Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

January = A New Start






Hello everyone! Its been a about 5 minutes since I last posted. Haha!

I can't believe 2017 is already in full swing and January has come and gone! I hope it has been a fantastic month for you all!
I just wanted to send out a reminder that even though today is the last day of the month, it is not too late to still get a chance to earn our awesome promotions for January.



If you have any questions with how you can get all of these oils for FREE, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'd hate for you to miss out on these amazing promotions!
Lastly, with the start of a new year, a lot of us make new weight loss goals, and Young Living has an incredible program and products to help you achieve those goals! Check out our Slique in 60 challenge and let Young Living help you surpass those weight loss goals in 2017!




Are you ready to kick off February? I am! Let's go!!

Friday, August 29, 2014

Young Living Essential Oils

Photo Credit: YL Creative Commons

Essential Oils?


You may have begun to hear about the essential oils craze lately. Maybe you've known about them for months, years..maybe eons. 

Or perhaps you've never heard of them before. 

If that's the case, let me start there. 

What is an essential oil?


By definition, an essential oil is the vital fluids found within many shrubs, trees, flowers, roots, bushes, and seeds. They are the 'lifeblood', or immune system, of the plant. They are called essential because they're necessary for the life of the plant.  Essential oils are usually extracted through steam distillation. 

They've been around for centuries and were actually mankind's first medicine and completely compatible with the human body. There are 188 references to the use of essential oils in the Bible. Essential oils are an all natural choice and a first line of defense option when it comes to keeping you and your family/friends healthy. 

Essential oils have been documented through research to be anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, immune support in, and regenerative. They're uplifting, relaxing, and support overall emotional well-being. 

They can be applied directly to the skin, inhalation, diffused in the air, added to food/water, and can even be taking internally. They absorb quickly through the skin and carried by the bloodstream to every cell in the body within a matter of minutes! Amazing, huh? 

Essential oils are very concentrated so it doesn't take a lot to get the job done. Just a single drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea. That's insane! So, along with the benefits to your health and well being, using essential oils can be very economical since you only have to use small amounts of the oil. 

Why Young Living Essential Oils? There's so many brands and companies of essential oils. How do I know which is the best for me?


Personally, there's no debate for me. Young Living Essential Oils is by far, in my humble opinion, the best. The cream of the crop. 


Why? 

Purity. Plain and simple.

I can't vouch for other oil companies regarding the purity of their products, but I will tell you this: Young Living is the only company that offers the Seed to Seal™ Process, so I know that I know Im getting the highest and the absolute purest quality of essential oils. No other company can make this claim. 

In fact, about 95% of the world's essential oils are created for industrial use, so many of the oils found on the market, even those found in health food stores, are of low quality.

Young Living owns four farms in which nothing is outsourced or wasted. They combine ancient and modern techniques when distilling and carefully and thoroughly test them before sealing the bottles to send out for distribution. They are completely dedicated to producing the finest quality essential oils in the world, supporting health and wellness at all levels. They are powerful, safe, and non-toxic.

Not only that, but they also produce essential oil enhanced supplements, food products, and personal care products, which are unsurpassed in their quality and effectiveness.

And...they work. 


Simply put, essential oils work! 

Using therapeutic grade essential oils and oil-enhanced products every day can help us live longer, healthier, and happier lives! They really do help support your health! Who doesn't want this?

 They're the best thing to turn to first when you are facing any type of health challenge or issue. They're 100% natural. And maybe some of the best news? There's no harmful or dangerous side effects! You can't say that for a lot of other products out there. You can't overuse an oil! 

They're what I go to first. I'm ridding my household of harsh chemicals or any kind. Its not an overnight thing. For me, its a gradual process of weening ourselves of chemicals and replacing them with natural choices. 

They're for everyone. 


No one is excluded when it comes to the benefits of essential oils. They can be used on babies or the elderly. And everyone else that falls in between. They may work different on each individual because our body chemistries are all different. 

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from oils in some way or the other. They're just amazing. Honestly. 

I haven't even begun to go into detail on what these oils and products that Young Living offer are capable of. Even beyond the scope of your physical health and wellness, they have an entire line of chemical free and highly effective products devoted to cleaning your home.

I want to know more!


I'd love to talk with you and tell you more about these amazing oils. I'm constantly learning more and more. I'm like a sponge. I just want to soak it all up. And I love that essential oils aren't something that's just going to be "popular" for a while and then fall off the radar. They are here to stay. Because health and wellness will always be a focus for people. And Young Living offers the best products to achieve a healthier you. 

Feel free to check out the Young Living Blog where you can look further at the products and oils offered.  You can search out specific oils and learn more about them as well. 

I WANT! How do I get my hands on these oils? 


With Young Living, there are two ways you can purchase their therapeutic grade essential oils. You can buy as a Wholesale Member or a Retail Customer thru the Young Living website. I highly recommend buying Young Living essential oils by joining as a wholesale member. Wholesale members get a 24% discount off every single product that's offered. As a wholesale member you only have to agree to order a minimum of $50 per year. 

And there's no obligation to sell. There's no hidden agendas with Young Living. You do, however, have the OPTION to sell, if you choose. Only if you choose. 

Ready to sign up? 
Photo Credit: YL Creative Commons


Head on over here if you're ready to get started!

Here’s what you need to know:
  • I recommend purchasing the Premium Starter Kit . It costs $150 and is about a $300 value. For some, $150 is an investment, but it’s truly an amazing kit with every oil you'd use on a daily basis.  
  • Within that kit, you’ll get a home diffuser, ELEVEN 5mL bottles of different essential oils and samples of the Ningxia Red antioxidant drink, samples of oils to share with friends and family, plus literature and information on getting started.
  • Like I said earlier, you aren’t required or obligated to sell oils in order to be a member and to receive the 24% discount. Young Living will, however, ask for your social security number in case you do decide to sell and sign up people under your distributor number and end up making enough money through sharing the oils to require a tax form. In its 20 years, YL has never had a security breach on these numbers and will never share or sell your SSN with anyone else. 

Steps for a Young Living Member Sign-up


STEP 1: Click this Link and then fill out your information completely. Remember, your social security number is asked for in the event you sign up people under your distributor number. They need this in case you will receive a check! 
STEP 2: Agree to terms and conditions.

STEP 3: Create a username and password.

STEP 4: Choose the Premium Starter Kit, which is the kit I mentioned above.

STEP 5: Choose your favorite Young Living products or Essential Rewards Kit worth at least 50pv (personal volume)– if you CHOOSE! It is not required! You can sign up with ER at any time during your membership. It helps you to earn free points to redeem towards products and allows for discounted shipping. 

STEP 6: Enter your credit card information, click next.  Be sure you confirm your order, and your oils will be shipped out soon! 


And welcome to the oil craze I first mentioned at the beginning of this post! You're on your way to changing your health, as well as your family members and friends! 


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Braised Chicken in Artichoke-Mushroom Sauce

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker, page 132
I tried out a second paleo recipe tonight and it was a really big hit! I listened to my oldest son "mmm" repeatedly throughout the meal. We had one piece of chicken left over when it was all done. 

I posted a picture of my meal on Facebook and had requests for the recipe so here it is! 

It came out of the same cookbook (Against All Grain) that my last blog post for the Korean Beef Noodle Bowls recipe came from.  

Again, I had to substitute a couple of ingredients. Until I can make it to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, I have to make do with what I have available to me. In this case, I sent my husband to the store, so I had to make do with what he brought back to me. Ha! 

Braised Chicken in Artichoke-Mushroom Sauce
prep time: 45 minutes   cooking time: 60 minutes    yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
6 tbsp bacon fat, ghee, or unsalted butter, divided
2 lbs chicken leg quarters 
2 lbs chicken drumsticks
1 tea sea salt, plus more for finishing
1/4 tea cracked black pepper
1/2 tea paprika, plus more for finishing
1/2 lb sliced cremini mushrooms, stems removed 
3/4 cup chicken broth
1&1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tea honey
1 tbsp coconut flour
2 cups marinated artichoke hearts

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2.Place 4 tbsp bacon fat (I used butter) in a large Dutch oven or stockpot and heat over medium-high heat.
3.Rinse and dry all the chicken, then sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and paprika.
4.Add the chicken to the pot and cook for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes to brown evenly on all sides.
5.Remove chicken and set aside.
6.Add the remaining 2 tbsp of bacon fat (I used butter) to the pot, then add the mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes.
7.Stir in the broth, vinegar, honey, and coconut flour and simmer for 10 minutes.
8.Return the chicken to the pot, and then scatter the artichoke hearts around it.
9.Spoon a bit of the sauce over the top of the chicken and artichokes, cover, and place in oven to bake for 40 minutes.
10.Remove from the oven and finish with a pinch of salt and paprika. 

I hope you try it and enjoy!! I know we did! 
My dinner ready to eat! 

Korean Beef Noodle Bowls

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker, page 184
   Recently, I've started to educate myself a little of the Paleo diet. (Or, lifestyle, as I prefer to call it.)   Basically, the Paleo lifestyle is based on the notion of going back to a "caveman" mentality in regards to food, to achieve optimal health.  Cavemen ate whatever they could hunt or scrounge for. There was no processed food.  So with eating a paleo diet, we go back to eating real, whole, unprocessed food that are far more healthful rather than harmful to our bodies. 


I'm still learning. But while I am, I am starting to cook grain free, gluten free, paleo recipes. My first one was last night and was a huge success! So much so, that I wanted to share the recipe with you! 

First off, I found it in a new recipe book I recently bought. I came across her Facebook page thru my mom. Danielle Walker overcame an autoimmune disease by removing all grains, lactose, and legumes from her diet. You can read her story on her website

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker


Without further ado... here's the recipe! 
I did have to tweak a couple ingredients because I couldn't find coconut amines or shitake mushrooms. (I'll be making a trip to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's soon!) 

Korean Beef Noodle Bowls
prep time: 20 min + 6 hours marinating time
cooking time: 20 minutes  yields: 4 servings

Ingredients
MEAT:
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons coconut aminos (I used liquid aminos)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips

NOODLE BOWL:
4 large zucchini
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1 & 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced 
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon coconut crystals or honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup coconut aminos (again, I used liquid aminos)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup shitake mushrooms, stems removed and halved (I used white mushrooms) 
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup shredded carrots
sesame seeds

Directions:
1.Prepare the meat. Place all ingredients , except the meat, in a bowl to combine. Place the flank steak in a shallow dish, pour the marinade over it, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Or up to 24 hours.
2.Peel the zucchini and use a spiral slicer or julienne peeler to create long noodles, discarding the seeded portions. (I used a regular peeler because I'm not fancy! Haha!) Lay the noodles on a tray lined with paper towels, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside to "sweat" out the excess liquid.
3.Place 2 teaspoons of sesame oil in a deep sauté pan or wok and heat over medium-high heat. Pat the marinated beef dry with paper towels and add to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Remove from the pan, drain the liquid, and set aside. 
4. Add the remaining sesame oil to the pan, and heat on medium-high. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. 
5.Add the coconut crystals, vinegar, amines, red pepper flakes, and remaining salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then add the mushrooms, spinach, and carrots and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Toss in the zucchini noodles, and let them cook for 5 minutes, until soft. 
6.Serve garnished with sesame seeds

It was delicious and will be a meal we do again and again!! 
Hope you all enjoy!


Monday, February 3, 2014

21 Day Fix: New Beachbody program launched!







As a Beachbody coach, I'm super excited about this new fitness program that Beachbody launched today. For both myself and for others wanting to meet their fitness goals.  I'm going to be starting up as soon as my order gets here! So, I wanted to share what the program is and what makes it special.

What is 21 Day Fix?

21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple,
anyone can do it. Easy-to-follow portion control and 30-minute workouts take
the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast—up to 15 pounds
in just 21 days!
Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a
bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you. It’s simple, it’s fast, and
it works. If you’re ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose the weight.

Why is 21 Day Fix effective?

Because it’s so simple! You don’t have to count calories, points, or log your food
into diet software. With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you. All you have to
do is use the specially designed portion-control containers and do one 30-minute
workout per day. Commit to it for 21 days, and you’re going to love your results.  

What makes 21 Day Fix unique?

It’s the only fitness and nutrition program that combines portion-control
containers and world-class workouts. By placing equal emphasis on fitness and
healthy portion control, 21 Day Fix can help anyone lose weight—and keep it
off—in a way that’s simple and sustainable. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds
or 100 pounds, you can do it with this program.

How does 21 Day Fix work? 

With the 21 Day Fix container system,
you’ll learn how to create healthy portions
simply and intuitively. It shows you how
to eat whatever you want, in the right
amounts, so you can reach your goals fast.
No guesswork, and no calorie counting!

The 21 Day Fix workouts are designed
to burn a lot of calories in only 30 minutes.
Any fitness level can do them. If you’re a
beginner, follow the on-screen modifier.
And if you’re an advanced exerciser looking
to shed those last few pounds, dial up
the intensity and challenge yourself to
push harder.

Autumn Calabrese is your personal trainer

Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity fitness trainer, busy mom, and national-level bikini
competitor. She came up with the idea of a portion-control container system
after watching a client eat an entire 1,300-calorie salad in one sitting because it
was “healthy.” Autumn realized that supersized portions were hurting her clients’
weight-loss success because they were eating too much without knowing it. So she
developed portion-control containers to help people see how simple it is to eat the
right amounts and lose weight easily. And as a single mother, Autumn understands
how hard it can be to fit exercise and healthy eating into a jam-packed schedule.
So she created short but effective workouts that take only 30 minutes a day, along
with a simple eating plan that doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen.

What do you get with 21 Day Fix?

Essential Package:
• 7 color-coded portion-control containers

• Shakeology® shaker cup

• 6 easy-to-follow 30-minute workouts
• 21 Day Fix Start Here quickstart guide and workout calendar
• 21 Day Fix Eating Plan that shows you exactly what to do
• 3 Day Quick Fix Guide, Autumn's secret weapon for fast weight loss
• Dirty 30 bonus workout


 Equipment needed

• Dumbbells or a resistance band are used in some workouts.
• A yoga mat and the Beachbody® miniMAT are helpful, but not required.



Do I have to do the workouts, or can I just follow the portion-control Eating Plan?

• Both the workouts and Eating Plan are essential to get the best results in 21 days.
• If you're worried about being out of shape, we suggest you follow the modifier and do
what you can, rather than skipping the workouts entirely. You'll feel stronger in no time.



Can I use other containers I have at home?

• No, these are custom-designed for 21 Day Fix. Other containers may have the wrong
 proportions and you will not be successful unless you follow the Eating Plan using
 these containers.
• Very few (if any) other containers come in the variety of sizes needed for 21 Day Fix.

Can I eat out at restaurants when I do 21 Day Fix?

• Yes! The Eating Plan includes a restaurant guide that shows you how to practice portion control at your favorite restaurants.


What does it mean when you say "no off-limit foods"?

• The 21 Day Fix Eating Plan shows you how to incorporate treats (like chocolate and wine) into the plan . . . and you can still lose weight.

What makes the 21 Day Fix workouts so effective?

• 21 Day Fix takes all of the guesswork out of working out. You know which workout to do
 each day and can be confident you're working your whole body efficiently in just 30 minutes a day.
• The workouts yield consistent calorie-burning results, unlike a treadmill workout that can have very inconsistent and inaccurate calorie counts.
• The 30-minute boot-camp style workouts keep your heart rate up throughout, so you have an effective and efficient workout that burns maximum calories.
• There's a modifier in every workout to show you how to take down the intensity while still getting awesome results.
• Trainer Autumn Calabrese created a 7-day-a-week schedule to give you the best results
 in just 21 days. Each day of the week is a different workout, all perfectly designed to avoid overtraining and keep you injury-free.

Interested?

I hope this has sparked some motivation in you! I know that it sure has for me. I can't wait to get started. If you'd like to join me in this, please contact me! We can get you set up and we can do this together! 


Contact Me

Email me at: lauraleigh80@gmail.com
Message me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hargrave
Or order directly from my website: www.beachbodycoach.com/lauraleigh80


Monday, August 19, 2013

Makeup Removers


 We All Want Healthy, Clean Skin

Right, ladies? Clean, clear, healthy skin is something we desire. 

And its a good one thing at that. 

We should be proactive about the health of our bodies; skin included, since its our largest organ. 

To me, healthy skin starts with clean skin. 

Most of us women wear makeup daily, for the most part. Have you neglected to remove your makeup at night before going to bed? I'll admit it. I've done it. Many times. 

Someone once told me that your skin ages 7 days for every night that you don't remove your makeup. Say what?! So, if you skip removing your makeup once a week, you've aged your skin by 28 days! That's crazy. 

I found this article on an experiment a woman did with sleeping in her makeup for a month. YIKES!

Alot of us, myself included, skip the actual removing of makeup and go straight to facial cleanser. Doing this, however, doesn't fully clean your skin. When you cleanse before taking your makeup off first, its only 'skimming' the surface, so to speak. But when you use a makeup remover first, when you cleanse your skin, the product will be able to go straight to your pores and absorb better into the skin to do its job. 

Make any sense? 

I have 2 products I use daily and are by far my absolute favorite when it comes to taking my makeup off. 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O, Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
Firstly, I use the Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup remover first. I love that this works well, and gently too. I don't feel like I have to "scrub" at my eyes to my eye makeup off. I wear waterproof mascara almost all the time and this takes it off with no problem. 

Sephora also makes a really good one as well.  

I found the Bioderma off of Amazon and I love it! Its super gentle and fragrance free, which makes it excellent for sensitive skin. Its a rinse free formula. I just douse a cotton round and sweep it over my face. I usually use 2 cotton rounds total. Its a little pricey, but lasts me a long time, so I can justify the cost. It runs around $30 for a 500ml bottle.

There's a few formulations of it too. But this one was the one that stood out the most to me and has done an amazing job.

(I would link the Bioderma but at the time of this post, the Amazon site is temporarily not working. But you can google it and find it on other sites as well.)

And then I can move on with the rest of my nighttime routine. I have noticed such a change in my skin since I started making a point to actually taking my makeup off before cleansing. 

I hope you check these products out if you're looking for a good makeup remover. 

I have another post coming soon on the products I've been using at night. (Maybe today!)


XOXO 
Laura