10 Reasons To Choose Young Living Essential Oils

Anyone who reads my blog knows I am a huge supporter of Young Living Essential Oils. It has been such a game changer for myself and my family. Gone are my husbands OTC allergy meds, my oldest daughter hasn't had Benadryl in months, my youngest has yet to have an ear infection from teething since I started using YLEO on her. My migraines are handled and that is just barely skimming the surface. I also use YLEO for cooking, cleaning and even on our pets.

If you are ever interested in Young Living Oils, how they are used, what goes into making them, how safe they are, recipes, testimonies, etc. PLEASE, don't hesitate to ask me. I'd love to share with you all the many ways they have helped me and my family. I also have samples. I just love sharing these oils. Period.

-Britt The HLC

November

This month has been such a fun and relaxed month for me. So THANKFUL for the many Blessings in my life. For Family, Good Health, Friends, Cooking tons of food, Mellowing out more with the girls, the changing colors (Not that Texas gets much of it).....the list is long and I'm aware of how good it's been.

December is a whole new ballgame for my family. Besides the holidays, we have birthdays, anniversaries and  several school functions and work events. It's Bananas.

I'm sticking to my thoughts and feelings from my last post and I'm refusing to stress and panic about it all. I'm surprisingly ahead of the game this year (Famous last words for $1000!) but it's such a good feeling to not be overwhelmed or freaking out over gifts and the growing list of things to do!

I'm more just looking forward to more family time and more cooking a ton of food. Not having it stick to me or make me feel guilty is an added bonus.

Anything you are Thankful for as we say goodbye to November? Anything you are especially looking forward to in December?

Let me hear them!

-Britt The HLC

Just a Thought....

Sitting here listening to the new and FANTASTIC Sleeperstar album while enjoying my free Starbucks on a cold morning and I must say, these are the moments I truly enjoy the most.

With Thanksgiving a week away I usually find myself at a huge panic as it always feels like the holidays sneak up on us, not this year though. I find that while on this journey of healthy living, I've found more balance in all things. It's not just the eating better and being more active part that seems to have benefited me more but the entire uncluttering my life of all negativity in all its forms. Friendships, relationships, social media, negative thinking, self doubt, fighting to control things NOT in my control to even nixing certain TV and music....it all adds up.

I'm far more relaxed, I don't find myself worrying about every little thing like I used to. I used to get overwhelmed so easily and now...hardly at all. Don't get me wrong, it's still a journey, the process is very much still in place. However, if you look at who I was 2 years ago to now, it's a clear and wonderful difference. Who'd of thought that it would be so easy?! Joking of course because it's totally not an overnight change at all and there were times in every front be it living healthy, living life or the living free part where I wanted to throw in the towel and just go back to not caring for myself, putting my happiness aside to make others happy with me was far easier as I yet again, Cared about the wrong things! My priorities have changed with having my own family and that has been the biggest help of all. Their support, their love and their understanding of what I needed to find and gain for MYSELF has been the best thing of all.

Ironically enough, it's never been about a number on a scale as so many people often assume and the most questions I get about this blog are about weight loss. No, it's about yourself as a whole. If you truly work hard to better yourself, the weight is just an added bonus, however it's way down low on that list of things you are rewarded by.

Find your strength, Find your voice, set goals for yourself and never take no for an answer when it comes to your happiness and overall well being. It's about and for YOU. Not anyone else and everyone is DIFFERENT.

Bring on the Holidays, the hoopla, the extra sweets and family. I'm totally ready.

Back in the saddle again....

Life has been super busy for me the past few weeks. Between both girls fighting contagious illnesses I've been full on mommy mode and not so much HLC. I'm not complaining about it mind you.I love being mommy and the past 2 weeks have given me lots of down time and extra snuggles and cuddles with my girls that if healthy, they would never allow. I'll take it. Still though, I'm over all the germs and the sick days and not having much of a life outside of our house which has been our annoying prison it seems. We're busting out soon though.

I've officially signed up for my first 5k next month! It's been over a year since my last 5k and my husband has done 3!! I'm so ready to start running more and now that I have a better understanding of my Plantar Fasciitis, I know I can pace myself and manage it far better. I won't allow it to stop me so much as before. Between my PT tips and my YL Oils, I've totally got this.

Totally worth sharing as it has been the best treatment I've found in over 2 years of dealing with this.

Love sharing my testimonies with Young Living Essential oils, they have been MAJOR life changers for our family. From allergies, colds, cleaning, cooking to our pets even. We use them for everything. I'll be doing a giveaway soon on my FB page(The Healthy Living Chick) since I've been gaining new people lately. Make sure you check it out. I may even do another giveaway here on my blog come December, just in time for Christmas! So stay tuned for that as well.


Happy Saturday- Britt The HLC

Living Life.

Ever since I started HLC I set out on a serious mission. To actually practice what I was preaching! Living Healthy, Living Life, Living Free. Three very easy (or seemingly easy) rules to live by to live a full, happy, healthy and regret free life. Right? Add in a blog for accountability purposes and Ta-Da!

In the 9 months of my transition I have hit several high and low points (I am human after all) but the biggest thing was that I am sticking to it! Do I blog all the time? No. Do I benge eat or do crazy diets? No. Do I exercises every day? Not close. However. Do I eat healthier and make better food choices? Yes. Do I guilt myself for having dessert? No. Do I exercise regularly? Yes.

It's all about your perspective and your ambition. Setting realistic goals and reminding yourself that it's okay to go at it on your rules and at your pace. It doesn't matter if your blog doesn't look as cool as others you read, it's not about how many followers you have, how often you post, if you don't count calories, join a gym, follow a workout routine or if you only run 3 days a week.

Do it for YOU. Do what makes YOU happy.

Alright well, enough beating around the bush...

In the part of living free and figuring out a way to help my goals for this chapter of living a healthy lifestyle I made a bucket list...yes, a bucket list. I made one years back in an old journal and every once in awhile when I stumble upon it I have been able to add the dates to the events after I cross it off the list and that feeling, as quick and seemingly nonimportant makes me so happy and feel accomplished.

A bucket list doesn't have to necessarily be these HUGE events, they can be small goals or dreams that you set out to obtain. It can be a vision board you visually see everyday, a small checklist you check often, anything you wish to make it.

Mine is simply an updated list from my old list I made in 2003. Once I accomplish something from the list, I take a photo (if applicable) and write an entry about it. Like my latest accomplishment on my bucket list.

I wanna know: If YOU had a bucket list, what would be on it?

Britt The HLC

What does being healthy mean?

So it's official. I am CLEARED to run again!

I was so excited when I was told this that when we got home I told Evan he had to go on a run with me before we picked Avery up from MDO. Not to mention it was yet again, another 80* day in Texas with just a bit too much wind but man....it was too good to pass up on.

My foot is a bit tense still and I didn't push myself too hard, just being outside and moving was almost euphoric. Wait, did I just say euphoric about running? Seriously? *Shrug* Guess I am turning into a runner after all. I can't wait to hit the gym tomorrow, it's going to be hard but I'm prepared for the burn. I also know I can not get ahead of myself and that I must take it easy, one of my biggest things I do not manage well is following directions when it comes to health stuff. I get it into my head that  I know myself better than a medical professional and before I know it I've re-injured myself which is no mi Gusta.

Before my foot appointment we also had our follow up appointment with the OB. No, we are not pregnant yet and we are still going to try but we're also not going to stress about it. I'm on a prenatal to fit my needs now and will be taking a baby asprin a day to help prepare myself for potential blood issues. All my lab work came back good which is both good and bad news I guess. Considering how messed up both sides of my gene pool are, I've lucked out with only having one gene mutation. This mutation however, is very common, like 50% common with most people and can be treated with more folic acid, b12 and an all together healthy living lifestyle.

I'm also still a high probability for stroke, heart attack and blot clots due to my family history and this gene mutation signified that as well. I'll take it over some of the other variable mutations out there. Whats important is that I am healthy and able to conceive a baby. Does this mean I'll not have another miscarriage, no, it's not up to me or a doctor but it's up to God and I have to continue to give it up to him. Does it mean I won't try again, no. We still want another baby. We're going to be patient about this and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. There's no medical reason why I shouldn't be able to get pregnant again.


I'm glad I decided to do the lab work and find out where I am with my health. I think it's something all woman should take into consideration, regardless if your trying to get pregnant or if babies are not even on the radar. It's good to be informed of your genetics and your health.

Evan and I have come a long way in our health if you ask me. I can look at pictures of us when we were dating to after we got married to now and you can visibly see how we've changed. It's seriously a journey and it's one you have to make for yourself. Nobody else has to live with YOUR health. For me being healthy meant having a baby. It meant letting go of foods I thought I needed, saying good by to sugary drinks and making myself get more sleep. It meant making better choices and decisions for myself, my husband and my potential family. I took it one day at a time and one choice at a time...

Here's us at our heaviest:

And 4 months later...

You can see the difference. This was also right before we got pregnant with Avery

3 months pregnant and I was still looking thin!

2008

Last week.

(Yes, I'm a dork.)

It's like I said before...a balance.

Eating right, excercising, sleeping, drinking water, taking vitmains, being active and staying positive.

I'm curious though, what does being healthy mean to YOU?

**EDIT** Last night my foot went back to hurting, today, I can't put any pressure on it whatsoever. I am miserable. Bought a brace and have been propped up with ice and heat per doctors orders. This is possibly the worst injury to date and the Dr. now wants me to come in for more x-rays. :(

-Britt The HLC

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Today, it was 80*.

80*... in Feb. Thanks Texas, for staying weird as usual. Come hell or high water I will be running tomorrow after my 2 doctor appointments and if my foot doctor won't allow me to run, I may glare him down in a battle of wills.....in my head anyways.

I'm so tired of not being able to do ANYTHING. I can tell how much not being active is effecting my mood and energy. This week has just been emotionally draining and I feel tired and cranky. Even after having a picnic lunch at the park today with Evan and Avery and soaking up the sunshine it just made me sad that I couldn't put on my running gear and just take off.

Soon....very, very soon.


Running makes me happy, it truly does. Never thought I would say that. HA.

Another thing that makes me happy is this team right here.....

Oh yeah, Spring Training started today and I am so excited!!!! This seasons going to be amazing and I am ready to hit the ball park and cheer on my guys.

Caution: High Hopes Shattered Ahead.

Today has been brutal.

I was so excited to share with you my joyous news tonight and instead, I'm fighting back tears and internally punishing myself for yet again getting my hopes up. Many of you, who are sweet, devoted readers may remember awhile back when I talked about us getting a dog someday and how we were just waiting to find the right one. Well, last week, I found him. "Goldie"was a stray found and taken to the Denton  Animal Shelter and would be available today if not reclaimed. He caught my attention and my heart quite quickly. 6-8 years old, male, neutered Golden Retriever. Or as I call my dream dog.

I talked it over with Evan almost jokingly but instead, he asked more about him and once he saw how excited I was to show him pictures and talk about him he too was hooked on the idea. We emailed the director who answered several questions and asked us questions, she was excited for us to come this morning and get "Goldie". I posted it on FB, I shared his picture I even wrote on the shelters wall about how excited we were to get him and bring him home. We cleaned the house, organized, made plans for how to introduce Gus and Paris, bought food, a collar, leash, crate, etc all ready for this morning.

We arrived at the shelter to see "Goldie" playing with a few other dogs and wagging his huge tail in excitement, I was so happy to see him and know he was ours! We went inside, checked in and waited our turn as there were 5 people also in the lobby. Then someone asked a simple enough question to someone else as Evan and I told the officer we were  there to meet Amy and sign our paperwork for "Goldie".

"What?! I'm here for Goldie!" Said this older woman sitting in a seat and staring at us in suprise. This woman walked in directly in front of us and I signed in after her. When Amy came into the office the woman stood up hurriedly and let Amy and the officer know that she was there to pick up Goldie and she had been there first. I was flabbergasted. Was this lady really going to be so rude?!

Amy looked at us and asked if I was Brittnye, I said yes and she smiled and let me know how happy she was to finally meet us and how excited she was to have me start volunteering next month (Something I start on March 10th). Then the woman made another comment on how she hoped they weren't holding animals for friends of workers.....*sigh* I just met Amy, we don't know her personally at all.

The officer was not as friendly as Amy, and said they didn't hold animals and it was a first come first serve basis. He then had us write our names down on a piece of paper, folded them and had Amy draw a name to see who got "Goldie". My heart broke as she read the other womans name and not mine.

Just like that, my early birthday present from Evan was taken from me. All with the dog being in my sight! I just sttod there not sure what to do while Evan rubbed my back. Amy handed the woman the paperwork and asked if we wanted to look at the other dogs available, which we reluctantly did. Since I follow the FB page, I knew who was available and none of the other dogs tugged at me like "Goldie" had. when we went into the dog room and walked down a few kennels Evan grabbed me asked if I was okay to which I started crying my eyes out. I know, seems stupid to cry over this, my main concern was he would be adopted which he was but still....we did so much to make the house ready for him and it was like we were bringing home a new baby. I was that excited about it and I waited all weekend to allow myself to get to that point of letting my guard down to have everything be changed in an instant.

So I cleaned myself up, we looked at a few cats and then went back out to the yard to watch the dogs and play with a few. The woman came outside and started asking a volunteer about "Goldie". She didn't even know his story or if he was neutered. She had seen him on petfinder after her husband had told her to look for another Golden after theirs passed away 6 months ago. The fact that she lives in the country and has had other goldens made me feel a little better....but this woman then had the gall to approach us and ask us what we had planned to call him. When Evan told her we were going to call him Samson, she made this weird face and said "Oh. hmm well, we're naming him matador but Matt for short." She had heard we had a child and then said "We live in Gainesville, you can come play with him if you'd like!"

BLESS my husband and his sweet heart because after that I wanted to be rude to her, I wanted to make her feel low and throw Avery into the conversation for a kick in her own chest for taking a dog from a toddler but I didn't. I just smiled and wished her the best and went back to chatting with the volunteers and Amy. I seriously don't know if the woman was trying to be rude or intentionally hurtful but it just shocked me.

We got in the car and I just told Evan to ignore my tears on the way home. I truly am thankful for his sweet words of encouragement and understanding, he knows my heart so well and he knows just how badly I wanted this dog. A dog. I never go crazy over dogs, I've always been a cat person and the last time I owned a dog was 2003! Something lately though has me wanting one so bad!!

We looked at some Golden rescues today but it's 2-300$ to adopt and the process is crazy. I also read on several sites that they won't adopt to a family with a child under 5 years of age.

Yeah, the hits kept coming.

Evans best friend drove in from Fort Worth soon after and we spent the afternoon with him. I was Thankful for the distraction because my mood went sour fast and I have had such a crummy afternoon. I'm hoping an early bed time after a nice hot bath can help me shrug this funk off. I hate feeling this sad and defeated!
Ugh.

Over & Out,
Brittnye

Run For Sherry Arnold

I almost forgot to post my Run for sherry pic. I wore this bib with my race bib on Saturday and I saw several others honoring her during their 5ks as well.

I was asked by a handful of people what it was about and told them her story and how to check out This Blog for more details and over all running goodness to read. No matter what the cause, what the event or who the person is, always do what you feel right for a cause you believe in.


-Britt The HLC

Happy "I Love You" Day.

To save myself from repeating my sentiments about this day...I'll direct you here:

The Family Blog :)

Hope you all are enjoying your day!!

- Britt The HLC

Dear Self....

I was recently on a cleaning spree with Evan when I came across a box of letters and photos from high school. I sat for awhile laughing at some of the letters to friends I wrote, magazine clippings of Jake Gylenhal, Josh Hartnett and my geek crush Josh Groban when I found a CD with my senior pictures on it....

            

90's perm                                                 Age 10                                                    Just smile.

To be honest, looking at my younger pictures is hard for me. I hardly had friends and in the majority of them I have 1 of 2 looks, one where I have this huge false smile on my face and the other where I look sad or upset with having a camera in my face. My how that seems like a lifetime ago.....

Just before I started my Senior year, I had a breast reduction surgery that truly was what I wanted. Besides the fact that I needed to lose weight and I had medical issues due to the weight I was. I  wanted to fit in, I wanted to feel pretty and accepted, I wanted to be healthy and stay in school without constantly being sent home due to my medical issues.

To sum up a sad and pointless story....I had my Senior pictures re-done in Feb of my senior year and the pictures were Amazing. I was smiling in them, I was posing and not hiding myself, I even had my best friend be in a few with me. I look so relaxed and just comfortable and I didn't cry about them to my mom. I remember printing so many of them out and handing them out to people I knew and even Evan, who was a sweet friend of mine with no romantic feelings yet surfaced. I think that stage of my youth I felt good in my skin for the first time and started to make my way into the world with my head high and yet...I still felt overweight, I felt "Fat".

So there I was, sitting in my fave pj's, no make-up on, hair in a messy bun laughing at these pictures with my husband and proclaiming "GOD, look how thin I am!! Look at my skin! I want to be this thin again..." and internally scoffing at my younger self for being so silly and for thinking I wasn't beautiful or worth much. It doesn't take much to feel good about yourself....believe me. It's a process, a journey you hate at first and then even more when you realize...YOUR PERFECT AS YOU ARE!

I know we all do this to ourselves on bad days, I know people struggle with it. Lord knows I did a lot growing up pretty much until I turned 18 and started dating Evan. But once I realized I was beautiful for a multitude of reasons and a lot of them being on the inside....I let my true self show and that's attractive. I also think Evan saved me from myself....he saved me from a dangerous place in my life and he did it by starting off as my friend and by telling me flat out the choices I was making in my life were making me ugly. He wasn't the only one back then who had said as much to me but he was the one whose voice caught my attention. How I love him for that hard conversation. (long back story for that to make sense, sorry)

Still though, when you feel good about yourself it shows in so many GOOD ways and when you love someone who allows you to be yourself and brings the best of you out....you just get more attractive when you embrace who you are.

So to my Self (Past, Present & future):

-ALWAYS REMEMBER-

You are Beautiful. You may not feel it everyday, you may not act it on occasion but trust me. You are perfect the way you are. You are a woman capable of obtaining any goal you set before yourself. You are an amazing wife to a man who adores you for everything you are and a mom to one outstanding little girl who also brings out the best of you. BE PATIENT with her and remember to remind her always that she is beautiful by being unique in her individuality. Remember that diets only make you cranky, water is your friend and the gym makes you feel like a rock star so don't be so afraid of it. Running in the early morning suits you best because you get to clear your head and get a good quiet time in too. The scale lies, it always has and you realized this at 22 so don't bother going by it, in fact keep on not allowing them in your home all together. Your a strong christian who has a brilliant smile and contagious laugh to go with your awesome sense of humor. You choose to be positive rather than negative about things and your friends find you to be loyal and always there when they need you. You love musicals and British movies, your a history geek and a foodie at heart (you caught the microwave on fire, who does that?!) and you still believe you will be able to convince your husband to eat and love tofu. You are creative and crafty when you don't talk yourself out of doing something along those lines, you also tend to second guess yourself entirely too much. You are doing good for yourself by realizing your worth it and so is your family. Keep it up!!!

Well that was painless.....kinda

So I did it.

I rolled my eyes at my reflection, asked Avery and a friend to play quietly for 5 minutes, shut the door, took off my shoes...and marched right up to that ugly, off white, sears addition digital scale and said "Here I am, Give it to me!!"

Then quickly closed my eyes and thought how stupid that was to say to an enemy...........

Verdict: 2 months of no running, no gym and add in the holidays and an 11 day vacation...I gained 6lbs.

I'm not going to lie, I was excited. Why you ask? well, because it's not nearly as bad as I thought it was in my head when I first noted the small pudge in my tummy after stepping out of the shower last week. (WHY DO THEY PLACE THE MIRROR AND VANITY DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM WHERE YOU SHOWER NAKED?!) Since Evan and I are gearing up for 3 different 5ks in the next 6 weeks and we're home again and regaining our old schedule and routine I know I'll be back on the road running and visiting the gym my regular 3-5 times a week so it's mainly just getting back to cooking healthier and grocery shopping smarter.

I love how not defeated I feel about all this. The me from this time last year would have opened up her favorite pint of ice cream and added some cookie dough into the pity party mix on the couch pulling an all-nighter with junk food and tears.

So I guess...it's 3 cheers for not gaining more than I could have? Meh, it sounds good in my head.

Healthy Living Chick took a break from the balance she was finally getting used to, I am human after all, it was bound to happen. Guess it's time to cinch up the belt and get to doing things the healthy and balanced way. I'm ready to start cooking meals again!!! (so look for a few dinner menu things popping up on the blog)

Next up: Getting a clean bill of health for the new year. I have my eye exam this week (glasses will be prescribed I just know it) followed by my dental check up and then the oh so fabulous lady doc visit. Also a BIG announcement to come soon and since I'm just way too impatient....look for a fun GIVEAWAY coming in a few weeks.

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday!
HLC

...Then it happened....

I hope you all had a great weekend. I am enjoying the roller coaster that is known at Texas weather with highs and lows all over the place. This weekend was very pleasant though and I regret not getting to run during it but E and I took A to a concert on Saturday to support and watch a dear friend perform in a band he's in. Check out Sleeperstar on iTunes!! Or go here http://sleeperstar.com/ (shameless plug for the ones I love.)




So today I had a realization that has probably taken me 15 years to figure out and in the most bizarre place I could ever think of it to happen. While standing on the scale. I almost put revelation, but it's not a revelation when it's been kind of clear as day to anyone who knows me. The last 6 weeks have been both hard and overall amazing for me. I'm eating healthier, I'm exercising more, I'm taking time for ME! Something I hardly ever allowed myself without feeling guilty. The results are a few pounds lost, more confidence in myself, less stress and way more energy than I've had in years and so so much more personally for me.

My goals seem attainable without outside help or motivation. I love running and going into the gym and even when I have my weird inner self confidence issues on how I look to others or go through my closet 3 times over to find something I'm comfortable in and making sure it's not a t-shirt EVERYDAY with my comfy jeans...it's not riddled with anxiety and panic.


I've accepted who I am on the outside and guess what...
I'M BEAUTIFUL.

(A took this pic of me on sat., my 2 year old is too smart)

I also have to just say to you, sweet reader that you are, that you are also BEAUTIFUL. I wish that we as a society had never put titles or labels on people or made beauty based on a number or a size. I've wasted so much life by worrying about those petty things. I've cried too many tears over it and my childhood was full of wayyyy too many bullies that I allowed to have power over me because I was just a different kind of beautiful, one that is suggested not to be accepted by people and for what reason?

So I embrace my stretch marks, my calves rock and I know some who wish they had my bust. My hair is awesome and my smile is cherished by my hubby and sweet daughter. I'm happy. I'm healthy and it's only getting better the more I allow myself to see and believe this.

I can only hope and pray you see this in yourself as well.

Stay Healthy!

HLC :)