Tuesday’s Talk: Thieves You Want in Your Home

One of the reasons I decided to purchase Young Living oils is the blend they sell called Thieves. This blend has been touted for so many health benefits, it’s pretty amazing.

I wanted it to add to my mop and household cleaner and I’ve loved its smell ever since I used it.

When I had my horrible cough this past winter, inhaling Thieves would stop it and bring me instant relief.

I’ve placed Thieves on sores or painful areas in my mouth and had them numb completely. When the numbing sensation wore off, the pain was gone.


I’ve also used Thieves to make an “antibacterial spray” for traveling, to spray down areas and even to spray on our necks to protect us from germs.

More recently, I’ve made a Thieves throat spray (containing Thieves, peppermint and water) to spray on my aching throat. It numbs it instantly and provides incredible relief. I also know that the oils are killing bacteria at the same time.
Tuesday's Talk: Thieves You Want in Your Home

Tuesday's Talk: Thieves You Want in Your Home

Thieves is named after men who were able to pillage areas of Europe while a plague was killing people. In exchange for a lesser sentence, they told the king their secret: As spice dealers trapped in Europe because the ports were closed, they knew exactly which spices to use to protect themselves from getting sick. They ran out of money and resorted to stealing. They were protected by the herbs and spices they put on their bodies.

Depending on the company, Thieves oil blends may contain different oils. The oils contained in Young Living’s Thieves blend are: clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus radiata, and rosemary. Each one of these oils has incredible health benefits and combined they make a powerful blend to protect and heal our bodies.

One study in 2006 addressed cinnamon oil specifically and declared it to have the most potential bactericidal properties. Oils that also performed well in this study were: clove, lemon and rosemary oils. Interestingly enough, these are all oils contained in the Thieves blend.

Another study in 2009 proved the best four oils for medicinal purposes: cinnamon, lemongrass, lemon and thyme. Clove and eucalyptus weren’t far behind, showing “considerable efficacy”. The researchers used these oils successfully to kill three Candida strains, four Streptococcus strains, and six Staphylococcus strains, including MRSA.

Being able to use thieves to kill serious bacterial strains in our bodies is absolutely incredible. Using it your home can also have a two-fold benefit, though. For one, using antibacterial soaps and cleaners throughout your home is dangerous and can increase antibiotic resistant bacteria (that means when you need the antibiotics, they don’t work). Using a product like Thieves in your home stops these harmful antibacterial agents from robbing you of good bacteria and increases the likelihood that antibiotic resistant bacteria will not be a threat to your health!

The New York Times spoke to this exact subject in 2007, stating that cinnamon oil, in particular, has antimicrobial properties, perfect for household cleaning and hand washing. This is a great replacement for those antibacterial products that have become so prevalent.

You can easily purchase Young Living Thieves products from hand wash to household cleaners, lozenges to dental floss. You can also make your own, like I do. Foaming hand wash, mop solution, cleaning spray, and lozenges are all easy to make at home. It’s so worth it!

Ready to try it?

Go here and, if need be, enter the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID 1414775. Enter your personal information, select Wholesale (it will save you 24% off the retail price), and choose the Premium Starter Kit. You can bypass the Essential Rewards Kits (they’re optional) and you’ll be well on your way to experiencing all these benefits and more! (If you do decide to do Essential Rewards, you can sign up at any time, spend $50 a month and save on shipping while gradually building your medicine cabinet arsenal for every ailment imaginable).

Read more about why we use ONLY Young Living in our home here.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference is just that: Essential. If you sign up through me with the purchase of the Premium Starter Kit, I will send you this book as a Welcome Gift. You may also purchase it through this (affiliate) link below:

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of August 18, 2014.

We’re back! Incredible week with friends and babies was had by all and now that Monday has hit (and it hit hard), I’m back to meal-planning! Many families are sending kids back to school this week. I’m sure having some meals planned ahead of time to prepare for your family will help ease into the new routine.

Monday: Roasted salmon (on sale at Martins this week – Wild Alaskan Sockeye $10.99/lb), rice and coleslaw (I’ve been loving this coleslaw recipe!)

Tuesday: Easy roast chicken with garden fresh zucchini, potatoes and carrots

Wednesday: GF Mac n (goat) cheese with ground beef and spinach

Thursday: GF vegetarian pizza (I’ve been using this crust recipe with my favorite all-purpose bread flour by Jules – I also double it)

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration on Vacation

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of August 11, 2014:

As I post this, I am on vacation with my wonderful friends, the first mom friends I made when I moved to Virginia and had my first baby! This reunion has been in the works since January. One mom with 2 toddlers from Alabama. Me, with 2 toddlers from Virginia. And meeting up with our dear friend and her toddler, in Texas! Phew!

Before we embarked on this trip, they asked me to do a meal plan for our visit. It was the least I could do! We went through my blog and picked out some of our favorite recipes. I threw them on a spreadsheet, separated out the ingredients, and made a shopping list. Here’s what we will be enjoying this week:

Night 1: Fish tacos with lots of toppings and steamed vegetables

Night 2: Chicken tikka masala with rice and cauliflower pilaf

Night 3: Beef stroganoff with spinach (slow-cooker)

Night 4: Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (GF bread & goat cheese)

Night 5: Spaghetti and meatballs with spinach

Most of these can be made pretty quickly in the evening after nap time and I’m looking forward to cooking them with my “sisters”.

Are you following me on Pinterest? Facebook?

5 Best Posts for Flying with Toddlers (Holistically)

5 Best Posts for Flying with Toddlers (Holistically)

If things are a bit quiet on my site next week it’s because I’m traveling with my toddlers! Tomorrow we are taking our first flight together! I’d say I’m nervous, but I love traveling so much, I’m just excited to share the adventure with them!

In case you’re looking for some helpful hints, like I was, here are my Top 5 Toddler Travel posts!


– Kula Mama gives us my #1 post: 4 Healthy Tips for Traveling with Kids (I’ll be taking lots of her advice – especially on what to pack in my backpack!)

– The Kitchn tell us What Snacks to Pack for the Plane (Honestly, I’ve been buying snacks here and there for weeks to prepare. Having special treats is my secret weapon – wish me luck!)

– Holistic Squid shares How to Survive Air Travel with Kids (I like the idea of wrapped gifts to unwrap as the flight goes on.)

– The Blessed Nest offers an entire timeline to get us prepared in Pre-Trip Prep for Flying with Toddlers (I’m happy to see that I’ve done most of this, including the house-cleaning!)

– Mom.me had me at “throw those rules right out the window” in her post Tips for Traveling with Kids (You can bet I will have the iPad, LeapPad and iPhone charged and ready!)

5 Best Posts for Flying with Toddlers (Holistically)

So, what can I add to this? Well, essential oils of course!

I made Thieves spray to spray our throats, necks, hands and the airplane seats. It’s simple!

In a 2 oz dark glass bottle put:

– 1/2 teaspoon witch hazel
– 10-15 drops of Young Living Thieves oil
– distilled water to fill the bottle

I already tested it out. Smells great and I’m so confident in its ability to keep us healthy!

My carry-on will only have the Thieves Spray, a few drops of Joy in a small rollerball bottle and my small 5 mL bottle of Peppermint. I’m hoping there will be no problems getting through security with these!


5 Best Posts for Flying with Toddlers (Holistically)

My checked baggage will have small amounts of the oils I use everyday. I diluted some with almond oil, per the Essential Oils Pocket Reference guide. About 5-7 drops of each oil in separate rollerballs should last us for our 5 nights away from home. I also threw in some full size bottles of Lemon and Citrus Fresh to put in my water while I’m away.

I’m sure I’ll have a lot to add once I’ve actually completed my first flight(s) with my toddlers. Can’t wait to share with you all! Wish us luck!

Tuesday’s Talk: Miracle Oil with Ancient History

Tuesday's Talk: Miracle Oil with Ancient History

I am fascinated by the history of certain medicinal treatments. Take Frankincense for instance. It was mentioned in 5th century BC by Herodotus. It’s also mentioned in the Bible, which goes waaayyyyyy back. Frankincense was brought to baby Jesus when he was born, which I always thought was a weird gift for a baby. Now, I know better.

Frankincense is a miracle worker. I’ve seen it listed in many skin care home remedies and then looked up the price (of a therapeutic grade oil) – OUCH. It’s pretty pricey! I wondered why. Not only is it incredibly valuable, derived from the hardened gum resins obtained by tapping the Boswellia carteri or Boswellia frereana in Africa, India or the Middle East, it’s miraculous.

Frankincense is:

  • Superior to chemotherapy (killing late-stage ovarian cancer cells)
  • Able to suppress cancer cell viability (in bladder cancer)
  • An anti-inflammatory
  • A viable treatment for asthma
  • An emenagogue (reducing obstructed and delayed menstruation, helping PMS – because of this it is not recommended for pregnancy)
  • Useful for skin disorders
  • A helpful treatment for gastroenteritis
  • Considered a holy anointing oil for religious ceremonies
  • Elevating to the mind
  • An antiseptic
  • An astringent
  • An antacid (speeds up digestive juices and movement of food through intestines)
  • A carminative (eliminates and prevents gas from building up in the body)
  • A cytophylactic (anti-aging)
  • A diuretic
  • A tonic – toning and boosting all the systems of the body
  • An anti-depressant
  • Wound-healer
  • Good for uterine health
  • A sedative – great for insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, and high blood pressure
  • A pain reliever – great for headaches, toothaches, body pain and fevers
  • A healer of respiratory issues – from bronchitis to congestion
  • Stress reducer


This is an incredible oil to have on hand in your home. You can put it in capsules and take it as a supplement to get a lot of the internal benefits mentioned above. Young Living also makes a supplement called Longevity that contains frankincense (as well as clove, thyme and orange).

We currently use frankincense in our diffuser at night and sometimes on the bottoms of our feet. I rub it on wounds for quick healing and smell it frequently to lift my mood and reduce anxiety.


Ready to try it?

Go here and enter the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID 1414775. Enter your personal information, select Wholesale (it will save you 24% off the retail price), and choose the Premium Starter Kit. You can bypass the Essential Rewards Kits (they’re optional) and you’ll be well on your way to experiencing all these benefits and more! (If you do decide to do Essential Rewards, you can sign up at any time, spend $50 a month and save on shipping while gradually building your medicine cabinet arsenal for every ailment imaginable).

Read more about why we use ONLY Young Living in our home here.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference is just that: Essential. If you sign up through me with the purchase of the Premium Starter Kit, I will send you this book as a Welcome Gift. You may also purchase it through this (affiliate) link below:


Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

Weekly Meal-Planning Inspiration

For the week of August 4, 2014:

While August seems like it should still be “summerish”, it’s also filled with back-to-school energy, our oldest daughter’s 4th birthday, vacation and visitors. A lot to plan and prepare for!

For this week, we’re trying to keep things simple as I prepare for my first solo trip with both toddlers on an airplane! Any tips are appreciated! Because we are leaving Friday, I have only meal-planned through Wednesday night. Thursday will have to be take-out dinner so I can pack and clean and gather my thoughts!

Monday: Tilapia (#9), rice and green beans

Tuesday: Baked Chicken Drumsticks (on sale at Martin’s) – new recipe to us – served with salads and quinoa

Wednesday: Meatloaf in muffin tins (new recipe), mashed potatoes and roasted cauliflower

Are you following me on Pinterest? Facebook?

Daddy-Daughter Dates

I used to read books as a teenager where the teenage girl had special dates with her dad and I’d wistfully imagine how cool that would be. It wasn’t something that actually happened in my childhood or teenage years and I’m okay with that. However, it is something that I would like to see in my daughters’ lives.

When I’ve brought it up to my husband, he has said it sounds like a good idea, but when and where and what and how? I just assumed we’d figure it out one day. Then I saw this video and said, “We HAVE to do this.”

It’s sweet, right? I can’t believe it’s so controversial. Where’s the controversy? I want our daughters to grow up knowing how a man should treat a woman. Not just because my husband takes me on dates or is kind and respectful towards me, but because he takes them out and is kind and respectful towards them.

So, we did it. It was so cute to see our 3 1/2 year old get so excited about her date with her daddy. She talked about getting spaghetti and meatballs and ice cream and she did her hair with clips and put on a pretty necklace. She felt beautiful and special and she should!
Daddy-Daughter Dates

Daddy - Daughter Dates

While it was nowhere as elaborate as the video above, it was a special evening for the two of them that none of us will ever forget. They had Italian for dinner (something Mommy and baby sister can’t eat). Then they went for ice cream and walked the downtown main street looking in shop windows and talking the whole time. The talking is what excites me the most. We have a child who loves to talk about everything and anything. She seems insatiable when it comes to understanding life and everything around her. Having one-on-one time with us gives her the opportunity to have the undivided attention that allows her to feel heard and seen.

My husband is already talking about his first date with our youngest and what they should do and where they should go. I’m thrilled to see him looking forward to this time with his girls. I look at the big picture (as I do with all things) and see them growing up with these special times with their Daddy. I hope that they tell him all kinds of things and ask him lots of questions. I hope they grow together in a relationship that is deep and genuine, one that lasts beyond our lifetime. I hope when they’re teenagers they don’t look to boys to receive affirmation or confidence, because they’ve been affirmed and uplifted at home. I hope when they’re young women, they can look at their Daddy and say, “Thank you for always making me feel so special.”

Dads have that power. Moms do too. We can take time out of every day to truly hear and see our children. We can get down on their level and play their games, answer their questions and listen to their stories. Being a parent carries so much responsibility that it can be overwhelming to know what we “should” do. Most importantly, though, we can remember to know our kids and let them know us. Nothing can truly accomplish this like time.






And the memories?


They’re going to be with us forever!

Tuesday’s Talk: How to Defuse with a Diffuser

The actual definition of defuse is to reduce the tension in a difficult situation. I don’t know about you, but each day I come across various situations that could be described as difficult! Reducing tension in a busy home, office or work place is crucial to improving the quality of life and your health!
Tuesday's Talk: How to Defuse with a Diffuser

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So, have you purchased a diffuser and don’t know what you’re supposed to do with it? Or have you thought about it, but don’t really know what you’ll do or how it will work? When we embarked on our journey with essential oils, I was concerned mainly with diaper rashes, bug sprays and cleaning solutions. I shrugged off the AMAZING deal of getting a Premium Starter Kit (which includes a diffuser) because I thought that wasn’t for us. Months later, we found ourselves budgeting our finances to be able to purchase one of these because the benefits far outweighed the cost!

First, I had to educate myself on what a diffuser was. I was familiar with humidifiers and wondered if I could just put my oils in that. (The answer is: no. Humidifiers are not created to handle the powerful oils and they will break down the plastic parts, sending toxins into the air as well.) A diffuser is so different! Specifically speaking about the Young Living diffuser, it is an air purifier, an aroma diffuser, an atomizer, and a humidifier all rolled into one. Mixing a few drops of oil with some distilled water in a diffuser allows that oil to be broken up into millions of microparticles. The microparticles are then dispersed into the air in such a way that the powerful properties of therapeutic grade essential oils are activated. It truly is an incredible way to get amazing benefits from these oils while using very little of them.

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Second, I needed to wrap my head around the benefits of diffusing oils instead of inhaling them from my hands or applying them to my body. Because the diffuser alters the structure of molecules, when you diffuse oils you aren’t masking odors (like standard air fresheners that often cause headaches as well). Instead, diffusing actually changes the molecules in a room reducing or eliminating odors, germs, bacteria, mold and fungus.

Thirdly, aside from cleaning the environment of my home, what else could diffusing do? The answers to this question are too many to list here, but defusing tension is a good place to start. You see the cool mist coming off of this diffuser? The mist is actually going into my body (my children’s and my husband’s too) and stimulating neurotransmitters, secretion of endorphins and growth hormone production & receptivity. Inhaling the air containing the diffused oil particles can relax my body, clear my mind, relieve tension, improve concentration, increase alertness, and enhance my mental clarity. From a physiological standpoint, diffused oils also improve digestion, help balance hormones, fight candida by promoting the secretion of IgA antibodies, relieve headaches, and help with weight management.

But how? The science is pretty wordy but I will sum it up like this: When you inhale an aroma, it enters into your nose where it is trapped by the lining inside of your nose. Every odor is made up of molecules and each molecule fits into one of many receptor sites that line the olfactory epithelium. When the molecules fit into these receptor sites, they trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in your brain
, which then transmits them to other areas of the brain including the gustatory center (sensation of taste), amygdala (emotional memories) and other parts of the limbic system. The limbic system is associated with blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, hormone balance, memory, and stress levels. This is how diffused and inhaled oils can have such a profound effect psychologically and physiologically! (*Information derived from the Essential Oils Pocket Reference, Fifth Edition – see below)

Tuesdy's Talk: How to Defuse with a Diffuser

SOLD. I am absolutely sold on the benefits of the diffuser. Ordered, purchased, shipped and received; I had it in front of me and thought, now what? The possibilities are endless!

In our house, we use it in our bedroom at night and in the center of our home (the kitchen counter) during the day. At night we diffuse lavender, frankincense, juniper or valor. Sleep has never been better! During the day, I choose my diffuser cocktail based on the day ahead of us and the moods we’re all in upon waking. I love to diffuse Joy (read more about Joy here). I find peppermint to be extremely motivating and energizing (more peppermint benefits here). I’ve also started making combinations based on some charts I’ve seen, such as Joy + Peppermint for a happy day, Lavender + Lemon + Peppermint for allergies, Thieves + Purification for immune system boosting, Peace & Calming + Lavender for sleep, Lemon + Peppermint to wake up, and Valor + Frankincense to help with sadness. (4-8 drops is all you need for hours upon hours of diffusing bliss!)

There are so many more combinations and cocktails to be made and experienced. I honestly can’t wait. Currently, I’m diffusing Citrus Fresh + Joy. As a sensitive person, I am acutely aware of the shifts that take place in my attitude, motivation and energy levels while diffusing. The best part is that all of the oils mentioned above (except the Citrus Fresh and juniper) come in the Everyday Oils Kit, which is included in the Premium Starter Kit I wished we had purchased originally!

Ready to try it?

Go here and enter the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID 1414775. Enter your personal information, select Wholesale (it will save you 24% off the retail price), and choose the Premium Starter Kit. You can bypass the Essential Rewards Kits (they’re optional) and you’ll be well on your way to experiencing all these benefits and more! (If you do decide to do Essential Rewards, you can sign up at any time, spend $50 a month and save on shipping while gradually building your medicine cabinet arsenal for every ailment imaginable).

Read more about why we use ONLY Young Living in our home here.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference is just that: Essential. If you sign up through me with the purchase of the Premium Starter Kit, I will send you this book as a Welcome Gift. You may also purchase it through this (affiliate) link below:

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of July 28, 2014.

I was telling some friends today that I can remember the first time I “meal planned”. My baby was a few months old and my husband was working. We only had one car and I was struggling with a baby who needed to be held, bounced and shushed around the clock. I couldn’t even think of dinner half the time. I felt proud to be able to throw something easy together in the evenings.

One Sunday, my husband offered to go to the store and pick up some things for the week and he asked what we needed. I pulled out a scrap piece of paper and scribbled down some meal ideas. Then I pulled out another piece of paper and wrote down the ingredients for those meals. What a difference! It didn’t even matter which day I made the meals. What mattered was that I had a list of meals and had the ingredients needed to make them. And so, meal planning began in our home.

It’s a little more involved now as I hunt for sales, try to use leftovers and eat out of the freezer to reduce the impact of shopping on our budget, but in reality it’s remained very much the same. If meal planning helps you feel sane and not going to the grocery store every day, I say, “Do it!” I hope viewing our meal plans can inspire you to try a different recipe once in awhile or help you figure out what to eat when you’re in a rut!

Here are our plans this week:


Monday: Baked swordfish, fresh corn on the cob, salad from our garden and cornbread

Tuesday: Chicken stir-fry with mushrooms, celery, carrots and onions with quinoa (adapted from this recipe)

Wednesday: Southwestern ground beef casserole

Thursday: Black beans and rice with lots of garden veggies

My Intuitive Eating Program

Lately, I’ve received several messages inquiring about my Intuitive Eating Program. While I replied to each message individually, I thought there might be more people who wondered, but didn’t ask. So here it is, a detailed explanation of the Intuitive Eating Program I offer. Now you can decide if you want to take that step to freedom!

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A long time ago, I had a desperate hope. I hoped that I could find a magic book or magic program that would fix my screwed up head. I knew I was screwed up because everyone around me seemed to be okay with themselves while I was tortured by every ounce that went up and down on the scale. I knew something was wrong because I could NOT stop exercising, starving, bingeing, purging and the like. My journey toward freedom took me many places. You can read more of my story here, here, and here.

While my journey will never end, my head is no longer screwed up, I am not living a life that is out of control; I am not obsessed or tortured any more. Knowing how hard things used to be, I can say that this freedom to eat whatever and whenever I want is absolutely incredible. The peace I have with myself and the understanding I have of my hunger are priceless gifts that I am grateful for every day. I want the same for you, for every one.

The Intuitive Eating Program is something I designed based on my own experience and healing journey. I designed it because diets are prevalent in this country and they don’t work. No matter the program, intention, calories & fat combinations, exercise routines, or protein & carbohydrate levels, 98% of people who diet, regain the weight, which means there is no successful diet program out there. This program demolishes the ideas that there are good foods and bad foods, that you eat well or eat badly, that you had a good food day or a bad food day. One example is this: If you think about your favorite food, do you associate it with guilt, shame or remorse? This program makes food “free” so you can find what actually works for your body and your health.

The program unfolds in 8 sessions. I have found that a minimum of 8 sessions creates the commitment and support that people need to make the changes in their life that they want, but often struggle to make on their own. These 8 sessions focus on hunger, fullness, satiety, beauty, myths, societal standards, nourishment, joyful movement and nutrition.

  • The first 4 sessions are weekly, to establish homework assignments, reading and support.
  • The next 2 sessions are every other week.
  • The last 2 sessions are 3-4 weeks apart, depending on a person’s needs. This allows my clients time to walk in their new role with food and gather up their accomplishments and challenges to work through with me when we speak.
  • Continuing sessions, if desired, focus more on food, meals and nutrition based on individual needs.

My clients have found that having regular sessions, check-ins, and homework has given them the greatest amount of partnership on this journey, enabling them to experience complete freedom as they arrive at the healthiest body weight for themselves.

The “assigned” reading is from two books that I send out at the beginning of our work. Homework is based on worksheets I provide and the level of the client’s commitment to complete them. Worksheets include Hunger and Fullness Logs, Stomach Hunger vs Mouth Hunger Logs, Satiety & Satisfaction Logs, and a worksheet on Grace.

A good way to explain this program is the way a former client described it, “Do you want another diet, or do you want a solution?” I love that description! I also love how another client said the program gave her the “confidence to walk, live, love and eat without shame or embarrassment”. Yet another told me she could not have enjoyed her vacation without having been set free from her obsessions with diet, weight, food and body image.

The goal of this program is to teach you to trust yourself so you can have complete freedom in your body, your movements, and your food choices.

My nutrition and wellness sessions are $80 a session, which would be $640 for the 8-session program. When people sign up for the whole 8-session program, the cost is only $480. This can either be paid up front or through a payment plan with payments completed by the end of the fourth session. PayPal or personal checks are accepted.

Being in this program also allows free access to me via text, phone, e-mail or Facebook messaging. I whole-heartedly support each client on this path and always respond to messages and inquiries where there may be doubts or struggles.

Sessions can be in person, via Skype, via FaceTime, via GooglePlus, or over the phone. I have had clients from all over the country and distance has never been an issue. Thank God for technology!

Want to sign up? Contact Me and we can get started with the intake forms and scheduling of our first 4 weekly sessions. I can’t wait to help you walk in freedom!

 

Qualifications: This program is a blend of my experiences, education and training. I have personally walked through the experience of freeing myself from disordered eating through learning intuitive eating. I have my bachelor’s degree in Human Development and my Master’s degree in Holistic Health Education, specializing in Holistic Nutrition. I am trained as a Life Coach through a certified coaching institute. Most importantly: I am extremely passionate about freedom and care about each and every one of my clients’ success, joy and self-love!