The following are unpaid and unsolicited reviews of products that I love.

PLANTS

I haven’t always been a plant lady, but I’m finding that within the last 6 months to a year, I’ve started developing a desire to have more and more around our home. I have been working really hard on finding ways to manage my anxiety and panic disorder in a natural way, and believe it or not, plants do actually offer health benefits for this! They release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide (the opposite of us!) so they are actually detoxifying the air in your home. Studies have also proven that indoor plants help regulate humidity, reduce stress levels, improve concentration and productivity, increase levels of positivity, and so much more. My current plant company obsession is The Cactus Club (@cactusclubco) , a mobile plant shop here in Charlotte. I don’t think I’ll stop collecting plants any time soon!

---

SALT LAMP

A couple of years ago, my brother and his fiancé gifted us with a Himalayan salt lamp for Christmas. We had never really heard of one before, but were eager to find out. Similar to plants, we learned that Himalayan salt lamps are a natural air purifier. It’s hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water molecules to itself. In doing so, it also collects the air pollutants like mold, bacteria and allergens that come with it. Pretty cool, right? The soft warm glow of the lamp is soothing by itself, but make sure you put it next to your television or computer! It can also reduce the toxic electromagnetic radiation (positive ions) exposure from electronic devices by emitting negative ions. I love mine! You can purchase one just like mine on my Amazon shop here!

HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/DP/B012TX2RYW/REF=CM_SW_R_CP_API_GZWRBB60D0C98

---

KOMBUCHA

• 

• 

• 

More specifically, Lenny Boy organic kombucha! They are my absolute favorite brand right here in Charlotte! If you aren’t familiar, Kombucha is a fermented tea rich in beneficial probiotics, powerful antioxidants, antimicrobial effects, and has been shown to improve LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and may also protect against heart disease. I drink this regularly for my immune system, digestive system and overall health! It’s hard to choose, but my favorite flavors from Lenny Boy are the Good ol’ Ginger, Lavenderade and Elite Beet!

@LENNYBOYBREWINGCO

---

SPROUTS FARMER’S MARKET

I never thought I’d say this, but I have an absolute favorite grocery store. I find myself actually looking forward to my shopping experience every time at Sprout’s Farmers Market in Ballantyne, which is currently the only location in Charlotte right now. They have a lot of specialty items we have found and loved, but because they aren’t carried at your typical grocer, we would have to make multiple trips to different places to pick up everything we needed on grocery shopping day. With Sprouts, I was blown away when I went for the first time and realized they had *everything* we wanted, all in one spot. There are so many new products I have come across there that are safe for me to eat with my dietary allergies, and I practically strut out of the store every time with my bags and a smile on my face. The majority of items are organic, their prices are amazing, and I love using their mobile app for even more savings too!

WWW.SPROUTS.COM  |  @SPROUTS

---

INSTAX MINI CAMERA

• 

• 

Ok, so I realize at first glance a Polaroid camera wouldn’t be considered a “health” or “wellness” item, but for me I like to think it is. Creativity is a part of who I am and what makes me happy. If I don’t have some type of  creative outlet in my life, my mental health suffers. It is a type of therapy for me, and photography has always been at the forefront of that outlet. I love my Instax camera because it fulfills both that need for creativity, but also allows me to express my love for nostalgia. You can shop for an Instax just like mine on my Amazon shop here!

HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/DP/B06WWLJ7KY/REF=CM_SW_R_CP_API_K0WRBBSRNES34

---

SCHMIDT’S NATURALS

• 

• 

I have really started paying attention to not just the food I’m putting in my body, but what I’m putting ON my body. It wasn’t until I had to cut out gluten and dairy from my diet, that I started learning gluten is in EVERYTHING. Even our personal products like shampoo & conditioner, toothpastes, soaps, etc! Not to mention all of the other chemicals we can’t even pronounce, much less know what they are. Schmidt’s Naturals products are gluten free, vegan, cruelty-free, certified by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (Leaping Bunny), certified by PETA, no artificial colors or dyes, and their toothpaste is SLS, fluoride, PEG and dye free! That is something I feel safe using on a daily basis! You can shop my favorite deodorant stick (Lavender & Sage) on my Amazon shop here!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N04VOMF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_j1wrBbAKZYGKP

---

HERBAL TEA

I’ve always had a deep love for strong coffee, but found that when I replace some of that intake with decaffeinated herbal tea instead, my stress levels are significantly reduced. I am much calmer, lose that “buzzing” feeling in my body, and of course it comes with so many other health benefits. There’s a certain peace I get in the routine of making and drinking tea, especially in the evenings before bed. I love many varieties for different reasons and I what I choose depends on my mood or intention, but my go-tos are usually lavender, earl grey, and mint. I use a Teavana Perfectea Maker to brew it just right every time, which you can find on my Amazon Shop here!

---

ESSENTIAL OILS / DIFFUSER

This is another gift that turned out being one of my favorite things I own and use. Our friends knew essential oils were peaking our interest and got us a diffuser for Christmas this past year. I had no idea how many oil companies and recipes there were out there, and reached out to my online community for guidance, which was SO helpful. I usually enjoy just a simple lavender oil to help ward off restlessness, insomnia, anxiety and tension. Overall, it just creates a really calming environment for me and I love that. You can find many great diffusers to choose from, like this one in my Amazon shop!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071CKC69S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GZwrBbD431C9F

---

SPIRALIZER

One of my favorite kitchen tools to date is a Spiralizer I purchased on Amazon. Why? Not only are there health benefits for everyone to swap out carbs for produce, but it can make cooking more exciting and inventive! The recipe possibilities are endless and using this directly increases your vegetable intake. Spiralizing does not require much cook time, which retains maximum nutrition value. Some of my favorite dishes we’ve made are lemon garlic zucchini noodles and a spiraled beet side salad with an orange vinaigrette! You can shop my exact spiralizer on my Amazon shop here!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRIR87M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Q3wrBbFHF3JDE

---

RECORD PLAYER

This is another item that normally wouldn’t be grouped with health and wellness products, but one that I’m going to share anyways. Like photography, music is also therapy for me, as it is for so many others. Studies have shown that the feel-good nerochemical Dopamine is released when we listen to music. Another amazing fact about music? It is often used to help elderly clients deal with memory loss associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. That just goes to show how powerful the effect of music is in our lives. We have a blue tooth vinyl record player we absolutely love (again, gifted!) and we enjoy the hunt of searching for our favorite records and listening to them while we are relaxing at home. You can shop our exact player on my Amazon shop here!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read through my favorite things. I really am passionate about them and it is my hope that others out there will hear about them and be able to enjoy them as much as I do!

---

No, it is not the most fashionable or desired accessory, but anxiety has been a part of my “design” since childhood. I have always kept it hidden behind my metaphorical curtains, tucked away under smiles and positive outlooks. While it is something I have learned to accept and function with mostly privately, I have recently been going through an emotional transition where I have felt drawn to express some of my challenges publicly. Partly because I want to be a voice for those like me to know they are not alone, but also because it helps me to have an outlet. The older I get, the stronger it seems to get. I am beginning to think if hiding it has not worked, maybe exposing it can. I could write a memoir on how it has ruled my life behind the scenes, but “Why would anyone want to read it?”  it asks me. I will just save that for another time.

I first want to say that this is no way a replacement for professional help, and as always if you have any concerns definitely talk to a professional. As part of my journey to being more open about my lifelong battle, I just wanted to share a few things I have been doing currently to help try to manage my stress levels and prevent anxiety and panic attacks. These things are by no means new-found or extreme measures, but very simple ones that I have been trying to make a priority in my own daily life.

---

HOT TEA > COFFEE

I have always loved coffee, probably too much. Most days a year for me have started with a large travel mug of the stuff, including a copious amount of creamer mixed in. Of course caffeine can have positive effects for certain reasons, but for someone who deals with excessive stress, it is probably not the best idea to have a daily stimulant intake, especially first thing in the morning. With that being said, I have been working on replacing most morning mugs with hot tea instead, and also having a cup in the afternoon and at night. I have been trying different caffeine-free herbal varieties and so far I am really enjoying the tastes and noticing practically immediate calming effects. Aside from that, I love how many other health benefits there are from drinking it. For example, my blood pressure teeters at a fairly high level for my age and I noticed after a few weeks of drinking tea, at my latest doctor’s appointment it was significantly lower than normal. I was shocked, especially because it is usually higher at the doctor due to nerves. At the very least, it is helping to keep me more hydrated.

---

USING RESOURCES

Normally, I would have made a mental health Pinterest board private for fear of what someone would think of me. This time I am ignoring that mentality and made mine public to share with others who might need to find them on their feeds like I did. There are so many resources out there, and I love how Pinterest keeps it all tidy and easy to find what you are looking for in a hurry. Reading quotes that put your feelings into words and learning breathing exercises and grounding techniques can be what feels like an actual life saver when the moment strikes.

---

TALKING

Not just to those online, but to my family and close friends, to my coworkers, to my acquaintances. People I care about. People that (despite what my anxiety may tell me at times) care about me, too. Instead of hiding it from them, maybe telling them about it will make it easier to get through an attack if one happens while they are around. What I have been finding with this exercise, is that each person I have had a conversation with  has given me a new perspective for me to see it from, great tips for getting through an attack that their therapist recommended, and had complete compassion for me, even if they could not fully understand what I am going through.

---

These are just 3 easy things I have been trying to do on a consistent basis to change my habits and the way I have been doing things for so long. While I am seeing some improvement already, I know there is a long road ahead of me and I may never reach the destination. I have to be okay with that.

Do you live with anxiety, panic disorder, or any other mental illnesses? If you are open to it, I would love for you to share what helps you in the comments. Maybe it can help one of us, too!

---

1. Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen – Matcha AND collagen!? What’s more to say? Vital Proteins makes some of my favourite collagen powders, and they even have a dairy-free creamer with collagen! Yes, it’s amazing.

• 

• 

---

2. Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation – I recommend this foundation to EVERYONE. It’s medium coverage, but can be sheered out or built-up to a med/full. It smells like vanilla (but doesn’t linger too long), is creamy, hydrating, but not has a satin-like finish and those ingredients! Crunchi knows how to do it right.

• 

• 

---

3. Mowellens Keeper’s Stash (CBD Honey) – I seriously don’t know what I did before this honey came into my life.

• 

• 

---

4. Aleavia Lavender Body Cleanse – It’s not actually soap, you guys. But it cleans you! Say what?! Yup, it’s a blend of prebiotics that naturally feeds your skins microbes and balances your skin’s pH! (Long story short, it doesn’t strip your body’s beneficial bacteria!) It’s my favourite for cleansing with, shaving with, safe and effective for babies, mama’s, children, husbands…dogs…shoot, I even clean my makeup brushes with it!

• 

• 

---

5. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm – This balm is my crack. I don’t leave home without it. In fact, it’s always in my purse. I also have a back up one because I go through these like water! It’s truly one of the most moisturizing, lovely smelling balms there is (in my opinion)!

---

6. Inika Organic Mascara – Nontoxic mascaras are some sort of beast to tame. They can easily flake, transfer, smudge…not last, not perform well, you name it. But let me tell you something, this mascara is a WINNER. It lengthens, strengthens and lasts! I love the skinny wand and the ingredients don’t irritate whatsoever.

• 

• 

• 

---

7. Milk + Honey No 46 Room Spray – The BEST Home Fragrance in No° 46: Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Cardamom. (I have this scent in their candle too!) I want to LIVE IN IT. It’s soooo good. I spritz the room; my couch, pillows, my hair…(oops?) and maybe even my sheets and clothes too. It’s 100% organic ingredients (scented with pure essential oils) so you can run around the house like I did and spray it on everything…jk not all the things but most things. Go buy this – oh, and use my code HULLO25 for 25% off all products. You’ll die and go to heaven. You’re welcome.

---

8. The Hollywood Silk Solution Silk Pillow Case – Did you know that sleeping on silk may help reduce tugging on delicate facial skin, reduce sleep crease, bedhead and even extend your blowout? I love using mine when I’ve just heat-styled my hair and want it to look as fresh as possible the next morning! These silk pillows are made from the Highest Fiber Mulberry Silk (topside) and cotton (underside) and they have an Invisible zipper, PLUS (it gets better!) they’re dyed using non-toxic dyes.

---

9. Artifact Skin Co. Mer-Mer Monoi Tiare Tails Hair Oil – Not only does this hair oil smells like a vacation, but it tames flyaways, smooths out frizzy hair and I love using it in my hair damp to give my hair shine and decrease any frizz upon blowout.

---

10. Kaia Naturals The Takesumi Detox Charcoal Deodorant + Detox in Sakura Blossom – Baking soda free (so it doesn’t cause any reactions to my skin) and smelling like a fresh bloom, this deodorant is next level. It keeps me fresh and stink-free almost a full day (sweating is a normal part of not wearing a toxic-antiperspirant) and it’s also detoxing your pits as you wear it! (Use code HULLOSAM for 15% off!)

• 

• 

---

I feel like 2017/2018 have been the years of self-care & thank goodness for that! Personally, my life changed for the better when I started listening to what I needed to take the best care of myself. The cool thing about self-care is that it looks different for everyone. The way I care for myself might not resonate with you… and that is the beauty!

When I started to dive deeper into manifesting the life of my dreams, I came across Danika Brysha. If you have no idea who I am referring to right now, stop reading & go follow her on Instagram! Danika is a self-care enthusiast, Founder/CEO of a multi-million dollar meal delivery service called Model Meals, and Founder of The Brunch Series. Oh, and she has a 200 pound English Mastiff named Kingsley who is pretty comical.

While all of those things are equally impressive, Danika has created a movement with #TheBrunchSeries bringing this amazing event on tour all over the country and Canada. When I saw Charlotte was a stop on the tour, I knew immediately that I needed to attend. See all the stops & if The Brunch Series is stopping in your city here.

On Brunch Series day, 35 women gathered in the home of a local Charlottean and bravely spoke about their struggles with self-love, self-care, and the other things we are sometimes too scared to say out loud. It was a powerful day full of tears (happy & sad), incredible discoveries, and learning how to create the life of our dreams.

Danika speaks about the self-care checklist she created and how it played a huge part in her recovery from self-loathing and debt to reaching happiness and success. You can read her blog post for a more in detail about the self-care checklist here.

The idea of the self-care checklist is to complete it as soon as you wake-up. It consists of a Monthly Challenge, Top 3 To-Do’s, Morning Routine of gratitude, affirmations, movement, and a biography from your future. Now, the key is not to give yourself unattainable goals. As an example, my June Monthly Challenge is to stretch everyday. This is something that can take anywhere from 5-30 minutes, but something that can easily be checked off each day. At the end of the month, you can decide to keep that habit or not, and then add something new in. Before you know it, you are creating healthy daily habits that cultivate self-love and self-care.

What is an affirmation? Here is an example: I am healthy. I choose to eat foods that nourish me. I prioritize my health. I sleep well. I practice self-care daily. These “I Am” statements are seriously so powerful. You might be hesitant like I was, but I have reaped the benefits of manifesting what I want in life. I encourage you to try it!

The biography from your future is just a fun little paragraph and can really take on a life of its own. Close your eyes and imagine yourself 5,10,15 years down the road. What are you doing? What successes have you had? What passions are you living out? Danika describes this as a time of play. Just have fun with it, don’t think too much about it, and see what you come up with!

We covered SO many more incredible things during The Brunch Series, this just scratches the surface. It was a magical day filled with empowering each other, cultivating community, and building confidence.

It is not selfish to care for yourself. Pour into yourself so you may then pour into other people!

“A great life is just made up of a series of great days. If we can just focus on building a plan for a great day, we’ll soon find ourselves looking back on a great life.”  -Danika Brysha

---

Success.  We all chase it – in work, health, fitness, in life itself.  We all want to be successful. To know that the work is paying off, to reap the benefits of our labor, success can look different to many people.  Why are some people successful and others are not? Regardless of the outcome you are looking for, these behaviors can be adopted and implemented in your daily life and your pursuit of being successful.

1. CREATE AND PURSUE FOCUSED GOALS

Everyone sets goals with the best of intentions to follow through.  The truth is, distractions and daily struggles can lead to a loss of momentum and motivation. Narrow your list of goals and create structure and discipline to carry yourself through to meet those goals even when motivation falters.

2. TAKE DECISIVE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION

Don’t put off to tomorrow, what you can get done today.  Too many times we put things off and they get lost in the shuffle.  Take action in the now if it is important to you.

3. AVOID THE TRAP OF TRYING TO MAKE THINGS PERFECT

Perfection is not attainable.  Choosing to progress will always have a better outcome than not starting at all.

4. WORK OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

The best things in life are just outside of your comfort zone.  You cannot grow and learn if you are always using the comfort of normality to be your security blanket.  Take the risk, put yourself out there, you will never regret it.

5. EAT THE FROG

Tackle the most pressing task first thing in the morning. Before life gets in the way, just get it done.

6. FOCUS ON MAKING SMALL, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS

How do you eat the elephant?  One bite at a time. Break down your goals from the big picture to create smaller, even daily lists, that over time bring you closer and closer to achievement of your goals.

7. MEASURE AND TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

You cannot measure what you do not track.  You can gain some of that motivation to keep pushing on and also know when corrective action is needed.

8. MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AS YOU LEARN FROM MISTAKES

Stopping yourself from making a mistake is progress.  Making a mistake and not having anxiety and fear consume you is also progress.  Mental progress is just as important is physical progress.

9. SPEND TIME WITH THE MOTIVATIONAL PEOPLE

You are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with.  Choose wisely. Success leaves clues – seek out those that are out there making progress and learn from them, spend time with them, understand their mindset and personalities.

10. MAINTAIN BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE

Successful people come in all types of personalities.  I have seen business owners that can get more work done in 4 hours than most can do in a 40 hour week, then spend their time doing activities that bring them joy that are not work related.  Others I’ve seen work 70 hours a week for months, then they cut out for vacations for weeks at a time. The point is – mental breaks, workouts, family time, hobbies – not everyone works 24/7 to be successful.  Find what makes you happy, do more of that, success will come.

---

I hear it all the time: “I just don’t have time to work out and eat healthy with my kids” or “Life is too crazy to do the whole health thing right now.”

As a new(ish) mom, I understand the time crunch that comes with introducing little ones to your life, and I feel the struggle of trying to prioritize and keep your sanity along the way. However, I know that it is possible to lead a healthy lifestyle, even with kids. Yes, I’m finding that it’s even possible while pregnant and chasing around a toddler.

For our family, sometimes this looks like workouts in our kitchen on days that have been too crazy to make it to the gym. When our son Bly was tiny, we incorporated him into our workouts as a weight for squats and lunges. Now as a toddler, he loves copying our movements and doing baby push-ups and burpees alongside us. We have fun making up quick, intense workouts that use the equipment we find around our home: everything from laundry detergent to water bottles.

This intersection of health and family also looks like grocery trips with Bly that take twice as long as they did before, but allow him to touch, see, and smell all the real, good foods out there. We fuel up with healthy snacks and expose Bly to all sorts of foods like acai bowls and smoothies. One of my goals for this year is to cook with Bly every week so that he can see how to plan and prepare a healthy meal.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not always easy. But it’s worth it. First, keeping a workout routine keeps me sane and helps me physically, emotionally, and mentally better able to contribute to our family. More importantly, we’re teaching Bly with our daily actions. He will grow up knowing the importance of health because he sees us living that truth every day. As parents, we are always being watched and copied, so we try to make sure we live in a way we want Bly to copy.

---

Emily Breeze Ross Watson is one of the top personal trainers in the country and has competed at the highest level of fitness during the CrossFit Games. Breeze is also a new mom; she and her husband Montell Watson welcomed their first son, Bly Rhunar, in May 2016, and she’s now pregnant with #2. Throughout her pregnancies, Breeze continued to train in CrossFit, attracting worldwide media attention. She was soon catapulted to social media fame and became a global fitness inspiration promoting a healthy, active lifestyle throughout all stages of life. Aside from training clients and leading Charlotte’s largest bootcamp, she also coaches a broad online community through her social media accounts and recently launched website and app!

@emilybreeze | emily-breeze.com

I know what you are thinking… organic and budget in the same sentence? No way. But, yes way!!! It is totally a possibility now that grocery stores like Aldi have started carrying organic products. The organic food industry is growing, and big grocery chains are listening. But, not all grocery stores that carry organic are affordable. So, let’s talk about how we can eat organically on a budget!

If you are anything like me (newly graduated, adulting for the first time, have a dog to feed) you may not want to blow $200 at Whole Foods every week. The good news is you don’t have to! Aldi provides a lot of basic organic products that can be the main items in your diet.

I am going to walk you through the organic products that Aldi sells and what I pick up on a weekly basis.

---

Produce is always a good place to start. Aldi has really stepped its game up in this department! Every week I am able to get my spinach, carrots, broccoli, green beans, bananas, strawberries, avocados- all ORGANIC! I mean $4.29 for 4 avocados, ya can’t beat it! And they have plenty more organic produce if the items I listed above aren’t your thing.

We definitely suggest buying organic everything when possible, but definitely buy organic when it comes to the dirty dozen!

THE 12 MOST CONTAMINATED FOODS ARE:

• CHERRIES
• GRAPES
• CELERY
• TOMATOES
• SWEET BELL PEPPERS
• AND POTATOES
• STRAWBERRIES
• SPINACH
• NECTARINES
• APPLES
• PEACHES
• PEARS

Aldi carries organic in most if these items, but not all of them. Make sure you read your labels and look for the USDA Certified Organic logo.

• Aldi has a wide-range of organic lettuce.
• Organic spinach for $2.49 is a crazyyyy good deal! If you go to Aldi for nothing else, go for the price of their spinach.
• Aldi started carrying organic chicken. Can I get an Amen!?!?! I was so happy when they added this to their lineup. I refuse to buy non-organic chicken and I would do my shopping at Aldi and then go grab some organic meat somewhere else. You aren’t going to find organic chicken any cheaper than what Aldi offers!

We definitely can’t forget about milk and eggs!

I have seen organic eggs at other stores for upwards of $7, and Aldi carries them for $3.49! I am someone who could eat eggs for every meal, but it is so important to me that they are organic. This price makes it easy to get 2 or 3 dozen and be set for the week!

Almond milk is my milk of choice and they have a few organic options. But, if regular milk is more up your alley, they have that as well!

One healthy life hack I love to follow is only shopping the perimeter of the store. At Aldi, this is slightly different, but the fresh foods are mostly on the perimeter of the store. If you go in knowing you are only going to shop from those areas, you won’t tempt yourself with all the sugar-filled processed junk that we don’t need in our lives.

Another way you can guarantee you will save money is by buying frozen fruits and veggies. Aldi carries organic frozen corn, broccoli, and many frozen fruits that are organic. Obviously, in a perfect world we would all love to buy the freshest food possible (and have the time to make it)- but life happens and having quick, organic, healthy options ready to go is a life-saver!

Nut butters are so practical and a great way to get in some healthy fats! Pair it with celery for a midday snack or get crafty and make some peanut butter sauce for some stir fry! Peanut butter and Almond butter especially can get super pricey. Aldi carries organic nut butter that is super affordable.

Some organic breakfast options like oatmeal are super easy and super cheap! You could make overnight oats for the week and eat breakfast for less than $2 each day.

---

Some other awesome organic goodness that Aldi offers:

• GTs Kombucha
• Organic Mac and Cheese… when you just need some comfort food.
• Coconut water for smoothies!
• Fruit snacks for the kiddo in your life, or you.. No judgement here!
• Black beans… did someone say Mexican food?!

I hope this was helpful and has maybe inspired you to think about adding more organic groceries into your weekly grocery shop! I know that sometimes it can seem like just another thing we should do for our bodies. But, I promise you your body will thank you in the short-term and long-term.

---

MACY VONDERSCHMIDT / @MINDFULLYMACY

I am a social media influencer/blogger part-time and full-time marketing professional. I love being a dog momma to Milo (Aussie) and little Harley (Tibetan Mastiff). After years of yo-yo dieting and 2+ hour workouts, I found a way to stay healthy and also sane. I strive to live a healthy life, but I never turn down ice cream- ever! My passion is inspiring women to live a life full of self-love and finding their bodies perfect resting place. I take a holistic approach to health and believe you have take care of your mind, body, and soul in order to truly live well. I spend my weekends buying fancy lattes, taking the pups on long walks on the rail trail, and creating content for my Instagram and Blog.

WWW.MINDFULLYMACY.COM

We really believe here at wh+k that health and wellness are all-encompassing and includes every part of your life, not just your body and physical health. While we’ve all heard that money can’t buy happiness, it’s true that no money can certainly buy stress. And stress is a HUGE no-no for good health. In the quest for perfecting our own personal commerce, we reached out to one of our favorite financial experts to see what he has to say about financial health across different epochs of your life.

---

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS DONE REPEATEDLY OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Okay, it’s January, we’ve made New Year’s resolutions, and are ready to change something, or things, to make the next 12 months great.  Each January, I start the year by trying to do 100 situps a day. In my best year I’ve made it to August…my worst saw a February swoon. It’s a silly goal but, each year I do it…I guess it becomes a habit. As a financial coach January is usually my busiest month as people prioritize getting a grip on their finances. In my experience with coaching people on financial strategy, I’ve yet to meet a person without lofty goals and a healthy intent to achieve them. What separates those with good intent from those who see tangible results is prioritizing the goal and taking action to make the goal a reality. In today’s “me now” society, that’s tough to achieve but far from impossible. Much like success in any craft (sports, career, relationships), it’s the little things done repeatedly over long periods of time that make a big difference. Here are some simple financial tips that you can put into practice immediately depending on where you are in your life…

---

YOUR 20’S

“IF WE WAIT UNTIL WE ARE READY WE WILL BE WAITING FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.” LEMONY SNICKET

1. Get Started! Wealth creation starts with small steps done consistently over long periods of time. Pay off your credit cards, fund an emergency account, and start saving. How much? Work up to saving 10% of your pretax income every time you are paid.

2. Get help! There’s a good chance you paid way too much for some higher education and learned very little about managing your finances. So where do you turn? Search for a financial group and if you can’t find one, start one. Lot’s of churches offer groups such as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace for free! They can really be life-changing. Also look for a mentor or financial coach…someone with good experience who has similar values and can hold you accountable. This doesn’t have to be a professional! Don’t rule out parents, older siblings, co-workers or family friends!

3. Do not fear the stock market. Nothing has created more wealth in our country’s history. Not real estate. Not bitcoins. Have a long-term perspective, be committed and patient. You are young, and you have the magic of compound interest on your side. If the company you work for offers a retirement plan (401k) with a match invest enough to at least capture the company match. Here’s a brilliant observation…That’s FREE MONEY! Do you not like free money?!

4. Avoid comparing your financial journey with someone else’s. Unless you are the 20-something founder of Snapchat, you probably know people who make a lot more than you or just fell into money. Comparison kills motivation… you can’t let it discourage you. Chances are they are working really hard behind the scenes, and if they’re not…easy come easy go. Take the small steps and enjoy YOUR journey through the ups and downs.

5. Take a chance. Start a business or fund something you believe in. It’s okay to make a mistake and time is on your side to overcome it.

---

YOUR 30’S

“WHEN YOU TURN THIRTY, A WHOLE NEW THING HAPPENS: YOU SEE YOURSELF ACTING LIKE YOUR PARENTS.” -BLAIR SABOL

1. Consider how much risk you are taking and if it’s appropriate for you. You’ll probably need help with this one. Some people hate risk and avoid it; others can’t get enough.

2. Protect your legacy. If you have a family protect them with life insurance and please don’t push this off. Also, find a good estate attorney to help craft a will and/or trust.

3. Be smart with debt. Pay more on your mortgage each month and avoid long-term auto loans (more than 3 years).

4. Stay liquid. Most companies fail from a lack of capital. If you have the majority of your assets in illiquid holdings, such as real estate or physical assets you might be in trouble when a recession hits. Being able to convert an investment into cash immediately has value.

---

YOUR 40’S

“THERE ARE NO GROWN-UPS… EVERYONE IS WINGING IT, SOME JUST DO IT MORE CONFIDENTLY.”– PAMELA DRUCKERMAN

1. Avoid emotional financial decisions. Chances are you’ve got a decent nest egg working for you. Don’t make the mistake of chasing a hot investment or timing the market. Stay the course

2. Diversification is the only free lunch. Many people in their 40’s have company stock or a low basis stock position. Look to minimize your investment in any one company to 10% of your total portfolio.

3. Begin planning for retirement. Start analyzing how much income you’ll need in retirement and what your sources of that income will be. Implement social security into your plan.

---

Hey friends! I just love baking. In particular, I love to bake yummy treats with hints of cinnamon, honey, and chocolate…lots and lots of chocolate. I wanted to share this divine banana bread recipe with you guys today. We recently made it and fell in love with the taste and texture. It’s very flavorful with just the right amount of sweet and savory and it’s surprisingly healthy too! Theo was a big fan, and since he has a dairy allergy, we made it work for him as well. I used coconut and almond flour, which are the only flours I keep stocked. When we did the Whole30, I got rid of everything that wasn’t approved and haven’t really looked back since. So, let’s get to the recipe shall we?

---

INGREDIENTS:

+ 3 medium ripe bananas mashed

+ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

+ 2 eggs at room temperature

+ 1/4 cup almond butter at room temperature

+ 1 tablespoon honey

+ 1/4 cup almond flour

+ 1/4 cup coconut flour

+ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

+ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

+ 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil

+ 1/4 teaspoon salt

+ 1/2 cup Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips

---

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 8×4 inch or 9×5 inch bread pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a bowl and mix. In a separate bowl of an electric mixer or food processor combine bananas, almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil and mix well. Add eggs one at a time and mix on medium speed until combined. With the mixer on medium-low speed add in the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; mix again until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips gently. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and flatten/smooth the top. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Carefully invert, remove bread from pan and allow to cool completely on wire rack. Slice and enjoy!

---

NOTES:

+ For best results, use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.

+ You can substitute 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for the Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil, just add it in with the dry ingredients.

+ You could also add in a 1/2 cup of walnuts as well.

+ Make sure you’re using 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. I only use Young Living essential oils because they have a vitality line that are labeled specifically for dietary use.

If you’d like more information about essential oils, you can send me a message on my wellness IG account (@rosegoldwellness) or email me at: [email protected] and I’d be happy to chat with you more and answer your questions!

---

I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as my little family does. Take time to enjoy this yummy treat with the ones you love. Savor the bread, but obviously savor the time and memories with your tribe even more.

“OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND TASTE, OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE— HOW GOOD GOD IS. BLESSED ARE YOU WHO RUN TO HIM.” PSALM 34:8

---