Living Well Essentially - Helping Women With Hashimoto's Find Hope

When life starts to spiral and feel overwhelming…what do you do to decompress?

I tap into my creative side. Start working with my hands to give my mind a break…

No furniture is safe when I start mixing paints and pull out the rollers and brushes 🤣

Tell me you work from home without telling me you work from home….

What my clients see vs what my family sees 🤣

I’m reading the Purpose Driven Life right now and today’s reading was all about the ways in which we worship God.

And it’s not what you are thinking. Yes, it does include things like prayer, attending church, being a good person, helping others, tithing etc.

But did you know that a big form of worship is using the talents God gave you? God uniquely designed each of us. We all have talents, skills, and love languages that he made innately ours to share with others. And when we don’t use those gifts He is saddened by this.

Wow.

Just wow!

It got me thinking how often I have played small or held back because of something someone said or the way someone reacted to what I know are my God given talents or purpose that God put on my heart to fulfill.

One of my God given talents/love language is having a servant heart. It’s why I’m passionate about mentoring women through the complexities of their autoimmune diagnosis.

I’m curious, what is one of your God given talents? Is it something you are doing everyday through your work or volunteer opportunities?

What is a symptom that you struggle with because of your autoimmune diagnosis/Hashimoto’s that your provider has said…

“Hmmm…that’s strange, never heard of that before….” 🧐

“Healing is not a destination…” - Lysa Terkeurst

This resonated with me on so many levels. Over the last few years, I’ve been on a healing journey that has taken many twists and turns.

What began as mere determination to replace medication with natural remedies and nutrition to treat my Hashimoto’s has taken me on a journey of growth and healing that I never imagined I’d be on.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way…

🦋Healing is a daily choice
🦋Growth and healing are a packaged deal
🦋Growth and healing will look different in different seasons
🦋Healing is not a one size fits all
🦋True healing only comes about when we make the choice to break free from the things that harm us so that we have the space to evolve into the healthiest version of ourselves.

If you are a feeling stuck in your diagnosis, then you won’t want to miss the upcoming FREE event:

3 Simple Shifts Training
February 27th - 29th @ 9:30am CST

In this event you will learn the three shifts you can make right now to reverse symptoms and put your Hashimoto’s in remission so that you can get back to doing the things you love!❤️

To access this FREE event go to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/lwehashimotos

I just want to say thank you and I love you all for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support I have received since Sunday’s post. This has been such a hard season (to put it mildly). It’s been a season of hurt, healing, and tremendous growth.

I’m not done growing yet, I’m not done learning, and I know God is still writing the story. You’ll want to stay tuned because I’m sure it’s going to be a great one! 😉

And to all the women who have privately reached out, with their own stories…

I want you to remember one thing…

You are NOT attached to the outcome! The outcome doesn’t define who you are! Your heart, who you are at your core, is your authentic self. Give yourself the grace to feel every emotion. Allow yourself to sit in the emotion, to sit still and ask God to lead you one step at a time. God is not done with us yet!

Friday was an incredibly hard day. I totally had to rely on God’s unwavering willingness to carry me through.

Friday I signed my divorce papers.

It was the moment I’ve dreaded for the last 8 months. It’s a moment that I prayed wouldn’t happen.

I’ve prayed for reconciliation and resurrection of a marriage that was dead. I prayed for and covered my husband in prayer during our 8 months apart. I’ve had very little contact with my husband during our separation, but the few times I did, I was vulnerable and swallowed my pride and asked for reconciliation. For a chance to date again, a chance for us to wipe the slate clean and start over. I believe, with every fiber of my being in the covenant of marriage. I believe in healing. I believe that on the other side of “for worse” is “for better”.

But those were not the prayers that were answered. Instead God answered prayers of “I trust in you Lord, let your will be done.”

I cried like a baby in front of his attorney as I signed those papers. I bawled in the car after it was all said and done, questioning how and why was this the Lord’s will. I drove home with trembling legs and a heart that was shattering all over again. Jesus literally took the wheel on that drive.

I still don’t know. I still don’t have the answers I’m seeking. And there are moments that the grief and sadness hit like a freight train and I’m reduced to uncontrollable sobbing. And then the next minute hope and peace wash over me.

But faith is like that. Faith is choosing to believe in what we can’t see. Faith is trusting that God’s plan is bigger and better than our own. Faith is saying “I trust you Lord.” Faith is accepting that maybe this time around it’s not about “getting over it” but it’s more about the lessons and journey of getting through it.

There will forever be a place and empty spot in my heart for the man I was blessed to call my husband. And I know that in my heart I will always love him. There is no anger or resentment. Just a sadness that cuts to my core. A sadness like I’ve never felt before. I feel it throughout my entire body. But at the same time, in the midst of the deepest hurt I’ve probably have ever felt, I have hope.

And that hope can only be of God. My story isn’t over. It’s just the next chapter after the plot twist.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
-Romans 5:5

How’s your Friday going?

I accidentally hit leave group in my OWN private Facebook group and now I’m waiting for my own approval to get back in MY group! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Y’all…I can’t even make this stuff up!

Pic is of me trying to make a video a few days ago and I kept getting tongue tied 😂

IT'S FEBRUARY Y'ALL! THE MONTH OF LOVE. LET'S START THIS MONTH OFF WITH LOVING OURSELVES!

Self-care is not the act of being selfish. (Read that again!)

It's okay to give yourself permission to tend to your needs first before tending to those around you. The older I get, the more I have come to view self-care as a selfless act. It's an act of love towards myself so that I have a cup that is overflowing to give from.

For years, I allowed myself to feel guilty for taking the time to invest in me. I actually began to believe that I was being selfish for making self-care a priority. But after feelings of frustration and hurt began to build inside of me, I realized that engaging in daily self-care practices is important not only for my mindset and wellbeing but plays a crucial part in the healing of my Hashimoto's.

If you are struggling with feelings of guilt surrounding self-care, then I invite you to read my blog on the simple shifts you can do to start making self-care a priority in your life.

https://livingwellessentially.net/blog/f/self-care-is-not-selfish

When something feels impossible but you know that it is possible, you need to ask yourself,

“What can I do beyond what I’m already doing?”

I know when you are in a place where you may be feeling your worse or your health feels like it has hit rock bottom, you hate that advice.

To make possible what is impossible starts with the word “choose.”

Finish this sentence….

“I can choose to…..”

Let them judge you for wanting a better quality of life!

🤚🏻Don’t apologize for wanting more for yourself!
🤚🏻Don’t apologize for your ambitions for a good life!
🤚🏻Never apologize for your dreams!

You don’t need other people’s permission to make progress. You don’t need other people’s permission or their understanding of you to take good actions for yourself today!

You don’t need other people’s approval for why you want to

👉🏻Get healthy
👉🏻Pursue a goal
👉🏻Work your purpose
👉🏻Chase your passion

So if you are seeing this post, then it’s your reminder to take good actions for yourself today. This is your opportunity to take back a level of control, health, and joy in your own life, on your own terms.

Thank you for the reminder!

“I am so much stronger than I ever dreamed possible. And when I’m not, God still is….A hard season doesn’t mean that everyday has to be hard.”

-Lysa Terkeurst “You’re Going to Make It”

For all the mommas out there, who are feeling guilty about not making it to church today with kids smiling, happy, and in matching Easter clothes. Just know that God Will Meet You Where You Are and He is here for you even in the most mundane of tasks, waiting and listening, and ready to answer your prayers.

God Will Meet You Where You Are... This is for all the mommas who are feeling guilty because you didn't make it to church on Easter Sunday with your kids dressed in matching, cute outfits….

I am so excited to announce that the...

7 - Day Reset Program

Will become one of my signature coaching programs offered. I am in the process of finalizing all the details, tools, and resources. So be sure to check back often so you don't miss its projected launch on April 15th!

Does your Hashimoto's have you...

Feeling exhausted during the day?
Gaining unwanted weight?
Dealing with uncomfortable bloating?
Experiencing stiff and achy joints?
Forgetting what you are doing from one minute to the next?

If you've answered "Yes!" then you'll want to take advantage of this 7 - Day Program!

By the end of the 7 - Days you will:

Know what foods are healthy and healing for your body
Have more energy
Start to lose unwanted weight
Have less bloating
Experience more focus and clarity
Be able to get back to doing the things you love!

The program will include a customizable meal plan, easy and delicious recipes, supplements for microbiome health, trackers, printable workbook, and so much more!

It's time to stop being stuck in your diagnosis and get back to living the life you love!

Anyone else on the struggle bus in the mornings since the time change?

Don’t get me wrong…I love that it stays light out later in the evening.

But dang…the mornings are a struggle! It’s like my internal clock is having a harder time adjusting the older I get.

What are some of the things you guys are doing to adjust and get moving? This momma needs help 😂

How do you reset when you find yourself in a rut?

For me, I have to take it outside. If I am finding myself stuck because my mind is anxious or in overdrive and I can't seem to get a clear direction....

I take it outside.

I go work in my garden beds, I clear away brush, or I build and paint something. I take to a physical activity so that I can release that pent up, negative energy. And as the negative energy begins to release, the thoughts stop swirling in my head and become more concise.

And even though it looks like I am concentrating deeply on what I am doing, I am mostly praying and thinking. The physical activity brings about peace and discernment and before long my creative juices are flowing, and I have the answer or direction I am looking for.

Tell me, what do you do to get out of a rut or shake off "the funk?"

Why is stepping out of your comfort zone so hard?

Why do we care so much about what people think?

I have a passion for wanting to help others and I know God’s purpose for me…but it’s going to require me to step out and do it scared.

Not everyone is going to approve, and that’s OK!

I’m not helping anyone by playing small and staying in my comfort zone.

It’s time to be the woman God created and called me to be!

I’m curious ladies…

The one thing that this health journey has forced me to do, is to really learn how to read labels.

I've made it my mission to eat foods without labels and made it my mission to learn how to cook the foods I love with the purest ingredients.

So often, I've found that pre-cooked or packaged foods usually contain an ingredient or two that I don't want.

For instance, cane sugar which is found in many breakfast sausages. And these companies try to make it "healthy" by using "organic" cane sugar.

Nope! I don't want these sugars in my food...organic or not.

I found this breakfast sausage recipe and I've made it 2 or 3 times and absolutely love it, so I wanted to share it with you.

Turkey Breakfast Sausage

Ingredients:
1 lb. raw, lean antibiotic free/range free turkey ground meat
2 tablespoons of 100% Organic Maple Syrup
1 tsp of sea salt
1 tsp of fresh, chopped sage
1/4 tsp of ground black pepper
6-8 dried juniper berries mashed or 1/2 tsp of ground juniper berries
1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil

Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, maple syrup, sage, salt and pepper, and nutmeg.

Form two-inch meatballs and use a hamburger/slider press to press into patties.
Heat oil in large skillet on medium high heat.

Once heated add patties and cook for 2-3 minutes then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add a thin layer of water to the skillet and cook until water reduces.

Flip patties one or two times to avoid sticking. Add more water and cook until water reduces again. Turkey patties are done when middles are no longer pink. Cooking time will depend on how thick you make your patties.

I also like to add a little more maple syrup to that last round of water added so that each sausage has a light coating that turns into a glaze once the water is reduced.

I was part of a Beauty and Wellness Expo this weekend…

I had much trepidation about being a part of this event. Of course, it sounded like a great idea when I signed up for it months ago. But as I got closer to the event, I found myself dreading it.

I didn’t dread it because I don’t believe in the purpose of these events. I actually think they are a great way for the community to meet and get to know the various resources that are out there when it comes to health and wellness.

No, my dread and apprehension came from that place of “what do I have to offer?” And how do I showcase my services? Do I measure up to the other vendors there? I don’t have a tangible or physical product to sell…so what am I going to display?

I paused and prayed as the doubt crept in. I asked the Lord to put on my heart the words to say that would resonate with the women I would talk to. I knew I only had about 15-30 seconds to capture their attention as they walked by.

What is it that I “sell?” Obviously, I offer coaching services. But who cares, so does a lot of wellness entrepreneurs…

But what I sell comes down to these words; it was the words I found myself speaking over and over. It was the words God put on my heart to share.

•Hope
•Overcome
•Healing
•Forgiveness
•Empowerment

You see, most of the time when I connect with a woman, she is coming to me broken and beaten down by her diagnosis. She feels hopeless that this is the life sentence she’s been given. As medical science continues to fail her, she feels like she will never overcome this. She just wants to heal so she can be her former self. She’s seeking the forgiveness of family and friends for not being present. And above all she wants to feel a sense of empowerment, that maybe somewhere inside is a woman who is bigger than this diagnosis.

Standing there, talking with these women, I had to find a way to convey all that.

So, I simply would say, “I give women the hope of healing as we overcome this diagnosis together with simple changes in nutrition and fitness. And I also help women to change their mindset. I allow them to be present in the grief they are feeling about losing who they were before. And then I help them to learn to forgive themselves and their body. I help them see that the woman who awaits them on the other side of this diagnosis is confident, strong, beautiful, and healthy. And that woman feels empowered.

If this resonates with you…let’s chat. It’s time for you to be empowered.

I was part of a Beauty and Wellness Expo this weekend…
​
​I had much trepidation about being a part of this event. Of course it sounded like a great idea when I signed up for it months ago. But as I got closer to the event I found myself dreading it.
​
​I didn’t dread it because I don’t believe in the purpose of these events. I actually think they are a great way for the community to meet and get to know the various resources that are out there when it comes to health and wellness.
​
​No, my dread and apprehension came from that place of “what do I have to offer?” And how do I showcase my services? Do I measure up to the other vendors there? I don’t have a tangible or physical product to sell…so what am I going to display?
​
​
​So what is it that I “sell?” Obviously I offer coaching services. But who cares, so does a lot of wellness entrepreneurs…
​
​But what I sell comes down to these words; it was the words I found myself speaking over and over. It was the words God put on my heart to share.
​
​•Hope
​•Overcome
​•Healing
​•Forgiveness
​•Empowerment
​
​You see, most of the time when I connect with a woman, she is coming to me broken and beaten down by her diagnosis. She feels hopeless that this is the life sentence she’s been given. As medical science continues to fail her, she feels like she will never overcome this. She just wants to heal so she can be her former self. She’s seeking the forgiveness of family and friends for not being present. And above all she wants to feel a sense of empowerment, that maybe somewhere inside is a woman who is bigger than this diagnosis.
​
​So I simply would say, “I give women the hope of healing as we overcome this diagnosis together with simple changes in nutrition and fitness. I help women to change their mindset. I allow them to be present in the grief they are feeling about losing who they were before. I help them to learn to forgive themselves and their body. I help them see that the woman who awaits them on the other side of this diagnosis is confident, strong, beautiful, and healthy. And that woman feels empowered.
​
​If this resonates with you…let’s chat. It’s time for you to be empowered.