Vital Living Wellness

According to ancient wisdom, when we sleep is just as important (if not more) as how much we sleep. 

Starting at 9/10pm until 5/6am, our body goes through a process where it heals and repairs our cells, tissues, & organs...think of it as a deep & thorough cleaning, getting rid of what the body doesn't need and carefully storing what the body does need. When we honor these sleep times, we feel refreshed, energetic, and make healthy choices throughout our day.

BUT, this only happens effectively when we sleep during those hours. If we stay awake well into the night, most of our energy is going toward staying awake and NOT toward the restoration process. This usually results in poor digestion, fatigue, mood swings, hormone imbalances, and the constant need for stimulants. 

Yes, I know some of you work graveyard hours, so here are some suggestions:

~Try to alternate your shifts so you're not working graveyard every night

~Get plenty of time outside when the sun is out

~Exercise every day

~Eat clean, cooked foods

~Consider taking an adaptogen (herb for stress) daily

Oh, I need to mention, if you are looking to build your resilience during the holiday season, this is one of the most important things you can do!

Find this useful? Share with a friend!

According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, the hours between 2pm and 6pm are considered the Vata time of day.
It's a time when our "creative light" goes on. We are better at doing things that require more of an "open mind". Duties that are more easeful for the mind.

For example, I like to use those hours of 2pm to 6pm to work on my marketing, website design, and creating my social media posts. I have better ideas during that time.

However, it's a light energy so we typically don't have a lot of stamina during those hours....hence the desire for caffeine and sugar (right?!) Instead, choose a walk in the fresh air or even a breathing practice like Alternate Nostril to help keep you alert.

Have you noticed this to be true for you?

We are moving into week 2 in our Vital Lifestyle program. I've decided to keep registration open for a few more days as our classes are all recorded so it's ok if you have to miss the live ones.
So, if you've been looking to establish a self-love practice, one that is rooted in timeless wisdom, check out my 6 week program, Vital Lifestyle! Sign up link in bio.

These are some of the goodies we are using in our 6 week Vital Lifestyle program! During the 6 weeks I will be sharing how to live in rhythm....daily, through the practice of Dinacharya.
If you are
~constantly tired
~always anxious, tense, or scattered
~low immunity
~can't sleep at night
~poor digestion
This program is for you!
We start this Sunday, October 16th AND you can still sign up. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have

Do you find yourself with low immunity in Winter? Extra stressed during the holidays? Winter digestion problems?

If you answered Yes, here's a gentle reminder to turn up your self-care Now!

According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, we prepare in advance...the season prior....so we are not playing "catch up" when our body is already worn out.

Fall is the perfect time to:
~Have a daily routine
~Go to bed earlier
~Eat warm, nourishing foods (biggest meal at lunch)
~Self massage with oil
~Slow down

Want to know more?
I will be teaching the Ayurveda, daily self-care practice called Dinacharya in my upcoming Vital Lifestyle program.

There's still time to join! See link in bio

BOGO deal this weekend only....purchase one of our Vital Living Wellness lip balms of your choice and get a 2nd FREE!
All lip balms are made with organic shea butter& cocoa butter....some lightly scented with essential oils some without.
I keep one in my purse, one at my bedside, and one in the kitchen, the 3 places I spend most of my time😆

No code needed!

Is the heat getting to you?
Cool down immediately with Sh*tali Pranayama aka Cooling Breath.

HOW TO:
~Sit comfortably (out of the sun)

~Close your eyes.

~Make a straw like shape with your tongue and stick it partly out of our lips (see picture)

~Inhale through your tongue. Feel the coolness of the air on your tongue.

~To exhale, gently press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth and exhale through your nose. Your cool tongue pressing on the roof of your mouth will immediately cool your head which will begin to cool the rest of your body.

NOTE: 

This breathing practice can sometimes make your mouth dry, so have a few little sips of water before and after. 

If you can not make the straw like shape with your tongue, simply inhale through your lips like you're sipping tea. To exhale, press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth as you exhale through your nose.

Let each breath in and out to be easeful and free of strain. This will allow for your head and body to cool faster.

Let me know how it works for you! For more self-care tips checkout 

I used to have to scratch & claw to make time for self-care. Eventually, I realized that it's not a to-do list....I don't meditate, practice Yoga, massage myself just to get done with it. I do these things because I love to, it's part of my life and will continue to be.
For me, Self-care will never be "done".
Maybe we should start calling our self-care, love to-do's! What do you think?
Is your self-care in the "to do" OR "love to do" phase?

Before studying Yoga, I never knew I could cool myself down by breathing... Sh*tali Pranayama aka Cooling Breath. Interested in learning this practice? Follow & send us a DM for a free instructional video

Do you tend to run hot? A bath can help cool you down! Really! Your internal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees F. This means if you take a bath in, say, 85 or 90 degrees F, you will be cooling your core body temperature. Ingredients like coconut & sandalwood not only cool you down but invoke a sense of peace & tranquility! Take advantage of FREE shipping by using code: summerbath

The heat of Summer can really take a toll on our energy. These are a few recommendations for flowing through the day with ease.

As it starts to heat up this Summer, it's important we pace ourselves. In the hot months we're usually on the go go go but pace yourself. It's very easy to get irritated & burnt out. Instead, take it easy! Summer should really be a time for us to slow down, vacation, relax, & unwind. Cultivating an attitude of ease will help you keep a cool head & balanced energy during the Summer!

I often see self-love & self-care being described as getting spa treatments, manicures & pedicures, other actions that
require quite a bit of money. While those things can be included, let's face it, they are a luxury. I have found that the most profound self-love practices fill me from the inside out. Here are some of
my recommendations.
Yvette






 
 


Essential Oils for Relaxation - The scent of Sandalwood offers you the opportunity to calm down & remember that everything will be ok.
How to use: For an instant shift simply smell the oil from the bottle. For a continuous relaxed vibe, add a drop to your essential oil diffuser.

   

Skincare tip: Don't forget to protect your lips from the sun & wind.
The protective layer on our lips is just a fraction of what the rest of our skin has and needs a little bit more of our attention.

Nourish them with our super moisturizing lip balm! Keep one in your purse & one at your bedside for moments your lips need some TLC.
~Scented with essential oils or Unscented.
❤Make great gifts, favors, & traveling essentials!

                 

Are you sensitive to weather extremes? Especially right now, (depending on where you live) you may notice the following extremes:
windy, dry, hot. Yes, there are parts of the world that are cold & rainy but today I'm going to focus more on late Spring/Summer weather conditions.

For those of us who are easily aggravated from these conditions, here are some things you can do to shield yourself.

Excessively Windy Weather -
~If you're going outside, cover your head & ears with a scarf or a hat.
~Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from dust or pollen......
~If you are staying inside, consider closing your curtains so that you don't see everything outside blowing around.
These little acts can help protect you from becoming overwhelmed, nervous, or anxious.

Excessively Dry Weather -
~Choose hydrating drinks like coconut water or mango juice instead of caffeinated drinks.
~Add oil on your skin after you shower while your skin is still wet and follow up with lotion. The oil will draw the water in and help moisten your skin and the lotion will act as an occlusive to hold that in your skin rather than it just rubbing off when you put on your clothes.
~Oil your nose....Add a drop of oil on your pinkie fingers and rub it inside your nostrils. Our mucous membranes can crack when really dry and can exacerbate allergies and colds.

Excessively Hot Weather
~Be near water! Take calming walks near water, swim, or even sit and listen to a waterfall sound and drink plenty of water!
~Workout in the AM before it starts getting hot OR opt for a gentle (non-strenuous) type of movement.
~(My favorite) As best as you can, avoid getting trapped in a heated discussion or anything that makes you feel angry. This only builds heat & inflammation in the body and more times than not, does nothing to change the situation.

                 

Just in case you need this perspective today or want to share it with a friend..........

~Take Responsibility - Too often we blame others for the way we feel. This is actually very disempowering. Remember, this is your life.....good or bad, own it. You've got this!

~Be Loving w/Yourself - Use loving, kind, uplifting, words to describe yourself. Feed yourself food that you'd feed a special guest. Look at yourself as you would someone you admire....that person is you!

~Prioritize What's Important - Do you tell yourself you don't have time for self-care? What you are really telling yourself is, ""I'm not a priority"". You are important, you are a priority!

~Your Energy is Limited Today, Use it Wisely - We do not have an endless supply of energy, so make sure what you put your energy toward, fills you in return."

 

In this anxiety ridden world, it has become imperative for us to find moments to connect with our inner peace. Burning my Vetiver root bundle gives me that opportunity. Vetiver is most known for its grounding & tranquilizing properties. Its aroma is soft, semi sweet, woody, & slightly damp.

Burn to clear the energetic space of a new home, before your Yoga practice, during a spiritual ceremony, or to clear your mind of excess thinking & worry.

Tip: If you want to avoid the smoke, simply splash a little water on the Vetiver bundle, it will naturally emit its beautifully calming aroma!
❤Sustainably grown in Hawaii, The Big Island❤

                   

The very first time I smelled Vetiver essential oil, I was in love! I immediately felt a sense of calm flow through me.

Vetiver is actually a bunchgrass with various usages & benefits. The oil comes from distillation, solvent extraction, or carbon dioxide extraction. What you get is a soft, woody, semi-sweet, damp, fragrant oil. It is known as the Oil of Tranquility and rightfully so! The majority of the natural chemical components in Vetiver EO are called Terpenes which have been studied for their efficacy with mood & focus disorders. It's been shown that terpenes can help increase the oxygen flow to the brain.

If that's not enough to convince you, Vetiver EO has become a key ingredient in skincare. Naturally, Vetiver has a high water holding capacity. One thing that all skin needs in order to have that beautiful glow... water! As we age, our skin looses its ability to retain moisture. We might notice wrinkles, dryness, & an overall lackluster look. Don't be surprised if your face or body oil contains Vetiver EO!

My favorite way to experience the benefits of Vetiver?
#1 I love burning my Vetiver root bundle. It invokes grounding & a deep inner connection with Self.
#2 I add a few drops of Vetiver EO on a square of toilet paper and put it inside my pillowcase. I sleep more sound & undisturbed.
#3 Vetiver is added to my body/massage oil to help maintain moisture in my skin, especially during the dry, Summer & Fall months.

Have you ever used Vetiver EO? If so, how did you use it and what did you experience?

                   

Our family celebrated all weekend as my oldest son graduated from college. We all had such a wonderful 3 days of festivities! However, I could feel my mind and body needing to take it easy coming into the new week.
I'm immediately reminded how important it is to nourish oneself after a lot of activity & stimulation. So, this week I am going a little slower, drinking more water, staying away from sugar, caffeine, or anything else that's stimulating to my nervous system. I'm also taking my Yoga practice to the ground. My recommended Yoga posture for this type of self-care is…

Supported Shavasana - This posture immediately calms, soothes, & relaxes my body and mind.
Directions: Have a chair (or your couch) and lay down on your back with your legs up on your chair. (Note that I'm not talking about legs up the wall. That gives a different result.) With the body in this mostly horizontal position, deep rest & recovery is achieved.

I'm excited to see some new faces around here so I wanted to reintroduce myself!

Hey! My name is Yvette Racines McLaughlin. The kind of information I share around here revolves around self-love (aka self-care) for moms between the ages of 35 & 50. I am a mother of three kids, ages 23, 21, & 9.
I am a Yoga therapy teacher, self-care educator, & formulator/founder of Vital Living Wellness products. My passion is to inspire women to prioritize their self-love
Here are some things you may not know about me:

*I am obsessed with the smell of fresh cut grass
*I dance for exercise
*My favorite kind of music is R&B & Hip-Hop
*I don't talk to anyone in the AM until I've brushed my teeth (not even on the phone)
*I'm an aspiring perfumer
*I love feeling & looking good and I love sharing how I do it
*My personal sovereignty should not be dictated by anyone but me.
*Savory or Sweet? I pick Savory!

If you are a mom between the ages of 35 & 50 and are ready to prioritize your self-love, please connect with me. I'd love to hear from you❤

You might think that putting salt on the skin might dry it out BUT Dead Sea Salt (DSS) actually helps to moisturize skin! DSS, in particular, has high levels of magnesium. It just so happens that magnesium helps bring in and hold the water molecule inside cells.
You see, most regular faucet water has high levels of chemicals that make the water "ok" for drinking, bathing, & cooking. These chemicals are drying and strip your skin of its moisture. Have you ever noticed that you smell like bleach or chlorine after a shower & must apply loads of lotion to hydrate your skin?
DSS is considered a hydrator. In fact, travelers flock to the Dead Sea to help heal skin conditions like eczema & psoriasis. Even rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions are soothed by DSS.

TIP: Next time you bathe, add 1 - 4 cups of DSS to your bath water, a few drops of your favorite bath oil, and soak! No lotion required after this hydrating bath!

                         

GOOD BYE dry, ashy looking legs. Say HELLO soft, sexy looking legs...with our Rose Geranium & Lavender Salt Scrub! Let the Dead Sea Salt exfoliate stubborn dead skin cells & bring in hydration while the luscious oils of Avocado & Apricot Kernel nourish your fresh, new skin. Comes with a muslin carrying bag + bamboo scooper. Get yours now!

                         

Want NATURAL for your skin? This oil based face cleanser is filled with youth restoring, botanical ingredients! Clear & Calm was formulated for those who want to clean their face without the use of aggravating ingredients. This cleansing oil blend gently cleanses, softens, and restores a beautiful glow!

                           

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Sure, flowers & candy are nice but why not give her something she can use to truly enhance her self-love practice? Don't worry, we have gift sets all ready set up or you can pick out a la carte items to create the perfect Mother's Day gift!

               

When I created this Self-Love kit I thought about what I would want to have in my self-love arsenal.
*Something creamy to rub on my body (Shea butter)
*Must smell amazing (Rose perfume)
*Romance paraphernalia (Candles)
How do I use it?
After my evening bath/shower, I light my candle and sit down to give myself a hand, breast, & foot massage using Empress. And as you know, I love smelling good, even when I'm going to bed, so I put Sacred Temple Rose Perfume on my wrists & heart area. I fall asleep feeling loved & nourished! Rose scent, not for your fav? That's ok, the Self-Love kit can be a perfect Mother's Day gift for the mama in your life!

As promised, here are a few, but highly effective ways you can lift your spirits and soothe your heart naturally🤍

If this is relevant for someone you know please feel free to share.

So you wanna open your heart? Why it may not be so easy.  A few years back, in one of my Yoga classes, a student asked if we could do some "heart openers". She explained that she was feeling really locked up around her heart/chest area.  Two things immediately came to my mind, "safety & spine readiness. Let me explain.....if we understand Yoga, we know that we are multi-layered. Often when we are noticing concerns in the physical body, there will be a deeper issue in one of our subtler layers. In this case, one may retreat from the heart space when there are concerns with safety, security, fear in life. The physical manifestation of this may be a tight, compressed, or rigid lower spine. If we force the "heart to open" by doing "heart openers" in this condition, we may experience strain or injury. See, the body knows how to protect itself, and when our foundation is threatened, we can't properly open up. When I explained this to my student, she immediately recognized a fearful situation she had been experiencing and having difficulty with and thanked me for bringing this to her awareness.  So, before you jump into backbends, check in with your deeper layers and prepare your spine from the bottom, up. Interested in learning how? Check out my spinal release Yoga classes at follow.thecenterforvitalliving.com