Ideas and Advice for How To Live a Joyful and Empowered Life.
All Things Empowering – Healing Ourselves & Earth, Self-Sufficiency, Food Forests, Gardening, Art, Road Trips, Preserving, Foraging, Permaculture, Homesteading and More!
Last summer I had one Thyme plant. This season I have four - I started a new plant by dividing the Thyme I had and I bought 3 others. The new 3 are Lemon Thyme, English Thyme and Pizza Thyme. Here are some photos: These all make a tasty tea. Sometimes I drink it on… Continue reading Growing And Using Thyme for Health
Oregano tea you say? I thought that was to season Spaghetti! Seems I'm always referring back to when the pandemic was first taking hold in a lot of my posts. Yes, I am. That period of time and what we went through was a life changer for me. Being laid off for 2-1/2 months, experiencing… Continue reading How to Make Oregano Tea and It’s Health Benefits
Last summer I purchased fresh oregano from the produce department at the grocery store with the intention to start new plants from the sprigs. It was not long after the pandemic had begun and I had decided to do all my shopping online and pick up or have everything delivered, rather than going to the… Continue reading How To Propagate Oregano – It’s Easy!
I've recently adopted a practice of make a large batch of herbal iced tea that lasts about a week until gone (I live by myself). I started doing this because all herbs have SO many health benefits, vitamins and minerals. Each week I use different herbs so I'm getting some different health benefits, vitamins and… Continue reading Mixed Herbal Iced Tea for Health Benefits
When I was laid off last year due to the pandemic, I had decided to start a garden. I quickly found out that many other people had this idea because seeds and plants were hard to come by. I had to get creative in getting plants for my garden. I noticed my grocery store had… Continue reading A Less Expensive Way to Get a Few Basil Plants
I don't have a lot of space to start seeds in my home and the last frost date here is usually the first week of April. So a few weeks ago I tried a little experiement and planted some seeds outdoors. I planted Brussels Sprouts, red onion and Asparagus seeds thinking they may do better… Continue reading Start Seeds Earlier Than The Last Frost Outdoors
Pin to Pinterest with this image so you can refer back to it later Last March, I was laid off from my job for 2.5 months due to the pandemic. During this time I began to get back in touch with my passion for gardening and using herbs and flowers. At first, the reason I… Continue reading Homemade Lilac Salve
In your relationship, do you feel confused, exhausted, anxious, unbalanced, used, drained, unstable and stressed sometimes or most of the time? Do you overthink or do things you don't want all to help the relationship work? Does your partner show love, consideration and affection sometimes, but most of the time their actions show they are… Continue reading Don’t Lose Yourself in a Toxic Relationship
Growing our own produce is a great way to begin becoming more self-sufficient and eat more healthy. Some of the produce we buy from the grocery store is grown with chemicals that are not good for us and grown a great distance away so by the time we get it, much of the nutritional value… Continue reading How To Propagate Plum Trees With Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
I found an affirmation app for my phone (you can too by searching in Google Play). The one I found is called 'My Affirmations'. This app comes with affirmations and lets you write in your own. It also lets you delete or edit any of the pre-programmed ones so you can fine tune your affirmations.… Continue reading Use Affirmations To Help You Move Forward After a Break-Up
Here I share some random thoughts on livelihood as an opening to reader comments on the subject. I wish society was more about teaching people to expand on their gifts and passions, rather than pushing everyone to go for the money. If we were taught from a young age to pursue our gifts and passions,… Continue reading Please Share Your Thoughts And Experiences On Livelihood
Here I share a fun experience I had yesterday and the effect it had on me as an opening to reader shares on this subject of having fun. I hope you will join so we can create a resource for anyone looking to improve their life. My Share: I made time for fun this weekend.… Continue reading Please Share What You Do For Fun and The Effect Fun Has On Your Life.
Most herbs have amazing health benefits and have many vitamins and minerals. Since the pandemic hit, I have been working more herbs into my diet to boost my immune system and for their particular benefits. I have been making and enjoying herbal syrups in this effort to consume more herbs. I use them in ice… Continue reading Herbal Syrups For Health, Refreshing Ice Water and More!
Here I share my thoughts on wanting to quit my job to become a full-time blogger (and other creative ideas) as a start to a brainstorm session, hoping readers will share their thoughts and experience in the comment section so we can all help each other. For the past couple of months I have been… Continue reading Brainstorming With Readers On Quitting A Job to Blog Full-Time
I have learned that service helps not only others, but yourself. I have two recent examples. My mom was declining from Cancer and it was her wish to die at home. I was the only one in the family that was 'strong' enough mentally and physically to be able to help her fulfill her wish. … Continue reading Thoughts On Death, Healing and Being Of Service To Others
My daughter and I were out and about the other day and we stopped to photograph the bridges. My photos were pretty dull, but hers came out gorgeous. She is a natural genius at photography. If you'd like to visit her blog, it is here My art on face masks. The links will take you… Continue reading Beautiful Narrows Bridge Photo taken by my daughter
Good morning everyone! This morning I am sharing a reply I made this morning to a comment on my post Hard Times Draw Us Closer To God, which I wrote Feb. 19, 2019, over a year and a half ago. The post describes pretty much everything I'm sharing here, but the funny thing is, that things… Continue reading God’s Will, Not Mine
Hi Friends! I've been away for awhile. For now, I won't get into why, because I could probably write an entire book about the many things that have went on in my life. But I will say that if you follow me, you'll find out in bits and pieces as I write posts about some… Continue reading Releasing Things That No Longer Serve Us
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic I've been on a quest to grow as many fruits, vegetables and herbs as possible for my health, and in case anything happened to our food system. During this quest I found out that Dandelion is highly nutritious. Dandelions are full of antioxidants and boost the immune system… Continue reading Boost Your Immune System With Dandelion Tea
At the beginning of the pandemic, I decided it would be a good idea to grow as much produce as possible. My yard is a blank canvas for the most part. I used to be an avid gardener up until my marriage ended 12 years ago. Six of those 12 years I lived in an… Continue reading Food Forest Update: Tomato Plants from Slices, Herb Cuttings, Potato Plants from Potatoes and More!
Hi all! Here is a dog face design I created for face masks - it also comes on totes, tapestries, fleece blankets, coffee cups, pillows and more so take a look around while there if you like. The mask is $13.50 with free shipping. Hope everyone is doing well!! And here is my sexy red… Continue reading Dog Face Mask
Sharing a thoughtful post from my daughter’s blog 🙂
Hello! I have decided to share with you the first message received for those who subscribed to “Daily Insights With Shauna” On Self Love. If you would like to subscribe to get more messages like these, there will be a link below, or check out my previous blog.
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”Certain days of life are meant to be completely on hold. It seems there is not a single drop of success, love, or movement surrounding you. Life’s spark has been lost, and hopelessness is the best way to describe it.
There are so many reasons why our life seems to be out of service. It’s just all happening behind the scenes. Sometimes these days are best spent releasing emotions, balancing our routine, or simply being present in the moment- without all the distractions. It’s actually here for our development and expansion.
What’s most likely to happen during pauses in life…
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Made these and they are definitely chewy and delicious 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup melted butter 2 cups white sugar 2 eggs ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for decoration Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line one 9x13 inch… Continue reading Chewy Brownies
Hi everyone. A few days ago I got to thinking that since we all have to wear face masks now, we might as well make it fun. I decided I'd start making nose and lip designs to go on face masks with different looks. This is my first design. I have plenty more ideas I'll… Continue reading Sexy Red Lips Face Mask
Sharing a lovely message by my daughter Shauna. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!
Hi 🙂 I’m so glad you were directed to this blog post today. There’s a reason why you are are here. I am sharing with you something I’ve done for myself for many years. Tarot & oracle card readings. I incorporate these into my daily meditation and often write myself letters from the messages I receive. I truly believe these messages come from the universe and are meant to give me the exact positive words I need to hear. I felt it was my time to share it with the world.
When I choose the cards, I shuffle very quickly and the cards actually fly out of the deck. This is how I know they are meant for me. I have prepared a letter from the Universe, for anyone reading this article today, and I did it exactly how I prepare the readings for myself.
It is my intention that…
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Along my driveway - Daffodils, Dandelion & Bluebells A few flowering plants walking down the road. Not sure what the white one is. The blue is Rosemary, then a couple of dark pink tulips and finally a flowering Oregon Grape. Trees and the beautiful sky The pond is not far behind my house. Many frogs… Continue reading Photos From a Neighborhood Walk
It's ok to allow yourself to just be, especially during a time like this. Pushing yourself doesn't help. When we can just be and flow with it, eventually we will be inspired to take action. When we are being still, ideas are percolating. I have had a few days where I got a lot done… Continue reading Allow Yourself To Just Be
I just learned that my print-on-demand art service (Fine Art America) is now offering face masks with art printed on them!! I will include a few of the face masks with my art below. It is a process to get each one of my designs available for the face mask option so please be on… Continue reading Face Masks With My Art Printed On Them Available Now!!
I am in the United States and over the past few days I've felt very dis-empowered. Covid19 taking more and more lives every day. President Trump claiming he has total power and re-opening America very soon. Watching news constantly to try and find out what I need to plan for. President Trump thankfully putting the… Continue reading Taking Charge Of Our Own Lives During The Pandemic
The other day I looked out my kitchen window and noticed the dandelions blooming. At first I thought "great, time to figure out how to get a mower". But for some reason a memory came to me of years ago frying dandelion flower buds in butter and them tasting like mushrooms. I had also made… Continue reading Dandelion Salad
Another post by my daughter. Thank-you all for supporting her!
“Drinking helps you relax and you deserve it.”
“Work was so stressful — I need a drink.“
“I got the job, I need a drink to celebrate!”
I hear these phrases and so many more on a daily basis. They have become extremely apparent to me after battling my own issues with alcohol. I hate that society conditions us with sentences and thinking like that. Alcohol doesn’t directly correlate to stress relief and it doesn’t always mean fun or celebration.
The first time I ever had a drink was when I was 16. It didn’t really become a huge problem until after I turned 21. At 21, you’re excited to drink. You are simply having fun, and going through a “party phase.” Some take this path of life, and some do not. For myself, it quickly became an escape.
An escape from my own reality and all of the…
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My daughter has just started her blog and this is her first post! I’m so excited for her new adventure in blogging. I know she’s going to love it. She’s always been very good at writing. In her school years, multiple teachers advised to to ‘keep on writing’.
We often go through the same life lessons at the same time. I’m not sure if this is because we are close, or the universe wants us to learn together and help each other learn the lessons, or other reasons like family dynamics. This is her take on dealing with toxic abusive people, which I’ve been writing about sporadically since this blog started.
Thank-you for taking the time to read her first article!
~ Monica
Everyone has toxic people in their life. This is nothing new. There were times in my own life where I did not understand just how much of a mental and emotional drain it was to have certain people around. I’ve begun to understand that the more you love your life and yourself, the more you start to see how awful people treat you and how you just can’t take it anymore. I think the reason for this is because we have finally started to treat ourselves good and so our standards have raised. We now know what it feels like to be treated well and so it’s easier to see who is not treating us so well. Sometimes the toxic people in our lives aren’t just toxic. They are also abusive and controlling. They can be our own family members, friends, parents, lovers. This is where it gets extremely difficult…
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Years ago, my then-husband and I went to a fancy restaurant. One of the things I ordered was a salad - I cannot remember everything on the salad, but I do remember the candied walnuts that I loved so much. I wanted to make them at home so looked in a recipe book (this must… Continue reading Quick and Easy Candied Walnuts
Yesterday I had an upset stomach. I've been taking supplements that I don't normally take and I think that is what's doing it along with some stress. It was odd - my stomach was churning but I was hungry. I didn't want to eat something that would upset it more. Then I remembered that the… Continue reading Canned Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie Great For Upset Stomach
In healthy, loving relationships there is mutual care, support, consideration and love. This seems obvious, but sometimes people were raised in dysfunction and have no clue what a healthy relationship is. For most of my life, I've been in this club and only beginning to painfully figure it all out within the past couple of… Continue reading Your Well Being ALWAYS Comes First
**This sale is available to U.S. only since shipping prices and rules differ worldwide. Hey there - As some of you may know I've been an eBay reseller since 1998. This post tells that story, if you'd like to know more. Now, I would like to clear out my eBay inventory so I can use… Continue reading MY EBAY LIQUIDATION SALE – Clothing Makeup Jewelry Rubber Stamps Grab Bag Lg Flat Rate Box Lot Liquidation
Two days ago I got a message from a guy I used to date wanting to 'cuddle'. Yesterday I got a message from my ex-boyfriend. I'm not entertaining either one because both men have toxic qualities and are in the past for a reason. I'm trying to heal my childhood issues that led me to… Continue reading Covid19 Brought The Energy Vampires Out. I Deserve Better.
Yesterday on Youtube I found a very inspiring woman that lives in Ireland. Sixteen years ago she purchased a large piece of property that was all grassy field. She purchased this property to prove to people what one woman can do to help the earth's health. She was not happy that Ireland was taking down… Continue reading Bealtaine Cottage, An Inspiration For A Healthier World
The past couple of weeks have been surreal. It's hard to believe what is happening. Each day that goes by I keep thinking the Universe/God/Higher Power has slowed us down and put a stop to the way we've been living because it's been damaging us and our environment. It's crazy that the entire world is… Continue reading Creating a Little Stability in a Time of Instability
As I've been transitioning into the stay-home order here in Washington state, I've been doing all the normal things I'd do on my days off from work, but I've also been watching a ton of Youtube. Everything I watch on Youtube is something I want to learn - either some new skill or things about… Continue reading Food Forest Gardening
A few years ago I had FOMO (fear of missing out) and didn't know it. I didn't have the money to go to restaurants, bars, vacations, movies. I didn't have a partner to share all these good times with like everyone else seemed to. I'd dread the weekends thinking everyone else was out having the… Continue reading Covid19 Stay-Home and Lifestyle Thoughts
On my first post on Walmart Grocery Pick-Up, I left off with not being able to schedule a time due to increased demand so I was going to try back later. I tried back the next morning and was able to schedule the pick-up for 2 days later. The instructions said to get their app… Continue reading Follow-Up On Walmart Grocery Pick-Up
I am reblogging this post by Craig Lock because he makes really good points that I completely agree with, and I think these points can be of help while going through the Coronavirus pandemic. I’d like to add that when we can see the good in certain situations and be optimistic, it helps our immune system fight off and even deflect illness. Joe Dispenza has proof of this and if you’re interested, look him up on Youtube or the internet.
Article Title: Is Your Attitude RIGHT?: How to Develop a Good (or even a Great) Attitude to Life
Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Motivation, Self Help, Self Help Books, Handbook to Survive Life, Personal Growth, Success, Empowerment
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)
Publishing Guidelines:
We hope that the following article (an extract from Craig’s first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE LIFE) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. This article may be freely reproduced electronically or…
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It has been a crazy couple of weeks. When I first heard Coronavirus made it to Washington, the state I live in, I made some rules for myself in an effort to keep myself safe and help stop the spread. I would order my groceries online and pick them up. I would order other necessities… Continue reading Staying Well Through Coronavirus
One of the things I planned to do in protecting myself from CoronaVirus is to shop online for my groceries and do the pick-up service. This is not something I was open to before because I like looking for deals and picking out my own fresh produce. But I'm trying to stay away from large… Continue reading Walmart Grocery Shopping Online & Pick-Up Experience
How many times have you started to work on a goal all to abandon it because it wasn't making progress quick enough? Or worse yet, you didn't even start because it felt impossible. I've done it way too much. To the point where I'm simply doing a daily routine and surviving. That is not how… Continue reading Making a Decision and Committing To It
I avoid most news media because of the embellishments they tend to make to get high ratings and because it's all mostly bad news. They spread bad news because it puts people in fear, then they watch the news to see if they can let go of the fear yet, if anything has changed. Just… Continue reading Remember That News Media Gets Paid For High Ratings
I remember back in school days in quite a few subjects or classes we'd 'study', have a test and move on. Then there were subjects, such as math, spelling or hand-writing that we practiced all the time and had those classes every year. Then I became an adult and studied my own interests such as… Continue reading To Learn Anything New, We Must Apply It Long Enough To Learn It
The difficult things going on in my life over the past year have taken most of my mental and physical energy to get through so I have not been putting a lot of energy into my home and I'm not liking the state that it's in. I do keep up with the cleaning - dishes,… Continue reading Seeking Advice On How To Get Motivated To Organize and Re-Decorate
Living in fear, doubt and worry leads to anxiety, then to depression, then to physical sickness. Being in the present moment and focusing on gratitude, dreams and goals have helped me cure anxiety and depression, and I’ve read living this way has cured mental and physical sickness in others. To imagine living in a world… Continue reading Worry, Doubt And Fear Is A Program That Leads To Anxiety, Depression and Illness
