Rewild Your Life

There’s a trend that’s been building for a few years now, one that looks as though it’s here to stay. It is called Rewilding – the trend of wellness, of natural living, of caring for and connecting back to nature. Read on to learn more about how to Rewild.

LIVE CLEAN

Switch to natural products to improve your health. You would be surprised at how many so called “pure” and “natural” items in your home are filled with components that are literally toxic to humans, and it’s totally legal! Being well-informed when purchasing home and personal care products is so critical to your long-term wellbeing.

LIVE CONSCIOUS

Kickstart the habit of mindful living. Don’t just live on auto-pilot or worse still, stuck in the trap of “it’s just what I’ve always done.” Become aware of your consumption, your routines, your impact on the world around you and make changes – not just your eating habits, but your whole lifestyle – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s incredibly empowering to know that the life you live was CHOSEN by you, not just something you consumed. Rewild yourself, your way.

LIVE CONNECTED

For me, this is the most important thing. I need to get out into the wilderness as often as I’m able. Reconnecting with the power and beauty of nature is by far one of the best ways to improve your mood, your health and your overall quality of life. If you don’t already, find ways to escape to nature as often as you can. Spend a day at the beach, head to a local creek or waterfall, go for a hike, or even just lay in the grass in your back yard if that is all you have. Feel it, breathe it all in and stay connected. You won’t regret it!

LIVE CONTENT

Prevent illness, don’t just sit around and wait for it. Start by incorporating daily practices and natural products that support your wellness. My absolute must-haves on any given day are sunshine, exercise and essential oils. Once I started to incorporate these things into my everyday routine, I noticed a massive shift in my physical and mental wellbeing. I feel better than I have in years!

Our Mount Mitchell Adventure

Last weekend we decided to drive to Mount Mitchell and do some hiking and exploring. Ever since I moved to Boone last summer I have been wanting to visit it. The North Carolina mountain holds the title of the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, measuring in at 6,684 feet above sea level!

No clue who the guy photobombing me in the background is. LOL

So Saturday morning we went. First tip – bring lunch. We didn’t because we thought the restaurant there would be open and surprise! it wasn’t. lol. It is only open seasonally. Thankfully we had snacks but there is literally nothing nearby as this is a remote area so bring all the food and drink you will need for the day. Little Switzerland is where we stopped at on the way home to eat and they have a nice lunch cafe. But it would have been better if we had packed a picnic lunch.

Loved all the fir trees!

Being at such a high elevation the vegetation is vastly different from the rest of the area. It truly feels more like a Canadian forest both temperature and tree wise. So unique and makes for some great hikes. Bryce had a blast pointing out the different trees to us and unique rocks.

My climber

Since my mother-n-law was with us and Bryce we only tackled the .75 mile Balsam Nature Trail. But it was beautiful and a nice way to stretch the legs after the long car ride. We also went to the observation platform and was amazed at the 360 degree views offered there!

On the way home we stopped for lunch at Little Switzerland and then came across the cutest ice cream/pie mom and pop store! It is called Linville River Mercantile and Bakery. It is located in Crossnore, NC. Stop by on your way back to Boone for a treat!

Mount Mitchell is only a few miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway so the drive there and back from Boone was also a treat. Add this to your bucket list for sure!

Sacred Mountain Essential Oil Blend

Last month I bought an oil blend I had never tried before – Young Living’s Sacred Mountain.  It is a blend of conifer essential oils that evoke feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, and protection that are a result of being close to nature.  I have loved diffusing this oil and I can indeed feel a difference in clarity and mood since using it!  It smells so good!

It contains:

• Spruce
• ylang ylang
• Balsam fir
• cedarwood

These 3 conifer oils have been traditionally used by the North American Indians symbolically to represent the umbrella they create in protecting the earth and bring energy in from the universe.

Ways to use this oil blend:

1. Fear of failure/empowerment:  We are our own worst enemy.  Fear of failure oftentimes prevents us from moving forward.  Sacred Mountain can help empower you to take that first step.
2. Public speaking/strength:  A very common fear and one that is not easily overcome.  Sacred Mountain can help you get the courage you need to take that stage with more confidence.
3. Social situations/strength:  For me, social situations are scarier than any stage ever was!  Sacred Mountain (combined with Valor for an extra punch) help me overcome my fears and put myself out there more.
4. Loss of a loved one/strength:  When a loved one passes, the whole family grieves.  Be the support your family needs while managing your own grief as well.
5. Resisting temptations/empowerment:  What tempts you?  Sugar? Smoking? Gambling?  Sacred Mountain can shore up your defenses and allow you to strengthen your resolve.
6. Controlling emotions/grounding:  You can’t always control how you feel, but you can control how your act on your feelings.  Using Sacred Mountain may prevent you from doing or saying something you’ll regret
7. Dealing with conflict/empowerment: Conflict is never easy and never comfortable but sometimes it is very necessary.  Sacred Mountain can help you steel your resolve for that conversation no one wants to have.
8. Self care/strength: If you are like most women, your needs are subservient to the needs of your family.  Sacred Mountain can give you the emotional strength to take care of yourself without feeling guilty.
9. Leadership/empowerment:  Give your confidence the boost it needs to be a more effective leader.
10. Asserting oneself/strength:  Sometimes letting others know that you are displeased is a very uncomfortable thing to do.   Let Sacred Mountain help you get the courage you need to speak up.

I would definitely recommend that everyone try this blend!

Want to purchase? Click here to do so!  To learn more about Young Living Membership, click here.

What Florida Really Looks Like

About 45 minutes from Disney World there is a Nature Preserve like no other. Set on a scenic lake surrounded by old Oak trees, and housing miles of walking trails, sits a place called Circle B Bar Reserve.  A once functioning cattle ranch, it is now recognized by USA Today Travel as one of the 51 Great Places to See Wildlife.

It is a Central Florida hidden gem.  Free, and open to the public year round, it is considered one of the best places for birding in Florida as a result of the Banana Creek marsh system. In a nutshell: don’t visit the reserve without your camera, your Instagram followers will thank you.

The 1,267-acre property features several diverse habitats including freshwater marshes, hardwood swamps, oak hammocks, creeks and lakes, which are home to a wide variety of ducks, shorebirds, wading birds, native and migrant landbirds, ospreys, bald eagles, and more than 45-species of butterflies.

You can even see Bald Eagles!

 

For me, I come here for the Alligator sightings.  Which is quite common and can be safely done from the preserve’s pier, shoreline, or the infamous Alligator Alley.

See those dots in the water? Those are all alligators!

 

On a calm water day you will see more alligators on the lake than you will see people in the park. That many alligators reside here.

And even as you leave, look out your window, because Wild Boar live in these woods. I made sure to stay far away from this protective mama as I took this pic.

Believe it or not, all these photos were taken the SAME day.  There is that much wildlife to see at this preserve.  It is a must see place.  So put it on your list, maybe see Mickey Mouse one day less.  This place is worth a visit.  Most people don’t see past the concrete of Orlando’s amusement parks or Florida’s beaches.  The REAL Florida is this. Wild, untamed, and amazingly beautiful.