see you, summer.

I’ve been realizing lately how prevalent it is that people are talking about mental health and specifically how anxiety is controlling a lot of people’s lives. Why is it now that people are starting to talk about anxiety? It’s as if only now, in a world with such excess amounts of social media taking over, we’re finally hearing about the numerous people who are struggling with it. It’s a startling matter but also incredibly empowering that so many people are supportive and aware of these struggles that people are going through, no matter how they come about.

It’s got me thinking about the ways we can holistically aid and support this type of emotional wellbeing. I, personally, have dealt very intensely with situational anxiety....

Summer Colds

I don’t know about everyone else, but it seems like the entirety of the downtown core has caught a summer cold. With every heat wave comes the blowdryer-like humidity and with every cool breeze that tries to kick it’s fiery inferno, comes the summer cold that absolutely no one is immune to. 

Once upon a time, (and even now, if I’m honest), I would’ve told you that I am immune to most puny viruses that are more susceptible to weak immune systems. But alas, a week ago, I was absolutely crippled by the energy draining, headache pulsing, clogged head summer cold that had me absolutely sprawled on the ground, doing nothing but Netflix’ing Gilmore Girls. During my first day of symptoms, there was no immunity booster, green juice, or raw ginger + honey tea that could make me feel better. It’s been a solid year since I’d been that debilitated and it was nothing if not humbling. 

To give my immunity some kind of credit, it has been a quick recovery and it’s solely because of my eminent willpower when it comes to avoiding feeling weak in the hands of sickness. Here are a few of my absolute note-worthy tips that are perfectly simple and will never let you down. 

Immune Boosting Foods {Winter Eating}

Greetings from most southern nook of North America that I could get to. I do not think I could’ve survived the negative thirty-seven temperatures that most of you have had to endure the last week, but I applaud you for your courageous and brave walk through the front door. Congrats because of the way these temperatures seem to affect our bodies and most importantly, our immune systems. I touched a little on immune-boosting foods a couple weeks back with my Eat Pretty book review, but I thought with the current state of our environments, the more help we can get the better.

Chills & Thrills {Thriving Thursdays}

Welcome to Thriving Thursdays. I decided to have a day, once a month (maybe more), that I post things that have been inspiring me, motivating me, encouraging me, causing me to be thankful, or that's brought a little light to my day. We all need a little inspiration, a little light for our week and this is my chance to show you mine. I hope maybe you find a little light in these and I'd love to hear what's inspiring you today.

Eat Pretty {Book Review}

"Eat Pretty" by Jolene Hart is one of those books that you pick up from the shelf and immediately want to call your own. It’s lovely on the outside and the best part is that it’s an actual wealth of knowledge. After reading this book, I was so happy to know that this type of education and information is out there for anyone to have. It reminded me a little bit of why I started this blog and how passionate I am about helping other people, help themselves.

My Breakfast Smoothie

In the world of health blogs, gurus, fanatics, and devotees, breakfast is always a very serious topic of conversation. Whether it be smoothies, bowls, chia puddings, steel cut oats, fruit, your choice of menu is typically one you’ll brag about to your fellow health nuts. I’m not going to lie, the first thing I am thinking when I wake up is coffee. I’m essentially a zombie until I get that first steaming sip. My fellow holistic nutritionists would tell you that this is not exactly healthy. Not the coffee itself, but my reliance on it. I do agree, but we also all have to pick our poison. And coffee will be mine ten times over again. But that’s a whole other topic.

My Winter Essentials

You know that morning when you wake up. It went to -40 the night before and your house is colder than it usually is? You stir in your bed and even your sheets are cold. You know the only thing in the world that will warm you up is a steaming, hot cup of something to counteract that icy chill that’s started in your bones.Well that warm, fuzzy feeling you get just at the thought of your fingers clasping tightly around that cup sums up how I feel about my winter essentials. They’re the things that seem to make that polar vortex not so bad, or at least bearable.