Good morning everyone. Grab your coffee while I grab my matcha concoction (haha) and let's chat blogs.

I hope your weekend was wonderful. I feel like the weekend flew by.....as if it were one long day. Whenever it is Saturday night, I always think 'How is this possible'? Sometimes I feel that way about life in general.

Today, I am going to be brief but, excited to share with you my favorite blogs. I no longer 'read blogs' simply to 'read blogs'. I utilize blogs to shop, get educated & purchase product.

Despite the blogging world being so over-saturated, I am someone who only references a few. I am all about 'the highest quality' via nutrition, clothing, skincare, beauty, supplements, etc. So, my choices are made after a ridiculous amount of research & time experimenting w/ the product (I am an analytical person so, think flow charts, excel spreadsheets, ingredient check lists).

Let's jump in!

When I purchase clothing (which isn't often): The Golden Girl Blog. Jess Keys puts together capsule wardrobes & various shopping 'guides' often which are all so on point & affordable. I immediately head to The Golden Girl Blog when I am looking to purchase any clothing item. I bought every Christmas present off of her blog.

Nutrition:  It's interesting to me, while I follow a 'lot' of health/wellness lifestyle blogs on Instagram, I only follow two nutritional blogs 'on the regular'. And these two blogs are where I get the majority of my recipes as well as my nutritional advice: Deliciously Ella & Oh She Glows.

Health/Supplements: I have three websites that I am always updated on: Dr. Josh Axe, Garden of Life & Vega. I bet my regular followers could have easily guessed at least one of those!

Wellness: You all know this answer but, I am a huge supporter of MindBodyGreen.com.
I am also a huge supporter of Sarah Baker at Balanced Babe!

Skincare/Beauty: I am a huge supporter of Soapwalla & frequent the site. I am also a supporter of shopping w/ Bonnie Knobloch, the Senior Director of BeautyCounter in Chicago.

There you have it! If you shop these blogs/websites, I'd love to hear which ones. And please share your 'go-to's' with me!

I know it's Monday but, Friday will be here before we all know it!

I wanted to provide some words of encouragement to all of you who are suffering & healing from illness......whether you are suffering in an acute season or long term.

First & foremost, I am so sorry. There are never right words but, I am really genuinely sorry. I don't even know you but, to know you are struggling w/ an illness makes me want to reach out & hug you.

I also want to say, what an AMAZING opportunity for you! Say what?!?! Yes, I said opportunity. God uses 'all things' for our good. If He is allowing it in your life? It IS for your GOOD!!! So, this is an exciting time even though it feels anything but.

Secondly, I want to encourage you to keep pushing forward no matter what. If you are the only one left standing on the road to healing, keep going. There is a quote that really resonates with me 'She is perseverance personified but, she's exhausted. My God, she is is exhausted'. - H.J. Anderson. Can you relate? If so, don't give up....exhausted or not.

I don't know why God has allowed this trial in any of your lives but, He has. Do you know Him? Do you know God? Have you given your life to Him? Because I tell you what.....if I would not have given my life to Him when I got sick, I would not have made it through. No way. I wouldn't make it through one day without Him actually.

If we look at the world & suffering, the advice for how to manage through the trial & move forward is the complete opposite from how God says to move forward. It's this startling opposition - the world's instructions vs. God's.

Let's just focus on what God says:

Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world- John 16:33.

OK, so, we know that trials do not surprise Him. Matter of fact, he said we will endure MANY trials AND sorrows.

Next, He tells us 'Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind - 1 Peter 3:8.

So, I am to sympathize & empathize with your suffering & sorrows. And you, with mine. If you are struggling w/ any illness at all, I strongly encourage you to find someone who you can serve whether it be through prayer or baking or sending a word of encouragement. The world would say to 'focus on yourself' but, God is saying to remain in unity with a tender heart.......so extend a hand, get into community even if that means having a cup of tea in your home and love those around you. You are not the only one being refined through your suffering, those around you are too.

God is fully capable of healing you when He deems fit whether that is while you are on this earth or when His kingdom comes. 'Now unto to Him who is ABLE to do FAR MORE abundantly than ALL that we ask or THINK, according to the power at work WITHIN us, to Him be the glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever - Ephesians 3:20-21.

I encourage you to live in utter expectation of His goodness. I encourage you to open a bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and do what He says to do.

I want to encourage you to focus on HIM vs. your trial. I know how impossible that seems so, you are going to need His help to do that....His strength. Simply ask Him for it. We have His FULL attention.

I know this trial wouldn't seem to be a reason to celebrate but IT IS. So unfathomable right? BUT....if you really truly trust Him.....I mean, if you are rooted in Him, you will know that if He is allowing your suffering, it's a part of His plan.

Stay close to Him. Stay very close to those who are encouraging, supportive & uplifting. And set all of the rest aside.

I believe those of you who are really committed to healing and not giving up......I believe you are going to make it!!!! And 'making it' looks differently for all of us healing. Making it may be glorifying Him in sickness the rest of your life on earth, for some. And for others, making it may mean healing and going back to help save the lives of others in the trenches. Only He knows where your trial leads.

This breath of life isn't even about us....it's about Him. I promise you that if you put 100% of your focus on Him, you'll be blown away.

Ahhh, I cannot wait to hear all of your stories. I have heard so many & what an honor to listen!

If and when you need a pep talk, I am here to give you one. My very dear brother (brother in Christ) told me 'Whatever you do, do NOT GIVE UP'. Never settle in and say 'OK, well, nothing has worked so far so, I quit'. No. You keep going. You keep working hard. You keep trusting God.

I highly recommend reading this article.

The blog/article is SUCH an encouragement to me & I imagine it will be to you too!

All my love.

I absolutely love listening to podcasts. Truth be told, I listen to podcasts when I am getting IV's & often when I am in bed. Podcasts can be listened to any time.....while working out, cleaning, relaxing, traveling, etc. They are a chalk full of education (often for FREE) on such a wide variety of topics.

I asked on Insta Stories today what people's favorite podcasts were. And several of you responded (thank you by the way)!

Below are people's favorites!

1. MindBodyGreen Podcasts.
This is my personal favorite podcast (thus far) because Jason talks with authors, nutritionists, entrepreneurs, physicians, physical therapists, chef's, athletes. Basically, he speaks w/ the best of the best in the wellness arena. One of my favorite podcasts thus far is with Ella Woodward from Deliciously Ella.

2. Christine Caine, Timothy Keller, James McDonald:
I've yet to listen to all of these but they came recommended. I am listening to Christine Caine's podcast 'Unanswered Prayers' right now actually. And I am a huge supporter of Tim Keller.

3. Rich Roll
Rich Roll is this an ultra endurance athlete who is known for his plant based diet nutritional advocacy. And I always think it's industry that he is a former attorney. You can read about Rich here. Rich's podcast came 'highly' recommended by one of my friends on Insta.

4. Jefferson & Alyssa Bethke
I've learned so much from listening to this couple about marriage. I am single but, I am thankfully surrounded by friends in such healthy God focused marriages. They are amazing examples for me. And while I don't know Jeff & Alyssa, they are a couple who I have listened to for a few years now. Note their podcast is new to me but, loving it thus far.

5. The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
This may be a surprise to some of you b/c I am not a 'primal' meat eater but, I really love Mark Sisson's podcasts. He is so brilliant & 'highly' educated on health. I actually had the opportunity to interview him several years ago and found him to be so wise via health/wellness. Many of the podcasts are very 'keto' driven but, I always look for the nuggest in between the overall message. It's there where I learn the most.

If you have any additional podcasts to share. please do! I am always excited to be further educated!

I have worked in medical biotech sales for 14 years+, including a few years in operating rooms for specifically burn patients. And I have spent several years in & out of hospitals, healing from illness. I feel highly educated on health. There is so much irony to my journey that I have been encouraged by Bob Goff to write a book. Yes, that's true! Bob even suggested a title to the first chapter. And should I follow through, I am 100% using the title he suggested. Any guesses? It's two words.

When I walk into any hospital (and I've walked into over 50 across the country...yes, I counted b/c I am an analytical nerd),  I always feel really confident & comfortable. Because I know my way around an operating room & frankly, every area of a hospital. I am really comfortable with physicians....when I was in the field.  I am comfortable with any specialty.  But, place me in a hospital as a patient & I get scared and don't feel like anything I learned, applies. I don't feel that compatibility with the physicians any longer either. I don't even relate to them at all. Such irony. Such contrast.

To add more irony, I really did not learn about health & wellness until I was a patient. And I became a patient.....'suddenly'....my demise via my health wasn't gradual.......on the surface anyway. It felt sudden & traumatic. And still feels traumatic yet I imagine doesn't appear that way to others who only see me once and awhile.....the irony continues.

So, as I heal, I soak in every ounce of education on health & healing. I have learned so much from my own experience. I have sat w/ over 40 doctors (unreal). I have learned  from so many of the educators at MindBodyGreen.com. I don't mean by reading and writing the articles but, by actually speaking to so many of them.

I also feel God has given me wisdom w/ how to spend so much of my time over the years I have been sick......rapidly gaining knowledge on health & wellness through podcasts, audios, lesson plans, books, videos, physicians of course, nutritionists, etc. I plan to share all I have learned when I heal. Right now, I frankly do not have the energy. Coming on here once in a while to chat w/ all of you is the best I have to give at the moment.

OK, so to jump into today's blog, there are five supplements that I take daily....that I will take the rest of my life.

I will take them in additional to any healing regimen or medical treatment and God willing, should I heal fully, I will continue to take them then too.

Let's get to it....

Any probiotic that any physician has recommended does not compare to Garden of Life's Women's Probiotic.

This probiotic as 30+ probiotic strains WITH 85 billion live cultures as the bottle states. This probiotic is uncooked, untreated, unadulterated, with no binders or fillers and no carriers such as maltodextrin or dextrose.

I have tried 'countless' - year(s) worth- of probiotics from naturopathic & integrative physicians. And nothing is better fuel for my gut than this one.

Note: It is expensive. But, in this case, you get what you pay for.

mykind Organics Women's Multi-Gummies.  I really trust this brand. I trust Jordan. And no, none of this is sponsored. I really cannot say enough about Garden of Life.

Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified fruit and vitamin gummies. Made with nine organic whole fruits in every bottle—no synthetic vitamins--mykind Organics Women’s Multi Gummies come in a great-tasting organic berry chew made with pectin from non-GMO apples and organic orange peel—no pig gelatin

Liposomal Vitamin C readily absorbs in your body. And the wisest physician I have ever worked w/ told me to take two packets every single day (right now I do 10,000mg but, that's simply for my body given the healing process).

If the wisest physician you know to date tells you to take liposomal Vit. C., I trust her. And she specifically only uses Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C for all of her patients. You can read why here.

If you made it this far - haha - you are all troopers!

I only wanted to share 3 supplements so not to overwhelm any of you. But, if you would like to learn more about my absolute favorite pure & natural wellness products from food, skincare to health & healing, please check out my brand new Snapshots of Wellness Shop! This shop is a collection of what I absolutely love!

Stay bundled up out there Chicago & of course, safe!

 
Since I was a little girl, Valentine's Day has always been so much fun to celebrate. Every single year in grade school, I would exchange those small cartoon valentine cards with students at school, dress in pink & my dad would buy me my favorite chocolate candies w/ a sweet card.

So, I grew up viewing Valentine's Day as this celebration of love with everyone around me. I never experienced Valentine's Day as a couple's holiday. And I am glad I didn't. Because whenever I have been single, I never became saddened on Feb. 14th rather, the opposite! Single or in a relationship, I am that gal dressing up with some hue of pink or red and heading out the door.

Below are a few ideas to make this Valentine's Day festive & fun whether you are single, dating or married.

1:. Kids.

• I have really gotten away from sending cards the last few years for environmental reasons but, I am picking back up a tradition of sending my friends children a Valentine's Day card in the mail. I love seeing excitement on kids faces when they receive a gift!
• Including the kids on Valentine's Day (your own or loved ones) is such a treat! I can attest that kids love this commercial holiday (I used to be one of them) so, baking cupcakes w/ red sprinkles for them or purchasing lil chocolate hearts will delight them.

2. Singles.

• Bake & cook with friends on Valentine's Day. Whatever you do, treat yourself to a really amazing meal at a restaurant or make your own meal at home. And have fun w/ it. I actually love dining alone (not all of the time of course but, once in awhile) & I have treated myself to a Valentine's Day brunch many times over the years! My favorite restaurant for Valentine's Day single or otherwise is - hands down - Le Colonial.
• Get out into the city & enjoy a play, museum, etc. Do something fun!
• Host or go to a party! Get into community with other singles.
• Buy yourself a chocolate treat or a pedicure. I mean it. Love on yourself!
• Celebrate with your family.

Whatever you do, have fun with it!

3. Dating or Married.

• I am not married but, Valentine's Day calls for a really fab date night! 
• If I were married, I would want to celebrate differently every year. I think a group sushi dinner w/ other couples is a great idea or an Italian meal at home. Take out is always a good idea w/ a delish bottle of wine.
• If I were dating (If my future husband is listening), I would love to take a cooking class or go to a concert.
  

My entire message to all of you is to celebrate love on Valentine's Day no matter what your circumstances are or what your 'status'....single, dating or married. It's a commercial holiday to have fun with!

Enjoy the first weekend in February!!!!!