Good morning ladies and gentlemen!  If adding 5 minutes of something new into your morning routine made your day better and made you feel better immediately would you do it?

I was feeling extremely sluggish this morning.  This is a common thing for me, and something that I would like to be different.  I've mentioned doing yoga before, so I took my own advice and put on some Yoga with Adriene, found on youtube.  She is my go to for yoga, though there are many other great videos and Yogi's.  I did a 5 minute video and I feel SO much better.  While I'm still taking it easy, I'm not feeling as sluggish, like a blob that just can't bring her self to stop melting into the floor.  The other thing I really love about these short 5 minute videos, is that they are amazing transition tools, when you want to unwind or re-energize.  There is something meditative about yoga, and following a video allows your mind to be focused on something else and re-center.  Hope you like it!

Here are a few videos from her 5 minute series (LOVE!)

​ 

Who likes organizing? Not most people.  I actually love organizing, but I usually only enjoy it when I am in a new space and need to set up a new system.  That is what organizing provides for me.  I create a system that works for me and then when my life gets hectic, which happens a lot there are no decisions I need to make I just put things back in their home.  Making tons on tiny decisions that don't have much weight can be draining.  Leave all that thought and effort for something that truly needs careful thought or thinking about things that you love.

What I love about organizing for myself, is that it is a cheap and fairly easy way to bring good design into your home, while showing off your stuff.  Your things don't need to be put away to have a beautiful home.  You can show off your things!  Plus creating nice arrangements or groupings can highlight the items, that area, and bring in lots of character.  Personally I live a very fast jam packed life and I function best when I have things out.  It flusters me when I need to dig into a box inside the closet to get something when I am trying to leave the house 5 minutes ago.  BUT in addition to that I really like showing off my own and other people's things.  You spent money on it, it enhances your life, it's perfectly ok to show it off as if it were a piece of art.  In some ways it is.  And most of our things when paired the right way show off a lot of character, and what is important to you.  I think that is beautiful.

I've just moved and am in that process of deciding where the home for each of my things will be.  Its also a very tiny studio and so I really need to maximize that space that I can.  I was shopping the past few days trying to find a solution for my tiny bathroom.  Where I was living before I was able to buy a lot of things at once and store it until needed, so now I needed to figure out where to put all this surplus until I use it all?!  The ambiguous piles were starting to get to me.  I ended up buying the over the door Elfa shelving system from The Container Store.  It was not what I had in mind.  But I installed it, and I am very very happy!  It was easy to install, I didn't need to use any tools, drills, nails, screws... And it fit way more than I expected! (Bonus, if you buy anything Elfa during their Elfa sale, you really can't beat a clean look, with no damage, that utilizes space so efficiently, for this price)  Now I can continue to buy in bulk, or I can put other non bathroom items on the shelving system!  My favorite part is how the jewelry is organized.  Its open and easy to pick, sort of like shopping; and its sparkly and pretty <3

Oh, the other thing that I love about this system is that its easy to modify, I will actually be going back later today to buy another rack to hold more jewelry.

It was kind of a surprise to me, but what I noticed while deciding where things would go, is how much I enjoyed making my girly stuff pretty.  When I finished and everything was in a good spot, I noticed how much love I felt.  I felt loved from taking the time to make my things nice.  It was a really great feeling, and because of this feeling I wanted to share my experience with you.  I'd like to encourage you to organize something in your home, really put effort and money into it, see how it may make you feel.  Maybe even hire a professional.  There is a lot of value in hiring a professional.  Yes they are expensive, but they will help you achieve what you have been wanting for years - within a few hours.  You are worth it.

Most importantly just pay attention to how you feel while you are creating a home for each of your items.  You may find things you thought you lost, OR you may find things you really don't care about, toss, and voila, now you have more space!  When you are finished notice how good it feels.

Sending you hugs 

If you're ever in a pinch and want to create a really amazing salad, or just want to mix things up a bit.  Try honey mustard dressing.  Nam nam nam, its amazing.  I learned about how to make this dressing from Sandy, a friend in Australia.  I was hesitant to try it because I don't like mustard.  You don't go to the store to buy it... Make it yourself!  Honey Mustard dressing is so simple and DELICIOUS!  

All you need is:
Honey
Mustard
Olive Oil

To make Honey mustard dressing, you just get a glass or bowl, and add equal parts of honey, olive oil, and mustard.  Mix, then add seasonings and adjust to taste.  The seasonings I added today were salt and a chili lime blend.  But just salt and pepper or paprika also go really well. (As you can see I shop at trader joes :) but you can use which ever brand suits you)

Prepare the salad how ever you like.  I love to put everything I have in the house, but I will always try to put at least 5 things in the salad.  From when I decided to make a salad, to sitting down and eating took me 20 minutes.  And the only reason it took so long is because after I finished making the salad I decided "maybe shrimp would be a good idea".  I pulled out the frozen shrimp and cooked a few pieces.

Today in this salad, I put lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, frozen peas, sunflower seeds, and cooked frozen shrimp (these last three are all good sources of protein).  If I have avocado or guacamole, I will always add avocados! 

Bon Appetit!

​What is the point of worrying?  For some reason I find myself worrying.  What does worrying do for me?  It’s a form of brainstorming/figuring things out, but really the only way to truly figure things out is to actually try it.  Its like research.  I need to truly do my research and then I can make a good decision.  I can’t actually make a good decision right now.  I need to try it out, give it a real shot, then I will know.  And I will just know.  It will be loud and clear if it is a yes or a no.  I have had loud and clear no's.  It did hurt.  But I am ok now.  And in some ways I'm more prepared for the next thing.  A little bit more clear on what I want.  A little more clear on what I was overlooking for myself, for the things that are important to me.  Also part of the reason that it did hurt is that I was overlooking things that are very important to me.  I was trying to force something that wasn’t ready to be, or even right to be.  Is that what I want?  For something to be for me that is actually wrong for me? NO.  I want something that is truly for me, uplifting, inspiring, and natural.  For that to happen I need to be more allowing, forgiving.  I need to invest in my own happiness.  Because there I will find what fits in with my happiness.  When I am forcing something, it is fitting in, sort of, to what is going on at the moment.  And if that’s not where I want to be, then how can I expect it to change into what I want it to change into, especially if I am not even 100% clear on what exactly I want.  I think I know exactly what I want.  But then wasn’t I forcing it to mold into what I thought I wanted? Yes.  How would that ever last???  I was forcing it to be something it wasn’t.  That's too much effort against the grain, that's not what I want.  I want it to be easy.  To be natural.  So then I need to practice loving myself.  So then it's easy for it to be there in the space that is actually available.  And that is how the whole world is.  Everything is a relationship.  I have a relationship with money.  I have a relationship with my jobs, I have a relationship with men.  I have a relationship with one man – at a time.  I have a relationship with each of my family, and with myself.  So then won’t all of these relationships be better if I focus on the one that I have the most control over?  I literally can choose things all day long that make me the happiest.  Everything is a choice.  Normally its between two things, sometimes three.  But I can choose each time the one that would best support my happiness.  And that would position me for the most favorable relationships that I want.  I want more money.  Isn’t it easier to accept more money when I am happy? Yes.  And its easier to feel the joy of more money when I am happy.  It just raises my happiness barometer even higher.  Like having my own apartment.  I am so happy.  And my happiness can continue to grow.  I can eventually be so full I overflow.  And somedays I am that happy that I overflow.  I love it.  And its ok that its not everyday.  I am learning.  Its ok that I fluctuate quite a bit.  Right now things are very exciting.  Its wonderful.  And at the same time I am having a hard time relaxing.  That is how I have always been.  Its ok.  For now it takes me a little time to get used to my dreams being reality.  To trust that my dreams are going to happen.  Its ok.  I have practiced not trusting for a very long time.  Of course it will take practice.  Its ok.  There is nothing wrong with me for that.  I love you Jessica.  I’m still here.  I’m not mad at you for anything.  I’m just ready for when you need me, and when you are relaxed I am pulling strings to bring your dreams into alignment.  Its all ok.  Its all alright.  Things are changing.  Things are not going to be the same.  And that is good.  Your dreams are coming true.  Faster than you know.  Or rather than you can understand.  Try to trust me, try to let go.  Good job today.  The day is now over.  Its ok to stop thinking.  Its ok to say good night to the world.  Just because you stop thinking about it doesn’t mean it stops happening.  There is nothing you can do to keep your dreams away.  The universe truly does know the best, fastest, and most enjoyable way to bring it all to you, some of the things you didn’t even know to ask.  The universe works best when you let go and trust it.  It loves to surprise you and shower you with gifts that it knows you will love.  But its no fun if you keep constantly peeking.  You have children in your future.  Your own children, that you gave birth to.  You have an incredible husband.  Who loves you more than anything he has ever know in his life.  You have wonderful friends, and you are close with your family.  You love your life.  And the best thing you can do tonight is let go.  TRUST. And then tomorrow, do things that make you feel love.  That’s it.  Its simple.  But its not what you are used to, and that is ok, the universe understands this will take some practice for you, and is patient.  And will continue to encourage you.  You have always been given support when you truly needed it, even though you would doubt, because that is what you thought would create a safety net for you.  But things are changing.  Doubt did serve a purpose for you once.  It did help you raise your game, your standards.  And that’s great.  Thank you.  Now its ok to let go, to practice something else.  Letting go doesn’t mean your quality or work ethic will go down, you have mastered that.  That skill isn’t going anywhere.  Now is manifestation time.  It’s a fun time, it’s a powerful time, and its new.  That’s ok.  Its ok that it takes practice.  Just keep trying, just like you always have.  Exactly the way you are is perfect.  There is a very good reason you are the way you are.  Somebody needed you to be this way desperately.  For now there is no need to decide.  When the time is right each decision will be loud and clear, just like they always have been.  Except now you are growing stronger, and the stress of decisions will not be there.  Sort of like its getting easier.

Love you.

I pulled out my drawing book and pastels... and drew my default - a heart portrait.  Big surprise....  BUT what came out was actually a surprise to me.  Its the reflection of a minor success!  

Earlier today I was meditating and ended up removing a lot of chords.  What are chords you might ask?  Chords are an energetic connection that you hold with someone else.  If they are wanted you usually don't notice they are there.  If they are not wanted you will feel something physically there.  And when you look at that area, someone will come to mind.  That is the person that you share an energetic connection or attachment to.  Aka chords.  To me it feels like a lingering ache that you've had for so long you don't really notice it anymore.  
Anyway during my meditation, a lingering pain was in my heart, but nothing was coming up, so I decided to remove some chords (see Teal's video below).  It feels very weird, like you are removing a part of yourself.  But I asked my guides to help me, and the chords took up almost half of my heart.  I couldn't believe it.  I will most likely need to come back to this during another meditation.  But once I was finished I filled myself up with as much emerald green gold and love that I could, then I drank a lot of water.  I opened my eyes and let myself come back.

Speed up six hours later, to right now, and it turns out I drew my true authentic heart!  I couldn't believe what came out when I started drawing.   A feeling of love and relief filled me as I smiled and continued to happily finish my heart.  To me this heart is the color of my energy, I'm a lavender purple.  But I am constantly changing, and so the mixing of the colors shows the dynamic movement that is my nature, while still staying in the purple family.  I know this may sound weird to some of you, but this heart is accurate to who I really am.  I'm so happy that I am lined up with my truth!  This is an emotional and spiritual victory for me, and I wanted to share it!  I hope that my being vulnerable and exposing a pretty "weird" experience gives your encouragement to try this out.

If you are new to meditation I really love guided meditations.  There are tons on youtube.  If you already meditate, I'd like to encourage you to keep going.  I know that sometimes really painful stuff can come up, but I promise there are wonderful unimaginable things on the other side.  Though my journey will never be "finished" my life is changing for the better in ways I could not have imagined, and the same is waiting for you too.  Share your heart portrait below :)

Love, Jessica
​

 Is it frustrating to get your kids or kids you take care of to eat their vegetables?  I know it can be a very big struggle to get kids to eat their vegetables, or even any vegetables at all *^$#@!

I'd like to share a trick that has worked like magic for me over the years.  Its more about timing, and passivity.  When they get home from school or before dinner is served, I'll put an assortment of fruits and vegetable on the table on a plate or two, if dip is applicable I'll set out a few dips for them to choose.  Then I don't say anything.  That is the trick.  No announcement, no saying they have to eat it.  

When they come into the kitchen complaining

Kid - "I'm hungry!" 
You - "Alright (smile), there are some snacks right here, you can have as much as you like"
Kid - "I don't like that stuff!!!"
You - "That's fine (smiling), I guess you're not that hungry"

They may walk off huffy & puffy, but they will come back, and they will clean the plate.  Even the most difficult kids.  Of course, you need to put some things that you think they will like.  I like to put at least 5 different things, maybe 2 different types of fruit, and 3 different types of vegetables.  For example, some cut up apples, oranges, baby carrots, celery, and broccoli, or cucumbers.  Then I'll put out two or three dips, like ranch, peanut butter, or hummus.  I will put it out when they get home from school, then leave it out until dinner or the plate is clean.  Sometimes  I'll add some sliced meat, or cheese too.  It depends on what is in the house. 

Bon Apetit!

Last night something interesting happened to me.  I was able to shift the conversation towards a more positive optimistic direction.  I have been doing a lot of work, in paying attention to my thoughts, beliefs, words I speak, who I surround myself with and for how long.  

​Its an interesting thing to notice when the shifts outside of you start happening.  And its interesting to notice that if you really stay true to your new direction eventually the people around you (which are probably the most important people to you) will start to choose some of those positive optimistic behaviors too.  I was hanging out with my family, and one person in particular will usually steal the stage and then start talking about how the world is so horrible and is going to end.... blah, blah, blah.  While its important to be prepared for worst case scenarios, and to compare good actions to bad actions, drilling fear into everyone around you does nobody any good, including the person that believes what he is talking about.  BUT, somehow I have learned enough, and it was a silent victory for me that I was able to turn the conversation around!!  I have learned to be quiet, usually arguing with people about their strong negative or catastrophic beliefs just digs them and the conversation farther into the ground.  I was quiet, then when they noticed they were going in circles, and became quiet, I acknowledged their point of view - not stating that it was just a point of view, and said things are changing.  We are all changing.  And its not always going to be bad, though it might have to get worse before it gets better.  And then everyone jumped in, and began talking about how good things could be.  

This was a success for me, because usually I get sucked in, and become upset and fearful.  And also angry at 'them' that they don't see they are continuing to attract what they talk about.

What habits, thoughts, words do you say, think or do that you could modify or even drop all together that might just make your life a tiny bit better or easier?  Do you always talk about what you don't want?  Or do you talk about what you do want?  Even in bad situations, phrasing how you want things to turn out will get you a much more favorable outcome.  Especially with children's behavior.  Do you say "should" a lot?  I "should" do this... but I don't want to....  This indicates a feeling of dread.  This is also my recent goal.  I am not saying should.  I am either saying "I want to do this/I get to do this" or I don't do it.  I dare you to try it :)  A lot of weight has been lifted, just from one tiny word.  

There are hundreds of "hacks" that we could do to improve our lives.  Are you game to try any of these out?  I'd love to hear what tweaks in thought/belief/language you are doing.  Share below or send me an e-mail of any different ideas, or what is working for you.

Sending Love <3