I love to work out and especially love a hot, sweaty yoga class. I teach yoga too, so as you can imagine, there are a lot of workout clothes in my closet. Unfortunately, there is a point where your clothes start to smell not so fresh, even before your class begins, which can be so frustrating and sometimes embarrassing! I felt like I had experimented with everything from adding baking soda or vinegar to the wash and even ordering specialty laundry detergent to rid my clothes of the odor and grime. Nothing seemed to work. Since I try to avoid as many synthetic fragrances as possible, using a scent to mask the smell was not an option - plus, it would have probably made it worse! Just when I was ready to give up and toss these stinky clothes out, a friend mentioned Laundry Stripping. She said it was relatively easy and used a few products I hadn't yet tried. I decided to give it a whirl to save my favorite green animal print yoga pants just a little longer. A few things to note:
Supplies • ¼ cup Borax Detergent Booster • ¼ cup Washing Soda • ½ cup Powdered Laundry Detergent *Optional ¼ cup Calgon, recommended if you desire added softness Begin by filling the tup with hot water. The hotter, the better! I turned the spigot as far as it could go. Fill the tub halfway and add the ingredients. Remember, the water is steaming hot, so I recommend using something other than your hand to swish the water around. I used a plastic mop handle to help stir up the mix. When the tub was ¾ full, I added the clothes. I was stripping primarily dark colors, so initially, I did see the water discolor from the dye in the clothing. I was happy I didn't have any lighter shades in this batch. I recommend keeping similar colors together to avoid any dye transfer. Next is the easy part: you let your clothes soak for up to six hours in the tub with the mixture. I set a timer and swished the clothes around with the mop handle every hour, but I don't suppose this is necessary - it just helped pass the time. I emptied the tub at the six-hour mark and wrung out the clothes. From there, I transferred them to my washing machine, where I used the "rinse and spin" cycle. Once finished, I moved them to my dryer, and voila! My first real test was my hot yoga class, and I'm happy to report that at this time, my workout clothes are still odor-free! *Note that I take part in the Amazon Affiliate (Associate) program where I may earn a small commission from sales made through affiliate links.
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I love to read! Curling up with a cup of tea and a book is something that makes me feel so relaxed and pampered.
Below is a list of some of the books that I read in 2021 and would recommend. You'll find a variety of topics and interests, hopefully one of them lands on your book list for 2022! The High Five Habit
I'll be totally honest; I've not been a fan of Mel Robbins in the past. Not even sure why, I just wasn't into her. Then my friend Nikki gave a great recommendation of this book, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. It was my overall favorite book of 2021!
In The High Five Habit, Mel teaches you how to "take control of your life with one simple habit". I definitely felt funny giving myself a high five each morning but.... something did shift! Wellpreneur
This book by Amanda Cook is "The Ultimate Guide for Wellness Entrepreneurs to Nail Your Niche and Find Clients Online".
Just like many of you I had to shift my business over the past couple years. I'd always offered online work but had to dive into more virtual consultations and meetings with my clients. This book is great if you're a rather new entrepreneur or if you're like me and just always wanting to learn more to improve your business. Sure, some of the concepts in the book were not new to me, but it encouraged me to check back in with my approach. Hummingbird - Broken Wings
This book written by Spencer K. Prescott is part of the author's "paranormal suspense" series. This is not something I'd normally read! I'm not into scary movies or anything of the sort but I honestly, wanted to give it a try because the author is actually one of my clients!
I really was surprised and was drawn in by the characters, and I overall enjoyed this book. I did have to stop reading it just before bed though as I did get the goosebumps from a few pages. I transitioned to reading a few pages over lunch! If you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy books, give it a try and then you'll be ready when the second book of the series is released! The Biology of Belief
I honestly can't believe I hadn't read this book until now! The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton Ph.D. was originally published in 2005 and has been revised twice. In this book he discusses "The Science of How Thoughts Control Life". While this is something I've always believed in, reading his scientific approach was fascinating. I will not say that it was an easy read though. This was another one that I had to transition to reading over lunch as it wasn't the easiest read. Definitely check out this book, just don't expect to breeze through it!
The Glass Castle
This book was recommended to me by a friend as we were discussing the book Educated by Tara Westover.
If Educated made your jaw drop, then this one will too. It's just a fascinating book that I couldn't put down. Some pages were difficult to read, but powerful! I believe they made a movie several years back. Did you see it? I'd love to hear your thoughts. The Teacher Appears
Several months back I was in a bit of a funk. I was teaching too many yoga classes and my schedule was pretty wild. This practice that I loved had turned into just a job! My good friend gave me this book at the perfect time.
The Teacher Appears by Brian Leaf consists of "108 Prompts to Power Your Yoga Practice". If you're in a funk or just need to be inspired again in your yoga practice or teaching check this one out! It definetly helped me. 90 Day Wellness Journal
This wellness journal created by Nikki Lanigan was just the perfect reset that I needed at the end of 2021.
I currently have five more days before I've completed the 90 days. I'll be honest, I did have a couple random days that it just didn't happen, but hey, thats life. Having a space beyond my normal planner to write, brainstorm and take notes on my priorities and self care was really valuable and helped me remember daily just what was important to me. Now that I've shared some of my favorite books from 2021, I'd love to hear what some of yours are! Please add yours in the comments below. I definitely miss spending time with my clients in person. 2020 sure was wild, and my work shifted to be more online. I've been offering virtual work for a few years but had to dive into completing virtual Feng Shui consultations as I couldn't visit my clients during the stay-at-home order. I found many of my clients were also working from home, so it just became natural for me to complete their consultation virtually. Here is what you can expect from a virtual consultation: I begin by connecting and learning about you, your home, and how you live. I do this by asking you to complete some initial paperwork where we ask various questions about your home, the house's history, and your plans for the future. I'll also ask for a floorplan drawing (Don't worry, these do not have to be to scale, artistic or beautifully drawn). The next step is where I dive in with the information you provided. I might ask for additional photos or videos of specific areas of your home or ask other questions. From there, I dissect every space to consider the energy flow and balance. Next, I'll take this information and review the area as a whole. My findings help create a final report for you. The next step is scheduling a phone or video call to talk further. At this time, I'll send you the report to discuss any recommended adjustments to bring the energy back into alignment. I offer an easy-to-follow list of adjustments provided in order of importance so that you can implement them with your schedule and timeline. I check back in with you about six weeks later to see how the space has improved and answer any lingering questions you may have. While moving to virtual work happened faster than expected, I have created a seamless process over the past year, and I've had many satisfied clients. Ready to schedule yours? I am offering 10% off any consultation through the end of May 2021. Usually $225, now only $202.00! I just love warm weather! The beautiful flowers, fresh air flowing throughout my home, and those longer days just make me smile. Well…until the rain comes. I understand “April showers, bring May flowers” but I sure do miss those sunny days and can find myself in a slump. I have some tips that I use and share with my clients to ensure that you can keep that high, positive energy until the spring rains leave and summer arrives. Diffuse Citrus – I love to diffuse essential oils throughout my home and during this time of the year I focus on citrus scents such as lemon or sweet orange. They raise the energy in the space and smell so clean and fresh. Swap Out Décor - While summer has not yet arrived, I still bring out my summer decorative items. My gray and black winter throw pillows head to storage and I bring out some bright and cheerful pillows. My softer monochromatic rug gets replaced with a vibrant floral one. I also swap out my dark blue candles for white ones. Get A New Plant – You may have read about my love for using plants in your space. This time of year, is actually my favorite to bring new plants into my home. Sure, I am anxious to get outside and plant flowers in the beds and pots, but I always make a point to find a new plant to bring in to liven the energy inside. These are just three easy ways you can uplift the energy of your space. If you find yourself in a slump during a rainy spring day then employ these easy tips and you’re sure to raise not only the vibe in your space but also your body. I've recently been sharing tips on social media for staying grounded during busy holidays. It can be a much better celebration when we are feeling focused and calm. How does your pet react to the holidays? A stressed out pet can easily ruin your holiday fun so I reached out to pet lover Jess Stern from Three Tree Healing Arts. Jess is a dog mom and veterinary technician and she helps her "patients" utilizing energy healing, aromatherapy, crystal therapy and more. (She even does Reiki on horses!!! Wow, right?!?!) Here are her tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy during the holidays. 1. Create a “safe space” if you don’t already have one....a crate with bed, room, or separate area of the home where a pet can go and decompress/rest. You can incorporate oils, calming music & gentle lighting 2. Monitor holiday treats...make sure they are pet safe and in moderation so as not to cause GI distress 3. Use puzzle/enrichment toys to keep pets busy & stimulated in the right way Click here to learn more about Jess and her amazing work. She's also leading a series of online courses (which I'm personally taking) on everything from aromatherapy to nutrition and more.
Wishing you and your pets a wonderful and peaceful holiday!!! Looking for some special holiday gifts for your earthy, nature loving friend? We've got you covered! We love to support small businesses, so here’s inspiration from some amazing makers and creators over on Etsy! So you have a family member who loves to hike? This art print depicts the 61 National Parks of the US! Add a nice frame to make a really great gift! For that friend who is obsessed with bringing nature inside. These ornaments will take their home and holiday decor to the next level! For the social butterfly...postcards are the new coffee date of 2020! How can you go wrong with a cozy tee? This might be the perfect hiking tee! Just not sure what to get someone? We love a nice journal. The recipient can use it for everything from journaling to scheduling to keeping notes on their travels.
According to the Environmental Working Group “12.2 million adults – one of every 13 women and one of every 23 men – are exposed to ingredients that are known or probable human carcinogens every day through their use of personal care products. We are exposed to 100s of chemicals before we even step out of our homes in the morning. From personal care products to the cookware used for breakfast, and the scent of the fabric softener on clothes, these chemicals wreak havoc on human health. Many of these chemicals are linked to: Hormone disruption (some mimic estrogen) Cancer Allergies Skin irritation Reproductive toxicity Etc. While you can’t control everything, you can work on making your home a safer place. We suggest making a list of all of the potential swaps in your home and prioritizing by what you are exposed to the most! For example, choosing to swap make-up that you wear daily before menstrual care that you only use 7ish days/month. Here are a few ways you can start to make small changes that add up to big results: 1️⃣ Avoid fragrance - these are commonly found in cleaning products, perfume, lotion, soap, tampons etc. 2️⃣ Vacuum and dust - harmful chemicals can be found in dust, so cleaning regularly and using an air purifier help eliminate toxins. (Our favorite is the AirDoctor) 3️⃣ Ditch air fresheners - scentsy, plug-ins, sprays, most candles, etc. We suggest switching to air cleaning plants and using safer scents, like essential oils and toxin-free candles. 4️⃣ Decrease plastic use - food storage, warmup beverage cups, plastic zip lock bags, etc. We suggest switching to silicone, glass, and stainless steel. Are you ready to take action and become empowered to make safer choices for you and your family? If you are, check out the Toxin-Free Masterclass here and in the meantime follow us on Instagram (@thehealthyfemaleproject) or join our online community for tips, tricks, and safer swaps! EMF or Electromagnetic Frequencies are produced by electricity flowing throughout your spaces. From appliances, televisions, and computers to even small devices like phones, tablets, and your favorite new air pods these items are all generating electromagnetic fields. Why should you be concerned? High levels of EMF’s can be harmful and long-term exposure to these frequencies can lead to fatigue, depression, anxiety, headaches, vertigo, nausea and more. These harmful frequencies can even lead to hormonal imbalances and also cancer. You may think you're innocently sleeping in your cozy bed, but are actually exposing yourself to these frequencies for several hours each night.
Here are some tips to reduce your exposure at night:
Remember that even though you're sleeping these frequencies are still around you, affecting you. Do what you can to protect yourself. Looking for crystals for EMF protection? Check out the Good Chi EMF Protection Kit here! Blue has long been a favorite color of mine. I even remember begging my mother to let me sponge paint my room with blue paint as as a pre-teen. Of course sponge paint was all the rage then and blue was a must! It took several months to convince my mother who loved her home of white walls and white carpet. As we carefully deposited the blue coloring on the wall I just fell in love. Is blue one of your favs? Indigo can have such a bold effect in a space, or maybe bringing in a deep navy color feels calming and cozy to you. Blue is the perfect color if you need creative inspiration! In the five-element system of Feng Shui deep blue is considered a water element. This element represents the season of winter. It's a great color to allow your mind to wander and daydream and perfect if you're needing some creative inspiration. As a lover of special handmade items, artisans, and makers. I've created some Beautiful Blue inspiration below filled with some great pieces all available via Etsy. Click on the title below to be taken to the maker's Etsy page.
1. Pillow 2. Blue Dish 3. Throw 4. Glass Coasters 5. Wall Art
Below is my front door check list of items to bring good energy towards your home.
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