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lifestyle

The last Time

March 6, 2021      Leave a Comment

“Cause you never think that the last time- is the last time. You think there will be more. You think you have forever, but you don’t.”

This quote stopped me immediately and I re-read it multiple times. Flashes of the “last’s” swirling through my brain like a movie reel.

The last time I spoke to a loved one, the last time I picked up my youngest daughter, the last time I was normal- instead of living with chronic illness, depression, and anxiety.


As a teenager, I was introduced to death. In 2005 my cousin was killed in a freak accident at 25, in 2007 I lost my aunt, and both of my grandparents.

2007/2008 was my senior year in high school, one morning I walked out of our house and due to straight line winds it was destroyed. When I returned home, there was nothing left. I think God was making me stronger for the tragedy that would come next.

It was July, hot as hell in Tennessee. We were visiting my brother, his wife and my niece before he deployed to Afghanistan again. This was the last time I seen my brother alive. He was KIA on August 15th, 2009- 15 days before his daughter’s first birthday.

Sgt. Jonathon Travis Rape 04/09/84-08/15/09

In 2019 I found out after sudden and progressive symptoms- that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had a 4.6 aneurysm, on July 15th I was headed for Open Heart Surgery. My life was saved and I fully believe it was a miracle, but this was also the year that changed everything for me physically.

Two weeks before my surgery I was cleared to travel with my family to Gulf Shores for vacation. On this trip was the last time I picked up my youngest daughter- I should have soaked it all in. I thought life would return to normal after my surgery but that’s not how my story would play out.

Following my surgery, I have been diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and fibromyalgia. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had a day where I wasn’t in any pain. And I can’t remember the last time I felt truly like myself.

Picture of me and my youngest daughter.

I write this, not for pity. I write this to remind myself of the struggles I’ve endured, the strength I didn’t know I had, and to remember that any moment could be the last.

Hello March

March 1, 2021      Leave a Comment

Hello March, I humbly ask you take it easy on us. Kids have been out of school again, and they are always hungry. Do these kids ask their teachers for snacks all day? Oh and at the end of the month we’re going to have an 11 year old. This poor kid has missed out on birthday celebrations for the past TWO years with our families like usual. Did I mention she’s turning 11? The pre-teen attitude has already started, I’m thankful to have an oil for that though.

With a new month it means new doTERRA promos and I get to choose my book of the month. Little things like this make me happy, as you can tell.

Promos

doTERRA really likes loving on its loyal customers, and each month you get a free oil. This months POM is Cedarwood. We also get a discounted item every month too, for everyone. And that’s on top of the 25% off you get for having a membership. This month Lemongrass is 15% off.

Having a wholesale membership with dōTERRA is like having one at Sam’s club or Costco, as a member of both I can tell you my dōTERRA membership is WAY cheaper and you get more perks.

– Product of the month is FREE with any loyalty rewards order of 125pv by the 15th of each month.

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/education/pe/cedarwood-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/cedarwood-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/education/pe/lemongrass-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/lemongrass-oil

New Diffuser Kits

Get the Laluz Diffuser with Wild Orange and Peppermint, all in one kit. Your home will smell fresh and clean all day long with some of mother nature’s best perfume. Plus an energy boost, that I most certainly appreciate.

Get the Dawn Aroma Humidifier with two of dōTERRA’s most popular blends of Breathe and On Guard at an unbeatable price.

Ready to get your oils? Try out my new chat feature so we can discuss your health goals and customize your perfect kit.

Oil Spotlight: Ylang Ylang

February 18, 2021      Leave a Comment

Ylang Ylang essential oil has a permanent spot on my nightstand, inhaling this oil lessens tension and stress plus promotes positive feelings. However, that’s not the reason it stays on my nightstand- weather your having fun alone or with a partner it adds a little warmth to spice things up.

Interested in learning a bit more about using essential oils in the bedroom? I have a post for that 😉.

Want to deep dive in all the Ylang Ylang Information? Check out these links with history, uses, tips, testing and research:

  • https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-ylang-ylang-oil
  • https://www.doterra.com/US/en/ylang-ylang-oil
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4534619/

Want to get Ylang Ylang for your night stand? You can purchase it here for retail price, or with a yearly membership (Like Sam’s Club or Costco) you can get it for 25% off!

If want you want to learn more about doterra check out this post:

  • https://thebellwetherlife.com/2020/04/11/tell-me-about-doterra/

Valentine’s Day: Essential Oils To Set The Mood

February 14, 2021      2 Comments

I’m going to get honest first thing, I don’t do Valentine’s day. My kids of course get to buy/make Valentine’s- before the chronic illness came crashing in I would have sewn the girls matching outfits.

If your new here, Im Amy, and used to be one of those Pinterest/crafty moms before health issues changed the game. I’ve been trying to find myself again, I’ve climbed many metaphorical mountains, been low in the hollers but, love always conquers.

Life this past year has been something none of us were prepared for, but this slower pace has been a breath of fresh air. I’ve also been healing from open-heart surgery, looking death in the face has made me LOVE simple mornings on the porch, hot coffee, sunsets, time spent with my family, meaningful moments that I once would have overlooked.


Before we get into all the fun and slightly embarrassing topics of intimacy, I wanted to make sure that we’re taking care of us too- we can’t pour from and an empty cup. Weather you and your partner are celebrating V-day together or if your single and rocking it, some self-love is needed, and so important for our physical and mental health.

Have you ever walked by someone or something and the smell instantly transported you back to grandmas house, or some other memory? Smells especially in high-grade essential oils can help us relax, and set the mood for intimacy. Scientists have discovered that we even subconsciously use smells to pick a partner.

Each of the oils below have aphrodisiac properties and can be used in your diffuser, applied to the body in a sensual massage and even as personal lubricants.

Here’s a few love potions you can mix up to have on hand, whenever the mood strikes. Simple & Sweet was my first introduction into using oils during sexy time. I keep a bottle of Ylang Ylang on my night stand, a few drops goes along ways. Try it. I promise you’ll be thanking me later.

Essential Oils are so amazing to me, not only can these particular oils help your sex life, but they also have so many more health benefits. For example, Ylang Ylang applied to the ankles can help with hot flashes, Clary sage assists the body with menstrual-related symptoms plus so much more.

Click here to here to buy your Set the Mood Starter Kit.

The Starter Kit includes your membership fee (like Sam’s Club or Costco) which gets your 25% off all products plus tons of perks, 10ml bottle of Ylang Ylang, 10ml bottle of Clary Sage, and a 15ml roller bottle of Clary Calm.

Want more oils or a different starter kit? Contact me on here or any of my social platforms and I’d be more than happy to discuss your health goals.

Be Mine For Longer: Women’s Heart Health

February 8, 2021      Leave a Comment

February is the month of love. Women and moms everywhere give so much love to others that we often forget to love on ourselves. Taking a shower and running errands alone, while great, isn’t self care. 

When we think of Women’s health most of us assume that we’ve got it covered, because we have our yearly paps, breast exams/mammograms, and take a multi-vitamin. Most of us are so consumed with everyday life that we fail to stop and listen to our bodies, if we did stop, there’s so much we can learn.

2 years ago I noticed my body changing, I went to my doctors and at first they all said the same things. It’s normal for a mom to be tired, depression can cause these symptoms you’re having. I was prescribed anti-depression medicines and sent on my way, however as my symptoms progressed I had to learn how to be my own advocate and take control over my health.

My surgeon told me that I was very in-tune with my body, listening to my instincts and not giving up when doctors dismissed me had saved my life. At 29 years old I discovered I had a bicuspid aortic valve and a 4.9cm aneurysm, I was in complete heart failure. – Check out my Open Heart Surgery Post if you want a more detailed story – 

Cardiovascular Diseases continue to be a deadly threat for women, The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women is a platform to bring awareness to Womens heart health.  As a heart patient myself I am passionate about bringing not only awareness to Womens heart health but, also showing how we can incorporate healthy habits plus natural options to better care for our hearts.

If you’re building a house, one of the first things you do is build a foundation which will hold up your house. The same is true for our bodies, we need a proper foundation to build our way to a healthier you. ( I say “you” as in, collective you, I’m speaking to myself too.) To help build a strong foundation for our health, high quality supplements are a good place to start.

Meet doTerra’s number one selling product, Life Long Vitality Supplements. Backed by a 30 day money back guarantee these supplements are the building blocks for our foundation and the start of healthier habits.

These essential oils may also be beneficial:

Cinnamon Bark and Cassia essential oils can promote healthy circulatory and cardiovascular function, as well as Marjoram and Copaiba. Take 1-2 drops of oil into a veggie capsule and take internally, if heart health is a concern for you. And it should concern you, especially as a woman. You can learn more about heart health and essential oils here.

Learn more here.

doTerra’s wellness pyramid is the basis for everyday health, including your heart health. Reducing toxic load. rest and managing stress can be achieved with the Life Long Vitality supplements and essential oils.

Informed self care is so important, like I mentioned earlier you have to become your own health advocate especially if you feel like something is off in your body. Proactive medical care is important for catching things sooner rather than later, like getting your yearly physical, Pap smear, Mammogram, Colonoscopies, etc can hopefully catch things before they become an even bigger issue.

When I first started to get sick I felt like a fraud to be preaching a healthy lifestyle with essential oils while my own health was spiraling out of control. I still have the same feelings and insecurities pop up but, I know that my healthcare is better when I incorporate natural alternatives along with traditional medicine. It doesn’t have to be a this or that, but we can mesh them together to take control over our health and our lives.

This February I challenge you to start building your foundation to a healthy lifestyle and schedule those check-up appointments. I have to remind myself often that I can’t pour from an empty cup.

Ready for a complete overhaul of your health? Doterra has released a new enrollment kit for just that- The Foundational Habits Enrollment Kit. This kit includes:

  • Chocolate protein powder
  • Doterra fiber
  • Doterra greens
  • Doterra On Guard 5ml- protects against environmental and seasonal threats
  • Doterra Balance 5ml- Creates a sense of calm and tranquility
  • Frankincense 5ml- Supports healthy cellular, immune, nervous, and digestive function when taken internally. When diffused or inhaled it promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction and overall wellness.
  • Lemon 5ml- Provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function.
  • Lavender 5ml- Swiss army knife of oils, calms and relaxes when taken internally, use in a bath, massage or inhale/diffuse to ease stress and help sleep.
  • Deep Blue Rub- This is one of my most used products. This rub helps soothe tired and achy muscles.
  • Doterra Lifelong Vitality Pack
  • TerraZyme and PB Assist- Supports digestion and optimizes your gastrointestinal tract.

There are TONS of enrollment kits so if this one doesn’t work, please reach out. I’d love to help you find the perfect products for your unique needs.

Hello February: What’s Happening This Month

February 1, 2021      Leave a Comment

doTERRA has added some amazing new products this month. doTERRA Nutrition line helps us reimagine our nutrition with the introduction of dōTERRA Protein, doTERRA Greens and doTERRA Fiber. These items come together to support the immune system, energy levels, and digestive health with pure, natural ingredients.

Want to start February off with a lifestyle change? This is the kit you need!

doTERRA is loving on all of it’s customers with this months amazing promos. Free products, free oils, and if your new to doterra you’ll get a $50 credit this month to spend on more oils.

On Guard is here to defend your family from germs and helps boost the immune system. You can get all of this FREE this month with any order over 200pv. Learn more about On Guard below:

  • https://thebellwetherlife.com/2020/03/26/6-ways-to-use-on-guard/
  • https://thebellwetherlife.com/2020/03/16/diyonguardcleaningwipes/
  • https://www.doterra.com/US/en/determined-to-defend

As always anyone who is in doTERRA’s optional loyalty rewards program will get Lemon Eucalyptus with any LRP order of 125pv before the 15th of the month.

I love all the citrus oils but Green Mandarin is one of my favorites. It’s 10% off all month long!

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Last month I grabbed -What Would Frida Do- by @ariannagab as an add-on to my #bookofthemonthclub box. This then led me to Pinterest to find her paintings, and of course, I had to watch the movie too. I've been working on this piece for several days- not exactly a self-portrait though. I was inspired so much by Frida's courage to use art to express herself and document her pain and heartbreaks.
I got my first #covidvacccine today! If I turn into a zombie 🧟‍♀️ - it was nice knowing y’all 😂
-Live like someone left the gate open- Today Coco lived her best life, which after all this rain, meant bath night. I’m glad she cooperated at least. Afterwards she rolled herself in our quilt, only freeing herself after falling off the bed. My quilt is wet and my back hurts but, the laughs and love she gives in return is priceless.
My office/sewing room got some new art today. ❤️❤️
Using green cleaning products not only saves us from the harsh chemicals in traditional cleaning products and it’s better for the environment. What’s even better? This one bottle of concentrate is 14.50 with a wholesale membership. Your not only saving money but, in doing so your helping keep plastic waste down!
Create beautiful things that bring happiness and joy. ❤️🌵🎨

Goodreads

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