Good Morning!

I love crisp mornings.  They energize me.  They make want to be outside with a warm cup of tea and a blanket.  Instead, I went for an early morning walk with DH.  It was exhilarating!  I could have walked forever.  (Yes, now I'm singing I could have danced all night from "My Fair Lady".)  I had a hard time getting up or we could have gone farther but DH wanted to get back in time to have his coffee.  It seems he has to be a work at a particular time. Go figure.  LOL

The moon was so bright as we headed out and big too!  The air was crisp and cool.  DH didn't know it was supposed to be so cool, so he had run back in for a sweatshirt.  I was ready.  It was the reason I wanted to get up early and go walk!  

I think I can say without reservation that Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year.  It makes me want to just sit at home and watch Hallmark movies and work on a project.  Or have breakfast, lunch and dinner out on the patio. It makes me want to cook comfort foods.  It makes me happy and makes me feel good.  Maybe that's why I was born in this season or maybe it's because I was born in this season that I love it.  Either way, I do love it.

A little something new

I've always been very interested in natural healing and a more natural lifestyle.  Many years ago, I began learning all I could about this and took several classes on Aromatherapy.

I have been using this natural therapy on my family for years with great success. I love using essential oils.  I've also
spent a lot time researching different herbs for healing.  Don't get me wrong.  We still go to the doctor when absolutely necessary but if we can nip it in the bud before it gets that far we do.  I love being able to help my family in this way.  

During my research in those early years, I ran across something called Reiki, a form of energy healing.  I took an online class at the time but I didn't really get it or understand it very well, so it just sat there in the back of my mind for years. 

Fast forward to this summer, and I started thinking a lot about Reiki again.  I told DD that I really wanted to understand it better and become a practitioner.  I really wanted to help people and I thought Reiki might just be a way for me to do that but I didn't feel qualified (even though I had my certificates saying I was).  I wished out loud to her that there would be a way for me to learn more in person.  

That very week, a class up in my Facebook feed at our local Yoga Co-op for Reiki Levels I & 2 at a reasonable price.  DD saw it too and said, "Mom!  It's right here for you!  Do it!"  I mentioned it to DH and he agreed.  I should do it and so I did and I'm so glad.  I can't even describe what a wonderful opportunity it has been.  Yesterday, I finished my Reiki Master training.  I am so excited about it.  I want to really delve into this and see how I can help others.  I've been using this technique on my family and myself for a few weeks now.  I'm still learning as I as go but it is a wonderful feeling.  I'm still a bit too excited to put everything into words right now but I will eventually.

Just a quick explanation, Reiki is a technique of stress and relaxation through the "laying on of hands".  For me it's about prayer, love and energy working together to help someone.

That being said, I would love more practice, so if you are interested in giving Reiki a try I would like to offer a session to you FREE.  If you are near me and we know one another we can work out an in person session.  If you aren't local but would like to try it we can also work out a distance session as well.  Just let me know! I would love the practice and the opportunity to help you!

A Healthy Life

First, let me just say that I recently found bitmoji and I LOVE IT!!  It's so fun!  Hence the photo to the right.  That's ME singing and jumping through the flowers.  Ahhh... and Allergy Free too!!  Ahhh....  

Anyway, moving on... I've been working on my health again.  I go through this from time to time but I'm trying to make it more permanent this time, more intentional.  So, that being said... 

What do you in your life to be healthy?  Do you exercise?  How?  Are you on a strict diet?  What kind?  Do you have a hobby?  That helps with our overall health too I think, so, do you read, do you crochet, do sew, do you do woodworking, gardening?

This year I've really been working on my diet.  I started out the year doing a Whole 30.  You just try to eat clean, no processed foods, no grains, no legumes, no dairy.  I did well with that but struggled some days with the no grains.  After a little over 2 months with that, DD and I then decided since we had given up dairy and lived, we'd try going vegan.  We love it.  We aren't perfect at it yet but we are a work in progress.  In fact, we stayed vegan most of our vacation with the exception of having Butter Beer at Universal and the last day with DS and the drive home.  But we were mostly vegan those days too.  

I've also been an on again off again walker for most of my adult life.  While we were on vacation we did A LOT of walking and I liked the change I saw in my body so I've decided to continue it.  I've been trying to get in two long walks a day, though yesterday, I didn't even get in one...  I enjoy my walks and the weather has really been cooperating so that's nice too.

I do do other things for my health like devotions, writing, crocheting and so on.  I feel like all these are good for my mental health as well and that is important too.  So, what about you?  What do you do for your health?  How are you being intentional with your health?