everyday life. From the products we use to clean our homes and care for our bodies, to the processed foods we eat and the air we breathe—we are coming into contact with chemicals that can cause inflammation in the body. In this blog post, I’ll break down why environmental toxins cause inflammation and what you can do about it. Let’s get started! 

The personal care products you use every day may be doing more harm than good. Many popular skincare, haircare, and makeup products contain ingredients that could be causing inflammation in your body. For example, many shampoos contain sulfates which are harsh chemical agents used as foaming agents. These sulfates strip away natural oils from your scalp which can lead to inflammation and other skin issues like dandruff. Similarly, many beauty products contain parabens which are preservatives that prevent bacteria growth but also disrupt hormones which can lead to inflammation. 

The same is true for cleaning products—many of them contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or chlorine that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and skin when inhaled or touched directly. These ingredients may also trigger allergies or asthma attacks if you’re prone to those conditions. But even if you aren't prone to allergies or asthma, these cause issues which to many seem unconnected until the products are removed and other health issues disappear.  These cause so many different problems! 

Throw out any and all air freshers, plug-ins, and candles today!  See why here.

Processed foods have long been linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease due to their high amounts of sodium, fat, sugar, and additives like artificial flavors or colors. But what many people don’t realize is that these processed foods also contain hidden toxins like glyphosate which is a weed killer used on genetically engineered crops like corn or soybeans—ingredients found in many processed snacks and meals! Glyphosate has been linked to kidney disease as well as cancer so it's important to read labels carefully when buying food items at the store (or better yet—opt for fresh veggies and other whole foods that do't have a long ingredient list!!).  

No matter where we turn these days it seems like the environment is loaded with toxins that can harm us both physically and mentally; however by making small changes in our everyday lifestyle choices we can reduce our exposure to toxins significantly! Avoiding personal care products with known irritants such as sulfates or parabens; using natural cleaning supplies like Thieves Household Cleaner, vinegar, borax, or baking soda; reading labels carefully when purchasing food items; opting for fresh (organic) produce over processed snacks—these simple adjustments will help keep inflammation at bay while still allowing us to enjoy life's little luxuries! By taking an active role in managing our exposure to environmental toxins we can all make a difference in reducing inflammation in ourselves as well as future generations!

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Looking for ways to set goals as a family? Whether it’s planning activities to do together or working on long-term projects, there are a few key steps you can employ to make goal setting fun and rewarding. Here’s how you can get started with family goal setting today. 

When it comes to brainstorming ideas, the focus should be on being creative and having fun. Try not to criticize any of the ideas that come up; even if they seem far-fetched, let everyone have their say! This is also a great opportunity to introduce new skills or hobbies that your family may not have tried before. Write down all of your ideas on a whiteboard or piece of paper so everyone can see them, then move on to Step Two. 

After you have come up with some great ideas for things your family wants to accomplish this year, it’s time to prioritize those goals. Make sure everyone has a chance to voice their opinion about which goals are most important and why. This will help ensure that your plans align with everyone’s interests and expectations. Make sure that each goal is realistic and achievable within the timeframe you have planned for it. 

Once you have prioritized your goals, break each one down into smaller actionable steps so that the tasks don't feel too daunting or overwhelming. For example, if one of your goals is to go camping together as a family this summer, break it down into manageable tasks such as researching campsites in the area and purchasing essential camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, etc.). This will help keep everyone on track and motivated as they work towards achieving their goal!  

Family goal setting is an excellent way for families to bond while also staying focused on achieving their shared objectives. It’s important to remember that goal setting should be fun—not frustrating—so make sure everyone has an equal say in what goes onto the list of priorities for this year! With clear targets in mind and achievable action steps laid out ahead of time, you can ensure that your family accomplishes something great together this year!

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

 

As a parent, you want your high schooler to succeed in all aspects of life—from the classroom to extracurricular activities. Helping your teen set realistic goals is one important way you can support them in their academic journey. Setting smart goals gives teens an opportunity to set measurable and achievable objectives while also providing a clear framework to strive towards success. Read on to learn how to help your teen set smart goals and get ahead in high school. 

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. These five principles are the cornerstone of effective goal-setting and should be applied when helping your teen create their own objectives. Here’s what each principle means: 

•    Specific – Clear, detailed expectations that outline exactly what needs to be accomplished;   

•    Measurable – Objectives must have clear metrics so progress can be tracked;   

•    Achievable – Goals should be challenging but attainable;    

•    Relevant – Objectives should align with overall life goals;    

•    Timely – Deadlines provide focus and urgency for completing tasks. 

When helping your teen define SMART goals, encourage them to think specifically about their desired outcome as well as the steps they need to take along the way. For example, if your teen wants to get an A in their Math class this semester, they could create a goal like “I will study for math every day at 5pm for 30 minutes and complete my homework by Saturday evening each week." This type of goal is specific, measurable (grade), achievable (with enough effort), relevant (to getting an A in Math), and timely (completed before Saturday night). 

Once your teen has created their SMART goals, it’s time to establish an action plan! An action plan is simply a list of tasks or steps that need to be completed in order for your teen’s goals to be achieved. Encourage your teen to break down big projects into smaller tasks that are easier to manage—for example, “I will finish my math project by breaking it down into five separate parts that I can work on over five days." This type of action plan helps teens stay organized and on track while working towards their goals (and prevents procrastination). Furthermore, it allows them to measure their own progress throughout the process. 

Setting smart goals is one important way you can help motivate and empower your teenage children during high school. By using the SMART methodology—specifically outlining objectives that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely—you can give teens an opportunity to reach their highest potential while also providing them with structure along the way. Encourage them by teaching them how action plans help break down big projects into manageable tasks so they can measure progress towards success!

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

As a mom, you are already juggling so many things in your life. From educating and tending to your family’s health needs to managing your household’s finances, it can be overwhelming at times. That’s why it is important to set and prioritize some financial goals that you can work towards over time. Let’s look at some of the best financial goals for moms who want to take a holistic approach with their finances. 

Having an emergency savings fund is essential for any mom looking to take a holistic approach with her finances. By setting aside money each month—no matter how small—you can build up an emergency fund that can be used when unexpected expenses arise, such as medical bills or car repairs. Having this type of cushion will reduce stress and give you peace of mind knowing that you have something in place should the need arise. You can make this a SMART goal by deciding how much you will set aside each month, when you will take it out (the sooner the better so it's not a temptation to use otherwise), and how much you want saved by a certain date.  Even if you have to give up something that's not a necessity to make it happen, it is worth it!

High-interest debt such as credit card debt can be difficult to get out from under if not managed properly. One great financial goal would be to focus on paying off high-interest debt as quickly as possible. This could mean making larger payments than usual or focusing more energy on finding ways to make extra income in order to pay off the debt faster. Taking this approach will save you money in the long run because less interest will accumulate over time, leaving more money in your pocket each month when all is said and done.  Focus on one debt at a time until that is all paid off, then move to the next.  Make this a SMART goal by setting a date to have each debt paid off, but also by choosing the amount to pay them down each month.  

It is a good idea to have some career goals if you are currently working or if you are a stay-at-home mom and plan on working in the future. This could include taking classes or attending workshops that will help you stay sharp in your field of expertise. You can make this a SMART goal by setting a date to get promoted or increase your income by a certain percentage within a certain period of time. These types of goals will help ensure that you are able to maximize your earning potential and increase your wealth over time. Stay-at-home moms have options, too.  There are many ways you can  learn and earn while being at home with your kids.  

Another great financial goal for moms is investing in retirement funds such as IRAs or 401(k) plans if they are available through your or your husband's employer or financial planner. Investing in retirement funds now can help secure one's financial future down the road when they are ready to retire or semi-retire from their current job position. It is important to start investing early so there is plenty of time for those investments to grow before retirement age arrives! The sooner you start the better on this one - retirement may seem like it is far away, but it will come faster than you think.  Make this a SMART goal by choosing the amount to invest each month.  

Setting financial goals is an important part of being a mom since it helps ensure that one's finances are managed responsibly while also providing peace of mind regarding one’s future security. For moms who want to take a holistic approach with their finances, setting career goals, creating an emergency savings fund, tackling high-interest debt payoffs, and investing in retirement funds are all great options worth considering! With clear planning and dedication, these types of goals will help any mom reach her desired financial destination!

 Part 8

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

As moms, we juggle so many responsibilities and roles that taking care of our social health can sometimes take a backseat. However, setting and achieving social goals is just as important to your overall wellbeing as any other goal – if not more so! I've put together this guide to provide some ideas on how to set yourself up for meaningful relationships with other moms who share your same interests. 

One of the best things you can do is find a community of like-minded moms who share your same values and interests. Check out local mommy meet-ups, join a natural parenting support group in your area, or find a local church to attend. You can also join an online forum or Facebook group specifically for holistic moms. Not only will these communities provide emotional support and understanding, but you’ll be able to learn from one another and share what works for your family and what doesn't.  Being intentional about finding groups that align with your beliefs will go a long way to help you feel connected both locally and online and you will be able to nurture friendships that may last a lifetime! Make this a SMART goal by doing one intentional thing each day to find/participate in your community.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the demands placed on us as mothers, so make sure you're taking time each week (or even each day) to focus on yourself and practice self-care. Take a yoga class, go for a run, or spend some time alone at the beach – anything that allows you to relax and recharge. Taking care of yourself will help ensure that you have the energy needed to take care of everyone else in your life too!  If your self-care includes others, as in a fitness class or walking with a friend - that's a big bonus!  Make this a SMART goal by setting aside a certain amount of time each day to focus on self-care.

The best way to form deep connections with others is by sharing common interests or passions. Think about activities like going shopping together, attending concerts or plays, or joining book clubs, fitness or cooking classes. If there's something specific that you're interested in learning more about, look into courses offered at local colleges or universities – they often offer classes during evenings and weekends specifically designed for adult learners.  This is also a great opportunity to brush up on skills that may have been rusty since having children or starting a career!  When you are learning with others, you can develop great friendships! Make this a smart goal by setting aside time to find the classes/activities you would like, and then choosing how much time you will put into them.

Making social goals an important part of your life doesn't have to be overwhelming; start small by focusing on forming relationships with people who make you feel good about yourself and treat you with respect. Find opportunities in your area where you can connect with like-minded moms who share your values and interests – whether it’s joining an online forum or taking classes at the local community center – then take time out each week (or even each day) for self-care activities that allow you to relax and recharge. With some dedication and effort, setting social goals will help ensure that both you and your family are living balanced lives filled with meaningful relationships!

 Part 7, Part 8